Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-15
Burnside Attacks the Rebels.
THE CENTER ATTACK FAILS.
THE REBELS BEATEN ON THE LEFT.
General Bayard Killed.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
Saturday, Dec. 13-1l o'clock p M-The fog
began to disappear early in the forenoon and af.
forded an unobstructed view of our own and the
rebel positions. 1t being evident that the first
ridge of hills in rear of the city, on which the
enemy had their guns behind breast works could
not be carried except by a charge of infantry,
Gen. Sumner assigned that duty to Gen. French's
division, which was supported by Gen. Towards.
sae troops advanced TO the works at ten min
ut $ before II, at, brisk run, the enemy's guns
opening upon them very rapid fire.
When within musket range at the base of
the ridge, our troops were met by terrible
fire from the rebel infantry, who were posted Je-
hind stone wall and some houses on the right
of the line. This checked the advance of our
men, and they fell back to a small ravine, but
not out of musket range. At this time another
body of troops moved to their assistance in spen-
did style, Notwithstanding large gaps were made
in their ranks by the rebel artillery. When our
troops arrived at the first line of the rebel de-
fences, they double qucked, and with fixed bay
onets endeavored to dislodge the rebels from
their hiding places. The concentrated fire of
the rebel artillery and infantry, which our men
were forced to face, was too much Tor them and
the center gave way in disorder, but afterwards
they were rallied and brought back. From that
the fire was spritedly carried en-, and never
ceased until after dark.
Gen. Franklin, who commanded the attack on
the left, met with better success. He succeeded,
after days fight, in driving the rebels about a
mila Ar tirna ba
tack him, but were handsomely repulSed with
terrible slaughter and loss of between four and
five hundred prisoners belonging to Gen. A. P.
Hills command, Gen. Franklin's movement
was directed down the river, and his troops are
encamped tonight not far from the Massaponax
Creek.
Our troops sleep tonight where they fought
to-day. The dead and wounded are being car
red from the field. The following is list of Of
ficers killed land wounded as far as yet known =
Gen. Jackson of the Pennsylvania reserves,
killed; Gen. Bayard was struck in the thigh by
shell, and afterwards died; Gen Vinton was
wounded in the side, not seriously; Gen. Glib
bons, wounded in the hand; Cen Kimball,
wounded in the thigh; Gen. Caldwell, wounded
in two places, but not seriously; Col Sinclair of
the Pennsylvania reserve, wounded seriously
Capt. Hendrickson, commanding the 9th New
York state militia, wounded seriously.
The following is the loss of officers in the 9Th
New Hampshire regiment: Col. Cross, wounded
in the abdomen; Major Sturtevant, killed. Adj
jutant Dodd, killed; Capt. Murray, killed Capt
Perry, killed.
The firing of musketry ceased at about six
this evening, but the rebels continued throwing
shell into the city until eight clock. The posi-
ton of the rebels was as follows Gen. Longstreet
on the left and holding the main works, Gen. A.
P. Hill and Stonewa jackson were in front of
Gen. Franklin with Jackson right resting on the
Rappahannock and Hills forces acting as a re-
serve. Gen. Burnside will renew the battle at
daylight in the morning. The troops are in
good spirits and not the least disheartened.