Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-03
From Bolivar.

BOLIVAR, Va, Feb. 25.-The army of General
Banks occupied Harper's Ferry unopposed on
Wednesday with all the necessaries for a perma-
nent occupation.
The advance took possession of Bolivar Nights
yesterday and pushed reconnaissance to Charles
town. capturing few prisoners.
Loudon flights are also occupied to prevent
any flank movement by the enemy.
To-day Charlestown was occupied by a strong
force and will be held against any attack
The plans of the commanders are not known
but the movement is probably to cover the re
construction OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
bridges and may mean MORE
A train of cars 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 was complete success.
Hundreds of refugees have returned to their
desOlated homes, and those remaining are ovei-
jOyed 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 of sufficient strength to cause
any alarm. Approved by N. P. Banks, Major
General commanding Department.
BOLIVAR, JEFFERSON Co., VA, (near Balti-
more) Feb 25-Since Monday night Harpers
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 ad-
vance guard considerably reinforced.
Bolivar and Charlestown and a considerable
portion 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 our
army.
The people in this town and the neighboring
places which our troops have occupied, were in
a condition bordering on starvation. There are
comparatively few inhabitants remaining here
now, and they all profess Union sentiments, and
great delight ut being relieved from the thraldOm
dom which has oppressed them for the last six
months.
Many refugees are returning. The right wing
of the army has considerably curtaied the rebel
territory in Virginia, and made foothold for it
self which oil the power Of the rebellion cannot
wrest from it.
The enemy have made sad havoc among the
residences 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 on
the road from Harper's Ferry to Bolivar.
The enemy shelled the town to-day at Berlin,
as they we're passing down to Baltimore, but
their practice was bad and out of twelve shots
fired, only two exploded, and none of them did
any damage.
The plans Of Gen. Mcclellan are being rapid
ly unfolded, and you may rely upon it, from my
own personal observation, that brave young chief
tain is diligently laboring to crush the monster
rebellion at the earliest moment