From the Rappahannock.
Our news from the line of the
Rappahannock yesterday was more of a general than especial character.
The movements of the enemy's forces, and the consequent operations of our own army, are mysteriously, and perhaps property, concealed from the public, and all that is allowed to transpire has reference to events that occurred nearly a week ago.
On Friday night of last week,
Gen. Stuart, with a body of cavalry, made a descent upon the
Yankees at Catlett's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, which, if our information be not in fault, resulted in the capture of some three hundred and fifty Yankee non- commissioned officers and privates, and seventeen commissioned officers, including one
Colonel, three
Captains and a Quartermaster, in addition to these, they also captured the uniform coat of
Maj. Gen. Pope, his sword, two horses, and his servant, and some sixty thousand 1 dollars in specie and Treasury notes.
After this haul our wearied troops were permitted to rest until about four o'clock on Saturday morning, the enemy having rallied, vigorously assailed them.
The foe was repulsed, but
Gen. Stuart deeming it prudent to retire, fell back to Warrenton Springs, a little after daylight.
The party also captured a mall which had been made up to send to
Washington, by
Gen. Pops.
This was sent back to
Gen. Lee, and is to contain some important revelations.
The coal of the
Yankee General was yesterday sent to
Governor Letcher.
We have no news of any general fight, though a well founded impression prevails that much more has occurred than the public has been apprised of Passengers from
Gordonsville on Tuesday afternoon, state that heavy firing was heard in the direction of
Warrenton, beginning about 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and the supposition was that a general fight was progressing in that neighbor-hood, though nothing definite had reached
Gordonsville with reference to it. The accepted conclusion was that the enemy had made a stand, and that a great battle was impending, if not in actual progress.
Parties from
Gordonsville as late as yesterday morning, state that it was reliably ascertained at that point on Monday, that
McClellan, with 40,000 men, had arrived at
Fredericksburg, and was attempting to join
Pope, having come up in time to prevent
Burnside's retreat from becoming a total rout.
It is stated that the demoralization in the
Yankee army is great, the officers fearing to enter up on a battle, lest they might be captured and subjected to the retaliatory treatment in store for them in that event and that the men, on account of the cowardice of the officers, swore that they would not fight, but would follow the example of their superiors, and run too.
From all we can gather — and we have tried to inform ourselves of the true condition of affairs — there is not the slightest ground for anxiety for the entire safety of our army in that quarter, and its ability to drive back the invading hosts beyond the confines of the
State.
The prisoners captured on Friday night and Saturday were yesterday at Rapidan station, and will be brought on to this city as soon as transportation can be conveniently provided.
