The New York herald., 1862-12-15
THE BATTLE or SATURDAY.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va, Dec. ]3, 1862
The occupation Of Fredericksburg having been success
SHy accomplished the next 10 drive the rebels
from strongholds in the Of the city, The lines
= the rebels which extended in the form Of sem-crcle
from Port Royal 10 point about Blk miles above Fred
ericksburg were strongly fortified and protected by
range Of high hills stonewal jackson occupied the right
wing, extending from Port Royal to Guinneys station
IA station on the Richmond fredericksburg Raroad)
General Longstreet the centre, extending to the
telegraph road and Generals Lee and Stuart the left,
Vest Of Massaponax creek, whiis General A. p. Hills
rps pcted Lees reason for occupying The
let because be could be Oh hs guard agans ssei'
Wso threatened 10 outfank him by way Of Culpepper
The entire rebel force estimated at 200 600 men, and
occupied front or not less than twenty miles. The
4roops for most part who had fought
Through al the peninsuar campaign while the officers
were the abest that the South could produce II was
no enemy we had contend with, assure you
The disposition Of the Union forces occupied the whole
OF Friday night aud Saturday morning, and as General
Burnside anxious TO commence the attack at early
hour as possible there much chance for the
sroops TO rest themselves few stragglers is true
managed 10 sneak away for the purpose OF paging but
che great OF tue soldiers constantly under
arms. Gen Burnside in the city all night personally
inspecting the troops and directing their move
mente II was arranged that General Franklns
corps should the river two miles below the
city, with the OF turning the sncmys position
Nassaponax creek, while Hooker would engage the
rebels the centre, and Summer would their
Fight. BY this arrangement It will be that Frank.
hin opposed 10 stonewan jackson, while Hooker
and Sumner attacked the and left Of the rebels
under Longstreet and Lee
The svvntfal morning came and with Il dense fog
which obscured the movements OF the enemy
sne balloon was sent up just before daylight bui in con-
sequence OF the fog no observation eouid be had
However, the disposition Of the Union forces had
been made, and General Burnside determined 70 com.
neDce operations, fog or nc fog.
Franklin moved his column, consisting Of the
First and Sixth corps, just before sunrise, his
right resting the outskirts Of the city, his centre ad
vanced mile from the river and his left resting on
Che Rappahansock about three mics below. skirmshte
commenced few minutes after daylight the extreme
ie rebel battery opened troops, and the Gre
became 30 annoying that the Ninth regiment New
York State Militia were ordered 10 charge aud
take the cannon at the point Of the bayonet
The order was obeved with aacrity, -
1sics sfssr lie charging par Ssf: compelled TO fall
bach Al this critical moment General Tyler perceving
The disorder into which the Ninth New YORK were thrown
ssme 70 their aid with brigade The Ninth were quick
" rallied and assisted by Tylers brigade, another at
tempt was made stosm the rebel batteries but WIN
ou, success Tns fight became general on the ex.
irene LETT and another desperate effort was made 70 cap
lure the rebel battery by General Tycrs brigade; but
sbe are OF the rebes witheng IN its eject tb
our brave fellows unable 70 gain any adySatage
Each charge thinned the ranks fearful rate and the
hapces Of capturing that much coveted battery appeared
o better than at Grs By the whole Of Franklin
~orrs was engaged with the enemy and perste eor
was made 10 turn the enemy's position the Msssa
,ponax and drive him beyond the creek. Genera
.Yranklin commanded The movement IN POI son ans
handed hi. troops with remarkable judgment. Th,
iSebes maintained possession OF some small hills will
rsher usual subbornness, but gradually fell back as ~
Union troops evinced q discrimination TO 60 forward
During the Afternoon rebely 10 stand and for
lane oensve; but they advanced " NEE
sas they were brsvey and repscd with heavy loss
la was nj this that three hundred OF His com
snand fell hands and conducted to the rcs
sas prisoners s, the enemy contested every foot Of th
.eround and II ony by dnt Of the hardest kind Q
sGxhng that hc could be compened TO change hts pos
jsion
n wM during the heat Of this engagcmcn
,vhat the gallant Bsyard nortally wounded
hic was ocnyersmg with Gen. Franklin when
ieannon ball struck him Va the hip and threw HIN cea
,.ut Of the saddle Poor Bayard, he never dreami o
laager 10 the bckest ~ the battle asd never ios. hi
~oursgr even when hh Leg was smputated. The sur
xsous Say thai be cannot survive many dsys and lbs