November 13, 1862: New York Evening Express

Thursday Evening, November 13, 1862

Important from the Army of the Potomac.

The Army-Rappahanock Station-Rebel Intentions- Tired of Secession.

“Gainsville, Va..Nov. 10^th.-The armies of Sigel and Mc Clellan are closely pressing upon the enemy. Hardly a day passes but one of more of their strongholds fall into our possession. They are either driven out or compelled to retreat before us.

The rebels had placed Rappahannock Station in a defiant attitude; but on Friday afternoon our troops entered, the secesh having just cleverly vacated.

To them this was rather humiliating, and accordingly they thought they would drive the Unionists out. They brought up force infinitely larger than ours, and commenced an artillery fire.

The superiority of numbers did not intimidate our men, and they replied from their guns. The effect of the fire was evidently unhealthy, as the rebels retired without accomplishing their purpose. We still hold the place, and will continue to do so as our army moves forward to Richmond, which it is undoubtedly doing with success. It, at present, looks as though the rebels will make a temporary stand at Gordonsville, but they fear us too much now and to make one last struggle for their illegitimate cause , they will fall back to the Confederate Capital, and it then will, in turn fall back upon them.

The people of Virginia are getting tired of the war. Many who a year ago were violent secessionists now acknowledge that t hey would be glad if their state would return to their allegiance…”

Citation: New York Evening Express.  New York, 13 November 1862. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab.