Latest from the North.
The New York World of the 18th and 19th instant, has some interesting Northern accounts, of which we make some extracts.A letter from Fredericksburg, dated the 16th, says the army of the Potomac has no idea of repeating the attempt of Saturday, as it is believed impossible to drive the rebels from that position. A second effort was warmly urged by several of the Generals, but fighting ‘ "Joe Hooker"’ contended that it would be more folly, unless a night attack could be successfully carried out.
The terrible loss in the Second Army Corps will appal the public, says the writer, and yet in the summary I sent you to night I put it a thousand less than its commander does. Hancock lost over half his command, and he feels deeply the fate of his noble men. Caldwell, Meagher, and Zook, who led brigades, did their work well. Before going into action Meagher addressed his brigade, exhorting them to stand firm, and promising them that he would share with them the privilege of being the last to leave the field. That they did stand firm we knew yesterday, when two hundred and fifty nations were all that were required for the brigade, which went into action twelve hundred strong.
The World says, editorially, that no further effort to reach Richmond will be made by Burnside's army at present, and that it will go into winter quarters because it can do nothing else.
Dispatch from Burnside.
Hdq'rs Army of Potomac, Dec. 18,
P. M. Major Gen. Halleck Commander-in-Chief.
The Army of the Potomac was with drawn to this side of the Rappahannock river because I felt fully convinced that the position in front could not be carried, and it was a military necessity either to attack the enemy or retire. A repulse would have been disastrous to us under existing circumstances.
The army was withdrawn at night without the knowledge of the enemy, and without loss, either of property or men. Ambrose E. Burnside.,
Over one thousand wounded arrived to day.--Nearly one-half were able to walk or ride in ambulances to the hospitals.
Movements of the Alabama.
She reports that the pirate Alabama was at Dominica, W. I. Nov. 28, whither she had gone, according to the report at Guadeloupe in pursuit of a schooner which had taken refuge in the harbor of Dominica.
The United States San Jacinto had been at Point Petre only a few days before, and had sailed for St. Thomas.
Wool Relieved of his command.
The Yankee loss at the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas is stated to have been 995--that of the rebels 2,760. Gen. Hindman is reported on the south side of the Arkansas river, and Marmaduke on the North. An important expedition was on foot by the Abolition army in Arkansas.
A considerable force of cavalry is reported to be in the vicinity of Jackson, Tenn., supposed to be under the command of Morgan.
Serious naval disaster — an iron clad destroyed in the Yazoo river by a torpedo — the boat sunk.
The Cairo was one of the first seven iron clad gunboats built for service on the western rivers and participated in the captures of Forts Henry and Donelson.
Another account.
Late from Bermuda.
The World, of the 19th, has the following:The steamship Szechwan, Captain Kennedy, which left this port for China on the 24th of October, and put into Bermuda disabled, has arrived at this port for repairs. She left at Bermuda the steamers Phœba. Hamet, Pickney, Justicia, and Merrimac, supposed to have stores and ammunition for the rebels. The British steamer Cornubia arrived at Bermuda on the 6th instant, from Fayal, and sailed on the 13th instant for Trinidad, but without doubt was bound to the American coast. She is a sharp, side wheel steamer, 1.350 tons, and very fast; in painted lead color all over.
Whalers Burned.
The ship Carolina, which arrived at New York Thursday evening last, from Buchos Ayres spoke the whaling bark Gertrade on the 6th of November bound up the river DePlata. The Captain of the Gertrude reported the burning of several whalers by the Alabama.
From Fortress Monroe.
What the Yankees thought before the battle of Fredericksburg--the War to be Decided on that day, and the Star spangled banner to Float over Richmond.
For the amusement of our readers we copy the two following editorials from the Philadelphian Inquirer, of Thursday. They are decidedly rich:
The great battle in Progress.
Our last summary of intelligence from the seat of war announced the successful construction of our bridges and the crossing of Sumner's and Franklin's divisions over the Rappahannock — the former at the city of Fredericksburg, and the latter about three miles below. That no stronger resistance was offered to this crossing than the infantry fire upon Sumner's bridges led our Generals to suppose that the rebels did not design to offer battle in their position below the city, but meant, after a show of defence, to retreat towards Richmond, or at least there were many opinions on this point. But when Sumner's grand division, of a portion of it, advanced to try the experiment practically, they found them in steadfast purpose to contest our advance. On Saturday morning, at a quarter past 9, Gen. John F. Reynolds advanced, under cover of our artillery, to attack the enemy's infantry. The fog was dense, and the enemy's position could not be clearly discerned, but at about 11 it cleared away, and then the work of death began. Sumner's troops advanced at a double-quick to capture the enemy's batteries on the first ridge. Undeterred by the terrible artillery fire, they moved forward until (when near the base of the ridge) a murderous fire of infantry was opened from behind stone walls and scattered houses, which so swept them down that they were forced to retreat, but were speedily formed again, when out of the severest fire. A new attack was organized at once to support the retiring force, and the men, unappalled by the storm of cannon projectiles which made great gaps in their ranks, advanced in splendid style, with fixed bayonets, but were also compelled to fall back under the withering infantry fire. They were soon rallied; but although artillery firing was kept up during the afternoon, no further attempt was made to attack by the centre that evening. The character and strength of the defences had thus, however, been experimentally ascertained. In the meantime Franklin had advanced handsomely on our left, driving the enemy before him for a mile repulsing, with great slaughter, ad attack which they turned to make, and taking from A. P. Hill's division between four and five hundred prisoners.--On Saturday night he encamped near Massaponax creek, ready to resume operations the next day.--This small stream crosses the railroad, running eastward for a short distance, and then, turning northward, empties into the Rappahannock. It therefore gives Franklin a sort of natural entrenchment, if the enemy have been forced to cross it.At the time of writing we have no intelligence of further fighting yesterday, the time being spent in deployments, new arrangements, and preparations to make the attack the more effective when made. The rebels have extended their lines and strengthened their works.
The question naturally arises — how is the safety of our army provided for in case they should be hard pressed by the enemy! We reply, that the bridges upon which they crossed remain; the others will, as soon as possible, be repaired; some heavy artillery is left in position on this bank to defend the crossing, and, although the gunboats, or the most of them, cannot come up to the city, they can come so near it — say within six miles--as to make them a very strong and easy point d'appul, in case of disaster; but we are more hopeful than ever that there will be no disaster. The crossing has been handsomely accomplished, and the further intelligence, although meagre and vague, is, on the whole, favorable.
A street report says that a strong co-operating force is not only in position, but absolutely moving upon Richmond, and that a few hours will send back answers to the guns of the Rappahannock, which will make a ‘"change of base"’ to the rebels necessary. Large columns from more than one point must somewhat divert rebel attention from Fredericksburg.
We hope, as we believe, that the great and final struggle of this war is even now going on; and that Burnside, or his directors will throw everything upon the hazard: expend every man and every round of ammunition upon an honest and resolute attempt to take Richmond, whatever be the result. We hope and believe that with this determination, and only thus, we shall rout the rebels, take Richmond, end the war, and restore peace, prosperity and happiness to this now most unhappy country.
Among the casualties we have the announcement of two deaths which will cause great regret--Gen. Jackson, of the Pennsylvania Reserves, and Gen. Bayard, of the cavalry. The former is very favorably known as a gentleman and a gallant soldier — The latter was a remarkable officer. One of the youngest of the Brigadier-Generals Geo. D. Bayard had gained his military experience at West Point. He was wounded in an Indian fight at the West. At the beginning of the rebellion he was commissioned by Gov. Curtin Colonel of the first Pennsylvania cavalry, in which position he proved himself as chivalrous as his gallant namesake of earlier times sans pour it sans reproche. To his friends, who knew his fearless valor his search for danger, his cool and resolute self-exposure, his death, though greatly lamented, is not unexpected. Such are the men who die in battle the Williamses, Kearneys. Re os, Mansfields, Jacksons, and Bayards bequeathing to their country, in lieu of service ended, noble examples to foster and use in all time to come.
The burning focus.
The latest intelligence absorbs all our interest. The other points in the great threatre of operations are forgotten for the time; the timeliest and most graphic correspondence is laid aside to be read after telegrams have been committed to memory, and tortured into many mythic meanings, by millions of patriots and myriads of friends. Somewhere between Richmond and Fredericksburg is the focus which shall bring the fiery rays of war to a point as burning as a seven times heaated furnace and as dazing as ten thousand diamond lights. A terrible focus of converging fire, upon which and from which the concentrated engines of war shall discharge their deadly missiles, in final and consummating storm.Every eye, every heart, turns thither; as we scan that region to fix it exactly, news comes far too scantily; the imagination transcends it, and thus ideal battles are rough, only to be shorn of their romance and made real when fuller intelligence comes. In our judgment that point is Richmond, and there the rays are now converging.--That great battle-field upon which this contest is to be entirely and summarily settled is a focus of varied character; upon it the glances of patriotism and affection are fixed, upon it the military student finds the grandest problem, and the historical student anticipates a thrilling mixture of chronicle and philosophy. There rebel boasting is to be tested, and Federal courage, in a noble cause, to be displayed. It is also a focus of international scrutiny. The eyes of the world are turned upon it and in this relation, upon it depends the future purpose of the envious great Powers with regard to us.
Success at Richmond will close their mouths, dampen their ardor, and cool their philanthropic heat. Success there will make us the greatest nation the world has ever known — great beyond the promise of our former prosperity. The caution of England will be turned into a timid prudence; and from the rising to the setting sun, neither king, queen, Ezar, kaiser, or emperor will dare to gainsay our claims to supremacy. Such will be the result of success at Richmond. Defeat — but No!--Send every man to the Rappahannock; call, if need be for independent volunteers to aid; spare nothing; omit nothing; procrastinate nothing — if troops are repulsed, rally them; if defeated, replace them; if successful, push them forward without delay; and, when the concentrated rays of patriotic velour are finality fixed upon, the focus of the rebel stronghold, or ‘"last ditch;"’ like the fire from heaven, invoked by the prophet, they shall utterly consume them, and all the elements of their rebellion. Such is the problem. God speed our gallant forces now working it out in lines of bloody geometry, and give them its rapid and complete solution, of which the Q. E. D. shall be the star spangled banner floating over Richmond.
The resignation of Seward.
Seward and his son have both resigned, and it is most probable there will be an entire reconstruction of the Yankee Cabinet — the cause of this being the recent disaster at Fredericksburg. On the night of the 18th a number of Republican Senators waited on Lincoln and urged the reconstruction of his Cabinet. So soon as informed of this Seward and his son tendered their resignations. They have not yet been accepted, but the Philadelphia Inquirer says they will be. Blair will follow suit, and Halleck will be removed Stanton, it is said, still has Lincoln's confidence.The Washington Star says a majority of the Senate, in caucus on the 17th, adopted a resolution which, as first prepared, declared a want of confidence, on their part, in the Secretary of State.--This was modified so as to express to the President a unanimous recommendation of a partial reconstruction of the Cabinet. The following history, in connection with Seward's resignation, is given by the Star: The Republican party met in caucus on the 16th, when a resolution was introduced requesting Lincoln to dispense with Seward's services. On this proposition the caucus stood 16 for to 13 against it.
Finding unanimity unattainable on this or the many substitutes offered for it, the caucus adjourned till next day. On again meeting, the resolution requesting the President partially to remodel his whole Cabinet was unanimously agreed to, the Conservative Republicans regarding it as an invitation to the whole Cabinet to resign, and they confidently expect, the Star says, that Lincoln will regard the recent unmistakable manifestations of popular sentiment as his guide in the necessary reconstruction.
It seems to be taken for granted, the Star says, that all of Mr. Seward's colleagues will follow his example.
The committee which waited upon the President, requesting lon, consisted of three Radical Republic, three Anti- radicals
The Philadelphia Inquirer, of the 20th, says it is confidently reported on the streets that Burnside has resigned the command of the army of the Potomac.
The Yankees admit a loss in the fight of Fredericksburg of fourteen hundred killed and eight thousand wounded.
A Yankee's experience in Fredericksburg.
A Yankee letter found in Fredericksburg when Burnside had retired, after not taking the ‘"crest of hills,"’ gives a fair idea of the reception given the Federal by our troops. The following is the letter:
Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 15, 1862
Dear Mother:
You will think this a curious sheet of Paper for a letter it is a leaf of a blank Book I found in an old desk here in the City we are in a good Brick house at present the City has been ransacked it is about twice the size of Waterburg there is not a single Citizen in the place every thing is in ruins the Rebel Batteries is not over a half mile from this house they have destroyed what we left standing our men were Slathered by thousands in the streets trying to take their Refile Pits they had Guns Flaunted so as to rake every street with Grape and Canister our Division was the first to engage the enemy the Morning after the first Days fight our Regiment had 105 Men left in the ranks Captain Carpenter was wounded also all our Field Officers we had but two Captains left in the Regt.
it is 8.
O'clock Monday Evening this is the fifth Days fighting and we are nearly tried out, there is 17, men left in our Company, we are here in the City and cannot retreat across the river nor advance over their Breast Works So we are in a bad fix this letter will be sent to you as soon as possible whether I am Alive or Dead.
I have passed so far unharmed for the rest I do not know, but have followed the advice of one of our best Generals to ‘"Put my trust in God and Keep my Powder dry"’ every thing that a large City generally has was left here Such as Flour, Tobacco, Clothing, Groceries, Liquor, Meat, Fish, in fact everything you could Mention Covers the Street furniture is destroyed in every place you turn to. Silver ware, watches jewelry Silver Plate China Ware and such stuff is strewn in the Street My light is getting poor so I must Close if I have a chance I will write more some other time So no
Dear Mother:
Commercial.
New York, Dec. 18--Gold closed at 132¼@132¼. Foreign exchange, 145½@156½.
Miscellaneous,
A telegram from the camp of the Yankee army, says it has been definitely ascertained that the loss in the fight of Saturday will rather exceed than come under 15.500.The U. S. Transport Star of the West reached New York last Wednesday from Hilton Head.
During the past week five of the transports belonging to Gen. Banks expedition, put into Port Royal for various causes. The Thames, with the 114th New York volunteers, was towed in distress, and has been condemned. The Ericsson, with the 120th New York, and the Salvor, with the 150th, also the Albany, had all put in for various reasons.
