New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-18
GENERAL BANKS In WASHINGTON
Interview with the President and Gen. Mcclellan

Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune
WAsHrSsToS. Thursday, Oct H. 1851.
THE EVACUATION OF FAIRFAX CoURT-HOUsE.
man named Baylis, Virginian, arrested
three weeks ago by the Rebels for crossing
their lines, and since confined at Fairfax Court
House, returned this morning, having been re-
leased, with numerous others, in consequence,
he declares of the evacuation of that position.
He states that the Rebels yesterday burned
thousands of bushels of corn aud wheat, lest it
should fall into the hands of our troops Also,
that all the citizens bad left for Richmond and
other points South. The Rebel troops at Fair
fax were under command of BrigadieT-Gen.
Lonstreet of Virginia. Davis, Beauregard, and
Johnston had all been there within week.
There were no new intrenchments at Fairfax,
but the old ones we're somewhat strengthened.
Whether this information be true or not, 1t is
certain that the Rebel pickets have been
drawn in. Yesterday they were at Aunandale,
about two miles this side of the Court House.
This morning Annandale is vacant, aud it was
possible to ride a short distance beyond it,
without the discovery of any body of the
enemy. The outpOsts wished to advance to.
day and take possession Of Fairfax Court
House, but permission was Withheld by higher
authority.
THE POTOMAC.
There was nothing particularly startling re-
ported from the river to-day. The Mount
Vernon went down past the new Rebel batter
les about ) o'clock on Wednesday morning,
with q large number of marines The Pawnee,
following soon after, tOwed by the Pussy and
Leslie, was fired upon twelve times and struck,
four times in the hull and three times in the
rigging, but not materially injured Nobody
on board was hurt. The Mount Vernon was
briskly cannonaded on her return, about s
o'clock last evening" but every shot fell wide
Of the mark. In neither case did the weasel
return FIRE. Capt. HOnan of the Pussy to
whom we are indebted for the above particu-
lars, says that about fifty vessels are below,
unable to pass the batteries without convoy.
Vessels drawing only Elk feet water can safely
pass the Shipping Point batteries at a distance
of IL of a mile. Several steamers have been
directed to convoy all transports and merchant
vessels, that will venture up stream. There is
no doubt of our ability to make the rebel bat
teres useless and Intellectual, and the means
will soon be employed. 1t is not improbable
that, beside their stationary batteries the rebels
have a field piece with which they followed
and fired upon the Seminole on Tuesday, Civ.
ing rise to the belief, on the part of persons
witnessing the engagement, that their batteries
extended six miles.
Capt. ellis of the Seminole, sends from Fer.
tress Monroe an official report of his experience
with the Potomac batteries, Of which we give
the material portions as follows:
We discovered short distance below the White
House body, say battalion, Of on the Vir-
eina ha moving up the river and between Freestone
Point and Cockpit another body OF confederate troops
moving In the same direction. The Pocahontas, some
distance ahead was seen TO open fire on the shore
below Freestone Point and at EvanspOrt or Ship
pipV Point which was not observed to be returned.
AT l0:45 a. M, az the Seminole was passing slowly
by Eyansport three batteries opened brisk fire OF
shot and she'll. Two of them are on the bank OF the
river, and the third lies some 400 yards inland We
returned the fire, while keeling under way from onr
pivot Gun and wo 32-poundeTs, with effect. Our shells
were seen 10 fall in and around their works One Of
their shot crippled our mizenmas about ID feet be-
low the eross-tIees; others struck the rigging III
VARIOUS piacep' SSNeIal ItIoVuo hSAS SS4"tN''NN y
the spigiaTs.
THE SEIZURE OF THE GEORGE KNAPP.
In consequence Of the commander of the
Mississippi squadron having seized the George
Knapp, supposed to have run the Southern
blockade, aud having reported that she had a
clearance from New-Orleans signed BY the
British Consul, Mr.. Muir, Secretary Seward
has requested an explanation of the circum-
stances from Lord Lyons. Mr. Muir says the
vessel in question was at the port of Berwick,
eight miles south Of New-OrleaDs, and that the
master came up TO him and asked for clear
ance which be refused, giving, however,
certificate as to his cargo, on the strength o.
which he sailed. 1t is further reported tha
the Admiralty Court at Key West has pro
bounced the seizure Illegal and ordered th'
release of the vessel This last is not con
frmed. 1t is doubtful under the clrcum
stances, whether Mr.. Muir's exequatur VIII d
withdrawn.
CAPTURE OF SCHOONER OFF CHARLESTON
The schr. Alert was captured by the U. .
steamer Flag, of Charleston, Oct. 9. Wbel
1rst seen she had the Palmetto flag flying, bu
upon being chased, and satisfied of her fate
tbe hoisted the English Gag, union down, .