Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-27
THREE O'CLOCK p. M.
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.

The following Army appointments were made
to-day In the regular service:
VIM. c. Green TO be Second LieutenAst, hrst
infantry.
Frank Sands French to De Sec ond Lieutensnt
OF first artillery.
John A. Green, Of Maryland, 10 be q Military
Storekeeper
Francis o. Davies 10 be Captain Of the sixteenth
infantry.
Chas. r. Van DuLer 10 be Second Lieutenant Of
fourteenth infantry.
THE PRICES PAID.
IL Is said that the chief Of the ordnance bureau
declines to pay FTemont's contracts for arms. He
has made requisiton for s5OO, 600 70 cover those
contracts, sending on a schedule Of the prices
agreed on, which General Ripley, we hear, pro-
nounces far greater than the same arms cost here,
and which he refuses to pay.
SERIOUS COMPLAINTS.
We hear complaints Of Infamous conduct on
the part Of some Of the men Of General Rockers
brigade (ssid to be Of the Massachusets I2th)
The allegations are rowdyim, plundering, wan
ton mischief to property, &C, In the vicinity Of
the position where they are stationed.
RECOVERING.
The two men hurt In the course Of the artillery
and cavalry review, few days since, prove 70
NAVY YARD.
Important Rirsr NstSS-A DsssrtiHg Ltsstssaaf.
Yesterday morning, the Reliance came sp 10
the Nsvy-Yard, bringing particulars Of the dis
covery Of the enemy's battery at Freestone Point,
about twenty-five miles below Washington. This
battery at FreestOne Point is a new one, having
just been completed, and the brush which con-
cealed 1t cleared away. Its believed to mount
seven guns, two Of which are rifed. The Re
lance brought up a Lieutenant Of the rebel
army, who escaped q few days since, and
upon a raft succeeded In reaching q schooner
near Evansport. He reports that there were
ether heavy batteries concealed by the brush,
along the river, one Of which 10 at Cock
pit Point. From ten TO fifteen thousand troops
are stationed along the Potomac, among whom
there 10 great dissatisfaction-many would desert
IL they could do SO successfully. Several contra
bands picked up this week, and also brought up
| by the Reliance, make similar statements, and
say that the rebels were busy ell day Sunday
| hauling cannon to Freestone Point.
The Reliance needs considerable repairs 10 her
boiler and machinery after which she will again
join the hotlla
The transport Delaware arrived yesterday, with
seamen from the northern recruiting stations.
She was also fred into by the rebels. wednes-
Planet, just below Matthias Point, sinking her
Immediately. No lives were lost.
Last Tuesday the Island Belle wa, fred into
from the Aqua Greek batteries, but without re-
ceiving any damage. A few shots were returned
by the gunboat.
The flag ship Yankee, Com. ellis, came up
| to the yard this morning in order to communicste
with the Department concerning the rebel bat
teries. Some merchant vessels report being fred
upon coming up, but 4" nobody hurt"
| The Mt Vernon went down this morning,
taking with her the lieutenant deserted from
Dixie, doubtless to point out the whereabouts OF
rebel batteries.
Last Monday the gunboat Mount Vernon went
up the Rappahannock river forty miles, discov-
ering nothing but about 500 rebels Al little place
called Liberty. She was not at all molested on
her trip. All is reported quiet on the river this
morning by the Yankee.
Yesterday morning the steamer Baltimore
arrived from New York, whittier she had taken
several political prisoners from Annapolis for
Fort Lafayette.
NEW REBEL BATTERIES ON THE POTOMAC, ETC.
The following report will prove Of interest:
U 8. STEAMER J. BELL. Indian Head, Potomac
River, Sept. IS, 1861 Sir: have the honor TO
submit the following report: This morning,
about sunrise, discovered men at work digging,
&c, at Freestone Point. I got under weigh
at $50 a. m, (having satisfied myself that they
Were making batteries In company with the
Seminole, Lieut.. Norton in charge. I ordered
her 10 follow my motions. We proceeded 20
Freestone Point, and went close In and fred ak
shell, dispensing the workmen and receiving no
return Of FIRE. 1 stood out At that moment the
Seminole opened fire with her battery, which
was Immediately answered from the said point
with rifed shot, disclosing the existence Of
battery there. The Seminole continued her Ere
for some time, continually answered by the bat
tery shore.
After she fred efficiently long, In my opinion,
I ordered her to cease firing and return 10 her
anchorage. After taking a curve by the nature Of
the channel, anon standing up the river, she was
fred upon by the battery on shore, which she
returned; and while passing the Valley City, she
was informed that a shot from shore bad passed
through the bows Of the said vessel; and not
having sufficient steam TO make any progress 20
get cut Of the reach Of the enemyr battery,
reques ed Lieut. Norton to tow him towards
Indian Head; which was done. The enemys
battery continued their fire upon all vessels and
steamers passing up and down, until three p. m.
To the best Of my judgment there are four guns az
said battery; one Tihed gun, extreme range, as
many Of their shots, during their firing, almost
touched the Maryland shore. No one was injured
during the action. The oraceu and men fred
deliberately and coolly.
have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
K p. McCRKA, Commanding.
To Commander yNo. p. GILIs, Commanding
Division of Potomac FIotilla