The Daily Dispatch: July 14, 1864., [Electronic resource]

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The War news.

The public mind was happily affected yesterday morning by the news from Maryland, furnished by a Washington paper of the 10th inst. For the time, Grant and Petersburg were forgotten, and nothing was thought of or talked of but Baltimore, Monocracy Bridge, Lew Wallace, and the invasion of the North. The situation in Georgia and the safety of Atlanta ceased to be a topic of conversation, and everybody was discussing the probable effect of the present skillful and well executed movement upon the issue of the campaign of 1864. It seems that a Confederate force has advanced quietly and almost without opposition many miles into the enemy's territory, destroying railroads and bridges, and levying, contributions upon the people at will, and the latest news we have through the Northern papers is that a body of troops drawn up to dispute the advance was defeated and driven back in confusion. When Northern journals admit this much, we may be sure that the victory was decisive and complete, and attended with important results.

The Yankee accounts say that "active arrangements are being made in anticipation of an emergency which it is confidently believed is only barely possible, not probable." These "active arrangements" doubtless have reference to an apprehended uprising of the people of Baltimore, and may include the planting of cannon in the streets and other measures to enforce "loyalty" in the Monumental City. At all events, it is apparent that the authorities there were terribly frightened, and busily concerting measures for the safety of the place.

The Brig Gen. Tyler who was captured at Monocracy is probably the same individual who figured at Manassas in July, 1861, and has since that time been holding some position in Baltimore. Col. Seward is said to be a son of the Yankee Secretary of State, though we are only positive that he has some relationship to the wily premier.

A letter from Winchester, dated July 7th, says that a body of Confederate troops is between Harrisburg and Baltimore, that Harry Gilmore with his command is at Gunpowder river, between Philadelphia and Baltimore, and that Bradley Johnson is operating at Annapolis Junction, between Baltimore and Washington.

Frederick City is the capital of Frederick county, Maryland, situated on Carroll's creek, about two miles from its entrance into Monocracy river, and sixty miles west of Baltimore. Its population is about 8,000. A branch railroad, three miles long, connects it with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near the Monocracy viaduct. The road from Baltimore to Wheeling passes through the city. Monocracy bridge is some fifty six miles from Baltimore by railroad and about forty by turnpike, and about the same distance from Washington. Monrovia is a station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, six miles east of Monocracy. Annapolis junction is only seventeen miles from Baltimore. Gunpowder river is about half way between Baltimore and Havre de Grace, Maryland; is a wide stream near its mouth, where it is crossed by the trestle work of the Baltimore and Philadelphia Railroad.

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Rumors.

It was currently reported yesterday morning that after the defeat of Wallace at Monocracy bridge, our forces in Maryland encountered General Couch, who had been sent out from Baltimore with reinforcements, defeated him, and took him prisoner. This rumor was invented by some imaginative person, who probably desired to keep up the excitement. Late in the evening it was reported that a letter had been received from a Confederate officer in Maryland, announcing that our forces were within sight of the outer fortifications of Baltimore, and still "marching on." The latest report was brought by an officer from Petersburg. He stated that a New York Herald, of the 11th, had been received in that city, which furnished information that the "rebels" had met and defeated a Federal force at the Relay House, and were advancing upon Baltimore in two columns.

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The capture of Martinsburg.

We have received some additional particulars of the capture of Martinsburg, on the 31 inst. Our forces entered the place in the evening; the enemy, some 7,000 strong, all 100 day men, with the exception of 700 regular cavalry, retreated hurriedly on the Harper's Ferry road. Immense quantities of supplies fell into our hands, with $1,000,000 worth of medical and a large amount of commissary stores, including 100,000 bushels of corn and oats. Merchants and sutlers had collected there immense stores, preparatory to forwarding them to Richmond for sale, as they deemed the capture of this place a fixed fact. These were appropriated by the Confederates. No. casualties occurred on our side, except the slight wounding of Lieut. Breckinridge in the leg. Some ten or twelve Yankees were killed.

The Union element in that county is said to be strong. But few Southern families remain in Martinsburg. The citzens supplied the Yankee prisoners with all the luxuries they could procure, and the same spirit was exhibited on the road from Martinsburg to Winchester. Yet the few Southern men in the country are firm and unwavering in their devotion to the cause.

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The first prisoners.

Eight Yankee prisoners, captured by Mosby at Monocracy Junction, Md., arrived at Lynchburg on Sunday night. Among them is the son of Harbuck, one of the largest shipping merchants of New York city. Two hundred and twenty prisoners, captured at Martinsburg, and sixty captured at Aldle, Loudoun county, have arrived at the same place.

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Mosby's raid on Duffield's Depot.--

The dashing Mosby made a very successful raid on Duffield's Depot, a station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, six miles west of Harper's Ferry. He sent in a flag of truce demanding the surrender of the place, and the citizens came out to inquire upon what conditions the enemy would be allowed to surrender. Mosby replied, "unconditionally, and that very quickly. "--Whereupon the Yankee force of 82 men surrendered. Mosby, also, captured 30 horses, and gathered many spoils.

At the Point of Rocks the same command captured a railroad train and fired into an engine.

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From the Southside.

There is no news of importance from the lines in front of Petersburg. The usual shelling was kept up yesterday with some vigor, but otherwise all was quiet.

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Interesting from Charleston.

The following dispatch from the officer in command at Charleston was received yesterday:

Charleston, July 12th, via Petersburg, July 13th.
To Gen. G. T. Beauregard:

The enemy attacked Battery Simpkins last night, and were repulsed. We have driven them from John's Island. Their fleet dropped down last night below Battery Island. All the available force of the enemy from Jacksonville has been operating against this place since the 2d instant.--Major General Foster is commanding in person.

S. Jones, Maj. Gen.

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A capture by the enemy.

On Tuesday morning, about 4 o'clock, fifty Yankees came ashore at Cox's wharf, on the north side of James river, about thirteen miles below Richmond, and surprised an outpost picket composed of twenty-five men of the City Battalion. The enemy succeeded in capturing fourteen of the number, including a commissioned officer and a sergeant in charge of the detachment. Capt. John Maxwell, of the C. S. Navy, was near at hand with a wagon, containing some professional implements, which also fell into the hands of the enemy, but he succeeded in saving his horse.

From the gentleman who gave us the above information, we learn that the Yankee fleet is laying quietly at the lower side of Dutch Gap. It is composed of three 1-turreted and one 2-turreted monitors, two large side-wheel steamers, two propellers, and one small side-wheel steamer. --Last week a transport landed a quantity of supplies on the south side of the river, which were taken up by a wagon train and conveyed to Butler's army.

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From Georgia.

An official dispatch from Gen. Johnston states that matters are comparatively quiet in front of Atlanta, the only hostilities that have lately transpired being some artillery practice at long range across the Chattahoochee. The enemy doubtless have possession of some of the fords on the river.

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Arrest of Citizens of Gloucester.

Although we have a well authenticated report that the Yankees have withdrawn their forces from Gloucester county, they have not altogether ceased their annoyances and depredation upon the people. On a recent occasion a party landed at Cappadocia wharf, and proceeded after midnight to the residences of Jefferson Stubbs, Mr. Barron, and Jefferson Hughes, and took those gentlemen prisoners. Mr. Barron, being roused up at the dead of night, properly determined upon an effort to defend himself and keep off the intruders, and with that object in view fired upon them, according to report, with fatal effect, one of the Yankees being killed. The fire was returned, and Mr. Barron received a severe wound, which, it is reported, resulted in his death. Though his act was perfectly justifiable, he would doubtless, had he survived, have met an ignominious fate through the sentence of a drum-head court-martial. Messrs. Stubbs and Hughes were taken to Yorktown, and what became of them subsequently is unknown. The houses of these gentlemen were searched, and at Mr. Stubbs's some papers found connecting him with the sequestration proceedings of the Government, which will be made a pretext for holding him in captivity; but in regard to the charges alleged against the others we have no information.