The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-27
Probability Of a Grand Battle
Within Twenty-four Hours.
Additional Particulars Of the Siege
Of Lexington+
Arrest Of James B. Ola =, of Kentucky,
and Sixteen Of his Baud.
OPERATIONS OF GENT RIAL BANKS ARMY,
&C., Sc. &c.
Gun SPECIAL WAS ssxsros BSsrlTCREs.

ws.sInsercsT, Sept. %, 1885,.
AFFAIRS on TIE twOssAc--yFss ELS FIRED yr-oN
BY BATTERY ON NRsGGsTONE Y OINT--TuE REBEL
FORCES ALONG T fG Ry1Rs, Kye
The steamer beaw nAre Captain Crnan, arrivedet tho
Navy EsTu about aca with a body OF marines from
Philadelphia. The Captain repore that the battery a.
Ereestone Point s uAaskedwsan he passed il this
nornirg, the DDS having beer all cleared svav and
that opened Hon hxi, firing bout seven shets none
OF which took Acct They all good line 81 Dts but
either fell Short or won't over so Just grazing his deck.
Captain Canaan says about afy vessels passed. the bat
terry Up and down but fred at exces the Dei
ware.
The aar down TIE river, At Froestone Point; not
30 serious as reported last night or the troe vessels
1red attte Jacso Bell Cherokee and Valley Citythe
latter was the only enc h&. She is a common selling
vessel with ordinary light zine beard bulwarks above
deck. The ball passed through these works entering
the works on side or az, vessel and passing on
the other ssde without dosg any ds,aage than can
be repaired a. cost Of Aiiy cents.
The day before ths aG,r folr negrooe were picked
Up In bect. they were escaping from virginia
20 Maryland. They 'divulscd The. fact Of TIE
existence Of this barLry NJ Freestmse Point, and
yesterday the three vessels named make recon-
noissance ara ascertain the negroes told the truth
Upon appfonDhing the Point they nothing what
appeared t. be trees and bushes. Several shots were
thrown into eho hckest part OF them, which was soon
responded ~ by several shots from red cannon The
object OF tbs reconnaissance accomplished without
damage On our side, end the vessels returned safe
ancborasf.
The Reiaace, Lieutenant Mygat arrived at the Navy
Yard this morning, bringing intelligence that new
battery trying the range Of its guns every vessel
that attempted to pass yesterday afternoon.
man by the Of Sher burne reached the MARYLAND
shore yesterday ON raft. He says he lieutenant
In tho First Arkansas regiment and deserted because
Ne for the Union and dared not refuse the rebel
ranks. lie according camp report the rebel force
On the river from Matthias Point up White House Point
will not exceed ten thousand men, shcrburne is at the
Navy Yard and will be retained until the government is
satisfied that his escape is not ruse, and that he not
Spy.
THE BATTERY AT FREEsToNg PoTNT-THE POTOMAC
CLOSED BY THE REBELS.
From the disclosures OF the rebel officer, Lieut. Shor
burne, who crossed the Potomac raft and into
our lines yesterday it is that the battery al
FTeesone Point wac commanded by Henry J. Hartsten
formerly commander IN the United States Navy and
that there are batteries on the Virginia side OF the
mac every two and half miles from Occoquan to Ma
thias Point
The river is now considered by naval officers as ccc.
ally closed. Our Potomac aotlia is insufficient
TO cloar IT Of the batteries upon its
tanks. land force is indispensaby Necessary,
and it is believed that within q few days, perfaps
few hours the rebels vii, atenp. to cross me lower
Potomac into Maryland. They will warm re-
cepon but 1t may be necessary our forces
IN that direction.
PROSPECT OF A BATTLE WITHIN TwfNTY-FoUR
HOURS.
Nothing has been reported today indicating any dis
turbance along the Union lines.
Tn refusal Of the rebels accept battle when the op
POI unity was so fairly and boldly proered by General
Smith yesterday eAces surprise, especially after the
mcnacos they have thrown induce our army to
ica'c iheir iursnchies for lpcn hed battle The
conclusion is that hoy decline accept battle in our
'front.' and by unynasting their batteries at and
this side OF Aqua Creek, ar shown in anothe.
despatch to-day, they ready for q decisive
movement down the river, and by a concentration Of
troops opposite General Banks column, about to at
tempt the hazardous feat Of crossing Potomac 1T the
point designated above,
If do not mistake all the signs by which q Ell from a
common senee view led To iudge OF coming events
we are to witness Formidable demonstration IN the Do.
partmcnt Of the Potomac within twenty four hours
After The Reconnaissance of yesterday, the advance OF
the rebels, their present suffering FOR the want of all
Kinds Of woolen clothrg and immediate need
of moro comfortable Quarters th the tented field the
necessity part Of opening tbs Potomac now olctu
ally closed to navigation by ships, ana other causes
none important than those named IL almost im
possible that collision longer DC prevented The
miSy necessity y. movement is great both sides
BRIEF period will demonstrate whether mistake tao \
signs Of tie timos.
At eleven O'Clock tonight everything is quiet in the |
Department Of the Pot, mac
EFFECT OF THE REon n DISASTER IL aEss0URI-RE- /!
- JOGGING CT TIE REBELS.
The intelligence from Missouri las occasioned much |
ceasrn among the loyal pco vle here and great rejoicing
among those who sympaliz' with the rebels The |
former are venting es upon General Fremont |
for his criminal Hardness in forwarding rsinorce-
ments 10 The gallant Mulgsn and his band
OF heroes who noby sustained siege and held their po
sion long enough for endorsements TO have been sent
10 them, oven from s.. Louis where General Fremont
hal al immense force idly awaiting bis orders.
Last night the women recently released from arrest
tho Mesdames Phillips andGrecnhow I'm e he announce
rncni of the news Of Mugns SURRENDER tie occasion OF
IA illumination Of their houses, md other manifestations
Of reocng oyer the defea. OF a gallant band Of Union
soldier