The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-21
BY TELEGRAPH.
THE WAR In VIRGINIA,
Reports of Decentralization in IA POr-
ton of Lees Army---Rumors of
Fighting on the Rappahannock.

Fighting on the Rappahannock,
[ITibume's Special ]-Deserters report
the movement of Lees army in the direc-
ton of Fredericksburg .or the purpose of
thanking Gen. Meade on the left. Scouts
report all quiet as to any movement. The
rebels are engaged in throwing up earth
works
A part of Lonstreet's corps are at the
United States Ford. The disposition of our
forces has been made to prevent any ad-
vance of the enemy. Everything contin-
ues quiet.
The report that Lee had crossed a
portion of his force over the Rappahan-
mock has been proved untrue by our cav
airy. The army holds itself in readiness
to move at movent's notice, so that any
attempt on the part of Lee to advance will
be promptly met.
The Herald has the following:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAo,
August ia contraband deserted from
Lees army yesterday forenoon, and came
within our lines. He reports that on
Wednesday morning the whole of Lees
army, with the exception of r. P. Hills
corps moved from Culpepper Court House,
by the Fredericksburg road. He also con-
firms the stories of the demoralized con-
dition of the Tennessee and Alabama
troops. Those from North Carolina, in
Hills corps, have openly revolted, and
swear they will fight no longer. The
Mississippi troops are clamorous to be
sent home
The contraband's story of the move
ment is fully confirmed by reports from
our scouts.
On Saturday a large force of rebel cav
airy and infantry, with some artillery,
made its appearance on the the south
bank of the Rappahannock above Fall
mouth. Another story is that they cross
ed at Fredericksburg on Friday night,
but consider the report of their crossing
highly improbable.
The news from the front this morning
is cheering, inasmuch as it points to ter
minatiOn of our term of non-action. We
are all momentarily expecting orders to
pull up stakes.
Heavy firing has been distinctly heard
since three O'Clock this morning, in south
easterly direction, apparently in the neigh
bOrhoOd of Banks or United States Ford.
The firing is rapid, and battle is evident
ly going on. Large bodies of troops were
moving yesterday by rail, and that our
advance has come up with the rebels, may
be safely inferred from the noise this
morning.
NEW York, Aug. 18.-A Washington
special to the Herald says: This morning
the enemy made demonstration on the
left of our army, and heavy cannonading
ensued for some time
No intelligence concerning results
reached Washington to-day, but it is be-
lieved the movement was nothing more
than a reconnaissance in force, for the pur-
pose of feeling our position.
Lees army is reported to be moving in
q sOuth-easterly course, and there can be
no doubt that the region of Culpepper
and Gordonsville will soon be entirely
evacuated by the enemy.
The Times special says, Marks, the
scout from Lees army, came down the
valley by way of Staunton, Harrisonburg
anu bVidSUul :. 4AO sd" uuU ACN lAoopS ol
the way.
Imboden was at Strasburg. He had two
brigades of cavalry and two batteries of
artillery.
The fight at Snickersville was between
detached portions of different regiments.
Georgans and North Carolinians deserted,
bringing with them their arms. They at
tackled Stuart: cavalry at Snickersville
road, and some succeeded in escaping to
the federals.
Marks saw about 100 soldiers, GeOrgi-
ans, North Carolinians, Alabamians and
Texans, on their way home, having openly
deserted. The Blue Ridge mountains are
alive with stragglers and deserters, who
have their arms with them; so numerous
are they that in travelling along the
mountain sides, they have actually worn
paths.
The Provost Guards stationed along the
route are afraid to interfere with them on
account OF their numbers, save when trav-
cling alone.
Advices received to night from the ar
my of the Potomac state artillery firing
was heard early this morning in the direc-
ton of Dumfries. Supposed to have been
occasioned by our cavalry engaging Stuart,
who has small force of his cavalry in that
neigfbOrhOod.