Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-04
From THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
The Herald has the following
HEADoUARrERs ARMY or THE PoToMAC. !

nv t1tIhiu has Nut tOllOWlnK
HEADoUARrERs Army or THE PoroMAc,
In the Field Nov. u, ,--6 A. NJ.
The entire army OF the Potomac is moving
and before this can reach you. will be had
a fight unless the enemy should have taken
the hint aud moved toward Richmond.
never saw an army in better spirits and con-
dition. The roads are in a tolerable condi-
zion now. Headquarters broke up about /
O'Clock this morning. The last train left
line at quarter to eleven for Alexandria and
this dispatch will be the last you will re-
oeive from me until we return from beyond
the RApidan.
A Herald's dispatch from the Army Of the
Potomac. dated the 25th says battle is ex-
pected at Germania Ford, or at Jacobs Mills,
perl haps both. On Monday morning General
Craig moved his division Of cavalry according
to orders issued the evening pevious. He
crossed the Rapidan at Ellis Ford with his
whole command, capturing few prisoners,
driving the rebel piekets back with some loss.
When he had perfected the CT ssing. he re-
ceiyed the countermanding orders, and was
obliged to recross to this side Of the river
The same plan holds for the advance now
commencing. as the one adopted on Monday.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. &c.
1t is at last true that the Army of the Potomac
is on the advance. The line OF march was taken
up before day light this morning. Its direction
and the plan Of Gen. Meade are still contraband
till accomplished. A great battle will probably
be fought tomorrow There was considerable
skrmishing on the Rapidan. The army is in
splendid spirits aud the weather warm and clear.
Deserters from the rebel army state that Gener-
al Early commands Ewelrs corps in his absence,
and this corps forms the rebel right. A. Z. Hills
corps is on the left JEFF Davis reviewed the lat
ter corps yesterday. The rebel Gen. Posey died
yesterday from wounds received at Bristow.
Ninety-6ve federal surgeons released by the
rebels, arrived to-day from Richmond.
A man came into our lines yesterday who
has within few weeks travelled nearly the
whole extent Of the so-called Southern Con-
federscy.
Recently he was in prison as spy, but
managed to escape. He confirms all that has
been reported as to the scarcity of provisions,
and general discomfort at the existing state
of affairs. He estimates Lees force at az, 900
infantry. 5000 cavalry and las pieces of ar
tllery.
The Herad's dispatch of the 26th. dated
at Rappahannock Station, says artillery firing
was heard at Manassas during the uaSruing,
which appeared To be In ruv direction Of our
Fords on the Rapidan. The last supplies for
the present on the line of ths Orange and Al
exandria railroad. were issued d to the army
late last night, and very early this morning
the depot oommissaries and quartermssters,
with all their tents and camp equippage have
been sent to Alexandria.
Ngw YORK, Nov. 27.
A Washington dispatch says Gen. Meade
has boldly taken the initiative, and most glo-
rious results arc anticipated. The nights Of
fredericksburg are within his grasp, aud with
this stronghold in his possession and the
short line Of railroad to Aqua Creek for sup
plies, he may move rapidly upon Richmond.
reaching there in five or six days. His army
is well supplied with pontoons to cross small
streams on the route.
Accounts received tonight from the Army
of the Potomac say Our troops broke camp
yesterday Thursday morning and marched
towards the Rapidan, in three colums. The
right consisting of the 3rd corps, supported
by the 9th were ordered TO cross at Jacobs
Ford. The 2nd corps to cross at Germania
Ford, and the 5th corps supported by the lat
TO cross at Culpepper, between Germania.
and Ely's Ford. The entire column arrived
at Germania about noon. Only small pick
ct of Georgia cavalry was seen on the other
side.
The latest reliable intelligence is that Lees
forces do not exceed $4,000 men. Ewell, il
not dead, is released from the command OF
his corps, in consequence OF disability occa-
stoned by the stump of his leg, having bro
ken out afresh he has been succeeded by
Gen. Early. The rebel cavalry is nominally
5000 strong, but is in fact less.
me crossing points we're all between the
Rappahannock and the rebel position. A
portion OF our troops reached the other side
OF the Rapdan yesterday. and the remainder
to- day. The enemy were discovered in force,
but contracted their lines and fell back from
the river No opposition was made to our
crossing the river except at one of the upper
lords
Cannonsdng commenced at nine this morn
ing, and continued till Ave this evening, but
no particulars OF the engagement have been
received at Washington.
he news of Bragg's defeat was enthusias-
toally received in the Army of the Potomac,
and the soldiers are only too anxious to emu
late the heroic deeds of their brothers in the
I West The spirit thus animated will give
additional weight to the blows about to be
struck in Virginia. .nal
Late last night Mosby with force OF cav
airy captured train while it was moving
| f ON Brandy Station to our front. He Sc
cured 5 of the wagons and l39 mules, and
burnt 10 wagons.
The last supplies for the present on the
line Of the Orange and Alexandria railroad
were issued to the army late last night. and
very early this morning, at the depot. Com
missaTies and Quartermasters, with all their
tents and camp equipage. have been sent to
! Alexandria
| IL is the first time for long period that
the Army OF the Potomac has cut itself loose
from supply stations, and moved With its sup
ply trains laden for long march. Never Lac
It been in condition to move with so great
celcrty as now, every pound OF baggage not
absolutely necessary for daily use aving been
sent to the rear
If Gen. Meade succeeds in getting posses
sion of Virginia Central and Richmond and
! Fredericksburg railroad, he will be able to
establish shorter line of communication
via fredericksburg and Aqua Creek, and
also cut of the main rebel hne 10 Richmond.
thus compelling Lee either to fight OF reach
Richmond via Lynchburg oI fredericksburg.
Richmond papers OF the 25th depreoate the
advocacy OF peace by one or two papers in
Georgia as we'll in North Caroliur. and say
that the sole policy OF the South is "wsr,"