Year: 1862

TIE RETREAT FROM CULPEPPER--UkN.
SIeEL Covers THE REAR-HIs Con-
sumMArE SrRArEeY-CAPTuRE OF
AN ENTIRE REBEL BRIaADE-AT-
TEMPT TO CRoss THE RAPPAHAs-
NooK-THE ENEMY EVERYWHERE Re-
PULSED.


Correspondence of the Philadelphia Press.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY of VIRGINIA.,


August 92. J


After many vexatious delays, caused
BY the use which the army is making oil
the railroad, arrived here on last Wed
besday. The country is fine, open
one, with gentle undulations. and an oc-
casional eminence rising up here and
there, affording fine view Of the sur
rounding country. The general direc-
ton of the river at this point is from
northeast to southeast. We occupy
The northeastern slope-the enemy the
southwestern. Our position was hap
PLY chosen, and carries victory on the
very face of it; so that l am not at all
astonisbed at the impatience exhibited
by our boys, who are really etching
for fight"


I saw one individual on the field sb-
solutely yawning with Impatience, to
which he gave vent at last to the fol-
lowing strain: 81 wish the id rebels
would come now. I'm feered Jackson
got cold last night, or may be the sun
is too strong for his eyes," and much
more in the same strain. There has
been some sharp skirmishing and can
nonading during the last two days, but
nothing OF a very decisive Character
The enemy is afraid to attack us in
force. and we occupy position which
it would be imprudent to abandon for
few days. All unnecessary baggage
having been sent to the rear, we are
now unincumbered, and in excellent
fighting trim. On last Wednesday, an
incident occurred which was somewhat
singular, and gave slight advantage
to the rebels. A party of fifteen Of
our cavalry had been sent securing the
country, and not having found rebel
during their mornings ride, resolved
to take breakfast. They accordingly
alighted. and having had sharp ride,
they unsaddled their horses. so that the
animals might be refreshed when next
they mounted them.


Their 'fancied security and repose
were Of short duration, however, for
scarcely had they fairly set about pre-
-paring breakfast. when a troop Of rebel
cavalry pounced on them so suddenly
that they were captured before they
could offer any effectual resistance
While the rebels were securing their
prisoners, the horses, which had been
quietly grazing, on lifting their heads,
seeing that all was not right, very sa-
gaciousiy and properly set off at full
speed, without saddles or riders, and
having arrived safely in camp, created
quite a sensation, which gave rise to
many surmises as to what had become
of the riders.


After nearly an hour had elapsed, in
which possible and impossible specula-
tions we're INDUCED, squadron OF Gen.
Buford's cavalry went out to search
the surrounding country; they did not
proceed far when they encountered q
body of rebel cavalry under General
Stewart. On these they charged with
such impetuosity that the rebels ran in
all directions. Many were captured,
among whom was an exquisitively
dressed Major, who from the style OF
his dress, was supposed by our men to
be the principal person in command,
and who, accordingly, was pursued
with the utmost vigor and determina-
ton. Our men were much disappointed
on finding that he was only Major,
while that individual, like the stag in
the fable, was left to bewail his fate.--
The fop in this case saved the General,
and he may have the benefit of the con-
ISOLATION.


Later in the day another attempt was
made by the enemy to occupy the lef
bank of the river at this point. They
came forward cautiously through bel
of woods, the open field in front o
which was held by part of Rickett'i
division. Both parties commenced
firing, and as the rebel position wa
rather more favorable than ours,
feigned retreat was ordered. This baC
the desired effect: the rebels dashed
forward with q shout of triumph. !
was soon succeeded by dismay, for NJ
sooner were they completely out of tn
woods than our men faced about ant
poured deadly volley into them whicI
emptied many saddles. We followed
up our success with a splendid charge


The rebels now turned and fed, pur
sued by our cavalry, who completed,
routed them, across the Rappahannock
We captured about thirty head of cat
tie which the enemy was forced to leav
behind him. Our troops are now en-
.camped on the other side-a part {
Buiord's cavalry and Ricketts, division
At this point we have possession OF tn
railroad bridge across the Rsppahar
mock.


The rebels next attacked our cente
few miles higher up; they commence
sbelling at an early hour on the els
and continued until about one o'clocl
At one time they attempted to cross tt
river, but were driven back with col
siderable loss. We took nine prisoner
at this point. who were the most odd
and vretchedly dressed soldiers we @,