Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-22

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SHENANDOAHy HyALLEY.--
The Enemy Occupy MartinAbuYs-UnieD
Forces in Coed Position. -
BALTIMORE, Aug. 20.--There Is nothing def
mite from the Upper Potomac. The rebels are
understood to occupy Martinseurg in small
force. -.
It is not proper to speak definitely Of our po-
sition, but there Is good reason to heps that
Sheridan will prove more than m atch for
rebel strategy in that quarter. A
Reports from HagePstown.
: HAeERsTowN, Aug 20.-There was another
.. o,G scare here last night. General Averill re-
urea rom Martinsburg on Thursday evening,
wtn ms main force, leaving g one company ofthe
lhheoIh Cavalry to garrison the town. Yes
"nr,nS .nasd tshoon sixty. I'VE rebel cavalrymen
tered the place and drove our men ont in the
direction OF RaiDesvillle This eaused a rem
sral slampeas oI parties residing between VIII
Transport ana Martmsburg towards this place
who reported that our troops were retiring in
that direction followed by the rebels. The
merchants here immediately packed their goods
The Quartermasters % tram, with Government
property, was dispatched for Frederick, but
before getting ont OF town, Capt. William H.
Browne halted il in the street He determined
not to move it until he knew more upon the
subject 1t remained until o'clock this morn-
ing, when il was ordered back TO camp. The
stores are all closed to.day, and but few OF the
citizens are to be seen on the streets. The sick
ard wounded from hospitals have been re-
moved to Harrisburg.
Martinsburg is reported to be in possession
OF the rebel cayalrymen, and Earlys advance
is said to he at Winchester. Every horseman
who enters this town is Immediately besieged
by parties, who anxiously inquire as TO the
whereabouts of the rebels. .ta-.
To-day the rebel pickets were advanced to
Falling Waters, but were driven in BY de-
tachment of the Sd Virginia Union cavalry.
they have as vet made their appearance.
Gen. Averill has now full possession Of the
ferds along the river from Snepherdstown to
Williamsport, and any attempt OF the rebels to
cross will be promptly met.
Early Advancing in Force.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 21.-An Information here
indicates strong force OF rebels, under EARLY,
near Martinsburg and Winchester. 1t is ex-
pected that an important battle will take place
in few days. .
Secessionists here fully believe Maryland
and Pennsylvania will yet be made the battle-
Large numbers of skedaddling soldiers are
being picked up day
DR.. John Mckenzie, who is on parole, is to
be sent to the Old Capitol tomorrow to await
trial
We have had heavy rains.
NoEngagem ent Yet.
BALTIMoRK, Aug. 2i.-As tar as has been as
Upper Potomac yet. The rebels are believed
to be in force hey ond Berryville.
The r Retrograde eMovement-Early Hea yily
Reinforced, &c.
TFrom the New York Postl
Gen. Sheridan has fallen back from BerryvilIe
to Strasburg. This retrograde movement was
in consequence Of the rapid advance OF Early,
reinforced by part Of LoDgstreet's corps, also
Of the movements OF the enemy which threat
ened to envelop, or at least flank him by way
of the gaps. Gen. Sheridan is now on the de-
fensive, but it is understood, is in very strong
position. In executing this retrograde move-
ment portion OF his command, acting as g
rear guard, was overtaken near Winchester by
the advance OF the rebels under Breckenridge,
ed A portion Of the command have reached
Gen. Sheridan's main column. A correspon-
dent of the World, (writing on the 15th,) des-
cribing this fight, says:
Most of the Union army passed through
Winchester about noon. Gen. Torbett was
left below the town with a portion OF his cav.
airy and the Jersy brigade OF infantry, Sixth
corps, Col. Penrose commanding, who acted as
rear guard. The enemy followed closely,
their cavalry and Breckinridge's corps In
front, and skirmishing commenced beyond
winchester at about O'Clock, our cavalry be-
ing driven in.
The enemy's cavalry made several attempts
against our line during the afternoon, all OF
which were repulsed. At o'clock the affair
became serious, the enemy substituting infan.
try for cavalry. and that infantry consisting OF
at eight thousand @ stronr meet S@Pi his assaar
Col. Penroses brigade, eight hundred stroug,
forming the entire force OF infantry at COM
lHdnu, WIS ueplOyeQ IN tnree rOaQS, just De-
yond q small creek below the town, the Front
Royal turnpike, the Strasburg turnpike, and q
dirt road intersecting with the Strasburg turn
pike from the south. A portion of the Jersey
regiment of dismounted cavalry also were
formed on the left the remaining cavalry, un-
der command OF Gen. Torbert, were formed, it
is said, in the rear. The enemy came on, lit
tie after O'Clock, in two lines Of battle. Col.
Penrose had posted his men behind stone
walls, trees, rocks, and whatever afforded
protection, and waiting until the first line Of
the enemy had approached to very short
fire, which shattered it to confusion and drove
il back. g.
Before his men could reload, the second line
was upon them with its overwhelming num-
bers, overlapping both his fianks, and firing q
terrible volley Of musketry and artillery. The
old Jersey Brigade, brave and staunch as It
was, could not Withstand the shock; it fell
back from its position across the creek, but it
again reformed as best it could and met another
assault, which stove 1t and sent 1t retreating in
every direction Colonel Penrose himself, with
about two hundred Of his man, escaped on the
Martinsburg pike. One hundred passed through
Winchester and arriv ed in camp late last night.
UP to last night about five hundred men out OF
the eight hundred had reported for duty. The
10th New Jersey had not been heard Of. 1t Is
supposed that more escaped, and will be heard
from within day or two. What part the cav
airy took in this engagement have not yet
learned. They supported, but all the force in
Winchester could not hope to stand against g.
whole corps.
The army is to-d day encamped between Clifton
and Charlestown. 1 can prophecy nothing as
to the prospects Of q battle. The enemy are
said to be in very large force. have heard il
estimated at forty thousand infantry and fifteen
thousand cavalry.
FROM EUROPE.