Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-07-14
THE FIRST FIGHT AT FREDERIcK,
FREDERICK, Thursday Night JuLY'l7, 1856

FREDERICK, Thursday Night jury 2, 1864.
To-day has been one of unparalleled excitement this
city. From early dawn it had been rumored that the
rebels only afew miles from the city and that they
would eater and occupy it. The arrival Of ceurers
and wounded romthe fight beyond Mddletomn, bringing
the news that small force engaged In holding the
in check about three hundred Of the Eighth Illinois
Cavalry and two pieces of Captain Aexauders Baltimore
Arlerywere unable to cope with the superior foreeof
the enemy and slowly falling back towards this city
fighting all the way added fuel to the fame and by noon
business suspended stores closed and many leaving
the city By every possible conveyance. 9ft 7slg
About hall past three o'clock forces seen com
ing down the Haeerstown pike, and Immediately took
position the edge of the town Every thing looked
gloomy at this juncture 1t would DO impossible to
at the command OF Col Clendehn OF the Eighth Illinois
Cavalry, who in command of the Union troops.
Thanks to Gen; Lew Wallace and the Railroad Cap-
pany however the Third Maryland Regiment Of Veterans,
from Mopocacy arrived just in time, and promptly march
ed to the front 60. . . RI
Col Gpn of the Third, the senior officer present, as
sumed command and made tho disposition of his forces
for the fight momentariy expected to commence. The
whole force defending the city was the Third Maryland
seven hundred Eighth Illinois Cavalry, three,hnn-
bred three pieces Of Alexanders Battery about fifty
men, and two companies Of Gel MauAbys Brigade
The rebels about four O'Clock to be from The
roofs of the houses of the city coming down the Hsgers
town road and also the Harpee Ferry or Jefferson road
apparehtIyin strong force Capt Alex Ander's guns i'm
mediatey fred upon the foe and checked them nlonsta
ry by the excellence Of his AIM but it only for
moment The enemy closed up and formed their fns on
the west front of the CITY, covering the Harpes Ferry
and Hsgerstown roads, planting their guns on Haean's
Hill and the Red Hills and posting their infantry and
vay the valley formed by the above named hills aud the
Catoctin Mountsns Their position was splendid one,
and their we'll protected. ,sga 9QH II oJt 10
The fgh-for it was not bsttle--commenced at half
past four O'clock with artillery duel between our guns
IN Zmnermans field and the rebel guns Hagsn's
Hill y
The skmishers advanced and the sharp crack Of the
nusket heard for about two hours with seemingly
result, when company of the Third Maryland made
charge upon force of rebels concealed behind stone
fence in Rizers field lying the Harpers Ferry road
the west side and succeeded in ds0dging them. They
bed the position bravey for the remsnder Of the fight
The two companies Of Col Mausbys regiment supported
the gun Mt the head OF Patrick street The other guns
were without any support as every available man was ne
cessary TO meet The toe In the skrmish ne The Eighth
Illinois cavalry dsmounted aud rendered efec-
tive service with their carbnes
About o'clock men began to drive the rebels
under the coveraof the guns of batteries and with
cheers urced them back hund yards n which
position night closed the combatants both quitting fire
about dark with seemingly mutual understanding that il
would be renewed in the morning 5lH g H--SftG
During the fight the enemy fred several shells into the
city have not heard of nyo the citizens being killed
wounded All the houses the west frost were eni
tirey depopuated; too unsafe for women and chill
dren to rick their lives within reach of rebe range
Gen. Tyler and staff have just reached here, and u
eupposedhe will take command We want reinorcemens.
The rebels far oatnnmber and 10 only the endurance
and herosm OF our troops that has saved the town II 81
The rebels occupy Hsgerstown Boonsboro', and Mid
dleown, but we hope here that they again shall de-
secrate the streets of Frederick The city very quiet
tonight and very gloomy-nota gas lamp lt.s