The Daily Dispatch: September 20, 1862., [Electronic resource]

Camp star Martinsburg, Sept. 12th, 1862.

Since leaving Richmond many incidents have come to my knowledge, which, perhaps, many of four renders would like to know. Jackson's corps crossed the Potomac on the morning of Friday, the 5th of this month. The ford was more than half a mile, and to me, whilst observing the passage of the troops, it seems as if I was suddenly transported to the times of ancient history. The whole river seemed alive with troops pressing forward, each eager to place his foot on the soil of Maryland before his comrades. The next day we entered Frederick City to the great joy of many good hearts, who had been long looking anxiously for our coming.

We captured a considerable amount of hospital and army stores; also, some 200 or 300 sick, together with their attendants, the troops stationed at the place having taken flight the night before, after burning an amount of stores. The sick were paroled and passed across the lines. Many of the citizens, presuming upon our barbarity, took precipitate retreat with the Yankee troops. The citizens were much surprised that we arrested none, not even the strongest Union men, and on that account were inclined to look much more favorably upon us. They were prepared to see us drag the leading Unionists from their houses and murder them publicly on the streets; you may well imagine, then, their surprise when they found themselves unmolested and even with guards at their doors to protect them from intrusion.

Whilst there about 1,800 Marylanders enlisted in our army. Many came down from Pennsylvania and joined. I saw a squad of eight Pennsylvanians myself, who reported numbers of others as on their way to join us. A large iron bridge near that place on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, was blown up, thus effectually breaking the connection for some time yet to come.

At Boonesboro' Russell's cavalry company charged upon Gen. Jackson and staff, who were riding on in front of the lines, captured the horses of two or three officers who were taking dinner at the hotel, and made off before they could be captured. I learned at Williamsport, the residence of Capt. Russell, that he was wounded in the month during the skirmish.

The enemy retreated from Martinsburg to Harper's Ferry yesterday, where, no doubt, they will be compelled to make a stand. It is thought that their whole force at that place will be captured.

The trip into Maryland was a very fortunate one for us. Most of the troops have provided them selves with good shoes, clothes, &c. It was quite diverting the day we entered Frederick to see the boys eating watermelons. They were the first we had seen, and there were a quantity of them, at cheap rates. At every corner, and, in fact, at almost every door, you might see a party eagerly devouring them. By evening the pavement was so covered with the seed and finds that one could scarcely walk without falling.