–A signal balloon was seen at a considerable elevation over beyond the chain bridge, on the Leesburgh Road, at night, supposed to have been sent up by the rebels, for the purpose of communicating intelligence to secesionists in or near Washington.– Washington Star, June 15.
–A little fight occurred near Seneca’s Mill, on the Maryland side of the Potomac, 28 miles above Washington. Lient.-Col. Everett, in command of three companies of District Volunteers, 200 men, (a detachment of Col. Stone’s column,) started in canal boats from Georgetown, D.C., and were obliged to leave after a few miles up, the rebels having cut the dam. At Seneca the detachment was fired upon by 100 cavalry, on the Virginia side of the river. Col. Everett marched his men into the dry bed of the canal, and, sheltered by the opposite bank, returned the cavalry fire. Shots were exchanged for some time across the Potomac, a distance of seven-eighths of a mile. None of Col. E.’s men were injured. Two Virginia troopers were shot, one thought to be killed, as well as the commander, supposed to be Capt. Shreves. Upon the fall of their leader, the cavalry retreated. During the fight bullets were flattened on stones near our men, who lay down in perfect shelter.–N. Y. Express, June 17.
–John A. Dix, Major-General of the New York State forces, was appointed Major-General in the army of the United States.–N. Y. Tribune, June 14.
–At Rochester, N. Y., a flag was raised upon the court-house. The ceremonies were commenced with a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Dewey, followed by the hoisting of the flag, during the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Speeches were then made by Judge John C. Chumasero, Roswell Hart, and H. B. Ellsworth. –Rochester Express, June 14.
–On the representation of certain Irish-women of Alexandria, that their husbands, who had never been naturalized, and were therefore British subjects, had been impressed into the rebel service, Lord Lyons instructed the British consul at that point to make an investigation, and, if satisfied of the truth of the statements, to demand their release of the commanding general.–N. Y. World, June 15.
–Harper’s Ferry, Md., was finally evacuated by the Confederate forces. This step had so often been predicted, and denied with such confident assertions of the impregnable fortifications erected there and of the determination of the Confederate leaders to make it the chosen point for a desperate stand, that the first reports were received with doubts and incredulity. Confirmatory statements, however, of the withdrawal of pickets from all points above and below the Ferry, of the burning of the railroad bridge, and the destruction of provisions they were unable to carry off; finally not only confirmed the evacuation, but gave to it somewhat of the aspect of a hurried retreat. The troops left in two columns–one column going toward Winchester with the intention of joining the force at Manassas Junction; the other retreating through Loudon county toward Leesburg. Before leaving Harper’s Ferry the Confederates destroyed all the public property in the vicinity. The fine bridge, including the Winchester span, over one thousand feet in length, was burnt. An attempt was made to blow up the piers. The Government Armory buildings were burnt.
The machinery had previously been removed to Richmond. The railroad bridge at Martinsburg and the turnpike bridge over the Potomac at Shepherdstown were also destroyed.–Baltimore American, June 15.–(Doc. 264.)
–Gov. Jackson, of Missouri, having learned that Gen. Lyon was on the way to attack him at Jefferson city, evacuated that place. Soon after sunrise but few of the rebels were to be found in the town. Orders were given by Governor Jackson for the destruction of the Moreau Bridge, four miles down the Missouri, and Gen. Sterling Price attended to the demolition of the telegraph. All the cars and locomotives that could be used were taken by the rebels in their flight, and as fast as they crossed streams they secured themselves from pursuit by burning the bridges. They were quite cautious in concealing their place of destination from the loyal men of Jefferson, but certain remarks made it pretty certain that they were bound for Booneville, forty miles above, and one of the strongest secession towns in the State.–N. Y. Herald, June 20.