The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-19
BY TELEGRAPH
4 O'CLOCK, =. M.
TO THE FREEMAN.

w VIC ht'uo says very hElTl Gu Datli5 lOCR !,
place on The Blackwatar on Tue,day morning |
Gen. Peck despatched the 18th Pennsylvania |,
Cavalry and Two sections of the Massachusetts
18th battery to attack The enemy entrenchments
commanded by Gen. Jenkins Of South Carolina,
opposite FRANK kiln. The tight commenced at 9 |
o clock, A. NJ, and was carried on bvskIy for
an hour. Two separate cavalry charges were
made on the Notifications. These were found
to be literally lined with infantry, who poured
deadly fire into our ranks, woundng many liz
the hrst charge, which was made by Major
Stratlon, who was wounded in the shoulder
The second charge was conducted by Major Car
ney, who led his men up to the Notifications to
try jumping the ditch, but the move was soon
found to be impractlcable. The enemy opposeI
y heavy force of infantry and cavalry to the
right and left of our position, in order to try
and outdank our troops, but without success.
The fight had not ended when the correspon.
dent left the field. The enemy's reinforcemenss
were coming up to defend the pass.
Only few names of the wounded are given,
and they are all of the Pennsylvania Cavalry.
A special despatch to the Times says Gen.
Dix has given The War Der artment the Port
Hudson report, with q slight variation. He
finds it in the Richmond papers OF the 10th,
and the affair is said TO have occurred ON the
18th. The Mississippi was sunk whils another
vessel, the name Of which is not stated, succeed
ed in passing the batteries and is now between
Port Hudson and Vicksburg.
1t has been ascertained by deserters from the
rebels who came off to our feet from Mobile
few days ago that an attempt was made by Ad-
mITal buchanan with four steamers ard u ram
about tour weeks ago to attack our vessels at
midwatch and was prevented by one of his yes
sells running on snag The attempt however,
s to be made again, and we trust that our feet
being now torewarned will be ready for the
emergency. Five rebel gunboats are being con-
structed at Selma, Alabama, two of which are
now on their way to Mobile.
New YORK, March 10. The Tribune special
gives an account of the fight at Kelleys Ford.
of which The following are extracts
During the night a force under Lieut.. Col.
Curtis Of the lat Massachusetts Cavalry was de-
tailed to advence in the direction o: Warren
ION. AT 3 p NJ. the force advanced. Colonel
Curtis as above indicated and Gen Averll with
4 the main force moved toward Keley's Ford.
Arriving at the Ford shortly after daylight
the advance guard found it we'll defended by
dismounted cavalry, and sharpshooters conceal
ed III houses behind trees ard fences
The approaches on both sides were rendered
e impassabIe by strong abattis, while the water
e was tour feet deep. After several attempts tc
, crFs under hot lire, platoon dashed into the
D stream, followed by the axemen, who soon re
mOved the abattis.
The gallant fellows were met by volleys Of
bullets, but 50 sudden and surprising was the
move ment that % rebels we've Captured. The
:, force immediately followed, and the artillery
was taken over.
After hal ing and resting a short time, Gen
Averlll ordered the column forward. and had
= proceeded but d mile or two when Ftz Hugh
Lee whole brigade were discovered advancing
In vigorous style.
Our men were Immediately brought into po-
o slloR, supporting "a battery, which opened al
II once, while the main body formed for charge
Our men bad the edge Of one strip of woods
while the enemy had like position ia the tim
bcr opposite, with wide and clear field between
the ,Wo. Advancing out ot this both forces
appear IN the open ground, the enemy ad
vaucng rapidly on our right, with the intention
of turning that flank, aud en- our left with th.
purpose TO charge it.
Both movements were anticipated. On oul
right they were speedily repulssd by our artiI
lery, and on the left by gallant charge unde
s Col, Duhoe, who led that portion of the col
umn
j.. The rebels stood only moment, and ther
turned and fled into the woods with disorder
leaving their killed and wounded on the field
After reforming, Gen. Averil again advanced
aud took upa position about u mile beyond
believing that the enemy would again attacl
If an Opportunity offered
TaIs proved true, and the rebels soon ad
!. vanced again, this time with artillery. The
cavalry Came up GA the charge in admirable
style, but they were met by terrific onslaught
of the 5th Regulars ard 81 Penusy lvania, which