Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-27
Exciting RumOrs of Rebel HIOve-
ments i'm the Shenandoah Valley
---General AveriII Compelled to
Fall Baclk---Disastert to Hunters

Fall Isack---Disaster to Hunters
Forces.
BALTIMORE, July 26.-The American has
the following: The city last night was full
of exciting rumors of rebel movements in
the Shenandoah valley, together with vague
accounts of disaster to the force under
Averill. Among the rumors prevalent
were the deaths of Generals Kelly and
Averill and Colonel Mulligan. The facts,
as far as ascertained, are Averill, after his
successful encounter with Early's forces,
pursued them to the mountains beyond
Winchester, where Early made stand, and
after heavy fighting ON Saturday and Sum-
day, the rebels in the meantime having been
reinforced, Averill was compelled to fall
back to Harper's Ferry, bringing with him
the forces at Bunker Hill, and causing the
evacuation Of Martinsburg.
The rebels pursued, and yesterday after
noon occupied Martinsburg, where they
cut the telegraph wires and commenced the
destruction of the track of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad. Our forces, according
to the best advices VIC could obtain, are now
concentrating at Harper's Ferry under
Hunter. 1t is rumored the rebels are in
large force, but this can hardly be possible
beyond the strength of the forces under
Early and Breckinridge. The object of the
rebels returning is doubtless to give time
for the safety OF their trains and plunder,
and to secure portion of the crops of the
Shenandoah valley. 1t is probable they
may again invade Maryland for more plum
der.
No authentic account of the disaster to
our forces beyond Winchester. No con-
firmation Of the death of Averill, Kelly and
Mulligan. We learn that orders were sent
tO N n
Frederick last night. Gen. Wallace has
convened the Loyal Leaguers. 1t is report
ed a heavy fight had taken place between
Harpers Ferry and Winchester, and that
Hunter had been repulsed., Also that sew
eral pieces of artillery and two brigades
had been captured by the rebels. 1t Is i'm
possible to ascertain the state of affairs in
that region. There is no doubt serious
disaster has occurred to the forces of Hun
ter.
SECOND DISPATCH.
BALTIMORE, July 26, p. M.-The evening
edition Of the American publishes the fol-
lowing:
"We have been able to ascertain this
morning nothing definite with regard to
the rebel movements at Martinsburg and
along the line Of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, further than that most of the ex-
citing stories In circulation on Monday
were either unfounded or greatly exagger-
ated. AS far as we can ascertain this morn
ing, Averill has not been killed but was
compelled by greatly superior forces to fall
back to the Potomac, and from thence
through Martinsburg to Williamsport, Md
carrying with him the entire garrison at
that point. Whether the rebels occupied
Martinsburg last night is not known; but
of its Eyacuation thara saems IN ha m dnuht
This morning the trains to Frederick and
Washington went out as usual, and train
for Sandy Hook left at 7:45 A. M. The sus-
pension of telegraphic operations last night
is said to have been caused by Storm
Hunter has, however, forbidden all tele-
graphic communication with Harper's Fer
ry, and Of course we have nothing definite
from that vicinity" ~
The Americans Point Lookout cores
pondent says: During last week there were
large arrivals here Of refugees from the