Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-31


campod near Noans Ferry, three miles from
Point OF Rocks They attempted to crofs
the Potomac last night, with the intention of
tearing mp the rails Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad. but their designs we're frustrated by
band Of independent rangers, commanded
by Capt Means, who drove them from tho
river They remain still encamped at their
quarters
We learn further from headquarters that at
about 3 O'Clock this Thursday morning,
Lees entire army was in motion, moving rap
idlv towards Winchester Ewell. who made
move in the direction Of Cumberland, also
fell back and followed Lee. There are now
no parties at Mertnsburg, but a body Of cav
airy and some few horsemen scattered be-
tween that place and the Potomac.
Scouts report an increased body Of caval-
~ at Hatper's Ferry, supported by two reg
iments of.inantry, one Of which is dressed
in federal uniform.
NEw YORK, July IS.
The Times Washington dispatch says both
armies are very active, and great battle may
be fought at any moment. Gen. Meade has
Lees line Of communication completely at
his mercy, and is in position to strike the
blow when he pleases.
WAsHINGToN, July 81.
An important error of fact occurs in the adj
vices from the Headquarters of the Army Of
the Potomac published this morning.
The correction which the correspondent
desires to be made, although written yester-
day, was not received until to-day, He says:
On the 22d inst, while Gen. Longstreet
was endeavoring to get iuto Eastern Virginia
by way OF Manassas Gap, Gen. A. p. Hills
corps took possession of Chester Gap Our
cavalry made an attempt TO drive him out,
but he was too strongly posted for success.
They. however. kept him in check until rein
forced by Gen. Longstreet, when both Long
streets and Hills commands came through
the Gap and are now probably in Culpepper.
1t was LonRstreets corps which was seen
near Amisyille. Gen. Ewclls corps went to
Strasburg
WASHINGTON, July 81,
The Star says on Thursday last, while the
Bird and 9Th army corps of Gen. Meade's ar
my were lying at the mouth of Manassas Gap
this side Information was received thai
Gen. Longstreet was sending a brigade Of his
troops forward to possess himself of the Gap.
General Splola commanding Excelsior
brigade. Rhode Island, 500 muskets of that
corps was at once ordered forward The COM
manding General supposed the rebels were
of the bill about. one mile from the Gap, and
supposed the brigade was sufficient to dis
lodge the enemy
About a fourth Of mile from the crest Of
the bin there was a stone-wal, and behind
that there was also a small rebel force Gen
Spinola at once took an observation of the
ground. ordered his gallant brigade forward,
and with fixed bayonets and yell they rush
ed forward, when the rebels quickly fed from
the bill, and took refuge behind the stone
wall, up TO which the brigade rushed also,
when from behind it rose ii whole brigade OF
Georgians and two regiments of North Caro-
lima Sharp-shooters, all under command Of
Gen. Anderson, but our troops needed them
not, and amid a shower of bullets and artillery
fire in front and on the flank, pushed forward,
and with the bayonet drove the rebels from
their protection and sent them scampering
over the field.
The rebel loss was not less than 500 killed,
wounded and missing. We had no artillery
while the rebels had at least seventeen pieces.
That night our soldiers bivonacked on the
battlefield and next morning marched into
Front Royal.
In this fight it is the opinion of military
men the rebels outnumbered us at least six to
one,but they appeared to be completely tagged
out.
In this fight Gen, Spinola received two
severe wounds but is doing as well as can
be expected
Advice, nom Tho army of the Potomac say
that large uambel of b, rres have been found
IN the mountain gorge, aud Appropriated by
our troops Our cavalry held the line of the
Rappahannock on Saturday between Kelly's
Ford and Waterloo.
The Times has the following:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
July 25-6 p. M.
The position of the rebel army is as fol-
lows:
On Tuesday morning. the advance OF Hills
and l.ongstreet's corps reached Culpepper.
The columns were well closed up, and theft
entire corps must be there by this time. o.
this retrograde movement, there can be nd
question. Ewelrs corps it is understood
still occupies the Shenandoah Valley, where
it is guarding the fords of the Shenandoah
river and the rear of the rebel army This
fact is supposed to explain the recent alarm
about the alleged movements indicating that
Lee was not retreating, and was preparing "a
return to Maryland.
PHILADELPHIA, July 81
News reached Harper's Ferry yesterday
that Ewoli's corps is cut off from Lee and
his capture or dispersion is certain. Winches.
ter was occupied on Sunday by a few rebel
cavalry under Col. White, who would leave
shortly on his retreat south
WASHINGTON, July %.
According to information received to-day
the report is now fully confirmed that the
corps Of Gen Lees army under Longstreet,
Hill and Ewell passed through Chester Gan
on Thursday and Friday, and are now at and
sonth Of Culpepper.
The passage Of the rebels was opposed by
Buford's cavalry, but he was compelled to fall
back Buford, however, hung upon the rebe
rear and captured many prisoners and the
herds Of cattle heretofore mentioned. Long.
streets corps passed through Culpepper on
Friday and camped that night south Of the
town.
All the available rolling stock OF the Vir-
ginia railroad was concentrated at Culpepper,
and it was generally thought that Lee was
making all possible speed for Richmond but
Gen. Buford thinks that the rebels intend to
make a stand on tie south side Of the Rapi-
dan. Ewelrs wagon train, with a strong
guard, went south from Strasburg by way OF
Stauptap 10 avoil conturo H.. ,..