The New York Herald Newspaper, December 4, 1863, Page 1

————— WHOLE WO. 9940. MEADE’S ARMY. The Retrograde Movement to the North of the Rapidan, ITS COMPLETE SUCCESS. Details of the Eight Days’ Campaign. THE BATTLE OF LOCUST CROVE. Interesting Narrative of the Engagement, Union Loss 1,000---Rehbel Loss 2,500. Particulars of the Demonstra- tion on Mine Run. GENERAL WARREN'S FLANK MOVEMENT, WHY THE ARMY FELL BACK. INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES, a, a, be. Br. Thomas M. C0 Despatches. Amay or THE Potomac, Dec. 3, 1863. Again we return to spots familiar. I shal) be contribut- fag no contraband intelligence ia stating that the brave ‘@ia Army of the Potomac is once more safely quartered in ‘the log buts the rebels so kindly prepared for them a Month ago, west of the Rappabannock. 4p I predicted in my last communication, Gen, Mende @bandoned the contest after the failure of his well pre. pared plan of battle for Monday last. On the following day he ordered his cumbersome revervo artillery to the ‘Berth bank of the Rapidan, with al! ammunition, ambu- lapowend headquarter trains, leaving nothing in front of ‘Whe enemy but infantry and such artillery as is appor- ‘Moved among the corps. A® soon as night rendered it practicable the army was ordered to withdraw, ‘and before the sun was fairly up on Wednesday, morning everything pertaining to the Army of the Pow mec was safely north of the famous Rapidan, At an earty hour in the morning the enemy threw @ few harm. Teas sbolle into our rear; but farther than this our retire- ment was conducted without molestation. It wae by no means a forced retreat. It was simply o pradential movement, attesting the wisdom of General ‘Meade. He was on the wrong road, and, knowing it, had ‘to mach sense to sacrifice bis gallant men by coutinuing to follow it. ‘The retrogrersion has indisputably a depressing effect ‘qpen the army—as any similar movement must hive But better far that the men be temporarily disappointed than that the army be sacrificed ‘The general query will be, what next? This | abat! pot fauswer—not knowing myself. 1 am not disposed to be- Meve that another campaign will be attempted this Win- fer, though the weather may be euch as w render |) Practicabio. We can oaly wait for orders. T Bave prepared, from day today, accounts of the movements of the army since it set out on this campaign, Dut, at the request of General Meade, bave deferred Wwanswitting them until the termination of the move. ment. I transmit with this a full and detailed account of ‘the campaign. The varrative embraces two distioct eperations of an offensive nature—the first, the battle of ‘the Third corps, to which history will probably attach the name of the battle of Locust Grove. Had there beeu @ attic on Sunday or Monday, it would have been tho battle of Mine run, These distimctions may be im. portant hereafter. Everything i¢ quiet today in our lines. The troops are repairing and refitting their bute, making themselves comfortable for the winter. Fresh supplies for men and offeers are much needed, and will probably arrive to- @ay. The railroad hae not been molested in any particu. ar during our absence, and is now im running order, Mc telegraph wires were also left untouched, and are Bow working. MOVENENTS OF THE RIGHT WING. Away oF te Potomac, Nov. 27, 1863. Once more “the Old Guard” of this army—the Third @orpe—faces the enemy, and after a sbarp action againgt @ whole rebel corps and a division from another—a force @f probably not less than thirty thousand meo—unflineb- fagly maintains its ground, and bj rouacs for the night on the ground that has contributed another lustrous gem to te glorious record. From four until seven this afternoon these veteran divisions have stood under » fre of musketry scarcely less flerce and continuous ‘Maan those whicb have characterized the great Datties of the war, Indeed, on either side bas been arrayed the same veteran troops whose meeting on for- mer occasions, in other Selds, bas marked the greatest Struggles of modern times, and on this occasion the con. Yeet haa developed no loss of spirit and determination in either army. Torocrarny I bave already transmitted to you a map of the region @ country in which the army is now operating, upon which coaspicuousiy appear the severa! roads aod @ystem of roads by which the different corpe of our army bave advances, The fighting that bas ocurred today has been wholly in woods of the mont denso and tangled character, filed with underbrush, dead logs, thickets of scrub oak, ke.—a con. finuation of the woods to the west of Chancelloreyitie, from which the country has been #0 appropriately named ** Wilderness,’ Throogh these interminable woods there fare numberiess tracks, called roads, but in no \nstance @pproaching the dignity Of that appellation, They « simply bywoye, running with extreme irregularity in ‘li directions, forking and diverging at every half mile, fad describing in their courte every polnt of the eompasn in eaeh mile travelied. Our topographical maps, furnished by the Bureau of Engineering at Washingwo, @ transcript from which I sent you, lay down & road as Fanning direet from Jacobs’ mili to Robertson's tavern Bo such road exists, but through the foresta that extend ever thin region there is a system of roads of the @aracter | have attempted to describe, Thie bas been {he route of march of the Third and #ixth corpe to day and tho battle of this afternoon has been fought in such a forest es that I have dercribed. THE RERE!® ARANDON THR RIVER. te my despatch yesterday morning from Prandy Sta Hoo | intimated the possibility of a severe engagement at We lower fords of the Rapidan, Contrary w all expecta tons the sebels made no serious resistance to tbe crose fng at any of the pointe where it was atiempted. (CROBRING OF THE UNION ARMT. Tho army romped the Kapidan in several columns. @rega's division of cavalry, forming the left of our hoe, @eesed at Fly's Ford, the First corps at the same piace, iy a’ cease eas tae the reserve ar at Germanoa Ford, aad the Third and Bixtd corpse st Jacobs’ mill, Bulord’s cavairy @overed the ford above to prevent the evemy @reesing 10 the north of the river tw operate on cur roar Buch be'ng the dispositions, orders were Wau. . uring the aight of the 26th for the advance, the pointe of cream tng for cach corpe veing denignated end their router of mrarod afver crosing ‘THN MRAP FosmON. These orders contemplated a rapid march after oroesing, and the formation of a lin6 of battle on the evening of the 26th in front of Robertson's tavern, on the old turnpike road leading from Fredericksburg 10 Orange Court Bouse, and about ffteen mils east of the Court House, PORITION KKFORE STARTING. At starting the army formed a line cross jog the Orange and Alexandria Railroad at right angles at Brandy Station, The Second corps had Abe ieft of this line, and was consequently nearest ite point of crossing; the Third bad the centre, sod the Sixth the right. The First had been doing guard duty on the railroad east of Rappabapnock Station. The Fifth was pear Keily’s Ford. THR #rART. At daylight on the morning of the National Thanks- giving the army took up He lineof march, Nothing could be more beautiful than this magnificent eutumnal morn. ing. The last stare were fading from sight—the rising Night of day chasing them away—as the bugles sounded the advance. In a twinkling the vast cities of canvass roofed habitations disappeared, aod (their tenants, sbouldering them, with the furniture thoy had goptained and a! their own personal effects, wheeled into line, a grand army, prepared to do battle right valiantly. And then the march began. The pre- vious day bad been dark and gloomy, refusing to farther our purposes in the least by drying the roads from tbe preceding twenty-four hours? storm. Therefore, while all was bright aud cheerful and beautiful overhead, beneath was an almost unfathomable depth of mud—the pecu larity of Virginia roads after a storm. ROUTE TO THK HOVER, colump, which I accompanied, had march to some — extent across fields cultivated during the past summer, which the rains bad made extremely soft. Into this loose and saturated earth the men sank aukie deep, and artillery mired almoet beyond the power of horse tleab t extricate is. But the command was onward, and on ward, despite ail obstacles and difficulties, the column pressed, and at noon precisely Geuera) French and staff, at the bead of the column, came in sight of Jacobs’ mill, having warched a distance of fourteen miles. TIME SECOND CORR, having but baif the distance to march, with a good road all the way, partly planked, had reached Germanoa Ford ap hour previously, and were waiting, in accordance with the programme of the wovewent, for tbe Third to cross iret. ‘The right ite route of CROBAING THE RIVER. The Second division of the Third corps, under Geveral Prince, bad the advance of our line op the warch and at the crossing. The Jersey brigade of this division (Gene- ral Mott's) bad been detached and sent to Mitchells Ford, above, to hold that point and thus very materially aid ip insuring our safe crossing, The first brigade, Colovei Blaisdell commanding, Jed the column and bad the advance in crossing The eolumoa was halted in the woods at the summit of the heights overlooking the river and out of sight of the rebel pickets wbo beid the south bank. General Prince theo rode forward and reconpoitred the position, and under the directions of General French, commanding the corpe, proceeded to make bis dispoeitioue to effect the parsage of the stream. At thie time it was not kuowo what force the enemy might have concealed in the woods on the south bank of the river to resist us. Trae, no force except a dozen cavalrymen was to’be eceo io the open fields directly opposite; but were they looking for us, o@ there was every reason te suppose they would be, they wotld Bot expose their forces to view, if they bad ny there. 1t was necessary, therefore, to proceed with the greateet caution, and make every disposition exactly as if were sure of meeting the entire rebe) army. Geveral Prince therefore acted wisely in concealing bis troope until the arrangements were fully made, aod theo throwing them out under cover of artillery, in readiness to cross immediately, giving the enemy mo time to Fully be. fore we bad gained the opposite bank. It seemed to m: tbat an hour was ratber longer time than requisite for this, but the whole time was fully and industriously 0o- cupied. DISCLOMING THE FORCES. At the expiration of that time the Twenty-sixth Pennrylvania advanced as ekirmishers and moved steadily down the hill to the immediate bank of the river. A battery of artillery was simultaneously run out of the woods apd placea in position on the bills to com- mand the opporite heights, This was followed by a pon- oon train, under command of Captain Turnbel!, which moved down to the water's edge, followed clorely by whe balance of Blaisdell’s brigade. THB KNEMY SURPRISED. ‘The sudden appearance of thin force was evidently a surprise to the rebel pickets, who put spurs to their borses and galloped back into the woods before we bad made an effort to crose. EXIKMUEHERS ACKOS. A® scOD as the poutoon train reached the river the boate were launched and the Eleventh New Jersey, Colonel Mo- Allister, jumped into them and were ferried acrose. This gallant regiment charged bravely up the precipitous hills opposite, and, finding po enemy there, advanced to the edge of the woods, « third of a mile back, where they managed to coax an insignificant skirmish out of the demoralized rebel pickete, who fed after delivering two or three wild shots. LAYING THR FORTOON®. In the meantime Captain Surnbull proceeded to lay he bridge. Here another provoking delay occurred, caused by a mistake of some engineer officer in estimating the width of the river and giving the number of boawre- quired. We were short just one boat, aud, in consequence, had to build a derrick to support the last treetie. This consumed valuable time, eo that it was after three o'clock before the column could begin croweing. THE OTHER SIDR—4N OVERMGIT. Bot thie was only the commencement of our enpoyances, for on croming the lofty banks «were found to be #0 precipitous me + make \t impracticable to move artillery cr any wheel carriages up them, nies by cutcing » road, which would bave required day's time. Thie time could not be spared. General French, in thie emergency, witb the promptoess that characterizes ali bie movements, ordered bis artillery and trains to move down to Germanna Ford and cross there, and at the same time directed bie column to move op, hoping and expecting to reach Ro- berteou’s tavern during the evening. But in thie he was doomed w another disappomtment MARCHING I bave already alluded to the inaccuracy of our military mape. Instead of finding the etraight road laid down upon tbe mape for our route, we only discov. ered the = petwork = of) apologies’ «for roade— wood patha described above. Through these we could move but four abreast, while oor flankers had the utmost diffoulty in penetrating the thick brush that lined e.tber wide of the route ovr THe TRACE Under there circumstances, aud haying po guide, \t war hot to be wondered at that General Prince, who was lead ing, Wolk & wrong road, and did not discover hie error wot he ran \ot0 the rebel picket line, when he found himeelf, with wan gone, nearly op to tbe rebel fortified potition bear Morton's Ford mow A countermarch wae of course necesrary, and, darkness cot ing Ob, @ Divounc in the woods was the only recourse Aud so we balted for the night, the Biath corps having crowped (he river immediately after us, and being massed Clo#e Bt band Lo support us shoold we be attacked. On com manicating we ascertained that the Fecoud corpe had done bat little more than crows the river, their bivousc for the night being at Plat run chureh, but two or three mice from the ford, The Fifth was understood to be some where pear the old Wilderness tavern. @o that our de. Jaye were Dot perioun in (heir remulte, for had we been able to go on to Robertwon's tavern we would have found Ourselves there with no supporte whatever, Thos, after all, everything worked together for good, A RORY mane Dortng last night #tafl officers and orderties had a pent. Jenn time, Orders and despatches were paring to and fro between the several corps, and between army head quarters and each corpe, from dark (!) daylight. New pisos bad to be perfected, wiih new dispositions and ‘Woes, and other points wo be reached than thore marked ont previouny THE PT Lal Pane, Thet, on the PC pperiiom thar mane 6fO)06feriOW 6feewianre 6te 6(cer | (adi an it Verdereville wae marked oot oe the pom to be renched to-night, (b€ Becond corps to have the ad the eoemy would PRICE THREE CENTS. vance of the Third and Sixth on the old turnpike beyond Robertson's tavern, tho point where the two roads come together. ‘Theo the artillery and trains of the Third and Siath corpe had become entangled with those that were crossing at Germanna, and could not be found. Even general officers took what sleep they bad that frosty night withy out Diankets to cover them, and with no eapper to make up for tho lows of their dinner, and a prowpect ahead of a protracted fast the next day, Altogether, the night was not the most pleasant and agreable that could be im- agined. MOVING AGAIN. At daylight thie morning the advance was again sounded, Slowly apd cautiously we crept along Ubrough the deep, diind forest, winding and twisting about im the most tortuous manner, feel- Mog our way cautiously, with @ squadrom of cavalry and a strong skirmish line, the formation of the main line being the same as yesterday. In this way half the day was consumed, occasionally skirmishing @ little with scouting parties of rebels who danced along our front as if watching us and seeking Ww flod outeursire oh and destination, but discovering po body of th 1y unt!) about noon, when we were but three or four miles, as the crow flies, from our starting pout. THR WRONG ROAD AGAIN. Here General Prince was again deceived through the information he had, and, instead of taking @ road leading into the old turnpike, east of Robertson’s tavern, kept further to the right, and led off into (he Raccoon Ford road, about three miles above the tavern. Here he found the euemy in ferce, aud here the battle bas been fought to day. KMBARRAPEMENTS, General French at this time bad just learned of General Prince’s second deviation from the intended road, and was hastening forward to place him right when the head of Prince's columa became engaged in & pretty severe skir- mish, At the samo time despatches were received from General Meade urging the columa forward. Up to this time wo had no knowledge of General Warren’s where- ‘abouts, apd could get no communication with him, although repeated efforts had been made to do 80, bor could we get Our ammunition train or artillery. We were moet blindly into the heart of the enemy's country, and moving parallel to his known position, and clowe to it, yet without any definite knowledge of his movements or intentions. Nor did we know what sup- ports we had other than the Sixth corps, which was im our rear, nor whether the other columns were advancing or had met with resistance from the enemy. Add to this the fact that © off the road designed to be taken by us, aod were d scovering indications of trouble abead, aud some idea of the embarrassments of General French's situation can be formed. But the old roldier was equal to the situation, He formed bie plans with admirable quickness and judgment, enffering nothing to discourage Bim. PLAN® AND COUNTERILANS. On Jowrning exactly the’porition he was jn, and being onder orders to join General Warren's columo on the turnpike, General French determined to leave Prince where he was, as be could not well be withdrawn from the enemy’s front, and move the Third and First divi- sions around by the other road. While preparing to exo- cute this movement @ communication was received from General Warren to the effect that he was then at Robert- son's tavern, and also an order from Geveral Meade for the Thira corps to join Warsen by the Raccoon Ford road. ‘THE ENKMY IN FRONT. Scarcely baa there despatcbes beeo received when twoor three prisoners were brought in, who gave us the not very gratifying intelligence that Ewell’s entire corps and one division of Hill's were moving down the Raccoon Ford road upon our front, and that Apdervon’s brigade was at that time skirmishing with us, This, of course, settied the fact that we could not move down on that road, neither could we safely withdraw from it. FRENCH'S FLAN OF BATTLE. General French then conceived tbe plan of deploying hip line to the Jeft, by putting the Third and First divi- sions in line of battle on tbat wing, and thus extending down towards Warren, who, by deploying to his right, would thus be able to perfect the communication. On submitting thie suggestion to Geveral Meade it met his approval, and Genera) Freceb was directed to make that diepoeition. THE BATTLE OF LOCUST GROVE. By this time the evemy bowed @ much larger force in our front, and the ekirmish that had been so long in progress began to assume the character of @ battle. Wounded men were being brought to the rear, and ro- ports of officers killed coming \n with appieasant frequency. Prince had been ordered to advance and move down the Raccoon Ford road, and, with Blaisdel's entire brigade deployed, be was obeying bis instruction, the Fxcelsior Brigade, led by Col. Brewster, following the skirmishers and formiog the whole strength of the divi sioo—the Jersey Hrigade, left at Mitchell’ Ford, not yet having rejoined the main column. In carrying cut the new plan it therefore became necessary w halt General Prince where be was and have bim deploy hie whole command ‘n live of battle and at the #ame time the Third ander Geueral Carr, was formed on their Jett. This movement brought on a heavy storm. The enemy, Gincovering it, attempted to frustrate it before it could be accomplisbed. But the troop bebaved rplendid!. od Moved into powitions in Me dense woods aud onder « ing fre of morketry with as much eteadiners om ibey would manifest op @ parade NEY IN THE FULD. Birney's divinion, io consideration of the unexpected and severe attack of the enemy, was ordered to form eecond iine in the rear of the Third. They were led by Major General Birney io person, who, with one fot bundled up and swinging loesely, with his Koes thrown across the pummel) of Div raddie, could pot be restrained frow leading Lis own command by any twinges of rheu- matiem that could be forced upon bim, TUR ENGAGEMENT CRW ERAL And now the engagement became general. After fee ng hastily along oor whole line, ae if to ascertain ite rirength tho enemy marred bis forces aed came The rbock fell heaviest on Blaindeli’s brigade of tbe Second, and )=6Morr#’ apd Kilfers brigades of the division. At firet it wan exclusively murketry, aud as lively \t wae | have beard & parsed, but oot often. It was @ continoous, deaf euing roar, rising louder and flercer an additions: troops Decame engaged, roping along the line from right to left, Boti} Gmally the whole line was engaged. Then gradual y the roar modulated jnto « distinct rattle as the fret vo leyn were diecharged and the men were required Ww reload their pieces. Then came @ shout, a loog, glad shout of ‘riumph, a tbe charging fee fell back diemayed before the fteady and unflinching fire of our valiant men. fut the triumph was of short duration. It waa no victory. but merely the surging of the deadly fray. Again the revel rallied, and in heavy marten a second time advanced \ the charge. Then the rattle of the munketry changed Again (0 6 roar, and the contert was renewed creased earpestoess. aRTOLERY aT PLAY At thin juncture Seeley'® Battery K, Fourth Un ied Ptater, wae Drought up to # porition on a crest in the woods and opened «furious Gre of shell upon the eoemy © ime, In reply the enemy planted @ battery back wear the Raceoon Ford road and retarned the Gre, But tier m seller, being fred at & gocen over the woods, overfew thew mark, falling far Dace ip the rear of our ine On the contrar: t dattery was doing fine execution, piacting their ene!) into the very midet of the rebel maneet, and dealing death and dismay tw their troops. Yet they swod vp to thelp work witb a valor hat would bave done credit to the beet troops the world ever produced, amd continved upceasingly to return & murderous fire upen curmes. =, FRCEN@S OP TER CONTENT. The action wae now fercely bot. Regunent afier ment exhausted \t# cartridge bose, and gave place 0 freeh troops standing ready Ww take thelr places The chances of battie reewed even. 2 scemN® onaEe, (On the right of tbe Becond division our treope—a bri ede that had been under Gre all day \ong—wavered » Jatle, bat the bravo Colonel MeLaugbAn, of the Firet Man Rachanetin—the regiment hardest premsed—eniied swe Ket from one of his fallen men, and, placing bimeclf \« front of his command, worked bis piece with woch verve and effect that hin men, seeing it, gave a cheer, amt Would bave remained in (heir powition till the just man war abot down had queh © sacrifices been demanded of them. The rebels had no force rulficiently great to bodes them ap iweb. vr Third | who wero tn position on their flank, bad lee@ severe work, bet performed what was required of them, with all the energy and epirit that has ever characterized them, Colonel Brewster, though getting up from a sick bed to Jead bis command to this movement, and prostrated from bie illness, was at the head of bis brigade copstantly, and inspired his men by bie presence to the very utmost of entbusiaem, They only exclaimed ogainst the fortune that bad buried the heaviest of the enemy's blows against their comrades rather than themeelvee. GRVERAL MORRIE, commanding the First brigade of the Third division (Carr's), cousisting of the Teath Vermont, Fourteeuth New Jersey and Ono Handred and Fifty rat New York, did splendid work. This was tho frst sevore action these men had participated in, They area portion of the re- Cont accession to the corps, and, with the remainder of the division, have been impatient to #bow the vid yote- Fane of the corps that they were not made of inferior evud, The opporguoity was well improved. The rebois jo their frout were posted kebiud @ rail fence, in the edge of a piece of timber, directly upon the creat of @ bill, ‘This porition Genoral Morris carried by « brilliant charge, 4riving tho enemy io confusion. The rebels rallied ‘again and attempted to retake the position, but were suc- cessfully held at bay for more than an hour, when, the Ammunition of our mem being exhausted, they were re lieved by @ brigade from Birney’s division, Among the casualties in this brigade will be noticed the names of Capt. Wilcox, Fourteeath New Jersey, killed, and L Kingsley, Tenth Vermont, wounded, Capt. Dillingham, Acting Avsistant Inspector General, had « horse shot from under bim, and is among the miseing. The losses of the brigade will be about fifty killed and a hundred and fifty wounded. The brigade was actively engaged nearly three hour, and on being relieved, because of the expenditure Of ail their ammunition, reformed in good order in the rear of the First division. No veteran brigade could have dove better service or performed their part with more steadiners and courage. COLONEL, KIKFER, commanding the Second brigade of the same division, Aigo did tomo mplendid service with his command. He was twice charged upon by the famous Stonewall brigade, repulting therm on each occasion right handsomely, He command consists of the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, One Hundred and Twenty-second Obio, One Hundred and Thirty-eignth Peansyivatia and Sixth Maryland, ai! com- paratively new troops. They were, however, in the “he- paodoab campaign with Milroy, where they encountered ‘this save Stonewall brigade. On that occasion they lot & Dumber of prisoners, who were now anxious to wipe oot the stain, With this incentive, added to their emulation Of the older brigades of the corps, they naturally fought Like bervee COLONEL maT, commanding the Third brigade of the same division, was directed \ take position om the left of the line, Be was moving by bis Sank into the position assigned bim wheo the rebels suddenly opened @ moet terrific volley upon him from a copeseied position tp & thicket. His men were staggered by this unexpected attack And gave way ip gome disorder, But they were soon rallied and rendered some very influential asristavce in determining the reeult of the engagement. THA MRD Division. Altogether this divigion did nobly. It wae their bap tiem under fre, and henceforth they must be sbarers i6 the glory and renown of the gallant corps to which they are attached. Geveral Carr, who commands them, has grOWD Up With the old corps; and in his exercise of com- anand on this Occasion waa conspicuous for bis gallantry and coolness under fire, and tLe readiness witb which be managed the divisivn. BIENEY'R DIVUMON, It has besw mentioned above that Birney’s division was io reserve. Hot that gallant officer is vever contented with lying back when @ Battle is progressing. He was ‘was not jong io feding platen for bis troope in the front Vine, and an fest ag they were neoded thene old nokiiers took their positions, The Firet brigade, under Colonel Callia, and the Third, wnder Colonel Fgan, were early in action, relieving those in the fret line whose ammunition wan expended, or who showed any symptorn of weakness COMONEL 2GAN commanded his brigade for the first time inaction, Un like many brigade commanders, he forget o nec. re a pate Position in the rear of hie line, but faced the muric of the bullets tn front of bis troops, riding up and down bis liner to pee that all weut well, aud encouraging bis men a: al! points by Dis ubiquitous presence, The Michigan, New York apd Peonsylvania troops of bis brigade performed an they always have performed. It wax a gioriouw right 1o withers the steadiness of the line and the cool bravery of the troops. COLONEL Conte wae bo eee gallant in hin bearing before the noble Peep #ylvaniane of bie brigade, and, with (hem, performed miracles of valor, This command war formerly bel General C.K. Grabam, who was eo reverey tyeburg, in which action, as at Chancellorevilie, n troops won higher praise, nor more justly received it. and Ob this Cecanjon their pteadiners war equally creditable CORNEAL WORART WARD © Mmanded the Second brigade of Bo wan held in reserve until the engagement war nearly con cluded; bat when ordered forwart responded with tne Alacrity of an old soldier, and was © usp vour in the fray Uptii the jast rebel disappeared Hs brigade lowt about « hundred men. POCKTRIN TROURAND KEPT) SE TIDKTY THOMRAND, 7 wir Bot T have departed from my urual rule in epeakiog ft this length of particular commande. When all de well comparisons are inadmnineable. Tat al) did do well i ep parent from the fact, that thoogh the enemy burled ac joss thao thirty thousand of their bert troops against um we withatood the amsault with about fourteen thovmand, and repuleed the apsailante fo completely that, as tbe shades of night were falling, they hastily withdrew, Jeaving their Killed aod wounded upon (he feld, and car wearied men lay down among the mangied liv ng and the shustly dead, to roateb much little repone ae might be ae corded thew by tue fortane of MAL MRD Rut } must net forget mension the brave “eld How of the Army of ibe Potomacethe heroic Sedgwick who tmaseed bie magn Gcent corpe in our rear at the opening of the fight, abd us Gen. Freneb rode to ibe front to stem the heavy tide of battle, wad to him “French, whea you want meor avy of troops, you will fing me bere, aod there be remained, the rtray ebot and ebell from the enemy's batteries falling io be midet, and men beng abot down clove bes.de bim, while Le was chafing ¢ chance to retaliate. And the chance mon came oe enemy relied alowg our front from right to loft, deter mined (0 fod & weak mpot, where, by « they might break our lines, domperate port Gradually they approac uf left hank, And was evident that the ce n exiended of we would be fianked WLP FROM THR METH COMM. At thie critical jumcture General Fren Generel Sedgwick for reinforcemente [n « woment the re\nforcemente wi notion and hurrying up te the porition they were lied upon to take on a double quirk The Third brigade, Colonel Klimaker, of Wright # diy ein war (hue #eDt into action, and by extending oor line pre vented the enemy from turning ue The Fret brigade of Wright's division and the Fires of Howes were alse moved opto Support oar lef, whch at thu (ime wee sorely premeed. But none of them by waker® brigade got into setion, and thin bot f) ghuy Cm EReL MeN wee conspicuous in thie section, Bo noon as t war man fewt that & general engagement wae imi inent, be mounted bis horse aod threw bimeeil ote nent hae the midst of that be might be st band to make foch directions oF o 6 fhe iipe a@ the axigencien of ihe battio t render becesmary. The men were inmpired by hin preeence, and fonght with inerensed ardor. 11 @ but & rmail tribute to a eptendid Officer Wo pay that the oorye wae bandied teat admirably, The dinperitions were oi) jor right, ibe po Hittone takem were the beet that could be found, the Goweral waa quick 0 diecern ac edvawiays aod prompt arresting threatened dimarters, Boi the fullest med of yreiee exiata im the feet that, alter a ‘elerim ned riroge's Of three howre’ duration, Le repuwed a teres ore then doodle that of bis ewn comm. od Fens THREE TO RowEY Aed IT bot 40 an wet of funtion Wo reposting Freneh's generous commendation of General Mei While rech gallant officers a Mirney be a there a be eroand for tear, Me Ww # have met a beile any ¢ heb eeete Gerrans eal | | to transmit it. Such Wy my wtuation at present, The results of this engagement bave beeo of the highest | Genoral Meado haw cut louse from Wartie the rent importance. The evemy clearly had one of two objects | of (he work’, and it campaigning in (ve w rene on bin in view. It was no haphazard, chance affulr, but, on the | own responsibility, In this he bas dene wooly for he iw part of the enemy, a deliberate and determined effort | not only «pared the annoyance of constant sterte “ @ither to turn the right flauk of our army, or lo cut off | bis movements from Washington, but o# the field the Dumber of meu that would ber guard the Lise of communigation should be Keep one open, He aino bag requerted bewrpaper cor French and Sedgwick from (he rest of (he army, and thur | whip us by detachments, 1 am ine!\ned to think that the former wee the purpose. Thin idea i based upon the fact, that when the enemy made thelr firet charge their outs to withhold kneir dispatches, Mebicle they officers urged their men forward with the amuran 6 | Lave a) prommed to do, that they had ‘nothing but dismounted cavalry to fybt, DIPORT ANT MOVEMENTS ‘They evidently were wholly igporant that we were mow Since I closed my last communication important move- ing any strony force dowu trough those woods, and yp | mente baye taken place, The whole formation of our posed that what they found there was merely acavairy | line bas been ob ad; the cavalry Lee mado a halt, and foree covering the flank of the army. The result hae | we are drawn up in line of bartie, momentarily expecting shown them something of our strength, and bas ainc ox & gerbera) engagement along the en poved to us more fully the position and wtrength of the WARD yrestr enemy. Tclused my letter yesterday morning in a rain storm, TIME CABUALTING, while our troops were presting their way forward, plod Wo have lost in the eugagement much fewer men then | ging through mud ap to their kbees, Hh wax terrible could bave been expected, from the duration aud fe: marching-—bard for the men, bul ten Limor wore no for of the action, Eight hundred or # thousand will the animals, and es ly for the artillery berser, who Jess cover our lorses in killed, wounded and mireing © constantly floundering and bresking down, while missing are few in number, and are not, ax ueuel, pr aah wa freely applied, and (he throats « Wivers soners, but mon slightly wounded in action aud unable Lo | prew more with shouting and eure 4 them for find the hospitals, who have straggied back to the Ford® | ward with (heir m * lone te the babe im We have net lost any men as prisoners, The evemy'® | the thick mud. It loss is vastly greater than ours, In two inewnces they | ng, and charged upon Seely’s battery wiih the intention of taking | eared ue reining very erly youter WAU aiternoen, wheat min did not come eat, and the it, The battery was placed in front of a small clearing | mad dried met in the least, ‘The hauliog of heavy arte acrorn which it wax necessury for the is 6 S00K0 | jor ne the eof foads Sedu ‘Gud hehe ep Qbackinetnhc ved their charges. In both instances Lieutenant Smith, WO | dering them almost impassable and when the line wom commanded the battery, awaited their approach with iopad ‘gad is hase Racemanee to ike (hae ee hia pieces doubly charged with canister, Aw they ie Golde Gad ditehon, 4 ean ledeull é haveuiean: al ne out of the woods and within range, 6 |G jake any progrens at a slaughter worked in their ranks by there weil directed 1 NeW KNEE. FORTTION, pieces wax terrible, Again, in thei: Ruccemive charg ‘The enemy halted, o« J unticipated they would, oa against our firm lines they were fearfully cut up. Ibis | the weet bank of Mine rum, This in 4 mall pteaun Impossible at thie writing to estimate, even approximate | tributary tw the Rayidan, crossing beth the tare ly, their lonses, but the appearance of tue Leld this ey pike and plank road nearly at right angler near Verdier ing shows A much greater number of dead aid wour ville, about four miles west of Hoberteon © tavern, Be rebels than Union soldiers. ow the turnpike country adjacent to thie wtream | very bigh and rolling. It in dotted over with well enitt Ronearson's Tavinn, Nov, 28, 1663. | vated farm of ¢ iderable ex spereed with THR WROLE AKMY CONNECTED — PURSUING, | pine woods, North of the turnpike the sotry gradu Wo have formed a junction with the main boty of the | guy sinks away into the low, undulating a army, and are following up the retreating re on the forreste described ip my communication of the 27th lipe of the turppike leading to Orange Court Hovre vont atic OF OUR LINE Everything goes splendidly. The morning i# wet ard | Gor tine ie formed with the Sixth corpe on ihe nybt Gisagrooable, but still our victorious troops are full of | the Firat in the centre, and the Third on the left. Ihe and spirits. The Third corps fought more than bal! t aa 1 ban undertaken @ move cared for ite | rebel army yexterday, putting them to rout wounded during the fgbt, and by nine o'clock thie morn ing bad joined forces with the Second, First and Sixth corps, General Sedgwick, with the Sixth corpa, was or dered away from the Third at two o'clock this morning, when he commenced his march to Robertron# tavern, and at daylight G 1 French received orders to follow bim, and bere we all are, anion LO spenk mote par arly further op. Our line is a very dabie de founive ove, and the only offensive postion we can take Ibe enemy coofront us on the elevations wert of the ran At winds along at our fect, and are, of courre, waiting ur to attack ther, Tk TAR MORE Om Our positions were aasigned yesterday, bat In rach @ FORTIRR KRSCLIN, frightful condition were the roads tat it was late in the The results of the battle of yesterday a st | night before we occupied them, The taak before us now beginuing to manifest the es. Our ambalance | is simply to attack the evemy and drive hits frow bie officers mad burying parties, who were engaged on | position, Thin was to have beeu atuanpted yenterday the field inst vight, counted upwards of four | afternoon by a general asmmult slong the wotire hive, bus hundred dead rebel solders, and the ground was | was necersarily deferred because of the now formation of #trewn all over with their wounded, who bad been jolt | the line until in the wight. uncared for ib the precipitancy of the ewemy's# retreat THe RENE, DRFENCER, We alo took pumsession of their field hospitals, filed | During Inet wight the rebels worked \\ke Vewvers, am with wounded meu, who begged most piteounly to be | Heipating an attack? thir morning, aod at daylebt cared for, Captaiu Webster, who was occupied all night | Could dincover along their whole line # somewhat fo With the limited number of ambulances we ti! been able | Midable breantwork crowning the beighte to bring up from the rear, in picking np and bringing ia | MAKINg these delennive works they have the wounded, very properly looked after those of our | M60 of every favorable fenture of the country, giving us, own army firet, After these were all brought in he | Wherever pousiblo, cultivated mlopes tn charge up, from picked up a large number of the wounded rebels, but had | the rummite of which they might rain dows upon ue time to gather in bute very email proportion of them, } such showers of bullets and shot aud shell as We ieeu ‘Tho rest, with all their asad, were of necessity loft Irightful gacrifiee of Ife om eur part bo earring thelr pert the field this morning, becanse of the necessity of oar | HOP moving away—the wounded unattended, the dead un buried, It jarred terribly with our views of humanity to leave these poor fellows th but af we abandoned that region to be rececupied by the rebels, if they chocwe to occupy it, they will save to many prironers, and can bury their own dead, Making the usual estimate of five men wounded to each man Killed In battle, the rebel lomm will foot up four bundred killed and two thousand wounded. According to the #tatements of prisoners and Gesorter#, the estimate will not be an exaggeration. We captured about two hundred prisoners, THe DIMPARITY OF Losmem, The pancity of our own loses, when compared to thore of ihe enemy, is attributable to several causes, We were fighting om the defensive and in thie« woods. In front of us in eeveral places wore cleared pote, across which the rebels bad w charge in order to reach um, In crossing there openings our murketry had full effect upom thet, cutting them down jn frightful numbers, wh 2 men being covered to a large extent by the to WHADETR KEGAKD FOR HW THOOT® Hut General Meade bas not designed Lo nubject Le noble army t euch @ flery ordeal without pretty pamitive eneur ance Of Bue een as the reward Of the exertion, WANREN'H FLANK MOVEMENT. This morning, at & very early hour, Geversl Warren war despatched with bis own, the Seound corpe, anda division from the Fifth, forming a columo twenty thoa fand strong, in light marching order, to turn the enen right flank. His Jostructions, based on bie own mugs tone, were to make «wide detour, moving back on the turppike to our rear, (hen crossing to the plank read, pase below i and, come up inthe rear of the rebels He ex pected to be In powition Wy attack by the miidie of the Afternoon, at whieh time the corpa in front were ordered to be In readinews W earault nimultancouly with War rou's attack. Everything was tm Hm guns were t At th M the #, watehing anaiourly for con ingent oa Goa. Warren's movements for the grand be ihe #) tack oor ie our ted fi the return tre. | 4* Ser P.M. ne gun Bad been heard. At Ave, axthing oa, Wo, the enemy bad no artillery bearing upoo our el, ee eee C UPCS OF | te tne oxld ind, wetting wevdpen: thas bine of bettie, while Keely's battery, with ite covble | x ke horrid. gaye is, | tbe Mtl plensant cecupat her for ape charges of canister at clowe range, mi He Asad eR HITE ee peak affaires ond the revel ranks In every respect we had the « 1 ieee; Unsoe’ puch wove @istbediee Semel (eal wae o copt in numbers, and General Preach dieplaye a faculty of making the mort of all bis advantager 108 NEEL TOA rue One of the grandemt results A the batt oped until this morning. Yerterday the enemy beld « ftrongly intrenched ponition in front of Moberteon's tavern, where they threw defiance at General Warre He *eirmished with them all day, but made no earvert attack. This morning they abandoned their intrench ments before daylight, and are pow retreating. They were unquestionably compelled Lo abandon that positon ew cating atiack Mmpractic the troops to bi an engagement, My thin time ple. Orders were ther etere sae for the wight a rer About this time General Warreo communicated Geuera) Meade that be had gained & portion on the ene my ® Cane, perpen commanding the Third conga bi th bien it wae da mee Le ve bot evel war th the plawa read, General vee und forming od Wnt became apparent that 0, ale on Warre | rey It then eral French, which Weft their flank et our mer | ee winch tnore quiculy ar ey. They will probably make s stand yor Wday | gown slong tbe ties, le a word.a oo the other vide of Mine rum, which crosses the torn | ie ea cao enemt wae attempted. wat pike near Verdierevillo at right apples, and beyotd | Pe ia yee arparent-—uibduublediy a gud which they are anid to bave a formidable peithea well | seeneypihed, and to-night we are Jost wbere TASKER HEKORE | pg Ih romaine (0 be seen whether tbe Ove iwelsent came to my notica Ibis meening that ie | ¥!! In the morning be where they are wnight and mw eminently deserving of record. [uring the eitwat Delays are dangerous whee fer we were lying on the battle field of yerter in Gur base, with a limit ply of rations for Fgan rent out a couple of men from the Fe the men and forage for the auumals and in the miles of & York 0 scouts, to ascertain the movements of the enemy very uncertain and oritival season of the year Nboaid & They sdvanced W the lace Ford rod, where they | "*Verse overtake us o retreat wonid be extremely dimouls found @ houre, and iu it seven rebel soldiers The Yan | Novawemn 38. Kine boys thought themselves in & rerape when they e- | * “unell Of cnrmm ndere with the Maye tered and fencountered so many more then ther own | UOT manting ast Att umber, but considering effromtery the beet resource spel) General Warren wntersive’ Ww have repented thay npoke ap | and ordered the rebels ty wurrender | y baypy o etanteny reeaite trom ts ile tive lett of the lett of « | movement aime Wo hare weeur The rebels, probably Hupposing there was & larger force | mriew so4 with beet ooteide, gave op thelr arma without « word or a ques tor 1 were sctoally marched iew our liner a0 Tapas Gor pes Care's <apteed ocr , three oF four miles south of the plane road, mark secured as prisoners by these two privates, 1 on mit lo tbat direction of the . ' | regret that, through negligence, | omitted w take t thin potion be represents that sor 1, whieh delayed bie meowe yerterday afterwoon for bien pames of \bewe heroic They deserve to be couspie men when they were given me sly mentionet Cenere Bircey. thelr division commander, on bearing of Ubeir | e oct, eeot for them and told them, eben the m ve enemy's works im that direct meet abou terminate v rend an application for fur. | “Bee ie front ct ous mate line The on A : Jough and they shoold bave forty days exch | & earrying them seems Wo” ary ene, “ xe om 1 7 remecn's see ees ppervony of mnameing their woe tm It wa very elogelar fect that the portion of tbe army | ‘ee oe neuen ual that war in (hie virimity bad po Gem (bat the Third corps © of yertartay cohammnn of te war having baive yeetertay Ae there waa but ote et mm meg thet 4 battery of artillery engaged o8 each wide the cannomadieg | iu ety ent neved down in greet herte war very light, and (be merketry could bot be heard at ably om (he ananonent in thelr theme of Warren e wo ditance away They were all very mech gory reach the, therefore, clear that they propeee ‘ * morning Ob Warning the full particulars of the WI’ | v4 net y And General Warten by teterring you and necertaining that we had bad a real old fernivee® ey us he lad mediated baltic. Newapaper correnpundente are shows ae | sie beer trying te gather wp, reed band some tribiew «| mr Sots orien ert wer the wy etn ot the ate Your mrreapencent nthe wou nel wight Generel Warren aened for re tepresentative f the prema in the ects 1 BOTSIHTY | 1 ete toe bin perntine Chit morning The co fear i, and my report eee above m besed (OMY | int coon rine WH 6b Outburet among the « OWE pormmal observation. This illurtreier (he weeli ame | Oy ot name ore penior Of the large tall of correayemsente the Hewaty Rompe it | i hinge the Geld, By Raving © repremeetative constantiy WHh |) O14 | nis ference @ wi ha campage, Comersl each core, every mevement felix chrowicind trom an | Vrench iad 1eeaen We tenet Generel Warree's applieation, Wal cdeervation, to the extent tbat miNAry (Ogee | | i cupmation of car line the left Aram wap tone ei) perm And ermnectnm | G6Cire | ivan te hie of right, be being the nected Ulent 16 rene to acknowledge the eourtenien 1 have re the right failing to Hacge ck, bie aly Qrmier, The Rend Mayer Generel Vrewch and bie Mal. pariiediariy Lipton: | as ins inf centre When it @as wiibereen to eet Cone! Hart sad Maye Norvell, Aewietant Adjotante the Sank teovement the her core Gowers oe ihe eorge Halt tera meh the 10 stenity bet bere Coenen f ot at pow that t OPERATIONS ON MINE RES. Oates himeei!, ecomrtiee having swt eoahe hem annoy ee he 8 prrenen of seed | o % ne ’ . * he @hoke puble 48 Ft) end lanpation ty we itie i be un w ED ON KIGHTH PAGK