The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-12-19
FREDERICKSBURG CAPTURED.
The City Bombarded and Partly De.
str0Yed.

DESPERATE BRAVERY OF OUR SOLDIERS
PROSPECT or RATTLE To DAY.
At 6 O'Clock Thursday morning, l43 guns
from our batteries, opened FIRE on the city
of Fredericksburg, and the firing continued
without intermission I'LL one O'Clock. The
enemy commenced to return the fire about
O'Clock. but tleir shot Id no serious inju-
ry. Gen Franklns division early commenc-
ed constructing bridge about three miles
below the city, with but slight opposition
from the enemy. Our gunboats at the same
time commenced shelling the rebels fifteen
miles below The city.
But little firing took place between l and
o'clock, during which time all the available
batteries were placed in position. They
then numbered l16 gurs- At given signal
all the batteries opened again on the city,
The fire was terrible, but the rebel sharp
shooters could not be driven from their hid
ing places. The shot and shell went crack
ing through the houses, in many cases setting
TIE. IN fire, causing dense smoke, which,
together with the explosion of so large 4
quantity Of powder, almost hid tie city from
view. |; soon became evident that the
bridges could not be built except by a bold
dash. Volunteers We're called TO Cross in
! small! bo.ts. The order was no sooner given
than hundreds OF braves stepped forward, but
all could not 20. About 100 were selected.
Iney were soon on the way. while the artil-
iery threw perfect storm of iron hail Oh
the opposite bank. They reached the oppo-
site shore, but not without loss. With FIX
ed bayonets they rushed upon the enemy,
killing several and taking one hundred and
one prisoners, who were safely landed on
this side. At half past four, two bridges
were finished opposite the city. when the
troops Immediately began TO cross over
The enemy were soon driven from the city
back To their line of works. The two bridges
in front of Gen franklin were successfully
laid early in tie day, but lis troops did not
cross until the two upper ones were ready
\ sufficient force is nov on the opposite side
Of the river 10 resist any attack that is likely
to be made The rebels fired but four guns
in the morning, and none in the afternoon,
although their works were in easy range
during the forenoon. The rebels burnt the
railroad bridge Just outside the city. Be-
tween thirty and forty houses were burnt,
mostly in the business part of the city. Dur
ing the day, between 5000 and 5000 rounds
of ammunition We're fired by our artillery
Everything was quiet Thursday night and
the indications were that a battle would be
Tough; to-day.
| PREPARATIONS FoE TIE STRUGGLE.
Everything Wednesday night was hustle
and activity, as Thursday was the time fixed
for the crossing of the river. During the
night the pontoon bridges were conveyed to
the river, and the artillery, lI5 pieces, were
placed in position opposite the city. At .
O'Clock Thursday morning The rebels fired
two signal guns. and during the latter part
of tie nigh; rockets were frequently seen to
ascend within their lines. At 5 O'Clock the
construction of bridges in front of the city
was commenced. When the bridges were
ahou; half completed. the enemy opened a
. aurderous fire on oar infantry from the
houses on the ri,er bank. Up 20 this time
not shot had been fired from our side
The engineers were driven from the bridges,
!, and several were killed and wounded. AT t.
; o'cloch Gen Burnside ordered all the guns
: to oe opened on lhe city, fne cannonading
which eneued was terrible.