We have heard nothing from the sent of war to indicate any material change of affairs since our last report.
There was a rumor afloat yesterday that the troops of
Gen. Jackson had again captured
Harper's Ferry, with an immense amount of valuable stores, but from what we know of the position of
Gen. Jackson's forces as late as Friday morning we are satisfied that the rumor has no foundation in fact.
The force of the enemy at
Harper's Ferry is variously estimated, some persons placing it as high as 26,000, and others as low as 5,000.
A gentleman who left
Winchester on Friday, and
Charlestown on Thursday, says that everything was quiet in the
Valley when he left.
The enemy made an advance from
Harper's Ferry on Sunday last, and came out as far as
Rippon, five miles southwest of
Charlestown, on the
Berryville road.
Their force was estimated at 5,000.
Their mission seems to have been one of robbery more than anything else.
Horsed and other stock were stolen from parties living along the road, and in one instance some thirty fat hops were driven from their pens, some of which were slaughtered on the road side.
In Charlestown, what few goods were in the stores were thrown into the streets, and every species of vandalism that could well be imagined committed.
A dispatch from
Winchester, dated Friday, says that there is now so enemy in the
Valley, except at
Harper's Ferry, and that the country is clear to the
Potomac.
Forty Yankee privates and six officers were captured on Thursday.
Reports represent that the enemy have retreated beyond
Warrenton, and they are believed to be back to the border.
On Thursday our cavalry had a skirmish with the enemy about three North of
Warrenton, in which four Yankees were killed, some ten or twelve wounded, and eight captured. Our loss in the skirmish was one killed and three wounded.
