The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-08
Reconnaissance AT FREDERICKs-
BURG.
BOLD AND SUCCESSFUL MOVEMENT.
Movements of the Enemy OWNED.

~NEV AOihh3 ouuC
The Heralds Washington Dispatch dated
the 9th, says the second division of the sixth
army corps crossed the Rappahannock at
Deep Run at noon yesterday, on a pontoon
bridge laid by a detachment of the engineer
corps. The object was reconnaissance in
force to ascertain the motives and position of
the enemy. The rebel sharpshooters made
some opposition 10 the laying of the pontoon,
but this was quickly overcome, although we
lost one or two men in the operation. After
the division crossed there was considerable
skirmishing, and the rifle pits occupied by the
rebel rifiemen were finally carried and some
thirty or forty prisoners captured.
The rebels still hold Fredericksburg. Gen.
Longstrcet is there and. shows strong front
at the upper fords of the kappahannock. 1t
is believed large part of the rebel forces
have gone in the direction OF Gordonsville,
but with what intention can only be surmised.
Our army is in good spirits and ready TO move
forward at an hours notice.
The Times special dispatch from the army
OF the Potomac, dated 9th, gives particulars
of the crossing of the Rappahaneock. The
batteries from the 9th corps, under charge of
Col. Thompkins, were ordered To cover the
engineers in their work, and Howes' division
of infantry was ordered to support the engi-
neers and push across as the bridges were
laid. About 5 o'clock the engineers COM
menced unloading the pontoons, whereupon
the rebels Topped into their rife pits and be-
gan to pick off our men. Our artillery of 20
guns or more Immediately opened with shell,
and for two hours kept up a vigorous cannon
ade, with little effect however upon the sharp
shooters. These kept In the bitches closely
and picked Off our men at every chance. At
half-past six the 26th N. j., Col. Morrison, of
Col. Grants Vermont brigade, was ordered
into the boats. They at once pushed across
under severe fire, and landing on the oppo-
site side rushed upon the pits with cheers,
when the rebels vacated them, and our men
instantly deployed as skimshers, and in
short time some go Of the I'd Florida were
brought in prisoners. Our casualties were
five killed and about twenty-five wounded.
The enemy's loss could not have been large as
they were protected by their earthworks. The
captain commanding their pickets was killed,
and several men were found dead in the
bitches from the effects of our shells. Our
forces advanced cautiously across the plain
BY dark they had reached the Bowling Green
road and posted their pickets for the night
well out towards the foot of the tim5erland
crest, on which the enemy have their strong
earthworks. The rebels were not discovered
in force last night, though the prisoners stated
we should soon meet them if we kept on adj
vancing. This truly audacious movement
than the enemy. 1t is properly reconnois-
sance, by which the Commanding General
hopes to obtain some positive information re-
garding the enemy's intentions. This morn
ing enough was ascertaiDed to locate the
greater portion of the enemy's force We
took nearly 100 prisoners, including Major.
Our crossing took the enemy greatly by sur
prise. During the night Lee marched two
corps back from the vicinity of Salem Church
to position in front of our lines, and Long
streets corps reinforced the troops in Freder-
icksburg, and slept there last night This
morning they moved in a southerly direction.
By this bold movement we have demonstrated
to certainty what has become of the enemy,
divining his purposes.
The Times special dispatch from headquar-
tiers army of Potomac, of the 9th, says, from
prisoners taken last evening / have obtained
copies of the Richmond Wing and Despatch
of the 9TH. / send you the chief item of in
terest
Jackson, Miss, 3d.-The result of the siege
OF Vicksburg thus far is very favorable and
encouraging to our side. The enemy have
been repulsed in every attempt to storm the
works. Gen. Grant must be compelled to
raise the siege in a few days. The storming
Of the works is looked for in the next forty
eight hours.