The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-20

ries fell thick and fast in among them, tearing
up the ground on the flats and raising 80 much
dust and smoke that the rebels could not see
what was going on, or render any assistance.
Under cover of this fire the 5th and Goth New
Jersey crossed over in pontoon boats, and cap
tured the rebels in the rifle -pits-about $50 in
all The rebels made spirited resistance and
their fire was extremely annoying to our men us
they tried to cross. The Jerseys say they took
the riae-pit, and the 5th say they did, but prob
ably it takes them both to tell the whole truth
We followed soon after, crossing the river in
the same way, for we had not time to wait for
the bridge to be built Our skirmishers al
vanced, took the road and posted themselves be-
yond it. We took our position behind an alb
rupt rise in the fiat hundred rods or more from
the river Here we waited as the troops kept
coming in in squads, boat load at time, to
see what disposal would be made of US. We
were about mile and a half, | should think,
below Fredericksburg, on the same plain where
so many of our troops have bit the dust and died,
in former battles. Were more to be sacrificed
Tired of waiting for orders, and tired, too, in
more genuine sense, for we had marched rap
idly, the boys, one after another, dropped to
sleep on their knapsacks. Some pulled out
blankets and covered themselves for nights
sleep, choosing to make the most of the present
and let tie future take care of itself. If called
to fall IN IN haste, they might have to leave their
blankets, and perhaps get left themselves, but
we run the risk. Fortunately We were not dis
turbed The next day there was some sharp
picket firing, but no advancing. Our pckets
suffered severely. A great many were killed
and wounded, some say as many as forty, most
ly from the 9th regiment. They held their
ground, however, against these rebel sharpshoot-
ers, and finally the firing died away. Other
, troops came over the river, but | think IN all
there was but one brigade besides our ii vision.
We had batteries placed in position in front o.
u.s. All this time the rebels remained perfectly
quiet, except now and then random shot on
picket. No doubt the rebels had batteries that
could have annihllated us if they had seen fit tc
have opened on our men, but for some reason
they remained quiet 1t was a strange move
If we were going to attack, why wait? if not
what were we going to do The best solution
we could get of &" the situation - was that We
were Only feeling to see if the rebel force was
still there, and if not, pitch into them; if we
found they were, we meant to keep them there
to watch US. The Richmond Sentinel of day
before yesterday that we borrowed of rebe
picket, says that the whole affair is probably
ruse, but it says if we advance, we shall surely
be driven back.
! Sunday night we fell into line, and after wait
ing for long column to come up from the rivel
who were to relieve US. we crossed back agar
to this side. We pitched our tents on the high
bluffs that overlook the plain on both sides o
the river-the Stafford Hills, and re maaed il
easy supporting distance of our troops across
the river. The rebels took pains yesterday tt
demonstrate that even this place is not out O
their range by sending few shots puugins
through the camp ia manner quite the revers;
of pleasant. Idisliks occupying camp where
our safety depends upon the msgnonimous for.
bearance of our foe. But we have artillery
further up toward the city that is capable ol
teaching them wholesome lesson any time theil
actions may call fer it.
Monday night We wore ordered to 60 on pick
st We were to be posted away down the river,
nobody know where; but long before midnight
we found the right place and got duly posted.
=. The rebels occupy one bank and We tho other.
Yesterday was on post, and we held long