Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-25
FROM THE UPPER POTOMAC.


Position Of General Sheridan-The Rebels
held in Check-The Potomac not Crossed
Slight Skirmishins
Correspondence Baltimore Americana
HARPkR's FERRY, August A.-The excite.
nsfs from the
and everything is as quiet and tranqu.i, as
though there were no enemy within nlty miles
Of this place.
he made his last retrograde mo vement, ana II
the enemy are inclined to advance any furtner.
they will have to fight Sheridan on gtouno u
his own choice, and where it will be lmpossi-
BILE for them to either turn his TANKS or inter-
fere with his base OF supply.
There was some slight skirmishing in front
of Crooks command at daylight yesterday
morning, which lasted for about an hour and
then ceased almost entirely, leaving US in
blissful quietness for the remainder Of the day,
disturbed only by an occasional shot as re.
minder that there was really force OF the en-
envy in our front.
The strength OF the rebel command has been
variously estimated, but think it does not ex-
coed fifty thousand From reliable information
received yesterday from parties who have just
left the rebel lines, it appears that Early s
corps has received large reinfor cements, near
ly all his brigades and divisions having been
reinforce them, and in addition two divisions
or Longstreet's corps, under Pickets, with the
whole OF Fitzhugh Lees cavalry are known
to have arrived.
to attempt an invasion of either Maryland or
Pennsylvania-they are too we'll informed of
the preparations made for their reception
should they mbark in SO foolhardy an enter
cidal They will be perfectly content if they
can succeed in keeping Sheridan out Of the
VALLEY until they have succeeded in harvest
ing and sending to their rear the crops of
wheat, corn, &c, OF which their star wing Con-
federacy stands so much in need.
Reconnoitering parties sent out yesterday at
different points along the line found the enemy
in force, and prepared to resist an attack. 1t is
matter Of conjecture whether similar parties
sent out to. day would find them in force.
Picket firing commenced in front OF the Sixth
ing this despatch, p. m, it has not amounted
to anything serious. r. L. s.
HALL Town, VA, Aug A.-Nothing Of any
especial Importance has occurred during the
past tWenty-fou hours along our front. A
slight scattering fire has been kept up at inter-
walls on different portions OF our line of skir-
mishers, but no movement Of definite result
has taken place. Our troops, by dint of con.
slant exertion, have contrived to render our
naturally strong position one of impregnabil-
ity, and the works erected by the Army Of
Western Virginia will long exist as q monu.
ment of untiring industry.
Our forces are said to be in possession of
Shepardstown, and see no reason for doubt
ing it, as large train of wagons could be seen
proceeding in that direction this morning. /
have late and reliable advices from Gen. Av-
GRILL, who reports that no movement has vet
been made by the enemy to cross the Potomac
in force, and that his command still hold pos.
session Of the upper fords, which are being
carefully watched. Advices from the noun
tafns state that heavy rain had fallen there,
and that it will probably have the effect OF
making the Potomac unfOrdable. But as yet
no indications of any unusual rise exist in this
locality.
A thousand little signs, only discernable to
an adept, tend to prove that General Sheridan
intends to assume the offensive. Everything
now seems to show that the enemy in Vail
ley are falling back on Richmond, evidently
the result of the recent successful operations in
front of Petersburg. The contemplated counter
movement is doubtless deemed a failure, and a
recall has been sounded.
This will explain much of the mystifcation
Regarding operations of this part of our forces.
We were to amuse Early while the real key
movement was executed by Warren on the
Weldon railroad. Doubtless the failing back
OF General Sheridan on HaIltown was only a
snare to allure the rebel General on
and keep him engaged.
No other items OF interest exist in this imue-
date neighborhood. The Ferry is fearfully
crowded by army wagons, officials, orderlles,
guards, suffers, and hangers on generally. Yes.
terday large number OF disloyal citizens from
Berryville and Charlestown were sent down on
the train, and to-day squad of rebel prisoners
of war departed under a strong guard.
FORESTER.