We mentioned in our issue of yesterday that passengers by the
Central read reported that heavy firing was heard in the direction of
Culpeper from
Gordonsville on Monday, and that the opinion obtained that a severe fight was in progress.
It has since transpired that this firing was near
Rixeyville, in Culpeper county, between the forces of
Gen. Stuart and the advance of the enemy.
The affair resulted in a very sharp skirmish, in which the enemy were driven back over the
Hazel and
Rappahannock rivers.
What the loss was on either side we were not able to learn, but officers who came down on the train last evening attach little importance to the engagement, and regard it as a mere skirmish, and not by any means indicating a prospect of an early general battle.
The firing is said to have continued at intervals from 7 o'clock in the morning until 2 o'clock in the afternoon.