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~RATTT.It OF MAN ABB AS PLAINS—THR GREAT
DISASTER TO THE YANKEE ARMS-POPE
AND M'DO W ELL SEVERELY DENOUNCED.
The special correspondent of the New York
Tribune, writing from camp near Chain Bridge,
thus speaks of the ‘‘imbecility” of the Yankee
Generals, to which he alone attributes the recent
“great disaster.”
Slowly and sullenly the two armies of the Re*
public, out-general led and defeated, have fallen
back from the battle field t> Centreville, from
Centreville to Fairfax, from Frirfax to the Poto
mac. The latest experiment in Generalship is the
most immediate and disastrous failure. Once
more the national army gather about the national
capital, and the defence of Washington is the
suaiegic signal of the Peninsula advauje upon
Richmond.
The retreat from Centreville to Fairfax was
complete on Monday night. Sumner, Siegel and
Porter held the hill during the day. Ueimzeiman,
McDowell and the rest were already gone. All
Monday night the rearward corps struggled along
the crowded mad to Fairfax. Porter covering the
retreat. Ou Tuesday morning the rebels once
more held the sweeping line of forts that pointed
to the East all winter long, and defied our ad
vance.
Last night the whole army retreated, and this
morning the Western bank of the Potomac is the
only Virginia camp of the national troops. Heint
xelman and Franklin went back on the Alexandria
road, McDowell by Falls Church, Sumner and
Flegel and Porier by Vienna and Lewmsville.
We mav bitterly announce once more that the ar*
my of the Potomac and the army of Virginia,
crouching beneath the thirty forts that girdle the
Capital, are believed to be safe.
I suppose no future hope can be hazarded if the
details of an accomplished retreat are given to
the world. I record, therefore, very briefly and
incompletely, what 1 have seen and heard in the
three nights and two days just passed—nights
and days of sleeoless activity which can scarcely
have brought toany one who shared their gloomy
experience a single cheerful thought or a moment
of repose.
When I left Washington on Sunday night,
although it was known that Pope bad been des
seated and driven back to Centreville, none, or
very few, supposed that be was to abandon that
position, famous for its strength, without a light.
A batile was expected next day at the furthest,
and no one certainly knew whether there had
not already been another during the day. I
fiassed through Alexandria and out on the Fairs
ax road at seven 'in the evening. Not half a
mile beyond the town I met a train of heavily
loaded wagons, and hailed the driver, “Wbe.e
are you from?”—“Centreville.” Th? whole story
was told in a word. The army was retreating.
For the next ten miles the road was filled with
the trains of every corps in the army, everywhere
crowded, and frequently halting. Mingled with
the wagons were great numbers of ambulances
and carriages, filled with wounded and dying
men. They had been all day on the road—a day
of confinement, privation, discomfort and torture.
Many must have remained all night on the road,
many also in the wagons, which as conveyances
for wounded men, are only one degree worse
than ambulances-
Near Alexandria, and at intervals for som* miles
beyond, the bivouac fires of many camps blazed
along the road and glimmered m distant fields.
Guards for the trains, straggling cowards from
the front, sections of batteries, squadrons of cav
alry, and further on towards Fairfax, regiments
and shattered brigades moving to the rear, and
finally the last division of reinforcements march*
ing for the front, streamed along the road, and
wound in and out of the endless trains. It was
impossible to ride faster than a walk. I reached
Fairfax at 11. The town was quiet—only aguard
at the turther end, none of whose officers knew
where headquarters were, whether at Centreville
or to the rear. So I spent what was left of the
night at Fairfax, and rode on next morning to
Centre rille.
It is needless now to explain the constantly
changing disposition of forces during the days
which followed the defeat cf Saturday. Three
corps at least remained at Centreville on Monday,
and were scattered over the broad slopes of the
hili on either side of the road in unmilitary disor
der They had never been in order—no more had
the rest of the army since the retreat. There was
no head to put them in order. Tnere was no or
der m any department of the service. There was
not ammunition in the batteries or in the cart
ridge boxes of the infantry enough for another
battle, yet not one knew where the ammunition
trains were to be found. In the first fire minutes
I met three ordnance officers riding in search of
these trains. No fault of theirs that the trains
could not be found. They are able officers, but no
control was in their hands- no means of. doiug
their duty. Orderlies had just been in all direc
tions in search of the wagons—and it was already
ten o’clock, and a battle hourly expected since
daylight.
The camps were inextricably entangled—not to
my eye or judgment only, though I have seen
enough to know something about it, but 1 beard
a General commanding a corps d’armee say be did
not know and could not ascertain, the relative
position of other corps. Another General, a regu
lar officerot engineers, and famous for topographi
cal clearness and skill, sa.d to me that one glance
of the hill side was enough to show that there
was no General at "the bead of the army encamped
there.
It was no better with the supplies of food. The
troops were half fed, or fed irregularly. Regi
mental wauons were unloaded, and ordered to
Alexandria for food and forage. Then the order
was countermanded, and they were reloaded and
ordered to the rear. Brigades without supplies
were sent out on the Hanks and in front, and left
there without wagons to shift for themselves—l
suppose to subsist on-the country; and from the
country they might have gathered scanty grass,
and, if m the woods, leaves for their horses—for
the men, nothing. But if a General on the eve of
a battle cannot supply hie troops with powder, it
is useless to expect they shall be fed. I need not
multiply instances. There was mismanagement
everywhere, oecause at headquarters there was
incompetence, confusion, no settled plans, no
head.
The army was not so much disheartened as en
raged—willing to fight, but not willing to besace
rificed—denouncing, with a unanimity that haa
no exception, the incapacity which had caused
their defeat. No one believed the combined
forcecf the rebels were in front; and as for the
battle of Saturday, the men, the officers, the
Generals who (ought it, confess with shame and
anger that they were beaten by half their num
ber. The army was not defeated, its commander
was outgeneraled. He neither knew where his
enemy was, nor would suffer himself to be in
formed. He was warned that the-enemy was
massing on his left—every soldier knew it, but
he disbelieved and denied it; sent batteries and
troops to the right, to the centre, to the rear—
everywhere but where they were wanted—then,
m a moment, found himself surrounded, envel
oped, crushed, and defeated.
McDowell was censured not less severely than
Pope. With the latter bis advice was said to have
had undue controlling influence. “The only
order Pope gave was the order to retreat. Mc-
Dowell foughtthe battle. Pope leaned only on
bis advice—yielded him command throughout.
It was a blander from the beginning. “It is
useless,” said an officer, ‘to fight under McDow<
ell. I shall do my duty as an officer, but we
shall lose every battle where he commands.” I
do not know whether I have heard treachery or
imbecility most frequently imputed to McDowell.
Perhaps oftenest he is given the benefit of his
alternative. I aid not hear one suggestion in
his favor—no excuse nor palliation.
No order of battle was communicated to Gen
erals of any rank. Generals of corps were not
toid who supported them, who was on their
right orjeft, what movements concerned their
own commands or positions, or on what plan the
battle was fought. I aski d a question about the
plan. Sir, there was no plan. We knew nothing
but what we discovered for ourfcelves. I do not
kne w to this hour who was on my right. 1 asked,
“is it not usual to inform Generals of corps or
divisions on such points?” ‘ Usual’ the Gen
eral who neglects to do it is an imbecile.”
A commanding hill in cur possession was
threatened by a hostile movement in force. Gen.
wm informed, was asfced to send another
battery to hold it ‘‘lf you do not, in fifteen min
ntes the enenty will be in possession of the hill.”
He refused to"send it. In ten minutes the rebel
artillery was playing from the hill on our troops.
Generals who fought with the most heroic cour
age and the most, soldierly ability, whose praises
are in every mouth, speak of the battles in which
they have just won honest fame with chagrin and
remorse. Their own efforts became futile
(rotn tbe incompetency of their Commanding
General. , •
Said one to me, “I must ask to be relieved, un
less General Pope is removed. I cannot see my
men murdered.
I met a General who bad led hts division in tbe
hottest of the fight with heroic courage and vete
ran skill. He said, “I have lost a thousand men;
I dare not go into the hospital and look in the
faces of those wounded men, who, 1 know, have
shed their blood bravely and- in vain.” It was
Carl Shin z.
The successful movement of tbe rebels upon the
fiank and rear of General Pope must be traced,
not to his want of proper means of information,
but to his refusal to regard the intelligence that
was sent him. He was officially informed of it,
but would not believe it, would not even take tbe
reasonable precautions against its possibility. He
actually withdrew Siegei’s corps from bis exposed
flank while the enemy weie turning that point.
Officers stationed io front, on the. Rappahannock
hne, saw, for three days, the constant clouds ot
dust which announced the moving columns ot the
enemy, but to the eye of the General they gave
no sign. He persisted in regarding their success
at Cat lett’s as a mere cavalry da‘h, and was hard
ly convinced by Manassas that tbe enemy had
gained his rear in force. From that hour his
movements have been followed by nothing but
disaster.
But it is needless, and I have no time to-aecu*
mulate evidence on such points. Half the
strenirth of an army is confidence in its com
mander. That confidence is not given to General
Pope. The opinion of his troops is unanimously
against him. I saw numerous officers of all
ranks In almost every corps of tbe army. There
is no dissent or disagreement. They will not.
cannot fight again under Pope with confidence.
The army of Virginia demands a General.
1 state these facts as I find them, expressing no
other opinion than what moulds itself ont of the
facts. Heretofore I have praised Gen. Pope
some friends of mine thought it too liberally. I
do not think so. It is still my opinion that down
to the time when he arrived on the Rappahau*
nock his campaign was pursued with ability, and
was desfTvedly successtui. But from tbe mo
ment he set bis foot this side Ihe river there have
been only delay, disaster and retreat. Thar his
a r my has lost confidence in him is a fact I am
bound to record. If I state it strongly, it is be
cause tbe impression suddenly received was
equally strong.
WILD EXCITEMENT EVERYWHERE.
York, Psnn., Sept. 10.—All along the Northern
Central and tbe York and Gettysburg railroads
the wildest excitement prevails. There is not a
little village hamlet, of ever so bumble preten
sions, that does not boast its band of patriots,
who ard drilling and otherwise making prepara
tions for resistance to State invasion ana protec*
tion of the general Government.
There are rumors of a very unreliable character
constantly in circulation respecting the rapid
advance of tbe Rebels. Your correspondent wap
positively informed at Columbia last night that
tbe Rebels were in possession of York, and were
occupying the place with a force of fi teen thou
sand. That there are many scouting parties of
Rebel cavalry ranging through the country in
this vicinity I cannot doubt; but I am seriously
inclined to think I shall find no rebels is Han
over, whither Igo this morning. Instead of the
Rebels being in pursuit of me, as I expected, the
tables are turned, and 1 sm in pursuit of the
Rebels.
They are playing a desperate game in their in
vasion of our State, for a more determined peo
ple never existed than are now aroused to repel
them.
Reports are constantly being received of
bridges burned, crops destroyed, cattle driven off,
and, in some instances, citizens murdered.—
Many of these reports are undoubtedly true, but
they are not applicable to this immediate neigh
borhood.
Although this city has sent hundreds to the
war, still, within a very short time, seven com-
Cunies of infantry and one davalry company have
een raised.
FROM MIDDLETOWN —INROAD OF CAVALHT.
Middletown, Md., September 8— 5 P. M.—A
party of rebel cavalry, under Captain Mot ter.
formerly of this place, made a dash through
Middletown, about noon, tearing down tbe only
American flag exhibited, and swearing and cheer
ing vociferously.
They committed no other outrages, and after
being entertained at Riddlemcsei’s Hotel, ibey
left the place amid the imprecations of tbe peo
ple. At half-past four o’clock they came back,
but this time as prisoner?, in charge of a squad of
Cole’s Maryland cavalry, who bagged the rebels
just after they bad left tbe town. The Union
scouts were under the command of Capt. Russell.
The people, especially the females, were wild
With enthusiasm, rendered the more intense by
the despondency which preceded it. It is likely
the rebels would have escaped, had it not been
for the generous manner in which Riddlemoser
treated them, a number of them being so drunk
that they overstaid their time.
The Rebels boasted that Generals Floyd and
Loring were in Hagerstown, and would soon be
in Pennsylvania, but were uncharitable in their
comments upon the thievish propensities of the
former. At first, they were mistaken fcr friends,
as many ot them were dressed in cittaen’s(clothes,
and others in the United States Their
horses and arms had Uncle Sam s brand upon
them, and they claimed that all tbe Enfield rifles
in the Rebel army had been captured on the bat?
tie field.
In pursuance of their plans to conciliate Mary
landers, the Rebels behaved well under their
brief reign, and when they were taken off by
Cole’s men, a certain class of sympathizers acted
as if they were parting from their friends. This
occurrence, although insignificant in the history
of the war, has rendered this the most memorable
day in the history of Middletown.
EXCITEMENT IN WILKBFBABRB, PBNN.
Wilkbsbarrb, Sept. 10, 1862.—At 8 o’clock, P.
M., yesterday. all places of business were closed.
All the church bells and Courthouse bells rang for
<he people to assemble for drill, at which time
nearly all the able-bodied men in the town
amounting to some hundreds, assembled in the
public square. They formed into companies, and
marched to the river bank, and drilled until six
o’clock, P. M. Great excitement exists through
out this place, and also throughout the whole
country upon the receipt es the news, of the invas
sion of the old Keystone State. Men over sixty
years of age fell into the ranks and drilled, and
were willing to go and die for our country.
SALT SOLD TO THE REBELS.
Banovbr, Sept. 10.—A considerable amount of
salt was bought here to- day and sent to the Rebel
army, without the knowledge of the authorities.
The Rebel army is stated to be at Liberty, twelve
miles east of Frederick, under command of Lee,
and is reported to be one hundred thousand
strong.
Capture of our Pickets.-- We learn tba* a
party of pickets, belonging to Capt. Reddick’s
company of cavalry, were circumvented on Crook
ed River, in Glynn county, Friday last, under the
following circumstances: The pickets were 12
in number, and having stationed a sentinel on the
river, the remainder of the party retired to a
house some two hundred yards distant, for what
purpose, is not stated or known by our informant.
A party nt Federcls, numbering seventy-five,
Janded about a mile below the house, and being
piloted round by a tory Earned Spaulding, came
upon the house jn the rear, and completely sur
rounded it before the party ins de were aware of
their presence. The pickets were unarmed, but
made a breax through the Yankees, all escaping
but two, a man named Thomas, and another
whose name is not recollected. A citizen named
Crawford, was also captured One of the pickets
had forty shots firtd at him, but Inckrly none of
them took effect. Buch carelessness on the part
of our pickets should not be allowed to pass tins
noticed.— Sav. R*p., Sept. 15.
• {COMMUNICATBD ]
Macon, Sept. 14, 1862,
Mr. Editor:
In the Constitutionalist of yesterday, I notice a
letter from General A. R. Wright, in which he
states —in reference to the battle of Manassas, on
Saturday, 30th August—that three of our brig*
ades “were repulsed and driven from the woods,
and that his brigade not only held the position,
but drove the enemy some distance.
I am sure General Wrigbl would not knowingly
do injustice to others; but he certainly ia mistak
en, so far as the regiment (Ist Georgia Regulars,)
to which 1 have tbe honor to belong, is con
cerned. We were in Anderson’s brigade, occu
pied tbe centre, and. on that day of carnage,
maintained our ground to a man were neither
“ repulsed” nor “ driven from the woods,” but
kept and occupied the position designated by
General D. R. Jones. The Georgia Regulars do
not know what it is to fall back. I speak of
what I know and saw as to them. I was.shot
down late in the evening, but remained on the
field with our regiment until the firing had nearly
ceased.
Until I saw General Wright’s letter, I was not
aware that any of our brigade were “ repnlsed”
or “ driven from the woods.” During the battle,
I learned that some of the regiments of the brig
ade, on the right and left of the G orgia Regulars,
wavered for a few minutes, but soon again took
their position with coolness and determination,
and fought as troops worthy of the “Empire
State.**
As an act of justice to our brigade, and espe
cially the Ist Georgia Regulars, may I ask an
insertion ot this note.
Edward P. Bowdre,
First Lieut. Ist Ga. Regulars.
FROM THE 13TH GEORGIA.
From the Macon, (Ga.) Telegraph, Sept. 16th.
Hkadquartkbs Army of Virginia, |
Near Potomac, 8- pt. 5, ’62. J
Editoi Macon Tileqrophi Please publish the
following flat of casualties that occurred in the
late battles around Manassas on the 27th, 28th,
29th and 30th days of August:
Company A, Wounded slightly—A M Turner
and J H Terrell.
Company B, Wounded slightly—J M Tidwell,
J T Colley, J Welden.
Companv C, killed—W S Carmichael, BF Ham
mock. Mortally wounded, Lt J B Breed, since
died. Severely wounded, John Kitchens, in tbe
arm. Slightly wounded, W Dent, J M King, M
S McKneely.
Company D, Killed—Elbert Upchurch.
Wounded— James Wood, G W Hightower, N
Walker.
Company E, Killed—Moses McDonald.
Wounded severely—libv Moody. Wounded
slightly—A J Cleveland, J D Hajs, W B Cleve
land, W H Arnold, John Bradley, W H Bruner,
Hiram Hall.
Missing—J K Britt, D Holman and L Black
burn.
Company F, Missing—F Turner.
Company G, Killed—J B M Warren.
Wounded slightly—B McLain, John Bradshaw,
R Mock. •
Company H, Killed—W M McLin.
Mortally wounded—Patrick Murray, Jesse
Barker. Severely wounded—Powhattan Morgan,
J L Ethridge, right arm and shoulder. Slightly
wounded—ll Powell.
Company I, Killed—McMiller.
Wounded—J A Griffin, f H Jarrell.
Company K, Slightly wounded—Jas Gaffaney,
Corp’l Wm M Jones, G W Siihson, R M Stinson.
J. L. Moorr,
Capt. Com’dg 18th Keg’t Ga Vol.
The Griffin papers will please publish the above
and foregoing. J. L. M.
, THE 31ST REGIMENT.
From the Miuoon (Ga ) Tel graph, Sept. 16th.
Tbe Macon Telegraph will please publish the
following list of killed and wouuaed of the 31st
Georgia Regiment, in the battles named below:
KILLED IN BATTLE AT BRISTOW, AUGUST 27tH, 1862-
James Browning, Company A.
None wounded in Regiment.
KILLED IN BATTLE AT MANASSAS, AUGUST 28tH, 1862
Capt A Forrester, Company A.
Privates Darling Jowers. Company A.
Private W F Watkins, Company D.
Private John G Bragg, Company K.
WOUNDED ON THE 28TH.
Sergeant R L Watt, Company A, severely in
both arms.
Private Jonathan Jowers, Company A, slightly.
Private E M Weaver, Company A, slightly.
Private F D Edwards, Company A, slightly.
Capt Pr.de, Company B, severely.
Corporal Geo R Clark, Company B, slightly.
Musician John King, Company B, slightly.
Private J D Short, Company B, since died.
Private John Peters, Company B, slightly.
Private E Philips, Company B, slightly.
Private W H Thompson, Company B, slightly.
Private M W Hollis, Company B, slightly.
Private Chas Dunn, Company B, slightly.
Sergeant J J Stewart, Company C, severely.
Private Jas Pope, Compaoy C, seriously.
Private Chas Newsome, Company C, slightly.
Private Jason Dees, Company C, slightly.
Private Elbert Cordell, Company C, slightly.
Private B Byrd, Company D, accidentally arm
broken.
Private T H Hobbs, Company D, slightlv.
Color Bearer J T Clayton, Company E, se
verely. -
Private G R Slaughter, Company E, slightly.
Private J W B Pope, Company E, slightly.
Private M M Ward, Company G, severely.
Private W R Jones, Company G, slightly.
Private J G Grice, Company K, slightly.
Peter Hulto, Company K, slightly,
KILLED ON THE 29TH AT MANASSAS.
J T Walker, Company A.
KILLED AND WOUNDED IN THE BATTLE SEPT. 12, ’62.
B P Walker, Company E, kil'ed.
Private J R Armstrong, Company E, wounded
i slightly.
Private W R Durham, Company E, slightly.
Private R B Moore, Company E, slightly.
Private John Albritton, Company G, severely.
Private Grissum, Company G severely.
Sergeant R R Adams, Company G. slightly.
Private Jasper Barry. Company G slightly.
Sergeant D J G McNair. Company I, severely.
Private J J M Smith, Company K. slightly.
Private M Bridges, Company K slightly.
For the benefit of those at home you will please
publish the above list.
Very Respectfully,
D. C. Cody,
Lieutenant Acting Adjutant.
LATEST FROM BBAGG’S AND BUELL’S AR*
MIES.
A gentkman, who left Bragg’s command on
Friday morning last, passed through Atlanta yes
terday. When he left, Bragg’s command was
forty miles Norlhtasl of Carthage Tenn., near
Mitchellville, and Camp Trousdale, and our Gen
eral had succeeded in intercepting Gen. Buell’s
retreat to Bowling Green, and compelled him to
turn back to Nashville, where, it was believed he
had begun tonifying,
A Yankee mail was captured near Franklin by
our cavalry. It contained dispatches from Buell,
which stated that provisions were seance with
him, and his army was on shoit rations.
A letter from a Yankee officer to his wife,
dated at Nashtiiie, on the Bth lust., gave rather
a gloomy account of tbe condition of affairs
among the Yankees, bdßconsoled her by saying
that “the darkest hour was just before day.”
Our cavalry bad annoyed and harassed Buell’s
army considerably.
Neither Bragg’s nor Buell’? future movements
could be guessed at. but was- thought that
Buell would a.tempt toescape by way’ of Padu
cah. If he alien pts that, or any other movement
he will ti«d that Gen Bragg has anticipated
him— Atlanta (Ga.} Jnld'iffenctr, S*pt. 17,
LATEST FROM THE NORTH.
From the Richmond Dispatch, Sept. 16.
We have redeiVed New York, Boston, Phila
delphia and Baltimore papers of tbe 11 th instant.
Among the items gleaned from them is a report
in the New York Herald, of tbe Uth that Secre
tary Seward is about to resign and take a mission
to Europe. This news is given the benefit of a
very large tvpe heading in tbe telegrams of that
paper. After the nomination of the Hon. Horatio
Seymour for Democratic Governor of New 1 orK,
he made a “stirring speech,” denouncing the
“radical legislation’’ of Congress.
THE SEAT OF WAR IN MARYLAND—“CAPTURE” CF A
TOWN-GENS. LEE AND JACKSON AT FREDERICK
THE CONFEDERATES AT HAGERSTOWN.
The National Intelligencer says that the “reb
els” have “fallen back” trorn in front of McClellan,
who has advanced to within six miles ot Pooles
ville. A dispatch says that the Federal cavalry
had “captured” Barnesville, about seven miles
from Frederick. A force of from 5,000 io 20,000
Confederates were reported to be at New Market,
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, about nine
miles from Frederick. They ?.re said to be under
the command of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. The Con?
federates were entrenching themselves at Mono*
cacy, and had blown up the bridge there. They
had entered York county, Pa. Toe report from
there says they are in “a state of great destitu
tion, and shoeless.” Their intentions are thus
described in a letter from Baltimore, September
loth ;
They were to invade Pennsylvania with a force
so strong as to make resistance on the part of tbe
Pennsylvania troops unavailing; to proceed to
Harrisburg and capture that city; to destroy, if
possible, the Pennsylvania Central Railroad; to
strike for tbe town of York, Pennsylvania, and to
destroy the railroad leading from Harrisburg to
Baltimore, and to destrby also a portion of the
railroad between Baltimore and Havre de Grace,
so as to cut off all communication by railroad oe*
tween Baltimore and the North.
The Baltimore American, of the 10th, says that
“devastation and destruction” will mark the route
taken by the Confederates. It says:
Tbe latest intelligence horn Frederick Cify and
the region occupied by the rebels is brought by
General Columbus O’Donnell, who reached Balti®
more yasierday afternoon from his country seat,
near Weaverten, not far from Harper’s Ferry. He
had been up there some days prior to the rebels
crossing tfie river, aud suddenly found himself
within tbe enemy’s lines.
We have not had tbe pleasure of seeing General
O’Donnell, but learn that it is his opinion, Tom
what he saw, that the enemy has no intention of
advancing either on Baltimore or Washington.
Tbe impression on bis mind was that they were
preparing to retire before McClellan’s army, and
would soon recross the river at some of the upper
lords. Scouting parties were out scouring the
country for horses and cattle, and would probably
enter the border counties of Pennsylvania tor this
purpose if sufficient time was given them to ac
complish their purpose.
Tne presence of both Generals Lee and Jackson
near Frederick would either indicate that the ex
pedition is a most hazardous one, «Or that the
mass oi the army has really accompanied them,
and that the invasion is a reality and not a imag
ing raid. Even if it is merely a raid for subsist
encestores, its success is undoubtedly most im*
portant to the rebels, and the presence of these
two prominent Generals may be accounted for on
that ground.
y Our intelligence from Washington ia that the
rebels have fallen back from Gen. McClellan’s
front, and that he has advanced six miles beyond
Poolesville, from which a rebel picket guard was
driven out, after some fighting, on Monday after
noon.
FORCE OF THE REBELS.
The statements we have received froth corress
pondents of the New York papers as to ihe mice
in which the rebels have crossed into Maryland,
entirely disagree with anv accounts that have
been received here from fugitives trom Frederick
county. No one who has yet arrived here speaks
of having seen more than 15,000 men, while some
of the Northern corespondents vouch for an army
of from 60 to 100,000. The following note, re
ceived last night from a respectable gentleman
of Washington county, places the number still
lower :
“As tbe movement and number of rebel troops
now in Maryland are greatly exaggerated, I beg
leave—being, perhaps, the last person from the
locality—to .make a fair statemeni of what 1 con
ceive to be their numbers and designs. They do
not exceed 5.000, but, being mostly cavalry, move
verv quickly, and, like most of my neighbors of
Frederick and Washington counties, it I had
never seen the military.parades ar.>uttd Washing
ton, I should fix their number at from 50 t > 75,000.
They are moving (if itpossessesa military strate
gy) to draw from the defence of Washington
as many troops as possible, so as to fall on that
city with a great force; for they are prepared io
recross the Po’omae at any time in a tew hours.”
THE FIGHT AT POOLESVILLE—HANDSOME AID FROM
OUR FRIENDS IN MARYLAND.
The only resistance our troops encountered in
crossing the Potomac, was trom the Ist Massa
chusetts cavalry, who bad been appointed io that
dutv. They were fired into by the Confederates,
and scampered at a rapid rate. A letter to tbe New
York Tribune says:
The road bad been clear in tbe morning, and was
counted on for unobstructed retreat; but while the
manccnvering in front had consumed tbe day,
some Maryland traitor bad piled stones at the
worst place on the road in such quantity that the
horses at a gallop could not fail to go down Ed
veloped in clouda.of dust, the head of the retreat*
ing column came dawn the road at speed, and
plunging Into the rocks, men and horses together
fell in confusion, piled over one another in heaps.
The rebels were close upon them and those who
were down could only su; render. Tbe rebels
b> gan tiring iuto and sabering Jhe prostrate men.
Some of them were c-usbed under their struggling
horses. Capt. Chamberlain. Whose horse had
fallen upon him, shouted to the rebel leader that
his men were helpless, and the firing was ordered
to cease. Capi. Molly and Capt. Wells, with most
of their men, escaped. Capt. Chamberlain, with
about twenty men, was captured. All were lib*
erated next day on parole.
Before the men were sent off Gen. Lee made
them a speech, advising them never to take up
arms again to subjugate the South, declared that
there are and must be two Confederacies on this
continent, and discoursed at length on ethics.and
politics in general, by all of which the men were
dulv edified. Capt. Chamberlain had a lopg con*
versation with Fitzhugh Lee and Stuart, and re
ports that their cavalry force is very large.
Poolesville citizens fired from houses along the
streets on the retreating cavalry. At Darnestown
the rebels flung stones and bottlesand all sorts
bf missiles from the windows.
Tbe letter indignantly adds that tbe first duty
performed by the Ist regiment Maryland volun*
leers called out for the defence of the State, was
to pour a volley into the retreating Federal cav
alry. The correspondent, from th&i, thinis that
the Maryland troops cannot be relied on.
■SHE PANIC IN PENNSYLVANIA—THS BTAMPEDB.
The “very la est”intelligence published in the
Northern papers is dated Wednesday night (10tb.)
midnight. It cornea’ from a Slate messenger
who was sent by the Governor of Pennsylvania
to ascertain tbe state of affairs. It says :
He reached a position on the mountains overs
looking Frederick, and by means of a glass, saw
all that was going on in town. He arrived there
about eleven o’clock tbismo'ning, and says there
was evidently a movement of troops in the direc
tion of Middletown and Boonsboro’ going on.—.
Farmers in’ormed him that a forward movement
began at three Ulis morning—supposed to b e
about twenty thousand.
The messenger then crossed the mountain to
within two miles of Marysville, and reached a
position overlooking Boonsboro’ He >sw ihree
(egiments of infantry, one of cavalry, eight can
non, and a large number of wagons. The soldiers
looked rag .ed, shoeless, a d hatless.
It is now certain that no rebels had entered
Hagcrs’own at six. P M Jackson undoubtedly
moved from Boonsboro* towards Hagerstown;
but there is nothing reliable as to bis near ap
proach to Hagerstown. He may be moving to
Williamsport to ent off General White, now at
Martinsbmg and Harpet’s Ferry, or direct upon
Waynesboro’in this State. The former is most
probable. The Northern Central Railroad and
telegarph are still untouched.
The people of Pennsylvania are now thorough ly
aroused, and one thousand men from uerKß
county and one thousand from Chester wf ll
ablv be here by morning, m anticipation of tte
Governor’s pall, and within twenty-four hours
20,000 men will be in Cumberland Valley, and
before Jackson can reach Chambersburg be will
be required to meet and overcome<so,ooo of Penn-
been assigned to thei com
mand of all the troops north of tbe bosque
h 'A D mail carrier was taken prisoner and l.» id Ave
hours. He savs great numbers threw
down in the middle of the road, attacked with
billion? cholic, caused by enting green c " r “"
A skirmish took place ba»ween the
cavaly and Virginia cavalry leading the rebel ad
vance at Barnesville. A rebel Meuteoant waj
killed and two privates were captured, lhey say
Jackion leads the column. „
The rebel pickets were within a mile and a na.i
of Hagetstown at eight tnis morning,
The main body appears to be going betweeo
Barnesville and Sharpsburg, eight miles below
H The* t ebel’picketß uniformly told the farmers
that Jackson leads the rebel armv, and the Cum
berland Valley is their destination.
Much excitement prevailed in Greencastle, Pa.,
about th irty-vwo mtles from Frederick, Wednes
day night, about the rebels. A d.spatch.frotn the. e
Sa They are said to be advancing towards that
place by wav of Cavetown, so as to g-t in tne
rear aad cut off tbe retreat of those who might
attempt to get away. Up to five P. M. no s»gns
of the enemy appeared at any point, although
some two hours previous a nogro among others
reported them within three miles of the town.
The people there were very much excited, ar (1
numbers were leaving witb their families while
owners of horses were sending them out of town
so that the rebels shall not seize the n. A horse
or wagon could not be hired at any price .
IMPORTANT FROM THE WEST —THE CONFBDKRATEB
WITHIN FIVE MILES OF COVINGTON.
The news from tbe West is important. The
Confederates, numbering about 30b0 infantry and
1.000 cavalry, arrived in sight of C< vington,
Ky., On the ll'ih. Business was again suspended
in Cincinnati, and military companies were or*
dered to report for duty atß’c<ock on the morn*
ing of the 11th. Three thousand laborers were
ordered to commence work on the trenches A
dispatch from Cincinnati, Wednesday night, at
ten o’clock, says :
A train of thirty ambulances, with a nag of truce,
left here yesterday afternoon, tor 'he use of our
wounded at Richmond. When .bey were twelve
miles distant, they were ordered to halt by the
pickets of General Ewing. They did so, and the
officer in command of the ambmances was taken
before General Heath, who informed him that he
could not pass tbe tram, as he was not receiving
flags of truce at present. An appeal wa; then made
to General Kirby Smith, who promptly allowed
our ambulances to proceed.
-Our scouts report th .t the rebels are moving in
two divisions, numbering 16,000 men. Early this
morning a large rebel cavalry force attacked our'
pickets on Licking river, driving them back a
mile, several of whom were wounded. Our whole
force over the river was drawn up in line of battle
at noon to-day. One of our men was killed in the
picket skirmish.
Louisville, Sept. 10. —Hon. Richard Apperson,
from Mount Sterling, reports Humphrey Marshall
there with 4,000 troops, inc'uding cavalry and
artillery, arresting citizens, searching bouses, 4c.
It is reported that a force of rtbel cavalry took
possession of Eminence. Ky., last night. John
H Morgan occupies the Observer 4 Recorder
< ffice as headquarters, Hon. Joshua F. Bell, re*
centlv unconatt’onally released by the rebels,
arrived at the Galt Hous? to-day It is rumored
that about 4,0(0 rebels from Lexington last Sun
day took possession of Lebanon to-day.
RIOT IN A NEW YOBK REGIMENT.
The 52d New York regimert, at Harlem, N. Y.,
in which is included a company of Indians, mu
tinied on the lOtb, after their tents were struck
and knapsacks packed to go to Vv ashington. The
B’fa regiment was sent tor to reduce them to sub*
j C;ion,
INCIDENTS AT FREDERICK.
The New York Tribune has some “incidents ’
at Frederick, Md., which are interesting. Ii
says:
It is said that the entire stock of boots and
shoes in Frederick were bought out by the rebels,
who left behind them some good money and some
shocking baa money. The storek ieptrs, of course,
did not dare to refuse what was offered t aem. Tbe
entire stocks of Messrs. Ty er 4 ->teiner. (Union,)
and A. J. Delasbman, (Rebel.) were tuaen, and
Confederate notes given them in payment.
So far as we can ascertain they allowed free in
gress and egress to and from the town. Tbe pick*
ets on the road appeared to have been stationed
merely to watch military movements, and paid no
attention to civilians.
On Friday evening before the appearance of
the rebels, there wes considerable of a disturbance
in Frederick. Some par.its connected with the
Citizen news-paper cheered on tbe streets for Jeff.
Davis, in the exubeiance of their joy, and were
knocked down by citizens. The Provost guard
interfered, and a man named Lawson, one of the
proprietors of the Citizen, was knocked down
with the butt of a musket and considerably in
jured. Another man, named Yeackle, was" also
badly cut.
The rebels of Frederick knew of the coming of
the insurgent army long before any intimation of
their approach had been received by the Federal
authorities.
A fugitive citizen just in from Frederick say??
that Mr. John 8. Caldwell and other Secessionists
tnrew the rebel Stars and Bars to the breeze, from
ihe top of the Court House, on Sunday, but John
M. Herndon, Eeq., acting Mayor, bring a mild
Un.on man, or at worst a judicious traitor, hauled
down the rag, asserting that the occupation by
the friends ot theSoutn was transient, und that
it was folly to make the city unnecessarily odious
to tbe Federal Government.
RAIDS OF THE REBEL STEAMERS.
The New Y’ork Herald, of the 11 th, says ;
Oar Havana correspondent, writing on the 6ih
instant, states that the rebel steamer Oreio (now
named tbe Florida) had arrived at that port trom
Nassau, N.P., byway ot Cardenas. When at
Green Key she mounted her guns. Bhe was per
mitted to remain in Cardenas to the 31st ult.,
having a Spanish war vessel on each side of her.
She has lost many men by yellow fever and de
sertion. Amongst the dead is the sou of her
commander, Jno. N. Maffit. The Florida mounts
eight very heavy guns, and c .rriesthe iron plates
for covering her with armor in her hold. Capt.
Maffit was still ill. Her first officer is Strib-
ling, formerly of the Sumter. Ou the Ist inst. tbe
Florida was ordered to s-a from Havana, and
steamea out in the midst of a severe storm.
An Outrage.—Although some four thousand
of our exchanged prisoners left Cairo on the
28th of last mon'h, we have not yet heard of the
arrival of any of them at Vicksburg. Upon one
pretext and another, they have been defamed ar
various points on the way down tbe river, sub*
to bad fare, ill treatment, and the contract
tion of disease. The true cause of ibeir detention
no doubt is to delsy their junction with the army,,
and it is to be hoped tbe matter will oe looked
into by our government authorities. We shall
probably have a lull statement ol the matter
from the prisoners thejnselves on thetr arrival.
Grenada (Miss.} Appeal, B>pt. 11*
Loss of a Y ANKza W\4 Vessel.— .dvices from
Hilton Head, received through the New Y’ork pa
pi rs, state that the gunbout Magnolia arrived
August 28th, from a cruise, bringn g intelligence
to Admiral Dupont of the total loss of the new
United States steam frigate Adriondack, Captain
Gar.sevoort, on tbe morning of Saturday, the 23d
of August, at Man-of-Wur Point, Abaco Island,
about one hundred miles North oi Nassau. Capt.
G. stated in his dispatch that Ins men were all
safe, and had taken refuge upon s smell island in
the vicinity of the wreck. He was of opinion that
hts armament could be saved. ’