Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-12-16
A BATTLE in PROGRESS !
GENERAL RfYNOlOS' CORPS DARMFF ENGAGED,
Our Siege Guns Replying 10 The Rebel Artillery,
HEADQUARTERS in THE FILLp,
Saturday. II 4. M


The morning opened with Il dense fog, which
has not yet entirely disappeared.
den Reynolds corps, on the left, advnucei NJ
an early hour, and at 10 ,gagsl the enemy s
infantry seven minutes after. the Rebel opened
heavy fire of artillery, which has continued 30
lar without interruption.
Their artillery fire must be at random, us the
fog ohsruct- all view
Our heavy guns are answering them rapidly
As the sun gets higher it is hoped that the toy
will lift, AT this writing no results are
known. Not much infantry has, as yet, become
engaged
A portion Of the enemy's cavalry crossed a ford
above here and yesterday was found ON our right
rear sufficient force has been sent out TO mret
them.
Desperate Fighting on saturday.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POreMAC,
Saturday. Dec. l3.-Etsning. fog begau 10
disappear at Il o'clock this morning, afIorlns
m unobstructed view of our own and the enemys
position.
IL being evident that the first ridge Of hills, in
the rear Of the city, on which the enemy hld
his guns posted behind earthworks, could not he
carried except by charge OF infantry General
Sumner assigned that duty to Gen. Frenchs
Division, supported by Gen. Howards.
The troops ndyanced to the works at ten min
utes before IL O'Clock. HI n brisk run,
The enemys guns opened rapid fire upon
them.
When within musket range Of the ridge they
were met by Il terrible fire from the rebel ulin-
tr-. who were posted behind a stone wall uud
some houses on the right of the line. This check
ed their advance, and they fell back 10 small
raylne, but not out of musket range.
At this time another body of troops moved to
their assistance in splendid style, notwithstanding
the gaps made in their ranks by the fire of the
rebel artillery
When they arrived at the first line, they al-
vanceI ia double quick time, aud, with com
nanl Of " fixed bayonets" ,ndeavored to dis
lodge the reDels from their hiding places. The
concentrated fire of artillery and infantry which
they were forced to face was too much, aud the
centre gave way in disorder but were afterwards
rallied and brought back.
From that time the fire was spriteily contin.-
ueu aud never ceased until some time after dark
ness set in this evening,
Zen Franklin, who commanded the attack on
the left, met with better success. He succeeded
after hard days fight in driving the enemy
/ about one mile
AT one time the rebels advanced to attack, hut
they were handsomely repulsed with terrible
slaughter and loss of between four and five
hundred prisoners belonging to Gen, A. p. Hills
command,
Gen Franklin's movement vas directed down
the river, aud his troops are encamped to night
/ ANN '"' AADHi puma hEtth
Our trOopl sleep to night where they fought
( To- lay
the dead aud wounded are being carried from
the held Of battle to night
TnE CAsUALTIEs
The following is list OF the officers killed and
wounded, as far us known:
General jackson, OF the Pennsylvania Reserves
was klel.
! General Bayari was struck in the thigh by
/ shell, and afterwards died
General vinton was wounded in the side, but
not seriously.
General Gibbons was wounded in the hand
| General ktmball received IL wound in the
thigh,
Gen. Caldwell was wounded in two rlaces but
not seriously.
Col Sinclair, of Peunsyl ylsauia, was dangerous.
ly wounded
Capt. llendriekson, commanding the 9th N. Y.
militia, was wounded seriously.
The hiring Of muskery ceased at ubout &
o'clock, but the rebels continued throwing shell
into the city until o'clock this evening
The position Of the rebel forces was as fol
| lows:
Gen. Longatreet was on the left anil held the
main works Of the enemy.
Gen. A. ?. Hill aud Gen Jackson were in front
OF ueu Franklin, with Jackson's right resting on
the Rappahannock.
Gen b. IL Hill's forces acted as a reserve.
Further PaFtIcuIars--TIle ReDeIs
200, 900 Strong.
Fir oERIcRsBuRu, Dec. 13, A. M-It is as
ceitained TINT the rebel force is nearly 100000
strong. Jackson commands the rebel right ex-
tending from Guinney's Station to Port Royal
LonGstrcet has the centre, extending from Guiu-
ney Station to the telegraph road Lee and
Stuart are on the left.
despatch dated last night says: General
Franklins line was moved forward at sunrise
tl 4. -
centre advanced mile from the river and his
lett resting on the river three miles below
Skirnishng commenced about daylight on thu
| left. Soon after n rebel battery opened ON our
lines, and tie 9Th New York Militia was ordered
to charge, but, after n fierce struggle, was COM
PEELED TO retire. The remainder Of the brigade,
under Gen. Tyler then charged the encmy's guns
wheu the fight became general on the extreme
left. Generals Mead and Gibbons divisions
encountered the right Of General A. p. Hills
command.
The cannOnading was terrific, though our
troops suffered but little from the enemys artil-
lcry.
Gradually the fight extended round to the right,
and Gen. Ilowe's division went into the fight
followed by Cen Brooks division.
About 10 o'clock, Gen. Summers troops en-
gagged the enemy back of the city, since which
! the battle ragged furously along the whole line,
the enemy occupying the woods and hills, and
hhVluB much more advantageous position, hut
were driven back on thsir right mile and half
early in the day.
Gen. Gibbons was relieved by Gen. Doubleday
and General Meade by General Stoneman. After
wards General Newton's division moved round
to the support of the left, when the firing ceased
for a short time, aud broke out with greater
ferceness on the centre, where our troops were
exposed to n pluuging fire from the enemy's
guns aud earthworks ON the hill along the whole
| line
The battle has been fierce all day with great
loss to both sides
Tonight each army holds its first position, ex.
cept slight advance our left. The cannon
aiding is sill going on, and the musketry breaks
out at intervals quite fercey.
| Gen Baysr was struck in the hip by n solid
shot while converting with General Franklin. =
Ills right leg was aulputated, but hs cannot sur
vive.
Several hundred prisoners were taken, who
report that General Lees entire army is in the
vicinity.
Gen Hills troops started down the river this
morning, but returned.
3en Franklin was opposed to night by Gen.
jackson.