Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-07-17
Latest Northern News.


The latest intelligence from the armies saws that
ooth sides were massng their troops and that there
was an immediate prospect for another hattie, A
dispatch from Washington, dated on the 10Th saws
AT the last accounts from the front, the two
armies were not over ten miles apart. Lees army
suetcnes from Hagerstown to Williamsport and
ueneral Meade was moving from Boonsboro' on two
roads towards Lee. Our advance was six miles be-
yond Boonsboro'
The enemy are strongly fortified in and around
dagerstown. Both the lower bridges over the
begin.
A dispatch from Frederick saws:
tomorrow, in all probability, will be an event
Iul DAY: Desultory artillery firing and cavalry
1:i Ie1issances have continued since last evening
unt TINS afternoon, in order to feel for the posi-
uon OF the enemy, and to place our troops accor-
olngly The fight will take place, it is believed,
near WillamsPort cannot now give the position
Of our forces
Lee cannot cross the river even if he had the
means and clear way before him he is too hard
pressed by Meade, and must keep every man on this
side to resist an attack.
A dispatch to the New York Times. saws:
The Potomac is yet too high for Lee to attempt
crossing of his infantry They are trying to shove
aporton of their force and their wounded across the
river at Sheppardstown.
The rebels have run the greater portion of their
trains into valley near Wlamsport and covered
them by artillery posted on the south side of the
Potomac.
A dispatch to the New York Times says:
Lee is massing the remnants of his army on the
old battle field of Antietam. Prisoners state that
his ammunition is nearly exhausted and that in
case he is attacked BY our fsrces be will be obliged
to rely almost exclusively upon the bayonet.
The rebels were drawn up in line Of battle this
morning at a place called Benevold 81 miles from
Boonsboro, on the road to Hagerstown. From
there they extend towards the Potomac in the vi
cnity of Bakersvle. They are throwing up rife
pits in the vicinity of Fairpay, and probably will
await our attack. Another desperate battle may
be expected in the next two days. Our forces are
now so disposed that a collision may occur almost
any hour
The Philadelphia Inquirer, speaking Of the situa-
ton OF the two armies, says, edtorially:
We are still assured that another great battle is
impending Lee has concentrated his forces about
Hagerstown, thereby commanding the roads which
converge about Williamsport He has a strong
line to repel an attack, and a convenient one to
cover the transit of his men and trains to the south
side OF the river Ono of our correspondents says
however, that Lee is so hard pressed by General
Meade that he cannot cross, even if he had the
means There is some difference of opinion as to
the locality where the expected collision will oc-
cur, one of our correspondents naming Williams
port and the other suggesting the old ground at
Antietam. Some point between the two will
probably be the spot. Constant skirmishing is 60
ing on between our cavalry and the troops on Lees
flank.
Where General Meade's army is and what he is
DOING it is not for us to say. They are, however,
at the right place and at just the right work. If
it is found polite to fight another pitched battle
General Meade will not hesitate to take the risk,
but if he concludes the other hand that it will
be best to cut up Lees army by piece meal he WILL
without doubt take the responsibility of pursuing
that course. In either case he is entitled to and
should receive the popular support
In the meantime, the government is supporting
the army Of the Potomac in the most prompt and
energetic manner. Every thing in that respect is
moving on just as it should move. The same wise
policy that strengthened General Grant in his great
struggle at Vcksburg, is brought to bear in favor of
the army of the Potomac. Every hour is adding to
the probability that Lees illadvised campaign will
terminate in crushing disaster to him, to his army,
and to the rebellion.
Cannonsding was heard all along the line during
the day, but general engagement has taken place
General Lee was at Hagerstown last evening
Generals Early and Ewell were holding the place
with large iorce and are fortifying the eminences
around the town.
The rebel line extends from point east of Ha-
gerstown to beyond St Paul, on the National
turnpike.
The bridges over Antetam creek have all been
destroyed, and the rebels are in position on the
Otner Slde Iorthylng.
Our cavalry are securing the country and cap
turing rebel wagon trains. Over three hundred
wagons well loaded, were captured yesterday by
Captain Boyd. Some have escaped over the Poto-
mac, which is still very high.
1t is believed that all the bridges over the She
nandoah route to Richmond have been destroyed
by our cavalry forces in Virginia.
Nothing is definitely known of the number of
rebels this side of the Potomac, or Of the amount
of ammunition in their possession. But it is gen.
orally believed from the preparations making that
they will fight with the utmost desperation before
surrender. general engagement is momentarlly
expected.
Of course, the Yankee capital held great jubilee
over the news of the fall of Vicksburg Secretary
Stanton called for "a salute of one hundred guns, !"
and flags were thrown to the breeze from all the
government buildings and Offices At P. q
crowd assembled in front of the National Hotel,
and marched<up Pennsylvania avenue headed by
the Marine Band to the Executive Mansion, and
serenaded and enthusiastically cheered the Presi-
dent with repeated cheers for Generals Grant,
Meade, Rosencranz, the armies of the Union, etc.
The President appeared at the window, amid loud
cheers, and spoke as follows:
Felloto-eitizens-I am very glad indeed to sec
you tonight and yet will not say thank you for
this call, but do most sincerely thank Almighty
God for the occasion on which you have called
ICheers1 How long ago is itp Eighty odd years
SlnCC OH Lne EOuTIu vi liiiiO III IuS
history of the world nation, by its representatives,
assembled and declared as selfevdent truth, that
all men are created equal [Oheers.l That was
the birthday of the United States of America Since
then the Fourth of July has had several very pccu-
liar recognitons. The two most distinguished men
in the framing and support of the Declaration were
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams-the one having
penned it and the other sustained it the most orci-
bly, in debate-the only two of the ifty-fve who
sustained it being elected President of the United
States. Precisely fifty years after they put their
hands to the paper, it pleased Almighty God to take
both from this stage of action This was indeed an
extraordinary and remarkable event In our history.
Another President five years after, called from
this stage of existence on the same day and month
of the year; and now in this last Fourth of July
lust passed, when we have a gigantic rebellion at
the bottom of which is an effort to overthrow the
principle that all men were created equal, we have
the surrender of the most powerful position ard