Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-08-14
Il H E w A r..
RICHMOND AND VICINITY.
The Offensive again Assumed.

A Reconnaissance WITHIN TEN MILES OF
RICHMOND.
The army of the Potomac has again assum-
ed the offensive. The reconnaissance made on
Tuesday, under Gen Hooker, to Malvern Hill,
White Oak swamp bridge, and in the direction
of New Market and Richmond, was in every
respect complete success. The troops left
camp about dark Monday night, arriving at
Malvern Hill at o'clock Tuesday morning, a
distance of ten miles. Here they encountered
two regiments of infantry and a battery posted
behind earthworks. Fire was Immediately
opened on them by Capt Benson's battery and
a section of Cap, Robinson's. The infantry
was not engaged. The firing lasted about
three hours, when the rebels ingoriously fled
by the river road towards Richmond, hotly
pursued by our troops, who succeeded in taking
100 of them prisoners. The loss on our side
at this point was 3 killed and / wounded.
Capt Benson had his thigh broken by piece
of shell. The doctors think the leg can be
saved. Lieut. Col Gamble of the Sth Illinois
cavalry, was severely wounded in the breast,
while driving in the enemy's pickets.
Col Averill, with 500 cavalry, took the Qua
ker road to White Oak swamp bridge. There
they found the 10th Virginia Cavalry drawn up
to receive them. A charge was Immediately
ordered, which broke the rebels lines, when
they fled. Col Averi followed them three
miles, taking % prisoners, without losing
man. Gen Pleasanton, with force of cavalry,
took the New Market road, on which portion
OF the rebels were retreating. He followed
them to within a short distance of New Market,
when meeting two brigades of rebels he fell
back, bringing over 80 prisoners taxed on the
way. New Market is 10 miles from Richmond
This ended the operations for the day. when
the troops went into camp on Malvern HILL
Gen Mcclellan, who went to the scene of action
early Tuesday morning, has not returned.
THE REBEL FORCE.
The New York Post processes to have rea-
ble information from Richmond that the entire
rebel army never exceeded 100000 effectives
from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. The
forces about Richmond reach at the highest,
10000 men, of whom only 10000 were on the
peninsula during the memorable seven days,
and Of whom 10000 only were used against
our hanks exposed points. The rebel loss was
$4,000 killed and wounded.
PROMINENT REBEL CAPTURED.
The Herald's Washington dispatch says Nc
Cracken, the rebel engineer who planned Fort
Darling and superintended the construction,
/ u
burg.
RETURN OF FEDEEAL PRISONERS.
About 5000 of our prisoners arrived on
Wednesday, from Richmond, in exchange for a
similar number sent up on Monday, Every
thing is quiet on the opposite side of the river.
Affairs at Malvern Hill.
THE REBELS ON THE MOVE.
At Malvern Hill everything was quiet during
Wednesday. 1t was reported Wednesday night
by deserters and contrabands, that the rebels
had been moving from the vicinity of Richmond
all day, in large force, towards Malvern Hill,
for the purpose of retaking the position. Three
thousand exchanged prisoners arrived at head
quarters Wednesday afternoon from Richmond
Those belonging to the army and fit to do duty
were sent to their regiments. Others left fol
the North on Thursday. There were no officers
among them. There is no truth that Gen Nc,
Clelan's army is used to protect rebel proper
ty, as reported in the case of Hill Carter
During the two days battle of Malvern Hill
eight hundred to one thousand wounded Union
men had wounds dressed at his house.
The Late Reconnaissance.
OTHER MOVEMENTS AT HAND.
The reconnaissance of Monday night had re-
suited very favorably. Our troops drove in
the rebel pickets early Tuesday morning. ana
the fight Immediately commenced, which lasted
between two and three hours, and resulted IN
the federals taking possession OF Malvern hili'
which they now occupy with sufficient force to
hold and carry on other plans which are in
, connection with this very important move