Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-10-16
THE ARMIES IN VIRGINIA.
An Important Fight, Wednesday.
The Rebels Beaten and Six Of their
Cannon Captured.

OHunou OdpIuLeu'
WASHINGTON, Oct. II. - Eyening.-
firing in front, to-day was that Of a consider
abs engagement between large force of reb-
els and portion of the army of the Potomac.
| part of Gen. Warren's second corps, which
was in the vicinity of Bristows station, infant
ry and cavalry, were engaged ON both sides.
| The result was decided Union victory, the
rebels being badly beaten, with the loss OF one
entire battery, and 100 prisoners who fell into
| our hands. Before the termination of the en-
gagement, the fifth corps, Maj. Gen. Sykes,
came up and assisted in driving the enemy oil
the field.
WASHINGTON, Oct l5.-Inthe repulse OF the
enemy'S attack upon Cen Warren, who was
bringing up the rear, we captured six guns
| from the enemy. 1t was not known here, up
to three o'clock this afternoon, whether there
| had been any fighting of consequence to-day.
WASHINGTON, Oct. l5.-The falling back
of our forces from Rappahannock station to
Brstow and Catlett'S, is represented us a
magnificent spectacle. They marched by
four parallel lines. There were no delays
nor confusion. Every movement was con-
Quoted with remarkable regularity.
In the recent conflict between Pleasanton
and Stuart, while the latter was endeavoring
to effect flank movement on the formers
left, the colors of both those generals, at one
time, were not fifty yards distant from each
| other; and while there were charges of caval.
| ry on the left and front, haud-to hand encOun.
tiers followed. Our cavalry was in splendid
| condition, and exhibited the greatest bravery
and galantry. Their officers say they never
showed better spirit, aud in the succession
OF charges and rallyings, obeyed orders with
a GOODNESS, regularity, and rapidly, unequal
| led in the war rh country being open, the
| spectacle is described as interesting and grand
beyond description.
A few particulars of the engagement, yes
terday, i'll the neighborhOod Of Catletts and
| Bristow stations, have been received. 1t APP
pears that the rebels, early in the morning, tu-
| riously attacked the second corps, command
ed by Gen. Warren, ami the cavalry division
of Gen. Gregg. The second corps, being one
Of the oldest and most highly efficient, sue
ceeded in stopping the rebel advance, COM
pelling the enemy to fall back with heavy loss,
our own troops suffering largely. The feder-
al cavalry i'll like manner fought with great
desperation, leaving many killed and wounded
on the field.
considerable number of prisoners fell
into our hands, and battery of six fine guns.
Gen. Sykes with the sixth army corps, ably
supported the second in their arduous task of
defending the rear.
At six o'clock in the evening General Lee
made a desperate attempt to flank Gen. Meade
by the way of Chantilly, and endeavored to
get in his rear by way OF Fairfax Court House.
In this he was unsuccessful, as Gen. Meade
anticipated the rebels by falling back to the
coveted spot, thus etfectually stopping move
ment which would have endangered the whole
army of the Potomac as well as the capitol.
During last night Gen. Meade ordered one of
his supply trains further back IN his rear,
when it attacked by small force of reb-
els probably mounted guerrillas The team
sters resolved not to lose the property and
rallied to defend it, and succeeded in driving
away the enemy, who escaped with only one
of the very large number of wagons. 1t is
not believed that there has been any fighting
OF importance to-day. Artillery firing was
heard early this morning, hut it was not of
l"ny duration. Mai. Gen. Daniel L. Sickles
with his staff left here for the front at o ClA
P. Nj. In case Of general engagement he
will take command of his own corps.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
Oct. l5.-The major general commanding an
nounces to the army that the rear guard, con-
sisting of the I'd corps, was attacked yester-
day while marching by the flank. The enemy
after spirited contest was repulsed, leaving
battery of guns, colors and $50 prison.
ers. The skill and promptitude of Maj. Gen.
Warren and the gallantry and bearing of the
officers and soldiers OF the I'd corps are en-
titled to high commentator.
BY command Of Mai. Gen. Meade.
5. WILLIAMS.
The guns captured, four of which are U. S.
regulation three inch, and one Blakely gun,
were exhibited here to-day. The prisoners
were mostly North CarOlinians, about fifty Of
whom have expressed desire to take the
oath of allegiance. Our casualties yesterday
were small A considerable NUMBER OF dead
and wounded rebels fell into our bands, the
latter not being included in the foregoing ag-
gregate OF prisoners.
The march from our late to the present po-
sition was accomplished in the most proper
order, and without loss of life or property.
The enemy were held in check at every point
whenever they attempted surprise or attack.
The forces who attacked Gen Warren were
portions of Gen. Hills corps. Some OF the
prisoners say they had marched from Hanover
junction near Richmond, since Saturday last.