Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-09-20
Encounter between Federal and Rebel
Troops on the Falls Church Road.


A large party started out at I o'clock
this morning from the vicinity ofChain Bridge.
under the command Of Colonel Stevens. Of
the New York Highlanders. 1t tconsistcd uf
several detached companies Of infantry. a
company Of cavalry and Capt GuiEus bat
terry.
As our skirmishers advanced, the encmy's
piokets retired beyond f.cwisville, about
seven miles from Chain Bridge. Our troops
having accomplished the object Of their crrand
connected with the reconnaissance Of the cOun-
try, began TO retracc their steps. when large
force ofrebcls, consisting Of two regiments of
infantry and Colonel Stcwarts regiment Of
Virginia cavalry, with battery Of four picc-
cs, we're seen approaching from the direction
Of Falls Church. evidently with view Of cut
ting of our troops and preventing their return
to their camp.
line of battle was formed by rebel
forces, aud their battery opened with she'll, /,
which was replied 70 from GrfIin's battery.
Several rounds were cred on each side, when
our troops ceased firing for about twenty min
utcs, in order to give the rebels an opportun-
ity, which they would not embrace Of meet
ing them on the open field, the rebels being
for the greater part concealed in the woods.
Our forces on resuming operations brought
into action a - -pounder, the shell from which
soon silenced the rebel battery The gun
was then directed towards the rebel cavalry,
which appeared on the road leading to Falls
Chutch aud it soon sent them flying. a num-
ber rcelinR from their saddles and falling to
the ground, the shell having exploded in their
nid.t.
The command was then given to the with
draw, and our column fell back in good order
to Chain Bridge, reaching there late in the
afternoon.
Gen. Smith, commanding the division to
which these troops are attached, arrived on
the ground shortly after the engagement
I commenced.
The names nf the killed Of the Federal
troops are: OF the 18th Indiana Regiment
Sergeant Samuel Goodwin. Go. L, privates
Oliver iIubbell and VIM. II. Wood. Co. u
Lieut. Hancock of Co. is supposed to be
killed, as he was seen TO fall. Three pryatcs
in Go. d were wounded, and three are sup.
posed to have ben taken prisoners. OF the
81 Vermont Regiment. Amos Meservo Of
Co. G. and William Colburn, also Of Co. C,
were killed, and four Of the same company
were slightly wounded
These casualties were ia part owing to the
fearless daring of the men, who violated pos
tive orders which were given to secure their
safety
Ihero was firing this afternoon from three
% five o clock from Fort Ellsworth and the
works ON Arlington Hights. Many OF our
citizens were apprehensive Of fight. Prom
Inent points were soon occupied. eve glasses
were brought into rcquisitiou, and reports of
a battle in those directions were everywhere
prevalent. but did not occasion much alarm.
The cause Of the firing was merely the emp
tying of the gan.
The br sade under command Of Drigadier
General kcyes, vas reviewed this afternoon
by the Sanitary Commission, and their APP
pcarance was highly creditable.
NEw YORK. Sept. ~
The following members Of the Vermont Sd
were wounded in the affair at Lewsville yes
day: NJ. A. Parker, w. G. Carter, Lieut.
lIaviland, Sergt. Farnham and n. B. Kings
bury.
Col. Rankin, member Of the Canadian
parliament, is empowered 10 raise a regiment
of 600 lencers to be in the field by Decem-
Der. lie will rendezvous at Detroit.