June 22, 1863, The New York Herald
Our news today from the different scenes of action where the contending armies are employed is exceedingly full and interesting. Our correspondent at Monocacy Station states that the rebels occupied Frederick City last evening. It is certain, at least, that a force of them passed through it. They were attacked and dispersed by our troops under Major Cole, but another force reoccupied it, and were there, though in very small numbers, last night. A despatch from Chambersburg last night says that a battle may be expected there tomorrow, if the rebels do not scatter into small bodies and roam through the mountains. They have already carried off 2,000 head of cattle and as many horses out of Franklin county. They keep so much on the move in the direction of Greencastle, Hagerstown and Williamsport that their exact position or intentions are not known from hour to hour. Gen. Jenkins appears to be moving with a force of 1,100 mounted infantry in the direction of Gettysburg or the Northern Central Railroad. He is committing great depredations upon the horses of the farmers and in the mountains.
We publish today a brilliant account in full detail, from our correspondent in the field, of the late desperate two days’ battle at Winchester between General Milroy and General Ewell, which terminated in a disastrous retreat of the Union forces to Martinsburg and Harper’s Ferry, with only two thousand men out of seven thousand, and having lost all the artillery, stores, baggage and everything except what the men carried on their persons. Three entire batteries of field artillery and one battery of siege guns, about two hundred and eighty wagons, over twelve hundred horses and mules, all the commissary and quartermaster’s stores and ammunition of all kinds, over six thousand muskets and small arms without stint, the private baggage of the officers and men, all fell into the hands of the enemy. We give a map in connection with this account, showing the line of advance of the rebels on the town and the positions of both armies during the fight.
The only news from General Hooker’s army is a positive contradiction of the reports about a battle at Centreville. The rebels are said to have no infantry east of the Bull Run Mountains. Our cavalry and artillery had two pretty brisk skirmishes with the rebels in the vicinity of Aldie and Middleburg on Friday, in which our troops had the best of it, repulsing the rebels and capturing several prisoners. Our loss was small, but included three or four officers.
The rebel news which we give today concerning Vicksburg and Port Hudson is interesting. The garrison at the former place is said to be in fine spirits and in possession of plenty of subsistence. General Lee officially claims a grand victory at Winchester, and thanks God for the same. Our own despatches from Memphis to Vicksburg to the 19th, state that the siege is progressing surely though slowly; that the chances of an attack from Johnston are lessening every day, and that our total loss for the preceding week was only fifty, of whom twelve were killed.
The Richmond papers of Saturday say that seven Union iron-clads were at Brunswick, Ga., on the 12th inst., and that a large force had been landed there. The same authority states that Mr. Vallandigham has run the blockade from Wilmington, N.C., for Nassau, whence he will sail for Canada.
Our blockading squadron has diminished the rebel fleet of privateers by one very valuable and dangerous steamer, the Atlanta, formerly known as the Clyde built vessel Fingal. She was captured after a fight of half an hour by the Monitors Weehawken and Montauk, in the neighborhood of Warsaw Sound, whole evidently preparing to attack Fort Seymour, commanding the entrance of Ogeechee river.
The three masted schooner seen off Nantucket looking after our fishing boats has probably burned a large vessel, as one was seen on fire on Saturday night, thirty-five miles south of that point. A new privateer, rigged as a brig, also made an attack upon the brig George, of New Haven, near St. Croix, on the 30th ult.; but she made her escape and reached port next day.
The Twenty-second Connecticut regiment, nine months men, whose term of service has expired, will remain at Fortress Monroe for the present.