The Sun. — 1862-12-29 (London, England)

GREECE, NINE THOUSAND AND EIGHTY-FOUR votes were given in eagerly by the population. Such a tribute has never before been offered to a remote and apparently alien race. It is hard even now to believe that it has been offered in vain after all.  The accounts now published of the great battle on the Rappahanock will be scanned with interest. Fredericksburg has in consequence of it become a name which will not be forgotten in American history, for, whatever the ultimate fortune of the war, it will be known as the spot cn which two vast armies of the divided old Union fought one of their greatest battles. It was not a fair stand-up fight in the open field, however ; it was the attack and defence of a series of the strongest works. The position of the Confederates behind Fredericksburg, an amphitheatre of numerous hills, partly wooded, is one of considerable natural strength, and by the mismanagement of the War-effice, BURNSIDE was not enabled, as soon as he had arrived at Fredericksburg, to cross the River, and make his attack at once. Hence the Confederates had had ample time to strengthen nature by art; and the hardworking veterans of so many Southern battles, labouring with all the energy of confidence in Generals of proved ability, had really made the defences almost impregnable. Their first and outer line was the rivet this, however, it must have been well known, could be passed as rivers always have been by armies. Still the fighting there would delay the advance, and increase the time for full preparation, and it was evidently thus used. The grand defence was in the rear of Fredericksburg. It seems BURN SIDE was so fully aware of the difficulties of the route to Richmond by Acqnia Creek as his base of operations, and through Fredericksburg, that his own judgment was distinctly opposed to it. But again the fatal necessity of political considerations compelled a Northern General to obey the behests of civilians. The evil seems incurable. Non-military electors seem unable to comprehend the necessity of delay in war. Treason and treachery begin to be whispered. Generals must advance to action cith the knowledge that if they do not they shall make enemies of friends, and that, if they do, the enemies before them in the field will compel them to disappoint those friends. BURNSIDE submitted to the political necessity. The probability was, that he must sacrifice thousands of men to prove to his own friends, by facts, what he could not convince them of by reasoning; the possibility was, a bare one, that he might succeed, and obtain a victory where he looked for a defeat. He made therefore the best arrangements he could. He forced, as he doubtless expected to do, a passage of the river without much difficulty, and found himself on the 12th on Fredericksburg, ready to commence on the 13th the grand attack on the works behind it.  One reads with melancholy interest the story of each division of the Federal army marching up to the Balaklava and Inkerman in the hills of Fredericksburg. It was, except that it was infantry work, most like the light cavalry feat at Balaklava, or, most of all, like the attacks of the Russians on Kars, with the grand difference, however, that to starve the defenders was out of the question. With the exception of General Franklin's division, which had more opportunity for manceuvring on the extreme Federal left, the Federal troops seemed to move forward but to be mowed down. There was no want of courage. But an instance or two of not more than temporary disorganisation occurred ; they were resolved to carry the murderous batteries, but the batteries were not to be carried by any courage. They were too well placed, and the evidence of Confederate skill in their construction, and of the steadiness of Norther-1-r eourav, is equally \ shown by the number of killed and wounded. Nothing appears to have been left undone on ether side, that brave and able men could do. The result only Showed that the military man was right; and derationnls y might be that however urgent political consiat Washington they ought not military reaatstonsem in military matters. The aspect of this thing but encouraging to the Federals The last pt on Richmond is any. attack failed within half a score miles of the city. This one has failed at the dist %nee of 60 miles. A short time ago the communications from the South showed that a double attack at least was ex; parallel with pected. It was assumed as certain that