New-York daily tribune., 1863-07-17
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POrOmAOi
The Army near Berlin, Md.-Details sf sh1
Escape OF Lee.

BALrrxoR.. Thursdsy. July Is 1852
special dispatch to The Americansays:
BERLIS July l6, 1S63.-The Army OF the Potos
mac i. In thi, vicinity. How long |. will remain,
is, OF course, only known to Gen. Meade.
Ii is probable that some days Will DO spent In re<
cuperating both men aud horses, both Of whom have
suffered from long Ind fatiguing marches, and ths
heat Of the weather.. The position 10 ono which
gives the army the advantage Of the Baltimore snd
Onio Railroad, where it can be easily and abundsnts
ly fed.
The proximity Of the river Is also Of great advan.
tage to the men, and the whole army will be pus
through thorough abluton. 1t is not probable
that tho present inactivity will be long continueds
Lee is ssid to be pushing rapidly possible foe
Cupspper, and will hardly stop until beyond the
kappahanDock.
TIE necessity Of feeding his army, which csnnos
well be accomplished at any great distance fro0
Richmond, vii hurry his movements.
Mr. Thomas .. Hartis, one OF Marshsl McPhaile
deectives has furnished some int esIing details
Of The escape of Lee army down the Potomac.
While out on a scout he was taken prisoner ~
the Rebel. and coDfnsd at Wiiliamsport from Fd\
day last until the arrival Of our troops. Up 70 Sun3
day he was in close confinement, but had full view
Of the river and the operations OF the Reoels
On Sunday his guard wen. across the river, leave
ing HIN, and he then passed about ~ citizen u
Williausport, and had the fullest opportunity fof
inquiry aud observations. The temper OF tho keeS
els, both officers and men, was despondent, snd
they IN mOueEtsry expectation OF M bStec4
from our forces the result OF which they admitte1
must be disastrous.
On the arrival Of Lees advance on Sunday week.
tho most earnest efforts were made to cross the
river Seven scows were built. On these bghs
wagon trsus crossed, each scow taking one
W w.eon aud as many men il could carry.
Ga Tuesday and Wednesday the riyer fell 30 muoa
that many of the Infantry fordod IT, the water being
breast high. A subsequent rain again swelled the
river. and it became unfordatle. The Rebels thea
commenced the construction OF bridge at Falling
Waters, using for it the boats they had built VI
WilliamspOrt.
This bncge was not finished till Monday NOON
and then grand rush took place to get across arti
lery and heavy trains. Everything wA moved
back to she river except the lighest artillery and
srong picket line which held the field works
thrown up along the front.
Ga Monday night they were drawn In, and ~
dayghL nothing was left this side but rear-guard
of infantry. most Of whom were captured by Bu-
ford's cavalry. The tone Of the Rebels, Mr. Haises
assures me, was utterly desp ondcnt Both officers
and men regarded thoir position ~ desperate, sod
many of the latter expressed wish Tor our forces 70
attack 70 they might be captured.
On Menday they had not more than forty or eny
thousand men this side and had they been attacked.
would not have made very serious defense. Lee
and his staa forced the river at $3.50 p. W. OF Aons
day. Stuart, with his cavalry, followed soout tvs
hours later.