The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-09

The Richmond Dispatcn contains tn
following s=aa
DISPATCH FROM GEN. LEE.
| HEADQUARTERS, NEAR FREDERICKSBURG
December 10th, 1862.
AS far as can be ascertained this stormy
morning, the enemy has disappeared in
our immediate front, and recrossed the
RappahannOck. l presume he is meditat.
ing passage at some other point.
Signed R. E. LEE,
General Commanding.
GEN. LEES OFFICIAL REPORT.
The following official report of General
Lee was received in this ORDER on yester-
day: t 81.
HEADQUARTERS, NurrHUS, VA,l
December IL, 1862.
To the Hon. Secretary of War, Richmond,
Virginia:
SIR: On the night of the 10th, the
enemy commenced to throw two bridges
over the Rappohannock, above Fredericks-
burg, and the third about a 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 without exposing our
troops to the destructive fire of his numer-
GUS batteries.
Persons were, therefore, selected to OPP
pose his advance after crossing; the mar
rowness of the Rappahannock, its winding
course and deep bed, affording opportunity
for 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 sharpshooters
were themselves driven off, and the COM
pletion of the bridges was effected about
noon on the 18th.
On the afternoon of that day the enc
my's batteries opened upon the city, and
by dark had so demolished the houses on
the river bank as to deprive our skirmish-
ers of shelter, and, under cover of his guns,
he effected Judgment in the town. The
troops who had so gallantly held the posi-
ton in the city during the severe cannon
AIDE during the day, resisting the advance
OF the enemy at every step, were with
drawn during the night, as were also those
who, with signal tenacity, had maintained
their post at the lowest bridges. Under
cover of darkness, and Of a dense fog on
the 18th, a large force passed the river
and took position on the right bank, pro-
tected by their heavy guns on the left.
On the morning the 18th, his arrange
ments for attack being completed, about
nine o'clock-the movement yelled by a
fog-he advanced boldly in large force
against our ight wing. General Jackson's
corps occupied the right of our line, which
rested on the railroad, General Long
streets left extending along the nights to
the Rappahannock, above Fredericksburg,
and General Stuart, with two brigades of
cavalry, was posted in the extension plain
on our extreme right. AS soon as the ad-
vance of the enemy was discovered through
the fog, General Stuart, with his accus-
toned promptness, moved up his section of
horse artillery, which opened with effect
upon his flank, and drew upon the gallant
Felham heavy fire, which he sustained
unfinchingly for about two hours
In the meantime, the enemy was fierce
ly encountered by Gen. A. P. Hill'd divi-
sion, forming General Jackson s right, and.
after an obstinate combat, repulsed. Dur
ing this attack, which was protracted and
hotly contested, two Of General Hill s brig
AIDES were drawn back on our second line
General Early, with part of his division,
being ordered to his support, drove the en-
envy back from the point of woods he had
seized, and pursued him into the plain, I'M
til arrested by his artillery. The right
the enemys column, extending beyond
Hills front, encountered the right of Gen.
Hood, but were quickly dispossessed and
repulsed with loss. During the attack on
our right, the enemy was crossing troops
over his bridges at Fredericksburg, and
massing them in front of Longstreet's line.
Soon after this repulse On our right, he
commenced series of attacks on our left,
with view of obtaining possession of the
heights Immediately overlooking the town.
These repeated attacks were repulsed in
gallant style by the Washington Artillery,
under Colonel Walton, 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 we'll as by nu-
merous heavy batteries on the Stafford
Heights. t.. .#.. ..
Our loss, during the operations since the
movements OF the enemy began, amounts
to about ], 800 killed and wounded. Among
the former, regret to report the death of
the patriotic soldier and statesman, Brig.
Gen. Thomas R. R. Cobb, who fell upon
our left. Among the latter, that brave
soldier and accomplished gentleman, Brig.
Gen. Maxey Gregg, who was very severe
ly, and, it is feared, MORALLY wounded,
during the attack on our right. The enc
my, to-day, has been apparently crossing
for his wounded, and burying his dead.
His troops are visible in their first posi-
ton, in line-of-battle, but, with the excep-
ton of some desultory cannonadiEg and