Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-08-21
attributes of newspaper correspondent is en-
titled to the most implicit-disbelief.


er Potomac. Officers from the fiotlla report
a large body Of Confederate cavalry near Dunn
fries, who were about to plant batteries in
that locality. Other bodies of cavalry are
said to have made their appearance in the val
ley Of the Shenandoah. 1t is stated in some
ton, and that General Meade has also changed
the position Of his camps, but this latter move
ment, it is alleged is merely for sanitary rea-
sons. 1t seems to be quite probable that both
armies are endeavoring to ascertain each
Others strength preparatory to resumption
of hostilities, but it is SO manifesuy the policy
of General Meade to avoid battle until such
time as renforcements can reach him, that
general engagement at an early day does not
seem at all likely, unless Lee determines to
force his adversary TO fight, before the arrival
of fresh troops should give him a numerical
superiority.
On, Saturday night last, near Fairfax Court
4 House, Moseby's troopss captured aS>ther
batch Of suffers, seventeen in number, together
with their wagons, horses, and the military
guard that was sent for their protection. The
wagons were stripped of such articles as could
be easily carried off, and the suffers, after be-
ing relieved of the "greenbacks " in their
possession, were turned loose to find their way
back to Alexandria as best they could but we
are left in ignorance as to the disposition which
was made of the guard They were probably
held as prisoners of war. On Sunday night
an attack was made upon Government train
near Falls Church, but it appears to have
been easily repulsed by the troops that are sta
toned there.
The Washington Star says that the Federal
authorities at Washington are in receipt of
news from Charleston, from Southern sources,
up to Sunday last. II is to the effect that the
bombardment of Sumter opened on Saturday,
and was most terrific. The result of the fir
ing on Sumter or Wagner is not, however,
stated but we are told that the tone of the
communication was quite gloomy. We give
the story for what it is worth
There is great anxiety felt in Kansas for the
safety Of General Blunts command, on the
Arkansas river. The latter is said to have but
some forty-fve hundred men, whilst the Con-
federates are supposed TO have from ten to
twelve thousand, supported by ten pieces Of
artillery. Blunt's depot Of supplies is at Fort
Scott nearly two hundred miles distant from
Port Gibson, his present position, and fears
are entertained that his communication will
be interrupted by the bands Of guerillas which
are said to be scattered along the line of route
| The emily means by which the Federal com.
mander can hope to extricate himself is be-
lieved to be +" by making an attack under as
advantageous circumstances as his skill and
daring can secure, and thus cut up apd rout
the Rebels SO as to disorganize them" 1t was
thought, also, that two of the Creek regiments
in the Confederate service would desert their
allies and join Blunt, if he made his appear
ance as they had pledged themselves to do so.
THURSDAY, August 2l.-Charleston CONT
nues 10 be the chief point of popular interest.
The last advices from that point are to the
10th, Sunday last. Our readers are aware
that the final bombardment of Sumter was
fixed definitely for Saturday but, from some
cause or other, the reduction of that obnox-
ious fertilization was again postponed until
the l7tL the day after the steamer sailed
+" The intention was to open on the l3th"--
we are quoting, in the absence of better au-
thority, from that delightfully."- veracious chro-
nicler, G. G. F.-but General Gilmore was Sc
riously indisposed; and it was also discovered
that the quality of the ammunition was bad
and so the bombardment was put off until the
nth. We suppose, in the meantime, the qua
lty of the ammunition was speedily remedied
as we learn that during the firing from the
shore batteries on Friday and Saturday three
holes were knocked in the walls of Sumter"
We are further assured that " il is the general
impression that the Rebels will evacuate that
fort and will blow it up as soon as the assault
commences as only six guns out of thirty
are now mounted on the parapet and the lar
ger number in the easements have disappeared
One striking evidence of their intention to
abandon Sumter is TO be found in the fact
we imagine so at least-that "the Rebels have
piled sand bags on the wharf against the rear
wall Of the Fort, forty-five feet high, thus com
pletely protecting the magazine from the shore
batteries of General Gilmore" Others how
ever, who are perversely sensible, will be in
elined to believe that the object of taking all
this trouble was to enable the garrison to hold
out to the last. Nevertheless, pending the at
tack which was to have been made on Monday
last, the indications were--so reports our
chronieler--that the Confederates would de-
pend upon the distractions and on their ex-
tensive lines of defence. Finally, private
note quoted by c. c. f., dated off Morris
Island on the evening Of Sunday, states posi-
lively, I'VE will have Fort Sumter to-mor-
row, certain" That settles the matter.
According to an editorial in the Philade-
rhia Press, we learn that General Lee made
on Monday last, demonstration in force upon
the lett Hank Of General Meade, and il is fur
Their intimated that the Confederate command
er shows disposition to assume the offensive.
Under these circumstances the Press comedies
with the New York Times in opinion tina,
=" the cheapest, safest and speediest method Of