The New York Herald Newspaper, October 17, 1862, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 9530. A PIRATE ON THE HIGH SEAS. | ‘The Depredations of: the Rebel Cruiser Ala- | bama, Better Known as “ No, 290.” | Destruction of the Ship Brilliant and Barks Virginia and Elisha Dunbar. | DESCRIPTION OF THE ALABAMA. THE PIRATE CAPTAIN RAPHAEL SEMMES. HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE. HOW HE RECEIVES VISITORS. Fourteen Vessels Destroyed, Valued at Over One Million Dollars, Nee, Rory From Captain George Hagar, late of the ship Brilliant, of New York, which veesel, with many others, has been destroyed by the rebel pirate Alabama, we have the fol- Jowing exceedingly interesting particulars relative to the operations of the pirate, a description of the vessel, and ‘an account of the manner in which Captain Semmes con- dicts himself in the presence of strangers. Captain Hagar gives us the following detailed report of the capture and destruction of his ship, the Brilliant; ‘also the reports of Captain 8. &. Tilton, of the whaling bark Virginia, and Captain David R. Gifford, of the whaling bark Elisha Dunbar, both of whose vessels have fallen into the clutches of Semmes. afid been destroyed:— CAPTURE AND BURNING OF THE SHIP BRILLIANT. | Captain Hagar, late of the ship Brilliant, reports that he was from New York, bound to London, on the morn- ing of Oct. 8, in latitude 40, longitude 60 30, the wind from northeast, with a large ship in company, about a milo to windward. Soon after a steamer was seen on the weather bow, standing to the westward, under sail. The steamer, on nearing the ship to the windward;ran up at her peak the St. George cross, and in a few minutes after fired a gum across her bow, at the same time @isplaying the rebel flag. The Amcrican colors were get,and the ship hove to, and a boat from the steamer ‘went alongside. Tho steamer then wore round and made sail for the Brilliant. We set our colors, and, on the steamer nearing us, fired a gun ‘cross our stern, when we hove to. A boat ‘was then sent alongside, with two officers and a boat’s Crew, all armed, and on their reaching the deck of the ship claimed her as a prize to the- Confederate steamer Alabama, Captain Semmes, with orders for me to go in ‘the dont to the steamer, with all my sbip’s papers. On arriving on board, after waiting a while, was asked in the cabin to have my papers examined. The ship not Baving any documents te prove that her cargo was on for- eign aceount, the papers and cargo were confiscated. I ‘was then ordered on board the ship to assist, with my erew and boats, in removing such stores and cargo as they ‘wanted for their own use, and to bring my officers and arow, with but a small bag of clothing each, on board the steamer, as they would not be lumbered up with our bag- gage. On arriving back to the steamer with my crew, I was ordered to the other vossel, which proved to be the ship Emily Farnham, of Portsmouth, N. H., Captain Simms, from New York for Liverpool. This ship was claimed as ® prize, and the captain was on board the steamer having his papers examined. Documents being found among ‘them to prove that his cargo was on English account, bis ship was released. On board the steamer wore the captains, officers and crews (fifty-four in all) of the whaling barks Virginia and Elisha Dunbar, of New Bedford, captured and burned at sea. Both these orews, with those of the Brilliant, were put on board the Emily Farnham, after being paroled. During the remainder of the day the steamer’s officers and craw were plundering the Brilliant of her cargo and stores and everything they cliore to take. All Capt. Ha. gar's private property, such as his chronometer, sextant, barometer, charts, books, &c,, and a large part of his clothing, were taken from him, the officers of the steamer claimingeverything. During the afternoon a large ship was in sight to the southward, heading to tho eastward, ‘ana they had their eyes upon her. It was now nearly or quite calm, and continued so during the night, At sunse, the Brilliant was fired. At seven P. M. was in flames fore and aft, the Emily Farnbam lying about a mile from ber. The ship continued to burn all night. In the morning the steamer was close at hand, and the ship seen ‘the afternoon before had worked up to the burning wreck during the night, probably with the expectation of saving fe, but at daylight found horself in the clutches of her @estroyer. It continued calm nearly all day, and bat a fight air during the night, Towards midnight a bright Tight was seen in the direction of the steamer, and it is more than probable ft was from the third ship. Three of the crew of the Brilliant (all Eaglishmen) vol- wateered on the Alabama. - ‘The Emily Farnham continued on her voyage, but, faving the officers and crews of three burned .vosse 4 (einty-eight in all), besides her own, had not we er @mough. On the oth inst. fell in with brig Golden Lead, of ‘Thomaston, Captain Smith, whe kindly consented to take om board eight of the number. The remainder would be pat on board vessels as fallen in with. ‘The Brilliant was built by Samuel Hall, and launched at Bast Boston in November, 1860, was 889 tons register) end, with her freight and outfits, was valued at $80,000, and rated Al, She was owned by Messrs. J. Atkins & Oo., of New York, and C.ptain Hagar. All the property (Captain H. possessed was in the ship, and, not having the war risk in his insurance, he has jost everything. ‘The Brilliant had no guns. ‘The following is a list of vesse's burned by the Alabama @ince the middio of August:— * Ship Brilliant, of New York. ‘Whaling ship Ocmulgee, of Edgartown, ‘Whaling ship Benjamin Tucker, of New Bedford, Whaling bark Virginia, of New Bedford. Whaliag bark Elisha Dunbar, of New Bedford. ‘Whaling bark Ovean Rover, of Mattapoisett. Brig Altamaba, of Sippican. Schooner Courser, of Provincetown. Schooner Weather Gauge, of Provincetown. Schooner Starlight, of Boston, and the ship unknown. One hundred and ninety-one prisonors were landed on ‘the Island of Flores. CAPTURE AND BURNING OF THE BARK VIRGINIA. Captain 8. BR. Tilton, masver of the late bark Virginia, ot New },Feporte that on September 17, when in Vatitude 80 £0, longitude 34 20, at nine A. M., sighted @ gail on the weather bow, steering for the Virginia, the “wind from the southwost, the bark heading east-south- east. At eleven she set the St. George's cross, being about two miles distant, we answering it with our colors, and backing my main yard, thinking hor to be an English Gteamer, When distant one-fourth of a mile she set the Confatierate flag, and boarded me with an armed crow, ‘saying T was & prize to the Confederate steamer Alabamay that T must take my papers and go on board the @teamer. After arriving there the eaptain astod me ‘where I was from, and how tong out, first demanding my papers. Ho said to tho first loutonant to go on board ‘with mo, and allow me to take a small tronk and the crew a bag of clothing each. After getting o board, everything being in confusion, they hurried mo into my Moat, with a few clothes, and ordered me on board the gteamer again. They thon commenced taking the stores, ehronometer and all nantical instruments in their boate, and at four P. M. they net fire to the bark, and in two Bours she was burned to the water's edge, On arriving on boned the steamer the first time I asked the captain to Pelease mo, as I was doing wo one any harm. His anewor ‘was, ‘You Northorners are destroying our property, and New Bedford people are having their war mootings, offer. ing two bundred dollars boenty for volunteers, and sont Out their atone fleet to block up our harbors, and that he was going to retaliate.” 1 went on the quarter deck with @y Gon, when they ordored me In the loo waist, with my ae a to irows and his head shaved by us, and that he was going to retaliate. We were put in the lee waist, with ‘an old sail over us and a few planks to lie upon. ‘The steamer was cruising to the west, and tho next day ‘they took the Elisha Dunbar, her crew receiving the same treatment as ourselves. The steamer’s guns being kept rum ont, the side ports evuid not be shut; and when the ga was a little rough, or the vessel rolled, the water ‘was continually coming in on both sides, and swasbing scross the deck where we were, eo that our feet and @othing were wet all the time, either from the water below or the rain above. We were obliged to sleep in ‘the place where we were, and often waked up im the night nearly under water. Our fare consisted of beef and pork, rice, beans, tea and coffee and bread. Only one of our irons was allowed to be taken off at a time, and we had to wash in salt water. We were kept on deck all the time, night and day, and a guard placed over us. The steamer continued to cruise to the northwest, and on the 8d of October fell in with the sbips Brilliant and Emily Farnham, the former of which they burned, and her crew, with ourselves, were transferred to the latter ship, after signing a parole. On the 6th instant we were taken on beard the brig Goldon Lead, of Thomaston, Captain Smith, from Jersey for New York, who treatod us with great kindness. 8. R. TILTON, Late of bark Virginia, of New Bedford. CAPTURE AND BURNING OF THE BARK ELISHA DUNBAR. Captain David R. Gifford, late of the whaling bark Elisha Dunbar, reports that on the morning of the 18th of September, in latitude 39 50, longitude 35 20, with the wind from the southwest, and the bark heading east- southeast, saw a steamer on our port quarter standing to the northwest. Soon after found she had altered hor course and was stecring for the bark, We soon made al] sail to get out of her reach, and were going ten knots at the time; but the steamer, gaining on ns under canvass alone, soon came up with us and firod a gun under our stern She had the St. George’s croas flying at the time. Our colors were set, when sho displayed the Confederate flag. Being near us, we hove to, and a beat with armed officers |, and crew came alongside, and, on coming on board, stated tome that my vessel was a prize to the Confederate steamer Alabama, Captain Semmes. I was then ordered on board the steamer, with my papers, and the crew to follow me, witha bag of clothing each. On getting on board the captain claimed me as a prize, and said my ves- sel would be burned. Not having any clothes with me, he allowed me to return for a small trunk. The officer on board asked me what I was coming back for, and tried to prevent me from coming on board. I told bim I camagfter a few clothes, which I took and returned tothe steamer. It blowing hard at the time and very squally, nothiig but the chronometer, sextant, charta, &c., were taken, when the vessel was set fire to and burned. There were sixty-five barrels of sperm oil on deck, taken on the passago, which were consumed. We were all put im irons, and received the same treatment that Captain Tilton’s officers and crew did, who were taken the day before. While on board we understood that the steamer would cruise off the Grand Banks for a few weeks to de- stroy the large American ships to and from the Channel ports. They had news of two ships being loaded with arms for the United States, and were in ho,es of capturing them. They were particularly avxious to fall in with the Clipper ship Dreadnought and destroy her,as she was celebrated for speed, and they were confident of their ability to capture or run away from any verse! in the United States. The steamer, being in the track of both outward and homeward bound vessels,and more or less being in sight every day, she will make great bavoc among them. a DAVID R. GIFFORD, Late Master of bark Elisha Dunbar. Capt. Hagar has done a great‘ service to the country by observing, while on board the Alabama, all the important poiuts, especially the number and calibre of her battery. ‘This information has been sent to the government, and it will enable our officers to know her at once should they he fortunate enough to fall in with ber at sea. DBSCRIPTION OF THE REBEL STEAM PROPELLER ALABAMA. The Alabama was built at Liverpool, or Birkenhead, and left the latter port in August last; is about 1,200 tops burtben; draught about fourteen feet; engines by Laird & Sons, of Birkenbead, 1862. She is a wooden vessel, propelled by a screw, copper bottom, about 210 feet long, rather narrow, painted black outside and drab inside; has around stern, billet head, very little shear, flush deck fore and aft; a bridge forward of the smoke stack carries two largo black boats on cranes amidships forward of the main rigging; two black quarter boats between the main and mizen masts, one small black boat over the stern, on cranes; the spare spars, on a gallows between the bridge and foremast, show above the rail. She carries three long thirty-two-pounders on a side, and is pierced for two more amidships; has a one hundred pound ritled pivot gun forward © the bridge, and a sixty- eight pound pivot on the maic »; has tracks laid for- ward for a pivot bow gun, aud tracks aft fora pivot stern chaser—all of which she will take on board to com- plete her armament. Her guns are of the Blakely pat- ern, and manufactured by Wesley & Preston, Liverpool, 1862. Sho is bark riggod; has very long, bright lower masts, and black mastheads; yards black, long yard arms, short poles (say one to two foot), with small dog- vanes on each,and a pendant to the main; studding- sail, booms on the fore and main, and has wire rigging. Carries on her foremast a square foresail; large trysail with two ree’s, and a bonnet topsail with two reefs, top- gallantsail and royal. Onthe mainmast a large trysail with two reefs anda bounet. No square mainsail bent, topsail two recfs, topgallantsail and royal. On the mizenmast, a very large spanker and a short three-cornered gaft topsail; has « fore and fore topmast staysail and jib; has had no staysail to the main or mizen mast bent or royal yards aloft. Is represented to go thirteen, knots under canvass and fifteen under steam. Can get steam in twenty mi- nutes, but seldom uses it except ina chase or an emer- gency. Has all national flags, but usually sets the 8t. Goorge’s cross on approaching @ vessel. Her present eomplement of men ts one hundred and twenty, all told, but 1s anxious to ship more. Keepsaman at the mast- head from daylight till sunset. Hor sails are of hemp canvass, made very roaching; the topsails have twenty cloths on the head and thirty on the foot. General ap- pearance of the bull and sails decidedly English. She is generally under two topsails, fore and main tysails, fore aad foretopmast staysails; sometimes topgailant sails and jib, but seldom any sails om the mizen except while in charge of a vessel. She is very slow in stays ; generally wears ship. She was built expressly for the business. She is engaged to destroy, fight or run, as the charactor of her opponent may be. She took her armament and crew and most of her officers on board near Torceira, Western Islands,from an English vessel: Hor orew are principally English ; the officors chivalry of the South. All the water consumed on board is con- densod. She has eight months’ provisions, besides what is being plundered, and bas about four hundred tons of coal on board, It is very evident, from all we learn from Captain Hagar, that the Alabama will, if not fallen in with, captured and destroyed, become the terror of the ocean. Her speed appears io be unéquailed both under steam and gail. Hor sailing qualities as reported are superior to the speod of nine-tenths of our,eteamers in the navy, and under steam and eanvass combined it will take the Vanderbilt, or ves" sels of a similar class, to do anything with her in a chase, Her battery is very formidable, oqual to many of our screw sloops-of-war of the second class, and vastly suporior t© any of our smaller vessels. She isin all respects an ugly customer, and one that will destroy mil- lions of property before she is caught, if she is caught at an. In all cages whore Captain Semmes captures a veasel, he sends an armed boat on board and orders the unfortu- nate captain on board the Alabama, with bis papers. On his arrival be is ushered into the presence of the pirate Semmes, who receives him fm the most pompous and overbearing manner. He is questioned as to the namo of the ship, whore from, where bound and the character of his cargo. Captain Hagar, im reply to the latter question, said that some of Mis cargo was on English account. On hie giving this reply Semmes soowled at him and re- marked, ‘'Do you take mo for a damned foo Where aro the proofs that part of your cargo is on Enghah account?’ ‘The papers, unfortunately, not having the Consular foal attached, were not considered proof, and the Brilliant and her cargo were in consequence seized by Semmes as 4 prize. PT PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF SEMMRS. Captain Hagar says that, however much Semmes may have had the appearance of a gentleman when an ofcer of the United States Navy, ho has entirely changed now. He sports a huge mustache, the ends of whiok are waxed THE NEW YORK HERALD. NEW YORK, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1862. PRICE TWO CENTS. IMPORTANT MILITARY MOVEMENT. McClellan’s Army Advancing Up the Valley of the Shenandoah NS N con Td oR ae con \ lh” mua « ! in a manner to throw that of Victor Emanuel entirely in the shade, and it is ovident that it occupies much of bis attention. His steward waxes it every day carefully, and 80 preminent is it that the sailors of the Alabama term him ‘Old Beeswax.’? His whele appearance is that of a corsajr, and the transformetion appears to be te from Commander Raphael Semmes, United States Navy, to a combination of Lafitte, Kidd and Gibbs, the three most notorious pirates the world has ever known. ‘The officers of the Alabama are reported as very dainty gentiemen. Ie plundering ship they take nothing but articles that suit them. Jf replenishing their stores, they invariably reject brown sugar, taking nothing but the best loaf. With kid gloves it is the same; they refuso colors, and will bave nothing but pure white. Ando it is with them all the way through. They appropriate everything they find worth having, and destroy the rest, and are pirates in every sense of the word, except that “they do not take life—or, rather, they haye not yet done 60. When Captain Hagar left the Alabama there were be. tween forty and fifty of the crows of the different vessels she had destroyed stillon board. They were confined be- low in irons, in the most miserable condition. They were where every drop of rain fell on thom, and every*sea that came aboard the vessel washed over them, aud*the poor fellows were in a terriblo plight, having lost everything, with the vessels they belonged to, the pirates permitting no baggage, except the very smallest quantity, to be brought away from the prizes before they were destroyed. They had the satisfaction of knowing, however, that it could not be long before they would be released; for Semmes could not afford to have his ship filled up with prisoners. ‘ The plan that Semmes has adopted to bring fish to his net is as follows:—It will be seen at‘a glance that the position be was last reported in was in the track of many vessels bound to and from Europe. This is the position he has chosen to do the greatest possible amount of de- struction; and he certainly has been most successful. Whenever he captures ship, after taxing from her all that ho and his officers want, he lays by her until dark, and then sets ber en fire. The light of the burning ship can bo seen many miles, and every other ship within seeing distance stands towards the light, thinking to rescue a number of poor follows from destruction. The pirate keeps in the immediate vicinity, awaiting the prey that is sure to come, and the next morning the poor follows, who havo, to serve the cause of humanity, gone many miles out of their course, find themselves under the guns of tbe Alabama, with the certainty that before another twenty-four hours they will share the fate of the ship they came to serve. This plan will enable him to destroy an immense ‘amount of property without much cruising. He can lay fn one position and gather the ships around bim éuring the night ready for operations on the coming day for weeks to come; for it will bea long time before his de. predations can be made known, 80 ‘that our unsuspecting merchantmen will be on the lookout for him. Again, he will be enabled to cruise for an indefinite Iength of time; for he uses no coal, depending upon his can- vass cntirely, which, it seems, is all sufficient for his pur- pose. He carries stores for eight months, and can always replenish from the prizes he may take. He will be hero to-day, there to-morrow, and will be certain to be found where no one is loeking for him. Looking for him will be like “looking for a needie in a haystack,” and with the majority of vessels we havo cruising at the present time, should one of them be fortunate enough to eee him, all we shall benefit thereby will be a look, and so it will con- tinue to be until we have ships of greater speed than we Bow possess or expect soon to have. CARGO OF SHIP BRILLIANT, LIST OF SDPO DESTROYED AS FAR AS BEARD FROM, Ship anny, Ship Ocean er. _— Bark Osceola. Bark Virginia. Dunbar, Schooner Admiral Blake. Schooner W: Schooner Starlight. Schooner Courrer. —-— Ocoan Cruiser, In all fourteon veesels, value no doubt, with cargoes, over @ million of dollars. ‘One hundred and ninety-one prisoners have been landed by Semmes on the ialand of Flores. LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE ALABAMA. Commander—! Semmes. Lieutenante—Kell, Armstrong, Wilson and Low. Sailing ir, seen of Marines—Mowel) (brother-in-law of Jeff. wis). ‘MamMtt, Sinclair ané Bulloch. Boge pei Doctor and Purser—Ubknown. Carpenter—Ro n—MoCaskie. Goneatn'e Clerk—Smnith, Corperal—Fullam. Many of the above are old officers of the United States Navy. Koll—the First Lieutenant—is.a vory fine officer, and # man of commanding personal ance. He Must be an admirable second toSemmes, both being men Of the most indomitable energy, and understanding their profession thoroughly in all its points. Armetrong—the Second Lieutenant—is aleo a fine officer; and the proba- bilities are that all have been selected for the position, A CARD. The undersigned, late masters of the ship Brilliant, barke Virginia and Dunbar, captured and burned at soa by tho Confederate’ privateer steamer Alaba- ma, desire to express their thavks to Capt. Simms, of the ship Emily Farnham, and to Capt Smith, of the brig Golden Lead, for the kind and generous treatment received while on board their respective vessels. GEORGE HAGAR, late of ship Brilliant. 8. R. TILTON, late of bark Virginia. DAVID R. GIFFORD, late of bark E, Dunbar. THE ARMY OF VIRGINIA. Reports of Union Recennoitering Par- ties—Stuart’s Rebel Cavalry at Lees- burg, &ec, Fainrax Court Hovas, Va., Oct. 16, 1862. A portion of General Sigel’s bodyguard, under Lieut. Miller, returned to day from a reconnoissauce by way of Dranesville to Leesburg, and some distance beyond that point. They discovered no indications of the enemy in that quarter. General Stuart's rebel cavalry occupied Leesburg from Sunday morning until two o'clock Monday afternoep. Their force is estimated not to exceed three thousand. ‘The men appoared worn out, but otherwise looked well. They were leading about two hundred extra horses. Reconnoissances to our front have discovered a force of about four hundred rebel cavalry west of Warrenton. Areconnoitering party returned to-night, report that théy have been as far as Goose creek, but discovered no rebels, General Sigel to-day visited the hospitals in this neigh- borhood, with whoee condition he was well pleased. His attentions to the sick wero highly appreciated. ‘Wasurcton, Oct. 16, 1862. The Star of this afternoon says:—We are sure, from in- formation on which we can rely, that after reaching Leesburg on Sunday morning last the rebel General Stuart halted his force there, between 2,500 and 3,000 cavalry, with three pieces of artillery, until near neon of the next day. Mcantime a considerable force of the enemy, consisting of infantry and artillery, approached within supporting distance of Stuart, coming down the Winchester turnpike. General Lee's idea evidently was that a dash would be made with a small force from this vicinity upon Stuart at Lecsburg, expecting that be wa® there entirely unsupported. Due care was, however, taken by Stuart to move off for Winchester ore a lapse af” time sufficient for a considerable force from the vicinity to get ap to him. REBEL OPERATIONS ON THE OHIO. The Steamer Hazel Dell Robbed by Revele—Her Mails Recovered—The Ene- my Near Caseyville-Our Troops in Pursuit of Them—The Transports miral and Philadeiphia Barnea at Columbus, &c., &c. Caro, IIl., Oct. 16, 1962. ‘The rebel foree which robbed the steamer Harel Dell yesterday, at Caseyville, Ky., commanded by Colonels Anderson, Johnsen and Martin, is supposed to lmve nam - bered two thousand. They took about three thousand dollars worth of clothing, groceries and powder, and threatened to barn all the boats falling into their hatids after the Ist of the month. Two transports—the Admiral and Philadelphia—laden with ordnance stores, were burned at Columbus to-day. ‘The fire originated in the cabin of the Admiral, and is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary, While the Admiral was burning she floated against the Philadelphia, A thousand kegs of powder were taken from the latter before she was destroyed. During the conflagration several hundred shells ex- ploded on the Admiral, tearing hor to pieces. Many houses in town were struck. General Dodge was slightly wounded by a fragment of a shell. The loss t# estimated at seventy-five thousand dollars. The expedition which left here last night for Ballard county, Kentucky, bas returned with five prisoners, and also captured a number of horses and mules. —_— Camo, I., Vet. 16—P. M. The rebels are still at work up the Ohio river. They stole fifteen negroes from the steamer Cordelia yesterday, above Smithiand. ‘The robels camped on Tuosday night four miles from Caseyville. Colonel Whitney’s regjmont, from Shawnee- town, started in pursuit of them yesterday. The steamer Exchange aiso landed six heudred infantry and two pieces of artiltery above Caseyville,on Tuesday, and they are also pursuing them, ‘Tho mail taken from the steamer Maze) DoH has been recovered. Fight with Rebel Texas Rangers. Carno, Til, , Vet, 16, 1862, An arrival from Holena says, that last Saturday a battalion of the Second Wisconsin cavalry went out om the St. Franeis road to Lagrange, where they were attacked by the Twenty seventh Texas Rangers and driveng vack ten miles, when the First Missouri came to their assistance. Twelve rebels were captured, including @ Lieutenant Colonol. The health of the troops at Helena is improving. ‘ Departare of the As! for Boston. Hattrax, Oct. 16, 1862. The Asia sailod at five o'clock last evening for Bosvon, whigre she will be due om Friday merning IMPORTANT FROM THE POTOMA Advance of McClellan’s Army Into Virginia. Oecupation of Charlestown and Bunker Hill by Union Troops. Sharp Artillery Skirmish with the Enemy Near Halitowa. Whe Rebels Forced to Retire After Zwo Hours Cannonading. Retreat of the Rebels Beyond Bunker Hill. NAMES OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. More Than One Hundred Prisoners Captured. Position of the Main Body of Leo's Forces. GEN. MeCLELLAN IN THE VAN OF HIS ARMY, &e., &e., &e,; THE ADVANCE TOWARDS WINCHESTER, Bourvar Heianrs, Va., Oct. 16, 1862. Areconnottering party from General Sumner’s army corps, consisting of General Richardson’s and a portion of General Sedgwick’s divisions, and Captain Tompkins’ Rhode Island battery; battery E of the Second regulars, and battery E of the Fourth regulars; the Second and Sixth regular cavalry, the Sixth New York and Third In- diana cavalry, all under the command of General Han- cock, started this morning on the Charlestown road. At Halltown the pickets of the rebels were met, and ateadily driven back, until, a short distance beyond Hall- town, they suddenly opened fre with four pieces of ar- tillery. Our troops were immediately in readines to give them battle. Battery E, of the Second regulars, and battory E> of the Fourth regulars (the latter under Captain Clark), took position on either side of the road, supported by our infantry, and @ brisk artillery duel ensued, which lasted about an hour and a half; Tho rebels could not be seen in any force; but they served the battery, which was almostsconcealed by the trees, with great stubbornness. At length they yietded, gradually falling back, with our men in pursuit, untilnow, ‘at noon, our troops are within two miles of Charlestown, which they expect to occupy to-night, though not without a struggle this afternoon, Firing bas now ceased. Our loss has been small. No estimate can be formed as yet of thenumber, The fol- lowing is 8 partial list of the killed and wounded :— BILLED. Private Elmer, Battery E, Fourth rogulars—jaw shot eas WOUNDED. Private Peter Crogan, Battery F, Fourth regulars—right leg taken off by a solid shot. Private John Corked, Battery E, Fourth regulars—right hand. Private Campbell, Battery E, Fourth regulars—forehoad. Private Richard Patrick, Battery E, Yourth regulars— both hands. Private Carpenter, Battery E, Fourth regulars—in back by spent shot. Private Stagmeir, Battery E, Fourth rognlars—in leg. Richard Doogan, of Clarke’s light battery, leg ampu- tated. Peter Campbell, of Clarke's light bafery, wounded, James Corkle, of Clarke’s light battery, wounded. ‘Trese are believed to comprise all upon our side. ‘There is little doubt of our occupation of Charlestown this afternoon. Hanrenr’s Faary, Va., Oct. 16, 1862. I bave a few additional items in regard to General Han- cock’s recopnoissance. ‘The column moved from Bolivar Heights at daybreak, the First Minnesota, Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, and Captain Tompkins’ Rhode Island battery in the advance. ‘The pickets retired slowly before them as they ad- vanced, until they approached Halltown. As soon as evidence of a disposition to dispute our advance was ob served, the First Minnesota was ordered to throw out skirmishers, which was promptly done, discovering sevo- ral pieces of rebel artillery on the loft of the main road, General McClellan and wife passed through Harper's Ferry about one o'clock, on their way to the advance on the Winchester road. Immodiately after the firing commenced this morning our troops on the Bolivar, Leadon and Maryland Heights wore undor arms, and ready to move in support of the advancing column should it be necessary, ~ Frepenick, Md., Oct, 16—Midnight. A messenger from Charlestown hag just arrived here; having left that place at half-past three P. M. Ho brings the following report from the Heraup corres. pondent:— A reconoissance in force was made this morning from Harper's Forry by General Hancock, commanding the division lately commanded by General Richardson The column comprised his division, with a detachment from the Firat, Second, Fifth and Sixth United States cavalry, and the Sixth New York and Third Indiana cavalry, and General Dana’s brigade of General Howard’s (late Sedg- wick’s) division, and the First Minnesota, from General Gorman’s brigade. ‘The troops left Bolivar Heights shortly after daylight, e nearly the following order:—A cavalry force, consist ing of portions of the First, Second and Sixth United States cavalry. followed by Clarke's light battery of regu- Jars, with the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, under Colonel J, R. Brooks, the distinguished frontiersman. These were followed by the voteran First Minnesota Volunteers, un- dor Colonel Gorman; French's old brigade, now com- manded by Colonel 8, K, Sook, of the Fifty-seventh New York; and Caldwell’s, Meagher’s and Lee’s (formerly Da- na’s) brigades. ‘The men were all in fine condition, amd eager to meet the enemy, The enemy were not seen until after passing Haillown, when their pickets fell back as we advanced, without waiting to hear from onr advanced skirmishers. Ob reaching an elevation about two miles from and overlooking Charlestown, the enemy opened fre, at about eight A. M., «pon our cavalry advance from a battery of two guns, which it was known they had masked in this vicinity. The knowledge of this fact led to a cautious advance, and the enemy failed to reap any benefit from this trap, which they had so conningly laid for us, Clarke’s battery of light artillery was soon got into po- sition, and an artillery duel of short duration tock place’ ending in the precipitate retreat of the rebels from thei? position, At this point we learned that there had been a rebel camp in an adjoining woods, but which bad skedaddied early this morning, the officers firing pistols to call in the pickets. While the cannonading was going on, word came that the rebels were advancing. Capt. Tompkins’ battery waa sent to the right of the road, and shelled tho woods, in front of which the rebel cavalry made their appearance. A few rounds sufficed to clear the front of the woods at least of any rebel cavalry, Howard's battery of regulars, commanded by Lieut, Thomas, son of Adjutant General Thomas, took a posi- ' tion in the rear and to the left of Tompkins, supported by the Fighty-eighth regiment New York, of General Meagher’s brigade, but were not engaged. After some slight skirmishing on the left of the road the whole column moved forward and oecupied Charles town without further opposition, the rebel cavalry falling back to a high range of hills some two miles beyond that place. There are evidences all along the road of the recent pre- sence of cavalry in considerable force, The rebels left at Charlestown their wounded and one killed in the skirmish this morning. Tho rebels represent the force of the rebels passing through in retreat as about two regiments of cavalry and one light battery. It is possible that they may be reinforced and make a stand on the next range of hills, but I am inclined to the belief that they could be chased into Winchester without much dan- ger to the attacking party. When our messenger left our troops were quietly coca pying the town. The General Press Despatch. HeapquarTers, ARMY oF THR PoToMac, Oct. 16—Evening, An important reconnoissance was made to-day by a» portion of the Army of the Potomac in the direction of Winchester. The division of General Hancock, late General Richard. eon’s, left Harper's Ferry at an early hour this morning on the road to Charlestown. ‘Three miles from Bolivar shoy came upon the enemy’a outer pickets, who retired as our troops advanced, until within one half a mile of Charlestown, where they formed in line of battle with dismounted skirmishers thrown to the front. Having no infantry, they covered the approaches te Charlestown by two picoes of artillery on the left, and three upon the right of the turnpike, with the view of igputing our occupation of the town, A battery was soon brought into position and opened witb shell and solid shot, which was promptly replied to by the five rebel pieces already in position, ‘The engagement, which was carried on wholly by artillery, lasted two hours, when the rebels fell back to the hills beyond the town. Our loss was one man killed and eight wounded. Captain Smith, of the Richmond Artillery, and eight men wore wounded and taken prisoners, which is the only loss they are known to have sustained, Tho troops under General Hancock entered Charlestewa about twelve o’clock, and oscupied it, the enemy leaving in our hands over one hundred men who were wounded at tho battle of Antietam. At four o’clock our infantry formed in line of battle on the right and left of the road leading to Bunker Hill, when they advanced, driving tho enemy from the hile, and at dark occupying a position two miles beyond the town, Information obtained to-day shows that the main body of the rebel army occupies @ position extending from. Bunker Hill to the Shenandoah. Gen. McClellan arrived at Charlestown at two o’clock, where be remained during the night. But very little Union feeling was shown by the people of Charlestown upon its occupation by our troops. RECONNOISSANCE TOWARDS SHEPHERDSTOWN, Frspenice, Md., 0 ct. 16, 1962. A person who left Sharpsburg at six o'clock this morn- ing reports that General Humphreys’ division crossed at Blackford’s Ford at daylight this morning, Abd advanced: on Shepherdstown. At the time he left a sharp skirmish wes going on uped the Virginia side of tho river. Frepanicn, Md., Oct. 16—Midnight. Later advices from opposite Shepherdstown report that the reconnoitering party under General Humphreys, which crossed the Potomac this morning, were met nest Shepherdstown by 4 rebel force, which opene’ upon them an artillery fire. ‘As our forces bad no artillery with them they retired across the river, having accomplished the object of the reconnoissance, and ascertained that the rebels were stil! in some force at this point. Affairs at Vrederick, Md. A HEAVY RAIN AND PROSPECT OF RISE IN THE POTO* MAC, BTC. Frxpenick, Md. , Oct. 16, 1862. A beavy rain commenced here about eight o'clock to-night, and if it should continue for a few hours may raise the Potomac from its present low stage of water. All is quiet here, and no apprehensions of a rebel raid aro now felt. It is yet undecided when the draft in Frederick county will take place, a8 the examination of persons claiming exemption may have to be entirely repeated. Dr. John J, Moran, who has been under arrest here for two or three days past on a charge of malfeasance in office ag examining surgeon for the draft, was thie afternoon arrested by a government detective, and will to-morrow be removed to the Old Capitol prison at Washington by order of the Secretary of War. NEWS FROM FORTRESS MONROE. re Fonrnsss Morro, Oct. 15, 1802. mt rae the blockading boat, ree at vesscls coming in or going out of «Be Reade, “A fe causes ree raticaee this evening ft Beaufort, N.C. ‘One hundred and ninety rebel prisoners arrived here om the Baltimore boat this morning from Fort MeHenry. They are mostly wounded, and will be taken, to Aiken's antiga waneedle will leave Newport's News to morrow for some more important station. ‘rhe rear pertion of the buildings of the Hygels Hotel are nearly all demolished, ‘The main and front portion, boing on lower ground, and consequently out of obstruct ing range of the guns of the fortress, will probably be allowed Yo remain. “ ‘The gunboat