Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-18
Re-CrOssing the RappahannOck-HOw 1t
Was Accom- plished

Correspondence OF the Aew DIRK Times.
The m Nement of the army on lis withdrawal
from fredericksburg 10 the north side of the
RappahaUDOck began nc dark Monday nipbt
AMI was successfully accomplished before day
hight next day. All the sick and wounded were
removed during the day 10 hospital tents on this
side, with the apparent purpose, on the part OF
Gen. burnside, of renewing Inc fight i'll the af-
lernoOn of that day. those most seriously
wOunie /, were carried on slreIchers and ambu-
ianceS, Willie every one that was able to do 50,
wdlkt d across. The middle pouoon bridge was
chiefly used, that beng more out OF the range of
The ehcinys batteries at the lower part OF The
town.
Gen Burnside inspected the position of the
troops IN the att rnUOu, in the town, and was
greeled with cheers which must have been dis
unctly heard IN the enenys lines. Activity
throughout every depar Intnt indicated that a
battle was imminent. The enenys batteries
kept up regular fire upon the upper crossing,
in order 10 reIdrd the passage of the troops. The
surge0 S were ordered 10 be i'll readiness to re-
celye and care for large number of additional
wounded, and red flags were displayed on the
tops Of many of the large houses in Town, which
were 10 be used Contemporary hospitals Tue wi, h.
drawal Of our troops from Fredericksburg had,
however, been determined on at Il council of all
the corps commanders duling the day. Il was
regarded rs u perilUus undertaking, but one that
1t successful would rescue the army from the ne
cessty Of rioking another battle with the pros
pect OF accomplishing little except the destruc-
ton OF valuable lives.
The troops had received no intmaton of their
having TO reueat, and Tad laid down TO rest
upon Their arms tor tue night. The order came
Tor them 10 lall in; many supposed it was for a
night assault upon the enemy's works. and were
not undeceived unIll they found themselves npun
the pOntOon bridges actually returning aero - lbe
stream. heavy gale OF wind which blew MI
sound away troIn the rebel lines, greatly facili.
tated the movement. Bridges were covered With
| earlh, 10 deaden the sound of the moving nrti-
lery, and dark night hid every object from
| view
Gen Franklin's grand division, occupying the
eAueme ltit, began to move as soon as it was
dark, and the right and center of Gen. Sumner
anu hoOKer TOOK up the line Of march almost
simultaneously, moving in good order, but ST.
lehtiy away nom under the very guns of the en-
envy. All three of the crossings were used maxi
| ing SIX bridges. No accident of CONSEQUENCES
| occurred The troops obeyed with alacrlty eve.
| ny order, and waited with patience their turn 10
| cross. The artillery and infantry alternaled in
moving columns, very much in the order in
| which they went inlo battle.
Many officers and soldiers expressed great re-
greet at being Withdrawn from before the enemy
saying that they would have preferred dyinp IN
'front.' OF tue rebel batteries. Nevertheless, every
Que aequesced IN the wisdom Uf the movement
rev only OF the wounded are believed to have
Deeh lelt on the field within reach Of the enemy's
rue pits. Two brigades, belonging to General
Butterhelds corps, occupy the town as advanced
pckets' Our artillery, placed on tho other bank
OF Inc river, will cooperate in keeping possession