Maryland free press., 1862-11-07

enroute to Cumberland. We proceeded no; tn
ward until We had reached the turspike leading
RON Hsgerstown TO Hancock, (known as ths
National koad.) Here signal station on the
mountain, and most of the party, with their fses
sud apparatus, we're surprised and captured, and
also eight or ten prisoners OF war. from whom, ss
we'll IS from citizens, found that the large force
alluded to had crossed but an hour ahead of me
towards Cumberland, and consisted of six regi-
ments of Ohio troops and two batteries under
Gen. Cox, and Wsre snrorte via Cumberland for
the Kanswha.
sent back this intellig snss at once to The COM
m.ndiDg general. Striking directly across the
National road, l proceeded In the direction of
Msrcsrsburg, Pennsylvanis, which point was
reached absut twelve II. I was extremely snx
ious to reach Hsgsrstowp, where large supplies
we're stored bat was satisfied from reliable in
brmation that the notice the enemy had of my
approaeh and the proximity OF his forces, would
saable him to prevent my capturing it. 1 there
hrs turned towards Chambersburg. 1 did not
rach this point until after dark, in q rain. did
MT deem itsafs to defer the attack till morning,
nG was 1t proper to attack till rtorning, nor was
itproper to attack place full Of women and
children without summoning it hrst to surrender.
accordingly ,ens in Gag of truce, and found
n, military or civil authority in the place; but
Sme prominent oitizsns who met the ofdcer were
nDtifsd that the place would be occupied, and If
aiy resistance were made the place would bs
stslled in three minutes. Brig. Gen. Wade
Hampton's command, being In advance, took pos
sssaion Of the place, and appointed him military
governor of the city, No incidents occurred
during the night, during which 1t rainsd sontinu
eusiy. The officials all fed the town on our sp
proaeh, and ne one could be found, who would ad
init that he held Office in the place. About 275
sick and wounded in hospital were paroled. Du'
ring the day large number Of horses OF citizens
we're seized and brought along. The wires were
cut, and railroads were obstruclsd. Next morn
ing II Was sscsrtsiasd that q large number Of
email arms and munitions of war were stored
about the railroad bsildipgs, all of which that
cosld not be easily brought away were destroyed
consisting of about Z, 900 new musksts, pistols,
sabrss, ANN anition, also q ia'ge assortment OF
army olothiag: The extensive. .nschins shops
and depot buildings Of the railroad, and several
trains OF loaded cars, were entirely destroyed.
From Chambsrshurg 1 decided, after mature
cozsidsratiop, to strike for the vicinity of Lees
bzrg as the best route of return, particularly as
Cox's command would have rendered the direc-
:ion Of Cumber and, full Cf mountain gorgss, par
ticulsrIy hazardous. The rosts selectsd was
through an open country. Ofcoarss left moth
ing undcns to prevent the inhabitants from det,ct
ing my real roate and object. I started directly
towards Gettysburg. but having passed the Blue
Ridge, turned back towards Hagerstow for six
or eight miles, and then crossed to Mary land by
Emmittsburg, when, as We passed, we were hailed
by the inhabitants with the most enthusiastic
denominations Of joy. 4 scouting party of $50
lancsrs had Just passed towards Gettysburg, and
regret exceedingly that rov ,rn.--h - - au
.-i the delay necessary to catch them. Iskins
the road towards Frederick, We intercepted dis
patches fre5n Cel. Rush (Lancers) to the commsn
der of the scout, which satisfied me that our
whereabouts was still . problem to the enemy.
Before reaching Frederick crossed the Nonoc
asy, continued the msrch through the night, via
New Market and Aonrovia, on the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad, where We cut the tels-
graph wires snd obstructed the railroad. We
rsashsd at daylight Hyattstown, on hcClellan's
line of wagon communication with Washington,
but we found only few wssons to capture, and
We pushed on to Bsrnesvilie, which we found Just
vacated by = company of the enemy's cavalry
W O. had here. corroborated what we had heard
before, that Stonemen had between four and five
troops about Poolesville and guarding
the river fords. startsd directly for Pooiesvills
but instead Of marching upon that point, avoided
II by march through the woods, leaving IL two
or three miles to my left, and getting iHto the
read from Poolesville to the mouth Of the Mo-
nocacy. '..F 81
Guarding we'll my tanks and rear, pushed
boldly forward, meeting the head Of the enemy's
column going towsrds Poolssvills.
I ordered the charge, which was responded to
In handsome style by the advance squadron (1r-
vine's) of Lees brigade, which drove back the
snemy's cavalry upon the column of infantry ad
RANGING to occupy the crest from which the cav
airy were driven. Quick as thought Lees sharp
shooters sprang to the ground, and, engaging the
infantry skirmishsrs, held them in check till the
artillery In advance came ap, which, under the
gallant Pelham, drove back the snemy's forces to
lie batteries hey ond the Monocasy, between which
md our solitary gun quite aspirted fire continued
or some time. This answered, In connection with
he high crest occupied by our piece, to screen
'ntirely my real movement quickly to the left,
naking bold and rapid strike for Whites Ford,
o make my way across before the enemy at
'oolesvills and Monoescy could be- aware of my
wo hundred inisntfy, strongly posted in the cliffs
vsr the ford, yet they yielded to the moral effect
4 few shells before engaging our sharpsh oters,
nd the crossing of the canal (sow dry) and river
vas effected with sl the precision of passing do
lie on drill.
A section of artillery being sent with the ad
'ance and placed in position the Loudon side,
mother piece on the Maryland Height, while
'elhsm continued to occupy the attention of
he enemy with the ether. Withdrawing from
osition to position until his piece was ordered to
ross. The enemy was marching from Poolesville
n the meantime, but came up in line of battle on
he Maryland bank only to receive q laundering
with evident effect from our guns on
bis side. l Lost not man killed on the sxpedit.
On, and only few slight wounds. The enemy's
oss In not known, bat Pslhsms one gun compel.
cd the eneny's battery to change its position
hres times. The remainder OF, the march was
sstituts OF interest. The conduct Of the COM
aand and their behavior towards the inhabitants
worthy Of tas highest praise; q few individual
IL T. Al.