The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-23
RAprLEoF FREDERICKSBURG.


the battle fought at Fredericksburg on Saturday the
18th inst The following is Gen. Lees official
report of the affair
official Report of Gen. Lee.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
December II, 1862.
To the Secretary Of Var
SIR: On the night of the 10th inst, the enemy
commenced to throw three bridges over the Rap
pahannoek-two at Fredericksburg. and the third
about mile aud quarter below, near the mouth
Of Deep Run.
The plain on which Fredericksburg stands is
completely commanded by the hills of Stafford, in
possession Of the enemy, that efectual oppOsi-
ton could be offered to the construction of the
bridges or the passage of the river without expos
ing our troops to the destructive fire of his numer
Gus batteries. Positions were, therefore, selected
to oppose his advance after crossing. The mar
rowness of the RapIahannock, its winding course
and deep bed, afforded opportunity for the con-
structon of bridges at points beyond the reach of
our artillery, and the banks had to be watched by
administers. The latter sheltering themselves be-
hind the houses, drove back the working parties
of the enemy at the bridges opposite the city; but
at the lowest point of crossing, where no shelter
could be had, our sharpshooters themselves
driven of, and the completion of the bridge
effected about noon on the 1lth.
In the afternoon of that day the enemy's bate
ries opened upon the city, and by dark had so de-
molished the houses on the river bank as to de-
prive our skirmishers of shelter-and, under cover
of his guns, he effected Judgment in the town.
The troops which had so CALAMITY held their
position in the city, under the severe cannonade
during the day, resisting the advance of the enc
my at every step, withdrawn during the
night, were also those who, with equal tenacity,
had maintained their post at the bridge. Under
ctver Of darkness and of dense fog, on the 18th,
large force passed the river and took position on
TIE right bank, protected by their heavy guns on
the left.
The morning of the 18th, his arrangements for
attack being completed, about o'clock-the
movement yelled by fog-he advanced boldly in
large force against right wing. Gen. Jackson's
corps occupied the right of our line. which rested
the railroad; Gen. Longstreet's the left, extend
ing along tie heig hts TO the Rappahannock river
above Fredericksburg. Gen. Stuart, with two
brigades Of cavalry, posted in the extensive
plain extreme right.
As soon as the advance of the enemy was dis !
covered through the fog, General Stuart with his
accustomed promptness, moved up section Of his
horse artillery, which opened with effect upon his
flank, and drew upon the gallant Pelham a heavy
fire, which he sustained unfinchingly for about !.
two hours. II the meantime the enemy was
hereely encountered by Gen A. p. Hills Division,
forming Gen. JacksOn's right, and, after an oGs-
nate combat, repulSed. During this attack which
was protracted and hotly contested, two Of Gen /
Hills brgades were driven back, upon our second
line. :
General Early, with part of his division, being !
ordered 10 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 be-
yond Hills front, encountered the right Of Cen
Hood, of Longstrects corps. The enemy took
possession Of small copse in front of Hood, but
we're quickly dispossessed and repulsed with
loss.
During the attack on our rg ht the enemy was
crossing troops over his bridges at fredericksburg
and masslng them in front of LOngstreet's line
Soon after his repulse our right he commenced
n series Of attacks our left, with view If OBJ
tanning possession ofthe heights immediately over
looking the town. These repeated attacks were
repulscd in gallant style by the Washington Artil-
lsry, under Colonel Walton, and portion of Nc
Laws division, which occupied these heights
The last assault was made after dark, when Col
Alexanders Battalion had relieved the Washing
ton Artillery Whose ammunition had been exhaust.
ed) and ended the contest for the day. The enc
my was supported in his attacks by the fire of
strong batteries of artillery on the right bank of
the river, we'll as by his numerous heavy bate
res on the Stafford heights.
Our loss, during the operations, since the move
nents OF the enemy began, amounts to about 1900
killed and wounded. Among the former l regret
to report the death of the patriotic soldier and
statesman, Brigador General Thomas R r. Cobb,
who fell upon our left; and among the latter that
brave soldier ard accomplished gentleman, Briga-
der General Ma1cy Gregg, who was mortally
wounded during the attack on our right
The enemy to-day, has been apparently engaged
10 caring for his wounded, and burving his dead.
His troops visible in their first position in line
OF battle, but, with the exception of some desuto
~ cannonadng and firing between skirmi.hers,
he has not attempted to renew the attack. About
five hundred and fifty prisoners were taken during
the engagement, but the full extsnt Of his loss is
unknown. 4
have the honor to be, very respectfully your
obedient servant, :
R. f. LEE, General. a
subsequent dispatch from Gen. Lee states !
I hat the enemy have recr0sscd the River, aud
Evacuated fredericksburg:
The Richmond Dispatch says that this battle.
taking into consideration the number of men en- t
gagged, the quantity of artillery and other engines
Of war employed the valor of the combatants and e
he skill of the Generals was probably one of the
greatest battles fought on this continent II
vas fought by nearly 100000 men and several a
hundred pieces Of artillery, and contested for ten y
lours.. 1t resulted in a complete victory for the
confederate forces. We say complete, because,