The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-30
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
Condensed by the Salem Gazette.
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.

Condensed BY the Salem Gazette.
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
A reconnaissance in force OF infantry and
artillery was made from Alexandria on Fri.
day, without falling in with any OF the rebel
forces. 1t is said that the cause OF the retreat
of the rebels from Ccntreyills and Fairfax
within the past few days originated in col
lision which took place between two bodies
of their own pickets, each installing the 9TH
or for Union troops, and each reporting, upon
falling back. that the enemy were advancing.
Every person must be aware that the Gov
eminent has lately been concentrating such
force near the Capitol as would enable It
to strike at some point before long. with
crushing effect. Where that interesting To-
cality may be found, and when the occasion
may present itself. it is not our province to
say, had we the necessary information, which
we have not. Only it is to be remarked that
an immense aotlla Of light armed vessels is
being collected at Washington. One CORES.
pendent "a secessionst) reports the purchase
of q vessels in single day. That there is
O great deal Of activity in this direction Is
unquestionable, but beyond this all is uncer-
tain, and very properly so, US far as the out
side world is concerned We remark merely
saws the New York Commercial Advertiser,
that below the Potomac there is an extensive
coast to be assailed as we'll as watched; and
to be assaied with every probability OF sue.
cess, too, now that the lower tier OF rebel
states is all but denunded of troops. Sup
pose $4,000 of the fresh levies should garrison
the Capitol and Arlington Heights. while So
600 were suddenly thrown into lower Nir-
ginia or North Carolina. Suppose, too that
the Bull Run disaster, by drawing up the
strength of rebellion into single district and
exposing the remainder to easy assault and
capture, should ultimately prove our nation
al salvation. But we have said enough
BY Christmas, we think, daylight will be
visible through events which ut present APP
pear like dark and gloomy dispensations,:--
Let every friend Of the Union, every uphold
or Of law and order, prepare to do his whole
duty to the premises.
Gen. Mcclellan and staff are actively oc.
cupied in reviewing the army, and dividing
it into brigades and divisions.
Authentic intelligence from Manassas states
that since the battle at Bull Run, the rebels
have made extraordinary efforts to get rein
iorcements, drawing large forces from Ten
nessee, which had been held there for defen-
siye operations on the Mississippi.
GENERAL RANKS DIVISION.
The division under command OF Gen. Banks
has left Sandy Hook. and is encamped few
miles further down the Potomac, at the
mouth of the Monocacy, and nearly opposite
Leesburg, Va, where the enemy are said to
have large force. 1t is no part OF Beaure.
CARDS army, however, but newly arrived
troops, who came up from I.ynchburg and
Gordonsville last week, They consist ofsey-
eral regiments from Alabama, with four bat
teries Of field artillery, and are intended to
act in cooperation with Gen. Johnson
Leesburg is only four miles from Conrads
ford, and the latter is about the same distance
from Leesburg, where Gen. Banks column is
now encamped.
FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
The Baltimore Exchange says gentleman
from Western Virginia brings the intelli.
gcnco that General Lee was about eight
miles North of Gauley Bridge with force
Of thirty.scven thousand men. He reports
that Gen. Wise was eight miles of with
5000 men, and Gen. Loring seven miles oil
in another direction with eight thousand
men. Mr.. jenkins, Member Of Congress,
was raising brigade to join Gen. Lee.
Gen. ROsencrantz refuses to release pris-
oncrs who may be taken IN arms, OF without
evidence of intention to pursue any other
than peaceful course.
Another skirmish has taken place in the
Kanawha Valley, eight miles beyond Gaulcy,
body of about four thousand of Wise's rebels.
The rebes advanced to where the Ohio men
had erected barricade, and were driven
back with loss Of fifty killed. and con-
siderable number wounded and taken prison.
ers. None were killed on our side, and only
two slightly wounded. A late report states
that o. Jennings Wise was taken prisoner,
but this needs confirmation.
FORTRESS MONROE.
FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. 90.
Gen Wool held grand r,view and inspec-
ton this morning. He took into his hands
and examined every muskct belonging to the
garrison.
Saturday. Aug. "a.
Generals Wool and Butler have spent a
part Of to-day at the Rip-Raps experiment
ing with Sawyer's gun. The second shell
hurst in the Confederate camp at Sewell's
Point, which broke down the flagstaff and
scattered the rebels like chaff A propeller
which was landing troops at tho Point put
back towards Norfolk. The whole affair
was witnessed from tho Newport News
steamer.
The official reports of the battle ut Will
sons Creek show the National losses to have
been 223 killed, 72l wounded. and 29l miss
inS-total, 1885, out Of an army numbering
$500 when it went into action. 1t is now
stated that the rebel forces undertook to fol-
low Gen. Siegel in his retreat from Spring
field, but at the end of one days march,
hearing that our army had been reinforced,
they turned-back.
The First Iowa Regiment distinguished
itself brayely in this battle, and one of tho
companies, of which Walter Devereux Of
this city was member. lost fifty men.
Gov. Gamble of Missouri has issued q
proclamation calling for $4,000 men for the
State service. 10000 cavalry, and $4,000
infantry to serve for six months.
The telegraph last evening reports the ar
rest of several secessionists caught in am.
bust, whose design is supposed to have been
the murder of Gen. Mcclellan. A battle
was impending at Athens, Missouri. A
general arrest Of traitors, male and female,
Is going on at Washington.
INDICATIONS OF EARLY FIGHTING.
KEoKuK, Iowa, Aug. 90.