The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-12-15
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
EVENING PAPERS.
PROGRESS OF THE GREAT BATTLE.
A BRILLIANT INFANTRY CHARGE.
Rebels Driven by Gen Franklin.--Federal
Troops Rest on the Field.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoToMAc,
Saturday II A. NJ Dec ~

HEADQUARTERS ARMY POTOMAC,
Saturday II A. NJ, Dec. 13.
The great battle SO long anticipated be-
tween the two C intending armies is now pro-
crossing. The morning opened with dense
fog, which has not entirely disappeared Gen.
Reynolds corps on the left advanced at an
early hour, and at 9.15 A. NJ. engaged the en-
emy's infantry. Seven minutes afterwards the
rebels opened heavy fire of artillery, which
has continued so far without intermission.-
Their artillery fire must be at random, as the
fog obstructs the view of almost everything.
Our heavy guns are answering them rapidly.
At this writing no results are known Not
much infantry has yet become engaged.
portion of the enemys cavalry crossed a
ford above here, and yesterday were found on
our right and rear, and sufficient force has
been sent out to meet them.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC
Saturday Dec. IL, IL p. NJ.
The fog began to disappear early in the
morning, aflording an unobstructed view of
our own and the rebel positions
1t being evident that the first ridge of hills
in the rear of the city, on which the enemy
had their guns posted behind works, could not
be carried except by a charge of infantry.
Gen. Sumner assigned the duty to Gen.
French's division, which was supported by
Gen. Towards. The troops advanced to their
h
brisk run, the enemy's guns opening upon
them very rapid fire. When within musket
range, at the base of the ridge, our troops
were met by a terrible fire from the rebel in
fantry, who were posted behind stone wall
and some houses on the right of the line
This checked the advance of our men. and
they fell back to a small ravine, but not out of
musket range. At this time another body of
troops moved to their assistance in splendid
ctx~la l..
in their ranks by the rebel artillery.
When our troops arrived at the first line of
the rebel defences they double quicked, and
with fixed bayonets endeavored to dislodge
the rebels from their hiding places The con
centrated fire of rebel artillery and infantry
which our men were forced to face. was too
much for them, and the centre gave way in
disorder, but afterwards they were rallied and
brought back. From that time the fire was
spiritedly carried on, and never ceased until
after dark.
Gen. Franklin, who commenced the attack
on the left met with better success. He sue
ceeded, after hard days fight, in driving the
rebels about mile. At one, the rebels ad-
vanced TO attack him. but were handsomely
repulsed with terrible slaughter, and with a
loss of between four and five hundred prison.
ers, belonging to Gen. \. p. Hills command
Gen. Franklin's movement was directed
uoNn the river, anu his troops are encalnDed
tonight not far from the Massapomax Creek.
Our troops sleep tonight where they fought
to-day. The dead and wounded are being car
ried from the field
The following is a list of officers killed and
wounded, as far as yet known: Gen. jackson.
of Pennsylvania Reserves, killed: Gen. Bay
ard, struck in thigh by shell, and died; Gen
Vinton, wounded in side, not seriously; Gen.
Gibbins, wounded in hand; Gen. Kimball.
wounded in thigh; Gen. Caldwell, wounded in
two places, not seriously; Col. Sinclair. of
Pennsylvania Reserves, wounded seriously:
Capt. Hendrickson, commanding 9th New
York militia, wounded seriously.
The firing Of infantry ceased about O'Clock
this evening, but the rebels continued throw
ing shell into the city until 0 o'clock
The position of the rebels was as follows -
Gen. Longstreet on the left, and holding the
main works. Gen. A. p. Hill and Stonewall
Jackson were in front of Gen. Franklin, with
their right resting on the Rappahannock, and
HIlls forces acting as reserve. The troops
are in good spirits, and not the least disheart-
ened.