The New York herald., 1862-12-17
THE CENTRE.
Operations OF the Third Army Corps.
NKAR THE BATTLE Fmlp, Dec. l3, 1863

engagement OF tne oAy is services 10 NO. no Ives mor
. brief notice.
During yesterday afternoon, whiA the corps was
deavorng TO take mp position on the eastery bank Of
the river for the purpose Of coming within supporting
distance OF the troops here the rebel batteries opened
with she'll and with such accurate range directed their
fire that the men compelled 70 fall back Our bat
teres opened response and brisk fight ensued, last
ing couple Of hours when the rebel guns became SILENT
The movement then successfully accomplished.
To-day General Birney's division ordered to the
support Of Meads division Of Pennsylvania reserves and
took it's place when that body finally left the field. To
further support this movement General Sckes division
took right Of General Brney and in this order both
divisions formed in readiness to repel any renewed at
tack from the enemy, while Whppe's division took up
aposon close by, where it was held in reserve. The
corps also rendered efficient service in keeping open the
communication between the right and left WINGS which
had been established In the forenoon by General Cettys
division.
Operations OF the Fifth Army Corps.
FIFTH ARMY CoRPs, Dec 13, 1862.
This corps, General Buteraeld commanding, consist
ing Of Generals Griffin, sykes and Humphreys divisions,
did have the pleasure of participating to great
tent In the battle and in the glory o. the days fight IT
not their fault They ready and eager to join
the gallant corps who, throughout the day engaged the
enemy with such cool bravery and brilliant
When the first rattle of musketry heard across the
Rappahannock, which was little after noon,
GENERAL GRFFINs DIVISION CROSSES THE RIVER.
General Grihlns division which s occupied the hollow
through which the railroad laid ordered put itself
in readiness to the river. At the regiments
line of march, their flags floating defantiy in the
breeze and defiance visible the countenance of every
officer and They commenced moving in the direction
OF the lower bridge which Gen. Frankins troops had
crossed. Rounding the point which one OF bat
was stationed flcinu Iia0Jnally
from the SOUTH they there to halt and remained
in this position
TIE ENEMY SHELL THE MOVEMENT
An occasional shell from ono Of the rebe batteries was
dropped among them; but accustomed in the pro-
traced siege OF Yorktown, while lying in front of Rich
mond and in fact during the entire pennsular and Mary
land campaigns had they become to this sort of thing
that they did not mind them. Falling their faces
they escaped unhrmel, reiteratng, as each shell
exploded. the hackncycd remark, "Put him in
the guard houe." General Grilnp rode frequently
along their ues encouraging them by his presence aud
words the reputation they had for coolncss
and bravery actien. /. with difficulty that they
coad restrain their imp .tcnce anxious they to
win share in the das Is glory At two p. NJ
GENERAL HUMPHREYS
in line Of march across the river. This division is
made up entirely Of Pennsylvania troops As the
order for marching given they cheered Justify,
raj regiments in their elgerness starting OF at double
quick Tho enemy also throw several shcs among them
niurng several AZ it not deemed ry send
them the river at this time they fell back to less
exposed position and nere remained till late in the after
GENERAL syEEs' DIVISION
crossed the river by the bridge nearest Falmouth In
the closing Of the Eight they took active and gallant
part although not suffering severely This division fully
sustained its reputation for courage and efficiency in
hon.
Nearly all the batteries Of this corps did splendid work
in shcliing the enemy. Captain watermaas battery
First Rhode Island) and Grinn's old battery (Firth
United States articry) under command Of Lieutenant
IIasctt behaved finely AL in tact stood up bravcly
| their work.
The entire corps is tonight across the river, ready o
any duty that may be assigned it in the morning.
FIFTH ARMY CoRPs, Dec II, 1862.
The part taken by General Grins troops the great
battle Of yesterday, and the gaanry displayed by all
participating is the subject Of general encomum all
hands. After passing the bridge they formed mme
diately the railroad track, and, undismayed by
most terrific bursting Of the enemys shell about them,
pusied the relief of General sturgs brigade The
Eighteenth Massachusetts, regiment mounted the Of
the hill in the face OF voey or musketry that would
have appalled, any but the bravest and best disciplined
troops Their very loss compelled them, how
ever TO fall back az with the superior advantages Of
the enemy, and enfading fire upon them, in q few
minutes there would not have been left. Every
| regiment Of the brigade behaved hand.
| somely. II was in this advance that Colonel
Marshall. Of the Thirteenth New York, received
his wound. which, is feared will prove mortal Lieu.
tenant Colonel vsrney OF the Second Maine, also
wounded at the same time, being in command of the
regiment which position he has held for some time.
Colonel Barnes, who commanded the brigade, behaved
with marked gallautry. He had two horses shot under
| him
| Colonel Swet1er, in command OF
YR SECOND BRIGADE,
deserves special mention for the GOODNESS and seposses
sion be displayed and the excellent management Of his
men before they went int the fight As General Fer
| rero's troops were falling back to make way for
coroyE- nARHrs' sRioAps,
they came Into Colonel SwsitSers column Il al rst
supposed by the lauer's that our troops had been
repulsed and rushing back 10 get Of danger
An instant more, and men would have been panic
stricken Colonel Sweitzcr equal to the emer.
gency. Flo rallied his men in handsome style
and recovered the line, which, for q moment
had been broken. less presence Of mind on his
part ess coolnoss less bravery would, doubtless have
greatly altered the subsequent fortunes Of the day In
subsequently advancing upon the cnemys breastworks
the brigade acquitted itself with noble DARING Mr. Gun.
ninghan Assistant Adutant General OF Col Sweitzer was
shot dead by his sdc bullet piercing bis brain. COL
Sweizer was wounded in the hand and -nt Yates, Of
the staff, in the leg Both wounds are slight and they
are stlll on duty. The Fourth Michigan re- ncn,, Col
Lumbard Esth Massachusetts,, Col. Gurney Fourteenth
New York, Lieut. Col. Davis in command, and Sixty.
sscond Pennsylvania and Thirty second Massachusetts, rc
gments all added TO their prior brilliant reputation for
bold daring In front Of the enemy.
tax THIRD RRHADB
under Colonel Stockton. In coming tho support OF tho
Third brigade, behaved with equal herosm They were
In the last heavy rc and the number Of their loss A.
tests their undaunted valor.
General Grimm yas the cool man in action he
always has been He In the thickcst Of the nrins.
The shells exploded between him and Captain Mervin.
his Assistant Adutant General who was by tho Geuera