The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-28

Newspaper Accounts.
REBELS REINFORCED, AND AGAIN ADVANCING.
MARTINsBURG, July 26-At length the spell of
silence and inactivity was broken. Rumors cir
CulatCd that the Rebels had been reinforced. The
information came through scouts, refugees and
deserters. At first the strength was stated as
being 81 great many" then a division, and
finally corps. In connection with these reports
came others, stating that readvance was in
tended, and that Longstreet would command the
whole Rebel column of the Shenandoah.
At no time was there n disregard manifested
on the part of our command as to these reports
and in fact 1t was but Il short time before they
were partially confirmed by the readvance of
Earlys forces upon our own, and from behind
their intrenched position at Winchester.
GENERAL CROOK TAKES COMMAND.
In the interim, while Breckenridge was re-
naming tOeraby quiet at Winchester, Averill
was reinforced by cavalry under command of
BrgaJier General Dutfie, and infantry under
General Crook (now brevet mnjor-general, the
latter officer assuming the direction of the cpelSoTI
tions of the whole command 1t
sKnusHNG ON SATURDAY. off
On Saturday, the 23d, the Rebels manifes.em-
decidedly "unfriendly" or inquistive spirit, re.
advancing upon our lines, apparently for the
purpose Of seeing where we were aud what we
were doing We returned the enemy's advances
by few vOlleys,au subsequently by regular skir-
mish. Nothing daunted with such a reception the
perseVering Rebel continued TO 'press his suit
eventually competing us 70 seek AnOtner UlVOu-
acking ground. On Saturday, in consequence OF
the manner (by force of superior numbers) In
which the Rebels threatened an attack, our
cavalry fell back upon the main army and pre-
! pared for action.
SUNDAYS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE
BATTLE.
In the early part OF Sunday morning the
| hitherto stiffness of the day was broken by
| sounds attendant on the rapid discharge of small
| arms. This, of course, announced TO us that the
| Rebels were again advancing; and accordingly n
| very few minutes sufficed to get the whole COM
mand In condition to repel an attack.
The first demonstration of the Rebels was
! closely followed up by their causng sharp con-
| fict between our own and the Rebel cavalry.
Soon after this the Rebels uncovered their infAn-
| try, and brought il up in line of battle for a
general engagement. We also formed in line of
| battle.
The movement at this time were being con-
Quoted at APPOINT situated about two miles from
Bunker Hill, towards Winchester.
THE BATTLE.
| The battle which was fought at this place lasted
| all day that Is, the engagement which was here
| commenced was continued until dark, the enemy
| in the meantime having by force of numbers
driven our men TO within elk miles of Martnsburg.
! Soon after the opening of the engagement, as IL
promised 70 he serious one, the commanding
| general made every possible preparation to make
a stand and fight 1t ont on the sOOt But this was
soon found to be impracticaOle because no sooner
/
| TiOrity in numbers gave him the very easy ad-
vantage of Outtianking us.
AS we from time TO time changed front (the
firing both with musketry ana cannon being at
| the same time continued with all our ettec-
| tive force), the enemy moved up. Every possible
| resistance TO each new and further advance was
presented. Thel Rebels fought with great obsti-
macy, and so did we. They made dash after dash
with their cavalry to turn our flank; but did not
succeed Some of the charges which they made
were promptly rendered abortive.
But in one grand charge which they executed,
and in which 1t was estimated that from twenty
| TO twenty-iiy thousand troops participated, we
lost heavily in prisiners. Besides these, we lost
either four pieces whole battery of artillery.
| This charge decided the work of the day. Our
commanders saw they could dc nothing against
me overwhelming odds against them, aud re-
solved 10 fall back slowly.
In the charge referred to, it is true that our
lines were for few minutes broken, during
which time the Rebels took the prisoners and
artillery but the Union forces rallied again, and
Averills cavalry covered their unwilling retire.
| ment.
The days operations closed with each party
in line Of battle tue Rebels advancing with bold
iront and our men falling back in good and per-
\ feet order.
| CROOK AND AvERILL.
During the whole engagement Generals Crook
| and Ayerill eXerted themselves tO the utmost 20
| secure success but, unfortunately, the numbers
4 Of the enemy were against them.
| GENERAL DURFIE.
Brgadier-G General Duhe is reported TO have
| been killed OF wounded while at the head of his
| brigade urging the men not TO give way, but to
| do their duty like true soldiers.
| COLONEL MULLIGAS, ETC.
Colonel Mulligan is seriously wounded, and
prisoner in the hands Of the enemy. Just before
| Colonel Mulligan was wounded a color sergeant
| was killed, and he, accompanied by his brother
in-law, Lieutenant Nugent, Immediately rode
| forward TO procure the colors. The Lieutenant
dismounted TO pick up the coiors. and. while In
this position, was mortally wounded Colonel
Mulligan was wounded about the same time, and,
az is reported, seriously In two places.
OUR WOUNDED.
A portion Of our wounded fell into the enemy's
hands, and in the confusion which now exists Il