The Portland daily press., 1862-09-03

Carleton the reliable correspondent of the
Boston Journal furnishes the following con-
nected account of the battles last week:


Boston journal, furnishes the following con-
nected account of the battles last week:
POSITION OF PoPE's ARMY.
At the first OF the week, Sigel held the ex-
treme right of Popes army above the railroad.
The united armies of Pope Mcdowell, and
Burnside extended down the north fork to
Fredericksburg. McClellan's army was com
ing up the Potomac landing at Alexandria,
We were informed last week that after the
rebels attempted the passage at the river where
Sigels cannon cut them in pieces, the main
body disappeared, taking the road to Gordons-
vile. just here let us recall the statement
made about the time Mcclellan was withdraw
ing from Harrison's Landng-that all the
troops with an immense train of artillery had
gone in the direction of Gordonsville to Join
jackson as it was supposed. We see that if
the rebels intended anything serious by the
movement from Richmond they would be max
ing chds play Of war, to flee after the little
repulse on tire part of Sige at the north fork
of the Rappahannock, especially after their
success at Cedar Mountain against Banks.
No: they had deep laid plan, now develop
ing, and which shows great energy and unpar-
alleled activity on their part.
ADVANCE OF THE REBELS.
The rebels who advanced to the Rappahan-
mock consisted of one corps only They were
sent up to attract Gen. Pope's attention and ac-
SoHipiiSilSh oivtSt. hS huh Dou9 Vi thS
rebels moved from two points on the railroad
Orange Court House and Culpepper Court
House toward the northwest, along the east
ern base of the Blue Ridge, passing through
Speryyille, Little Washington, Flint Hill
crossing the north fork of the Rappahannock
twenty miles above Sigel. One corps advanced
by New Baltimore, others still further up, con-
centrating at White Plains, sweeping round by
rapid stealthy marches, in curve which
brought them wholly in rear of Gen. Pope. 1t
was successful, bold, advantageous move
ment. Studying the map, and noticing the fea-
lures of the movement, can but admire its
conception and execution, but history will
probably show that the grand plan of the reb-
els was frustrated by their precipitate attack
upon our baggage trains before the main body
of the rebels were in position for their grand
advance upon Washington, which was proba-
bly, their plan.
REBEL OPERATIONS.
We are prepared now to see the rebel oper-
ations. The corps which advanced through
New Baltimore crossed Broad Run, turned to
their right and moved east-one portion pro-
ceeding to Catlett's station and another passing
through Greenville, reached the railroad at
Bristow and Bull Run Crossing. What fol-
lowed is SO well known that it needs no repe-
tition. Our baggage and supply trains, one
after another, were precipitated down embank-
ments in the darkness of the night, some of
Gen. Pope's papers seized, prisoners captured,
with the long catalogue of disasters which
followed. 1t was complete surprise to Gen.
Pope and to the country. We called it reb-
el raid, but we have since discovered that it
was the beginning of a grand movement to
annihilate Pope and capture Washington.
The force of the rebels which moved upon the
railroad consisted mainly of cavalry and flying
artillery.
After the destruction of the trains at Cat
let's and Bristow, the force moved back to
Manassas, to cover as it has since been ascer-
tained, the advance of the main army through
Thoroughfare Gap. 1t is probable that that
advance was not so rapid as was calculated.-
Without doubt the grand plan was for the
main body to be much nearer Washington be-
fore the attack upon the railroad. Prisoners
and deserters say that jackson lost two days
time by the sudden thunder shower which
came up at the beginning of the week. He
intended TO start along quietly, rapidly and by
an unexpected movement reach Centrcyille or
Fairfax by the night agreed upon for the at
tack upon the railroad. Then grand march
of day would have brought them to Wash
ington. with Pope forty miles away, Mcclellan
half way up the Potomac, and a force of ten
or twenty Thousand raw recruits only to OPP
pose their advance on Washington. Admiil-
bly, conceived, well attempted, but failure
He did reach Fairfax Court House, and Vien-
ma. only twelve miles from Washington. There
was wrong calculation OF time and contin-
geneies. The hand Of the Lord was in it. A
shower delayed them, and we have once more
a record of a narrow margin. When the ene-
my attacked Catlett's their main army was
still beyond Thoronghfare Gap, advancing
from White Plains.
THE NEW JERSEY BRIGADE.
The rebels kept position at the junction.
Gen. Taylor with four regiments advanced
from AlnxanIria pnfr frhurSdav los
lor's command consisted of the lst. I'd, Sd aud
4th regiments of New Jersey volunteers. from
Major Gen. Slocum's division. They left the
cars at Bull Run bridge, which the rebels had
destroyed, took a road which runs nearly par
allel with the railroad on its north side TO Ma
Dassas. Nearing the junction they drove in
some rebel pickets, but were Immediately
opened upon by the rebel artillery behind the
old Notifications. Gen. Taylor had no artie-
ry and retreated. The rebel cavalry made
movement to cut him off, but he reached the
bridge with the main body, having suffered
severe loss.
PoPE's TACTICS.
Meanwhile Gen. Pope had discovered the
rebel Generals intention. He Immediately
commenced rapid march upon Manassas
As early as the 26th instant, he had ordered a
division OF his army to Manassas. 1--WE are not
informed which, but it failed him. He broke
up his camp at WaTcnton Junction on the
2sth. and moved in three columns. Mellow
ell, Sigel and Eeno marched by the Warrenton
turnpike in the direction of GAINESVILLE, which
is at the crossing of the Manassas Gap Rail
road, SIX miles northwest of the Junction
Heintzelman marched by the way of Green
wich, while Pope himself, with Hooker and
Porter, came along the railroad. 1t was a
splendid movement, and if it could have been
completely executed would have given us
Ewell's division, which was at Bristow Me
Dowei, moving upon Gainesville, was ordered
to keep in check any force which might be
coming through Thoroughfare Gap, The
force at Greenwich was designed TO aid Nc
Dowe.
The movement on the part of Pope was
change of front, with Mcdowell and Sigel OF
the left Hentzeman iu the center, and Hook
er and Porter on the right
BEGINNING OF THE CONFLICT.
Pope came upon the advance of Ewell,
the Kettle Run crossing, whichis mile south
west of Bristow station, on the afternoon 1
tide 9th. Hooker engaged them, and after
short skirmish routed them completely. KILN
and wounding, as he informs us in his de
patch, 300. capturing 5their camp. Ewel fe
to Manassas, and gained jackson. who retrea
ed across the battle field OF last year-the ba
tle-iield of the 18th, via Blackburn's and Mitcl
ellis fords. | have a vivid recollection of Il
locality, for there it was / first experienced Il
sensation one feels when the bullets begin
whistle over and around him; there first heal
the shrick and explosion of shell from the el
emy. jackson could not fall back by way az
Gainesville, for lleintzelman and Mellow,
blocked the way. He had no alternative b,
to push straight into the northwest. towaI