The New York herald., 1862-12-15


task a very di6calt one inoesd. He had
70 core with sfonewal jackson and the
veterans Of Cedar Mountain. Bull run and Anties.a-
trosps Who understood thc- stra.s thornnrorv. and
-~." Uusseee 'As''~~e~ss
Eefe me- 10 bS scared Ly triGes. Hence the tack Of
.arhing The rebels position on the Nassaponax was
DO ordinary one. Still the Union commander was not
discouraged bad driven the enemy back ssyerai rods
snd was determined to drive them farth1r Old Stone
wall had met his match this time, and Notwithstanding
his troops fought with their usual bravery, they
sradually pushed southwark. AT sundown Franklin
had succeeded in driving the enemy nearly me, and
his troops occupied the field during OF the
night The movement the left coniplete success
although required for finishing up the job.
The casualties both sides very numerous the
list OF the killed and wounded which have forwarded to
you will show. Among those who wounded were
Captain Hendrckson, commanding Ninth New York state
militia, and Captain Hartt Assistant Surgeon General 10
General Tyler.
Reynolds corps advanced the dense fog had lifted
itself from the river banks, and about O'Clock the
enemy's infantry were engaged The opposing columns
had fairly got 10 work when the rebel artillery COM
menCcd playing upon through the fog The shots we're
all aimed at random, however, and produced but little
effect Notwithstanding the Wow so obscure1, the
rebel artcrs,s kept up the cannonade for several hours
and peal after peal rang through the air, the effect
was terribly sublime. The fire was returned by our
batteries in gallant syle and for hours nothing but the
deafening OF artillery could be heard on all sides Up
noon FOG cleared and the baloonsts
enabled get glance at the enemys works. the fight
artillery QUE and productive Of very important
result on either side. As the sunshine showed
ITSELF however the infantry brought into play and
the work commenced in real earnest Generals Mead and
Gibbons divisions encountered the right OF General A.
7. HIPS command and Longstrcets veterans.
The fight ragged furiousy during the entire day and
troops suffered terribly from the cnemys artillery. The
enemy posted behind hills 10 great strength and at
time it seemed impossible 70 dislodge them About
noon Gen. Gibpon relieved by Gen. Doubleaays
command. Gen. Mead, who lighting against superior
odds. also reinforced by Gen. stonemans command,
which had the effect OF checking the rebels
and driving them back short distance 1t
in the midst OF this struggle that General
Gibbon wounded ana partially disabled. he kept
the field. however, during tho remainder of the day and
many aures by his brilliant conduct. General
McCleans endorsement OF Gibbons dash and ability has
been fully borne out by the result Of the days lighting
During the afternoon General Newton's division
moved up to The left Of the centre when the firing.
wh,eh had ceased in that part Of the field broke out
again with redouhled fury. Oar troops were here
exposed 70 plrngius IRE from the enemy's
artillery, which posted the neghboring
hills, and FOR a short lime the Union soldiers
opposed 10 destructive fire. Our artillery returned the
fire with deadly effect, and immortazed themselves by
their accuracy OF aim and unwayering courage.
RIGHT,
sistng Of The Seventh and Ninth corps, un-
der General Sumner, earned nperishabe Lonors, and,
as the list Of the killed and wounded will testify, the
laures were won at fearful cost. The action
the right commenced ADOPT ten o'clock and ragged
Turcusly all day long, The eneuy occupied the
nd lie In fho nf al y.
point of advantage the odds were decidedly in
heir favor The courage Of the Union troops was un
bounded, however, and every irch of the grould was
noIIv contested. II soon became evident ,'oat
be lrst ridge oi hills on which the enemy pose1
behind earthworks, could not be carried except at the
point Of the bayone, and accordingly General Sumner
ordered Trenchs division to charge upon the batteries
General Howards division acted support and the
troops sprang forward to obey the order with much
,husasr BY this time the atmosphere clear except
from tho smoke Of artillery, and good view could
be had Of the rebels position and the country
], was grand eight that devoted
column
seeking the bubble reputation cen at the capnoA's
mouth.
Steadily they marched across the plain, and never |,
altered until they were within dozen yards Of me
dge, when suddenly they were met by CALLING Gre
rom the rebel infantry, who posted behind si~A
wall. For few mopen,s the head q The column ex
Aibited some coiiusion; but, quickly forming into
me thes retired back 10 a ravine within
musket shot of 10 enemy. Here the Union
troops were recpycsd by fresh body Of infantry, who
advanced 10 the assistance Of their comrades in splendid
style notwithstanding large gaps were made in their
ranks at every STEP The renforcemens having arrived
the line Of assault being again formed the order
Double quick, with fixed bayonetsl" gven and
l;ctod ohalo
From the moment the stormjng party LETT the
rsvine up 10 the time they reached the foot Of
The hills they were exposed 70 the hottest
FIRE OF the enemy. The concentrated fire o.
artillery and infantry rained upon their devoted heads
truly terrific No troops, however disciplined
and brave could withstand the shock and after suffering
terribly our soldiers thrown into disor
der and brought TO q sudden halt. AZ this juncturs
the centre Of the column gave way and fed In dismay'
buI they afterwards rallied and brought back.
third attempt made to dsodge the rebel
but in vain and al each attempt tho ranks
the siorng party grew thinner and thinner Sumner
brought 81 his available artillery into play. hoping 10
shell tho rebss out and from that time until dark the
roar Of cannon was incessant. The rebels, who had
been driven back distance during the day,
their original position when night came, 80 that we
were unable remove dead. Several attempts
made 70 remove the bodies during The night but the
enemy opened upon US with their infantry and compelled
US 70 desist, AL wounded were removed however
and euch Of the dead were no, within musket range
Of the ressls were bursd,
Among the wounded is General Meayher, Of the irish
brigade, and Colonel Nugeni, Of the sxtyninth New
York Volunteers The latter is said to be badly injured
but viii probably large number Of the officers
Of Meaghers brigade wounded and many Of them
killed.
CENTRE.
The Third and Fifth army corps under General Hooker
formed the centre and cooperasd With suupers column
:. ..x On. battle General Burnsds was anxious that
movenen, should be made as early as possible, and &C
cordinQ,v at the break Of day the troops commenced TO
move towards the enemys earthworks. Tue men were
full Of hope anG confident Of success and they fled Out OF
the city in splendid order. Skirsaishing commenced
,..,ir after daylight and N ahart time Afterwards