Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
Headquarters Army Potomac, July 18.—A flag of truce went up yesterday from Turkey Island Creek, having on board Gen. Dix, who went to meet Gen. Hill for the purpose of making a permanent arrangement for an exchange of prisoners. The interview was highly satisfactory, but no conclusion being arrived at, the flag of truce will return to-day, when Gen. Lee will be present. Richmond papers of to-day contain accounts of the death of Gen. Twiggs at Augusta, .July 15th.
GREAT SENSATION AMONG THE SECESH.
New York, July 18.—The New York Tribunes Washington dispatch states: We have advices from Warrenton to-day. The news has been received that Gen. Hatch occupied Gordonsville. This has created great consternation among the leading rebels in Warrenton, who had not the least idea that Gen. Pope would reach that point without a great battle. Index, many of them said, would be held at all hazards, and that no Yankee army would be allowed to take it.
There is but little room longer to doubt that McClellan has effected his escape to James River with the remainder of his force, amounting to about 75,000 men, with a portion of his cannon and stores. It appears also that he has been re-inforced strongly, making his army about 100,000 men.
He is entrenching on the river at the confluence of the Chickahominy and James rivers, under cover of the gunboats. His position is a very strong one. It was expected that he would be attacked on Saturday last, as the divisions of Jackson, Longstreet and A. P. Hill were near him. But no attack has yet been made, nor does it appear that ordinary prudence would allow an attack under such circumstances. Having failed to cut off his retreat, when according to rumor he was entirely in our power, and when every attack upon his batteries was attended with severe loss, it could hardly be the part of wisdom to attack him in his present position, when so little can be gained at the risk of so great loss.
Subsequent Release of the Prisoners.
Martinsburg, July 1—12.35.—Col. Harness, formerly of Ashby’s cavalry, captured Moorfield on Sunday afternoon, and about one hundred of the Maryland Home Guard who held the place were all taken prisoners.
Com. Tatnall reports as follows to the Rebel Secretary of War :
“We observed from the Merrimac that the flag was not flying on Sewell’s Point Battery, and that it appeared to have been abandoned. I dispatched Lieut. J. P. Jones, the Flag Lieutenant, to Craney Island, where the Confederate flag was still flying, and he there learned that a large force of the enemy had landed on Bay shore, and were marching rapidly on Norfolk ; that Sewell’s Point Battery was abandoned, and our troops were retreating. I then despatched the same officer to Norfolk, to confer with Gen. Huger and Captain Lee. He found the Navy Yard in flames, and all the other officers had left by railroad—that the enemy was within a half a mile of the city, and that the Mayor was treating for its surrender.
On returning to the ship he found that Craney Island and all the other batteries on the river had been abandoned.
It was now seven o’clock in the evening, and this unexpected confirmation rendered prompt measures necessary for the safety of the Virginia.