Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-20

L
tire was terrible, but the rebel shsrpsaoe'-
ers could not be driven from their hidipg
places. The shot and shell went through
the houses, in many cases setting them on
fire, causing dense smoke, which, togeth-
er WITH that caused by the explosion OF so
large quantity of powder, hid the CITY
from view. 1t soon became evident that
bridges could not be built except by bold
dash. Volunteers were called tor to cross
the river in small boats. The order was
SO suddenly given that thousands stepped
forward. but all could not go. About 1Op
were selected. They were soon on their
way, while the artillery threw a perfect
storm of iron on the opposite bank. They
reached the opposite shore, but not with
ont loss ... ..-....
With fixed bayOnets they rushed upon
the enemy, killing several and taking l0l
prisoners, who were safely landed on this
side. At half past four two bridges were
finished opposite the city, when the troops
Immediately began to cross over. The
enemy were soon driven from the city aid
back to their lines.
The two bridges in front of Gen. Frank
lin were successfully laid early in the day,
but his troops did not cross until the two
upper ones were ready.
A sufficient force is now on the opposite
side of the river to resist any attack that
is likely to be made. The rebels fired but
few guns in the morning, and none in the
?. NJ, although their works We're in easy
range during the forenoon.
The rebels burnt the railroad bridge out
side of the city. Between 80 aud 40
houses were burnt, mostly in the business
part of the city.
Daring the Day between 5000 and 5000
rounds of ammunition were fired by our
artillery. .....-'.-..
Everything is quiet tonight The indi-
cations are that q battle will be fought to-
morrow.
Philadelphia, Dec. 1.-THE Washing
ton Star says the dispatches from Grants
army state that We had captured 1920
prisoners, while in pursuit of Pemberton's
army, and more were coming iu houtly.
Headquarters opposite fredericksburg,
Dec. II, P. M-Herald's special: Be-
tween and O'Clock this morning a
pontoon train, in charge of the 18th and
Doth New York engineers, under the COM
mand of Gen. Woodbury., proceeded to
the river bank, where with infantry sup
ports an attempt was made to throw their
bridge across the river. A dull haze so
Obscured the movement that for a time it
was not discovered by the rebel pickets.
The pontooniers had succeeded in partially
constructing bridge, when the rebels
suddenly opened brisk and deadly fire of
musketry, from along the bank of the
river and windows of houses, compelling
cessation of the work. Returning to
the cover of the surrounding hills, the
! men again formed, and about o'clock
| the attempt was renewed. But the rebels
had now become thoroughly aroused, and
with reinforcements of sharpshooters they
| swsrmed to the opposite bank and houses.
Nothing daunted by the no. fire which
they poured in ct the re-appearance of our
troops, the pontOoniers went calamity to
work, but in vain. A storm of bullets en-
veloped them. Planks and boats were
riddled by every volley. Once more they
| were compelled to withdraw and fall back
to the cover of ridge of hills running
| parallel with the river.
| 1t was evident that the rebels had de-
termined to use tue houses of the city for
defense, contrary to an implied agree
ment in correspondence which recently
passed by flag of truce. Orders were
given to our artilerymen to open fire upon
the city. Accordingly Benjamin, Ed
| anu UdLlGTlcS
of the 9th corps, together with the batter
les of corps to the right and left of the
city, commenced almost simultaneously
the bombardment. .
The fog was so dense that it was impos.
sible to see but short distance beyond
the edge OF the river The houses, how
ever, in which the rebel sharpshooters had
ensconsed themselves were plainly visible,
and to them the fire was Tor a time partic-
ularly directed. The effect was their par
tial demolition in short time after the
first fire. They became untenable by the
rebel riflemen, who retreated to the rear
and took shelter behind the yet unhar ned
buildings. By 7oclock the bombardment
became general, and from that time until
l O'Clock the roar of artillery was inces-
saut. The batteries of tie 9th corps raked
the streets with shell, schrapnel and grape,
though the fog still continued to obscure
in measure the results of those dis
charges.
The rebels with the greatest stubbornness
still kept within the city, and at times
parties OF them could be seen going from
one point to another on double quick. The
carnage cannot but have been fearful
amongst them.
| 1t vas somewhat singular that the rebel
batteries didn't return the fire of our guns.
Up to the present time they have not
opened. About ten O'Clock the engineers
formed for the third attempt to construct
bridges.
| Er After the previous Intellectual attempts
on the part of the engineers to cross, q
party of eighty men of the 9Th Connecti-
cut under Capt, Marsh. volunteered to as
sst III this new endeavor to finish the
bridge, and once more the column with
this reinforcement started, under the d.
rection OF Gen. Woodbury.. They seized
the pianks, and Carried out some dozen to
the end of the string of boats, placed
part of them and were then compelled to
retire under very CALLING fire from the
rebel sharpshooters, who were ensconced
secure in rifle pits below range of artillery
and within fifteen or twenty feet of the
rivers edge.
The engineers suffered severely. The
| movement Neutrality-suspicious. interrupted,
the whole party were ordered back to
their original position. At eleven O'Clock
it was discovered that one of the houses
was on fire. The flames, which COM
menced in q westerly part of the city,
soon spread, and Fredericksburg is now
enveloped in fire and smoke. ~ ''--s
| An enfilading fire has been opened upon
the rebel rifle Pits up the river. It has
been successful, so far, in driving the
| sharpshooters from the vicinity of the