Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-15
Operations of Franklln,s Division.
An ACCOuNT on TME RArrLE.

NEW YORK, Dec. l4.-The Herald's special,
dated fredericksburg, 18th, A. M, says: at is
ascertained beyond doubt that the rebel force is
nearly two hundred thousand. jackson COM
mands the rebel right, extending from Guinney's
station to Port Royal. Longstreet has the centre,
extending from Guinney's station to the tele-
graph road. Lee and Stuart are on their left
The Herald's dispatch, dated at headquarters
last night, says: "Gen. Franklin's line was
moved forward at sunrise with his right resting
on Fredericksburg, his center advanced mile
from the river and his left resting on the river
three miles below. Skirmishing commenced on
the left about daylight. Soon afterwards, reb-
el battery opened on our lines, and the 9th New
York militia was ordered to charge; but, after
fierce struggle it was compelled to retire The
remainder of the brigade under General Tyler,
then charged the enemy's guns, when the fight
became general On the extreme left General
Meade's and Gibbons division encountered the
right of General A. p. Hills command. The
cannonading was terrific, though our troops suf-
fered but little from the enemy'S artillery. Grad
ually the fight extended around to the right
General Howes division then went in, and then
General Brooks division
About ten A NJ, Gen. Summers troops en-
gagged the enemy back of the city, after which
the battle ragged furouslyzalong the whole line.
The enemy, occupying the woods and hills, had
a much more advantageous position, but were
driven back on their right d mile and half
carly in the day. About noon Gibbon was re-
lieved by Gen. Doubleday and Meade by Gen
Sioneman. Afterwards Gen. Newton's division
moved round to the support of the left, when the
firing ceased for short time, and then broke out
with greater hercenesS in the center, where our
troops were exposed 10 a-plunging fire from the
enemy'S guns and earthwerks on the hill Along
the whole line the battle had been fierce all day
with great loss to both sides.
Tonight each army holds its first position, ex-
cept slight advance of our line The cannon
aiding is still going on, and the musketry breaks
out at intervals quite fiercely. Gen. Bayard was
struck in the hip by solid shot, while convers-
ing with Gen. Franklin. HIS right .eg was am
putated, but he cannot survive. Several hun
dred prisoners were taken, who report Lees en-
tire army in this vicinity. Gen. Hills troops
started down the river this morning, but re-
turned. Gen. Franklin is tonight opposed to
Stonewall jackson. 1t is impossible to form an
accurate idea of the loss on either side The
firing is still going on, rendering it extremely
difficult to remove the killed and wounded. The
city has suffered terribly from the enemy's ar
tery, and is crowded by our troops, the front
extending but short distance beyond. The
battle will probably be renewed tomorrow.
A balloon has been up all day. About dark
our forces carried the right crest of the hill oc-
cupied by the rebels, driving them from the po-
sition with great slaughter This evening the
rebels have been shelling Fredericksburg, en-
deavoring to drive our troops out of the place,
but without success. Gen. Burnside is in the
city personally directing operations.
A Washington dispatch to the Herald saws.
surgeon general Hammond and medical inspec.
tor Vallum proceed to fredericksburg tonight
with thirty surgeons.