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Jefferson Davis, The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, Chapter 37: (search)
destructive fire of the numerous batteries on the opposite heights. At the same time, the narrowness of the Rappahannock and its winding course presented opportunities for laying down pontoon bridges at points secure from the fire of our artillery. Our position was therefore selected with a view to resisting an advance after crossing, and the river was guarded by detachments of sharpshooters to impede the laying of pontons until our army could be prepared for action. Before dawn, on December 11th, General Burnside was in motion. About 2 A. M. he commenced preparations to throw two bridges over the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg, and one about a mile and a quarter below, near the mouth of Deep Run. From daybreak until 4 P. M. the troops, sheltered behind the houses on the river bank, repelled his repeated efforts to lay bridges opposite the town, driving back his working parties and their supports with great slaughter. At the lower point, where there was no such protectio