The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-12-18
ruE GREAT BATTLE AT FRED.
ERICKSBURG. ~

HEADQUARTERS Army Or THE 10
rowAC. December 1911 Pm.
The fog began to disappear early
in the forenoon, afording an unobsrgc.
ted view Of our own and the rebel
positions. 1t being evident that the
first ridge of hills in the rear OF the
CITY, on which the enemy had his
guns posted behind works which
could not be carried except by a
charge of infantry, General Sumner
assigned that duty to Gen. French
division, supported by Gen Howard s.
The troops advanced to their WORK,
at ten minutes before y, at abrlsk run,
the enemy's guns opening upon them
a verv rapid fire: When within mus
ket range, at the base of the ridge, ouI
troops were met by terrible fire
from the rebel infantry, which were
posted behind a wall and some houses
on the right of the line. This checked
the advance of our men, and they fell
back to a small ravine, but not out o
musket range.st this time another body
of men came to their assistance IL
splendid style, Notwithstanding large
gaps were made in their ranks by Tn
rebel artillery. When our troops ar
rived at the first line of the rebel de-
lenses they doubled quicked aud with
fixed bayonets. endeavored to dlslodge
the rebels from their hiding places
TIE concentrated fire of the rebel ar
tillery and infantry, which our men
were forced to face, was to much tor
them, and the centre gave way IN dis,
order, but afterwards they were rallied
and brought back. From that time
the fire was spiritedly carried on,
and never ceased until after dark.
Gen. Franklin, who commanded the
attack on the left; met with better sue
cess. He succeeded after a hard
days fight in driving the rebels about
one mile. At one time the rebels adj
vanced to attack him, but were hand
somely repulsed with terrible slaugh>
ter, and loss Of between 400 and 500
prisoners belonging to Gen. A. L Hill.
Gen. Franklin's movement was dl-
rected down the river; and his troops
are encamped tonight not far from
the Massaponax Creek. Our troops
sleep tonight where they fought to-
day. The dead and wounded are be.
ing carried from the field. The fol.
lowing is list of officers killed and
wounded as far as yet known: Gen.
Jackson of the Pennsylvania reserves,
killed; Gen. Bayard, struck in the
thigh by shell, and afterwards died;
Gen. Vinton, wounded in the side, but
not seriously; Gen. Gibbons, wounded
in the hand; Gen. Kimball, wounded
in the thigh; Gen. Caldwell, wounded
in two places, but not seriously; Col.
Sinclair of the Pennsylvania reserves,
wounded seriously; Capt. Hendrickson
commanding the 9th New York State
Militia, wounded seriously.
The following is the loss of officers
in the 5th New Hampshire regiment:
Col. Cross, wounded in the abdomen;
Major. Sturtevant, killed; Adjutant
Dood, killed; Capt Murray, killed;
Capt, Perry, killed.
The firing of musketry ceased about
six o'clock this evening, but the reb.
els continued throwing shell into the
city until eight O'clock. The position
of the rebels was as follows: General
Longstreet was on the left, and hold
ing the main works. General A.P. Hill
and Stonewall Jackson were in the
front of Gen. Franklin, with Jackson's
right resting on the Eappahanock,
and Hills forces acting as a reserve.
General Burnside will renew the
battle in the morning. The troops
are in good spirits, and not in the
least disheartened.
New York, Dec. 14.-The Herd2d's
special dispatch, dated Fredericks>
burg, Dec. 18th, am. says: 1t is ascer-
tanned beyond doubt that the rebel
force is nearly 100000. Jackson com
mands the rebel right, extending from
Ginnis' Station to Port Royal. Long
street has the centre, extending from
Ginnis' Station to the telegraph road.
Lee and Stewart are on the left.
The HerGld'S dispatch, dated head
quarters, last night Saturday says:
Gen, Franklin's liue moved forward
at sun rise with his left resting on the
river, three miles below. Skirmish>
ing commenced on the left about day-
light. Soon after q rebel battery
opened on our lines, and the 9th New
York militia was ordered TO charge,
but after fierce struggle, were COM
PEELED to retire.
The remainder ofthe brigade, under
General Tyler, then charged the enc
my's. guns, and the fight became gen
eral.
On the extreme left, General Mead's
and Gibbons divisions encountered
the right of General A. P. Hills COM
mand. The cannonadeing was terrif>
ic, though our troops suffered but little
from the enemy's artillery. Gradually
the fight extended around the right
Gen. Howe's division then went in,
and then Gen. Brooks division.
About 10 o'clock, Gen. Summers
troops engaged the enemy back of the
city, since which the battle ragged flu
,iously along the whole line.
The enemy occupied the woods and
hills had much more advantageous
position, but were driven back on
heir right mile and half early in
he day.
About noon Gen. Gibbons was re-
ieved by Doubleday, and Gen. Mead
by Stoneman. Afterwards Gen. New
ton Carson moved to the support of
The left, when the firing ceased for al
short time, and broke out with greater
ierceness in the centre, where our
.roops were exposed to a plunging
ire from the breastworks on the hill
.'ong the whole line. The battle has
oeen fierce all day, with great loss on
both sides. To>night each army holds
It's first osition except Slight ad-
vance o. our left.
Cannonading is still going on and