Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-14
" AsHINGToN, July 9, 1864

\ party of Confederate cavalry has made its
appearance at Sandy Spring, about fifteen miles
north of this city. They did no damage what
ever. that | have been able to hear of. and de-
camped a suddenly az they had come. after
making a brief reconnaissance in the neighbor-
hood This simple occurrence has created a
great deal of unnecessary alarm here. Ii was
an event that might have been expected. and in
all probability it will be repeated. Ii is under
stood that there is strong force of Confederate
cavalry posted on the national road about ten
miles northwest of Rockville. and if so, the par
ty named above was no doubt detachment from
that column.
The fact that the COnfederates no longer oc-
cupy Harpers Ferry, is taken TO mean that the
rebel invasion is at end, aud that the COnfed-
crates. haviag gotten all the plumber they can.
are now retreating southwark This is great
delusion. Ii the facts that | have learned to-
day are correct. this apparent abandonment of
Harper's Ferry il Ominous of great misfortune
10 our arms. Ii must be remembered that this
whole mOvemed, is directed by Gen Lee. and
that IL details are under the command OF
MARYLAND officers. 10 whom the geOgra-
ply of the whole country l. familiar The
possession of Harpers Ferry would be of no al
vantage whatever 10 the ConfederateS. unless
they held also the Maryland Nights, and | learn
that those Confederate troops who were az
Harper's Ferry I'LL recently have now Joined
those who are operating near Frederick. and
whose object is TO defeat the troops under Gems.
Wallace and Sigel.
From what | can learn. ! am satisfied, too.
that the apprehensions of the Pennsy lvanians OF
a general invasion of their State are entirely
groundless There is quite large body Of Con
iederate troops between Hagerstown apd Cham
bersburg and along the southern counties OF
Pennsylvania near those places. engaged IN col
lecting the crop of wheat has been abandoned
by the farmers, and in sending il TO Winchester
for shipment to Richmond Blu, this and theJ IN
pressmeut OF horses is all the damage. but Penn
Sylyania will suffer during this invasion.
IL is said that the Administration Is at last
convinced that large portion of Lees army,
lately in Grants front, is now moving up the val
lev toward the Potomac. and il Is feared that Lee
is not only waiting until this whole force arrives,
in order to make decisive movement The
stories about General Hunter acting in cOnjunc
ton with Sigel. have proved 10 be gross iabrica
ii0ns and there Is no reason 10 fear that before
he reaches Cumberland. even, Hunter will be
confronted with Confederate force superior To
bis oEn,
The position OF affairs near Frederick remains
very critical. The skirmiShing. which has taken
place there during the last forty eight hours. has
resulted at last. a. might have been seen from
the Erst. 40 tile evacuation OF that place by the
Union forces. and their retreat TO the Monocacy
Bridge There was neither sense nor reason in
the attempt TO hold Frederick at all. under the
circumstances; as any good General nigh, have
perceived that II was IN the power of the Con
iederates 10 take possession OF il whenever they
chose Ia collect their scattered bands in that
ueighborhood.
| suppose it Is no longer any secret that A
large number of troops from Gen Grants army
have arrived here. and proceeded to join tue
forces OF Gen. Wallace AZ the Monoeacy Bridge
The only number that ! have heard stated i
~ 600. Iut DO not know whether this Is above
below the mark The fact OF their sailing W
the Chesapeake Bay is we'll known to Gen Lee
as il was published in the Richmond papers
MALCOLM