Alexandria on November 11, and arrive at Falmouth at the same time with
the advance of his army. The right grand division reached Falmouth on
November 17. The pontoons left Alexandria on November 19, and arrived at
Fredericksburgh after the movements of General Burnside had not only
become known, but after General Lee had advanced his forces from
Gordonsville to the heights in the rear of Fredericksburg, and had
fortified them. They were not used until the night of December 10, owing
to material changes in the plan of the commander-in-chief, necessitated
by new movements of the enemy.
During the night of the 10th of December, therefore, the pontoons were
conveyed to the river, and the artillery to the number of one hundred
and forty-three pieces was placed in position opposite the city. Between
four and five o’clock on the morning of the 11th, the work of building
four bridges was commenced. One was to be made at the point where the
railroad bridge formerly crossed, and two others opposite the city but
nearer Falmouth, and the fourth nearly two miles below for the crossing
of the left wing under General Franklin. A dull haze so obscured the
movement, that it was not discovered for some time by the Confederate
pickets. The bridges were thus partly constructed, when a brisk and
deadly fire of musketry from along the banks of the river and windows of
the houses was opened, which compelled the workmen to stop. They fled to
the cover of the surrounding hills where they formed again, and about
six o’clock the work was recommenced. The Confederates had now become
aroused to a sense of what was going forward, and with reinforcements of
sharpshooters swarmed the opposite bank and houses. The pontonniers,
nothing daunted by the hot fire poured upon them, went bravely to work.
A storm of bullets covered them. The planks and boats were riddled by
every volley. Once more they were compelled to withdraw, and again fell
back to the cover of the ridge of hills running parallel with the river.
Orders were now given to the artillery to open fire on the city. The
Federal batteries commenced an almost simultaneous bombardment,
directing their fire chiefly at the houses in which the sharpshooters
had concealed themselves. At the first fire they became untenable, and
the riflemen retreated to the rear of the town, and took shelter behind
the buildings unharmed. The fire of the artillery, which commenced at
seven o’clock, was continued incessantly until one o’clock. The fog
somewhat obscured its results, but bodies of the Confederates with great
stubbornness still kept within the city. The Confederate batteries on
the heights in the rear continued silent. Not a gun was fired. About ten
o’clock, the workmen were again formed for a third attempt to build the
bridges. Volunteers joined them from the Eighth Connecticut. Some planks
were seized and carried out to the end of a string of boats and placed
in position, when a galling fire from sharpshooters in rifle pits near
the edge of the water again interrupted them, and they were recalled.
Meantime the bombardment was continued, and several houses in the city
had taken fire. In the afternoon, several pontoon boats, loaded with
volunteers from the Seventh Michigan and Nineteenth Massachusetts, were
sent over. They chased the Confederate sharpshooters from their hiding
places, and the bridges were finished without further interruption. On
the other side a scene of destruction presented itself. The walls of
houses were breached, roofs had fallen in, and the interiors were
destroyed.
No sooner were the bridges completed than the troops began to cross, and
before dusk General Sumner’s grand division had gone over, and a section
of General Hooker’s. All had rations for three days, and blankets for a
bivouac. The grand division of General Franklin, consisting of the corps
of General Reynolds and Smith, crossed over at the lower bridge, which
was built earlier in the day, without interruption, as there was a plain
before it which the artillery could have easily swept. The troops
commenced crossing again early on the morning of the 12th without
molestation. Some sharp resistance had been made by the Confederate
soldiers to those who crossed on the previous day, but those were driven
out of the city, or killed. During the afternoon fire was opened upon
the city by the Confederate batteries on the nearest heights, which was
replied to by the Federal batteries, and soon ceased. The occupation of
Fredericksburg had now been successfully made. No greater opposition had
been presented by the forces of General Lee than was sufficient to tempt
the Federal troops to press forward with greater ardor.
The next movement was to drive the Confederate forces from their
positions on the heights. These positions consisted of two lines of
batteries, one a mile in rear of the other, and both overlooking the
city. They extended, in the form of a semicircle, from Port Royal to a
point about six miles above Fredericksburg. Their right wing, under
General Jackson, extended from Port Royal to Guinney’s Station on the
Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad; the centre, under General
Longstreet, extended to the telegraph road; the left, under General
Stuart, was west of Massaponax creek. A reserve corps was commanded by
General A. P. Hill. This was the force which had fought at Richmond and
in Maryland.
Friday night and Saturday morning, the 13th, were spent by General
Burnside in making a proper disposition of his forces. The left was
occupied by General Franklin with his grand division, the centre by
General Hooker, and the right by General Sumner.
The right of General Franklin rested on the outskirts of the city, his
centre was advanced about a mile from the river, and his left was on the
Rappahannock, about three miles below. The action commenced on the
extreme left by an annoying fire from a rebel battery, which the Ninth
New York was ordered to charge and capture. In this attempt they were
repulsed. A brigade was brought to their aid by General Tyler, and
another attempt made, but the fire was so deadly that it failed of
success. The battle now became more general, and another attempt was
made to capture the battery. No advantage was gained at this time, but a
severe loss was suffered. The conflict now extended along the whole line
of the left, and a desperate effort was made to drive the Confederates
across the Massaponax creek by turning their position. The ground was
contested most obstinately, but the Confederates gradually fell back,
occasionally making a most desperate stand, until night, when General
Franklin had succeeded in gaining nearly a mile, and his troops occupied
the field. The right of General Franklin’s division, under General
Reynolds, encountered the fire of the Confederate artillery on the
heights, and although the conflict was most deadly, no advantage was
gained.
On the right, under command of General Sumner, the action commenced
about ten o’clock and was furious during the rest of the day. The
Confederate forces occupied the woods and hills in the rear of the city,
from which it soon became evident they could not be driven except at the
point of the bayonet. The charge was ordered to be made by the division
of General French supported by that of General Howard. Steadily the
troops moved across the plain, until they were within a dozen yards of
the ridge, when they were suddenly met by a galling fire from the
Confederate infantry posted behind a stone wall. For a few minutes the
head of the column exhibited some confusion; but quickly forming into
line it retired back to a ravine within musket shot of the rebels. Here
they were reinforced by fresh troops who fearlessly advanced to their
aid under a most destructive fire of artillery. The line of assault was
now formed again, and with bayonets fixed and a double quick step, they
rushed forward to seize the Confederate artillery. From the first step
they encountered a terrific fire of infantry and artillery. No veterans
could face that shock. They were thrown into confusion and brought to a
sudden halt. At this juncture the centre quivered, faltered, and fled in
disorder, but was afterwards rallied and brought back. Three times was
the attack thus made to dislodge those batteries. But each time it was
in vain. The ranks of the storming party, shrunk to small limits,
retired. The entire force of his artillery was now brought by General
Sumner to bear upon the enemy, and thus the contest was kept up until
dark. At night the Confederate force occupied their original position,
and the wounded and the dead remained where they had fallen. Every
attempt to remove them by the Federal troops was defeated by the rebel
infantry.
In the centre under the command of General Hooker, skirmishing commenced
early in the morning; and during the forenoon, while the fog prevailed,
a terrific contest, chiefly with artillery, was kept up on both sides.
The Confederate position appeared to be invulnerable to artillery, and
about noon preparations were made for storming it. The troops marched
steadily up within musket shot of the batteries, and were there met by
such a destructive fire of artillery and rifles as drove them back with
a heavy loss. Reinforcements were obtained, and the attempt to take the
batteries was repeated in the afternoon, but without success. The
contest continued with great fierceness until night. About half past
five the firing of the musketry ceased, but that of the artillery
continued until long after dark.
On the next day, Sunday the 14th, both armies remained comparatively
quiet. Some skirmishing and artillery fire took place for a short time.
On Monday, both armies continued in the same position. The Confederates
had strengthened some of their works. During the ensuing night, the army
evacuated Fredericksburg and retired across the river to its former
position. The artillery crossed first, followed by the infantry, the
last of whom left about daylight. The pontoon bridges were then removed
and all communication cut off. The movement was not perceived by the
Confederates until it was too late to do any injury to the retreating
force. The following is the despatch of General Burnside announcing this
movement:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY POTOMAC, }
SIX O’CLOCK, P. M., _December 16, 1862_. }
Major-General HALLECK: The army was withdrawn to this side of the
river because I felt the position in front could not be carried, and
it was a military necessity either to attack or retire. A repulse
would have been disastrous to us. The army was withdrawn at night,
without the knowledge of the enemy, and without loss either of
property or men.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General Commanding.
The Federal loss was as follows: General Sumner’s division on the right,
killed, four hundred and seventy-three; wounded, four thousand and
ninety; missing, seven hundred and forty-eight. Total, five thousand
three hundred and eleven.
General Hooker’s division on the centre, killed, three hundred and
twenty-six; wounded, two thousand four hundred and sixty-eight; missing,
seven hundred and fifty-four. Total, three thousand five hundred and
forty-eight.
General Franklin’s division on the left, killed, three hundred and
thirty-nine; wounded, two thousand five hundred and forty-seven;
missing, five hundred and seventy-six. Total, three thousand four
hundred and sixty-two. Grand total, killed, one thousand one hundred and
thirty-eight; wounded, nine thousand one hundred and five; missing, two
thousand and seventy-eight. Total, twelve thousand three hundred and
twenty-one.
The Confederate loss was comparatively small, having been sheltered by
their works.
General Burnside in his report to the general-in-chief, thus explains
his defeat:
“How near we came to the accomplishment of our object future reports
will show. But for the fog, and the unexpected and unavoidable delay in
building the bridges, which gave the enemy twenty-four hours to
concentrate his forces in his strong position, we would almost certainly
have succeeded, in which case the battle would have been, in my opinion,
far more decisive than if we had crossed at the places first selected.
As it was, we came very near success. Failing in the accomplishment of
the main object, we remained in order of battle two days, long enough to
decide that the enemy would not come out of his strongholds to fight me
with his infantry, after which we recrossed to this side of the river
unmolested, without the loss of men or property.
“As the day broke our long lines of troops were seen marching to their
different positions as if going on parade—not the least demoralization
or disorganization existed.
“To the brave officers and soldiers who accomplished the feat of thus
recrossing in the face of the enemy, I owe everything. For the failure
in the attack, I am responsible, as the extreme gallantry, courage, and
endurance shown by them were never exceeded, and would have carried the
points had it been possible.
“To the families and friends of the dead I can only offer my heartfelt
sympathies, but for the wounded I can offer my earnest prayer for their
comfort and final recovery.
“The fact that I decided to move from Warrenton on this line rather
against the opinion of the President, Secretary of War, and yourself,
and that you have left the whole movement in my hands, without giving me
orders, makes me the more responsible.”
Thus closed the third campaign against Richmond. No further hostile
demonstrations were made by either army during the year.
OPERATIONS IN TENNESSEE. BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO’.
DECEMBER 31, 1862.
On the 25th of October General Rosecrans was ordered to Cincinnati to
take command of the Army of the Ohio, which consisted of what remained
of the splendid army formerly commanded by General Buell. The Army of
the Ohio was at this time—October 30, 1862—concentrated at Bowling
Green, Kentucky; and there General Rosecrans took up his headquarters.
This General’s first step was to organize and discipline the army, which
had been, in a measure, demoralized by its reverses, under the command
of General Buell. This was a task of magnitude, requiring both time and
energy. It was accomplished, however, and on the 10th of November,
General Rosecrans transferred his headquarters from Bowling Green to
Nashville, Tennessee.
Six weeks of unavoidable delay occurred, during which time the Army of
the Ohio did nothing to retrieve its past disasters. General Rosecrans
was one hundred and eighty-three miles from Louisville, his base of
supplies; and the only communication between his present headquarters
and the capital of Kentucky was a single line of railroad, not yet
completed from Mitchellsville to Nashville, a distance of fifty miles.
The completion of this piece of railroad occupied three weeks; and after
it was in perfect running order, it required still another three weeks
to collect supplies, sufficient to make it safe for the army to attempt
any movement in advance. Much skirmishing between the patriot troops and
the rebels meanwhile occurred; in most of which the former were
victorious. The only disaster of any moment, that occurred to the Union
army, at this period, was the capture of Colonel Moore’s brigade, at
Hartsville, by the rebel guerrilla, General John A. Morgan, with a
cavalry force, and mounted infantry, numbering about five thousand men.
General Rosecrans proceeded with indefatigable energy in his
preparations to meet the enemy; but, with the utmost dispatch and
patience combined, it was almost the end of December before he was in
condition to offer battle to the rebel Bragg, who was stationed at
Murfreesboro’, having made his headquarters there, after his escape from
Kentucky. The army under General Rosecrans bore no comparison in numbers
with that of Bragg; but its organization was perfect. Being compelled to
leave a large force at Nashville, for the protection of that city,
General Rosecrans’ force, when he advanced, was less than forty-seven
thousand men; while that of General Bragg numbered sixty-five thousand.
General Rosecrans divided his army into three corps; one under command
of General McD. McCook; another under command of General George H.
Thomas; and a third under command of General Thomas L. Crittenden. The
corps of General McCook consisted of three divisions under Generals
Johnson, Davis and Sheridan; General Thomas’ corps consisted of two
divisions, under Generals Rousseau and Negley. The corps of General
Crittenden was composed of three divisions, under Generals Van Cleve,
Wood and Palmer. General D. S. Stanley was chief of cavalry.
The rebel forces under Bragg were also divided into three corps,
commanded respectively by Generals Hardee, Polk and E. Kirby Smith. In
addition General Bragg had two cavalry brigades, under command of
General Forrest and General Morgan; each of these brigades contained
five thousand men.
The moment for attack had come, in the judgment of General Rosecrans.
The rebel cavalry force had been sent north, on a raid, in consequence
of incorrect information received by Bragg, concerning the movements of
Rosecrans.
General McCook received orders to advance upon General Hardee, who
occupied a position on the Nolensville road. General Thomas was ordered
to the Franklin road, so as to threaten Hardee’s flank; and, by a
crossroad, to form a junction with McCook. And General Crittenden was
ordered to advance on the Murfreesboro’ road, as far as Lavergne. These
movements being carried out caused the retreat of Hardee toward
Murfreesboro’. Encountering considerable opposition from the rebels, and
being compelled to feel their way over a totally unknown and wooded
country, the National force had all crossed over to the Murfreesboro’
road.
On the night of Tuesday, the 30th of December, General Rosecrans had his
line formed. The relative positions of the armies were then as follows:
The rebels were intrenched in a thick wood about two miles in front of
Murfreesboro’; their lines extending along both sides of a stream, the
right under command of General Polk, the left commanded by General
Hardee, and the centre by General Smith.
The line of battle of the National troops was drawn up directly opposite
that of the rebels, with General Crittenden holding the left, which
rested on Stone River; General McCook the right, and General Thomas the
centre.
While General Rosecrans was deciding the method of attack, and
explaining it to his corps commanders, the rebel General had decided to
take the aggressive.
The rebel attack was cleverly managed. Without any demonstration, the
enemy suddenly emerged from the woods in which they had been concealed,
at about seven o’clock on the morning of the 31st of December, and
steadily and noiselessly advanced toward the National line. The troops
had fallen in line on the first news of the enemy’s approach, and
quietly awaited their coming; but notwithstanding this, however, the
unexpected nature of the attack threw the Union troops into confusion,
in a very short time the infantry breaking and retreating without a
single shot. There was much brave but fruitless fighting. The dense
masses of the enemy bore down upon the enfeebled National line, and were
bravely met; but continued resistance was impossible. A large part of
McCook’s ammunition and subsistence trains were captured by the enemy.
The day was plainly against the Federals; and, for the time, it might
have been said that General Rosecrans was defeated even before his
attack had begun. Unless the battle-field was at once given up to the
rebels, it became evident that a complete and immediate change of plan
was essential to the maintenance of even a show of resistance to the
enemy. General McCook’s army was almost broken up; and upon the centre
the firing only increased in fury.
General Rosecrans, with the energy, bravery, and promptness that ever
characterized him, saw the danger of defeat, and instantly determined on
a means of retrieving his fortunes. Having sent his staff along the
lines, he dashed right into the furious fire upon the centre, and sent
forward Beatty’s brigade. Immediately a scorching fire was opened from
six batteries at once; and as a loud, prolonged cheer burst from the
Union troops, it was plain that the rebels were falling back before
them. This so encouraged the patriots that every man bent with renewed
vigor and enthusiasm to the work before him. A large force of cavalry,
which had been sent down the Murfreesboro’ road, had arrested the flying
men of McCook’s division, and sent them back to their regiments. General
Rosecrans continued to urge his encouraged troops forward, and the
rebels fled before them for nearly a mile. The foe now prepared to fall
upon the left of the Union line; and although that portion of the army
had already received orders to charge upon the enemy, before the advance
could be made, the rebels had meanwhile again burst upon the centre,
which had begun to break. The breech was instantly filled by the gallant
General Rousseau, at the head of his division, and the enemy was beaten
back into the cedar thicket in their rear.
Once more the rebels fell upon the Union right, driving it back; and, as
the men, fled in disorder before the attack, the sight was very
discouraging: but happily no panic ensued. General Rosecrans now massed
his divisions against the rebel left, crossed the river, and gave them
desperate battle for the space of two hours, during which time the
rebels had all the advantage of position and attack till they were at
last checked by a terribly destructive fire of musketry and artillery.
“The scene at this point,” says a correspondent of the day, “was
magnificently terrible.” The whole battle was in full view, the enemy
deploying right and left, bringing up their batteries in fine style—our
own vomiting smoke and iron missiles upon them with awful fury, and our
gallant fellows moving to the front with unflinching courage, and lying
flat upon their faces to escape the rebel fire until the moment for
action. Shell and shot fell around like rain. General Rosecrans was
himself incessantly exposed. It is wonderful that he escaped. His
chief-of-staff, the noble Lieutenant-Colonel Garesché, had his head
taken off by a round shot, and the blood bespattered the General and
some of the staff. Lieutenant Lylam Kirk, just behind him, was thrown
out of his saddle by a bullet which shattered his left arm. The enemy at
about six o’clock took up a position not assailable except by artillery;
and being evidently exhausted by the repeated and rapid assaults, the
firing on both sides gradually slackened, and ceased entirely as the
darkness deepened,—the battle having continued almost without
intermission for eleven hours. The losses on both sides were heavy.
Major Rosengarten and Major Ward were both killed, during a cavalry
charge: General Rousseau at the head of his splendid division, was
wounded, after having made two bayonet charges, and fought during five
hours. General Stanley and General Palmer were also wounded.
At dawn of the following morning, General Rosecrans opened fire
furiously upon the enemy, with his left endeavoring to beat him back
from the right. The enemy met the attack bravely, holding their ground;
and the battle continued in that direction for several hours. Matters
did not look favorable for the National army; but at twelve o’clock new
supplies of ammunition were received, the batteries were replenished and
massed, and a murderous fire was opened upon the rebel line. It began to
give way: and, with General Thomas pressing on its centre, and General
Crittenden on its left, was handsomely repulsed.
For the remainder of the day, the battle changing from one point to
another, continued to rage with varied success—now the Unionists were
victors, and now the rebels; till night again closed the conflict, and
no decisive victory had been gained on either side.