The New York herald., 1863-06-29


New York. Monday. June 20, 1868.
THE STU ALTON.
The enemy is pressing closely upon Harrisburg.
General Lees whole army is undoubtedly in Penn
syivana. His own headquarters are at Hagers.
town, Maryland, from which lie is directing the
movements. General Longstreet's corps crossed
the river at Wilamsport on Saturday. A great
battle is impending at Harrisburg to-day. Last
night the rebels were within three miles of the
city. and heavy firing was going on all day.
This was probably the outposts skirmishing
as the enemy advanced. Mechanicsburg was sur
rendered by our troops Yesterday morning, and
Immediately occupied by the rebels They also
took possession of York our troops clearing out
before them. They have done serious damage to
the Northern Central Railroad, both at York and
Hanover Junction. They have burned two bridges
at York Haven. The splendid bridge across the
Susquehanna. at Columbia mile and a quarter
long, which cost million of dollars,
was burned by our own troops, under
Colonel Frick yesterday, who, after making
bold defence in his rife pits at wrightsvlle, on the
south side OF the river, was compelled to retreat
across the bridge, which he burned behind him.
He lost hundred men, who were captured by the
enemy At last accounts the rebels were shelng
wrshtsvle without warning the inhabitants to
leave. The rebels were reported to be at Balm
hrid at nj {xuo1v vu;Ia
with pontoon trains sufficient to construct bridge
We give map Of the whole region to-day.
The utmost CONSERVATION prevails throughout
the State Of Pennsylvania, and at last there ap.
pears to be disposition on the part Of the people
TO rally for their defence. ComyAnies ave arming
aud turning out at Lancaster, Norristawn and
Scranton. Fugitves, however, keep pouring into
Harrisburg, Lancaster and other cities, in
state Of complete terror bringing their cattle, mer-
chaudise and household goods with them.
The rebe! General Ewell has issued an order to
his troops at Chambersburg urging the necessity
OF vigilance and discipline for the safety of the
army. and prohibiting all struggling, marauding or
.piudcrng on pain Of the severest penalties He
says that all the material which the army re.
quires VIII be taken under the military rules which
govern civilized warfare, and absolutely prohibits
oil individual interference with private property
The news from the Army of the Potomac is
cheering, and will no doubt be welcomed by the
public. General Joe Hooker has been relieved of
the command OF the army-at his own request, il
il said d-and he is succeeded by Major General
George Meade, brave and experienced officer,
who has made his mark in nearly all the battles in
which the Potomac army has been engaged since
the commencement of tho war We give a sketch
Of General Meade's career in another column.
General Hooker and General Meade have both
Issued addresses to the army from headquarters at
Frederick, the one taking farewell and the other
on assuming command.
large train Of wagons and pack mules while
on their way on the Upper Potomac to bring down
supplies yesterday morning, were attacked by the
rebels three several times. In the two first at.
tempts the cavalry escort repulsed the enemy; but
rs the train spproa ached Rockville ali immense force
OF the rebels, consisting Of two regiments of cav.
airy and several pieces Of artillery, who occupy
that place, surrounded them, and captured the
nine hundred mules. Several officers, who were
on their way to Join their regiments, were also
captured.
large number Of rebel cavalry, under com.
mand OF Fitzhush Lee, yesterday made a dash
into Annandae, capturing several suffers who
were 10 the vicinity, and burning number Of hos
pital stores, suters' wagons, &C. All the papers
found in the neighborhood were gathered up and
burned. The suffers goods were taken on.
A rebel force, which is said TO be seven thou
sand strong. and composed Of three brgades Of
cavalry, is reported to be moving eastward TO-
wards tho Washington branch of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. They are reported to be CON-
manded by Fitzhugh Lee. II has been ascertsined
that they passed within fourteen miles Of wash.
ing,on, on the north side, and IL 10 presumed that
they are striking for the trestls work upon the
railroad between tie capital and Annapolis
Junction.
Refugees who arrived yesterday report that
quite panic exists in Richmond Only ,erv
small guard wi. left there, and many Of the
citizens were leaving and going to etsunton. The
would seem to indicate that the Richmond people
are rather uneasy at the almost total abandonmsn,
Of that city by the rebel forces.
From General Dxs department we learn BY a
ldsspasch from Fortress Monroe. that Colonel