Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-10-12
LATEST FROM THE FRONT.
THE FIGHTING ON SATURDAY AN
YESTERDAY.
DESPERATE BRAVERY OF KILPATRIoK
CAyALRYi
orr HUNDRED CONFEDERATE PRISONERS
TAKEN. -s=-1aeaza.


rouR HUNDRED CONFEDERATE PRISONERS
TAKEN.
LEEs PLANS DEBATED.
The following particulars are obtained rom
parties from the front. s.Faa-t a-s
On Saturday tho rebel General Stuart crossed
Robertson's river and captured nearly the
whole OF the Tooth New York, who were doing
picket duty, but the 5th Michigan cavalry made
a charge and recaptured most Of the prisoners.
Soon after A. p. Hills corps passed our right
flank, and we fell back to James City and held
the rebels in check with artillery.
OnSunday morning our whole reconnoitering
force commenced falling back towards Culpep-
er, our rear being covered by artillery. Gen. Blu
ford's cavalry fell back, as it happened, faster
than Fitzpatrick, who brought up the rear, SO
that the latter was cut of by Stuart getting in
his front and on his right and left TANKS. A
charge was ordered and Gen. Clusters brigade
CALAMITY drove the enemy into thicket of
woods, from which they however recharged in
larger numbers, and our cavalry then made
grind charge in their front and TANKS, cutting
their W. y through and joined Buford.
Our artillery was brought into play during
the day in covering our rear, and with terrible
effect In one instance the rebels charged upon
one battery, IN, I'd artillery,) when the can
noneers mounted their horses, repulsed the
charge, and returned to their guns, and gave
the retreating rebs canister, killing and wound
ing many of them. .sa H
In this combat our cavalry performed the I'M
precedented ieat Of making successful charges
simultaneously in three directions.
General Fitzpatrick led the charges with
reckless gallantry, cutting his way through
several platoons Of infantry drawn up in the
road, in the midst OF fire from artillery on
each flank.
On Saturday our loss was but slight, but yes
terday. in killed, wounded and missing, Gen.
Fitzpatrick lost about $50 men. Capt. Dodge,
Acting Major 5th Michigan, was killed; Capt.
Oliphant of the same regiment, was wounded;
Capt. Hastings, of the same regiment, is miss
ing and supposed prisoner; Capt. q. M. Dat
cher, aid to Gen. Fitzpatrick, was slightly
wounded; Maj. Pauldi, OF LIST Michigan, and
Lieut.. Col Sawyer, Of LIST Vermont, are also
slightly wounded.
Yesterday, about 200 prisoners, mostly Of
General Fitz Lees division, were brought into
headquarters.
At five O'Clock yesterday there was consider.
able skirmishing going on between the opposing
cavalry and artillery, but it was thought that
the enemy would fall back during the night.
About 2 O'Clock to.day a train came down
from Rappanannoek station, bringing about
thirty two wounded, mostly OF the 5th Mlchi-
gan airy.
The reports afloat that Meade was compelled
to destroy a large amount of commissa-y stores
on Saturday, to prevent them from falling into
the hands Of the enemy, are untrue. Soldiers,
when about to leave q camping ground, will
invariably make bonfire OF all the
camp rubbish and thus 1t was that on
Saturday night the camping ground OF the
army to be vacated presented numerous fires,
giving the idea Of a pretty extensive confla-
grafton; but, as already stated, very little OF
value was destroyed; and fifty bales Of hay
will doubtless cover the extent OF our Losses.
The idea held out by sensation reports afioat
in town to the effect that Meade is retreatins
preeipitately to Washington under pressure
from Zee following with IN immense army is
absurdly erroneous, as those know who are
aware how deliberately Meade Is changing
his front to guard against any possible sur-
from Y OH he QfSa
movement. Late reports from Richmond show
that the idea is entertained there that Meade,s
army has been depleted to the extent OF four
army corps, for the reinforcement OF Rosecraus:
and 1t may be that Lee is maneuyerinp tn
ascertain if our army is really as weak as
reported
. II he is acting upon any supposition of the
sort, he may encounter disagreeable surprise.
and find that the army OF the Potomac is unite
as effective as when it staggered him at Gettys-
burg.
The supposition is that Lee designed moving
a force through Thoroughfare Gap, and rumor
has it that the enemy has already appeared
there, but in this case rumor must be consid
erably ahead OF the fact, and in any event
Meade has the shortest line of march to Ma.
nassas, and can readily post himself SO as to
confront Lee wherever he may make his ap-
pearance, il indeed the latter Is not ALREADY
taking the back track, finding his plans de.
feated.
The following is the substance of information
brought here by correspondents OF the North.
ern press go. =. e-.
Gen. Meade's army has fallen back to this
side OF the Rappahannock, followed by Lees
army, which 10 in great force about half q mile
from the southern bank Of that river
The enemy made a feint OF moving up the
valley on the southern bank Of the Robertson
river, and our cavalry under Buford crossed |
at Germania Ford and took possession Of the |
earthworks abandoned by them. When our |
force was all across the enemy came against |
Buford in great force, drove him across the |
river, without time TO destroy the crossing,
and pursued him to Rappahannock Station.
Kilpatrick, with force OF cavalry and ar /