Newbern weekly progress., 1862-11-08
Army Correspondence.

PuRCELLSyiLLE, Va, Oct. ~.
The advance guard OF the Army Of the
Potomac reached Purcelsvio yesterday after
noon. Our pckets are placed at dilttrert
points many miles beyond the town, and re.
connoitering parties have been sent out N diff
lcrent directions to scout the surrounding
country.
General Pleasanton's command Of cavalry
and artillery, Of which the vanguard is com
posed, left their camp, near Knoxville, on. the
Maryland side, at seven o'clock on Sunday
morning. and crossed the Potomac into Virgi-
MIA on the splendid pontoon bridge which had
been thrown across the river opposite Berlin.
The Sixth United States regular cavalry,
under command Of Captain Cram, lead the
advance, in which il was assisted by the other
regiments OF cavalry and Lieut.. Pennington'S
battery of flying horse artillery. The com.
mand having safely crossed the river, with
the headquarters aud commissary wagons IN
the rear, ,neved on TO l.oycttsville, and, pass.
ing through the town, bivouacked about four
miles beyond stiff breezc was blowing
aud drenching rain was falling fast all the
while. The biyouac was, to say the least,
exceedingly uncomfortable
At noon on Monday the command broke the
ungrateiul bvouac, and pursued their course
hither to Purccllsvlle, passing through the
unpretending town of Wheatland on the way.
Where the road leads on 10 the Lccsburg and
Winchester turnpike about half a mile from
here, the rebel pckets were encountered for
the first time in This advance into Virginia. -
The rebel cavalry were driven through the
town. They dashed through at furious rate,
detachment OF our cavalry after them. A few
of the cavalry horses were being shod at the
blacksmith's shop when our advance arrived 4:
but, speedily catching the alarm, Their rebel
riders Jumped on their backs and dashed av ay,
the horses having some shoes off and some
shoes on. General Pleasanion took up his
head quarters il town. PIckcs were stationed
at the various approaches, and a section Of
Lieutenant Penningtons battery was stationed
on commanding point just beyond town.
Immediately after arriving here General
Pleasanon sent the Eighth New York Cavalry,
under Colonel Davis, on reconnaissance along
the turnpike towards Winchester. 1t was un
derstood that rebel force was stationed al
Snickcrsville, about fifteen miles from here ii
that direction. When the advanced squadron
of the regiment, under Capt. Pope, reached
within two miles of Snickcrvllle, the rebe
pickcts appeared on the right and left Of The
turnpike and fired at our men, ShO's were
exchanged the enemy falling back and ou
men advancing at a rapid rate the while. =
SnickerSvie. They fell back along a hlly
woody and winding road, leading to the right
round the mountain. At every turn in th
road the rebel reserves of the skirmishers ap
pcarcd in in increasing force. They were driver
pack to point about mile away, where the,
made temporary stard, and where many shot
were fired on either side. Three plaoons nd
vanccd upon them, one following the read
and the other two, one on the right aud III
other on the left, taking more circutou
course for the purpose OF tanking them. Ih
hight platoon reached The enemy first, nea
belt of woods, and the remainder OF the squad
ron followed on charge. The rebels wer
Immediately dispersed. Beyond this point ther
was large, open space completely commando
by rebel artillery planted ON RISING groun
behind. As soon as a lew of our men debouche
from the woods the artillery opened on then
One shnll killed five OF our horses and woundc
two or three Of our men. The squadron wa
then ordered TO Join the regiment, drawn mp i
! line short distance in the rear Having ascei
toined the position of the enemy. the regimen
r',,rneJ tn pmcrusvllo Fonr If onr ,enn ar
';,,s '..u'".N rha,r n"r,n, ,.a I'hn p v"n,a"'
,t'1s"'s ,,h ~ p'n'n I'o Uo'" ~ NJ '' p,,
Ne'so,, 9",'"' a. '" Do,""nlP, ",'' AVA at
Eer, an belonging 10 'he hlsh'h New 1or
cavalry. some Oh them were wounded, aho
being far IN advance could not be carried OF
Pdrker's horse, being shot, fell on him an