The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-09
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, August s, 1861.
Gen. Mcclellan believes that should the CITY be
attacked by the Confederates the defensive move
ment will be directed principally upon the north
ern and western parts of the city. In order to
guard most effectualy against sudden flank move
ment of this nature, bodies of troops are being sta
toned about three miles north of GEORGETOWN.
thus, also strengthening the line of pckets which
now extends from this city to Harpers Ferry.
There was evidently unusual commoton here
last evening. Pickets thrown out on the
Washington road fifteen miles from the CITY. Or
ders have been issued for the forwarding of ten
more regiments over the Washington Railroad
humors constantly prevail in the camps sur
rounding this city of the advance of the Confede.
rates, and such announcements sometimes cause
much confusion. The Confederate scouts, in num-
bers OF from one to twenty, dash in every NIGHT
ana often during the day, and after accommodating
Tor short time or exchanging shot with the
Federal pickets, gallop back to their camps lauob
ing at the fear which the Yankees" have of SEEING
rifle in the hands of Southerner pointed to,
wards them. Many amusing incidents occur be-
tween the outposts of the two armies One of
tnem was told me as having occurred few days
ago.
One of the New FORK regiments stationed on the
line below Falls Church had established a chain of
pickets as customary, and one of the members COM
posing the guard, while duty, saw an object
standing on q hill in the distance, which looked
ike man. For the purpose of satisfying himself
he walked on in that direction, but had not pro-
ceeded far when the CLEAN of bayonet in the sun
lght SATISFIED the Federal that his suspicious were
correct. Seeing the stranger, however, advance,
he concluded to do so likewise, and they actually
met.
They shook hands and exchanged drinks. the
Confederate giving the Federal whiskey for his
coffee. They were in conversation about half an
hour, the Federal confessing that be did not know
what principle, if any, he was fighting for, and
both agreeing thas the war was horrible act of
Thau
prised, however, to find party of Virginia cavalry
dash upon and remove them both to quarters where
they might finish their conversation.
The tariff and direct tax bills are the most fruit
ful topics OF comment to-day. Various opinions
are given as to the amount the tariff will Weld
Mr.. Simmons, Senator from Rhode Island, who
principally framed the bill, calculates that it will
yield much more than what Secretary Chase sup
poses.
From all sources of revenue ii is expected hv the
Administration that the amount, which Mr.. Chase
proposes (SS0,OO0,O00) will, at least be raised
AT the commencement of the session Mr. Chase
the fiscal year to be S3lsOOO,OOO. 1t is probable
that the appropriations for the year, including
those made at this session. will amount to S33O-
O0O,OO0; which must be met, as intended. by the
loan OF OOO 600, and the accru;ng from
the tariff, income tax and direct taxation saw
$50, 100000. The great remaining question now Is
bow to obtain the money!
Maj. George Chorpenning has been sent to your
city to organize the I'd Maryland regiment The
regiment will consist of residents of this city, Penn
sylvanians and some few renegade Marylanders.-
Quarres exist among the captains and recruiting
officers, and the main duty of Mai. ChorpeunipS
will be to restore, far as possible, discipline
among the disaffected officers of the regiment
There is apparently another movement to be
made In short time the lower Potomac the
OBJECT of which remains a secret, but am certain
that an order was issued late this afternoon for
the immediate construction of fifty fast pulling
launches for the Potomac 1ota.
The proposition of Gen. Banks to make Mary
land the grand rendezvous of the armies of the
North, in order list That the people might be held
IN IN proper subjection; ID, That transportation
through the Capitalization of the railroads might
We lacliitated; and Sd, That safe retreat of the
~ LIES o, the Potomac and Shenandoah, if necessa
;n,snI De insured, have been considered and the
na;nhhoh e al IN favor of sending troops to the
e noo noou vi baltimore. Be it said 10 the cradit
y, oenerals scott and Dix, that thew have haan
s'eaoiIy opposed 10 such a movement and :. al
only De perfected in the face of the protests f IN
best military General and one of the best edt tns
and polite citizen Generals of the armies Of ,Sa
North. Vi Tue
In order to guard against Government tele.
graphlc dispatches being used for the information
of the Confederates, the Administration has con-
GUIDED to use newly invented CIPHER in transmit
ting official intelligence.
Gen. Heintzleman, in his official report to the
w ar Department, states that early in the battle
the Fire Zouaves were broken by bayonet CHARGE
from the 9Th Alabama regiment, and thew were
not recognized, did they do efficient service
during the remainder of the day. SPECIAL.