The Portland daily press., 1863-12-02

quarters are at Ringgold.
Details of the battle of Fpiday,
NEW YORK, Dec. /.
Tile following are the Tribune's details of
Fridays fight: Rumors were rife that Gen
French had mct with disaster; that he had been
driven back, with Il loss of 1000 killed and
wounded; that he had lost several hundred
prisoners, and, finally, that he was cut Off by
the enemy and was unable to form junction
at Locust Grove as he was ordered TO all of
which, happily, proved materially incorrect.
In obedience to orders the Sd corps, followed
by the 9th corps, on the afternoon of the Goth,
crossed the Rapidan at Jacobs Mills with no
opposition, except shot or two from few
rebel videttes stationed at the ford. On reach
ing the south side of the river the corps
pursued the road leading to Morton's Ford,
few miles above, when they took road to the
left in order to strike the continuation of the
road from Culpepper to Roberts0ns Tavern.
On Thursday night they rested near Jones'
House. and yesterday morning continued their
march to effect a junction with Gen. Warren's
corps. Gen. Princes division of the Sd corps
was in the advance, and as they reached
small clearing, they were greeted with volley
from line OF rebel skirmishers. The LIST brig
ade of the I'd division was thrown forward
Into line, with the LIST Massachusetts regiment
deployed as skirmishers. supported by the LIST
and I'D divisions of the corps. The LIST Massa-
chusetts advanced through dense thicket
lighting and pursuing the rebels back mile
and halfto the vicinity OF Mill Run, when the
enemy, strengthening his line gradually forced
back our line. Skirmshing continued until
$50 z. NJ, when the enemy, with shouts and
yells, charged our first line, consisting of Gen.
Princes division, the right of which first fell
back in some confusion but soon rallied, and
with the aid of one section of Randolph's LIST
Rhode Island battery and battery X Of the 4th
L. s. artillery. which poured yocys of grape
and canister into the advancing columns of the
rebels, consisting Of Johnson's and a part of
Rhodes divisions of Ewell's corps, drove them
back. Twice in succession they calamity re-
pulsed the rebels, who were, in each instance.
driven back in aperiect rout. The fight ceas-
ed at dark. The Sd corps bivouacked at the
two roads above mentioned, six miles from
Locust Grove. Our loss in killed and wound
ed probably amounts TO not less than $50.
With such haste did the rebels retreat that
they left. behind all of their dead, the ground
being literally covered with them. Our pro-
portion OF killed in the fight was very small,
and an inspection Of the battlefield leads to the
conclusion that their casualties far exceeded
ours. But one brigade of the 9th corps was
engaged, that Of Gen. Russell.
The Tribune has the following dated Satur
day night:
This morning opened with rain storm. but
nevertheless, the whole army was on the adj
vance at an early hour The Sd corps, which
was engaged six miles from Locust Grove on
the road leading 10 Culpepper, deployed to the
left of our line. The 9th corps remained on
the right and the LIST corps on the leit of the
9th. The I'd retained its position while the
5th deployed from its first station on the left
of Locust Grove as the reserve Of the arniv.
Brisk skirmshing commenced rs our lines
nl nt..f ,aiIa .x,I. h.,1f H..
oil Locust Grove. Our forces pushed steadily
onward, however, driving the enemy's skir-
mishers, and fastening their retreat by an oc-
casional she'll from our batteries, to which the
guns OF the enemy did not reply. Gen. Meade
and stall had come mp a. an early hour to
Robertson's Tavern. The headquarters train
was ordered back out OF range. Long trains
of artillery, ammunition wagons, and ambu-
lances were moving to the front, and every
thing indicated a general engagement should
Lee fall into position and should the weather
be favorable. The rain continued to fall at
intervals, but still the troops pressed forward
and the skirmishing went on as before. the
rebel lines gradually falling back until il had
reached the western bank Of Mine Run, two
miles and half from Robertson's Tavern and
short distance from old Verdesvie Here
evidences of the intention of the enemy to
dispute the passage Of the river were had
Earthworks and an abattas were visible on
the clearing beyond, and Gen. Meade accord
ingly disposed his forces along densely wood
ed crest of the hill east of the Run. Owing
to the difficulty of moving infantry and artil-
lery through the woods on the other side of
the road, some time elapsed before the forma-
ton of our line. Night soon came on and be-
yond the firing of the pickets and an occasional
shell thrown from our lines, nothing of impor-
lance has TRANSFERRED.
The Trbune's correspondent states that at
II A. NJ. Saturday our forces were pushing
forward in line Of BATTLE on the Orange and
Fredericksburg Pike, towards the first men,
toned point, driving the enemy's skirmishers
before them.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.
Reports from Bealton Station confirm the
statements OF heavy firing yesterday The
engagement of the Sd corps on Friday last is
said to be exaggerated, and especially as to
the number of rebel prisoners taken, which was
far less than heretofore stated. Our loss is
stated at about 800.
The reports that Lee has retreated are not
credited. On the contrary, 1t is said he is
strongly posted on Mine river.