Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-08-04
From the Army of the Potomac

received that Gen. Longstreet was sending
brigade of his troops forward to possess hun
self of the Gap.
Gen. Spinola, commanding Excelsior Bri-
gade. r. l., 800 muskels OF that corps, was at
once ordered forward The commanding Cen
eral supposed the rebels we're only in small force
on and behind the crest of the hill, about one
mile from the Gap, and supposed the Brigade
was sufficient to dslodge the enemy.
About quarter Of a mile from the crest OF
tbs hill there WAS stone wall and behind that,
also, there was small rebel force. Gen. Spl-
nola at once took an observation Of the ground,
ordered his gallant brigade forward, and with
fixed bayonets and yell, they rushed forward,
when the rebels quickly lied from the hill ana
took refuge behind the stone wall
Up to this the brigade rushed also, when from
behind 1t rose whole brigade of Georgians and
two regiments OF North Carolina sharpshooters,
all under command of Gen. Anderson. But our
troops needed them not, and amid shower OF
bullets, and artillery FIRE in front and on the
flank, rushed forward and, with the bayonet,
drove the rebels from their protection and sent
them scampering over the field.
The rebel loss was not less than 900, killed,
wounded and missing We had no artillery,
night our soldiers biyouacked on the battlefield
and next morning marched into Front Royal.
In this fight it is the opinion of military men that
the rebels outnumbcred US at least SIX to one,
but they appeared to be completely tagged out.
In this fight Gen Spinola received two severe
wounds, but is doing well as can be expected
New York, July %. The Times has the fol-
lowing
HEADQUARTERS ARxY OF THE PoroMAc, !
July ESP. NJ.
The positions of the rebel army are as follows
On Friday morning the advance Of Hills and
LongstreeIs corps reached Cul pepper. The col
umns were well closed up and three entire corps
must be there by this time. OF these retrograde
movements there Can be no question. Ewell's
corps it ia understood still occupies the Shenan-
doah valley, where it is guarding the fords Of
the Shenandoah river and the rear Of the rebel
army. This fact IS supposed to explain the re-
cent alarm about the alleged movements indi-
eating that Lee was not retreating, and was pre-
pairing to return to Maryland
PHILADELPHIA, July II. News reached Har-
per's F,rry yesterday that Ewell's corps is cut
off from Lee, and his capture or dispersion is
certain. Winchester was occupied on Sunday
]
would leave shortly on his retreat south.
WASHINGTON, July 49, According to infor-
nation received to-day the report is now fully
confirmed that the corps of Gen. Lees army
under Lougstreet, Hill and Ewell passed through
Chester Gap on Thursday and Friday, and are
now at and south Of Culpepper.
The passage Of the rebels was opposed by Bu-
ford cavalry, bat he was compelled to fall back.
Bulord, however, hung upon the rebel rear and
captured many prisoners and the herds Of cattle
heretofore mentioned Longstreet's corps passed
through Culpeppor on Friday and camped that
night south OF the town.
All the available rolling stock of the Virginia
Railroad was concentrated ut Culpepper, and it
was generally thought that Lee was making all
possible speed for Richmond but Gen Buford
thinks that the rebels intend to make stand on
the south side Of the Rapidan. Ewell'S wagon
train, with strong guard, went south from
Slrasburg by way OF Staunton, TO avoid capture
by our cavalry.
Our cavalry, through the entire last cam.
paign, signalized itself by a degree Of energy
and daring never before surpassed Rebel pris-
oners of intelligence unite in saying that our
cavalry has done more to defeat Gen. Lee s
plans than any other arm of the service. Stu
arts Legion fears to encounter our cayarymen ;
or, at all events, they do not court an encounter
Rebel prisoners and refugees are unanimous
in the statement that the morale OF the rebel ar
my in Virginia is broken, and that great des-
pondency prevails in all southern circles and
particularly in,the army. The defeats of the
rebels in the Southwest, at Gettysburg, and at
Morris Island, have at last convinced them Of
-. - 6, thak t.
plans, supported by the flower Of the southern
troops, having proved failures by the energy Of
Gen. Meade, and the bravery and endurance oil
the Army of the Potomac, will necessltatc the
reconstruction Of the rebel army of Virginia,
while tho detection OF Gen. Joe Johnston, and
his refusal to obey the orders Of Jeff Davis, will
compel reconstruction of the rebel army oil
the Southwest. Intelligent rebel officers, now
IN our hands, admit that this is the most gloomy
period for the hopes Of the COnfederacy.
Guerrilas under Mosby, White and others in.
fest our rear and pick up or kill all who slrag
gle.
An outrage occurred yesterday which hal
caused feelings Of retaliation 10 the army. A
Lieutenant OF the % Pennsylvania Cavalry, AL
, fred Beylss, went from Warrenton, two mile
out on the Salem road, to dine with lady frienC
from that State. While making his toilet tn,
house was eutered by five or six guerrllas, wht
demanded his surrender. lie refused, and fo
this he was Immediately shot twice through tn
. head, killing him instantly.
Threats are freely made that on the repetition
Of such outrages all the houses horses, stock anC
produce in the vicinity shall be confscated o
burned, and the perpetrators, il caught, hung OIL
the nearest tree.
One hundred and forty-four rebel prisoner
recently captured in Virginia arrived here to-da
Among them are eight officers, of whom Cap
tain, who was captured at Vicksburg and pa
rolled, but who had violated his word, and wa
Q again found in the service, armed and equipped
= Some Of these prisoners are anxious to take tn
Q oath of allegiance others to be exchanged
8 Two large military prisons are to be immed
5 atey constructed--one at Point Lookout, Md.
and the other at Rock Island, ILL.,,
!, NKw York July 30. The following is frol
Rappahannock Station the 9th
Z A Union force now occupies the north bank o
. the Ppahannock. river near the station. Tn
: Notifications erected by Gen. Popo serve I
= screen our pckes from the enemy . observation
Their pckets, mounted and dismounted, are i
plain view, and cavalry patrol their beats with
in short carbino range. One OF them, to-day
:, came within pistol range, but none of our mel
even pointed weapon toward him, and h
retired
n The river at this point is not now fordable f.
8 large force, although it would be possible fc
8 small body Of cavalry to CROSS
# 1t is stated by rebel prisoners that Stuart n
= longer commands the rebel cavalry, but hr
, been assigned TO an infantry force, and has bee
succeeded in the cavalry by Fib Hugh Lee.
0 WASHINGTON, July 80, Adyices from tn
Army of the Potomac say the llth corps is t
4 DO broken up. The lst division will 90 wit