The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-07-24
The Retreat Across the River.
HOW 1T WAS DONE

J. c. Wilson, reporter of the New York
Herald, was taken prisoner by the rebels
near Hagerstown,' Md, on Monday last, and
arrived at Williamsport. He tells who and
what he saw, and how the rebels got over
the river:
Il was Immediately taken to the headquar-
tiers of General Stewart. There saw Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee, Robinson, Rhodes and several
Others On finding cut who l was, General
Stuart ordered that l be treated with the
most distinguished consideration. l found
the rebel forces rapidly marching to the riv-
err. The crossing commenced on Saturday
afternoon. Previous to this the enemy had
succeeded in constructing kind of raft
which resembles floating bridge. The
wounded, who had been placed in houses US
ed as hospitals at Williamsport, were put in
ambulances and sent over, then followed the
ammunition train. Some of the wagons
went by the ford, for it must be stated the
rebel force crossed in two columns, one on
the bridge and one through the water
The retreat was conducted in the most order.
ly manner. The southern troops are in nc
manner demoralized; they are eager for
fresh encounters. The principal part of the
rebel infantry crossed yesterday. In order
to blind the Unionists the enemy built a
long line of high earthworks, built camp fires
and during all the heavy rain that fell during
the night, drenched as they were with rain
! finished their works, and marched to VIII
Transport and crossed before daylight. Gen.
! Longstreet is not dead. but once more on
the sacred soil of Virginia. The enemy
found good place for crossing. Gen. Hamp-
ton is recovering iIom his wound"
OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THE CROSSING.
Dispatches from Hagerstown and Williams.
port, dated Tuesday, say that the rebels lost
some wagons and cattle in fording the river,
and that several rebels were drowned. The
rebels took away several thousand stolen
horses. They have left at Williamsport a
number of the wounded of the Gettysburg
fights. The rebels said they waited for all
attack from Meade long enough. Their for
tiications were very extensive, running over
ten miles in good position. the retreat was
fastened by the want of subsistence, they
having eaten up everything they could reach
in Maryland, and sent for supplies to Mar
tinsburg. Lee will be apt to occupy Win
chester ct once, unless federal force inter
fereS with his march there. In the attack on
the rebels on Sunday 1000 Pennsylvania mi
lita were put in front, and charged the enc
my promptly, suffering some loss.
WHY THERE WAS NO BATTLE.
Gen. Meade held concil of war on Sat
! -,
his corps commanders, when the question Of
attack was freely discussed. All the gener.
ais present were in favor of an immediate
attack except Gems. Sedgwck, Slocum, Sykes
and French Gen Meade himself was in ia
vor of active operations, but finding his corps
commanders equally divided, he hesitated to
give the order, and the rebel army was al.
lowed 10 make its escape. An order was is.
sued Monday night for movement along
the whole line at o'clock Tuesday morning
but that was day too late.
The Tribune correspondent says the corps
offices stood five for an attack and sever
against it. The former were: Gen. Meade
Gen. Howard, commanding l1th corps
Gen. &. X. Warren, chief of engineers
Gen. Wadsworth, commanding lst corps, aaC
Gen. Pleisanton, commanding cavalry corps
Or these Gen. Howard was apparently the
most thoroughly convinced OF the necessity
OF immediate attack: at least he was the
most strenuous in debate. Those opposed
were the oldest corps commanders, and then
weight carried decision in tie negative
The event has shown that this day, Monday
was our golden opportunity. Had the attach
been made We should have caught the rebel
in the midst of general breaking up, will
only thin lire to oppose us, with the road
full OF trains, with Il thousand wagons We
quietly parked at Williamsport: their arm,
its artillery, its trains, its vast spoils, woull
have been our prey.