IMPORTANT FROM THE POTOMAC: Another Movement Across the Potomac at Sheperdstown Ford; A GREAT BATTLE IMMINENT (10/18/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 10/18/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

Friday, Oct. 17 -- P.M.

Yesterday morning, when HANCOCK advanced his division to Charlestown, Gen. WOODBURY's Division crossed the Potomac at the Shepardstown Ford, taking the road leading to Smithfield, a small village half-way between Charlestown and Bunker Hill.

Gen. WOODBURY encamped last night between Leetown and Kearneyville, about seven miles from Smithfield. His troops met with but slight resistance during the day from the enemy's mounted pickets.

This morning he advanced his cavalry toward Smithfield, six miles from Bunker Hill, where he met the cavalry belonging to HANCOCK's Division. Before reaching this point the enemy was found to be in very large force.

The reconnoissance here ended, its object being to ascertain where the main body of the rebel army was.

There is no doubt but that the rebel Generals intend to give battle at or near their present location. The indications are that they will not have to wait long before they again meet the Army of the Potomac.

SPECIAL DISPATCH FROM HARPER's FERRY.

WASHINGTON, Friday, Oct. 17.

Our special correspondent at Harper's Ferry sends the following dispatch:

"To-day at noon the forces who started from here on a reconnoissance toward Winchester, and whom our dispatches last left quietly encamped at Charleston, returned to Bolivar Heights, the object of the expedition being fully, faithfully and successfully carried out -- which was to fully examine the topography of the country bordering the Turnpike, to drive back to their main body any stray rebels that were there located, and finally to learn positively the position, condition and numbers of the enemy.

The following are the particulars since our last:

During the afternoon of Thursday Gen. MCCLELLAN rode up to the front, and discovering that less than a mile from our

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4101122/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Important from the Potomac: Another Movement Across the Potomac at Sheperdstown Ford – 2-3
Important from Nashville: The Rebels Demand the Surrender of the City – 3
News from New-Mexico: Murders by the Apache Indians, &c. – 3
The War in Kentucky: The Reports of a Recent Battle Discredited – 3
The War in the Southwest: Gen. Scofield Moving Toward the Arkansas Line – 3
News from Washington: A Serenade to General Prentiss – 4-5
Why Not Take Richmond? – 5
Editorial: Our Army in Motion – Rebel Designs – 5
Garibaldi on America – 5

[Chewbarkah]

These are always great fun — reading the NYT’s take on things, you have to wonder how the Union didn’t close out the war in days... Things never change.