New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-24
TIE REBEL ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,


Tie Richmond Dispatch Of the 18th gives the fol-
lowing news from Munson's Hill:
MANASSAS, Sept l..
Notwithstanding my proximity to the heedIuaTfeIs
Of the army find il next to impossible % .ona,s,s
the few items of truth desire 10 give YOU from the
mass Of exaggerated rumors that constantly aoat
Some of them ridiculous as they are impossible and
fake. >. 81
Ire heavy cannonadine that has been 80 frequently
heard in the direction OF Arlington flights has gwen
ri-e to assertions that there daily skFmishes be-
tween the advance of the cOntending armies. AS
have stated previously, this firing ia from Fort Corco
nan, short distance above Georgetown where the
Federals drill daily in artillery practice. On Satur-
day and Monday they were using some heavy guns,
probably sea-c6ast howitzers the report Of which,
echong over the hills could be distinctly heard at Ma
nassas The smaller guns and the light artillery can
DO distinguished at Fairfax. Occasionally few reports
are heard az points lower down the river but they
evidently for practice the signal guns by which
the enemy maintain some secret communication since
the little affair at or near Great rams, where the
Washington Artillery gave the Yankees terrible
scare and made them show the white leather us we'll
as the white flag there has been no skmshng Of cay
Importance.
NH and the vicinity OF the Chain Bridge in ancipa
ton Of sOue stormy scenes within short time. IL IS
expected that the enemy will endeavor TO drive our
men from the HILL and that they, mindful of the former
unsuccessful attempt, will come ont IN much stronger
force Our men on the bill and in the vicinity are
prepared for them and nightly sleep on their arms,
with the parks of artillery IN position, to DC uses IN
less than four minutes from the ALARM All the passes
10 the hill are carefully guarded and fortified and u
NAV prove a hazardous expedition should Mcclellan
try TO get possession Of the works there which no
undoubtedly wishes very much to DO, and pull down
the Rebel flag that is continually floating In his
sight One can very readily imagine that 1t mqst be
am eye.sore TO the fanatical Rouudheads, and that
recalls unpleasant memories OF Bethel, Bull Run,
Stone Bridge and Springfield.
The possession of Munson Hill ls at tins time OF
much more Importance TO the Federals than to us and
for this very reason il is desirable that it should not
fall INTO their hands. With Uptons, Taylors Mum
sons and Masons Hills, most admirable line OF de-
tense could be formed which with the feldworks that
could be easily erected would resist any force that Nc
Clean can bring against IL. Guns mounted on the
redoubt on Mason's Hill would sweep all the roads
and approaches TO Munsons lill and could do admIa-
bic execution upon troops advancing by the Leesburg
srrnpike certainly the most desirable avenue of APP
proaeh for any considerable body Of men. From Up
tons il is easy matter TO throw shell upon Halls
Hill, and il would be but little work TO destroy en-
trely the house Of Mary Hall, now used as lookout
or observatory by Federal pickets. That house has
become quite center OF attraction and there are
many visitors who climb TO its roof in order TO get
glimpse OF the Confederate camp near Uptons house.
On Saturday last number were assembled IN both
houses and stood peerng at each other through glasses
for some hours. We in Uptons house waved hand
kercbief TO those opposite, and the salute Yves imme-
diately Ieturned but after possibly when Il was
suggested that the signal was for an attack, there was
a general stampede and we saw no more Of them for
some hours.
The line of hills now in our possession are Of come
Importance an positions of Defense and for little else
The Federals have erected powerful field works oppo
site them, with bastions having heavy guns mounted
en- barbette. They have also several smaller forfea
lions stockade forts, redoubts with redans and lu-
nettes and various kinds of shelters behind which the
hight artillery could be safely used Every point that
can be strengthened and made available for defensive
operations ia being fortified and they are burning .he
woods in every direction bringing TO light houses Una.
have teen hidden from our sght by the intervening
forests. ,,.. na
II is evident that hot work is expected herey anu
that Mcclellan IL using every exerii9p 70 VIII ,h;s
lino OF hills is useful for making defease but as
base for offensive operations 10 Is OF less value
far "a NV Judgment goes, SHOULD cay that we ss'