Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1864-07-21
The Rebel Raid in Maryland.

When, two months ago, Gen. Grant
started on his campaign against Rich
mond. o small cooperating force under
Gen. Sigel was sent up the valley OF
the Shenandoah, toward Staunton.
Gen. Sigel was soon confronted by a
superior rebel force. defeated and
thrown back. Gen. Hunter now su-
perseded him in command while most
Of the rebels who had defeated Sigel
were dispatched to the aid of Lee,
then sharply pressed by Grant. Gen.
Hunters column once more advanced,
routed the rebels who opposed him,
killing their leader, Gen. Sam Jones,
and capturing Stanton and Lexing-
ton. ~ y #~F
Had Gen. II. pushed vigorously, rap
idly forward, he might probably have
taken Lynchburg, situated on the
James River and Canal and the Ten
nessee Railroad, and principal rebel
depot of provisions and munitions.
But Gen. Hunter advanced so slowly
that rebel division under Ewell, de-
tached from Lees army, reached
Lynchburg just before our forces did,
repulsing Hunters attack, and render
ing the capture of Lynchburg hope.
less. Hunter now retreated westward
into the valley of the Kanawha, in
stead Of northward into that of the
Shenandoah, and left the triumphant
rebels free to move into aud down the
latter valley unopposed They did
so, apparently unobserved on our part,
and, strangely enough, were never
even heard Of until they were close
upon Gen. Sigel at Martinsburg on
the Potomac, compelling him to re.
treat hastily, burning part of his
stores.
Hunters army being far away, and
any present trouble from that quarter
out of the question, the rebels-say
$4,000 to 2O,000-pushed across into
Maryland, and after threatening Penn
sylvania from Hagerstown, turned
short to the right, and captured Fred
erick, driving thence a hastily collect
cd Union force under Gen. Lew. Wal
lace, who on Saturday, July 9th
fought them nearly all day at tn
crossing of the Monocacy river, nea
Frederick, but was ultimately defeat
ed with heavy loss and driven bacl
OH the road toward Baltimore-bu
not into that city, as some of the pan
ic-makers tried to make out. W.
have the following account of tho
BATTLE AT MoNocAcY, ND.
The Federal troops formed in line
of battle on the left of the railroad
and on the east side of the river. Or
the right two Ohio regiments wer.
thrown ont as skirmishers. The lat
ter were attacked at u in the morn
ing by cavalry from the Hagerstowr
pike, when they fell back across the
river in good order and with Sigh,
loss lighting all the way. After cross.
ing, they succeeded in checking the
advance Of the enemy and held him
here long time. About 10 a. m, Q
desperate attack was made by dis.
mounted cavalry, which was repulsed
and Notwithstanding they repeatedly
tried to dislodge our men from the pc.
sition. they could not succeed. Their
loss here was very heavy, our men
having the advantage of using rifles,
while they had only carbincs. After
fighting until 3 p. m. a heavy body OF
the enemy-four regiments-were dis.
covered to be moving upon our left
flank, having crossed the river some
distance below, aud, in consequence
our troops had to abandon their posi-
ton and fall back. The enemy fol.
lowed for about three miles, but with.
out inficting much damage. Our loss
in the action is said to be about Loco
in killed, wounded and prisoners
Gen. Tyler was in command of some
Of the l00-days men, and how he was
captured is not known.
The enemy levied tax on Middle
town of $4,000. The women, it is
reported, were insulted, their clothes
were stolen, and numerous outrages
were committed.
The conduct of Gen. Wallace was
highly creditable to that gallant off
Ger. Collecting what force could be
had at the moment, he marched rapid.
ly and resolutely to find the enemy,
marched till be found him, when he
found him fought him all day long,
and retreated only when he was over.
powered by numbers. But be succeed.
ed in discovering the force and some
thing of the intentions Of the rebels,
and with bis hastily organized band
so much retarded their march that
they did not venture to follow him.
The rebels had at least two com.
pact and veteran divisions, numbering,
independently of their other forces,
not less than Ia. 900 men. Gen. Wal
.lace's command was scarcely organ.
lied at all, and consisted mainly OF
troops comparatively inexperienced.
1t is great credit to them to have re.
sisted as they did.
The next serious demonstration OF
the raiders was on the Baltimore and
Washington railroad where they de,
stroyed small bridge at Beltville.
A letter writer says:
About ~ miles from Gunpowder
Bridge, on the Wilmington road, pis-
tol shots were heard and the train
sfODped when the rebols entered MIS-