The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-02
THE SITUATION.

TIE S14 u ALTON.
The position of the rebel army in front of Wash
ington since the sudden retirement of their ad-
vanced posts at Munson's Hill, Falls Church and
other points, has been satisfactorily ascertaned
Manassas now forms the base of their operations.
their lines extending from Occoquan creek through
Fairfax Court House to Leesburg. No large body
OF their forces have been sent to the Upper Poto-
mac. 1t will probably be remembered that
the advance and retire. movement Of the rebels
recently, is but repetition Of their course
which they adopted about five or six weeks ago,
soon after the affair at Bull run. At that time
they pushed their outposts far towards General
McClellans lines, and subsequently fell back, just
as they have done now. These movements were
undoubtedly feints to draw out General Mcclellan,
and ascertain whether he was ready for battle.
In the first instance he was not ready to
accept the challenge and hence he permitted
them to return and occupy their former posi-
ton, and even to fortify Munsons Hill,
and mount guns there which commanded
sine, however, Mcclellan was prepared to avail
himself Of their withdrawal, and he has conse-
quently followed them up, and now occupies the
recent position of the enemy as far as Falls
Church. This is q curious coincidence. Nor is it
less remarkable that as far back as June and July,
before the advance of Mcdowell on Bull run, the
rebels made the same show Of advancing towards
the banks Of the Upper Potomac that they have
been making for the past few days, threatening to
cross the rivera feat which, owing to the equi-
noctial season, having raised the waters some six
feet at the fords, there is now possibility Of &C
comprising.
Dispatches received at Washington yesterday
from Generals Banks and Stone report everything
quiet in front of their lines no attack Of the enemy
being expected. 1t is certain that General John
ston is at Leesburg with large rebel force.
gunboat reconnaissance down the Potomac
results in the report that the whole line Of the
river from Occoquan to Matthias Point is defended
by rebel batteries, which completely command
the river, but it is supposed that they have been
erected to prevent an attack on Fredericksburg
from that direction, and that they do not modest
our vessels for fear Of provoking the attack which
they were erected to prevent. tits thus concluded
that they consider Fredericksburg one Of their
weakest points.
Fugitives from the rebel camps have been
arriving in Washington for some days past, bringing
good deal of information concerning the position
of the enemy. Two negroes report having heard
conversations among the officers and General Beau
regard while waiting at table, to the effect that the
intention of the latter was to draw General Nc
Cellan into action if possible; and they gathered
that the strength of the rebels before Washington
was one hundred thousand. General Johnston they
knew had left Manassas, but for what point they
were ignorant, until they heard in Washington that
he was reported to be at Leesburg, which they say
is very probably true. Among other fugitives was
a Mr.. Davis, formerly policeman at Charleston,
who says that he was sent in charge of a
prisoner to Nashville nd took the opportunity
to escape by way of Kentucky to Washington.
He states that the battle of Bull run is con.
,sidered by the rebel officers dearly bought vic.
tory, and confirms the reports from other quarters
that the rebel army were beaten and were in full
retreat at half-past four on the afternoon Of the
2lst of July, nor can they account to this day fol
the panic and fight Of our army. He represents
the condition of the rebels in Tennessee and Ken
lucky, as far as he has seen them, to be yer,
that among the white working people Of the South
even those who are serving the rebel government
there is strong desire for peace and the recon
structon of the Union, If they were only insured
the protection of the United States government.