Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-06
orr MILITARY BUDGET.
NAVY YARD

NAVY YARp.
Ritter NsBs-Ths steamer Stepping Sters VpHs the
BLockode-Contrabart-A Nstc Battery, &c.
The new steam ferry boat Stepping Stones, re.
Gently purchased by the Government, ran the
blockade last night about n O'Clock, and was not
cred on by the Confederate batteries. The Step
ping Stones is new steamer, recently built to
ply 40 passenger boat between Westchester and
College Point on the East River. She 10 built
on the same plan and Is about large as the
Confederate steamer Page, and only draws feet
usually, or 81 feet II carrying 50 tons Of coal
She will certainly be very useful on the Poto-
| mac, but we respectfully suggest that she be re-
baptized, and receive a respectable name The
Government paid about SIS 600 for her. Her
| master, Lomax, ran her close In TO the Maryland
shore last mig ht and thus got up. safely. He had
| his small boats alongside, and II there had been
danger Of his capture intended to fire his vessel
| and make for the Maryland shore with his crew
| He passed a pungy opposite the batteries also
| bound up.
The Stepping Stones brought. up six contra
| bands young and likely -looking fellows, who
| were picked up by the tug Bailey In the
Lower Potomac. They had escaped In "dug-
| out' hardly large enough TO carry three men
They had made up their minds to escape long
| since. Two of them were married men, and being
asked IL they told their wives Of their intention to
escape, replied, No, massa, Dress your soul, we
can't trust 'em." They were asked why they did
not bring their wives with them then, and an
| swered, " Women are too scary In canoe, massa;
| dey would raise an Alarm
| The Island Belle had about fourteen contra
| bands on board at Cedar Point, and about fifty
were sent to Old Point short time since from the
| fotlla. They mostly from the banks Of the
| Rappahannock. They all represent II as being
"hard times for white folks In Ole Virginny, and
| heap wuss for niggen." That many slaves
heretofore toleraby well provided for are suffering
| for want Of food, clothing, shoes, &c. There
| would be more attempts to escape IL boats could
be got. II is the impression Of river men that
| many slaves are drowned In attempting to escape
There is a new Confederate battery at Aqua
| Creek, few hundred yards north Of the old one.
Two shells were red from 1t into the river yes
terday, apparently to try the range only, there
was vessel near.
The Captain of the Federal steamer Union has
| observed suspicious movements on Matthias
| Point recently, which lead him 10 believe that
| the rebels intend to entrench at that point, and
| place there permanent battery.
All were well on board the lower fotila at
Smiths Point yesterday.
There were but two or three cases Of small pox
on board the Harriet Lane, but it was deemed best
| to remove her crew and fumigate her thorough ly;
also, to keep her crew from contact with the rest
Of the hotila until IL 10 seen IL there are any new
cases. 1t is thought probable that the disease was
| brought on board by - contrabands," who bring
| II from the Old Dominion. Secesh may be imi-
taling the Spanish, who, according TO tradition,
| introduced eruptve diseases among the aborg ines
| on this continent, 10 help the sword.
PRISONERS ESCAPED.
Last night, by some unknown means, two
| secession prisoners, both Of whom have been In
arms against the United States, escaped from the
Capitol Hill prison. They are J. Owens Berry,
OF Georgetown, ID. c., and Redmond Burke, we
| believe Of Jefferson or Frederick county, Va
| j. Owens Berry is about 80 years old, feet s1
| inches high, rather slim build, tanned complex
| ion, dark hair, muscular face, rather prominent
| and thin, not much IL any whiskers, large and
| very red nose, dark brown hair, dressed rather
rough-may have a shawl.
Redmond Burke is about 50 years old, feet s
or inches high, high cheek bones ford, sun
burnt complexion, blue or light gray eyes, iron
gray hair, cut short, whiskers and moustache Of
same color.
The Provost Guard and Metropolitan Police
are both in hot chase upon their trail. We how
ever do not know what prospect Of recapturing
| them they may have.
ANOTHER FORElGN OFFICER APPOINTED.
The President has appointed the Baron Won
Herman, of Prussia ian experienced officer Of the
stat Of the Adjutant General Of that kingdom), to
be an Aid to Major General w DOL, with the rank
| Of major Of volunteers.
NO REVIEW TO-DAY.
The condition Of the weather made necessary
| the postponenent Of the review Of General Fitz
John Porter Is division, that was to have come OH
\ this forenoon.
4 CONSULTING.
This forenoon the President, Msjor General
Mcclellan and Assistant Secretary Of War Scott,
| were together In close council for some hours
TENDER OF MILITARY SERVICE
Baron De Reifenbug, Of Belgium, has rendered
bis military services to the Government