Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-31

ceutrated attack, still the yery weakness Of
our army would Unknown to the rebel COM
hnn ders, be sufficient to induce onslaught
with even equal numbers. No favorable
responses having been received from WASH
lngton as to reiuforCements, an officer Was
specially despatched thither to Law the case
before the War Department in person hnt
before completing bis duties news came of
attack at Front Royal, and few hours In.
ter the retreatof Gen. Banks entire army
towards Maryland.
AT the hotel in Front Royal on the night
Of the 18th, your correspondent saw an
accomplished prostitute who has figured
largely in the rebel cause, and having seen
her but short time previous at Martins
burg, her presence at Front Royal at a time
when the rebels were surrounding it, sus-
plcions were aroused that she meant mis-.
chlet. She was pointed out TO the military
commanders there and her arrest advised.
1t Is now known that she was the bearer
of an extensive correspondence between
the rebels inside aud outside of our lines,
have the following statement from an
officer who participated in the battle at
Front Royal;
after you left Front Royal, Belle Boyd
made trip to Winchester, in company
with a cavalry officer. While there
she was arrested by the military authori.
ties, but with her usual atlroituess aud as
sumed Innocence she got clear of any
charge of treachery, and returned to Front
Royal again.
An hour previous to the attack on Col.
kenly, Belle went out on rise of ground
South of the town, and was seen TO wave
her handkerchief towards the point from
which the centre Of the attack was made"
Your correspondent cannot vouch for
the strict accuracy OF all the foregoing,
but undeniable proof exists here Of her
treason. Belle now reposes on her laure!s
in the Confederate camp.
The first intelligence of the attack ON
Frent Royal was brought to inchester bv
one of the Ira Harris Guard and was tais.
graPhed to Gen. Banks at Strasburg. by
Capt. Flagg, Assistant Quartermaster. BIT
htteen minutes elapsed after the rebels
were discovered, before Col. Kenly's COM
mand was completely surrounded,
me details of the murderous affair bav-
ing been published they are omitted in this
correspondence.
The large quantity of medicines, sur
geous Instruments and hospital stores at
were destroyed by medical Pnr-
veyor Barcher while the enemy were in
town. DR.. Barcher passed through storm
OF balls and shells, and was several times
fired on from the Taylor House. where be
had boarded for weeks
Chlliss' AOuaves D'Afriouie; a battalion
of Ira Harris Guard, under Colonel DeFor-
rest Captain Hampton, of the Pittsburgh
battery, With few of his men, and small
0ody OF infantry, were cut of by the main
BODY OF the enemy between Midd!etOwn
anu winchester. The whole force consist
ed Of less than one thousand men.
The Zouaves and Cavalry had been de-
tailed to destroy the bridges after our re-
treat.
Capt. Hampton after securing his guns
went to the rear to bring off bis battery.
wagon and forges. Finding their retreat cut
on they retraced the road TO Strasburp.
Several times Hampton checked the uursuit
OF the enemy's cavalry by mounting a
stove pipe on his carriage aud placing it in
position until the Infantry had passed ahead.
The ruse was not discovered by the enemy.
Teaching Strasburg, this force collected
thirty-hVe abandoned wagons, loaded with
stores. Thence they took the
road north, and BIZ Circuitous
route came in sight of Winchester, only to
lind themselves in the enemy's rear. Taking
the road to Bath, followed by a battalion
u Fs0el cavalry, they finally reached the |
Potomac, near Hancock, and reached here
last night, with but small loss.
On one occasion the Zouaves. only about !
70 in number, kept ut bay for a quarter of
an hour brigade of the enemy and per- |
1aps saved the whole force. The Zouayes |
IRE Gen. Banks body guard and appear to |
AVE been well selected tor such an i'm
1ortant duty.
At Hancock the Zouaves found secreted
md brought off six cases Of rifles. Less
han 90 wagons, out of about 500, iuclud-
ng many considered worthless by General
Shields when he left this column, have
.een lost and the enemy have derived but
ittlO benefit from what was abandoned on
he road. A large amount of old camp
quipage. turned over as useless to the
lusrtermas!er, WAS burnt.
One of the principal acquisitions by the
nemy was between 600 aud 1000 Euro
'ean rifles, left there by Gen. Shields When
re left Banks command.
The safety of SO large portion of our
ommaand is undoubtedly attributable to
he experience of Capt Holabird. Chief
euartermaster, and Capt. Beckwith, Chief
'ommissary.
later from Corinth-Its Destruction