Latest from the North.
We have interesting news from the latest Northern papers. In Baltimore there is much excitement in view of the successes of the Confederate arms. Seven persons had been committed to prison for ‘"treason,"’ one of them being charged with drinking the health of Stonewall Jackson, and another, a female, for cheering for Jeff. Davis. About five regiments a day are passing through to Washington. Among those who went through Friday were the 18th Maine, of which Vice-President Hamlin's son is Major, and the 28th Massachusetts. The latter was not uniformed. The famous New York 7th regiment had broken up camp on Federal Hill, and gone home to New York. The draft in Pennsylvania and Maryland has been postponed until the 15th inst. Great ‘"war meetings?"’ were held in New York and Boston on the 27th. At the former the 69th New York regiment were present, headed by Gen. Corcoran. They had been sent from Washington to create a sensation. In Boston speeches were made by Edward Everett, Robt. C. Winthrop, and other ‘"patriots."’ The frigate ‘"New Ironsides"’ has arrived at Fortress Monroe. Ex-Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, has joined a company as a private at Cambridge, Dorchester county, Md. D. A. Mabeancy, of the Dubuque Herald, who was arrested for treason, was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 3d Iowa district. The massacres by Indians in the West still continue. The St. Paul (Mina.) Press, of the 24th ult., says: ‘ A careful consideration so far forces the conviction of influence of white men at the bottom of the Indian massacre. For weeks past white men, chiefly Missourians, have been among them. The fact that remote tribes like the Yanktonias and Lantheads are moving in concert with the Stoux, and that a large force attacked a fortified artillery post like Fort Ridgaly which is an attack without president in Indian history, and that the Indians are butchering the missionaries who have spent their lives among them, and who would, in ordinary disturbances, possess great influence over them, forces us to the conclusion that this outbreak is a part of a deliberately concerted plan, its purpose being to embarrass and distract the General Government, by alarming it for the safety of the frontier, and requiring the retention here of a large number of troops who might otherwise be differently engaged. ’Federal account of Wednesday's fighting.
The Washington Star, of the 28th, contains the following account of the fight the day before: ‘ It turns out that the cannonading heard nearly all day yesterday, by persons in Fairfax county, was that of an engagement between Scanion's brigade, of Gen. Cox's division, and a force of the rebels, considerably outnumbering them, at Bull Run, the contest being for the possession of the railroad bridge at that point. We believe that the rebels retained possession of it at nightfall, but have every reason to think that Scanion must have dislodged them from it at an early hour this morning. Last night he certainly expected to be able to do so. Our impression is that his loss throughout the day's skirmishing was inconsiderable. ’ The main engagement of yesterday, however, was that of Hooker's division, with a considerable rebel force, at Bristow Station. It appears that the movement of the enemy on Friday, from the South bank of the Rappahannock, via Jeffersontown, in the direction of Little Washington, was actually designed to throw most of the rebel army across the Rappahannock at the base of the Blue Ridge. This was done, and it is this morning ascertained here that it was yesterday morning, probably, for the most part, massed at or near White Plains, in the valley between the Blue Ridge and Bull Run ranges, seven or nine miles northeast of Warrenton. At an early hour yesterday morning Hooker's division (doubtless dispatched to that point by Gen. Pope on account of the affair there the night before) came up with a large rebel force about Bristow Station, with whom he had a heavy engagement, lasting nearly all day. In the course of it Hooker drove the enemy, step by step, back to the vicinity of Manassas Junction. Our loss in killed, wounded and missing, in the day's engagement there, was about 300. Gen. Pope is said to regard the affair as a signal Union success. It is evident from these facts that the late skirmishes on the Rappahannock were little more than feints on the part of the rebels, who aimed to get in between Pope's army and the fortifications around Washington. We opine that having done so in a measure they will have rather a lively time in getting out of the position they have thus chosen. It is not proper for us to publish any facts concerning the movements of the vast Union army now in the enemy's rear, already made, to punish his temerity. We, however, know them to be such as to incline us to believe that a very few days will see the end of rebels in arms in Virginia. We may add, not improperly, we fear, that not only are the fortifications around this city so garrisoned, equipped and prepared as to enable them successfully to withstand any attack that such an army as that of the rebels might make upon them, but that there is also a large reserved force of disciplined, veteran troops, in such a position with reference to them as to make the assurance of their security doubly sure, even without the certain cooperation of the large Union force lately upon the Rappahannock. From the facts concerning the movements and positions of the rebels we narrate above, it is evident that their purpose is either to put Bull Run between themselves and Pope's army, and while essaying to prevent (with a comparatively small force) the latter from crossing it, to assail us in and about our fortifications; or else to attempt to cross over into Maryland, marching via Leesburg. Twenty-four hours, at furthest, will surely solve this problem of their present aims. It matters not which scheme the rebels have in view, as either must inevitably fail, met as it will be by our two united great armies, and the troops in the fortifications immediately surrounding this city.Further particulars.
One of the New York batteries, belonging to Sturgis's corps, under Capt. Van-Putcamer, was at Manassas on Tuesday night, and lost four or six pieces in the fight with the Confederates, being surrounded and having neither infantry nor cavalry support. The 12th Pennsylvania cavalry escaped or skedaddled, and came into Alexandria with few missing, about 9 o'clock last night. They behaved badly. On Wednesday (yesterday) morning early, Gen. Taylor's brigade, (1st, 2d, 3d and 4th New Jersey volunteers,) of Major-General Slocum's division of the Army of the Potomac, was sent by rail to Manassas. The troops landed at Bull Run bridge and marched to Manassas; on approaching which place they met a line of rebel skirmishers, who fell back before them. The brigade continued its march, and on coming within the circle of fortifications at the Junction, which they had no idea were occupied, a heavy, concentrated fire of artillery was opened upon them from three different directions. Gen. Taylor had no artillery or cavalry, that of the division not having arrived from the Peninsula, and was consequently obliged to retire out of range behind a sheltering ridge. While here it is reported that they warmly engaged a brigade of rebel infantry. At length seeing a large force of rebel cavalry making toward Bull Run bridge, with the evident intention of intercepting his retreat, Gen. T. with drew his troops across Black burn's Ford. To this point the enemy pursued him with horse artillery, pouring canister into his ranks with some damage, wounding, among others, the General severely and his son slightly, and killing Lieut. Blume, of the 2d New Jersey regiment. This brigade was a small, weak one, not numbering over 1,500 effective men. Its loss at Gaines's Mill was very severe, and in the present affair it was almost without officers. Its loss is not known, but it is prettty severe. We hear that the postmaster at Fairfax Court-House arrived here at an early hour this morning, having packed up his goods and mails and left last evening in apprehension of a Confederate raid upon that point. He saw a bright light in that direction after he left, and thinks some buildings had been fired there. No confirmation of such apprehensions have been received here up to the time of going to press with the second edition of the Star. nor of the report afloat of a battle at Centreville, though the fact of some skirmishing there is not improbable. We have information that the enemy was encamped some twenty or thirty thousand strong at Gainesville, near Manassas Junction, at 2 o'clock yesterday morning. A large portion of Taylor's New Jersey brigade was captured at Fairfax Station by the rebel cavalry, some five hundred of which were seen between Centreville and Fairfax Court House yesterday noon, and are supposed to be the same that made the above capture. From the fact that the enemy last night burned the bridges at Accotink and Pope's Run, it is supposed that they are moving off in some other direction, and wish to avert pursuit.Pope's official report.
As soon as I discovered that a large force of the enemy was turning our right toward Manassas, and that the division I had ordered to take post there two days before had not yet arrived from Alexandria, I immediately broke up my camp at Warrenton Junction and Warrenton, and marched rapidly back, in three columns. I directed McDowell, with his own and Sigel's corps, to march upon Gainesville by the Warrenton and Alexandria pike; Reno and one division of Heintzelman to march on Greenwich; and, with Porter's corps and Hooker's division, I marched back to Manassas Junction. McDowell was ordered to interpose between the forces of the enemy which had passed down to Manassas through Gainesville and his main body, moving down from White Plains through Thoroughfare Gap. This was completely accomplished, Long-street, who had passed through the Gap, being driven back to the west side. The forces to Greenwich were designed to support McDowell in case he met too large a force of the enemy. The division of Hooker, marching to wards Manassas, came upon the enemy near Kettle Run, on the afternoon of the 27th, and, after a sharp action, routed them completely, killing and wounding 300, capturing camps and baggage, and many stand of arms. This morning the command pushed rapidly to Manassas Junction, which Jackson had evacuated three hours in advance. He retreated by Centreville, and took the turnpike toward Warrenton.--He was met six miles west of Centreville by McDowell and Sigel late this afternoon. A severe fight took place, which was terminated by darkness. The enemy was driven back at all points, and thus the affair rests. Heintzelman's corps will move on him at daylight from Centreville, and I do not see how the enemy is to escape without heavy loss. We have captured one thousand prisoners, many arms and one piece of artillery. John Pope, Major-General.
Newspaper dispatches.
The Baltimore American, of the 29th, has a letter dated Alexandria, 3 o'clock, on the 28th, which says troops are being rapidly pushed forward from there. Gen. George B. McClellan had visited Washington, and accepted the command of the Army of Virginia. Fugitives from Manassas and Fairfax report that a conflagration was visible in the direction of the latter place, and it was supposed that the Government stores had been destroyed. It is also said that the rebels have destroyed the bridge over Accotink creek, which is five miles this side of Manassas, Bull Run, and Centreville. Gen. Hooker's brigade is reported to have checked the advance of the rebels at Centreville, and driven them back to Manassas. General Pope is beyond Manassas, cut off from Washington. Gen. Burnside and Gen. Porter's corps had landed at Aquia creek. It is also said that Gen. Ewell has penetrated to the rear of Gen. Pope, and occupies the left bank of the Occoquan river. A large force is marching to meet them, and to assist in opening a way to Gen. Pope and to Gen. Burnside. If the movement is successful, it will doubtless place the rebel army in a worse position than that which the main body of our troops in now in, as they can, if necessary, fall back to Fredericksburg and reach Washington by river. On the other hand, if Jackson is cut off, his army may be scattered and destroyed. The movement of the rebels is a bold, but a most hazardous one.[dispatches to the, New York Tribune.]
Washington, Aug. 29.
--The enemy advanced their lines several miles last night, driving our pickets before them.
They burned the railroad bridge at Fairfax Station, and took Falls Church, which they hold with cavalry and infantry this morning.
It is reported by contrabands that they completed their work of destruction of everything at Manassas yesterday.
Stonewall Jackson is in command, according to the most trustworthy accounts, and an escaped prisoner reports that that General slept at Falls Church last night.
Nearly all the Quartermasters and Commissaries of McClellan's army are in Alexandria this morning, thus leaving that portion of the army of the Potomac that joined Pope without supplies of any kind.
All the supply trains of Gens. Banks, Slegell McDowell, and Heintzelman, with a part of Gen. Porter's were exposed to the rebel attack at Centreville, and would undoubtedly have been captured on Wednesday night, had it not been for the heroic resistance of one company of the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry, who protected their retreat.--They are now under the protection of the guns of the forts in front of Washington.
Aquia creek is not taken by the enemy, as reported yesterday.
Gen. Meagher came from there last night Gen. Burnside has been engaged for a day and a half in removing all the Government property from there, and in preparing the place for defence.
He thinks he will be able to hold it. The only access to Gen. Pope, in the event of Aquia creek being taken, will be to fight a way up the Rappahannock with gunboats, and join him from Fredericksburg.
We had 1,200 to 1800 sick and wounded at Falls Church, and if the enemy occupies the place permanently, these will become prisoners.
We sent out a train yesterday toward Manassas for our wounded, (the third experiment of the kind since the battle of Bull Run, the other two being fired into,) and succeeded in bringing off a hundred of the slightly wounded and sick who had stolen through the rebel lines.
The names will be sent this evening.
Another effort, under a flag of truce, will be made this morning.
An attack will probably be made on the rebel lines to-day, with the intention of opening communication to Gen. Pope.
There is much confusion in the Army of the Potomac at Alexandria, horses and baggage being very much scattered, and many of the men, unfit for service.
No officer of the 11th Ohio was injured in the recent fight at Union Mills Bridge, except Lieut. Alexander, Adjutant, shot in the bowels, supposed mortal, and left at Fairfax Station.
Later.--Later news comes in as I write — will go to you in detail with this; but all the evidence is cumulative at the point of the rebel advance in strength, and their purpose first to break every means of communication between the capital and Pope; then to march straight on the capital.--Every bridge on the railway is destroyed; they hold every strategic point within the centre; they are beyond all question within the mountains with their whole army.
The Battles in Northern Virginia--interesting accounts from Northern papers — Conflicting statements, &C., &C.
The latest Northern papers bring us the Federal accounts of the retreat of Pope, and his engagements with our forces. A series of dispatches in the New York Herald, dated Washington, the 29th, give an interesting history of what the Yankees say has been done: First then, after the battle of Cedar Mountain the forces under Stonewall Jackson withdrew from the vicinity of Rapidan, and were for some days unheard of, except that a strong force was in the vicinity of Madison Court-House, some 12 miles to the westward, in the direction of Luray and the Shenandoah Valley; but it was supposed that this was only a wing of the army under Ewell, intended to act as reserves to Jackson a army, and to cover his retreat back to Gordonsville. Not so, however. These forces of Ewell we now find, to our surprise, were the main body of Jackson's army en route for the Shenandoah Valley. Jackson, with a force of 35,000 men, was to march via the Shenandoah river, to a point known as Berryville, or Berry's ford, some 28 miles northwest from Warrenton. Gen. Lee, with the bulk of the rebel army, was to take the front, left and right, and engage Gen. Pope at or near the Rapidan, while Jackson and Ewell were to cross the Shenandoah river and mountains, cut off his supplies by way of the railroad, and menace his rear. But when Jackson had reached Gordonsville and Madison Court-House, it was found that General Pope had penetrated further into Virginia than was expected. Gen. Lee, with the main army, had not yet come up, and it was feared that if Jackson continued on, as per programme, Gen. Pope would reach Gordonsville before Lee's arrival, and thus cut off his (Jackson's) supplies. Consequently Jackson threw a part of his army directly in General Pope's track at Cedar creek, hoping to check his advance across the Rapidan, and the battle of Cedar Mountain was fought.--You will bear in mind that Jackson continued to hold the field until Monday night; but on Tuesday morning he was gone, and, as our scouts brought in word that a large rebel army was at Gordonsville and Orange Court-House, it was believed that Jackson had retreated in that direction. But not so. Jackson had moved off through Madison Court-House, and the immense rebel forces at Gordonsville and Orange were the main army, under General Lee, who had arrived from Richmond. When Jackson left Cedar Mountain he proceeded immediately to Madison Court-House, where he rejoined Ewell. Then the reunited army marched to Luray, in the Shenandoah Valley, thence northward to Berry's ford, where he crossed, while Lee was keeping General Pope engaged in front. Lee's plan was to keep Pope between the Rapidan and the Rappahannock rivers until Jackson had attained his position at Manassas (or perhaps at Rappahannock bridge); but General Pope's retreat to the Rappahannock's north bank frustrated that design, and rendered it necessary for Lee to follow up his advantage, and, by a system of feints, to take General Pope's attention from his rear and divert it to his front. Gen. Jackson crossed the Shenandoah at Berry's Ford on Wednesday, 20th, and immediately started across towards Warrenton; but when he had proceeded a few miles he learned that Pope had fallen back, and that Sigel, with the right of our army, was in occupancy of Warrenton Springs. Then he changed his course further to the northward, and on Friday night encamped twelve miles north of Warrenton and two miles west of the main road leading to Winchester. Here strong pickets were thrown out, and every human being for miles around was taken into camp and retained in durance. That night a body of cavalry under Gen. Stuart pushed in to Catlett's Station and surprised and destroyed the staff train of Gen. Pope, the particulars of which have already been given to your readers. On Sunday and Monday General Jackson, with his army, moved forward, and on Tuesday reached Centreville, from whence the force of Wm. Fitz Hugh Lee moved on to Manassas the same night, Jackson following the next day, so that on last Wednesday evening we find forty thousand rebels in Gen. Pope's rear on the railroad, his supplies cut off, and he hemmed in by his foes on the front, rear, and flank. Not all, however, of Jackson's army are at Manassas, as a force, variously estimated at from five to ten thousand men, mostly or quite all cavalry, continued on down the Shenandoah in the direction of Harper's Ferry when Jackson moved toward Manassas. Of this force I learn but little since their departure from Berry's ford; but I am of opinion their design is to cross the Potomac into Maryland, or to divert attention from the more important fields of Virginia Already we hear of a rebel force being in the rear of Winchester and between that place and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and it is more than probable this is the first appearance in a new quarter of this offshoot of Jackson's army. The idea we had indulged in here, that the capture of Manassas was only a successful raid by a body of rebel guerrillas, is now dissipated. Jackson again occupies Manassas in force. He has captured and destroyed a vast amount of property — how much it is impossible to say; but this much is now known: there are eleven locomotives and eighty-four cars beyond the break. The Bull Run bridge is destroyed, as are two or three others of the vicinity. General Pope's movements for the past three days we know but little of, as the rebels have destroyed our railroad and telegraphic communication; but I learn from people who left Burke's station at 11 o'clock to-day, that a terrible cannon fight was then raging, and that General Pope was at Bristow station, three miles beyond Manassas.--I am of the opinion, if this story be true, General Pope has changed front, and is trying to flank the enemy in the Northwest, while McClellan is coming upon them from the East. Evidently, as I write, a terrible battle is raging, and on its result must hinge this war. If we are successful, that part of the army under Jackson must be annihilated, and that under Lee defeated; and if we are not successful, and the rebels overpower us, God alone can foresee the future of the republic. But we are hopeful; for thank God and President Lincoln's backbone, McClellan is again at the head of the army, as the telegraph has already informed you.Excitement in Washington.
Washington, Aug. 28.
--This morning there was a great excitement, not only in military circles, but throughout the city, occasioned by the information that a large rebel force had been thrown between the army of General Pope and Washington.
The facts, as ascertained from reliable sources, are as follows:
On Wednesday night, as has been detailed else-where, an attack was made upon Bristow Station, and else at Manassas Junction.
Our forces at the latter point, composed exclusively of raw troops, were dispersed.
Some of our scouts who ranged through the woods to ascertain the exact condition of affairs, saw at Gainesville, ten miles beyond Manassas, a rebel encampment which they estimated at from 20,000 to 30,000.
The rebel forces, composed of cavalry and infantry, occupied Manassas all that night.
Yesterday morning they advanced, and had in their possession seven cannon, captured from our forces at Manassas.
Gen. Taylor's brigade, composed of the 1st, 2d 3d and 4th New Jersey regiment were proceeding towards the Junction, and when about three-quarters of a mile beyond the railroad bridge across Bull Run, upon the road leading to Manassas Junction, they fell into an of the rebels, who were formed in a semi-circle with artillery in the centre, and infantry upon the 10th sides.
It is said that the brigade was awkwardly handled.
At any rate, it is known that almost all were either killed or captured.
From 150 to 200 stragglers have escaped and come in up to this time Gen. Taylor, commanding the brigade, was seriously wounded, and his leg has since been amputated.
At a little distance from the point where the New Jersey brigade was ambuscaded, the 11th and 12th Ohio regiments were met by another rebel force and badly cut up.
Until dark last night the rebels had destroyed nothing upon the line of the railroad; but during the night they burned the bridges across the Accotink and at Pope's Head.
The scouts reported some five hundred rebel cavalry on their way from Centreville to Fairfax Court-House.
This statement has been verified from other reliable sources and official reports.
Information has also been received that a force, estimated at six thousand rebels, last night occupied Vienna.
And at Leesburg it is known also that during the night a rebel cavalry force entered Leesburg and made prisoners of a portion of Capt. Means's company of Union troops being raised at that point.--It is supposed that the rebel force at Leesburg were a party of guerrillas residing in the vicinity, who were emboldened by the near approach of the rebel army to make a demonstration against Means's men, who were very obnoxious to the Secessionists in that neighborhood.
The whole country from Manassas Junction to the Rappahannock river is occupied by bands of guerrillas regular or irregular, and communication between General Pope's army and either Fredericksburg or this city has been temporarily suspended.
It is stated to-night that Bull Run is swollen to such an extent from the recent heavy rains that all the bridges have been swept away, and the rebel force on this side is in danger of being bagged.--There is reason to believe that they have already been attacked by a portion of General Pope's army, and the preparations made here will certainly result in the capture or destruction of this entire rebel force, unless they should prove more active in their movements than it is believed they can be.
