Greensboro Patriot (NC)
December 25, 1862
Page 3
Correspondence of the Patriot
From
our Army Correspondent
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG
BATTLE
FIELD, December 16, 1862
Messrs.
Editors—Already, have you been informed of the attempt by the enemy, on
Thursday, the 11th, to cross the Rappahannock at three different
points, as well also as their heavy bombardment of Fredericksburg, and the
partial destruction of the venerable town.
THE
FIRING
commenced at 6 o’clock in the
morning and continued without intermission until nightfall, our batteries
seldom opening, content to let the Yankees work their own way, except when
presenting themselves near the river, at which times our sharpshooters and
advanced regiments poured destructive volleys into the abolition ranks, driving
them back repeatedly with the greatest loss.
THE
YANKEES CROSS THE RIVER
At
sundown, however, our infantry, (Barksdale’s Mississippians) withdrew, and
suffered the enemy to cross over, giving him possession of the town. The Yankees, not content with the destruction
caused by their shells during the day, chopped down the doors, windows, etc.,
of many fine residences during the night, and committed numerous excesses of
the wildcat nature. Tearing up books and
destroying fine and costly libraries, was a principal part of the work of the
refined and polished Union soldiers, who are sent out South to set examples of
good behavior for the Southern barbarians.
Their wanton destruction of property is immense. But while the brutal hordes were thus
occupied, their cowardly and bestial instincts prompting them only to deeds
beneath the dignity of savages,
RANSOM’S
DIVISION
on our
left advanced to the hills in the open field commanding the town from the south-west,
to support the Washington Artillery, whose batteries were thrown up, and the
pieces planted during the night.
COBB’S BRIGADE
was thrown
forward, and took its position behind a stone fence on the Telegraph Road, just a few hundred yards
below our batteries and not a quarter of a mile from the town. At our right, about a quarter, was mounted
the
NEW “LONG TOM,”
And on the following morning at 9 o’clock, our batteries opened on the
Yankees, to which their artillery on the other side replied through the day,
doing us no damage. Contrary to general
expectation, the infantry did not become engaged, but throughout the day and
the following night, the men were kept in readiness with their arms in hand.
THE FIGHT ON SATURDAY
On
Saturday morning, the cannonading was resumed at daylight, and kept up
furiously until 10 o’clock. In the meantime the roar of small arms
reached us from down the river, by which we knew that
A.
P. HILL
was giving
the abolitionists battle in that direction, while the pickets along our lines
on the right, had also commenced firing.
At about 1 o’clock
it became evident that the enemy intended advancing and simultaneous with the
movement,
RANSOM’S BRIGADE
was thrown
forward, and advanced as far as the telegraph road before it halted to answer
the heavy fire from the Yankee infantry, whose line was advancing through the
field beyond. The 15th, 46th
and 48th N. C. were pushed on, the men cheering loudly as they
neared the batteries, where they halted to afford our artillery an opportunity
to play on the Yankee infantry, now exposed so helplessly to the range of our
guns. The scene was now becoming
intensely exciting. The Yankee line
continued to pour out upon the plain in a massive stream of solid columns,
their bayonets gleaming savagely, while the deep, blue mass of soldiers seemed
impenetrable to the leaden missiles which were but waiting to be sent with
unerring aim to drive back the impudent braggarts who thought to crush our
small but dauntless numbers with their overwhelming odds. See the countless numbers pouring on! So confident are they of overpowering the
squad opposing them, that already are their brutish
countenances flushed with the pleasing delusion of an easy victory. But hark!
Suddenly this heavy, solid mass is seen to waver! A long sheet of flame, a murderous rattle of
rebel musketry tells the poor, deluded wretches that
SOUTHERN
VALOR
never can,
never shall, succumb to the brute force which they endeavor to bring against
it. The smoke has now cleared away,
affording our men an opportunity of beholding the ranks of the abolitionists
which only a few minutes before, seemed invulnerable, thinned, scattered and
dismayed. Vain are the efforts to form
them in line. Our men are impetuous. With a wild shout and huzza, the 46th
N. C., who were stationed at the right, charged down the hill with the velocity
of an avalanche, whereupon the confusion among the Yankees became general, and
they broke and fled in the
WILDEST
DISORDER,
seeking
safety behind the houses in town, in their ditches, or wherever shelter could
be found. In vain did some gallant
Yankee officer flourish his sword and wave the “Stars and Stripes.” But the fugitive Yankees could not be made to
“rally,” and disgracefully left their flags sticking in the ground or trailing
in the dust.
THEY “TRY AGAIN”
Now,
for a while has the murderous rattle of the musketry ceased. The gray dim smoke of the battle-field is
slowly wafting itself away, revealing to our eyes the movements of the enemy in
the distance. Fresh troops are pouring
in, and we soon become satisfied that another effort will be made to disperse
the rebel soldiery. But “rebels” never
were “dispersed.” ‘Tis
not in their nature to “disperse,” even at the instance of a “Proclamation”
from old Abe. But on comes the new line
of Federals. Another
column, heavier, thicker and bluer than
the first. Already do we imagine
that their step is nervous, their tramp becoming unsteady, and their countenances
presenting a rueful vissage.[sic] But on they come. Perhaps their superior numbers this time will supply their deficiency
in bravery. Ah! they
are nearing the Confederates, and will soon pounce upon them. Their step becomes less nervous, their tramp more steady, and their countenances begin to assume a look
of beastish satisfaction. But alas! for Yankee
“calkilations.”
Just at the precise moment,
A WELL-DIRECTED VOLLEY
from our
forces lying in the Telegraph Road,
and those on the hill in support of the batteries, scattered and dispersed the
cowards like so many crazy sheep in the pasture. Never, I feel sure was an army so completely vanquished. My pen would fail me,--my pen, did I say?—my
vocabulary would utterly fail, were I to attempt a description of the rout and
consternation among the Yankee ranks on this occasion.
SEVEN TIMES
did their
officers attempt to form a line of battle, to renew the conflict; but if only
one regiment of Confederates opened fire, the redoubtable Yankees would break
in the wildest disorder. At last,
finding it impossible to infuse sufficient courage in their troops to make a
charge, the Federal commanders gathered their scattered regiments, and retired
to their ditches and the railroad cuts, the enemy contenting himself by opening
a furious cannonade, which did but little damage to us.
THE LOSSES
sustained
by the enemy in this effort to force our lines on the right, are frightfully
numerous, while that sustained by us, is the slightest we have experienced, in
proportion to the numbers engaged, since the battle of Great Bethel.
COBB’S BRIGADE
One regiment of Cobb’s Brigade, the
24th Georgia, which did fearful execution among the Yankees, lost
not a single man killed on the field. The 18th Georgia was almost equally
fortunate.
NORTH
CAROLINA REGIMENTS
The
15th and 48th N. C. Regiments suffered severely, being
exposed for three hours to the fire of the enemy’s artillery, while his
sharp-shooters from the houses in town, did them considerable damage. The 15th lost 143 killed and
wounded, while the 48th, which went into the fight with 380 men, now
numbers about 160. The 46th
lost 89 killed and wounded. The 27th
lost 3 killed and 15 wounded, among them
COL. JOHN A. GILMER,
who
received a ball through the leg, just above the knee. I understand the wound, though not dangerous,
is severely painful, rendering it necessary for this gallant commander to be
absent from his command for a short while.
Your correspondent being in the same Brigade with the 27th
has an opportunity of knowing Col. Gilmer, and can truly say that for coolness
and intrepid daring on the field of battle he has been excelled by no one; and
where the balls fly thickest, and where dangers are more threatening, there
will be Col. Gilmer ever be found, cheering his gallant “Twenty-seventh” and
always leading them to victory. Company
F, of the 46th, has sustained a truly irreparable loss by the death
of
LIEUT.
I. P. WEIR,
who had been an officer in that
company ever since its organization in Raleigh last spring; he having entered
the service as a private in the Guilford Grays, at the commencement of the war,
but on account of his many high qualities as a Christian gentleman as well as a
soldier, Company F, unanimously chose him as one of its officers, which
position he accepted, and the duties of which he ever discharged with the
utmost satisfaction to all under his command.
Being a member of his own company, and having marched and fought with
him, and endured the toils and privations of a soldier’s life, as well as
sharing its glories with him, I may be pardoned for this slight tribute to his
memory. No brighter or purer patriot has
ever answered to the Great Captain’s roll-call than Lieut. Weir. In the defence
[sic] of the rights of his own dear South, whose honored and devoted son was
he, has the sacrifice of earthly promise been made complete. And though his familiar voice rings yet upon
our ears, and his deep blue eyes gaze upon us still, it is not on them that a
fond memory dwells. Like the undying
lamp of the vestal’s temple burnt the ardent flame of his generous spirit,--a
spirit buoyant in youth, full with promise, and encouraged with hope at he
beginning of an illustrious and useful career; and an unquenchable patriotism
that bore him up with unflinching nerve and marvelous devotion through the
heavy pressure of a rude and wearisome campaign, his zeal and courage never
wavering even until the end. But for him
this cruel strife is over! In the bridal
garment of a spotless conscience has his generous soul been translated to the
realm of peace! He met death as brave
men love to die—with his face to the foe, and the shouts of his victorious
comrades-in-arms yet ringing on the breeze.
GEN.
COBB
The
service has lost a truly brave man in the death of Gen. Cobb. He with a group of officers were standing in
the Telegraph Road,
near the scene of action, when a shell exploded near to them, a piece of which
struck Gen. Cobb on the thigh, from the effects of which he died in a few
hours. A piece of the same shell also
struck
GEN.
COOK
on the
left temple, fracturing his skull, I am told.
Previous to his being wounded, Gen. Cook was more than usually
conspicuous for his gallantry. On his quitting
the field, the command of the brigade devolved upon Col. Hall, of the 46th,
whose gallant bearing won the admiration of the whole line, and called forth
the enthusiastic shouts of all his men.
THE ENEMY’S LOSS
As
to the loss sustained by the enemy, I can give no accurate number. Nor do I feel content by simply saying
“heavy,” for that would not convey a true idea.
His loss was very heavy—exceedingly heavy. I do not exaggerate when I say that on some
parts of the field for a considerable distance the ground had the appearance of
an immeasurable blue cloth having been spread over it. Their loss may be safely set down at 8,000,
though I have heard it estimated at as high as 15,000.
OUR OWN LOSS
will not
exceed 1200 killed and wounded. Of this
I am sure. It is gratifying for me to be
able to record the fact that never were the wounded
better cared for than on this occasion.
No efforts were spared by those in charge to render every
possible assistance to the unfortunate sufferers.
THE
BEARING OF OUR TROOPS
All
of our troops conducted themselves remarkably well, Georgians, South
Carolinians and North Carolinians fought together, displaying equal courage and
determination, driving back repeatedly thrice their own number.
The
great dread among the men was the fear of exhausting their ammunition. And when twenty fresh rounds of cartridge
were distributed, every man seemed as eager for his share as I have seen our
“hungry rebels” for their cracker and pickled pork.
PRISONERS
A
remarkable feature of this battle consists in the small number of prisoners
captured. This is a good sign. For one I am heartily sick of capturing whole companies of the
detested vagabonds. I am not excessively
blood-thirsty, but I confess to a peculiar pleasure in seeing the varlets mowed
down with grape and canister—a fate which they deserve, and which should be
meted to the last brute in the Yankee service.
THE
SAME OLD STORY
Those
who have been captured come with the same old story of hard times—out of
employment—had to go in the army to support my family—am tired fighting for the
nigger, and all such nonsense as this.
Not a word of it do I believe.
They are all actuated not from such motives, but by a mean, fiendish spirit
of conquest, raping, thieving, pilfering, and only such low, base acts as a
mean, inordinate Yankee spirit prompts them to commit. The Union! Liberty! Constitutional
rights! What does a Yankee know or care for either or any of these? True, so far as the “Union”
is concerned, they can realize the loss of the South, as relates to trade and
commerce, but so far as concerns the rights of a free man, poor dogs! they are as ignorant as their cousins, the Ethiopians! The more I see and hear of them, the more I
detest them. Nothing is too low or mean
for the depraved creatures to do. For
example, I will give you the following
“YANKEE TRICK,”
the mere
thought of which, I dare say tickles their vanity not a little, causing them to
think that they are “cute” and no mistake.
In order to deceive our soldiers, on Sunday night they propped their
dead in front of our men, so as to make them resemble soldiers on picket
duty. This trick succeeded in deceiving
our own pickets for some time. But who
but a Yankee nation would use their dead so basely as
this? Yet after all their fanciful
appliances, inexhaustible resources, and unlimited rascality, the army of the
IMMACULATE
BURNSIDE
has been most soundly thrashed, and
has suffered a more signal defeat than has yet been administered to the Vandal
hordes, --a defeat from the effects of which they will not recover this winter,
whilst our soldiers are resting quietly on the ground, only waiting for another
chance to drub them again. When this opportunity will occur, ‘tis difficult to conjecture. The enemy have
EVACUATED FREDERICKSBURG,
which
astonishing feat they accomplished last night—sneaking away in the dark—and I
presume they will go in winter quarters as far from Gen. Lee as they can
conveniently establish themselves.
--EUSEBIUS--
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
