The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-30

the rebel army, traces of them be discovered
IN large force, their usual pickets Of infantry and
cavalry only being discerniblc at distant points
lowering as If for observation purposes
FEINTs OF THE REBELS.
The most probable theory is, from what be gather
ed the rebels making ens Of retreat as they did pre-
vous to the battle of Bull rum with the view Of drawing
our troops into ambuscades This opinion is strengthen
cd by the repetition Of conversation which farmer re-
siding in the neighborhood Of Falls Church. overheard
the day before they evacuated that neighborhood.
The encampments of the rebels show that they had at
no time over 900 men in front of Washington and at
! the points which they have just evacuated.
AS near as can be ascertained the bulk Of the rebel
force down the river is at Transport place laid down
on Bunt's map as Shipping Point.n 1t is
about fifteen miles above Aqua creek, between
Chapowanisc and Puantico creeks and opposite place
called Budd ferry, the Maryland side Shipping Point
extends well into the river and if well fortified, will be
dangerous place for vessels to pass.
THE CONDITION OF THE ARMY.
One Of our reporters this morning visited the Union en-
campments on the Lower Potomac The troops are in
the enjoyment of excellent heal The general autumn
weather which now prevails has had most beneficial CT
feet, and the hospitals consequently nearly empty
THE CLOSING OF THE POTOMAC
Sunday print published here asserts, upon wha, it
calls government authority, that the rumor
That the Potomac river is efoctually closed
10 navigation is not true. If it ia not closed
is Simply because the rebel batteries do not
choose to close it, Their guns control the channel
vessel can pass up down without coming within reach
of them Such vessels are at the mercy of those who
control the battery at Freesone Point 1t is true that
any vessel can take the risk Of passing many have
DONE and either fired at or not hit This will
continue only as long the rebels will It, That they
have poor artersts at this battery there is no doubt
else less number Of vessels would have escaped the
terrible missiles thrown at Thorn than have Com.
manders of vessels navigating the should not be
deceived by false statements whether put forth by
government authority made for speculative purposes
MOVEMENTS OF GENERAL sIcKLEs BRIGADE.
There has been some important movements of troops in
this direction Geoera Sckcs' entire brigade has been
r'yea GTgn Ell Ss,S W.; have essp en-
camped for some months. On Saturday evening tney
arrived at Pscataway where they cncampcd during the
night To-day they broke up their camp, first their bush
huts and marched to another point where they arrived
at sunset There to be considerable secession feel
ing about the people Of Piscotaway motley crowd was
assembled at one Of the hotes-a dngy and rckcty
building by the wayside-apparenty well pleased that the
Union troops had left singing tho Southern
Marsellase, Dixie, and otherwise enjoying
themselves One man, a village oracle was
quoting something meant for satire. Another
who was whstling Dixie with all his might was
reminded by companion that he had idea of singing
that song the previous night when the military were
on hand. They oil, however, seemed to be very good
natured fellows The embers Of the burning huts were
still smoking, and number Of the slave population were
rumagng about the ashes for anything that nigh, turn
up.
THE SECESSION FEELING In BALTIMORE.
Recent Developments show that baltimore is yot rot
ten TO the the subject Of loyalty and would APP
pear from all the facts that tho Provost Marshal does
not sufficiently realize the importance of the matter In.
formation of rebels who fought at Bull run now in
Baltimore of money there belonging to men now serving
in the rebel army, of merchants there engaged in uni
forming rebels who secretly enlisted in Baltimore to
in the rebel army, and many other classes guilty
of disoyalty TO the government have been re.
ported, but considered of consequence
The Provost Marshal denies that he knows of
the existence in baltimore at the present time Of
one hundred and thirty-two persons, who deserted
the rebel army since the battle Of Bull run He
says he has desire TO arrest them; that he
knows them has idea they are suspicious
knows where they are, and catch them at any
Increment Women Of Baltimore have been actively and
pairing lint for the rebels yet We do hear of any ar
rests. One woman conveyed to JcG. I,via and Colonel
Stuart two letters carefully secreted between the
soles of the shoes she on her feet. she had
them mad9 FOR the purpose named. She made the trip
since the battle of Bull The two letters conveyed
the intelligence Of the aad forGcatins Of the
Union army. The question naturally arises why Of
these people have never been arrested,
SHOT FOR INSTRUMENTATION.
Aprvate was summarily shot today by his superior
officer for nsnbordnaon in refusing to perform duty.
TIE ARMY.
Major George Sykes, commander of the battalion of
third regular infantry was yesterday promoted to
Brigadicr General.
TIE VAN WICK INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
Hon. Reuben E. Fenton and Hon. E. b. washburne.
members of the Van Wyck Contract Investigating Com
mittec, have arrived in town. 1t is understood with
reference the business of that committee the examna
ous contracts thus far made have disclosed
startling facts upon which report will be made at next
session.
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Sept 81 1861.
Affairs at the Cdpial-Rapid Improvement Of the Army
Security of the CIy-Sirmishes Nth the Enemy-DeaM
Of Captain Lincenfelder-Details IF the Reconnaissance
near Falls Church-Shootimg in he Sicke Brigade, DC
washington is perfectly quiet Inc zOtn SeptcmDer-
the day the leaders of the rebel army were to have
made famous by the capture of the capital and the dis
person OF the federal armyhas come and gone and yet
the national government stands where it has stood
and the embattled hosts Of the united republic hold
watch and ward at every avenue by which it may be
approached The rebel hordes like the Huns of Atta,
may thunder at its gates, and the hoofs Of their
horses may the confines of its dcfences but
their sacrilegious bands longer hope TO it's