New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-15
the city, and personally dhect-


Gen. Burnside is in the city, and personally direct
ing the operations.
The Rebels are fighting desperately, and have a
tremendously strong position, but will be crushngly
defeated.
HElper.ErErs Amy or rHH PoToMic(
Saturday, Dec. -, 1920 p. J
Lest night cur troops were rapidly pushed across
the liver, and every preparation made for battle
Gen. Franklins division crossed two miles below the
city, while Gen. Summers troops occupied portion
Of tue town.
Gen Franllins line moved forward at sunrise,
with his right resting on Fredericksburg, his center
advanced milo from the river, and his left resting
on tie river three miles below.
ST. finishing commenced on the left about day.
light. Soon after n Rebel battery opened on our
lines and the 9Th New-York Militia was ordered 10
charge, bu; after fierce struggle compelled to
retire. Tie remainder of the brigade, under Gen.
Tyler, then charged the eDemy's guns when the
fight became general on the extreme left.
Gen. Meads and Gen. Gibbons divisions encoun-
tered the right of Gen. a. L. Hls command.
Tie cannonading was terrific, though our troops
suffered but little from the enemy's artillery.
Gradually the fight extended around TO the right.
Gen. Howes division Went in aud then Gen Brook q
division.
About 10 O'Clock a. II. Gen. Summers troops en-
gagged tie enemy back of the city, SINCE 'chict time
the hattie has roged (ariov''y along The wtole line.
The enemy occupying the woods aud hills, had II
much more advantageous position, but were driven
hack on THEN right a mile and half early in the
day.
About noon Gen. Gibbon was relieved by Gen.
Doubleday. and Gen. Mead by Gen. stoneman.
Allerward Gen. Newt0n's division moved round to
tie support of the left when the firing ceasedin that
portion Of the field for a shori time, and broke out
with greater ierceness in tl's center, where our
troops were exposed to p!unging fire from the
enemys guns and oauhworbs on the hills.
Along the whole line the battle has been fierce all
day, with great loss to both SIDES.
Tonight esch army holds its first position with
the exception Of a slight advance Of our left. Can
uonadug if still going on, aud the nuskctry breaks
oui al intervals quite iiercely.
Gems. Gibbon, Vine Bayard, and Campbell, are
wounded. Gen. Bayard wac struck in The hip by n
solid shot while converting with Gen. franklin and
bis staff, ind cannot survive. His night leg has
pro 5ng bic lfe q short time.
Several hundred prisoners have been taken, who
report that Gen. Lees entire army is in the imme
date vicinity. Gen. HILLS troops were withdrawn
this morning ana started down the river, but af,er-
wards returned.
Gen. Franklin IS tonight opposed to sionewall
jackson.
Il is impossible to form au accurate IDEA Of The
loss on either side, the firing is siill going Oh,
rendering it extremely difficult to remove the Killed
and wounded.
Tie city suffered terribly from The enemy's Griil-
levy, and s crowded with troops, tie font ex-
tending but "a Short distance beyond
The fight will probably be renewed tomorrow.
The balloon has been up all day. During tho
morning. but little could he seen, owing 10 the dense
fog: but the afternoon MAS remarkably clear.
About dark our forces carried the night crest Of the
bill occupied by tie Rebels, driving them from the
position with great slaughter.
This evening tie Rebels have been Smelling Fred
ericksburg, endeavorng to drive our troops out Of
the place but without success.