American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-09-14
lsl..PQRTaNT EROm IHE POTOMAC.
oPERAIIays BEFORE ARLINGTON
HEIGHTS.
Ispecial e0rrespoatenee. Of tas Pisaguae-l
CExrREvrLLE, NEAR MANASSAS,
September 3, 1861.
The latest couriers from The front brig


sharp work near Arlington Heights Oar
advanced forces have possession now Ct
all tie country around. mp to within
mile and a halfof the eneuy's works, and
are pressing them on every side. Since
the affair Of the 3Ist nit. however. the
latter have not made even a show OF 6ght,
but have kept close within their haes.
leaving tie whole field clear to Us. 10
the meantime, several elevations N The
neighborhood of Baily's cross roads, and
Balls cross roads, on the Fairfax aud
Leesburg Turnpike, have been seized
upon and are being fortified. The whole
line of Munson's Hill had been seized
upon previously, with the works there
. erected, some time since BY the enemy,
10 cover the heights and protect their sd
vanced forces, and the Notifications there
on are being strengtheued. Gen. Beau
regard himself visited them yesterday.
and even rode all along the line, up to
within mile and half of the enemy's
works. No enemy in such force as Gen.
/ McClellan's is said to be ever permitted
SO daring a reconnaissance before. If
they had civilly let in our Creole General
within their lines and shown him every
battery, they could not have given him
clearer view.
We have them. IN fact. so closely shut
up behind the hills that they cannot or
dare not stir, even for the purpose Of re-
connoisance in person. This they now
make in balloons, high up in the air. and
at convenient distance. Day before yes
terday they even yentured too far in these.
for Capt. Rosser, of the 81 company Of
the Washington Artillery, having nothing
better to do, got few shots at them with
= couple of rihed pieces, and brought
them down in double-quick time. The
reader will SMILE at this kind of warfare,
but it is, nevertheless, true. The bal
looms went up from near the White
House, doubtless supplied withtelegraphs,
express envelopes, and all that. but they
had scarcely caught a view of our ex;en-
sive plain Of village tents before Capt.
Rosser spied them. He had scarcely
gotten the range and fred few shots
when down they came quicker than they
wen: up. Thus endeth the balloon farce.
Our advanced forces have also erected
a splendid secession flag on one OF the
highest elevations of manson's hi!l,
where It can be seen. as well as OR prln-
cipal works. by all the people Of Washing
ton From the White House It can be
seen very distinctly. and doubtless j.
sorely vexes the conscience Of the meh
who SO love the slsipesand stars that they
have overridden the constitution and lib
critics Of the people TO defend it. Our
men also drill and parade daily right IN
der their works and ia full sight OF The
Federal capital, and. thus far, have not
been annoyed even by scouting parties.
It is with the greatest difficulty. Indeed,
that they can keep pickets OUT or their
line. SO dangerous has this branch Of
their service become. There is scarcely
a night that several are not picked OF by
our sharpshoeters few, indeed, escape !;
all which is Of course reported back TO
the whole army sud serves to keep II in a
state of decentralization. It IS probable
that the difficulty of finding men who
are willing to go on service SO dangerous
I is the reason the enemy have drawn in
their pickets and put stopto taeiT scout
ing.
In the meantime, all sorts OF strata
gems are said to be resorted TO at Wash
fington to keep the spirits of the people
up. Nearly every day it is given out
publicly that there may be al affair OF
outposts" before the sun goes down, ba.
nothing more, oh no {; and therefore the
people should not be alarmed Il they
heard heavy cannonadins the other side
of the river Judging from these curl
Gus ou.gigings there must be an awful
scare . at the capital, and perhaps Nc;
without reason. Il Is reported, indeed,
that hundreds OF families that have never
been frightened before are now fast nov
ing away. with al their household tarnI-
ture. into the country. there % await the
issue Of the impending conflict.
The Louisiana Brigade Is still encamPed
near hear, where are also General Walk
er's headquarters. The Washington
Artillery are encamped near BY Al
the regiments are in excellent health.
except perhaps the 9lh. which IS net yet
acelimatized or quite through With the
: measles. dorot learn, however, thai
many of the cases are difficult 70 manage
, Yesterday was at the headquarters O.
, Col. Seymour, of the 9th, aad had The
pleasure of seeing him reyisw his regl-
ment. They are .encamPed on oeaati-
|, ful SPOT. admirably adapted both to
7 ( teufiar and AriifInr and al.Z.Gntag