The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-27

CAVALRY FIGHTS ON THE RAP.
PAHANNOCK.
Federals Victorious.

Special Dispatch to the N. Y. World.
WASHINGTON, March 16.
The following important and highly graf
flying intelligence is received from the
Worlds correspondent at Falmouth, dated
to-day:
On Monday morning, at daylight, a
strong body of cavalry, with one battery,
under command of Gen. Averill, compris-
ing portion of his division, moved west
ward in the direction Of Warrentonito clear
the country of prowling bodies of rebels,
and with further instructions to cross the
Rappahannock and give battle to Fitzhugh
Lees cavalry, who were supposed to be on
the road leading to Culpepper.
The column reached Morrisville the first
day, and next morning, Tuesday, before
daylight portion proceeded toward Beale-
ton. Station, r..on the Alexandria RAILROAD,
where the rebel force was said to be. In
formation having been received that Stu
arts cavalry was moving upon Warrenton,
via Bealeton, the main body, under Gen.
Averill himself, proceeded to Kelly's Ford,
twenty-five miles above Falmouth, arriv-
ing there about Z o'clock, and finding the
enemy in full possession of the ford, with
the roads leading to it INSTRUCTED by abat-
tbs, and the crossings completely covered
by rebel cavalry dismounted and concealed
in buildings on the banks.
After due preparation for covering our
advance after it crossed, charge was
made by platoon of the 1st Rhode Island
and the opposite side was reached, though
the water was four and a half feet deep.
The distractions were cleared away, about
thirty prisoners captured, and in one hour,
our whole force was on the South side.
Gen. Averill, after obtaining some infor-
nation relative to the roads and the posi-
ton of the enemy, moved forward rapidly,
but had hardly proceeded mile before the
rebels were encountered in heavy force
moving down spiritedly, they having re-
ceived notice of our advance by the obsti-
nate contest at the ford.
Our forces were speedily drawn up tor
the conflict, and, after gallantly repulsing
a movement on our right flank, Col. Duffie,
with portions of the 1st Rhode Island, 9th
Ohio, and 9Th Regulars, charged the reb-
els most CALAMITY, completely sweeping
them off the plain and throwing them into
great disorder. They did not wait for
hand-tO-hand contests, but fled before our
men got well up, leaving their dead and
wounded, and taking speedily to the woods.
Our men were again formed, and taking
position, were advanced in line of battle in
pursuit for about two miles, when they
took up a fresh position and awaited the
enemy's appearance, who again showed
signs OF renewing the attack.
1t came, and this time with artillery.
Our battery replied vigorously, and the
enemy once more tried our lines with
their cavalry, making repeated charges,
and being as often repulsed, the last time
with heavy loss, after which they did not
renew the attack, save with artillery
Our ammunition being out, we pursued
them no further, but held our position
without interruption until six O'Clock p. NJ,
when the force was all safely withdrawn
to this side Of the river without loss Our
killed and wounded will not exceed fifty,
while the enemy's is far larger, they
being badly cut up in their attempts to
charge on our forces. We captured over
fifty prisoners, among them several officers,
one being a Major commanding one of
Of Lees regiments. Your correspondent,
who was with the expedition throughout,
pronounces the whole affair very brilliant
and daring, especially the crossing in the
face of a hot fire as fierce as was at Fred
ericksburg