Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-29

Alter being four months on hard duty on
the Chickahominy and James Rivers, and az
Ter participating in many battles, in none o
which defeat overlook il, the army of Genera
Mcclellan reached Williamsburgh on Sun.
day and Yorktown on Monday night. on th'
way to a new scene Of operations. We fnd
in our exchanges accounts Of the march
which was accompanied by no incident oI
major interests but it constitutes some.
what important detail in the history Of the
campaign, we Gull such particulars from the
accounts referred to as show the manner in
which the retrogade movement was perform
ed
IAN the sick-and they have been lesion-vere care.
fully gathered from the various regiments and sent away
in comfortable steamers, under the sanitary arrange
ments OF the Medical Department of the army before ht
final move The entire matcricl Of the army, Il is be
heyed, fas been safely conveyed away in river and land
Transports, without llss destruction
On Thursday evening, l4th General Mcclellan rrturn-
ed from jamestown issnd whether he went 70 comrnu-
nicate with the War Department, and with Williams
bufgh and Yorktown, and the order prepare to march
immediately, was issued to the commanders n army
corps, by whom It the various division brig
ade and rcgimenta commanders The wind through the
day had been cool and brAcing from the eastward, aud
immense preparations for the final embatkation were
experienced during any day Tor a month.
The destination of the troops. the route they to
CO. or whether they all move OF only part wsrc
sept wholly secret Up 10 the last moment, when they
fe in for the march, the majority suppuscd they would
go down the river IN transports. while not few suppo-
ed we were about TO march TO tichmoud! All, how
OF one mind They were reoiced be, ond 4
precision 10 get away from Harrson's Landing from
sufocaung dust its stencil, its myriads Of tofmentng
flies, us suspense, death and inacton.
The wagon trains had already taken 90 the road, and
rs was IL ~ o'clock when the column moved Colonel
Berdan, with his regiment Of tharpshoocrs led the ad-
vance position which they maintained throughout
the march Had there been an attack these troops
would have been used as skrmishers. Gen. Smith :
camp, which occupied the 'front.' and held the long line
Of intrenchmeuts, was all astir up them
beyong Herring Creek at three o'clock In the morning.
Their numerous camp fires reflected the shsdowy outline
0 groups Of soldiers busy in preparing the last neal
The movement painfully dignhed and slow, aud the
cayalcade seemed to ngcr II reluctant leave the
spot OF as afraid OF crOwdng upon some other portion
of the army in front.
The road for five miles was dotted here aud there with
he temporary shelters of the pckes many Of whom of
duty were soundy sleeping under shelter tents, slop
ing roofs OF fence rails covered with stt.w The rest
dents along the line Of march had yet begun STIR
aud were wholly unconscious Of the fact that the grand
army was passing. AT each pause uf the column the
sprang the fences into the coru-felds, aud
brought our hands full Of choice roasting ears, which
they carried along with them until final halt should af
ford time To cook them fur breakfast.
Al eight o'clock A. NJ. the head II the halted
at Charles City Court House. the old county seat where
half an hour was spent in preparing and eating the
morning meal
Leaving me place we moved forward still slowly and
cautiously thought that beyond here we might
possibly meet with some trouble from the enemy. Pre-
yious cavalry reconnaissance had shown rebel force
between and the Chiokahomny river; yet there
was po sibty that they might attempt to annoy u.s.
even not in force 70 moke serious attack The
ing colum Of soldiers, artillery army wagons and horses
filled the road for miles it moved along.
All along the line Of ths houses were visited
by straggeTs from our army, of whom there will Away
be many in spite Of every eXeron possible prevent
The occupants Of these houses in some instances Ap-
peaTed highly indignant because not
toned formerly, guard their property and prevent
intrusion They thought it extremely hard that they
should be compelled TO the support Of the army In any
way Poultry aud ftuit rapidly disappeared, and many
soldiers meal that night could boast Of fowl addition.
la some instances what taken paid for, but in
more they were in too great hurry tein their regi-
foouts seue. The sufferers acknowledged however
that their friends Of the rebel army treated them with
more regard for their vested tighs but what seemed
aiet them most severely the thought that the hated
Yankees should have the benefit Of secesh property
fcourse this plaging by soldiers they pass through
even an cnemys country, mast be condcmned aud,
when detected aud proved be punished for the
good Of the army itself which such practices tend de-
oTalze. but still 1t is undoubtedly temptation
to who has for weeks lived salt pork and hard
bread to see young fat fowl within close proximity
him.
The march conducted in an orderly manner and
the absence Of any attack attempted opposition "a
ouE passage must OF deract from the
the story. It. however gratfed both officers and men
who nothing could have been gained by fighting more
than was better attained without it-a passage through
me eountry-desred th. we might get through peacea
II
ferTed, II possible 10 be spared the necessity.
Without any incidents worthy Of note, the river was
reached by the advance carly in the afternoon, and by
night the divisions of Gen Morell aud Gen Sykes
crossed over 10 the opposite bank Gen. McCas divi-
sion having taken another road, aud having l the old
camp subsequently, the Others did not reach therr
tii the next forenoon. splendid ponoon bridge Of
nearly third Of mile IN length and about thirty feet
wide, had been built the Chick kahominy by the
Engineer brigade, and this marched weary sol
dcrs followed by the artillery and wagon train and en-
camptd upon the opposite shore for the night. Near
ms bridge there we're lying the gunOoats Delaware aud
Yankee TO protect it against any attempt which the
my might make to destroy it The DAYS march had
been long and tresome, but the stood very we'll
The weather throughout the day cool, and until
about p NJ overcast that, except for the dust
the match had been pursued in comparative comfort.
Saturday morning the march was resumed, and the
column moved on toward Williamsburg, at which place
the advance arrived about eight A N. Gen Morells
division arrived here about r. NJ and passed to the
vicinity the old battle field, where they remantd en-
camped until Sunday morning. The days march was
without incident worthy Of note Everything passed
along peaceaby. II was now evident that the rebels
were either unwarc u the time when and the direction
which going that they had other busness for
their army than following
The secessionsts Of Williamsburg, as elsewhere along
the route were much rcjoiced to army making
aretrograde movement, anticipating that this part
of the peninsula also would be surrendered 10 the rebel
rule again The colored population had taken The alarm
and we're very anxious 10 learn what the future had in
store for them. Some Of the udscreet Of the rebel
sympathizers, upon learning that eyacuatng
position upon the James TiyeT INDUCED in threats
what should be done 10 them when the Yankees were
gone This increased their alarm and agitation. aud the
exodus Of this class uf population, Of whom
had been the slaves Of fugitive rebel masters has already
commenced, and probably few days will see the town
relieved Of nearly all of them, and but very few will
remain 10 experience the tender meToes Of their
friends
sunday morning one Of the rebel sympa,hizers Of this
place named Robert Coles, arrested by the order Of
the Provost Marshal aud at his residence was found
quantity Of ammunition and 1t said that
he busiy engaged yesterday in running bullets while
trOoes we're passing through the town The ayowed
purpose OF these pfepaTaons to stop the departure
OF the contabanes after the expected Withdrawal Of our
troops
At an early hour on Sunday the march was resumed,
and continued Ia orderly There now
no danger Of attack and there did eIist the
oessity for any special in making the advance
Nothing worthy of note occurred, and yorktown was
reached after and the weary soldiers oncamp
ed in the old camp made familiar Of them by
four weeks residence during the mons siege OF the Ifb
t foriheahOns. Here they remained and rested The
marching beginning To tell upon the men, and theI
good many strAgglefs who had fallen out Of the
ranks The Provost guard constantly employed rid
ing TO and fro upon the road hurryng them up, but in
spite Of their exeTtions they slowly in by aud
threes, and sometimes in squads Most Of them reoin-
ed their commands in the Of the day and evening
They made halt at Yorktown until Monday morn
ing, when they again moved forward Fort Monroe
From that point We have certain record Of the
ment Of Gen. MeClellans army"
"John Browns knApsAek is strapped upon his back,
His soul is marching on"
We were told this morning by friend
just from st. Armands, N. Y, formerly