The Portland daily press., 1863-11-30
BY TELEGRAPH
ToTHE
Portland Daily Press.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

Oar Irmy EagaOed Heor Orange Court
House carai'0 Eight on tie Right Ti"g-,
200 Prisoners taPt"red-t'eH. Kirkpatrick
RcpUised ia Crossing the Rirer.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20
The Army Of the Potomac advanced at six
O'Clock on the morning OF the 9th from near
Germans, Culpepper and Jacobs Ford, and
formed a line OF battle, the centre resting on
the fredericksburg Turnpike, near Robert
sons Tavern, The left advanced along the
plank road, forming a curve toward Gordons-
vile, and the right terminating near the
Rapidan, southwest of Jacobs Ford. As the
centre advanced it came upon the enemy's
pickets and skirmish line. Subsequently the
enemy's line was strengthened by the arrival
OF reinlorcements from Ewels corps on the
Ra2idan front. About one o'clock slow aud
irregular cannonading commenced on the
roads leading toward Orange Court House,
and considerable firing between the skirmish-
ers. The enemy did not reply with artillery.
At four O'Clock it was announced that Hills
corps, which had previously rested on the
Rapidan, west of the railroad, was approach
ing on the center, and half an hour later heavy
musketry was heard on the right, showing
that the Sd corps, forming that wing, was en-
gaging the enemy. Up to six o'clock on
Friday morning our casualties were few on
the centre. The only officer of rank at that
time known to be killed is Lieut.. Col Hesser,
I'D Pennsylvania.
The battle ground is in the wilderness, with
but little open country, consequently an accu-
rate description of our position cannot be
given, but it will be observed we have the
enemy's fortified position on the heights skirt
ing the Rapidan on their right and can com
pei them to give battle, if they intend to fight
upon ground less unfavorable to us.
JEFF. Davis. owing to the unfavorable
weather af Nafnaalau no
rebel army, as he intended, and is said by pris-
oners 10 have returned TO Richmond on
Thursday.
Gregg's cavalry aud batteries had severe
fight with the enemy's right wing cavalry
Thursday afternoon. We drove them back
upon their infantry lines, when we were COM
PEELED to fall back. His loss is said to be about
20 in killed and wounded. The 18th corps
coming up, the enemy in turn was compelled
to retreat.
About sixty were wounded. In the I'd CORPS
5 killed, aud MORALLY wounded On the
right Gen. French, with the third corps, when
advancing encountered Ewelis corps, before
he connected with the centre, and after
severe fight. He held his position, but lost
heavily. lie, however, captured 800 rebels.
The 9th corps was then thrown forward aud
filed the gap between the centre and right.
"A train Of the 9Th corps, advancing on the
plank road, was attacked on the flank by the
rebel cavalry, who destroyed Is or 20 wagons
killed two men and several mules.
On Friday morning 1t was found that the
rebels had fallen back from our centre to two
miles nearer Orange Court House, and the
above intelligence is up TO the evening of
Friday, and was brought 10 Washington by a
special messenger, who came near being cap
tured by gucrrilas.
The additional information which has also
come to hand tonight through another source
states that the linc was formed on Friday at
noon on the roads leading to Orange Court
House. Gen. Gregg's cavalry on the left hand
had severe fight with the rebel cavalry, and
drove them back upon their Infantry and then
fell back himself upon the fifth corps, who in
turn drove the rebel infantry back and took
position as the left wing. Warren's second
corps on the turnpike drove the rebel Skin
mishers beyond Robertson's Tavern and form
ed the centre. On the right Gen. Princes
division, consisting of the third corps, met
heavy body of Ewell's corps and fought them
several hours. until the remainder OF the corps
came up, and later the 9th corps. The third
particularly Gen. Princes, lost heavily, which
is estimated at 500 killed and wounded and
many prisoners, bat severely punished the
enemy in killed and wounded, and took, as
Gen. French reports 900 prisoners. Our forces
on the centre had no severe fighting and con-
sequently our loss there was small. excepting
in Gen. Gregg's division.
On Saturday morning it was discovered that
the enemy's centre had fallen back. Their
sl,irmish line is in the woods some mile and n
half nearer Orange Court House. The heavy
rain, II was thought, would hinder any heavy
offensive operations. On Saturday it was re-
ported that Gen. Kilpatrick's cavalry division,
under Gen. Custer, attempted to cross under
the pnpmy's baffqries nj Raaoan Ford IN Fri