The New York herald., 1862-10-17
New York. Friday, October II, 1865
TH II SITUATION.


TH H SITUATION.
An advance of our army into Virginia was made
from Harper's Ferry YESTERDAY. At six O'Clock in
the morning General Humphreys division crossed
at Blackford's ford and advanced on Sheperds
town, supported by General Porter's division. He
was met by the rebels, who opened heavy fire
upon him. and as General Humphrey had no artil
lery and the object of the reconnaissance being
river.
About the same time a portion of Summers
corps, consisting Of part of General Richardson's
and General Sedgewicks divisions, under COM
mand of General Hancock, advanced from Bolivar
Heights along the road to Charlestown, and met
the enemy's pickets in force, supported by bat
terry, near Halltown, driving them with artillery
in. and following them up towards Charlestown,
which place our troops occupied at noon. At
four O'Clock we formed in line Of battle, with
our infantry along the heights near Bunker
Hill, the enemy's line extending from that
point to the Shenandoah. A slight skirmish en-
sued, and the rebels fell back, our forces push.
ing on to position two miles farther. Imme.
diately after the firing was heard all the troops
along Bolivar, Loudon and Maryland Heights
were under arms and ready to move. General
Mcclellan, accompanied by his wife, passed
through Harper's Ferry in the afternoon, en- route
for our advance posts on the Winchester road,
in Chor - - u N
Heavy rains took place last night at eight
o'clock on the Potomac, and if it continues there
Is every probability Of rise in the river, which
may make some serious difference at the various
fords.
reconnoitering party from General Sigels
force towards Leesburg, by way of Drsnesville re-
turned yesterday and reported that General
Stuart's rebel cavalry occupied Leesburg from
Sunday morning until two o'clock Monday after
noon. Their force is estimated to exceed three
thousand. The men appeared worn out, but other
wise looked well. They were leading about two
hundred extra horses. Reconnaissance to our
front have discovered force Of about four hum
dred rebel cavalry west of Warrenton:
BY the arrival in this city yesterday of Captain
Hagar of the late ship Brilliant one of the victims
of the rebel Alabama's piratical raids. we are put
IN possession Of the nodus operandi which the
.corsair Semmes adopts TO entrap vessels on
the high seas. 1t appears that Captain Semmes
keeps close watch on the Atlantic, and when he cap
lures merchantmen, holds on to her until night
and then sets her on fire. Neighboring vessels ma
turally steer for the burning ship to tender aid,
when they readily fall into the clutches of the Ala
bama, A aotla Of swift, well armed steamers,
despatched from the leading Atlantic ports, would
soon make short work OF Captain Raphael semmes
and his pirstical craft.
A despatch from Fortress Monroe states tha.
the rebels opened fire from number of field
pieces at Wilmington North Carolina, few days
ago upon the Union gunboat Maratanza, killing
q masters mate and one sailor and woundng FIVE
men. The gunboat Mahasla returned the fire and
drove the rebels OF.
Major General Foster has imposed a duty Of ten
-,sr cent upon all cotton exported from New
fern.
A great battle was fought in Kentucky on We'd.
nsday. between Lexington and Richmond, in
ihich tho rebels, under Kirby Smith, were com
pletely repulsed, flying in disorder, and throwing
away their arms. The fgh. is said to have lasted
from sx o'clock in the morning till
eleven at night. We captured large quan.
tty Of cattle and stores. and took A
great many prisoners. Numbers Of the enemy
without arms, arrived In Richmond during tho
night, evidently fugitives from the battle field.
They declared that they had been terribly whipped
II was reported at Louisville that General Buell.
had passed through Crab Orchard at eleyepy
O'Clock, and must have been close on the rear n
Bragg's army. The rebel cause in Kentucky
sswould thus seem TO have received a deadly blow.
ss1pr Louisville correspondent furnishes somS
f1A bod interesting details Of the late battle near
N3seee> The losses were heavy aud the forces
76fSAas f,sge as the following abstract will
sssSss sase .ass.S.l. S.l.....".............4 .4, 900
sSsgaTs .s=5. K............. ....l6,000
e H5yeesss:sses ~ 900
sf1i sYssSe a ssrsSs,frers two aud half
s$yesS&9ss. sals.s sa>
ssd ect sss 9 i 81 esss sescsea zS,a,; ,,sss
lIig ssss .S:..ss =. y. 100 100