Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-06
FRoM THE ARMY or THE POTOMAC,
NEW YoRK, Feb. 26.

NEW YORK, Feb. 26.
The Tribune's dispatch says that the gun
boats Freedom and Dragon made reconnois-
sance on the 2lst up the Rappahannock. At
distance Of sixty-fve miles just below Fort
Lowery they we're fred on by rebel battery
and an engagement Of an hour ensued in
which the batteries we're silenced.
The Freedom received unimportant in
juries, and had two or three men slightly
wounded. The entire reconnaissance was
perfect success, and yielded great deal Of
valuable information.
The Times dispatch says plan has been
submitted to military committees for consol-
dating the regiments In the field or for filing
them up to the maximum number aud keep
ing them full from troops TO be raised under
the new conscrption law.
The plan does away with the present state
Of affairs, in which a wasted regiment, -.
haps containing hardly $50 muskets, has the
full compliment Of staff, line and field officers;
then forming them into brigades with brig
adler for each, and then 60 divisions with a
major general to command.
To-day's Star says large force Of rebel
cavalry doubtless crossed the Rappahannock
last night at Kelleys Ford, a few miles be-
low Kappahannock Station. Their move
ments from that point indicate raid upon
our forces somewhere in the viciffty Of STAFF
ford Court House.
Persons who came into our lines yesterday
represent that a considerable rebel force is
now at Warrenton, while others say that
jackson with some force has gone up the
Valley to Strasburgh. IL all these things be
true, our belief is that the venturesome rebels
will find their movements duly attended to
by the Union forces.
The Star also says last night our picket
cavalry gaurd out from Centeryille on the
Chantilly road, were all but one man captured
by rebel force. of about 100 men, after
firing two rounds. An example of course
will be made of the officer commanding this
picket, by dismissing him from the service
summariy for permitting their surprise to
succeed
HEADoUARrERs Army OF THE PoroMAc,l
February 27.
On Wednesday night, two rebel cavalry
brigades, Fitz Hugh Lee and Hampton. at
tempted to make a raid into our lines. They
crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford,
and succeeded by strong attack in breaking
our thin line of cavalry outposts at one or
two points, capturing small number of our
men.
Our cavalry outpost's reserves brought up
the line, Immediately reestablished it. and a
force sent in pursuit. Our captures included
two or three officers.
The rebels failed in accomplishing their
object, and retreated in great haste across the
Rappahannock, telling trees across the roads
and placing obstacles in the way of the pur-
suing forces The cavalry sent out has not
yet returned The rebel cavalry were COM
manded by Gen. Stuart in person.
Falmouth. Feb. ga skrmish took place
yesterday morning between a portion OF Stu
arts rebel cavalry, and detachment of the
9th United States regular cavalry, at Picdan's
forming point about five miles from this viii
lsge.
The circumstances attending the affair are
as yet not fully reported, but enough is known
10 establish the opinion that i, was the deter
mination OF Stuart to make his way to the
Potomac Creek, and destroy the expensive
Railroad bridges over which the supplies Of
this army are now conveyed in most part.
In this he was successfully defeated, and
his retreat across the river was accomplished
Just in time to save his force from destruction,
Inasmuch as the rain Of last night has caused
rise in the river. rendering it impossible to
ford it,
In the skirmish we lost several killed and
wounded and some taken prisoners We cap
tured about so of the enemy, among them one
Lieutenant.
WHEELING, Va. March |.
A correspondent of the lntellgencer under
date of Winchester. Feb. 20, gives the fol-
lowing particulars of the late disgraceful af-
f'ir between portion of our troops and the
enemy on the 25th:
"a rebel cavalry scout Of 80 strong came
inside of our pickets on the Strasburg road.
After a skirmsh with the infantry pickets in
which two were wounded on both sides, they
retired capturing cavalry picket Of IL men
of the Penn and n. Y. cavalry. A force sent
in pursuit recaptured beyond Strasburg, most
of the prisoners and horses, and captured more
prisoners, The captain Of our force, trans
cended his order and pursued the rebels be-
yond Woodstock. After driving in the rebel
pickets he stood parlying in the road, with
out guarding against surprise.
The enemy returned in force and charged
upon them, throwing our men into confusion.
killing. wounding and capturing 20o Of our
men, in flight of 90 miles. Our men made
no stand though outnumbering the enemy"