Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-03

Bolivar, VA, Feb. 2o-The army of General
Banks occupied Harper's Ferry unoppo-ed on
Wednesday with all the necessares for Il perma
nent occupation.
The advance took possession of Bolivar Highta
yesterday and pushed reconnaissance to Charles
town. capturing a few prisoners
Loudon Nights also occupied to prevent
anv flank movement by the enemy.
To day CharestOwn was occupied by strong
force and will be held against any attack.
The plans of the commanders not known
but the movement is probably to cover the re
construction OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
bridges and may mean more.
\ train of passing the Berlin station was
fired at TO day. but no harm was done.
The troops are in excellent condition and well
protected from the Indictment weather.
No accident occurred in transporting the troops
and supplies over the river.
The pontoon bridge complete success.
Hundreds of refugees have returned to their
desolated homes, and those remaining over
/ loved at our presence.
Nothing reliable has been heard from Win
! chester but current reports say it has been con
siderably reinforced
a small body of the enemy are supposed TO be
south of Loudon Heights four or FIVE miles back
of the river but not of sufficient strength 10 cause
any alarm Approved by n. 2. Banks, Major
General commanding Department.
Bolivar, JrTrRsoS Co., VA, (near Balti
more) Feb 2S-Snce Monday night Harper
Ferry and its vicinity have changed hands Our
advance guard, consisting of the 2Sth Pennsyl-
vania regiment passed over the Potomac from
Sandy Hook to Harper's Ferry before daybreak
on Monday morning, by rope ferry, and took
possession of the town.
Next day ample provision for transporting
troops over the river provided and our al
vance guard considerably reinforced.
Bolivar and CharlestOwn and Il considerable
, norton of the country on both banks of the
, Shenandoah are now occupied by our troops
Except about twenty of the enemy, who were
captured they all retired on the approach of oui
army.
The people in this town and the neighborlnl
places which our troops have occupied. il
a condition bordering on starvation. There are
comparatively Jew inhabitants remaining here
now. and they all profess Union sentiments. am
great delight 1T being relieved from the thrald n
: dom which has oppressed them for the last 81
months.
MANY refugees are returning. The right win;
of the army has considerably curtaed the rebe
territory in Virginia, and made foothold for IT
: self which all the power OF the rebellion canno
wrest from IL.
The enemy have made sad havoc among TN
residence, of the Union people here since the de
parture of our troops.
, So far. no opposition has been given to our ad
vance. not hostile shot having been fired.
Gen. Banks has established his headquarters o
c the road from Harper's Ferry 10 Bolivar.
The enemy shelled the town to day at Berlin
as they were passing down to Baltimore, bt
their practice was bad. and out OF twelve shot
, fired. only two exploded. and none of them dI
. any damage.
Z The plans Of Gen. Mcclellan are being rapi'
IL unfoided and YOU may rely upon it, from IN
= own personal observation, that brave yourg che
to tain is diligently laboring to crush the monst'
ID rebellion at the earliest moment.