Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-09-05
RECENT MOVEMENTS or THE REBEL
ARMIES
WAsn1Norov. Aug. 30. 1862

]
| persons fleeing from the country now occupied
/ by them, and arriving here within the last "a
/ hours. Some of the accounts brought by the
fugitiyes are confused, disconnected and
made up Of rumors no doubt greatly oxag-
gerated-but all agree in confirming that a
very heavy force of the enemy were on the
| ManasAas Gap Railroad, between Thorough
fare Gap and White Plains, last Tuesday. the
goth. from them give the following de-
tails as reliable -
At noon on Sunday, the Gath inst. the ad-
vance Of a heavy force reached Rectortown
and coming from the direction of Little Wash
ington, above which place they had crossed
the North Fork of the Shenandoah the night
before. This was Gen. Hills division of
Jackson's wing of the rebel army, and con-
sisted principally of artillery and infantry,
about 10000 strong, having not more than
one regiment or battalion Of cavalry. During
the afternoon they rested short distance
rom Rectortown, and at night advanced into
the valley between the Bull Run and Rattle
snake mountains, where they formed a juno
ton, on the morning Of Monday, the Goth,
with the main body of Jaokson'A army, which
had advanced up the valley from Waterloo.
on the kappahannock, coming to the north Of
Warrentou. The force now numbered about
10000 men, consisting Of Ewelrs Hills and
Jacksons divisions, and all Of Stuart's caval-
ry, under command of Fitzbugh Lee. Mon
day night they bivousked in the valley about
Salem and White Plains, their cavalry, in the
mean time, securing the country around in
the directions OF Middleburg and Aide.
Ihoroughiaro Gap aud Warrcnton.
Early on tie nothing of Tuesday the 26th
inst, the whole force was in motion towards
the south, heavy bodies Of cavalry leading
the way to Thoroughiare Gap, and another
large body bearing down the valley towards
Warrcnton, taking the road over the south
ern end OF the Bull Run mountains, about o
miles northeast of that place From this
point my Informant knows nothing more Of
the movements of this force. Later events
have shown they went through Thoroughfare
Gap, and their cavalry advance dashed into
Manassas on Tuesday night, the Goth inst
They were unencumbered with any baggage
except blankets and cooked ratious, and all
were well armed. They had not less than
seven batteries Of artillery and 1000 cavalry
My informant left the neighborhoOd on the
evening of Wednesday, the 9th, and report
ed that during the day other forces arrived
IN the vicinity of White Plains with baggage
supply and ammunition trains and artillery,
which we're understood to be Gen. Long
streets division, and up to the time of his de-
parture there were rumors Of more troops adj
vanclng. From his accounts the rebel troops
appearing in this quarter up to Wednesday
night could not have been less than 80, 600
men.
These refugees insist that this army is not
the main body Of the rebels which are to
play the big hand ln events now Transporting.
They say 1t is only fgnking force under
Jackson, and that Lee with the grand rebel
army, 100000 strong. is or more properly
was IN position on the north bank of the
kappahannock, northwest Of Warrenton,
from whence he will advance on Popes army
as soon as the latter is walked up Jackson's
demonstration. II this be so, Lees army
no doubt got to work yesterday, and that too
IN Popes rear, since he was compelled to
change front and face Jackson.
There are other reports from the same
sou ces as the above and the whole rebel
army, 100000 strong, had reached the line
Of the Manassas Railroad, west Of White
Flains' on Wednesday night-but they are
probably founded upon large exaggeratons
OF the numbers appearing there. The most
reliable theory Of the rebels plans, judging
from the conflicting and confused accounts, Is
that Lees main army was on the Upper
Rappahannock up to Tuesday night, and
since then has moved toward the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad via Warrenton. 1t is
also stated that force crossed the river on
Wednesday night at point near the railroad
bridge, and held the right bank.
AFFAGRs AT ALENANDBIA.
The hustle and confusion of Alexandria
exceeds that Of any previous occasion, not
excepting even the tumut of McClellan's de-
parturc for the peninsula and army wagons,
regiments and straggers block up the streets
from daylight till the small hours of morning.
so that pedesttianism becomes almost mpos-
sible. The river is obstructed with shipping,
the wharves groan beneath the weight of
army paraphernala, long trains of cars slow
ly reep through the mass Of huminty, and
artillery now aud then with its deafening
rumble, adds to the din while a dense cloud
OF dust hangs above all the town, binding
the eyes and choking up the respiratory or
gans of every visitor TO this modern Babel
All the restaurants have been closed by the
authorities, and infantry patrol every street
All the hotels and boarding houses are crowd
ed beyond comfort, and hundreds of officers
60 about the streets dscons olate, vainly seek
ing for place to lay their heads, and inward
ly curSing the fate which deprives them of
their delicious juleps, while those unpossessed
OF shoulder straps meekly pursue their avo-
cations as more ciphers in the social arrange
ment of Alexandria.
With the present restrictions upon the
press reliable news is almost unobtainable.
and the widest Tumors succeed each other
with rapidity only equalled by their absur-
q ity. OF course the secesh element is iub-
liant. Delight upon the countenances of rebel
sympathizers to plainly marks their long nur-
tured hopes of deliverance from the Yankees,
and the bitter experience of former delin-
quents only checks the free expression Of dis
loyalty. That Jackson will capture Wash
lngton they have not the least doubt, and
royal entertainments are already in embryo
Tor the chyalry upon their expected advent
into his antique town. Alas for rebel hopes
jackson finds himself entrapped Manassas
is again the picture Of desolation. and the
smoke Of burning store-hous rises in a pill
lar OF clouds, a monument over the ruins of
departed prosperity. Every house has been
burned at the Junction, save one or two be-
longing to private individuals, and the track
torn up for a considerable distance. Several
bridges, some Of them of large size, have