Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-12-04
Dt[afnAut Haztt1e,
Delaware. Dec. l. 1859.
THE NEWS

THE NEWS.
The prevalent expectation for week past
Of news of a general engagement between Mead
and Lee has not yet been realized. Our
forces crossed the Rapidan last Friday with
little opposition, since which time there has
been considerable maneuvering and some heavy
skirmishig, bat up to Wednesday evening
there had been no general battle. The most
severe skirmish occurred Friday afternoon,
when the rebels were driven back with con-
siderable loss on both sides-our loss at first
being reported at 3,00O but later and more
authentic accounts reduce it to between 300
and 400. The last dispatches are quite con-
ficting, and calculated to increase rather
than clear up the mystery in which move
ments IN that region are involved. 1t seems
certain however the two armise are confronting
each other, and ere this there has doubtless
either been a battle or a falling back on the
part of one or the other of the armies.
From Chattanooga advices indicate no
further fighting as very probable for the pres
ent Our victory in the late engagement
was complete, and Bragg has retreated so far
south as to render further pursuit on the part
Of our army impossible with the limited
amount of supplies on hand. The rebel army
is thoroughly demoralized and deserters and
straggIers were being picked up in large num-
bers. The last accounts places the number
Of prisoners in our hands at 1000. The reb-
els lost nearly hundred pieces Of artillery,
5000 stand of small arms, and were com
PEELED to destroy most of their stores to pre-
vent them falling into our hands. Their pa
pers acknowledge the defeat, and regard it as
one of the most serious blows their cause has
yet received.
There is still much uncertainty as to the ex-
act state of affairs at Knoxville, though there
seems to be but little doubt that Burnside was
able to maintain his position till after the reb-
Ell defeat at Chattanooga, which would con-
pei the withdrawal of LOngstreet to save his
retreat from being cnt of by forces sent to the
relief of Burnside by Grant. A special des-
patch to the Cincinnati Commercial from
Cumberland Gap, dated 8 P. NJ. Sunday, says
q battle occurred that day in which Burnside
captured Division of the rebel army num-
bering 5 900 men; but nothing in confrma-
tiOn of the report has since been received
and hence its correctness is doubted. A few
days must remove all doubt as to the actual
state of affairs in that locality.
The expedition of Gen. Banks to Western
Texas seems to have been entirely successful
Several important points have been captured
without serious opposition, aud further move
ments are pending. An additional force left
New Orleans few days since for the supposed
purpose of joining him.
Affairs at Charleston remain unchanged
Our batteries and iron-clads still thum D away
at their forts, and occasionally shells are
thrown into the city. The rebels are kept in
constant dread and alarm, but the capture OF
the city does not seem likely to happen very
soon.
Large quantities of food, clothing and med
icine are being sent forward to our suffering
officers and men confined in Richmond II
it all reaches them (which is very doubtfuD
their wants will be abundantly supplied.
The perfdy and barbarity Of the rebels re-
ceives further confirmation from recent de-
velopments at Chattanooga. Gen Grant
telegraphs to the War Department that among
the rebel prisoners captured are great many
of-the Vicksburg paroled men who had not
been exchanged-aud in passing over the
field of the first battle in that vicinity (which
the late victory brought within our lines) it
was discovered that many of our dead still
remained unburied and some of the bodies
were terribly mu.ilated. It will be recol-
lected that Immediately after the battle Gen.
Roseerans asked permission to bury our dead
Bragg refused to permit our men to visit the
field for that purpose.
P.S. Special despatch to the Cincinnati
papers, dated Wednesday night, say the Army
of the Potomac has fallen back to the posi-
tion it occupied previous to the advance
consequently the anticipated battle will not
come of