Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-15

advance Hence, tho only question for Gen Meade to
solve was how to get his immense trains and stores
in safety.
On Wednesday the 7th instant, Gen Meade received
information that led him to believe that extensive rebel
raid contemplated upon his right and rear-informa
ton verified 1t also that on Thurs
day night the rebel cavalry under Stuart and infantry
der Ewel were crossing the Rapid-Ann n the vicinity Of
ROberts0ns river, and making towards Sprngvie,
James City, and presume it this information which
led to the strategy of the last two days.
Gen Meade was fully apprized OF the rebel strength,
and centre he would compel them t, abandoa their
prise order to protect their lines of with
Gordonsve and Richmond.
Consequently strong force OF cavalry, under Buford,
appeared at daylight Saturday at Germania Ford ten
miles below Raccoon Ford while infantry and cavalry APP
peared in force at the ords in the vicinity Of Cedar Noun
TAIN Fitzpatrick was also sent out to the right to attract
and engage the advance Of be enemy at James City, ten
miles southwest Of Culpeper 1t is said that Gen. Blu
ford crossed at Germanla Ford.
On Friday night the First and Sxh corps, who had
been encamped along the base of the Cedar Run Noun
tans and extending down to Raccoon Ford built fires and
advanced their lines to the river They had prsyiosS
been by two divisions so that at the break
day Saturday most formidable array Of Union soldiers
appeared ready to the river at several points
taneOusly.
Gen. Fitzpatrick had also during Friday night moved to
the right and at daylight Saturday morning engaged
the enemy at James City He instructed not to bring
on general engagement as the plan was to lure the
rebels back TO their right and by the
in those quarters plan which would be thwarted by
bringing on general engagement upon right. Co
"
direction of Culpeper, and took position Bethel
church, where support of infantry posted and to
which place they were followed by the rebels Here
part Of cavalry dsmounted aud deployed infantry
and for short time the fight isk njeed but The
rebel force proving too strong abiding by his orders
fitzpatrick fell still further toward the bodg of the
corps, posted two miles west OF Calpeper In this move
part of the One Hundred and Twentieth New ork
Volunteers captured; but they d not long remain
prisoners for, watching their opportunity, brigade OF
Michigan part dashed upon the guard having the
captives In charge, and rescued all but twelve
fifteen
The ruse Of threatening to cross the river BY the First
and Sixth Corps had its desired effect Immediately upon
the discovery Of forces by the rebels, signals
calling upon the infantry to come back to check
advance. Accordingly Ewe recrossed the river dur
ing the forenoon and took up his line Of march towards
the Orange and Alexandria railroad where they had
res Of works leasing only Stuart to demonstrate upon
right MOI th Of the
This, then was the position Of the forces Saturday
night at dark with every prospect Of bloody fight the
Corps ext ndog from Raccoon Ford to Cedar XII
patrick supported by the Second and Third Corps the
west OF Cupeper from three to four miles distant Eweli
bad moved back from his position in the morning. ard faced
Newton and Sedgwick, while Stuart frsned French War
rem, and Fitzpatrick in the vicinity Of Bethel Church
On Sunday morning at two o'clock our infantry force
both at the kapdAnn and west Of town,
ing toward the Rappahannock their trains having all
sent back the night before leaving the entire cavalry
Peasanton to the retreat Gregg had up by
forced marches during Saturday cavalry force
by Insignificant. Our infantry all reached their
present camping ground excellent order during the DAY
their accelerated tribe perhaps by the sound Of
in the direction of the town they had left ia The
morning.
But not fortunate the cavalry for they had day
diminishing by which to member the inauguration Of the
second annual race over the Centrevile course.
After the infantry had all passed over Mountain run
small stream just north of Cupeper and the roads had be-
come cleared Fitzpatrick and Gregg took up their line of
march, and skrmshing the while advanced in the drec
ton the infantry had taken Fitzpatrick came up by the
way Of Cupeper while Gregg took the road towards Sui
pbur Springs do not lraru that Gregg met with any
enemy the lne of bis march; but Fitzpatrick did, and
in his encounters with them confirmed bic old reputation
for dash and daring
Fitzpatrick reiterated slowly from Bethel in the morning
Stuarts men showing Themselves continually and annoying
him with their well directed FIRE but he met them with
T" tender in kind" until hs had crossed Mountain run
where The rebels I'd to trouble him. Here at about
twelve O'clock he heard for the st time n the day heavy
firing Of artillery to the eastward in the direction OF
Germana Ford and he knew thai Buford being hoty
engaged He immediately sent out scouts to open up
communication with Buford AMI learnt that JUNCTION
expected to be formed before night Brady Station
whittier he bent his way taking along his trains of ambn
lsnces kisurey and not antcipa ing further moestaton
But upon reaching the bill just south of Brandy be dis
covered that division a least Of the energy had slipped
between the OF the infantry and his advance and
was strongly posted, waiting his coming He halted but
momeat just long enough to take in the whole &C. ne
when he shouted-and the word carried b,ck along
the line, not poetic burst devotional exclamation
but suited to the times and the feelings OF the rough
brave men be commanded" Boys yonder are the cusses
Turning to the Michigan brigade who led his advance
and who glory not in euphonous appellsves he called
out "Come on, you wolverines now give them hell" |
and, suitiog his own action 10 his preoe?t he sprang
to the head OF his column and led such charge as one
does not often, even in this age OF valor.
Three regiments of rebels drawn up BY companies
the road twelve patoons deep, f,nked by reg
ment either side. 1t upon this strongly posted
force directly at the CENTRE that borsemen charg
while exposed upon the front and flank to most murder
Are but they went shouting sabering and trump
ling down the enemy with the fury Of demons. To with
stand such charge simply impossible, and the rebels
broke in confusion and scattered in all directions When
once through the main body forces turned and with
shot and shell poured upon the retreatng rebels very
morsrng testimonial of their high regard for the tools Of
this r. belOn.
Ia tis charge we lost few in killed and wounded and
few are missing but we know also that the rebel
Qeons will have the trepanning and smputatng in
strumente aud will have to bury quite number Of their
patients Our own wounded being brought in tonight
aud are being sent to Washington per rail.
HEADQUARTERS Der. 1875 An.
The trains have all come in in safety, and in excellent
order Fitzpatrick and Buord have also arrived at the
river, and in line of battle Our forces are now In |
appear in force south Of the river do not think
raj will take place to-day but in this may be
mistaken.
In THE FIELD, OCTOBER IL 1863
The Army of the Potomac 10 again across the Kappa
hammock and encamped tonight ia this vicinity
Gen Buord received orders to adyanceiat about noon
to-day (Mouday aud at two o'clock his division Of
airy was marching for the tenth twelfth time the
old ground In half hour after h. crossed the river
his guns were busiy engaged in Smelling the euenys csv
air oft he woods They small force, and