Latest from the North:
We have received New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore papers of the 11th inst — Among the items gleaned from them is a report in the New York Herald, of the 11th, that Secretary Seward is about to resign and take a mission to Stope. This news is given the benefit of a very large type heading in the telegrams of that paper. After the nomination of Hon. Horatic Seymour for Democratic Governor of New York, he made a ‘"stirring speech,"’ denouncing the ‘"radical legislation"’ of Congress.The seat of War in Maryland--"capture" of a town--Gens.Lee and Jackson at Frederick — the Confederates at Hagerstown.
The National Intelligence says that the ‘"rebels"’ have ‘"fallen back"’ from in front of McClellan, who has advanced to within six miles of Poolesville. A dispatch says that the Federal cavalry had ‘ "captured"’ Barnesville, about seven miles from Frederick. A force of from 5,000 to 20,000 Confederates were reported to be at New Market, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, about nine miles from Frederick. They are said to be under the command of Gen Fitzhugh Lee. The Confederates were entrenching themselves at Monocracy, and had blown up the bridge there. They had entered York county. Pa. The report from there says they are in ‘"a state of great destitution, and shoeless."’ Their intentions are thus described in a letter from Baltimore, September 10th: They were to invade Pennsylvania with a force so strong as to make resistance on the part of the Pennsylvanians troops unavailing; to proceed to Harrisburg and capture that city; to destroy, if possible, the Pennsylvania Central Railroad; to strike for the town of York, Pennsylvania, and to destroy the railroad leading from Harrisburg to Baltimore, and to destroy also a portion of the railroad between Baltimore and Havre de Grace so as to cut off all communication by railroad between Baltimore and the North. The Baltimore American, of the 10th, says that ‘"devastation and destruction"’ will mark the route taken by the Confederates. It says: ‘ The latest intelligence from Frederick City and the region occupied by the rebels is brought by General Columbus O'Donnell, who reached Baltimore yesterday afternoon from his country seat, hear Wolverton, not far from Harper's Ferry. He had been up there some days prior to the rebels crossing the river, and suddenly found himself within the enemy's lines. Having important business to attend to in Baltimore, he saddled up a pair of plough horses, being the only team left on his place, and started off for Frederick City. On arriving within a few miles of Frederick he was stopped by the rebel pickets, and obtained permission to pass on to the quarters of the Provost Marshal, Bradley T. Johnson, with whom he had at one time some acquaintance. On reaching the city he was conducted to the Marshal's office, and was warmly greeted by Johnson, who assured him that it was out of his power to grant him a pass to Baltimore, as no one but General Lee had that power, to whom he referred him, giving him a pass to the General's headquarters, four miles from Frederick, on the Georgetown road. This occurred on Monday afternoon, and General O'Donnell immediately started out to the rebel camp, where he found General Lee's headquarters on one side of the road and General Jackson's on the other side. There was quite a large force of infantry without tents, and most of the men without knapsacks, presenting a most deplorable appearance, so far as dress was concerned, though they were well armed, and seemed to be in good spirits. On reaching the camp General O'Donnell approached the tent of General Lee, when he was met by Charles Marshall, formerly a lawyer of Baltimore, with whom he was also personally acquainted. Marshall was acting as an aid of General Lee, and on General O'Donnell making known to him that his business was to secure a pass to Baltimore, he told him that General Lee was very busy and could not be seen, but that he would make known his request to him. Marshall entered the tent, and soon returned with the pass required, and informed General O'Donnell that General Lee requested him to say that it afforded him great pleasure to grant his request. The pass was granted to General O'Donnell without any restrictions, nor was he required to give any pledges not to disclose anything that he had seen within the lines. We have not had the pleasure of seeing General O'Donnell. but learn that it is his opinion, from what he saw, that the enemy has no intention of advancing either on Baltimore or Washington. The impression on his mind was that they were preparing to retire before McClellan's army, and would some of the upper fords. Scouting parties were out securing the country for horses and cattle, and would probably enter the border counties of Pennsylvania for this purpose if sufficient time was given them to accomplish their purpose. The presence of both Generals Lee and Jackson near Frederick would either indicate that the expedition is a most hazardous one, or that the mass of the army has really accompanied them, and that the invasion is a reality and not a foraging raid — Even if it is merely a raid for subsistence stores, its success is undoubtedly most important to the rebels, and the presence of these two prominent Generals may be accounted for on that ground. Our intelligence from Washington is that the rebels have fallen back from Gen. McClellan's front, and that he has advanced six miles beyond Poolesville, from which a rebel picket guard was driven out, after some fighting, on Monday afternoon. ’Force of the rebels.
The statements we have received from correspondents of the New York papers as to the force in which the rebels have crossed into Maryland, entirely disagree with any-accounts that have been received here from fugitives from Frederick county. No one who has yet arrived here speaks of having seen more than fifteen thousand men, while some of the Northern correspondents vouch for an army of from sixty thousand to one hundred thousand.--The following note, received last night from a respectable gentleman of Washington county, places the number still lower: ‘"As the movement and number of rebel troops now in Maryland are greatly exaggerated, I beg leave — being, perhaps, the last person from the locality — to make a fair statement of what I conceive to be their numbers and designs. They do not exceed five thousand, but, being mostly cavalry, move very quickly, and, like most of my neighbors of Frederick and Washington counties, if I had never seen the military parents around Washington, I should fix their number at from fifty thousand to seventy-five thousand They are moving (if it possesses a military strategy) to draw from the defence of Washington as many troops as possible, so as to fail on that city with a great force; for they are prepared to recross the Potomac at any time in a few home."’Exciting Humors.
The rumors in Baltimore last evening among the Secession sympathizers were of the most portentous character, and the beaming and joyous countenance was again visible in various well- known localities. General McClellan was reported to have been defeated in a great battle at Poolesville, and driven back in confusion to Washington. This had scarcely got well afloat before another was started to the effect that Gen. Burnside had been driven back from Frederick with great slaughter. Whilst these reports were being digested, a messenger from a point eight miles out on the Liberty road arrived with the announcement that a battle was progressing in that vicinity, and that a cannon ball had cut the limb from a tree in front of his house — This alarm was soon discovered to have been an alarm occasioned by one of the new regiments having gone out in that vicinity to drill and practice, firing by columns and plateaus. Of course there was no enemy within forty miles of the spot, and those who expected to be ‘"redeemed"’ before morning concluded to postpone the performance for at least twenty-four hours. In the meantime the Washington cars arrived with the announcement that General McClellan was pushing forward, and could find no enemy in front of him. A rumor was also soon afterwards started that General Burnside's pickets were yesterday morning within sight of Frederick, and the enemy traveling westward.Rebel Robbery of Frederick.
The Harrisburg Telegraph, of yesterday morning, says that a lady direct from Frederick, who was permitted to leave the town by a pass from Gen. Johnson, states that the rebels were making large purchases, but that they paid for all their goods in rebel scrip, and not in United States Treasury notes as our dispatches allege. She further states that they would not receive any other money in change except U. S. Treasury notes, thus virtually robbing the citizens of their property under the pretence of paying for their goods in rebel money, which is everywhere in Maryland regarded as worthless. We do not hear of more than a rebel cavalry picket on the Baltimore road, near New Market, on the turnpike, and Monrovia, on the railroad. Gen Burnside was said yesterday to be threatening the enemy's lines near Hyattville, which would indicate that they had retired from Middlebrook, some six miles towards Frederick, on his advance.The fight at Poolesville — Handsome Aid from our friends in Maryland.
The only resistance our troops encountered in crossing the Potomac was from the 1st Massachusetts cavalry; who had been appointed to that duty. They were fired into by the Confederates, and scampered at a rapid rate. A letter to the New York Tribune says: The road had been clear in the morning, and was counted on for unobstructed retreat; but while the manœuvering in front had consumed the day some Maryland traitor had piled stance at the worst place on the road in such quantity that the horses at a gallop could not fall to go down. Enveloped in clouds of dust, the head of the retreating column came down the road at speed, and plaguing into the rocks, men and horses together fell in confusion, piled over one another in heaps. The rebels were close upon them and those who were down could only surrender. The rebels began firing into and sabering the prostrate men. Some of them were crushed under their struggling horses. Capt. Chamberlain, whose horse had fallen upon him, shouted to the rebel leader that his men were helpless, and the frig was ordered to cease. Capt. Motley and Capt. Wells, with most of their men. escaped Capt. Chamberlain, with about twenty men, was captured. All were liberated next day on parole. Before the men were sent off Gen. Lee made them aspect, advised them never to take up arms again to subjugate the South, declared that there are and must be two Confederacies on this continent, and discoursed at length on ethics and polities in general, by all of which the men were duly edified. Capt. Chamberlain had a long conversation with Fitzhugh Lee and Stuart, and reports that their cavalry force is very large. Poolesville citizens fired from houses along the streets on the retreating cavalry. At Darnestown the rebels flung stones and bottles and all sorts of missiles from the windows. The letter indignantly adds that the first duty performed by the 1st regiment Maryland volunteers, called out for the defence of the State, was to pour a volley into the retreating Federal cavalry. The correspondent, from that thinks that the Maryland troops cannot be relied on.The panic in Pennsylvania--the Stampede.
The ‘"very latest"’ intelligence published in the Northern papers is dated Wednesday night (10th,) midnight. It comes from a State messenger who was sent by the Governor of Pennsylvania to ascertain the state of affairs. It says: ‘ He reached a position on the mountains overlooking Frederick, and, by means of a glass, saw all that was going on in town. He arrived there about eleven o'clock this morning, and says there was evidently a movement of troops in the direction of Middletown and Boonsboro' going on. Farmers informed him that a forward movement began at three this morning — supposed to be about twenty thousand. The messenger then crossed the mountain to within two miles of Marysville, and reached a position overlooking Boonsboro'. He saw three regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, eight cannon, and a large number of wagons. The soldiers looked ragged, shoeless, and hatless. It is now certain that no rebels had entered Hagerstown at six P. M. Jackson undoubtedly moved from Boonsboro' towards Hagerstown; but there is nothing reliable as to his near approach to Hagerstown. He may be moving to Williamsport to cut off General White, now at Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry, or direct upon Waynesboro' in this State. The former is most probable. The Northern Central Railroad and telegraph are still untouched. The people of Pennsylvania are now thoroughly aroused, and one thousand men from Berks county and one thousand from Chester will probably be here by morning, in anticipation of the Governor's call, and within twenty-four hours 20,000 men will be in the Cumberland Valley, and before Jackson can reach Chambersburg, he will be required to meet and overcome 50,000 of Pennsylvania's yeomanry General Wool has been assigned to the command of all the troops north of the Susquehanna. A mail carrier was taken prisoner and held five hours. He says great numbers threw themselves down in the middle of the road, attacked with bilious cholic, caused by eating green corn. A skirmish took place between the Michigan cavalry and Virginia cavalry leading the rebel advance at Barnesville. A rebel lieutenant was killed and two privates were captured. They say Jackson lead; the column. The rebel pickets were within a mile and a half of Hagerstown at eight this morning. The main body appears to be going between Barnesville and Sharpsburg, eight miles below Hagerstown. The rebel pickets uniformly told the farmers that Jackson leads the rebel army, and the Cumberland Valley is their destination. ’ Much excitement prevailed in Greencastle, Pa.' about thirty-two miles from Frederick, Wednesday night about the ‘"rebels."’ A dispatch from there says: ‘ They are said to be advancing towards that place by way of Cavetown, so as to get in the rear and cut off the retreat of those who might attempt to get away. Up to five P. M. no signs of the enemy appeared at any point, although'some two hours previous a negro among others reported them within three miles of the town. The people there were very much excited, and numbers were leaving with their families white owners of horses were sending them out of town so that the rebels shall not seize them. A horse on wagon could not be hired at any price. ’Important from the West--the Confederates within five miles of Covington.
The news from the West is important. The Confederates, numbering about 3,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry, arrived in sight of Covington, Ky., on the 10th. Business was again suspended in Cincinnati, and military companies were ordered to report for duty at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 11th. Three thousand laborers were ordered to commence work on the trenches. A dispatch from Cincinnati Wednesday night, at 10 o'clock, says: ‘ A train of thirty ambulances, with a flag of truce, left here yesterday afternoon, for the use of our wounded at Richmond. When they were twelve miles distant they were ordered to halt by the pickets of General Ewing. They did so, and the officer in command of the ambulances was taken before General Heath, who informed him that he could not pass the train, as he was not receiving flags of truce at present. An appeal was then made to General Kirby Smith, who promptly allowed our ambulances to proceed. Our scouts report that the rebels are moving in two divisions, numbering 16,000 men. Early this morning a large rebel cavalry force attacked our pickets on Licking river, driving them back a mile, several of whom were wounded. Our whole force over the rive was drawn up in line of battle at noon to day. One of our men was killed in the picket skirmish. ’ Louisville,Sept. 10--Hon. Richard Apperson, from Mount Sterling, reports Humphrey Marshall, there, with 4,000 troops, including cavalry and artillery, arresting citizens, searching houses, &c. It is reported that a force of rebel cavalry took possession of Kininence, Ky, last night. John H Morgan occupies the Observer and Reporter office as headquarters. Hon. Joshua F. Bell, recently unconditionally released by the rebels, arrived at the Galt House to-day. It is rumored that about 4,000 rebels from Lexington last Sunday took possession of Lebanon to-day.The citizen prisoners at Richmond.
The Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune, noticing the capture of the citizens of Washington who went out to the battle field to take care of the wounded, says some were volunteer citizens and some were department clerks, who had before constituted an infantry battalion for home defence. Of the capture he says: ‘ As the backs toiled up the heights of Centreville, passing through the shattered columns of Pope's army, it became evident that the victory was not a great one. There was no jubilation in the appearance of these men; and in after-conversation with them, men and officers all expressed the opinion that no victories could be won under McDowell and Pops. As for our hacks, out of about two hundred which started from Washington, only sixteen were present. Rumors were afloat that a number had been engaged by the clerks of the departments and volunteer assistants to carry them back to the city. The horses had given out in some places, and the hacks in others. The battle-field was in possession of the enemy; and, in fact, there was nothing for the volunteers to do but walk back — a pleasant prospect, which a number of them at once proceeded to realize. A few went forward at all risks toward the field, to carry out the purpose which led them there. These got captured by the rebels. ’ The following letter was received at Varina by flag of truce from three of the sufferers who ‘"got captured:"’ Libby Prison, Sept. 7, 1862.
Arrived here yesterday after ten days hard march, and were immediately placed in the tobacco prison, together with several hundred other unfortunates.
We sincerely hope that Mr. Willard, of Washington, and the rest of our many friends, will use their utmost influence to have us exchanged in place of the rebel prisoners taken at Fairfax, and now at Washington.
To our families we can only say we are well, and living in hopes of soon being exchanged.
We can write but little.
Remember us to all our friends.
We shall write to you as often as possible.
There are 130 citizen prisoners here from all parts of the country.
