Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-06-12

and says : " cstcrdhY hOon1 anu uncNpectc
", the engineers brigade was ordered to the
Rappahannock with pontoon bridges. and or
dered to proceed with the construction Of two
bridges across the river at Franklin's crossing
one mile below fredericksburg.
The batteties from the 9th corps under
charge Of Col Tompkins were likewise or
dcred TO cover the engineers in iheu work,
and Howes division Of infantry was ordered
Go the spot to support tho engineers and push
across as soon as the bridges were laid. The
only rebel force visible on the opposite side
was a double line Of pickets. who watched
our operations closely. but seemed to have
no idea that we would cross in open daylight
But about 5 o'clock the engineers commenced
unloading the pontoons, whercupon the rebels
hockod into their rifle pits and began to pick
off our men. Our artillery Of 20 guns or
more, Immediately opened with shell and for
two hours kept up a vigorous cannonade,
with little effect however, upon the sharp
shooters.
These kept in the bitches closely and pick
cd off our men at every chance. Ii became
necessary to storm the rife pits. At half past
6, the Goth New Jersey, Col. Morrison, Of
Col Grants Vermont brigade, was ordered
into the boats. They at once pushed across
under a severe fire and landing upon the OPP
posite side rushed upon the pits with cheers
when the rebels vacated them.
Our men were instantly deployed Skin
mishers, and in a short time some 60 Of the
2nd Fla were brought in prisoners Other
regiments Of the Vermont brigade soon fol-
lowed in boats till nearly the whole Of two
brigades were over. As soon as the firing
ceased the engineers began work on the
bridges and at p. m. had one Of them com
pleted, and the remainder of Howc's division
passed over. Our casualties were five killed.
among whom we're Capt. ChaS Cross, 50tb
N. Y, aud about twenty-five wounded The
enemy's loss could not have been large,
they were protected by their earthworks.-
Their Captain commanding pickets was killed,
and several men found dead in the bitches
Our forces advanced cautiously across the
plain, deployng as skirmishers very handsome
ly and by dark bad reached the BowlingGreen
road and posted their pck,ts for the night
well out toward the foot Of the timbered
crest on which the enemy have then strong
earthworks. The rebels were not discovered
in force last night This truly audacious
movement surprised many Of our officers moi
less than the enemy.
It's properly reconnaissance by which
the Commanding General hopes TO obtain
some positive information regarding the enc
my's intentions, This morning enough was
ascertaned to locate greater portion of the
enemy's forces. We took nearly 700 prison.
ers including one NJ jor.
Our crossing took the enemy greatly by
surprise. During the night Lee masscd two
corps, back from the vicinity Of Salem Church
and in front Of our line. Longstrect's corps
reinforced the troops in Frederick burg and
slept there last night + is morning they
moved in a southcrly direction BY this bold
movement we have demonstrated to certain
~ what has become OF Lee besides divining
his purposes. The mon behaved in the most
gallant manner. The movement has thrilled
the army with great excitement and mpa-
thence.
The Times Headquarters army of the Poto-
mac dispatch, dated Sth, 6, r. NJ, says, the
situation here remains unchanged. The po-
'ition taken by Howes division on the south
bank of the kappahannock on Friday evening,
s still peacefully held The only hostile man
festations during the last tweuty-iour hours
mas been an occasional shell from guns sta
toned on the bill on tins side.
Our skirmishers hold the line OF Deep
Run and the bowling Green road while the /,
.ss,~ray Su rNuin sight, about one lartcr
of mile further on. No large bodies of
their troops are in sight About one mile
directly in front Of our position is battery
IN sight, but this il al We Can sec. There is
evidence however that the enemy is closely
watching our movements.
Our troops lay on their arms in an open
plain covered by several batteries of those
fierce brass Napoleous. A large detail of
men is to-day engaged in destroying the enc
my's rifle pits on the banks of the river
can safely say that no general engagement is
yet commenced. There are indications, tho
not very numerous, that ere the week is over
there may be noteworthy news; though from
what quarter and in what shape, no one seems
to know.
The Herald's Washington dispatch reports
from the army Of the Potomac, June g. rep
resents matters there very quiet to-day. The
rebel forces were seen yesterday in large
numbers returning to the Notifications in the
rear and below fredericksburg. Ii is report
ed that there was review OF the forces Of
Fitz Hugh Lee and Wade Hampton by Gen
Stewart at Cnlpepper yesterday. They num-
bered from 2,001 to $4,000
One of the prisoners captured on Friday
below Fredericksburg, stated that it was ia
tended soon to make raid towards Wash
ingtou. If such design is entertained they
will find ample preparations made Tor their
reception. The object of the reconnoisance
across the Rappahannock was fully accom-
plished.
Among the wounded in Fridays recon
noisanee across the Rappahannook are the
following Vermonters
sergt. Maj. W. @. Davenport, 9TH. in
heel, slightly.
privafo pIsto l Cr..xp