Hillsborough (NC) Recorder

July 17, 1861

Page 3

WAR NEWS

From the Richmond Dispatch of Sunday

Passengers by the Central train yesterday report some interesting proceedings in Patterson’s camp at Martinsburg. Some four thousand Pennsylvanians, who enlisted for three months, made up their minds to leave and go home. One account says objection was made, and a fight took place, in which a considerable number of useless lives were lost. We cannot vouch for the accuracy of the last mentioned report, but have no doubt that the three months’ men determined to leave the service.

From Western and Northwestern Virginia the accounts are vague. A dispatch from Cincinnati makes it appear that Capt. O. J. Wise, of the Blues, had captured three companies of Federalists. It is probable that an engagement has taken place in the neighborhood of Laurel Hill, between Gen. Garnett’s Confederate forces and McClellen’s command, since the Cincinnati telegrams inform us that they were approaching each other at last accounts. We have nothing further in regard to the reported engagement of the 7^th. If the Federalists were defeated on that day, as has been stated, we should hardly receive any account of it from the North.

In consequence of Gen. Scott’s order for the suppression of telegraphic dispatches, we have nothing from the Northern Associated Press relative to the army movements on the Potomac.

Col. Thomas, the intrepid Marylander, has been indicted for treason and piracy.

The captured Hessians are hard at work on our fortifications at Winchester.

A correspondent of the Richmond Enquirer says:

“I open my letter to you to inform you that to-day, near Gen. Garnett’s camp, there was an engagement between the Georgia Regiment and a large body of the Yankees, in which the Georgians killed 60 or 70 of the Yankees, and took a four-horse wagon and team, and some arms. Only one of the Georgians was wounded. At the Rich Mountains there has been some fighting—the result not known. It is believed that the Yankees have a large force, and are making their way into this valley, to surround our army and capture our stores and ordnance. They will receive a rough handling.”

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]