The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-07-15
script.
Rebel Raid into MARYLAND.
WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE TIlREATENEI


The rebel force engaged in the raid tow
ards Harpers Ferry, of which brief mention
was made last week, is much larger than was
generally supposed to be at that time. After
taking Harpers Ferry the raiders appear to
have broken up into small toraging parties,
which may account for the conflicting reports
received as to the number of rebels engaged
in the raid-variously estimated from 5000
to 10000. The most trustworthy reports
give 10000 as the probable number.
On tn 1th fight occurred at Frederick,
Nd, between ne Sd Maryland Regiment of
veterans aided bv about 300 of the Sth Hi
nos caviar, a.; large force Of rebels. The
following a.c,u .; OF tie fight is from letter
in the H'lt'm' ArDerican:
The rebels 4 ou' f,ur oclocI. were to be
seen from H. 7 Us f the houses Of the city
ming dow ~ II ,gerstown road, and also
~ Harp~~s Fey or Jefferson road. appar-
ea'ly III str,.g force. Captain Alexanders
: MS tHi'ibcu'it'iN iiFNi uP'tl tiAs lOC anu
checked them rpmpntarilv by the excellence
of MS aim, hut ii was only for a moment.
The enemy close! up and formed their line
on the west front OF the C..y, covering the
Hurpers Ferry and Hagerstown roads, plant
ing their guns on Hagan's Hills and ''e
, Red Hills, and posting Their infantry am
caval:y in the valley formed by the above
named hills and the Catoctin Mountains.
their position was a splendid onc, and their
men we'll protected.
The fght-for it was not q battle-com-
nanced at half-past four o'clock with all ar
til!ery duel between one Of our guns in Zim-
merman's field and the rebel guns on Ha-
gan's Hill. Our gun was commanded by
Lieut. Perkins of Alexander's battery, and
was handled in the most effective manner,
dismounting one of the rebel guns.
The skirnishers advanced and the sharp
crack Of the musket was heard for about two
hours with seemingly no result, when a corl-
pany of the Sd Maryland made charge up
on force of rebels concealed behind stone
fence in Rlzer's field, lying on the Harpers
Ferry road on The north side, and succeeded
in disIodslng them. They held the position
bravely for the remainder of the fight Short
ly after six o'clock the word was passed
around that the ammunition of our brave
defenders was giving out. There was none
of any description in the city, as Capt. Piatt,
the Qaartermaster of the post, had removed
it all on Sunday last, in anticipation of an
attack. Courers were dispatched to Gen.
Wallace and to Gen. Tyler at Frederick
Junction, about three miles from the city, in-
forming them of the state of affairs, and
: right quickly did they respond to the call
dispatching special train Immediately with
plenty of ammunition, which was promptly
distributed to the men.
About seven o'clock our men began to
| drive the rebels, under the cover of the guns
of our batteries, and with cheers forced them
back over one hundred yards, in which posi-
ton night closed on the combatants, both
quitting fire about dark with seemingly
mutual understanding that it would be re.
& newed in the morning.
A column of rebels under Imboden, enter
ed Hagerstown on the Sth inst, and ransack
ed the town, committing all manner of dep
redat ons, burning several private dwellings,
lmboden demanded $4,000 or he woulC
{ burn Zeler & Co.'S warehouse, which was
Y paid, although a like sum had already been
. paid TO previous party. They burned the
court house, railroad depot and all railroad
e buildings. The rebels then pushed on, ant
D.. on the 9th attacked Gen. Wallace's forces a.
,f Monocacy, town situated about IS mile,
a from Baltimore. A dispatch from Baltimor,
gives the following particulars of the fight
, The troops engaged in the fight at Mono
cacy bridge yesterday formed in line of bat
tie on the left Of the railroad and on thi
n side Of the river. The I'd Ohio Regimen
J. was thrown M as skirmishers. The latte
vas atlacAri 80 in the morning by tn
-my from tiaF~rstowr pike, when the
tel. hack 4,'Jss me river in good order ant
st with Slight less, lighting all the way. Afte
e crossing they succeeded in checking the ad
e, vance OF the enemy, and held him here
!. long time. About 10 A. NJ, desperate at
tack was made BY dsmounted cavalry, whcl
was repulsed; and notwithstanding they re
peatediy tried to ds!odge our men from thei
position, they could not succeed. Their |, FL
here was very heavy, our n.en having tn,