The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-18
OCCUPATION of irfax---ParticuIars.

Washington, July l7.-Senator Lane and
Representatives Vandever, Colfax, Verree,
Washburn, and Porter, went with the advance
guard of the army to Fairfax this morning and
returned at 9 O'Clock p NJ, having left that
village at 4.30, P. M.
They report that the skirmishers reached
Fairfax at Il 80 to-day, and the advance guard
entered the village exactly at noon. Trees had
been felled across the road at three points to
obstruct thu march, but they proved feeble i'm
pediments Half mile this side of Fairfax,
an embankment has been thrown across the
road half mile in length, with embrasures tor
four or five guns and sand-bags protection, but
no guns were mounted. There were no pitfalls
nor masked batteries.
The pckets this side Of Fairfax retired this
morning about an hour before the head OF the
column came in sight, leaving the grain bags
out of which their horses were fed and the fed
eral troops fed the grain to their own horses
This morning the troops at Fairfax were drawn
up on the west side of the town and the peonle
expected battle was inevitable, but at nine
o'clock, y. NJ, the rebels made precipitate
retreat, leaving five quarters of fresh beet, SHOW
els, tools, spades and camp furniture behind
eral troops into Fairfax is said by these gentle
scrlption. The main street was filled, as far as
the eye could sec, with the soldery marching
with fixed bayonets and loaded guns, cheering
for the Union, and the bands playing the " Star
Spangled Banner
As soon as the 5000 infantry in the column
had passed, the cavalry which was in the rear,
dashed through the town on gallop in chase
of the confederate troops. They followed them
four miles toward Centerville, but the great
heat preventing q forced march of the infantry,
they returned. 1t is understood that Center
vile is to be defended by the seceeders, and that
Gen. Mcdowell will march on it tomorrow The
other columns of the advancing army are north
and south Of Fairfax.
A few buildings were burned by the federal
troops mile beyond Fairfax, on account of a
rumor that soldier had been fired on from
them.
Col Marston, of the New Hampshire second,
placed guard around the Court Honse build.
ing as soon as he entered the town.
The column which occupied Fairfax was com
posed of two brigades, commanded by Colonies
Porter and Burnside, and contained two bate
ries of flying artillery.
The Star this afternoon says in relation to
the army under the command of Gen. Mellow
ell The column of the extreme right is COM
manded by Gen. Hunter. The light center col
umn is commanded by Gen. Tyler. That consists
of the following excellent troops: The Maine
ID, the LIST, "a and 9Th Connecticut under COL
Reyes, the New York I'd, LIST and I'd Ohio, un
der Gen. Schenck and the New York 18th, Goth
and 10th and the LIST Wisconsin under Col. Cor
coran, with probably Sherman's U. $. light ar
tillery, eight pieces of the N. Y. Sth regiment
and detachment of the I'd U. S. cavalry under
cOys nd of "a nt
kins
Gen. Tyler's column bivouacked last night
in and around Vienna, which is four and half
miles from Fairfax Court House. COL Miles,
U. S. A. commands the left centre column, and
among other crack troops, has more than "a, 900
regulars There must be at least so 900
troops on the march under Gen. Mcdowell, ex-
elusive OF his reserves, which are still resting
around his late entertainments. The division
of Col. Hunter proceeded, doubtless. by the
Georgetown and Leesburg turnpike, via Lang
ley, to the neighborhood of Vienna, and there
formed junction with Gen. Tyler. This
morning the march of column Of some 25,-
600 men started before day break.
The following dispatch was received tonight
at headquarters
FAIRFAX c. H., July II.
10 Col. Il. d. TowNsHEND We have occu
pied Fairfax Court House, and driven the enemy
towards Centreyllle and Manassas. We have
one officer and three men wounded. The flight
of the enenly.was SO precipitate that he left in
our hands beef, flour, entrenching tools, hospi-
tai furniture and baggage. | endeavored to
pursue beyond Centreville, but the men were
too much exhausted to do SO.
IRWIN MCDOWELL,
Brigadier General.