The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-12-20
BY TELEGRAPH


The Great Batsle, NJ Described b. New
York Papers.
NEW YORK, Dec. l1.-Morn,ng papers are filled
with detailed accountsOi Saturdays fight, OF too
extended nature for telegraphing They con-
tain no real news, but comprise many incidents
relating to the affair.
The Times has the following account OF the
vithdrawsi'of our forces from Fredericksburg:
The movement commenced at dark, Monday
night. All the sick and wounded were removed
during the day to hospital tents. Burnside in
spected the position Of the troops in the after
noon, and general activity Indicated that an
other battle WAS imminent. Surgeons were Or
desed to be in readiness to care for q large mum.
Der OF additional wounded. The withdrawal OF
our forces. however, was determined on at q
council of corps commanders during the day
The undertaking was regarded as peri'ous, but,
If euccessful, would rescue the army from an
other battle, which would accomplish but little,
except the destruction of valuable lives.
The troops had received no intimation of a
retreat and had laid down on their arms for the
night, when order Was given to fall in. They
supposed it was for night assault On the ene-
my's works, and we're not nndeceiyed till they
found themselves on pontoons crossing the riv-
'er. The bridges were covered with earth to
desden the sound Of artillery. A high wind and
the darkness prevented the rebels from hearing
or seeing the movement "9".@ 80
Franklin's division moved as soon as it was
dark; also Summers and Hooker's from under
the very guns OF the enemy. 700 10 Aa
Many officers and soldiers, expressed Just re-
greet saying they preferred dying in, front Of the
rebel batteries, Very few wounded we're left
onthe field. 80 paf .. u - He3Is1'ai2-'
Two brigsdes occGpy the town as advanced
pickets, and our. artillery on higher hank. will
cooperate in keeping possession Of the town.
Our heavy guns opened on the rebel batteries
on Tuesday MOI ming, elciting but little response
The Times correspondent thus dsscribes the
rebels position: q ~ ~ y aoi:9% az
9. Gu. forces are expected to storm and take it.
There is above platesu Of . third Of . mile,
which our. storming party will have to Crosse.
In doing so, they will have to be exposed 70 FIRE
first Of the enemys sharpshooteis posted be,
bind a stonewall, running along the base OF tie
ridge, with double Gne.pits on. the rise Of the
crest, and heavy batteries behind strong field
works that stand on top Of the hill 1 A power
full infantry force is now lying concealed behind
these, and plugging fire from batteries on the
lower ridge; with double in6lsding fire from
cannon to the left Of them. Sebastopol wasn't
half SO strong. - - !, ;,1t
The Tines account Of the battle, shows that
Rockers Grand Division was on this side of the
river until o'clock: At 4 o'clock Hooker,
who had not yet been across the river, proceed.
ed over, ren,arking to friend, that be was Ego.
ing 70 PIT this thing through" s.aHe
Ia nj an hour prodigious volleys of musketty
anDounced that Hooker with the reserves was
engaged This last assaulting column consisted
Of the Divisions of Humphrey, Monk, Howard,
Getty ard Sykes They had, however, hardly
got fairly engaged before the sun went down,
when night closed around the combattants.