The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-04
BY TELEGRAPH.
AFTERNOON DISPATCHES
[Tribune's Dispasch.] &
Washington. Dec. 9.


ons for this sudden change Of programme,
without forcing Lee to general battle are
these: At q council of var held Monday
night the fact was determined that the
enemy is entrenched behind very formi-
dabie works, which they we're every min
ute strengthening, the fearful loss it would
entail upon us and the iupossibilty ef
succeeding in removing our wounded be.
fore they would perish with the cold, in
case We attempted TO carry the rebel
works by assault, we're some of the con-
siderations which caused the subsequent
action. Our rations and forage bad
nearly run out and the roads ware too
bad to allow further transportation from
our distant base Of supplies. These
weighty considerations it is claimed In.
duced the commander to issue an order
to fall back.
The Army of the Potomac rests on its
old base on the line of the Orange and
Alexandria railroad.
As late as 10 o clock yesterday we rode
a circuit in front Of our most advanced
artillery position. We could look over
into the rebel works and see gray backs
digging away with wonderful activity,
and there guns all mounted and frowning
at us.
Rumors are rife in camp that Long
street had reinforced Lee and we we're
falling back on Fredericksburg, but / could
trace them to no Trustworthy source
We maintained our entire battle line in
the enemy's front till about 8 o'clock
p. H., when all fell back. crossing the
Rapdan at Germania and Culpepper
Fords.
Our total loss in missing and wounded
is'5i0 and 60 killed.
Our wounded suffered extremely in
their ambulances on the rough road and
by the severe cold while lying in WAg-
ons last night and as they must again to-
night A special train has already been
dispatched up the road to bring down
disabled men. The railroad track and
telegraph wires remained as We left them
uninjured.
Our main army left the front about
midnight Tuesday night, and its advance
could be seen approaching Brandy Sta
ton at o'clock this morning.
A party Of FIVE rebel cavalry men came
dashing up to the west bank Of the Rap.
idan after our bridges were up. They
were greeted with shell and rapidly van
ished
But one tain per day now runs upon
the railroad and that at night. The
guerrillas charged with shooting one Of
our meu came in on to nights train from
Catiett's Station.
Sunday night the guerrillas caught a
private of the 142nd Pennsylvania,
while guarding the railroad near Catett's
Station, stripped him of every yestige of
clothing and shot him dead with HE own
gun.
The guerrillas brought down to night
are suspected OF having some connection
with this brutal murder.
New York, Dec. 8.
The Worlds Washington special says
the campaign in Virginia is ended. All
forward movements on the part of the
Army of The Potomac have ceased. and
our forces have already completed their
return to the old base along the Orange
4 Alexandra railroad, at Culpepper.
Brandy Station and Rsppahaunoek
bridge. The retrogade movement COM
menced Tuesday.
1t is said in Washington the failure to
carry out the plans of the War Depart
meDt involves the loss of Gen. Meade's
position as commander of the Army of the
Potomac. sati
The reasons given for the abandonment
OF the campaign are that Lee is 80 en-
trenched, and is so entrenching himself
daily, as to delay any rapid advance on
our part, and a. the same time to prevent
an attack. our army fell back, in a safe
and orderly manner, many being ignorant
of our intention.
Gen. Sedgwick and Hooker are promi-
nently named for Gen. Meade's successor.
if any change is made.
Tie Hersld's special also states the
condition of the roads and the want of
supplies induced Meade to fall back to
Brandy Station, which is now made the
base OF supplies. Trains laden with pro-
visions are rapidly reaching that point
from Alexandria.
Our army, after the check administered
to Gen Warren at Mile Run on Monday.
fell back to the Rapidan and crossed the
river 10 safety at night
The Herald has the following: M
Mile River is stream ten feet in width.
but very shallow if We judge by the depth
of clear water, but very deep when We
count IN the mud at its bottom At il
Sides, extending several rods back. il a
low marsh, miry and weed grown. From
the edge Of the marsh the land rises grad
ually TO the height of perhaps hundred
feet. half mile back from the right shore.
These slopes are open, and in many places
cultivated patches of young pines dot the
slopes and extend back to the dense
woods which crown the SUBMITS Of the
hills. The enemy has fortified the west-
ern slope by strong earthvork on its
summit, in front Of which is felled rrees.
shrubbery aud brush. forming an impen
eirable abattis. They had also dug sue
cession Of pits half wy up the slope,
within easy range Of the creek, and another
eartaS s,f Tho osx.a strl. r. 4