The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-08
The Privsteer Fetrel Sunk Oh
Charleston by the Erigate
st. Lawrence.
TWO PRIZES CAPTURED BY THE WABASH
Escape Of Shipmasters from
North Carolina.
IneEiciency OF the Blockade OF
the Rebel Ports,
&c, &C., &c.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, August I, 1861.
ANOTHER FLAG OF TRUCE FROM THE ENEMY-LETTRRs
IRON UNION observation-disclosures CAMERON Is
0RAvr.
Anoth.r se Of truce borne by Captain Jones, Of the
robe, army cur lines to-day II was met by the
scouts of Colonel Nccunns brigade, Alexandria, and
received by the commander Of the brigade The bearer
the flag brought also about three hundred letters from
the unon prisorers at Richmond and Manassas to their
friends here. They state That they closely guarded,
but are kindly treated. The valcabes taken from the
body Of Colonel Cameron, including his watch, signe
ring and daguerreotypes of his wife and daughter
also brought 70 Colonel McCunn with the Information that
the grave Of Colonel Cameron had been carefully marked,
80 that his friends may eventuly recover the body.
FALSE ALARM.
Rumors nave prevailed here all day Of desperate en-
counter between Of infantry scoute in the vicn
iiy Of the Chain Bridge and regiment Of rebel cavalry
in which forty Of the Union troops killed wound
ed. The War Department however, has information
upon the subject and the has been traced 10 the
simple fact of the passage through the Of train
Of hospital ambuiaces bearing in sick soldiers from the
camps -
TIE MOVEMENTS or TROOPS.
The missing OF leg, into brigades steadily pro-
crosses Artillery, cavalry and infantry are daily moved
this purpose, and by their movements
sgucd into marching to epel attack Of the rebels at
scme point or other.
Tho nens Of troops conducted with the least
possible parade AMI pao'ic' ,,ripg strong contrast
10 former similar military ,-oceedngs. & is evident,
however, that General McCleia ilousy employed
making the best dspositieA Of under his
mand, with view to the oec Oh II the capital should
the rebel forces relying upon dsoyai Aaryanders
workers, threaten its security
A LARGE FORCE OF THE REBELS NEAR TIE POTOMAC.
10 be some thousands and supposed to be part
Of General Jonso division Of tho rebel army
were observed encsmpcd the Virginia side, about two
miles from the river, and similar distance above Great
Falls Their POSITION near n narrow ford, seldom
used and impossible FOR wagons. The approach to it
the virginia side i l.rolgh deep cut 1t also OBJ
yeryed that axenen wcrc telling The trees between the
rebel camp aud TIE river.
II can be safely stated that the rebels would not I'm
their passage Of the unobsruc,ed and would dis
cover certain arrangements the part Of the federal go
yeYnmen net inserted in the dsuniea programme II Is
known that there is on the part " troops the utmost
vigilance, while lines areydHceny extended 10 guart
anst surprise from any quarter.
THE INErFtcEScY OF THE BLOCKADE.
The English and French Ministers constantly in re
oeip Of Intelligence from their agents at several Of tn
blockadsd ports, 10 the lee; that hps Of various kind
are known pass and of the bockaded ports with
out any apparent OBJ os,t'on, and therefore, 1t Is as
serted that the blockade is not effective. Unless In
government is active and displays more vigor an
determination in this matter, these two governments
who arc watching matters along the coast, will Civ
our government. considerable tsoao.e, learn from a
officer who has just returned from bockading post
hore be has been stationed that quite number OF
sells from foreign ports had escaped the vigilance Of
fleet and had run the blockade.
These facts have oil been laid before the government
Thus far il conceded all sides that the Navy Depart
ment is entirely inefficient The vessels that are no
being hired and purchased mostly Unfit for the setvc
required, and yet large sums paid for them Th
lobby who engaged 10 paming of these vessels arr
however, doing ine business The attention Of the Pr
sdcn has been directed to this matter and also to tn
department, where abuses beng practsed
REGULATIONS IN REGARD TO VOLUNTEERS.
General Order No. 45, which prohibits volunteers VII
do not speak the English language from being musere
into the service oae'ly explained 1t is net II
tended 10 a7py 10 regiments or companies OF foreig
nationality IN which the men ani oIccrs spea
ihe eanle la3-uego, Dat -'reyea tn enir 'ment in'