New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-21
REBEL FORCE AT LEESBURG AND FAIRFAX
Reconnaissance By Gen. Mcclellan


WAyENeToS, Oct. 20, 1861.
TRAITORS IN THE CAMP.
Two or three officers. prominent in the vol
unteor service, are suspected of giving inform
alton of our movements to the enemy. A
NeW-York Colonel, now under arrest for In
subOrdinaton, is one Of the number.
THE ESCAPE or THE NASHVILLE.
The escape of the Nashville, with Mason and
Slidell is supposed also TO indicate completely
on the part of certain naval officers of the
blockading squadron with the rebels.
MR.. SEWARD PROPHESIEs A SPEEDY PEACE
Mr.. Secretary Seward is full OF hope for the
future of the country. Only yesterday he as
sured o member Of the diplomatic body that
the little affair Of the Southern Instruction
would blow over within three months, the
ports would he all opened, and peace and pros
perity would reign. We trust his vaccinations
may prove true.
Loss OF A TRANSPORT.
The transport Fairfax fell into the hands of
the rebels last night. She was loaded with
cargo Of forage and cement valued at $4,000
When opposite the Shipping Point batteries, in
tow of the tug ResOute, her hawser parted,
and soon after the rebels were seen TO take
possession. The officer in command thinks
that the disaster was caused by coming in con-
tact with q chain stretched across the channel,
and buoyed up by fatbOats. This theory,
which Las caused great excitement here to-
day. is. however, rejected as absurd, and is
aisproved by the fact that the tug Rescue,
which passed up not hundred feet IN advance
with two transports in tow, drawing more
water than the Fairfax, encountered no OBJ
stace. All these vessels intended to run by in
the Jog but it lifted as they came opposite
the batteries, which opened upon them, throw
Ing 154 shots, most of which fell astern, so
that ten or fifteen Of the balls meant
for the Rescue struck the Fairfax, which
was between the Resolute aud the guns.
Since Tuesday when the Shipping Point bat
teries fret opened, over forty vessels have
come up safely, only the Fairfax having been
lost. Every night four or five tugs come up,
each with several transports in tow. Not a
life Las been lost nor has a shot taken effect
in vessels hull. TIE risk Of voyage is now
slight, and viii soon DO made sEgbter, 30 that
supplies can come by this route, as most Of
those used by the army IN Virginia have come
since the war began. Five million dollars
worth Of property has been brought up the
river, Of which nearly S3,0OO,0O0 worth is
Oh hand. 1t would be difficult to supply The
daily increasing wants oil the army by the rail-
road, still, we are sorry to say, Of bat one
track from Baltimore.
COUNTERsIGN SIGNALS.
The following general order has been issued
By Gen. Mcclellan from the Headquarters Of
the Army of the Potomac, under date of
Washington, Oct. II, 1861:
"Day and night couutersign signals, by which
friendly regiments may be difiit guished, viii be
adopted in the Army OF the Potomac. Major Albert
j. Meyer Signal Officer, VIII take sepsto carry out
this order upOnthe plan proposed by hin. AdJuante
and Color Sergeants of regiments, or others detailed
for signal service, will be guded by such instruc-
tons they may receive ON The officers il charge
Of signals at The headquarters OF divisions or separate
commands Commanding officers viii afford every
facility TO the officers detailed signal instructors
Detailed orders and instructions for the use OF coun
teTigH signals will be published from these head
quarters prior the first ssue OF supplies The officers
In charge Of the STAFF Departments will furnish such
supplies as may be necessary 70 carry out the design
OF this order
DEPARTURE FOR RICHMOND.
According to Sunday morning paper here
a lady Of well-knOwn Secession procliyities, lett
this city for Richmond on "Wednesday last,
under pass from Gen. Scott.
THE VAN ALIEN CAVALRY AT THE HARPER's
FERRY FIGHT.
squad Of the Van Allen Cavalry acting
as sscort to Paymaster Walker, were in the
fight at Harper's Ferry. For the gallantry
they displayed, and for the service they rem
deIed on that occasion, they are highly COM
mended by Col. Geary, in his report to Gen.
Banks. The detachment was commanded by
Lieut.. Chamberlain, Co. c.
The officers and men Of the Fairfax were
on board the steamer. Had there been any
one on board to throw rope, she could easiy
have been saved Alter she cot clear, twenty
hge shots were fred at her before the Rebels
dared TO board. To-day, there being fair
wind, forty vessels, oil sailing craft, which had
anchored at Indian Head, passed safely down
stream, by the batteries. They drew from six
to eight feet OF water, and some OF them
passed within one mile Of the shore. The bat
teries fred twenty-foUr shot, but it is believed
that not a single vessel was struck. No YES
sells came up to-day, the wind being unia-
yOrsble.
SOOTHING.
i.