Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-07-26
GRAND ARMY MOVEMENTS.
THE ADHANoE MIRO V1KGINfA.

bivouac, about six miles from FAIRFAX court
House, at 10 O'Clock this morning. The first
barricado made Of trees felled and thrown a.
cross the road, delayed the head OF the divis-
ion only few minutes This was encounter
ed about three miles from the Court House.
The pioneers soon cleared the road with axes.
The barricade was erected at the foot Of Long
Hin, the top of which afforded an excellent
covert for sharp shooters. The second bar
ricade was of similar character, and was
cleared in a similar manner, and occasioned
only few minutes delay. The third barr-
cede was more formidable II was at the en-
trance of deep cut in the road, commencing
about half way mp steep hill, crowned ono
side with a thick woods, and the other by an
open field. To pass this, road was made
through The field enabling the army % pass
around &C.. At this point were stationed two
hundred rebel cavalry, who fled upon the FIRST
appearance of our skirmishors firing at them
one rifle shot. which did no harm Here it
was ascertaincd that half a mile ahead the
rebels had fertilization erected and a battery
planted, which was defended by force of p
600 men. and that the rebel force in and
around Fairfax Court House, guarding the
different approaches, amounted to 10000 or
] 1000 mon. The iortifcation was encounter
ed about half mile from the Court House.
II consisted Of Il simple entrenchmont, extend
ing four hundred yards each side of the road,
pierced for eight guns The embrasuros were
formed of sand bags. and so placed as to COM
mand the road. The iortifoation was at the
cop 4 steep hill. at the foot Of which was
small muddy creek. The trees upon the hill
side for an eighth Of mile were cut down.
This iorihcation had been occupied Tor about
three weeks by the ID and Sd South Carolina
regiments, under General Bonham In APP
preaching this point out skirmishers had
brush with those Of the rebels. in which
corporal Of the Rhode Island regiment receiv-
ed flesh wound in the thigh. and rebel
officer was captured by Capt. Dyer. The ad
vance of Burnside's Brigade reached the for
tifcation in time to make prisoner, South
Carolina officer, who surrendered TO Major
Mission, paymaster of the ID Rhode Island
regiment. The inside Of the fertilization
presented abundant evidences Of the haste
with which it had been nd ndoned. Sacks Of
flour, meat, clothing. arms, equipments and
camp utensils were everywhere scattered over
the ground, and the camp fires, probably pre-
pared for the noon meal, were still brightly
burning.
The mnin body has left with haste, only
about two hours before the arrival Of the head
Of our column. As the head of the division
was approaching the ontrenchmont, sharp
firing was heard on the left. which afterward
proved 70 be a skirmsh between the advance
Of Col. Miles division and some Alabamians,
who were in position there, about two miles
from the Court House From the inside Of
this fortfcation the village of Fairfax Court
House is plainly seen Thither the com
mand proceeded
At the outskirts Of the village, small
American flag. used as guide mark by the
4lth New York Regiment. had been planted.
II was sauted with cheers by the passing
regiments. The rebel flag was still flying at
the Court House when the advance of the di-
vision, with band Of the LIST Rhode Island
Regiment playing the national airs, entered
the village. II was taken down by some men
of the ID Rhode Island Regiment and handed
to Gov. Sprague. 1t was transmitted by him
to General Mcdowell. Soon afterward the
regimental flag of the ID New Hampshire
Regiment was placed over the Court House.
In the village of Fairfax Court House large
amount of tents. muskets, equipments, flour,
bacon and hospital stores belonging to the
rebel army were captured.
Immediately upon the arrival OF the central
division General Mcdowell sent word to the
divisions under Coils Miles and Heintzelman
the left wing, to halt. and himself and staff
escorted by squadron Of the U. S. Dragons,
proceeded TO Germantown, where the division
under General Tyler halted. They were eager
to go on, but were really exhausted by a long
hot march over a dusty road under broiling
sun, and prudence dictated they should be
allowed to rest; probably they will go on
either tonight or early in the morning. No
detailed report has been received from the
wing. but General Mcdowell report includes
all casualties in his whole command The
general report received says nothing occurred
in that branch of the column beyond the usu-
al incidents of an advance upon retreating
enemy.
Another correspondent SAYS under date OF
Germantown The first division under Gen.
Tyler commenced moving at about half past 8
o'clock this morning The road Immediately
after emerging from Vienna, enters heavy
timber about mile from the village About
fifty large trees were discovered in the road
Capt Elixander of the Engineer corps imme-
diately put the pioneers to work with their
axes, and in less than twenty minutes the
whole barrcade was cleared away. Having
reached the end Of the timber. two companies
of each of the Connecticut regiments were de-
ployed as skrmishers on the right and loft
under Col. Spiodcl.
Capt Hawle's company came up with three
mounted rebels, who were captured without
resistance. Some stragslers of the Goth reg
iment, coming TO halt, surprised four moun-
ted rebels. According to their statements, a
strong furce is entrenched about two miles a.
head, in front Of Fairfax Court House. The
division marched a short distance further on,
when reconnaissance by Col. Reyes, com
handing the LIST Brigade. resulted in discov-
ering two evidently mounted earthworks,
protected by bodies Of infantry and cavalry,
to the left OF the road Col Keys immediate.
ly pushed the advance brigade along the road
with view of getting in rear Of the enemy,
while General Tyler ordered General Schen-
ck's Brigade to form in battle array in the
fields to the lief. of the road.
The Sd and 4th Brigades, under Col. Sher-
man and Col. Richardson, formed on the road.
but the rebels abandoned their position.
With spyglass the roads leading to Fairfax
Court House could be seen covered with the
retreating rebels The head Of the st Brig
ado came within few hundred yards of a
body of the rebels. Col. Reyes ordered a
section of Capt. Narian's battery to throw a
few shells among the bells The enemy ran