The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-09-11
ARMY or 1smE POTOMAC,
trRoa o,a oHs CORRESPONDENT. !

i
fAIRrAx c. H., Sept sth, lssI.
Ahis mas been very quiet Saba tn day and
one very generally observed by the troops Ia
this vicinity. Since early morning, groups Of
neatly dressed, clean " looking soidisrs, have
been pronenasiing the streets or FAIRFAX. OF
saiang beneath the eine-eosered pore read
ing books ami papers Good order reign,
everywhere, and a majority Of the families
resident here remain unmoiestcd in thei I
homes. Many exaggera ted rumors of battles
are afioat, a. we'll as at Manassa and Rich.
mond. but none OF them have any foundation
In truth. There has been no skirnishing ALONG
the advanced line for several, days, and no fir
ing except between the Iiickets who are with.
in 200 yards Of each other.
Attention is now directed towards tba ,u
LACE OF Falls Church, which is some seyon
and a half miles from here in nearly an east ;.
cry direchoh: Inc road from here Is very
good, although muddy in places owing to m,
recent rains. 1t is cleared of ali obstruc
ZION, and is used chiefly for military mr.
poses One sees bnt few of the ordinary signs
% %, County me between here and the village
On our way up but few persons were visible
along the route, and no soldiers even. except
mere ana there party of dragons, or a guard
at.acheu 10 some transport wagon Occasion
any Vidette appeared upon some neiChbor-
lag einlnence, and after a careful recon nj os-
sahce dashed out OF sight again No one but
an eyewitness can imagine the skill with
"hich army movements are disguised, or the
marches.
The village of Falls Church contains some
twenty or twenty five houses two churches
ana one or two stores. ma ority Of the
dwellings have been deserted by their North
erh owners since the defeat of the Grand
Army, and they are now used as quarters for
our soldiers, or are shut up by close barred
aoors ana gates One can readily imagine
tad
through the principal street, upon either side
OF winch are ranged the subs tantial houses
ana neat White cottages. The fences are ha II
destroyed Scarcely a tnan Is to be seen
In the streets, except those in uniforms
ana there Is an air of desertion abouI
the village that is indescribable. A few
Oh the true Virginia families are now there
VINO have taken possession OF their houses
since the Northern army was driven back
ihey arc again cultivating their lands and
repairing the damage done by the Federal
soldiers Their losses have been heavy, and
inc personal sufferings and anxiety can hardly
be imagined by those who live remote from,
the scene OF conflict. have heard no COM
pIilnt, however, and believe these unfortu.
maze people now feel safe, and very happy to
De under the protection OF Southern soldiers.
Ubey ond Falls Church, on the Alexandria
ana Leesburg turnpike, is Tay lor tavern, up
on the summit Of Taylor's hill, and about h al
annie from the village. Near by the house
ana GROWING the hill is n beautiful oak grove
IN which marks OF the encampment of tn.
connecticut volunteers are still seen. They
were some three weeks here. and when ordered
Ion to RICHMOND left their standing ten is nd
quantity OF baggage behind them. On their
return, alter the defeat of the list, they occu.
pled the tents for night, and in the morning
folded them hastily and marched across the
Potomac. They left many relics behind
them III the shape of fancy envelopes STAN ped
paper, maps and articles of clothing which
are now distributed through the country to
interest the curious. Gen. Tylers headuuar-
! teIs We're IN this grove; but now, il We can
rely upon the observations of Prof. Balloon
Lowe, II Is filled with spring guns, steel
/ traps, masked batteries and Black Horse
cavalry. Taylors Hill is very pleasant and
romantic spot, and understand was formerly
town ana Washington, who We're accustomed
TO make this the turning point of an evening
drive.
Beyond Taylors Hill, not above thu rec hun
dred and fifty yards distant, is Munson's Hill,
now III the possession of our artillery I'm
medlately At its foot is the line Of pickets
and five hundred yards beyond is the line OF
the enemy. They keep up q continual fire
upon each other but so we'll protected are
they on both sides that it is very rarely =
shot takes effect. Since first taking position
here only one man has been killed and two
slightly wounded. This inhuman and I'M
civilized practice of pickets firing on each
other originated with the Federals entirely
w fire very seldom and only often enough
To keep them back upon their line. Yester-
day but few shots We're fired from our side
while they wasted many hundred cartridges
hitting only one man, who was but slightly
wounded q. NJ.