Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-25
w. d. WALLACH.
THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

The Richmond Dispatch Of the 18th gives the
following news from Munson's Hill
MANASSAS, Sept. 1l.-Notwithstanding my
proximity 10 the headquartsrs Of the army, I
ind Ii next 10 impossible TO separate the few
items Of truth I desire TO give You from the
mass Of exaggerated rumors that are constant
ly a6ost, some Of them as ridiculous n they are
impossible and false. -r-- .-s n.
The heavy eannonading that has been 90
frequently heard in the direction Of Arlington
Heights, has given rise to assertions that there
are daily skirmishes between the advance Of
the eontending armies. As have stated pre-
viously, this firing 10 from Fort Corcoran,
short distance above Georgetown, where the
Federals drill daily in artillery practice. On
Saturday and Monday they were using some
report OF which, eohoing over the hills, could
he distinctly heard ut Manassas. The smaller
guns and the light artillery can be distinguish
ed at Fairfax, Occasionally, few reports are
heard down the river, but they are evidently
for practice, or the signal guns by which the
Since the little affair at or near Great Falls,
where the Washington Artillery gave the Yam
KEGS terrible scare and m made them show the
white feather, as well as the white flag, there
has been no skirmishing Of any Importance.
Every one is looking anxiously towards
Munson's Hill and the vicinity Of the Chain
Bridge In anticipation Of some stormy scenes
within short time. II is expected that the
enemy will endeavor to drive our men from
the hill, and that they, mindful Of the former
unsuccessful attempt will come out in much
stronger force Our men on the hill and the
vicinity are prepared for them, and nightly
sleep on their arms, with the parks Of artillery
in position, to be used in less than four min
utes from the alarm. ALI the passes TO the hill
are carefully guarded and fortified, and 1t may
prove hazardous expedition should McClel-
Ian try 10 get possession Of the works there,
which he undoubtedly wishes very much to do,
and pull down the g Rebel flag that is con-
tnuslly floating in his sight. One can very
readily imagine that il must be an eye-sore to
The fanatical Roundheads, and that it recalls
unpleasant memories Of Bethel, Bull Run
Stone Bridge and Springfield.
The possession Of Munson's Hill is at this
time OF much more Importance to the Federals
than to Us; and for this very reason it is desi-
rable that il should not fall into their hands
With UPton's, Taylor's, Munson's and Msson's
Hills, most admirable line Of defence could
be formed, which, with the field work that
could be easily erected, would resist any force
that Mcclellan can bring against it. Guns
mounted on the reaoubt on MasOn's Hill would
sweep all the roads and approaches to Mum
sons Hill, and could do admirable execution
upon troops advancing by the Leesburg turn
pike, certainly the most desirable avenue of
approach for any considerable body Of men
From Upton's Ii is an easy matter to throw
shell upon Halls Hill, and it would be but
little work to destroy entirely the house of
Mary Hall, now used as q lookout or observa-
tory by Federal pickets. That house has now
become quite q centre Of attraction and there
are many visitors who climb to its roof in order
TO get glimpse Of the Confederate camp near
Upton's house.
On Sunday last number were assembled in
both houses, and stood peering at each other
through glasses for some hours We in Up
ton house waved handkerchief to those sp-
posite, and the salute was Immediately re-
turned; but soon after, possibly when il was
suggested that the signal was for an attack,
there was general stampede and We saw no
more OF them for some hours
Inc line OF hills now in our possession are of
some Importance as positions of defence and
for little else. The Federals have erected
powerful held works opposite them, with bas
Gons having heavy guns mounted en- bGrbette
They have also several smaller fortifcations
stockade forts, redoubts with redsns and In.
NOTES, and various kinds Of shelters behind
which the light artillery could be safely used
Every point that can be strengthened and
made available for defensive operations Is
oelng fortified, and they are burning the woods
In every direction, bringing to light houses
that have been hidden from our sight by the
Intervening forests
IL Is evident that hot work Is expected here
and that Mcclellan is using every exertion 10
perfect bis defences before the blow is struck.
1 nave said this line Of hills is useful for ma
king defence; but a. q base for Offensive one
rations IL is Of less value. As far IA nv in5o-
ment goes, i should say that the best that
could oe done would be to erect counter works,
mounting some Of our heaviest guns upon
them, and then under cover Of heir ire, sue
eessfal advance might be made The present
position OF the two armies is one of much inter-
est to an engineer, and there are man pro-
oiems upon the board that would reo uire much
skill and hard study to solve.
Wnen the armies are 90 close to each ether
it not surprising that some small salIies
should De made occasionally, similar to those
brilliant sorties % common during the Crimesn
war brave, dashing man calls for a few
volunteers and goes out on q scouting expedi-
uou He learns By reconnaissance Of q party
OF the enemy, and endeavors by surprise. or
rapid cnarge, to capture them, which he DOS
noly can do with the loss of one or two men.
Inc history OF all wars shows this practice to
De common, and they serve to enliven the dull
routine OF camp or garrison duty. In our war
these small skirmishes furnish the grounl
Eolk Tor the kilograms which appear In our
daily papers, received in q majority of cases
from fsnkee sources. Last night one took
place near the Chain Bridge, In which one Of
our Captains, Lieutenant, and private were
taken prisoners, and two priyates killed. II
have not learned the full history Of the affair.
but you will undoubtedly have q report of n In
the telegraphic dispatches from Washington
sooner tnan can get lt TO you by mail
The piekets stin keep firing on each other,
but thus far but little has been accomplished
on either side. There seems to be a number
OF amateur fighters on the Yankee line-fanat-
ical Aboiitionists, whs come out from wash
inseen, bringing sporting rides Of long range,
and spend the day In cracking at our pickets
whenever they come in sight. I believe that
We have lost bat two as yet, notvithstandiu
many thousand mimic balls have been aimed
st every person who comes within q thousand
yards Of their line. On Sunday q young man
belonging 70 one Of the Tennessee regiments
was bit while passing from one post TO snotbsr.
and was severely wounded In the side The
ball struck one Of the ribs, shattered IL and
passed outsards. He will recover About tbs
same time spent ball struck another of our
Piekets in the foot, exactly on the sole of his
shoe. Ths blow caused some swelling of the
foot and ankle These are all the late casual
ties near Munson's Hill
The weather to-day has been stormy and dis
agreeable, although but little rain has fallen.
IL Is rare Circumstance to have three pleas.
ant days IN succession. g.. NJ.