Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-03-11

T
having been handed over to the American
Consul. She will also convoy the Chesa-
peake to New York
The rebel sympathizers in Norfolk profess
TO have intelligence of a great scare at Rich
mond, owing to Gen. fitzpatrick movements
in the neighborhood of that city. Some ru-
mors were that Richmond was being evacu-
ated.
1t was generally understood that a force
had been sent up by Gen. Butler to cooper
ate with Gen. Fitzpatrick.
\ special dispatch TO the Philadelphia
Inquirer, from Norfolk March ID, says Last
evening fighting commenced between our
forces and the enemy at Deep Creek-ten
miles from that city. We were unable to
ascertain the result. To-day, at noon, con-
tinuous heavy artillery firing was heard in
that direction 1t was probably skirmishing
between the opposing forces.
\ Norfolk letter of the Cd saws: Yesterday
about 2l5 men of the 5th Penn Cavalry,
while on a accommodating expedition. were
captured by the rebels near the Dismal
Swamp.
The maneuyers Of the rebels mean some
thing, though they NAV be intended as feints.
1t Is not likely that they will attempt dash
on Norfolk. Gen. Butler is fully prepared
for any movement which they design.
Several gentlemen who started this morn
ing for Roanoke Island by way of the Chesa-
peake and Albemarle Canal. have Just return
ed, and report the canal infested with rebels
in large numbers. a bearer OF dispatches
was fired upon this morning, but managed
TO escape unhurt.
Dispatches were received at Vicksburg the
2Sth ult., from Gen. Sherman when twelve
miles east of Meridian on the llth. He
says the enemy numbered only 1000 and
were much demoralized No fighting had
occurred after passing jackson, Miss. Gen.
Sherman had sent a part Of his forces to Sell
ma. The railroad between jacksonville and
and Meridian has been wholly DESTROYED.
The latest advices are that mart Of Sber-
mans forces are still at Selma and the re-
mainder have fallen back to Meridian.
\ special dispatch to the PHILADELPHIA
Bulletin, dated Cincinnati, March I. saws a
dispatch from Cairo states that when the
steamer Mississippi on her way up arrived
at Nlcksburgh, a gentleman, formerly cap
tam Of the steamboat Scotland, lust come in
from Mobile. having escaped from the rebels.
into whose army be had been conscripted
reports that when he left Mobile Gen. Sher-
man was within forty miles OF that place
and could easily take 1t If be wanted.
Detailed accounts of Kilpatrick's raid
begin 10 be received Miles of railroad
track on the two principal roads over which
Lee transports his supplies for the northern
army of Virginia, have been thoroughly
destroyed. DepOt- Of C0mm:ssarv and quar-
terIna,ter stores We're burned or DESTROYED
No les than six grist mills and one saw mill.
principally at work for the rebel army. were
burned. six canal boats loaded with grain
several locks on the james river canal. and
THE almost invaluable coal uits at Manikin's
bend were DESTROYED Nearly 300 prisoners
were captured. Several hundred horses
were pressed INTO the service and hundreds
Of negroes set free.
Col. Dahlgren was directed 10 make a di- |
version with 500 men on James river. lie
attacked at p NJ Tuesday and drove the |
enemy in on Richmond. The main attack I
having failed, Col. Dahlgren ATTEMPTED 10 |
reioin Fitzpatrick near Meadow Bridge. /
some 500 men thus became separated from |
the main force, since which nothing has
been heard from him.
After leaving Richmond the main command
went INTO camp at place six miles from
richmond and two miles from the ChIcka-
nomny. At about half past 10 O'Clock
Just a. the command was fairly asleep, ex-
cept those on duty, the rebels opened two
-un battery upon the camp Of Gen. Davis
brigade, and Immediately after charged the
camps OF the Seventh Michigan. The men.
though taken entirely by surprise, seized
their carbines and under Col. Litchfeld.
supported by the lst Vermont, Col. Preston.
handsomely repulsed the enemy. Several
men were wounded. and Col Litchfeld who
is missing, II Is feared is also wounded.
Gen. Fitzpatrick decided to move across
he White House railroad and down the
Peninsula. During the day Capt. Mitchell
u the p y. Y, with the bulk Of Col. Dahl
,ren's command rejoined the main column
The enemy Tuesday night and all day Wed
lesday and Wednesday night lowered all
bout the command, and picket skirmisbing
vas almost constantly going on in different
directions.
Wednesday morning at about 9 O'CLOCK. a
arge force Of cavalry came upon the rear Of
he column Gen Fitzpatrick was NOT nm
repaired for this, and decided 10 give them
]
'oi. Preston, ably assisted BY Capts Grant
nd Cummings, and the LIST Maine, bore the !
runt OF this fight, which lasted something
yer an hour, while the 9th Michigan and :
iher regiments Of Gen. Davis brigade were
] position to render whatever assistance
lIght be necessary. Only one charge was /.
lade and that was by Co. A, LIST Maine, led .
q by Capt. Cole, when FIVE of the enemy
ere captured. The enemy suddenly re- :
red, but when the command moved forward :
lrrassed the rear TANKS. Several times a
alt was made but they refused to ACCEPT the
Ter Of battle.
On this day several refugees from Rich {
ond came into camp and reported the pres "
ice OF Capt Wilson Of the % Ohio who had 4
capped from the Richmond Bastile, near at .
nd. For some reason, however, be did not Il
in the command. <
Wednesday sls0 Lieut. Whitaker was sent u
destroy Tunstall's Station, on the White j
1use railroad, but upon arriving there -
lch TO his astOnishment he found the place -
flames. From negroes in the vicinity, he :,
'ertained that column Of Union cavalry "
IN Zen. Buffers department, had lust left =
ere. q
Thursday morning Gen. Fitzpatrick moved W
wards New Kent Court House, and on the -
y met Col. Spear in command Of cavalry 10
ce, looking after Gen. Kilpatrick's com =
nd ca
siI
Richmond papers received. admit that on
patrick penetrated to within three mile, or
the city, and relate how narrowly Gen. pa
escaped capture. Gen. Wise also had a CO.
TOW escape, being at the residence of the ma
q Secretary Of War from whence he pa
ched the city. no
our hundred more Of our prisoners were da,
Tped Feb. 29th for Americas. Ga. Near coi
.hree thousand have thus far been sent. N;
re are accommodations for 1000. No,
'one Of Sherman's forces had reached the
kson the oath ult., and Nicksburg advices cha
the 9th ult. make no mention of his pei
wal there or Of any contemplated new mol
cement Nc PhersOn's corps. which a.
shed jackson after the 9th, will pro5a- enc
remain there for the present. Forty-six ON
e CT the Mobile and Ohio railroad were Wh
royed by Gen. Sherman. The Southern ha'
was also destroyed from Meridian 10 aiio
zsOn. Eight hundred neproes wore ar cou