Newbern weekly progress., 1862-12-20
General Franklin Successful on the Lett.
slaughter of thc Rebels aud Capture of
Prisoncrs
of the Battle on Sunday
THE EIGHT ON SATURDAY.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
Saturday, Dec niber 13, P. M.
The fog began to disappear, and present.
ed an unobstructed view of our own and
the rebel position. 1t being evident that
the first ridge OF hills in the rear Of the
~citv. on which the enemy had their gu, 8
posted behind works, could not be carried
except by a charge Of Infantry. General
Sumner assigned that duty to Fren,:h's di-
vision, supported by Howard's.
The troops advanced TO their work at ten
r1isfates before twelve O'Clock, at a brisk
run. The enemy's guns oponed rapid
fire. hen within musket ranges of the
ybaise Of the ridge, ealr troops y tro net by- a
.ter'ildte ire from hhe rebel infantry, who
were posted behind a stone wall on The
right of the line. This checked their al-
vance, and they fell back to small rayine,
but not out Of musket. range. kt this fine
another body of troops moved to their as
sstance in splendid style, Notwithstanding
gaps were made in their ranks by the rebel
artillery. When they arrived at the first
line, they double-quicked, and with a COM
mand, fixed bayonets and endeavored to
d1slodge the rebels from their hiding places.
The concentrated fire of artillery and
IllrlillJ "hlNh iHN "SlC lOltSu W lttNC
was too mach, and the centre gave way in
disorder, but were afterwards rallied and
brought back. From that time tie fire
was spritedly carried on, and never ceased
until some time after dark.
General Franklin, who commanded the
lattack on the left, met with better success.
He succeeded, after a hard days fight, in
Idriving the enemy about mile at one
time. The rebels advanced to attack, but
were handsomely repulsed with terrible
slaughter, and loss Of between four and
five hundred prisoners, belonging TO Gen
A. Il. Hills command.
Franklin's movemant was directed down
the river, and his troops are encamped to-
nighe not far from the Massaponax Creek.
Our troops sleep Tonight where they fought
o-day, and the dead and wounded are be-
ing carried from the field tonight.
! The following is a list of officers killed and
rounded, as far as known.
Gen jackson, Pennsy ylVania Reserves, killed.
Gen. Bayard struck in :he thigh by shell,
aud afterwards died
Gen. Vinton, wounded in the site, but not
dangerous.
Gen Gibbons, wounded in the hand.
| Gen. Kimball, wounded in the thigh.
| Gcu. Caldwell, wounded III two places, but
sAotsscr'ous.
= ,sG Cec1.s~zss=-, ascl~1-
usly wounded.
Captain Hendrickson, commanding the New
ork Militia, seriously wounded. i
The following is the loss in the 9th New
ampshire Regiment:
Col. Cross, wounded in the abdomen.
Maj. SurteTent, killed.
Adjutaut Dodd killed. ,
Capt. Murray. killed. ,
Capt. Perry killed.
The firing OF muSketry ceased about SIX
clock, but the rebels continued throwing Shell
to the city until eight O'Clock. The position
the rebels was as follows ;-Longstreet on c
le left and holding tue MAN work, \. p. i
Ill and jackson were in TIA. front of Frauklln .
ith Jacksons right resting on the Rappahan |
ock ID. II. Hill acting as reserve. .
Gen. Burnside will renew tho bat le at day
sht in the morning. !
The troops are in good spirits and not the f
ast dishcartcned. ,