Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-10
RAPPAHAEEoeK STATION, I

Special 10 Herald:
RAPPAHAEEoeK STATION, !
November Z.
Major General Sedgwick, commanding
the right wing of the army, consisting of
the 9TH and 6ih corps, left Warrentown
this morning with orders to proceed to
Rsppahannock Station and take and hold
that position. The march was a rapid one,
and the first division of the 9th army
corps, under command Of Brigadier GEN
eral Russell, General Wright being in
command Of the corps, reached the Heights
this side of the RappahsnnOck about one
o'clock, and drove in the enemy's pickets.
Howe's division of the same corps, was on
Russelrs right, and commenced skirmish-
ing soon after, and drove the enemy be-
fore them. The 9th corps, under Major
General Sykes, formed their skirmish line
on the south side of the Orange & Alexan-
dria Railroad, stretching down towards
Normans Ford Easley's diyion and Ew-
ellis rebel corps occupied the Heights and
the works this side Of the river, which
they had so turned TO make them more de-
fensible from the attack from this direc-
tion. These works were constructed by
our forces last summer, which are occu-
pied. The enemy, however, bad strength
ened them By digging q semi circle Of rifle
pits around their front. Such was their
formidable position which Russells brave
boys attacked snd carried to-day.
Colonel Thompkins, chief Of artillery
on General Ssdgwick' staff, posted the ar
tillery on the Heights, about three-foRrths
Of mile this side Of the river, and com
menced to shell the works about 8 o'clock.
Eighteen guns we're engaged in shelling
them ct this short range the firing was
beautiful and each shot took effect, demon
slizing that of the enemy which was very
fine. While this was going on General
Russell was busy with his musketry; he
pushed the line Of his skirmishers upon
both fianks Of the enemy's works until
nearly sunset, when his own brigade, COM
posed of the 9th Wisconsin cavalry, Col
Allen; 5th Maine, Colonel Edwards; 9th
Maine, Colonel Harris; and the 18th New
York, Colonel Upton, were ordered to
charge upon the rifle pits and earthWorks
of both tanks, led by General Russell
in person they went steadily and silently
onward, fighting as they proceeded, until
nearing the works they fixed bayonets and
pitched in with cold steel. This was too
much, even for The flower Of the Southern
srmy-for its much vaunied Louisians
brigade which they found there, aud af-
tera short hand to hand contest they
turned to fee to their pontoons which
we're lying directly in their rear, but here
they were foiled: our boys had already Sc
cured the approach to the bridge and they
had no alternative but to surrender or
swim for il. Some OF them tried the latter
and 1t was no easy matter and they yield
ed. When those on the opposite shore
found we held this end Of the bridge, they
set FIRE to their side and destroyed a pOr-
ton Of it.
Thus closed at dark one of the most
brilliant actions Of the war. 1t was fought
by the same troops that so gallantly
stormed and carried the heights Of Fred
erieksburg.
Although Generals Sedgwiok, Wright
I and Tyler with their staffs were present
and active, all agree in awarding the cred
it Of this brilliant achievement principally
to Gen. Russell and his gallant troops.
Gen. Meade has sent to Gen. SedgWick
an order congratulating him and his troops
upon their success in this preliminary
q
movement.
Lee is supposed TO be at Culpepper, EWell
at Brandy Station and Hill between Gull
pepper and Cedar Mountain.
We are preparing to Cross at daybreak.
RAPPAHAENoCK SrAsIoS, Nov. 8.-From
present appearances yesterdays casual
lies were somewhat under estimated. The
killed viii be nearly 100 and wounded 800.
100 rebel wounded were left in our hands.
Wehave $50 prisoners including l03 com
missioned officers.
There is q heavy fog on the river this
morning which delays attack. Our bate
ries are in position and attack will be
made as soon as the fog rises.
WARRENToN JUNCTION, Nov. 8-SooE.-
Upoa the fog lifting, our forces commene-
ed crossing and found little or no opposi-
tion. They are pressing forward toward
Culpepper The I'd division, Sd corps, un-
der Gen. Prince, crossed the river last
evening at Kelly's Ford and captured 252
prisoners of the ID and 38th North Caro-
lima regiments.
Gen.Prince's boys waded the Ford which
was about waist deep, and the prisoners
/ had to wade back,