The Portland daily press., 1862-09-22
Rejoicings at the Rebel Defeat at Frederick.
Destruction Of Goods.
Our Troops Cross the River and are Forced
to Retire.

FREDERICK, Sept. 20.
Sheling was kept up at the enemy across
the river at Sheppardstown until Friday night.
report has come into Frederick that force
was crossing at Wiiamsport, and that a part
of our army was sent TO meet them. Heavy
firing was heard at noon to-day in that direc-
tion and at Sharpsburg, but up to tonight no
intelligence has been received from either
place. This morning delegation OF twenty
surgeons from New York passed through
Boonesboro' on their way to the battlefield.
A number of ladies followed in ambulances
under charge of Miss Dix.
The churches and other buildings in Boones-
boro' and Keedysville are full of our wounded,
and the ladies of these places are cheerfully
doing all in their power to alleviate their suf-
ferings. The inhabitants in the vicinity of
Frederick and Hagerstown are returning to
their homes, and seem to be in great glee be-
cause the rebels are driven across the river.-
No pillaging was allowed by the rebels previ-
Gus to the battle of South Mountain, but after
that they cleaned the country very thorough
ly, particularly around Sharpsburg. Goods
which they could not use they destroyed
Many houses were riddled by bullets and
shells. and several barns burned.
There is no evidence that either Longstreet
or Lee were wounded in the battle of Wednes-
day.
The number of prisoners in our hands Is
about 1900. At least 10000 stand of arms
were found on the field belonging to the rebels.
FREDERICK, Nd, 81, Ecening.
Headquarters, Saturday evening.-The 4th
Michigan regiment, with a few men from
Sykes brigade crossed the river at Sheppards-
town Ford, yesterday afternoon, for the pur-
pose OF making reconnaissance. They met
with a stout resistance from the enemy, but
succeeded in reaching this side of the river
htrfl lars,,
pieces of artillery which they took from the
enemy. The occupation of the Virginia shore
was again attempted this morning, but with
less success. Acting Brig. Gen. Barnes with
his own and portion of Sykes brigade, some
cavalry and two batteries crossed theriver and
took position on the Virginia Shore Short
ly after the troops had been placed in position
the enemy emerged from under the cover of
woods, with a line of infantry nearly mile
long. Both forces became engaged, when the
order was given to retire, which was done in
good order, the enemy following close behind.
When the enemy came within range, fire was
opened by twenty pieces of our artillery post
ed on the Maryland bank, with such force that
they were forced to retire out of reach. Their
loss from our artillery fire must have been
heavy, as the explosions of our shells were
seen to make large gaps in their lines. Our
loss in killed, wounded and missing will reach
about 130 The TROOPS safely returned
to Maryland, bringing their wounded with
with them.
Information was received to-day of the
evacuation of Harper's Ferry by the rebels
Their artillery was removed from the line of
the Potomac last night, and il is believed that
their army is falling back in the direction of
Charlestown and Winchester. 1t was report
ed that a force of rebel cavalry and artillery
had left in the direction of Williansport, and
force was sent in that direction. Heavy fir
ing was heard in that direction, which shows
that they have become engaged.
The great bridge of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad over the Monocacy, east of Freder-
lex, which was destroyed by the rebels two
weeks ago, is again restored. This completes
the road from Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Washington to Frederick and TO Sandy Hook,
opposite Harper's Ferry.