Daily Democrat And News

Washington, July 26.

Advices from the headquarters of the army of the Potomac, received to-night, say that during the past week our troops have not been idle, but by a close scouting of Lee's movements, and by rapid marches, they have succeeded in baffling his several attempts to enter Eastern Virginia and forestalled his attempted possession of the Blue Ridge.

It is generally believed that he is now moving rapidly towards Staunton, by the Shenandoah Valley. He tried Snicker's, Ashby's and Manassas Gaps, but found strong Union forces already there. At the two last named places he was driven back. At Chester Gap our cavalry recaptured 1,100 of the cattle stolen by the enemy and several hundred sheep.

A large number of horses have also been recovered.

Several brisk skirmishes have taken place, but the principal fight occurred on Thursday evening between Luray and Front Royal, in which a brigade of rebel infantry, probably Lee's rear guard, was driven through the town. The cavalry has done excellent service. The several commands have made active marches and reconnaissances and completely foiled Stuart in all his attempts to raid on our flanks and rear. Mosby's small but energetic band has alone given us trouble, principally by cutting off foraging parties and messengers.

A private of cavalry reports that on Friday, as a division of cavalry was deployed in the vicinity of Amissville, a large force of rebel infantry was seen advancing in that direction and our cavalry was compelled to fall back. This force was supposed to be Longstreet's corps.

Up to Saturday night, however, this report had not been confirmed.

It is impossible to conceive of the poverty of the country through which the army passed. With the exception of Loudoun county, there is nothing to harvest except a few acres of wheat and corn, and this must be done by manual labor, as the country has been entirely stripped of stock. The road is now in running order to Warrenton. Our supplies, which have been nearly exhausted, are flowing in to the army, and the mills which have been entirely suspended since the army crossed the Potomac, are anxiously awaited.

Though the army had fatiguing marches and, consequently, privations, it would be a mistake to suppose that it is down in idleness.

The messenger who brought to Washington the above intelligence reports that to-day 40 of Mosby's cavalry were captured near Fairfax Station.