The national Republican., 1861-07-04

PASSAGE OF THE POTOMAC AT Will.
LIAMSPORT ON TUESDAY, BY GEN.
ERALPATTERSoN'S FORCE-FLIGHT
OF THE ENEMY. ....
The following dispatch was received here
yesterday morning, at quarter past two o'clock
Hook RIVER, near Martinsbure,
July 2, 1861.
To Col. E. D. 7o,cnsend, Asst. Adjt. Gen.:
We left Williamsport of o'clock, A. NJ, to.
day for this place. We drove and routed the
rebels, about 10000 strong, home, with their
four guns, and now occupy his camp with
loss on our side, regret to say, Of three killed
and ten wounded. r. PATTERSON,
Major General Commanding.
The following details are given in the dis.
patch of the same date, to the Associated
Press, from Hagerstown:
Between three and seven o'clock this morn
ing the United States troops which have been
concentrating at Hagerstown and Williams.
port, for snveral days past, crossed the ford at
Williamsport.
Major General Patterson reviewed the troops
as they fled past him. The morning was
bright and beautiful and the soldiers were in
excellent spirits.
Scouting parties, composed Of Capt. McMul.
Inns Rangers, and others, selected from the
first Wisconsin regiment, were sent out at mid
night, and frequently during the night brisk
firing was heard between the Federal pickets
and those of the enemy on the Virginia side.
The proper fords having been sscertsined
the advance took place before daylight, the
post Of honor being assigned to Capt. McMul
Inns Independent Rangers, and the first Wis.
consin and eleventh Pennsylvania regiments.
The advancing columns consisted of the
briSatss Of Generals Abercrombie, Thomas and
fhe Independent Rangers behaved remark.
ably we'll, getting close up to the enemy, Al
distance OF only sev enty FIVE yards.
General Abercrombie's brigade led the sd.
vance, and the casualties Of the conflict we're
almost exclusively in the first Wisconsin and
eleventh Pennsylvania regiments. Colonel Jar.
rett and Lieutenant Colonel Coulter led the
skirmishers, opening upon the enemy at four
hundred yards.
The whole of the Confederate forces at Mar.
rinsburg, consisting of four regiments Of in.
fautry aud one regiment of horse, were engaged
in the action. They had with them four pieces
Of artillery, partly riaed cannon, and we're com.
msnded by General jackson.
The First City Troop Of Philadelphia we're
assigned position near the United States cav.
airy, under Captain Perkins, and behaved re.
markably well.
As far as known, the casualties on the Fed
eral side arc two killed and several wounded.
Several of the dead and wounded Of the seces.
sion troops were left on the field in their hasty
retreat. Two Of them were buried by our men.
The loss Of life on the Confederate side is stated
10 be very heavy.
In anticipation Of q retreat Of the Federal
forces the Confederates had levelled the fences
on both sides Of the. turnpike even with the
ground, 80 As to cut them of In the event Of
their retiring TO the Potomac.
The first stand wss made at er6ed 9
farm, on the turnpike and near Hainesville,
where it was necessary to destroy barn and
carriage house. in order to make charge upon
the enemy. Here the conflict was ferce-the
Confederstss standing up well to their work
but finally slowly rrtreatiug
Knapsacks and canteens were hastily thrown
aside, as incumberances 10 O backward march
They left behind them number Of blankets
and other articles of value, indicating con
siderabis loss on their side.
The following announcement is from the Bal
timore Rhtriot of yesterday:
I1Do and haif ,oclock.-A private dispatch
Just received from Msrtinsburg, says: "Tht
Confederate troops are completely surrounded
and their retreat cut of"