Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-11-19
A VICTORY IN VIRGINIA

ny oOip cnuer command OF Major General
sedgWick, advanced to Rappahannock Sta
S.oh' they forming the right wing of the ar
my and the lst and I'd Army Corps, forming
the left wing, under Major General French
proceeded to kelys Ford
" men the right wing reached the Kappa
hammock the enemy was found to be in con
siderable force, holding this side of the river.
| and the rebel batteries, earthworks and ra,
doubts crowned the banks on each side of the
Rappahannock. Gen. Sedgwick at once ad.
vanced and followed them with great gallar-
try and impetuosity causing much slaughter
ana taking large number of prisoners
When Gen. French reached Kelv's Ford,
about SIX miles below Rappahannock Station.
the enemy threw across an entire division to
support their pickets on this side. Gen.
French took a position so as to bring his ar
u!iery to bear upon them, and shelled them
Witn marked effect, not only killing large
number, but throwing them into utter confus-
ION, scattering them widely, and taking MANY
prisoners. Gen. French following up his adj
vantage over the enemy threw the first d.
| vision of the Srd Corps, commanded by Gen.
Blrncy, across the river which ended his OBJ
eratlons for the day.
This morning he crossed the river with th,
remainder of his command
zen. Sedgewick had previously crossed il.
ana at o'clock this morning, the two wings
had formed a Junction, and held both banks
| of the river.
The enemy after their defeat in these two
engagements were so holly pursued bv our
| victorious forces that they threw them
selves into the river in their efforts to escape,
| when some were drowned, and many were
| killed by our infantry.
| All the artillery the rebels had on our side
! OF the river was captured, which is reported
| to be several guns. Their whole camp euuip-
| age undoubtedly fell into our hands as they
were compelled to leave them in their hasty
| retreat.
| Gen. Buford's cavalry crossed at SULPHUR
| Springs to cover the right flank. several
miles above Rappahannock Station and Gen
erals Gregg and Fitzpatrick crossed below
kelly's Ford to cover the left wing No def
| mite information of their operations have
| been received up to noon to-day
| The enemy after crossing the Rappahan-
mock under cover of night, moved III the d.
rection of Culpepper, and the advance of our
forces, supposed to be cavalry, reached Bran
dy Station early to-day. This morning our
whole line advanced, and no doubt pressed
rapidly forward after the retreating force
The entire number of prisoners taken by
both Sedgwick and French is now known to
| be 1926. The prisoners are composed prin-
cipally of North Carolina and Louisiana
| troops. This afternoon the three o'clock
train commenced bringing prisoners into
Alexandria. The number taken by by Sedg-
wick was from 200 to 400, the remainder
were taken by French
| A gentleman who was present with the ar
my, says it was novel sight to see all of
Sedgwick's prisoners in a crowd, the largest
lot ever captured by our forces on the Vir-
glnia side, and they were guarded by cavalry
to prevent struggling escape. French's
| prisoners were also gathered in one BODY.
Our total loss is reported to be 400 In killed
and wounded, but no prisoners. Our woun-
ded were carried to Warrenton Junction.
From thence they were sent to Alexandria
this afternoon.
New YORK, Nov g.
| The Herald has the following:
RAPPAHANNoCK STATION, Nov Major
General Sedgwick, commanding the right
wing of the army, consisting of the 9Th and
9Th corps, left Warrenton this morning with
orders to proceed to Rappahannock Station
and take and hold that point
The march was rapid one, and the LIST
Division Of the 9th Corps, under command of
Brig. Gen. David A. Russell, Gen Wright
being in command Of the Corps, reached the
Heights this side of the Rappahannock about
l o'clock, and drove in the enemy's pickets.
Sykes Division of the same Corps, on Rus
sells right, commenced skirmishing soon af-
ter and drove the enemy before them
The 9TH Corps, under Major Gen Sykes
| formed their skirmsh line on the south of
the Orange & Alexandria r. R., stretching
down towards Norman's Ford.
| Earlys division, and Ewelrs rebel corps
occupied the heights on this side of the river,
| the works upon which they had so turned as
| to make them defensive from an attack from
this direction. These works were construc-
ted by our forces last summer, while we oc-
| cupied the line Of the Rappahannock. The
enemy, however, had strengthened them bv
digging semi-circlc of rife pits around their
front. Such was the formidable position which
Russeils brave boys attacked and carried to-
day.
Col. Tompkins, Chief of Artillery, on Gen,
Sedgwick's staff, posted the artillery on the
heights about three -fourths of mile this side
of the river, and commenced to shell the
works At 3 o'clock, Is guns were engaged in
Smelling them at short range having a beauti-
full effect. The fire of the enemy is also very
fine.
Although Gems. Sedgwick, Wright and
Tyler with their stats were present and ac-
tive, all agree in awarding the credit of this
brilliant achievement principally to General
Russell and his gallant troops upon their sue
Ceoo III ILLS preliminary movement.
While this was going on, Russell was busv
with his musketry. He pushed his line of
skirmishers upon both TANKS of the enemy's
works until nearly sunset, when his own
brigade, composed of the 5th Wisconsin Col
Allen, the 9Th Maine, Col Edwards and the
12lst New York, Col Upton, were ordered to
charge the rifle pits and earthworks upon
both TANKS. Led by Gen. Russell in nerson
they went steadily and silently onward, fight,
ing as they proceeded, till nearing the works
they fixed bayonets and pitched in with cold
steel
This was too much even for the flower of
the Southern army, (for it was the much
Wanted Louisiana Brigade they found there)
and after short hand to hand contest they
turned to flee to the pontoons, which were
lying directly in their rear, but here they
were toiled Our boys had already secured
the approach to the bridge, and they had no
alternative but to surrender or swim for it.
Some Of them tried the latter but it was no
easy matter and they yielded
When those on the opposite shore found
we held this end of the bridge, they set fire
to their side and destroyed portion of it.
Thus closed at dark one of the most brilliant
actions of the war. 1t was fought by the
same troops that SO CALAMITY stormed and
carried the Heights of St. Marys at the second
battle of Fredericksburg.
q JEFF DAVIS said in his speech at Mis-
sionary Ridge, the other day, that obedience
was the first duty of soldier" With what
force might it have been retorted upon him,