Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-07-28
MOTHER INVASION THREATENED
A BATTLE AT WINCHESTER

| .a2 A BATTLE AT WINCHESTER.
We learn from the Baltimore papers that the militar
authorities of that city have received information of BAT
10 fought last Sunday at Winchester of which tn
press generally received intelligence account of
interruption of teegraphc communication The Sun give
the following details Of the affair, gathered from 0ica
sources:
"About eleven o'clock Sunday morning the rebe
forces under Gems Breckurdge and Early attacked the
Union forces, under Gene Crook and Ayerl and Col Mu
gan, at or Winchester There also portion OF
Gen Hunters forces the fight but Gen Hunter was not
present being at Hapers Ferry The battle lasted during
the entire day and when night closed in the Union COM
manders ascerainng that the rebels had received large
reinforcements retired towards Marnsbug and Harper
Ferry On Monday morning they retired from Martins
burg to Hapers Ferry after which the rebels occupied
MariinsburR.
Ii was announced that Col Muligan, (of Lexington
Mo ame) commanding brigade in the fight Of Sunday,
was killed. He wounded and to fall from his
horse and it was thought was killed He officer
well known TO this country ard his death will be depoed
by many friends He has for the past year done much
service in Western Virginia along the line of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. sF
1t stated that Gen Aveis forces sustained the
heaviest loss the rebels massed large force against
them during the fight, and succeeded taking several
guns from them which, however, il is reported they
ceedinR in recapturng- #a tt .l@
"The actual forces of the enemy are not known but if
another raid s contemplated into Maryland the military
authorities are prepared to give them reception.
losses in the fight Sunday said to have been
quite severe both Sides but in the absence of the Off
cia accounts from the General commanding the engage
men all statements from unofficial authorities with
held"
The Baltimore American gives additional particu-
lars, as follows:
Gen. Aven after his successful encounter with Ear
ys forces, pursued them to the mountains beyond Wu
chester, where Early made stand and after heavy fight
Saturday and Sunday the rebels having been in the
mean time largely reinforced, Gen. Aver compelled
to fall back Harper's Ferry bringing with him the
a ali he euatiO Of
Martinsburg The rebels appear to have pursued him n
his retreat and on Monday afternoon again occupied Mar
tnsburg
Our orces according to the best advces we could OBJ
tain, concentrating at Harpers Ferry under
mand of Gen Hunter whilst the rebels hold Martnsburg
and states them to be in large force but this
hardly be possible beyond the strength Of Eary's and
Breckindges forces Their object in returning is doubt
less to give time for the safety OF their trains of punder,
Shenandoah valley. That they may again into Ma
ryand for punder is highly probable, especially if
They find the way open to thsm rs s generally the in
the military management of affairs along the border
As to the extent OF the disaster to forces the
fight beyond Winchester, have authentic informa
on The train which lett Baltimore Monday morning
for the West and proceeded far Sandy Hook return
ed about halfpast o'clock the evening and all
the were crowded with passengers. Some of them
Federal officers who reported that heavy fight had
taken place between Harpers Ferry and Winchester and
that Hunter had been repused Several pieces of artillery
had been captured aso large number OF of two brl
gades 1t is impossible to ascertain the true state of affairs
has occurred to the forces of Gen Hunter.
I'VE learn that orders sent Monday night TO
move the army and medical stores from Frederick
matter of precsuon and to prepare to ate the city
of the advance of the rebels unchecked in that d
rection."
Recurring to the subject in its afternoon edition OF yes
terday, the American says:
"As far a ascertain this morning Gen Avsrill
has not been killed reported but compelled by
greatly superior rebel force t. fall back the Potomac
through Marnsburg to Wiliamsport, Maryland carrying
with him the garrison at that point Whether the rebels
occupied Martinsburg Monday night is not known,
but Of it's evacuation there seems TO be no doubt
This morning the trains to Frederick aud Washington
went out usuAl and train for Sandy Hook left
745 A. M
The suspension Of telegraphic operations last night is
said TO have been caused by the storm of wind blowing
down pole Gen. Hunter has, however, forbidden all
elegraphic communication with Harper's Ferry, and of
course we have nothing direct from that vicinity"
We have no later news from the Upper Potomac The
newspapers, the teegraphc lines, Snd the War Depart
ment all silent respects operations in that quarter
There street of further fighting Tuesday be-
tween Martinsburg and Wamsport, but of their relab
ty know nothing They to be founded on reports
that firing Of artillery heard in that direction on
the day mentioned 1t said that the Union troops have
not yet abandoned Hapers Ferry and that they hold Ma
ryland Heights IN strong force