The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-10-22
. AsnIN0rON, Octoher "a.

" -ADAANNAO-'l SSNOUSI -Os
ARMY OF THE PoToMAo, October 20.
The sudden withdrawal of hseis ar
my is eXp planned. information Just re-
eeived at headquarters, from Washing
ton, confirmed by deserters and pris,
oners, ronders it certain that Burnside
is gaining position in the rear of the
rebel army, and actually threatening
their chief base oflsupplies, Lynch.
burg. Deserters state on, Friday night
Lee received positive orders from Rich
mond to fall back on, Gordonsville in
all haste, and protect Lynchburg from
the advance Of Burnside's army, al
ready within a hundred miles of that
place. a.t .sf.a,a.. b,,e .ioo..
Lee at once commenced a retrograde
movement, completing the withdrawal
from our immediate front Of all but a
small picket, by Saturday night. UP
On Sunday night positive intelli-
gence was received Of the enemy's re-
treat. Buford's and Kilpatrick's cav
airy started at once in pursuit. W.
AT daylight, the next morning, the
whole army advanced. Buford came
up with Lees rear in front of Thor
oughfaare Gap, Monday noon, when a
severe skirmish .ensued. The rebel
cavalry, with artillery covering their
rear, wheeled and gave battle. Blu.
ford met them with cavalry and artil.
lcry Then followed an artillery duel,
one of the most spirited on record
From the nights of Centreville, TWEEN
ty miles distant, he whole engagement
was visible, though only the curling
smoke was seen to distinguish the line
OF battle. f5 J.n.ne adi faG. -uGH
Every report of cannon was distinct
ly heard, For four hours the duel
continued, when Buord made spirited
charge and repulsed the enemy in con
fusion, driving them into the noun
The enemy in his retreat tore up
the greater part ofthe Orange and Alex
andria Railroad, from Manassas to
CuIpepper. Deserters say the dcstruc-
ton is complete. All the bridges are
burned, abutments blown down, and
rails torn mp for miles, piled on ties
and burned, It will require at least a
week to put the road in running. or
der. Workmen are already at work.
Lee moved the bulk of his army back
to Culpeppcr, where an immense train
Of cars was waiting for them, by which
to quickly transfer them south. 800
All the railroads in Eastern Virgi-
mia are said to be laid under contribu
ton to supply rolling stock for this
movement. Railroads running, to
Richmond are temporarily suspended
for this purpose. 1t is now positively
known Lee intended fighting Meade
even in tho defonses of Washington
My dispatch of the 18th fully justi-
fled Meade in falling back to secure a
position. Lee had 80, to 80, men, but
had withdrawn everything from points
in tho interior ofXirginia; hence Burn
sides advance was made the CASTER
Lee intended attacking at Chantilly on
Sunday, previously making demon
stratons on somc point on our left.
When ordered back, he was SO conf
dent of success that he protested ask
ing permission Of Davis to, fight this
battle. lie was ordered peremptorily
rot to fight, but to hasten back. '','''
Our army lost nothing by the cam
paign. Is is better prepared to fight
to-day than it was. a week ago. All
are confident OF something glorious
ahead. ...
Voluminous kilograms from Burn
sdo are highly important, but SO inter
woven with contingent movements
that they are not furnished for publ
cation, lie has done all and more than
the Richmond journals alleged, and is
receiving hundreds of recruits from
loyal Tenncssecans. He is not more
than fifty miles from Abingdon, and
one hundred and seventy from Lynch
burg, the great rebel supply depot.