, 1864-07-15

all the horses in The country aud uoT the
most Of them are mounted.
Johnson took the East road from Coles
vile, and neared toward BelsVilfe, and the
Early corps went towards Washington on the
7th street road, md 1t was understood that
Hills corps moved towards Washington on
line west of Ear1y's.
MY info1ment saw about ZOO orS00 rebels.
He conyersed with the rebel Gen. Johnspn
and other officers, and thinks that it vas not
their intention to take Washington, but to
attract the attention OF Gen. Grant from
Richmond. johnson had about GO prison
ers, from whom he had stripped most of
their clothing, and the prisoners were com
pel1ed to trudge along with bare feet. john
son had seven pieces Of artillery, but my in
formant did not eee any with Early. On
Tuesday morning the pfckcts Of Johnson's
and Early's corps fired into each other BY mis-"
take near Colesville. The outer pickets were
called In at sunset on Tuesday and all were
ordered to be ready to more at moment 5
notice.
When came from Fort Stevens our forces
were moving to the vest side Of the 7th
street road.
Gens. Breckinridge and Early were at the
residence OF F. P. Blair. which was the rebel
headquarters. Captured rebel soldiers Ray
they were informed on the march that
Washington WAS only guarded By clerks and
militia. They confess to being deceived
when they saw the heads Of the columns OF
the Peninsula veterans Of the 9Th Corps.
The preservation Of the mansion Of Mr.
Blair Is due to the Interference Of Gen.
Breckinridge, who was no doubt Influenced
BY the friendly relations formerly existing
between himself and the owner.
The private papers Of Mr.. Blair, composed
Of correspondence with Henry Clay, An.
drew jackson and other men Of mark, have
not been destroyed, but, with bis plate, bare
son, with note to him by General Breckln-
While the furniture aud other personal ef.
fects Of Marshal BeDefont were destroyed,
lnrge Quantities Of hay and wool saved from
the torch, the cattle, horses, calves, etc, OF
were left undressed, and the badly wounded
uncared for. About seventy Of the latter
we're left at F. P. Blair's house. It is stated
that the bulk Of the rebel force commenced
] >retreating at II a. n. yesterday.
The residence Of Hon. Montgomery BlaiE
was destroyed, with all Its contents, causing
him considerable loss. 1T m early hour yes
their position north Of the Notifications at
Tenally town to Rockville, pursued by our cay
airy to the number OF $50. These engaged them
throughout the day with varying success.
Rockville was in our hands half dozen
times, but reinforcements being sent to the
enemy trey would OCCUPY It until our turn
came again. Such was the fighting In the
vicinity Of Rockville Yesterday, neither
party ginning anything worth speaking Of.
At the time We left reports were very con-
fllcting, some stating that our forces were
falling back, while others stated that our
men were driving the rebels. Some officers
with whom We convcrsed expressed the be.
lief that the rebels wonld oecuty the same
position ut nightfal that they did on Tues.
day night. Preparations are being made tq
drive the rebels from their position befort
Washington, and 1t will be matter of sur.
| prise if any not prisoners remain north o1
i rebel captain was captured yesterday
| while leading charge. About twenty pri
| also captured.
ESCAPE OF MAI. GEN. FRANKLIy.
| BALTIMORE, Thursday, July 14.-Wher
Maj. Gen. Franklin was captured, he was
| seated In car, by the side Of wounded
| Lieutenant Colonel, when rebel Office
| came up and asked the Colonel if he wa.
franklin. The officer replied that he was
not The rebel then asked franklin, who
disclosed himself, feeling convinced he hai
been pointed out by one Of. the passengers
In few minutes Gilmore came In and told
franklin he must consider himself his prison
er. The General was then put Into carriage
and taken to Reistertown; where they stopped
for the night The General feigned sickness
andrleep and waited until Ills guards were
| asleep. he then made the best Of bis Way
as near as be could, in the direction Of thlt
city for three QUARTERS nt an, honr, wheE
being broken down by fatigue, he crept lnte
thick woods aud remained the balance o.
the night and all next day, frequently seeing
! rebels scouting for him.
Abou: sunset, bring nearly fanlished, ht
venturei ont and shortly met some men
| who proved to be friends, one Of whom tool
him 10 his house and finally provided mean
| for the General to reach the city.
| THE WASHINGTON RAILROAD OPEN.
| BALTIMORE, Thursday July 14.-Trains ar'
running as usual this morning to Washin:::
ton.