The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-19

vas kept ~, and unusual activity among H.
troops IN tie town and az the basteri57 udtca
led l. renewal ct the engu cement IN the amer
neon.
The wounded were all sent across the river to
tent hosplta!s, and every one expactd to see the
town satied by the rebel batteries when the 1gh'
begun. With this feeling one OF your reporters
who had been busy in town procuring The names
OF killed and wounded made himself scarce about
- 0 clock p. NJ. and crossing the lower pontoop
bridge, where there was less danger trom the oc-
c&eional Ghelle, he took his potion upon com
handing hill on toe opposite side OF tho river.
confidently expecting to sec the opening OF
another terrific fight. There was An omlnous
silence of all the batteries lulI before the storm
az was supposed Nigh5 came, however. and
yet there wac no fight. The sind had b3en blow
lag very fresh and warm al day from the south
and west. At az earl hour orders "ereSen to
the various Commanders to siantly aud rapidly
withdraw their troops across the river as soon as
it became dark enough to do 50 without beng OBJ
served and drawing the enemy fire.
At about 6 IL P. NJ. the NOV ment began
on the right, and almost simultaneously on the
left also. Dirt was strawn across the rontoon
bridges, SO IS to deadcn the sound Of the aF;i- /.
cry as it passed over. This precaution, however
was hardly necessary, as d gale Of ,cind, b'0D
ing all night from The dir ctlon OF the enemy TO-
Ward our lines rendered II impossible for dny
sound to reach HIM from the r'per. Silently, but
with steady tread, our infantry continued t.
press over the bridges, the artillery coming 10
between each command.
A person standing at the river side would
not have observed that any thing unusual was
going on. stationed myself at the upper eros
sing, between the hours Of 4 and A. NJ, and
watched the long dark lines of infantry and
artillery, as they fled across the bridge. and
along the base of the hill below the Lacey
House.
AS each command came over, they marched
to the same quarters which they had occupied
before breaking camp.
By 6 o'clock, SYKES Division Of Regulars
passed up the hill, and took their way AGREES the
slippery plain toward their old eneampment. A
heavy shower of rain had fallen about 5 o clock
drenching the roads, and wstting the poor sol
diers TO the skin.
Two brigades Of infantry. Of Gen. Butter
fields corps, (the tif'n,) were left on pickle IN
from. of tbs rebel lines.
Thus the crossing OF the right grand division,
and Of the left, had been simultaneously and
most successfully accomplished under cover of
night, and the Army OF the Potomac once more
rescued from the certain destruction and ami
hiation which tho rebel Generals had prepared
and predicted for At.
Uader the circumstances, the achievement in
in oil its parts, Is one Of the most adrolt, and
successful military pades which has Gee aired
during this evenltu war. The only parallel to
it IS that of the escape of the rebel army under
Jackson, alter the battle of Antetam, and fairly
balances that account. This may DE trv thtully
stated without admitting the parallel in other
respects.
These events are variously commented upon
glad to escape from y bad box, and find little
inclination to criticize tho way they were placed
there, or the manner OF their getting away,
Disparaging remarks and inuendoes have been
heard from some officers. who have been pre-
dieting nothing but evil sspce the removal OF
thsir" LATHE Mac y frsn the command OF the
army. Then there are the inevitable wiseacrts,
who always exclalm, /" told you So" How
many there are who know how the ship might
have been saved after she il on the lee shore
The arrival of Con. Sigsl. and cher large
Isinforcements, will inspire new courage in Tho
army, and brief respite Will prepare theE for
. new movement, under more favorable crcum
stances. and with greatly renewed chances Of
success.
A considerable number Of wounded and sick
oAcsrs and men were sent 10 Washington on
Monday, and also on Tuesday.
From The Christian Messenger.