Our army correspondence.
Winchester, Va., July 22.
The necessary restriction under which the correspondents of the press have placed themselves since our army left its position in line of battle between Hagerstown and William, port, lost some important movement should unwittingly be brought to the knowledge of the enemy, accounts for the meagerness of information you have received within the past ten days; otherwise much could have been communicated that would have interested the expectant public.
Since the return of the army to Virginia, the Yankee cavalry have lined the section of country on the Potomac between Williamsport, Martinsburg, and Harper's Ferry, reconnoitering, and endeavoring to penetrate the movements and designs of Gen. Lee; but the activity and vigilance of our cavalry have kept them at bay and thwarted their purpose.
This proximity of "the eyes and ears" of the opposing armies, as may be supposed, has led to frequent collisions, but as yet of an unimportant character.
Skirmishing is of daily occurrence; but since the fight at Shepherdstown, which was much severer than it was characterized by some of the papers, the enemy seem to have avoided another general engagement of the kind.
On Monday last the Unionists, as well as Secessionists, in and around Martinsburg were a little surprised at the reappearance in the vicinity of the splendid corps of Gen. Ewell.
Information had been received by us that a force of the enemy's infantry and cavalry, several thousand strong, and which some estimated as high as ten thousand, were encamped near the town, Gen. Ewell set out in that direction to cut off and capture them.
He succeeded in arriving within sight of their camp fires, at a distance, when Early, with his division, was ordered to make a detour to the left, for the purpose of flanking and getting in their rear.
Unfortunately, before the movement could be consummated, the enemy got wind of it, and illustrated the science of "skedaddling" after the most approved Yankee style.
The timely notice the enemy received of this movement — of which there can be no imprudence now in speaking, is due less to their own vigilance than to the Unionists, who are almost as thick in that section of the State bordering on the Potomac as they are in Massachusetts.
A refugee from the neighborhood represents that they are very bitter, and many in league with the worst enemies of their State and section, have gone to the extremity of arming themselves.
From the movements of both armies on the military chess board another desperate pitch battle, very soon, seems inevitable.
The enemy are reported to have crossed at Edwards's Ferry, intending and hoping to accomplish the grand finale of "bringing up" at Richmond.--But, as they have failed in six efforts, we may reasonably assure ourselves they will make an abortion of the seventh.
Doubtless the Commander in Chief has long since penetrated their designs, and made his dispositions accordingly.
Our army was never in better condition.
Its high morale, healthfulness, the cheerfulness with which they endure the privations of the march and bivouac day after day and night after night, and above all, the anxiety which each man manifests to meet the insolent foe once more on an equal and open field, is most gratifying, and affords the highest assurance that the "Army of Northern Virginia" will maintain its glorious prestige.
As in Pennsylvania and Maryland recently, so once more on the soil of Virginia, made more classic and historic by their deeds, will they come cheerfully and fully up to every and all requirements of their leaders.
This is not the language of common-place compliment, but what is patent to one who has the opportunity of observing it every day, The reverse at Gettysburg, though by no means a defeat, and Meade's negative victory, by which he saved his army from annihilation, and too badly crippled to accept the gauge of battle at Hagerstown afterwards, and the deliberate withdrawal of Gen. Lee across the Potomac, all attest the never flinching determination of the rank and file of our army, and the unbounded confidence reposed in them by their able leaders.
A little over 300 prisoners were started to-day on to Richmond.
Most of them are Milroy's "weary boys," who were "picked up"during and after the storming of the fortifications here by Early's division.
A considerable number yet remain in the hospital, physically unable to be removed.
They have been paroled.
P. S.--During Gen. Ewell's late visit to Martinsburg a portion of his corps were occupied in completing the destruction of the Baltimore and Ohio road, &c. 