Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-07-26
FROM SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

Battle near Winchester-Return of the
hebel haiders-Reports of Disasters
aVerliI Back to Harper's Ferry-The
Rebels at Martinsburg-S Suspension of
Railroad Travel.
The Bal tipaore american Of to- day says
city was last night full of rumors of rebel
movements in the Shenandoah Valley, to-
gether with va que accounts Of disasters to the
force under Gen Averill, which last week at
tackled and defeated a portion OF Gen. Early's
raiders near Winches ter. Among the rumors
was the death of Gems. Kelly and AYerill, as
well as of Col. Mulligan.
The facts, as far as we have been able to as
certain them, are that Gen. Ayerill, after his
successful encounter with Early's forces, pur.
sued them to the mountains beyond Winches-
ter, where Early made a stand, and after heavy
fighting on Saturday and Sunday, the rebels
having been in the meantime largely REIN
forced, Gen. Ayerin was compelled to fall
back TO Harper's Ferry, bringing with him the
forces at Bunker Hill, and causing also the
evacuation of Martinsburg. The rebels appear
TO have pursued him in his retreat, and yester-
where they cut the telegraph and commenced
again the destruction of the track OF the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad.
Our forces, according to the best advices we
could obtain, are now concentrated at Harper's
Ferry, under command Of General Hunter
whilst the rebels hold Martinsburg, and ru-
NOR states them to be in large force, but this
can hardly be possible beyond the strength of
Early's and Breckinridge's forces. Their OBJ
ject in returning Is doubtless to give time for
the safety Of their trains Of plumber, and to
secure the collection Of portion of the crop in
the Shenandoah Valley. That they may again
come into Maryland for more plumber is high
ly probable, especially II they find the way
open to them, as is generally the case in the
military management OF affairs along the Dor.
der.
AS to the extent of the disaster TO our forces
in the fight beyond Winchester, we have no
authentic Information, nor have we any con.
frmation Of the rumors OF the death OF Gems.
Averill, Kelly, and Colonel Mulligan. 1t is
not likely, however, all three Of these officers
have fallen, and we are inclined to doubt the
whole story.
We learn that orders were sent to remove
the army and medical stores from Frederick
last night, as matter of precaution, and to
prepare TO evacuate the city in case of the adj
ton.
That the official intelligence from the Val.
ley last evening was not as favorable as could
be desired, may be inferred from the fact that
General wallace convened the LOYAL Leagues
last night, TO advise with them as to holding
themselves In readiness In case their services
may be required for the defence Of the cty.
These precautions are, of course advisabJe
and our citizens should be In readiness al All
times, TO meet the invaders, and To nreyent
their repeating the outrages recently perpetra.
TED In the vicinity OF the city.
dispatches received here last night merely
announced that General Averill had been COM
PEELED TO retire before a superior force to Har.
per's Ferry, but mentioned no serious disas.
ters.
Travel Suspended on the Baltimore And
Ohio Railroad.
At an early hour yesterday afternoon, dis.
patches were received from Sandy Hook and
other points, by the Master of Transportation.
TO the effect that hostile movements had been
resumed on the part Of the enemy, and that it
would be hazardous TO attempt to run cars
through as usual. The train which left Cam
den Station yes terday morning proceeded as
far as Sandy Hook, when those in charge,
yielding 10 the suggestion Of Gen. Hunter,
who was then at Harpers Ferry, returned.
The number OF passengers In the trains was
not large. The train which was to have left
here at quarter past O'clock last evening, of
conrse unoer tne circumstances, did not leave,
and considerable number of passengers
bourd Tor the west We're disappointed. The
tonnage business of the road is in tina mean
time, suspended until better Information is OBJ
tanned as to the condition Of the road west of
Harper's Ferry. =
The telegraph wires were cut west OF Har.
per's Ferry. and IL was reported that the forcas
OF Crook and Averiu had retreated beyond the
railroad, but the officers Of the company Ia "
not received any ofdcial adyices to that eject
Yesterday afternoon and evening the rumor
prevailed that The rebels had returned In heavy