The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-10-17

Correspondence of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
NEAR RAPPAHANNoCK STATION,
October 12-9 p NJ.
The army is again on the north bank Of
the Rappahannock, and the country around
here is all alight with camp fires. All the
infantry, except the Third and Fifth corps,
commenced falling back yesterday after
noon, and We're over the river in good time
to day. The Fifth corps crossed on the
railroad and pontoon bridges at this point
little before dark, and the Third, which
took the direction Of Sulphur Springs, is
supposed to be now at that point. All sup
ply trains and all stores from the depots at
Culpepper and other points were brought
safely away.
Within half an hour | started my dis
patch of IL a. m. from Culpepper, the rear
of the Fifth corps, which was also the rear
of the army. passed through the town, and
by noon We had entirely cleared out of that
place. Kilpatrick's division Of cavalry
formed our rear guard, and was closely fol-
lowed by the enemy. He started from the
vicinity of James City, and was attacked
about two miles before reaching Culpepper,
from which point he retired, fighting at in
tsrvals nearly all the way to the river.
Gregg took the direction of Sui lphur
Springs, and it is thought was not molested
except by few scattering shots just after
starting. The main body of the enemy
cavalry appears to have followed kilpat
rick and Buford. General Buford started
this morning from the other side of the
Rapidan river, and had by far the hardest
part of the days work to perform. He had
been ordered across from this side yester
day, and passing over at GermanlI fotd,
went back some distance behind the en-
emy's entertainments, cline Of which vas
occupied by rebel force of some three Or
four regiments, while he occupied the 9th
er, and remained in them over night. His
division was thus left alone beyond the Rap
idan, while all the rest of the army were
miles this side and falling back, and it was
only by the greatest eXertlon and the most
skillful management that he could have ex
tricated it from so dangerous and exposed
situation. He passed up the river this
morning to Martins ford, but was attacked
by the enemy before crossing. He beat
back their cavalry, and held his ground un-
| til they brought up their infantry supports
and renewed the attack, In the mean
time battery was with difficulty got across
the river and planted on this side, and un.
| der cover of its fire the division retired
across the ford. Near Stevensburg the
enemy again came up aud another sharp
fight occurred, in which the pursuing force
was again checked, but followed closely up,
when our troops turned to move on again.
Buford took the road direct from Stevens.
burg to Beverly station, and came up there
soon after our infantry, moving from Cul.
pepper, passed that point. The force fol.
lowing him, which consisted of infantry as
we'll as cavalry and artillery, arrived there
Just before Kilpatrick's division came upor
the road from Culpepper; and as the latter
was approaching an orderly rode back t.
General Pleasanton, who was with thai
division in person, informing him that 1
brigade of cavalry were right in front A
the same time their infantry and artillery
having taken position along the edge Of
) piece Of woods within the angle formed b,
the meeting of the two roads, opened OF
, our right front with heavy cross fire, AM
the party who had been following Kilpat
rick from the direction of Culpepper open
ed with battery on his rear and charge
with cavalry on the left rear and flank
: This meeting with the force advancing fror
Stevensburg was unexpected TO both pal
ties. Kilpatrick's men having no idea {
i finding the enemy in front and the latte
imagining that in Bufords division the
were followiIir up the extreme rear Of OIL
army; but tue effect was to give the eneu
a temporary advantage, as they appeared
!, have our men almost sun ounded. Gener
Pleasanton, on perceiving the position in
which this accident had thrown him, at on
ordered up Clusters brigade to attend
this new force of the enemy, while the 7
mainder of the division kept in check {
:. enemy in the rear. Custer was about
az make an immediate charge on the brigs