Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-07-26
TAKING OF FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE.
New YORK, July Is

A Washington dispatch to the Herald
says that the centre column under Col.
Hunrer left bivouac, about six miles from
Fairfax Court House, at 10 o'clock this
morning. The first barricade made of
trees telled and thrown across the road.
delayed the head of the division only
few minutes. This was encountered about
three miles from the Court House. The
pioneers soon cleared the road with axes.
The barricade was erected at the foot Of
Long Hill, the top of which afforded an
excellent covert for sharp shooters. The
second barricade was of similar charac-
ter, and was cleared in similar manner.
and occasioncd only few minutes delay.
The third barricade was more forminable.
1t was at the entrance of a deep cut in
the road, commencing about half way up
a steep hill, crowned one side with thick
woods, and the other by an open field
To pass this, road was made through
the field enabling the army to pass around
it. At this point were stationed two
hundred rebel cavalry, who fed upon the
first appearance of our skirmishers firing
at them one rife shot which did no harm
Here it was ascertained that half mile
ahead the rebels had forti6cation erected
and battery planted, which was defend
ed by force of 1000 men. and that the
rebel force in and around Fairfax Court
House. guarding the different approaches,
amounted to 10000 or $4,000 men.
The fertilization was encountered about
! half a mile from the Court House. 1t
consisted Of a simple entrcnchment cx-
tending four hundred yards each side of
the road, pierced for eight guns. The
embrasures were formed of sand bags, and
50 placed as to command the road. The
fertilization was at the top of q steep hill,
at the foot of which was small muddy
creek. The trees upon the hillside for an
eighth of mile were cut down. This
fortifcation had been occupied for about
three weeks by the I'd and 3 | South Car
olina regiments, under General Bonham.
In approaching this point our skirmish-
ers had brush with those of the rebels,
in which corporal Of the Rhode Island
regiment received flesh wound in the
thigh, and rebel officer was captured by
Capt. Dyer. The advance of Burnside's
Brigade reached the fortifcation in time
to make prisoner, South Carolina officer,
who surrendered to Major Mission, Pay
master of the I'd Rhode Island regiment.
The inside of the fortifcatton presented
abundant evidence of the haste with
which it had been abandoned. Sacks OF
-four, meat, clothing, arms, equipments
and camp utensils were everywhere scat
tered over the ground, and the camp fires.
probably prepared for the noon meal were
still brightly burning.
The main body had 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 en-
trenchnent, a sharp firing was heard or
the left, which afterward proved to be q
skirmish 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 fortifcation the village of Fairfax
Court House is plainly seen. Thither the
command proceeded.
At the outskirts of the village small
American flag, used as guide mark by
the 44th New York Regiment, had beer
planted. 1t was saluted with cheers by
the passing regiment. The rebel flag was
still flying at the Court House when tho
advance of the division, with a band Of
lst Rhode Island Regiment playing tht
national air, entered the village. 1t was
taken down by some men of the I'd Rhode
Island Regiment and handed to Governor
Sprague. IL was transmitted by him t.
General Mcdowell. Soon afterward thu
regimeutal flag of the I'd New Hampshire
Regiment was placed over the Court House
In the village Of Fairfax Court Hause ;
large amount of tents, muskets, equip
ments, flour, bacon and hospital stores be
lo,.:oo +n tba roho1 c,,, a, ,yoro o.x4,,,oI