Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-12-03

Mills, and engaged Yesterday six miles from Locust
Grove on the road leading to Cupeper deployed to the
lett OF our line; the Sixth remained the the First
on the lett OF the Sixth the Second retained its portion
while the Fifth deployed from its fret station on the left
TO Locust Grove as the reserve Of the army
BRISK skrmishlDg commenced our line reached a
point mile and half to the west Of Locust Point Grove
Our forces pushed steadily onward however driving the
eaemys skirmshes and Fastening their retreat by an
enemy did not reply.
The rain continued to fall at intervals but sill the
troops pressed forward and the skrmshug still Nrnt on
before the rebel line gradually falling back until il had
reached The western bank Of Mine Run two and half
miles from the tavern, aud short distance from Old
Vedlerviile. Here evidence of the intention of the
enemy TO dlspus the passage of the had Earth
works and abats were visible on tie clearing beyond,
and Cen Meade accordingly disposed his forces along
densely wooded crest Of hills east of the run.
owing to the difficulty of moving artillery and even
infantry through the woods either side Of the road
time elapsed before the formation of line Night soon
came and bey nd the firing of the pckcts and
shell thrown from our lines, nothing OF Importance has
TRANSFERRED.
The rebel line Of earhwoks in our front abandoned by
them last night of hasty construction YET owing to
tho pecuar topography of the line quite formidable
barriers to the advance of our skrmishing
As an evidence Of the indifference OF the enemy amount
ing 10 downing brutality may be stated that they left
their dead unbured in full view when they must have had
abundant opportunity to have buried them had they de-
sired your correspondent the blackened corpse Of
ne OF their sharpshooters lying half immersed the mud
just by the roadside where they travelled A still more
inexcusable barbar sm enacted yesterday battle
ground IN front Of the Third Corps There not only their
dead were unbured but their wounded we're buried by
our men this morning in the water and mud where they
had lain all night, willfuy aud ssariy abandoned
Dy those who lea the poor wretches into battle.
THE POSITION ON SUNDAY
This Sunday morning breaks with cloudy sky and cold
raw east wind Our forces are again changing position
To meet The Wles OF our adversary Our engineers went
out under cover at the darkness last and construct
cd bridges over Mill Run brook ard artillery protects
them now. The enemy has also constructed a consider
able line Of earthworks and have heavy guns in po
sitiOn in full view
The Fifth Corps which was the reserve of yesterday
has moved out to the front and taken the place of the Sc
cond while Gen. Warren has swung around the left to
execute Of those important movements where his
we-k1o"n sagacy, dash, and daring will be put to one
OF the seyerest tests.
Owing to the marshy ravine and Mine Run stream at
the base OF the long ridge occupied the enemy their po
sltlon Is one of unusual strength and as ia their wont
they nave improved every moment in throwing up earth
works along the entire crest.
Considerable picket firing has been kept up on both
sides this morning and less random shooting
through the night but the artillery has thus remained
quiet.
The enemy has husbanded his artillery ammunition
throughout scarcely dgnag to reply any one of our
many compliments of The kind thus far.
noon, and the present expectation is that the
grand battle will open about o'clock this afternoon
THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE COUNTRY
No one unacquanted with this section of the country
cd1 cobcoe VI tne dmcutles ms has to surm0nt
With the exception Of here and there opening the whole
lace OF the country is hcky covered with oak and pine
aud SO compacty that for miles at points it is next
to impossible to march through it foot Through this
dense forest there blind roads just wide enough one
wagon to squeese through and nunberless made paths
No guide eau through these woods and not get lost
without The aid Of compass As d. from palk road
the Orange and Fredericksburg plank road and the
Orange and Fredericksburg Pike which inrersect at
verderVle, and one or two country roads there no
other means OF traVersng the cu1ty that reader
nl,,Uui q.
encounter during the last three days and these woods
when the army came here were filed with regular and
irregular cava between the marching columns hus SOME
IDEA may be 'oymed OF the difficulty Of keeping up