Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-03
SkiEmish Near LseAburr.

EEEsBuEG, Aug. %, 1SGl.-Extending along the
Potomac from Harper's Ferry towards Washing.
ton, distance Of forty miles, in comparatively
close proximity to the headquarters of the enemy.
and possessing, in great abundance, the stores
necessary the subsistence of an army the county
of Loudoun is very naturally the theatre offrequent
collisions between the csatending parties. For
several weeks past the Federal troops have been
crossing the river from the Mary land shore, burn
ing houses and wheat stacks and Carrying off ne
groes, horses and whatever else they could con-
veniently remove. Gen. Evans, who has recently
arrived at this point, resolved at once to put stop
to these piratical neursions and for this purpose
sent off large detachments to the various ferries
and crossings on the river. On yesterday at sun
rise, the deep m0uthed hOwitzer cannon from Rich
rnond, told that sharp work was going On at Whites
Ferry, about three miles from Leesbarg. The cans
nOnading lasted about an hour. and counted as
many as three guns to the minute l. is not known
how much If any damage was done to the enemy.
but those who witnessed the friBg are confident
that several of the Federals were killed The
enemy did not return our fire. but escaped from
covering to another until they out of sight
and beyond the range of our guns. 1.a'- ~
AT au early hour this morning, peal after peal Of
artillery broke the stiffness of one of the loTlest
Sabbaths that ever dswned upon our land. We
we're not much startled by it, supposing it TO be a
skirmish of the description the one of yes
terday; but at 10 o'clock as your correspondent
was abO1t to engage IN religious worship with the
chesterfield cavalry, at their beautiful encamp-
ment, the company received an order to march at
once to the scene of action together with the sad
news that one of their humber had fallen an hour
before, pisrced By minnie ball, while bravely
fighting for his country. Il seems that the enc
my had received reihforCements. and during
the night stationed themselves behind large trees
and other defences afforded by their position. In
fact, they have been occupied for several days in
throwing up earthWorks, expecting, no doubt, that
our army would attempt to cross at that point on
their way to Maryland The fighting is still go
ing on, our men firing at inteFvsle as the enemy
discover themselves from behind their coverings;
but it is Impossible to tell what effect produced
by our guns.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Examiner.
LEEsBURG. August 26th,-As exaggerated reports
of a brush that occurred on the river two miles
above here at COnrad's Ferry, on the 24th and 18th
inst between the enemy and handful of Coafede-
rates may get out, think it proper to send you
short reliable FepOt
Our force was composed of detachment of in
fsntry, Capt. Balls Chesterfield Cavalry company
and two guns of the Richmond Howitz3rs, under
Lieut. E. S. Mccarthy. The enemy had entrench-
large force one or two regiments-but no artil-
lery. il is presumed, we heard of none. At day
break, 18th our guns let loose on several little
sheds and houses in which the rascals supine-
ly basking in sleep ready! fire ~ and such
scattering and scamPering. Some hundred
rounds were fred on that day and the next Thu
offcers who watched the telling of the shots with
glasses, were enthusiastic at the firing. Once
or. twice large column was fired into with fine
eff ct, and 1t is supposed that colonel was then
kiled-the mounted officer leading was distinctly
seen to tumble Oft his housewives eupon great
stir was made around him. G. 81 r. .tl.F SEAS 81
In result the loss inflicted is calculated to be one
hundred (l00) in killed and wounded al least our
loss, one killed (Mr Royal of the Cavalry one
wounded (Mr John Barr, HOwitzer who had vol
unteered in the cavalry serVice.l
Capt. Ball was nominaly, but Lieut. Mccarthy
really IN command Of the expedition. as the artlle-
ry did all the work. This latter gsntlemans con-
duct and bearing on the occasion was admirable he
has not only dash but is strongly imbued with that
spiritof war generally denied to civilians. 1t may
be safely said that he will make his mark in this
war if he has ''half chance" and that rewards
with him will neither be i'll placed nor unobserved
This, not in compliment but in truth and equity.
All who know Lieut. Mccarthy will endorse these
remarks.
The Howe #itzsrs, as could be expected, acted
well