Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-12

upon Gen. Caldwell determined to storm the
rebel works, when ten OF twelve pieces were
put in position. He drew the FIRE of these
batteries, discovered that the works were
swarming with the enemy and deemed Il pru-
dent to fall back to the protection Of his rife
pits. There he remained, but towards night
the rebels opened upon and endeavored to
force him to retire from that position. He
held his ground, losing about i6y-ive
men, killed and wounded, and he rested
his command in the rife pits during the night.
The Washington Star has the following
Parties coming from the front represent thet
we experienced considerable loss on the re-
turn of our troops from the late denomination.
IL is stated that some of our pontoons were
lost on the Rapidan, whereby the rebels were
able to capture some Of our men who had not
crossed. 1t is also stated that rebel cavalry
force crossed and intercepted two of the regi-
ments, who were obliged to cut their way
through with some loss.
/ Parties arriving since state that when our
troops pushed across at Germania Ford, they
! found only twenty-five men in the rhle-pits,
! who threw down their arms and surrendered.
Heavy firing is said to have been heard
| yesterday, and it was believed at Culpepper
that our cavalry was then engaged with the
A dispatch received in Cincinnati from
Kanawha gives particulars of the capture Of
Gen. Scammon and staff and tho burning Of
the steamer Levi on the Kanawha river,
| Western Virginia, which was reported recent
/ ly. 1t appears that the steamer was lying at
Winfield, on the west side Of the river, whom
thirty-hve guerrillas during Wednesday night
appeared on the opposite side, thirteen Of
whom crossed in skif and took poss ession
! Of the boat, capturing Gen. Scammon and
I forty soldiers and officers, all of tphom tgere
/ asleep The guerrillas afterward burned the
boat. All on board we're paroled except
Gen. Scammon and three other officers. The
/ prisoness were mounted and sent off into the
| interior. Our forces had started in pursuit
of them at last accounts.
] 1t appears that the gunboat Underwater
/ captured at New bern by the rebels, was hard
aground, and this alone saved her from being
carried off by them. Being unable to move
the Underwater from her position, they set
her on FIRE, and the flames communicating to
her magazine, she was blown into fragments
The Richmond Examiner reports that the
federal prisoners at Belle Isis kill and eat such
dogs as they can catch Onr poor fellows
are no doubt in state of confederation.
NV YORK, Feb. 9.
| The Tribune's Fortress Monroe dispatch Of
! the 9th says, that the expedition htving re-
turned, we are permitted to publish the fol-
( lowing facts
! On Saturday morning Gen. Buffers forces,
! under command of Brig. Gen. Wistar march
! ed from Yorktown, by the way of New Kent
! Court House. The cavalry arrived at 2 80
! yesterday morning at Bottoms Bridge, ten
miles from Richmond. for the purpose of
making raid into Richmond, and endeavor-
/ ing by surprise to lborate our prisoners
there. The cavalry reached the bridge at the
time appointed, marching AZ miles in l6 ID
hours. force of infantry followed in the
rear. for the purpose of supporting them. 1t
was expected to surprise the enemy at Bot
toms Bridge, who had for some time only a
small picket there. The surprise failed, bs-
cause, as the Richmond Examiner says, a
Yankee deserter gave information in Rich
mond of the intended raid. The enemy had
feled large amount of timber. so as to
block up and obstruct the ford. After re-
naming at the bridge from to IL M, Gen
Wistar returned to Williamsburg.
On his march back, his rear was attacked
by the enemy, but they were repulsed with
out loss to US. A march Of our infantry,
(three regiments of whom were colored) of
more than eighty miles, was made in fifty-six
hours. The cavalry marched over 100 miles
in so hours. This shows that it is possible
to make campaign in Virginia in the winter.
The dispatch boat is just in from New bern.
Gen. Palmer reports every thing is going on
well in that district. The losses by us in
public property are too triAing to mention,
we should not desire a more favorable result.
The losses in killed, wounded and missing
are but few.
Private advices from Vicksburg to the LIST
inst, represent that everything was progress
sing favorably with the military expedition.
The Times says it has been salts actorily
ascertained that the main body of Lees army
is between Gordonsville and Orange Court
House.
Citizens residing inside the enemy's lines
say Lee expects to have $4,000 recruits sent
to him by the lst of March, which will swell
his force to $4,000 or 10000 men. All BUSH
ness will be suspended to fill up the ranks.
rrr New York. Feb. 8.
The Times Newborn letter of the 9th inst.
says AN expedition left on Wednesday for
the White Oak river, under Col. Jourdan.
They consisted of New York aud Vermont
troops, and party the 2nd North Carolina
regiment, who rendered efficient service as
guides. On Thursday evening they came
upon body of cavalry, five miles from
Young's Gross Roads, and captured the en-
tire party--2S men and 80 horses, with their
arms and equipments. The command returns
ed in fine spirits to Newport on Friday, some
what fatigued, without losing man.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 8.
The following dispatch has been received
here:
Nashville, Tenn. Feb, s.-To Maj. Gen.
Halleck: Gen. Foster telegrsphs from Knox
vile, under date, OF 7th inst, that an expedi-
ton sent against Thomas and his band of In
dians, at Qualletown has returned, complete
| ly successful. They surprised the town,
killed and wounded 2l5, took so prisones,
and dispersed the remainder of the gang in
the mountains. Our loss was two killed and
five wounded.
ST. Louis, Feb. 3,
A squad of Texas refugees six days from
Gen. MoCulloueh's headquarters at Boubam,
arrived yesterday. They report fearful state
| of affairs and the whole country beyond the
rebel army, they say, is battlefield, where
engagements between deserters and guerrillas
are frequent, in which the former are gener-
/ ALA successful.