Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-30
RETREAT OF GEN. EARLY.
Pursuit By Gen. Sheridan-rhe Enemy


Pursuit BY Gen. Sheridan-rhe Enemy
Overtaken-Cavalry Skirmishing.
tDespatch to Philadelphia InquirerJ
dARPER's FERRY, Aug. 29-The advance OF
Gen. Sheridan yesterday was with nearly NE
entire force, the Reconnaissance OF SATURDAY
afternoon having demonstrated that the enemy
mad retired from his front
He made immediate preparation Tor ioiloW-
ing them, and the march began Al ngn. gu
Sunday morning. The infantry OF deneIas
Wright, Crook and Emory took the direct rosa
to Cnarlestown from our position at HaIltoWn,
and the cavalry under Gen. Torbert pursuing
several roads Leading soutnWesI%aiati n raun
Shepherdstown, but all converging towards
Winchester.
The march during the entire day was slow
and cautious, strong skirmisn line being all
covered, but none Of the enemy were met with
until late in the afternoon, when, having over
taken his rear guard just beyond Charlestown.
on the Smithf1eld road, some little sKirmishing
ensued, but nothing of any moment Some
few prisoners being taken, it was ascertained
that Early main force had retired on the
Snithfield road, and that he had halted for the
night at that hamlet. General Sheridan con-
sequently ordered halt two miles beyond
Charlestown and camped for the night.
In the meantime General Torbert, moving in
the same general direction, upon roads to the
right OF Sheridan, encountered the enemy's
cavalry at Bunker Hill, and sharp fight en-.
sued, the particulars Of which have not yet
come in, but the advantage remained with
AOiUclt. UOIuluky Wy " II " SioSh o. AAA's
all was quiet in front. General Sheridan re-
naming in the position assumed last night, and
the enemy is still understood to be at Smith
field.
Rumors were current in our camp this morn
ing that Early had been ordered to Richmond
with his main force, but was traceable to no
authentic source while it is certain that Smith
field is far from the direct road from Charles
town to the rebel capital. Early's last move
ment is considered here to be no declaration Of
purpose to abandon the Shenandoah Valley.
MARYLAND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
In this Convention, on Saturday, it was:
Resolved, That in view OF the uncertain con-
dition Of affairs in this State, owing to the pos
sibility Of an invasion by the public enemy,
which may interfere with the expression OF
the popular will on the day to be fixed for
ton, when it adjourns without day, will be
adjourned subject to the call of the President,
and, in case OF the death or disqualification of
the president, H. II. Goldsborough,) Frederick
Schley, OF Frederick county, Joseph Il. Pugh,
Of Cecil county, Henry Stockbridge, Of Balti-
more city, William T. Purnell, of Worcester
county, be and they are hereby authorized, in
the order in which they are named, to act as
president and call the Convention together
The majority Of the committee on provisions
Ind ordinances made long report embracing,
among other provisions, the right of soldiers in
The field TO vote for OF against the new Oonsti-
luton. for President, member OF Congress,
&c. The report also directs that the Governor
shall, within five days after the adjournment
IF the Convention, order an election to be held
on the 18th of October, for the adoption or re-
lection Of the new Constitution.
The minority of the committee made q report
protesting against the right of the soldier to
required to take the oath prescribed in the
Cons ttuton,