The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-25
From the Upper Potomac.

| UWumsDOrf, SD, Dcc. 2t-lrm personal
| observation your correspondent is CCuyigc If
that tbs iebcl troops which have been threat
| enipg ib' point were not at The utmost extent,
over 900 in humber, aui not over four pieces
of artillery have been seen here witt in the Isl
week. The militia, which Mi sht have NUN.
bcIcd iiit,cu HI n rod, refused from the f st 70
cttss the river and on two occasions woald not
approach nearer than mile.
The mill owned by the Col,tous, NJ the south
o. OF Dam NO. was SGT on fire TIL usday
nisht by CspA.in Hampton, of tn. Pitt,burgh
Light Battery, attached to The lst Virginia Re-
giment, and six men, volunteers who went
over in three sGii's.
On Friday the elegant brick residence of the
ColioIs situated a hundred yards from the
mill, was cen to be on fire, but a party Of the
1st Virginia went over and extinguishsd it (;
after which they ransaokcd the Outbuildiugs
and brought oil a considerable amount of plan.
der.
The enemy, excepting a few solitary senti
nels posted on the distant hills, were not seen
at this point until half-past 7. NJ, when they
brought in sight n IL pound Parrot gun, aud
threw few shtlls towards the camp Of the lot
Maryland.
A10-pound PARROT gun Of Matthews, Pa
battery, soon drove them out Of sight.
While these things we're in progress, troop
OF rebel cavalry made their appearance opposite
Willamsport, about one mile from the river
going through drill for the benefit OF the spec
tatoIs.
Hancock, Dc. 20.-The 39th Illinois having
received their arms, are now here, posted in a
strong position, anXiOusly awaiting an oppor-
tunity TO repel the enemy or cooperate with
Gen. Kelly advance guard, which now extends
here, besides guarding the railroad all the way
from Cumberland. The 5:h Connecticut and
knapps battery, are expected here in day or
two.
Wilidnsport, Dec 21.-This morning man,
named j. Is. Wharton, residing at Clear Spring,
approached one Of the river pickets and offered
him $2j to carry dispatch to the other side.
| The soldier made the fact known to Col. Leon
| ard, who had him arrested, but not ill he had
destroyed he dispatch. lie is connected by
| marriage with ex Senator Mason now in Fort
| Warren Col Leonard holds him as a spy.
This town has been under martial law for sew
eral months. Lieut. John q. Hovey. Of com,
pany b., Massachusetts, 18th, is tho Provost
Marshal. Among his political prisoners are Il.
ID. Shepherd, OF Shephardstown, son-in-law OF
Alexander Botele'; Abraham Shepard, a cap
tain in the rebel army, atd considerably mum.
her Of civil officers OF Morgan county, who un.
derto,k Ia execute tho rebel laws.
A specimen of forced marching occurred on
Wednesday night. Colonel Kenlys First
Mary land regiment, left their camp near Fred
erick, at II o'clock, and arrived here at 10 A.
NJ, on Thursday morning, distance OF nearly
% miles. They stopped four times only on the
route resting fifteen minutes on each occasion.
Dam No. 4, Dec. 22.-Jamos Greenwood, q
staurCh unionlst, reports that there Is but
one guerilla company left to keep guard on the
neck opposite, between this place and Falling
| Waters, four miles above. The remainder left
| for MAHiDsburgh en- Saturday morning, except
| Ing The wagons containing the boats.
| Your correspondent is indebted to Mr.. Green
| wood for much valuable Information regarding
localities, aud also for his services a. a guide
| From him Learn that during their attack herr
last Tue SHAY, two priva'es Of tho Ham'rAnc
| Guaids, Of SnephaTds own were killed, and pro
| baby several Others. Tilloto on Dugtn, for
merry jiiler IA. NJ insburgh, had his leg broker
and was otherwise slightly injured at the sam
time. The latter is particul ally obnoxious l.
| the ULionists in this section.
| Sylvester StOnebrcakeT, a resident Of this
| precinct, but who was arrested and made I
lake the oath of allegiance by Con. Negle
lat summer, made his Escape into NIrgni
near this point last night. 1t is state | tina
this man gave the enemy intelligence tina
a large fO'ce under Gen. Bank, was prcplrin
to cross at Williamsport, and march upon Wi.
chester, aud probably inducing Jackson 10 max
the recent demonstration upOn Willansport.
, Reports from Union mon on the other sit
state that during tire gallant repulse Of la
, | Tuesday, by two companies of the Indiana q
at hi. place, eight rebels were killed outrigl
a ard II wounded. IL will he rec Elected tn,
; the emmy had two small guns and made a
, attack On our pickcts there, who with the
rifles compelled the former to beat hasty r
l | Ieat.