The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-10
II Union Armies Under Gen. Mcclellan and
Gen. Banks Ready for Battle.
lnAU0rtamt Rebel Movements i'm
Kentucky,
TO-, &C., &c.
en- SPECIAL WASHINGTON DEsPATCHEs.

WAsHlSGTos Sept. Q, 1851.
AYTArKe ON THE VIRGINIA sIDE OF THE POTOMAC
eKIRnIsHING OF THE PICKET GUARDs-RECONNOIs-
SANCE OF THE ENEMY, ETC.
This has been another day Of quiet anxious waiting
end listening the OF the long expected battle It
seems however, that the rebels hesitate make the
saut they evidently contemplate They find lines so
admirably prepared for any attack at every point
would be sheer madness to make the attempt, which
would inevitably be rcpulsed and prove to them ire
Gicvably disastrous. The retreat Of our army from
Bull run only melted greater activity in every depart
mont Of the government and stronger determination
the part Of the people the loyal States support every
edrt of the administration "-- .'-, 'sDe''on
General Mcclellan is fully prepared to follow
II up. General Beasregard's army defeated and
scattered the rebel leaders would find no
sther to takc It's place. and their traorous enterprise
would be speedily crushed out. Delay almost as ruin
Gus 10 them as would be defeat With fvethousand of
their army the Potomac in hospitals infectious diseases
raging all their camps, their troops filed with appre
henso Of attacks by the Union forces upon their homes,
shey will not long be able to maintain the position they
have assumed Immediately in front Of our lines and will
coon become III prepared to resist an attack they
are now to make one.
For several days they have been feeling along our line
for weak place. where they may the Potomac into
Maryl and but none has been found. In the meantime
they watch closely every movement on side. A
>uunossance in force made last night Of
all tho country in the vicinity Of the Chain
Bridge Every movement Of the accommodating party
was signazed by rockets in the direction of the rebel
ncs but It was ascerained that they had not changed
the positions heretofore reported They erecting
earthworks the Lecsburg road, about seven miles
from tho Chain Bridge.
The energy and ability Of Gen. Mcclellan are plainly
manifested in the superior eiciency and discipline of his
whole army.
Betwacn eight and nine o'clock morning the rebels
within the Notifications Nunscns Heights threw
Or shells towards the Union pickets Bailey
Cross Roads, distance Of about mile, without
Aoing any damage, causing injury 10 life limb.
Tho shells were Of pattern and did not
explode, owing to the imperfect manner in
which they were loaded. Lieutenant Dahlgren, Of
the navy WHO in the vicinity OF where Of tho
rebel shells atruck secured It dor presentation to his
gsthcr Captain Dahgrcn Chief Of the Naval Ordnance
Department Another sent TO Brignder General
Richardson. The firing was heard distinctly in Washing
son and the rapidity with which the discharges were
made impressed every with tho idea that tho long
supected attack ON Washington had commenced. The
shells throwa from masked battery at the base
Nunsons Hill ,near Munson's house. One of the Union
psckets was concealed in the bushes few reds from the
rebel battery wher the firing took place.
Tho enemy still continue to work on several bat
teries near Balls Cross Roads. Their pickets ant
Ours meet occasionally, and exchange shots To-day
. party NJ fresn the New York TwentyAGrst rogi
anart had brisk skrxish with equal number of Tn,
sebes driving ine back to their nec. No logs on ou
side
General Mcclellan andGtar, with cavalry escort wen
svcr Long Bridge shout to-day A. Forts Jackson
Runyon aud Albany, the guards tesned out, and
salute o. present ar4s given our young chcftan
ne passed. He made stop, and attempted display
When he passed thc guard Of the Massachusetts Eleventh
Colonel commanding q. Fort Albany he evi
IDENTIFY mnch gratiGed their prompt recognition Of bin
for every in Die place. every eye fixed upox
6im and ~ the word 20 Present arms ~ Ace Genera
saised his cap, and his beautiful bay steed ranced
enough itappreciated the ceremony. From Fort Albany
General Mcclellan proceeded to examine the ouposs
aowaris Alexandria and in le yicalty OF BatIey Cross
Roads.
Tie tAoops were considerably disappointed In no,
seeing the enemy this morning, they anticipates an
attsck anS were ready and in fne spirits for It.
General Mcclellan returned over the Long Bridge ia.
light about mine o'clscll.
Up eoxoa O'Clock tonight every thngs quiet along
lines. Our pckets extend about two miles beyond
Fort Corccrsn In the dection Of HaGs House. and so
the rebel pckots that shots have been exchanged
1t intervals throughout the day. nothing serous result
ing to our side.
evident that the rebel fofces are seeking every op
poriony to cross the Potomac abcve Washington. They
dare rot attack and venture "a decisive battle.
They must soon make Il Formidable, movement on our
lines retire.
THE REBEL BATTERIES ON MuNsoY's HILL.
Tho rebel fortihcaons ON Munscns Ill., thrccfourths
Of mile from Baleys Cross Roads have every iudica
tion Of being completed From close inspection made to-