The New York herald., 1863-07-12

New York. Sunday. July ~, 1903.
THE SITUATION.
: Alively engagement took place at Sharpsburg
yesterday. Our dispatches from Hagerstown say
that it commenced at daybreak and continued until
six o'clock P. NJ; that at that hour General Long
streets division evinced confusion, and our army
drove them steadily from every position, con
tinung to pursue for some miles. The rebels
fought steadily at first, but wildly In the end, and
1t was evident that their ammunition was running
short and they were retreating. A pontoon bridge,
upon which they were about to the river, was
reported to be destroyed by our cavalry and artil-
lery to the utter CONSERVATION and surprise of the
enemy. General Fitzpatrick appears to have com.
menced the fight. 1t is said that the rebels eva.
cuated Hagerstown at midnight on Friday.
Our despatch from Frederick states that the
rebel lines were drawn up between Funkstown and
Hagerstown, where Lees headquarters still were !;
but we learn from Chambersburg at late hour
last night that the rebel army had commenced to
move from Hagerstown at five o'clock, a portion
Of it taking the road to williamsport and another
portion moving out on the national road towards
Clear Spring.
What the intentions Of the rebels are was not
defined. That portion Of the rebel army which
took the Clear Spring road. may take the interior
road, in tie direction OF Wamsport, five miles
out
IN ia eyidaut that ~ rohI nh hoA haov
going on all day yesterday at various points, all,
no doubt. preliminary to great battle, which to.
day may probably bring forth.
Our map will show the theatre Of the impending
conflict.
Our news from North Carolina to-day. by the
steamer Albany. from Newbern on the 9Th, con.
tains correspondents description Of General
Heckman's late march and artillery fight. and the
the Legislature of North Carolina-now in extra
session however, forms the most important par,
OF the news
We give to-day in another column O complete
OF Pennsylvania by the rebels, compiled from the
communications of our own correspondents and the
sncwspaper accounts of the Pennsylvania journals.
1t will be found most interesting story, giving
much more of the incidents Of this remarkable
campaign than could be conveyed In telegraphic
dispatches or hurried letters.
We publish in full the official despatch Of Admi.
raj Porter, recounting the fall of vcksburg.
IL al, q 10
had the heaviest work to do, he claims full par
tiepation in the victory for the gunboats. The
extent of the siege operations may be gathered
from the fact, which he states, that the mortars
fired seven thousand mortar shells, and the gun.
boats four thousand five hundred. Four thousand
Eve hundred shots fred from naval guns on
shore. aud over six thousand were supplied to the
different army corps.
We have taken over twenty-seven thousand prs.
oncrs. besides about four thousand non combat
ants. ono hundred and two field pieces, thirty siege
guns, Fifty thousand stand Of arns, ammunition,
locomotives, cars, few stores and hfty-seven
have been killed within the works since the sieg,
began
Among the prisoners are Lieutenant Genera
Pcmbcrton, Major Generals s. Stevenson, Smith
Forney and Bowen; fourteen brigader gen eral
and about one hundred and thirty colonels Their
were Eve thousand six hundred men in the hospi
ta,s. half Of whom are wounded The stock O
provisions was almost exhausted, and for day
numbers had been eating mule flesh. or ammuni
tion for heavy guns they had fair supply; but 70
Held guns and musketry they were short.
Our latest dates from there are TO the 5th. A
was quiet then. Nineteen general officers ha
been parolcd, and were to be sent to Talladega
Alabama. Reports were abroad that Gener,
Johnston was retreating, and that General Shel
man was following him. Offers Of reinforcement,
had been sent TO General Banks, st Port Hudson
the speedy fall of which was regarded at vick
burg as certainty.
The brig Phantom reports that on the 9th inst
abark.rigged steamer was observed By her to
In chase Of the United States steamer Ericsson
II was reported tina, this privatser was the Florids
but Captain Campbell, Of the Phantom, positivel
pronounces her TO be the Alabama.
The Raleigh Register "a rebel prnt), in referrIn
TO this extra session, says;-"There IA mischie
brewing which bodes no good to the Confedsrat
cause, and that the history OF that La
uislature does not warrant US in e,,oo,
Ing anything but mischief at its hands +,
The Register further says that "the Governor,
organ, the Raleigh Standard, is doing all in !,
power to incitc the people to rebel agsins, IN
Confederate government" The members OF u,