New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-16
THE OBJECT SOUGHT UNATTAINED

ants at Fredericksburg:
FaspsRiczsrrKo. Saturday, Dec. 10 lc6e-'l ?. IN.
The iAird yet OF the grand martial drama opened
on Tnursdly last is over Another great battle has
beeu added 10 the bloody record Of the Army Of the
Potomac.
Niglt DOW covers once more with her benign
usntle scenes Of carnage, ttrif5 and destiuc'ion.
Uuier her guiding Influence, let ne attempt 10 for
se, tie excitement and overcome the ftgues Of the
aav. and describe in concise though comprehensive
terms. the fearful events Of which Wac eye wit
ne;s during The last y lOur''
Las evening, General Council Of War, attended
BY al he grand division, corps, and division COM
usniers, was held st late hour, at Gen. Summers
Feadouarers. ct which Gen, Burnside submitted
ard explained HE Plan ior the general attack ne
proposed to make to-day upon the position Of the
enemy.
Tie plan comprised simultaneous advance OF
our whole liue upon the eIemy's strong posiiious on
The bis in 'front.' Of the LIEF, aud Right Graud Divi-
Mons. which were 10 be carried by sudden sss -ults
upon the stronghold, Of select bodies Of troops.
Il was in keeping with the weli-kuown holiness
AID dash Of ite author but come doubts were ex-
pressed in tie Council Of its iacticabiity b. nlr-
b,r Of thoes in attendance. AL however expressed
der readiness 70 undertake anything ordered by tie
COMMUNICATED and the necessary instructions
were siyen 70 commence general movement uroa
tie enemy with daylight
TIE iog ibet kept tie valley Of tie river end the
tdjaeent 1i.lts from view every day this week,
sea.n prevented the commencement OF operations at
she stated tine. Fortunately, however, !. cleared
away curly in Tbs day, and about IL O'Clock olders
were transmitted 20 the Generals commanding the
Rphi and Lief. Grand Divisions TO prepare % charge
Immediately the works respectively assigned to
them.
TIE BATTLE on TIE RIGHT.
Gen. Sumner aud s,4f LEFT their headquarters
about II O'Clock and repaired 10 the Lacey Eouse,
f,or, which ,..i' -; ~ os'L. - "a 'sron ding
scuoa Oh the Rg6G Grand Division could DO o.
1inei Gen. Sumner hid eoleeted FEeuenS d.
vision of Gen. Couchs corpS for TIE advance Of the
attacking column.
had orders 20 mo7e from its position in tie streets
Of Fredericksburg next TO tho river 70 the ouskiris Of
the town, form Inc Of battle by brigades and pro-
eeded By cloud Of skiTrnishers, move at double
euick upon the first line Of ,he euemys works.
Gen. French wss necc, sarily obliged to march bic
uoops in solid columns AZ parallel streets. As socn
&c The head Of the columns lad emerged from tho
lower into tie higher portions OF Tie streets, tae en-
snvs batteries opened upon them from several
por,s. Upon reaching the outskirts Of tie town,
the order was given to doploy, but stone and other
fences prevented its ready execution.
During the delay thus caused, tie troops we're e1-
rosed TO IN eDfl.ding FIRE which taxed tie advance
oithe troops noe. severely.
Tie line being formed at lGtt, abou. the order
to advance was given. The line moved up and over
q low mnge Ct elevations and down toward the foot
Of the hills on which the enemy's brea-tworks were
t,usted. From houses, rGe-pits, bariicades, across
The roads aud olher shelter. The Rebel
sharpshoo;ers now opened from all sdes
with fearful effect. The vigor 0. the Gre Of the
Rebel artillery also steadily increased, ard when
e line reached he foo, Of tie second range Of bills
ipclfect hail Of lead fell upon il. The advance,
however, wss continued until within few hundred
yards Of the crest Of the hlls, wien rapid guccos-
son Of terrific voleys from long lines Of Rebel in
hnry, suddenly rising il. lons Of their work.,
clicked IL
From the position they RID gained our troops now
s1ehs Pea round after round with tic enemy until
usr au.unieon became exbauHsd, and tie lire fol-
back some distance, ieay 6 nearly one-hslf OF its
nnutsr on ire field, to make room for Gen. Han
eocks division.
Tia division advanced, lkewies formed in paial
lei liges q bfgades 1t moved forward s'eadfa4ty
Up to the poin, where FreDchs bad received its
check WREN it wes flso stopped BY ths mrreerous
FIRE Of the Rebel infantry and artillery.
For two hoOEs it alternately replied 10 tie enemy's
noske,ry, and attempted to make i's way ~ tie
sseond range Of hi.s- Although unable to advance,
ind contiaually iosing numbers, IL fought uulil 10
ammunition gave out, when It was relieved by How.
ards division, tnd retired nearer to town.
Towards command went into action about 3
o'clock. One after the other Of ito bricades was
advanced 70 the 'front.' but, like thos. Of French end
hIiooek did not succeed in reaching the euemys
works. The Est Of il, under Cen. Sally, was
e'csfsd 10 charge up the bill with the bayoaet, aud
10'sd forward Ia most g4llan: style, but was
ea'eksd as all the oiLer troops bad been.
shortly after French's Diyigion md moved % tho
'@es, stnrgiss Division Of Wicox's Coroy cd.
'fheed over parallel road on The left Of our right
oPoe the works ard batteries covering the epomys
.s'. tank. Il experienced the zane difficulties in
'''~us In consequence Of distractions on the
e'V-nu' ss FTtnch's, bnt pushed forward with the
'Di'S' determination, batting only at tni,s 10 open
It's way by musketry.
a.. reached within eighty yards Of the crest O. the
S'n'eo 70 take. but having been fearfully
, $50, In numbers during its advance, had to
held the point gained for three hours.
'V'"HlfIandns II vas confronted by vanity gu.