Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18
WAR TIE Ms.

WAR ITEMS.
The recent reconnaissance by Gen. Sick
els u Stafford Court House created the great
est panic at Fredricksburgh. Every vehicle
there, capable Of transporting goods, wa:
made available, and whole families fed tC
Picamond, leaving everything behind Our
force was exaggerated to 20 600 men with
xix field batteries. The effective force Of the
rebels between Fredercksburgh and Aqua
Creek is less than 1000, and beyond Freie-
ricksturgh 70 Richmond probably about 10 =
600. including a few batteries Of artillery
Gen. Niglall commands a brigade 4 lew
miles from Frederlckshurgh. lie has had a
serious Misunderstanding with General Com
handing, Holmes, and has forwarded his res
Icnation TO Richmond.
The news Of the capture Of Island No. 10
caused great enthusiasm at Fortress
Monroe. Reports from the army repre-
sent our brave troops as facing hard
ships and exposures undaunteily. Their en-
thusiasm anu anxiety to meet the enemy Is
undated. Their confidence in Gen. Nc
Clelan is unbound ed. Though the storm
at this iunciure is unfortunate, yet the time
has not been lost, and the retreat of Magru-
der and bis forces or their defeat is as Ger
tain as any possible future event.
a detachment sent by Gen. Burnside, from
Gen. Parks bIIgade, consisting of the 18th
r. ]. and 9Th Conn, crossed to Beaufort,
on the night of the 25th of March, and land
ed without opposition. In the morning the
citizens found their houses well guarded by
Union troops, and the town in their possess
ion. Every evidence Of good will was exhlb-
tied toward the new corners. They declared
that they had never given adhesion to the
rebel movement and We're good Union men.
The commander of Fort Macon is Col. W hite,
a West Point graduate. An officer from one
of the squadron has been ashore and had an
an interview with Mai. Allen in regard to
the arrangements for the capture of the Fort.
The British ships Alliance and Condor,
loaded with rosin and turpentine, are at
Beaufort. They have had guards placed on
BOARD. Since the battle Of Newbern it is
said there has been 1000 bbls. of spirits of
turpentine burnt in the vicinity. About
10000 bbls. are now being placed on board
vessels for New York.
Two steamers, fitted as floating hospitals,
left St. Louis on Wednesday, for the Tennes
see River. Large contributions Of all kinds
# supplies have been made to furnish two
more, and they were to 90 last night.
The Western Sanitary Commission Is act
ing with great energy, and every effort will
be made for the speedy relief of our wounded.
Col Kelt0n, Assistant Adjutant General,
and Gen. Kefchum are in charge at ST. Louis,
while Gen. Halleck is the field.
General Grant, though hardly forty years
OF age, mas been IN seventeen battles, in three
Of which he commanded. and was IN the
Mexican war.
Gen. Mcclellan telcgraphs the Secretary
Of War, that nothing Of interest occurred
thursday The weather and roads are a
little better and operations are progressing
lavorably.
The only additional information from Pitts
burgh Landing is that the pursuit was kept
up only little distance beyond the position
of our advance previous ~ the battle.
The Merrimac did not come out again on
saturday or Sunday. but staid near Sewall's
Point so quiet that it was believed she was
sgTound. Gen. Wool thinks she intends
only to prevent any interference with rein
torccmeuts being sent from Norfolk to York
town.
On Friday several skIrmishes COX place
between portions of our force before York
town and the rebels. While the 10Th y. Y,
Volunteers was on picket near York River,
regiment OF rebels came out under cover
Mai Barnum rallied about 800 of his men TO
receive them at musket range, and delivered
deadly fire Of MIME balls, when the rebels
retreated, leaving their dead and wounded,
which they afterwards removed IN ambu-
lances. Later in the day, the rebels ad-
vanced in considerable force from another
point driving in our entire pickets, and
burned a dwelling used by the federal troops.
During both these skirmishes, we had three
men slightly wounded. The 57th and 63rd
Penn. regiments also had a brisk skirmish
with the enemy, in which we had two men
killed and four wounded.
The stern wheel steamboat Wissahickon
OF Philadelphia, while entering creek was
fired upon by the rebels water battery.
The army Is bus,ly occupied in pushing
forward the necessary preparations for an adj
vance.
Gen. Mcdowell sends word that contra
bands inform him that all the enemy had
left Fredercksburgh for Richmond and York
town. the last Of them leaving Saturday
morning.
Gen. Fremont telegraphs intelligence Of
skirmish on saturday, near Monterey. The
rebels. about 1000 strong, with cavalry and
two pieces Of artillery attacked our pickets
about 10 O'Clock. and drove them some two
miles Rsinl1rcements were sent and the
diminishing was brisk for short time, but
the rebels were put to fight with considera-
bic loss The casualties on our side were
three men of the 18Th Ohio badly wounded.
Arrivals from Ironton say that the rebel
Gen. Van Dorm is at PItman's Ferry, near
the Missouri line, with 10000 or l2,OoO
troops
Van Dorm did not reach Corinth until the
fight was over.
The COMMITTEE oa the Conduct of the War
have completed tie examination of witnes-
res M regard 10 the alleged atrocities of the
rebels at Boil Run. Members Of the Com
iuIiessas q. Is true that in MANY cases ;he
graves u ous sJldiers were opened, ADD the
bones fl tie dead carried Of t. be used as
trinkets, and trophies for the secession ladies
10 append % their guard chains. Skulls
were also taken for drinking cups. Those