Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-08

ing ut is with Satisfaction the NonWanu-
ing General announces 70 the army that the
operations Of the last three days have termin-
ated that our enemy must ingloriously fly or
come out from behind his defcncos and give
us battle on our ground, where certain de-
struction awaits him"
The Herald states that battle began at 8
A. M Saturday on both the right and lett
wings. Cannonading on the LEFT wing was
very heavy Gen. Sedgwick was engaged on
the flats which Gen. Franklin occupied on the
former attack
The Times correspondent, dating In the
field, near Charlottesville, at 10 p. NJ, May
lst," states that the I'D army corps took po-
sition the night previous on the left, and the
Sd corps reached the front about noon. The
position then occupied is thus described
1--WE hold the Cordonsville road securely,
and the County road leading to SpotsylvSnis
Court House, and another road four miles in
the rear of that. The enemys flank is thus
dangerously exposed, and If they fight it must
be in the open field. dispatch captured,
from Lee to an engineer officer, dated April
29th, says he Lee was much surprised at this
movement; had not anticipatedit it, and was not
prepared to give instructions. About noon a
movement was made to endeavor to bring out
the enemy, and compel him to deyelope his
strength. Our men entered the field with much
enthusiasm. Only one regiment Of cavalry
first charged on the rebel infantry, the latter
driving ours back repeatedly, when a small
force of infantry supported our cavalry, check
ing the rebels Our division under Sykes
anda rebel division under Anderson, then be-
came engaged. Our troops drove the rebels
from two ridges parallel with the RaFpahan-
mock, gaining mile and fifty ptisoners-when
Hooker ordered then to retire, not wishing to
bring on a general engagement. The rebels
took our retirement for check and followed
rapidly. On top the first ridge the rebels
halted moment, gave yell and came dou-
BILE quick, but we're met by Sykes division
who poured in terrible fire at very short
range. The contest lasted three fourths of
an hour and extended to the Cross Roads,
where twenty-five guns sheled the woods ef-
fectually and the rebe,s retired During the
afternoon the rebels made several attempts on
our lines but were ropulsed At 80 PM,
they made a desperate charge to capture our
battery commanding our Plank Road to Fred
ericksburg, but were handsomely rcpulsed by
Geary, assisted by Knapp's and Hampton 5
batteries who double shotted their guns with
grape and canister. During the night both
our and the rebel forces built earthworks
and abaiis and battle on Sunday was thought
would be opened by the rebels"
The Tribune has Issued another Extra with
news from the front up TO Sunday A. NJ. At
that time our left occupied Fredericksburg
and the first line Of rcdoubts, and was moving
on to the second line. The rebels had march
ed their whole force in the direction Of Chan
l., 4.
10000 men in the first line Our left drove
them out and took possession.
The Herald has an Extra with news up to
IL A. NJ Sunday. The cannonading on the
right continued with great fury The river
was crossed, and the redoubts we're carried
with great ease, and with very slight loss -
The rebels had marched away in the direction
Of Charlottesville, 10 miles above Freder-
icksburg, to attack our right wing there post
ed, leaving at first only 10 900 men, and sub
sequently not more than from 5000 to 1000
in their works, as was ascertained by a recon-
noissance from loves balloon.
The enemy had been forced to fight on the
ground of Gen. Hooker's choosing as he
promised his soldiers in the general order
published this morning, should be the case
1t was believed in both wings tina; General
tween TIE rebels snd Richmond had proved
successful, thus cutting off the only path Of
retreat. So confident was Gen. Hooker at
Falmouth of success, that, in conformity with
his orders, force had already commenced to
rebuild bridge over the Rappahannock.
Tho troops are in the finest spiI,ts, and every
thing looks proptiuus.
The Herald's Extra Of this morning say,
IL = q. a.
o'clock, Sunday A. NJ. severe fight ha,
been going on since the previous morning. -
The heights Of Fredericksburg were gallant,
stormod and captured by our troops unde
Gen. Sedgwick, with loss of 800 killed an,
wounded. The fighting on the right of gu
line was continued with great fury on the at
ternoon of Saturday. During the night ant
on Saturday morning Gen. Lee appears Il
have concentrated his forces upon this point
and partially abandoned tho defences Of Fred
ericksburg. 1t was at Charlottesville tina
the principal strength OF Houkers army ha,
been massed, and the fighting was terrific
Three assaults of the enemy were successful
ly repulsed. Meanwhile, Stoneman with hi
cavalry was in the rear Of the rebels, and Gu
the road in two places Gen. Berry killed
Gen. Deyins wounded.
A letter from Falmouth dated Sunday. /
p. M, states that Gen. Sedgwick atlaeke
the heights Of Fredericksburg, and arrice
them by storm, capturing the 10th aud l8t
Mississippi regiments, one company Of the ia
nous Washington artillery of New Orlean
and part Of Alexander's artllery--in all eigh
guns and over l 900 prisoners.
The Post prints the following:
"The battle Of Sunday was renewed o
Monday morning. The enemy appear t
have forces equal in number to our own, an
his successive attacks were made with de,
perate spirit. The destruction of the raj
road south Of Fredericksburg has been aC
complshed, and the road to Richmond.
thus cut off 10 the enemy.
The World states that the battle was re
sumed on Monday, and was most despsr
ate affair. The rebels made a series OF sup
erhuman attacks on all sides, bus were re
pulled with terrific slaughter.
Our forces have destroyed the bridges
the rear of the rebels across the Mattapon
river, thus completely cutting all retreat fc
them to Richmond.
Stoneman's cavalry in the rear OF the rel
els are said to have cut the Virginia Centrl
railroad, near Milford Station southwest
Chancellorsville, tearing up five miles Of th
track and capturing rebel supply train, thu
n IL