Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-18
THE BATTLE ON THE RIGHT.


burg On Saturday last;
THE BATTLE ON THE RIGHT.
In the council of war held on Friday even
ng some of Burnside's generals expressed
doubts about carrying the enemy's position by
assault but were ready for any movement he
ohould order. Ii was determined TO assault
,be enemy,s position al daylight on Saturday,
bu, fog prevented until II o'clock, when the |
,noyement commenced. zen. Sumner had |
.eleoled French's division of Gen. COUGHS |
,orps for the advance of the attacking column |
on the right. Others were TO move from the |
streets of fredericksburg next TO the river to
the outskirts of the town, form line ot battle
by brigades, and preceded by cloud OF skir-
mishers, move at double quick upon the first
line of the enemy's works. Gen. French was |
necessarily obliged TO march his troops IN soild |
columns in parallel streets. As soon as the
head of the columns had emerged from the
lower into the higher portions OF the street, the
enemy's batteries opened upon them from sew
eral points. Upon reaching the outskirts o.
the town, the order was gwen to deploy, but
stone and other fences prevented ITS ready eA-
ecution. During the delay thus caused, the
troops were exposed 10 an enfladlng hire winch
taxed the endurance of the troops most severe
ly. The line being formed at last, about noon
the order to advance was given. The line
moved up and over low range OF elevations
and down towards the foot of the hills on
which the enemy's breastworks were situated.
The rebel shsrpshooters now opened from all
sides with fearful effect. The vlgor oil the hre
of the rebel artillery also steadily increased,
and when the line reached Ihe foot ol the sec
ond range of hills, a perfect hail OF lead iell
unon it. The advance, however, was contln-
ued until within fey hundred yards oi the
crest of the hills, when RAPID succession OF
terrific volleys from long lines OF rebel mtan-
try, suddenly rising in front ct their works,
checked il. From the position they had gained
our troops now exchanged round after round
with the enemy until their ammunition became
exhausted. and the line fell back some distance,
leaving nearly one-half of its number on the
field to make room for General Hancock's dl-
vision.
Hancock's division moved forward steadiast-
" mo 20 the point where French's had received
It's check. when il was also stopped by the
murderous fire of the rebel infantry and artil-
lsrv For two hours it alternately replied TO
The enemy's musketry, and attempted to make
II. way up the second range of hills. Although
unsble to advance, and continually losing num-
hers. il fought until its ammunition gave out,
when IT was relieved by Howard's division,
and retired nearer to town.
Uoward's command went into action about 3
o'clock. One after the other OF ITS brlgades
was advanced to the front, but ike those oi
French and Hancock's, did not succeed IN
reaching the enemy's works. The last oil IL
under Gen. Sally was ordered TO charge up
the Hill with the bayonet, and moved iorwafs,
in most gallant style, but was checked, as all
the other troops had been.
Shortly after French's division had moved
to the attack. Sturgis's division OF Wilcox
corps advanced over parallel road on the
left of our right upon the works and batteries
covering the enemy's right flank. 1t expert
enced the same difficulties in forming, IN con-
sequence of Instructions on the ground, as
Prancb's. but pushed forward with the utmost
determination. hating only at times to open ltS
WOW with musketrv. II reached within 81
Yards Of the crest of the hill it aimed to take
but having been tearfuly weakened IN mum
bers during its advance, had 10 hai. III nei'
the point gained for three hours NotWith
standing Il was confronted by vastly superio
numbers ofinfantry, and enfaded by oatterle
on each flank-even after its ammunition MAJ
all been spent, it did not give way, but iirmI
held its ground until properly relieved shortl
before sunset.
Shortly before dark Humphreys and Gri
fms divisions were ordered to advance to tn
front and relieve the troops of Gen. Couch o
the right and Gen. Wilcox on the left Inc
reached the front and formed IN line Just bt
fore sunset, and at once charges upon IN
enemy's works. Humphreys division cam
within short distance of them, and Griffin
reached the point held by Sturgis, which re
spective positions they have since occupied
During their advance the firing from the reb
artillery reached the highest intensity OF II
whole day, but ceased shortly after nigh
fall.
Simultaneous with the advance Of Griffin an
Humphrey Getty's division moved from ]
position up the valley of little stream skirt
ing the town and advanced to the base OF tt
hill occupied by the rebel batteries on II
extreme right, driving the rebel infantry fro
behind stone wall from which they had grea
lv troubled our troops during the day. He
it Law during the night Sykes division
Butter6eld's corps followed between Griffin al
Humphrey to the front, but arrived too la
for action. Thus ended the conflict betwet
our right and the rebel left.
ON THE LEFT.
The extreme left Of Gen. Franklin's divisi,
extended three miles below Fredericksbur
and his right was two miles below the tow
his line being mile loug. The first fire W
made by the sklrmishers of the 18th Mass
chusetts in our front. They had moved ca
tiously in advance Of our lines for half mi
when discovering the enemy's pckets tn
fired upon them Cannonading soon CONNIE
ced in earnest The hazy atmosphere of t
early part of the day having cleared away
asSo give to each of the contending parties
view of the position taken by the other, Kal
battery, the I'd Maine, discovered a battery
the enemy in close proximity and opened
rapid and vigorous fire upon it. Ina few N
ments the artillery fire extended along