The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-26

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
Reconnaissance and SkirmiSh with the
Rebels Near Falls Church.
IAN INVITATION TO BATTLE DECLINED.
Strength and Position Of the Armies Under
Ieauregard and Johnston.
Programme of the Campaign
Of the Rebels.
Why Reinforcements were Not Sent
to Lexington,
&C., &C., &c.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

RECONNAISSANCE NEAR FALLS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
WITH THE ENEMY.
strong from the division of Brigadier General
Smith made forward movement early this morning in
the direction Of Falls Church. The column moved at
half past eight O'Clock A. NJ and proceeded two and
half miles. Grin's battery then took up position
ridge to the left of and overlooking townsville and the
Falls Church road skrmshers thrown out to the
front and tanks, and the different regiments formed in
line of battle and remained in position until three p NJ,
when the rebel artillery brought to the front, took
up favorable position and commenced fing.
The enemy put six pieces in POSITION and opened fre
With the exception Of one she'll which Grins
battery and exploded in the Of our troops woundng
a. rate in the California regiment Of his shots fell
nearer an one hundred and fifty yards Of our advance
lines. They were aowed to IRE TO. short time when
the batteries Of Mott and Griffin were ordered to open In
-epy !he practice Of these fine batteries excellent,
the Parrot guns senamg ,sr s ,s right into the midst
OF the enemy, who soon scattered in all dircHtt9bs
The first shell from Grhns battery well direct
ed that fell in the very midst Of the rebels battery
and was recognized by our troops with three hearty
cheers and i" tiger"
Grns and Motifs batteries threw about twenty Shells
while the rebels fred about sixty.
Some Of our troops into the edge of the town Of
townsville, and found the place abandoned
The advance skirmishing performed by detach-
rnens Of the New York Seventynnth Bigblanders) the
Nineteenth Indiana and the Vermont Third The highest
praise awarded to these men, and of Gen. McCle
lan's aids who accompanied Gen. Smith, especially
pimens the Seventy -nnth. This regiment brought up
the in returning to camp.
It is impossible to say whether any Of the enemy
killed. We captured enc prisoner, an officer Of rebel
cavalry regiment and troops succeeded in securing
immense amount Of forage most important article at
the present time Some of teamsers went within
hundred yards Of the enemys batteries while collecting
the forage.
This reconnaissance direct offer Of battle, and
was not accepted.
This was most excellent opportunity for the Wanting
rebels to bring general engagement II they felt 50 dis
posed when forces appeared they thought bet
retire. After waiting in their positions till night
began to fall the Union troops marched buck to
camp the only regret the gallant fellows expressed being
their disappointment at not having dash at the enemy
On returning lrishman, named Burke belonging to
winchester, taken. He says be was volunteer aid
to Col stuart, who commands the rebel cavalry. He is
very suky and uncommnncative.
Our pckets have been strengthened all along the lines
tonight fearing the enemy may reaate in the morning
for the reconnaissance OF Gen. Smiths forces to-day.
Some think the rebels will show fight tomorrow, out of
respect TO President Lrcon's proclamation for fast
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES OF GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
The pickets along whole line doubled TO- night,
I'm order to be fully prepared for movement that may
be attempted the other side No passes whatever
TO be issued vsters the other side Of the
Potomac.
INSPECTION or THE FORTIFICATIoNs.
General Mcclellan and full staff left his headquarters at
eight O'Clock this morning for Alexandria, TO inspect the
Qualifications AID review General Franklins division.
ARTILLERY PRACTICE AT THE FORTS
There was considerable firing the other side Of the
river during the whole Of this forenoon producing
siderable anxiety among the citizens of Washington fear
g hat battle raging; but there was no occasion
for such fears. The firing chiefly in Forts Ellsworth,
Albany and Socum practice and at the review where
General Mcclellan saluted by saivo Of artillery
THE STATEMENTS OF DEsERrERs NOT RELIABLE.
The made by several deserters who have
Gently come into lines and by prisoners who have
been captured within the last week, in regard the
plans designs Of the rebel leaders, be received
with the greatest caution and ought to be believed
unless substantiated by other evidence There is
doubt that Of them least spies and the most
OF them have desgnedy given to US false nformation in
order to u us into false security and to lure our army
into You may rely upon it that all statements Of
desttuton the rebel army. Of dissatisfaction among
the rebel soldiers of the want of arms ammunition o.
the leaving home of North Carolina regiments Of
any fear dread their part Of being attacked by
army but weak inventions Of the enemy calculated
to make us relax our vigilance abandon preparations
for the defence of the capital to produce confidence
in powers and to as TO despse and under
rate the strength Of the rebels.
THE STRENGTH OF THE RERELs.
statement made to me by young officer lately taken
prisoner conveys much reasonable idea than any
have yet SEEN He says that the strength Of the rebel
armies before Washington under Beauregard John
ston less than the highest estimate that has been
made-namey, Beaurcgard's, 900, at Falls Church,
Iunson's Hill and Alexandria; and Johnston's
IS O00 the mouth of Goose creek Townsville
near Balls Cross Roads that not only Beauregard and
Johnston but also JEFF Davis himself have been Num-
sons Hill, where they have excellent view OF Wash
tngon OF all the roads leading TO it, and Of all the foti
cations that have been thrown defend IT. that while
the rebel leaders have abandoned the idea Of attacking
Washington they satisfied that their works are
OF such strength that the Union army will not ven-
ture to attack them; that they have been dill
gently occupied, since they took possession Of
Nunson's HILL in terrifying not only that HILL
but also Mason's Hill to the north and Upton's
Hill to the south, and in making complete line Of for
hcatons nearly parallel to outer line of decnces
from Townsville to Springfield station Alexandria,
that there is not hill along this whole line that is
crowned with fertilization or redoubt of less
strength according to the Importance OF the place. that
every road and dsae leading from Washington towards
Fairfax and Manassas commanded by batteries mounted
by guns long range that sweep them in every drec
tien that the rebel leaders satisfied that these
defensive works of such strength that the Union
army will not dare attack them and will be successfully
repulsed If they do that they believe the Union army in
Washington including the columns of Banks and Stone
the Upper Potomac and Of General sckes below the city
amounts to 200 900 men; that Beauregard and John
ston are well satisfied to remain where they are
all winter, il they keep the Union army in
Washington; that while the two armies thus re-.
main in aatu quo the integrity of the line of tho
Potomac remains invioate and that the South does not
desire than that to be accomplished by Beauregard
Johnston; that the rebels believe that Washington
be defended by less than 200 900 troops for thai,
the that any considerable part Of that force is
withdrawn for oGsusive movements elsewhere Boaure