Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-11-05
THE WAR NEWS.

During the past week much activity has pre-
vailed in the Army of the Potomac. Gen.
Bnrnside's entire corps crossed the River at
Berlin, and now occupies position near Low
ettsville, threatening equally the rebel flank at
Winchester and their line of communication
via Front Royal. Gen. Pleasanton, who is
in the advance, has pushed his reconnoisances,
with his cavalry, as far as Leesbuig. 1t is be-
lieved that the enemy is falling back, their in
tentiou evidently being to escape to the right
OF the Blue Ridge through Smokers Gap.
The N. Y. Comerciai asserts that Gen. Burn
side has formed practical junction with Gen.
Sigel, which gives Burnside larger command
than that of Gen. Mcclellan, and that it is
evident the route he 10 pursuing will require
the largest force. The Commercial thinks that
the Rebel General Lee is fastening his main
army across the mountains to the south side
OF the North Fork OF the Rappahannock. which
he will make his new line of defense. This
secures Gurdonsville as his base, with direct
railroad communication gives him River
in front, with a River (the Rapidan) in his
rear; and enables hin to receive reinforce
ments through Chester, Thornton's and ther
gaps, from the western side of the Blue Ridge.
There have been some stirring events trans
piring in Gen. Mtchers department recently.
in the vicinity of Charleston and Savannah.
An expedition was started out, under COM
mand of Generals Brannan and Terry, having
for its object the destruction of the trcssel-
work bridges of the Charleston and Savannah
Ra ilroad, crossing the Pocotalgo, Tulfinny
and Coosawatchie rivers Gen. Brannan Ian
ded at Mackey's Point. Seven miles from
there he met the enemy and drove them from
their position in the woods. Following them
up, he again drove them from their position
two miles below. Then crossing the Pocotali-
go bridge, the rebels burned the structure and
thus prevented further pursuit. In the mean
time, Col. Barton, OF the 48th New York Reg
iment. with $50 men, went up the Coosawatch-
lie and actually commenced destroying the rail-
road, but was unable to reach the bridge be-
fore the rebels arrived and prevented its dem
clifton. The rebels, in this fight, left 10 or
20 dead on the field. Although the main OBJ
ject of the expedition failed, yet much valua-
BILE information, OF immense Importance in
view of future operations, was obtained. The
41th, 55th and 18th Pennsylvania Regiments
suffered considerably in these fights. The ex-
tent of our losses is, however not definitely
stated. One account gives the loss in Terry 3
Brigade at Is killed, LOG wounded and 2 mis-
sing, and in Gen. Brannan's command at 81
killed 17S wounded and missing.
THE LATEST.
On Saturday the 1st inst, Gen. Pleasonton
came up with the Rebel cavalry and artillery
| at Philmont, about IL O'Clock. A fight, with
artillery was opened and continued for about
five hours, when the Rebels fell back to the
town OF Union, three miles beyond. The Reb-
ell force consisted of Gen. Stuart's cavalry and
one battery. On Sunday orning Gen. Pleas
onton renewed the attack at O'Clock the
Rebels fell back from Union, and our troops
occupied the town.. A di-patch from Gener-
al Mcclellan, dated p. m, states that he has
full possession of Snicker's Gap. Three br-
gades of Rebel infantry were at last advices
| advancing up the west side of the mountain
in two columns. Heavy firing followed, but
the results are not known.
Dates from Port Royal, South Carolina, to
the 29th Oct, state that two British Rebel
steamers-the Anglia and Scotia--were cap
tured on the 9th and taken to that place.
The two steamers, and their contraband car
| goes, are valued at one million of dollars
Another British steamer, the Minnaho, was
run ashore and destroyed.
The Pirate Alabama is still at work. On
the 10Th ult., the brig Baronde Castne was
captured by her; but the Captain having exc
cuted bond of $4,000, payable to the Con
federate States, she was released. Six other
vessels were, at various times captured by the
Alabama and burned.