Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-13
Evening and Midnight Reports
From FREDERICKsRUHo.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoTomAc, FRIDAY
morning Dec, H. 10 o'clock After occupyine
the river front Of the city last night, we Iost
about one hundred men In killed and wounded
while driving the rebels through the city,-
They fred on our men as they advanced through
the streets, while secreted In and behind houses.
Not much mercy was shown to those who were
caught.
This morning denao fog hid every thing from
view, but now 1t is partially cleared awsy.
The troops commenced moving at an early hour,
Major-Gen. Summers grand division leading
the way over In front Of the city, TO bo followed
by Malor-Gen Hooker's grand division. Gen.
Frankln's grand division, which crossed nearly
three miles below the city, is nearly over.
At a quarter past nine the first gun was fred.
the engagement llsting about half an hour, the
rebels not making very spirited reply. Il ia
thought the troops will all be over at noon.
Information received during the night and
this morning from deserters and prisoners ehows
that tho rebels have two strong lines of batter
ies in rear OF the city, the first ono being one
mile back and the second mile from the
first,
The whole army 10 In rapid motion and well
concentrated The troops arc ia excellent spir-
its and anxious to be led on the enemy's works.
The enemy has concentrated his forces. and IL
is believed will give battle. Much will depend
upon tho result Of to day. All feel saneuine Of
success. -
LATER.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE PoroMAC. Der.
IL, Evening.-At 10 O'Clock this morning the
log began to clear away, but before 10 O'Clock
the air was again thick, which continued till
2 O'Clock, when IL entirely disappeared.
AT quarter past two the rebels opened with
oil their guns posted on the first ridge of hills.
Their main fire was directed upon the civ.
which was filled with our troops These gunr,
which were posted on the left Of the ridge. were
opened on the large body of troops which crossed
on the two lower bridges and had formed n line
OF battle and we're moving obliquely down the
river, fronting the Massaponix Although
several Of their shells exploded over our
heads, none were injured.
Gen. Bayard'e cavalry, which crossed on the
lower bridge, had fve men killed While en-
deavoring to ascertain the encmy's positiOn,-
The troops which crossed below are eleepinp On
their arms tonight, the advance bsinR within
three quarters of mile of the Msssa ponix
creek, their left resting on the Rappahannock,
Inc enemy occupies the opposite eide OF the
creek In force. The guns posted on the bank
this aide oil the river eilenced the enemy 3 art-
wy e.sSA NeOA VI III uUuf. InlB en0eQ
the firing for the day.
The only damage done by the rebel shells
thrown into the city was to add 80 much TO it's
destruction. twenty-five of our men were
killed Last night by the rebels 10 the streets,
while driving them out
Nearly every house in the city has been dam
aged more or leas by the firing OF the past few
days. Several splendid residences have been
completely riddled, az also all the ohurches.
The fire appeared 60 be directed on
the most prominent of the edfces,
and several cases Of wanton destruction
OF property occurred, BY our troops when they
entered, property which could be of no use 10
the enemy. In many houses the furniture oil
remained. Some of our troops mistook the
British Hag for secesh .and bore it from the
residence OF the British Consul: This morn.
Ing the owner came over to recover it, and 1t
was returned TO him.
The main body of the army ia now over the
river, the balance being in position to cross at
any time.
There is no indication of the enemy evacus-
ting 1t they remain q battle must immedi-
ately enaue.