The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-05

SPECIAL Dispatch to the Boston Journal.
All through Friday night Howard heard the
sound of axes in the woods in front of him. The
pckets in front of Slocum's corps through
Saturday had seen large trains of wagons NOV
ing Southwest. Was it the enemy in retreat,
or was it a movement to check the advance OF
our right? Birney's and Whipple's brigades
and BarIow's were ordered to advance to see
what was going on. They drove in the rebel
pickets, captured 60 and ascertained that Stone
wall Jackson with heavy train of artillery and
10000 or 10000 infantry was passing up to our
right by new road cut during the night Gen.
Sckles was ordered to push on and cut the reb-
el lines. Gen. Williams of Slocun's column
was also ordered forward. The column fell
upon the enemy and captured 400 prisoners
Stand now at Charlottesville and take anoth-
south. The five brigades move across the open
field, and disappear in the woods. The other
brigades of Howard, out on the right, stand SCI
curely, as they think, behind the works which
they are, throwing up, Suddenly there is q
crash behind them, belching of fame and
smoke. the roar of cannon and rafting of mus
kerry. Stonewall Jackson has passed along the
entire front of our lines, and gone out mile
or two beyond Howard, turned square round
instead OF moving south-wes and marched rapidly
north. He comes upon Howard like a thunder
, bolt. lie is between Howard and the Rapidan,
Schurz's brigade, without standing an instant,
give way. The men are panic-stricken, throw
down their arms, and rush pell-mel towards
Charlottesville, running through Devens' divis-
ion. All threats, all efforts to rally them are
unavailing. Gen. Howard and all his officers
put themselves in the way, but the panic is on
the poor towards, and they fly like frightened
sheep. a
But Just behind Charlottesville is division
. which has not yet turned its back ingloriously
upon the rebels, Berry's division Of the Sd corps
: Hooker's own children, who were with him or
tho Peninsula. Howard took possession of 8
ridge of land short distance West of Chancel
; louisville, when all the available batteries were
Immediately put in position and held it, Sickle
and Williams who were pushing on gloriously
were of necessity recalled 1t was critca
moment. All the energy, nerve, and perse
+ verance of the commanders was needed. Capt
9 Best opened with 20 pieces of artillery at clos
IS range, throwing in grape and canister Pleasan
10 ton brought up II pieces belonging to the flee
ing corps and joined in the resistance
r The rebels by this sudden onslaught got posses
/. sion of II of ShuZ's pieces of artillery
h Hooker ordered light attack to recover VITA
d was lost In position At ten o'clock by tn
l. light of the full moon, Birney, Whipple, an
h Ward, under cover OF terrific cannonade fc
like tigers upon Jackson, drove him back hall
i mile, recovered portion of the artillery whicI
If had been lost, and enabled Hooker to re-forr
~ bis line.
d On Sunday morning, Reynolds frat corps
n. which had arrived from below during the night
a YVES placed on the extreme right, about a mil
Of in rear of the position occupied BY Howard, th
+. day before. Meade was sOnt over from the ex
~ IRENE left, and placed next I'M line, and en-
o. trenchnents were thrown up. Howard, will