Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-19
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
IMPORTANT FROM THE UPPER 20.
TOMAC.
Attempt Of the Rebels TO Cross the River Mt I
Failing Waters-Prahahla Eaaasement

Failing Waters-Probable Engagement
FREDERICK, Dec IS "A gentleman who arrived
from Williamsport late last night reports that
Gen. Jackson's rebel brigade has been largely
reinforced, and is supposed to amount to 1900
men, now at Falling Waters At O'Clock p m.
81 wagons belonging to the rebels were backed
down to the shore, and boat from each quietly
launched into the river. Two Of the boats were
OF large size, for the transportation Of artillery
AT this Juncture our informant left for General
Banks headquarters. He thinks the object Of
Williamsport, and secure the stores and arms
| there He Informed Col. Leonard Of all that was
transpiring, and thinks the latter has taken full
precautions to prevent IL by removing the stores
steps to concentrate all his available force to pre-
vent the passage Of the riYer.
Our informant passed The Fifth Connecticut
Regiment, en- route for Williamsp port, two miles
northwest Of Boonsboro, and sixteen miles from
Wiliamsport and Bests battery three. quarters Of
mile In the rear Of the Connecticut Fifth Regi-
ment. Later intelligence states that the battery
reached Williamsport at six O'Clock this morning,
having passed the Connecticut regiment on the
route.
A deserter-a resident of Hancock county, Va
reached dam No Yesterday from Jackson's bri-
gade, who said that Jackson had Is, 600 men, but
this Is considered an exaggeratien by our infor-
mant, who had for one hour good view of Jack
sons whole command. The deserter stated that
Jackson's regulars Nncluding a Georgia regiment
which had just Joined him y were determined ''to
go to the devil with their commander but the
militia were equally obstinate in refusing to cross
the river. Jackson, he said, was determined to
cross the river this morning.
On receipt Of this intelligence by Gen. Banks
orders were Issued to the Sd Brigade (Gen Will
liams commanding) to be prepared to perform a
forced march to Williamsport at a moments no.
tce but up TO 10 O'Clock this morning the brigade
had not moved, but was in readiness to leave at
any time.
LATER.
IL Is reported on the street that one regiment
only Is about TO move, which indicates that Jack
son has not sufficient strength to execute his
threat, but has probably tried the experiment and
met with check. Firing was heard at 6 O'Clock,
the hour at which Bssts Battery had probably
reached the river opposite Falling Waters.
Passengers by the Hagerstown stage report M
mors OF firing at Falling Waters this morning
aud numerous other reports are IN circulation, but
nothing authentic. There was considerable ex-
cltement there as the stage left, at O'Clock a. m
Reliable reports say that Leesburg has been of
late reinforced by from four TO five thousand men,
the rebels fearing an attack by Gen. Stone Ii is
thought that Jackson's force could be easily
strengthened on short notice
There Is no truth In the statement that the
SIausburg and Winchester railroad has been
completed. Not many days ago, several loads OF
railroad iron were sent to Strausburg from Win
chester, which probably gave rise to the report
The bulk Of the rails are still piled up near Win
chester.