Clearfield Republican

THE WAR NEWS
Prospect of Another Great Battle
Lee Massing the Remnant of his Army on the Antietam Battle Ground.

Hagerstown, Md., Thursday, July 9.— The number of wagons destroyed by our cavalry is over 500. Buford destroyed 200 on Monday. Dahlgren destroyed 170 on the same day. On Saturday and Sunday Kilpatrick burned, captured and destroyed between 200 and 300. Fully one-third of the transportation of the rebel army has been destroyed, and the damage to them fully twice what they are able to carry out of Pennsylvania. The cavalry, under the vigorous lead of Pleasanton and his subordinates—Buford, Gregg and Kilpatrick—have done immense service during the past ten days. They have truly filled the mission of cavalry. During a battle these have harassed the enemy on flank and rear, have dispersed and defeated his own cavalry, have destroyed his trains, and won a reputation equal to that of our infantry. Of course, they have experienced heavy losses in men and horses, and they are still actively at work keeping up a lively front. Yesterday the enemy pressed our cavalry back upon Boonsboro, and at gun down threw a few shells into the place. Buford then dismounted his whole command, his horses being very much exhausted, and fought the rebels on foot for two hours, finally driving them clear back to Antietam creek. From a captured letter we learn that the enemy are trying to shove a portion of their force and their wounded across the river at Shepherdstown. Pleasanton will stop that to-day. The rebels have run the greater portion of their trains into a valley near Williamsport, and covered them by artillery posted on the south side of the Potomac. The prospect of another collision increases.

Boonsboro, Md., July 9. The rebels were drawn up in line of battle this morning at a place called Benevola, three and a half miles from this point, on the road to Hagerstown. From there they extended down toward the Potomac in the vicinity of Bakerville. From a citizen who was in Williamsport today, and whose statements are trustworthy, I learn that the rebels were slowly passing their wagons and wounded over the river. They positively had but two flat boats in use. They are also bringing well men back, showing their intention to make a further stand—at least until they can safely cross. They appear to be in considerable confusion, the men being more or less insubordinate for lack of something to eat. They are harassing the citizens greatly for provisions, and say they have actually drawn no rations for ten days, and have lived on what they have picked up. They are throwing up rifle-pits in the vicinity of Fairplay, and probably will await our attack. If so, another desperate battle may be expected soon. Our forces are so disposed now that a collision may occur at almost any hour. A reconnaissance made from this point to Sharpsburg and the Potomac at Shepherdstown to-day, establishes the fact that there is no enemy in that vicinity, and no possibility of the enemy crossing there at the point. The river is not fordable—so the public can rest easy about Maryland Heights and Harper's Ferry, neither of which points is worth a straw to either force.

Washington, July 9.—Dr. Letterman, Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac, reports that thus far three thousand wounded rebels have been received in the various impromptu hospitals around Gettysburg. This does not embrace one-third the total number who have fallen into our hands. Prominent rebel officers estimate their losses in the three days' battles at twenty thousand in killed and wounded. Thus far, (including wounded, we have captured sixteen thousand prisoners. Intelligence received here to-night states that Lee is massing the remnants of his army on the old battle-field of Antietam. Prisoners state that his ammunition is nearly exhausted, and that in case he is attacked by our forces he will be obliged to rely almost exclusively upon the bayonet. His army is greatly demoralized and anxious to get into Virginia. The Potomac is yet too high for him to attempt a crossing of his infantry.