The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-29 00:00:00

The Confederates before Washington,

The following narrative of the appearance of the
Confederates before Washington, and their subse-

quent retreat, is dated the 14th instant, and was

:vritten in the city itself :
"The investment of the northern defences of
Washington by the enemy, for the first tin e in the
progress of this war, commenced early last Monday
morning. That brief time, however, has been filled

with so much hope and fear, and anxiety and ex-
3itement, that its sudden end is hailed all the more
gratefully. On Sunday last, after defeating the
forces of General Wallace at Monocacy-bridge, the
enemy sent a column of troops down the Washing-
ton and Frederick turnpike. It entered Rockville
on Sunday morning, and appropriated all supplies
that it could lay its hands on, and then moved on
towards Washington. Five miles from George-

'own, and two miles beyond the fortifications

Breve in our pickets one mile on Sunday nigh

At daybreak on Monday morning skirmishing com-
menced within rifle shot off Fort Pennsylvania,three
miles from Georgetown. The fort startled the citi-

zens of Georgetown by opening its heavy guns.
Skirmishing lasted all dsy and into the night, the
enemy not seeming in large enough force to advance
their line. Simultaneously with the appearance of
-his force another division of troops appeared on the
Seventh-street road four miles from the city directly
north, and immediately in front of Forts Stevens
and De Russel. Here they seemed in larger force,
and in skirmishing with invalid regiments and mi-
litia our troops got the worst of it. At times the
rebels were within 200 yards of the forts, and their
sharpshooters picked off a good many who stuck
their heads above the parapets.

"By Monday noon the enemy had a strong skir-
mish line, and some 60 were killed and wounded ;
but at dusk the veteran troops came up and advanced
ro the front, when fighting became severe for skir-
mishing. The rebels began to use artillery, and
Forts Slocum and De Russey opened in reply with
their heavy guns.

"The fight, which was seen by hundreds of spec.

.ators on the Seventh-street-road, was very excit-

ing to novices. The country was well situate to see
all the firing of infantry and heavy fort artillery,
while burning residences, barns, and other buildings,
which had been fired by both parties to get better
range of each other, lighted up the fields and woods
►hat skirt just outside the outer line of fortifications.
" At noon intelligence of the cutting of all tele•
graphic and railroad lines between Baltimore and
Washington came to hand, end added,itwas thought
hen, something as to the enemy's full design.
Washington became isolated, and so remained 36
noars. Tuesday afternoon Pennsylvania-avenue
was crowded with troops marching in all
directions, while an incessant flood of extras
from newspaper offices announcing that Fort

Lincoln, situate on the Baltimore turnpike,
'en miles north-east of the capital, had been at•
tacked, wrought up the excitement to the highest
pitch yet reached during the invasion. In the
mean while skirmishing continued all Tuesday after-
noon all along the lines, without anything new
going developed in the enemy lines; and so Tuesday
wore into night, and, notwithstanding published
rumours of the advance of the rebel force on the
south side of the Potomac, a perfect feeling of seen
rity prevailed, for it was then doubted if the rebels
intended an assault, and if they did our forces
would prove too much for them.
"During the early part of the night their line
was strong as usual, stretching from the railroad
this side of Bladensburg to Fort Pennsylvania, two
miles frOm the Potomac. The city now being per-
fectly isolated, many of the places of business were
closed, and provisions reached ' panic' prices.
"Flour rose in price 10 dole. per barrel, and
citizens found grearclifficulty in providing for their
families when suddenly ordered into the ranks.
Tuesday afternoon no one was allowed to go to the
front without a pass, and rumour was glib enough.
There was but little excitement except among the
militia. It was well understood all was in readiness
by our forces to attack on 'Wednesday morning.
" But daybreak came, and behold the skirmish
line and pickets had vanished, and the enemy was
gone.
" Ruined fields, smouldering houses, and his dead
and wounded were all left behind ; a most sickening
memento of his visit.
" Cavalry followed in pursuit, and the enemy
were found to be retreating towards Frederick. A
small battery had remained near Bladensburg,
firing at the railroad train long after the main line
had retreated. Thus commenced and thus ended
the rebel invasion of the district of Columbia and
investment of Washington.
" The enemy's troops came nearer the city than
they ever have before. At several points in their