Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-28


that place and with the Potomac fotilla, The
mutinsers were left at the Rip Raps, where they
will remain until they be taken to their destna-
tion-the Dry Tortugas. The mutineers were very
docile going down, no disturbance of any kind &C.
curing. Some twenty or thirty knives and pistols
(private property were taken from them previous
to starting from the yard Last the w abssh,
Harriet Lane, Minnesota, and two river steamers,
with several large boats In tow left for Hatteras
inlet with q considerable force Of the Naval Bri
gade on board. Immediately upon their depar
tnre flag Of truce, accompanied by a secession
Dag, approached from the Confederates, with
three ladies and several prisoners captured by pr-
vateers but II 10 thought that It part of plan
Of the Confederates to learn what was going on
among the vessels.
The side wheel steamer, Island Belle, Captain
Adams, Of New York, arrived this morning,
having been purchased by Government for a gun
boat. In coming up last evening, when hailed
by the Penguin, she failed to reply, being In a
hurry, and having answered several Of the foilla,
when musket shot was fred into her, passing
within two feet Of couple Of ladies, and plsng-
ing through the panels AFT. She then replied, and
was allowed to proceed. She will take on her
guns soon and join the notilla.
The Yankee, Commodore Craven, went down
The Ceres has been placed on the ways for re.
pairs to her machinery and hull, and In a short
time will be ready for service.
There are now at the Yard the steamers Anacos-
tia, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Mount vernon Pow
hatan, Ceres, and Island Belle together with sew.
eral prOpellers and schooners. Some half dozen
neat little cutters, each armed with a rifed II.
FOUNDER, lie In the dock, ready for service at a
moments notice, and others are being fitted up In
the same style.
Yesterday some interesting experiments were
made with new kind Of projectile for burning
an enemy's cover or batteries.
This morning forty gunners, under Lieutenant
Badger, were drilling In the ma val battery with
one Of the large guns.
/ AFFAIRS OVER THE RIVER.
The Enemy Scouting Nearer and Nearer, and
Shoofins our PekstS-AH are ready for them.
Especial Correspondence Of The Star
ALEXANDRIA COUNT, Va, August 28.-You
have doubtless heard all sorts Of rumors in Wash
lngton about battles fought over here yesterday
and last night, &c &c, as learn such stories
were circulated there last night The truth Ia.
there has been no fighting in this county, except
affairs OF pickets though yesterday and last nj hit
the enemy approached with their outpost guards
or scouts over the whole line from above the Chain
Bridge clear down to Hunting Creek, perhaps a
mile nearer than they had previously ventured
TheY, however, did not remain in such advanced
positions, retiring back before daybreak
III turns out that they are NOT entrenching a,
Bailey's Cross Roads. Their nearest pretence OF
temporary entrenchment is at Taylor,s tavern,
mile south Of Falls Church, where they are be-
heved to have five 9-pounder rifed guns anna.
rentiy In battery behind a slight work Of brush;
which does not really amount to being In battery
at all, fancy.
At Munson's red hill, half mile nearer to
washington, (by the Leesburg turnpike) they
have two or three companies Of cavalry, some in-
fantry and believe two light pieces, (of artil.
lery;) and Yesterday, In the general temporary
advance OF their outposts this force drove In our
Pickets previously stationed at Baileys Gross
Roads half mile still nearer Washington. In
the course Of the night their scouts ranged, I
mink, across Four Mile Run, past Wesley Car
I'M ana proceeded to within half quarter of
mile OF BalPs Cross Roads, which 10 within two
and half miles Of the Virginia end of the soue.
duct atGeorgetown. II so, they were actually
within mile and three quarters of some of our
works on Arlington Heights
In the course Of yesterday afternoon, Q mounted
company Of them crossed -Four mile Run at RI
ley's Hill, and came down the county road to Mr..
sonthern's gate-our pickets retiring before them
TO Balls Cross Roads, half mile below
hear from towards Alexandria that sue ppa.
rent advances on their part took place over the
whole line. What was meant by them, further
than TO obtain, opportunities to murder a few
Union pickefs. know not; nothing like an al
tack a. 10 evident from the fact of their retire.
rnent before daybreak, everywhere They sue
ceeeded, hear, In killing land bayonetinp) two
OF our pickets near the Chain Bridge; and this
morning one Of our mounted pickets (belonging
70 Captain Geary's company Of Colonel Young, ),
Mounted Regiment) is missing.
Yesterday evening we heard firing of artillery
FOR some minutes, apparently In the direction of
Fort Ellsworth, but as vet Is has not been &C.
counted for. =
Gen. Mcclellan is uncessing in bis personal
laoors, Inspections and movements on this side
he was over here until late hour last night.
visiting all important points.
need hardly assure you that we are all ready
To receive the enemy, ifhis movements mentioned
above really mean an attack upon Us
THE SURPRISE OF UNION PICKET GUARD IT MIN.
SONS HlLL-NARRow PROBABLE ESCAPE OF
DANIEL MuNsoN, ETC, ETC
Especial Correspondence Of The Star
ALEXANDRIA COUNTY, Va, Near Bailey's Cross
Roads, August -, 1e8l.-Yesterday, shortly ate,
noon, our picket guard, twelve men strong, at
Mun.'ns red hill, mile above Baileys Gross
Roads, was surrounded suddenly by a force
OF about 300 secsssionists, who opened Ore upon
them, killing one man. Another was killed by
being shot in the back by one Of his own com
rades Six Of the twelve were captured by the
enemy, and the other four escaped back To an,
guard (of company at Baiey's Gross Roads.
MI Daniel Munson, hearing the fire so near
MS residence, mounted his horse to ride to-
wards our lines As he emerged from his
gate on the turnpike, volley was fred from
the hill, two hundred var 10 up the road, one
shot bringing his horse to the ground. The
horse fell, and he extricated himself and ran
across Bailey's field in the direction of r -
house. Nothing Of his whereabouts has since
been heard here He probably got of safely,
however.
The secessionists pursued the four rstreatins
men to point near Bailey's Cross Roads. when
the appearance Of a company Of regular cavalry
coming to the reinforcement Of the guard there.
caused the enemy to face about and make again