Today in History:

109 Series I Volume XXI- Serial 31 - Fredericksburg

Page 109 Chapter XXXIII. BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG, VA.


HEADQUARTERS LEFT GRAND DIVISION,
December 12, 1862-10.45 a.m. (Received 1 p.m.)

General BURNSIDE:

Smith's corps all over, except a few regiments; Reynolds crossing his First Division (Meade's); Smith's right rests on the ravine at Deep Creek; Reynolds to be on the left of Smith, line occupying crest of hills beyond the bridges; General Bayard out with his cavalry. Enemy reported to be placing guns on Smith's right. Rifle battery sent for to meet it. Just learned that a free negro reports the enemy in position on the hills with abatis in their front. Ravines intervening impracticable for troops. Troops must march by road.*

[JAS. A. HARDIE.]

[DECEMBER 12, 1862.] (Received 2.10 p.m.)

General PARKE:

General Bayard has just returned from a reconnaissance. He was fired upon by a large force-five or six companies of infantry, he says-about 500 yards from the railroad, directly in front of here. The rest of my line in across Deep Run. The infantry and cavalry have communicated with General Sumner. My right corps (Smith's) is in position. Reynolds will be in position in half an hour. Smith's front is more than a mile from the river. Reynolds goes from his left to the river, nearly at right angles to it.

W. B. FRANKLIN,

Major-General.


HEADQUARTERS LEFT GRAND DIVISION,
December 12, 1862-3.15 p.m.

General BURNSIDE:

Reynolds in position. A lull in the firing. Enemy have been firing from batteries in the hills. No harm done. They exhibited twelve guns. On the left enemy's pickets close by ours. Their pickets on Richmond road. Ground between us and batteries represented impracticable; gullies intervene. Abatis visible.

JAS. A. HARDIE,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

P. S.-A new battery just opened.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
December 12, 1862-10 p.m.

Brigadier-General HARDIE, or

Major-General FRANKLIN:

General Franklin can have all the artillery he needs from that in position on the bluffs.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General, Commanding.

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*Not signed; supposed to come from General Hardie.

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Page 109 Chapter XXXIII. BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG, VA.