Daily national Republican., 1863-07-14
From the Army of the
Potomac.
Hagerstown Occupied by Fed
erals,

HAnIMDURo, July IA gentleman who
lsft Wsynesboro on Sunday noon furnishes the
ollowing information:
II 10 Understood that the rebels in falling
back TO the line Of the Conococheague river
from Antietam, encountered the force Of Gen.
Nulligsn, and after several skirmishes in the
vicinity Of Clear Spring, retired to the east
ward.
The position of the rebsls is now reduced to
. space Of six miles by nine In which to ma
nauvre. They have no naturally strong de-
fsnsive points left TO them, and 1t 10 believed
BY persons In ofncial position they cannot pos
sibly escape capture or annihilation.
Two hundred Union prisoners who refused
TO take parole from the rebels were crossed
over the ferry on Thursday evening. Captain
Norris, who succeeded in making his escape,
brought information that, % far as he OBJ
ssrved, there was no considerable rebel force
on the south baUk OF the Potomac.
The Grey Reserves and Biue Reserves of
Philadelphia, went on . reconnaissance In
force on Saturday toward Hsgerstown, and
succeeded In opening communication with the
army Of the Potomac. They captured several
prisoners, and were complimented by the corps
commander for their excellent behavior.
gentleman who hss Just arrived from the
Antietam valley reports that heavy thunder
storms visited that region Saturday and Sunday
evenings. Rain fell In torrents for hours, and
the mountain streams are again much swollen.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,
July 13.-A messenger from Governor Curtin
arrived this morning, and states that General
Couch has formed junction with our right
wing, which rests northeast OF Hagerstown,
and that that point 10 secure against ary attack
by Lee.
He also reports that Lee has bridge com.
posed ofthlrtecn boats across the center of the
river, and continued thus to both shores by a
trestle work supporting long timbers.
Our siege snd heavy guns have gone to the
front, and left where 1t Is believed good posi-
tion can be obtained commanding the bridge
Our troops are hopeful and energetic, and
anxious TO again defeat the enemy.
BALTrhoRE, July IA special dispatch to
he american says;
Early this morning It was discovered that
the rebels had fallen back from Funkstown.
A reconnaissance from our right wing was
thrown ont, and 1t was discovered that they
had withdrawn their LEFT wing toward the river,
and had formed line of battle in q semi -circle
covering Willismsport.
Kilpatrick's cavalry has pushed forward and
re-occnplei Hagerstowp. Our whole rlgh,
wing was put In motion and swept around IN
the line Of tile rehsi retreat. We entered &c
Funkstown one hour after the rebels left
They had fortified the bridge over the Antictau
t tunkstown, but abandoned Il without
contest. Strong ride-pits enfladed the bridge
sud an embrasure for cannon had been knock
In the stone walls above on the hills.
The rebel line Of battle covers the Williams
port pike. Longstreet holds the centre, Ewel
The right, and Hill the left.
The country people were not allowed TO pas
through the rebel lines, aud know little OF thei
strength or movements.
II IL reported that Lee has intrenched him
self .l---
The rebels have swept everything from tn
country beyosd Hagerstown. Scarcely q sel
vicoable horse has been left within ten mile
around. The grain crops have been trample
down, and Hour, corn and hay carried off. Tc
morrow wiz probably determine whether ther
10 % be smother battle In Maryland.
Tbs people Of Hagerstown roc eiyed the Upio
troops with great Joy, and the display of nsg
was large
Numbers Of refugees followed the army int
Hagerstown-
Very heavy rains have fallen.