The battle at Fredericksburg.
Farther particulars — description of the fight Incidents — further Lists of wounded.
&c., &c., &c., &c.
We have already laid before our readers an account of the passage of the Rappahannock by the enemy on Thursday, and the fighting which ensued is and around the town of Fredericksburg. It was anticipated by those unfamiliar with the time required to manoeuvre and place in position large bodies of troops, that a general engagement between the two armies would take place on Friday. This expectation was disappointed, and the fight of that day amounted to little more than preliminary skirmishing for position, most of the firing being on the part of the slowly advancing columns of the enemy. Before nightfall the firing ceased, and by all parties it was believed that the issue would be fully joined at daydawn on Saturday morning. With this view the divisions of D. H. Hill and Ewell (the latter commanded by General Barly) were ordered up from the extreme right in the direction of Port Royal, and about 9 o'clock on Saturday morning took position to the west of the railroad, and near Hamilton's crossing. Before there arrival, however, our line of battle had been formed — the right wing consisting of A. P. Hill's and Tallaferro's divisions, and the left and centre formed by the divisions of Longstreet's corps, and extending to within three fourths of a mile of Fredericksburg. The line was nearly a semi — circle, and reached about four miles from the extreme left to the right wing.
About 9½ o'clock the booming of the first gun was heard at Hamilton's Turnout, away off to the left, in the direction of the town. In a short time the excessive reports of artillery told unmistakably that the ball was opening, and along the whole line of the right wing the troops buckled on their armors for the conflict before them. As the morning were on, and the fog which had partially obscured the light was lifted from the earth, the cannonading became more general, until about 11 o'clock, when what had before been but an occasional report became an uninterrupted roar. So general was this cannonade that an unpracticed ear could scarce distinguish the report of our own from the guns of the enemy.
About 1 o'clock P. M., the long black columns of the enemy, in regular order, were observed moving up from their position near the river, in the direction of our batteries on the hill side, three--fourths of a mile in advance of Hamilton's crossing. As they moved across the wide valley, stretching along between the river and the railroad, one of our batteries away off to the right opened upon them which was kept up until the head of their columns had reached the woods in which our was formed, when the sharp crack of infantry, fix at intervals and then in volleys quickly succeeding each other, was heard and observed from the surrounding hills. At this time the fight at this ports had become general and very severe, both contesting the ground with more than usual obstinacy. Here and to the left of the right wing, the battle raged for perhaps an hour, our troops engaged being A. P. Hill's division and a portion of Barly's and Tallaferro's forces. Meanwhile, the enemy's columns were observed to falter, and presently to recede, when it very soon became evident that the fire was too warm for them, and that they were yielding and gradually giving way, as our own forces pressed on. For a distance of about one mile they were followed by our men, who then withdrew from the pursuit, and retired to the west side of the railroad, in the woods where the line was first formed. Later in the afternoon, the enemy renewed the attack, which was met with such spirit that it was but finally sustained, and they soon full back in the direction of the river. This the heavy fighting on the right of the line, and the battle was principally fought and won by the troops of Hill's division, aided at times by the other troops of Jackson's corps.
Whilst these operations were going on on the right, Longstreet's corps was hotly engaged with the enemy on the left, immediately in the neighborhood of Fredericksburg. The right of the enemy's line was formed a few hundred yards from the southern limits of the town, and our forces confronting them were posted on a range of hills about half a mile distant. The fighting at this point was very heavy, and continued throughout the afternoon, during the whole of which time our position was maintained without a reverse, and late in the day the enemy were signally repulsed and driven back into the town. We were informed that McLawe's division sustained the principal shock of battle on this end of the line.
When darkness drew on the firing of small arms cased, and the stillness of the night was only occasionally interrupted by the report of heavy-guns. The result of the day's bloody work is easily summed up. At every point of attack the enemy were effectually repulsed, and at night our forces slept on their arms on the ground occupied by them in the morning. The number of prisoners taken during the day is variously estimated from 600 to 1,000 and we think will reach the latter figure.--Among these are a number of minor officers. In conversation with one of them — a man of more than ordinary intelligence — he stated that Burnside's forces did not exceed 100,000 men, and that no confidence is felt among the troops that they will be successful in the straggle now in progress, and which resulted with such decided advantage to our arms on Saturday. He says, that at no time since the war commenced has there been a more despondent feeling among their troops.
On Sunday morning Gen. Lee expressed himself as highly gratified with the result of the previous day's work. He thinks our loss cannot exceed 1,200 in killed and wounded.
The casualties.
We published yesterday morning a list of casualties as far as received by us to that time. Wethis morning append some additional received during yesterday:Lieut-Col Lewis M. Coleman, 1st reg't Virginia artillery, slightly wounded in leg.
Second Company Richmond Howitzers,--Killed: Private H. H. Charles. Wounded: S Lipscomb hip and leg; W Palmer, hand; Chas Skioner, concession of a shell; Corp'l John Worth, hand; private Chas Cooke, face; Richard A Moore.
Purcell Battery.--Killed: Lieut Zeph McGruder, Corp'l Peter Foster, private J Clinton Newcomer, Wounded; Corp'l Wm Partington, slightly; private R D M Sall, seriously; T. H. Thompson, slightly; William Cavanaugh, scalp wound; John Squires, slightly, Wm Mullen, slightly; Geo Plum, slightly; A W Otey, arm amputated; Jas Kinstray, arm amputated; E. P Jones, slightly; T J Campbell, slightly; J. W. Logwood, seriously; Samuel McCook, slightly; Corp'l Antheny Dougherty, slightly; John Williams, slightly; B Waldron, slightly; Geo Dockerty, slightly. Killed, 3; wounded 18.
The following is a list of the casualties in the battalion Washington Artillery, from New Orleans. They are attached to Longstreet's Corps — and were within close proximity to the enemy during the entire day, sustaining several charges:
First Company, Capt. C. W Squires — Killed: F. D. Ruggies, R McK Spearing, C. A. Falconer. Wounded: A F Coste, severely; C A Everett, slight, head; W E Falconer, do, do; W T. Perry, slight; Jno E Rodd, slight, arm; Sgt W Hardle, do, do; C. Rossiter, slight, hand; H. O Janin; do, do. Drivers — Wounded: Kennedy, Rush, Chadsworth, Kenney.
Third Company, Capt W Miller — Wounded: Privates H. Tully, slight, in arm; A Grimmer, face and shoulder; H. Phelps, arm.
Fourth Company, Capt B F Eshleman — Wounded: Sgt Jno Wood, severely; Privates — Jones, in face;--McDonald, do.
The Second Company was not actively engaged.
The following is the loss in Johnson's battery, of Richmond, on Saturday, the 13th December: Lt V J Clutter, slightly wounded in face; Private Edward Hayse, of Richmond, mortally wounded in head. Seriously wounded: Privates Birch, in arm; E. B. Watts, do; Edward Earl, do, Isom, in head.--Slightly wounded: Privates Hammond, in hand; Chas Burley, in leg; Stiagle, in breast; Messey, in arm; McCann, in back; Garrett, in back and neck; Owen, in thigh; Mcfield, in side.
Sunday and yesterday.
On Sunday morning it was confidently expected the battle would be renewed, and the heavy cannonading early in the day at each end of the line gave strength to the impression that the enemy were about to make one more trial of their strength; but as the day wore on it became apparent that they were not disposed to make another attack so soon after the signal repulse of Saturday.Our information from the field last night warrants the conviction that there was no general fight yesterday. As our own forces are acting entirely on the defensive, it may be several days before the regular engagement, which is to try the strength of the two armies, occurs.
Incidents.
After the severe wound of Gen. Gregg was received, he sent for Gen. Jackson, with whom he had a long interview. When it was announced that the wound was considered mortal, he requested one of his aids to send several messages to different friends in South Carolina.--Among others was one to Gov. Pickens, which was reported to us as follows: ‘"Tell Gov. Pickens, if I am to die at this time, I yield my life cheerfully, fighting for the independence of South Carolina."’On the left, where the fighting was intensely severe, the brigades of South Carolinian, commanded by Gen. Kershaw, suffered heavily. The 3d regiment of S. C. volunteers was nearly annihilated. In the early part of the engagement their Colonel, Lieut-Colonel, and Major, were all wounded, and the command devolved upon the senior Captain, who was killed in fifteen minutes after assuming the command. His place was supplied by the second senior Captain, and he, too, fell mortally wounded in a very short time.
Wounded received in Richmond.
On Sunday night the Fredericksburg cars brought down eight hundred and thirty seven wounded officers and men, who were conveyed to Seabrook's Warehouse, and thence distributed to the various hospitals to which they appropriately belonged.--Three hundred more were expected by the train last night. We learned on inquiry, that the wounded are generally getting along excellently.--But few amputations or operations were required. These, together with the dressing of the wounds, were performed at the Receiving Hospital. The wounded men were all as cheerful as men could be under such circumstances. Most of the wounded officers coincide in the opinion that the Abolition forces do not now fight with that vim that used to distinguish them. At one time, during Saturday's fight, a whole brigade of the enemy stampeded on the first fire from our brave men. Up to last night there had been but seven deaths in the Receiving Hospital since the wounded had commenced arriving.We append a list of a portion of the officers and men received there Sunday night: Col W H Cook, 11th Ala, wounded in right hand; Lieut J J Walker, co E, 46th N C, face; Lt Wm of Tuck, co K, 3d Va. left side; Lt T G Crawford, co B, 26th Ga, foot; Lt W Hamilton, Phillips's Ga Legion, left breast; H C Wardell, co G, 2d Va, arm; Sgt W W Ward, co J, 44th Va, left shoulder, W B Sullivan, co D, 44th Va, arm; J H Rakes, co B, 42d Va, right shoulder; Capt G D Wilcox, co A, 61 Ga; J W Perkins, co F, 44th Va, head; Lt J W Pettus, co C, 37th N C, head and knee; W Barratt, co H, 31 Va, arm; R. Wadren, co H, 44th Va, head; Capt W B Matthews, co G, 49th Va, shoulder; Lt T S B Tucker, Law's brigade, knee; W D Coffee, co F, 49th Va, hand; Capt J Sands, co A, 27th N C, head; D A Robertson, co--,10th Va, lame; Capt W H Goodwin, co K, 48th N C, face; Lt M C Reger, co B, 25th Va; J P Bryant, co A, 47th Va; Wm H Mullen, Purcell battery; Duncan Stephens, co A, 2d Va.
Help for the wounded.
Gov. Letcher and a number of citizens left here yesterday to devise and carry out means for the relief of our wounded in the late battle. Captain Alexander, Assistant Provost Marshal, also went up with 50 men on the same errand.
