Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-20
Outline OF the Confederate Movement
i'm MaryIand-The Feint on w as n
ington-What was Done-The Re
suits. Etc.
PHILADELPHIA, July ii, 1864.


i'm MaryIand-The Feint on Was n =
ington-What was Done-The He
suits. Etc.
PHILADELPHIA, July ii. 1861.
From gentlemen who arrived here 20 day from
Washington | have obtained information rela-
ting to the state of affairs there on Monday and
Tuesday. while the Confederate raiders were
supposed TO be beseging the city. Such infor-
nation as is Obtainable leads to the belief that
the denizens of the national Capital were very
severely frightened, while their other injuries
were few and very slight From the result of the
operations in the vicinity Of Fort Stevens, and
other places on the northern side of the CITY, ii is
evident that the COnfederates had intention
of making general attack with the object OF
capturing the city. Their only purpose was to
make a feint of attacking Washington to enable
their cavalry and mounted infantry to escape to
Virginia with the supplies captured in Maryland;
and in this there is every reason to believe they
were successful. After the engagement on the
Monocacy on Saturday all the infantry of the
invading force marched direct toward Washing
ton, while very small body of cavalry operated
vigorously on the railroad between Baltimore
and HavTe de Grace
The movements of the latter body were so
rapidly executed to completely deceive the
military authorities at Baltimore regarding their
and alarmed, and consequently in an excellent
humor to magnify the rebel strength They be-
ieved the raiders in their vicinity to be at least
three thousand strong, when in reality they did
not number more than three hundred These
feet-footed fellows move with such exceeding
swftness that they were sooner heard of n
one point than they appeared at another, and this
rapdty of motion gave some color TO the suppo-
sition of their formidable strength. But after
their capture of two passenger trains. and the
burning of the bridge over Gunpowder creek
they decamped with whatever booty they had
taken, and were not heard of until they appeared
near Edwards Ferry On their return to Virginia
While these three hundred cavalrymen were
operating wherever they pleased, and producing
CONSERVATION among the loyal men of Baltimore
and other places. the infantry under Maj. Gen
John G. Breckenridge marched toward Washing
ton. On Monday afternoon they arrived at Ten
nallytown, and drove in our skirmishers. Com
tenting themselves with that questionable sue
cess, they encamped forsthe night, and remained
quiet until Tuesday morning. Had they really
intended bona tde attack on Washington they
would probably have commenced it when they
arrived. By waiting until the next morning they
gave Gen Augur time TO dispose of his forces
and strengthen every threatened point. The
Union renforcements that were anxiOusly look ed
for had not reached Washington when the Con
federates first apparel before il, and had 4. Wig
orous attack been ordered by Breckenridge, it
might have been attended with more success than
would have been gratifying to us.
The Confederate line was extended as far as
their limited force would admit. for the purpose
of creating the belief that their strength re-
ally formidable, but this line was so thin that the
use of our artillery in the subsequent engage
ment quite Intellectual.
IN MaDdav Diuht no axuaotad -
arrived, and were Immediately posted wherever
in the judgment of Gen. Augur they were most
needed Gen Breckenridge had established his
headquarters at the residence of Hon. Francis II.
Blair at Silver Springs, and gave strict orders
that the house and everything about and within
it should be respected Had the property be,
longed TO General Lee, or any other prominent
officer in the Confederate service, it could not
have been more carefully guarded All the pa
pers and household effects were preserved more
considerably than might be expected under the
circumstances. Some other houses in the vcini-
~ were burned to prevent their being used az
protection for the rebel sharpshooters. and It is
evident they were DESTROYED by order of our
officers
About four A. NJ on Tuesday, the rebel
skirmishers advanced toward Fort Stevens. The
Federals at once opened on them and caused
them TO retire to the cover of some underground
in the vicinity. Desultory firing succeeded, but
no general engagement. The Confederates then
moved toward Fort De Russy. and again threw
out skirmishers, but they were again forced to
retire by the fire of the Federal troops. who were
secure with the fort The forenoon was passed
in this way, the Contederates moving from point
to point. apparently looking for shelter. and
finding but little. At one time they advanced
with considerable yisOr, and drove back a str0u q
body of skirmishers that had been thrown out.
There was some apprehension that they would
get possession of the fort. but the Federal troops
rallied and checked the advance of the enemy.
So far as | have been able to learn there was no
general and concerted attack on the fort. nor
there any determined purpose eyinced by
the Confederates. Their sole object seemed to
be to keep the Federal troops within or near
their works until the raiders could escape with
their spoils
Later in the day il is said that one division OF
the sixth corps. which arrived in the afternoon.
went out and attacked the rebels As their line
was light and they were without supports. they
gave way before the veterans of the brave sixth,
and fell back in some disorder Tuesday was
spent in indecisive skirmishing. and when the
Federal skirmishers went out on Wednesday morn
ing the Coniederates had disappeared. Small
bodies of cavalry then went out scouting but the
enemy could not be found. They had Withdrawn
during the night. leaving a few prisoners in the
hands of the Federals and. | am informed
bringing al the wounded away with them. In
going off they are said To have marched around
the outer line of works. past Georgetown. and
thence towards Edwards Ferry. The cavalry
had crossed at that place OF Tuesday night, aud
the retreat OF the whole force Undisputed-
will endeavOr TO CLEAN further particulars ia
Washington 20 morrow, and until then am un-
willing TO write more generally of the results of
the raid that has 80 alarmed the people. IL is
PLATO that the BODY OF Conlederstes that has
caused 80 much excitement and CONSERVATION
was not one half so large At first reported
In fact j; i doubtful If they numbered ten thou
sand men. ali told
There is COW no doubt OF the escape of Gee.
Franklin He arrived IN Baltimore 20 day Re
ports in circulation here that Petersburg has
been captured. but the story Is doubtful. All
reports circulated here are doubtful.
SEYMOUR
LIVERY STABLE.