, 1864-08-16
FROM THE ARMY OF TIE
POTOMAC.
Skirno fHllilig and Picket Firing
hutnsfde Relieved lhe 1Kensun
Why.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMr OF THE Po.
ToMAc, aug. Ill A. M.--ConsideraDlc arlng
has bt en- Kept up all night between pickets
on tue center and right.
firing was heard in the direction of James
river, which lasted for about two hours 1t
IL reported to have been an attack by some
rebsl rams gu working party of Gen. But
1er'e, who arc cutting canal across small
peninsula on the James river.
Gen. Burnside Wns relieved yesterday. aud
LETT his command last evening. Gen. Wilcox
tenn porarily commands the 9th cores.
1t was reported Inst week that the enemy
Intended to make flank attack on our left,
but up to this time no demo hns been
made. Every thlbg at headquarters Is perfect
II quiet.
M1DDLErows, Va, Aug. 12-4 P. M-Our
cavalry came up with the rear guard OF the
enemy here earl, this afternoon. and slight
ekirmfeh ensueo Ia toEn. Our infantry were
are now in line Of battle opposite Cedar
Greek, across the Staunton pike, between
two and three miles distant. They OCCUPY
high Land beyond, which forms strong de-
tensige position. They are suid to have two
l,nes Of battle half mile long. They, like
closely pressed, may base seized the oppor
tunity OF securing ibis position for rest.
Still. CEDAR CREEK, Aug. 12-5 2. NJ
Our skiruishcrs have just crossed the creek,
and are now ekirmfshiDg with the enemy.
Our own skirmish line and theirs are plainly
perceptible, md the firing is moderately
brisk. The tncmy's ektruishers are just in
the edge of wood bes ond. Only portion
Of their line OF battle Is yis|ble on distant
hill. No artillery firing has taken place.
$40 p. n.-The rebels now chow them
portion 1s 10 Of their Inc Of battle. They y haye
opened upon our ekirmish lioe IRON two
guns posted in admirable position, but have
done po damage. Skirmtshing;is still going
on and getting liTelfcr. Our artillery is just
replying. Two prisoners captured say Cor
doh's division Of Ewelrs corps Is irnmedi-
ately in our front. They probably compose
the rebel rear guard, and d decisive battle
here does not at present seem at all certain.
Six o'clock-Skirmfsting still cootiauea.
uARren'e FEnET. Aug. 1.-THE storm Of war
doah Valley. From al that can be Cleaned, tue
rebels are fetirtng before our ADVANCE, and It is
'houeht they ere anxious to effect sale rst1eatup
the valley, and will not risk an engagement
Yesterday morning the rebels Were seen to
leave Marttusburg and take the road leading
to Bunker 1Iil1. They left a mere picket
eua1d in the town, with whom my informant
freely mingled.
The following is u correct status of the
rebel army Of invasion under Early: lie has
four division commanders. namely, Ransom,
Of North Carolina; Rhodes, Of Georgia;
Goroon, of Georgia; Breckenridge, Of Ken
tuck. Breekin11dEe does not command q
corpa, al rev orted, but only division, con-
LIS corps. The tatal strength Of Early's
corps VIXEN he. left Richmond was 5000
men, but he entered MARYLAND With 5000
infantry and 5000 cavalry. The remalnder
we're all lost through desertione, capture,
siclnees,- SC. The rebel estimate of their
own loss north Of the Potomac Is nearly
During the retreat Of the rebels from
sIartinsburg they we're closely followed by
my informant. While quietly stealing after
balf miles from Martinsburg, be noticed
small party retiring q short distance flom
him. be hid behind large tree, and when
they were out Of sight he advanced and saW
1loatirg near him black flag. The fiag vas
quickly hauled down By him, secured, and
Tyler. It Is about three feet square, has a
| black ground, with white star in the cen
Ire. and the word 'tWinchester' inscribed
In black letters within the star. 1t i
thought 1t belongs to some Of the .guerilt
l<bapos from Winchester and vicinity, ant
means they will spare no Union soldier the'
capture.
NJ informant states that about thiFtee,
miles Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad i
a3mcst entirely destroyed, from Nortl
Mountain depot to keaTpegyt1le. seTera
brideee, intending the she over Back Creek
| uFe OufQGu. lit EAla AAAAIA1e5 ~ w
Cumberland TO Hancock, all through tn
Jew state Of Vest Virglnia.
The rebels have levied ne.ffth OF all th
bushels Of grain, ETC., gathered t9f aavyfst = .3'
ing, and taxes, and whatever 's ielt, II n
owners are loyal to the rebels, will be PM
,pr Al the rate of thirty dollars per bushel
rebel moLey.
!; force eoou after theY started from Richmond
that any soldier who did not miss more tina
TWO roi from the 1st o. Of ARt;l 70 - u
1st Of September, should DC eht'1'eo ~
! Gen. Tyler Is hughear to the rebel syn
o ay dsseaa Ire aafb esds of segans hsnt
from them. Qaite a number have bee
+ compelled to swallow the bitter Pill or ST.
at home. ,--ar -,
l. entirely eyacuated by the rebels Je5tera.
morning, notwithstanding reports to u
I. contrary.