NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
November-December 1862
From The Missouri Democrat, Monday, December 15, 1862.
From Fredericksburg.
BY TELEGRAPH.
REGULAR AFTERNOON DISPATCHES.
From Fredericksburg.
CONTINUATION OF THE FIGHT.
OUR TROOPS ACROSS THE RIVER.
MORE FIGHTING YET TO BE DONE.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Dec. 15th—EVENING.—-At 10 o’clock this morning the fog began to clear away, but before 11 o’clock the air was again thick, which continued until 2 o’clock, when it entirely disappeared.
At a quarter past two the rebels opened with all their guns posted on the first ridge of hills. Their main fire was directed upon the city, which was filled with our troops. Three guns which were posted on the left of the ridge, were opened on the large body of troops which crossed on the two lower bridges and had formed in line of battle, and were moving obliquely down the river fronting the Massaponax.
Although several of their shells exploded over our troops none were injured. General Bayard’s cavalry, which crossed on the lower bridge, had five men killed while endeavoring to ascertain the position of the enemy. The troops which crossed below are sleeping on their arms to-night, the advance being within three-quarters of a mile of the Massaponax creek, their left resting on the Rappahannock. The enemy occupies the opposite side of the creek in force.
The guns pulled to this side of the river silenced the enemy’s artillery after a duel of half an hour. This ended the firing for the day. The only damage done by the rebel shells thrown into the city was to add so much to its destruction. Twenty-five of our men were killed last night in the streets while driving the rebels out.
Nearly every house in the city has been damaged more or less by the firing of the past two days. Several splendid residences have been completely riddled, as also all the churches. The fire seemed to have been directed on the most prominent edifices.
Several cases of wanton destruction of property occurred by our troops when they entered the town. In many houses the furniture all remained. Some of our troops mistook the British flag for a secesh, and tore it from the residence of the British Consul. This morning the owner came over to receive it, and it was returned to him.
The main body of the army is now over the river, the balance being in position to cross at any time. There is no indication of the enemy evacuating. If they remain a battle must immediately ensue.
LATEST.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
IN THE FIELD, Dec. 15—11 A.M.
The battle, long anticipated, is now progressing.
Reynolds’s corps, on the left, advanced and engaged the enemy’s infantry at 9:15. Seven minutes afterward the rebels opened a heavy fire of artillery, and here continued so far uninterruptedly.
Our heavy guns are answering, but the firing on both sides is at random on account of the dense fog. No results are known.
But little infantry had yet become engaged. A portion of the enemy’s cavalry crossed at the ford above here and yesterday were on our right and rear. A force has been sent to meet them.