Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-18
Headquarters Army of Potomac, }


The fog began to disappear early in the
morning, affordlng an unobstucted view of
our own and the rebel positions.
1t being evident that the hills In the rear of
the city on which the enemy had their guns
posted behind works, could not be carried sx
cept by charge Of infantry Gen. Sumner
assigned that duty to Gen. Frenchs division,
which was supported by Gen. Towards.
The troops advanced to their work at ten
minutes before twelve o'clock, on brisk run,
the enemys guns opening upon them very
rapid fire, when within musket range.
At the base of the ridge our troops were
met by terrible fire from the rebel infantry,
who were posted behind stone wall and some
houses on the right of the line.
This checked the advance of our men, and
they fell back to a small ravine, but not out
Of musket range. Aa
At this time another body of troops moved
to their assistance in splendid style, notwith-
standing large gaps were made in their ranks
by the rebel artillery. '
When our troops arrived at the first line of
the rebel defsnces, they double qmcked,n
| and with fixed bayonets, endeavored to dis
| lodge the rebels from their hiding places.
The concentrated fire of rebel artillery and
infantry, which our men were obliged to face,
was too much for them, and the center gave
way in disorder, but afterwards they were
rallied and brought back.
| From that time the fire was spiritedly car
! ried on, and never ceased until after dark.
| Gen. Franklin, who commanded the attack
| on the left, met with better success. He sue
ceeded after hard days fight in driving the
rebels about mile. ..-
At one time the rebels advanced to attack
him, but'were handsomely repused with terri
BILE slaughter, and with loss of between 400
and 500 prisoners belonging to A. P Hills
command
| Gen. Franklin's movement was directed
down the river, and his troops are encamped
tonight not far from the Massaponix Creek
Our troops stop tonight where they fought
to day. q.
The dead and wounded are being carried
from the field.
The following is list of officers killed and
wounded, as faras yet known
| Gen. jackson ofthe Pennsylvania Reserves
killed. r
Gen. Bayard, struck in the thigh by a shell
and afterwards died.
Gen. Vinton, wounded in the side, but no
seriously.
Gen. Gibbons, wounded in the hand.
Gen. Kimball wounded in the thigh.
Gen. Caldwell, wounded in two place, bu
not seriously.
Col Sinclair of the Pennsylvania Reserve
wounded seriously.
Can't. Hendrickson, commanding the Ut
New York State Militia, wounded seriously
The following is the loss Of officers in tn
9Th New Hampshire Regiment
Col Cross, wounded in the abdomen.
Major Sturtevant, killed.
Adjutant Dodd, killed.
Capt Murray, killed,
Capt. Perry. kllAa
i ne firing of musketry ceased about 81
o'clock this evening, but the rebels continue
throwing shell into the city until about eigt
o'clock.
T Gen. Meagher and Col. Nugent are boz
; wounded.
The position of the rebels was as follow:
i, Gen. Longstreet on the left and holding Il
f main works; Gen. A. P. Hill and Stonewa
jackson were in the front of Gen. Frankll
with Jackson's right resting on the Rappaha
mock, and Hills forces acting as reserve.
T. Gen. Burnside will renew the battle at ds
# light in the morning.
The troops are in good spirits and not t
q least disheartened. a.r .=