Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-07-28

STARTLING NEWS (!
FROM BALTIM Il.
RETURN OF TIE INVADERS.
Heavy Fighting Saturday.
AYERELL HAS TO RETIRE.
AyERILL HAS TO RETIRE.
The Rebels Occupy Martinsburg.
BALTIMORE, July 20.

BALTIMORE, July 70.
The American has the following high
ly exciting intelligence:
The city last night was full of excit-
ing rumors of rebel movements in the
Shenandoah, together with big accounts
of the disaster to the force under Gen.
Averill, which last week attacked and
defeated q portion of Gen. Early's raid
ers near Winchester,
Among the rumors prevalent were the
death OF Gems, Kelley and Averill, as
well as Of Col. Mulligan.
The facts as far as we have been able
to ascertain are that Gen. Averill, after
his successful encounter with Early's
forces pursued them to the mountains
| beyond Winchester, where Early made
| stand and after heavy lighting on Sat
urday and Sunday, the rebels in the
mean time having been REINFORCED, Gen.
| Averill was forced to fall back to Har-
per's Ferry, bringing with him the
forces at Bunker Hill, and causing also
| the evacuation of Martinsburg.
The rebels appear to have pursued
| him in his retreat, and yesterday after
noon again occupied MartinsbuTg, where
they cut the telegraph wires, and com
| menced the destruction of the track of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at that
place.
Our forces, according to the best ad-
vices we could obtain, are now cOncen-
trating at Harper's Ferry under COM
mand of Gen. Hunter.
The rebels hold Martinsburg, and ru-
NOR states them to be in large force, but
this can hardly be possible beyond the
strength Of the forces under Gems. Early
and Breckenridge.
The object Of the rebels in returning
is doubtless to give time for the safety
of their trains of plumber, and to secure
a portion OF the crops in the valley
That they may again come into Mary
land for more plumber is highly prob
able, especially if they find the way
open to them, as is generally the case in
the military management of affairs along
the borders.
As to the extent Of the disaster to our
forces in the fight beyond Winchester,
we have no authentic information, nor
, have we any confirmation Of the deaths
of Genls Averill and Kelly, and Col.
Mulhgan. 1t is not likely, however,
that all of these officers have fallen, and
we are inclined to doubt the story OF
their death
We learn that orders were sent to
move the army and medical stores from
Frederick last night, as matter of pre-
caution, and to evacuate the city in case
of an advance of the rebels unchecked
!, | in that direction.
That the official intelligence from the
, valley last evening, was not as favora-
BILE as could be desired, may be inferred
, from the fact that Gen. Wallace con-
; vened the Loyal Leaguers last night, tC
advise with them as to holding them
selves in readiness in case their services
should be needed for the defence of the
city. These precautions are of course
advisable, and our citizens should be in
readiness at all times to meet the inva
: ders.
i A dispatch last night merely an
Il nounced that Averill had been com
! PEELED to retire before superior forces tc
! Harpers Ferry, but mentioned no seri
i Gus disaster as having occurred.
= At anearly hour yesterday afternoon
n dispatches were received from Sandy
Hook and other points by the Baltimor
II and Ohio railroad, to the effect that
would b hazardous to attempt to rul
cars through as usual
T. The train which left Camden station
u yesterday morning proceeded as ia
as Sandy Hook, when those in charg
L Welding to the suggestions of Gen. Hun
IL ter. who was then at Harper's Ferry, re
'e turned.
The train which, was to have left at
,e quarter past nine last evening did nc
u leave.
The telegraph is cut west of Harper
s Ferry, and it is reported that the force
IL of Crook and Averill had retreated b.
ca yond the railroad, but the officers OF I'll
he road have not received any official az
hu vices to that effect.
Al Yesterday afternoon and evening r
er mors prevailed that the rebels had I
he turned in heavy force to the vicinity
III Martinsburg, and had met and rout'
Ia the Federals. and were damaging Il
es- railroad.
:. The train which left here yesterdi
nc morning for the West, and proceeded
ay' far as Sandy Hook, returned last eve
AT ing crowded with federal officers, w
report that heavy fight was going
ea between Herper's Ferry and Winchestt
and that Hunter had been repulse
also that several pieces of artillery a
. q large number of men OF two brigaC
J. had been captured by the rebels.
Jay 1t is impossible to ascertain the Il
ear state Of affairs in that region, but tn
'"o is no doubt that serious disaster
oss occurred to the forces of Hunter.
hoe The evening edition of the Americ
,ine states that they are unable to ascert;
ioh anything definite in regard to re
movements at Martinsburg, further Il
that most of the rumors last night W
!. greatly exaggerated.
roo Gen. Averill is not killed but &C
PEELED by superior numbers to fall BIZ
ar to the Potomac, thence through Marti
18th. burg 10 WilliaRsport.
hill The evacuation of Martinsburg is !
au- doubtedly true, but it is not known t
sses the rebels occupy the place.
men Trains for Washington and Freder