Newbern weekly progress., 1862-08-30
The Retreat from Culpepper.
Gen. sigh Covers she Rcar.-CaFsurr of'
asa EHsiTe asehei e III rigade.-sEenvy Arfii-
Iery His hitting.
Correspoude ce of the Phiia Press

There has been some sharp SkIrmlShlng and
cannonading during the last two days, bat
nothing OF a very decisive character The en-
eny is afraid to attack US in force, and we oc-
cupy position which it would be imprudent
to abandon for few days. All unnecessary
! baggage having been sent to the rear We are
now unIncumbercd and in excellent fighting
trim. On last Wednesday an incident occur
red which somewhat singular and gave
a slight advantage to the rebels. \ party Of
fifteen of our cavalry had been securing the
country, and not having found rebel during
their mornings ride, resolved to breakfast.-
They accordingly alighted, and having bad
shap ride, they uusaddled their horses, SO that
! the animals might be refreshed when they next
mounted.
Their fancied security and repose were Of
short duration, however, for scarcely bad they
airly set about preparing breakfast, when
troop of rebel caYalfy pounced on them so
suddenly that they were captured before they
could otter any etftctual resistance. While the
rebels were securing their prisoners, the
horses, which had been quietly grazing, on
lifting th' ir heads seeing all not right, very
sagaciously and properly set off at full speed
without saddles or riders, and hav ns arrived
safely in camp, creating quite a sensation,
which gave rise to many sur,nises as to what
/ had become Of Tic riders.
! Alter nearly an hour had clap@,d, in which
possible aud impossible Specuati0nS were in-
dulged, a squadron Of Gen. Bulord's cavalry
went out to search the surrounding country
/ they did not proceed far wisen they encounter
ed body of rebel cavalry under Gen. Stewart.
/ On these they charged with such mpetuosity
that the rebels ran IL all directions. Many
We're captured, among whom MAS an exquisite
ly dressed nalO WHO, from the style of hlS
dress, supposed by oar lnen to be the
principal person liz command, and who, accord
inglv, was pursued With the utmost vigor and
determination Oar men were much disap
pointed on finding that he was only major,
while that individual Ike the stag in the fable,
was left to bewaiI his fate. The fop in this
case saved his general, and he may have the
benefit CT the consolation.
Later in the day another attempt was made
by the cueuiy to occupy the left bank OF the
river at this point. They came forward eau
tio;Isly through belt OF woods the open field
in front of which was held by Il part OF Rick
ett'S division. Both parties cnn,nIenced firing,
and as the rebl position was rather more
fay orable than oars, ii itigned rct!cas
ordered. THIS had tie desired etiIct; tie
rebels dashed forward with shout of triumph.
It was soon succeeded by djsnay, to- no
sooner We're they completely out Of the woods
than our men were faced about ana pouring a
deadly volley into them, which emplied many
saddles. We followed up our success with
splendid charge,
The rebels now turned and fed pursued by
oar cavalry, who completely routed them
across the RappaGannock. We captured about
tlirty head Of cattle which the enemy was
forced to leave behind h'tD. Our troops
now cncainp,d on the other sdc--a part OF
Butord's cavalry aud Ricketts, division. At
this point have possl 5 5Ioa OF the railroad
bridge across The kappahannock.
The rebels next It ack ed centre few
miles higher up; they commenced sGettng at
an carly hour the list, and continued until
about one O'clock At one time they attempt
ed 20 cross tle river, but were driven back
with considerable loss. We took nine Prison
ers at this paint, who were the most oddly and
wrechedly dressed soldiers we ever cast our
eyes OF. Two Of these attrac. ed on" attention
especially. One was dressed partially in
clothes taken from dead and wouLded on
the field, and seemed to feel very uHcOmtorta
he, as his boots and pants were spoken OF as
having been taken from the dead. Another
was an intelligent cooking and determined
negro, who iuug.lt, We We're told, with the
utmost desperation as he was about to be
capgu.cd
The rebels next attacked or forces at Kelly
vile, or iNvlly's ford. While tie canuunadng
was go!u2, on above and all was quiet at this
po!ut and our boys were regaln2 themselves
with b,oi!e;l beet, &c. rebel major came over
among them, who had become faint with
hunger, and begged few crackers. These
he resigned hinselt 70 our charge, where in
future his creature wants VIII br more gencr-
o,lslv and plentiiully supplied than among the
needy rebels.
The attack at kell,'s ford was repnlsc! and
the cannona,ing ceased about five o o'clock III
The afternoon. Oar line of battle main
tanned and the men slept on their arms 4
night The enemy having felt our lines at
various points but principally at those named, |
We expected a night attack, and waited with
much anxiety, each moment expecting to hear
from him, bat all was quiet during the night. |
In the morning, however, at a quarter past
O'Clock, he opened battery on our centre, |
and continued vigorously to throw shot and !
shell for several hours.s 4 little higher up it |
was discovered that the enemy had during
the night, erected bridge over the rv>r.
At this point the most brilliant and success
full affair OF the day is reported to have occur
red. In the vicinity Of this bridge was OF
Gen. Sigels batteries, which the rebels |
opened brisk fire, to which, for time, our
battery replied with spirit. In little while |
our fire sackened, ard then ceased, the bat |
terry having been apparently sier eel or with !
drawn. Three reoel regiments now rushed /
across the bridge, and Sigel offered no oppo-
si;on
Everything seems favorable, but alas the !
scene soon changes. No sooner have they |
crossed than Sige opens his battery on the
bridge. The fourth shot completely demoishes
it, and at the same time deadly fire of mus
kerry assas the rebels in front Their retreat |
is cut off. No hope is left a few shots
from battery, a charge, and they are ours.
Not man escaped! Nearly 1000 said to
have been captured, and about 400 killed and
wounded.
The enemy having failed in this, now hurl
forward their forces with impetuosity, and |
strive to outfank Sigel by crossing at French's |
Reno to the aid of Sige, and the enemy, again.
repulsed, moves higher up the river. How
the next attempt of the enemy succeeded, IL
have net yet learned.
Finding that the nrooress Of the rebels WAS |