Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-03
FROM wEsreRN MARYLAND

FROM WESTERN MARYLAND.
wLLIANsPoRT, July l-Your correspondent
went down the Potomac Yesterday, to Zee the
expected movement OF troops across the river at
Shepherds Ford, two miles below dam No. 4.
he tow path Of the canal was cut 70 permit the
artillery to have an easy grade down info the
fording, but the opposite bank was found to be
90 PERCEPTIONS that the troops could not ascend
with ease, and the crossing was abandoned. The
mistake arose from the incempetency Of the
guides. The fording 10 naturally one Of the hest
on the rivef, and the proper ascent on the Viz
ginia shore very easy
Within radius Of d We miles from the ford lay
encamped the ID and Sd Pennsylvsnisns, under
General Wynkoop; the regular cavalry, four
companies Of the I'd Parker's battery OF artillery
the 9th, 2lst, and 23d Pennsylvania regiments
under Col Thomas the 18th, 18th, and 94th
Pennsylvanians, under Gen Neglry; the lIth
Pennsylvania regiment, LIST Wisconsin regiment
and McMullen's Independent Rangers, under
Col. Abercrombie
Gen Negley's and Gen wyukoop's brigades
actually struck their tents at three o'clock this
morning and marched to the ford The whole
column, embracing eighteen full regiments and
several detached corps, such az Msjor Double
days two companies, the ID cavalry and the LIST
city troops and Perkins artillery, with the excep-
ton Of the 4th Connecticut lying In camp at
Hagerstown, are now encamped here aud are
under marching orders, and az three O'Clock to-
morrow morning the column will cross the river
and take up a position On the south side, unless
Burnsides Rhode Island battery Is confidently
expected tonight or early tomorrow. IL Is re.
ported that some regiments from Col. Stones
column will Join this column tomorrow. In or
der to lessen the size of the column only Eve wa
gons instead Of eleven are 10 be allowed 70 each
regiment. Ten days rations are to be taken In
bulk.
The Stars and Stripes were hoisted on tree on
the Virginia side Of the river to-day by Mary
lander by the name OF Sanders, in full view of
the Confederate pickets. They did not Ere upon
him
Col Jackson with III. fore. It.. h,,l .,v,.
distance, at Hekts run, three miles this side OF
Martinsburg, with about three thousand men
The enemy were observed busily engaged in
erecting breastworks Immediately back Of the
heights, opposite Maj. Doubleday's battery, late
this afternoon. Ii is thought they design putting
guns In position to obstruct the march Of the Fed
morning between the advance guards and the
hostile forces at Shepherds Ford. No casualties
so far as known. have occurred There will doub'.
less be sharp work before the 4th passes over IN.
less the rebels retreat
The First Battle on the Upper Potomac
Engagement Between the Federal rsep,
under msjsr General Patterson and the
Confederate TreoPs-RetreAt Of the Gen.
fedcratess
noon special conveyance arrived In this town
bringing Corporal John N. Mckinley, Of the
Independent Rangers OF Philadelphia, be bel q
the first soldier brought here wounded In ar
action which took place this morning between
the Federal troops under General Patterson and
the Confederates
Considerable excitement was at once occasioned
upon the arrival Of the wounded man, and "a ger.
ness to learn the news. From statements made by
him, and from those In higher authority, the
Government telegraph operators have CLEANED the
following particulars:
Between three and seven O'Clock this mornInp
the u. 5. troops, which have been concentrating
at Hagerstown and WilliamspOrt for several dayl
past; crossed the ford at Williamsport.
10 A. D-aa
they flied past him. The morning was brigh,
and beautiful, and the soldiers were In excellent
spirits.
Scouting parties, composed Of Capt McMullIn,,
Rangers, and others selected from the First Wis
consin regiment, were sent out at midnight and
frequently during the mig BIT brisk firing was bes
between the Federal pickets and those Of the enc.
my on the Virginia side
advance took place before daylight, the post OF
honor being assigned to Capt. McMullini indie.
pendent Rangers and the First Wisconsin and
Eleventh Pennsylvania regiments.
The advancing columns consisted Of the bri
gades OF Coils AbercrOmbIe, Thomas and Nugely.
The Independent Rangers behaved remarkably
well, getting close up to the enemy. at distance
Of only IS yards. Col Abercrombie's brigade led
the advance, and the causalities Of the confic
were almost exclusively In The First WIsconsin
snd Elsv-nth psHn.yl~.ai. reeiaent.. Ooi. Jar
rett aud 1t. Col. Coulter led the administers
opening upon the enemy at four hundred wards
The whole Of the Confederate forces at M srtins-
burg, consisting Of four regiments Of infsntry nd
one regiment OF horse, We're engaged In the &C.
ton They bad with them four pieces Of aItille-
~, partly rihsd cannon, and were commanded
BY General JAG kson.
The First City Troop Of Philadelphia Were as
signed position near the United States cavalry,
under Capt Perkins, and behaved remarkably
We'll. As Tar as known the casu tlties on the Fed
eral side are two killed and several wounded
Several Of the dead and wounded Of the Confed
crate 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 10 stated
to be very heavy.
In anticipation OF retreat Of the Federal forces
the Confederates had leveIed the fences on both
SIDES OF the turnpike even with the ground 90 az
10 cut them OF in the event Of their retiring TO the
Potomac
The FIRST stand was made at Porterfeld,s farm,
on the turnpike road, near Hainesvllle where IL
was necessary 70 destroy barn and carriage
house In order TO make charge upon the enemy
Here the conflict was fierce, the Confederates
standing well up to their work. but finally slowly
retreating. knapsacks and canteens were hastily
thrown aside encumbrances to a backward
march. They left behind them a number Of
blankets and other articles Of value indicating a
considerable loss on their side