The New York herald., 1862-12-16
THE REBEL ACCOUNTS.

from the Richmond whig, Dec. I2.l
INFORMANT FROM FREDERICKSBURG-ATTEMPT OF THE
ENEMY TO CROSS THE RAPPAHANNoCK-THE FIGHT
ING COMMENCED. 5s
The city much excited yesterday by reports that
the abolition army had commenced demonstration al
Fredericksburg, and making attempt 10 The
Rappahanncck river in force. But little information
could be obtained during the day beyond the fact that
fight progress and the anxiety of the people
somewhat relieved by report. apparently reliable, that
the enemy had been yepulsed with considerable saugh
ter The Fredericksburg train arrived late IN the even
the bakhad opened and that the army Of Burnside
endeavog execute the long standing threat Of march
ing upon the ''rebel capital" IL impossible, how
ever gather any connected really ineligible state
ments as the train left Hamilton Station, five miles this
sde Of Fredericksburg before o'clock NJ and the
passengers received their information from such
they were enabled to communicate with at that dis
tance. .srf
This was, in effect that the enemy at five O'Clock in
the morning. attempted to the river at threc points,
namey:-Knox's mill, above the town at the railroad
bridge abont the centre, and at Deep (AKred Ber
nards place. mile and half or two miles below they
first discovered IN the Of constructing pontoon
bridges and our sharpshootcrs stationed in the rifle
pits this side OF the river, work prevent the
execution OF this design If possible. We told that
they poured voley after vocy into the Yankees, who
compelled TO desist from their operations at the
two upper positions: but at Deep run our men were d
rectly exnose TO the fire Of the encmys artillery and
could DO little or nothing to check the progress of their
work.
into the town OF Fredericksburg from the heights across
the river and battered down house belonging George
\.
lower part Of the town. owned by Mr.. Vaughn was set
on fire by shell and destroyed. We hear, also, that
Jacob rotz citisen killed. and his brother george
wounded There is also report OF the wounding OF n
Mr. Scott and lady and cbdrcn but this IS not entirely
reliable. te
The statements of losses on either side are various
The Yankees, from all accounts, suffered heavily from
the fire o our sharpsbooters II the enemy has succeeded
in crossing the river at Deep we may hear stirring
news from that direction to-day
From the Richmond Enquirer, Dec. 12.l
HEAVY FIGHTING AT FREDERICKSBURG.
Dispatches received by the government from Frede.
ricksburg up to halfpas twelve O'Clock yesterday
state that at hapast five in the morning the enemy at
tempted to lay down pontoon bridges three pointsane
at the sight Of the railroad bridge, which spanncd the
river at the lower end Of the town. another at the ford
above the town. and between it and Falmouth and the
third below the mouth Of Peep rum which is pchaTs,
The attempts at the first named points repused
with considerable loss to the enemy our sharpshooers
and skirmshers cooperating with the artillery in the
affair At the lower point the ponon,ers were protected
from the fire Of artillery BY the river buii, and the
command OF the position by the enemys guns rendered
sharpsho0ters unavailable At half.past twelve the
bridge reported nearly complete. There had OF
course been attempt at crossing end the plateau on
which the enemys troops would appear ascending the
bluff would be swept by oar batteries if they should
venture TO cross, as it was hoped they would.
Tho troops engaged were lonstrects. The cannonad
ing severe. Passengers report that several
houses burned during the ght Any further parti
culars before going to press will be appended.
p. S-A despatch from Fredericksburg dated at six
o'clock says that the enemy were then crossing On their
ponto0n bridge
Reaching the southern bank they viii be in sheltered
nook between the blu and the river This space is OF
horseshoe shape, and sufficient perhaps to contain ten
thousand Above and below it Is said that the biuf
approaches the and the channel the southern Shore
that the enemy cannot march up down the river
under oil the bluffs Their only is TO ascend
the bluffs, when they will be covered by batteries
We shall not be surprised 10 learn that this ascent ol
the bns made under OF last nights darkness
and that the attempt brought on night battle.
The house OF VIM. II. Vaughan, the river road, was
set fire by shell and burned also that OF George
King near the depot Shells passed through the house
Of lev DR. Eroadus and that OF Mr.. y. H. Scott The
seeplc OF the Baptist church shot away and some
houses in the upper part Of the town destroyed.
Jacob Grotz. old citizcn. killed aud his brother
George wounded, by the explosion of she'll
About thirty Of our wounded men, we understand
were brought down last night on the train