The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-12-18
Thursday Morning, December Is. 1862
The Battle OF Fredericksburg.

Inc Battie oil FrederickSDurg.
The indecisive battle at Fredericksburg, on
Saturday, is very clearly described by the n.
Y. Tribune's correspondent whose account we
copy below. 1t should be observed however,
that Humphreys and Grifin's divisions, be-
longing to Butterfeld's corps of Hooker's grand
division, were held in reserve, and did not
cross the Rappahannock till Saturday. The
Tribune thus describes the battle:
ON THE RIGHT.
In the council ofwar held on Friday evening,
some of Burnside's generals expressed doubts
about carrying the enemy's position by assault,
but were ready for any movement he should
order. 1t was determined to assault the enc
my's position at daylight on Saturday, but a
fog prevented until IL o'clock, when the move
ment commenced. Gen. Sumner had selected
French's division of Gen. COUGHS corps for
the advance of the attacking column on the
right Orders were TO move from the streets
of Fredericksburg,neXt to the river to the out
skirts of the town, from line of battle by brig
AIDES, and preceded by cloud of skirmshers,
move at a double-quick upon the first line of
the enemy's works. Gen. French was neces-
sarily obliged TO march his troops in solid col
umns in parallel streets. As soon as the head
of the columns had emerged from the lower
into the higher portions Of the streets, the ene-
my's batteries opened upon them from several
points. Upon reaching the outskirts of the
town, the order was given to deploy, but stone
and other fences prevented its ready execution.
During the delay thus caused the troops were
exposed to an enflading fire which taxed their
endurance most severely. The line being
formed at last, about noon the order to ad
vance was given. The line moved up and
over a low range of elevations and down to-
ward the foot of the hills on which the ene-
my's breastworks were situated. The rebel
sharpshooters now opened from all sides with
fearful effect The vigor of the fire of the reb-
ell artillery also steadily increased, and when
the line reached the foot of the second range
of hills, perfect hail of lead fell upon it. The
advance however, was continued until within
few hundred yards of the crest of the hills,
when a rapid succession of terrific voleys from
long lines of rebel infantry, suddenly rising in
front of their works, checkedit. From the po-
sition they had gained our troops now ex-
changed 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 Gen. Hancock's division.
Hancock's division moved forward stead
fastly up to the point where French's had re-
ceived its check, when it was also stopped by
the murderous fire of rebel infantry and artil-
.ltIl. TOf LNO uOufS ~ MitIudtclN Icpiltu W
the enemy's musketry, and attempted to make
its way up the second range of hills. Altho'
unable to advance, and continually losing num-
bers, it fought until its ammunition gaye-out
when 1t was relieved by Howard's division,
and retired nearer to town.
Howard's command went into action about
g o'clock. One after the other of its brgades
was advanced to the front, but, like those of
French and Hancock's did not succeed in
raachinr the apamv-s works The last npdar
Gen. Sally, was ordered TO charge up the hill
with the bayonet, and moved forward 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 division Of Wilcox's
corps advanced over parallel road on the
left of our right upon the works and batter
ries covering the enemys right flank. 1t ex-
perieaced the same difficulties in forming, in
consequence of distractions on the ground,
as French's, but pushed forward with the ut
most determination, halting only at times TO
open Its way with musketry. 1t reached with
in eighty yards of the crest Of the hill it
aimed TO take, but having been fearfully weak
ened in numbers during its advance, had to
halt. Itheld the point gained for three hours,
notwithstanding it was confronted by vastly
superior numbers of infantry, and eniladed by
batteries on each flank. Even after its am
munition had all been spent, it did not give
way, but firmly held its ground until properly
relieved Just before sunset.
Shortly before dark Humphreys and Grif
fms divisions were ordered to advance tt the
front and relieve the troops of Gen. Couch on
the right and Gen. Wilcox on the left. They
reached the front, and formed in line Just be-
fore sunset, and at once charged upon the en-
emy's works Humphreys division came
within a short distance of them. and Grifiin's
reached the point held by Sturgis, which re-
spective positions they have since occupied.
During their advance the firing from the reb-
ell artillery reached the highest intensity of
the whole day, but ceased shortly after night
fall.
Simultaneous with the advance of Griffin
and Humphrey, Gettys Division moved from
its position up the valley of little stream
skirting the town, and advanced to the base OF
the hill occupied by the rebel batteries on the
extreme right, driving the rebel infantry from
behind stone wall, from which they had
greatly troubled our troops during the day
Here it lay during the night. Sykes Division
Of Butterfield's Corps followed, between Grif-
fin and Humphrey, to the front, but arrived
too late for action. Thus ended the conflict
between our right and the rebel left.
ON THE LEFT.
The extreme left of Gen. Franklin's Divis-
ion extended three miles below Fredericks-
burg, and his right was two miles below the
town, his line being mile long. The first fire
was made by the skirmishers of the 18th Mass
N our front They had uoyad 1,