The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-28


ION, statement was prepared fur the HraAlp which
appeared IN the Issue OF Friday under tho heading q
Additional Psrtcuars." In that statement all the par
tcu.ars Of the II Generals Stone and Baker
presented General Stone gave General Baker seven
thousand Of his best men, cautioned him not TO cross
the river until he had sent out his scouts and satisfied
himself Of the strength and position Of the enemy That
was tho duty OF General Baker 10 furnish
hh mon with ample means Of transportation ts
generally conceded II he could not find them, then II
was his duty 10 report the fact to Gen. Stone. The lat
ter says that quito to tho contrary Baker reported
that the facilities for crossing ample and when
asked II he wanted any assistance no replied no
Thus the case stands at present The report OF Gen
Stone on the subject win show whether this view Of the
AMIR is correct.
The following order has been issued by General McCe
Ian concerning the affair at Balls Bluff complimenting
In high terms General Stone and his gallant command
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or TIE PoroxAc,
WASHINGTON, Oct 26, 1851.
GENERAL oRDER NO. so. ss ss slr
Inc Major General commanding tho OF the Poto-
mac desires to offer his thanks and TO express his
admiration Of their conduct officers and men OF the
detachments Of the Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachn
sets First California and Tnmany regiments, and the
First United States Artillery and Rhode Island battery
engaged In the affair Of Monday last Harrisons
Island The galantry and discipline there displayed de-
served fortunate result but situated as those
troops wee cut Oh alike from retreat and renforcemcns
and attacked by an overwhelming force OF from nve
Thousand to seven thousand, it was not possible
that the issue could be successful Under happier aus
pices such devotion will insure victory The General
Commanding feels increased confidence in the troops COM
posing General stones DIVISION and is that when
next they meet the enemy they will fully retrieve this
check for which they are not accountable.
MAJOR GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
8, WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant General.
Washington Sunday morning print Of TO-
day, contains what purports to be o des-
Monday last, urging him TO dash to Leesburg, and
that he (stone expected to occupy that place in few
hours Without inquirng what General Stone has to say
the subject have reason believe that when he
learns Of the publication he win pronounce 1t forgery
1t looks like part OF similar declarations already made
by interested parties TO mslead the public mind, not
only In regard to tho affair at Balls Bluff but to the
real paaty responsible for the at that place.
QUIET ALONG OUR LINES.
So far be ascertaned all quiet the entire
line Of the Potomac to-day
THE REBELS IN VIRGINIA DIVIDING THEIR FORCES.
Positive information has been received that recent
currences have oocasoned division Of the rebel army
Of the Potomac. Renforcemcnts 70 very large extent
have been sent TO Leesburg, with the expectation Of
renewal of the attack that point and immense force
has been congregated at Norfolk under the impression
that the expedition fitting in Chesapeake Bay was in
tended make a demonstration there The centre Of
the rebel army Centrevlc and hns been much
weakened by the withdrawal Of these forces the right
and left. General Johnston is tho general commanding
Beauregard commands the forces opposite the city Of
Washington and Gustavus W. Smith late Street Commits
sioner OF New York city, commands the forces at Lees
burg. 1t is stated that at Richmond
few days ago that important advance movement Of
the whole rcbel army to be made before the 1st Of
November, but perhaps the fight at Bas Bluffs and tho
sailing of the great naval expedition As rendered
change Of programme necessary.
NECESSITY OF DEFEATING THE REBEL ARMY OF THE
POTOMAC.
The people of the country ought to know tha the rebels
have concentrated in Virginia vast army well armed
with the the country could furnish occrcd
with experienced men, and directed by generals who have
received regular military educatons and are for the most
part, among The most sklful in their profession The
strength and flower Of tho military resources of the
Southern States have been the vicinity
Of Washington. Here is the head and front Of the
rebellion, which will not be crushed until this
Southern army front Of Washington has been defeated
Our troops elsewhere may achieve success may have
victories in Missouri Kentucky, Western Virginia and
along the Atlantic and the Gulf Of Mexico but the rebel
lion will never be suppressed until the main army Of the
enemy Is defeated The great issue before the country
can be settled by diversions from army of the
Potomac TO win isolated battle here or there where
no other result is to be attained Except for defensive
operations elsewhere, all military experience suggests
that the strength Of the Union army should be
trated at this point, and the decisive blow struck
here where almost the entire army Of the rebels
is congrcgated Their defeat here will be the utter
destruction OF the enterprise Of Davis, Beauregard
Floyd and Co. Petty victories elsewhere will amount to
nothing but great victory here will decide the whole
question: scatter the armed forces Of the rebels Ike cha
before the wind revive the Union spirit Of the South
and restore the integrity Of the Union The rebc, army
before Washington must be whipped before the war can
be ended and it will not conclude before this has been
achieved. For this achievement concentration at this
point Of sufficient force to march steadily forward,
leaving garrsons and guards at every station the way
is mdispensably necessary.
FROM THE LOWER PoToMAc--No BATTERIES AT MA
THIAs POINT, ETC.
The HEeALp's special correspondent on the Lower
Potomac forwards the following report
UNITED STATES STEAMER YANKEE,
Or INDIAN HEAD, PoToMAo RIVER, Oct. 26, 1861. +
1t has been discovered as ypu aware that there s
after all, battery at Matthias Point. The guns that
fred at the Frceborn must have belonged TO Tying
artillery Several schooners have passed the Point
molested, and yesterday the Union Freeborn, Satellite
and others, that had down and anchored oT Lower
Cedar Point, passed safely by, and at their
old anchoring ground, from Aqua creek upwards
to wade's Bay The rebel steamer George Page, which
is in cuantco Creek, consequently position
than before She can neither up down. and is
within easy range Of the Maryland shore. She and
then throws shot and shell across and this evening she
threw shells in the direction OF Maryland, but with
what effect is not yet known. Yesterday Captain vii
iams Of the Typographical Engineers, drew base line
opposite shipping Point, tranguIated it, and found the
distance TO be rot than and quarter
mile,
SHIPMENT OF coNTRABAND GOODS.
Information has just been received by the government
that large quantities Of contrabapd goods constantly
being shipped at st. John, New brunswick and Quchac
for the Southern Coast to the blockade It Is also
asserted and believed that Of the goods leave several
o. the loyal ports in the North and that prominent per-
sons engaged in this unlawful enterprise.
psAHITY OF A PRISONER AT FORT LAFAYETTE.
Yesterday information reachcd the Secretary Of state
that James NJ. Haig, who arrested in Baltimore
time Since tor engaging III shipping contraland goods
tho South and seat TO Fort lafayette Is ing maniac
orders have beer sent for his release and to be handed
over TO Lis friends, to be placed in lunatic