The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-11
Gen. McClellan's First Speech
to His Soldiers.
Restoration Of the Colors of the Seventy
Ninth Regiment,
&c., &C., &c.
CIR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 1861

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 1861.
THE GREAT BATTLE ON THE POTOMAC NEAR AT HAND.
An early attack upon this city by the rebel army
concentrated in Virginia has been often predicted
without coming pass that such reports have almost
become the subject Of rdicule but from information
received to-day from reliable source, the entire
rebel army had advanced in great force far Fairfax
Court House. and made that place its head quarters the
left wing extending up the river far Great Falls and
the right resting in front of Alexandria The main body
is upon the left, indicating intention 10 carry out the
programme previously mentioned TO attempt TO the
river at point above the city.
The Information derived from the sources alluded SO is,
that the rebel generals have intention Of attacking
centre They hope to the Potomac overrun Mary
land and obtain possession of Washington. 1t is worry
evident that if the omation derived from this
is correct great battle will soon be fought and from
the very nature things being the possession of
tho national capital it will be struggle, such
modern history has yet recorded. Look out for the
battle of the Potomac
The enemy have ceased to rely upon the boosted
individual superiority of Southern men, and
numbers, and hope, by overwhelming force, to
the coveted That the strength Of the rebel army
has greatly moderated by the people Of the loyal
States, and by prominent public here
there can be little doubt. 1t stated
several days ago that reliable information had been
ceived from Richmond that their army OF the Potomac
between $50 600 to O0000 strong. This statement
has been very recently corroborated by number Of gen.
uemen of high reputation in Kentucky, who have
returned from visits to the seat of war in
Virginia within few days. They all agree in the infor
nation that the rebel army of the Potomac is two
hundred and fifty thousand in number.
That an attack is imminent is apparent from va
rious corroboratng circumstances. Among others
is the sudden preparations for the depar-
ture Of ladies OF known rebel sympathies and
associations who hare perhaps oppor than
other people to obtain correct information of the nten
tons of the rebels, and who getting ready
without delay under apprehensons of immediate
tack upon the city, with such force and prospects of
to render it dangerous to remain here even
twenty four hours longer.
Three rebel prisoners captured by pckets to-
day They say they never heard of the death of JET
Davis; that there much sickness the rebel army
that they are very strong, have plenty of bread
and meat, and confirm the report that the entire
army has moved forward from Manassas TO Fairfax
Court House, and that General Johnston and General
Beauregard have established their headquarters there
They do not deny that is the intention the
obtain possession of Washington by crossing the Potomac
above this city at day as early practicable
OPERATIONS OF THE REBELS ON THE UPPER Porto.
MAC-wITHDRAwAL OF THE ENEMY FORCES.
The movements Of the rebels on the Upper Potomac
within the last foryelght hours have elected much
speculation. Their pickes having been withdrawn yeser
day ascertaned that the whole body recently in
that vicinity had moved of From the Information OBJ
tanned, it is presumed that the movement for the
purpose Of concentrating all the available force in the
neghborhood of the Chain Bridge They have suddenly
retired from all the points above That there exists
among them a very serious amount of liberalization
there is no doubt.
DEPARTURE OF THIRTEEN REBEL REGIMENTS FOR THEIR
HOMES.
Yesterday detachment from Gen. Smith g brigade
which occupies the advance the Chain Bridge at
tackled a picket guard of the enemy, killing two and
wounding several others From Of the wounded men
taken prisoner, ascertaned that Stree the affair
Haeras Inlet thirteen regiments have left the rebel
army of the Potomac and gone home.
That blow upon the coast of North Carolina has evi.
IDENTIFY struck home, and NOT only occasioned
panic in the South but Reorganization in the
rebel army in Virginia. Another blow in the
direction will unquesouaby compel an
evacuation of the border States by the rebel
hordes devastating them. Their whole army is now
upon the border They cannot afford leave it TO be
decmated by disease, while watching the preparations of
Mcclellan and Fremont and Rosecrans and Wool, while
General Butler and Commodore Strngham proceed quiet
y without the loss OF man. TO restore federal authority
along the whole coast ard in the cotton States them
selves
RECONNAISSANCE NEAR FALLS cHrRcu-sK1RMrsg
WITH THE ENEMY.
Brigader General Smith and Lieutenant Orlando NJ Poe
OF General McCleans stai, with two companies Of the
Second Vermont volunteers, section of the United States
Light Battery, under the command of Captain Griffin made
important reconnaissance to-day near Falls church