Latest from the north.
We have received, through the courtesy of the officers of the
Exchange Bureau, New York papers of Wednesday, the 14th inst. The principal news in them is about the "falling back" of
Meade's army, which has been going on since Saturday last.
A letter from Headquarters of the Army of Potomac, dated the 10th, says:
For some days past it has been evident that this army would not long remain in the vicinity of
Culpeper, and every one who knew anything of our own and the rebel forces understood that it would be impossible for us to advance.
Hence the only question for
General Meade to solve was how to get his immense trains and stores away in safety.
On Wednesday of last week
General Meade received information that led him to believe that an extensive rebel raid was contemplated upon his right and rear — information since verified.
It was also ascertained that on Thursday night the rebel cavalry under
Stuart, and infantry under
Ewell, were crossing the
Rapidan in the vicinity of
Robinson river and making towards
Springville, via
James City, and I presume it was this information which led to the strategy of the last two days.
Gen. Meade was fully apprised of the rebel strength, and knew that by making a demonstration on their right and centre he would compel them to abandon their enterprise in order to protect their lines of communication with
Gordonsville and
Richmond.
Consequently a strong force of cavalry, under
Buford, appeared at daylight on Saturday at Germania ford, ten miles below
Raccoon Ford, while infantry and cavalry appeared in force at the fords in the vicinity of
Cedar Mountain.
Kilpatrick was also sent out to the right to attract and engage the advance of the enemy at
James City, ten miles southwest of
Culpeper.
It is said that
Gen. Buford crossed at Germania ford, but the report is not confirmed, nor have we anything reliable from either of the cavalry divisions, owing to the exclusion of all reporters from the cavalry arm of the service.
On Friday night the 1st and 6th corps, who had been encamped along the base of the
Cedar Run Mountains and extending down to
Raccoon Ford, built fires and advanced their lines to the river.
They had previously been strengthened by two divisions, so that at the break of day yesterday a most formidable array of Union soldiers appeared, ready to cross the river at several points simultaneously.
Gen. Kilpatrick had also during the night moved to the right, and at daylight on Saturday morning, October 10th, engaged the enemy at
James City.
I learn that he was instructed not to bring on a general engagement, as the plan was to lure the rebels back to their right and centre by the demonstrations in those quarters — a plan which would be thwarted by bringing on a general engagement upon our right.
Consequently, after a half hours skirmishing, he fell back in the direction of
Culpeper and took position near Bethel Church, where a support of infantry was posted, and to which place they were followed by the rebels. --Here a part of our cavalry dismounted and deployed as infantry, and for a short time the fight was brisk indeed; but, the rebel force proving too strong, or, abiding by his orders,
Kilpatrick fell back still further toward the main body of the corps, posted two miles west of
Culpeper.
In this movement a part of the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteers was captured; but they did not long remain prisoners; for, watching their opportunity, a brigade of cavalry, of which the Fifth New York and Fifth Michigan were a part, dashed upon the guard having the captives in charge, and rescued all but some twelve or fifteen.
This, then, was the position of the forces on Saturday night at dark, with every prospect of a bloody fight on the coming day.--
Buford was at
Germania, the 1st and 6th corps extending from
Raccoon Ford to
Cedar Run;
Kilpatrick, supported by the 2d and 3d corps, to the west of
Culpeper, from three to four miles distant.
Ewell had moved back from his position in the morning, and faced
Newton and
Sedgwick, while
Stuart fronted
French,
Warren, and
Kilpatrick in the vicinity of Bethel Church.
Sunday morning, at 1 o'clock, our infantry force, both at the
Rapidan and west of town, commenced moving toward the
Rappahannock, their trains all having been sent back the night before, leaving the entire cavalry of
Pleasanton to cover the retreat.
Gregg had come up by forced marches during Saturday; so our cavalry force was by no means insignificant.
A telegram dated the 12th, gives the following account of the crossing of the
Rappahannock:
About two o'clock an order came for us to march.
In about half an hour that vast mass of troops was in motion, without the least noise or confusion.
Nothing could give you a stronger illustration of the power of discipline than the silence and order which prevail throughout a camp of several thousand men, even on a midnight march.
Every man, horse and wagon is in its place, and moves as if by the single power of mechanism.
It is an imposing sight to see these large masses moving along in the dark of the night like gliding spectres.
Not a voice, not a whisper.
The very sound of their tread is hushed.--Then the abandoned camp fires glow and crackle among the might forest trees.
The red glow mounts to the horizon, and the dark trees cast their giant shadows around in the most fantastic shapes.
Add to these the lamps suspended to light our way, and you have, indeed, a solemn midnight scene.
As we neared the river another interesting fight presented itself to our view.
The troops marched on in two long interminable columns, with their guns and bayonets glistening in the clear bright morning sun.--Further on the right came long lines of artillery, cavalry, wagons, and ambulances.
One should see a great army on the march to form a correct notion of its colossal extent, of the unbounded resources required to keep such a consuming leviathan in existence.
Each corps requires nearly one thousand wagons and ambulances.
These, with their six horses or mules each and their drivers, make a little army in themselves.--Add to this the immense supplies required for the cavalry and artillery, and a sum total is swelled up that might bankrupt a second rate power.
The
Herald, of the 14th, says:
‘
Dispatches of yesterday show that our cavalry encamped on Saturday night a few miles beyond Germania Ford, and on Sunday morning were attacked by the enemy in large force, and were compelled to withdraw towards the river, and crossed at Marston's Ford.
But it appears that in the meantime the rebels had crossed in force at
Raccoon Ford, and in overwhelming numbers, upon our right flank, rendering it necessary for
General Buford to fall back still farther.
At
Stevensburg, eight miles southeast of
Culpeper, another fight was had,
Gen. Custer reinforcing
Gen. Buford and driving the enemy.
Continuing to fall back, the rebels overtook our troops again at
Brandy Station, but after another severe fight, in which the enemy was repulsed with heavy loss, our command was allowed to reach the
Rappahannock without further damage.
Our loss in
Buford's corps is about three hundred.
The two armies at last accounts were still lying in close proximity to each other, and a general engagement is daily expected.--There are rumors that the enemy's cavalry has appeared at
Dumfries, with the view of operating upon our left flank and rear, but these lack confirmation.
’
The Washington
Star, of the 12th, says:
‘
The idea held out by sensation reports afloat in town to the effect that
Meade is retreating precipitately to
Washington, under pressure from
Lee, following with an immense army, is absurdly erroneous, as those know who are aware how deliberately
Meade is changing his front to guard against any possible surprise from
Lee, should he attempt a flask movement.
Late reports from
Richmond show that the idea is entertained there that
Meade's army has been depleted
to the extent of four army corps for the reinforcement of
Rosecrans; and it may be that
Lee is maneuvering to ascertain if our army is really as weak as reported.
The supposition is that
Lee designed moving a force through Thoroughfare Gap, and rumor has it that the enemy has already appeared there; but in this case rumor must be considerably ahead of the fact, and in any event
Meade has the shortest line of march to
Manassas, and can readily post himself so as to confront
Lee wherever he may make his appearance, if, indeed, the latter is not already taking the back track, finding his plane defeated.
The enemy made a feint of moving up the valley on the southern bank of the
Robertson river, and our cavalry under
Buford crossed at Germania Ford and took possession of the earthworks abandoned by them.
When our force was all across the enemy came against
Buford in great force, drove him across the river, without time to destroy the crossing, and pursued him to Rappahannock Station.
Kilpatrick, with a force of cavalry and artillery, which had made a reconnaissance near Madison Court-House, was cut off yesterday afternoon on the road to
Culpeper by a portion of
Ewell's corps, which were formed across the only road by which he could retreat in twelve ranks, with two regiments on each flank.
Kilpatrick was compelled to charge directly into the
cul de sac there made by the enemy's formation.
He led the charge in person, telling his men they must do or die.
The cavalry cut their way through under a concentrated fire such as has hardly been experienced by our troops during the war, and probably his rear, with his artillery, retired through
Culpeper.
Kilpatrick's loss in killed and wounded amounted to 150.
Gen. Meade is said to have displayed good generalship in bringing his army back to the line of the
Rappahannock.
’
The elections at the north — defeat of Vallandigham.
The
Herald, referring to the result of the elections in
Ohio and
Pennsylvania, says:
‘
From all the returns which have reached us up to a late hour this morning there can be no doubt that
Gov. Curtin, Republican, has been re-elected by a considerable majority to the gubernatorial chair of
Pennsylvania.
In
Ohio Mr. Brough, the conservative candidate, has received an immense vote over
Mr. Vallandigham, who appears to have made a very small show, and
Brough is no doubt elected Governor.
The returns of the different cities, counties, and townships from the two States, will be found in another column, as far as heard from.
The reports yet to be received will not, probably, change the result above stated.
’
The papers confess the victory by
Gen. Green at
Atchafalaya, La., on the 30th ult. The following is the conclusion of the account:
After two gallant charges, in which many of our bravest men fell, our forces fell back behind a levee near by. Here the enemy pressed us so closely that our line became broken, and every man fought for himself.
Just as our men were beginning to recover themselves the third detachment, which had engaged
Maj. Montgomery, appeared in our rear, and the whole of the enemy closed upon our force, thus completely surrounding them.
It was impossible for our men to stand the galling fire which was poured into them from every side, and rather than surrender the order was given for every man to save himself as best he could.
They were not slow in taking the hint, and broke for the bushes.
A portion of them succeeded in escaping, but the majority were taken prisoners.
Among the latter were
Col. Leake, reported wounded, and
Lieut-Col. Rose.
Our whole loss will not fall short of four hundred in killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, and two pieces of artillery.
Miscellaneous.
In New York Tuesday gold opened with considerable excitement at 152½, rapidly advanced until about noon, at which time it touched 156; fell back subsequently, and closed at 152.
Exchange moved in sympathy at one time, selling as high as 172¼, and closing at 169a170.
The Confederate steamer
Robert E. Lee, from
Wilmington, N. C., with about thirty passengers, arrived at
Halifax on the 10th inst. She was chased by the blockaders off
Wilmington, and had a cannon ball put through her.
The Ironsides was "temporarily disabled, if not wholly crippled," by that torpedo from
Charleston.
An officer on deck was killed and two seamen wounded.
She is to go to New York for repairs.
Two or three hundred of the leading merchants and business men of New York city gave the
Russian officers a splendid banquet at the
Astor House on Monday evening.
Gen. Wistar, in his report of the recent expedition to Matthews county, claims to have captured "four rebel naval officers and 25 seamen."
Gen. Kirby Smith is reported to have joined
Gen. Sterling Price, and both are moving on
Arkadelphia.
A combined land and naval attack was to have been made on
Charleston on the 11th inst. Means had arrived "to remove the rebel obstructions."
Over 500 applications had been made to
Gen. Barnes to leave
Norfolk by the flag of truce on the 15th inst.
According to the Cincinnati
Gazette,
Quantrell made clean work of
Gen. Blunt's escort, killing all the prisoners he took, including "all of
Blunt's orderlies, the clerks, and the members of the band."
