Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-30
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
SC. S1o. &C. SC.
Especial to the Herald.I

AsHlNdIONs OClODbT ~. - lhIOt0aIlOn
was received here to. day from the Lower
Potomac that the rebel steamer Paige crossed
the river with large force on Monday from
Shipping Point ard entered Chicomixan
River. The rebels did not disembark, out a
boat containing twenty men left the steamer
and went to schooner lying at anchor in
the river near by. The captain of the
schooner was questioned as to the strength
and position OF our forces. Without molest-
ipg the vessel the boat proceeded to the
south shore of the river, lauoed aud would
have been bapged by Colonel Faylor's Thirty
third New York Regiment that was b
vousckCd d in the woods near ny, but tor the aC-
cidental blast of huge. The rebels became
alarmed, took to the boat, aud as soon as
they reachtd d the steamer moved oat into tae
Potomac, throwing shells in every direction
along the Maryland shore, without doing
any mischief
Tbe steamer went over to Virginia and
did not return during the day. Yesterday
one of our steamers opened fire on u rebel
battery below Acquia Geek; the rebels re-
turned the fire with considerable energy. A
large number of rebels appeared on the ram.
parts. The steamer, after engaging the bat
teTy for some half hour, steamed up tue river.
This arrangement was witnessed from the
Mary land shore and reaches US 10y messen-
ger from General HookeT's division. The
steamer has not arrived at the Navy yard
yet. 1t is not known whether she was dam
aged or not. There seems to be no incliua
tion of the rebels TO cross, and their move.
ments are interpreted as altogether defensive,
fearing General Hooker would cross and
attack them. Deserters from the rebel camp
confirm this statement.
A dispatch received here to-day from Gen
eral Rosecrans, states that he had advanced
some five miles in the direction of the rebels,
ard was preparing to make another forward
movement with view of driving the rebels
from that entire section of country. He had
intelligence that for several days they had
been retreating. He intended following them
as soon as the necessary arrangements could
be made.
New York Tribune's DispAtch.l
General Stones report of the Battle of
Balls Bluff was sent into the War Depart
ment. In it occurs the following:
"Colonel Baker having arrived at Conrad S
! Ferry with the First California Regiment at
an early hour proceeded TO Edwardss Ferry
and reported to me in person, stating that
| his regiments at the former place and three
| other regiments of his brigade were ready to
march. directed him to Harrison's Island
to assume command, and in full conversa-
| tion explained TO him the position as it then
stood. | told him that General Mccall had
| advanced his troops to Drainesville. l was
| extremely desirous to ascertain the exact po-
| sition and force of the enemy in our front,
and exploring as far as it was safe on the
right toward Leesburg, and the left toward
the Leesburg and Gum Spring road.
81 also informed Colonel Baker that Cen
eral German, opposite Edwards's Ferry,
should be reinforced, and that would make
efforts to push GoIman's troops carefully for
ward to discover the best line from the ferry
to the Leesburg and Gum Spring,road, al.
ready mentioned, and the position of the
breastworks and hidden batteries which pre-
vented the movement of troops directly from
left 10 right, were also pointed out to him.
The means of transportation across, of the
sufficency of which he (Baker) was TO be
Judge, was detailed and authority granted
him TO make use of the guns, of a section
each of Vaughsn's and Buntiug's batteries to-
gether with French's mountain howitzers,
all the troops of his brigade and the Tam
many Regiment besides the Nineteenth and
part of the Twentieth Regiment of Massa
chusetts Volunteers, and left it to his die
cretioD, after viewing the ground, TO retire
from the Virginia shore under cover of his
guns and the fire of the large infantry force
or to pass our reinforcements in case he found
it practicable, and the position on the other
side favorable.
81 stated that wished no advance made
unless the enemy were Of Inferior force, aud
under no circumstances to pass beyond Lees
burg or strong position between it and
Goose Creek, on the Gum Spring road.
Colonel Baker was cautioned in reference Il
passing artillery across the river, and
begged, if he did, to be well supported b!
good infsntry. The General pointed out t
him the position of some bluffs on this side @
the river, from which artillery could &C
with effect on the other, and leaving tn
matter of crossing more troops or retiring
what were already over to his discretion.
gave him entire control of operations on thu
right.
Colonel Baker went to the field in person
and it is a matter of regret that he left no re
cord of what officers and men he charge
, with the care of the boats insuring the regu
{ lar passage of troops. II any we're charge
: with this duty it was not performed, for th
: reiDforcemenis as they arrived found no on
, in command of the boats, and great della
! was thus occasioned. Had one officer and
: company remained at each landing, guard
ing the boats, their full capacity would haV
{ been made serviceable, and sufficient me
{ would have been passed on TO insure success
a The forwarding OF artillery before lts SUI
porting force of infantry also impeded th
' rapid assembling of an imposing force on th
Virginia shore. II the infantry force hs
: first crossed, difference OF one thousan
. men would have been made in the intantl
Il | line AT tu6 Llul6 Ol tuo htbnChl piOuool
enough TO have given US the victory.
''CHAS. P. STONE,
: "Brigadier General Commanding
J. NEW YoRK, October 3O.-The steam
Columbia has arrived, from Havana on q
d 25th. i,
The rebel steamer Theodore, formerly d
Gordon, left Havana on the 23d for Charlie
ton. She landed Mason and Siiden
Cardenas and siterward went to havana
Mssoh and Slidell goiug overland. Tney we
/, received with the highest consideration tro
the Captain. General down:
Z The Thsodora took large quantity
9 arms on her return; also provisions, cone
, &c. She was presented with a silk flag
G. the southern ladies, and took twenty passe
gers, including Meade, late United Stal
., Minister to Brazil.
t Things looked quite warlike in HavAT
A large feet was fitting for Mexico.
> The English Minister had called on
Y rebel Commissioners in full uniform and p
tepted tb, u 10 the Cap'a q General,