The Portland daily press., 1862-12-23

fore daylight next day. All. the sick and
wounded were removed during the day to hos
pital tents on this side, with the apparent pur
pose, on the part of Gen. Burnside, of renew
ing the fight on the afternoon of that day
Those most seriously wounded were carried
on stretchers and ambuances, while every one
that was able to do SO walked across. The
middle pontoon bridge was chiefly used, that
being more out of the range of the enemys
batteries at the lower part OF the town.
Gen. Burnside inspected the position of the
troops in the afternoon, in the town, and was
greeted with cheers which must have been
distinctly heard in the enemy's lines. Activi-
ty throughout every department indicated
that battle was imminent. The enemy's
batteries kept up regular fire upon the up
per crossing, in order to retard the passage of
the troops. The surgeons were ordered to be
In readiness to receive and care for a large
number of additional wounded, and red flags
were displayed on the tops Of many of the
large houses in town, which were to be used
for temporary hospitals. The withdrawal of
our troops from Fredericksburg had, however,
been determined at a council of all the corps
commanders during the day. 1t was regard
ed as perilous undertaking, but one that, If
successful, would rescue the army from the
prospect of risking another battle, with the
prospect of accomplishing little except the
destruction OF valuable lives.
The troops had received no lntlmatlOn OF
their having TO retreat and had lain down to
rest upon their arms for the night. The order
came for them to fall in; many supposed it
was for an assault upon the enemy's works,
and were not undcceyed until they found
themselves upon the pontoon bridges actually
returning across the stream. A heavy gale of
wind, which blew all sound away from the re-
bel lines, greatly facilitated the movement.
Bridges were covered with earth to deaden
the sound of the moving artillery, and dark
night hid every object from view.
Gen. Franklin's grand division, occupying
the extreme lett began to move as soon as it
was dark, and the right and center of General
Sumner and Hooker took up the line of march
almost simultaneously, moving in good order,
but silently away from under the very guns of
the enemy. All three of the crossings were
used, making six bridges. Noaccident of con-
sequence occurred. The troops obeyed with
alacrity every order, and waited with patience
their turn to cross. The artillry and infantry
alternated in moving columns, very much in
the order in which they went into battle.
Many officers and soldiers expressed great
regret at being withdrawn from before the en-
emy, saying that they would have preferred
dying in front of the rebel batteries. Never
theless, every one acquiesced in the wisdom of
the movement. Few only of the wounded are
believed to have been left on the field within
reach of the enemy's rifle-pits. Two brigades,
belonging to Gen. Butterfeld's corps, occupy
the town as advanced pickets. Our artillery,
placed on either bank of the river, will coop
crate in keeping possession of the town. The
movement, from beginning to end was COM
plete success, and the various commands re-
turned to their former encampments to repose.