Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-10-03
CAPTURE OF MUNsoN's HILL


beyond doubt. The American flag now floats
there in place of that of the rebels. Detach-
ments from Gems. Richardson's. Keycs' and
Wadsworth's brigades, and also from Gen.
franklin's division, now occupy Munson's Hill.
beng in command of Col. Terry of the 9th
Michigan regiment.
Early Sunday forenoon the pckets from Gen.
Smiths division advanced to and now occupy
Falls Church Neither this nor the preceding
movements met with any opposition whatever,
as the rebel army had on Friday night retired
from the whole of their positions on the line of
Washington. Upton's Hill, this side of Falls
Church, is necessarily included among the points
now held be the federal forces The works OF
the enemy at the places they had evacuated,
were, in military view, worthless, being moth
ing more than rifle pits of very common con-
structlon. The positions at Munson's and Muir
rays Hills afforded the rebels an unobstructed
view of our fertilization and other defenses.
The appearance of the ground deserted by them
indicated that they were deficient in those ar
engagements which serve to make camp lite
comfortable, having no tents, but merely shell
tiers rudely constructed. There were no signs
to show that they had even mounted any guns.
Our troops are now so employed as to show
that they do not merely intend temporarily to
occupy their present position.
HORRIBLE BLUNDER-FEDERAL TROOPS
KILLING EACH OTHER
The advance of Gen. Smith on Fall Church
from the Chain Bridge was accompanied 10y
events Of the most DEF lorable character. Hav-
ing passed Vanderw crken's and Nandberg'
houses, on their way to the former place, and
when abour half mile apart, Wy some unac'
countable blunder, Col, Owens Irish Philadel-
phia regiment; in the darkness of the night
installing for rebels Capt, Motifs battery, which
was in the advance, sustained by Gen. Bakers
California regiment, Bakers Philadelphia
Zouaves, and Col. Freedman's cavalry, fired a
full yol.ey into the troops last mentioned, Kill
ing ard wOunding a large number.
The California regiment, not knowing from
whence the firing came, returned it with marked
Effect The horses attached TO Motifs battery
became unmanageable and the tongues of the
caissonS were broken, owing to the narrownes'
of the road Lieut.. Bryant, having command
OF the first section, ordered the guns to be load
ed with grape ard canister, and soon had then
in range to rake the supposed enemy, wher
word was sent to him that he was in the com
pany of friends All was excitement and long
time elapsed before the actual condition Of af
fairs was asccrtaincd and confidence re-estab
lished.
Many conflicting stories prevail as to the par
ties on whom the blame should rest but Gen
Smith Immediately ordered Col. Ovens regi
ment to fall back TO camp. The killed anc
wounded of Capt Motifs battery are as fol
lows KILLED, Timothy Ray; wounded, Corp
oral Bartlett, and Private Cilley, both of whom
will probably die, as they we've not Only rur
over by the gun carriages, but trampled on b!
the cavalry horses. OF Gen. Bakers California
regiment the killed numbered four and The
wounded eleven. In Col. BaXter's Fire Zouavt
regiment none were killed, but four wounded
though not fatally. in the LIST Pennsylvania
regiment one volunteer was mortally wounded
In Col Owens Philadclph ia regiment one serge
ant was killed and sergeant and two privatc'
wounded.
The killed were all buried on Sunday neal
their cEcampments with military honors, whilt
the wounded were removed to the hospitals il
Georgetown principally, where they are receiv
ing the best attentions.
Reports Of others being killed are rife, bu
no positive information is yet obtained concern
ing them.
INCENDIARIsM BY OUR TROOPS.
The conduct Of the federal troops on Sundo,
while occupying the grounds recently vacatct
by the rebels, resulted in the burning of prop
ertv to the amount OF 100000 or 100000, in
Guiding houses with their contents, but whicl
were untcnanted. No distinction was made AZ
to the political character Of their owners. Thest
wanton nc will doub less undergo investiga
ton by the authorities, as they were strongly
condemned by Mcclellan, who went over to th'
Virginia side at an early hour, Sunday, visiting
the various localities recently vacated by thu
rebels.
A private was summarily shot, Sunday, by
! 4 Il. a.. L.,
lusing TO perform duty
Various speculaions are rife rs to the where
abouts of the rebel army. No traces of their
can be discovered in large force, their usua
,,ickets Of infantry and cavalry only being dis
cernable at distant points, lowering as If for Tho
purpose of observation. The most probable
theory, from what can be gathered, is that thu
rebels are making feints of retreat, as they die
previous to the battle of Bull Run, with the view
Of drawing our troops into anlbuscndes. This
opinion is strengthened by the conversation
which a farmer residing in the neighborhood o
Falls Church overheard the day before they
evacuated that neghborhood
The encampments of the rebels show tina
they had at no time over 10000 mon in front o
Washington, and at the points which they hat
just evacuated.
Obstruction of tho Potomac.
THREATENING REBEL BATTERIES.
The rebels have fulfilled one of their threats
at least. They have declared their intention Il
obstruct the passages Of the Potomac river, aEC
have diligently erected batteries and cleared thu
woods from the Virginia shore, so rs to com
mand full sweep Of that stream. So effective
~ have their measures been taken that NeSsel
can no longer pass up or down without under
going destructive fire, and the navigation o
the Potomac is now actually closed. The stop
page, however, will probably be but atcmpora
ny Inconvenience for the government will doubt
less take immediate measures for re-opcnin.
navigation
Information has been received to the cfec
that the enemy declare their intention to destro,
the large war steamer Pensacola, now at tn
Washington navy yard, when she attempts Il
20 to sea.
The rebels are pushing large force toward
the ferries in the neighborhood of Poolesyilc
and down the river towards Aquil Greek. In
dications are that the rebels will attempt I,
cross the Potomac Immediately, but their move
ments are closely watched and preparations I,
meet them promptly made. The weather her
is quite colA and rebel prisoners state that thei
forces suffer considerably iromit.
Movements in kentucky.
1t is stated by way of Cincinnati that Gen
Thomas at "Camp Dick Robinson" telegraphe,