Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-16
L - Ii. -El

The conduc. of the Confederate forces since
they crossed the Potomac has been misrepre-
scented in many quarters. They were said TO
have murdered, pillaged and burned wherever
they appeared. Reports TO this effect were cir
culated BY aarmists and such persons as have
been accustomed 10 ascribe every virtue TO the
soldiers of the Union army and every vice to
those in the Confederate ranks. So far as
have been able to learn. they have not been
guilty of Santon destruction of property. Ii Is
true that they burned the residence Of Governor
Bradford. but that was purely an act Of retalia
ton for the conduct OF Hunters forces in burn
ing the residence of Governor Letcher. That
they burned railroad bridges is also true. They
also destroyed public property, and took forcible
possession Of horses; but there is nothing wanton
in all this 1t is an inevitable accompaniment of
military operations.
The invasion has assumed more threatening
shape and magnitude than people were at first
inclined to attribute to il. The ardent believers
in Gen. Grants ability at first treated il as
plundering raid. and said that Lee would not
dare to detach from his army formidable force
for a Northern invasion. and the Washington
authorities Endorsed and gave the weight OF their
support 10 this opinion; but the events OF the last
few days have shown how little value should be
attached to the declarations OF such persons.
Not only have the Confederates invaded Mary
lana in strong force, but they have defeated the
Union troops in every engagement fought on
this side of the Potomac Ii their strength is
not az great many people believe 1t to be, the
Union soldiers and citizens in this region have
covered themselves with anything but glory. The
former have been routed and forced to retire from
various points and the latter have deserted Their
homes in every direction, and spread alarm all
over the country If few thousand plundering
raiders produced all this CONSERVATION, what will
tie the consequence Of an invasion by the greater
part of Lees army!
The reports regarding the strength and pur
pose of the invading force are so wild aud con
ticting that il is next to impossible to ascertain
with any degree of certainty what the force real
ly is or by whom il is commanded. by carefully
sitting the mass OF rumors. and throwing aside
the statements that bear sensation on their face,
the following approximation OF the real facts is
obtained
When the Union troops under Sigel and others
we're compelled to retire across the Potomac. the
Confederates in detached parties crossed that
stream, some crossing at Falling Waters, some
at Edwards Ferry, some at Point of Rocks and
some further up the river. They then diverged
to the different towns in the vicinity, aud the
Union soldiers withdrew from their several posts
and concentrated their strength at Frederick
Gen. Wallace went from Baltimore to Frederick
aud assumed command of all the troops at that
place. The Confederates then brought together
their detached bodies and marched against Gen.
Wallace
On the eth skirmsh took place about half n
mile from the town, and the Coniederates are
said to have retired. On the 9Th they again APP
peared before the town, and Wallace deter
mined to withdraw his command and give battle
on the Monocaey should the enemy follow Ac
cordingly, on the night of the sth, Wallace with
drew his troops from Frederick City, having first
sent OF all the wounded aud public stores at that
place. The Confederates then took possession
of the town. and next morning. the 9Th, marched
against Wallace Skirmishing commenced about
9 A. NJ. The Confederates had strong force of
cavalry and artillery; but Wallace had an oppor
tunity to select good position. aud this was an
important advantage. la addition to the troops
he collected in the vicinity of Baltimore aud
those brought fiom the Potomac when the rebels
advanced. he had portion OF General Meade's
veteran army. set up hurredly on transports, and
commanded by one Of the best officers in the ser
vice-Gen Ricketts,. He also had some cavalry
from the same army.
The action which commenced at 3 A. ~ ON
the 9th, soon grew warm and became 4 fierce
battle. IL continued with varying success until
late In the afternoon The Conicderates pressed
heavily against Wallace. and IL soon became ev-
ident that the Union troops could not hold their
ground About p NJ. confusion became APP
Tyler, who had charge OF one of the wings was
s0fey pressed, and In the disorder that followed
n vigorous attack by the enemy. hc was captured
Every moment Wallaces position became more
perilous The men were giving way along the
whole line, aud everything indicated defeat. A
confused retreat commenced AT . T. NJ The
troops fell back across the Monocacy, burning the
turnpike bridge and reireatng toward Baltimore
The Conlcdefates followed. but did not continue
the pursuit.
When across the Monocacy they again divided
their iorccs, and sent detachmcnts 10 several
points TO burn railroad bridges. cut the telegraph
wres. aud otherwise interfere with the communl
cations between Philadelphia aud Washington
On Sunday they burned the bridges AZ tlunpowdcr
river, Ashland, Relay House, and other points
Some operated between Baltimore and phIladel-
pha, and others were between Baltimore aud
Washington. Nearly all their depredatlons were
confined 10 public property Railroad stations
and army supplies were destroyed wherever
found, bat the property of individuals was genet.
ally respected AZ they stood la need OF cloth
ing, they took all they could Hnd
Wallace fell back 10 ELECTS Mills, about M.
teen mei from Baltimore. small rebel force
followed him but no engagement took place
there To-day Monday, the division OF General
Ricketts, fell back to the cit, aud occupied the
Qualifications The Conledefates stil continue
their deptedalons on the railroad To-day they
captured two trains between baltimore aud
HAVE ds Grace The passengers were permitted
10 return ~ beat they could and The tfaln was
burned Among the passengers Ia the nfst train
was Major General Franklin lie was captured
and carried OF
This movement his deeper obIeet than wss
~ fiat apparent II IA intended ~ divert Gen,
Grants attention nom feleIsbufa aud force him
10 send pat ~ hs army ~ protect washing
ton, and Va this II has succeeded strong
lufoe from usnts army Il new between lialti-
more aud Washington, bat The pfeelae number II
not known Pat " the 9th and 18Th corps are
there, aud alec portion oi Wiisons division OF
cavalry wallace'a loss on the Moneeacy was
abuul Twelve hundred Man, 81 the wounded
Tell into the hands Of the enemy, baltimore aud
Washington afe believed "a be- safe
sikNoTH