Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-12-18

hccfetnBty tpe fta MieuiSau anu iS"i
: Massachusetts. two small regiments, nun.
: bering in all about 400 men, were select,
ed for the purpose. The plan was that
: they should take the pontoon boats of the
first bridge of which there were ten lying
on the bank of the river, waiting to be
added to the half finished bridge, cross
over in them, and landing, drive out the
rebels. Nothing could be more admira.
! bic or more gallant than the execution Of
this daring feat. Rushing down the
steep banks Of the river, the party found
temporary shelter behind the pontoon
boats lying scattered on the bank, and
behind the piles Of planking destined for
. the covering of the bridge, behind rocks,
sc. In this situation they acted some
fifteen or twenty minutes as sharpshooters,
they and the rebels observing each other.
In the meantime new and vigorous artil-
lery firing was commenced on our part,
and just as soon as this was fairly devel-
oped, the 9TH Michigan rose from their
crouching places, rushed for the pontoon
boats, and pushing them into the water
rapidly filled them with twenty-five or
thirty each. The first boat pushed off.
Now if ever, is the rebels opportunity.
Crack crack crack from fifty lurking
places 60 rebel rifles at the gallant fellows
who, STOPPING low in the boat, seek to
avoid the fire. The murderous work was
we'll done. Justify, however, pull the
oarsmen, and presently, having passed
the middle of the stream, the boat and
its gallant freight come under cover of
the opposite bluffs.
Another and another boat follows. Now
is their opportunity. Nothing could be
more amusing, in its way, than the re-
suit. Instantly they see new turn of af-
fairs. The reuels pep up by the hundred,
like 50 many rats, from every cellar, rife
pit and stone wall, and scamper off up
the streets of the town. With all their
feetness however, many Of them were
much too slow. With incredible rapidity
the Michigan and Massachusetts boys
swept up the hill. making rush for the
lurking places occupied by the rebels, and
gaining them, each man captured his two
or three prisoners. The pontoon boats on
their return trip took over more than a
hundred of these fellows.
| You can imigine with what intense in
terest the crossing of the first boat-load of
our men was watched by the numerous
spectators on the shore, and with what ell
thusiastic shouts their landing on the OPP
posite side was greeted. 1t was an au-
thcntic piece of human heroism, which
moves men as nothing else Can. The
problem was solved. This fash of brav-
cry had done what scores of batteries and
tons of metal had failed to accomplish.
Gen. Burnside seems to have outwitted
the rebel commanders. By sending some
troops and trains of empty wagons down
the river towards Port Royal, he made
the rebels suppose that he meant to cross
at that point. The wagons came back by
. different road, but large forces of the
rebels remained on the watch at Port
Royal. Jackson's division is believed to
} have been there.
On Friday morning, Hampton's rebel
cavalry captured Dumfries, o town about
half way from Washington to Fredericks-
burg. They cut the telegraph wires, car.
ried off the operators, and parolcd num-
Der Of officers who happened to be in the
place Later in the day, Gen. Stcinwehr,
} in command Of Gen. Sigels advance, at.
tackled the rebels and fight eusued. In
consequence of this occurrence, there was
| no telegraphic communication with Gen
: Burnside during the day. and there were
, current rumors that our forces had suffer
ed a repulse. The wires have since beer
restored.
! Gen. Sigel is reported to be moving
towards Gordensville, and to be in full
. communication with Gen. Burnside. This
movement protects Burnside's right Aanl
: and prevents any rebel flank movement OF
: our right Gen. slocum has also advanc
] ed from Harpcr's Ferry with considera
hla fnroa and mos hatwaan ctraoh,,.,, n ~,