The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-03
LATEST NEWS.
FED ERAL
1ELEGRAMS.
Later from Upper Potomac--The Federal Ar
my about Crossing the River.

my ABOUT Crossing the River.
"tLLiAMsPoRT, July l.-YOur correspondent
went down the Potomac yesterday to see the ex-
Pecteu movement OF troops the river at Shep
herdStord, two miles below Dam No. 4. The tow
pain ot the canal was cut to permit the artlley to
nave an easy grade down with the fording, bu. the
opposite bank found to be so precipituus that
the troops could not ascend with ease, and the
crossing was abandoned. The mistake arose from
the incompetence OF the guides. The iording is
naturally Of the best on the river, and the pro
per ascent on the Virginia shore very easy
Within a radius of five miles from the ford Law
encamped the I'd aud Sd Pennsylvania under Gen.
eral Wynkoop, the regular Cavalry, four compa-
nies of the 2nd Parker's battery Of ArtiIlerv tbo
9th, 2lst and 23rd Pennsylvania Regiments nndar
Colonel Themas; the l4tb, 18th and 24,b PannsHi
vania, under General Negley; the 11th Pennsylya-
ma regiment, lst lsconsin Regiment, and McMu.-
lens Independent Rangers, under Colonal sber
crombie. General Negley's and General WV
ko9p's Brlgades actually struck til cir tents at 3
CLOCK this morning, and marched to the
t,rI t"Tp' me whole column, embracing eighteen
fuil Regiments and several detached corns
sneh as Major Doubleday's two companies
the second Cavalry, and th4 First City troops
anu FlckeD,s Artillery, with the exception of
the Fourth Connecticut lying in camp at Hagers-
town, are now encamped here and are under march
ing orders, and at o'clock tomorrow morning
tne column will cross the river and take up a nosi
ton on the south side unless repused by the
Burnside's Rhode Island battery is confidently ey
pected tonight or early to morrow II is ten0rted
that some regiments from Col Stones column will
loin this column tomorrow. Ia order to lessen the
SIZE oil the column, only five wagons instead of
eleven are to be allowed to each regiment. ten
DAYS rations are to be taken in bulk
The stars and stripes were hosted on A tree on
the Virginia side of the river to-day bv a Marv
lander by the name of Sanders in full view of the
Confederate pickets. They did mt fire upon him.
Col. Jackson with his force lies back some dis
tance at Hoke's run, three miles this side of Mar
tnshurg, with about 5000 men.
lhe enemy were observed busily engaged in
erecting earthworks Immediately back Of the
heights opposite. Major Doubleday's battery ar
rived late this afternoon. 1t is thought they de-
sign putting guns in position to obstruct the march
OF our troops. Some fifty shots were exchanged
TINS morning between the advance guards of the
hostile forces at Shepherdsf0rd. No casualties so
far as known, have occurred. There will doubtless
be sharp work before the 4h passes over unless the
Confederates retreat.
The First Battle on the Upper potomac--En-
gaSement between the Federal TI,ooE,s 80.
der MajOr-General Patterson and t1,e g.,
1emer"te Troops--Retreat OF the Confeder-
HAGERsrowN July 2-At4o'clock this aftarroo,
special conveyance arrived in this town bring
ing Corporal John n. Mctuilly, of the Indenan
dent Rangers, of Philadelphia he being the fist
soaier brought here wounded in an action which
TOOK place TINS morning between tue Federal
troops, under General Patterson, and the Confed
crates.
Considerable excitement was at onca occasoned
upon the arrival of the wounded man. and eager
H.'S I" Va' IL 'ue news FROM statements made nv
him and from those in higher authority. the uov-
eminent telegraph operators here have CLEANED the
following particulars
Between 3 and O'Clock this morning the United
States troops, which have been concentrating at
Hagerstown and Williamsport for several days past
crossed the ford at Williamspurt
MaJor-General Patterson reviewed the troops "a
they HE'D past him. The morning was bripht
spirits
:, Scouting parties, composed of Capt McMullin's
Rangers and others selected from the First Wis
eonsn en regiment, were sent out at midnight, and
frequently during the night brisk firing was heard
between the Federal pckets and those of the enemy
on the Virginia side
The proper tords having been ascertained the
advance took place before daylight, the post of
1onor oelng assigned to Capt McMuins Indepen-
dent Rangers and the First Wisconsin and Eleventh
fennsyivnnia Regiments.
The advancing columns consisted of the Brigades
OF Coils Abercrembie, Thomas and Nag ey
The Independent Rangers behaved remarkably
well, getting close uPto the enemy at distance of
only rs yards.
Col Abercrombies brigade led the advance. and
the casualties of the conflict were almost excnsive
MIA Regiments.
Col jarrett and Lieut.. Col. Coulter led the skir-
hiShefs, opening upon the enemy at four hundred
wards. The whole of the Confederate forces at
Msflhspurg, consisting of four regiments of In
iantTy and one regiment Of horse were eppsred in |
Tue action They had with them four pieces of ar |
tillery, partly riHed cannon, and were commanded
by Gen Jackson.
The First City Troop, of philadelphia were as
signed position near the United States Cavalry |
under Capt Perkins, and behaved remarkable |
well: AS ar as known, the casualties on the Fede-
RAJ eide are two killed and several wounded
several OF the dead and wounded of the Seces-
SION troops were lett on the field in their hasty re-
treat. Two OF them were buried by our men,
In anticipation of retreat of the Federal forces
the Contederates had IevelIed 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 the
Potomac.
The first stand was made at Porterfield's farm.
on the turnpike road, near Hainesvile, where it
was necessary to destroy barn and carrage-house
10 order to make charge upon the enemy. Here
the conflict was fercs the Confederates standing
ing.
hnapsacks and canteens were hastily thrown
aside as encumbrances to a backward march. They
ie't behind them number of blankets and other
articles ot value, indicating considerable loss on
their side.