Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-11-07

FROM GEN HcCLELLdNS ARMY
H1rpers Fern, Oct. ga destructive
fire took place here this afternoon. Some
teamstors we're cooking their dinner under
the trussel work in the vicinity Of the point
where immense quantities of hay we're being
unloaded from the cars The FIRE accidental
ly communicated to several hundred bales OF
hay and soon enyeloped in flames "a cars
loaded with hay on the trussel work. Fear
ing that the burning cars would communi-
cate the flames TO the bridge, a locomotive
was attached and they we're hastily run across
10 the Maryland side, where they we're soon
consumed, Upwards Of 500 feet Of the tres
sci work was destroyed, but the bridge was
saved. This is the fourth time these exten-
sive tressel works have been destroyed during
the war.
HEADoUARTERs ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
October 90
No news has been received from General
Pleasautou to-day. The news received from
the vicinity Of the main body Of the rebel
army shows that Hill, Jackson and Hampton
are encamped between Martnsburgh and
Bunker Hill, the majority being near the lat
ter place.
A request was made to-day to remove the
bodies of two soldiers buried near Shepards-
town. 1t was denied until the consent Of
Lee and Stuart could be obtained, which oc-
cuped an hour. This shows that the leading
rebel Generals are not great distance from
our lines, and that the rebel army has not as
yet retrealed up the Shenandoah valley
The rebels have sent their sick and wounded
back 20 Staunton, evidently anticipating an
early movement of the Army ol the Potomac.
Harpcr's Ferry, Oct %. Since Saturday
last the movements OF troops in this vicinity
have been constant, and, with the exception Of
Gen. Sumner's-now Gen, Couch s-corps,
on Bolivar Hights, our whole army may now
be said to be in motion.
Gen. Burnsides movement into Virginia
has been strongly followed up, and Gen. Fitz
John Porter's corps is now in position to
operate promptly in the same direction it re-
quired.
The retel pickets, in strong force, have
again appeared in front Of Charlestown and
their artillery aud cavalry are visible from
Bolivar Hights. Their pickets have also re-
appeared opposite Shatpsburgh, and picket
firing across the river has been resumed. it
is pretty well known that a considerable force
of rebels have already crossed the mountains
through the Gapa Front Royal, and it is be-
lieyed that a still larger force are passing
southwark on the other side of the mountains.
Supposing that this general belief Of a retreat
of the rebels is founded on fact, there is
still good chance for a pursuit, that would
force Lee to turn and give battle. The posi-
tion Of our army is good for accomplishing
this Unless Lees retreat is much further
advanced thanis probable, it would seem that
Gen Mcclellan has the power by vigorous
forward movement, aided by similar advance
from Washington, to force Lee to stop and
fight before he gains Gordonsvile The re-
cent rains have done no damage.
CUMBERLAND, Md, Oct. 30, 1862.
Brig. Gen. Il. B. Marcy, Chief Of Staff
ordered Lieut.. Col. Quick, Of the I'd Ill.
Regiment to take the Ringold Cavalry and
two guns of Rourk's Battery and pursue the
party that took the cattle in Hardy county.
He left the New Creek last night at dark.
By rapid march all night be overlook the
enemy at daylight this morning and attacked
him and captured 20 head of cattle, and took
/ 6 prisoners aud 20 horses.
lSlgned) b. +. KELLY,