Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-17

ebates tnat Oeh. Lee IS sun on THIS side OF
the Potomac, unable to cross with his army.
His lines extended to Sharpsbury. and are
formed by Longstreet's corps, whose head
quarters are reported to be Funkstown
The rebels we're busily engaged yesterday
in sending over their wounded and supply
trains on Hat boats. Two wagons were car
ried over in each boat, and the crossing
necessarily progresses slowly. II is not be-
lieved that any Of Lees effective force has
has yet crossed. Lee is undoubtedly antisi
pating an early attack. and making every ef-
fort to render his position secure one.
Should the anticipated battle take place it
will probably occur on or near the old Antie-
tam field. Our forces are rapidly coucen-
trating, and a desperate battle is impending.
The rebels were transporting their men a.
cross the river upon two fiat boats. on which
our artillery had opened and were shelhng
The rebcl army is supposed to be strong along
the river between Williamsport and Sharps-
burg.
Gen. Doubleday, who is here. declared that
raw Vermont regiment, which for the frs.
time smelt battle at Getty burg, behaved like
veterans. 1t was in the advance, and not
content with repusing the rebels, drove them
pell nell down the declivity.
A special dispatch to the Philadelphia In
quirer states that Bufjrd's and Kilpatrick's
cavalry arrived at Wilhamsport on Tuesday,
and attacked large rebel cavalry force there.
The fight was short but severe. Our
troops being outnumbered, retired towards
Hagerstown where they again encountered
another large body Of rebel cavalry and d.
vision Of infantry and fell back towards AM
tietam with 25 prisoners
1t is reported that our pickets have been
driven in at Antietam by the rebels, who are
evidently trying to secure another crossing az
Shephardstown.
1t appears that Fitzpatrick took Hagarstown
on Monday W tn slight loss and left brig
ade there. This was attacked by Ewelrs
corps, and fell back to the main body, losing
two cannon.
Both divisions retired toward Boons boro'
on Meades infantry.
The enemy have tow pieces Of heavy artil.
lery on the south side of the Potomac com
manding Williamsport ford. Gen. French
attempted to reach Williamsport on Tuesday,
but was repulsed
The Times has a special from Frederick, da-
ted July 7th. which says The total number
of prisoners captured and reported at the
night, including the wounded, is in the yicn
ity Of / 900. There is no truth in the sto
ries Of great quantities Of artillery captured b
us. l, is probably that we took one batter,
but even this is uncertain. The reason il,
apparent enough. We fought the batts
entirely on the defensive, and did not pursuI
the enemy beyond the contested ground.
About two-thrds of the burial parties sent
L d 4 l. I
The number reported by them thus far ia
26SO.
The total cannot fall under $500, not in
cludias those Of Wednesdays fight, which
the enemy himself buried.
Our Losses, as to-day reported, foot up H.
600 killed, wounded and missing. The Sd
Corps lost 4400; the 5th, 2349 the 18th,
$50; the I'd, 1900. The balance have not
ye obtained.
News from Williamsport shows that tho
rebels have lost two out of three ferry boati
by the late high water. Very little of their
transportation had reached the Virginia side,
but the most Of their wounded had got over
1t is not believed that Lee will attempt to
defend the line of Antietam, but has concen-
trated his army near Hagerstown, where he
will without doubt, await an attack
Deserters and stragglers from Lees army,
still continue to arrive in large numbers.
Lee headquarters are still at Hagerstown.
The rebels threaten to press into their ranks
all copper heaus. and are stealing all the hor-
they can ind
deserter reports Lee fortified and HE ar
tillery in position ready to give battle. He
thinks Lee has about $4,000 effective men
left. They are still hoE eful, and think it
was about an even thing at Gettysburg. They
had not heard of the fall of Vicksburg.
HARR1sBURG, July s.
News received here to-day oy telegraph, by
way OF London and Bedford, shows that the
main body of Lees army is between South
Mountain and Hagerstown. Gen. Lee will
probably select place between Hagerstown
and the Potomac, to give Gen. Meade battle,
as it is considered utterly impossible for him
to reach Virginia.
Gen. Imboden is at Williamsport with from
1000 to 10000 troops protecting the rebel
supply trains. Gen. Lees wagon train is at
that point, to the number of from 1000 to s.
600 wagons, making their way into Virginia
fast as their limited means will admit
General Lee evidently sees that there is no
escape for his army, and is preparing himself
TO give Gen. Meade another battle, which
will probably take place on Friday or Satur-
day. The rain poured down in torrents last
night, and has continued to do so until 2
o'clock to-day. The present food would de-
stroy any pontoon bridge in the Potom' c.,
even If the rebels had one, and it is positively
known that they have nothing Of the kind
The authorities are throwing troops up the
valley as fast as possible.
General Meade's army and the troops un-
der Gen. Couch are moving as rapidly as the
roads will admit.
Messengers to the Associated Press, re-
ceiyed from Frederick tonight, say informa-
tion. which can be relied upon, comes from
the front this morning TO the following pur-
port
The rise of the Potomac has checked the
passage of the rebel army. A small portion
of Gen. Lees transportation have crossed on
RATS at Williamsport and Shepardstown aud
his stock swan over. His ambulance trains
of wounded, have also crossed. but his sup
ply trains, artillery, infantry and cavalry, are
reported nearly all on this side. His first
line Of battle has been formed on the Antie-
tam fields. Should this prove true, he can
not receive reiniorcements and will be com
PEELED to trust the fate of his army to the ar