Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-11-13
Trains arrive at Rutland.
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
On Wednesday morning, Oct. 5th, General
Pleasanton continuing the advance, moved on
from Markham with his cavalry towards Ches-
ter Gap. Before reaching Barber's, which is
near the mouth Of the Gap and about FIVE
miles from Markham, he came up with Stuart's
rebel cavalry, three thousand strong, support
ed by battery posted on hill. Col. Gregg
with the 9Th Pennsylvania charged on the bat
terry, completely routing the rebels and taking
prisoners. As the rebels fed, Capt. Saunders
with squadron of the 9th Pennsylvania regi-
ment charged on their flank, while Capt. Pen
nington, with another force assaulted them
with shell. The rebels left thirty-six dead on
the field and their wounded which were nu-
merous. Our loss was one killed and FIVE
wounded. On Saturday General Pleasanton
had another skirmish with Stuart's cavalry
near Little Washington, capturing three peices
of artillery and several prisoners, including
two officers.
Colonel Windham with detachment of
about fifteen hundred cavalry had a spirited
engagement, on the 5th inst, near New Balt-
more, with a rebel force of cavalry and four
pieces of artillery The rebel force was about
equal in numbers TO our own and were driven
back toward Warrenton and on Thursday,
General Reynolds, following up the rebels,
took possession Of Warlenton without opposi-
ton, the rebel forces under General A. P. Hill
having retreated on the advance of our troops.
Our troops found two hundred and seventy
wounded rebel soldiers in the hospital. Great
distress prevailed among the citizens for the
necessaries of life. All the stores were ex-
hausted of supplies and were closed up. On
Friday, the rebels still retreating, Col. Blais-
dell took possession of Warrenton junction.
General Geary with force of twenty-five
hundred infantry made an important reconnos-
sance from Bolivar Nights, on Sunday, sur
prising the rebels at Halltown, occupying
Charlestown and pushing on until the positions
Of the rebel Generals Longstreet and Hill, in
the vicinity Of Front Royal, were discovered,
when the party returned to camp. They cap
tared twelve prisoners and wounded several,
and brought home fifteen horses and twenty
head of cattle.
The forces of General Sigel have made a
series of important reconnaissance during the
past week. On Saturday General Sickles'
brigade was advanced as far as the bridge at
Rappahannock station to support Bayard's
cavalry, who now hold it. On Sunday morn
ing, Capt. Dahlgren, of General Sigel's staff,
with small detachment of the LIST Indiana
and 9th Ohio cavalry came upon and surprised
eight companies of Virginia cavalry at Freder-
icksburgh. Without giving the enemy time
to form, Capt. Dahlgren fell upon them with
sixty Of his men, when desperate hand to
hand fight ensued, lasting for three hours, when
the rebels were routed. Capt Dahlgren lost
only one killed and three missing. He re-
turned safely on Sunday night, bringing thir-
ty nine prisoners with their horses and accou-
trements, and two wagons loaded with army
cloth.
On Friday night an order was received at
the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac
"relieving" General Mcclellan from the COM
mand of the army and appointing General
Ambrose Z. Burnside, the senior major gen.
eral, to succeed him. The reasons assigned
for the removal are various and conflicting,
but the more immediate reasons are undoubt-
edly contained in the official letter from Gen
eral Halleck to the Secretary Of War, which
the readers of the WEEKLY HERALD will
find in another column. General Mcclellan
took final leave, on Sunday evening, of the
army In company with General Burnside
he visited several army corps in succession, and
as he rode along the shattered colors Of the
different regiments, bearing upon their face the
evidence of many hard fought battles, were
lowered in salute, while the continuous ap-
plause of the men spoke fully their love for
the General who was paying them his parting
visit. In the evening the officers attached to
Gesersl McClellan's headquarters all assem-
bled in his tent to say farewell. Only one
toast was given on the occasion, and that was
by the General himself. 1t was simply " The
Army Of the Potomac Tbs change in COM