Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-12-23
Gen. Lees Official Report.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY NORTH ERN VA, [
1AtI, noao.,o hor 1851.

18th December, looA' s.
The Honorable Secretary OF War, Richmond, "a:
SIR !: On the night of the 10th instant, the
enemy commenced to throw three bI1dges over
the Rappahannook-two at Fredericks burg, ano
the third about mile and quarter below, near
the mouth of the Deep Run.
The plain on which fredericksburg stands Is SO
completely commanded by the hills OF STAFFORD
in possession Of the enemy, that no eHectual OPP
Iosition could be offered to the construction OF
the bridges or the passage Of the river, without
exposing our troops to the destructive fre OF
h,s pumerons batteries. Positions were, there
fore. selected to oppose bis advance after cross
ing. The narrowness of the Rappahannock, Its
winding course and deep bed, afforded opportu-
nitv for the construction of bridges at points be-
yond the reach of our artillery and the banks
had to be watched by skirmshers. The latter
sheltering themselves behind the houses, drove
back the working parties Of the enemy at the
bridges opposite the city but at the lowest point
of crossing where no shelter could be had, our
sharpshooters were themselves driver OIL ana
the completion of the bridge was effected about
noon on the 18th.
In the afternoon of that day the enemy's bat
teries opened upon the city, and by dark had so
demolished the houses on the river bank as 10
deprive our skirmshers Of shelter-and, under
cover OF his guns, he elected lodgment IN the
town.
The troops which kad so calamity held their
position in the city, under the severe cannonade,
during the day. resisting the advance OF the enc
my at every step, were withdrawn during the
night, as were also those who, with equal tenacI-
ty, had maintained their post at the lowest
bridge. Under cover of darkness and of a
dense fog, on the 18th, large force passed the
river and TOOK position on the right bank, pro-
tected by their heavy guns on the left.
The morning of the 18th, his arrangements
for attack being completed, about 9 o'clock--
tho movement yelled by fog-he advanced
boldly in large force against our right wing.
Gen. Jackson's corps occupied the right of our
line, which rested on the railroad Gen. Long
streets the left, extending along the heights to
the Rappahannock above Fredericksburg. Gen.
Stuart. with two brigades of cavalry, was posted
in the extensive plain on our extreme right.
As soon as the advance OF the enemy was DIS
covered through the fog, Gen. Stuert, with his
accustomed promptness, moved up section of
his horse artillery, which opened with effect up
on his flank. and drew upon thu gallant Pelham
a heavy fire, which he sustained unfinchingly
for about two hours. In the meantime the enc.
my was fercely encountered by Gen. A. p.
Hill $ Division, forming Gen. ackson's right,
and, after an obstinate combat, repulsed. Dur
mig this attack, which was protracted and hotiy
contested, two of Gen. Hlil's brigades were
driven b OK upon our second line.
Gen. Early, with part OF his division, being
ordered 10 his support, drove the enemy back
from the point of woods he had seized, and pur-
sued him into the plain, until arrested by his
artillery. The right of the enemy's column ex-.
tending beyond Hill's front, encountered the
right of General Hood, of Longstreet's corps
The enemy took possession of small copse in
front of Hood, but were quickly dispossessed
and repulsed with loss.
During the attack on our right the enemy was
crossing troops over his bridges at Fredericks
nd ma in han N of ,on 30
line. Soon after his repulse on our right, he
com lenced series of attacks on our left, with
a view of obtaining possession of the heights
overlooking the town. These re-
peated attacks were repulsed in gallant style by
the Washington Artillery, under Colonel Wal
ton, and portion of McLaw's division, which
occupied these heights.
The last assault was made after dark, when
Colonel Alexander's Battalion had relieved the
Washington Artillery (whose ammunition had
been eXhauSted) and ended the contest for the
day. The enemy was supported in his attacks
by the fire of strong batteries OF artillery on the
right bank Of the river, as well as by his hume
rous heavy batteries on the Stafford heights
Our loss, during the operations, since the
movement of the enemy began, amounts to
about eighteen hundred killed and wounded.
Among the former regret to report thu death
IF the patriotic soldier and statesman, Brigadier
Ten. Thomas r. 4. Cobb, who fell upon our
eft; and among the latter that brave soldier and
accomplished gentleman, Brig. General Maxey
iregg, who was very seriously, and, it is feared,
nortally wounded during the attack on our
light.
The enemy to-day, has been apparently en-
aged in caring for his wounded and burying his |
.ead. His troops visible In their first posi-
ion in line of battle, but, with the exception of
ONE desutory cannonading and firing between
he has not attempted to renew the
tack. About five hundred and fifty prisoners
vere taken during the engagement, but the full
xtent of his loss is unknown.
/ have the honor t 0 be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
[Oficial.1 R. 4. LEE, General
CRAs. MARSHALL, Maj. and A. d. G.