New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-25
rHaE RATTLE OF DBANEsyIEbE.


correspoudence Of The n. y. Tribune
CAMP PIERPONT, Dec. y, III
On Thursday evening orders were given 10 Gen.
Z. 0. c. Ordc, commanding Third Bigade Penn
sylyania Receives, TO advance in tho direction Of
Dranesville for the double purpose Of obtaining an
amount Of forage known to be in that part of the
country and TO rout body Of rebels supposed to be-
in the vicinity Of the village The Brigade Consisted
of the 9Th Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, Col. W.
Ricketts, 9Th Peunsy wanna Reserve Col. +. JscAsou,
10th Pennsylvania Reserve, Col. John c. Metal
mont. eth Penus, lyania, Col. John II. Taggart the
Bucktan Rifles, commanded by Lieut.-Cc. hane.
and detachment Of five companies OF the lst Penn
sylyania Reserve Cavalry, COMMANDED BY Lieut.
Ccl Jacob Higgins, and Capt Bastons Battery Of
four guns two II and two 2i-poDdersj. altogether
numbering between four and five thousand men.
At daylight ON Friday morning, the Brigade
narcbel in the direction OF DFanesyie. Alter
passing beyond cur pickets fankcrs, consisting Of
two companies from each regiment, were thrown ont
on each ide oil the road and preceded the advancing
column. NE Brigade then marched on without
ANYTHING taking place until within short distance OF
Dranesvii.e, when the column halted, and the Arti-
lery which was in tie rear came up near the ifot
Tie Ducktas were then sent, 10y order o. Gen.
Orde to tie right of the village, and the 9Th Penn
syly.,nia to the les, and Leut.-Col. Higgins COM
handing the Cavalry, led the advance into the viz
lace. with the expectation OF capturing some rebel
cavalry who were seen there. Bat, although .hc
charge was made under f run, their cavalry pick
els succeeded in making their escape. The houses
were Immediately surrounded, but no troops were To
be found.
Gen Orde then advanced rapidly with the Artl-
lery, and took position on the left OF Dranes'ue,
IN the rear of the Church. and Col. Higgins formed
tle Cavalry on the right of the Artillery. lie had
remained there but short time, when lie was Or
dered the Csyatry back to the rear OF ali The
Infantry regiments bu, one, which done, and "a
soon as we arrived at that point tue enemy opened
with she'll upon our left flank, from the woods, almost
ooposite the junction of-the Alexandria and Lees
burg turnpike. Their battery OF 81 guns was within
two hundred yards Of the pike, but we could not sec
them On account of the dense growth OF rnderbFush
with which the WOODS IN thai part OF the country
are thickly covered
Gen. Orde Immediately moved the Artillery to the
rear aud ordered Col. Higgins with the Cayalry TO
follow in the rear of the Artillery, which he did. In
passing in front of the enemys battery, horse be-
longing to Company was killed, being struck by
shell from the rebel battery. Our Artillery halted
directly opposite the enemys guns and planted their
pieces, under heavy fire, and opened on them with
she'll Our Infantry also poured volleys OF shot into
the woods, advancing all the time upon the enemy
until they forced them to retreat.
The fight, which lasted just one hour, was one in
cesssnt firing. 1t commenced at O'clock aud ended
at o'clock, D. m. In the beginning of the contest,
ii. aof,b ir,,iac luk
after our Artillery opened upon them their firing
became very wild, most of their shell and shot going
above our heads, and their shells exploding harm
lessly in the air.
Cart. Easton's men behaved with q GOODNESS and
aimed with precision for which they deserve great
credit. They fred right into tie enemys gems kill
INC their gunners and horses end, although UNDER
heavy fire from the rebel battery, were perfectly
cool and deliberate all the tine.
The enemy Suddenly abandoned their positions,
and, from their thorough knowledge of tho country.
euded the vigilance OF our troops, taking with them
all their artillery but one piece, which was blown
up and one osisson, TO which attached two very
fine horses. They also eft large quantity OF arms
and ammpnitiOn and aay amount Of clothing ana
provisions.
The number Of casualties on side is eight
killed and about sixty wounded. Or the enemys
killed and wounded have no idaa, but their Ices
must be heavy. The road around their battery was
strewn with the bodies of dead men and horses, and
the woods were thickly strewn with thsir dead The
cavalry brought in five prisoners, ard there were
number of prisoners wounded, carried to our camp
in the wagons and amoulances.
Gen. Mccall and staff arrived on the ground a
short time before the firing ceased. We left the bat
tie ground about shutdown, add ii is due to Lieut.
Col. Higgins and the officers and men under his COM
mapd 10 say that they behaved with perfect GOODNESS
during the engagement, all the time keeping TO-
gether in ranks and :.yer becoming in the least eS'
cited.