The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-04

fusion, but soon rallied with the aid of
one section of Randolph 3 LIST Rhode Island
Battery and Battery K, 4th United States
Artillery, which poured volleys of grape
and canister into the advancing columns
of the rebels, consisting of Johnston's and
a part of Rhodes division of Ewell's corps.
We twice in succession gallantly repulsed
the rebels, who were, in both instances,
driven back in perfect route The fight
ceased at dark. The Third bivouacked on
the field, at the junction of the two roads,
just mentioned, six miles from Locust
Grove.
Our loss in killed and wounded probably
amounts to not less than $50.
With such haste the rebels retreated
that they left behind all their dead. The
ground being literally covered with them.
Our proportion of killed in the fight was
very small, and an inspection of the battle
field leads to the conclusion that their
casualties have exceeded ours. But one
brigade of the Sixth corps was engaged,
that Of Gen. Russell, famous for the bril-
liant charge Of Rappahannock Station.
GEN. Meade's Movements on satur-
day.
New YORK, Dec. 1.-The Tribune has
the following, dated Army of the Poto-
mac, Saturday night. This morning at
II O'Clock our forces were pushing for
ward in line of battle on the Orange and
Fredericksburg pike towards the first
mentioned point, driving the enemy's skir-
mishers before them.
This morAing opened with a rain storm,
but the whole army was on the advance
at an early hour.
The Third corps which crossed the Rap
idan at Jacobs Mills, and was engaged
yesterday six miles from Locust Grove on
the road leading to Culpepper, deployed
to the left of our lines. The Sixth remain
ed on the right, and the First on the left
of the Sixth.
The second retained its position, while
the fifth deployed from its first station on
the left towards Locust Grove as the re-
serve of the army.
The engagement of the third corps yes
terday will be referred to before closing.
Brisk skirmishing commenced as our
line reached point mile and half to
the west of Locust Grove. Our forces
pushed steadily onward, however, driving
the enemy's skirmishers before them, and
fastening their retreat by an occasional
shell from our batteries, to which the guns
of the enemy did not reply.
Gen. Meade and his staff at an early
hour had come up at Robertsons tavern.
The headquarters train was ordered back
out of range, long trains of ammunition
wagons and ambulances were moving t.
the front, and everything indicated gen.
eral engagement, should Lee fall into po-
sition, and should the weather be
favorable.
The rain continued to fall at intervals,
but still the troops pressed forward, and
the skirmishers still went on as before,
the rebel line gradually falling back until
it had reached the western bank of Mile
Run, two and half miles from the tavern,
and short distance from Old Verdier-
vile, showing an evident intention of the
enemy to dispute the passage of the run,
where he had earthworks and abattis Wis
ible in clearing beyond, and Gen. Meade
accordingly disposed his forces along a
densely wooded crest of hills east of the
run.
Owing to the difficulty of moving artil-
lery, and even infantry, through the
woods on either side of the road, some
time elapsed before the formation of our
line.
Night soon came on, and beyond the fir
ing of the pickets and an occasional shell
from our lines, nothing of importance
transpired.
The army of Gen. Meade occupies a
section of what is termed the Wilderness.
Many discredit the story that Lee will
give battle this side of Orange Courthouse
or Gordonsvlle
WASHINGTON, Dc. 1.-Reports from
Bealton Station confirm the reports OF
heavy firing yesterday. The engagement
of the Third corps on Friday last is said
to have been exaggerated, especially as to
to the number of rebel prisoners taken,
which was far less than stated Our loss
in killed and wounded is believed to be
800.
The reports tina Gen. Lee has retreat
ed are not credited, Oh the contrary it is
said he is strongly posted on Mile River.
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.