Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-07-20
LIE REREI. RAID.

ting of the Northern Central and of the
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroads. the capture of General Frank
lin, who afterwards made his escape-and
the concentration of the whole rebel force in
the vicinity of Washington.
On the 18th the rebels appeared before
Fort Stevens, on the Seventh Street road,
about miles from Washington, and attacted
the fort with some vigor, but were repulsed
with heavy loss. Annapolis was also
threatened, but no attack made on it. The
| Rebels finding that Washington was better
protected than perhaps they anticipated
| thought it prudent to make no further DEM
onstrations upon the city, and accordingly
they withdrew; and on the 18th recrossed
! the Potomac at Edwards Ferry, and oppo-
site Poolsville. In fact their attack upon
Fort Stevens seems to have been but rulse,
to enable them to make good their retreat,
and to get safely away their plunder.
A portion of the 9th corps is said to be in
pursuit of the retreating raiders-who are
moving off at rapid rate, down the valley
towards Gordonsville Our forces in pur-
suit had succeeded in capturing Gen. Brad
ly Johnson near Edward Ferry, but he was
afterwards rescued by bold dash of his
own cavalry. A portion of Mosby's COM
mand, about 200, passed near Leesburg on
Tuesday night-each rider leading horse,
while they were driving before them nearly
lO,O 900 head of cattle When last heard
from they were making towards Ashbys
Gap. Another portion of the rebel cavalry
made towards Chester Gapa Snickerville,
while the main body moved directly for
Ashby's Gap.
The statements that the rebel force in
the invasion numbered $4,000, and the un-
der-e estimate of from 5000 to 10000, we be-
lieve both to be incorrect. Gen. Grant has
not varied from his original estimate that it
War Department puts it but little higher
These figures are not very materially higher
than our published estimate of last week.
Some knowing secessioniSts in Baltim ore
assert that this raid of the rebels was mere
ly reconnaissance TO ascertain Grants po-
sition and strength at Washington and in
Maryland. Discovering this they have re-
turned to the other side of the Potomac to
await reinforcements, with which, when OBJ
tanned, they will advance again with Lee in
command. We anticipate that this story
was only intended to deter our forces from
| making a vigorous pursuit, and to enable
the rebels to make good their retreat with
| the large amount of plunder and cattle which
| they had stolen in Maryland which, it
| is believed, together with the destruction of
property on their rout, will amount to a.
| bout four millions of dollars.
Representative Ashley, who has been to
the front, and left headquarters on We'd
nesday, reports a confident feeling prevail
ing in Grants army, which was also shown
| by the General himself, that the Maryland
invaders would be captured. No informa-
ton of capture of more than 300 or 400
has, however, reached Washington, up to
| this time
This rebel invasion seems to have been
only raid on a large scale for the purpose
of plunder, and with the hope of withdraw
ing Gen. Grants grasp upon the rebel cap
ital. If such was Lees object. he has GER
| tainly failed in his calculations. Cen Grant
has continued his attack upon Petersburg
as persistently as though no rebels were in
the vicinity of w Washington. On the other
hand the 10th army corps, from New Or
leans which had been brought to Washing
ton, will now be in position to either rein
force Gen. Grant or to cooperate with him
from this side. Hence, this raid, has been
the means of strengthening rather than
weakening our cause, whilst the only advan-
tage the rebels have gained consists in the
amount of plunder they have been enabled
to carry off.
Gen. Sherman is making good progress.
| At last accounts he had driven the rebels
over the river, and he was before Atlanta.
We soon expected to hear of Sherman S
taking Atlanta.
By Tuesday Evenings Mail.
An official report to the Post Office de-
partment shows that the mails for twenty
eight different cities were burned by the
rebels at Gunpowder.
On the 18th collision took place on the
New York and Erie railroad, by which Six
ty-four Union and Rebels soldiers were
killed
The probability is that the rebel raiders
viii make good their retreat with most Of
their booty gathered in Maryland.