Winchester, March 13.—This afternoon, while twenty-six of our cavalry were foraging on the Strasburg road, three miles distant, they came upon a large barn bearing evidence of having recently been occupied by Ashby’s men. While our teams were loading with hay, about two hundred of the rebels came near and threw out two companies as skirmishers. Our men covered the departure of their teams and prepared to resist an attack, which was finally commenced. At length six Wisconsin pickets came up with rifles, and killed two of the enemy. One of our cavalry dashed upon the enemy amid a shower of bullets, and killed one of the rebels with his pistol. The enemy made no effort at a charge, but gradually advanced as our men fell back to the town in good order and unharmed.
It is a noticeable fact, that, for several months, the inhabitants of this section have been entirely without coal, and with limited means of transporting fuel into the towns. The gas works at Martinsburg, Charlestown, and Winchester, are closed for want of stock. The cars to-day only reached Hall Town, four miles out ot Harper’s Ferry, owing to the previous destruction of the bridge.
No movements of importance have taken place to-day. Gen. Jackson was in person at Middletown, this morning, five miles north of Strasburg. Ashby’s cavalry still hangs in the rear of Jackson’s retreat.
Worcester Daily Spy, Worcester, MA