The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-02
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
THE BATTLES AT FREDERICKSBURG

OID CAMP, FALMOUTH, va, Dec. IL.
AT four O'Clock last Thursday morning
we had breakfast, fell in and started for the
river, and had not proceeded over three
quarters of a mile, when we heard the
rattle ofmusketry. 1t was the sharpshoot-
ers of the enemy driving our sharpshooters
away from the bridge which they had COM
menced to build. Our division was marched
to the river bank, and massed behind a
large hill, and were ordered "to load at
WILL" Gen. Howard, who commands our
division, rode through the lines and in
formed us that we had been selected to fill
the post of honor, and charge across the
bridge as soon as it was finished, and take
the town by storm. It was impossible for
the engineers to work on the bridge, as
they were picked off as soon as they showed
themselves, so it was concluded to take the
town by flank movement Gen. Hall,
who has command of Dana's old brigade,
volunteered to cross the river in boats about
half mile below town, and charge into
the centre of the place, while small par
ty were to cross under the fire of our ar
tillery in the front, and drive the enemy
from the buildings which commanded the
crossing. The bridge was built and the
Minnesota First was ordered to cross
Away we went, double quick. AS the head
OF the column came on the bridge, the en-
envy, who still held the right of the town,
opened scattering fire upon US, which did
but little damage We were then formed
on the first street from the river, but the
rebels soon fell back to the rear of the
town.
The boys then commenced to plumber,
and no attempt was made to stop u.s..
About midnight we went back. 1t was a
rich scene. There was a dirty soldier
dressed in the choicest silks, escorted by
others soldiers dressed in long tail coats,
and plug hats. Some were loaded down
with tobacco, whisky, wines, silver and
china ware, and the finest kind of bed
clothing. One of the boys picked up a
violin, and soldier was soon found who
could play it, so they took positions for a
cotillon. Between sets the ladies would
sit on the curb-stones and the gentlemen
would do the hOnors. But | cannot do
justice to the scene.
On Friday at daylight we took posi-
ton on a street near the back of the town,
within l 800 yards of the enemys bate
ries. Our company was sent out as skir-
mishers, but the enemy kept very quiet,
and the boys had another opportunity for
confscating rebel property" Gen. Sui
ly ordered Us to lay flat in the street, and
not to provoke the fire of the enemy. They
shelled us for an hour Or two and then
ceased. Friday night we went on picket
On Saturday morning, we were marched
into town, cooked coffee, and commenced
to get ready for the battle-slaughter,
should call it. To give you an idea of the
ground on which the battle was fought,
will place our troops in the city of St. Paul,
and the enemy in possession of the hills in
the rear. All along the sides of the hills,
they had deep rihe-pits and entrench-
ments. On top Of the hill they had thrown
up large earthworks to protect their artil-
lery. About half way between the town
and the hill there is a large canal, with
four feet of water This canal ran the
whole length of the battle field, and our
troops had to cross it and reform on
the other side, in point blank range of the
enemy's artillery. The battle commenced
on the left of the line Owe were On the
extreme right about Z O'Clock, and in less
than an hour the whole line was engaged.
We were ordered to take the entrench-
ments on the left (our righD by storm, and
went in with yell, and were soon under
fire. Gen. Sully came up and ordered US
back to position behind brick wall of a
grave yard, and ordered up artillery to
drive the enemy from their works, and at
the same time engage their guns, before a
fierce charge was ordered, The regiment
supported the batteries. believe that
God protected us in that hour Of peril,
Men fell all around us but we met with no
serious loss. The artillery had three pieces
dismOunted.
In the meantime the battle was raging
furiously on our left, but as our company
was not actively engaged, got a position
that commanded view of the whole field.
saw the Irish brigade go into the fight
they went in with colors flying, on the
double quick. Before they got within
musket-shot of the enemy, they had lost
one half their men in killed and wounded.
They fell back three times and reformed,