American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-01-02
Gen. Lees Oflcial Report or the Battle
or the Rappahann0ck.
HrAporARrERs ARMY NoRrnERs VA.
December lath ls62.

!
the enemy commenced to throw three
bridges over the Rappahannock--two at
Fredericksburg. and the third about q
mile and a quarter below. near the
mouth of Deep Run.
The plain on which Fredericksburg
stands is so completely commanded by
the hills of Stafford. in possession OF the
enemy. that no effectual opposition could
be offered to the construction OF the
bridges or the passage of the river. with
out exposing our troops 10 the destructive
/ fire of his numerous batteries. Posi- ions
were, therefore, selected to oppose his
advance after crossing. The nafrowness
| of the Rappahannock its winding course.
and deep bed. afforded opportunity Tor
the construction of bridges at points be-
yond the reach of our artillery. and the
banks had TO be watched by skirmishers.
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
sharpsbooiers were themselves driven OH
and the completion of the bridge was
effected about noon on the | l,h.
In.the afternoon Of that day the en-
emy's batteries opened upon the city.
and by dark had so demolished the
houses on The river bank as 10 deprive
our skirmishers of shelter-and under
cover of his gunboats be effected lodg-
ment in the town.
The troops which had so gallanuy
held their position 10 the city. under the
severe cannonade during the day. resist
I I IL.
step. were Withdrawn during the night,
as were also tlsose who. with equal tenac-
Iiiy. had maifftained their post at the
lowest bridge Under cover Of the dark
ness and dense fog. on the i2.h.
large force passed the river and took
position on the right bank. protected by
their heavy guns on the left.
Tie morning of the 18Th. his arrange
ments for an attack being completed.
about 8 o'clock-ihe movement yelled
by fog-he advanced boldly in large
force against our right wing. Gen Jack
sons corps occupied the right Of our
line. which rested on the railroad Gen.
Lopgsfreet's the left. extending along ;hc
nights TO the Rappahsa above Fred
ericksbnrg Gen. Stuart with two brig
AIDES of cavalry. was posted in the eIten-
sive plain on our extreme right.
As soon as the advance Of the enemy
was discovered through the fog. Gen.
Stuart. with his accustomed promplDess.
moved up section ei his horse artillery
which opened with .tfec; upon bis flank.
and drew upon the gallant Pelham a
heavy fire, which he sustained unfinch-
ingly for about two hours, In the mean
time the enemy fercely encountered
by Gen A. p. Hills division. forming
Gen Jackson's night, and after an obsii-
nate combat. repulsed. Daring his at
tack which was protracied and holly con
tested. two of Gen Hill's brigades were
driven back upon our second line.
General Early. with part of his divis-
ion. being ordered 10 his support. drove
the enemy back from the point of the
woods he had seized. and pursued him
into the plain until arrested by his arIil-
lery. The right of the enemy's column
extending beyond Hills front. encoun-
tered the right of Gen Hood. of Long
streets corps. The enemy took pos
session of small corps in front of Hood.
but were quickly dispossessed aud
pulsed with loss.
During The attack on our right the
bridge at Frederick sburg, and massing
them 10 front of Longsire-fs line. Soon
after his repulse on our right be COM
menced series of attacks on our left.
with view Of obtaining possession Ct the
nights Immediately overlooking the town.
These repeated attacks were repulsed in
gallant style by the Washington ArIil-
lery. under Col. Walton. and "A portion
of McLaw's division, which occupied
these nights.
The last assault was made after dark
when Col. Alexander's battalion had
relived The Washington Artillery. Whose
ammunition had been exhausted and
ended the contest for the day. TIE en-
envy was supported in his attacks by
strong batteries of artillery on the right
bank Of the river. as we'll as by his nu-
merous heavy batteries on the Stafford
nights.
Our loss during the operations. since
the movements of the enemy began,
amounts TO about I 300 killed and wound
ed Among the iormtr regret to re-
port the death of the patriotic soldier
and statesman. Brig. Gen Thomas r K.
Cobb. who fell upon our left and among
the latter, that brave soldier aud accom-
plished gentleman. Brig General Maxey
Gregg. who was very seriously, and. it
is feared, MORALLY wounded, during the
attack on our right.
The enemy to-day has been apparently
engaged in caring for his wounded and
burying his dead. His troops are visible
in their first position in line of battle. but.
with the exception OF some deshltory
cannonading and firing between skirmish-
ers. he has not attempted 10 renew the
attack. About five hundred I'D fifty
prisoners were taken during the engage
ment. but the full extent Of his loss is un-
known.
have the honor TO be,
Very respectfully,