The New York Herald Newspaper, July 2, 1863, Page 4

r 5 t n about two o'clock in the g > found 1 confusion. The peo 9 were verti bh by an phpouncement which bad | vet been made by a cour mbe: , 1 ReVUME up thoir traps for a most uoisy of those ere several , bad been very Many of the cittz who, it ts an: | when it was thought that there was whatever of the rebels geiting in their direc ic which seemed to have seized possession of soon communicated itself to my compan- ion, who, for particular reasons of his own, said be wag very anxious not to get into the clutches of the rebels; he got ont of my carriage, therefore, aud, ih company with the postmaster of Gettysburg, proceeded towards Hano- » in my glory” to meet the ap- vis. Thos deserted, I struck boldly out and ver, leaving mw proaching rel drove my horse straight in the direetion whieh I knew tho “grey backs” must take, as my object was to get in- es to procure ali the information I could. R CORRESPONDENT MXETS THE RERKLS. [had not gone farawhen sure enough the confederate forces made their appearance. Sova [saw a portion of their cavalry come dashing out of Gett yeburg towards somo commissary stores which had been left bohind the Just train, tu the hurry to get as much property as possi- die out of reach of the rebels before their arrival. Theso stores bud been guarded by a company of recruits, who fled precipitately on the approach of the rebels. The cap- tain in command of them rallied a portion, and mduced them to return to resume their duties as guards of the government property. But it was only bringing them up to be captured. ‘The reba immediately came up and fired on the guard, who returned the compliment; but before they bad time to reload their pisces they were completely surrounded and captured by the superior force of rebel soldiers. CAPTURE OF OUK CORRESPONDENT. Shortly after the adyauce of the rebel cavalry espied the carriage in which I was seated, aod approachea.me with cocked revolvers, which were pointed with very unpleasant menace at my head. Some of the rudest of thom ordored me yery gruilly to turn towards Gettys- burg. ‘ “If you don’t turn back immediately,’ said one of hom, “I will blow your brains out.” tof course made no reply, but endeavored to comply h the genUlemanly request of my captors as quickly as was possible. “Where the hell ere those damned Yankee soldiers gone to?”’ inquired one of the soldiers, I replied very innocently that I had not seen them. “That’@a damned lio,” returned my interrogator; “we have just seen them passing he Thus eaying he loft with nis companions, taking the direction of Hanover, doubUess with the view of captur- ing the balance of the commissary guard. 1 was thus left alone again and untouched. Another party of cavalry, howeveg, commanded by « colone}, eon came dashing up and ordered me to halt. The commander of this body put me under the care of a guard, who wore instrncted to briog me back without delay to Goltysburg. Accordingly Iwas compelled to turn my borse’s head, and, with 9, ca- valryman riding at my sido, began to retrace the road I had just passed over. ‘This cavalryman ‘was not a very polite companion. My horse was an old ‘blind anima! not given to racing, and my vehicle was a very rickoty concern, very much the worse for wear, Rapid locomotion was, therefore, not an easy mattor. ‘Tho cavalryman, nevertheless, held a cocked revolver to my head, and mado repeated threats to “blow me to hell” in 0286] did not ‘hurry up the cakes.” We soon overtook the commissary guard which bad side rio the eiluct that the rebels | r | to burn down the | $410 type of the lower order of the rebel soldiory, and | | Se pearance, end proved tobe three’ Irishmen, btragglers from Genera! arty’s force, who had sucecoded tn vetting their eautorns tnllol whirkey, avd bad evidently been dndu ging in their national peociivities. 1 had a conversa: fiom with these Lureo rebel soldiers, regarding them as a Wisbing to ascertain the sentiments of that class Their expressions were about the sume as those whicl 1 had often heard from the lips of Uae rebel officers, abd ‘only differed in the brogue in which they were clothed. “What the divil are ye fitiog us for? You may vate us | now, but you'll biver putgus down, By my sowl, we'll | fighs til the last man oy us ia kilt, and thin, be jabors, the women will take @ band at it, You may Ogbt us for all eternity, and thin we wont be whipped afther all |’) Such is @ specimen of the language aud sentiments, of these misguided pe They said that they hac been With Btouewall Ju in all bis campaigns, snd bad never been whipped yet, and what was move, the Yan- kees could never raise men enough to do it, GENERAL KARLY NO FAVORITE, General Early seemed to be no great favorite with these rovels. They ‘said the army disliked him greatly, and that they knew several fellows who would shoot him (Early) just as quick as they would ‘a damned Yankee!’ if they only got _a proper opportunity, About General Ewell, on the other hand, they spoke in tho moet favor- able terms, When I ventured to inquire of them where their army was going, one of them replied :— “I don’t know where the army is going, and I don’t care adamn. Old Lee is the boy to lead ua into a scrape or Out of one, and we don’t care a damn.’” As I before stated, I regarded this conversation ag. im- portant only as showing the feeling of the lower order of the rebel army, and as indicating how thoroughly the officers have succeeded in imbuing their men with their own ultra sentiments, RURNING OF STRVENS’ FURNACE. - ‘The three rebel soldiers loft in a high state of ele and finding that Ulme rebel army was not advancing, sumed my journey and drove ag frst as 1 could to Ste! furnace, "This, with the rolling mill attached to It, was heap of ruins, hayivg beon committed to the flame: the rebels. About half @ milo turther on I mot the oui- posts of the enemy. One of them asked me to permit him to ride with mo 100, re: back to his camp. Iassented, and while driving al found my new companion to be a fell f iatelle gree and observation. He was a of great iutelli- ite in. one of the 1 that the force just irgipia regiments, and informed abead of us was the corps of General A. P. Hill; thut it had advanced that day about fifteen miles, and was thon encamped on both sid Greenwood to Fayetteville. les of the road all the way from Passing squads of infantry, cavalry, baggago wagons, and parties of soldiers on foraying expeditions, who were returnin, tables of every description, T proceeded through the entire corps of Genoral A. P. Lill without any difficulty or having any questions asked me ahead, as if T had a perfect right to do 80, and therefore ‘WAS NOt noticed. loaded with chickens, butter, eggs and yege- T pushed ,boldly Ss ‘THR REBEI, GEV ERAL-IN-CHTKY. Arriving at Stouffertown I wag fuformed that General Robert Lee, the rebel General-In-Chie!, was encamped in Lal woods just ahead, only half a mile from Chambers- surg. quired of one of the soidiers where 7 could see Gen. Loe. Having some curiosity to see this arch rebo! tn- He pointed out to me a tall, fine 100king officer, sitting in front of @ spacious tent, with’ one leg crossed over the |. other, and his head slightly depressed, with his ayes evi- dently vacantiy bonton the ground. He appeared to be in deep thought, and seemingly did not notice what was. oocurring around him. 'T could not hetp thinking, while greing, upon this distinguished rebel, thot hig was the ead of aman of more than ordinary abilivy. Perhaps even then he was maturing the detnils of some grand campaign by which he hoped to outgeneral our Union commanders, However, I djd not have much time just then to pursue the peculiar tiain of thought which was upon me, and fearing that L would he poticed, I reluctantly withdrew and proceeded in tho direction of Chambersburg, On ar riving at thia place I found thut the rebel army had been passing through there for two or three days, and that their rear, consisting of General Pickett’s Virginia troops and General Hood’s Texans, were just then going by. AWAY DOWN SOUTH IN DICE.” Nearly every re:iment that I eaw, and those that had Passed, were accompanied either by a brass band ora fife and drum corys. The bands were playing with much spirit such popular Confederate airs as “Away Down South in Dixie.’ “Tonvie Hiue Flag,” “Mussws in the Cold, Cold Ground,” and other well known airs, Among the ‘iexans 1 noticed one with a lasso, who ex- hibited his skill by throwing it over a robo! oficar sitting on horseback by way ofa joke. He also caught a Union dog with the lasso, a8 a punisbmort (or barking on tho approach of the rebels Tit WHOLE RYCEL FORCE KOT FI-TY THOCKAND. From persons who bad counted them, and in whovo, judgment Thad great confidence, i iearned that the whvuie NEW YORK HERALD, ' eo oe t vatry i sehrch 6f boraés tnd éatfo: ant Was atoppod Ro? | quently myscif and questioned ns to whet was, where I | came from, was going Lo, what my bustuess was, &c. ; but | on telling them I bad oviy been afew miles buck, and lived at & town just ahead—that ¥ was only a private citt- zen engaged in ‘harmless and legitimate pursuits—thoy | permitiod me to pass on. I learned on the way that a robel major and a private had beon killed by bushwback- 18 sud anothor oflicer badly wounded Arriving at Roxbury, | found the town 4n the possds- sion of sore twenty rebels, who had seat a squad of thir- ty- three through Roxbury Gap into Amberkom valley aftor | Horses. J leaied also that 9 captain had been fired upon by @ bushwhacker, ond that his life had been saved by & locket in bis vost pocket, Passing over the mountain by a near cut, I arrived in Ambor-om vajley just as the rebels wore leaving. ‘They had collected about twenty horses, and were evidenily growing very uneasy. In order to inspire the crowd of citi- zona that were around them with a proper degree of fear, the major in command rose in his stirrups, and, looking to tho p 88, remarked::-“ Why, in heil, don’t that intantry and artillery come up? ‘They promised to be hore bofore this time|to sweep down the valley, Had we better go ov or go Deck und meet them?” The officers concluded to go back and meet them, and disayy swoon among the moun. tains. After informing the citizens how sinail the rebol force really was, and how easy it would be to guard the mountain pass against them, I procured horses and start- ed for Perryville, where 1 arrived about eloven o'clock yesterday morning. ARRESTED AS A REG, SPY. ‘ Here J was arrosted by the Union citizens as a rebel apy. Some them were in favor of hanging me without judge or jury. But thoy finally agreod to compromise the matter by letting mo proceed to Harris- burg on the next train, in the custody of two of their most reliable citizens. When I reached this city my companions were not long in discovering that I was not precisely a rebel spy, aud that so far as I was porsonally concerned the ‘Union was all safe.” I need not add that my Captors were but too glad to release me as s00n a6 they diacovered whom it was they had in custody. MR. G. W. HOSMER’S LETTER. Hmapquanrsrs, Tweurta Corrs, June 28, 1863. AcRO@a THM POTOMAC. Reveille sounded in the camp of the Twelfth corps at three A. M. on Friday, the 26th, and in little more than an hour later we wero on tho march—of courso in the rain, When the corps last marched the day was terribiy ot, sunny and dusty; and to all that, the present march formed the strongest possible contrast, for the day was cov}, the roads were deep with soft mud, and the raia fell constantly. India M@bber was on duty in all the varieties of shape which Goodyear et al. have yet contrived to give it, from the uncomfortable ooat to the more uncomfortable poncho aua the useful blanket, with which tne soldicr contrives to cover his person, arms and eilects. THR SOLDIER AS BR 33 IN THR FIELD. The form and genoral appearance of @ soldier on a march like this would rather astonish those whose beau ideal of the soldier is an upright, rigid figure, brilliant with the glitter of burnished arms and of blue cloth and ‘brass butions. No blue cloth is to be seen, brass buttona are not aud burnished arms are dim. Heavy knapsack, bianket, haversack and cartridge box bond the soldier halt double at the beet of times, and when this half double figure struggles through the deep mud with his black Iadia rubber blanket thrown over him like @ pall, the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war is no where. Offlcors, under those rainy circumstances, with India rubber overcoat, cap covers and capes, Lear less re semblance to modern soldiers than to those ancients who appear in euch remarkably processivus on the pages of Layard and Wilkinson. * “UVSUCE BY THR Waysins. As our column approached Poolesyvilie several persons noticed a mounted man with a led horse riding at full gallop under the edge of a wood about balf a milo away, endeavoring to got outof sight. Scarcey bad he been observed before a farmer rode up to the head of the cokimn and asked if he could baye arsistance agamata soldier who had stoien his horse, General Geary, in com- mand of the Second division, was at the hoxd of the sgiumn and was the person applied to. Ho immediately rent two mounted orderiies in porsutt, and after an exciting force that had passed through Greongastie and Chatbers- burg, including tenmetors and ollicere, infantry, cavalry and artillery, did not exceed thirty four thoasand. That deen captured, and two of the prisouers were put intomy | about two thousand stil lay outaide Groemcastle that had oarriage—a captain and a private. A PRISONYR ¥INED ON TERER THES. pot been counted, making in ail thirty six. thousand men. ‘This, with the force under karly at York, would make'the whole rebel force north: of flaxerstown | ‘The private informed me tha: after he had surrenderod | not more than forty thousund five hundred. Accompany: one of his captors fired at bim three times, with the in- tention of killivg him, This story was corroborated by ing this army were ove bund:ed and. sixty two ploces of artillery, forty of wich wero the heaviest kiod of Par- Trott guns, aixty of which were heavy brass cannon, and one of tho rebel guard, who declared he bad witnessed | the rest covsisting of Napoleons, for throwing shell, and ‘the oocurrence himself, and would bave the guilty party Punished if bo could only be detected. RELURN TO GIITYSHURG. In due time we reached Gettysburg once moro, and I ‘was immediately taxen to the Fagle Hotel, where I waa ‘tort in the custody of a Ifeutonant and ono private. They accused me of being « federal recruit—an honor which I ‘owed to the muddy condition of my garments, which cer- tainly did- lok as if Thad been on a long and fatiguing maroh. However, after keeping me a prisoner for two hours I was put through a scrutinizing exomination, not being discovered to be a person of dangerous proclivt- | beraburg to Torrkaburg, tes, I wit again given my liberty and permitted to move ois citizen from mear @round like ‘‘any other man.” MIXING WITH THE REBELS. I found no great difflculty in accomplishing what I groatly desired, namely—to mix amond the rebel forces. Undor (Zo pretext of procuring a pass to Cumberland val- ley, I was afforded an opportunity of conversing with all tho rebel generaln whose brigades were in and around the town. Among those with whom I had an interview was the famous ‘MAJOR GUNERAL BARLY. ‘This offcor was a tal: and well looking personage, very dignified and gontiomanly in his demeanor. He sported a fall beard and was dressed in the rebel uniform, with the stars of @ major general decorating bis collar, and @ capacions brown felt hat, looped up at the rignt side, reatin: easily upon bis head. when T first saw him be was in the act of giving to a citroen a copy of General Lee's order, setting forth the torms upon which private property would be taken. I approiched him, and opened the conversation. “4 belong to Cumberiand valley, General,”’ said 1, “and desire to pass to my home." General Kanty—I have no time to attend to you just now: but if it is proper for you to go, there will be no ob- strnotions offered to your depertare. ‘This speect was uttered in a vory sharp and decisive mauoer, but still without being tinged with anything like discourtesy. 1 immediately bowed myself out of the grout man’s pre- sence, and mingling with the mars of soldiers, discovercd that they were a part cf Ewoill's co and composed principally of Goorgia and Louisiana regiments. Among ‘the latter were the remnant of the Louisiana tigers and &@ fow Wolsh and Irish regiments from New Orleans, 1 learned that their fores consisted of four brigades, and tual counting } found that the entire bedy which passed in and around Gettysbug to Hanover, and whit fs lo York to-day, ('d nut exceed four thousand five hundred jufantry, two hundred and fifty cavalry and tw ery. fire no other trox 0 Sul Tapet adorn leading out’ to Lit! tioned ia the rear of ‘ THR RUHL L Having obtained all this Octant information | went Hy to hel, end! woke up the nevt (Saturday) morning 0 find the rebo's gone. “The bird had flown.” At day, Nght the whole force broke up cara» aud marched jo the direction of York, by way of Hauover and Hanover Juace tion, " For TORK, ORFTRCCTION OF A RATLOAD MRINGR, Boforo leaving thoy burned tho railroad briige outside Cotiysburg, ard destroyed two cars cont ining the c m- miesaty stores siready alluded t. In the burned cara were bone mowing mArhtues and loatbor belonging to Sud in Janice to the rebels it must pat on record that thoy Tok this private property from the cars and did not molest it . RATD OY T1VTOR ANo MEDI RR What liquor was loft in the hotels they took away with them, # wel! uw some druys, which, hawever, they promised would be paid for. Some unruly soldiers forced open the store of a clothing morchant, whese name eannot call tomemory, and rifed jt of everything, even to the qr iits on his beds and bis private wearing apparel. With, Bis and fe or two siniiar excepticr PRIVATE FRUTEATY Wi burs righty by the ealdiers og well ae thalr office fared at the Coutenorais’ sorip. When a u opie, as ne inetoated, were at y alarmed, bat hes they saw that incl sou wore Hot entered and that the rights of property Ore rempocted, Ley gained con onrage and iremlated freely among the eoldiery. Some of the boldeet the Inhabitents even ventured on the experiment of toring abolition sentiments in the presence of rebel ‘hears, who Git nor regent the {ntonded jnault, bot sted it aga very gon jke,and ovly laughed at the ited fanatics RETORSING To MARMISME RE. (bout Mino o'clock om satordiy morning, after the de- ture of the rebels, | began proparutions for my retarn iteeriaburg. | hasuesoot np inv horse, and, iny saddle ig boen stolen, I succe dod th gotttny kc other, aad finally started off (or Ravetinne, vay, ty woy 0C tho Chamboraburg ond Cottysbarg pike ‘ Avont three miles from Cashtown | meta rebel courier Fide 98 rapitly as possible and carrying his carbine cock! on bis hip. Tgave bim the military salute, and ho returtiod it politely and pareed on. Tmet no more Tebols mul my Arrival within @ mile of Stewne furnace, gga inilon to tho onat of Chambersburg, where | came in ‘Right of two countrymen, he waved weir bats ant mo- ‘tlowed for ma fo ro back. en, they, kot up to mo they Joformed me, with eonsidorabte ev), Of foar, that they bart just left three rebels over the hill, and that ue rebel army was advancing towards me vt three mallet nhead. ‘THAR WITD RED. TIENEN, “ Thinkipg that | could not proceed thi the rebels while tiey wore ‘anoing, | turned into Oret tovern eat wated ah bonr and @ half, when the three revels wuom the countryimen had seen made thole an. Those who first tho robs approached | } hotels paid fer whatever they recetyed im | | | } | ret Joy occasioned by hi ‘a thin mouthed rifled cannon, which | nad never seen before. These, with the cannon with Farly’s force, make the reboi artillery »mount to ona hundred and eighty: four The who'e force of cavairy and mounted, infantry did vet exceed 1,500. Only about one-third of these were regular oavelrymen, armed with carbines, sabres and revolvers. Tho remainder werearmed with gabres und Enfleid rifloa, without bayonets, T learned that Gon, Fwoll, with his whole force, except that portion which was under Farly at York. occupied the extreme front; that Longstreet and D. H. Hill were withio supporting distance of Ewell up near Shippensburg and Carlisle, Geperal A. P. Hill’s corps amounts to about sixteon thousand. This would loave a force of eighteca to twenty thouseod in the Cumberland vatieys, Char + tho present writing. rlisle iformed me that a very rge portion of this forco hid taken the Vatnut Bottom roa‘l, exst of the Cumberland ley Railroad, indicating an advance towards Gettysburg by the Carlisie and Get- » yeburg ptko. PRESENT AITUATION OF AVF AIRE, 1s will thus be #eon that 0c ein the contre of his army at Chambersburg, wi.b his ces 60 dispored that be can Concentrate thom all within one day eithor for an ad. vanoe on Harrisburg, or imore, by way of Gettya- burg, Or to meet Geooral diea'c, concerning whiee w vouts the robel officers smanifest ccnsiderabie STORRS RoOvDeD IH ¢ In Chambersburg the rebel brokea in stores and completely stripped them of afl kinds of goods, Dru Stores, dry goods stores wad groceries had beou visit most oxtensively. At the b-okstore of ©. S, Shryeck chased eight thousand dotlara’ worts of Stationery, paving for it liberaliy in Confederate scrip 44s were Rtopped in the street by soldiers and compolied Ww exchange hais, boots.yand, fo'some instances, even pants. The Rev. Dr. Sneck was robbed in open daylight of a geld watch and $50 io money. ond thore were numerous other stances Whore citizens bad been deprived of money and watcues, It is said that in the country districts the soldiers even en- tered private hovees, and hoiding revoivecs at the hevds compelled them to produce money acd other But the private houses in towas, as a pene al rule, were not euiercd at all. Hotels were compelled to furnish bedayand mattresses for tho bespttal, which was located tn thy public sehool building of Chambera’ arg TWO KKBRL CAVALRYMEN CAPTCRSD DY TWO UNARMED Cutt: ZENS OF CHAMARRANURG—R TOWN PUT UNDE CONTRIEU AMUERAWE TE, the rebela bad pur- ‘nox Bath oticers aud soldiers patronized the hotels ¢: sively, paying is aie scrip. Barus aud ats hay and horses, all of which were taken without compensation. In Chambe.sburg two nnarmed citizens capture two rebe! cavalrymen that camo in io advance of the rest, taking their reve arbiner and two splendid horses, and (bea made their ereape. The town was compolied to pay $900 for the picto’s, saddles, carbines, sabres and one of the horses, and to furnish another horee in place of the other one stolen, The citizens were also ordered to deliver up their arms, nud about qight bondred guns, mostiy United states muskets, wert collected and de- stroyed by the rebeis. CONTRABANDS CAPTURED AND RESCUED. In and around Chambersburg the rebels captured some Afty negroes, meat of whom were contrabands, and bad rent them on the road to Dixie undor a amitable escort. But the brave citizens of Geeencastlo turned out, captured the rebel guard, and sout the darkoys on thelr way re- Joly. REPALIATION OY GENERA. yRNEINS. This audacious act coming 10 the cars of Goneral Jon king he immediately ordered the citizeva of Greoncaatic to pay damages to the tune of fAfty thouswnd dollars, under the penalty of having their town burnod to ashes before sundown, The amount of the damages wis subseqaently roinced to half, but even this the Greencastiers wonld not pay, port town aii tants, ‘ote ithetaading the threats’ ct Jouktins the mighty, Al) 4 ber stores, bowevor, baye been thoroughly plunder e - ‘REMEL RUMOR OF GRANT'S DR RAT AY JOUNSTON, On Saturday morning General Lougsireet read at tho head of his corps a despatch purporting to have come from Richinond, to the effect that General Johnston had attacked Grant in the rear of Vicksburg, and after killing ton thousend*Yenkess-utterly routed the rest, and was then in pursuit of the fugitives, not one hundred of whom could possibly escape. ‘ue rodel army were highly elated at this, and felt more confident than ever that they could eaptore Harrisburg THR RBNRLA RUSPECT AND FEAR MCLELLAN AND DMRPOK HOOKRR, Whi'e in Cha:nberaburg 1 bad many conversations with rebol officers, colone’s, majors, captains and lieutenants, and whenover the sttyect of our genorals was brought up, [found @ very remarkable ananimity among them in regard to Generals Hooker and MeClellan. “Fighting Joe” they beld tn the most supreme coatempt, while they invariably respected MoCielian. “Tho only general you have whom we fesr in the least,’’ sald ope of tho officers, “‘i8 General MoCiellan, and you Rave Inid bim on tho she Daring my stay in Chambersburg it wae rumored that | “Lite Mac’ wm command of the forces at Harria- burg. Ths rumor the rebels eved and olficers and privates diecoesed the probable result of the impending contitet at Harrisburg, I overheard several groups ex preesing Wenmoives to the effect buat while ey believed they could capture Harrisburg, they considered their | ebances were much lees with MeCiellon in oormand of our forces. What wasn little astonishing was that in all these converations bo remarks derogatory of dene ral MoCleilan in the slightest dogroo were made by a single officer of private A oH Feat elated, aud all, even to the nfost oltra repobi! feats whe had been most bitter against him formerly. joined in the PPosed reappointment. the peuple of Poun- Of joy and entia- Avoiding the rebel pickets on Sunday morning I crataversourg aod procesded towards Roxbury, near tH North Mountain, meeting on the way numerous parties of infaniry out foraging, many of them as far as six, miloe away tom thet ‘So far as I could learn bad camps. wey offered to for everything My ise an on vor; v4 5 where (he news spread amo: ona Tay add that an equal d jotion waa manifested. tun over the rough ground—tho best raco wo over saw — the cuiprit was brought up. He was a Gorfnan, and bo- origed to the Fitti New York cavairy—a company of which fs stationed near here, He had gono into the farmor's to got a breakfast, and after cating had taken hia horse apeniy. When the farmer offered some resist- auce ho drew his pistol od the farmer cot qut of the way. Tie was sent to hia captain in arrest, the farmor got his horse and the column waut on. DINNER. That day we dined at @ farm Touse—a capacious, old farhioned establishmen' ta little diatance from the road, Chance dinners at a farm house illustrate rome. what the free aud easiness of our army. Meals were taken at the same table by at least two major generals. aud by iesrer officers without pumber, while private aoltiors, whe haa strarglod from the ranks, jratlod tho gonorals at tho doorvmy , and took thoir seats on tho same slwop. MONOCACY RIVER was paacod near the mouth, tho infantry croas. tog by the nquoduct, and the ar iry ani wagons by the ford. immense ony shers of wagons tined tho ond. Just bevo,: it was the train of one corps, five milos tn foncth, and on the soatly Fido were three hundred wagons belonging to cuv- alry. These laat wore pushed out of the way, and tho Twaisth corps passod the rivor by toa o'clock, A M., with a few caBvaiiieaemong the muies, ‘These restive litte fellows, competied occasionally to stand in the water rather longer than they liked, would kick about in the traces tintil they managed (4 throw themselves down; once down they were drowned before bey could be got- ten up again. ur THK TOWPATH. Sear Point of Rocks we bad to watt for tho removal of a train which — completily blocked up the road in (root, and the itnfanery Wa turned asideand sent wp the towpsth for several muiles, when it again come into the road by a narrow way undor the canai, and 9 reached Knoxville at night, having marched rather over twenty tiles, Bot this corps marches better, I believe. thaa any other ja the: tretoh it left \ery few siraggiers hor, many of the men singing tg Jouin Brown chores. THIRD DAY OF TI MARC: We loft Knoxville at six A. M., on Somday, avd m back over the road that tho tired follows had foow night before, Wo at last roxched camp, and hare wo siti are. MR. THOMAS M. COOK'S LETT Feeperick, Ma., June 23, 1863, TH CHANGE OF COMMAND, Major Genoral George G. Mevde this morning received orders from Washington to relieve Gonoral liooker of the command of the Army of the Potomac, and has already entored pom the discharge of his duties as Geroral-in- Chiof. The order was brought out by Colonel Hardie, of tha War Pepar:ment, by a special train, which left Wash- ington at e} o'clock last eveuing and ved here at half-past one o'clock this morning. Genoral Meade bad previously been apprised of his selection for the com- mond by telegraph, Colonel Martie waited upon tim | immediately on his arrival here and delivered to bim the oftetal or clothing him with authority. THe suPEREROURT *RAL HOOKER is variously receive |. «muse Of great re. joicing, while others esteem it an i, ot)ce to a brave and able soidier, Tadeed, Jam forced t believe that, had General Hooker rid bwaaelf of certain obnoxious persons attached to his etait, his removal now would have been gonorally regretied. ils Chief of Staff, CRNVRAL NUTIRETIELD, hog rencered bimec!t disagrocable to a remarkable ox. tont throvghomt the army, aad the arbitrary coures he has aseutned, with the many petty annoyances he bags found occasion to inflict upon those haviog business with the headquarters of the army, haye con- spired to create a wide spread dilike for bis principal. Cenerdi TooksR; Uagldor being a altant and com@tent soldier, has tbe reputatio® Of being a courteous aod aifaMa gontloman, approachable to Si gnc exceed: ingly Hoes and find fo his disposition SQd man ners, Had bis imnl) ore feprosentatives been Stied with the Hike good quaiiice thore would now be ™ one t9 exuit in bis re‘ease from the command. WHY BOOKER RESIGNED, ‘There aro various theories afloat ag to the immediate cause of tho change in the command. There is no ques- tion that Looker waa relieved at wit Feuest. Ne has found it inconsistent with his honor na a soldier, Jonger to st bunit to the dictasion of Tialivck, and, there: fore, he has preferred tho request to be relieved, It is known that the movements of the army tu the present campaign have not conformed with bis own ideas cf policy and correct military principles. He ha, submitted plans of his own which he has not been permitted to and has been conpelied to protest against the t Halleck has marked oct for him,and which Deon obiiged ve cATry out. and in the result of which his own reyutation as a soldier was staked. ARRIVAL OF GRYRMAL MICKLRS Goneral Sickles and his personal «tat arrived from Woahingtosf this morning by the same special train that brought oat Colonel Hardee, General Sickies is delicate health, and takes the field contrary to the advice | of bis physicians; but in these stirring and exciting times—times fraught with 80 much of peril to the eo: try, when the fate of the republic seems ere thrond—he i* averse to |i id ertion al once resume command of the Tl GENRRAT. BIRNEY, who has ao entiafactorily fillod his place for the past four weeks, Goneral Birney will return to the command of Id division, having fully demonstrated bis ability as ‘orpa commander, to which position he will doudtless be promoted at an early day GRNRRAL MEADR'S SUCCHMROR. General Sykes succeeds (o the command of the Fifth corps, made vacant by Goneral Meade's promotion. 7 pushing in largo corps, relieving thetr ww the foros, Lae's —se MR. L. A. HENDIICK'S LETTER. Hrapgvakimes, Fiera Axwy Conve, June 28, 1863. THY PROMOTION OF GEN. MEADT—IIN SUOCROR. The appointment of Gen. Meade te the command of the army places General Sykes in command of the Fifth corps. slat, left corps Meadquarters and proceeded at ounce to genoral headquarters, to enter upon his new and bigher and more responsible duties. Goneral Sykes assumed command of the COrps @t tho samo time, he whole thing was quietly done, but very few knowing or dreaming of the change. ‘THB SURPRISR PARTY TO GRNERAT. MEADE. Gevoral Mead, Ov receiving uotification of his appoint- mont as head of the army, was’ evidently taken by sur- prise, To borrow an expressive political word, he has not figured for it, The powers that rule in Washington have soen fit to assign him the position. He ooters on his new duties as a matter Of course, and yet with modesty, and, T believe, full confidence im. his abilities to rightly fill tho place. This corps certainly has entire confidence ia his At cight A. M. Genera! Meade, with his personal | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 13863.-TRIPLE SHEET. interior of Ponnaytvania, you run great risks, for you aro fat n grea: distance from your baso of anppliss. Tike off- cer was about to reply, when General Leo, who bad takea no part in the conversation, raised his hand and satd, in | @ most impressive manner, “Sir, fearry my base with me.” In these few and simple words lies the key of the | great movement in which General Lee 18 now engsged. He has with him his whole army, oue | hundred and fifty thousand strong, His calculations | are based upon the belief that be entertains that | there are no troops in the North that can withstand bis progress until ho bas accomplished the object for whieh he crosged the Poton and, in the meantime, he knows that he oan easily subsist upon the rich country in which he is operating Tho fact that bis main columus bave diverged to the right and eastward, at Chambersburg, and have moved, not direct on Harrisburg, but on Wrightaville, twenty-tive miles below, may be indicative of a longer and more extensive campaign in Pennsylvania than was at first supposed. ‘This may be the spot where he intends to use his poutoona, which are still with bim, and which ho has not yet unloaded. If this be 80, if you hear of his crossing the Susquehanna at that polat, then ‘of course it will be evident that ho intends to celebrate the Fourth of July in Independence Hall , at Pbilade!pbia; and there is nothing that can prevent him from doing 39; To this case he will turn up hig nose at Harrisburg, and capacity for any military position that can be given to him, and with this confidence, inspired by the able aud brilliant manne in which he bas lea them in the engngo- ments in which he bas boen their loador, their only re grot is at losing bim as their immediate commander. GENERAL SYKES. Happily General Meado’s mantle fell om tho shoulders of ono fitted to wear it. Every -officer and soldior in tho corps knows General Sykes. He has been identified with the corps ever since its organization. His military genius has shown itgeif in every battloin which Ube corps has ‘beon engaged. There is the entirest confidence in him, Aa yot—I am writing this at haif-past ten o'clock, to catch the eleven o'clock mali—bo bas made ao change in his staf. NRORSSARY MILITARY OHANGHS. In the commands in General Sykes’ old division several changes necessarily ocour through hia promotion. Briga dier General Ayres at presen¢ commands the division, with corresponding changes in tho brigade commanders. OUR POSITION. As it would be contraband to tell where we are now, where we camo from and where we are going to, I ‘observe reticence on those points. Our position has been greatly changed in three days, Wo have never made such marches before. A good deal.of the time at has rained, and the roads have been exceedingly heayy; but there has been less straggling than on any previous march, and not a word of complaint on either of the marches or shortening the hours for sleep to less than Napoleon allowed himself in his busiest campaigns, Every ono is thoroughly awake to the evolving se: every one believes that Goncral Lee's army must be whipped; every ono sete himself down for share 1n th tipping. it is believed on all @ great byttl® a8 iminont—the battle that will decide the fate of our two great opposing armios—the battle oppwhich depends the crushing out the rebellion or total abandonment of hope for tho future to our great Northern army. 1 DRIGADIER GENERAL, WEB, A most meritorious pre motion has just been made— that of) Lieutenant Colopel Webb, lato Assistant Inspector General under General Meade and his Chies of Stal, to “brigadier yenieral, His commission reached him yester- day, with orders to report to the Second corps, where ne will be aasigned conimand of a brigade. His promotion fe the reward of gallantry, aud ag unexpected as it was unaolicited. He is a West Point graduate, and at the “commencement of the war was captain in the Sevonth United States infantry. ‘TUR CHANGK IN THR CIIRY COMMAND. Aas {close my letter the news rayidly spreads of the "is tn motion and changing its position from that which it leave it, ag an insignificant villugy, to be visited po his return murch, and be will push on bis columns to the Quaker City, which is only seventy-iive miles distant, Over excellent roais. Bactimonn, Md. , June 30, 1863. MARTIAL, LAW. Martial law was proclaimed here this noon, much to tho disgust of the rebel sympathizors who abound hore. It is not intended to interfere with the regular civil ad- ministration of affairs, oxcopt in so far as relates to mili- tary operations and some restrictions on travel on the roads and turnpikes out of the city. I believe that it is ‘Bot intended to interfere with railroad travel in any way. or roquire passes of passengers ou the different ratlroads entering or Ioaving the city. Quast, The city hax been very quict to-day, a general foeling of security Laviag boen caused by the fact becom- ing known that the movements of our army yesterday had forced the detachments of cavalry who have boon ope- rating om tho iine of the Baltimore and Oblo road and tho different turapike roads from this city west to make themselves scarce, and somewhat hurried thom in their movements towards their main body in Pennsylvania. ‘TUM ARMY OF THR POTOMAC bas occupied for some daya past. It would not be proper to indicate anything further ia relation to this movement than that it involves the evacuation of Harper's Ferry and Maryland gioights, which is now being done, The magazines have beon blown up, and all the property and material that cannot bo removed is being dvatroyed, ao that the rebels may derive no benefit from ‘this evacuation. This point could have been held against any force that could be brought against it; bot in the now line of operations it was not worth while to bsid it ‘at such an expense as would be necessary. MASSING OF THE RUREL FORCES. When the rebels found we were preparing to evacuate aconsiderable force made its appearance in that neigh. borhood. Up to the Jatest advices they had made no bel Higeront demoustrations; but it is bie that they may Attempt to bring on a fight with the force which now abandons the position. is body of rebel troops is pro- bably a reserve, left at some distance inland from Potomac by Leo, or that has marched from Staunton as a support to him in bis invasion movement. At any rate they are there, and of course not without a purpose. ‘TAK RATROAD REPAT"RD. ‘The damage to the Baltimore and (Ohio Railroad, be- tween Sykesville and Monocacy, has been repaired, and trains have passed up and down the road to day,and telegraphic communication is also resumed with Fred- chunge it: the commanding head of the army. with varied comments, according to the diversity of provailing opin- tons. Muny Liked Genoral liooker and had trith io bin, most bolieve in the ability of Gouerai Meade to All Lis It may portunaly, but I must sayithat 1 RicClolian is the man the rank and iile of the army want at their howd They cannot get over wor- shipping clamoring for him. Meantime different e8 “prevail as to the reason of the displacement of ral Hooker. Seme say it was at his own request, be- carse be would not stand the dv tation of General Hat leck; others, that the etave of bis bealth competied it, ‘mukirg it only temporary, and othora, again, that the adiniu:stration had lost confidence tn his ability to com- mand the army. The true tacts, | opive, are more acou- rately knowa away from the army than init. In tho interim all wait patiently the development of new plana aud new movements, Although tt is generally supposed that in the present condition of tho army the plan already entered upon must be carried out—that the exigencies of presont affairs admit no delay to mature now plans OUR BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENCE. Barrarons, June 90, 1863, Tra Rebels Approaching Baltimore—A Midni;ht Alarm— Close Proximity of the Rebel Troqps—Operations of Gene- ral Fiizhugh Lee—Narrow Escape of Gencrat Hooker from Being Captured—Further Development of the Plans of General Lee—Is He Marching on Philadelphia? dec. Tho wavus of the southern invasion have reached Palti- more at Jast. Last utzht, at eleven o’ctock, ail the church Dells, fire bells and alarm bells in tho city bogan to ring furiously. There could be ne mistake as to the import of the unusual clangor, [t was not @ prearranged signal; yet every person knew that it was an indication of belief, on the part either of the city authoritios or the military anthoritios, that tho rebels were approaching the bity. Accordingly thera onsiod such a acone as is raroly wit- essed twico ina litotimo. After a day of unusual ox- citement most poopie bad either gon ta bed or were just rotiring to rest. But in an instant the cry filled the streets, ©The robela aro coming |" Up flew windows in every direction, out popped heads from every house, and ie a@ moment more every streot was filled with crowds of excited men, aft ruahiag towards the open square fa front of the Mayor's office. Io a very short time a waat assom- biage, numbering many thousands, waa thus collected. No ouo cond tell definitely the cauas of the alarm ‘Tho impression was soon convoyed to the multicudo, however, thal the rebels wore approacbing the city, and what it was nocessury for the citizens to turn out en_masse, and pro- coad to the anburbs, in order to prevent therm from effect- tng an entrance into the city. It waa impossible to fad arms for all, Tbe members of the Union League, however, were furnished with ara, and these bo.lies of men, num- boring several thousands, were inarched out to the newly erected fortifout @24 outside of tho city, Those works, and indeed ail the neces of tho city, had been placed in oluarge of Geaerai Ty'er. It is extremely difficult for me to write ia regard to the mensares that have been taken for the dofonce of Ralti- more If I sheold tell the truth in regard to the matter T would be accused of giving aid and oomfort tothe enemy. Tuo actual position of affairs, however, from day to diy, is accurately known tothe rebels. Their scouts have becn in this city, ia the guise of laborers, teamsters, contrabands, farmors, travellers, agonts, disabled soldiers, preachers, beggars, &c., every night fora weck pact, This fact [learned this morning. If, on the otbor hand, I shou!d say that the administra. tion has done all in its’ power and all that ought to be done in order to render the place secure, should aay what is not true, This, however, I will eay:—The pre- Parations for defence that fharve been recently made ought to have been made months ago. But they have been pushed forward with great vigor. All that the city authorities and the citizens could do has been done. If Paitimore fails, the tauit will be with the War Depart ment at Washington. The citizens of Baltimore will fight bravely in defence of their beautiful city, and if the do- fence 18 unavailing !it will be no fault of theirs. ‘The presence of various bodies of rebels iu close prox: imity to the city Las been positively ascertained. Thero is quite a large force at Reisterstown, fifteen miles north. east of Balt OF), Learn tbe to Pikosvilie, only ton miles Prom the city. It ygg the fact of come Union cavalry soldiers being chased from Reisterstown [6 Pikes Ville lact evening by a squadron of rebel cavalry that gave rise to the alarm Inst night. Thore is another large boly ‘ aa at Sykesville ond Marriotisville, fifteen end Go: roventaet Pits Weet Of the city’, who are commanded by General Fitghugd Lee. This vilicer, with a large body of airy, after hig POE exploits at Fairfax and Ancan crossed the pRagine a & point seven miles above: ington, and at Com_s Ford early ov Sunday morn. ath inst.. and then p.* —— Gauen a fifteon vi , Wie." ya wagon north of Washington Ssh ‘rata of 8 wag ty RovON Wak) O20 thousand six ndred and teynty cight whive ¥ nine negro teams: 4, al! of whom General Lee then marebed Sortbwards to was engaged yestortay alter. were captured Sykesvile, whore he noon aud’ last night in destroying the Daltinore and lite force comsiated of 500 Cayalty ‘and twenty eight pieces of artillery, After he bad rege ed Sykesville, General Hooker, not knowing that fact, tor Frederick eity in a special train for Baitimore, ‘lad they reached Sykesvilie, General Ho ker would hay in evitably been captured. But the engineer of the train was warned in tim feturned with his train wo Fre. derick city. This ng Usere are detachments of this neral Lee's as far south as Sondy Spring and Colesville, ten of twelve miles irom /nnapolis Junesion, and sixteen miles | the Relay House. There is very Hide doubt that Genork! Fitzhugh Lee's next move wilt be tothe points last named, aod that he wiil endeavor there to cut and destroy the railroad which connects Washington and . ‘There are, of course, trooy posted along this road. How many it would not proper for me to sey. If tho administration really ‘wis! to. preserv city ond the reat of ¢ its Communication with the tho North, it bas the power to went Lee from cutting the road. The will to do 80 Fran that is wasted. I( the road ls cut it will be owing loly to the unskilful dispositions made of the who are eatable for ite. do eis i OUR COLUMBIA CORRESPONDENCE. Corumnra, Pa., June 30, 1863. ‘THE RXOTRMRNT. ‘The rebols having failen back to York, thore is not 80 much anxivty evinced here now for the safety of the city. A large number of mon were forced into the government service yesterday without authority, as the city was not placed under martial law. They were discharged this morning, aud left for their homes, having seon enough of war already in this vicinity. THR BNEMY'S PLKETA. There i# a strong picket of rebel cavairy on the hille back of Wrightsville, opposite here, who employ their time by galloping around tho hills and alarming tho people. They bebaved very well in Wrightsvilio, helping the citizens to put out the fire which our frightened militia had kindled. Some of our mon behaved most disgracefully. Colonel Thoméa’ rogiment of government pensioners fled in every dirce- tion upon the approach of tho enemy. Many of ihe moa ‘wore ignominiously captured, and the rest of thom are scattered al over the country for milos. THs COMMANDER MERE. Colonel J. G. Frick, who commands our forces here, has made as good a dofence of tho place aa could be expected, Ho i# ably seconded by Major Hel- Jer, of Lancaator, Thoy wore both connected with the Twonty-seventh rogimont Pennsylvania Volunteers, piae months drafted mon. Just before the robels entered York Sur,eon Palmer, at that piace, received a telegram ‘to know how many coavaleacents he bad who were fit for active service, Surgeon P. reported two hundred and ten mon for duty, and word waa sent back to organize thom into companios, and arms would bo sent them from Harrisburg. Those mon were armed, mado a fechle de- fence, and thea wore all captured and stripped by the rebels. Surgeon Palmer is travelling around York on pa- role. He wtil no doubt be taken to Richmond whoa the robels retroat. ‘TUE RENELA IN TORE. Conoral Early's division of rebo's are quartered at York moatly on the citizeus, who are beginning to ory out about tho exorbitant demands of Goneral Early. As you have already announced by telegraph, be has lovied on the people of York county for $100,000 in gol, besides a large quantity of flour, beef, pork and inolassos. yrom all that | could gather over ot Wrightaviile to- day, but little damage had been done to property any. whore by the rebols. They seem to act altogether aa if they wished to gain the good will of the people. They are loth to believe that we are so entirely uuprepared to resist invasion, and aay that wo are trying to got them into a trap. ‘They are well aware of a probabdie lack movement of the Army of (be Potomac, aud are very viguaat and care- {yl in consequence. OEYKRAY BARLY AND Ing DOMGH, Genera! Early ,who is now ip covamnnd at York, 1 quite a lion there He married yoars ago a yourg indy of York county named Miss Mcilvaine, when he + consuitic wweor for the Northern Central Railroad. It is sai that his wife s family are ail Union people of the stoutest kind of radieatiau, and they must fee! greatly humiliated by the presence of the re! in their midst. General Karly is & foe looking man, of modinm size, Ho 1s rachor a duil looking tollow; but his face exbibits innate craft beneath its etotidity. He woare a coarse looking white felc bat, ornamentod with a heavy black feather. He ia dressed in a handsome gray uai‘orm, and has bis passants of rank on the cost collar, They consist of one large silver star and two small ones. ANOTUBR ADVANCE. Deserters captured, or rather b: bere by our pick: ets to.day, report that the rebels are moving toward Mo. Call's Ferry, about twenty-seven miles below here, with © pontoon troim. The river is very narrow ot this point, und the direct road to Philadelphia from York is here, ‘The river is very Awift of currentat this point and be- low, at Veach Bottom, and it i# believed that the robes will find it a very bad place to attempt & crossing. The Fiver front at this point is guarded by the jundred and Twenty seventh Pou: vania Volunteers, under Major Stevens, with @ battory. rebels are very anxious to get to Philadelplia betore they are attacked by Gon Meade in foros. They cut the dam of the Schoyliill Wa. ter Works, and, depriving that city of water, de- mand its surrender. OUR MOVEMENTS, Every offurt ts betug mate bere for a strong defonce of the line of the £ A great pity t better leaders pints along the raitroads. i leary th heavy force from Praitadetphia will march to our aseistance to day and to- morrow. Governor Cortin and General Couch are very act ve, and the people are thoroughly aroused at last, " 0 BRIDUR, ir county, on the Mary- land Ine, i guarded by an foreg, gow. It is about | forty miles bolow this place, Colonel Uiiven Frrekts bas ordered his men to tear up the planking on a | rtio), and tho rest will be defended by our troops WIL TG REBELS RETERAT 1 believe Goneral I ae 18 now about tofall back from the line of the Susquehanna and concentrate his troops for battie in Maryland or Southern Pennsylvania, | believe, | howevor, thit desperate attempts will be made to destroy the Pennsyivania Central Ratiroad. The stock of the Poonsylvacta Railroad covers the Pan ae distance of thirty mues—{rom Downingtown to adel ptia. THE SEVENTY-PIRST IN PENNSYLVANIA. OUR HARRISHURG CORRABYONDENCE. Harawmns, June 30, 186% The Scare ant the Scamper—Reaciton—The Veterans of 1812—The Cidicons and the Seventy first—Our Marches. You may have hoard tho word “skededdie,” but I am sure you know fut Little of it# real meaning. Picture to yourself, if you can, along line of men, women, cows, sheep, chairs and babies, covered with a crowd of dust, trying bard to look tranquilly, but really appearing ridi culously “seared,” and you have the scene, which the “refugees” from Comberland county momentarity pre. © nt in their hurried flight across the Susquehanoa. When we iret arrived in this city, the apathy and livthess indir. fer -oce which ita inhabitants exhibited was truly pain. across the Suaquel) ghey would be tmmediatoly marched acroas the river. TNO Old mon of 1512 formed in the market place this dnowning, each with a loaded piece, aud a8 the s-amed and @ray haired yoterana went through the Company's movements, which mapy bad nigh forgotton, the scene in tts derrible and touching reality almoat approached the solomn. The Governor addressed thom, remarking at the same time upon the goodness of Providence for sending rain at such a time to swell tho river. ‘The Seventy -firet regiment New York State Militia haw indeed seeu hard, hard work, from tho time they left New York till now. They haye been in the extreme ad. ‘vance, and instead of looking like the prim, elastic step- pod “boys” they are when they are marching Broad ‘way, they now resemble huge, dirty looking, mud be- draggled ‘biue floas. Thoy have been driven gradually back before the advancing foe from Chambersburg to their present intrenchments, a distance of nearly sixty miles. Most of their marches have been made in the dead of night, accompanied by incossant rain and mud, mud, mud, followed by a cuvning and indomitable enemy, earnestly endeavoring to flank them. Onco the rebel pearly succeeded, and the Seventy first only ea- capod by spending “dnablo quick’? through floide of grow: ing grain, the rebels taking the road. On faturday they thought Mt last they were to have some rest, as they entered Oyater Point; but scarcely had they pitched their tents when the rebels commenced to sheil’ theta, The of course commenced an active retreat again. Se they have been on the constant move ever since they lore New York, never speuding scarcely a dozen hours in the same place; and, balieve me, none of them will regret the expiration of ‘those thirty days,”’ I must not forget the ladies of Harrisburg in this, their kindneas and generosity being beyond al! praise, and their constant and apprecia- ted attentions being unremitting. Their houses are thrown open to the boys, giving up their own beds te them, with moals always ready, and their whole conduct boing so warm and nobly patriotic ‘az to make them foot, in accepting their hospitalities, as if each man was con. ferring the favor. They express themselves in terms of ‘the loudest indignation towards the mon (?) of this elty for their tardiness in coming forward. GENERAL MILROY AND THE SHENANDOAR VALLEY OPERATIONS. 10 THE EDITOR OF THE HBRALD. Barmwors, Md., June 28, 1868. Trogret to see in your usually impartial and just sheet such sweeping denunciation of General Milroy, and so many misstatements in connection with the Winchester disaster. I am not a friend of General Milroy; have always had a most intense dislike for him as a politician, but give him credit for, sincere and unselfish devotion to the Union cause, and I also believe him to boa fighting man in the true sonse of the word, All the men in his command do him this justice, But I wish mogt partiou- larly to call your attention to the gross exagfierations of loss of meu and government property; I have been in Milroy’s command for the past three mouths, ‘and bave bad a good opportunity to jude of the number and character of his force. His wholo fighting force con. sisted of oloven regiments of infantry, all untried in the flory furnace of the battlo feld except; the Fifth Mary- land infantry, which, I understand. was at Antietam. ‘Those regiments would not average more than five bua- dred men each for active duty; throe regiments and three companies of cavalry, all—with the exception of the First New York or Lincoln cavairy—perfectly worthieas. Poor cavalry is only an encumbrance to & general; and General Milroy’s cavalry have been the ing stock of the val- ley, the First New York cavalry, with Col. McReynolda, at Berryville, about four bundred strong, being a noble exception. Three batteries of artillery and six siege guns—and there have Cd Milroy. Now for government proporty. dred wagons loaded commissary and ordnance stores made via Martinsburg and ‘town Hagors! ubout one hundred and seventy-five wagons, loaded: old tents and camp rubbish, wore captured by ¢he' '. the horses, however, having been saved: all thegwns were spiked and left in tho forts, the routes over which Milroy retreated vot aliowing of the moving of artillery. Not more than 2,000 mon were killed, wounded andoap- turod. I have visited Harper’s Forry and Bloody rua, Pevnsyivania, and found at least 5,000 0f Milroy’s com- mand at these places, The most serious loss at Winchos- tor is the artillery; but im sacrificing bis guns held the enemy in check for three days, thus.onabling the Wadh- joxton authorities to 6 preparations for the defecce of Pennsylvania and Maryland. That they ‘S Cortainfy not Milroy’s fault. Milroy hes, J understand, been relisved from much to the regret of the soldiers under nis command, who all have great confidence in him asa fighting geveral, such ens. to be the untycrsal opta- ion of all his soldiers. were severely handled.on Sunday and Monday, cors, captured by Captain Bailey, of the First New cavalry, near Ha wan cock, state that great havoc made in their ranks during their obarge onthe battery on Sunday evening, and that great exiow ‘a6 the whote m: twas intended command. ott THE VERY LATEST. All the latest @espatches from the seat of war in Pena- eyivania and Maryland may be found om the Teath page. The Pacific Railway, DavaRtMayr ov Tan Inranion, ‘Wasainarom, D. C., June 18, 1863. Martinus The propeiety of, immediately kyTLEMRX—The propri Pacific Railroad is not now a subject of doubt or vorsy with the je. That question was settled at, last Presidential election, the successful party being quivocally committed to its immodtate construction, Sih ted a ta at a abaolutoly pl wi whon the nation was a peace, how much that we are at war? T consider, thereforo, miuvisteation ts » to the = to tho extant of ita ability Stic Es Fel bi i i z = 3 i RE hi iL i = 5 i & in the hi honorable as secured armics. Without this road, the unto! and agricultural wealtn of thi continent will never be roalized. years since the public belief hesitated at the statements mado of immense mince of gold and silver in the which it must traverse, Put it is not in gold and alouo thas these regions abound. If we may boliove the people who ivhabit them, there are mountains of salt, saleratus, alum, copperas and brimstone, and inexhauati- bie stores ot every valuable mineral (with perhape, one excention) known in the nomenclature of art, All these exist in such vast quantities aa to tax the credulity oi man in the highest beiiof that bere pature certainly special laboratory of the globe. A conviction, however, has settled upon the minds of many, that tho countey. abounding in such wonderful miveral wealth , is » i : i i u'able mincral Li 2 great poverty im agricaltural resources. This a mistake, Bare are many tracia of fertile land ‘a is FO. gion, suMeient lo extent, when irrigated and into cultivation, to produce the necessary bread for its mit- lions of eventual pers. Still, with ail the kaowt- |, edge we have acquired ted, have rea'ly action. apd, naturally enough, it ts iaquiring the mont available route by which the result may be accompliah- ed. Upon this sub,cct it ia to be expected that there will be ® conflict of opinions, based upon such facts ay may opinions. The question is, Low the road—or, r: road—can most rapidly acd usefully be censtructed to the one bundre 1th meridian of Longtitude, designated b: Soest of Congress fee, tha eomeneneenas of toe Toad proper, acruss the great plains Ul that meridina fe reached by some road, the construc ba of the great middie division cannot be commenced in my own judgment, the Kansas advantages coy all others tyes resumes ite eastern direction toward the M! sippl. As we go towards the Pacific Geean, we gain bat little in our journey Weet by following the Missouri river above the mouta of the Kansas. Tve navigation does not improve 8 we ascend, and rel of wi frosts become of longer duration. Wat ne fore, with the river, and the sail constructed, in wholo or in part, to that poi lip pap ts v ‘the world, and is sbeneantly supplied with the timber and stone nece as the work progresses, (t may at once reasonably and te- croasingly accommodate the entire travel and commerce created by the mines of the Rocky Mountaine and the im- mense trade with New Mexioo, which baa 80 long formed ‘8 distinct feature in the business of the Missouri and Kan- saa frontior. Nor is it to be overiooked that the rich minerals of the latter territory and of Arizona will be coveted by thine now in rebellion against the government, and it may well be supposed that the public interest wilt beet be served in the location of the road upon that route whtom will enad'e the govornment, by tte armies and supplies, the most readily to reach any portion of those territories: where the disattected may be found. With the Pacific road completed also, we can realize the yet aon and (one bn and i tira} wealth of our explored interior, wu eultura: partially vi ne