The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-08
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON, Sept. I, 1851.
Recent Movements Of e Rebels Before Washi,gionPoscn
Of General Johnsons E1rces--His Inse,chmea.s Men
acing the Chain Brd9e-Skirmsh ,cifh 7eo of General
McCdlrs observation-disclosures Of fytfery Along he
Wa1cnton Road--A Corps dAya,ee Of 5000 Leasv
Richmond for Manassas to be Commanded By Jg. Darts
in Person--Esint Mocemenis to Cross the Ionac--Sto,r
Shooting rs Picket Shooting, dc.
II is now certain that few days AT furthest will
sec one OF boodies battles of modern times Nearly
900 coo armed arrayed against each other within
sight of the dome OF the Capitol commanded ON both
sides by able generals. Every fact therefore, which
throws any light upon the movements Of the Cnfederatess
valuable proceed TO give you some that have obtained
from my own observations and from other direct and
liable mentioned IN my last letter that General
Johnston army was advancing along the Ieesburg
pike from Jeesbure to the Chain Bridge. now learn the
following additional factsAware of the importance of
Keeping General Banks and his army mp the roto
mac as possible General Johnston has left several reg
ments at Ieesburg which will continually m:.nouvre and
skirmish across the towards Conrad's Ford aud
Pooiesvillc.
The means of transportation the railroad have been
proydcd at Poosy that whenever necessary these
regiments eau be brought down to Balls Gross Roads
three hours The main body Of Gen Johnston's army,
however, is at and near Prospect Ill., on the lees
burg turnpike, miles from the Chain Bridge and
TO the Chain Bridge parallel to the Potomac the
distance of mile Gen. Johnston lyanccd regi-
ments are thrown forward to within two miles of the
Chain Bridge where the eesburg turnpike ntcrsecs the
road running from The Little Falls Of the Potomac Balls
Cross Roads They busiy engaged here in throwing
up ntrenchmentF under cover OF wood, which com
pletcy conceals their operations These woods of course
will he cut down as their scnchncnts are com
pietcd and their guns mounted them. The Chain
Bridge Will then be in full range Of their guns which viii
cover it completely skirmsh took place day or two
ago between Two Gen. M,Cas regiments those II
Johnston troops that stationed n1he woods pro-
tect those work ct the entertainments A few shells
were thrown into the woods hut the rebel troops
Sailed out, attacked our regiments aud, being in
Superior force compelled them to retreat over the Chain
Bridge, with trhinE loss.
The wugcnton turnpike road, from the MANASSAS Gap
Rail- Fairfax, has been occupied ever since Friday
Of week 10y the passage Of artillery caissons and
ammunition wagons. General Beauregards headquar-
cre are stin ri larfax and his principal stan officer
nhief artillery has been bosiiy employed during the
pset week seeing hs, every gun is IN good order, and
in directing The routes he taken by the several
ercs on leaving Fairfax As tho batteries organized
they have been sent forward with the three columns
scrbed my last letter Up 10 this time about seventy
I've pieces o all csbre have been brought mp They are
for The most part heavy guns such regular
siege approaches Three noraIs left Fairfax Monday
I Of iilis week but instead Of coming the Ii,t,
river turnpike they turned OF on the road TO Falls
Church and biii's Cross Roads Ii they seize the latter
,psi,ion when is undoubtedly their aim they will only
h.. a mile and half from Fort torcoran. Among the
puns that bsve been brought forward 80
FOUNDERS nnc range aud great number Of rihed
non The latter from the cannon foundrios at Rich
I uotd At the time they left Richmond the following
troo,e had arrived NJ that city and were TO come i'm.
,ucdaicy O. a. soon the oi TRANSFORMATION
couG be ailnyded--
! NumLer If M,n.
Five regiments from Aahalna. ........... 1000
Two regiments from Arkansas 600
A from Florida ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 500
-Four regiments from ceorgia o,2uo
regiment from Kent ucky ................... 500
regiments from Ion saHa. 400
Three reg nepts from Mississippi. .......... 800
Three regiments from North Carolina. 2.4OO
J A ecB9ent from Tpyae Observation-Disclosures. 800
Seven Virginia regiments Observation-Disclosures. $500
|
rs 800
MANY Of these regiments had been in the camps ~ in.
strueton at Lynchburg and Richmond for great while
and had been drilled in battalion manGuyres by West
Point officers Sixteen Of the regiments had beer re-
viewed by Jeff. Davis Richmond before his III
ness and IL at the head OF this army Of % 600 men
that Jeff Davis was going to take the field Immediately
Aey the adournment OF the Confederate Congress- These
troops by this time all Al Manassas, or else on the
! way there.
An statements &c the Gesttution Of the Southern troopR
entirely without Foundation They well clothel
TIM uniforms * the troops that hove recently arrived
being new Necessary provisions, including fresh meat
and vegetables abundant and they also have ccee
and sugar in limited quantities. Salt 10 scarce.
great deal has been said about fent attacks Wash
ngton. Until recently the rebels had strong enough
force at points both above and below washington Jus
tfy the belief that they really intended TO both
points But now there 10 nothing than guard