The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-07-29
BY TELEGRAPH.
ToTHE
Portland Daily Press.
Lees Army near Culpepper.
A STAND PROBABLY TO BE MADE ON
THE RAPPIDAN.
Lees Army near Culpepper.
Great Dependency of the Rebel Army.
A Lieutenant Shot by Guerrillas.
WAsutNaroN JuIy pc

WASHINGTON. July 2S.
According TO information received to-day,
the report is now fully confirmed that the
corps OF Lees army under Longstreet, Hill
and Ewell, passed through Chester Gap on
Thursday and Friday, and are now at and
south of Culpepper. The passage of the reb-
els was opposed by Bulord's cavalry, but he
was compelled 70 fall back. Buford, however,
hung upon the rebel rear and captured many
prisoners and the herds of cattle heretofore
mentioned. Longstreet's corps passed through
Culpepper on Friday, and camped that night
south OF the town. All the available rolling
stock of the Virginia Railroad was concentra-
ted at Culpepper, aud it was generally thought
that Lee was making all possible speed for
Richmond, but Gen. Buford thinks that the
rebels intend to make a stand on the south
side OF the Rappidan. Ewelfs wagon train
with a strong guard went south from Stras-
burg, by way OF Staunton, TO avoid capture by
our cavalry, who through the entire last cam
paign signaliZed itself by degree of energy
and daring never before surpassed. Rebel
prisoners OF intelligence unite in saying that
our cavalry has done more TO defeat Gen. Lees
plans than any other arm of the service
Stuart's legion fears to encounter cavalry men
or, at all events, they do not court an encoun-
ter. Rebel prisoners and refugees are unani-
nous in the statement that the morals of the
rebel army in Virginia Is broken, and that
great dependency prevails in all Southern
circles, and particularly in the army. The
defeats of the rebels in the Southwest, at Get
tysburg and at Morris Island, have at last con-
WINGED the rebel soldiers Of their vunerability.
Further, that Gen. Lees plans, supported by
the flower OF the Southern troops, having
proved failures by the energy of Gen Meade,
and the bravery and endurance of the Army
of the Potomac, will necessitate the recon-
struction of the rebel army of Virginia, while
the detection of Johnston and his refusal to
obey the orders of JEFF. Davis, will compel
reconstruction of the rebel army of the South
west.
Intelligent rebel officers now in our hands
admit that this is the most gloomy period for
the hopes of the Confederacy.
Guerrillas under Mosely, White and others
in.est our rear and pick up or kill all who
struggle. An outrage occurred yesterday
which has caused feelings OF retaliation in the
army. A Lieut.. of the I'd Pennsylvania cav
airy, Alfred Byles, went from Warrenton two
miles out on the Salem road TO drive with
lady from that State. While making his toilet
the house was entered by five or six guerrillas,
who demanded his surrender. He refused
and for this he was Immediately shot twice
through the head, killing him instantly
Threats are freely made that on the repetition
of such outrages all the houses, stock and pro-
duce in the vicinity shall be confiscated or
burnt, and the perpetrators. IL caught, hung
on the nearest tree.
One hundred and forty-four rebel prisoners,
recently captured in Virginia, arrived here
to-day. Among them are eight officers, of
whom a Captain who was captured at Vicks-
burg and paroed, who had violated his word,
was again found In the service armed and
equipped.