Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-03-11
CROSSING TnEplToNAc.

CROSSING TIE POTOMAC
On Monday, Feb. p, concentration Of
troops took place al Sandy Hook BY tenn
porary structure thrown across the Potomac,
Col Gesry, crossed to the opposite shore and
occupied Harper, Ferry.
The construction OF pontoon bridge was
commenced, but owing to the swiitness Of the
current and ayoliable delays, it was not until
Wednesday evening that it was sufficiently ad-
yauced TO permit The passage Of troops.
The ponto0n bridge, on Wednesday and
Thursday, was in continual use, and stood the
test OF the heaviest burdens 1t was thrown
across the river about three hundred yards above
the piers of the railroad bridge destroyed by
the rebels. 1t was about thirty feet in width,
one third Of mile in length, and consisted of
planks placed upon q number of small boats
stationed with bows to the current. A few
tt,np0usEy C.savr3pgements OF the planks oc-
Cured. but beyond this and tbe drowning oi
several horses the passage OF the troops was
effected in entire safety.
CAMP FIRE ILLUMINATION.
At night hundreds OF fires burst forth upon
all sides Of the eminence at the foot Of which
Sandy Hook is situated They we're lighted by
teamsters and volunteers, who passed and re-
passed before the blaze, the outlines Of their
forms family defined against the dim back
ground Ii was not remarkably pleasant thus
to camp without tents, and to doze by the
embers which were one moment famed into
life. aud the next moment almost extinguished
by the gust OF wind On the opposite side OF
the river all was dark and gloomy the inter-
yenlng stream roaring over It's rocky bed-thin
sheets OF foam and spray covering and falling
over the rocks in the centre. The houses at
Sandy Hook were occupied, whenever possible
by the soldiers, but they were few IN number
and not ample in accommodations. The head
quarters OF Gen. Banks were established in
stone tenement near the eastern end OF what
was once the railroad bridge.
AT HARPER 5 FERRY AND on THE ROUTE.
OF this bridge the western span is complete.
On Saturday morning the employees of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, under the pro-
lection of the military, commenced the recon.
structon OF the remaining three spans. rhe
piers have not been injured, but are as good as
On the day on which they were built Several
weeks will be required before the work will be
advanced sufficiently to allow the passage OF
trains.
The roads on Thursday were in excellent or
der, the lew preceding days having dried the
mud, and rendered the mountain sOll as hard as
the most mperyious clay. No difficulty was
experienced On the advance from broken wagons
or horses hounderng IN seas OF mud The
March winds, by their drying influence, were
of the greatest service. Reconnaissance were
made by cavalry companies before the infantry
reached Charleston, but no enemy appeared aud
no shot was fired.
GEN. MCCLELLAN Al CHARLEsTOwN, Va.
Shortly after the occupation Of Charestown
Gen Mcclellan and staff made their appearance,
beng greeted by the soldiers with the most yo-
cilerous cheers and theEreatest enthusiasm. The
party extended their trip beyond the town -
Very few Of the residents remained, not more
than q halt dozen males being visible, although
women ant children wero moreabundant, show.
iug that the enemy had faith in eur willingness
to protect non. combltnts.
The houses We're occupied by cur soldiers i'm
mediatey upon their arrival, aud although in
many eases the windows aud doors had been
destroyed, they afforded better protection than
the thin canvass tents. Fires serc kndled in
the hlepaces, heaps OF wood gathered from fen
ces and frame structures were collected, aud in
the evening the rations were distributed to men,
who, however tired aud hungry, had ut least a
roof over their heads and cheerful blaze ut
their feet
TnE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company