Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-12-18
Attack on the Enemy's Works
A DAYS FAILURE.
Gen. Banks Heard From
HE WILL GIVE THEM A FIRE IN THE REAR
Twelve Hundred Prisoners taken by
+ nf '.sI.u Grants Army. -, .tiu

Between and 5 o'clock his morning the
pontoon train in charge of the 18th and Both
N. Y. engineers, under command Of Gen.
Woodbury., proceeded to the river bank
where with infantry support an attempt
was made to throw 3 bridges across the
river. The dull hazs sU obscured the move
uent that for time it was not discovered
by the rebel pickets. Pontooniers had sue
ceeded in partially constructing bridges,
when the rebels suddenly opened brisk
and deadly fire Of musketry from along tho
banks Of the river aud windows OF houses
compelling cessation Of works. Returning
to cover of the surrounding hills the men
again formed, and about 6 o clock the at
tempt was renewed, but the rebels had now
been thoroughly aroused, and with rein
forcements OF sharp,hooters swarmed to
the opposite banks and houses. Nothing
daunted by the hot fire which they poured
in ut the reappearance OF our troops, the
pontooniers went gallantly to work, but in
vain. A storm of bullets envelopsd them
Planks and boats were riddled by every
volley. Once more they were compelled to
withdraw ard fell back to cover ofthe ridge
and hills running parallel with the rivor. =
1t was evident the rebels determined to
use tho houses Of the city for defence,
contrary to an implied agreement, in a
correspondence which recently passed by
flag OF truce. Orders were given to our artil-
lerymen to open fre upon the city, aocorr-
DINGHY Benjamin 8, Edward $, Muhlenburg s
and other batteries of the 9th corps together
with other batteries of corps to the right
and left Of the city commenced all almost
simultaneous bombaidment. The fog was
so dense that II was impossible to see but
short distance beyond the edge OF the river,
the houses, however, IN which the rebel
sharpsbooters had esconced themselves
we're plainly visible, and to them lire tor a
time was particularly directed: The effect
was partial demolition In short time: =
After the first fire they became untenable
by rebel rifiemen, who retreated to the rear
OF the town, where they took shelter behind
as yet, unhlrmed buildings BY clock
the bombardment became general and from
that until clock the roar o! illery
was incessant. Tho batteries oil tine 9th
raked the streets with shell, shrapnel and
grape, though the fog still continued to
obscure in measure the results Of these
discharges. The rebels with the greatest
stubborness still kept within the city, and
At times parties OF them could be seen going
from one point to another on double quick
The carnage cannot but be fearful amongst
them. 1t is somewhat singular that the
rebel batteries did not return the fire Of
our guns. Up to the present time they
have not opened.
About 10 O'Clock the engineers formed
for the third attempt to construct bridges.
After previous. Intellectual attempts on the
part OF the engineers to cross, a party of 80
men Of the sth Connecticut, undor Captain
Marsh. volunteered to assist in this new
endeavor to finish the bridge, and once
hiore 'he c9'u'hn WIN Chis rcini1Temeh,
starteu unucr the direction OF deneral
Woodbury. They seized ,plank;' AMI
carried out some dozen TO the end OF the
string OF boats and placed part OF them
and were then compelled 10 retire under a
very CALLING nre sa from the rebel sharpsho1sst 1s
oIs, who were ensconsed securely IN r,ao
PITS nelow the range OF artillery anr within
10 or ~ feet OF the river edge The En-
glneers spiered severely. Inc movements
having been thus interrupted, the whole
party were ordered back to their regular
position. At eleven clock 1t was discoysr'
eu that one OF the 2 'u'es was On nre. me
tiames commenced n westerly part OF the
city, ,soon, spread and fredericksburg is now
enycloped in fire and smoke.
An onii,ading hre has been opened upon
the rcDel rine PITS up the river. IL has
been successful SO far in driving the sharp,
shooters IRON 'he vicinity OF the Railroad
Depot n lu..a
Ihe Engineers are now constructing
bridges across the river The rebels still
maintain their ground opposite the upper
bridges,
Irv n ra mn N