Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-29
FROM THE UPPER P0T0Ma,

FROM THE UPPER POTOMAC.
A Reconnaissance on Friday-The Enemy
Drfven-Capture of Prls0ners-A Recon.
noissance on Saturday-The Enemy Re.
tIring-Gen'l Sh eridan Advancing.
Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIvIs-
ION, August n, a. m-Yesterday friday
afternoon at I've O'Clock General Crook moved
out Colonel Wells brigade, OF Thoburn's d.
vision, from the left of our line, to reconnoitre
the enemy's position and ascertain if he had
any force Of Importance stationed in his front
Our men advanced in line of battle, with q
heavy skirmish line thrown out in front, and
soon became engaged with the enemy's line of
skirmishers, who rapidly retreated on their re-
serves, who were stationed a short distance in
rear Of their skirmish line. Our men advanced
boldly and rapidly, until they came within five
hundred yards of the enemy's line drawn up to
receive them, and who opened heavy fire of
muskety, which lasted for nearly twenty min.
utes, when the enemy broke and ran under
cover Of q battery Of artillery which they had
in the meantime brought up and stationed in
front Of the works in exactly the same position
where they had their battery last Thursday
when we made a similar Reconnaissance.
After the enemy had broken and retreated,
which they did in great disorder, some Of them
throwing down their arms to expedite their es-
dashed In with a regiment of cavalry, and,
charging across an open field killed and wound.
ed quite number, and succeeded in capturing
60 prisoners, amongst them one Lieutenant
Colonel and five other officers of lesser
grade.
As soon as the enemy had retired under COW
er of his artillery, In close proximity to his
earthworks, which extend across the Charles.
town road, their battery opened on our line
with great fury, laundering away very rapid.
ly, but with no effect whatevey, as they fired
at random, and most Of their shells fell short
or exploded over the heads Of our men.
Col Wells having obtained the information
desired and accomplished tho object Of the re-
connoissance, quietly withdrew his command
n b M n yunn yuhi nh Will
not exceed 100. -FE
The sth New York heavy artillery. at present
serving as infantry, were conspicuous for their
pallantry. II they had not been recalled they
would have charged clear up to the enemy's
Among the wounded regret to announce
Major Caspar Urban,a brave and distinguished
officer. He was struck on the shoulder by q
spent ball.
continued to she'll us with their battery, and
nv, commanded by Capt Dupont. The artil-
Iery duel lasted about half an hour, when the
enemy's battery was withdrawn.
Some corn stacks, situated in the rear OF the
enemy's skirmish line, and behind which they
have been in the habit Of secreting themselves,
were set on fire by the explosion OF one OF our
shells and burned to the ground
A reconnaissance now In progress on the
left has developed the fact that the enemy
have Withdrawn their forces In our imme-
diate front, and evacuated their earth works
tits rumored they are moving In the direction
of Shspherdstown. .-
evening that Gen. Averill had spirited fight
At Wiliiamsport, with two regiments Of rebel
cavalry and some infantry, who had attempt
ed to cross at that place. - - s5-s4x-
GU 6uring the early part OF the engagement
verill sent to Custer for assistance, but az
terwards sent him word that he had sufficient
force and had driven back the enemy.
. : Won may look for the immediate resumption
Of active operations In this Department. and,
unless am very much mistaken. we will have
the long looked for battle early tn the coming
week. - sS5 wsa =
General Sheridan Ad vancing-The Whole
Army in Mssisn-The Eneny Retiring.
HALLrowN, Sunday, August 18th, 8 a. M
f)ur forcess are moving ont from Halltowns
And all along our lines the "advance' has been
sounded.
It may be, that before the setting OF to.day's
san No Will have added ono more battle 70 the