New-York daily tribune., 1862-11-05
The Advnnce-Ih Progress md Position
The Gaps I'm ihc PossessioD Of the Na-
fiouaf Aru.y.


From Our Special Correspondent.
On TIIz FRONT BErwKEs PuiIoNOsr AND UsoS,
Sunday p In Nov. q 1861
| How Gen. Pleasanton met and repu!,ed the en-
emy yesterday correspondent who was present
dnring the engagement has already advised you
Early this morning when the sun had risen clear
and warm, promising one Of the fsrest days Of q
Virginia Indian Summer, the skirmish was renewed,
and the enemys cavalry and artillery compelled TO
retire.
During the night, at the solicitation Of Gen. Pleas
anton, Gen. Doubleday, whose division was the ad-
vance Of the infantry sent forward the % Brigade,
commanded by Leut.-Col. Hoffman, and composed
Of the 7ih Indiana, the 56th Fennsylyania aud the
10Th and S5th NewYork.
Early IN the day these regiments were sent ont 10
support the artillery and TO hold the ground already
takon by the cavalry. Gen. Pleasanton with his
accustomed energy rapidly pushed forward 10 the
occupation OF new positions.
The turnpike leading from Leesburg TO Snicker's
Gap is fully occupied by our Infantry. Philomont
h on Skickere Gap and Aldie Pike, that both tue
main roads leading to the Gap are now in the pos
session of the uaoDal forces. There IA another road
along the base Of the mountain, passing through
| Bloomfield aud Union, the occupation OF which Is
Of importance as q means OF communication east OF
/ she mOuptain between Smokers and Ashby Gaps.
For the possession Of tits road Pleassnion ID now
cOntendlng. He has already entered Union aud In
trusted its keeping to Col. Hoffman, while his cav
airy, moving alODg the road in nOrtheTly direction,
Will occupy Bloomfield and thus complete the inter-
ception OF communication between the Gaps east Of
the Blue Ridge.
The country east Of the mountain slopes is broken
by abrupt bluffs and deep rayines; further TO the
east it grades into gently -sloDng hills and regularly
formed basins. Groves of oak and hickory, without
undeIbTnsb quite numerous, aud altogether the
situation il not much unlike We field On the Antle-
tam, and is one on which extensive maneuvers Of
large army may be advantageously made.
All the corps and divisions Of this grand army are
well posted and all the roads in possesslon
that If the great battle to be fought here, the
advantage Ii with the Union.
1t is just reported at headquariers-that If, at
fighting headq uarters, Mcclellan and stalI are sti
al, Berlin, y miles in the rsar-th at Smokers
GAP has been abandoned by tie enemy.
Clouds Of dust now aud lave been for two
hours hanging over the valley near Ashby's Gap,
and IL is evident that the enemy il In motion in that
vicinity; but whether il s retreat Of the defeated
cavalry the coming up Of recniorcements through
the Gap, ~ 1T this hour (31 =. M unknown.
III. retrse, then, We have by an energetic advance
secured all the very mI I0rtant advantages Of having
full pOssesOn OF this valley and the enemy is forced
70 the outer lines OF the circular route to Richmond.
II al advance Of iecnlOrcemente, battle, severe and
terrible, s imminent.
OF tho exact dispositions Of our forces it il not
proper for me to speak, though il may be well TO
caution tie public against believing the very lunin
ous and ludicr0us reports Of TIE Washingt0g Star,
whose accounts, gathered from reliable gentlemen
from the 'front.'" are, to say the least, absurd, and
without shadow Of truth upon then, NJ all CORE
rpoEdeuts the spot do well know J.Rs.