Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-12-19
The War News, &c.

New York. Dee l2--The gallant act Of first
crossing the river at Fredericksburg in the face
Of thc enemy's FIRE was performed By two COM
panies ef the Michigan 7th. A drummer 10
years old was in the first boat
Friday. Dec. 12.-lO. A. M.-After occupy
ing The river front Of the city last night We lost
about 100 men in killed and wounded. while
driving the rebels through the city. They fired
on our men as they advanced through the pits
while secreted in and behind houses. Not
much mercy was shown to those who were
caught.
This morning adense fog bid everything FROM
view but now It IS partially cleared away
The troops communicating at an early hour,
Major General Summers grand division leading
the way over in front of the city, to be followed
by Major General Hooker's grand DIVISION
General Franklins grand division which cross
es nearly three miles below the city, is nearly
over.
At quarter past nine The frsf guh was fired,
the engagement lasting about half an hour, the
rebels not making very spirited reply.
II is thought The troops VIII ak be over al
noon Information was received during the
night aud this morning from deserters and pris-
onerS, that the rebels have two strsng lines OF
batteries in rear of the city, the first one being
one mile back, and tho second a mile from the
first. The whole army is in rapid motion, aud
well concentrated. The troops are in excellent
works.
| The enemy has concentrated his forces and it
| is believed will give battle. Much VIII depend
upon the result Of to-day; all feel sanguine OF
success.
Headquarters Army Of the Potomac,
Evening.
At10 O'Clock this morning the fog began 10
clear away, but befure IL O'Clock the air was
again thick which continued until 2O'elOck when
it entirely disappeared At quarter past two,
the rebels opened with all their guns posted up
on the first ridge Of hills. Their main fire was
directly upon the city which was filed with our
troops. These guns which were posted on the
| left Of the ridge were opened on the large body
| Of troops which crossed on the two lower bridg-
cs and had formed in line Of battle and were
moving obliquely down the river, fronting the
Massaponix. Although several Of the shells
Exploded over our trOOps, none were injured.
! General Bayards cavalry, which crossed on
the lower bridge, had 1--WE men killed while en-
ldoavoTing to ascertain the enemys position
! The troops which crossed below are sleeping on
their arms tonight, the advance being within
thTee-Q quarters ofa mile OF tho Msssaponix Greek,
their left resting on the Rappahannoek. The
enemy occupies the opposite side of the Greek
\ in force. The guns posted the bank of this
side Of the river silenced the enemy's artillery
after a duel of half an hour.
! This ended the firing for the day. The only
damage done bv the rebel shells thrown into the
city was to add so much to its distinction
Twenty five of eur men were killed last night
lin the streets while driving the rebels out
Nearly every house in the city has been DANA
ged more or less BY the firing of the first few
days. Several splendid residences have been
cOmpletely riddled, also all the churches
The fires appeared to be directed on the mos;
prominent of the edifces.
Several cases OF wanton destruction of prop
Ierty occurred by our troops when they entered
property which could be OF no use To the enc.
my. In many houses the furniture all re-
msined.
=, Some ofour troops mistoook the British fial
for secesh flag and tore it from the residence
of the British Consul. This morning the own
er came over to recover it and il was returned t,
him.
The main body of the army is now over th,
river, the balance being in position to cross al
any time.
| There is no Indication of The enemy evacua
ting. II they remain 4 battle must Immediately
ensue.
] Mobisco River, six miles norih from DuIafries
Va, Dec. l2.-At about daybreak this morning
between 1000 and 500 Of Stuart's cavalry
dashed into Dumlries, captured 10 snilers, ,,
pickets, 50 it is represented, and Mr. VIM. Nc
1ntosh, and telegraph repairer. They also GU
down telegraph poles and cut the wire destroy.
then hastily retreated. The wires were subse
iquenty repaired. Brighten. Steinwler Ia.
since occupied Dumfries.
Il Headquarters Army Of Potomac.
in the field. Dec l3. IOo'clock.
Il The battle long anticipated is now progressing 2
I Reynolds crops on the left advanced and en-
gagged the enemy's infantry at Is. Sever
minutes afterwards the rebels opened heavJ
fire Of artillery, which has continued 50 far un
linterruptedly. Our Leavy gunsare answering
but the firing on both sides Is at random on &C
count ofa dense fog. No results known yet
But little infantry has yet been engaged. !
portion OF the snemy's cavalry crossed the for,
above here, and yesterday were on our right an,
rear. A force has been sent 10 meet them.
Headquarters. Army Of the Potomac, I
Dec l3. IL p n.
) The fog began to disappear early in the fore
nOOn, afferding an un0bsITaeied gicv ofour ovyl
and the rebel POSITIONS. IL being evideHt tina
the Fss ridge of bills in The rear Of the city OF
" hieh the enemy had his guns posted behin,
works which Cosld not he carried except b.
ichaTge of infantry, Gen. Sumner assigned tina
! duty to Cen ETeneh's division. which was sun
| ported BY Gen. HOwands- The troops advan
,eed TO their works az ten minutes before /.
: O'Clock, at a brisk run, the eHemy's guns open
lng upOa them very rapid fre. When within
musket range al the base OF the ridge our tr.soT
>
Try which were posted behind a stone wall an,
some houses on the right OF the line. Thi
4 checked the advance OF our men, and they fel
back to a small rzvine but nOt cut Of sauske
1 range At this time another body Of men move,
TO their assistance IN splendid style SotNith
standing large gaps were made in the ranks b
: the rebel artillery, when our troops arrived q
the first line Of the rebel defenses they double
i quieked. and With fixed bzvonets endezvofe,
: 10 dislodge the rebels from their hiding placss
The concentrated IRE Of the rebel artillery an
infantry which our men we're forced 10 lace ~
: too much for them, and the centre gave way 4
I disorder, but were afterward rallied aud bToEgt
: hack From that time the ere Va Spirited
: carried on and never ceased until after dark.
4 Cen Franklin, who commanded she attack o.
l the left, met v Ia better sueeess- he saeoeede
: after hard days fight in driving the rebel
E about one mile
Alone tIHle thu rebslz ziTaneell 10 attack hif.
but were handsomely repulsed With terribl
slaughter and loss Of besWeen 100 aud 500 mrs
!, oneFs belonging 10 Gen A. r. Hills division.
Gen. Frsnkiin's movement uas directed dow
the river, and his trOops are enesure,f ru-nin-l
: not far from the Massapouix Creek. Our troor
E sleep tonight where they fought to-day. III
4 ldesd aud wounded are beng carried from Ii
6eId.
Headquarters Army u Patouse,
Dee I'LL .S0a m
There Is no fog to-day. the sun is shinin
a brightly With 4 stTong brecze-
Al daylight this mnruing there vas a heav
hre Of artillery aud iniaatry In irolt of The frs
: lime oS works where Generals Sumner and Hook
er we're engaged Yesterday. The tre slsrA,s,s
IN hauf ~, hlrrr afrI.rr--rY1 -rf - E.---l 49,