Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-25
FROM THE RAPPAHANNoCK.
The TWO ARMIES FACE To FACE.
Rebel Attemps to Cross Rspulssd.

New YORK, Aug. 23.-The Philadelphia
Press of to-day says that Gen. Pope has fallen
back across the Rappahannock, and made
that stream his line of defence. The enemy
in great force is on the south bank, and has
made several Intellectual efforts to cross and
turn our right flank, at the same time making
demonstrations on our center. Such dispo-
sition of our troops has been made that there
are no fears of further retreat.
Gen. Mcclellan has arrived with large
portion of his army, and it is believed that he
has assumed command of both armies. Plight
ing of a deaultory character has been going on
several days, and the enemy has no doubt
been repulsed at all points by our batteries,
though not without some loss of artierymen
and horses. During Thursday heavy firing
was heard on the extreme left, and it is be-
ieved that Gen. Reno repulsed the rebels
Gen. Pope is praised for his great skill and
activity in strengthening all weak points. 1t
is said that he has had no rest for seventy
two hours. All our advices indicate our sue
cess at all points.
In CAMP NEAR RAPPAHANNoCK STATION,
VA, Aug. 22d, A. M.-All is quiet in front of
our lines this morning. Last evening reports
came in of an approach of the enemy in the
direction OF ford some two miles above this
place on Rappahannock. Halls Maine bat
terry which did such splendid service at Cedar
Mountain, and the I'd New York were order
ed to proceed to that place with the SSth
Pennsylvania and the Sd Maryland regiments
but the enemy did not put in an appearance
during the night.
1t was thought they would attempt to ford
the river at the same point close by at least
by their cavalry, but our army being placed
in position so as to defend all those points it
is believed their purpose was defeated The
entire army was under arms all night, but
most of the soldiers enjoyed a nap during the
small hours.
In sklrmishing yesterday with the cavalry
of the enemy, the LIST Maine, Colonel Allen,
which was in advance, had three men wound.
ed, one named r. O'Connell, in the LIST, and
lost five, who were cut off and taken prison.
ers. The Harris light cavalry, which sustain
ed the most loss, did excellent duty, and de-
serve the highest praise for steadiness during
the entire engagement. Their loss is not
known, but is not large. The pioneer corps
of the divisions were busily engaged during
the night in throwing up earthworks and con-
structng bridges, to enable our batteries and
their supports to cross the river in case of ne
cessity.
The wagon trains on Thursday from Gull
pepper are said to have been eight or nine
miles long, and the generals have said there
were enough to supply an army twice as large
as that in this department.
During the fighting yesterday and while the
rebel cavalry were about making charge up
on the Harris light cavalry, party of stray
glers numbering some $50 who had got to-
gether in the woods, unobserved by the enc
my, suddenly fired such volley into their
ranks as to send them to the right about in
double quick. These men had no officer to
command them. One sergeant was present,
but he refusing to take the lead, private
stepped forward to the fray, and nobly did he
perform the duty which he thus took upon
himself. The little party continued some
hours picking off the rebels as often as they
came within range.
Private Griffiths, with a sergeant and three
men, were behind having been used up on
the march, and our cavalry being driven
back, they were taken prisoners, their arms,
&C., taken from them, and marchedtOward the
rear in double quick under threats of having
their brains blown out. While they were on
their way our cavalry made a charge toward
them, which caused their captors to make
haste to their lines, and Griffiths hid beneath
a bush, where he was fred on by our men for
a rebel. He finally reached our lines safely
The others have not been heard from. He
saws the rebels are miserably clad. Their
clothes were torn and dirty, the officers as
badly as the privates. The first New Jersey
are said to have charged into the middle of the
enemy and were surrounded by two regi-
mentS of infantry and one-half are said to