The New York herald., 1863-12-04

vance OF the Third and Sixth Tho old turnpike beyond
Robertsons tavern point where the roads como
together Then the artillery and trains Of the Third and
Sixth corps had become entanged with those that we're
crossing 9ermanna could DO found Even general
officers took what sleep lhey had that frosty gh with
out blankets 10 them and with supper TO mako
up for the loss Of their dinner and prospect ahead Of
prorac.ed fast the next day Altogether, the night was
not tho most pleasant and agreeable that could be i'm
sgined.
sovIsG AGAIN.
Al daylight this morning the advance was again
sounded Slowly and cautiously crept along
through the deep, bind forest, winding and
twisting about In tho most tortuous manner, feel
Ing our way cautiously, with squadron Of cavalry
and q strong skrnish line, tho formation Of the main
limo being the yesterday In this way hall the day
WAS consumed, occasionally skirmishing little with
scouting parties Of rebels who danced along front
as If watching US and seeking 10 hOd Out sire IN
and destination, but discovering no body OF the enemy
until about noon when but three four miles.
as the crow dies, from our starting point.
ROAD AGAIN.
Here General Prince was again deceived through the
information be had and, instead OF tax Nc road leading
into the Old turnpike, OF Robertsons tavern kept
further TO the right and led or into the Raccoon Ford
road, about three miles above the tavern. Here he
found the enemy force aud here the battle been
fought 10 day
EnBARRAssMKsTs.
General French this had just learned Of General
Princes second dev aion from tho intended road
Fastening forward TO place him right when the head o
Princes column became engaged in pretty severe skr.
msh. At the time dispatches received from
General Meade urging the column forward Up TO this
time had knowledge Of General warren's where
abouts, ana could get no communication with him
although repeated efforts had been made could
we get our ammunition train artillery. We
advancing amoet bndly into tho heart Of the enemy
country and moving parallel to his known position and
close TO it, yet without any definite knowledge Of his
movements or intentions Nor did we know what sup
ports had other than the sixth corps which in
rear whether tho other columns advancing
had met with resistance from the enemy Add TO this
the that of tho road designed to be taken
by us and scoverng Indications Of trouble ahead
aud idea Of the OF General Frenchs
situation be formed But the old soldier equal
the situation. He formed his plans with admirable
quickness and judgment suffering nothing 70 discourage
him
oouyrxRILAss
On eWnng exactly the position be WAS in. and being
under orders 10 JOIN General warrens column tho
turnpike, General French determined 70 leave Prince
where he was, ~ ho could not well be Withdrawn from
the eneny's 'front.' move the Third First divi.
sons around by the other road. While preparing 70
cute this movement q communication received from
General Warren tho effect that no then At Robert
savern and also order from General Meade for
Third corps Join warpso by the Racooon ford road
N NOW
Scarcely had hess despatches been received when
three prisoners brought in who gave the not
very gratifying intelligence that Ewes entire corps and
division Of HlIs moving down the Raccoon FORD
road upon front and that Apdersons brigade
that time skirmsbing with TINS, Of course settled
the fact that could down rood neither
could we safely withdraw from Il.
kNCH's PLAN
General French then conceived the plan Of dsployns
his line 10 the eft, BY putting tho Tbd and Firs dv
s,ons in line Of battle ibst wing, and thus extending
down towards Warren, who, BY dcpoyng 10 his right
would thus DO able TO perfect the communicason. On
submitting this suggestion ~ General heade IL met his
approval ana General French directed 20 make that
disposition.