New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-15
degree which entities them 70 the most npprecative

recognition.
DETERMINATIONS OF TIE ENEMY.
During the entire day no large bodies Of the enc
my were visible upon Gen. Franklins irout. Lines
OF skirnishers Were now and then appearing upon
The top Of the high bank of tie river, drawing, At
every favorable opportunity the fire from our bat
te.ies Tho houses upon the ether sIde were sup
posed 10 harboF the enemy's fnarpshoolefs, ano
were accordingly ri1dled with shell thrown az short
range. On one occasion the smoke and dust when
was raised by tue burstng Of shell, completely hid
tie building NEAR where 1t exploded. Our artillery
practice was remarkably accurate, al only tEanB
tori gmpses of the enemy, sure not 10 expose NM
self for long tine 10 our lire, we.o Afforded dsring
the entire day. Sufficient signs were, however, OBJ
served to prove that The enemy are directly III front
Of NJ in largo nnmbere.
Not q cannol-shot from the enemy replied to the
constant fire which maintained by our batteries
from early daylight untt noon. only the occaslona
shot Of some sbarpshooter, or vOlIey OF musketry
from the enemy's .skirmlshere, was drawn from he
Rebels. Their passyensss seemed oninous. We
had abundant evidence q their presence and 1t
seemed more than probable that their apparent In.
activity intended TO LEAD Ms into The belief that
they had retreaed, and thus render destruction
doubly snre. Tomorrow viii discover the purpose
of to-days apparent indisposion to respond to our
attack.
THE AIAsSING OF GEN. FRANKLIN's COMMAND
NEAR THE BRIDGES.
At noon, having failed to draw the enemy into an
artillery duel, or TO discover any evidences Of the
concentration Of their arns rpon the pont0ons the
different portions of the Lett Grand Division were
massed together upon tho wide interval which |
stretches away from tho river TO the bluffs in the
rear upon which the principal portion Of our aril
lery WIS posted. Here they arranged to be in |
readiness for the most speedy crossing Of the river
and the crowded plain presented an appearance, the
impressiveness of which is by no means approached
by the ordinary acoumulations of armed In line
or 10 column.
INACTIVITY DURING TIFF AFTERNOON.
The afternoon witnessed scarcely an indication Of
hostility in Gen. Frsnklns diytion, which fully |
ready TO advance was awaiting only the completion
d the bridges az fredericksburg ard the cooperation
of the Right aud Center Grand Divisions.
OF THE CROSSING OF THE |
RIVER.
Gen. Franklin's command, although ready Tor the
advance before noon did not receive orders for the
movement until sunset. The Grand Division wac
cd of IN two columns, the "a H. !. Vols., Colonel
Frank wheaton, Of Gen. Deyin's brigade, Gen.
NewOn's division and Smiths corps, being the AGst
o cross the river. 1t marched rapidly down tie
lank and reaching the bridge, started over II At
loube quick, and arriving upon tie other side OF
he river, they rushed up tie bill beyond, and de-
ll0yed mridy a. skirmih hers TO tho hight and left.
They had been over but n moment when they
we're met by rapid succession OF muskot shots from
he rliemen Of tho euCGy, Who fell back before
them, o. the regiments behind came up 10 their sap
lort. Gem NOrtona division moved over with
acF.ty and was coon formed In lino Of battle upon
he Greet of hill 1t the sight Of them fairly es-
sl'iltd IN threatening attitude upon the ground
a'cy hell by enemy sbou, WIS rai'od from the
l0rth side Of the ryer which gave cDnidepce 20 IA,
c,achmcut hlrendy over, and slowed their own
ageIaoss 10 follow Immediately.
Presonily y nome ntsry centurion was Spparen'.
The order 10 advance had been countermsndel, md
be- troops upon tie bridge had wheeled about and
on mcuced returning. Some animals upon tho
Ridge became refractory, AMI The men, not UNDER
taudn9 tho sudden occsson which ca..ei them
lurmifica q al the enemy were coming upon
hem, AMI fos q moment seemed affected with slight
ymItoi4s Of panic.
TIE oonmoti0n however, soon fubsited and the
eiachmcni which had been sent across the rlver
gas soon back again with the remainder Of the
ommanl and is now awaiting the order 20 crew
he attempt t0-mOTVw morning. }. y. II.