Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-07-11
WlLLfa1syoR4, Tuesday. july .. 1861

W1LLfA1spoRr, Tuesday, July ., 1861.
The Reporter of the Associated Press went
down the Potomac yesterday, to see the ex-
pected move of troops across the river at
Sheppard's Ford, two miles below dam No.
4. The towpath of the canal was cut to per-
NIT the artillery to have an easy grade down
into the fording. but the opposite bank was
found to be so precipitous that the troops
could not ascend with ease, and the crossing
was abandoned. The mistake arose from
the Incompetence of the guides. The ford
ind is naturally one of the best on the river,
and the proper ascent on the Virginia shore
very easy. Within radius of three miles
from the ford lay encamped the I'd and Sd
Pennsylvania Regiments under Col. Wyn-
k0op.
The Regular Cavalry, four companies of
the I'd Parker Battery of Artillery, 9Th, 2Ist
and 23d Pennsylvania, under Col. Thomas,
18th and Oath Pennsylvania Regiments un-
der Gen. Negley, the 1lth Pennsylvania,
and lst Wisconsin, and McMullen's lnde-
pendent Rangers, under Col. Abercrombie.
Gen. Negley's and Col. Wynkoop's bri-
gade actually struck their tents at 3 o'clock
this morning and marched to the ford. The
whole colnmn, embracing Is full regiments
and several detached corps, such as Major
Doubleday's two companies of the Second
Cavalry, the First City Troop, and Perkins's
Artillery, with the exception of the Fourth
Connecticut Regiment, lying in camp at
Hagerstown, are now encamped here, and
are under marching orders. At 3 o'clock A.
NJ, the column will cross the river.
Burfside's Rhode Island battery is con
fidently expected tonight or early to-mor-
row. 1t is reported that some of the regi-
ment from Col. Stones column will join the
column tomorrow. In order to lessen the
size of the column only wagons instead of
| ere to be allowed te each regiment. Ten
days rations are to be taken in bulk.
The stars and stripes were hoisted on a
tree on the south side of the river to-day by
a Marylander. by the nGme of Sanders, in
full view of the Confederate pickets. They
did not fire upon him. Colonel Jackson
lies at Hokes Run, three miles this side Of
Martinsburg, with about :, 3,000men Theen-
emy were observed busily engaged in erect.
ing earthworks Immediately back of the
Heights, opposite Doubleday's battery.
Late this p. m. it is thought they design
putting guns IN position to obstruct the
march Of our troops. About fifty shots
were exchanged this morning between the
advance guard Of the hostile forces at Shep-
perd's Ford. No casualties so far as known
There will doubtless be sharp work before
the 4th passes over unless the Rebels re-
treat.
HAGERsToWN, Nd, Tuesday, July 2,sslS6I
At 4 o'clock this afternoon special con-
veyance arrived in this town, bringing Cor
poral John N. Mckinley of the Independent
Rangers, he being the first soldier brought
here wounded in an action. Considerable
excitement was occasioned upon his arrival
and from statements made by him and from
those on higher authority, the Government
operators CLEAN the following:
Between 3 and o'clock this morning
the troops which have been concentrating
at Hagerstown and Wilhauiaport for several
days past, crossed the Ford at Williamsport
Gen. Patterson reviewed them as they filed
past him.
The morning was bright and beautiful
and the soldiers were in excellent spirits
Scouting parties of Capt MeMullen's ran gers
and others selected from the lst Wisconsin
Regiment were out at midnight, and fre-
quently during the night brisk firing was
heard between the Federal pickets and those
of the enemy on the Virginia side.
The proper furds having been ascertained,
the advance took place before daylight, the
post of honor being assigned to Captain Nc
Mulen's Independent Rangers, and the
First Wisconsin, and the Eleventh. Pennsyl
vania regiments.
The advancing column consisted of the
brigades of Abercrombie, Thomas and Neg
ley The Independent Rangers behaved
remarkably well, getting close up to the
enemy--within distance of only 70 yards
Abercromhie' brigade led the advance, and
the casualties of the conflict were almost
exclusively on the lst Wisconsin and llth
Pennsylvania regiments.
Col. Jarrett aud Lieut.. Col. Coulter led
the skirmishers, opening upon. them at 400
yards. The whole of the rebel force at
Martinsburg, consisting of four regiments
of infantry, and one regiment of horse, were
engaged in the action.
They had with them four pieces of artil
lery, part rifed cannon. and were com
manded by Gen. Jackson. The first city
troops of Philadelphia were ossigned posi-
ton near the United States cavalry, anse,
Capt. Perkins, and behaved remarkably