Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-07-12
I 2, On, the Baltimore San,
HAGERsToWN, july 2.

IAOERSIONN, July =.
At / o'clock this afternoon a special
conveyance arrived in this town, bringing
Corporal John N. Mckinley, Of the hide
pendent hangers, of Philadelphia, be be-
ing the first soldier brou. hit here wounded
IN az action which took place this morning
between the Federal noops under General
Patterson.and the Confederatcs
Considerable excitement was at once &C.
casioned by the arrival of tie wounded
man, and eagerness to learn the news =
From statements made by him, and from
those IN higher authority, the government
telegraph operators have CLEANED the fol
lowing particulars:
Between 3 and clock this morning,
the United States troops, which had been
concentrating at Hagerstown and Williams
port for several days past, crossed the
ford at Wilhamsport.
Major-General Patterson reviewed the
troops as they fled past him. The morn
ing was bright and beautiful and the SOL
dlers were IN excellent spirits.
Scouting parties, com posed of Captain
McNullin's Rangers aud others selected
from the lst Wisconsin regiment, were
sent out at midnight, and frequently dur
IN the night brisk Gling was heard be-
tween the Federal Pickets and those Of
the enemy on the Virginia side.
The proper fords having been ascertain
ef' the advance to0k place before daylight
he post OF honor being assigned to Nc
Mullen S Independent Rangers and the 1st
Wisconsin aud 18th Pennsylvania Regi-
ments
The advancing columns consisted of the
brigades OF Co.'s. Abercrombie, Thomas and
Ncgely.
The Independent Rangers behaved re-
markedly well, getting close up to the en-
envy, at distance Of only IS yards. Col
Abercrombie's Brigade led the advance,
and the casualties were almost exclusive
ly in the First Wisconsin and Eleventh
Pa. Regiments. Col jarrett and Lieut..
Col. Coulter led the skirmisherS, opening
upon the enemy at four hundred Yards
The whole of the Confederate forces at
NIartinsburg, consisting of four regiments
Of infantry and one regiment of horse,
were engaged in the action They had
with them four pieces Of artillery, partly
rifled cannon, and were commanded By
Gen. jackson.
The First City Troop, of Philadelphia,
were assigned a POSITION near the United
States Cavalry, under Capt Perkins, and
behaved remarkably well As far as
known the casualties on the Federal side
are two killed and several wounded. =
Several of the dead and wounded of the
Confederate troops were left on the field
in their hasty retreat. Two Of them were
hurled by our men. The loss of life on
the Confederate side is stated to be very
heavy
1 anticipation of retreat of the Fed
eral forces, the Confcderates lad levelled
the fences on both sides of the turnpike
even with the ground SO as to cut them of
IN the event OF their retiring to tho Poto-
mac.
The first stand was made at Porterfeld' 5
farm, on the turnpike road near Haines-
vile, whore it was necessary to destroy a
barn and carriagc-house IN order to make
a charge upon the enemy,
Here the conflict was fierce, the Confed-
crates standing well up to their work, but
finally slowl y retreating. KnapSacks and
ranteens were hastily thrown aside as en-
cumbrances to backward march They LETT
behind them number of blankets and 9TH
er articles Of value, indicating considera-
Die loss on their side.