Tuesday, 16th—Remained in camp.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
December 16—I returned this morning and was not missed. We left here with the cars at 8 A.M., and got to Weldon at 3 P.M. on the 17th.
DECEMBER 16TH.—To-day the city is exalted to the skies! Gen. Lee telegraphed that the enemy had disappeared from his front, probably meditating a design to cross at some other place. Such were his words, which approach nearer to a practical joke, and an inkling of exaltation, than anything I have seen from his pen. He has saved the capital. Before the enemy could approach Richmond from “some other place,” Lee would be between him and the city, and if be could beat him on the Rappahannock he can beat him anywhere.
Doubtless Burnside has abandoned his heavy stores, siege guns, etc., and at this moment our army must occupy the town. Lee allowed the invaders to cross the river, and, in exact accordance with his promise, made a month ago, before they could advance from Fredericksburg, his “whole army was in position.” They could not debouch without passing through our crescent line, the extreme ends of which touched the river above and below them.
They attempted this on Saturday, and met with a bloody defeat, and until last night, when they retraced their steps, were confined to an exceedingly narrow and uncomfortable strip of land along the south bank of the river.Our loss in the battle will not exceed, perhaps, 2000 men, not more than 500 being slain. It is estimated that the enemy’s loss is over 10,000, and it may greatly exceed that number, as our positions were strong and our batteries numerous. The enemy fought well, charging repeatedly over the plain swept completely by our guns, and leaving the earth strewn with their dead. We have many prisoners, but I have heard no estimate of the number.
The enemy have taken Kinston, N. C., having overwhelming numbers, and a letter from Gen. Bragg, dated at Raleigh, yesterday, says it is probable Goldsborough will fall into [click to continue…]
December 16.—A detachment of Union troops, under command of Major Withers, Tenth Virginia infantry, while on a reconnoitring expedition, entered the village of Wardensville, Va., and captured the whole rebel mail, consisting of several hundred letters and a large quantity of newspapers.— Wheeling Intelligencer.
—In obedience to orders from President Lincoln, Major-General Banks issued a proclamation assuming command of the Department of the Gufl (Doc. 75.)
—A body of rebel troops, numbering about one thousand two hundred men, encamped in the vicinity of New-Haven, Ky., was surprised and captured by a detachment of Wolford’s cavalry, under command of Captain Adams, First Kentucky, without firing a shot,—(Doc. 76.)
—The army of the Potomac was withdrawn from Fredericksburgh, Va., to the north side of the Rappahannock, because General Burnside felt fully convinced that the rebel position in front could not be carried, and it was a military necessity either to attack the enemy or retire. A repulse would have been disastrous to the National arms, under the then existing circumstances. The army was withdrawn at night without the knowledge of the rebels, and without loss either of property or men. — General Burnnside’s Despatch.
—An artillery fight took place along both banks of the river Neuse, near Whitehall, N. C., between the forces under General Foster and the rebel forces under General Evans, resulting, after an hour’s firing, in the withdrawal and silence of the rebel guns.—(Doc. 73.)
