Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-12-12
IRON GEN BURNsfDES coMnAND.

II is currently reported that "Stonewalr'
Jackson has just joined the forces confront
ing us, and that his headquarters are located
eight miles from fredericksburg
Hampton Legion is securing the country
on our right, and occasionally picking up
ventpresorne Union soldiers.
The work on the rebel batteries is still pro-
ieoted vigorously and additional guns make
their appearance daily. Macy Of our bate
Iies have been protected by earthworks. and
extensive Notifications commanding the enc
mys position are approaching completion. -
The destitution Of the inhabitants here
abuuts is 80 great that applications are con.
stantly being made to our officers for means
Of procuring the necessaries of life.
The Times correspondent at Headquarters
saws the result of Gen. Burnside's interview
with the President is that he will now be let
alone, and be allowed to follow out his own
plans in his own way, free from bureaucratic
dictation at Washington and is confident that
he will have have from the government all the
assistance he asks for,
The Times Washington dispatch says
special Cabinet meeting was held yesterday,
which, occurring only one day in advance Of
tie regular meeting is regarded as an
event Of unusual interest.
Headquarters, army ~ Fotomdc,
Dec. 7.
A lady who came over the river yesterday
under flag OF truce, reports the condition OF
the rebel army as destitute beyond description,
and that they cannot possibly retain their
position during the winter. Quite one-third
u the army is without shoes, aud hundreds
are almost wholly without clothes.
The rebel army fires in 'front.' Of Falmouth
have almost entirely disappeared, and no
troops can be seen behind many Of the en-
trenchments. Notwithstanding these indica-
tions. the river and all naturally weak points
OF the line are still strongly guarded.
The Herald has Harper's Ferry dispatch
stating that General Gesry with $500 infan.
tty, u pieces of artillery and so cavalry,
marched upon Winchester on the Sd, and de-
minded its surrender, which was complied
with.
At Winchester 1875 rebels unable to escape
wore paroled. Seventy-fve conscripts claim
ed protection, which was granted. Five Of our
own prisoners were released. Gen. Geary,
IA pursuance to orders, then returned TO Har
per's Ferry, though large deputation Of cit
izens begged him to remain. Our loss was
only one man slightly wounded.
The people exhibited many signs Of Joy at
his arrival He reports to Gen. Slocum hav-
ing lett Harper's Ferry on the lst inst He
met the enemy's cavalry under White, Hen
derson and Baylor, at Charlestown, and rout-
ed them with loss in wounded, and march
ing into Berryvile the same evening, again
met The enemy and drove him into a trap,
killing five and woundDg eighteen, and the
same evening 9ivouacked three miles beyond
B,rryville. The next day be advanced be-
a.. -. ,.,tl III
ravalry and infantry. and bivouacking in Ash
Hollow, Between Berryvile and Wnches-
ter our troops captured one hundred horses
and mules and several wagon loads of -four
belonging to the rebel army.
The Heralds Washington dispatch says -
Information has been received here that Stone
wall Jackson's corps formed the left wing of
the rebel army, and that Stuart's cavalry
is on this side of the Rappahannock and oper
ating between the positions Of Gen. Sigel's
corps and Gen. Burnside's army.
The intense cold last night has occasioned
the delay of the cavalry reconnaissance under
Col. Wyndham to ascertain the truth of
rumor that body Of cavalry was occupying
Thuroughiare Gap and Warrenton Junction.
Col. Paxton, of the I'd Va. Cavalry, sup
ported by the lth Ohio infantry made an
Greek, Greenbriar county, on the Goth inst.
1t was a successful surprise, capturing two
commissioned officers, 100 non commissioned
and privates, 100 horses, 200 stand of arms,
4 wagons, and camp equipsge OF a regiment
No loss on our side.
On the day before a SIN II scouting party
OF the 9Th Va. had a skirmish with the enc
mys cavalry in Logan County. Our men
,v,ro hared and forcaA ratraato
though without rious loss.
]. d. COX, Major General
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
December s.
Reports from the river stations note sew
eial deaths from exposure during the past
forty -eight hours Large quantities of sup
plies are prevented from landing at Aqua
and Potomac Creeks by low water and ice,
the latter being two inches and over thick
Notwithstanding this the army generally
is proysioncd for / 2 days ahead. There have
been no movements of importance to-day
Many Of the regiments are erecting houses
The impression, however is prevalent thai
the present quiet will be Of short duration.
A special dispatch from Washington to tn,
W orld says the statement that the Army 0
the Potomac or a portion of it has crosse,
the river IA without any foundation, Jrec
arrivals up to a late hour to-day from Head
quarters, state that thtr has been no change
in the location Of the Amy of the Potomac
Special dispatches state that any moyemen
involving the probability Of fighting is con
sidered by our Generals Impossible durinl
this inclement weather. Every wounded
man would die. With grea. fires in the lol
houses and embarked palisades under thei
tents the troops keep tolerably comfortable
The immense volumes Of smoke that aros
last evening above the bills overlooking Fred
ericksburg and seemed to extend for miles il
westerly and northwesterly direction de
monstrated that the presumed retrograd
movement, if made at all, was meant only t,
bring the enemy under better shelter in til,
ravines.
The apparent fact of the continued pres
snce Of great body Of the rebel army il
front Of the right grand division can be bu
gratifying to Gen. Burnside for reasons tina
will be developed in few days.
North Carolina letters export the captur
OF number of conscripts and $50 horses an
mules. &c, by force of the Sd n. Y. cavai
~, recently in the vicinity Of Plymouth Al
so, a successful cavalry expedition to Hyd