The Portland daily press., 1863-12-02
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PoroMAc, I

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF Potomac,
Nov. 30.
The armies Of Generals Meade and Lee are
divided by Mine Run Valley, crossing the
Fredericksburg and Orange plank roads
about twelve miles from the latter place The
enemy are strongly entrenched aud exhibit a
determination to make a desperate resistance.
Some cannonading has taken place this fore
noon, which was feebly replied TO by the
enemy's batteries. Their line of works is near
Nerdesville, on commanding positions, but
they will probably be attacked to-day or to-
morrow.
Nothing OF decisive character has trans
pired up to the present time.
WASHINGTON, Dec. |.
Information has been received from the
Army of the Potomac up to Monday noon.
The train captured on the plank road, on
Friday, is said TO have contaiued small
quantity of ammunition, which the rebels-ex-
ploded. They also captured the mules, eighty
of which they carried away, and killed the
rest. The wagon master was killed and the
drivers, two excepted, carried away as prison.
crs.
In relatian to affairs in front on Saturday, it
is stated that at daylight our army lay across
the Fredericksburg and Orange Turnpike, at
Robertson's Tavern, twelve miles from Orange
Court House. The.rebel line was light and
was gradually pushed back by our skrmishers
for one mile and half, to Mine Run, near
Nerdersville. On both sides of the road,
sloping half mile on each side OF the river,is
an open space, and on the edge of the run
the enemy were in line of battle, on both sides
of the road, with their batteries entrenched.
The slope thence TO the river is dotted with
rifle pits, from which the sharpshooters fired
scattering shots.
About / p. NJ. the clouds broke and the
rain ceased, but the roads were in almost an
impossible state. One of our batteries fired
few shots, which the rebels replied to with
great spirit, for halt an hour.
The following positions for battle having
been assigned to the several corps, were taken
by them during the day, and each was ready
10 perform its duty by five o'clock The 9th
corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Sedgwick, on
the right; next the I'd corps, Mai. Gen. War
ren, which held the turnpike, and. together
with the LIST corps, Maj. Gen. Newton, formed
the centre; the left was formed by the Sd
corps, Maj. Gen. French, and the 9Th corps,
Maj. Gen. Sykes, formed the reserve.
About sunset several guns were fired from
our left, but failed 10 draw the cnemy's fire.
A note dated Sunday says, yesterday closed
clear, with the two armies lying in line on
opposite sides of Mine Run Valley. On ex-
animation it was found that the ground OH the
sides of the Run, excepting where it was
crossed by the turnpike, was impossible by
our troops, owing to its boggy and swampy
condition. All was quiet in front on Sunday.
On Monday morning, about eight o'clock,
all our batteries which could be placed in po-
siton to bear on the rebel works were ordered
to open. The siege train was in position in
front Of Sedgwick's command. After half an
hours slow cannonading, to which the enemy
feebly responded, an attack was ordered
Gen. Warren on the left came upon the enemy
in stronger numbers and position than was
anticipated. when he asked for further instruct
tions. The forward movement was then
checked aud all firing ceased.