Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-06-19
FROM THE d"" UF9HB POTOMAC.


YeOched this city yesterday from Washington
tina, Lees army 10000 strong, was on THIS
side Of the Rappahannoc, marching north
west, and Gen. Hooker was Fastening north
10 prevent the advance Of the rebels. Lee
before the close of last week crossing It would
seem by a ford above Fredericksburg, ana
pushing for the Orange and Alexandra kail-
road In the mean time by Friday Hookers
whole army was on the northward march, fol-
lowing that day line between Warrenton
and Catlett's station. All our commissary
stores have been embarked for Aqua Greek.
Lee has been Joined by large detachments
from North Carolina and the Black Water,
and all his cavalry has been massed on the
north fork Of the Rappahannock. Lorgstreets
corps has doubtless been Joined to Lees for
ces and our army has recently been heavily
reinforced from the Nansemond peninsula, and
elsewhere. No official or semi-offcial report
Of these movements have been received from
Washington.
The Times says the accounts we have OBJ
tanned from other sources but they seem to
agree that our chief army and that Of the
rebels are both on the move, and on such
route, and so close together that they can
hardly avoid collision soon.
dispatch dated morning Of the 9th at
Headquarters fifth army corps state that
troops and wagons have been passing there
all night. The troops Of the fifth corps are
still guarding the iords with orders TO be in
readiness TO move at a moments notice.
The Herald says editorially it is evident
that an active campaign is now in operation
on the Bappahannock. Harpers Ferry the
Shenandoah Valley and Upper Fords Of the
Potomac are points indicated by recent rebel
movements. Our army has also changed its
base Of supplies being tran ported from Aqua
Creek to Alexandra.
Another dispatch dated Third Army corps,
June IS" says the movements Of Lee in the
direction of Culpepper, have been on a larger
scale than was at first supposed, embracing
all his army except about 10000 men who
remained opposite Falmouth. No doubt Lee
intents to risk everything on a determinded
effort to cross the Rappahannock and assume
the offensive.
The Harper's Ferry correspondent states
that it is reported by our cavalry that rebel
force of infantry and artillery passed through
Sperryville on Tuesday last, the column oc-
cupying three and one-haf hours in moving.
1t is thought the rebels intend moving into
Western Virginia where they will make a
quarter.
1t is ascertained that Gen Hooher's Head
quarters left the station near Falmouth on
the morning Of the 18th and proceeded TO-
wards Dumfrees where there was a rest for
the night. Early Monday morning they pro-
ceeded on the road to Fairfax Station where
they probably arrived Monday night Pre-
vious to the departure of Gen. Hooker the
q IL l.. - . b.,
river below Fredericksburg, those on the sou h
side having previously been withdrawn under
the cover of the darkness and the pontoon
bridges safely landed and conveyed to the
rear, proceeded northward and reached the
vicinity of Dumfrees on Monday night.
Belle Plain and Aqua Creek were evacuated
and all public property secured. Up to Mon
day morning our army held the line of the
Rappahannock from Banks Ford to Kelley
Ford the rear being protected by sufficient
troops to hold the enemy at bay should they
attempt to cross the river below.
At o'clock cannonading was heard in the
direction of Thoroughfare Gap, thought to be
effort of the rebels to cross in force.
SECOND pIsPAIcH.
1t is ascertained that the maine portion of
the Army Of the Potomac has retired from
the line of the Rappahannock movement
rendered necessary by that Of the enemy -
The gunboats Of the Potomac Aotilla were
guarding the stores at Aqua Creek on Mon
day, but since then they have been removed.
The extact whereabouts Of Gen Lee are sup
posed To be near OF at ThorouL hlare Gap.
A Washington dispatch to the Philadelphia
Press, dated evening of the 10Th, states tina
the 9th army corps who have been lying a
Fredericksburg for some time pastS recrossec
on Monday last. No sooner had they lief
their quarters than the rebels we're at thei
heels. Fortunately, the crossing had beef
almost completed and the balance were ena
bled to reach this side without much loss.
1t is estimated that the move cost our arm
about 80 or 40 killed and double that numbe
wounded. The 9th corps being across, th
entire army commenced to move, for it wa
soon ascertained that Gen. Lee had recrosse
up the river at Rappahannock Station. A fe
days previous Lees army was reinforced t
the extent Of about so 900 men, Lee immt
diately moved in the direction Of Warentoi
Hooker prepared TO follow and the oppo
ing forces changed their bases and battle
unavoidable. 1t will probably occur in Il
vicinity of Bull Run.
Falmouth is deserted About 5000 sic
and wounded arrived to-day on foot and
ambulances. The boats have been plying
and from Washington to Aqua Creek durir
the entire day and before the sun goes dow
all the disabled will have been safely provide
with comfortable lodgings in and arour
Washington
From Aqnia Creek to Stoneman's Static
the rail way is in running order but all tn
portion below the Potomac bridge was cor
pletely torn up Saturday afternoon. TT
iron has been hauled this way. The brid
which spans the river about two miles belle
is taken down and the lumber secured
FROM WASHINGTON AND VIOINIT
WAsHINoroR, June l6.
The interest in Stewards cavalry oper
tions up the Shenandoah Valley has been al
sorbing here to-day. Nothing else has be,
talked of and little else thought Of Ii
heat has been awful and Washington h
sought its news literally in furnace.
On Thursday battalion Of Vermont cava
ny had brisk fight with rebel cavalry at Il
wards Ferry and drove them back across Il
river where they had heavy infantry supper
WASHINGTON. June 1912 NJ.
1t is officially known that up to this hou
the enemy has made no attack upon Harpe