The weekly Ottumwa courier., 1863-11-12
By Telegraph
The Forward Movement. /.

ue FOfWoEu NhoNchsSsA'
A WARM TINE EXPECTED SOON.
NEw York, Nov s.-The Herald has The
following E+
RAPPAHANFocK STATION, Nov. 7.-Major,
Gen. Sedgwick' commands the aight wing
of the army, consisting of the 9th and 9th
corps, left WarreDton this morning with
orders to proceed 70 Rappahannock Station
and take and hold that position. The
march was rapid one, and the lst Division,
9Th corps, under command of Brig. Gen.
ID A, Russell, Gen. Wright being in com
mand Of the corps, reached the nights this
side Of the Rappahannoek about o'clock,
and drove the ene,ny's pickets. Howe's
division, same corps, on Russell's right, COM
menced skirmishing soon after and drove
the enemy before them. The 4th corps,
under Gen. Sykes, formed their skirmish
line on the south side Of the Orange & Al
exandrla railroad, stretching down towards
Germans Ford
Earrs division and Ewell's rebel corps
occupied the heights on this side of the rr7-
er. the works upon which they had SO turn
ed as to make them defensible from attack
from this direction. These works were con.
structed by our forces last summer. while
we occupied the line of the Rappahannock.
the enemy, however, had strengthened them
by digging a semi-ciicle Of riffe.pits around
their front, which was formidable position,
and which Russelrs brave boys attacked
and carried to-day.
Col Tompkins, Chiefof Artillery on Gen
Sedwi:k's staff, posted his artillery on the
heights about three-quarters of mile this
side of the river, and commenced to shell
the works about o'clock. Eighteen. .gurs
were engaged in shelling. At this short dis
tance the firing was beautiful and the effect
demoralizing. That of the enemy was also
very fine.
While this was going on, Russell was
busy with his musketry. lie pushed his
line of sklrmshers upon both hanks Of the
enemy's works until nearly sunset, wher
his own brigade were ordered to cha rye te
rhe.pits,, and d.earthworks upon both flanks
led by Gen. Russell in person. They went
steadily and silently onward, fighting as they
proceeded, until, rearing the works, they
fixed bayonets and pitched in with colo
steel. This was too much even for the
flower of he Southern army, for it was the
much Wanted Louisiana Brigade they found
there, and, after short hand -to-hand con.
test, they turned to flee to their pontoons
which were lying directly in their rear.
But here they were foiled. Our boys had
already secured the approach to the bridge
and they had no alternative hut to surrcn.
der or to swim for it. Some tried the latter
but it was no easy matter, and they yielded
When those on the oo ,oSite shore found
we held this end of the bridge they set fire
to their side and destroyed portion of it
This closed, at dark, one of the rnnst
brilliant actions Of the war. It was tough.
by the same troops that so galanty storm.
! ed and carried the heights Of st. Ma,ies, al
the second battle of Fredericksburg
Although Generals Sedgwicl, Wright and
Tyler, with their STATS, were present and
active, all agree in awarding the credit OF
the achievement principally to Russell and
his brav, troops.
Gen. Me de sent Gen. Scdgwick an order
congratuating him and his troops upon their
success in this preliminary movement.
Lee is supposed to beat Culpepper, Ew
ell at Brandy Station, and Hill between Gull
pepper and Cedar Mountain.