Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-09-11
The Struggle in Virginia.

:
-> .. - >-
The Struggle in Virginia. 30
When il was decided that Mcclellan
Was &c evacuate the Peninsula, Gen. Pope
was pushed forward into the heart Of
Eastern Virginia to make diversion IN
his favor. To this end his cavalry made
repeated and damaging dashcs at the rail-
road connecting Richmond and Gordons-
vile, an important railroad junction. near
ly 100 miles northwest, while the bulk of
Pope's army then some $4,000 strong
advanced down the Orango and Alex
audria railroad, which, running southwest
wardly connects Alexandria, via Gordons-
vile and Charlottesville, with J.ynchburg
in the far southwest-of course crossing
the Rappahannock and the Rapidan. Pope
alse crossed both these streams. and was
reported at one time to have occupied Cor
donsviIle, but the subordinate charged
with that movement failed to execute it,
Pope's advance, as was calculated. distrac-
ted the rebel attention from McClellan's S
retreat down the Peninsula. and collected
their forces in his front. Being soon out
numberd. he was ordered to fall back, and
did so. The bloody bat indesisive battle
of" Cedar Mountain" was fought between
the advance Of the two armies respectively.
just north OF the Rapidan. on August o.. :
jackson soon after retreatel across the
Rapidan-probably to tempt Pope further
from his resources. After;some days dis
sultory skirmishing, Pope fell back across
the Rappahannock. and stood at bay,
guarding the innumerable fords Of that
river along line oftwenty or thirty miles.
The position was, Of course. advantageous
to the defensive party, but liable to be
broken through by massing heavy
force at either of score Of points, and
breaking the defensive line by D resolute
effort. Still, though the enemy (having
ordered up every thing from Richmond
were undoubtedly much the stronger in
numbers. no second effort to pierce Gen.
Pope's line was made. While he stood
thus on guard, a rebel cavalry force under
! Stuart. some 1000 to 1000 in number.
pierced his lines at sofhe unguarded ford
and mace q circuit in his rear. surprisig
his headquarters at Catlett's Station on the
evening of the 22d, and making consid-
erable haul of his papers. with some mon
| ey and prisoners. Stuart was. of course.
guided to Popes weakly guarded head
quarters by traitors within our lines. He
was himself at the front. twelve miles dis
tant, with most Of his staff, Of whom but
one was captured.
For some days. an ominous stiffness
] prevailed on the rebel side of the Kappa
hammock. No moro skirmishes or artillery
duels have been invited from that side.
/ Few men showed themselves 10 our ex-
pectant forces. "Where are the rebels?
What are they about?" were the wonder
ing queries. They were soon TO be an
swered. and current expectation that the
traitor chiefs would not wait the rapid
concentration OF our new levies at Wash
ington was not TO be disappoint ted.
Eafy on Sunday morning. August 24th
Stonewall jackson with some thirty or
forty thousand trusty veterans in the light
est marching order. without tents or wag-
ons save for ammunition. left the rebel lines
south of the Rappahannock and moved
westward, unknown to and unknown by
Pope. Winding his way among the
sources of the Rappahsnnock in the blue
RIDGE, by roads unknown to our side. he
turned the right flank of our army, and
emerging unperceived at Thoroughfa,e e
Gap. about half way between Maunasses
Junction and Front Royal. his advance
consisting of Stuart's cavalry. swooped
down upon our depot of provisions.
clothing. stores &C.. at Manassas, like a
hawk among brood of chickens. The
small force guarding that point was soon
dispersed or captured. and our heavy stores
were appropriated SO far as possible. aud
the rest destroyed. Rsilroad trains con-
veying provisions and munitions to Pope.
and bringing back wounded, sick, empty
cars, &c.. were captured or destroyed.
those in charge of them running into the
jaws Of the wolf while unsuspecting any
danger.
The capture Of the junction was soon
known in Washington. and the lst New
Jersey brigade, under, Gen. Taylor. sent
down to rectify matters--ne one suspect
| ing that there was anything more serious
than another cavalry dash on our lines
of communication. But. by this time a
considerable force of rebel infantry and
artillery had come up. and Gen. aTaylor's
brigade aud trimmings were sent to the
right about with little ceremony. and with
loss sf several hundred prisoners, who
were paroled SO soon as possible. And
still the junction. hardly thirty miles
| from, w Washington, and nearly SO far in the
rear Of Gen. Pope. was held firmly by the
rebels, who challenged all comers.
Thus far Pope would seem to be COM
plctelyv circumvented. Il was nearly
4 Wednesday morning before he heard of the
nice business in, bis rear. When he did
| learn it, he appears to have acted with .
Judgment and decision of which our army
movements hitherto have evinced plcnti
full lack. Instead Of sending 'backAa brig
/. sde to reopen bis communications. be q
sssinDicz h42