The weekly Ottumwa courier., 1864-07-14

There has been no general engagement,
but cavalry skirmishing is going on at in
tervals. The enemy has not made his ap.
pearance anywhere within range Of our guns,
and 80 far shows no disposition to do SO.
Philadelphia, July -, p. m. Only two
Government wires are now working south
Of here. ~
Rumors prevail Of an attack by $4,000
rebels on the northern fort iHcations of Wash
ington, but cannot be traced to any definite
source. Much excitement prevails here
Business is nearly suspended.
A public meeting is now being held in
Independence Square. Recruiting is very
brisk, and before night large number of
men will be ready to leave for Washington
and Baltimore.
New YORK, July 12.-The World prints
the following extract from private letter,
Lexington, Va, June 12-- Yesterday we
marched from Medway here, being quicken
ed as we were advancing by the sound Of
Crooks guns engaged with Gen. -, and
who held This place. They defended it with
great acrimony, burning the bridge and,
playing on the hills as We came up, with
shell, and bushwhacked us from behind ev.
cry tree. This was madness ON their part.
IS we had beaten them before being Joined
by Gems. Crook and Averill, and are now of
course able to whip them twice over.
1t seems, however, that they are waiting
for Breckenridge, who has been detached
with his division from Lees army to drive
US back; or at least halt US between there
and Richmond or Lynchburg, whichever we
should strike for. 1t is supposed the plan
is to put the broken brigades of the Valley
under Imboden, Jenkins, Mudwall Jackson,
McCausland and Jones, and to get here a
division of Lees veterans, and then give us
another try for the valley.
This morning we destroyed the Virginia
Military Institute. .f.. -f (.
Tomorrow we move before daylight, but
have no idea in what direction Our .situa-
ton is pressing and critical If Lee is not
fully employed by Grant, he can send troops
enough via Lynchburg railroad, but if Grant
will hold all bis force in Richmond. this COL
umn can make the rebel capital untens BILE
within iew days, by cutting off the last
main artery Of supplies.
Philadelphia. July 12.-The Evening Tel
egraph Of this city has tue following -
Fighting has been going on near Washing
ton since morning. The rebels are approach
ing the defences ON the northern side of the
city in strong force.
A special dispatch to the Bulletin from
Harrisburg says our forces are reported to
be in possession of Frederick.
1t is rumored that the rebels are re-cross-
ing the Potomac below Maryland Heights.
The northern Central railroad is free from
rebels now.
LATER p m.-The rebels have again
cut the wires between Baltimore and Wash
ington.
New York, duly 12.-By order of Maj.
Gen. Duryea the 2sth and 56th regiments
Brooklyn State Militia, are to be recruited to
the fall standard within ten days to answer
the call for 1O0-day's men.
New York, July 12.-The President of
the Inland Telegraph Company telegraphs
from Philadelphia, that the raiders have
destroyed the lines of the Independent Telc-
graph Company, and such Of the lines of the
American Telegraph Company as were
along the turnpike between Philadelphia
and Baltimore.
Philadelphia, july 12-The Baltimore
american Of last evening says Gen. TYLER
escaped from the rebels, and had reached
Ellicott's mills.
The reports Of the capture Of Gen. Frank
lin are conflicting
Havre d. Grace. July IA oonstruc-
ton train left here this morning to repair
the railroad and the telegraph lines Of the
American Telegraph Company Commu-
nication with Baltimore will prob,bly be
re.established this evening.
Semi-offlcial intelligence has been re-
ceived here that yesterday p. IN fight was
seven miles from Washington,
on the Seventh street ROAD, near Chrstal
Springs.
Parties from Blair, sixteen miles from
here. report 900 rebel cavalry there last
evening.
There Is no doubt of the immediate ne.
cessity for heavy reinforcements 10 Wash
ington.
Philadelphia. July 12.-Manager Will
son, of the American Telegraph Company,
ia Baltimore, went out last night and re.
built the lines destroyed by the rebels. thus
telegraphic communication be.
tween there and Washington. Trains now
run regularly from Baltimore to Washing,
ton.
Perryville, Nd, July 12.-The reported
capture Of Gen. Franklin was Incorrect
The mistake was made by the resem blance
between the General and passenger
This statement is confirmed by one of Wal
lace's staff.
Baltimore, July II, p. m.-Everything
Is quiet around the city.
Last night force Of rebels passed thro'
Foursontown on their way to Join the main
force. The rebels had with them General
Franklin and staff, captured on the Phila-
delphia road Monday. ~