The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-11-13
ARMY OF the POTOMAC
Jour OWN CORRESPONDENT

MANASSAS, Nov. eth, 1851.
There wasa rumor here this evening that the
enemy had advanced upon Germantown, and
had driven in our pickets. This believe to
be untrue. Yesterday was some distance
into the eneMy's country, and quite three
miles beyond our line Of pickets. Ws saw no
signs of the Federals beyond a small party
on foraging expedition, who led at our ap-
proach.
Yesterday morning scouting party, con
sisting Of about seventy five persons, under
the command of Col. Jones, OF the cavalry,
started into the enemy's lines to make a re-
connoissance. Starting from Gen. Stuarts
headquarters they went ON the Alexandria
turnpike through Fairfax and thenee by the
Falls Church road until the pickets OF the
enemy were seen. A short distance this side
OF Falls Church party OF Yankees were
seen going into house These were sur
rounded and captured. Seven were taken,
tive belonging TO the 30th New York regiment
and two to the I'D. 1t seems they were out
on thleving expedition and had been ac-
companied by others who had been gone but
a lew moments when our party came up. The
men were very silly and uncul,ivated, and
all seemed 10 care very little about their
condition. In fact, one would suppose they
were pleased with it, for they kept up
an incessant grin and laughed heartily every
few moments as Il man does after hearing
some good news "If you had come a few
moments sooner you would have caught our
captain said one, and then all laughed
loudly, as if the thought was a merry one
They seemed to have no shame while giving
up their arms, and talked in the most fiippant
manner. They were men of no sensibility
or spirit. and L could but think it was no
WONDER we whipped them in every fight
GA being asked why they Were there. one
replied, laughing all the while, " We came
cut to protect this old mans pigs, the Carl
baldians come out to steal them. Now you
have taken us they ii steal every one of them"
Nothing but such silly talk as this could be
cotton out Of them. They seemed to know
very little about army movements-in fact
very few questions were asked them for fear
1t might annoy them. The 30th New York
was on Uptons hill, and the 23d close by
Two fine Maynard rifles were taken with
them and some muskets; do not renem Der
if all were armed. They were sent under
guard to Centreville, and while coming in to
the village were met by Il large party of boys
VINO were standing upon the hill watching
kept quiet for time, bur all could not be re-
strained, and giving three cheers, they crowd
ed around the prisoners.
why did MT You coine us when we run
from you at Fairfax was asked
"Yes, but you can't fool us we know you'll
fight was the reply.
This evening they arrived here, and, to-
ether with six companions taken in the fight
the morning.
The village of Fairfax looks quite deserted,
but lew of the citizens remaining in their
homes. The houses have not been disturbed
by our plckets, who are now in the village,
and all kinds of property has been respected
by them. But one house has been disturbed,
and that was on account of 4 note that was
found in it. 1t was as follows:
"FATHFAX q. H., Oct 1861.
"Will Gen. Mcclellan please occupy this
house as his headq aarters and pro .ect the
property of those forced to leave?
r." His old friend and acquaintance,
'MRs. BAILEY
] give the note from memory, but believe it
is correct. 1t was certainly very indscreet in
Mrs. Bailey, If she be loyal at heart, to under
score the word forced as if to make it appear
she was a martyr, driven from her home
against her will. believe none of the citizens
were ordered away from the town with the
army, bu' We're merely advised tc leave
The enemy have been near the Court House
but twice or three times since we fell back
from it, and then only in small parties, which
were probably out on reconnoitering or for
aging expeditions. On the Annandale road
we heard q few men had been up early in the
morning, but saw none near by. Riding
down the turnpike. we finally saw a small
party, some eight or ten in mum Der, who ran
as We came in sight. They seemed to be
pickets, as they were posted on an eminence
commanding a view of the country for some
miles. l believe they have some force near
| Annandale, and along the line from there to
From the top of the hotel in Fairfax we
| could still see the Stars and stripes flying
| from Upton's Hill, and also the line of their
| Publications by Taylor's and Whites hills.
No other changes We're visible except those
| made by the fail of the leaves, which gave a
| less obstructed view of their works. I be-
| lieve there has been no advance since we lef,
| the town, except by small parties of scouts
| / cannot help believing, however, the state
| ment made some time ago that Mcclellan has
| tried to advance at three different times, but
his men failed to come up to the mark.
| Returning from Fairfax, we called upon
| Captain Squires, OF the First Company
| Washington Artillery, now on picket duty
| near Germantown. We found the camp on
| a little hill, in front of which was valley
| and a small stream of water. This stream
| has been a source of much amusement to the
| boys. Having nothing to do, time hangs
| heavily on their hands, and they have nearl y
| exhausted their stock of sports The other
| day, however, some tiny boats We're made
| with paper sails, and now they have a regatta
| every day. sometimes betting heavily on the
| speed Of the different boats. One can hardly
| imagine the fun or the amount of excitement
| such simple sports will produce until he has
| been for & long time deprived of every amuse
| ment. l recoilect a few years ago, while or
| voyage to Europe, how hard pushed WE
| were TO occupy the time. Reading was i'm
| possible C rds played out chess too much
| labor; watching the petrol and the huge
schools of porpoise had become an old story
and so we collected our party and formed I
| committee of ways and means to devise
| anusements. 1t was laughable to see how
| cid and young enjoyed the most childish
| sports. Finally, ST. Agnes light came il
| sight, and we run into the English Channel
| Wnen the pilot boat came in sight, bets wer,
| made as to which leg he would put over th'
| rail first whether he would wear coat ol
| a nor 'wesuer; cap or a :" stove pipe on hi
| head, or whether he was fat or lean. Th
bets being made, there was great exeitemen
| until the little man was at the helm steering
away towards Beachy Head and the bet
decided
Some Of tie boats The boys had made wer
fine models, and had been made and rigget
with especial reference to fast sailing. Really
the yacht race was very interesting. On
could but remember the days of childh ood
and the boat sailing period Of his youth.
| There is really nothing to write about o
interest, and almost give up all hope Of
fight at this point. Still, believe our Gen
erals expect one before snow comes again
| upon general principl merely. II Genera
Mcclellan does not fight, the Government
can get nc more men or money, and publ
opinion is pressing him very hard.
| Thursday night, the Hon. W. G. Preston
former Minister - Spain, paid visit 10 tn
Kentucky camp, Col Tom Taylor, and spen
| the night with his friends. luring the even
| ing he made them a speech, which was loud
ly cheered, and which gave great pleasure L
the soldiers. Visits from such men. an
speeches to the volunteers has a good effec
and seems to enliven the tedium of camp life
I wish 1t were more common.
Owing to the recent rain the roads hav
become in very bad condition, and in SOM
places almost impossible. A great many wa
| gons have been broken down in the road an
between here and Centreville the road
| strewn with wrecks. II the bad condition In
creases as winter advances, it will soon b
impossible to move artillery. Whatever mil
| itary operations that will be carried on thi
winter must be done quickly. BOHEMIAN.
| FROM NORFOLK.
| ESPECIAL coRRxsPoN DEScE OF THE pIsPATcH ]