The Portland daily press., 1862-12-25
tY All communications intended for the paper
should be directed to the Editors fthe Press and
those of . business character to the Publishers
Thursday Morning, December Is. 1862.
Rebel Report OF the Battle at Freder-
icksburg.

AsSgCA A@IkSOat ~ sssC AS0ttHC ~ EcAAcI~
icksburg.
The following is Lees report of the battle
Of Fredericksburg:
HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Dec. IL, 1862
To the Honrabie Secretary of War, Rich
mond, Va.
SrR-on the night of the 10th inst. the en-
emy commenced to throw three bridges over
the Rappahannock, twoabove Fredericksburg,
and the third about mile and quarter be-
low, near the mouth of Deep Run. The plain
on which Fredericksburg stands is so com
pletely commanded by the hills of Stafford in
possession of the enemy, that no effectual op-
position could be offered to the construction
OF the bridges or the passes of the river with
out exposing our troops TO the destructive fire
OF his numerous batteries. Positions were,
therefore, selected to oppose his advance after
crossing.
The narrowness of the Rappahannock. its
winding course and deep bed, afford opportu-
nifty for the construction of bridges at points
beyond the reach Of our artillery, and the
banks had to be watched by skirmishers The
latter sheltering themselves behind the hous-
es, drove back the working parties of the en-
envy at the bridges opposite the city, but at
the lowest point OF crossing, where no shelter
could be had, our sharpshooters were them
bridge was effected about noon on the 1Ith.
On the afternoon Of that day the enemys
batteries opened upon the city, and by dark
had SO odemolishedthe houses on the river bank
as to deprive our skirmishers of shelter, and
under cover of his guns he effected lodg-
ment In the town. The troops which had SO
CALAMITY held the position in the city nnder
the severe cannonade during the day, resisting
the advance OF the enemy at every step, were
Withdrawn dufiuU @ nj iub v-nra al,
those who, with equal tenacity, had, main
tanned their posts at the lowest bridge
Under. cover of darkness and of dense fog
on the 18th, a large force passed the river and
took position on the right bank, protected by
their heavy guns on the left. The morning of
the 18th, his arrangements for au attack being
completed, about O'Clock, the movement
veiied by fog, he advanced boldly in large
force against our right wing Gen. Jackson's
corps occupied the right Of our line, which
rested on the railroad; Gen. Longstreet's the
left, extending along the heights to the Rap
pahannock, above Fredericksburg, Gen. Stu
art, with two brigades of cavalry, was posted
on the heextcnsive plain on our extreme right.
As soon as the advance of the enemy was dis
covered through the fog, Gen. Stuart, with his
accustomed promptness, moved up a section
of his horse artillery, which opened with effect
upon his flank, and drew upon the gallant
Phelam heavy fire which he sustained un-
fiinchingly for two hours.
In the meantime the enemy was fiercely en-
countered by Gen. A. p. Hills division. form
ing Gen. Jackson's right, and after an obst-
nate combat repulsed. During this attack,
which was protracted, and hotly contested,
two Of Gen. Hills brigadiers were driven back
upon our second line, Gen. Early, with part of
his division, being ordered to his support.
drove the enemy back from the point of woods
he had seized, and pursued him into the plain
until arrested by his artillery. The right of
the enemy's column extending beyond Hills
front, encountered the right of Gen. Hood of
Longstreet's corps. The enemy took posses
sion OF a small copse in front of Hood, but
were quickly dispossessed, and repulsed with
loss.
During the attack on our right the enemy
was crossing troops over his bridges at Fred
ericksburg and massing them in front of Long
streets line. Soon after his repulse on our
right, he commenced series of attacks on
our left with view of obtaining position Of
the heights Immediately overlooking the town.
These repeated attacks we're repulsed in gal
liant style by the Washington artillery, under
Col. Walton, and portion of McLaw's divis-
ion which occupied these heights. The last
assault was made after dark, when Col. Alex
ander's battalion had relieved the Washington
artillery whose ammunition had been exhaust
ed, and ended the contest for the day. The
enemy was supported in his attacks by the
fire Of strong batteries of artillery on the right
bank of the river, as well as by his numerous
heavy batteries on the Stafford heights.
Our loss during the operations since the
movements of the enemy began, amounts to
about 1900 killed and wounded Among the
former, regret to report the death of the pa
triotic soldier aud statesman, Brig Gen. Thos.
r. X. Cobb, who fell upon our left; among the
latter, that brave soldier and accomplished
gentleman, Brig. Gen. Maxcey Gregg. who
was very seriously and, it is feared, mortaly
wounded during the attack on our right The
enemy to-day has been apparently engaged in
caring for his wounded and burying his dead.
His troops are visible in their first position,
In line Of battle, but, with the exception of
some desultory cannonading and firing be-
tween skirmishers, he has not attempted TO re-
new the attack. About five hundred and filty
prisoners were taken during the engagement,
but the full extent of his loss is unknown.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant
tSigned) r. f. LEE, General
lOhciall CHAs. MARSHALL, Major and
Aid-de-camp.
A fellow who had taken lodgings at pub