iStabe.
HUNTINGDON, PA.
Wednesday morning, Deo, 17, 1862.
W. Lewis, Editor and Proprietor
Our Flag Fdrever.
- " I know of no mode in which a loyal cia
gen may so well demonstrate his devotion to
his country as by sustaining the Flag, the
Constitution and tht Union, under all circum
stances, and uNDER EVERY ADMINISTRATION,
REGARDLESS OF PARTY POLITICS, AGAINST ALL
ASSAILANTS, AT HOME AND ABROAD."-STEPHEN
A. DoucL.ts
THE WAR.
The Press of Monday says :—The.
series of affairs which have just taken
place on the_ line of the Massaponax riv
er seem to indicate that neither Burn
'side nor Lee is prepared to make it a
field for the test of their grand milita
ry conclusions. The former is evi
dently manceuvring to keep the enemy
in his present position for a few days,
and the latter is not willing to hazard
tEbefate of his wicked cause upon the
result of a single field. The great risk
that Burnside bad to take was in cros
sing the Rappahannock ; that move
ment successfully accomplished, he can
afford to give battle of the heaviest
description beyond. There need be
no fear of a demonstration in his rear,
for his position is entirely tenable in a
military poirlt of view. He has a riv
, er behind hiin, and the enemy' in front,
with whom he can cope in • superior
- force and material. This river is not
fordable at present below a line run
ning south from Dumfries, and Genl.
Sigel has possession of the fords above.
. Gen. Slocum, with an excellent corps
d'armee, is moving south by the roads
east of the Bull Run ridge of moun
tains. Gen. Jackson cannot be spared
from Lee's army to move up the She
nandoah valley again ; and it must be
confessed that General Halleck is mas
ter of the position in 'Virginia. It was
necessary for General Burnside to dis,
cover, if possible, the exact position
and force of the enemy after his move
ment across the river, and to watch tht j
feints of the enemy in his endeavors 1
to conceal his - designs. As the 'eels
fell bank, our troops advanced under
- •General Sumner in front, and on the
loft under General Franklin, flanking
the enemy gradually. Skirmishing
between our troops and the rebels in
advancing became general, when a
rapid advance was made, and the main
body of the enemy was found strongly
posted ou the little ridge of hills on
the line of the Massaponax. The first
impulse of General Sumner was to
storm the position and force the rebels
into the creek. In two or three sal
., lies it is said he was repulsed, although
it is not clear that ho was operating
his entire grand division. He was af
terward ordered to hold the battle
-- field for the present. Genl. Franklin
was more successful, driving the ene
my before him at all points for the
distance of a mile or more. Ile has
the advantage in having seized the
hills and ravines below and southeast
of the city of Fredericksburg, and will,
no doubt, bo able to force the enemy
to fall back across the Massaponax, es
pecially if Sumner should nenew the
attack in front. Every effort is being
made to keep our forces concentrated,
to guard well the flanks of our great
army, and to strengthen weak points.
It remains to behold the expression of
that genius in our commander in chief
which will launch all of his heavy col
umns at once against the enemy. To
do this successfully, he must be guided
alone by the circumstances of the case
and his own experience in the accom
plishment of his designs or schemes.—
" Success in war," said the Archduke
Charles, "is only to be obtained by
simultaneous action upon a given point,
sustained With constancy and executed
with decision." General Burnside has
all the resolution and indomitable
Courage of a military hero. From all
we can learn we see good reason to be
hopeful that the great battle may
soon be fought, which will give us de
cisive victory and conquer a peace."
The Bulletin of Monday evening, -
says :—"A great battle was begun
near Fredericksburg on Saturday, and
the fighting of that day was terrific.—
Wo . can offer no• comments on it until
further accounts aro received, and un
til we learn of the operations yet to
take place. We only know that the
Union army has fought bravely and
.suffered severely; that many fine offi
cers have been killed or wounded ; and
that the Jspirit of our troops . was un
daunted. We await with painful anx
iety the issue of the contest, but full of
hope that, in spite of a desperate re
sistance, Burnside, Franklin, Hooker
andAu9nor will soon lead their men .
iifettirriously into Richmond. General
Banks has landed in North Carolina
and already marched into Virginia.—
Joining his troops to those at Suffolk,
he is probably now marchin on Pe
tersburg and Richmond fr g
om the
South. This gives still.greater alfsur
ance that the rebel capital will soon
be captured."
Two Democrats, whose names ap
pear upon the Democratic County
Committee, have informed us that the
action of the Committee in the ap
pointment of State Delegates was
news to them. They had not receiv
ed any netice of the meeting of the
Committee, and did not intend to be
bound by its action. They will not
agree that the usages of the party
shall be sot aside to gratify the Moni
tor faction. At the proper time their
townships will he represented in a
County Convention to elect delegates.
As the State Convention will not be
held until Juno nest, April Court will
be the proper time to hold the Con
vention. By that time the Democrat
ic voters will have all the can
didates for nomination in the field, and
delegates can be elected and instruct
ed to support the choice of the Demo°-
, racy of the county.
SOMEBODY TO BE HURT.—The Harris
burg Patriot & Union gives Democrat
ic Senators and Representatives notice
that they must come to Harrisburg
prepared to suffer death in case of a
refusal to support the caucus nominee
for United States Senator. There may
be trouble in the election of a Senator
as all the Democratic candidates we
have heard named for that office have
been guilty of opposing regular party
nominations. If such Democrats are
presented for an election, it might be
possible that better Democrats than
they might refuse to vote for them,
even with the Patriot c 1 Union's "sum
mary punishment" staring them in
the face.
THE Monitor denounces the writer
of the communication in our last pa_
per, headed " Governor and Supreme
Judge," as a renegade Democrat.-
11 7 " hen all DenOcrats, as honest and
true as 'the writer of the communica
tion leave the Democratic party, there
Will bo but little strength left to keep
it existence. "What impudence, for
Owen, a vile outcast Know Nothing
and rebel, to attack the Democracy of
men who have grown gray in the
Democratic party. The communica
tion must have knocked the wind out
of the Monitor faction, as they make
no attempt at reply.
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.—
The Democratic State Executive Com
mittee met at Reading on Thursday
evening, Dec. 11th, and on motion a
resolution was adopted, fixing Wednes
day, the 17th of Juno next, 1863, as
the time, and Harrisburg as the place,
©r-}4vhitn State
Convention, to nominate a candidate
for Governor, and a candidate for Judge
of the Supreme Court, in place of Hon.
Walter IT. Lowrie-whose term will
expire in 1863.
THE new State of" West Virginia,"
the admission of which to the Union
has been authorized by Congress, con
tains a population, according to the
census of 1860: of whites 334,891; freo
colored, 1,976; slaves, 12,761. What
is left of Old Virginia had a population
in 1860 as follows: whites, 712,520 ;
free colored, 56,066; slaves, 478,104.
JUST AS WE EXPECTED.-WO see by
the last Monitor that Owen,Caldwell's
dog pup, did got into rough hands.—
Ile says ho was met in the street by a
farmer, who seized him by the neck
and seriously threatened other person
al injury. Poor Owen, when shall his
troubles cease ?
THREE Indian regiments are already
in the service of the Government tin
der General Blunt. Several more are
to be added, and all of them formed
into a brigade.
PHOTOGRAPH Pictures are now taken
so neatly, and aro so cheap, as to leave
no exduse for a neglect to gratify a
relation or friend by leaving one's por
trait iu their hands. But photographs,
singly or alone, will soon tarnish,
warp, and lose their natural beauty.—
Hence, tt e necessity of a Photograph
Album, - which is the crowning feature
of the whole. It constitutes a " Fami
ly Record," for the display and prop
er preservation of the Card Photo
graphs of the family, or of friends and
others, which for beauty of design and
completeness of execution, has never
yet been equalled. They are adapted
to the pocket of the traveler, or the
parlor and centre table of every home,
and aro so useful as well as so pretty,
that wherever one is introduced, more
are sure to follow. They are, indeed,
becoming a householdnecessity, as the
Album in which a family group are all
gathered together in this way, soon
assumes inestimable value.
Especial attention is called to the
various styles which can be found at
Lewis' Book Store. They are unsur
passed for durability and elegance of
finish, while the prices aro such as to
bring them within everybody's reach.
Each Album is furnished with a title
page and a neat index in which to en
ter names.
WE have been furnished with the
following list of deaths in Company I),
49th Regt., Penna. Vols., which have
occurred since the publication of a
similar list, some time since :
Privates Calvin Patterson, at New
port News, Va., September 14 ; Alfred
Swoope, at Fortress Monroe, Va., Sep.
17; Daniel Prough, at Georgetown,
D. C.; F. H. Price, at Hagerstown,
Md., Oct. 17 ; Hance Campbell, at Ha
gerstown, lid., Nov. 7; William Nalo,
at home, Dee. 3 ; William Sowdor, at
home, November —.
SOLDIER'S AID.
Once more we ask for contributions
to enable us to meetthe wants of those
new, perhaps, engaged in mortal strife
—some having been already wounded
—and some always sick.—We ask for
money, clothing, old shirts, old muslin,
and the kind of supplies usually fur
nished by the, kind and liberal house
keepers of our town and neighborhood.
Committee to collect and receive
contributions: Mrs. David Blair, Presi
dent; Mrs. john Cunningham, Vice
President; Mrs. James Lesetor; Mrs.
Wm. Orbison ; Mrs. David MeMurtrie ;
Mrs. Wm. MeMurtrio; Mrs. Armstrong
Willoughby.
We acknowledge from Mrs. John
Anderson 3 dollars, sent to our society.
As soon as supplies sufficient are
received to warrant it, a box or boxes
will be padked and sent to Mrs. Dr.
Harris, at the seat of war. ,
HOLIDAY PRESENTS.—A full stock of
presents for the holidays, received at
LEWIS' BOOK STORE. Old and young
can be accommodated. Largo and
small Bibles, Hymn Books, Miseellane:
neous Books, Photograph and other
Albums, a large stock of interesting
books for the young folks, Games,
Toy Books, a heavy stock of Pocket
Books, Purses, Porto-monnaies and
Wallets, Jewelry and fine pocket Cut
lery, Shawl Pins, Violins, Guitars, Ac
cordeous and fires, flue Toy Paints,
Dominoes, and Checker Boards, and a
great variety of other articles suitable
for presents for the Holidays.
COUNTERITIT GREENBACKS.—Among
the numerous eounterfeitS afloat, are
photographic fivo • dollar Treasury
notes.• They are well calculated to de
ceive, and would not be detected at a
casual glance by one man out of five
hundred. Compared closely with the
genuine bills, they are found to be
about the sixteenth of an inch longer,
and the paper harsher and stiffer.—
The signatures show more plainly on
the back of the bills than in the good
money, and the shading of the engra
ving is heavier and darker. Other de
fects would probably be disclosed on a
very critical examination. It is like
ly these counterfeits have - obtained a
wide circulation, and it will become
necessary for the people to be a little
more careful in handling " greenbacks"
than they have heretofore been.
THE MAMMOTH UNION PHO
TOGRAPH- CAR FOR SALE.—Ono
of the largest and best Photographic
Cars in the United States now station
ed at Huntingdon, Huntingdon coun
ty, Pa., for sale very low, as change of
circumstances render it necessary for
the present proprietor to locate. It is
fitted up in handsome style, with eve
ry convenience for Ambrotyping, Pho.
tographing, &c., full size visiting Card
Photographing, with and 4-4 size
cameras and every other necessity, in
cluding an entire stock of Frames, Ca
ses, &c. For full particulars, apply or
address, C. S. ROSHON,'
Huntingdon, Pa.
N. B.—lnstruction will be given to
the purchaser, free of charge, if de
sired, in all branches of the Art.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S
MINIATURE DIARY AND ALMANAC FOR
1863.—This convenient and beautiful
little annual is sent FREE to any Super
intendent or Teacher in the United
States, on receipt of a stamp to pre
p:l3'am postage. It is something new,
useful and attractive; and no teacher
should be without it. Send for a copy
to J. C. Garriguos & Co., 148 S. 4th
Street, Philadelphia, Penna.
DROWNED.—On Friday last, a little
daughter of Jacob Hawn, now in the,
army, but whose family live in the
lock house about two miles below this
place, fell into the lock, and was
drowned, before assistance reached
her. This will be sad news to the fa
ther, now in the ranks of the Union
army, fighting for the honor of the
old flag: May Lie " who doeth all
things well," whisper comfort and con
solation to the afflicted parents.---Jour
nal, December 10.
FonNn.—We learn that the body of
Uriah Hoffman, who was missed after
the battle of Antietam, Md., has been
found. The remains were in a state
of decay among some bushes near the
battle-field, but were identified' by a
letter which was in his pocket from
his father. We give this as a rumor,
which has boon circulated through
this place.
NEW TELEGRAPIE OFFICE.-A new
telegraph office has been opened at
Mt. Union. That place has long been
in want of one of these indispensable
machines, and the company has, no
doubt, the thanks of the citizens.
AMONGST the wounded at Freder
icksburg:, we notice the name of Lieut.
Colonel George Dare of this county.
Ho was wounded in the leg.
VARIETY ENVELOPES.—CoIeman &
Co's Union Variety Packages are
for sale at Lewis' Book Store. They
make a very handsome present for all
ages. The jewelry is of a bettor qual
ity than can be secured in any other
package or in any other way for the
same money. The buyer of an envel
ope can get any article of jewelry he
or she may select from specimens.
Call and see for yourself. Price 50 cts.
.Fine Cigars ° and Tobacco for
sale at Lewis' Book Store.
DIARIES for 1863, are for sale at W
'Lewis' Book Store.
WAR NEWS.
Affairs iia Tennessee, Mississippi and
Virginia.
A SPIRITED FIGHT NEAR LA-
VERONE, TENN
NASHVILLE, Dee. 10.—Col. Stanley l i
Matthews, commanding a brigade in
Vancouver's Division, had a sharp
fight yesterday, five miles north of La
vergne, while foraging. He comman
ded the Fifty-First Ohio and Thirty
fifth Ilidiana, regiments, and the 21st
Kentucky Infantry, with one gun of
Swallow's Seventh Indiana battery,
escorting fifty forage wagons. Ten
men and a Sergeant of the Twenty
first Kentucky were left far guard at
Dobbyn's Ferry, and the wagons were
filled, when Wheeler's rebel cavalry
brigade, the Twelfth Tennessee infan
try, and a full battery attacked in the
rear. The Fifty-first Ohio and Thir
ty-fifth Indiana were taken back by
Matthews at double-quick, and in 30
minutes the enemy was repulsed.—
The wagons were retired rapidly to
camp, escorted by the Fifty-first Ohio,
the Eighth Kentucky forming the rear
guard.
Half an hour later the enemy attack
ed us again in our rear, and, after hard
fighting, were again repulsed, and the
brigade returned to camp without los
ing a wagon. Lieut. Col. Balfe, of the
Thirty-fifth Indiana, had the bone of
the left arm badly shattered. Adjt.
B. E. Muller of the same regiment was
killed. Lieut. Jesse McDaniel, of the
Eighth Kentucky, is supposed to have
bqeii killed ; also two privates. Be
sides, we had twenty-nine wounded
men, nine missing. Five wounded
and one dead were left behind from
inability to carry them off. They
were conveyed to Dr. Charleston's res
idence near the field.
The rebel loss was severe, but the
number was not ascertained. We got
one prisoner.
General Rosecrans and other Gener
als assert that the affair reflected great
credit on Colonel Matthews. The
troops behaved splendidly. Matthews
was thrown from his horse in the ac
tion, and badly bruised. His left arm
is useless at present.
Forrest is reported with 3,000 caval
ry in the rear of Clarksville. Kirby
Smith's corps is at Lebanon. The en
emy is active in front. No disturb
ance to-day.
Additional from Tennessee.
NAsnymun, 'Penn., Dec. rec
onnoissance wa9 made on the roads to
Murfreesboro', Nolinsville . and Frank
lin today. General Wallace's brigade
of General Sill's divi'-ion moved fbr
ward several miles, but found no ene
my.
About noon General Sheridan's di
vision was attacked by a rebel three
of cavalry and artillery, and his pick
ets driven in, but no one was killed.
The enemy are thought to be mov
ing forward in_ force.
The situating is growing decidedly
hiterestin , r.
Lr the iTirtTitrriourt of Inquiry Celli.
McCook's testitNiony is Iloilg takerf.—
One member of tZiti - C.onl'tieraarked
to-day that they were just getting in
to the merits (ct, tl.a ease, and that it
will require six:incuths to hear all the
testimony regarding the subject of in
quiry.
There aro said to be fifteen thous
and Tennessecans in the Union army.
Over two thousand bales of cotton,
valued at six hundred and fifty thous
and (Whirs, are hero awaiting ship
ment.
Governor Johnson has issued a proc
lamation, providing for an election of
representative-4 for the Ninth and
Tenth Congressional Districts of Ten
nessee. lle says it is believed, on in
formation received, that a large major
ity of the voters in these districts have
given evidence of loyalty and allegi
ance to the Constitution and laws.—
The judges of election, in addition to
the oath prescribed by the Tennessee
code,.will be required to swear that
they will permit no disloyal person to
vote. No disloyal person is to be con
sidered an elector qualified to vote.
The Union, in an editorial, says this
movement originated with the people
of the aforementioned districts. They
are the most western and the largest
slaveholding and cotton growing dis
tricts of the State.
The election will be held on the 29th
of December. Certain prominent reb
els have been urging such elections
hero; but since the Governor's clause
of the proclamation disqualifying them
the movement has become unpopular
with them.
Governor Johnson is about to issue
a proclamation. assessing the wealthy
rebels of Nashville to the amount of
sixty thousand dollars for the support
of the indigent during the winter.—
The list contains all the prominent reb
el sympathizers in the city.
All is quiet in front to-day.
General Negfey, at his own request,
has been relieved from the command
of the city. He takes the field. Gen.
Mitchell succeeds him.
General Johnson, captured in Aug.,
at Gallatin, having been exchanged,
has been assigned to the command of
the Second Division.
THE WAR IN MISSISSIPPI.
CAIRO, Dec. B.—Memphis papers
have news from Oxford up to Thurs
day morning.
At that time, Jackson's Confederate
cavalry, with some infantry and a bat
tery, were having a skirmish with
the Federal advance, just outside the
town. The main body of rebels bad
passed through twolvo hours before.
Pemberton's army is represented as
being very much demoralized, the
greater part of it being ignorant of:
their destination and of the necessity
of falling back. It is said to have been
forty thousand strong, with a large
number of sick and disabled. This,
undoubtedly. is just about the number
against which General Grant is lead
ing his splendid army, and it is about
all the force that the Confederates
can bring to the defence of Mississip-
No report of Bragg's force has reach
ed Pemberton, nor is it likely that it
will.
It is now almost certain that Jack
son and Vicksburg will be abandoned
without a struggle, and if the Missis
sippi is not open by Christmas, it will
be because a conflict of authority and
a rivalry between commanding officers
will prevent it.
Guerillas continue to enforce the
conscript law in West Tennessee.„, On
last Friday they were near INlTite:s
Station, and every man under forty
was carried off. Many have fled to
Memphis for protection, but the great
mass had to go with the conscripting
party.
I saw a gentleman this morning di
rect from Bloomfield, Missouri. lie
says outlaws have it all their own
way, and mentions particulars of seve
ral cases where men have been shot at
their own firesides or in their beds;
and one or two instances in which the
father has been shot before the eyes
of his distracted family. In several in
stances the last cow or horse of poor
widow women have been taken
Neither age nor sex escapes.
Four hundred and eight prisoners
arrived from Louisville last night.
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE
LOUISVILLE, Dec. 10.—No passenger
trains left here for Nashville this
morning.
The Journal says that in the late
Hartsville affair 1900 of the United
States forces were captured, and that
the number of paroled troops at Harts
ville was 2300. Colonel Stewart was
among the prisoners.
LOUISVILLE, Dee. 10—The Nash
ville train arrived here a few minutes
behind time.
All is pilot along the road.
There is no news of importance from
south of Nashville.
A passenger train will leave for
Nashville to morrow as usual. Trav
el was only temporarily suspended in
consequence of the rolling stock being
wanted for the transportation of troops.
NAsnvimm, Dec. 10.—P. 31.—[Spe
cial Despatch to the Press.]—The reb
els, under Gens. Joe Johnston, Bragg,
Cheatham, Forrest and Morgan, have
advanced, and appeared in our front in
great force this morning, driving in
our pickets at every point. A battle
is momentarily expected near Harts
ville. _Reinforcements are being hur
ried forward, and every point will he
strengthened. The recent rebel vic
tory at Hartsville has greatly embold
ened the rebels. In view of this, Gen.
Negley takes the field to morrow in
person.
Gen. Mitchell will command the post
of Nashville, and is rapidly organizing
the new troops under, the orders of
General Rosecrans, to form a reserve
force to move at any moment.
The citizens are much excited over
the many rumors that are being circu
lated on the streets, but the greatest
confidence is expressed in our Gener
als and troops, as it is now generally
understood that the troops who sur
rendered jtt Hartsville were perfectly
new and became panic-stricken when
they found themselves surrounded by
the rebel cavalry.
No train came through from Galla
tin and Bowling Green to night, and
it is feared that the rebels have posses
sion of some part of the road.
Forrest has reached Clarksville, and
holds that place with a considerable ;
force.
THE Willi. IN MISSISSIPPI.
Canto, Dec. IJ.—Reports from Gen.
Grant's army indicate that our forces
are brought to a stand by the muddi
ness of the roads about ton miles be
yond Grenada.
It is evident from the tenor of Gov
ernmental despatches that Gen. Pem
berton, being wholly unable to cope
with Grant in battle, lies marched in
retreat towards Alabama, with a view
of forming a junction with the rebel
forces in Tennessee. .
General Grant cannot now follow
him in that division. In this ease
Rosecrans should be reinforced.
Gen. llovey's movement upon Gren
ada was splendidly executed, but un
fortunately the enemy had retreated
to the northeast, and Hovey could not
cut off his retreat. It is rumored here
that the Mississippi is almost clear of
rebels in force,
and that Vicksburg
can be easily taken.
The rebels are acting as if, uncertain
of any success, they would leave the
Southwest to its inevitable fate, and
consoliddte their forces for future op
erations in the Gulf, or Cotton States.
The campaign so brilliantly begun
by General Grant has failed of giving
great results at present. If Rosecrans
is successful, however, all will be well.
Porter and geClernand are awaiting
developments, or orders, it is hard to
divine which.—Press.
More About the Battle near Fayette
ville, Arkansas.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.—The follow
ing despatch has been received at the
Headquarters of the Army :
Sr. Louts, Dec. 11.-1 I jor General
Halleek, General-in-Chiell—Further de
tails are received from Generals Blunt
and Herron from the battle-ground of
Prairie Grove, near Fayettville, Ar
kansas.
Our loss in killed and wounded is
now estimated at a thousand, and that
of the enemy at over two thousand.
The rebels left many of their dead
and most of their wounded for us to
care for.
Extensive hospitals will be impro
vised in Fayettville.
Persons who have returned from the
battle field report that the enemy was
28,000 strong.
Their artillery was much crippled.
We took four caissons filled with
ammunition, a large number of small
arms.
General Blunt moved forward to-day
on Cane Hill, Gen. Herron remaining
at Prairie 'Grove, burying the dead
and providing for the wounded.
Tho enemy muffled their wheels and
moved off in time night, continuing
their retreat to Van Buren, and proba
bly crossing time Arkansas river.
Colonel McFarland, of the Nine
teenth lowa is killed. Captain Black,
of the Thirty-seventh Illinois, Major
Thomas, of the Twentieth lowa, and
a large number of subaltern officers are
wounded.
It was a hard fought battle and a
coeplete victory.
S.
R.
cunns,
(Signed,)
Major General.
Further rarticulars.
ST.. Lours, Dec, 11.—General Blunt
telegraphs to General Curtis that the
rebels, with whom he fought the bat
tle at Prairie Grove, have probably
crossed the Arkansas river.
The enemy left all his wounded on
the field and most of his dead uncured
for. One hundred of their wounded
died since the battle, and a large num
ber of the remaining wounded have
received mortal injuries. -
Their total loss is estimated by Gon.
Blunt at not less than 2,000. Our loss
was 200 killed And 500 wounded.—
Most of the latter will recover.
General Herron puts the loss of the
enemy at from 500 to 700 killed and
2,500 wounded, and estimates our loss
higher than General Blunt.
Colonel Black, of the Thirtyseventh
Illinois, was killed, and Major Thomp
son, Twentieth lowa, wounded.
The enemy lost five Colonels.
TUB WAR IN TENNESSEE.
Bold Dash into Franklin by 7th
Pennsylvania Cavalry,
Destruction of the Flour Mills, etc.
CAPTURE OF A DROVE OF HORSES
NASHVILLE, Dec. 14.—Gen. Stanley
has returned to-day from a dash into
Dixie. He left our front yesterday,
by the Franklin pike, with a strong
force of cavalry, and disturbed the
rebels early in tho day, fighting a con
siderable cavalry force, and driving
them across the roads.
After he had bivouacked, he intended
to surprise the town of Franklin ; but
during:the night he was discovered,
and finding a; surprise impracticable,
made a dash at Franklin this morning,
and was sharply resisted by the ene
my, who fired from the houses. Maj,
Wynkoop, commanding the Seventh
Pennsylvania Cavalry, charged bril
liantly through the town, and drove
the rebels clean out.
After destroying the flouring mills,
and other property useful to the rebel
army, the expedition returned, losing
only ono man.' Five rebels, including
a lieutenant, were killed, 10 wounded,
12 prisoners were taken, and a large
drove of secosh horses.
It was discovered that there is no
large force of rebels as fitr west as
Franklin. There is a heavy force of
rebels near Nolllnsville, another near
Mumfreesboro', and a considerable
force at and on this side of Stewart's
Creek.
Morgan is slashing about promiscu
ously with 5,000 men.
The enemy is awaiting an attack.—
All is quiet in front. The rebel force
does not exceed 70,000 Aim
The Mumfreesboro' (rebel) Banner
admits the loss at Hartsi•ille, in two
rebel regiments, of over 80 men.
General Bragg sent 1452 paroled
Union prisoners to our lines yesterday,
mostly captured at Hartsville.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE
POTOMAC. •
Bombardment of' Fredericsburg
The City in Flames.—Construction of
' Bridges.—General Franklin's Forces
Crossing the River.—The Gunboats
Shelling the Enemy.
_AVAsnus - driThic. I.l.—The follow
ing has been received from the Army
of tho Potomac:
Dead quarters Army of the Potomac,l
Thursday morning, 9 m. f
Everything last night was bustle
and activity, as to-day was the time
fixed for the crossing of the river.
During the night the pontoons were
conveyed to the river, and the artillery
of 143 pieces placed in position oppo
site the city. At 5 o'clock this morn
ing the rebels fired two signal guns,
while during the . latter part of the
night rockets were' frequently seen
within their lines.
AL five o'clock the construction of
three bridges in front of the city was
commenced; when about half comple
ted
.the enemy opened a murderous
fire of infantry from the houses on the
river bank.
Up to this time not a shot bad been
fired from our side. The engineers
were driven from the bridges and sev
eral killed and wounded. At 6 o'clock
General Burnside ordered all the guns
to open on the city. The cannonading,
which has continued without interrup
tion up to the present time is terrible.
The city is on fire, and its destruc
tion appears to be certain.
The enemy, about 7 o'clock, opened
with their heavy* guns from their
works, but so far Lave done no serious
injury. General •Frankli n constructed
his bridges about three miles below
the city, meeting with .olight opposition.
His troops are now crossing.
The gunboats are now shelling the
enemy about fifteen miles down the
river, where they have been concentra
ting their forces during the past two
days.
The concentrated fire of our batte
ries on the city has had the effect of
driving back the enemy's infimtry ' and
the work on the bridges has again been
commenced.
[SECOND DESPATCH.]
HEADQUARTERS, Thursday, twelve
o'clock, noon.—On the attempt being
made to finish the bridges in front of
the city, the rebel infantry again open
ed their fire. The artillery in position
was again opened on the city, the re
sult being that it was fired in several
new places.
The, enemy have used very little ar
tillery up to this time, as it would en
danger their own men.who are holding
the river front.
General Burnside has just issued an
order to concentrate every available
gun upon the city, under cover of the
fire of which it is believed the bridges
can be finished.
The killed and wounded so far do
not amount to more than fifty men.
Continued Bombardment of the City.
176 Guns Opened Simultaneously with
their Thunder.—Daring Bravery of
Our Troops.—The River Crossed by a
Small Band of Braves.— Capture of
One Hundred Rebel Sharpshooters.—
Completion of the Bridges.— The
Troops Crossing.—Capture of the City.
—The Rebels Driven to their En
trenchments.—Destruction of the Rail
road Bridges by the Rebels.—A. Battle
to be Fought To-day.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 1
Deo. 11, Thursday Evening. j"
But little firing took place beteen
one and three o'clock, during which
time all the available batteries were
placed in position. They then num
bered 176 guns, and at a given
all the batteries opened on the city.
The fire was terrible, but the rebel
sharpshooters could not be driven
from their hiding place. The shot and
shell went crashing through the hous
es, in many eases setting them on tire;
causing a dense smoke, together with
the explosion of so vast a quantity of
powder, almost hid the city from view.
It soon bocame evident that the bridg
es could not be built except by a bold
dash.
Volunteers were called for to cross
in small boats. The order was no
sooner - given than hundreds of braves
stepped - forward, but all could not go.
About ono hundred were selected;
they were soon on their way. while
the artillery threw a perfect storm - of
iron hail on the opposite bank
They reached the opposite shore,
but not without loss. With fixed bay
onets they rushed upon the enemy,
killing several, and taking a hundred
and one prisoners, who were safely
landed on this side.
At half-past four two bridges were
finished opposite the city, whim the
troops immediately began to cross
over.
The enemy were soon driven front
the city back to their line of works.—
The two bridges in front of . General
Franklin were successfully laid early
in the day, but his troops did not cross
until the two upper ones were ready.
A sufficient force is now on the qp
posito side of the river to resist any at
tack that is likely to be made. •
The rebels fired but few guns in the
morning, and none in the afternoon ;
although the works were in easy range
during the forenoon.
The rebels burnt the railroad bridge
just outside of the city. Between 30
and 40 houses were burnt, mostly..fn
the business part of the city.
During the day, between eight thOn
sand and nine thousand rounds ()rain
munition.was fired by_ our artillery. ,
Everything is quiet to-night. The
indications are that a battle will be
thught to-morrow.
Approved. A. E. BURNSIDE.
Occupation of Fredericksburg—The Reb
els Driven Out of the City at the Point
of the Bayonet—Our Entire Army
Across the Rappahannock.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE 1
POTOMAC, Doe. 12-10 A. M.
After occupying the river in front of
the city last night, we lost about ono
hundred men in killed and wounded
while driving the rebs. through the city.
They fired on our men as they ad
vanced through the streets, while se
creted in and behind houses. Net much
mercy was shown to those who were
caught.
This morning a dense fog hid every--
thing from view, but is now gradually
passing away.
The troops commenced movingacross
at an early hour, General Stunner's
grand division leading the way over
in flout of the city, to be followed by
Gen. Hooker's grand division.
General Franklin's grand division,
which crosses nearly three miles 'be
low the city, is nearly over.
At a quarter past-liieo-c-tort...: - -ort
morning the first gun was fired; and
the firing lasted about half an hour,
the rebels not making a very spirited
reply. It is thought the troops will
all bdover by noon.
Information received during the
night and this morning, from deserters
and prisoners, shows that the rebels
have two strong lines of batteries in
the rear of the city, the first ono being
ono mile back and the second a mile
'from the first.
The whole army is in rapid motion
and well concentrated.
The troops are in- excellent spirits
and anxious to be led upon the enemy's
works. The enemy have concentrated
their forces, and it is believed will give
battle. Much will
. depend upon the
result of to-day, but all feel sanguine
of success.
Headquarters Army of the Poto
mac,
Friday Evening, Dec.l2.
At ten o'clock this morning the. fog
began to clear away, but before eleven
o'clock the air was again thick, and
continued so until two o'clock this af
ternoon, when the fog entirely disap
peared.
At quarter past two o'clock, the reb
els opened all their guns posted on the
first ridge of hills, their main fire -be
ing directed upon the city of Freder
icksburg, which was filled with our
troops.
The. guns which were posted on the
left of the ridge opened on a large
body of our troops that had csossed on
the two lower bridges and formed in
line of battle, moving obliquely down
th'e river, fronting. the Massapanox
creek. Although several of the shells
exploded over our troops there were
no casualties.
General Bayard's cavalry had five
men killed while endeavoring to aster
tam the enemy's position. This force
crossed on the lower bridge.
The troops that crossed below are
sleeping on their arms tonight, the
advance being within three gnats
ters of a mile of-the Massaponax creek,
their left resting on the Rappahan
nock. The enemy occupy the oppo
site side of the creek in force.
Our guns posted on this side of the
river silenced the enemy's artillery,
after a fight of half an hour. This on r .
ded the firing for the clay.
The only damage done by the elle,
my's shells thrown into the city was
to add so much to its destruction. ' •
Twenty-five of our men were killedi
last night in the streets of the city,
while driving the rebels out.
Nearly every house in Fredericks
burg has been damaged more: or 'lees
by the firing of the past two. days.—
Several splendid residences- have been
completely riddled. All the churches
have also suffered. Tho fire of the en
emy appeared to be dtreeted on the
most prominent edifices.
Several cases of wanton destruction
of property (which could have been of
no use to the enemy) by our troops oc
curred when they &St entered the
town.
In many houses the furniture all re
mained, showing that their occupants
left in haste.
Some of our ti'-eops mistook a British
flag for the Confederate colors, and
tore it from the residence ofthe British
consul. This morning the owner called
at headquarters to recover it, and it
was returned to him.
Tho main body of the army is now
over the river, the balance being in
position to cross at any time.