The War News.
There was nothing of interest yesterday on the lines around Richmond.--The enemy was strengthening his position on this side of the river. There were several rumors afloat of an attack by our troops, in which eight guns were captured. This was one statement, and another was, that on Thursday a charge was made on the enemy's breastworks and a battery of four pieces captured, only one of which were brought off. None of these reports were confirmed.We have some further particulars of Gen. Early's victory in the Valley. The fight took place between Bartonsville and Kernstown, about five miles this side of Winchester. Gen. Early left Strasburg at sunrise and marched 18 miles, striking the enemy about 2 o'clock on Sunday. They numbered about 12,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry. The enemy was routed with very little resistance, and fled precipitately. Gen. Mulligan, who was mor wounded, was brought to Kernstown, where he died on Monday morning. In his diary the last entry made on that day was, "Well, our cause is gloomy; we will conquer the South about the time the Jews all return to Jerusalem." Some of the entries were very severe on Gen. Hunter, whom he characterizes as a fiend. Gen. Lilly, of our army, who was captured by the enemy in Ramseur's disaster; was recaptured. His arm had been amputated by the Yankee surgeons.
We captured about three hundred prisoners in the fight, or rather in the run, and squads of twenty and thirty were surrendering to the cavalry all the way to Bunker Hill, to which point the pursuit was kept up. Our infantry pursued them as far as Jordan's White Sulphur Springs, five miles beyond Winchester, that making twenty-eight miles they had marched since daybreak. Only two divisions of Confederates--Gordon's and Breckinridge's — were engaged. --When the Yankees were first attacked they retreated about half a mile in tolerable order, and attempted to make a stand, but were again charged, and this time they broke and ran like sheep, no efforts of their officers sufficing to stay the stampede of the frightened wretches, and everything that could impede their flight being thrown away. The roads and fields were literally strewed with abandoned guns, articles of clothing, cartridge boxes, &c. The following is the official dispatch announcing the retreat of the enemy into Maryland:
Headq'rs Army Northern Va.,
July 28, 1864.
General Early reports that the enemy has retreated across the Potomac at Williamsport, burning over seventy wagons and abandoning twelve caissons.
Our troops occupy Martinsburg.
There was nothing of interest from Petersburg yesterday. All was reported quiet.
Rumors were current that a battle was expected or had taken place at Atlanta on Thursday, but we could trace them to no reliable authority.
