The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-05-29
THE WAR.
IMPORTANT FROM VIRGINIA.
BANKS DRIVEN ACROSS
THE POTOMAC.
RIOT IN BALTIMORE.
HEAD QuARrERs OF BRIGADE,

HEAD QUARTERS OF BRIGADE,
Martinsburgh, Va, 5:45 p. II.
4 prisoner captured this p. M, says the
that their pun pose Is to enter Harper's Ferry
and Williamsport.
/ lie confirms all we have heard in regard
to the rebel force here.
We also passed the Potomac safe-men
trains and all, after making march of 80
miles, N. p. BANKS,
Major General
( NEW YoRk, May % The Herald Cor
respondent from Banks Division, writes that
! 1000 men had been added TO the rebel force
in the Shenandoah Valley, and that the
whole force is said to number from $4,000
to 10000, with 81 pieces Of artillery, one Of
which was "a FOUNDER rified gun.
On the 9th of May he said there was a
| large rebel force in the mountains in their
vicinity, but that Gen. Banks had enough
men to keep them in check, but it appears
that on the 18th both Shields and General
Geary were Withdrawn from Gen. Banks
command, and their troops transferred TO
Mcdowell.
In letter Of the nth we find these gene.
rails and their forces had left to join Mellow
ell, that the day previously onion had been
effected between the commands Of the rebel
Generals johnson. Jackson and Ewel, and
| they were marching upon the divided and
reduced forces Of Banks. l 1'
The telegraph now brings the intelligence
| that Gen. Banks has fallen back before a
superior force of the rebels, who are occu
pying the whole of the Shenandoah Valley,
which has cost us so much trouble to rescue
from their clutches
WASHINGTON, May 25.-We have passed
very exciting aav in Washington.
Intelligenceh had been received last evening
to the effect that Gen. Banks had fallen back
from Strasburg to Winchester.
| This was understood to indicate rather q
precautionary measure on his part, than the
result of any immediate movement of the
enemy. s4tss ss 81. s.
The tidings Of this morning, announcing
the occupation Of Winchester BY jackson,
the withdrawal Of Banks, after an engage
ment of six hours, in the direction of Mar
tinsburg and Harper's Ferry, placed matters
in new light. and arouse serious appre-
tensions, rot only for the safety of his little
command, bnt for the Baltimore & Ohio r.
R., the city of Baltimore. and even the
capitol. @ E
Litter in the day, the reports of tho rioting
in Baltimore and the rout of the entire force
of Banks, by the quick march and over
whelmning numbers Of jackson, greatly in
tensified the excitement.
The secessionists sympathizing with jeff
Davis, were too greatly elated to conceal their
joy, and openly expressed their belief that
the hosts Of JEFF. Davis will overrun Mary
land and the District within "a hours.
The feeling is one of regret, that by some
body's blundcr, our cause in the valley of
the Shenandoah should have been so seri-
eusly set back, and the enemy given such a
decisive advantage.
Great sympathy is expressed for the Union
raen Of Winchester and vicinity.
| BALTIMORE. May 25.- During the Fay 100
persons were knocked down in different parts
Of the city. In one or two cases ropes were
brought out and preparations for hanging
persons to lamp posts were made. Two
men were stabbed but not dangerously
Among those attacked was Robert McLane,
late Minister to Mexico, who was saved by
the police.
Two members of Kelley's regiment have
arrived in the city. They report they were
attacked by large cavalry force under Ash
ley. and several regiments of infantry.
The fight commenced at II o'clock and
continued till night, when the infantry force
succeeded in surrounding them.
| The first fight and repulse took place East
of Shenandoah, and finding the force too
great he retreated to the West side. destroy
ing the principal bridge. West of the river
he made another stand, and Knapp's bate
nv moved the rebels down with shell and
grape. They fired nearly 200 rounds. Kel-
Icy received musket ball in the neck du-
ring the first attack, but continued on horse
back until the close of the day, when he
was placed in an ambulance, fearfully ex.
hausted
The las: fight took place about four miles
this side Of Front Royal. his effort being to
fall back in order, expecting reinforcements
momentarily from Gen. Banks. A member
of Knapp's Battery, who escaped, say the
Maryland regiment fought hravely, and that
Col Kelley led them frequently to bayonet
charges. He also says that on the Sd up.
proach of Ashby's cavalry, he displayed the
white flag until within pistol shot range,
when Col. Kelly ordered them to cease fir-
ing. The white flag was then thrown down,
and the enemy rushed on our troops. cut
| ting and slashing them in oil quarters. Lieut..
Col. Dushane and Maj. Miller are both
thought to be surrounded and made pris
oners.