Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-07

from the position. II IL not known here yet In
what direction the force there was to be moved
whether to be advanced towards the Potomac or
Withdrawn further from It, OF course, the mill
tary authorities here are ready for either contin-
gency.
THE "RAsTERN SHORE"
We have information that since the gradual
perfection Of the Governments military measures
to prevent communication between Maryland and
Seceaia across the Potomac and the bay, a very
large contraband trade has sprung up cia the
EASTERN Shore peninsula. BY that route NUM-
lions, and subsistence, drY-goods, groceries, &c.
to the value Of Thousands thousands Of dollars
pass daily, at this time, into Virginia. They are
sent from Philadelphia and New York vis New
Jersey and Delaware, and through Worcester
county, into Northampton and Accomac counties,
Va. AT or near Cherry Stone (Accomac county,
they are shipped across Chesapeake Bay into the
Western Shore (main portion) Of Virginia. To
protect this trade, the disunionists have now a
| regiment Of eight hundred infantry, squadron
OF cavalry, and a II ght battery OF eight riled
guns, In Accomac and Northampton counties.
Ills Of the utmost importance that this means Of
communication should be at once broken I'D.
That may be done by the use Of a corps Of detec-
tlves In Delaware and Maryland across which
States the cOntraband goods necessarily pass We
trust that the matter will be speedily attended to,
and that the disunion troops on the Eastern Shore
of Virginia may be disposed Of by the Govern.
ment, as they should be.
William Thomas, a political prisoner has
been released. He was arrested on the 22d of
July, near the Chain Bridge, In Virginia, by
| some Vermont volunteers, on suspicion Of being
a spy, and brought before Justice Donn Of this
city, who committed him to Jail to abide the
orders of Gen. Mansfield. Yesterday he was re-
leased by order of Lieut.. Gen. Scott upon the
suggestion of Justice Dom, who had carefully
examined the testimony and discovered no evil.
dence sufficient to fix upon him any act inimical
TO the Government. He had been confined In the
county jail nearly six weeks from the time Of his
arrest He claims to be British subject.
THE PRISONERS IN RICHMOND
We have information from Richmond that
Simpson, of the New York Twenty seventh regi-
ment, from Binghamp.on, Is well, except a wound
In his foot, and will walk In few days The
prisoners there are generally comfortable Capt
Ricketts,, Of the U. 5. artillery, Is at Richmond
still suffering greatly from his bad wound In the
left leg just above the knee. The surgeon says he
will get well. Mrs. Ricketts, 10 still with him.
regiment, taken prisoners some weeks since, are
now held at Raleigh, NC.
THE ARREST OF PURsER GALLAGHER, u.s.N.
Yesterday, the beginning Of the investigate Of
the accounts Of Purser (Paymaster) Gallagher. u.
s. NJ, lead to the impression that they were all
correct, but az 1t proceeded state of facts was
developed that induced the countermanding OF
the order for his release. SO he remains unde,
arrest at the Navy Yard. The examination will
occupy some days, ere the Auditor will be able to
announce whether he 10 considerable defaulter
or not, as alleged.
THE SITUATION IN VIRGINIA.
IL is doubtless true, that the state of tb,pus In
Firginia-the absolute want OF supplies Of all
sorts, military and domestic-is making Il sb.o.
lutely necessary that Beauregard shall hazard +.
general engagement shortly, or withdraw his
army far into the interior preci pita,ey The Gov.
eminent has information from which these con
| clu'io ms irresistibly result.
OVER THE RIVER.
Up to noon to-day everything was quiet in and
around our lines on the other 81 de Of the river
The enemy appeared to be much ouieter than
Tor some days past, In which considerable bodies
OF his troops have repeatedly changed their sever
al positions in front Of our army.
| APPLIES TO GEORGETOWN.
The intention Of Col. Porter to enforce strictly
the closing Of bar-rooms at O'Clock, D. m. by
the arrest Of offenders, applies to Georgetown a,
well as to Washington.
NAVY YARD.
Atrial of tbs Yankee
Last evening the steamer Yankee flag shi NJ
came up to the Yard, reporting all auie, with the
notilla and on the Virginia shores The Georoe
Page, completely closed up at what was formerly
her carriage entrances, lies just inside the mouth
OF Aqua Creek, under cover Of the batteries She
mas been painted black, and Ii reported to carry
siI guns The Yankee 10 one Of the trmmest
crafs In the hotilla, and In addition to her eec-
tive armament Of cannon, musketry, cutlasses.
&C., has boarding netting hung around her, 90
that an attacking party would End It no easy
matter to board her, however great their numb.,,
| might be. She will go down again TO-DAY
The Baltimore had on board this morn,no
heavy cargo Of stores, &c, and was awaiting
orders to sail. This Is doubtless intended 10, the
seamen and marines In the naval battery near AL.
Il eIandria.
Work still progresses on the Underwriter. Ce,es
and Island Belle, which vessels need very extern
siye repairs.
The Pensacola expects to leave for PHILADELPHIA
In eight or ten days, where she 10 to be fitted ont
Tor sea. Her seamen and officers are all here and
exceedingly anxious to join the feet Every dav
her crew are practsed at the heavy guns, and
have already become quite expert in their man
agement.
Very interesting experiments were made this
morning, testing the strength Of powder. This
Is done by means Of a new arrangement which
registers tine force Of the powder at each dis
charge In the Pyramidical-shaped building
near the naval battery In the yard 10 a steel
cannon suspended in a handsome framework like
pendulum, with bore Of about three inches
Just below the gun 10 a guage with a slide,
which Is moved by the recoil of the gun when
nred, and marks the force Of the powder upon
the steel bar. After each discharge the gun IN
rubbed out with brush, washed perfectly clean
and wiped out as dry a. possible A large boz,
built Of heavy timber and thick oak plank, nlled
with sand, stands just in front and receives the
ball through a small hole but little larger than
the shot. With this arrangement powder 10 test.
ed with perfect safety and remarkable accuracy.
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA AND VICINITY
Especial correspondence Of The Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va Sept. 7-Editoy Star: On
Friday afternoon, about5 O'Clock a nartv M ,hout