Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-07-26
IMPORTANT WAR NEws-A BATTLE
MAR WINCHEsTER,V VA.

The Baltimore and Ohio RaiIFosd-TeIe-
graph communies estion Interrupted
MartinsbuTB Occupied Gen AvsrilI
and Col. h uIiiEan ssid TO be Kilisd.
At an early hour yesterday morning, rumor
was rife that battle had taken place between
the Union and rebel forcGs near Winchester,
Va, and that the Union forces had sustained a
repulse. Upon inquiry at official quarters the
following facts were AscertAined;
About IL O'Clock on Sunday morning, the
rebel forces under Generals Brecklnridgo and
Early attacked the UniOu forces under Generals
Crook and Averill and Col. Mulligan, at or
near Winchester. There was also a portion OF
Gen. Hunters forces In the fight, but General
Hunter was not present, being at Harper's
Ferry. The battle lasted during the entire day,
aud when night closed in, the Union COM
manders, ascertaining that the rebels had re-
ceiyed large relnforcements, retired towards
MartinsburY and Harper's Ferry. Yesterday
morning they retired from MartlnSburg to
Harper's Ferry, after which the rebels occupied
Martinsburg.
Through the advice of Gen. Hunter, VIM.
Prescott Smith, ESQ, superintendent Of the
Baltimore aud Ohio railroad, ordered the pas
senger trains that had left this city for the
West yesterday morning to return, and for the
present no passenger or freight trains Will be
run further than Harper's Ferry and Freder-
lex. The trains from the West will run only
rs far As Cumberland. This is done merely as
a precautionary measure until the actual state
OF affairs and The number of the rebels and
their designs may bo ascertained. The rumOrB
that passenger and freight trains have been
captured are uniOunded.
II was announced that Col. Mulligan, (of
Lexington, Mo, fame commanding a brig gade
In the fight Of Sunday, was killed. He was
wounded and seen to TALL from his horse, aud
/ IL Al H. It'd H..
well known to the country, aud his death will
be deplored by many friends. lie has for the
past year done much service In Western Viz
ginia along the line OF the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad.
1t was stated that Gen. Averill's forces sus-
taned the heavlest loss, as the rebels massvd
large force against them during the fight,
and succeeded In taking several guns from
them, which, however, 1t ls reported they sue
ceeded In recapturlng.
| The actual forcee Of the enemy are not
known, but II another raid Is contemplated
Into Maryland, the military authorities are pre-.
pared to give them warm reception.
Brig. Gen. Tyler was In the city yesterday
evening, from the Relay House, and was al
once assigned to important duties in the
western section of the Middle Department.
The losses In tie fight on Sunday are said to
have been quite severe on both sides, but In
the absence of the official accounts from the
General commanding tho engagement, all
statements from unofficial authorities are with.
held.
The reports last evening that the rebels had
entered Maryland by shepherdstown and
sharpsburg, and occupied Hagsrstown, wer,
not officially confirmed, and not believed in
military circles In this city.
Reports reached this city yesterday after
noon that Gen. Averill had been killed in tn,
fight on sunday, but Gen. Hunter, at Harper'i
Ferry, had not received, up TO last evening
any confirmation OF the rumOr. Upto the hOuI
Of going TO press there was nothing later re
ceived. The telegraph communication only
extended as far as Harper's Fsrry, and nothing
could bS Ascertained In regard 10 the move
menLs Of the Tebels.-BdLt. Sun.