Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-02
OUR ARMY IN VIRGINIA,
Latest from Con. Meade,
LEE DEFEATED IN THE SKIRMISH
ON FRIDAY.
Another Great Battle Impending,

New YoRE, Dec. 1.-The Tribune has the
following, dated Saturday night. This morn
ing opened with Il rain storm, but neveuhe-
less the whole army was on the advance at an
early hour.
The Sd corps, which crossed the Rapidan at
Jacobs Mills, was engaged yesterday, six
miles from Locust Grove, and ON the road to
Culpepper, depoyed the left. The 9th, on
the right, the LIST on LETT OF 9th; the I'd re-
tanned ito position, while the 9th deployed
from its first station on the left, to Locust
Grove, as the reserve.
The engagement of the Sd corps yesterday
will be referred to before closing. Brisk
skirmishing commenced, as our line reached
IL point mile and half to the west of Lo-
Gust Point Grove. Our forces pushed steadily
onward, however, driving the enemyS skir-
miShers, and fastening their retreat by an oc-
casional sheA by our batteries, to which the
guns OF the enemy did not reply.
Gen. Meade and staff had come up at an
early hour to RObertsOns tavern. The head
quarter TT ms were ordered back out of range.
Large trains of ammunition wagons and ann
balances were moving to the front and every
thing indicates general engagement should
Lee fall into line, and should the weather
be favorable. The rain continued to fall at
diminishing went on as before, the rebel line
gradually falling back until it had reached the
western back Of Mile Run, two and half
miles from the tavern and Il short distance
from old VerdieTYille. Here every evidence
of the intention OF tho enemy to dispute the
passage of the Run were had Earthworks
and abattis were visible on the clearing be-
yond, and Gen. 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 on
either side of the road, some time elapsed
before the formation of our line. Night soon
came and, beyond the firing of the pickets and
an occasional shell thrown from our lines, no.
thing OF Importance has TRANSFERRED.
The Tribune's correspondent says that at
eleven O'Clock Saturday morning, our forces
were pushing forward in line of battle on the
Orange and Fredericksburg pike towards the
first mentioned point, driving the enemy be-
fore them.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l.-Reports from Beal-
ton Station confirm the reports of heavy fir
ing yesterday. The engagement of three
corps on Friday is said to BE- exaggerated, es-
gecially as the number Of the rebel prisoners
taken, being far less than heretofore reported
Our killed and wounded are believed to be
300. The report that Lee has fallen back is
not credited; on the contrary it is said he is
strongly posted on Mine river.
The latest.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l.-Information has
been received from the army of the Potomac
up to Monday noon. The train captured on
the plank road Friday is said to have con-
tanned small quantity of ammunition, which
the rebels exploded. They also captured the
mules, eighty Of which they carried away,
and killed the remainder. The wagon master
was killed, and the drivers, two excepted,
conveyed away as prisoners.
In relation to affairs in front on Saturday,
it is stated that at daylight our army lay across
the Fredericksburg and Orange turnpike at
Robertson's tavern, twelve miles from Orange
Court House. The rebel line was light, and
was gradually pushed back by our skirmishers
for mile ana half, over to Mine Run, near
Vprdinrs vila On hnih sides nf the road
sloping half mile on each side Of lie lie e.
is an open space, and on the edge of the
woods west of the run.
The enemy were in line of battle on both
sides of the road, with their batteries en-
trenched. The slope thence to the river is
dotted with rifle pits, from which the sharp
shooters fire scattering shots. About one in
the afternoon the clouds broke and the rain
ceased, but the roads were in almost an i'm
paSsable condition. One of our batteries fired
y few shots. which the rebels replied with
great spirit for half an hour.
The following Positions for battle having
been assigned to the several corps, were taken
by them during the day, and each was ready
to perform its duty by o'clock. The 9th
corps commanded by Maj. Gen. Sedgwick,
or the right; next the I'd corps, Maj. Gen.
Warren, which held the turnpike, and to-
gether with the first corps, Maj. Gen. New
ton, formed the center. The left was formed
by the Sd corps, Maj Gen. French. The 9Th
corps, Maj Gen. Sykes, formed the reserve
About sunset several guns were fired from
our line, but they failed to draw the enemy's
fire.
A few additional particulars are furnished of
the engagement on Friday, namely: The
number of prisoners taken by the Sd corps
has been greatly exaggerated; only sixty have
as yet been. reported to the provost marshal
army. The wounded are Col. Mcclellan and
Col. Higgins of the seth Pennsylvania; also
two captains, names unknown. The medical
director of the corps estimates our loss at 1926
wounded and about 100 killed.
The enemy retreated from the front of the
Sd corps during the night, leaving their dead
and wounded on the field. Owing to the enc
my change of position it became necessary
for US to leave them there. Their number
greatly exceed ours.
note dated Sunday says yesterday closed
clear with the two armies lying in line Of bat
tie on opposite sides OF Mine Run valley. On
examination it was found the sides of the Run,
excepting where crossed by the turnpike, was
impossible by our troops, owing to the Doggy
and swampy condition of the ground. All was
quiet in front on Sunday.
On Monday morning at 8 o'clock, all our
batteries, which could be placed in position to
bear upon the rebel works, were ordered to
open. The siege train was in position
in front of General SedgNick's command.
After half an hours slow cannonading, to
which the enemy feebly responded, an attack
was ordered. General Warren, on the left,
came upon the enemy stronger in numbers
and position than was anticipated, and asked
for further instructions. The forward move
ment was then checked, and and all firing
ceased.