NP, RD 6/17/1861

From the Richmond Dispatch
 
June 17, 1861
 
A Northern Statement
Hagerstown, June 12
   The telegraph operator stationed at Martinsburg, and a brakesman of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad arrived here today, having left yesterday. They say the most westerly bridge burnt is at North Branch, five miles east of Cumberland. The next, going eastward, is that over Patterson's Creek, seven miles from Cumberland. The next destroyed is that over Sleep Creek, 17 miles west of Martinsburg.
   There will be no trouble in rebuilding the first two bridges, but there will be some difficulty with the last one, which is one hundred and ninety feet above the water. General Johnson had ordered the Opequcan bridge {about 4 miles east of Martinsburg} to be rebuilt, but the Confederates have not been able to accomplish it.
   The telegraph instruments have been taken from the office at Martinsburg to prevent their being used. Col. Edmondson commands the secession forces at Martinsburg. He has three companies of the Winchester Rifles, the Winchester Mounted Guerillas and another company. Col. Steward commands the camp at Hainesville, five miles North of Martinsburg. He has charge of all the forces stationed at the fords and ferries on the Potomac between Falling Springs and Hancock.
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   Provisions are known to be growing excessively scarce at Harper's Ferry. The brakesman puts the number of troops there at 14,000. He is confident about the numbers. The number of engines lying at Martinsburg is said to be above fifty. The Confederate troops had only succeeded in getting one at Harper's Ferry before the burning of the Opequcan bridge.

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