The Washington Star, (evening paper,) of the 12th, was received last night. It gives the following particulars in regard to the investment of Washington by the Confederates:
Three O'Clock P. M.
--Along the entire line this morning the rebels present a much bolder front than they did yesterday, and the indications are that they have been heavily reinforced with infantry.During last night they succeeded in erecting a six gun battery in the vicinity of Fort Reno, from which they fired a few shots this morning, doing no damage, however. The battery is a light affair apparently.
Up to the present time some fifty prisoners have been brought in from different points, and as detachments of our cavalry are operating on the flanks and rear of the enemy, many stragglers will doubtless be picked up.
In all the skirmishes in front of the fortifications of Washington, occurring throughout yesterday, last night and this morning, our picket lines were not driven back a foot from their position before the enemy appeared in their front, except at Fort Stevens, (in the vicinity of the 7th street road,) where a considerable force of rebels seemed to be massed. This forenoon a force sufficient was thrown forward at that point and the rebel line was accordingly pressed back half a mile more.
Other parts of our line drove the skirmishers back a considerable distance, but they (the rebels) regained some of the ground, and at 11 o'clock to-day the skirmishers on both sides were in close proximity to the fort and continually popping at each other.
Two prisoners brought in stated that their force in the immediate vicinity of Forts Stevens and DeRussey numbered 40,000, of which a considerable portion were infantry, with a little artillery, but that they expected heavy reinforcements of artillery.
Five O'Clock P. M.
--The indications this forenoon on the front lead to the conclusion that the rebels are extending their lines towards the Eastern Branch, if not withdrawing most of their troops from in front of the fortifications from Seventh street road west.The railroad between here and Baltimore has been pretty effectually broken up by the rebels between Beltsville and Laurel, including the bridge at Laurel.
The roads leading to the city are filled with contraband making their way here.
They represent the country between Beltsville and Bladensburg as filled with rebel cavalry.
Rebel prisoners brought in last night and this morning concur in the statement that Early's division passed through Rockville at daybreak yesterday morning, and that Breckinridge's division to lowed at 9 A. M., other troops moving at the same time from Rockville to the Baltimore turnpike. Well informed officers, they say, place the invading force at between thirty-five and forty thousand men of all branches of arms.
