June 19, 1863, The New York Herald
Information has reached Washington that a skirmish occurred on Wednesday near Aldie between the Union cavalry and the rebels. Eighty-five rebels were captured by our forces, among them eight officers. Several killed and wounded. This skirmish may be the preliminary contest of a more general and bloodier struggle, in which the whole of the forces may be engaged. The rebels were a flank guard of Lee’s forces.
The rebels are said to have invested Harper’s Ferry on the 16th inst., and made an attack. The Union troops retreated to the Maryland Heights and shelled the rebels out of Harper’s Ferry. The enemy retreated to Williamsport, when Gen. Tyler recrossed and occupied his former position. Travel between Harper’s Ferry and Baltimore has been resumed. The rebels, however, destroyed much of the track beyond the former point.
It is reported from Shepperdsburg that the rebels had evacuated Chambersburg after firing some of the warehouses, and were supposed to be retreating towards Hagerstown. before leaving the rebels cleared out all the drug stores, paying for the drugs in Confederate scrip. It is supposed there are now no rebels in Pennsylvania.
Eight thousand rebels are reported to have crossed the Potomac on Tuesday, and were marching upon Hancock, Md. The Union forces at the latter place fled on learning of the rebel approach.
From Fortress Monroe we learn that General Wiser’s ebel forces had left the peninsula, and had fallen back beyond the Chickahominy. A part of General Keyes’ forces occupied New Kent Court House on the 15th inst. There had been a sharp skirmish near the Chickahominy; but the loss had been slight.
Our Potomac army correspondent gives a sad description of the sufferings of the troops during their recent forced march. The heat, dust and want of water were severely felt, and about a thousand cases of coup de soliel occurred, one hundred of them proving at once fatal. Rest and the obtaining of a good supply of water have, however, much relieved, restored and cheered the wearied forces, and they have again moved on with spirit. The recent storm may have added to their comfort and relief.
From Vicksburg we learn that on the 14th the siege progressed favorably. The rebel cannon had been silenced on all sides, and only a few of their riflemen were firing. Deserters reported that the rebels and their line officers were only prevented from deserting by the hope of being honorably surrendered in a few days.
Our correspondent’s account of the battle of Milliken Bend will be found very interesting.
Bragg’s army in Tennessee is said to have been reinforced lately by three brigades, making his force now to consist of eighteen brigades of infantry and cavalry. There are indications of a union between Bragg and Buckner for an invasion of Kentucky.
The strong feeling throughout the whole North in favor of the recall of General McClellan to the head of the army is manifesting itself on every side. The Washington National Intelligencer yesterday made an energetic appeal to the President to recall General McClellan to the command of the Army of the Potomac, asserting that he […..], by any one other act, do so much to restore the confidence of the nation.” The Councilmen of New York city last evening adopted a resolution the administration be requested to place General McClellan in the […..] position which the present crisis demands for the safety of the republic.” It will also be seen by reference to our despatch from Harrisburg that the rumor that “Governor Seymour had called General McClellan to Albany to help him to organize fifteen regiments to come to the rescue of Pennsylvania created general joy. McClellan is regarded there as the hope of the nation.”