The Portland daily press., 1863-07-13
BY TELEGRAPH.
rorHE
Portland Daily Press.
Fears that Lee has Ke-crOsscd tisc
Potomac.
EVACUATION OF HAGERSToWN.
The Battle at Sharpsburg on Satur-
day.
EVACUATION OF HAeERsTowN.
Destruction of Rebel Pontoon Bridge.
A GREAT BATTLE TO TAKE PLACE
MONDAY.
CuAMRrpsprrpc pa Inv

Lees army, which has been occupying a
post around Hagerstown for the past four
days, commenced TO move at o'clock last
evening. At Hagerstown the rebel army di-
vded, portion taking the road to Williams
port and portion going out on the National
road towards Clear Springs. What the inten-
tons of the rebels are is not fully defined at
this time. That portion Of the rebel army
which took the Clear Springs road may take
another road in the direction of Williamsport,
hve miles out. Several parties have arrived
here who left Hagerstown at O'Clock this
A. NJ, and all agree that there are no rebels
IN that vicinity. Ii is not known that the Po-
tomac is not iordable, and it is feared that Lee
has devised some means of making his escape,
or that he may be moving on Hancock. hoping
TO gain time for the river TO fall, and thus
avoid giving battle.
HAGERsTowN, July IL.
The rebels commenced to evacuate Hagers-
town at o'clock last night, their rear guard
leaving at O'Clock. The rebel army was d.
vided into three columns, marching towards
the upper Potomac, taking three different
roads. Not rebel soldier, well or wounded
was left, and they had their entire supply of
ammunition with them. They have not built
any earthworks in the vicinity of Hagers-
town. They admit that they are short of am
munition and had a scarcity of provisions.
The citizens believed the rebels retreated to
Williamsburg for the purpose of affecting
crossing. Hagcrstown is stripped of every
thing valuable in the way of movable proper
ty, but the rebels did not burn any buildings
nor did they disturb the railroad between
Greencastle and Hagerstown.
NEW York, July ~.
Hagerstown dispatch of the 18th to
the Herald says the fight commenced near
Sharpsburg yesterday at daybreak, and con-
tinued until q O'Clock in the evening. when
Longstreets division evnced confusion, and
our army drove them some miles, The en-
gagcment was brought in by Gen. Fitzpatrick,
who finding the rebels too strong on Thurs
day waited for reinforccments. The battle
was fought by only a 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 the pom
toon bridge to the CONSERVATION of the rebels,
as they were about 10 cross. The rebels evac-
uated this Town at midnight. Lee, Longstreet
and Ewell being the last TO leave. have re-
liable information that the rebels retreated to
Wiliiamsport, where they hope TO make a
stand. There has been several slight Skin
mishes at Antietam. Gen. COUGHS forces are
advancing.
Middletown, Md, dispatch to the Herald
says :-From information received by one who
has been in the rela lines at Funkstown. il
appears that the rebels are tearing down the
houses to construct pontoons. The rebel sol
diers express little hope of crossing the Poto-
mac, and are anxious about their supplies. not
having seen their trains for five days, and are
dsheartened.
A Harrisburg dispatch states that Antietam
is now much swollen, which has probably
delayed Gen. Meade in attacking the rebels.
Our army is now concentrated and stronger
than when at Gettysburg.
headquarters dispatch Of the 10th 10 the
Herald says our army is within a few miles of
the enemy.
A Washington dispatch TO the Herald says
important military movements are in progress
which indicate that the policy of the Govern
ment is to follow up vigorously our successes
and drive the rebels to the WALL Our Govern
ment has notified the rebels that the execution
Of the two officers recently selected at Rich
mond will be retaliated most severely.
BALTIMORE, July IL.
A dispatch TO the American, dated head
quarters Saturday night, says the position of
the two armies is is essentially unchanged.
There has been no fighting to-day. The enc
my changed their picket line this forenoon
giving rise to the report that they had ADAM
doned Funkstown, which was magnifed into
a full retreat and escape over the river. They
are sill in the same position aud in full force.
Our pckets are now close 10 Funkstown and
all along the line In immediate proximity TO
the rebels. Gen. Meade has his forces all in
position and everything seems ready either to
receive or deliver battle A battle will proba-
bly, not take place until Monday. The army
is in first rate spirits aud moved into position
with cheers. The Maryland brigade is at the
front eager to show their pluck. Our cavalry
operations continue very active, and the rebels
are circumscribcd to small extent OF country
for food and forage.
MCCoNsELsBURG, Pa, July eli.
An escaped prisoner from the rebel lines
this afternoon arrived here this evening. He
says the rebels were busily engaged in lortify-
ing and preparing for desperate resistance.
Their main line OF works was about mile
this side of Hagerstown. A battle was ex-
pected on Sunday.
ANTIETAM BRIDGE,
Wiliansport Road, July III.
Yesterday the army began TO take positions,
driving back the enelny's cavalry to near
Funkstown. Lee is strongly entrenched and
has strong natural position.
Major Gen. Humphrey has received the APP
pointinent OF Chief Of Stall of Major Gen.
Meade.