Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-07-02
THE REBEL INVASION.
ACTIVITY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
MARYLAND HEIGHTS ABANDONED.

ACTIVITY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
MARYLAND HEIGHTS ABANDONED.
Official advioes from the Army of the Potomac
state that portion Of our cavalry, under Gen.
Fitzpatrick, had handsome fight on Tuesday with
the enemy's cavalry at Hanover They captured
battle flag, lieutenant colonel, one captain and
forty privates. Fifteen or twenty of the enemy
were killed A special despatch to the New York
Times aludes to this affair and other operations as
follows:
Early Tuesday morning, Gen. Gregg attacked Stu
art and drove him from Westminster to Hanover, dis
lance of eighteen miles. Afterwards Fitzpatrick and Cas-
Ter drove Stuart out of Hanover after splendid fight and
they are now TUESDAY ngh still pursuing part going to-
wards Gettysburg and part towards York During the
day Gen. Buord drove regiment of rebel infantry out of
Gettysburg who reiterated northeastey Our army is in
splendid spirits, and expect to hear brilliant news
The Tribune received last night has special
Harrisburg. 1t says:
"The rebels have fallen back ten miles from Harris
burg. Gen. Couch and staff have crossed the Susque-
hanna and occupy the south bank of the river. Gen.
Meade occupied Hanover and York tonight (Tuesday)
cutting the rebel lines in two. The rebels rapidly
concentrating in the interior. Gen. Peasonon makes
great havoc on the of the enemys trains great
battle Is thought to be imminent. Large numbers of
troops are constantly arriving at Harrisburg"
The Baltimore American of last evening also
contains some interesting intelligence of military
movements in Maryland and Pennsylvania We
extract the following:
THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Our intelligence this morning from the Army of the
Potomac indicates activity of movement that prom
nf -,
enemys forces in the Cumberland Valley between Ship
pensburg and Chambersburg, indicates that Gen. Lee
already finds necessary line of retreat to the
Potomac fords west of the South Mountain and to aba
don his contemplated siege Of Harrisburg.
Our army is moving through rich country unencum-
bered by wagon trains and is enabled 60 from point to
point with celebrity that would asonsh the reader if it
were proper to make public its present position and the
route it has travelled to reach it, Suffice it to say that
the rapid evacuation of York by the rebels yesterday was
made necessity and also their withdrawal from
Westminster Hanover, and Gettysburg and their retreat
from Harrisburg and Carlisle The cavalry raid of Gen.
Stuart in the vicinity of Baltimore and Washington was
also changed into fight for safety by the comprehensive
movements of Gen. Meade and the enemy now concen
tang his forces for fear they may be attacked and de-
stroyed in detail There u.s. therefore, prospect of
battle at early day probably the neghborhood of
Chambersburg
RAILROAD COMMUNICATIONS.
The trains the Western Maryland Railroad are run
ming this morning to Union Bridge and the Northern
Central Railroad to Hanover Junction, and thence to
Hanover and Gettysburg Both these places occupied
to-day by troops and these lines of branch roads will
become valuable for military purposes. The occupation
of York is also possibility though at present cut
off from all communication by mail and telegraph with that
borough The reconstruction of the destroyed bridges be-
yond Hanover Junction is however rapidly progressing,
and the road will probably be open in twentyfour hours
EVACUATION OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS.
We learn that troops yesterday evacuted Maryland
Heights, first removing all the Government property and
destroying the Notifications The change the
Of the rendered its further occupancy unnecessary in
military point of view whilst its large garrison Of disciplined
soldiers under the gallant Gen French will prove valua
Bile acquisition to the Army of the Potomac. The pro-
prey Of holding Maryland Heights has long been doubted
Indeed, the whole of military movements in the She
nandoah Valley have been of disasters with loss
of both and munitions and scarcely advantage
gained any where The concentration of troops for
grand battle with the enemy the point of greatest
Importance.
FROM HARRISBURG.
Our intelligence from Harrisburg this morning indicates
the approach Of conflict in the Cumberland Valley and
shows that Gen. Peasonon has been playing great havoc
with the enemys trains. The rapid movement of Gen.
Meade thus promises overtakDg the enemy be-
fore he concentrate bis forces from the extended field
which they scattered Gen. Pleasonton is said
to have sent in large numbers of prisoners towards West
minister and Gettysburg He captured one hundred of
Stuars cavalry in Westminster Tuesday morning and
pushed rapidly after the main column which had just
left the town. Gen. Couch is also advancing the
lumn of the enemy retreating from Carlisle and will be
enabled greatly to harass his The prospects
are therefore promising for successful operations against
the enemy and the bringing of battle ground chosen
by Gen Meade, hasty retreat towards the Potomac
Certain it is that he has already compelled backward
movement of the enemy and abandonment at least for
the present, of his threatened invasion of the North
MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED IN BALTIMORE
AND uuEeTERN MARYI AND