The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-28

the country on both sides Of the river IS or ahly
charac er, the slope leading 70 the river be ug
very pIeariious. Behind these carthworks the
enemy had two pieces Of artillery, from which
they fired shot and she'll in rapid succession ON
our troops. Happily for our men, the shots we're
poorly served and went from a quarter 70 halt
a mile bey Oud our co umu.
General iIibbetts, as soon as The bridge WIS
burned, masscd the main part OF the bri-ado
under cover Of a hill, aud threw forward skir-
mishers in front To engage the enemy until fur
ther orders from General TOrbert. As soon as
the latter officer arrived he ordered a rsct ais
sance to be made OF the enemy's numbers
position, aud also to learn the pos zion of the
iurds where he might effect crossing Of his army.
This was done after careful examination and in
quiry. One ford on the right, one mile and a half
from the bridge was discovered, and u second one
was found about mics 10 the left of the Ofld 60.
General Torbert Immediately gave orders to Cen
eral leylns to cross one brigade Of his division
on the right while one brigade of Powclrs Division
crossed TO the left. Colonel kellogg sBrglde
was selected by the former and Colonel Ctpharts
Brigade by the latter. Colonel Kellogg fordrd
the river without opposition, formed his men in
line OF battle the south bank of thc river and
then proceeded in the direction of the enemy,
who were formed In line about half u m ,e distant
Colonel Caphart's Brigade met with little or no
opposition in crossing the river on the left, and
captured the enemy's pickets defending the ford,
II was so nenr dark.
General Deyius had met the enemy, and after
brief but sharp fight in the saddle, the enemy
fell back. This was, no doubt, partially has
tened by Caphart's movement on the lef., rs the
enemy could see that both his TANKS were threat
ened, and unless he retreated, his army would be
all killed, wounded, or captured.
RETREAT or THE REBELS.
Colone Caphart's Brigade attacked the Rebel
works near Liberty Mills. and advanced his skir-
mlshers and column against heavy fire of the
almost concealed enemy. He pushed forward
with vigOr and shortly after dark had driven the
enemy from his works, and was pursuing him
down the Orange Court House road. lie then
formed his column for a charge by squalrOns,
composed Of the lst Virginia Cavalry, Lieutenant
Colonel +. Cdphart, of the lst New York Cav
airy, Colonel Adams, and the ID and Sd Virginia
regiments.
The charge was commenced Mt dusk and from
the time the order to forward was given, the
enemy beat an iDglorious retreat, throwing away
their arms and equipments, and running for dear
life. Colonel Kellogg, on the right, was not idle,
but fought the enemy until after dark, until the
Rebels were driven back in confusion.
Three brigades OF our army were held In re-
serve on the north side of the river their services
not being required. Our troops encamped for the
night, pursuit Of the enemy being deemed im-
practicable.
THE sPous OF VICTORY.
The next morning, upon examining the battle
ground, the two pieces Of artillery which the
Rebels had piled 80 vigorously the day previous
were found in swamp near the GordOnsville
pike; the ammunition chests were full of powder
anu sUtlli lnt were COinplele, anu
the horses hitched few feet from the guns
IL was here ascertaned that General LOmax
took command of the Rebels on the day of the
battle, nearly at the close of the light, and assured
his troops that two divisions OF infantry would
arrive At GordOnsvle from Richmond the follow
ing morning, TO reinforce them.
GORDONsvILLB STRONGLY DEFENDED.
Early the day after the battle General Torbert
sent Colonel KellOgg's Brigade towards GOrdons-
vile, when reaching point within two miles of
the town no discovered the enemy, with cavalry
and infantry, in force, on each side OF the narrow
gap through which the road passes. The posi-
tiOn was very strong natural one.
Colonel kellogg engaged the enemy while he
examined the enemy's position, and reported
that the Rebels could not be driven with the force
az our command. IL was further ascertained that
the promised TeintOrCements from Richmond h id
arrived that morning. General TorOert, under
these circumstances, determined 10 retrace his
steps, and in the afternoon commenced his march
TO Madison.
THE RETURN MARCH
10 Madison Court House was very difficult. The
road was slippery, and the horses were constantly
falitng and throwing their riders. From this
cause several soldiers had their limbs broken, and
Others received severe contusions. The fifth night
the column encImped at Madison, and next
morning proceeded via James City 10 RNleyylle
MosEBY's CHRISTMAS DINNER CAPTURED.
After leaving RlXleyyille, on the south side of
the Hazel river, we came to house where the
lady was preparing Christmas dinner for com
paDy of fifty of MOseby's gang of robbers and
murdelers. The chickens and turkeys were
roasting on the spit, fifty mince pies not to speak
OF Jelies and jams, were lying in protusion on the
tables, when 10, the Yankees came and cOntiscAted
the edibles. On further search dfty pair Of new
mil tary pants were found, and these, too, were
conhsCated on account of the Government.
AT another house in proximity 10 the above one
hundred pair of new cavalry boots we're t0uad
and appropriated by our men.
THE REBEL CoNsCRIProS.
In passing through Madison city the advent of
our troops was hailed with delight, as the Rebel
cunscnpung Oiti ers were then securing THAI dis
rict, forcing all the ablc-bodied men 10 dght
whether they Will or not, Many OF the couscripts
begged Of our Commanding General % allow
them-Gnd their request was granted-to ac-
company our army TO the North, where they
promised TO take the oath OF allegiance % the
Government, and in future to be good and loyal
citizens.
MosEBY REPORTED KILLED.
In Rappshannock, Madison, and Culpeper
counties | learned that Colonel MOseOy was
wounded about ten days ago, by Federal scout,
while he former was eating his dinner 90 a house
in Fairfax county The party who did. the shooting
was not aware who it was nc had wounded, 0uJ
was led to suppose by the lady of the house that
he was a Rebel lieutenant. The soldier took
Noseby boots, and then took hasty departure.
| have this statement with o slight deviation in
detail from those different sources, all Of which
SouluSu coLaullSuSs buS lbyl llat plO9cOy ~ uoAu
and buried.
On the return march from Madison TO Warren
ton left the column at the latter place. We
completed the destruction Of large quantities Of
hay and corn, and cOnfscated cattle We eS-
changed our poor horses for good ones, and de-
stroyed everything and anything that could be
used for military purposes by the enemy. At
Warrenton the command was divided.
The lst Division was 20 proceed 10 Winchester
via Salem, Oakhill, Paris, through Ashby's Gap,
and thence via MlllwOOd. The I'd Division,
under General Powell, would proceed via New
Baltimore, White Plains Middleburg, and Snick-
ersyie, through Snickers Gap, cross the ShenRn-
doah, and thence via Perryyille TO W inchester,
destroying all forage on the road, and driving OF
beef cattle.
RUNNING FIGHTS WITH THE GUBRILLAs.
From WArrentOn, with an escort of one hun
dred picked men Of the First Virginia Cavalry,
sOr, Howe, and BOhn, we took the route via SR-
lem, 0Rkhil, aud Paris, and thence through
Ashby's Gap. Near Salem we commenced TO
meet guerilla parties, who increased In numbers
as We progressed, and, for distance of thirty
miles, we kept up arunning fight with the enemy,
lAtteTy against great odds. At times we were
attacked on front, flank and rear, but always
driving the enemy. The Shenandoah river Is
very high, and was swelling and l apprehend
the army will experience difficulty in fording the
river.
RESULTS OF THE EXPEDITION.
The escen left WanentOn at a quarter past
8, and arrived Rt Winchester at O'Clock p. NJ,
making the distance Of dfty. eight miles In eleven
hours and three quarters. On the trip We passed