Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-10-02
FROM WASHINGTON AND VICINITY


Army Of the Potomac says during Monday
and Tuesday, the advance Of Gen. Meade
army has been going forward on about the
same lins pursued by Gen. Pope. last year
Our cavalry occupied Madison Court House
on Monday night after driving the enemy ont
capturing nine and killing one. All the wo-
men Of that place took 10 the bush but re-
turned after learning that they we're not to
be butchered. The village is almost deserted
/ by the men, only few grey boards remain
ing. Three rebel soldiers we're found in the
Jail. They confirm the report that Lonestreet
had gone to Georgia, but cay he will be back
IN time for any fight with Meade. Nearly
all the men in Culpepper are under arrest.
and guards are placed around the houses Of
leading "seceshers. Several prominent men,
loudly protesting loyalty. have been found
communicating with the enemy.
A little severe disc pline is demanded On
Wednesday a heavy cavalry reconnaissance
was in progress and il was expected would
discover the position and strength Of the reb-
ell forces. 1t is supposed that their chief
strength is near Oordonsvile They have
only cavalry north Of the Rapidan.
The Times special dispatch says Meade's
cavalry and part Of his infantry are south Of
the Rapidan, and our cavalry have penetrated
to Orange G, II. without meeting any sight
OF a rebel force. II the enemy have retired
upon Gordonsville. there must be either a
battle there soon, or the retreat of one Of the
confronting armies
A letter from the Army OF the Potomic to.
day says Gen. Bnlorl with portion Of his
division drove the rebel pickets on Tuesday
through Madison Court House; three miles
beyond, he met strong force of the enemy's \
cavalry, after spirited fight he forced them
10 retreat. and drove them across the Rapidan
at point where the Gofdousvlle Pike
reaches the river Our casualties we're one
killed and about twenty wounued: we took
thirty-fve prisoners
The Thbuue's Army Of the Potomac dis
patch OF Oath says up TO the evening Of the
22i Gen. Fitzpatrick had occupied Madison
Court House after having driven the advance
pickets of the enemy three miles, capturing
nine and killing one.
The charge through the streets of Madison
Court House, was brilliant and dashing AT
ter having driven the enemy from every road
leading from Madison in the direction of the
Ripldan Tor two miles, Fitzpatrick posted his
guards and rested his command during the
night.
From the prisoners taken it was ascertain
ed that two brlgades of rebel cavalry were
on this side OF the Kapldan along the road to
Gurdonsvle. Gen. Buford disposed his
forces SO to surround the enemy and cap
ture them without a severe engagement.
To acc mplsh this feat be sent Fitzpatrick
to the right Of The Gord0nsvlle ro,d, General
Devins to The left and the first brigade Col.
Chapman, down the Gordonsville road. to
make the attack in front and rentre. Gen
Fitzpatrick reached the river without meeting
the enemy aud In order 70 find him sent some
Of his men across, but few Of whom return
ed, aud probably will not until exchanged as
prisoners Of War.
With the main portion of bis division he
moved down the north bank of the Rapidan
until hearing r.pid firing on the Gordons-
willie road, be galloped to the aid of Colonel
Chapman, who seemed TO be hotly engaged
Gel. Chapman whose command consisted Of
the sth III. Sd Ind. and 8tA n: regiments,
moved dawn the Gordonsvile road and when
within four miles Of the Rapidan, suddenly
came in contact with the old bngades Of Gen
Jones and Hampton.
Col. Chapman on discovering that the brig
ade outnumb.red him by only one brigade,
Gen. Buiord to come to his AID
A series Of desperate charges were then
made which lasted from p. m. till sunset. -
Col. Chapman whipped these old rebel brig
ades. killing between forty aud fifty, and cap
turing seventy-fve prisoners, among them /
several captains, and sent the rest flying to
the south bank IF the Rapidan.
Gen. Fitzpatrick, too, came up in the rear
Of this flying force, is said to have captured /
about fifty men before they reached the river
On the left Gen. Davis was equally successful. /
He met Lee. and for two hours killed and |
wounded between thirty and forty and brought
away sixty prisoners, in all these several
fights.
Our own loss in killed and wounded was
ely insignificant.
The object for which this reconnaissance
was made having been successfully accom-
pisned Gen. Bufori returned his command
10 the place of bis departure. The point
where Gen. Devins engaged the enemy was
near Bartett's ford, on the Rapidan.
Besides capturing over $50 prisoners Gen.
Buford destroyed large amount Of property
'aluable to the rebel army and brought away
with him lot of army wagons filed with
ebel stores.
The Hsrald's headquarters Army Of the
Potomac dispatca Of the 25ih says: John
runlin Co. y. l45th N. Y, Dan'l Sullivan,
20. +, 3th Mass. and Charles Williams, Co.
., 4lh Maryland regiments were executed to-
lay for desertion. The others who were to !
ave been shot to-day, were rospited by the
resident.
1t is ascertained that our entire loss in the
avalry engagement day before yesterday, was
hree killed, five wounded and one taken
prisoner. We buried twenty one dead rebels,
aptured sixty-four men, including six com
nissioned officers. Their wounded for the J
most part escaped.
The Herald's Washington correspondent 4
ays: 1t is rumored that Burnside's resig-
ation has been accepted, and tina, Hooker {
= talked OF as his successor.
Four hunared desetters from the Army of c
he Potomac were sent to the front on Satur- e
uy. 4
About 1000 union exchanged prisoners
rrived from Richmond at Annapolis, Friday {
light.
The delegation here from Missouri are said |
D be unanimously in favor Of Gen. Batter as L
he successor to Gen Schofeld. They ex-
ress a determination to remain until the lat 4
Or is removed and Butler or some equally \
ceeptable commander, is appointed. &
There is no prospect of conflict between u