Litchfield enquirer., 1861-10-03
Ielrs ot thR sVeeR.


 command of Gen. Smith, for the purpose of mak- ing a reconnaissance in the neighborhood of Lewlnsville, and to obtain forage, Sc. The re suit of the expedition was altogether successful. Several head of cattle and sheep, besides large quantity of hay, corn and oats in the wagons employed for tho purpose, were brought into camp.
 About two o'clock in the afternoon, while our troops were at Lewinsville, 8 large party of re- bels, consisting of about five reg iments of infan- try, regiment of cavalry, and six pieces of ar tillery, approached from tho direction of Falls Church. They opened on our men with their battery, and the firing was immediately respond ed to by Captains Grifin's and Mott's guns Thirty shots, both solid and shell, were fired from our battery, which silenced the rebel can non, and the enemy immediately retired to Falls Church. It is not known what damage was sus- tained on their side. One man on ours was slightly wounded by the explosion of a shell.
 The object of the expedition having been ao- eomplishod, our troops fell back to their origin al position at tho Chain Bridge, bringing with them man representing himselfas aid-de-camp to Col. Stewart of the Virginia rebel cavalry, and who was taken prisoner at Lewinsville. He was dressed as civilian, with the exception of Q hat which he procured at Bull Run, originally belonging to one of our men. He was armed with 8 sabre, revolver and bowie knife.
 THE news from Washington is highly impor- tant. The protracted quiet is at last broken by a retreatng movement of the rebel forces. It was found on Saturday that enemy had vacated their works on Munson's Hill, retreating con- siderable distance within their late lines. Falls Church was also vacated, and Upton's Hill. Our troops have advanced in force to the vacated posts, and are preparing to hold them perma- nently. What may be the motive of the rebels in this movement is 8 matter of considerable speculation. Two theories arc suggested as most probable, either that they intend divid- ing their forces into two columns for crossing the Potomac simultaneously above and below Washington, that tie movement is mere feint to seduce our troops into ambuscades. It appears from evidence in the vacated posts that the rebel force before the capital has not exceed ed 10000 men. Their works are of very rough character, and traces indicate considerable dis comfort in their quarters.
 SUccEssFuL FoRAGING Exr2DITIoN.-A forag ing expedition started Saturday morning from General Franklin's division, consisting of infan- try, cavalry and artillery, in strong foree.- They proceeded to Edsell's Hill, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, eight miles from Alex arlria. As they advanced beyond our picket lines tho rebels retired to Springfield station, a mile and half between Edsell Hill. From this hill which our forces temporarily occupied, de- tachments went in various directions for forage. A fine view of the surrounding country WAS af- fordcd, but no carthwolks or now constructions of the enemy could be seen.
 The object of the expedition WAS successful and large quantities of hay, corn and oats were transported to the camp. Not gun was fired on either side during these proceedings. The party did not return until late in the afternoon
 A company SatWday visited the Mount Yer non estate of tho late John X. Washington, re gently killed in Western Virginia, and brought away about eight hundred bushels of wheat, near five of fsh-all of which has been stored ill the commissary's department at Alexandria.
 THURSDAY afternoon woman named Dunn went down the Housatonic road to Bridgeport, intending to go to New York. She made mis- take, got into the New Haven cars, and after the cars had got under full headway she jumped off, and of course injured herself severely. The foolish woman was picked up properly cared for, and when sufficiently restored was sent to her home in New York.
 SAD CATAsTR0rHE-OUR TRoops FIRE ON EACH OTHER Tho advance of General Smith on Falls Church from the Chain Bridge was accom- panied by events of the most deplorable charact- CT. Having passed Vanderwerkens and Vand- when about half mile from it, by somo unac- countable blunder Col. Owens Irish Philadelph- ia regiment, in the darkness of the night mistak- ing for robels Capt. Mott's battery, which was in the advance, sustained by Col. Bakers Cali fornia regiment, Baxter's Philadelphia Zouaves and Col. Friedmans cavalry, fired full volley into the troops last mentioned, killing and wounding large number. The California re giment, not knowing whence the firing came, re- turned it with marked effect. Thehorses attach cd to Mott's battery became unmanageable, and the tongues of the caissons were broken, owing to the narrowness of the road.
 Lieut. Byrant, having command of the first section, ordered the guns to be loaded with grape and canister, and soon had them in range to rake the supposed enemy, when word was sent to him that he was in the company of friends.
 THE President has issued a commission as captain in the navy to Admiral German, late of the Mexican navy. Capt. German is detailed for service with Gen. Fremonts column, and will probably have an important position in the flot- fila preparing fer voyage down the Mississir- pi He was formerly in the Turkish navy, and acquired considerable reputation as an officer
 THE REBELS DRIVEN FROM RoMNEY.-Five hundred men of the 4th Ohio Regiment, with one piece of artillery, and the Ringgold cavalry, (75 in number,) under Col. Cantwell, and 400 from the Sth Ohio regiment, Col. Harke, made an advance to New Creek, toward Romney, on Monday. They drove the enemy, 700 strong out of Mechanicsville Gap Monday morning, the 2ad. Advancing on Romney our forces stormed the town, causing the enemy. whose forces numbered 400, infantry and cavalry, to retreat to the mountains with q loss of ahout 35