Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-08-07
FROM THE AMY or TBE Po1OAAC

brave boys will take nearer one and Rstonish
the rebels.
FROM THE AMY or THE PO2 OHAC.
New YoRK, Aug. 4.
The Times Washington dispatch dated yes
terday contains the following The state
ment that Lees forces are massed at Culpep-
per is not credited in military circles here
There is no doubt that he has strong rear
guard at that point. but the main body OF his
army is thought to be on the south bank Of
the Rapidan. The exact location and posi-
ton OF the rebel army will be ascertalned
within the next "a hours. The public will
not be surprised to learn that Gen. Meade is
about to make an important movement, just
what It is to be,ot course it would not be pru-
dent to state, but one thing is certain, ra-
tions for long march have been issued
A portion of our cavalry eros ed the Rap
pahannocA near Beverly Ford, yesterday and
other forces are already on the move.
letter from a distinguished officer in the
army of the Potomac, dated Watrenton, July
81, says: The rebels are very much discour-
aged Seven deserters from Mississippi re-
giment came in day before yesterday and sta
ted that there was no use fighting ans more
now that Mississippi had gone up. We ought
to have Richmond by the middle Of Septem-
Der.
The Herald gives the following additional
particulars OF the cavalry reconnaissance:
Gen. Butord's cavalry crossed the Kappa
hammock ford at 8 80 yesterday A. NJ. Our
force was composed OF the following cavalry
regiments The 9Th N. Y, Sd Va, ID U. S.,
9th Pa, 5th and lst U. s., 9th n. Y, Sth Ill.
and Eth Pa. The crossing was about half
mile above the railroad station. The OBJECT
Of the expedition was to ascertain the exact
position OF the enemy on the line of railroad
toward Culpepper, and the amount of force
they had disposed to dispute any crossing
which we might attempt
The enemys cavalry were encountered
about half mile from the ford. 1t was
portion of Stuarts cavalry and consisted of
jones and Hampton's btigades and the first
and second South Carolina regiments Cobb's
Georgia Legion and JEFF. Davis Legion.
Our cavalry drove the enemy gradually
without any severe fighting until point was
reached about one and half miles this side
Of Culpepper, where the enemy cavalry fell
back on their infantry supports.
We were then in turn obliged to retire az.
ter a brish fight With both their Infantry and
cavalry Qu men ,io,d up btavely TO their
work, Notwithstanding he disparity Of num-
bers, the rebels outuumbering us two to ono
after they fell back to the point where there
infantry supporters came to their assistance.
Our loss in the fight near Culpepper, which
was the most important, was a few killed and
sixty-sx wounded. The later have arrived
here and are p the Douglas hospital. Our
cavalry force only retired mile and half
after they were attacked by the rebel infan.
try aud cavalry, and held the enemy at bay
there. We took about 100 prisoners. Some
of their wounded are in our hands, and have
arrived here The rebel prisoners say their
loss equals ours.
Our cavalry under Buford made three sue
cessiye charges upon the enemy's regiments
those particularly distinguishing themselves
were the 9Th New York and LIST United States
A corps of infantry had crossed the Kappa
hammock and was in a position to render Blu
ford's cavalry most efficient support.
According to the statements Of the rebel
prisoners, the enemys forces are so much
scattered along the many fords of the Kappa
hammock watching the movements that no gem
eral engagement is imminent at present. Per
contra, our Union wounded in yesterday \
fight think quite to the contrary, though in
everything else the wounded of both sides
agree precisely.
A letter from the Army of the Potomac to
the Herald says ak or seven deserters in the
Eleventh Corps have been pardoned, and the
seventh, private in the 18TH New York
regiment, h,s been ordered to be shot.
Adyces from the Army of the Potomac,
say that the enemy yesterday sent recon
noitering force towards theRappahannock into
the vicinity of Kelleys ford, probably to as
certain our position and strength. but after a
skirmish the foe was driven back. IL is gem
orally believed that up to yesterday, Lee had
not received any renforcements OF conse-
quence from Richmond, but the rebels have
been sending heavy supplies to Fredericks-
burg, as ii they intended to occupy it in
strength.
Direct adyices from the front state that the
army of the Potomac is inactive, and likely to
remain so for some time. The various corps
are camped in healthy places near good water,
and have cool and comfortable quarters. The
first installment of conscripts reached camp
yesterday. From 200 to 400 daily are OK
pected. The rebel army lies between the
happahannock and Rapidsn, Lee being at
Culpepper. Everything is quiet within their
lines as within our own. Furloughs for
twenty and thirty days have been granted by
Gen. Meade,