Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-31

FROM T,HE ARMY or TIE POTOHAC.
The Tribune's Harper's Forry letter Of the
2lst, states that the main body of our army
is 25 milos south OF Berlin with no present
appearances Of forward movement. IL
ia not improbable that they will return
to Berlin. Lee lies between Martinsburg and
Manchester. His pickets occupy the Poto-
mac river from Cherry Run, 3 miles west Of
Martinsburg, down to Harper's Ferry. Fri
day night they drove in our pickets at the
Ferry.
They are in force at shepardstowu, Mar
tinsburg and Charleston.
The Horald's Washington dispatch says
the relative situation Of the armies in Virgin
ia, is to-day clearly understood here. 1t ia
apparent that Gen. Meade has the rebel army
of Lee completely entrapped.
He is evidently massing his forces to break
his way through to Richmond, but will prob
ably find it a more difficult undertaking than
the one at Gettysburg. After all the delay,
there is now not much prospect Of Lees be-
ing able to get his army back to Richmond,
or even so far as the upper end Of the Shen-
andoah Valley.
The Times has information from lees ar
my. IL is near Winchester, while our army
occupies position between it and Richmond.
Lee cannot advance towards Richmond with
out fighting at great disadvantage. He is
either holding his present position to gather
supplies or waiting for reinforcements.
Chambersburg dispatch of the 23d says
that a portion Of Ewers corps, which has
been encamped at Hedgesylle. is reported to
have fallen back on Martinsburg, Berkley
county, Va, Wednesday afternoon. Lee left
Winchester on the morning of the same day.
with his staff, moving in the direction of
Mddlebury and Strasburg.
Imboden is said to be guarding tho passes
through the mountains near Bath. which the
main body of the rebel army is lying in, in
and about Winchester. ID. H. Hill is report
ed as having Joined Lee with reinforcements
from Lower Virginia and North Carolina to
the number OF 10000 men.
A Chambersburg dispatch dated oath, says
Union man from Bunker Hill, Va, reports
that Lee and staff reached Strasburg on
Thursday. Longstreet's corps was there
The advance of the retreating rebels reached
Mount Jackson on Wednesday
/ HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
July 25,
/ The rebels we're in force yesterday near
Front Royal. We drove their cavalry from
Manassas Gap, about sunset. IL is now be-
lieved that the rebels intend to cress the Blue
Ridge at Chester or Thorntons Gap. At the
former place they will meet with obstacles.--
Our army is full of high expectations and an
ticipations
WASHINGTON, July %.
Advices from Headquarters Of the Army Of
the Potomac, re ceived tonight say that dur
/ ing the past week our troops have not been
idle, but by close scrutiny of Lees move
ments have, by rapid marches, succeeded in
baffleing his several attempts to enter Eastern
/ Virginia, and forestal bis attempted posses
sion Of the gaps Of the Blue Ridge. 1t is gem
orally believed nc is now moving rapidly to-
waSds Staunton, by the Shenandoah Valley.
/ He tried successfully Smokers, Ashby's, and
Manassas Gaps, but found strong Union
force already there. At the two last named
places he was driven back.
| At Chester Gap, our cavalry recapturod
4 I 100 Of the cattle stolen by the enemy, and
several hundred sheep. A large number Of
horses have also been recaptured. Several
brisk skirmishes have taken place. With
tho exception of cavalry engagements, the
principal fight occurred on Thursday evening
between Linden and Front Royal, in which
rebel brigade of infantry, probably Lees
rear guard, were driven through the town.
The cavalry have done excellent service.
Though the army has had fatigueing
marches and consequent prvations it would
be a mistake to suppose that it is to settle
down in idleness.