The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-09-20
Rebels Retreating in Great
Confusion.
ARMS AND CANNON TAKEN.
MANY PRISONERS CAPTURED, dc.
[Herald's dispatch.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.-At o'clock this
afternoon intelligence was received that since
$50 this morning the fiercest and most san
culinary battle of the war has been in pro-
gress. All the corps darmce which McClel.
Ian had taken with him to Frederick, were
massed at the point indicated, and the en-
gagement is believed to have been between
the whole Of the two armies. There is rea-
son to suppose the losses on each SIDE very
great, as acquisitions for medical stores and
arrangements for wounded men to be sent
to Rohorsville immediately, are larger than
have ever been made at any time.
Information has been received that Nc
Clellan destroyed the aqueduct at the mouth
Of African creek, and the bridge across that
creek on the road leading to Sharpsburg.
thus cutting off the retreat of the rebels in
direction of Shepardstown. ~ar nz
Later reports from Hagcrstown state that
this p. m rebels are retreating in great dis.
order, and subsequently, heavy and rapid
firing was heard in direction of Williams
port, which induces the belief that Mcclellan
has pursued the retreating rebels Mt that
point, and that they made stand there to
cover their passage across the Potomac.
a reconnaissance made by Col. Davis cav
airy, who made a dashing foray towards
Hanover Junction, from Fredericksburg, and
now under command of Heintzelman, show
that since Friday last the rebels have evacu-
ated Leesburg, and that force Of ten thous-
and men, with 80 pieces of artillery, and a
supply train two miles in length, has gone in
the direction of Harper's Ferry. Gaav -.a
Information has been received here, which,
however, is not deemed altogether reliable,
that a large rebel force is marching north.
ward upon the other side Of Bull Run Noun
ta,ns. Measures have been promptly taken
to ascertain the truth of the report. ar
= A gentleman Of this city who is convers-
ant with the region about Sharpsburg says
Potomac can be forded at Shepardstown at
African creek, at dam number 4, and at
Harper's Ferry. A letter received to night
from Lieut. Russell Of 18th, states that their
loss Mt battle of Pass of the Blue Ridge to be
156. Maj. Martin and Lieut.. Dougherty
were killed. ar .sf.r..r..r .-..f.gg .Esar.e
3 81, 'ss Especial to Times. mqss's ..s.
WASHINGTON, Sept 16-11:1O M-Very
little is positively known in regard to to-dav's
fighting. except the fact that the contest is
still going on. ta@@ est }a glm.s.a a
The Government has preserved silence in
regard to whatever information it possesses,
but we learn from some official sources that
the tenor of the advices is favorable to the
Union cause zH sHs,f rsHE 70 "
Private dispatches, believed to be correct,
inform us that the enemy had destroyed the
turnpike bridge over African Creek. and
had thrown mp rude earthworks to defend
the fords of said stream. as~g ts.d.F /.
LATER.-We learn they have been driven
steadily back towards the Potomac. It was
believed the fighting was mainly nv the rob
81 rear guard, which was contesting the ad.
vance Of our troops and covering the retreat
of the main body. vnasoar s..eg,ss, 4. ~.
d A special train with medical stores and
Surgeons leave here tonight for Frederick.
Heavy firing heard to-day in the direction
of Drainesville.i which tends to the belief
that one of our columns may have encoun-
tered foe in that neighborhood. II so our
knowledge Of the force and its leaders leaves
US in no fear of the result. ,ssr afg a.
r Especial to N. Y. Herald. aB i
3 HARRrsBURG, Sept II Evening Reports
Just come in state that the whole rebel army
has. been driven this way. and is retreating
to Hagerstown,l D. H.. Hill killed. Saa q
J Ten thousand Pennsylvania militia will
meet the foe at Hagerstown, to invade Penn
sylyania backwards. ~ ssF gsdatalg -
A severe engagement occurred yesterday
between our army and therebels near Sharps-
burg, with terrific slaughter; 500 Of their
dead were buried by US as early as o a. m.
today, and the work Is still going on. ~,
This morning the battle commenced near
Gettysburg. jackson joined Lee and the
forces at African Creek, while. our forces
were reinforced by 80 900 men from Wash
ington.7 Jackson's reinforcements to Lee
are reported to be 10000. ts,ari3.a Il qga,e
b Up to my last advices the victory iiiumin-
ated our standards, and the impression pre-
walls at Hagerstown that the whole Rebe
army of Virginia is annhilated. @
r Confidence prevails here, and an enthusi-
astib adm ration of Mcclellan and our army.
We have undoubtedly won great decisive
victories both yesterday and to-day. Among
our trophies are whole batteries and thous-
ands Of small arms and prisoners. a
FREDERICK. Md, Sept. 1.-THE following
is to the Baltimore Commercial: a.
Intelligence from the front this morning
is of the most cheering character. notwith-
standing the bad news from Harper's Ferry.
Mcclellan was pursuing them with a vieor
most destructive to the enemy on Monday
morning, with mis- reserves and large body
OF fresh troops.
The enemy took the road towards the
river at Harper's Ferry, and he was pursu-
ing them and Smelling their retreat with
great loss In several contests IN Monday,
where they made stand, our troops charged
on them with such vigor that they fell back
from point to point in great haste.
The battles and advantages obtained on
Monday, are thought to be superior in i'm