The Portland daily press., 1864-07-27

From Bdtftmofe-Serere Fighting near Wiii-
chester ReJets Re0ccstpy Martiasbarg ia
Large Force : Baltimore g. Ohio Raiiroad
Cut Reporfed Disaster TO Gen, Hunter -
Reported Death of Gen. ArerM.
BALTIMORE, July 20.
The American has the following:
The city last night was full of rumors of
! rebel movements in the Shenandoah Valley.
together with vague accounts OF disaster 10
the force uader Gen. Averill, which last week
attacked and defeated portion OF Early's
4 raiders near Winchester. Among the rumors
| prevalent were the deaths OF Gems. Kelly and
! Averill, as well as Col. Mulligan.
The facts as far as we are able to ascertain,
are that Gen. Averill, after the successful en-
| counter with Early's forces pursued them to
the mountains beyond Winchester, where Ear
| ly made stand.
After heavy lighting Saturday and Sunday,
the rebels having been reinforced, Gen. Aver
/ III was compelled TO fall back to Harpers Fer
/ ry bringing with him the forces at Bunker
HILL and causing the evacuation of Martins
burg.
The rebels appear to have pursued him, and
| yesterday afternoon again occupied Martins
burg. where they cut the telegraph and COM
menced destroying the Baltimore d Ohio
| Railroad.
| Our forces, according to the best advices,
are now concentrating at Harpers Ferry, un-
der command OF Gen. Hunter.
| The rebels hold Martinsburg. Rumors state
that they are in large force, but this can hard
| ly be possible, beyond the strength of the iorc-
es OF Early and Breckenridge.
The object of the rebels in returning is
doubtless TO give time for the safe arrival OF
their trains of plumber, and to secure the col
lection of portion of the crop in the SheIl-
sndoah Valley. That they may again come
into Maryland for more plunderis highly prob
able, especially il they find the way open to
them, as is generally the case in the military
management of affairs along the border.
As to the extent OF the disaster to our fore
es in the fight beyond Winchester, we have no
authentic information, nor have we any confir-
nation of the death of AveriIl, Kelley or Null
ligan. The story is doubtful one.
We learn that orders have been sent to re-
move the army and medical stores from Fred
erick last night, as matter OF precaution, and
to prepare to evacuate the city in case OF the
advance of the rebels.
Gen. Wallace convened the Loyal Leagues
last night to advise with them as to holding
themselves in readiness in case their services
should be required for the defence OF the city.
Dispatches last night merely announce that
Gen. Averill had been compelled to retire be-
lore superior force TO Harpers Ferry, but
mentioned no serious disaster.
At an early hour yesterday afternoon dis
7 patches WCiC iStCiNtu hOHi LDOh anu
other points by railroad employees, to the ef-
feet that hostile movements had been resumed
aud that it would be hazardous to attempt to
run cars through as usual
The train from Camden Station yesterday
morning proceeded as far as Sandy Hook
when those in charge were advised to return
by Gen. Hunter, who is at Harper's Ferry
which advice was taken and the train return
ed. The train which was to have left last eve
ming did not Leave.
The telegraph is cut west of Harper's Fer
~. 1t was reported that the forces of Averill
and Crook had retieated beyond the railroad
but the officers OF the road had not received
any official advices TO that effect.
Yesterday afternoon and evening rumors
prevailed that the rebels had returned in heavy
force in the vicinity of Martinsburg, aud had
met and routed the Federals, and were dam.
aging the railroad.
The train which left here yesterday morn
ing aud went as far as Sandy Hook, returned
last evening, crowded with Federals, who re-
ported that heavy fight had taken place be,
tween Harper's Ferry and Winchester, aud
that Hunter had been repulsed with the loss
of several pieces Of artillery, and large
number OF men of two brigades.
1t is impossible to ascertain the true state
of ailairs In that region, but there Is no doubl
that serious disaster has occurred TO the
forces of Gen. Hunter.