The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-07
Army of the Potomac.
An Important Position Secured.
MARCUS DISPATCH TO THE PRESIDENT.
THE WORK ABOUT COMMENCING.


To His Excelency the President of the United
States:
l have just received dispatch from
Gen. Mcclellan, dated at Snickerville Gap,
6 p NJ, stating that he has full possession
of the Gap.
When Gen. Hancock arrived there, it
was held by the enemy's cavalry, who
were at once driven out by column of
from 5000 to 5000 infantry.
The enemy advanced to retake it, but
were dispersed by the fire of our riAed
guns. The position is strong one from
either side 1t is said that Gen. Jackson
and Gen. A. P. Hill are in the valley
opposite.
Gen. PleasantOn had driven the enemy's
cavalry several miles beyond Union, at
O'Clock this afternoon, exploding one of
their caissons, and capturing ten of their
wounded left behind.
TSigned] A. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff
NEWSPAPER DISPATCHES
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,l
Sunday, Oct. 2, Pm. {
General PleasantOn came up with the
enemy's cavalry and artillery at Philmont
about II o'clock yesterday. The fight,
which was conducted wholly by artillery,
lasted about five hours, when the enemy
retreated to Union, small town three
miles beyond. Our loss was one killed
and fourteen wounded. The enemys force
consisted of a portion of Stuart's cavalry
and one battery. Five of them are known
to have been killed. This morning Pleasan-
ton renewed the attack at s O'Clock.
At 10 o'clock he was reinforced by
brigade of infantry At / O'Clock the reb-
els fell back from Union, and our troops
occupied the town. Our loss up to three
O'Clock to-day was one killed and four
wounded.
During the action rebel caisson was
exploded by one of our shells. The enc
my's loss is unknown. The firing in that
direction was very heavy from O'Clock to
dark. Result not known.
General Mcclellan visited the front this
forenoon. A heavy dust was observed to-
day at Ashbys Gap. In what direction
the rebels are moving is not known, the
distance being too great.
Another portion of our army took pos
session of Smokers Gap to-day. Three
brigades of rebel troops, at last advices,
were marching up the west side of the
mountain in two columns but no more is
known
New YORK, Nov 1.-The HeralR's
Wheatland (Va.) correspondent says that
the rebels have a strong force between
Snickersville Gap and Philmont, on the
west side of the Blue Ridge.
A dispatch from Purcellville states that
a large rebel force is in the Shenandoah
Valley. Just beyond the Gap, a large
body of rebel cavalry were seen. Occa-
sional cannonading was heard, and shells
were seen exploding in that direction. 1t
is supposed that Bayard's and Stuart's cav
airy are engaged, as Stuart passed through
the Gap the day previous, with several
thousand men and four pieces of artillery,
and encamped at Union, and yesterday
passed down the valley.
The rebels are in force at Berryville, and
appear determined to hold Snickerville
Gap, while our army operates in the valley.
A dispatch from Philmont to the Herald
says that the rebel cavalry have been
driven from there, but that they are in
force at Upperville.
A dispatch from Fredericksburg to the
same paper, states that the secessionists
there say that rebel force from Western
Virginia have joined Lee, and that they
have been ordered to Jackson's division.
After the next general engagement,
peace propositions will come from Rich
mOnd.
New YORK, Nov. A Harpers Ferry
dispatch of the I'd, says no enemy opposed
our advance until we reached Smokers
vile, when they retreated to the western
side. AS our column reached the crest of
the hill body of rebel cavalry, battery
and two brigades and infantry emerged
from the woods in the direction of Win
chester. A parrot battery sent an effec-
tive shell amongst them, when they re-
treated to the woods and have not since
emerged. A body of them have remained
on the bank of the Shenandoah, two miles
off, afraid to retreat in face of the battery.
Our forces are in full possession of the Gap.
The rebels intended to dispute the posses
sion of the Gap, but were about an hour
behind time. Snickersville advices state
that Stewart with 5000 rebel cavalry pass
ed through the Gap Thursday. The i'm
preston is general that great battle will
be fought tomorrow.
New YORK, Nov. A dispatch from
headquarters to the Herald, dated Wheat
land, Nov. I'd, (evening), contains the fol-
lowing:
General Mcclellan reconnoitered the en-
envy from the front this forenoon. Gen.
Pleasanton's cavalry, supported by brig
ade of Doubleday's division, driving the
rebels from their positions, contesting the
ground with considerable spirit.
The rebels east of the Blue Ridge de-
signed retreating through the Gap, near
Upperville. jackson and Longstreet are
just beyond Smokers Gap, with large
force. Cannonading is now going on.