The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-10-31

1tcnt1ary C0nvlcte-The System O1
Free Markets, sc
| From our Southern exchs nges we make MP
| the following summary:
EXCITING krmoR AytoAr.
The Fredericksburg Hsraxd also publishes
the following:
We have rUInor of a startling character,
| which we will name, but we have not been
able TO trace it 10 q responsible source which
fact we wish distinctly kept In view. II is,
that in TO rfnation has haen received from Ma
rJ1and of IL contemplated attack on the yar;
ons batteries along the Potomac That part
OF the "Big Fleet Is to be used in this con-
nection. a landing of n large body of soldiers
with artillery, Is to be made below Matthias
Point, and this force and the fleet on the river
are TO move upward together, attacking in
the rear and In front simultaneously, what
ever force may be stationed at Mathi IS Point;
next the batteries at Aqnia Greek; and ulu-
ma tely the batteries at Transport.
The SieAles Brigade are reported as part of
this force
1t is stated that Gen Mcclellan has said
the batteries at Evarsport must be TAKE Ii
without regard to the cost
Iaese are the main features which Mais m
hamof bears to US this morning from the Po-
toMas.
Several facts, or ut least that which we be-
heFe 10 bs true, may be named ia this con-
nsction, VIZ: That thu big feet has been d.
v1dfo, part going South, the other part evil
Gently designed for operations pu the Poto-
mac taat soldiers hSVe been sent off from
washington intended for operations some
where; that the fight st Jeesburg was eyl-
IDENTIFY with thp view Of drawing large Con-
ieaerate force 10 that quarter, thus weaken
ing the defencas of the Lower potolnac; aud
besides, that Gen. Mcclellan pr.des himself
on his strategic ability.
THE LIVE YANKEE AND FSE-soRs AGAIN on TEs
POTOMAC.
The Fredericksburg Recorder, of yesterday,
has the following:
Tie river remained clear up to Friday las. (,
wnen several men of-War returned frorn
down The river and took up their old station
Of Aqua Creek, where they remain watch
ing our batteries The ha4yY firing which
was heard on several occasions towards the
cicse OF list week, and OF Sunday, proceeded
tro1u Yankee war vessels, who were firm <
along The shore about M. tiljas Point in order
| to discover ''cebelN batteries
In the vicinity o. Eyansport nothing of in
tereet had transpired since our last until yes
teyday afternoon, about ? q clock, W hen ,th.
Live Yankee, the Free born, and TWO other
steamers were observed to be making heir
way down the Potomac, but we are happy to
say that they fully appreciated the MIA xigu
that discretion ie the better part OF v-alo-,
ana hauled to when some dlstsnce of and
the vessels designated by name commenced q
IRE on our batteries. Some thirty shot aud
she'll were thrown by the enemy Those of the
Live Yankee alt fell short. some Of the shells
OF the Fr2eEorn reached, aud two burst lust
above one OF our batteries, but, providen-
italy, 6Id no damage 1t cannot be positively
ascerEatue1 whether any of our balls reached
OF not, but our informant says that many OF
the shots riCochetted, and water was seen
splashing on the deck OF the Live Yankee.
On our side about twenty shots We're fired
and we hear tbs usual gratifying report that
vita us nobody was hurt. After this demon-
stTGJi0u the steamefs returned M the stream,
doubtless linking ii imprrdent to run the
gaunJiet Of the Sigh, obsaurtioH of our bate
ries as they Are pleased 10 speak of them in
their press reports.
From EyAKsP0RT AND AQUA CREEK.
The Fredericksburg Herald, of yesterday, has
the following il relation 10 a1airs on the po-
tomac;
These two points on the Potomac, where we
have open batteries and the metal of whose
guns haze been tested by the enemy, Continue
to be points Of interest.
The river sapIus to he Closed 10 the naviga
ticn OF Federal craft III the vicinity of Evans
port, according 10 the open and frequent con-
LESSONS of the enemy them selves; vet tina
they have successfully though not frequently
steamed ard sailed by our batteries there dur
ing the night, We do not pretend to question.
| This was before the Richmond" Formerly
| the george Page" hosted the broad pen.
NAM OF the Confederate States st Il.r mast
head aud took position on the waters OF the
Potomac.
For the last week we do not believe that
either steamer or sail vessel Of the enemy has
passed up or down the river, Indeed, the en- =
ire Hotil1 was withdrawn from below the
batteries and OF q sail or piece of bunting
was 10 be seen in the river until Saturday
noraing, when some three or four steamers
| were Il iscerned below Aqua Greek, Gloss 70
! the Maryland shore.
The earnest ire OF Lieut. SiYnms o. s. N
| from oil the 'Richmond," shortly after her
arrivn at Evansport on Wednesday last; had
| tte ELECT 10 break up The camp of tue Sckies'
| Brigade, on the Marylsnd oank OF the p9ro
! mac-ln an IN pfeceGen tediy short time and the
Brigade at once deGam ped 20 what they con .
| sidered safer quarters. But they had not ae
HliratelY calculated the range of our -gyns
for 4 few shots from the recently imported
fngiiSh gun again necessitated Il change in
| their camp. The shot and she'll from this
gun cleared the river entirely, and fel. i'm me
diHteiy in 'n4ir camp.
On yesterday morning the Federal steamer
~ ankee,' which has on board "A very excel
leut gun, steamed up the river as though the
officers had determined on testing the caIibre
OF our cannon and the skill OF our gaaners -
The ~ apkee' kept OFF close TO the Mtryland
shore. and opened up n fire on the lower bat
teries at EVansport. Her shot did not reach
us, and few fires cur part showed that
| she was ont OF range.
The "Yankee' took good care to return the
same route she had come and did not attempt
| TO pass by our batteries up the river.
ARREsF OF PESiTsYTlARy coSvICTs.
The fict that mum Der of Penitentiary con
| victs had escaped frcm the Notifications near
this city on Saturday last, has already been
| published. Ii was also announced that they
| had stolen and carried Off with them two GER
| tilicates OF the City Savings Bank amount
| ing to $500. The etersburg Express, OF yes
| day, has the following notice OF their arrest
Evening before last, three of these con yiets
| were arrested upon Gill street III this city.
by officer prosise; but one of them Was turned
loose OH the Recommendation of a certain par
~ on Washington street, who told SIR. Pro-
sise that he knew the negro 10 be free, and
youched in other ways for his good chaf;te ser
1t vac not until subsequent events proved it,
that the officer disco vered he had turned loose
| one CT the convicts-the very worst one of the
party. After the other two were lodged In
Jail. search was made for the one at large IN
Ill midnight, and continued all day yester
day, but with no success up 10 lite last even
ing.
The name of the party who intarferea for
his release. we will not at present mention.
though we are informed that he had in ais
posse ssion the certificates said to be stolen by
the convicts. They were yesterday held by
one of our brokers, to be returned TO the
proper owaer, upon Identification. It is
proper 10 slate that the fellow who was re
leased adopted me title of Duke the name
signed to the eertiicates--whieh smartness he
was nc doubt put mp q by more intelligent
head than his own. He also stole some eio n :
ing. ID indicated by the extra suit ne had Q n
at the time Of Ais arrest.
They were brought TO this city yesterday I
THE SYSTEM or PgrE aARKErs
The establishment of free markets in many
Of the cities South of Richmond, for the bene.
fit of those who are not able 10 purchase the
comforts and necessaries of life, is truly an
admirable forethought in times like the pres
ent and one which we hope the enterprising
and patriotic citizens of this locality will
not be long in emaiating. The following ex
ceilant and considerable suggestion is taken
from the St Joseph tTensas parish Ga.et,e