Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The insurgent movement in the Shenandoah valley, which I mentioned in a late despatch, developed at the close of last week. A column, reported at 30,000 or 40,000, under Breckinridge, passed the Potomac fords above Harper’s Ferry, crossed the South Mountain, and entered Frederick, in Maryland, Saturday, the 9th instant. Major General Wallace, with about 7,000 men, hastily drawn from Baltimore, met the whole or a considerable portion of the enemy’s force at the bridge at Monocacy, which opens the way equally to Washington and Baltimore. A deadly conflict was maintained from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon. Our forces, overpowered by double their number, gave way and retreated to Ellicott’s Mills.
Insurgent cavalry on Sunday spread themselves over a portion of Maryland, extending from the Gunpowder creek, on the north, to the border of this city on the south, and from the Potomac eastward, approaching the Washington branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, threatened Baltimore and Washington. They captured and destroyed a train of cars on the railroad at Gunpowder creek, and broke the telegraph line at that point. The main column is believed to have been moving across the country from the bank of the Potomac near Rockville, cowards Bladensburg, at a distance of perhaps eight miles north of this city [Page 212] The enemy’s cavalry approached and skirmished with our cavalry and pickets immediately in front of our north line of fortifications, which extends from the west branch of the Potomac to Bladensburg, on the east branch. The enemy’s column is understood to be about 20,000. Arrangements have been made for the defence of Baltimore. But this morning it is reported that there is no considerable force in the vicinity of that place. Vigorous measures have been taken to improve the defences of Washington, and every hour increases our strength. It is supposed now that the force of the enemy has not yet effected a concentration. Last night passed off without an assault, and this morning telegraphic communication between Washington and the north is completely restored. Our communication with General Grant at Petersburg has not been interrupted. The railroad between Baltimore and Philadelphia will be speedily repaired. In the mean time communication is carried on between Baltimore and Philadelphia through the canal which connects with the Delaware. General Hunter is at Martinsburg, but not yet in communication by telegraph. General Grant still persists in his siege of Petersburg and Richmond. General Sherman has crossed the Chattahoochee, and there are indications that the enemy will retire from Atlanta.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.