The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-24
NEWS FROM GEN. BANKS DIVISION.
OPERATIONS OF THE HOSTILE ARMIES

NEWS FROM GEN. BANKS DIVISION.
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OPERATIONS OF THE HOSTILE ARMIES
WnILAxspoRr, Nd. Dec. 10, 1851.
Yesterday rebel battery section Of one, consist
ing OF one rined and one smooth bore FOUNDER tried
'nsT range on Colonel Leonards Thirteenth Massachu-
sesss) pckets at Falling Waters about four miles below
TINS place. Several shells and solid from the
passed over and around our men, but those from the
ter fell short Of the distance by forty rods Colonel
Leonard sent down one OF Captain Best's guns and a.
Parrot piece belonging to Captain Knapps Pennsylvania
battery. Ono Of the enemy was killed. and another
wounded. Several attempts were made to get the,
wounded man out Of the range, but every time shells
drove them back At night they camo down and took
him off,
Mr. Jacob Byers, residing Falling Waters, says.
that no knows positively that the rebels have than
one hundred bats the river; but Colonel Leonard
is satisfied from other that they have more
than fifty.
OnSunday last three Batimoreans deserted from the,
rebel army. They were drummer boys and sol
der
Yesterday the enemy recoufnenced their operations
on Dam No. 8, and succeeded in breaking up the vr
gina sde and at night they got into the log work
made considerable advance in their work before daylight
dawned when our battery opened on them. causing a.
suspension of operations They then series
Of shclling, alternately the dam and battery.
While this was going on they made q demon
stration Falling Waters. Here they mot
by section Of Best's battery and q Parrot gun.
which induced them to increase their range
At Dam No. this afternoon guns threw tive
shells into house Mrs. Colstons mill. They OK
ploded and at least fifty rebels were seen to run out
We had means OF ascertaning the number killed and
wounded. Later in the evening the experiment
tried the mill which has been rebel rendezvous
Of late and tonight heavy smoke in that direction in.
dcates that it is on fire.
desertor says that when General Jackson left VIM
chester troops remained there but this is doubted by
COL Leonard who has been credbly informed that there
Is considerable force the side Of the city towards
Romney From the best Of intelligence IL would
appear that General Jackson has but 600 to 600 men,
Also that he positive orders destroy Dam
No. s, even at the sacrifice Of every one Of his men,
The place most easily orded, should it be Jacsons in
tention to the river is at Shafers Mills below
Failing Waters, and that point consequently is strongly
guarded.
OUR wIl.LIAMsPORT CORRESPONDENCE
W,IlIAAsPoR1, Dec, 90, 1861.
The Late Affair at FILLING Wa,ers-The Rebels Destroying
Dam No. 5-7ae Loss Both Sides-Mousmemts Of Js;o,
Hoops-Continuation of the Army Telegraph Ltns-
Tricks Of Spectators &C., dc.
The result Of the skrmsh at Falling Waters, day be
fore yesterday very either side. Oul
had two pieces Of artillery had also the rebels
but the contending parties about milo and half
apart, which rendered their firing almost wholly nencc
tuai We had about two hundred of the Of the Mas
sachusetts Thirteenth present during the whole day
who tho enemy, far they revealed themselves
large woods where they concealed show ed them
selves very strong. None of either killed
wounded, though tho enemy known to have iosk
several. The firing was again resumed yesterday
ing but continued only short time when tho rebels
retired, and 1t ceased entirely.
We had also another pretty skirmish yesterday
at Dam No. 8, eight miles above, the Potomac. 1t
lasted from early in tho morning till after dark last
ming. 1t found, during the day before, that thee
rebels who tearing the dam away in a concealed
position the other sdc wore greatly protected by
large MILL stanling the dam, belonging to Mr. Cole
It being, therefore, deemed necessary to destroy
the MILL portion Of Captain Best's battery sent
from here late night before for that purpose 1t ar
rived the ground early yesterday morning. when IL
Immediately followed by the Connecticut Fifth Col.
Terry, which arrived here with Captain Bests battery,
the day before, from Frederick As soon guns
planted we opened upon the mill, which inme-
datey demolished the rebels who just that time
severely pcppered with small arms, fleeing from is
Ike from u sink ng vessel The firing kept up.
the whole day with small arms and canister. The
N.Y. h,wever, did not have any arle Till in me aftes
was dBcuit to determine how strong they were,
Of their concealed position but their forces evil
IDENTIFY exceeded our own by very large number We,
lost of during the engagement, while the
enemy lost considerable nmber in killed and wounded
including, it siid one officer They, however far
succeeded njuring the the Virginia side to-
leave all the water out OF IT, well as out Of the canal
There has baen for some limo considerable
conjecture as to their real object In wishing
to destroy the dam; but I think now that
has been chiefly with view Of aordng them, should
they desire it, nm easy crossing at that point.
Everything is pretty quiet this morning and be-
low here the river but an attack by the rebels at
point Is nn u o'a O Is ea, aga
will be followed by Other portions Of General Eanks
division Two companes Captains Cole and Horner, who
arrived here somewhat in advance Of the regiment came
by the way of Hagerstown, six miles from here where
they found the people very much frightened in conse
uucnce o. the runored crossing the enemy Failing
Waters. Things however, HAYES m9quct there
and moving usual The government commence
constructing the projected telegraph eserday from tha
place TO Hancock and thence to Romney which, when
completed, will continuous line from tho latter
place Washington by the way Of General Banks head
quarters at Frederick This viii very much facilitate thes
progress OF events on the Upper Potomac
The false Of the enemy crossing at Falling Waters
Tuesday night WIS doubtless the work Of traars and
SPECTATORS this and neighborhood The presence
Of che Massachusetts Thirteenth and Illinois Thirty ninth,
together with several companies Of cavalry had afforded
them fine held for their operations for tme and
when they had nearly all gone Monday, going up
and others down the river these like Ottcllo fonnd
ther occupatiou gonc In order therefore, restore
their oppol tunts Of fraud SPECULATION upon the
soldiers they edcd in getting report OF that
kind VIII CHI has already had its desired effect This,
thing however. should be efectuay stopped Try.
the government in way. There Is no doubt that
pretty strong force necessary here but that necessity
snud not Supect our oTaVe men 10 the melciesS opera
tons Of OF thieving spectators, who becoming
rich while the country is growing poor.
EXECUTION OF LANAHAN, THE MURDERER
OF MAJOR LEWIS.
The following order in relation to Lanahan the n1ur-
dercr of Major Lewis, recently issued by Geacra
Mcclellan
GENERAL cRpER-Yo. 81
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE POTOMAC
WASHINGTON, Dec l3, 1861. I
I-Pefore general court martial of which Colcnet
Thomas H. Kruger, Third Wisconsin Volunteers is presi-
dent convened at the camp OF General Banks division
by virtue OF Special Orders No 49, Of the 2fst OF
bcr 1861 from these headquarters was arraruei and
afa nf