Maryland free press., 1862-12-19

a measure the results of these discharges, yet
the walls could be heard crumbling and the
timbers crashing. The rebels, with the great
est stubbOrness; still Kept within the city,
and at times parties of them could be seen go
ing from one point to another on the double
quick. The carnage cannot but be fearful
amongst them. -fu.e -l7.ta .,f' ~
1t is somewhat singular that the rebel bat.
tories did not return the FIRE of our guns. Up
tothe present time they have not opened in res
ponsc.
About ten o'clock the engineers were formed
for third attempt to construct: the bridge
The Eighth Connecticut, under Major Ward,
was lying at this time near the river banki i'll
support of one of our batteries, After the pre-
vious Intellectual attempts on the part of tho
engineers to cross, party Of eighty men from
the regiment, under Captain March, volun-
teered to assist in this new endeayor to finish
laying the bridge, and once more the column.
with this reinforcement; started down to the
river. '- z. t-.r bf.t -n-'
Under the direction of General Woodbury.,
they seized the planks and carried out some
dozen to the end Of the string of bogts, placed
part Of them and were then compelled to
retire, under. u very CALLING FIRE from the rob.
ell sharpshocters, who were ensconced secure
ly in rife pits, below the range of the artille!
ry, and within fifteen or twenty feet of the
were wounded in this attempt, and the engi-
neers suffered severely.
The movement having thus been interrupt
ed, the whole party were ordered back to their
original position. tE' s
At eleven O'clock II was discovered that one
of the houses was OIL fire. Tke flames, which
commenced in the westerly part of the city,
soon spread, and Fredericksburg is now On.
reloped in fire and smoke. :. ;.,.,..,.s d =.
An enflading fire has been opened upon the
rebel rifle pits from our batteries up the river.
It has been successful, SO far, in driving the
sharpshooters from the vicinity of the railroad
depot.
AQUA CREEK, Dec, 12--midnight.- Intel
ligence from the front tonight states that our
forces have crossed the river, and are now in
possession of Fredericksburg. r.
The eEflading fire from our batteries on the
right succeeded in driving the rebelsfrom the
rific-pits on the rivers edge, thereby permit
ting IN easy and rapid construction of the pom
toon bridges.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE POTOMAC,
Friday Morning, 10 0o'clock.-After occupying
the river front of the city last night, we lost
about one hundred mon in killedand wounded
while driving the rebels through the city
They fred on. our mer rs they advanced
through the streets while seereted in and be-
hind houses. Not much mercy was shown to
those who were caught ~, =. Fee. .4...f-g
This morning dense fog hid evory thing
from view, but at this hour it is gradually
lifting and passing away. ......... IN.
Our troops commenced moving at an early
hour, Gen Summers grand division leading
the way over in front of the city, to be follow
eddy Gen. Hooker's ecand division.
General Franklin's grand division, which
crossed nearly three miles below the city, is
nearly over. ra,-.aisi Ell.-..r! y.i
At a quarter past nine o'clock the first gun
was fred. The firing lasted for about half an
hour, the rebels not making very spirited
reply.
1t is thought the troops will all be over the
river by noon
Information received during the night aud
this, morning from deserters. and prisoners,
show that the rebels have two strong lines of
batteries in the rear of the city, the first one
being about one mile back and the second q
mile from the first -. .M4.
The whole army is in rapid motion and we'll
concentrated. The troops are in excellent
spirits and anxious to be led against the enc
my's. works ,.f. ...... ,..r-
The enemy have concentrated their forces,
and it is believed will give baltic. Much will
depend upon the result Of to day. All feel
sanguinc of success.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
Friday Evening, Dec. 12.--At ten clock this
morning the fog began to clear away, but be-
fore eleven the atmosphere was again thick
and it thus continued until o'clock when it
entirely disappeared. ....,s. ...... ....
At quarter past . O'clock the rebels opened
all their guns posJel Oh the first ridge of hills.
Their main fire was directed apon the city,
which yaas filed with our troops. Those guns
which were posted on the left of the ridge
were opened on the large body of troops which
crossed on the two, lower bridges, and had
formed in line of battle and were moving
obliqaely down the river, fronting the Mcssa-
panox, Although several of their shells cx-
ploded over our troops, no one was injured.
General Baysrd's cavalry, which crossed on
the lower bridge, had five men killed while
endeavoring to ascertain tho enemy's posit-