BOLIVAR, Jefferson Co., Va., via
BALTIMORE, Feb. 28.
Since Monday night Harper’s Ferry and its vicinity have changed hands. Our advance guard, consisting of the 28th Pennsylvania regiment, passed over the Potomac from Sandy Hook to Harper’s Ferry before daybreak on Monday morning, by a rope ferry, and took possession of the town next day. Ample provision for transporting troops over the river was provided. Our advance guard was considerably reinforced.
Bolivar and Charleston, and a considerable portion of the country on the north bank of the Shenandoah, are now occupied by our troops. Except about twenty of the enemy, who were captured, they all retired on the approach of our troops. The people in this town and the neighboring places, which our troops have occupied, were in a condition bordering on starvation. – There are comparatively few inhabitants remaining here now, and they all profess Union sentiments and great delight at being relieved from the thraldom which has oppressed them for the last six months. – Many refugees are returning.
The right wing of the army has considerably curtailed the rebel territory in Virginia, and made a foothold for itself which all the power of the rebellion cannot wrest from it.
The enemy have mad sad havoc among residences of the Union people here, since the departure of our troops. So far no opposition has been given to our advance, not a hostile shot being fired.
Gen. Banks has established his headquarters on the road from Harper’s Ferry to Bolivar.
The enemy shelled the trains to-day at Berlin, as they were passing down to Baltimore, but their practice was bad, and out of 12 shots fired only 2 of them exploded, and none of them did any damage.
The plans of Gen. McClellan are being rapidly unfolded, and you may rely upon it from my own personal observation, that the brave young chieftain is diligently, as well skillfully laboring to crush the monster rebellion at the earliest moment.
BOLIVAR, Md., Feb. 28.
The army of Gen. Banks occupied Harper’s Ferry unopposed on Wednesday, with necessaries for a permanent occupation. The advance took possession of Bolivar Heights yesterday, and pushed a reconnoisance to Charleston, capturing a few prisoners. London Heights are also occupied by a strong force, and will be held against any attack. The plans of the commanders are not know[n], but the movement is probably to cover the reconstruction of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. bridges, and may mean more. The troops are in excellent condition and well protected from the inclement weather. No accident occurred in transporting the troops and supplies over the river. The pontoon bridge was a complete success.
Hundreds of refugees have returned to their desolated homes, and those remaining are overjoyed at our presence.
Nothing reliable has been heard from Winchester, but current reports say it has been considerably reinforced.
A small body of the enemy are supposed to be south of London Heights, four our five miles back of the river, but not sufficient in strength to cause any alarm.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 3, 1862, p. 1
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