IMPORTANT FROM THE POTOMAC: Reports of the Evacuation of Winchester by the Rebels; A SHARP SKIRMISH AT KEARNEYSVILLE (10/20/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 10/20/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Oct. 19.

Reports are constantly being brought to Gen. SIGEL's headquarters, by deserters and refugees, that the enemy is now rapidly evacuating Winchester. Whether true or false, these reports obtain considerable credit here in official circles. A reconnoissanee is being made to ascertain the facts.

A rebel cavalry force was at Catlett's Station on Saturday.

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Oct. 18.

The Star says that circumstances conspire to induce the general impression among military men here, that the rebels in Gen. MCCLELLAN's front will soon fight. He is evidently crowding them more and more, and they have not evinced a disposition to give back.

The fact that if they prefer retreating he may, by moving upon the arc of the circle, through some near part of the Blue Ridge, get before Richmond as soon, if not sooner, than they reach that paint by marching down the valley to Staunton, is the reason why it is now thought they must fight before attempting a retreat.

SPECIAL DISPATCH FROM SHARPSBURGH,

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Oct. 19.

Our special correspondent at [???] the following additional particular [???] at Blackford's Ford on Tuesday last:

SHARPSBURGH, Saturday, Oct. 18.

Kearneysville, near the line of the [???] Ohio Railroads was the first place at which the rebels made a stand. Their estimated force was 3,000 infantry, two squadrons of cavalry, and four places artillery, drawn up under shelter of [???].

Gen. HUMPHREY opened fire upon them. They replied well, but in thirty minutes the whole must on their cavalry, infantry and artillery was broken and retreating.

Eight rebel dead lay on the field, and forty or fifty were captured. One of the killed was a Lieutenant of cavalry. A letters was friend on him [???] Lieut. T.R. STAMPER.

[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

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

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/4101716/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Important from the Potomac: Reports of the Evacuation of Winchester by the Rebels – 2
General News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 2-3
Important from Western Virginia: The Rebel Forces Reported to have Gone to East Tennessee – 3
The Rebels in the Southwest: Price Rallying his Scattered Rebels at Holly Springs – 3
Important from Kentucky: Lexington Again Captured by Morgan and his Guerrillas – 3
The Guerrillas in Missouri – 3
Editorial: Philosophy of Crushing the Rebellion Vindicated – 3-4
Editorial: The Increase of Our Cavalry – 4-5
Why the Army Waits – 5
Central Office, Sanitary Commission (classified notice) – 5

[BroJoeK]

"Editorial: Philosophy of Crushing the Rebellion Vindicated – 3-4"

Here our editors provide us a full-throated defense of Union Gen. "Beast" Butler in New Orleans.
They say he has "crushed" the rebellion there, and so unfairly earned the title "Beast" from Confederates.

Probably just a temporary disturbance among Confederates-- no doubt in time they will come to appreciate Butler's... ah... finer qualities, dontcha know. ;-)

[central_va]

Orignal Butler piss pot.