The New York herald., 1862-12-17

Out In the Valleys the rugged ridges, and down by
the babbng BROOKS whose solemn song seems but the
refrain Of the music Of youthful days, the dead are
lying staring up into the clear winter sky, while the
frost wraps lmy shroud about them, and chills the
ebbipg life currents Of the wounded Strange voices are
heard all along the lnss as the soldiers look for the
fallen lights flicker to and fro like isn fat1 and the
pcets pace their weary beats through the soil tsmped
and torn by contending armies.
Weeks ago We looked daily for these terrible realities,
and night after night settled down with vague thought
q me anguish 70 be borne, perhaps, on the morrow
Yet with all the bitterness Of past experience few Of
this army last evening were without the desire for
troops we're pouring across the river and Al dawn this
morning We found . line Of infantry and batteries
stretching across the meadows in readiness for the
coming battle. skismshng had been Continually going
on since the nrst Of troops crossed the river and
from right 70 left continual rattle Of musketry was
heard Early in the morning the roar Of the guns
rolling up from the e but the fog hung ns6viy ,ha.
nothing could be seen, GcS and then the musketry
broke out nsrcsly, and again all would be perfectly
silent. Fredericksburg throngcd with troops, but
tA frowning batteries the hills beyond were quiet
a. though no enemy were this side Of Richmond.
Franklin had hurried over his divisions, New
ton lay close by the city, then Brookes, Howe,
Gibbon and Meade, with the cannon in position,
ready for tho assault BY and by rebel battery opens
on the left and the Ninth New York Militia are ordered
to charge It, Sharpnel, canister and bullets drive them
back then General Taylor, with the remainder OF the
brigade, goes In the enemy are hard pressed,
for moment and then fell slowly back while musketry
breaks out all along the lnc and the cannon with their
roar drown all but the cheers Of gallant Glib
bon hurs his division against tho enemy Meade with
his pennsy pushes up and into the mingled smoke
and fog where tho rebels last secn and the
ceases for momont the shouts OF troops cheer
ury back the morning air Then the din grows louder
shots begin TO tell further around TO the right gun after
gun oios in the cannonadipg and the centre sways with
the wild excitement Of the battle. Thus the morning
wore on tho battle raging here and there at intervals
along the 'front.' while the troops continued TO hurry up
the scene Of action. Presently the fog begins to LIT
| n little. and we see the gray coats in the
woods and behind the cedar hedges. The guns
begin to play above the city, Summers troops grid them
selves for the eight and slowly pr out towards the EARTH
works. while the left grows hot again with the strife
Reynolds sends word TO FRANKLIN that the enemy is
providing ana hc wants help. Hold your position, and
push in Gbbon IL needed is the answer while Newton Is
to the left stoneman relieves Meade and Doubleday
Gbbon. The latter Ia wounded and carried from tho
hed his troops fall back tho fresh 20 in and
stoDeman, with Kcarnys old division, and Doubleday
with the shattered regiments Of King, stand up 10 the
enemy TIL night.
On the right the battle was terrific The rebels having
4 If fhe hair
ditch sheltered by stone wall, enabled 10 pour
CALLING Ore without cessation spon our lines Again and
again our troops endcavored to carry the batteries y
storm, only to bo repused with great loss. Solid shot
and shell from the enemy tore through tho town
scattering brick and timbers among the troops and
tbc infantry kept up ceaseess rattle Of musketry
The rebeis seemed 70 nsht with uttor desperatap.