The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-11
[ilitary Operations i'm West
ern Virginia.
mother Defeat of Lees Rebels
by Gen. Reynolds.
News from Missouri
and Kentucky,
&C., &C., &c.


NAclnNSIUN oCI. 1ut IDOL
In ADVANCED POSITIONS OF THE UNION ARMY
THE REBELS UNWILLING TO FIGHT.
The advanced positions taken yesterday by forces
10 maintained, occupying Prospect and Smiths and
well Hills, IN the vicinity Of townsville, and tho
klsge Of Lewinsvilc itself, and Minors Hill, in the
Eghborhood Of Falls Church-thus bringing up tho pc
ion Of the right wing in line with the advance of the
tutre, which was already IN possession Of Munsons,
bsons, Upton's and Tayor's Hills, In front Of Wash
lton, and extending line several miles further
pm the south bank Of the Potomac. In all these
Its the rebels have retired without resistance They
Fvo manifested no disposition whatever TO avail them
yves Of tho repeated opportunities offered to them for
neral engagement. They are evidently unwilling to
Int anywhere sxcepttn the immediate neighborhood Of
nassas Junction, which they have expended all their
Dor and skill to fortfy. In . few days they will
obably be compelled 70 accept battle elsewhere or re-
Feat lay down their arms.
General McCas division left Tenellytown during last
beh crossed the Potomac and to-day occupied Langley
he miles from the Chain Bridge. Both his and General
saita 8 headquarters are at Langley.
Thc Iaters division occupies the position it took yes
ray his pickcs however, have been advanced further
ITO Virginia.
qcre indications Of the presence Of the enemy
ccping cavalry pckets and military officers incline to
opinion that there rebels in considerable force
the whole line Of grand army or within six miles
is entire front.
X eneral Mcclellan and staff and escort went out this
coming, about ten O'Clock, proceeding the Chain
ge to the advance post Of General Mccall whose CON-
taud extends up the river the Virginia side near
twinsvile, and that Of General Smith who now holds
ssesson Of townsville, and that of General Ftz John
rter whose pickes extend out towards Fairfax Court
hGuse He rode along the advance posts OF the whole
MON line.
Nothing seen Of the enemy during the day and
gt the telegraph announces everything is quiet in the
i,ole department.
FALs8 ALARA-THE NEWSPAPER ARMY CORrs ON
THE ALERT.
An amusing occurred here to-day The city was
He'd with rumors Of battle being wagcd in the neigh
orhood Of Lewinsviiic The army telegraph brought
tellgcnce Of any engagement there elsewhere but
c report rife, and the whole corps Of newspaper
correspondents consequently excited About three
clock this afternoon, in tho midst of pclting rain
scrm the majority Of them, regularly equipped with
ankets and oyeralls and gum elastic ponchos closely
trapped around them, mounted variety Of seeds and
roceeded through mud and rain gather items OF the
Iatte. They had . cool ride, spashing through
he mud Of the much used road and dodging between
he wagons of tho government trains, and returned
ght, tired wet without and Within covered with mud
ynd hcartsck with disappointment Their suddenly
reused enterprise had been simply thrown away for
hey had obtained nary item by all their efforts The
nomy had not advanced, andnour own forces were in
ntu quo, quietly occupying the positions assumed yes
iay, and waiting, like Mcawbcr, for "something to
urn up" The press correspondents engaged in this
ruthless display OF energy have realized the experience
the pursuit Of item under difficulties and ours
their stars that they were not better posted before
tarting.
RISE N TIE UPPER POTOMAC.
The rain IN tho mountains during the last few days
swollen the Upper Potomac until tho stage of
fifteen feet above tho fording point and the volume OF
water and rapidiy OF the current render the
tf ponton bridges matter Of extreme difficulty Under
hese circumstances all ideas Of movement across the
irer from either sido necessarily abandoned While
his condition OF the river continues there no proba
tty Of an attack upon lines an advance from
them.
rHE REPORTED sURRKNrER OF THE HOME GUARD AT
HERMANN, MO.
The late report Of surrender in Missouri is denied ct
be War Department the authority Of despatch from
hat State.
CHEERING NEWS FROM KENTuCKY-JoHN j. cR1rTEH-
DEN A PRIVATE IN THE UNION ARMY.
The Eews from kentucky is cheering. The glorious
p patriot John J. Crittenden spite of his advanced
arc is the rst private In the Frankfort Home Guard
has declared his intention to 90 into camp and
main in service until every rebel is driven from the soil
of Kentucky.
The resolution of the Kentucky Legislature giving the
command Of the State Guard to Thomas L. Crittenlen
saant Of the old ex-senator has completely broken
ap that organization, into which tho traitor Simon Boil
yar Buckner, ana Governor Magonn, had infused the
eaven OF treason.
The conduct Of these traitors had driven from the
State Guard all the Union who could not be corrupt
rnl~ IT,
u ky. Tbs proclamation Of Gen. Crttcnden, when he
vas placed In command showed plainly that he intended
the force for the defence Of the Union aud the
rushing cut OF treason. The consequence aban
aonment Of the organization.
In the meantime the Union men throughout the State
re filling the ranks Of the Home Guard more rapidly
han they can be supplied with arms and equipments.
There is doubt that Gen. Crttenden will be offered the
position Of Brigadier General OF volunteers.
THE ARMY.
Dr. J. G. Kesnon, Of Frankfort, Ky, has passed cx