We have information that the
Yankees had not occupied
Fredericksburg at 7 o'clock yesterday morning, though they were in force as the opposite side of the river, and it was expected they would advance into the town some time during the day. They were rebuilding the
Falmouth bridge, and had it nearly completed.
It is further stated that the authorities of
Fredericksburg held an interview on Saturday with the
Federal commander, under a flag of truce, and that he promised the citizens ‘"
protection."’ It will doubtless be such protection as
Burnside's miscreants are giving to the people of
North Carolina.
The cars from this city went up yesterday as far as Gainney's Depot, twelve miles from
Fredericksburg.
The track of the railroad has not been torn up.
Only two steamers were burnt by our men before the town was evacuated — the
St. Nicholas and the
Virginia.
We learn that the commander of the
Eureka took his boat down the river, and she will probably be captured by the
Yankees.
Since the foregoing was in type we have conversed with a gentleman who left
Fredericksburg a day or two since, and learned from him some further particulars.
The officer in command of the enemy is a General Earger or Yearger.
The terms of surrender, which have not yet transpired, were written at the dictation of the Common Council, and presented by a committee, of whom one
Peleg Clarks, a Northern man by birth, was chairman.
It is stated that the
Federal officer replied that he had no power to treat with the citizens; that his orders were simply to take possession of the hills opposite the town and hold them.
He, however, graciously offered to pay for such supplies as he needed, and which would have to be forthcoming when called for. The notorious
Sickles is on hand with his brigade, and when these ruffians are turned loose upon the inhabitants of
Fredericksburg there will be no respect for private property or individual rights.
Five Yankee gunboats were some miles below the town, where certain obstructions in the river caused their detention.
From all appearances it seems to be the design of the enemy to concentrate a large force at or near
Fredericksburg, and from that point to operate against
Richmond.
The surrender of the town without a show of resistance, when we had a considerable force in the immediate neighborhood, excites some indignant remark, but it seems to have been the urgent desire of the civil authorities that no defence should be made.
