Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-07-30
THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY,

.
Contest for the Valley-No Rebels This
Side Of the Observation-Disclosures in
Our Possession-Latest From Harper's
Ferry. E5af
Especial Correspondence Baltimore American
HARPRR's FERRY, Friday, July 29-There
is an invasion going forward here-but it is
not an invasion of Maryland. Harper's Ferry
is once again, in Its varied experience during
this war, the scene of active military opera
tons, and the pontoon bridge that floats under
the shadow Of the railroad viaduct groans and
quivers to-day under the tread Of armed men,
OF artillery trains, and Of army wagons. This
nation to the enemy, for by the time this eoes
into print they will we'll know that before
Maryland can be in vaded again, the Question
Is to be deeided."Who shall be master in the
Valley of the Shenandoah 7" q
shall not run the risk Of touching on con.
traband news by any reference 10 the troops
which on our side are to be Employed in settling
this problem, their n numbers, Commanders, etc
But l may say that the military authorities
have pushed forward their counter movements
against the schemes of the rebels with an un-
usual degree of vlgor. sagacity, and secrecy. If
the rebel force fingers anywhere near Win
chester, battle is among the probabilities
within the next few days. If fought at ALL it
will be fought under circumstances that on ght
to, and believe will, give us success. It will
not be fight In which portion Of our forces
are exposed to the whole rebel strength. There
Will be no whipping us this time by detail. We
snail not be obliged to fight against superior
ment on our part. II we are whipped, the
rebels will have to show a larger force In the
shenandoah Valley than has yet been devel.
oped except by rumor; and they will also have
to light for what they get
W my own Judgment, / am very doubtful
whether any serious engagement will occur,
unless, indeed, our movements have been suffi-
GENTLY rapid and secret to take the rebels bv
purprise. We have had abundant experience
OF the unfruitfulness Of q chase of the enemy
mp the Valley, when they find it expedient to
AVOID giving battle. There is q race for Staun-
TON or some OF the gaps, in which the rebels
have the advantage both OF start and distance,
ana are sure to boat us. So, am inclined to
believe, 1t will be this time. -.
There Is one other point to be taken into con.
sideration, and upon it may depend the whole
question. The enemy may be sufficiently in
need OF the crops of the Valley to make 1t an
imperative necessity that they should fight for
them. 1t is undoubtedly the fact that these
crops have furnished, to very considerable
extent, the subsistence for the army at Rich
mond, and that autumn after autumn the reb-
els nave been successful in gathering them.
This year they have double inducement to
contend Tor the prize. The cutting off of SUD-
plies froLa other sources has increased their
necessities, whilst the Valley, always a rich
and teeming granary, this year has augmented
Its producuyeness. Therefore it may be a point
OF necessity for the enemy to fight for the food
which Is to sustain his principal army this
fall and winter. Evidently it is the determi-
nation OF our military authorities that they
shall not gather in these crops without CON-
test and therefore, as I said in the beginning
OF this letter, the question as to who is to be
master In the Valley is once more to be tested
1t is not to be disguised that the troops in
this Department. mean those permanently
stationed in it-are not in the best condition
Indeed, in view ofthe frequent change of COM
manders, this must be expected as a legitimate
result, and it has been increased by loose dis.
clpline and system of almost unchecked
burning and plundering wherever they
marched that would denoralize the best
soldlery in the world. But these things are
likely to be mended now.
There Is nothing very important from up the
river this morning. The rebels withdrew their
pickets from the river opposite WillIamsport,
on Wednesday night, and yesterday General
Kelly reoccupied Martinsburg. Telegraphic
communication with that point has not been
re.established, nor has any train yet ventured
up, as the condition of the road and the bridge
at Opeq nan creek is not known. The bridge
over Back creek, beyond Martinsburg, is re-
ported TO have be destroyed. The train crossed
the bridge into the Ferry to-day for the first
time since the last rebel occupation.
The general belief Of officers engaged in the
recent fight is that Colonel Mulligan was killed.
He is known to have been very severely
wounded, and was left on the field. An effort
is in progress to learn HE fate and obtain his
remains If dead EFF.