The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-09-20
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.

Il WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
Rumors Of battle were rife on Saturday,
but they were wholly unfounded. Our
latest dispatches indicate no present advance
of the rsbels, although everything points to
an carly movement. II is believed that
Beauregard's army cannot much longer
hold together il kept in q state Of inaction,
No movement Of the National troops took
place On Friday. The rebels, however, in
tho afternoon, moved large body Of men
from Fairfax Court House towards Falls
Church, with the purpose. as is supposed, oil
resisting any occupation by our troops Of the
ground reconnoitred on Wednesday, when
the skirmish took place near townsville.
The Herald's special Washington despatch
says; "A reconnaissance on Saturday de.
veloped the fact that the body Of the enemy
which had advanced on Tuesday night had
fallen back behind Munson's Hill that there
are large camps Of the rebels near Centre.
vile and Fairfax, and that the main body oil
the rebel army has fallen back to Manassas,
and is now encamped there. The enemy
cannot move forward in sufficient force to
give battle earlier than Monday morning,
judging from the developments made on
Saturday. Some think the rebels are break.
ing up their camps between here and Manas.
as, and made move forward to engage our
attention while they remove their cannon
towards Richmond and destroy their earth
works at Manassas.
The Washington correspondent Of the N
York Herald estimates the numbers Of the
Southern army in Virginia at this time at
32i 900, of which 10000 are on the Poto.
mac, 10000 in lower Virginia, and $4,000
in Western Virginia; the remainder being
scattered at numerous points. This number
is probably much too large, although it is
evident that their forces have generally
hitherto been moderated.
The New York Times says, Government has
received reliable information that the strength
of the rebels at Fairfax Courthouse and vi
cinity is one hundred and ten thousand. the
estimate being based upon the number Of
rations issued. Beauregard is there in per-
son.
The Government is in possession Of infor-
nation, showing that the pressure on Beau
regard and Johnston to advance, is more
severe than ever the cry Forward to Rich
mond" caused on our side, and that they
will be compelled to yield to it soon. Many
of the recent endorsements to the rebel
army were raised under a pledge that they
should soon be quartered comfortably in
Washington and Baltimore, and being full
of the arrogance of raw troops, are clamor-
Gus for the fulfillment of this promise. The
failure to attack thus involves q retreat and
DISCRIMINATION.
WASHINGTON, Sept. IA.
The advane Of large force Of tho rebel
troops in the neighborhood Of Balls Cross
Road, and the destruction of the property Of
known Union men, were renewed this morn.
ing. They drove in our pickets to within
half mile of the Roads, so as to get pos
session of house occupied by colored man
named Lem. Bennett, which they burned to
the ground. Bennett and his wife were cap.
tured two weeks ago and taken South.
In skirmish last night, near Balls Gross
Beads, it is feared that a lieutenant in the
Sd Vermont regiment and three privates in
the 10Th Massachusetts, regiment were taken
prisoners, as they are missing.
SEPTEMBER, Is.
There has been unusual quiet on the Vir-
GINA side throughout the day. The recent
order for the better observance of the Sab
bath was every where respected. The re-
ligious services in the various camps were
numerously attended.
TIE POTOMAC.
Recent developments at Aequia Creek show
that the rebels are more folly prepared for
an attack there than has been supposed
Under the expectation that they were about
to be attacked, they, few days ago, dis
played long line of batteries, extending
four or FIVE miles, only two Of which had
before been uuconcealed. Tho batteries
cross the railroad not far from the depot,
and extend above to Potomac Creek. These
batteries are we'll placed, evidently under
the eye of competent military engineer,
and mount guns of heavy calibre, some OF
which arc capable of throwing shells across
the Potomac, which, at the point, is four
miles wide. This formidable display Of ar
tillery is supported, as near as can be ascer.
tanned, by about fifteen thousand rebel troops,
who appear bold and defiant, and ready for
action. Had the Government destroyed the
first batteries erected at the Creek, and
placed sufficient force on shore to hold the
position, the navigation Of the Potomac
would now be in much safer condition.
GENERAL BANEs's COLUMN.
We have the gratifying intelligence from
General Banks's column that every prepare
ton has been made to give the rebels warm
reception should they attempt to cross the
Upper Potomac into Maryland, between
Great Falls and Point Of Rocks, as has been
anticipated, simultaneously with move
ment below Washington, and against our
lines at the Chain Bridge. Considerable
skirmishing takes place every day.
The rebels near Leesburg have torn up
over nine miles Of the newly laid track Of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, removed
the rails, &C., and have commenced to lay a
} military line IRON Winchester to Strasburg,
H.. IIar,,x,s E.rry NTH tha Ma.