The New York Herald Newspaper, December 2, 1863, Page 6

! i 6 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMBS GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFrigs N. W. OORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU St. TERMS cash im advance. sioney seus by mail will be ‘ot the risk of the sender, None but bank bills current fo Now York takea. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Orega—ALessa nao Breve Irving Place. —Tur Gerwax NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway —Laxes or Kittarner— Inisu TigKe, WALLAOK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Roseoace. MINTER GARDEN. Broadway.—Tioker or Laave AN, OLYMPIC THEATRE, Beoadway.—Sraiceen Heant— Agturas sy Dariicat—Yanaue Laoacr. NRW BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery—Cagnien snp His Doo—Roonwooo—Tanmiate Sacer. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery. Jsca Romiws0n ano His Mong: —Doas ov rae Junour— '—Witp Bor or Bomeuis. BARNUM’S MUSEUM, Broadwar.—Anra) QGiaxt Gini, Giawe Boy, Liureriin Kr Denes, Hoesen Banptt—Kovea Diawonv—Afternoca and vent BRYARTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall. 472 5 ay Bruroraw Bonas, Davos, Buauusquas, &c.—Juratks Mm ’ ‘Guaxs, . at ali WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, Si Broadway. ~Era Bones, Dances, ke.—Camincx. iy. —ETaiorran: ELS, 535 Broadw: —Dovnie Brppen. GEO. CURISTY'S MI Lesques, Songs, Dances. Bua AMERICAK THEATRE, No. 444 Broadway.—Batwers, Paxtommens, Burtxsques, Ac.—Mountaty Our.aw. BROADWAY AMPHITH NAST!O AND Equaarntay Bvening. RK, 435 OMMANCES. Broadway. —Gra- Afternoon and HOPE CHAPEL, 718 Hroad Tak Steneoscorrican NIBLO'S SALOON, Broadw Ovans, Leervrk on Trow BLW YORK MUSRUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— | Crmosinus any Leerurxs. trom ¥ A. MUL 1O BM, HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSK, fonas, Dances, BuRLEsquKs, 40. TRIPLE SHEET. Brooklya.—Bturoriax New York, Wednesday, Decensber 2, 1863. ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY. Advertisemonts for tho Weenuy Hrearp must be band. €d in bofore ten o'clock every Wednesday evening. Its circulation among the enterprising mochanics, farmers, morchants, manufacturers and gentlemen throughout the country is increasing very rapidly. sertod ia the Wrexiy Henacn will thus be seon by a large Portion of the active and energetic people of the United States. Advertisements in- THE SITUATION. There appears to be no later news of importance from General Meade's army since Monday even- ing. The two separated by Mine ran valley, which crosses the Frede- ricksbarg and Orange plank road twelve miles from Orange Court House. Lee ia atrongly entrenched seems disposed to make a firm resistance. No firing was heard yesterday. It was reported in Washington that General Meade had fatlen back to Fredericks- burg, but the despatches of our correspondents indicate that an assault on the enemy's works at Mine run by our infantry, under cover of ar- armies were General there, and NEW YORK — 7" particulars will be found under the appropriate head in another part of the paper. Our special Earopean correspondence, the with extracts from our foreign files, published in the Henatp to-day, contain very interesting and im- portant details of the news to the 18th of Novem- ber. The very latest reports of the English turf and prize ring are also published in our columns, + We have interesting advices from St. Domingo to the 7th inst., giving regular review of the progress of the Spanish and Dominican arms to the it time. We also have some original letters treating of the same struggle, but, though of much interest, the news is not of that im- portance which demands its immediate publicity. We have dates from Bermuda, West Indies, to the 18th instant, bat the papers contain no news. The following paragraph, from the Royal Gazette of the 17th instant, may be important, as it possi- blysrefers to a new and dangerous blockade run- ner:—- The quickest steamer that was ever in the Hamilton waters paid us a visit on Friday last. She is named the Heroine, is of iron, Clyde built, is 108 tons barthen, and is 180 feet long. Sie draws but three feet nine inches of water, and can stow, we are told, three hundred bales of cotto Oa her passage up trom St. Georges she average nineteen miles an hour. We understand that she has been sent out here to W. P. Campbell, Esq., for sale. There was a party of ladies and gentle- men from St. Georges on board the Heroine on Friday. She returned to St. Georges the same evening.” Let the officers of our blockading squadron look out. ‘The Surrogate has admitted to probate the will of Francis Callan, deceased. The accounts of the estates of George W. Miller, George Walter, An- toine Vignes and Catherine Vignes, deceased, have been finally settled and adjusted. ‘The rige in gold imparted 2 more bougant tone to the markets for both foreign and domestic merchandise yea- terday, and in quite a number of articles there was a fair business, At the Produce Exchange there was no espe cial change in anything; but the advance established on Monday was sustained , but only’a moderate business was reported in flour, grain and provisions. Petroleum was in fair demand, but business was checked by the fiem noss of bolders. In groceries the movement was mode rate, Freignts continued dull, but rates were unchanged. The market for beef cattle was but moderately sup plied, and with a good enquiry prices ruled nearly bulf a cent higher on the average, though the range was much thesame. There was a larger proportion of prime offer ings, owing to which this class sold at about last week's prices, though moro sold at the extreme rates. The range was from Tc. to 113¢¢., theugh some scallawaga went at be. to 6c. The bulk of the ofterings went ut 9c. to 104¢c. Tho election interfered with business; but al! sold. Milch cows wero steady. Veals were active at Sc.to Tic a 8c., the iatter an extreme. Sheep and lambs wore active and 50c. higher; sales varied trom $$ 50 to $6 50 a $7 25. Swine wero lower; corn ted 5%c a G4z¢. ; still 53. a Ce. The total receipts were 5,223 beeves, 125 cows, 589 veals, 13,986 sheep and lambs and 42,360 swine, The Faree of Our City Electton and the Approaching Naticnul Campaign. The farce of our city election is over. Mr. Gunther is the lucky man who succeeds Mr. Op- dyke as our Lord Mayor. This result will not set the Hudson river on fire nor create a panic in Wall street. It will not involve us in anarchy, nor will it advance our generous taxpayers witbin full view of the promised millennium. Some politicians haye been disappointed, others have been successful; some plas have been spoiled, and others have been ratified by the dear people. The Corporation dance will goon, the fiddlers will be paid, the invited guests will enjoy the feast, as usual, and the tax- payers, as usual, will be called upon to foot the bills. The good old game of the spoils will go on through its appointed channels. It is the game of “the little joker,” and tbat is al!- tillery, took place on Monday. All our bat- teries which could command the enemy’s- Position were ordered to open, and after half an hour's firing, which the rebels feebly answered, en attack was ordered. General Warren pushed on, and found the numbers and position of the enemy stronger than was anticipated, and paused for further instructions. The attack was then im- mediately checked, and all firing ceased. This is the latest story we have from the Army of the Potomac. Rebel accounts to Sunday say that as the two armies were then confronting each other, 8 fearful fight could not be long postponed. They also confirm the statement that Gen. Kilpatrick's oavalry were driven across Raccoon Ford on Sat- urday by the rebel General Fitzhugh Lee. A deapatch from Cumberiand Gap yesterday says that all the available force there has been sent to intercept Longatreet’s retreat into Vir- ginia. A messenger from Knoxville states that the attempt of Longstreet to cross the river on Sunday morning brought on a gencral engage- mont, which resulted in his defeat aud the capture of five thousand of his forces. General Foster ar- cived at the gap on Monday, on his way to Knox- ville. General Granger had gone on with rein- forcements to General Burnside, whose position at atest accounts remained intact. The latest from Chattanooga is up to yesterday. Genera! Bragg was then beyond Dalton, Georgia. Our special correspondence from General Grant's army to-day giyes a splendid and highly graphic history of the late victories in the West—the bat- tles of Lookout Mountain, Tunnell Hill, and the assault on Mission Ridge. A fine map accompa- nies our correspondent’s description. Rebel ac- counts from Atlanta state that the Union troops ‘‘charged on Lookout Mountain forty thousand strong, at the same time occupy- ing the attention of our right wing at the foot of Mission Ridge. The corps of Gen. Brech- fnridge met the shock with unflinching courage end determination. In the afternoon the enemy focreased in numbers, and by repeated attacks @ucceeded in making an impression on our lines. At four o'clock in the afternoon the left of the contre gave way, the enemy pouring into the walley like a flood. Our troops seeing themselves cut off got confused and retreated in disorder.” ‘This account tallies fully with our own. Generals Hooker and Palmer evacuated Ring- gold yesterday, after burning all the mills, depots, poblic buildings and railroad bridges. The latest from Charleston is to the 28th ult., ‘and comes by the Arago yesterday. The firing on Fort Samter was being continued steadily, crush- ing in the masonry at almost every shot, and kill- ing @ portion of the devoted gatrisom. Some Ghotls‘oconsionally drop into the city, but withont doing mach damage. The rebel privateer Relief, a aniling vesset, was @poken on the 11th of September, in latitude % 24 south, and longitude 447 cast. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS The charter election yesterday prseed off vory Alletly and amoothly. O, Godfrey Gunther was elected Mayoy by a plurality of over six thousand Yotos. All the democratic candidates for Alder- Psp, except one, were succeaeful, and the majority he nominees for Connellmen, Po- Thousands of dollars have been wasted to find out all the strong and weak points of Boole, Blunt and Gunther—three ordinary sized men— when we have three giants on exhibition in the city for the sum of twenty-five cents. After the solemn, important and satisfactory State elections of the passing year we were entitled to this broad farce of our Corporation election. It comes in like the donkey or suck race after the regular business of a race course. But still, in reference to the impending grand national political campaign, this local election, like all the receut State elections, has disclosed one very important fact. It shows us that the ticketty machinery of our existing political parties is worn out, and will be utterly demo- lished in the Presidential contest.. The old democratic party is as dead as the old whig party, and thus Tammany, Mozart and the Al- bany Regency amount to nothing. The repub- lican party of 1860, also, we are thus informed, has finished ita'mission. Even in name it has almost ceased to exist. Our city election of the Ist day of December, 1863, wil stand as the little scrub race mark- ing the boundary between the old order of things gone by and the new order of things to come. In the camps of the federal administra- tion it appears that the contest for the Presi- dential nomination will be between President Lincoin and Secretary Chase. But it is alto- gether probeble that as the day draws nigh the party in power will discover the superior availability of some such popular military hero of the present war as General Grant or General Banks. In fact, one of these men, or some other available sol- dier, it may become necessary for the adminis- tration to fall back upon in order to head off the independent military emancipation move- ment under way, East aud West, in behalf of General Fremont. On the other side, all the political elements of the loyal States opposed upon any ground to the present administration or in favor-of a change will be apt to find, also, that no other man than a popular bero of this war will an- swer their purposes. Hence, in all probability, in casting about for such a candidate, they will settle, by common consent, upon General Mc- Clellan. His popularity is everywhere felt and apparent, and his retirement from active service bas only served to enhance his claims among his numerous admirers. We understand that within a few weeks or months he may withdraw from the military profession and proceed to work out his future career in the civil walks of life. In taking this step, we presume, he will feel it due to himeelf, the army aod the country to clear up all the unsettled questions connected with his eventful military campaigns; and we dare say, too, that in this work he will present a satisfactory record of facts, reasons and results to the American people. At all events, we conjecture that a military hero, fresh in his laurels from the tented field, will be apt to supersede all hie rivals for the ‘Presiiential ticket on the administration side, an@ that the opposition elements, in order to make a promising contest on their side, will be coumgplied to gaat into the exp of obliviga al the eyed ratic, old line whig and Hell-Bverett politicians of bygone days, and all the stuff and claptrap of democratic plat- forms for a living military hero of the prosent war and the living issues of 1864. We think {s most likely, too, that the opposition will So en oe evi aneaseas HERALD, WEDNESDAY, Gen. Meade’s yaeeen vi Buadep abt vie eae pty certain, passed by without a battle in Virginia, though the Army of the Poto- mao and the army under Leé@ were ap- parently only separated by a distance of few miles. Though this circumstance would not seem to be important, itis yet a new one in the history of this war, and is to some ex- tent significant of the new conditions under which the respective armies meet. Hitherto, whenever the circumstances have been such that a battle was in aay way imminent for the two or three days before Sunday, and conld be brought on by a simple adv of the enemy, Sunday has brought the battle. But there is far less confidence now. The rebellion cannot afford to bid its usual “gay deflance to mis- chance,” and venture all, after a doubtful battle, on a grand charge of infantry. Southern armies are smaller than they were, and their immense charges of infantry, exposed to the fire of the most perfect artillery, across spaces half a mile in width, and metat last by infantry of equal spirit, hurt the Southern armies more than they do any one elee. Southera generals also have less stomach for the fight than they bad in the days when they saw the magnificent advance of their lines across the fields made memorable by the earlier battles of the war. General Lee has, too, by this time a very natu- ral respect for General Meade, and he will not venture, in the presence of this soldier, upoo any such desperate manceuvre as that by which, in May, he compelled the retreat of the Army of the Potomac from the very district in which it lay on Monday last. We need not be surpsised, therefore, if an extensive chapter of manoeuvres precedes, to the great trial of popular patience, the tattle tvat we look for. Caution is a necessity with General Lee, and to be ut least very careful is natural to General Meade. Yet the latter's free advance and relinquisbment of his line of commuoications is a bold movement for a cau- tious man to make, and augurs well for our cause in 80 far ag it gives good evidence of General Meade’s confidence in his own plans. Already we have achieved in this short cam paigh two positive and important successes: first, by Meade’s passage of the Rapidan and formation of a line of battle nearly perpen- dicular to the enemy's liae and on his flank, Lee was compelled to relinquish the river as a line of dofence, and to abandon in great part a po- sition that had boen streagthened by considera- ble labor, and that would have cost us ten thousand men to carry it by asaault; second, by the tenacity with which our line of battle was held almost before it was fairly formed, we compelled the enemy to relinquish an im- portaat attempt and to seck safety in timely retirement; for the rapid march of one of Lee's corps from its position on the Repidan and its fight with General French is, as far as it goes, analogous to the march made by Stone- ‘wall Jacksoa previous to the battle of Chan- cellorsville ‘and bis defeat of the Eleventh corps, except in its result. Both attempts were made on our right.wing; but on this occasion our right wing was at the other end of the line and nearer the river. If, therefore, the enemy, encouraged by any success at this point, bad thrown his whole force there and won bat- tle, the result might bave been disas- trous to us; but the Third corps did alr that could ffave been expected of it, crush- ed the attempt in its inception, and the enemy saved his force by a precipitate retreat. This for:unate initiation of the campaign promises well. It will doubtless be known In afew days at what point General Meade will open a new bave for the supply of bis army; and that knowledge will cast considerable light on his owa view of the prospects for the ultimate destruction of Lee’s army and the capture of the rebel capital. New Goversmest Departaent.—Wo upder- stand that Henry Ward Beecher left for Wash- ington the day before yestorday, having been sent for by Mr. Liocola to consult with him in regard to the formation of agovernmont bureau for the regulation of the condition of emanoi- pated slaves. The negro being destined hence- forth to enter largely into the calculations of our current expenditure, it has been determined to submit to Congress a plan for the disburse- meats that will have to be made on his account. Of course we cannot abandon to starvation and death the hordes of these unfortunates who are being cast upon the world by the operation of the President's proclamation. Lamentable as is the condition of thousands of our white citi- sens, who have been reduced to a similar state of destitution by the rebellion, they will have to wait their tara until these special objects of government benevolence shall have been cared for. The organization of the proposed bureau is to be on an extensive gcale, and will no doubt furnish many fat sineeures for our republican philanthropists. It will, we presume, be pre- sided over by a Cabinet officer; for we see no reason why the black man should not have his Secretary of the Interior as well as the white. We are not quite sure that the great body of our people will relish these arrangements. The war has cost and is costing every white man in the country fifty per cent of | his earnings. If, in addition to this, he is to be saddled with the permanent burden which is sought to be placed on bis shoulders by this scheme, it will assuredly provoke a reaction that will disturb the calculations of those en- gaged in it Axomaries or THe Day.—We bear complaints on every side of the increased cost of all arti- cles of personal consumption; but yet, curious to say, never were more of those articles con- aumed. We bear of clerks unablevto live on their salaries, and mechanics starving on two dollars and a half a day; but we see the clerks’ wives wearing costly silk dresses, and the me- chanics spending more money at the theatres than they have ever done before. It is a well ascertained fact that amuseme ts of all kinds— particalarly those frequented by the working classee—were never more prosperous than they are at the present time. It is equally certain that there is no such thing a8 distreas to be en- countered in our community except among the idle and diesipated. We +ee plans started tor the organization of female labor, or, in other words, for the formation of female trades walons; and yet we know it for » frct that at no period has female labor been +> | y paid, There are manufactorics in this “ity i) which women earn as much as from twenty to thirty dollars » week. In many instances where strikes have taken place among male operatives ever previously obtained. And thenld act be laseetion a. la, cb, tae T -* = ? war vplue of wages by dering émployment moré certain, We do not pretend to explain these anomalies. They are among the curious features of the times, MEADE’S ARMY. Progress of Our Forces South of the Rapidan. Graphic Account by Our Correspondent of the Marches and Skirmishing. The Fighting of Friday and Saturday. The Rebels Driven Back and Forced to Assume a Now Position. State of Affairs on Afternoon. Monday A General Assault Ordered, but Sub- sequently Deferred. The Two Armies Face to Face on Mine River. Rumored Falling Baok of General Meade to Fredericksburg. THE LATEST REBEL ACCOUNTS. GENERAL LEE’'S TELEGRAM, &e., &., de. Mr. frank G. Chapman's Despatch. Hgapquarrurs, ARMY OF THE ronan} Nov, 30, 1863. THR ORDER OF MAROH OF THE ARMY OF TUR POTOMAC. ‘The Army of tho Potomac commenced moving from its position in the vicinity of Brandy Station on the morning of tho 26th inst., in tho following order:—Genoral Warren, with his oorps—the Second—which has been encamped near Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock, was to move to Germanna Ford, op tho Rapi lao, crossing the rivor at that point, and proccediog onward to Robertson's tavern, was to take position oa the road leadirg from Robertson's to Raccoon Ford. The Thid corps, un- dor Gen, French, was to proceed from Brandy Station by the road to Jacob's Mills, crossing at (hat point, and tak- ing up the line of march toform a junction with Warron at Robertson's Tavern, taking position on the right of the Second corps, on the Raccoon Ford road. The Fifth corps, led by Gen. Sykes, was to go by way of the Culpepper Ford, and after crossing the river was to march on the ‘Waclose Mine road to arker’s store, and thence by way of the Fredericksburg and Orange Court House plauk road to the cross road leading south from Rvbert son's tavern, going into camp at night with its lett resting on the plank road, snd its right cxteoding morthward toward to the left of the Second corps. The Sixth corps, General Sedgwick’s, was to cross the river at Jacobs’ mill, following the Third, and taking position in rear of the Third, near Robertson's tavern. Tho First corps, General Newton, was to (o'low the Fifth, witb orders to form at night on Sykes. General Kitpatrick’s caval upper fords of the Kapidan, croseirg at Raccoon Ford whoa the way should be cloared; then to proceed, by way of the Racceon aod Roberisou’s tavern road, toa point where be could take position on the left of General French. Buford was tv hota the right dank, while Grogg was to have the left. ‘This, you will perceive, would bare given us @ front extending from the Fredericksburg and Orange Court House plank road corthward across the old turnpike at Kobertson’s tavern, and d »wn (he Raccoon road to below tne bead of Mine run The Fifth, Second and Third corps in line of battle, supported by the First and Sixth in re- sorve. The reserve artillery was to take position in rear of the Fifth corps, and the trains were to be parked at Richardsvitie. Buford, in addition to holding the right below Culpepper Court House, was also acsigned the duty of guarding the trains at Richardsville. THE DESIGNS OF GENERAL MEADE INTERFERED WIR BY NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS. ‘Theap combinations woutd eeem to point toa design to funk the rebel position between the Rapidan and Orange Court House, and to get between the rebel army and the ‘Tebei capital; and that they would hive been successful ts beyond @ doubt had not a protracted rain storm 0 satarated the ground as to reader the roads almost im- passable, and give the crecks and rivers ao altitude be- youd all anticipation. Mut the rain would not have thwarted General Meade’s plans had nothing elgo inter. fored. But the enemy were fully apprised of our antici- | ated movements through the dastardly pub.ication in the Washington Chronicle, oa Monday last, of the eatire matter. DESCRIPTION OF THR COUNTRY—THE ROADS, STREAMS, BUILD- INOS, HTC, In order to understand the operations fully, a topogra- phical view of the Iccality will be necessary, ‘The coun- ty worth of the Rapidan has beeu so often described that a delineation cow would be useless; but, as this is the farthest point to which we bave yot penetrated in this direction, comparatively little is known at the North concerning this part of the Old Dominion. Commencing at Raccoon Ford, which i# about eight miles southesst of the old Cedar Mountain battlefieh, and going with the stream three miles, we came to Morton’s Ford, so pamed after Dr. Mortoa, who resides a half mile south of the river. Two miles further down is Stringicliow’s Ford, and a mile atill farther down is Jassacconick Ford. Mitchell's Ford is a mile still lower, near the mouth of Mountain run, Jacobs’ mill Ford t# two and a half miles below Mitchell’s, and Germapna Ford ts two miles by land «apd five by river below Jacobs’ mill. ‘Then it ie five miles to Culpepper Ford, and then six mites | to kly’s Ford, These fords, for ihe most part, are but little more than places where foolbardy adventurere, mounted oa sure footed chargers, would wirh to croms at the lowest stage of water, aud then only under the most urgent necessity, if o1 6 were to judge by (he brush grown and rock-strewn banks up whose sides he is comyetied to climb @ hundred feet or more in order to realize that he’ bas crossed the Rapidan. Bat they are fords now only in ame; for the fresbet bas made it obligatory upon cs to bridge Ihe stream at all the priate of crossing. South of the river, for a distance of from five to ight miles, to (he line of the olf turnpike, he country te Broken and densely wooded, traversed by & network of paths which in Virginia are dignified by the name of roads, I #hould judge they were first taid out by A dog with atin keftle attached to hin tall, Scattered through this wilderness are little patches of cleared land, of a few acres in extent, cach adore! by a log house and Kitchen, with perhaps a negro hut or two to give dignity to tho came with heach holder christens his place “plantation.” A few little streams wind through the gullies northward to the river, Known as Mountain sttne, Tig Kussell, “Little Ruwsell,!” Fiat and © \doreme rans, Mountain ruv belog ‘ie at " ond Wa norness tho most enstw « The Oulpepper and = Fredericks park sad Crosses the river at Germenna (o. (ue old turopike at Broken Bridge, spd Intersects tho Fredericksburg ‘and Orange Court House road four miles west of FX Lh oho 1864,8TRIPLE SHEET’ dle Virgini, is still a tolerable road, though not much ‘used since the building of the Fredericksburg and Orange House plank road. The plank road and turnpike Tup nearly parallel to each other, about threo and a half miles apart. The roads running southward from the river are; first, the one from Culpepper Ford, intersecting the plank road at Parker’s store; second, that from Ger- mana Ford to Broken Bridge; third, that from Jacobs’ Mills Ford to Roberson’s tavern, and, fourth, that from Raccoon Ford to Robertson’s tavern. ‘THE OPERATIONS ON THURSDAY, NOV. 26. Nothing occurred on Thursday worthy of note, The Several corps reached the ford a little after noon and crossed without opposision, except that interposed by high water; but all failed to reach the points designated, owing to the delays in laying the pontoons and the horri- ble state of the roads, added to our total want of know- ledge of the country and tho impossibility of obtaining reliable information. General French found tho outpost of the rebels on the south bank, at Jacob’s mill, and skirmished with them, driving them back for a couple of miles, where be encamped. General Meade and General Warren bad their headquarters at Fiat runfchurch, and General Sykes had his a short distance south of the river, ‘on the road towards Parker's store. General Sedgwick was encamped at the river at Jacob's mill, and General Newton at Culpepper Ford. RXAUMPTION OF THB MARCH ON FRIDAY. Early on Friday morning each of the advance cotps took up their lines of march in the directions first de signed, Tne Third corps, on the right, advanced only about four miles, when General Prince, commanding the Second Aivision, came upon the onemy’s pickets, at a Place known as the Widow Morris’ farm. He here halted. his command—as a divergence {n the road to the teft, not iaid down in the military charts, rendered it highly pro- bablo that he was oa'the wrong roud altogeuber. ‘THE BEOOND CORPS ENGAGED. Waile be was hero baited be heard the first fring of Gonoral Warrea, at Robertsqa’s tavern. As it came nearer and noarer, Gen. French concluded Gen. Warrea was attempting to open communication with him, and he pushed Prince forward, supported by Birney and Carr, with instractions to reach and hold the R.coon Ford road at Jones’ Cross Roads. ASSIBTANCE SENT FROM THE THIRD CORPS. General Prince accordivgly moved on, skirmishing the while with a smati body of the eacmy’s sharpehooters, until be reached a point about half a mite from the cross roads, where be found the evemy in strong force, drawn up tn live of battle across the road. He at once formed his division ia line of battle, his right roating on a ravine, and his left extending a few rods south of the road. ‘TUM FIGHTING BRCOMMS CHNERAL. For an hour or more, up to three o'clock, the fighting was between the skirmishers only, each party evi- dently trying to ascertain the position of the other. General Birncy’s and Goneral Carr's di- visions were posted at tho loft of Prince, and at four o'clock the fight became goneral. The enemy hid opposed to us @ force of about fifteen thousand men, who had moved down from Raccoon Ford that day, consisting of Early’s, Rhode’s and Johuston’s divisions. Shortly after four o'clock three brigades of the Sixth corps were thrown into the woods to the left of tbe Third corps, and, though they were not actually engaged, they did excel. lent service in preventing the enemy from flanking our Position in that direction. The fight lasted until after dark, and resulted in the re- pulse of the enemy, with a loss of about six nundred in killed and wounded and two hundred prisoners. The enemy withdrew, undor cover of the darkness, leaving his dead and wounded in our bands, to the line of bis de fences, west of Mine run. é General Frouch’s loss was about three hundred and fifty wounded, and {ty kitted. Tho killed of the Third corps were buried on widow Morris’ farm, and the wounded wore the mext day taken ty the general hos- pital, near Robvertson’s tavera; but the killed and wounded rebels were left on the field, owing to the ambu- Janes of the Third and Sixth corps not having arrived, ead wo bad no moans of removing them. OPERATIONS OF THR CENTRE ON FRIDAY, The Second corps moved early on Friday morning from Orange Grove, duwn the Germanna plank road, to the old turnpike; thence west towards Orange Court House to Robertson's tavern, which is half-way botween Fredericksburg aod Urange Court House. At about ten o'clock Colonel Smyth, commandiog the Second brigade, Third division, having the advance of the column, arrived at Robertson's, where he found the enemy's skirmishers posted in the woods, west of the tavern, and cocapying a slight breastwork in the holiow. As the country was thickly wooded, and as Geucral French had not come up,andas General Warren bad beard (he fring attendant upon the operations of the Third corps, at Jones’ cross roads, and as the indications were that the epemy were in force to front and on the right, Geceral Warren ouly threw forward his line of skirmishers and planted a part of a battery to aweep owt the pike in the direction of Mine run. A brisk skirmish wos kopt up until night, resulting in the with- Grawel of the rebels under cover of darkness. ‘The loss to the Second corps was probably Afty io kil od and wounded. OPERATIONS ON THE LxFT. ‘The Fith corps, after crossing the river at Culpepper Ford, advanced southward as far as the Old Wilderness church, four miles from Chancellorsvilie, where they ea- camped for tbe night. On Friday morning they were on the march again, going direct to Parker's store, on the Fredericksburg and Court House plank road. Here ‘they bolted to allow Grogg's cavalry to pass. MOVEMENTS OF THE CAVATRY. General Grogg had come dowa from Ely’s Ford by ano- ther road, and was to teke the initlative in the ad- varco of tro left columo. The cavalry and infantry then moved forward to Oak Woods—or, as it is laid down on the map, New Hope Church. Here theca- valry advance came upon rebel infantry as well as caval- ty pickets, who retire 1, fighting, a mile and « nalf, to the point where their reserves were posted, and whore they hed orected some earthworks, The cavairy then retired, and their places were taken by a portion of Crawford's division of Peansylvacia reserves, who, after taking up a Strong pcaitionas ® picket line, went tnto camp for the night. Tn this fight the cayairy suffered severely, baving lost about seventy five tp killed and wounded; but the move ments and behavior of the cavalry are spoken of very bighly by the infantry officers in attendance. At oue time a brigde of cavalry was dismounted and actod as tafantey, and while dving so met and repulsed two terrifie bayonet charges of the enemy. ‘THE riker CORPS. The First corps followed tho Fifth across the river, aad encamped, on Thursday night, at Richards’ Mills, a half a mite from the river, and on Friday again brought up the rear, going into camp ju rear of and between the Fitia and Second eorps. SPIRITED SKIRYTSN OF GENEMAL CUFTRR’S CATALRT. T bear also that General Custer, of General Kitpatrick’s division of cavalry, bad quite a spirited skirmish in the ‘vicinity of Racoon Ford, where he crossed and attacked the enemy in their intrenchments, driving them out and taking possession, bat of the particalars I have nothing, as tho cavalry are not allowed the privilege of having « historian with them. GENERAL MRADW’® MRADQUARTER:, At night oo Friday General Meade moved his headquar- | tera from Flat roo church to ® point about a mile east of Robertson's Tavern, ig the rear of {he Second corps. warcanion oF THR Any OF 1H ProTOMAG ON sarunDgy MORNING - The follqming is the situation on Saturday morning — The Third corpe was at Jones Cross Roads, with the sixth | corps on its left, The Second corps was at Robertson's tavern, the Fifth op the Plank road, three and-half mites south of Roberton's tavern, and the First war in rear and w the right of the Fiftn. Karly | oo Saturday morning Geos. French and Sedgwick moved | down aud jormed a janction with Warren, and the three corps formed ia line of battle and advanced westward, | } the coemy retiring towards bis works west of Ming ran. * POSITION OF THR OPTUeMG aRwES, The rebel line of devence on the run was found to he ‘very strong. When our infastry reached a point within a aif mile of them, aod in piniv sight, a halt was ordere!, aud Arnold's and iuckett's battories were planted on an eminence sovth of tus pike. An artillery duel was keps Gp at intervals deri g the day, while oor eKirolshers wore pushed forward to Mine run, THA CTORM OF RATURDAY. T should not omit to mention that early on Saturday morning & serore storm +t 9, which greatly impeded operations, In fact,1 may s) nothing wae done except cocasigpal firing by our batteries and sharpshooting be- \7reen onr own and (he enemy's #kiciu.sbers. AM ATTAOK ON THR 2U0K2 INTERVED TO RAYE UREN acm Om SURDAY. Qn Sunday morning General Warren, with his corps and one division of the Sixth cps, moved around by plank road to make * Gecscustration on tbe 0 that he did not get into pom tion until too late an hour for anything to be accom plished that day. The reserve artillery had been brought forward, and at night nearly all our batteries were ia position, ready for the fray to commence. OPENING OF FIRE ALONG OUR ENTIRE FRORT ON MONDAY. This (Monday) morning at elght o'clock, the battle opened aloug our entire front, the enemy replying only from a few pieces for an hour, The artillery practice was incessant and heavy. Then came a lull, which lasted umtid one o’clock, our infantry in the meantime preparing for @ grand assault along the whole line. TOSITION OF AFFAIRS ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. But pow comes a report that Warren has found the ene- my too strongly posted in bis front, and General Moade has gone to the left. In the meantime operations have coased at the centre and right. At this time J do not think we shall fight to-day. Mr. William Young’s Despatch. Rarranannock Stanion, Va., Dec, 1—T P. ML (AFFAIRS AT THE FRONT. No cannouading has been beard to-day, and no battle has yet been fought. Thus far there has been nothing but skirmisbing at the front. SUPPOSED CAPTURE OF ANOTHER HERALD CORRESPONDEST. One of the Hxzaup’s correspondents, Mr. Alexander Houston, is supposed to bave been captured while en- deavoring to get through with the latest intelligence from the front. Major Mosby bas therefore probably added another horse of the Henatp stud to the chotee and eelect stock of his mounted rangers. It isthe welt known horse Pride, which has been in the service of the Herazp since the war commenced, and the same whose fieetness carried Mr. Davidson, one of your cor- respondents, swiftly away from perii and guorillas in Juty last. So much forthe horse. Now a werd for his rider. Mr. Houston bas that peculiar tact and knowledge of the rebel soldicry that will render bis situa tion pleasent and agreeable while among them, and will be quite lialy to onabie him to reach our lines again -after but a briéf detention. His equanimity of character aad cheerful disposition are such that be will mako th best of whatever occurs to him. MURDER OF & UNION SOLDIRR BY GUERRILLAS. A soldier of the One Handred and Forty-second Peonsyivania Volunteers, Colonel McTalmoat, was murdered by guerillas yesterday near Cat- Jott’s Station. He, together with comrade, went out to cut wood, the one carrying a gun, the other an axe, when three men approached, dressed in the Union uniform. They seized the gun and captured one of the soldiers, but the other escaped. The captured man was carried off a short distance into the woods, and bofore a pursuing party had reached bim the report of a gun was hoard, which led to the discovery that he had been murdered by the guerities, who had shot him with his own gun, and bis dead body was found, stripped of overcoat, pants and shoes. This is the way bushwhack- ers murder odr soldiers, almost within sight of regimental headquarters, A dash was made by guerillas on the ratiroad guard near Catiett’s Station this morping. Twenty of our men were captured; but fourteen of them escaped and subse- quently returned. A few mounted guerillas made a dash upon a guard at Licking run, pear Warrenton Junction, this morning, but wore repulsed by a sergeant and three men, who steod firm, while the remainder of the guard took flignt, though they came oack when the dangor was over. CAPTURES OF CATIA, MULES AND SHEEP FROM ‘MOSBY. Bome two humdrod head of mules, catele and sheep were captured from Mosby at Thoroughiare Gap last night, and brought to Bristoe Station. There are rumors of a difference between Generale Meade and Newton, of the First corps, which may result in the selection of a succosor to to the Latter officer in his Present command. ‘Siege guns were to be placed in position yesterday, and it was expected a battle would be foughtto-day. No firtog bas been heard, however, to-day. Mr. N. Davidson’s Despatch. ‘Wasminatow, Dec. 1, 1868. Alaving left the Army of the Potomac at three o'closi P. M. yesterday, it may be proper for me to add a few words to the full details of Mr. Chapman, which will reach you as g0vn as this, Just before feaving tho field, which is @ good forty from Rappabannook Station, rode over our whole ine of pattie. Everything wae tn roadiueas for the assault, and I have littie doubt that our forces now occu- py, Or have occupied, the enemy’s works on Mine ran. My impression is that he bad left the night before in the direction of Gordonsville, leaving only force enough to make a show in our front. Lee has cunning enough to see that the longer he can craploy us before giving battle, the weaker we must become both in numbers and expplies, When I left an assault had been ordered to be made upon their works by the infantry with the bayonet, under cover of artil- lery fire. The canvonading commencéd before I left, and continued some time, without any reply from the eoemy, ‘and finally ceased entirely before I reached Ely Ford. Tt has not been heard since, and my conclusion is thas we occupted their works without much opposition. Our Washington Despatches. ‘Waauncton, Dec. 1, 1863, If, as is reported to-day, General Meade has falien back upon Fredericksburg, as ia moat probable, the campeign tn Virginia must be closed with the recent movements there. The Press Despatch. Wasinwatox, Dec. 1, 1868, The train captured on the plank road om Friday is sal@ to have contained a small quantity 0! ammuattion, «hich the rebels exploded. They aise captured the anules, eighty of which they carried away, and the remainder they killed. The wagon master was killed, and the arlvers (two excepted) were gooveye away ar priseners. ‘The pumber of prisoners taken by the Teird corps hes deen greatly exaggerated. Gnly eimy have as yol bem reported to the Provest Marshal. ° Among the wounded are Colonel McClellan and Colonel Biggine, of tho Kighty-sixth Pennsylvania regiment, also two captains, names uskoown. ‘The Medical Director of the Third corps estimates our ces at threo hundred and tweoty-five wounded and aboot one hundred killed. A note, dated Sunday, says:— Yesterday closed clear, with the two armies lying tm line om opposite sides of Mise run vatiey. On examination 1 was found that the ground on the sides of the run, @x- copting where it is crossed by tho turnpike, was impases- ble by our troops, owing to (he boggy and swampy condl- tion of the ground, REBEL ACCOUNTS. News from the Battle Field to Sunday Morning, ae,, » oe ae, Tame to the ‘ ember 30. res Onaxce Cover Hoven, Nov. 20—0 A. M. There has been no fighting since Friday, some skirmishing on Saturday, The Yankees have cight days’ rations, General Fityhugh Lee drove the eoemy's cavairy across Raccoon Ford and Mortom Ford yesterday. Ey lay’s fight ‘Was mostly with musketry, Moaby (ell on thetrear of the Yankoe wagon train sear Brandy Station on Friday morning, and burped thirty twenty bersen, ‘The commitee from Richmond to took after the wounded « y.ged at Gordons rite today, ‘The (wo armier are confronung each other in Noe of Daitle. A feartaiJight canaot long Fe postponed. General Ewell returned to the army to-day. Geveral Jones, who was wounded ou itiday, witlretere Jo bis command te morrow, Arrest of Bares, Wasser. ni Miyor Wasser, whoer alleged fray actions at Cairo have been sires y «uded to, wes ar resied at McVickar's themtre, In this city, baat night. Dea. of the United foe Mareeba tor a» Harm, Deo. 1, 1968 lw 0, Dee. 1, 1968. revenue trans Me. David i, Care, te focus piles os ' nd Whig, Ne- . 2 4 : ; ~ ey —