Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-12-13
A General Battle Imminent,
1ne Federal Troops Sleeping Oh Their
Arms.

BEApQUARTERs ARMY oP THE Poros.c
Friday Morning, 10 o'clock.-Aft:r o:cupyin :
Ee Firrr front of the city las; night, We lost
about one hundred me, in killed and wounded
While driving the rebels through the city Thcy
ifco on oIr Men aS they advanced through tue
s.Tee'S while secr-ted in and behind hoss.s
caught. ~ ~
This morning dense fog hid every thing from
Ni-W, but at this hour it is gradually lifting
and passing away.
Our troops commenced moving At an early
hour, Gen. Summer grand division leading The
way over in front o: the city, TO b. followed by
Gen. Hock-rs grand division.
General frankiin's grand division, which
crossed hearty three miles below the city, is
nearly over.
At quarter past O'clock the arst gun was
Tired. The firing lasted for abou. half m hour,
tn. Rebels not making very spirited reply
II is thought the troops will all lie over the
rIrr ty noon.
Information received during the night and
this n:orninr, from GrscrtrrS and prisoners
show ;ha: the Eas~Is have two .i.nng ,ia..- OF
batteries in the rear OF the city-tha first being
about one mile back, and the second a mile
frtm the first.
IRE whole army is in rapid motion and well
concentrated. The men ar. in .xc.ilent spirits
and ANXIOUS TO be led against the cnemy's
works.
Tie enemy have concentrated their forces
and it i~ believed will give battle Much will
depend upon the uit of 10 day All feel san
gui.e VI success.
I'd
EFADIUAKTEks Army OF THE PoTOAAc,
Friday evening, Dec. i2.-At 10 o'clock this
morning III" tcg began 20 clear away. but be-
tore II the atmosphere was again thick and II
thus continued until o'clock, when il entirely
Disappeared.
at quarter paste O'Clock the rebels opened all
,Mn'ir M guns posted on the first ridge OF Hills.
Their main Erc was directed upon the city,
which was filled with orr troops. Those guns
v HI n were posted Oh the left uf the ridge were
"p+n-d on tEe large body of troops which
f,N-n law tr.xl
'crmen In iEe OF battle and were mo wing OBJ
E4uelS down the river, fronting the MHssapa-
nc1.~ Although serera! OF t:icir shells exploded
over rcur TROOPS, no;!e were IN iUred.
Gen. Bayard's cavalry, which crossed on the
lower brluge, had fYe men killed while en-
d, ,aNcrlEg 10 ASCERTAIN the cnemys position.
4 he troops which crossed ba'o sleeping
on fhslr aims tonight. The advance bring
within three-quarteis of a mile of the M..ssapa-
DoX Creek, and their left IL, Ting Oh the R.tpi,u-
hammock The enemy occupy the opposite ide
Cur gun post. Il on the bank on this s,,l.. of
tie river siielced tn. my artillery. after IN
acton Of some half hours duration. This ended
til" firing fer The day.
The only damage done by the rebel shells
tiiown in'o th- city was TO add just so much
20 rs "a ttr3ctI IL.
Tw. nty-iiNe o. our men were killed las night
III thr streets of tic city, while driving the
my out.
\, ariy every nous. in the city has been more
o. less damaged by the c;,unonaGiug Of the past
two Gays. Cvirll sp h6id T-sid-uc-, have
h.-n completely riGdied. The same may also
b- ,.-id OF ihe churt hes.
Ihs fire al!i cared 10 he directed on the most
T.r. Un'n' mt edfftees. In several cases. acts of
w"Dion obstruction OF properly Ter- commit
t. bS troops when they first entered the
town-propcrty which could be no us. TO
TIE 4, r1Iny.
In mary Of the houses the furniture all re-
NAMED, showing that their occupau,s had left
III haste.
SuIne OF our troops in their impetuossy mis-
took the BRUSH rag flying from the residence
OF tie ErItlsh consul for 4 rebel flag, and tore
il down. / MS morning the owner came over
To rec over il, and the same WAS returned 70 him
The Rain hony Of the army is now over TIA
riy'r, the balance being in position 10 cross at
any time.
There is no indication Of the enemy evacua-
ting, "nd II they r, main n battle must inevitably
'nsue.