BATTLE OF FREDRICKSBURG.


The Fort Dodge Republican. Ft. Dodge: G.D. Ingersoll, editor, December 24, 1862. Folio broadsheet (585 x 410 mm). Small 1-inch loss and tape repair at lower right corner, closed tear at lower left margin, left margin irregular, some fading.Two full-length columns share the news just received of the Battle of Fredricksburg, fought December 11-15, 1862, a Confederate army victory and one of the most lopsided wins of the war. The report in the Republican gives much credit for valor to the Union Army, praising their courage and energy, even as "the concentrated fire of Lee's artillery and infantry rained upon their devoted heads in a manner truly terrific. / No troops, however disciplined and brave, could withstand the shock; and after suffering terribly our soldiers were thrown into disorder and brought to a sudden halt. At this juncture the center of the column gave way and fled in dismay, but were afterwards rallied and brought back ... The enemy's position was one of exceeding strength and appeared to be invulnerable to our artillery, notwithstanding our guns were excellent handled."