The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-09-12
LATEST NEWS.
FED Z r A L
TELEGRAMS.
Accuracy not VOuched for
FROM WASHINGTON

FROM WASHiNGTON
| A SLsirmish Across the Potomac. Between "a
Federal accommodating. Party and Three
Regiments of Confederate Troops--A Con-
federate Battery Siienced--Their Cavalry
Dispersed.
WASHINGTON, Sept. ll.-A large skirmisAinp
party OF Federal troops started out at seven o'clock
this morning, from the vicinity Of the Chain
bridge, under command of Col Stevens, of the
New York HighIanders: 1t consisted of several
detached companies of infantry, a company of
cavalry, and Capt. e. films battery.
AS our skirmishers advanced. the enemy's pickets
retired beyond Lewnsylle, about miles from
the Chain Bridge. Our troops having accomplish
ed the object of their errand, connected with the
reconnOisances Of the country, began to retrace
their steps, when large force of Confederates,
ssting OF two regiments of iufautry and Col Stew
arts regiment of Virginia cavalry, with a battery
OF four pieces, were seen approaching from the di
rection of Falls Church, evidently with view of
cutting them off with their cavalry, and preventing
the return to their camp.
The line of battle was then formed by the re-
mainder of his forces. The Confederate battery
then opened with shell which replied to by Grif-
fms battery. Several rounds fired on each
side, when our troops ceased firing for about TWEEN
ty minutes, in order to give the enemy an oppor-
tunity, which they did not embrace, of meeting
them in line of battle in the open field. The Con
federates were, for the greater part concealed in
the woods and could not be drawn out.
Our forces on resuming operations brought into
action 32-pounder, the shells from which soon
silenced the Confederate battery. The same gun
was then directed toward the enemv's cavalry which
appeared on the road leading to Falls Church, aud
soon sent them flying, a number of them reeling
from their saddles and falling to the ground the
shells exploded in their midst.
The command was then given to withdraw, and
our column returned in good order to the Chain
Bridge reaching there late in the afternoon, with
out any attempt being made by the enemy to pur
sue them.
Gen Smith, commanding the division to which
these troops are attached, arrived on the ground
shortly after the engagement commenced. and at
once assumed command.
The names of the killed of the Federal troops are
as follows:
Sergeant Samuel Goodwin Company I; Privates
Oliver Hubbe and William II. H. Wood, of Com
pauy d.
Lieut.. Hancock, of Company |, is supposed to
have been killed. as he to fall.
Three privates in Company were wounded,
and three are supposed to have been taken prison
They were all attached to the 9th Indiana re-
giment. Amos Magerole and VIM. Collum, of
Company G., Sd Vermont regiment were killed,
and four OF said company slightly wounded
These casualties were in part owing to the fear
less daring of the men, who even violated the most
positive orders which were given to secure their
safety. The enemy were in much larger force and
their loss is believed to be very heavy.
The False Alarm.
There was firing this afternoon from three to five
o'clock at Fort Ellsworth and the works at ArIiug-
ton Heights. Many Of our citizens were, as usual,
apprebensve of battle, aad the prominent points
were soon occupied and eyeglasses brought into
requistion.
Reports of battle in these directions were
| everywhere prevalent, but did not occasion much
alarm. The cause of the firing was merely the
emptyiDg of the guns.
The brigade under command of Brigadier- Gene
raj Keys reviewed this afternoon by the Sani-
tary Commission. Their appearance was consider
ed highly creditable.
Circular from Treasury Department in Re-
gard TO Treasury Notes
Sent ll.-Thp Spcretarv nj tho
Treasury has addressed circular to the various
Assistant Treasurers to the following effect:
Under the acts of July 10Th, and August 5th
last, Treasury notes of the denomination of five
ten and twenty dollars, have been and will can
tinue to be issued, redeemable in coin on demand
at the offices of the Assistant Treasurer at Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, st. Louis and of the de-
posiOry of Cincinnati.
These notes are intended to furnish a current me
dum of payment, exchange and remittance Being
at all times convertible into coin, at the option of
| the holder, at the place where made payable and
everywhere receivable for public dues they must
| be always equivalent to gold, and often, and for
many purposes, more convenient and valuable. A
| sufficient amount o! coin to redeem these notes
| promptly on demand will be kept with the deposi-
| tories, by whom they are respectively made pay
able; and all depostors and collecting officers will
receive them, enter them their books and paw
them to public creditors as money. Large amounts
| of the notes of small denominations are rapidly
being issued and distributed.
The metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan or Government police system
| went into operation to-day. One hundred and
! eight two thirds of the entire force-are now on
| duty. The oath of allegiance previously ad
/ minsteTed
An Off from North Carolina.
| Charles Henry Foster, claiming to be Federal
| Congressman elect from North Carolina, called on
| the President to-day for the purpose of rendering
| the Government full brigade of loyalsts from
| that State.
From The South.
LOUISVILLE, September l0.-The late movements
of the Federal army in Kentucky create considera-
| bic CONSERVATION in the South.
The Tennessee papers demand the prompt action
| of the Confederate authorities, saying that Ken
| lucky neutrality has been abandoned, and calling
for earliest effort TO sustain what they call the
| true people of Kentucky.
On the Sd instant Major.General Polk Issued
General Order for all officers and soldiers of his
| Department on furlough to report without delay
| The Richmond papers of the 5th contain what
| purpOrts TO be reliable estimate of the Federal
| forces in and around Washington. The total is
| put down at one hundred and twelve thousand.
| The Atlanta (Ga. Confederdcy, of the 5th saws
| there is little doubt that the Confederate Govern
ment is in late receipt OF despa tches from the Com
missioners ip Europe. The tenor of these is repre-
sented to be that France and England, and Europe
| generally, are greatly sgitated on the American
question, and that the recognition of the Confed-
eracy by the Powers of Europe will soon be accom-
| plshed.
| The Southern papers complain of the fact that
| millions of dollars are sent North by the banks and
capitalists of the South for the purpose of buying
the bonds of the States in the Copfederacy at de-
preciated value and say it is equivalent to giving
| money to their enemies to prosecute the war.
stampede of families took place about the 4th
from Fernandina Fla, from apprehensions of the
! people of bombardment of the town by the Fede-
raj fleet, which now holds strict blockade of that
point.
The Savannah Ne,cs of the 5th adds to this state
ment that the whole coast of Florida is blockaded
in the articles of the capture of Hatteras.
The Memphis appeal of the 7lh makes loud call
of complaint at the inetiiciency of the Military
Board, and expresses the fear that the military
leaders are too much engaged in prosecuting the
war in Virginia to accord necessary degree OF
attention to the coast and Mississippi Valley.
The Coast Guard companies increasing along
the Georgia, South Carolina and Florida coast
The Crescent of the 7th condemns the Military
Board of Mississippi for inactivity in not adding to
| her coast detences.
despatch to the Nashville Gazette SAYS Parsou
| Brownlow and his son have been arrested at Knox
vile by Confederate officer.
| A Nashville gentleman informs US that the
ost9nsible charge is for circulating the 'Heper
Book"
A despatch from Richmond to the Knoxville Re
gister states that the Quartermaster's Department
at Richmond has been very busy 'of late Large
| contracts have been made for camp and field
equipage to the amount of is 900 sets.
Gen. Polk has issued the following procama
| ton:
The Federal Government having, in defiance o.
, | the wishes vi tne peOpie VI heuJuckY
their neutrality by establishing camp depots fol
their armies, and by organizing military companie
within the territory, and by constructing military
works on the Missouri shore Immediately opposite
and commanding Columbus, evidently intended tt
cover the landing of troops for the seizure of tina
town, it has become military necessity for thu
defence of the territory of the Confederate State
that Confederate force should occupy Columbu
in advance
a The Major General Commanding has, therefore
not felt himself at liberty to assume the loss of S.
important position, but has decided to occupy it
, In pursuance of this decision, he has thrown
sufficient force into the town and ordered them Il
y fortify it.
1t is gratifying to know that the presence of hi
troops is acceptable to the people Of Columbus, an
, on this occusion he assures them that every pre-
caution will be taken to insure their quiet and tn
protection of their property with all their
q | aud corporate rights.
!. CoLuMBUs, 4th day September, 1861.
(Signed) LEoNIDAs Polk.
" From General Banks Column.
PLEASANT HILL, Sept l0.--On Saturday last Mr.
n McD aniels, in the employ of the Government, al
Ii rested Isaac Young and another persOD for imDcg