The New York herald., 1863-07-16
THE RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY.

prisoners havo been captured
THE RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY.
HHADQuAHn1s, Army or THE PoroxAc,l
July IA, 1868.
The first Of the retreat Of Lee and his army into
Virginia. received Hagcrsown at four o'clock this
Tuesday, morning from citizen who lived within their
lines.
General Fitzpatrick commanding the cavalry division ~
that point soon had his the road, and reached
wlsmsport at O'Clock whore he found 500 rebel
soldiers VIII, had deserted,
The news reached General Meades headquarters at I'VE
O'Clock when General Buford's division Of cavalry
ordered Falling Waters, whore they engaged and
tursd brigade oe rebels under General Pettigrew, wkD
WIS killed.
The position Of rebels naturally strong one;
but their works Of much account, oonss ting
principally OF hurriedly constructed rife pits.
After Lee bad retreatc the river, was asceS
tained that he had commenced his artillery 70
the rear early yesterday morning. which he con
tnusd during The whole day depending amost wholly
upon his infantry cavalry keep General Meade
check.
An order issued last evening for movement along
the whole line 81 seven O'Clock this morning.
Yesterday afternoon about 2 900 Of the Pennsyvana
militia who had arrived In the vicinity Of Haserstown,
taken the front and put into action They were
ordered 70 charge the enemy, which was promptly DONE
but not without some loss.
FunsrowS. Nd, July IL, 1888
Al twelve O'Clock last night order issued by
General Meade directing each Of the corps commanders
to push forward division Of Infantry, with artillery,
and feel the enemy. The order day 700 late The
movement made before daylight This morning, bot
disclosed the fact that during the night and under the
Of the storm the willy enemy had stolen away His
long line rife pits deserted aud gun oaisson
or wheel remained In our hands as a trophy.
A SON the fact Of Lees escaps made known,
the whole army put In motion, and before eight
O'Clock cavalry had occupied Falling Waters captur
ing the rebel guard, and a ten O'Clock the Third
corps In possession Of wliamport. large number
Of prisoners have taken together with section Of
artillery; but the entire rebel army, with the exception
their small guard on at Failing watsrs, have
escaped.
II need scarcely be said that the u Lees getting
acroa the Potomac surprise Tho tone Of his
address 70 his army, promulgated on sunday Iast-hs
strong position the heights beyond Hagerstown made
st more tenable by the eaythworks he had thrown up
aud the inpracteabiy ~ We supposed, Of his getting
his troops swollen river In single night led 70
anticipate struggle in Maryland that IN
psnnsylvania ten days ago. Bu, Is nov apparent that
his address w1 blind, his earthworks were sham,
and the very strong front which he had opposed 10 for
the last forty. cigb, hours humb1g aad deiason
The RATS and na,boa which be has been for several
days constructing and the material which he found n
tho Of cabins and oapboards stripped from oven
ing houses served TO get the Potomac between himse1
spd %.
We were day TOO late II d forces made an at.
tack yesterday there doubt that would have re-.
suited most dsasirousiy 70 the remsant o. the reoel
army this side o. the river. Tsero conre renee
Of corps commanders Al The headquarters Of General
Meade Sunday night whom This subject dacussed
Our 70 then position, and fresh troops were
hurrypg forward with oil rapidly. The conference set
cd iil midnight Pour of the major generals we're op.
posed 10 attack BY army. One thought u insru
rsk BY another engagement the gsea, ad
vintage gained at Gettysburg Another of tho spn.
that ee would himecf attack day ght General
warren a the rta6 of General Meade was. I am
told nost urging Immediate advance, alo.
Why we should wait longer The following morning,
yesterday, dark snd owery, and nothing was done
by either srmy This morning the scsie1 opportunity
discovered 10 be lost.
AZ soco heard a Loss retreat rode 90, 10 the
works had erected beyond Hases,ovp They arc nos
nearly 70 strong hose W ty our own forc.s IN
bio 'front.' They SIMPLY heap o. looee sar,h thrown
up against continuous pile of rails taken the fence-
and indicated that no, the intention Of The rebels
20 sshi vevy sessrmlnsdiy bsh.sd ,ssE-
lee had hs headquarters Yesterday and he day before
., The kesss ~ Mr.. David AFTER, Aeout nass from
Haseu,cvp We ss,Snsl road Here As yss n sas