Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-19
GEN. PATTERsoN,s COLUMN.

aFt1dgeE.NOtlceAOl Eunernl9 and announcements
OF sermons, so cents zach. novll-'59
GEN. PATTERsON's COLUMN.
No Movement In nAtlvance--MotIves of
the Rebel 1RetreRt--Behavior OF Our
! Troops---OutrRSe by Soldier a
New Yorker IkIlled by the Rebels.
| Editorial Correspondents of the n. Y. TimesI
MIRTiXsBGRGM, Va, July l2.
In spite fall the rumors to the contrary
everything here continues quiet. This col
umn has neither been cut 10 pieces as has
been reported. nor advanced TO meet Gen.
Johnson as was expected. 1t remains in
stUiW quo. Day before yesterday orders
were issued by Gen. Patterson for an all
vance the uext day upon Gen. Johnsouis
lzforce, which was then believed to be at
Bunker Hill, about eight miles in advance,
Z iutrcuched anu prepared to make fight.
During the day, however, it was "scertnin-
cd that lie had reircated still further-and
the orders were countermauded.
Yesterday afternoon deserter came in
to camp and was taken to headquarters.
lie was IL citizen of Martins1urgh, and had
been impressed into the rebel army previ-
ous to lis advance on Barper's Ferry.-
While there, with some twenty others, he
managed to escape, but was afterwards
taken from MS bel AL - U ClOSh III NuG
morning and again forced into the ranks.
He stated that the regiment he was in wits
at Manchester, located just outside of the
town; that the whole rebel force was en-
cnmped ia that neighborhood, and that
some regiments were ut White Post, still
further on. This confirmed the previous
intelligence of retreat. Winchester is about
% miles from MarIiusburg, and so from
Manassas Junction.
Gen. Johnston's motive in thus falling
back is not quite obvious. 1t is probably,
however, to draw Patterson as far as pos
sible into the interior,-either to fall upon
him suddenly with u very large force
drawn from Manassas. or else to come in
behind him aud cut off his supplies. Gen.
Patterson will not move without having
rsttAken every possible precautioaagainst
both these movements. do not think he
will leave AIartinsburgh, at any rate, be-
fore Tuesday or Wednesday of next week,
and think it doubtful whether he will
then. He has now IL very excellent loca-
tinn,-fue camping grounds, "a position
capable without entrenchmenlS of being
successfully defended agninsta large force,
and open communication in his rear. His
supplies now ali come to Hagerstown by
way OF Chnmbersburgh, and are then
transported by wagons six miles to VIII
Transport, where they ford the Potomac
aud 20 on to headquarters twelve miles
distant. The roads are excellent. The
rebel scouts now and then make their APP
pearancc, along the route, but they are un-
able 10 do much damage. BY advancing
regiment to Charlcstown, and another to
Harpers Ferry, he couiL have II shorter
and easier line OF communication by tie
Baltimore and Ohio Riilroad,-and would
cut oil any attempt of the enemy to pass
tc his rear.
The health of the camps here is very
good. Provisions are reasonably album
dnnt, bnt forage is becoming scarce. 1t is
difficult to procure hay and corn without
going n considerable distance from camp.
The rebel cavalry are on the watch for for
aging parties, aid frequent casualties ut
tend them. Yesterday II body of men from
the I9,h New York Volunteers were for
aging some four mile from camp, aud had
lett the road for an adjoining field, when
they were seen by u body of secession
cavalry, which halted, drew up in line
along the road, and commenced firing upon
them. They killed one man, member of
the 29th Regiment, who had Joined the
party. did not learn his name, but was
told he was locksmith, from Lockport.-
Two men of the 10th, Co. E, were taken
prisoners When last seen, they were be-
ing run off by the side of the horses, each
being held BY the collar by II rider. None
of the rebels were killed, as our men were
taken by surprise, and were unable 10 re-
turn the fire with any effect.
The secessionists, while they remained
here, made u pretty clean sweep of every
thing in the way OF provisions in the I'M
mediate vicinity, and / believe that most
1. Il, .
North.
The deserter to whom have already re-
ferred says that tue rebels are well armed,
| but not we'll uniformed. They have but
! little means OF transportation, and are
short Of provisions. They never distrib-
ute bread to the privates, but give them
-four, which they are expected TO mix with
water and bake for themselves. He had a
specimen of the mixture with him:-it was
| of the kind that sinks II muu at Once if
eaten before bathing. 1t seems to be the
general usage of the Southern army to
distribute flour, instead of bread:--you
| may remember that a prisoner ut Fort
Monroe gave the same report of the Gus
tom at Yorktown. This man said there
were great many men in the rebel ranks
who did not wish to fight, aud would glad
| ly get away it they could. Several Incl
dents have occurred confirming this. Af-
ter the skirmish at Falling Water, some
six miles from here, one of the rebels WAS
i found by our men on the field mortaIly4
! wounded. With an effort to speak, lie
told those who found him that he was for
| the Union,-that he was on the other side
against his will,-and thai, throughout the
!! fight that day he had not fred his gun.
Reaching out aud getting it, he showed
them that the nippers had been filed with
lead, so that ii could not be fired.
Men are constantly coming into camp
asking protection, or applying for the res
| tiiution Of property that has been taken
1 by The rebels. Gen. Patterson treats them
with uniform courtesy and does AL in his