Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-07

The OCCUrAIIoS or Bowling GREEN. From
the correspondence of several Of the city
papers we compile the following account Of
General Mitehells occupation Of Bowling
Green. His division marched on Wednes
day, Feb. II. nineteen miles, notwithstlnd-
the knes-deep mud and the barricades Of
felled trees on the ROAD. to Bell s PrOctor's
tavern, twenty miles this side Of Bowling
Green. On Thursday it marched an equal
distance, camping in the evening within
three miles of the town. About ten o clock
on Friday morning the General WITH his
mounted advance. reached the east bank Of
Barren River. To his great disappointment,
he found that he was too late to accomplish
the object of the forced marches of his com
mand. VIZ to prevent the destruction of the
railroad and turnpike bridges across the
river by the rebels. They were both IN
ruins, having been burnt only few hours
before his arrival. SEEING bands Of rebels
moving about on the opposite bank, he i'm
mediately ordered up one Of his batteries,
and shells were thrown across in what
ever direction enemies were visible. In less
than twenty minutes after the firing CON-
menced, the last had disappeared from view,
when the shelling ceased. The battalion of
Michigan engineers attached to the division
was Immediately put TO work, and in the
course OF the day constructed foot bridge,
by means of which the infantry Of Colonel
Trrchin's brigade crossed on Saturday and
took possession of the town.
Major Gen. Hardee, with the brigade Of
Gen. Hindman, that formed 81 long the
rebel advances about Cave city, was still in
the town, when our troops reached the east
bank Of Barren Riyer. Owing to the inter-
ruption of communication by the destruc-
tion of the bridges, the first intimstion the
rebels had Of the close approach Of the
Unionists was the first shell thrown into the
town by our artillery. The residents state
that perfect panic at once seized the
rebels upon its explosion. Without the
least order, Infantry. cavalry, and artillery
made of over the Nashville Pike in precipi-
tate fight. Some of the cavalry bad to
start atoot, tho frightened infantry having
unawares jumped on their horses, and scam
pered Of. A chaos of men, horses, car
riages, wagons, &c. crowded ali the roads
running Southward. So great was the
fright. that the wives and children of rebel
officers hurried of afoot. Gen. Hardee him
self is reported to have have lost all presence
OF mind.
Before eyacuating in such hot haste, the
rebels burned about dozen buildings. pub
lie and private, including the railroad depot
and round-house. with five or six disabled
locomotives. Most of the other buildings
they fired contained CommissarY and Quar-
termaster's stores. Some attempts were
made to fire the whole town, in spite of the
strict orders Of Hardee to the contrary, but
were foiled by tho Efforts of the citizens.
Ii is stated that the first shot fred by our
battery passed through one Of FIVE locomo-
tives, which were ready to move an immense
amount ol provisions. This at range of one
mile and three quarters, may be considered
one Of the most remarkable hits ever made.
IL was "a very palpable hit; for its effect
upon Gen. u,ndman, who was in the depot,
was ID scatter him and bis men in an instant
that pious hero swearing by bis Maker
that 1t xas too hot for them, and they must
run for their lives
The re e.s had Bowling Green very strong
ly fortified. About two miles northeast Of
the town, the river curves towards the south.
and when less than a mile away, bends ronnd
TO the north again by.a beautiful sweep,
which an engineer has told me is, for con-
siderable distance, an exact arc of circle.
Into the peninsula thus formed run both the