The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-12-25

forward or hoping that the enem,
would make an attempt on their line
for which We were splendidly prepared
The line was formed with Brooks di
vision OH the left, and Newton's divis
ION supporting the center, but subse
quently moved to the left, to strength
Ell Howe and Gibbon.
Capt. Ayres, chief of artillery. bad
his batteries disposed on the plain ir
the following order, from right to left,
llexamer's New Jersey battery. Wi
sons Second U. S. artillery, Ayres'
Fifth Q. S. artillery, McChartney's
Massachusetts, battery, Buffers Second
U. ). artillery, Shows Second Mary
land. This artillery did good service
In silencing the enemy's batteries on
the bills opposite, which frequently at
tempted to enflade our position, both
right and left.
Between IL and 3 P. NJ, Birney's and
SIckles' divisions, of Stoneman's corps.
had crossed the river by Frankln's
bridges, and taken mp position between
Smith and Reynolds, relieving two of
the latter divisions, who retired short
distance, replenished their ammunition.
removed their wounded, and rested for
renewal of the fight.
The Pennsylvania Reserves were
finally reformed, though badly cut up
and much exhausted. Of their brigade
commanders Gen. Jackson was Killed
and Col. Sinclair wounded. Gen. Glib
bon was slightly wounded in the wrist
while gallantly leading his division.
The loss in Gen. Reynolds corps
thus far is heavy, probably reaching
], 500. On Gen. Smiths front there
were about $50 killed and wounded.
Among them is Gen. Yinton. who was.
ffe fse is'Eirnish line. Pratt's brigade los,
% killed and wounded, among whom
was Major Knight of the ll9lh Penn
sylvania. wounded in the arm. The
4th New Jersey brigade of Brooks di-
vision was sent to displace rebel bat
terry which was annoying us in front,
and it succeeded in accomplishing its
object; but on retiring to the line again
it was attacked by rebel brigade, and
lost about 100 men in its retreat.
On the right wing the fight was open
ed with artillery about 10 o'clock, and
10y infantry about l0a. Sumner, Hook
er, Couch, Butterfeld and Wilcox, had
their headquarters in Fredericksburg,
under a heavy shell fire all day.
Couch's corps had the extreme right,
and Wilcox's the left of the position,
supported during the day by Butter.
" mp sIS1on oI
Stoneman's corps.
The position of the enemy here was
almost impregnable.. In the rear of the
town is plateau half a mile broad,
Which rises slowly to the rear, until il
terminates in high ridge and crest,
OH the top of which the enemy have
their strongest works. This plateau
and its approaches are completely com
manded by the rebel batteries on the
crest above, until you arrive immedi.
ately under it, when the artillery fire is
avoided, the guns not being capable OF
being depressed sufficiently to rake the
ground Immediately beneath. But in
this sheltered position the enemy had
CONSTRUCTED rifle pits, built rail barri
cade, and in the rear of these filled a
long and strong stone wall with infan
try. which advanced down the bluff
under cover of their artillery.
Couch opened the attack, and the
several divisions of Howard, Hancock
and French, resolntely maintained i
for three hours. Hooker aided Sum
ner, and Wilcox sent in Sturges' di
vision, while Couch was supported b,
Whippe's Third division of Stone
mans corps. Our men advanced will
great bravery, and carried the plateau
which was SO terribly swept by th'
rebel guns.
But here they were met by a mur
derous fire from the rebel infantry wht
filed the covered ground i'm front an,
occupied every conceivable place o
shelter. Their right was protected ol
range of hills, and their left by ra
f vine, through which runs Hazel Run
impossible to artillery, and very diff
cult to infantry. On the left of thi
. run, between it anil Deep RIM, is ley
el plain, completely under the guns q
the enemy's center. To dislodge tb
enemy's infantry from this position wa
, the first task, and the record of bloc
will show how nobly both troops an
! commanders devoted themselves to tn
work.
Step by step, and inch by inch, OF
5 men advanced, exposed every nome,
| to terrible shtlling from the gun
f above, and every shell which misse
j. the troops was snre to take effect in h
e city, so that Fredericksburg vas undt
!, "A hot fire all day, and a number of ca
# uallies occurred in the. street. Fro
k half,past l2 until dark did the. fol
5 rage with extraordinary severity
d front of this position. Hancock, Ho,
/, ard, French, Siurges and Whirple,
Il turn and III concert, fought the encn
y desperately, who had enormous adva'
II tages Of position in shelter and in a
r. tillery. Our batteries piled shot an
d shell with great vigor, and sought ev
l. nv opportunity to enfilade them. b
g it was not until nearly o'clock TIL
d any material impression was made u
90 on them. Couch and Wilcox foug
Il them with great heroism. Butterfe
y. went in about 81 o'clock, and Get
ID sending brigade up Hazel Run, HUI
Ie phries made charge and drove 4
of enemy from their position. renderi'