Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-18
Ohio 9tatesmram
'TELEGRAPHIC.
10 For iaten TeIes,sphio Nep,, Gee Sd Page
Morning and Noon Reports
Burnside,s Withdrawal from Fred

Burnslde's Withdrawal from Freds
; .ericksburg-strength OF the Rebel
PosItiOa. 1859
NEW YsnK, Dec. H.-MoFning papers are
Allied with detailed accounts of Saturday 3 fight.
Ing, OF too extended nature for telegraphiDg.
They contain no real news, but comprise mainly
Incidents relating to the affair. The Times
gives.the following account Of the withdrawal
OF our troops from Fredericksburg. Il says:
The movement commenced at dark Monday
night. All sick and wounded were removed
during the day to hospital tents on this side.
Burnside inspected the position OF the troops
IN tho afternoon, and the general activity lndI-
GATED that another battle was imminent. Sur
geons were ordered to be In readiness to care
for large number Of additional wounded.
The Withdrawal of our forces, however, was
determined on at 0 council of oil CORPS com.
manders during the day. The undertaking was
regarded as perllous. but II successful, would
rescue the army from another battle, which
would accomplish little except the destruction
Of valuable lives.
The troops had received no intImalIon Of the
retreat, and had laid down on their arms for the
night. When the order was given TO fall In,
the troops supposed II was for night assault on
the enemy's works, and were not undeceived
until they found themselves on the pontoons,
crossing the stream. The bridges were covered
with earth, to deaden the sound of artillery.
A high wind and darkness prevented the rebels
from hearing or seeing the movement. Frank.
Inns division moved as soon % IL Was dark
also Summers and Hookers. from under the
very guns OF the enemy. Many officers and
soldiers Expressed great regret, saying they pre-
ierred dying In front OF the rebel batteries.
Vapu fan dad Infk A. NJ
Two brlgades occupy the town, as advanced
piokess, and our artillery on the higher bank
Will cooperate In keeping possession Of the
town.
Our heavy guns opened on the rebel batteries
on Tuesday morning, elioiting little response.
The Times correspondent thus describes the
rebel position our forces were expected "a
storm and take: There Ia bare plateau of Q
third of mile which the stormlng party will
have TO Cross. In doing 90, they will be en-.
poaed to the fire, first Of the ehemys sharp
shooters, posted behind 0 stone wall running
along the base OF ridge; q double row Of rife
pitl on the rise OF the Great; heavy batteries be-
hind strong field works that stud the top Of the
bill; Q powerful infantry force now lying con,
ceaied behind these; q plnnglDg fire from bat
teries on the lower range; double enfladinE
IRE from cannon 10 the. left of them. Sebasto
pol waa not half 80 strong. fa.
The Times account Of the battle shows tha
Hooker's grand division was on this eide of tn,
river until four O'Clock. At four, Hooker, wht
had not yet been across the river, proceeded
over, remarking to friend that he was coins
to put this thing through. In half an hour pro
digious vollies Of musketry announced tha
Hooker, with the reserves, Was engaged.
This last assaulting column consisted of {
division Of Humphrey, Monk, Howard, Gett!
and Sykes. They had, however. hardly go
fairly engaged before the sun went down an,
night closed around The oombatants.