The Portland daily press., 1862-09-30
FROM MC'CLELLAN'S ARMY.
Statement Of DIR. LaughtOn Of
Bradley JOhnsOn'S staff.
The Rebel Wounded.

BALTIMORE, Sept. 90.
The following is from the Americans letter,
dated Camp of the n. Y. Zouayes. near Sharps-
burg, Sept. 29.-The headquarters of General
Mcclellan were removed yesterday to point
three miles nearer Harper's Ferry. This
movement may mean something, or it may
have been made merely for convenience sake
At any rate it is regarded here with some in
terest.
Harper's Ferry is now held in large force by
our troops, and is evidently regarded as an i'm
portant point in the position of the army of
the Potomac. OF other movements oil troops
taking place shall say nothing. Burnsidc's
corps has not gone to Harpcrs Ferry. | may
say, however, that all indications here bespeak
renewed activity on the part of the army.
The rebel accounts of the late battles create
some disgust, but more amusement among the
officers and soldiers.
A ride from the centre of the army of the
Potomac TO its right wing at Williamsport,
gives an impressive idea of the immense num-
ber of men and prodigions amount of materi-
al that has been brought together. For thir-
teen miles the eye never loses sight of camps
At Williamsport there have been no opera
tions on either side.
The rebels continue to picket the Virginia
side of the river, while our forces do the same
on this side. As general thing there us else
where on the river, there is no firing between
pckets, both sides, by mutual consent aban-
donng this useless and murderous practice.
When in Hagerstown few days since,
gave list of some distinguished rebels who
recorded their names at the Washington
House. Among these was DR.. McLaughton, of
Bradley Johnsons staff This same individual
a few days since crossed the river and gave
himself up to the pickets of the Sth Maryland
regiment. He stated that he was utterly tired
of the rebel service, and would sooner be in
Fort McHenry than with the army in Virginia.
McLaughton is a Marylander, and believe
formerly resided at Ellcott's Mills. He brings
news of the death of Albert Carroll, one of
the sons of Chas. Carroll Esq.
Our scouts visit Shepardstown frequently by
day, while rebel cavalry still come there at
night. The place is being held by neither
party.
Over 200 rebel prisoners are there, guarded
by the 91st Penn. regiment, and under care of
three rebel surgeons. The hospital is terri
BILE place. The men are of the desperately
wounded, and there is scarcely one who has
not an arm or leg, or is not otherwise mutt
lated. Our men mingle freely with them and
are untiring in their willingness to aid them in
any way that can give relief or comfort.
Harpers Ferry, which reached this morn
ing from Sharpsburg, is now the centre OF i'm
portant movements.
The completion of the Railroad Bridge has
an important connection with the movements
OF the army, as it is impossible for it to move
far in Virginia without completed line of
railroad communicating with its base of sup
plies. 1t would be an easy thing TO march
our men, now rested and in fine condition, TO
Winchester, or Martinsburg, but it would not
be SO easy to feed them after they were there.
Our advance is four or five miles out and a
rebel force of two brigades of Louisiana and
North Carolina troops are in our immediate
front, and show disposition to to contest our
further advance. A cavalry officer and a
squadron were captured in house which was
surrounded by our troops.