Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-07
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEG GRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY,
FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
DISPATCHES FROM THE ARMY.

DISPATCHES FROM THE ARMY.
New YORK, Nov. GA Harpers Ferry
dispatch of the 4th says the rebel cavalry cap
tered three of our men within two miles of
Bolivar Heights. The woods on Loudon
Heights are on fire. 1t is reported that our
pickets we're driven in at Sharpsburg on the
night of the Sd. a Harper's Ferry dispatch
of the 9TH, just received, says that on Mon
day, this side of Smokers Gap, Porters am
munitiOn and supply train was twice attacked
by rebel cavalry, nine of whom we're taken
prisoners. Gen. German reconnoitered up to
Manassas Gap on Tuesday, and to-day (Wed~
nesday) heavy firing was heard in that direc-
ton.
A Gainesville letter of the Sd says that
Major Knox passed through Thoroughfare
Gap this morning with a cavalry force, driving
before him body of the enemys cavalry. He
found the enemy's pickets near White Plains,
but there was no indication of any considera-
bic force in that quarter. Gen. Carl Schurz
now holds the gap, the 6lst Ohio, Col. Nc
Grearty being on the other side. Heavy firing
has been heard to-day on the right, COM
mencing about twelve o'clock.
Two contrabandS, who came to Aide, Va,
yesterday, give information that jackson and
Lee are now at Culpepper with strong forces
Extensive works are being erected on the Rap
pahannOck to prevent D crossing by the Union
troops.
A letter from Piedmont, evening of the 4th,
five miles east of Manassas Gap, says that ac-
cording to the inhabitants the rebel army in
that vicinity has retreated through Manassas
Gap. Pleasanton will occupy the Gap this
evening, and learn definitely in regard to it.
COUGHS division of Summers corps has Just
81 al j
within mile of the Shenandoah. ID. H.
Hills corps retreated through the gap before
him, and jackson is also in the same vicinity
Thus the entire rebel army seems to be again
west of the Blue Ridge.
A special dispatch states that Gen. Sigel's
sutler, cook, and two others have been ar
rested. Goods of ali descriptions were sent
from New York, consigned to the cook, who
helped them through our lines to the rebels
-Four trunks were seized which were filled
with shoulder straps for rebel officers, gold
lace, sc. Seventy -four swords were found
on the premises. The negro confessed the
whole transaction, and gave the names of the
sellers of contra5and goods in New York,
who will be arrested The guilty parties had
twelve stolen horses in their possession.
SNIcKERsvILLE, Nov. 1-EUening.
enemy opposite to us across the mountain re-
bitSh lucy arc Stllu W COIhpOSG
Longstreets division. There is considerable
picket firing to-day beyond the gap, and also
some shelling of the enemy. Capt. M. S.
Pratt of the LIST Massachusetts cavalry was
killed at noon in skirmish near the Shenan-
doah side of the mountain, and three privates
were wounded. Gen. Mcclellan paid us.
visit to-day.
SNIoKERsvILLE, Nov. 3.-Gen. Hancock
holds Smokers Gap The rebels are in view
from the crest of the Blue Mountain ridge, and
in considerable force beyond the Shenandoah.
Cannonading is going on towards Manassas
Plain, and shells are seen exploding. Mount.
ed scouts of the enemy occupy the roads in
our front Everything is advancing in the
greatest order. Our troops are in the highest
spirits, and the weather and roads are excel
lent.
Headquarters ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
Nov. 4, 40. p. M.-Last night it was uncer-
tain whether the possession of Ashby's Gap,
would be contested or not. Every prepare
ton was made to force it, if circumstances
made it necessary, but the rebels retreated
this morning, leaving our troops in undsputed
possession of the mountain. From the heights
favorable view of the Shenandoah valley
was had, but no large body of the enemy was
to be seen. Winchester was plainly visible,
and the intervening portion of the valley.
The commands of cavalry and artillery
under Gems Pleasanton and Averill occupied
Piedmont last night. This morning they
pushed on, and after spirited skrmish occu-
pied Marquette. They now hold the APP
proaches to Manassas and Chester gaps on
the left of the Blue Ridge mountain. The
rebel cavalry showed themselves to day oppo-
site Smokers Gap and were also visible from
the Maryland Heights. Gen. Mcclellan spent
most of the afternoon at the top of Ashbys
Gap taking observations on the Shenandoah
valley.