The Portland daily press., 1863-12-01
BY TELEGRAPH
TO The
EVENING PAPERS,

from ttfTsbtd--DefdSfs OF fFtTNU's DueIU-
ti0ns.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 50.
The dispatches brought last night by special
messengers from the Army of the Potomac
show that after crossing the Rapidan several
divisions had warmly contested skirmshes
with the rebels. Lee appears to be massing
his forces before Orange Court House, and
Meade has advanced a portion of the Union
forces to place known as Old Verdersyille, on
the plank road from Fredericksburg to Orange
Court House, which is eli ght miles distant. 1t
is not improbable that other divisions of the
Union army than those engaged may advance
to Hanover Junction, in which case the rail-
road communication of Lee with Richmond
will he cut of. In this case neither army " i'll
have railroad facilities for transportation, and
brilliant display OF generalship may be looked
for. Indeed, the skirmishers of Friday and
Saturday are but preliminary moves in the
game. The Third Corps, Gen. French, is said
to have fought bravely, especially Gen. Princes
division, which encountered Ewell's corps of
rebels.
New YORK, Nov 30.
Detailed accounts OF the movements of the
Army of the Potomac are contained in the
Herald, Times and Tribune, but they are COW
cred by those of the Associated Press trans
mtted last night. The Tribune's correspon-
dent reports the left of the army In motion on
Saturday noon, and he heard heavy cannon.
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present movements, is left 10 exercise his own
discretion, and that he has declared his pur-
pose to be to strike at the most vital point in
the Southern Confederacy, wherever in his
Judgment that may be. His supplies and for
~ D,co,nho, ,d har1.a 81, .ne I'm
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ann.aaa 'nos' u''nia7 ~ ~. us
Meade has the supplies OF his army with his
command, there is no apprehension of danger
from flank movement TO cut off the usual
base of supplies.
The Times Army Of the Potomac cores
pondent, under date of Saturday morning,
says: This morning finds our whole army in
position and ready for battle.
Through some mistake the Sd corps did not
get into position as soon as was expected,
which gave the enemy temporarily some adj
vantage. The Sd corps, however, promptly
met the emergency and succeeded In capturing
between 700 and 900 rebels. Some 800 pris-
oners were taken at other parts of the line.
Saturday Morning, 10 O'clock The rebels
have apparently fallen back. There has been
some skirmishing, but no cannonading, this
morning
Gen. Warren's corps reached Robertson's
tavern at IL A. NJ, meeting the enemy's Skin
mishers several miles east OF that place and
driving them forward hall mile beyond the
tavern, where our troops were formed in line
of battle and brisk skirmishng commenced.
A vista of the road Tor two miles toward
Orange Court House opened the view, in
which groups oil rebels were gathered, watch
ing our movements. On the right and ielt
their skirmishers were concealed ana OCCASION
ally sent shot into our lines, until the firing
became quite hot on both sides.
During me skirmlshing at hobertsons tav-
ern heavy cannonadlng was heard on the right
and left, the 9TH corps being on the left IN the
vicinity OF Hope church, and the I'd corps,
supported by the 0th corps, on the right. Gen.
Gregg's cavalry division on the left had come
up with the enemys skirmisiers several miles
to the east OF Hope church, and drove them
handsomely 10 that point, where portion oil
Eweils corps was stationed. Here three reg
lments oil Gen. Greg9s division disInounted
and CALAMITY held the enemy III check until
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