Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-21
FROM QEM BANK9 oOLUMM

Winchester, Va, is at length recovered
for the Union. The movement Of our forces
to Perryyille, and reconnaissance to this Vi
cinity completely succeeded in driving tho
enemy and misleading them so that they did
! not know where TO expect an attack.
Tuesday afternoon the rebels commenced
evacuating the place. Cen Hamilton, in the
meanwhile, advancing from Bunker Hill, the
] Michigan cavalry leading the way. 1900 Of
the enemys cavalry gave battle, supported by
section Of artillery. This was about
I five o o'clock In the afternoon. A battalion Of
the lst Maryland Regiment reinforced our
cavalry, and one Of our sections Of artillery
came up and replied to the enemy's guns -
| The fight was soon over. The enemy fled
leaving their guns, two in number--several
horses, and about thirty men, killed and
wounded. The shells thrown against them
by our artillery were very destructive. Our
whole loss is four killed and fifteen wounded,
all Of the lst Nd. regiment. At day-break
/ Wednesday our column was again in motion
and advanced upon the town in time 90 see
the rear guard Of the rebels retire forever
! The Union flag floats triumphantly over
! Winchester. The reception of our troops by
the people was enthusiastic. The people gem
orally are intensly delighted with our pres
/ enoe, and hail it as the harbinger Of peace and
! future prosperity. The regiments, as they
I passed, were cheered and greeted from tho
houses, which were responded to by our men.
/ IL is represented by resident friends Of the
/ Union that at least two-thirds Of the popula-
ton OF this town and county are loyal to our
! government, bat have been compelled TO sue
cumb to the secession pressure, so far as the
expression of an opinion was concerned.---
| ia nfa1 hat l. lax hi
force at Strasburgh, and that they intend to
make stand there. Prominent secessionists
/ here say that the rebels will make a stand at
Gordonsville, and that they have fortified it
I to great extent.
I Wednesday night was acknowledged by
secession ladies to have been the most quiet
I for six months. Several thousand soldiers
! we're in town, and the remark was made,-
/ mo wonder your arms are victorious, from
the excellent discipline Of your troops"
Thursday afternoon, while twenty-six of our
cavalry were foragng on the Stras burgh road,
three miles distant, they came upon a large
barn bearing marks Of having recently been
| occupied by Ashbys men. While our
teams were loading with hay, about two
! hundred of the latter came near and threw
out two companies as skirmishers. Our
men covered the departure of their teams,
and prepared to resist an attack, which
was finally commenced. At length Wis
consin pickets came up with rifles and killed
two OF the enemy. One of our cavalry dash
ed upon the enemy and killed one of them
with his pistol. The enemy made no effort
at charge, but gradually advanced as our
men fell back to the town in good order and
unharmed.
1t is noticeable fact that for several months
the inhabitants of this section have been en-
tirely without coal, and with limited means
of transporting fuel to the towns. The gas
works at Martinsburgh, Charleston and Win
chester are closed for want Of stock.