Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-09-04
THE WAR In VIRGINIA.
Correspondence of the New York Tribune. ]

WAsnNGroS, d. G. Aug. "a.
l have Just returned from the lines of
our army on the Rappahannock, andibring
particulars of the progress of affairs up to
+, Saturday afternoon. .l9f saalaW
| BY, Wednesday noon the retreat of our
army from the Rapidan to the Rappahan-
mock had brought il to the banks of the
latter river. and the rear guard, composed
in part of Gen. Hatch's brigade ofcaya!ry,
We're just at Brandy Station (the. first on
the railroad beyond Rappanannock Bridge
when the head OF the rebel pursuing COL
umns first came in sight. Throughout the
whole march from Culpepper to this point.
the enemy were following closely upon
the heels of our forces. their advance guard
being but short distance benin our rear,
and their rear guard only some six or eight
miles off, At this insignificant little rail-
road station. then, the grand armies of
Pope and Lee first got sight of each other.
and conflict Immediately ensued. Our
rear guard. supposing that the rebel force
was mere skirmishing party sent in ac-
vance. and wishing to check such presump-
tuous reconnoitering. turned upon it, and
the order to charge was given. Immedi-
ately the three cavalry regiments of Hatch s
Brigads-the Harris Light" 1st Penn
sylyania and 1st New Jersey in
line Of battle and swept forward with tre-
mcnduous cheers; but coming suddenly
upon broad and deep ditch they were
compelled to draw rein, and at the instant
a large force Of rebel infantry rose from
cover and poured heavy volley into the
ranks. which emptied many saddles and
threw our squadrons into confusion. The
line gave way at the center, but the wings
wavering and showing a disposition to
hold their ground another volley was ponr-
ed into them by the enemy. and our whole
force then rapidly retreaied to the Kappa
hammock river. The rebel forces follow
ed hotly after; but at the moment when
they thought they had driven us pell l-mell
over the river. and the capture of the rail
road bridge must be On easy affair, the fire
of two batteries--Matthews' Pennsylvania
and Thompson's Msryland--was poured
into their faces with terrific effect. Their
impulsive advance was checked in the in
slant, and the exnltant yells died upon
their lips In haste they retired from the
exposed situation where they stood to the
cover of thick wood, which skirted the
level plain at distance of half mile from
the river. Their pieces not having been
brought forward. they could not reply to
our fire, SO their column moved to the left,
under cover of the woods with the view OF
fanking us by cffecting crossing at one OF
the fords between Rappahsnnock Bridge
and the Warrenton White Sulphur
Springs Their design. having been an
ticipated. was baffled by Gen. Pope, who
pushed his column a corresponding dis
tance along the north bank of the river,
and guarded each ford with three batteries
to command it in front. and from the side
The two armies were kept thus moving all
Thursday. each Of the two able players at
this grand game of war seeking TO check.
mate his antag onist without bringing on q
serious engagement before his forces were
fully massed. An attempt was made
down at Kelley's Ford. on the left of our
line. to cross, and turn our position. but
this was effectually ioiled by Gen. Reno.
who showed no force until he had lured the
enemy into the place he desired, and then
suddenly opened fire with his batterieies,
and then following it up with cavalry
charge. which' put them to fight. and
determined him to make no more attempts
that day to cross at Keily's Ford. ~
Friday morning came, and with it q
sharp cannonade along the whole line, from
Kelly's Ford Reno position to Barnett's
Ford. which was defended by Sigel. The
first gun was fired at FIVE o'cloak at our
center. and answered by MoDowell's bat,
teries; but the answering echoes of the Blue
Ridge had hardly sent back the peels oil
ordnance before Sigel also was attacked
and from that on until dusk tho cannonade
ives almost incessant. The fact was thai
the main body of the enemy had come up,
and. in advance of choosing their final po.
sition. they were feeling us all along the
line. At Barnett's Ford, however, thei,
attack was most determined. as that point
was. of all along the river. the most favor.
able for their designs. But the gallant
corps Of Sigel did not come short Of its
duty one iota, for their batteries played
upon the rebel batteries all day long. and
even after nightfall. worn out and fatigued
as men and horses were. they kept up the
fight until the enemy drew off.
In the morning Ban Is had occupied q
/ position to the left of Nc Dowell, but when
! it became apparent that the attack upon
I Sigel would be the main feature of the day.
his corps was moved up to theright to sup
port Sigel. and Reno's Division was march.
ed from Kelly's Ford to a point above
] Rappahannock Railroad Bridge. near Gen
Pope's headquarters. The 51st New Y ork
was. however, left to guard the ford. much
to Lieutenant Colonel Potter's disgust.
who longed to lead his men into the thick
est of the fight. as usual. ..;,...ia.rr =,
All day Friday Gen. Pope's headquar-
tiers were on bold hill. W hence a tolerable
view could be had Of the line Of battle,
which stretcheduf for eight or ten miles a
tlong the Rsppahannock, and hither, came
aud thence went mounted aides and order.
lies in hot haste, with reports and orders.
verbal and written. The hill topwas sha-
] ded by group of large oaks. nndsr whose
branches / saw ats one time several genet.
ais and general stats. boo, go, r..
When the artillery attack on Sigel had
lulIed little the brave General determin-
ed to feel the rebel strength Opposite his
position. Accordingly he ordered Gen.
J Carl Schurz to reconnoiter with his divis'
lion. and II possible. to cross the riyer.--