Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-07-10
IOur Army Correspondence
From the Peninsula.
WHITE HOUSE, Va, June

.Hossrs. Editors:
Since writing my last | have had an
opportunity to take a survey of affairs here
All the land for miles around this landing be-
fore the war was the plantation of Gen Fitzhugh
Lee. The building from which the landing
takes its name was burnt and several other
buildings last year, also a number of boats,
sloops, &c, whose charred hulks still remain
! There are only two small framed buildings left
standing, but there was y log houses standing
probably once occupied by Lees plantation ne
groes There are few negroes still remaining,
most of them very old and infrm. One of them
says he is l02 years old and remembers
the Revolutionary war and that the sons he
thinks are now fighting against the principles
the Fathers fought to establish.
1t seems small force of rebels occupied this
place before the arrival of our forces
They were building and had nearly finished
fortifcation of novel construction for the de
defence Of the place. 1t consisted of a turn
table like those used for turning engines on our
railroads, only larger, being about 30 feet in
diameter, on this was placed huge gun mount
ed upon ear, and around the whole was
thrown up a well built circular breastwork Of
earth about Is feet thick This was connected
with the railroad track leading to Richmond
1t is thought that if the rebels had only had day
or two longer to finish this work and prepare it
for US that they would have been able to deal
terrible destruction on our wooden gunboats
when they came up the river, but last Wednes-
day cur gunboats suddenly came in sight around
point of land which had hidden them from
view, and the first intimatlon the rebels had Of
their coming the shot and shell were thrown
among them and they were glad to make pre-
cipitate retreat. They destroyed their work
as far as possible. then run the car with the big
gun along the railroad toward Richmond cut Of
our reach. The wood work Of the turn-table
was still burning when first saw it last Satur-
day. water tank near by they had evidently
attempted to burn but had only succeeded in
blackening it.
\ short time after the arrival of the guns
came Gen. Getty's division Of the army from
Suffolk in transports, and were landed and en-
camped near the wharf, a portion Of them how
ever were sent out to guard the railroad which
is still in good order for running cars, and an
engine and several cars have since arrived and
are to be placed on the track soon
The l69th n Y. and the 18th Indiana arrived
yesterday from Suffolk, landed and encamped
near US. Just at night came the 43d Mass
from Newbern. y. c. and the remainder of
Gen. Fosters division are expected.
You have no doubt received news before this
of the fight between the 1lth Penn. cavalry and
rebel force last Saturday, of the taking prison
er Of Gen. Fit1hugh Lee and over 100 prisoners
The prisoners and captured property were
brought in here, yesterday. There were over /.
100 prisoners, also a number Of contrahauds. 30 /
baggage wagons, and a drove of horses and /
mules.
have heard. also, that the rebel paymaster .
was taken, with his pile Of Confederate bills. also
9N'NAoi lieNeS VI al littIN Vut OF tut cavalry !
men who was in the fight told me that our force |
engaged was Col. Spears Cavalry, with a single 1
company of Illinois boys that they all lldismount-
ed and went into the fight with their pistols and .
carbines that our loss was three killed and FIVE
or six wounded. The fight was a very short one
White House is now quite a stirring place
The river is filled with troops and the land Gov
cred with soldiers. There are three cunboats
here and large number Of sloops, steamers,
transports and propellers-in all some % or 50.
\ regiment, or more than one was sent down
the river yesterday, to land near our breast
works, two miles above West Point, and march
through the country in skirmishing order. be
tween the river to seek for any rebel force that
may he there. West Point is still in our possess
ion. J.R.