Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-13
From the Front.
FIGHT AT SHARPSBCRG,

The Enemy Retreating-LoSs of their Pom.
toons-The Rebels at WiiIiam>port-On
Forces Occupy Hagerstown-The Rebels
Preparing for Il Fight.
NEW YORK, July IA Hagerstown dispatch
to the Herald, dated yesterday, says: A fight
commenced near Sharpsburg on Friday at day-
light, and continued till six o'clock in the
evening, when Longstreet's division evinced
confusion, and our army drove them. pursuing
several miles. The engagement was brought
on by Fitzpatrick. who, finding the rebels on
Thursday too strong, waited for Infantry
The battle was fought by only portion of
our army.
The rebels fought steadily at first, but wildly
at last as if their ammunition was expended.
Our cavalry and artillery destroyed their
pontoon bridge, u the CONSERVATION Of the
rebels, as they were about crossing.
The rebels evacuated the town at midni ght
Lee, Longstreet and Ewell being the last rebel
officers TO leave. l have reliable information
that the rebels retreated to Williamsport
where they hope to make another stand.
There have been several slight skirmishes on
the Antietam creek.
Gen. COUGHS forces are advancing.
A Middletown (Maryland) dispatch states,
from information derived from person who
has been in the rebel lines at Funkstown,
that the rebels are preparing pieces to con-
Struct pontoons
The rebel soldiers expressed little hope of
crossing the Potomac, and were anxious about
their supplies, not having seen their trains for
hive days, and Were disheartened.
Our Forces Concentrating.
HARRISBURG, July IA special dispatc h
states that Antietam river is much swollen,
which has probably delayed Meade in attack
IN phpl &c
and stronger than it was at Gettysburg
dispatch from headquarters saws funder
date OF 10th instantly that our army is within
few miles OF the enemy.
The Rebels Preparing for a Fight.
McCoNNELLsBURG, July 12.-An escaped
prisoner, VINO left the rebel lines this morning,
arrived here this evening. He reports that the
rebels were busily engaged fortifying and pre-.
pairing for desperate resistance. Their main
line OF works is about a mile this side OF Ha-
gerstown.
The Eade-al T-oers Occupy nase.s.nwn
HEADQUARTERS Ar ~ OF THE POTOMAC,
July 12.-To-day our right wing gradually
pressed forward on the Boonsboro and Hagers-
town pike, and finally entered and occupied
Hagerstown, which we hold tonight,
The enemy's force, which consisted princi.
paliy OF cavalry and two regiments of infantry,
made no determined resistance.
The rebels fell back towards Williamsport
and reconrossances report that they are throw
ing up intrenchments within two miles of Ha-
gerstown.
The position they now occupy is said to be
of great strategic strength.
Elsewhere all has been quiet.
Reports by a Rebel Deserter-Lee has a
Bridge at WilliamsPort, and is Drawing
Supplies from Virginia-The Rebels For.
titled and Ready for an Attack-Skir.
mishins.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
Friday, July 10--6p m.-The utmost activity
now prevails in the Army of the Potomac.
Another battle is imminent and our men, des-
pite their fatigue and privations, are ready for
it. A deserter who came into our lines last
night reports that Lee has u single bridge across
the Potomac near Williamsport, and that he
has succeeded in getting over ammunition and
supplies, although he could no, move his army
over 1t with safety or expedition.
He reports Lee az now fortified his artillery
placed and ready to give US battle whenever
we attack. He thinks Lee has about $4,000
effective men lett. They are still hopeful #
conquering US, and think it was about an even
thing at Gettysburg.
The men in the rebel army had not heard of
the fall of Vicksburg, and il was almost i'm
possible TO make the dsserter believe it true
Lee is evidently driven TO the wall, and will
fight his men to the bitter end. Gen. Meade
is q thoughtful man of religious convictions
and has faith that the right will ul'im ltsly
triumph but he does not let thusiasm warp
his deliberate judgment, and, therefore, II is