The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-09-03

or CoWardly rhetOrlClanS.
The Retreat from Culpepper -
Capture Of an Entire Rebel Brigade -
The Enemy Everywhere Repulsed.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Press !
HEADQUARTERS ARMY oF VIRGINIA.,
August 20, 1862. !
AFTER many vexatious delays, caused by the
use which the army is making of the railroad, /
arrived here on last Wednesday. The country
is fine, open one, with gentle undulations, and
an occasional emnence rising up here and there,
sfiording fine view of the surrounding coun-
try. The general direction of the river at this
point is from northwest to southeast We oc-
cupy the northeastern slope - the enemy the
southwestern. Oar position was happily chos-
en-, aud carries victory on the very face of it /;
40 that am not ct all astonished at the imp,-
tience exhibited by our boys, who are really
Etching for a fight"
/ saw one individual on the field absolutely
yawning with impatience to which he gave vent
ct last in the following strain 81 wish the
d - d rebels would come on now. I'm afeerd
Jackson got cold last night, or maybe the sun is
TOO strong for his eyes; !" and much more III
the same strain. There has been some sharp
skirmishing aud cannonadng during the last
two days, but nothing of very decisive char
acter. The enemy is afraid to attack US IL
force, and we occupy position which it would
be mprndent to abandon for few days. Al
unnecessary baggage having been sent to the
roar, we are now unincumberad, and in excel
ent lighting trim. On last Wednesday, an ia
cident occurred which was somewhat singular,
and gave q slight advantage to the rebels.
party If fifteen of our cavalry had been ont
securing the con try and not having found
rebel during theit 'norning's ride, resolved to
take breakfast Til, accordingly alighted, and
having had a sharp ride, they unsadded their
horses, SO that the animals might be refreshed
when next they mounted them.
Their fanOied security aud repose were OF
short DURATION however, for scarcely had they
fairly set about preparing breakfast, when a
troop of rebel cavalry pounced ON them SO sud
denly that they were captured before they could
Offer any effectual resistance. While the rebels
we're securing their prisoners the horses, which
had been quietly grazing, on lifting their heads,
seeing that all was not right, very aagaciously
and properly set off at foil speed, without sad
dies or ridsFs nHd having arrived safely in camp,
created quite sensation, which gave rise 10
many surmises as to what had become of the
riders,
After nearly an hour had elapsed. in which
possible and impossible speoulatons were indul-
ged, squadron of Gen. Buford's cavalry went
out to search the surrounding country they
did not proceed far when they encountered
body of rebel cavalry under General Stewart.
On these they charged with such mpetuosiry
that :ae rebels ran in all directions. Many were
captured, amoug whom WAS an exquisitely dress
ed Major, who from the style of his dress, was
supposed by our men to be the principal person
in command, and who, accordingly, was pursu-
ed with the utmost vigor aud determination.
Our men were much disappointed on finding
that he was only Msjor while that individual,
Ike the stag in the fable, vas left to bewail his
fate. The iop ip ;hs case saved the General,
and he naT have the benefit Of the consolation.
1dlet III lht udN huOLHtT was Hhue
by the enemy to occupy the left bank of the
river at this point. They came forward can
tiously through belt of woods the omen Geld
in front of which was hela b7 raS of Ricketts,
diviSi2n. Goth pastTes commenced firing, aud
as the rebel position was rather more favorable
than ours icigned retreat was ordered This
had the desired effect, the rebels dashed for
ward with a shout of triumph L. was soon
succeeded by dismsy, for no sooner were they
completely out of the woods than our Meu faced
about and poured deadly volIey into them
whi0n emptied many saddles We followed up
our success with splendid charge.
The rebels now turned and fled, pursued BY
our cavalry, who completely routed them, across
the Rappahsnnock. We captured about thirty
head OF cattle which the enemy was forced to
leave behind him. Our troops are now encamp.
ed on the other side - part of Rutord's caval-
ry and Ricketts, division. At this point we
have possession OF the railroad bridge across
the Rappahannock,
The rebels next attacked our center, a few
miles higher upi they commenced sheng at
about one o'clock. At one time they attempted
to cross the river, but were driven back with
considerable loss. We took nine prisoners at
this point who we're the most oddly and wretch
edly dressed soldiers we ever cast our eyes on
Two of these attracted our attentien especially.
One was dressed partially in clothes taken from
our dead aud wounded on the field, and seemed
to feel very uncomfortable as his boots and pants
were spoken of as having been taken from the
dead. Another was an intelligent looking and
determined negro, who fought, We were told,
with the utmOst desperation as he vas about 10
be captured.
The rebels next attacked our forces at Kelly
vile, or Kelly's Ford While the cannouading
was going on above, and was quiet at this
point, and our boys were regaling themselves
with brOied beef, etc., rebel major came over
among them, who had become faint with hung.
er, and begged few crackers. These, and
some coffee aud beef being given e. him, he
resigned himself TO our charge, where, in fu'
ture, his creature wsutS will be more generously
and pentifully supplied than among the reedy
rebels.
/ The attack at Eelly's Ford was repulsed, aud
l the eannonading ceased about five O'Clock 10
the afternoon. Our line of battle was main
tanned, and the men slept on their arms all
night, The enemy having felt our lines at var
ious points, but principally at those named, we
expected night attack, and wal ed with much
anxiety, each moment expecting 10 hear from
him, but all was quiet during the night
In the morning however, a. a quarter pas
1--WE o'clock, he opened battery on our center
and continued vigorously to throw shot anC