Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-09-02
BALTIMORE. Aug. 2G

following:
a reeonnoisance was made yesterday morn
ing by large force Of cavalry under Gen. Tor
bett. A portion OF our cavalry under Gen.
Wilson, who was stationed at Halltown.
moved out to Kearneysvile. and there we're
met by part Of Gen. Morritt's division,
which had been stationed near Shepardstown.
The two forces combined under the command
Of Cen Torbett moved out in the direction Of
Leetown.
The column had not proceeded more than a
mile when they met the enemy's skirmish line,
which was composed Of infantry belonging Ia
Gen. Early's corps. Gen. Torbett dismounted
a brigade Of his command and sent them in TO
skirmish with the enemy's advanced line Of
skirmishers, whilst another portion Of his
command was sent around by a circuitous
route to strike him on the flank and rear The
effect of this m)ve was to completely double
up their skirmsh line and cause them to fee
In Wild confusion, while portion OF our men
mounted and held in reserve charged upon
them with their sabre, killing, wouudiLg and
capturing quite a nupber. The charge was
only desisted from when our men came up
with the enemy's reserves, the infantry drawn
up in line and presenting front nearly two
miles long.
ON examining the prisoners captured in the
skirmish and charge, it was ascer;ained that
the whole Of Elrly's old corps, now command
ed by Breckenridge, had broken camp in the
vic nifty Of Charlestown at daylight that morn
ing, and marched in the direction of I.eetown.
This was the force which now confronted
Gen. Torbett and having ascertaiued these
facts, he commenced wi.drawing his COM
mand
Ia the mean tiine the enemy had thrown
force around on the Shepardstown road which
prevented Gen. Custar from returning in that
direction, originally intended. The column
under Gen. Wilson had reached ts destina-
ton safely at o'clock, p NJ, and was about
going into camp, when courier arrived with
the Information that Custar was cut off, and
ordering him to make demonstration on the
eneml's picket, on the road from Halltown to
Dufield Station.
Heavy conBonnading was heard in the di-
rection Of Shepardstown, which continued till
dark, and some fear was entertained that Cas-.
tar would fad the enemy too much for him :;
but those who knew him and were better ac-
quainted with him and his dashing qualities
and facilities as a cavalry leader, made up
tn sir minds he would cut his way out some
way, and time has proved he was correct, for
carly this morning his courier arrived with
dispatches informing Gen. Sheridan of his
arrival at place OF safety, and whore he can
watch tie further movements Of the enemy.
Our losses were comparatively small They
will not exceed $50 killed and wounded, all
of whom were brought off the field.
charge was made at o'clock yesterday
afternoon by Col. Lowell with a omall detach-
ment of cavalry on the enemy's line to the
left of Halltown, which resulted in the cap
ture Of some prisoners, from which he receiv-
ed some important information, which leaves
no doubt that the enemy are in SONS force
and on the qui viUe, prepared to take advan-
tage of any weakness in our lines.
Gen. Duffy reports there is force of the en-
emy in Loudon County. The fords from
Williamsport TO Point Of Rocks are we'll
guarded. The enemy would find it difficult
operation If they should attempt to cross into
Maryland.
LArER.-The Americans Harper's Ferry
dispatches, received tonight, say
The enemy made an attempt to cross into
Maryland to-day at Williamsport with two
regiments of cavalry and infantry, and after a
spirited fight Of some hours they were hand
somely repulsed with heavy loss.
A reconnaissance was made by Gen. Cook,
which resulted in the capture of six commits
stoned oficers--amongst them one 1t. Col
onel, and 90 privates. The enemy still shows
force on our front.
st. Johns, Aug. 81.
The steamer Princess Of Wales from Char
lottetown yesterday afternoon, reports that
the Tallahassee burned % American fish
ing vessels off North Cape, Prince Edwards
Island.
New York, Aug. 81.
The Times Washington special dispatch
says that about o'clock on Thursday morn
ing the enemy in front of Gen. Buffers right
wing made a sortie and were promptly re-
pulsed, leaving in our hands about 100 pris-
oners, including one Colonel. The same
dispatch says gentleman has arrived in
Washington who came by way of Atlanta by
permission OF Gen. Sherman, and who repre-
sents the State government of Georgia. He
desires to learn upon terms the United States
Government will treat with Georgia for re-
admission into the Union. This action of the
Georgia authorities is had without reference
to the remainder of the Southern confed.
eracy.
The Herald's correspondent with Aver:ll
writing under date of the 26th confirm the
reported return Of Gen. Custer within our
lines. He also says the enemy sheled the
small force Averill had on the north side of
the Potomac opposite Shepardstown Ford on
the 25th. On Monday the 25,h Averirs
command engaged the enemy at Williamsport,
the rebels shelling the place.
The Herald's Halltown correspondent un-
der date Of the 25th, says there is no change
in the relative position of the two armies
Sheridan is closely watching the movements
of the enemy, making hourly reconnoissances
and meeting with frequent skirmishes which
may lead to battle at any time. Much con-
tidence is felt in Suerdan's ability to manage
the rebels. A portion of the 18th corps had
a lively skirmish on the 25th The fight,
though short, was severe and resulted salts .
factorily to us.
Gold to-day as follows: 10 A NJ. S2.52-
- to , So II A. NJ. $40 l-2 1880 p.
NJ, S2,493- 2P. NJ, 81, 40 8 p. M,
S246. Market heavy.
/ The THbune's army of the Potomac COR
respondent says The extreme left Of our
line has been extended below Ream's Station.
Hancock, with a portion of his command,
reached that place on Tuesday
I The work Of destroying the railroad was
Immediately begun, while'a cavalry force un-
/ der Hregy movnd out an the III m vida Court