t large numbers of prisoners are continually arriving at Gordonsville, and one gentleman, who came through from Culpeper C. H., informed us that he saw an order on the Quartermaster at that place, on Wednesday night; to make preparations for the reception of 1,000 prisoners and several thousand mules and horses.
The prisoners were alleged to have been captured by our troops on Tuesday evening in the neighborhood of Warrenton Springs.--The horses and mules, most of them, had been captured by Stuart's cavalry in the various engagements they have had with the retreating enemy.
It is also reported that our troops had intercepted the retreat of the enemy in the neighborhood of Centreville, and that all day on Wednesday a heavy fight was in progress.
No particulars of the fight had reached Culpeper when the train left there yesterday morning; but a rumor was in circulation that 4,000 Yankees had been captured and had been started for Richmond.
We have very few facts in relation t
to exposed sections.
House bill to provide for the appointment of general agents and storekeepers for counties and corporations for the purchase and distribution of the necessaries of life for the families of indigent soldiers, was taken up and passed.
The bill gives the appointment of such agents to the magistracy of the county, the party receiving the appointment to be one not liable to militia duty.
House bill authorizing the Board of Public Works to modify the contract between Stuart, Buchanan & Co. and Thos. R. Friend, for the lease of a furnace at the salt works, was passed.
The bill to increase the pay of judges was, on motion of Mr. Marye, taken up out of its order.
Under the provisions of this bill, the Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals shall receive each $4,000; the Reporter of the Court of Appeals, $--; the judges of the 8th circuit, $--; of the 7th circuit, $--; and of all other circuits, each $--; Attorney General, $--; Clerk of the Court of Appeals o
ay 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 h 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 Legislature.
--In the Senate the bill to modify the salt contract between Stuart, Buchanan & Co. and Thomas R. Friend, was taken up and passed.
House substitute for the Senate bill to arm and equip the State forces was received and, on motion of Mr. Armstrong, laid on the table.
The bill to regulate prices was then taken up, and continued under discussion.
In the House the Senate bill to supply deficiencies for the support of the Central Lunatic Asylum was read a second time and committed.
Senate bill to enlarge the powers of the Common Council of Petersburg — giving authority to suppress gaming and disorder — was ordered to its third reading and passed.
The Senate's amendments to the amendments of the House to the bill to suppress gaming were taken up, and, after considerable discussion, which was participated in by Messrs. Anderson, Hall, Pendleton, Tomlin, Shackelford, and others, adopted by a vote of ayes 56, noes 45.
The Senate's amendment provi
From Northern Virginia.
--The news brought down by the Central train last night leaves no longer a doubt that Meade has escaped the pursuit of our forces and safely reached his fortifications near Centreville.
A large number of prisoners, and no little amount of plunder, are some of the results of this pursuit.
The last attempt to force the retreating foe into an engagement was made on Friday last, when Stuart's cavalry chased the enemy's cavalry across Bull Run.
An officer, who came down last night, says that we have yet two thousand prisoners to come in who have been captured within the past two weeks. A number of our wounded came down, among them Brig. Gen. Kirkland, who was wounded in the engagement of Wednesday last.
was occasioned by an attempt of the rebels to cross Bull Run at Union Mills and at Mitchell's and Blackburn's Fords.
They kept up a continuous cannonade to cover their crossing.
Their fire, however, had little effect on our troops.
The rebels made repeated attempts to cross, massing their infantry in solid columns.
Our infantry and artillery, however, repulsed them each time.
Firing ceased at sundown, the rebels retiring.
At dark a portion of Buford's cavalry had a brisk fight with Stuart's cavalry near Brentsville.
We succeeded in routing the rebels.
Everything is quiet at the front to-day.
Col. Hardenburg, 20th New York, reached here in charge of 500 rebel prisoners, mostly North Carolinians; 200 more are expected to night.
Sutlers of the Army of the Potomac have been ordered back to Alexandria, with instructions not to return until further orders.
Last night, at about 8 o'clock, according to the reports of passengers from the army, information came to Mea
th and interest, and by the time it reached the division of Gen. Hood, now commanded by Gen. M. Jenkins, of South Carolina, presented a striking subject for the painter or historian.
We saw grouped together, in a picturesque cluster, around the chief of all, officers whose traces have been written on every battle-field, and whose names are household words.
General Bragg, Lieut. Generals Longstreet and D. H. Hill, Major-Generals Chestham, Buckner, Breckinridge, Mclawa, Walker, Cleburne, and Stuart; Brigadier-Generals (commanding divisions) Preston and Jenkins; Brigadier-Generals Gist, Mackall, and others whose names I do not at present recollect.
Attending the President were Colonels Chesnut and Johnston, of his personal staff, Gen. Custis Lee, Col. Preston, of Kentucky, and Lieutenant-General Pemberton.
The presence of the latter officer excited some surprise in the army, though it was not generally known, and it was surmised by some that the design of the President is to place hi
From Gordonsville. Gordonsville, Oct. 23.
--Sixty-nine Yankee wounded from the Bristow fight, and 244 prisoners, captured by General Stuart on the 19th, were sent to Richmond last night.
nts of Meade's army:
Information from the army of the Potomac up to 1 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon states that Kilpatrick's cavalry division had pushed back Stuart's cavalry beyond Gainesville toward Warrenton; that Lee was at Warrenton with his forces in line of battle; and that our troops are moving steadily onward in two nd that he had difficulty in crossing on account of the bridges having been carried away by the late storm.
There was some uncertainty as to whether a portion of Stuart's cavalry had yet crossed.
Prisoners admit that his hasty retreat was caused principally by the scarcity of provisions, and when they passed through Warrenton th.
It is the prevalent opinion, founded on good au- thority, that the enemy has fallen back behind the Rappahannock.
All our informants state that Lee's and Stuart's forces numbered over seventy thousand strong.
With this force it sounds strange to have them falling back.
It is said that a want of supplies is the cause; bu
Gen. Stuart and the cavalry.
The brilliant conduct of Gen. Stuart and the Confederate cavalry in recent military operations has covered that arm of our service with fresh glory.
That heroic chieftain and his gallant followers have vindicated themselves with an energy and success which silence the voice of sensuousness, and placed them higher than ever in the admiration of their countrymen.
We have never doubted the superiority of our Southern horsemen to the Yankee cavalry, and rejoice Gen. Stuart and the Confederate cavalry in recent military operations has covered that arm of our service with fresh glory.
That heroic chieftain and his gallant followers have vindicated themselves with an energy and success which silence the voice of sensuousness, and placed them higher than ever in the admiration of their countrymen.
We have never doubted the superiority of our Southern horsemen to the Yankee cavalry, and rejoice that the vapors which for a moment dimmed their ancient fame have been swept away in the whirlwind charge, and that the sun of their renown has come out brighter than ever.
