The New York herald., 1864-08-07

CHAMBERsBrRG, Pa, August "A. NJ
Our latest information seems Indicate that tho
enemy s preparing for a movement Ct an extensive
character. whether It be n retreat advance Of
1t is impossible for tell just this
Early seems to be acting with great caution. ana no
doubt the ''curious" movements OF forces compel
him to daily change his plans, while 1t is be Ter
him to keep out small raidng parties, who serve the
double purpose Of scouts and plunderers.
Since raid Chambersburg this place bos become
a city OF ref These have every iu day.
and they varied and conflicting pessibe
the widest rumors to be.
GENERAL BELLEy's FIGHT.
From gentleman who says no hls just csme from
Cumberland Bedford Springs, your correspondent
gets the following brief report regard to the late
gtgemeut between the troops under command of general
Kelley and the marauders, directed by (as repored)
the rebels Bradley Johnson and Nccauslaud:
II that being pursued by General Averl's
command Mct ausand joued with another rebel force,
and attempted escape by crossing The railroad
north branch the Potomac point situated n the
ueg bOrnooi Of Cumberland Hearing OF 3, General
Key resolved % protect the North Branch fatters us
creek ami outh Branch bridges, wch were then ~ dau
ger and at tie time dispute the further progress
tue enemy IN the direction he seemed intending -
These proceedings the part OF 6etcrsi Kelley
had the elect OF making the enemy the attacking rit,
evident Of breaking thr0ul tie Union
lpes genera keley's force indeed quiie sns sod
would have proved incompetent or the emoreenCt bad
not eneral Averll arrived with MS Command whcb
served the purpose Of reinforcement The dshl which
eusu.d * represented az very pTed aud beng
principal nduct6d on and hear the liue 9 the uVrh
branch 81 the Potomac river There is good reason TO
bel eve the rebels intended surprising tie garrison
Cumberland and entering inc town; for had long been
tile talk 81 rebel sympa nizers that the rcbeis would
ente cum perand 20 carry or the persons 4 proaertv
OF lion cit gems. retaliation Tor tue Of &c er
Hunter, which turned many secesh families without
lines and caused their houses AID lands TO be occupied
GENERAL KELLEY.
At this point it may not ne smiss TO remark that IL
npiA tHNf thA niu nffr NhA has
gained any victory so small during the
present raid, is General he,ley-sn officer who was
lieyed OF his best commaud TO make room for the pot.
cal appointment Of General Sige and who General
Kelley has sigce been keut IN comniatd Of PORTION OF
the railroad line but awavs with 81 sfnai force under
bis control As to preclude All possibility o his winning
any new laures
1t is said that IN this light near Cumberland Genera
Averil aud hts command acted with their usual gl
sntry, aud At last accounts we're In hot pursuit OF tho
"mouuted robbers"
II is indeed quite fortunate thing that the rebels
did not get INTO Cumberland, fr II they had they
uid easily Rave done more damage than would
compare With the loss at chamoersbufg dozen
times. resdes, at Cumberland there Is an
exceedingly large amount Of money tgo'd and sver aud
quantities % store goods The citizens generally
are wealthy, and until lately u has been thriving,
teresng and popuous city the OF many visitors,
and Others and the scene Of government depos
and various military headquarters.
ctRiors FACT
Although M enemy Is reported upon the border,
and sburg do not seem 10 be any a0xious
prepared to ann themselves than they we're before
Chambershurg was In ruins. livery day enough
como In here from adjacent towns 10, II armed. form
a oroe strong enough 70 defeat brigade
zach time these people hear an enemy is
coming they hurry of to the mountains with
their horses, and this Ia the reason Why 81 few able
bodied men can be found st the "sst moment" There
10 much taik Of change commanders IN this depart
meat there must be charge Why rot send Ieteral
Huuter ssrei II just the place that would SUIT ns
peculiar genus- He would the citizens ana MAKE
them provide Tor their defence ny all means give
1eners Hunter, that may the effect Of VERY
prompt commander 10 this particular section OF coun
Try.
DIG FOR aovxRsNRsT7-Soi
While AZ shippcnsburg the other dayShppensburv w
Only eleven miles from Chsmbersburg on the line o ne
aroad-your ceyrespondsnt asked sfSpps ABLE podied