Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1906-12-13
Battle OF Fredericksburg.
From a Southern Viewpoint.


Wednesday,, the battle of Freder-
burgh was fought, and DIS the heal
ing influence OF time has to great
extent dlssipated the bitterness en-
gendered by the fraternal strife, we
can, without enmity, if not wholly
without prejudice, present our side
in the struggle to the fair-minded
ne CT.
After the battle of Antictam, the
Confederate army retreated leisurely
south, cautiously pursued by the
Yankees until the Rapphannock was
reached where they crossed in the
face of the enemy who were then
close behind the rear-guard. The
morale of the army was never bet
ter. They had received large con-
signments of heavy winter clothing
thanks to the labor and heroic sac
rifice of southern wonderland their
courage was at high ebb rs they dug
into their rlntrenchments on the steep
hills that skirted the south bank for
several miles. This range of hills is
at no point more than mile and
half from the river aud presents
narrow and rather uneven valley.
The ridge on the north bank is not
quite so steep and is much closer t.
water line. Here, along the crest of
this ridge, the United States army
itself for miles and was
presumed to be in winter quarters.
They were in large masses, and their
dark blue uniforms and glistening
bayonets as they moved to their posi-
tons appealed to the eye of the dis
tant spectator with terrible grand
eur In nearly the center of this
valley is the old town of Fredericks.
burg, community known far and
near for its generosity and Christian
piety. Everything was quiet in this
for many weeks and pickets
IN both sides of the stream were be-
coming friendly, when on the morn
ng of the the 18th of December the
people Of the town Were surprised
almost to frenzy to find the flats on
he south bank just below the city
literally covered with Federal bay
onets. They had crossed during
he night under cover of thick fog
No one would have tho't that the
Confederate army on the ridge were
aware of this formidable movement.
There was no indication of prepara-
ion from that quarter and the de-
voted people were alarmed for their
safety. They were not long in sus-
yense, however, for the United
States soldiers began to advance in
heavy masses toward the weakest
part of the Confederate position.
They were allowed to approach with
in pistol range, when suddenly the
heavy guns began to thunder and
great gaps were made i'm their lines
only to be filed in until the Federal
line reached the top of the first
terrace and engaged the Confederates
with bayonet. The momentum of
the charge was such that the first
line was overwhelmed and broken
and the second line coCly opened
their ranks and allowed them to
pass through; they then promptly
closed like an adamantine wall and
fired volley after volley into the
heavy ranks of advancing Federals.
The men in blue fell in whole plat
toons and as they began to waver
the COnfederaates charged them with
the bayonet. Three times the brave
soldiers in blue charged the Confed-
ates only to be hurled back in dis
dain. 1t was sheer murder to urge
soldiers to attack such a strong posi-
tion defended by veterans. When
they retreated in the last repulse
Gen. Walton refused to train his
guns upon them, giving as reason
that he hated to kill such brave men
when they were trying to get away.
After nightfall the United States
army sullenly retired across the riv-
er unmolested by brave and gener-
Gus enemy who seemed to have
feeling of compassion for them. This
statement may seem Don Quixotic
but | am in position to know that
it is literally true. A series of re-