The New York herald., 1862-12-18

as previous to the late engagements.
The First Despatch from General Barn
side.
The following il copy OF despatch from Gen. Burn
side TO the President sent and received Sunday
ing last concerning the precise import and phraseoogy
Of which there has been dsputation in the
papsrs:-
Dec. 14-AM.
TEE PRxsnRNr-I have Just returned from the fold.
Our troops all the river bold the frst ridge
outside the town and three miles below. We hope to
carry the crest to-day Our loss hesvysay Eve thou
sand A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major General Commanding.
Our Frcdericksburg CorrespOndence.
LEFT WING OF THE ARMY OF PoToNAcl
NEAR FREDERICKSBURG Dec. IA. 1852
A6airs Before the Evacuation By Our 7rops-A Flag Of
Truce from the misunderstanding Incidents Of The Fieh
on the Loft Wing, DC
To-day with the exception Of some little skirmishing
front has been of peaceful quiet, well BETTING
the Sabbath is The fight Of the 18th not renewed
this morning, anticipated. The loss side
cannot be accurately estimated the left The Pennsyl
yana brigade, under General Taylor, lost five
hundred They fought most galanty from morning
till dark, and were under heavy fire OF artillery and
musketry
To-day flag of truce sent from the enemy to
the commandant Of the left grand division lFrankin)
requesting permission to send out parties to gather up
the wounded and bury the dead This granted them
but their engaged in this duty appeared with their
muskes and performed their work fearful Of treac
cry our part,
On this part OF the field pretty certain that the
enemys loss exceeds ours, owing TO their boldness in
showing themselves in front OF their and charging
U.S.
In commanding officers our loss on this wing of tbs
array terribly severe. Here alone lost Generals
Taylor Jackson and Bayard killed. Brigadier Generals
vnton Howes division, Sixth corps) and Gbbon Trey.
nolds' corps), wounded.
Five generals hors de comb before noon in one davis
conflict and on one wing Of the army alone. The
rity Of the engagement may be judged from this fact
The engagement began at half.past nine A. NJ the
18TH extreme left. and for time confined
to Reynolds corps but after hour two the divisions
Of Brooks and Howe of the Sixth corps became hotly
engaged leaving Newton's the right the only division
Of our corps not in action.
The second regular artillery, Battery (Napoeons)
Of Newton's division, under command Of Lieutenant
J. II. Butler, early called on, and became en-
gagged with the enemy in front Of the right of Meades
division, opposing two full and heavy batteries
Of the enemy, which wsre advanced to a grove Of
pines directly in their 'front.' Twice the rebels wsre
driven by vigorous Ore from their batteries their
horses being killed and two cassons blown up. At one
time these batteries could have been captured proper
support had been at hand the enemy having retreaed
and left their guns upon the field They afterwards
drawn on with ropes although the enemy lost many in
the attempt from sharpshooters who picked them
flfrom the ridge in front OF the battery.
The action Of Lieutenant Butler in this terrible engage
gallant in the extreme, as can myself bear
witness, having been lying for the greater part OF the
day behind the ridge in his rear noting his gallant strug
glo with the superior enemy Butler had the fore legs Of
his carried away by solid shot, and sergeant of
his battery while sighting gun, perfectly decapi
tated the shot gancing from the top of the gun and
taking Of his hoad clean from the shoulders. Tho Lieu
reports two Of mis- killed and eight wounded
Most Of the latter being recruits, he Is unable
give their at present. This battery also has eight
horses killed and five wheels smashed.
The galantry Of Butler deserves especial commenda.
ton, and it should as it will, bring him promo
ton.
ux .nor aprwua Ctr1u Apuv Cappe