[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Invasion of the Valley.
Winchester, March 5, 1862.
The Valley has been invaded by three hostile armies, all, seemingly, converging to this point.
On Friday last Charlestown was occupied by the column of General Banks's army.
The force at this time there is variously estimated from four to twelve thousand. Gen. Hamilton was in command at Charlestown when the latest authentic intelligence was brought from there.
General Banks had not yet arrived.
Several arrests have been made of citizens of Jefferson county.
On Saturday night two regiments of infantry, with cavalry and artillery, under the command of Col. Leonard, took possession of Martinsburg, in the county of Berkeley. Four additional regiments have since been added to his force.
Many arrests have been made in Berkeley — amongst others, Daniel Burkhart, President of the Bank of Berkeley; Geo. H. Murphy, States Attorney; Dr. P. J. McGary, Samuel Alburtis, editor of the Republican, &c. The enemy is in considerable force at Paw Paw, in the county of Morgan, and also further up the river in Hampshire. Col. Ed. McDonald, of the latter county, who arrived here to-day, estimates their numbers at ten thousand, under the command of Gen. Lander, (since dead.) This column of attack, has not the advantage of the McAdamized roads which the two others have, and is slower in its progress.
General Jackson with his gallant army to here, and presents the only obstacle to the entire occupation of this productive and Parfamed Valley.
We are daily expecting reinforcements.
Notwithstanding the powerful force now converging upon us, it is the unanimous wish of Jackson's army to meet them and try with them the chances of battle; whether they will be indulged in this patriotic desire, rests with the commanding General, and must depend upon events not yet ascertained.
The combined forces of the enemy at this time, in this Valley, cannot be short of thirty thousand.
Whilst its primary object is the occupation of this Valley, it cannot be doubted that it is intended to co-operate in movements East of the Blue Ridge and in the direction of Richmond.
Charlestown to the East, and Martinsburg to the North, are each 22 miles from this place, and Lander's forces to the West, about 30 miles distant from us. 