The announcement that the Federal army had occupied Fredericksburg was premature. The Confederate still held possession of the place yesterday with a force to dispute the passage of the river. It is believed that it is not the intention of the Federal commanders to cross the river immediately. General Burnside arrived at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg on Wednesday, and established his headquarters there.
The Confederates, it appears, have closely followed the Federal army in its movement from Warrenton to Falmouth, and now occupy the country between the two points; even penetrating as far down as the vicinity of Aquia creek. A considerable body is also in the country around Leesburg. A company of Confederate scouts on Wednesday night burnt a bridge on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, near Catlett’s Station. Scouts and deserters report large bodies of Confederates in the vicinity of Ashby’s and Snicker’s Gaps, under the com command of Gens. Mackall and Earley.
Gainesville was evacuated by General Sigel on Wednesday, and the place was occupied by the Confederate pickets within an hour after the army left. Gainesville is near the Bull Run battle field. At Lewinsville, while the Federal troops were preparing to fall back, the Confederates appeared, and some shots were exchanged.
Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, VA