The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-06-26
June l6

We have but little reliable news from Eir-
GINA. The newspaper correspondents have
been endeavoring to ascertain the wherea
bouts of Lees army. One dispatch puts !,
at OR near Thoroughfare Gap, Immediately III
front OF Bull Run; another says that ht
holds in force Smokers Gap, which is the
upper one in the Blue Ridge range. Bu
our cavalry have been through these gaps
and no rebel cavalry was found there. This
shows that the Rebels are no nearer Wash
ton than the Shenandoah valley. They had
large cavalry force at Middleburg under
Stuart to prevent the Federal cavalry recon
noiterng the the central Blue Ridge gaps.
Gen Pleasanton has had three desperate bat
ties with Stuart at Middleburg-one on
| Wednesday and another on Friday of last
week and third Oil Sunday last. Full par
ticulars of the first two will be found in an
other column. 1t will be seen that Pleasan-
ton did not force the Rebels much beyond
Midd.eburg. On Sunday morning the Fed.
erals again attacked the Rebels at point
just beyond Mddleburg, and after fighting
all day succeeded in driving Stuart distance
of II miles to Ashby's Gap which he has
strongly fortified. Gen Pleasanton captured
two guns, one at Blakely, three caissions, and
blew up another. He also took upward of
100 prisoners, including one lieutenant colo
mel, one major and five other officers. The
enemy left their dead and wounded on the
field. Gen Hooker now holds Thoroughfare
Gap and Aide Gap, and We presume the last
of the Rebels are now cleared out from the
east side of Bull Run mountains.
The National Intellgencer says that very
late intelligence was received on Saturday
evening last from Gen Grants headquarters
warranting the anticipation that by Monday
or Tuesday of this week, the reduction and
capture of Vicksburg, so ably and brayely
and perseveringly attacked, and so long and
heroicly defended, will have been accomplish.
ed; and this, by the skilIful plans and con-
siderate humanity of the distinguished COM
mander of the Union army, without any
great additional sacrifice of life.
Gen Ewell's forces are believed to be il
Maryland, in the Boonesboro valley, from
$4,000 to 10000 strong. They have guam
titles of artillery, cavalry and infantry, ant
are securing the country for supplies. Tn,
city of Frederick, Nd, is occupied by fedora
troops, ard no rebels are in the vicinity. Tn,
excitement at Pittsburg, Pa, is most intense
Business operations are suspended, and tn,
people are fortifying the place to rea:st tn,
approach of the rebels. Other affairs il
Pennsylvania remain for the most part un
changed.
, Gen Hunter has been relieved from tn,
command Of the department of the South ant
Brig. Gen. Gilmore (now Major GeneraD ha
assumed command. Gen. Gilmore is quite
young man, is not over 81 years old, gradu
ate of West Point in lS49 the first in clas
of ~. He was assistant instructor in thu
academy for some time, was with our force
at the capture of Hilton Head, and was tn,
chief engineer and commander of the troop
at the capture Of Fort Pulaski.
The London Times has to admit that &c,
Grants campaign has been briliant-it still
doubts, however, the ultimate result.