The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-02
THE WAR NEWS.


week has been of the most cheering character /
No decisive victories have been gained, however, 4
except al Chattanooga, al account OF which We
give below The army Of the Potomac Is again
in motion. On the morning of the 27th, Gen /
Meade's army commenced crossing the RspidAn-
The programme vas for the ID Corps, Gen. War
ren, to cross al Germania Ford, ard take she
road to Orange Court House via Robertson's
Tavern. The I'd Corps, Gen. French, was to
cross al Jacobs Mills Ford, and take position al
night on the right Of the % Corps. The 5th
Corps, Gen. Sykes, was to cross at Culpepper
Ford, move on toward the Fredericksburg Plank
road, ard form junction with the 2d Corps on
the right, at the forks of the road at Robertson
Tavern. The 9th Corps, Gen. SedgWiek, to fol-
low the 81 Corps al Jacobs Mills Ford, and the
lst Corps, Gen Newton, with the reserve artil-
lerv and wagon trains, to follow the 9TH Corps
across Culpepper Ford, the wagons to be parked
at Richardsyille, about fifteen miles south from
Rappahannock Station.
This programme was fully carried out, the eros
sings being made without opposition The va
ter was about waist high, and the men forded
the river. While on the march the columns
we're halted, and the kilograms announcing the
victory at Chattanooga were read TO the men.
The news was received with the widest enthu-
siasm. The air was darkened with caps thrown
I'D bv officers aud men, and resonant with the
cheers of the mighty host. This announcement
ony increased the spirits OF the men, and their
desires TO meet the enemy were loudly express
ed ; but, alas no enemy could be found
Our cavalry pushed forward as far as Locust
Grove, where they met the advance of the reb-
el cavalry, and the latter were driven across
Russell Greek, and afterwards across Mil Run.
body Of rebel infantry was posted between
that point aud Orange Court House. The whole
rebel force moved od in the direction Of the
latter place.
Locust Grove is four miles south of Germania
Ford, in Orange county, and within short dis
lance OF the wilderness where Hooker fought
his battles. Mill Run Is two miles from Locust
Grove, and thence to Mountain River-wherc
the rebel General Early, with Ewelrs old corps
is said to be in force-is said 10 be six miles
Orange Court House is eigh: or ten miles fur
Their on, in a south west direction.
The following account Of the advance OF the
Army OF the Potomac is from the correspondent
of the y. Y. Times, under date of the 18th
From the unusual amount of preparation tn,
enemy had made by throwing up earthwOrks
and digging rifle pits at the principal point o
crossing a strong resistance TO the passage o
lib. R.r Oh In all =
appointed The enemys pickets fell back al
most without firing shot. The river was reach
ed early in the day, Thursday, and finding tina
the enemy had vacated the places, the troop
commenced crossing at once. Thursday nigh
the troops, wagon trains and artillery were eros
sing the river.
sufficient force was thrown forward Thurs
day afternoon on the Germania plank road &
cover the front.
Friday morning the 5th Corps and lst Corp
moved from near the river mp the GermanI
ford, Gregg's cavalry taking the advance, driv
! ing the enemy's cavalry back, skirmishing L
f lakewood. At this point and one mile beyond
the enemy made considerable resistance bot
sides having out strong skirmish lines Charg
upon charge was made on both sides BY tn
skirmsh line. The enemy were invariably re
pulsed, and, finally, suddenly introduced a lin
of infantry skirmishers TO repel a charge. W
followed IL up promptly by counter mOvemen
with infantry, and for few moments forced on
, line back, but We finally repulsed the rebels b.
a vigorous fire opened upon them from the 81
n. Y. Independent battery. Capt. Martin. TIL
let brigade of Gregg's cavalry division, unde
command OF Col. Taylor, did the heaviest par
of this work.
At lakewood companies K and J. Captain
e Wright and Walsh, 9lst Pennsylvania cavalr
had the advance and behaved in the most gsllsn
manner
Our left wing last night was two miles sOut
of lakewood, = miles from Germania, on n
: plank road leading from Fredericksburg to Or
E ange Court House.
just as the Infantry was exposed 50 unexpec
tedly to repe a charge OF the skirmishing lin
as above recorded the advance OF the 5th corp
came into position very opportunely, thrown,
} out a strong skirmishiug line The enemy open
T ed with heavy fire Of artillery upon it. which
was responded to in a similar manner from on
, side, and for an hour quite brisk cannonadnl
was kept up on both sides. In one of tn
charges made by the cavalry, "A persons wer
taken.
AS the train Of the 9th corps was turnin,
FROM the back pike into the plank road fire va
suddenly opened upon it from "A concealed foe
: when one man was killed and several mules
The enemy was speedily disposed of by a de
tachment sent ont from the 5th corps for tn
purpose.
Having crossed Germania Ford, the ID corp
yesterday took the frat road to the right, tn
: Orange Court House pike. But little distance
had been made before the enemy's pickets wer
encountered and a lively skirrnsh was kept u,
to beyond RObertsOns Tavern. Here the enc
my brought forward their Infantry, and for twt
hours there was heavy skirmishing and con
: siderable artillery practice, until it was quit
dark.
Next on the right on the 81 il the Sd, ar,
then again the 9th corps. The Sd bad consider
oble skirmishing in 'front.' and at one time a gen
ersl engagement last night Feemed imminent
The reason it did not come of In fact, was doubt
less because neither side was ready. We ma
have it to-day.
Gen. Custer, in command Of Knpatrick's cav
airy division, anxious TO mix in the fght tha
seemed to be impending made dash acros
Raccoon ford with the Michigan brigade an
PenningtOn's and commenced work in real ear
nest. AS the position he vas in might becom
a critical one, and his Increment would some
what interfere with other arrangements on foot
be was directed to recross the river this nor
ming.
The latest adyices are up to noon Of the 18th
at which time all was reported as going Of
satisfactorily. Meade was gradually pusbin,
the rebel army back to Gordonsville. Al whicl
T place it was expected a battle wonld ensne ]
/ Lee intended to fght at all