Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-09
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE FREEMAN

'N~IP dnauuVChi anu Gays lSdIeludJ hOoii
very unexpectedly to everybody, the engineer
brigade was ordered to the Rappahannock with
pontoon bridges, and ordered TO proceed with |
the construction OF two bridges across the river
at Franklin's crossing, one mile below Frede- |
ricksburg.
The Batteries from the 10th corps, under
charge Of Col. Tompkins, were likewise ordered
to cover the engineers in their works, and
Howe's division of Infantry was ordered to the
spot to support the engineers and push across as
the bridges we're laid.
The only rebel force visible on tie opposite
side was a do uble line of pckets, who watched
our operations closely, but seemed to have no
idea that We would cross in open day light.
But about o'clock the engineers commenced
unloading the pontoons, wbereupon the rebels
hocked into their rifle pits and began to pick off
our men. Oar artillery Of 20 guns or more i'm
medatey opened with she'll, and for two hours
kept up a vigorous cannonade, with little effect,
however, upon the Sharpshooters. These kept
in the bitches closely and picked of our men at
very chance.
IL became necessary to storm the rihe-pits,
and at half.past SIX, the 26th New jersey, Col.
Morrison, Of Col. Grants Vermont brigade, was
ordered into the boats They at once pushed
across under a severe fire, and, landing upon
the opposite side, rushed upon the pits with
cheers, when the rebels vacated them.
Our men instantly deployed as aklrmishers,
and ia short time some 60 Of the I'd Florida
were brought in prisoners. Other regiments OF
the Vermont Brigade soon followed in boats,
till nearly the whole Of two brgades were over.
AS soon as the firing ceased, the engineers be-
gan work on the bridges, and at 8 p. NJ. had
one Of them completed, and the remainder of
llowe's division passed over.
Our casualties were killed, among whom
were Capt Chas f.. Cross OF the 50th New,
York, and about IS wounded. The enemy's
loss could not have been large, as they were
protected by their earthworks. The captain
commanding the picket was killed, and several
men found dead 10 the bitches.
| Our forces advanced cautiously across the
plain, deploying as skirmisheTs, very handsome
Ily By dark they bad reached the Bowling
Green road and posted their pickets for the night
well out towards the foot of the tmbere9 crest
on where the enemy have their strong earth
works. The rebels were not discovered in force
last night.
THIS truly audacious movement surprised
many OF our officers not less than the enemy
1t is properly Reconnaissance by which the
Commanding General hopes to obtain some pos
tive information regarding the enemys inten-
TONS his morning enough was aacerlaned
to locate the greater portion OF the enemy forces
We took nearly 100 prisoners, including one
Major Our crossing took the enemy greatly
by surprise
During the night Lee marched two corps back
from the vicinity Of Salem Church to position
in front Of our line. Longstreets corps rein
forced the troops in Fredericksburg and slept
there last night. This morning they moved IN
a sou,herly direction.
BIZ this bold movement we have demonstrated
TO certainty what has become OF Lee, besides
diyining his purposes The men behaved IN the
most gallant manner. The movement has thrilled
the army with excitement and impotence.
NV YoRK, June G. A Murireesboro cores
pondent Of she Philadelphia Inquirer writing
on the 18th inst, says Last night there was an
assemblage at the headquarters Of the General
in-Chici Of the commanders Of corps and divl'
> sions.
They did not adjourn till the small hours OIL
morning had begun to pass. Oi their decRlon
will not speak. Let me say to you, however, Il
Is probable ere this reaches you the result will
be made known to you By telegraph. Scout
bring in the word that Gen Bragg is at Shelby
Vile and that his army, about 20 600 infantry
thanked by large bodies of cavalry are at Guy
, and Hookers Gaps on this side Of Shelbyyille
If be is as stron ely fortified there, as is mos
= likely, twill be 0 small matter to dlsodge him
o bnt thus army is very well disciplined and read,
f for an advance, and prepared for anything like
. fair opportunity TO signalize their Vaior
NEw YoRK, June 6. A Washington cores
t pendent of the evening paper states that tn
o War Department is in immediate communica
ton with Gen. Grant by telegraph direct I
Memphis.
c The wires are working from that city RICH
(. into the War Department, and thence by dis
a patch boat 10 Gen. Grants headquarters.
His dispatches for several days are Of mos
: confident nature, though their details would b.
;. improper for publication. lie fears nothin
from any reiniorcements which may be sent t
. bis rear.
'e PuIApEIpnIA, June 6. The Bulletin has tn
IS following
il CiNclSNArI, June 6. Advices from Veksburl
n, to June . contain no particular news 1en
Grant is able to press the siege and take care {
81 Johnston, who is still posted at jackson. III
l. reported march on Memphis is not confirmed,
Our siege guns are close up to the enemy
works aud playing vigorously on them and tn
town. On the LIST inst, the rebels shot 81
a horses on the river bank, being unable to Ice
them. Gen. Blair is up the Yazoo. lmrortar
news is expected from him.
= HKApouARrRRs Army OF ThR PoToNAc,
D. June 6.
a Col. Kilpatrick's cavalry brigade arrive
q, , here last evening IRON Yorktown, by the wa
&c of Urbana and Northern Neck. Since leayin
Urbana they have gathered 500 horses an
mules. IS vehicles and $50 contrabands, all b'
50 of whom are valuable field hands. MAG
Stoakes of the 4Oth Virginia, Lieut.. Wilhelm
OF Gales Light Artillery, and member OF ii
IS rebel signal corps were also taken prisoners
er WASHINGTON, June 6. The Government t
- night has official adyices from VicSsourg to u
i. Sd inst. The dispatch, whio stating that Il
IN siege continues, makes no mention OF events
OF startling Importance
ST. CINCINNATI, June I. Adams Express col
~ pany have sdvices from their superintendent
lie Memphis to the 80 inst. The dispatch fro
NJ Gen. Pemberton to Gen. Johnston, captured
nj Thursday, reads, "0ur forage is all gone. [
er men are on 4 rations. The ammunition is ne0
us " exhausted. We can hold out ten days.
We Er;dav Dan Grant ordered every gun into po