The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-11-14
BY TELEGRAPH

THE BRILLIANT VICTORY ON
THE RAPPAHANNOCk!
Rebel Works Carried by Storm.
WASHINGTON, Nov. SIT appears from
information received here to night, Inas
yesterday morning the 5th and 9th Army
Corps. under Maj. Gen. Sedgwick, advanc-
ed to the Rappahannock, they being the
right wing of the army. The 1st, End and
Sd Army Corps. forming the left wing,
under Maj. Gen. French, proceeded to
Kelly's Ford. When the right wing reach
ed the Rappahannock the enemy was
found in considerable force, holdlng tnis
side of the river. Five rebel batteries,
earthworks and redoubts crowned the
banks on east side of the Rappahannock;
Gen. Sedgwick at once advanced ana
stormed them with great gallantry and I'M
petuosity, causing much slaughter and Ia
king large number of prisoners.
When Gen French reached Kelly's Fora
about 6 miles below Rappahannock station,
the enemy threw across an entire DIVISION
to support their picket line on TINS SIDE
Gen french hastily took position SO as 70
bring his artillery to bear upon them, anu
shelled them with marked effect, not only
killing a large number, but throwing lleih
into utter confusion, scattering thenl VIM
lyeand taking many prisoners. zen . renon
the First division of the Third Corps
commanded by Gen. Barney, across !he
river. which ended his operations Tor the
day. This morning be crossed the river
with the remainder of his command; zen.
Sedgewick had previously crossed. Al
O'Clock this morning the TWO Wings nau
formed a junction and held both banks OF
the river. The enemy, after their defeat in
these two Engagements, were SO hotly pur-
sued nv our victorious forces that they
threw themselves into the river in their ef
forts to escape, where some were drowned
and many were killed by our infantry
All the artillery the rebels had on
seven guns. Their whole camp equipage
undoubtedly fell into our hands, as they
were compelled to leave it in their hasty
retreat. EH
Gen. Buford's Cavalry crossed at Sui
phur Springs, to cover the right flank sew
eral miles above Rappahannock Station,
and Gen. Gregg and Fitzpatrick crossed be-
low Kelley's Ford to cover the left flank
No definite information of their operations
have been received up 70 noon To-Day. Inc
enemy, after crossing the Rappahannock
under cover of the night, moved in the di-
rection of Culpepper, and the advance
forces. supposed to be cavalry, reached
Brandy Station early to-day.
This morning our whole line advanced
and no doubt pressed rapidly forward after
the retreating foe. The entire number of
French is now believed to be 1926. The
prisoners are principally of both Carolina
and Louisiana troops.
This afternoon, at o'clock, the train
commenced bringing prisoners into Alex
andria. The number taken by Sedgwick
foots up from II to 400. The remainder
We're overtaken by French.
A who was prpSpnt with the
army saws it was sight to see Sedgwick' S
prisoners in a crowd. The largest lot ever
captured by our forces on the Virginia side
and were guarded by cavalry to prevent
struggling or leaving.
F'rench's prisoners were also gathered in
one body. Our total loss is reported to be
400 killed and wounded, but no prisoners.
Our wounded We're carried to Warrenton
Junction and from thence were carried to
Alexandria this p. m.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
Nov. $50 P. M.-Mai. Gen. Sedgwicll adj
vanced to the railroad crossing where he
drove the enemy to the river; assaulted
and captured two redoubts with artillery
on this side, taking number of prisoners.
Mai. Gen. French advanced to kelley's
Ford, driving the enemy, in small force,
across the river, and captured several hum
dred prisoners at the Ford. -..
(Signed) GEO. G. MEADE,
Mai. Gen. Commanding.
PoToMAc, Nov. 10 P. M.-Gen. Sedg-
wick reports capturing this p. M, in his
operations three Lieutenant Colonies and
many of their officers, over 500 men to-
gether with four battle flags. Gen. French
captured over 400 prisoners, officers and
men. (Signed.) GEO. G. MEADE,
Mai. Gen. Commanding.
NEW YORK, Nov. S.-The Herald has the
following:
RAPpAHANNocK STATION, Nov. Maj.
Gen. Sedgwick, commanding the right
wing OF the army, consisting of the 9Th and
9Th corps, left Warrenton this morning with
orders to proceed to Rappahannock Station
and take and hold that position. The
march was rapid one, and the LIST Divis-
ion, 9th corps, under command of Brig.
Gen. ID. \. Russell, Gen. Wright being in
command of the corps, reached the nights
this side of the Rappahannock about one
O'Clock, and drove the enemy's pickets.-
Howe's division, same corps, on Russell's
right, commenced diminishing soon after
and drove the enemy before them. The
5th corps, under Gen. Sykes, formed then
skirmish line on the south side of the
Orange IL Alexandria railroad, stretching
down towards Germans Ford.
Earl's division and Ewell's rebel corps
occupied the heights on Ibis side ofthe riv.
er. the works upon which they had sc
turned as to make them defenslble IRON
attack from this direction. These works
We're constructed by our forces last sum
mer, while we occupied the line OF the Rap
pahanuock. The enemy, however, hat
strengthened them by digging semi.cir
Gle OF ritie-pits around their front, which
was a formidable position, and which Rus
sells brave boys attacked and carried to
day.
Col. Tompkins, Chief of Artillery OF
Gen. Sedgwick' staff, posted his artillery
on the heights about three-quarters OF ;
mile this side of the river, and commenced
to shell the works about 3 O'Clock. Eigh
teen guns We're engaged in Smelling. A
this short distance the firing was beautiful
and the effect demoralizing. That Of thu
enemy was also very fine.
While this was going on, Russell was
busy with his musketry. He pushed hi!
line of skirmishers upon both TANKS Of thu
enemys works until nearly sunset, wher
his own brigade, composed of the 5th Wis
.consin, 5th and 9th Maine, and the Ills
New York, were ordered to charge th'
rife.pits and earthworks upon both TANKS