The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-20
QUA SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

REBELS DISTRESSED WITH ARTILLERY, by GEN
KRAL M'cLRiL&E.
Peace regne6ang lines last night and this morn
ing, 80 far tho hnemy is concerned considerable
force nom General smiths brigade went out early this
morning TO make reconnaissance. On their return some
Of our pckets surprised and took them for the
enemy and reported him advancing but after find
ing out their mistake, corrected IT, The report OF the
enemys advance reached the city growing cut Of the
bunder referred to- creating considerable activity Peo
pie beginning think that Bcauregard does not mean
TO keep his promise to take Washington before the Goth
inst The impression is that his army is thinning out too
fast TO warrant him in risking battle.
General Mcclellan and several Of his staff and escort,
this afternoon went to examine our earth works garrl-
soned by portion Of Gen. Franklins command. While
viewing the enemys position General Mcclellan discover
ed some five six hundred Of the enemy approaching about
two miles distance. He Immediately ordered several
rfed cannon put in position, and sighted Thorn himself,
and sent his compliments to the rebels in about twenty
she'll that exploded In their very midst producing the
widest CONSERVATION The whole force to scat
ter and fly. There is doubt that large number
killed. 1t is impossible that it could be otherwise. The
enemy did not return the fire.
General Mcclellan, after dsposing Of this advancing
force Of rebels directed his attention to battery
recently thrown up by the enemy short distance south
Of Munson's Hill, known Masons Hill He threw
raj she'll and shot into their works causing of the
hands to knock Oft They were evidently surprised by
this sudden opening Of batteries upon Them they
suddenly disappeared and did not return the fire.
General Mcclellan returned to tho city about nine
o'clock tonight.
The telegraph up past ten O'Clock to-
night that everything quiet along whole line, in
Guiding the column under Generals Banks and Stone.
There is sign Of the enemys advance tonight has
there been during the day. except the recommending party
discovered and dispersed by General Mcclellan.
ARRIVAL OF A REBEL FROM MuNsoN's HnL-ms
STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE MOVEMENTS OF THE
REBEL GENERALS AND JEFF. DAvIS-THE STRENGTH
OF THE REBEL ARMY, ETC.
deserter from the rebel camp at Munsons HILL came
into our lines to-day and Immediately conveyed to
General McClelans headquarters He states that Gene
rails Beauregard and Johnston were both at Nun
sons Hill yesterday and made thorough reconnaissance
OF our position. He says there are only about one
thousand soldiers at Munsons Hill, and that the main
body of the troops are at Fairfax and Centrevle He
says that Je Davis these two points on Tuesday
last and reviewed the troops in person. He says he saw
JEFF. Davis at Munsons Hill yesterday, examining our
works with glass. He does not think, from all he
has seen, and could learn private, that there
are over one hundred thousand men at all these
points Fifteen thousand reported to have been
sent from Manassas few days ago Northwestern vr
gina. When asked if he thought the rebels were going
10 make an attack upon lines ho replied that they
were daily expecting attack from our forces
He says distinctly that he never heard the
intention expressed by tho rebels Of making an
attack upon intrenchments. He had heard them
say the army would into Maryland but no
time was fixed. He does not believe they win attempt TO
do that now He was asked what kind of food they hads
He said that consisted principally Of hard biscuit and
1ocov tbo lofto
very much in need Of blankets. He says he made his
escape from Munsons Hill, being fred at by the rebel
pickets some ten or fifteen times. He thought
he had passed all the rebel pickets, when
he suddenly upon another and being nearly taken
ror dear life and at last finding himself safe he saws
he turned and shook his catecn at tnem and then
into our lines, when he came being shot again by
coming too suddenly upon some Of our pickets.
He is young man. about nineteen years old, is quite
intelligent and says he ccrk in one of the towns
of Fairfax county, and pressed into the rebel
service, and escaped he could OF course in
judging of his statement due allowance should be made
for the limited no has had Of obtaining nforma-
ton, being only private. He wears dirty, ragged
looking uniform, the original color Of which was gray
He nearly barefooted when he into lines
THE REPORTS RELATIVE TO THE CLOSING OF THE
POTOMAC.
The Leligecer says-We believe the frequent threats
P0tOTnaC
by batteries along the western shore have never made
any serious impression military authorities There
are shells enough command any time to enable our
vessels to dislodge the rebels along the line. 4.
VISIT OF THE PRINCE DE JOINvnLE AND SUITE TO
ALEXANDRIA OF GENERAL BLENKER's
DIVISION.
General Mcclellan accompanied by General Stoneman
and Major Van veet of his staff attended by the Prince
de Jonvie and suite. the whole under escort of McCe
lans mounted body guard, under Captain Barker visited
Alexandria this morning. and reviewed General Benkers
division. Prince Salm Salm, who was yesterday COM
missioned Colonel in the United States Army, and de-
tailed to General Benker's staff, was present. The
review splendid affair, and the Prince do Joinve
and suite highly pleased with the fine appearance
of troops and deeply impressed with the immense
Notifications along the Heights.
VISIT OF BRITISH OFFICER TO THE UNION LINES
Captain Stevenson of the Montreal field battery visited
to-day our lines at Arlington Heights and in the vicinity
of the Chain Bridge.
GEN. RosEoRANs' MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
General Rosecrans department will consist Of so
much Of Virginia lies west Of the Blue Ridge Noun.
tans, and will be known the department of Western
Virginia. The General will continue to draw reinforce
by acquisitions upon the Governor of Ohio as bore
tofore.
GEN. MToHELL's MILITARY DEPARTMENT
mentioned
in yesterdays despatch will embrace Indiana as well as
Ohio and so much Of Kentucky lies within fifteen
miles Of Cincinnati which city will be the headquarters
of General Mitchell.
THE ARMY.
The following appointments were made today as Asss-
tant Adjutant Generals Of the Volunteers
Captain Charles Kngsbury for General Reynolds bri.
gads.
Captain E. Sparrow. for General Frankln's brigade
Captain Frederick D. Sewe for General Howart's bri
gade.
Captain Edward G. Baird for General Meades brigade
Captain Henry W. Smith for General Careys brigade.
Captain John r. Howard Ad-de Camp TO General Ere.
mont.
Charles D. Allegood Military Storekoeper, Quarter
Department transferred from the Ordnance de-
partinent
Mr.. c. Mccall, of New Jersey, has been appointed
Captain in the Fourteenth infantry.
John Locke, of Ohio has been appointed Captain in
the Fourteenth infantry.
Edward Martindale has been appointed Commissary of
Subsistence for volunteers, with the rank of Captain
WIN. Sjue5 editor of tho uarriab,ro Cs,T;caJ ,y,s