The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-25
NEWS FROM THE UPPER POTOMAC.
IMPORTANT OPERATIONS OF THE HOSTILE
FORCES

| FORCES.
WnLlAMsroRT Doc 81 1861.
from personal observation your correspondent is
WINGED that the rebel troops which have threatening
TINS point were not at the utmost extent, over sever
ousahd In number, and not four pieces OF artillery
nave oeen seen here within the past week The militia
whch might have numbered thousand I've hundred
refused from the first to the river and two
sons would not approach nearer than mile.
The mill owned by the Colstons, tho south end Of
Dam NO. 8, was BOT on fire Thursday night by CAPTAIN
Hampton OF the pttsburg Light Battery attached TO the
First Virginia regiment, and six men, volunteers, who
went over IN three skis They found in the mill, DO
Sides the articles above mentioned several Shells which
were probably to have been sent the next day.
On Friday tho elegant brick residence tho Costons
situated hundred yards from tho MILL was TO DO
on hre, but party of tho First Virginia and
extngashed it, after which they ransackcd the oubuld
ings and brought or considerable amount Of piundcr
such As overcoa, picket ropes lssgngs axcs besides
supply OF poultry.
Tho enemy excepting few solitary sentincls posted
on the distant bills ii this point un half
past inree M when they brought in sight their twelve
pound PARROT gam and trews few shells toward the
camp Of the First Maryland which had succeeded tho
Fth Connecticut then 'oe Cor Hancock ten pound
Parrot gun q Matthew'S Pennsylvania battery soon
drove them out Of sight. There loss side
and probably but slight loss tho other side,
tho safe distance At which their gun was stationed
while these things were IN progress troop OF rebel
c cna made their appearance opposite Wamspert
view LOT several hours, going through drill the bene
1T Of the spectators.
About noon regiment OF cavalry and another Of in
ianry made their appearance the ford AT the Four
Locks, two miles above Dam No s. but not liking the APP
poaranco OF Colonel koney preparations, they subse-
quenty Withdrew, without making any demonstrations.
In the afternoon Information reached Coonel Leonard
that the main body of thu enemy werc with their
CONS and boats, concentrating near Failing Waters five
miles from Dam No o. Oh the Virginia side but owing
the curves In the river fifteen miles between those points
on our side Colonel Leonard Immediately reinforced his
pockets at the former point keeping section of battery
and the Twenty ninth Pennsylvania as reserve few
shells were exchanged, and the enemy retrcated en-
camping out OF sight, beyond the range of Parrot
guns.
Intelligence yesterday from the other side goes to show
that the rebel commander having failed all his at
cmps. withdrew his forces that morning towards Mar
tsburg, leaving only three companies pckets
but not taking away his wagons and boats. All was
comparatively quiet during tho day.
HANCOCK, Dec. 20, 1861.
The Thirty ninth Illinois, having received their arms,
arc now hero, posted in strong position, anxously
awaiting opportunity rcpe tho enemy cooperate
with General Kelly advance guard which extends
here, besides guarding the railroad all the way from
The Fifth Connecticut and Knapp's battery
nre expected here in day Or two.
WlIIAMsroRr, Dec. 81, 1851.
This morning. man named J. B. Wharton residing at
Clear Spring approached Of the pcke,s and Of
esed him S25 to carry despatch to the other side The
soldier made the fact known to Colonel Leonard who had
him arrested but not till he had destroyed the despatch
He is connected by marriage with ex-senator Mason now
in Fort Warren. Colonel Leonard holds him as a spy
This town has been under martial law for several
months Lieutenant John g. Hovcy Of Company D. Mas
achusctts Thirteenth. is the Provost Marshal. Among
his political prisoners r. D. shepherd OF Shepards
own SON Jaw of Alexander Botsier Abraham shcn
,rd, captain in the rebel army, and considerable num-
Der of civil officers Of Morgan county who undertook TO
execute the rebel laws.
Romncy in -four hours including twenty miles OF horse
In iew days the wires will connect.
lamon brigade (he First Virginia regimeDt) consists
# three companies Of cavalry now with General Kelly;
our companies cf infantry, ami two companies OF ar
cry under Colonel LEONARD Tho latter have volunteered
% ri1cmcn until their batteries arc received
specimen of forced marching occurred Wednesday
night Colonel Kcnlys First Maryland regiment LIT |
heir camp ncar Frederick at twelve O'Clock and arrived
here at ten O'Clock Thursday mornnga distance OF
nearly twentyaigh miles They stopped four tim only
the route, resting fifteen minutes each occasion
DAN, No 4, Dec o. 1851
James Greenwood, staunch Unionist, reports that
here but guerrilla company left keep guard on
he neck opposite between this place and Falling Waters
our miles above The remainder left for Mar tinsburg
saturday morning. excepting the wagons containing the
lam in Virginia. where his family still reside. To his
vigilance and patriotism attributed the successful
-cpuscs Of the enemy ut this point He Is untring in
cxcrtOns TO give timely notice to authorities OF
my movements of the enemy in this direction He |
states that this guerrilla company always the 60
showing themselves at point after point to convey the
impression that the enemy have large force there.
much valuable information regarding localities ana also
for his services as guido. From him ! learn that
during their attack here last Tuesday two privncs OF the
50 G
probably several others Tutson Dugan, formerly a or
at Martnsburg, had his leg broke. and otherwise
slightly injured at the same time The latter is par
ticulaly obnoxious TO the Unioniss in this section.
A finely finished Coffn was seen m route from Martins
10 Dam No g. Thurs ay leading to the impress
sion that some officer Of rank had been killed thcrc.
Sylvester Stonebrcaker resident of this precinct but
who was arrested and made to take the oath Of aeg
by General Ncgley last immcr, made his escape into
virginia nea this point last night 1t is stated that this
man gave tho enemy intelligence that large .orce
under General Banks was preparing 20 cross at Williams
port and march upon Winchester and probably inducing
.;cnera Jackson make tho recent demonstration upon
Reports from Union men the other side state that
during the gallant spnsS q T. s. Tuesday by
eight robots were killed outright and twelve
wounded. IT will no rccollccted that the ono
c onr ickes there who with their rifles compelled the
70 hasty retreat This occurred Mt the time
twelfth Indiana The attacking forces comprised do
lachments from Colonel Ashbys cominand under Cap
laius Henderson, Mason anu baylor.
Your correspondent kindly furnished with recent
copies Of tho V,r7nin Republican,, published at Martins
burg and Richmond Dispatch OF the 18th inst by private
eter Mcssner OF the Indiana Twelfth, Hungarian pa
riot and refugee. This Is always on tho alert in
the enenys movements and is spoken Of by
his superiors as possessing ut'rng vigilance.
MkRcxRsurLx Con the rivcr four mnesl
below Dam, No. 81, Dec %, 1851.
This little hamlet is inhabited by persons engaged in
he canal trade but being without exception strong
niopiss threats have been made by the enemy des
row ther habations causing considerable anxiety This
IA @ il closely watched by the Indiana boys.
last night the large barn occupied by John z. Conode
but owned by Samuel Stonebyakor, OF Baltimore was
brcd nv anincendiary and consumed with nearly all its
routcrs including horses five cows, several tons Of
hav Ave hundred bushels " whoat, hogs, agricultural
wagons harness. nc. Loss $z 600 to SIS 900
NJ (onode Is unonists and was absent from homo At
the time. ~ -
SHARIsBURG, Dec % 1861.
s,ea,n Howes battery Of the Fourth regular artillery
arrived hero Tonight route from Romney Washing
ION Tho men arc perfect dogs in appearance hay
;ne perromed the most ardiUus duties under General
Kelly, "a Western Virginia
laura Kccne's Theatre.
Tho domestic drama OF " Iiite Tom :, and singular
composition entitled Robinson Crnsoe' were produced
= NJ Is theatre last evening for the first time. Foiiowng
tos lately after the g Seven Sons and The Seven SIS
,., some miracle Of theatrical enterprise and dramatic
a.