The reports which we receive from
Northern Virginia, with reference to the operations of our own and the enemy's forces, are so confused that it is difficult to arrive at the exact situation of affairs.
By the
Central train of last evening we have a report of a considerable engagement several days ago between the corps of
Gens. Longstreet and
Hill and a heavy body of the enemy at one of the passes in the
Blue Ridge.
The exact location of this fight, or the particular day on which it occurred, could not be ascertained; but our forces are represented to have achieved a decided advantage in the affair and to have captured a large number of prisoners and several pieces of artillery.
A very intelligent gentleman, who came up the
Valley from below
Winchester, says he learns nothing of any general fight, but knows there have been a number of heavy skirmishes, in which we were generally successful in repulsing the enemy, who were pressing vigorously and closely upon our rear.
The stages proceeding down the
Valley were stopped at
Woodstock on Saturday morning, the enemy having appeared in formidable force at
Strasburg, on the
Valley turnpike, seventeen miles from
Winchester, and twelve miles below
Woodstock.
Where this force came from is not known, though passengers report that they came over from
Front Royal.--From
Front Royal to
Strasburg is nearly twenty miles, or a full day's march for infantry.
The passengers who came up on the returned stages from
Woodstock report that during Saturday night they heard heavy and brisk cannonading down the
Valley, and the presumption was that
General Early's division, which was guarding the wagon train, was engaged with the enemy.
Those with whom we conversed, who had any knowledge of the situation of affairs, think that no danger was to be apprehended of the capture of any considerable portion of our trains, nor did they deem the situation of our forces in the least critical.
