Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-10-17
WAsHIseros, October la.
EXAGGERATED ESTIMATES OF x'cLELLAn's
FORCR

FoRcK.
Mischievous consequences flow from
the exaggerated estimate prevalent
of the numbers of the Potomac army.
Mcclellan has not two hundred and
fifty or two hundred thousand svaila.
BILE troops. We have no right to be
more specific. Probably the same ten
dency exists to exaggeration among the
rebels, whose force all the accounts oI
!prisoners. deserters and negroes rep
resent as very large. much larger than
ours. BY the cautious. gradually ad-
vsncing policy OF Mcclellan. one line
Of hills has been occupied within ten
days, and strongly fortified. There
will be no second falling back to Wash
ton.
REBEL SCHOONER BURNED.
Capt. Harrell, commanding the
steamer Union, yesterday morning
burned large rebel schooner in Dunn
fries Greek, few miles above Acquis.
Three boats pulled up stream. The
sentries were alarmed, and the camp
blaze guided the enemy, who fred from
both banks, hitting the boats and the
mems clothes, but killing nobody. A
large number Of troops are in the vi
cinity. for the purpose, as Howell
thinks, of crossing the Potomac.
sKIRMIsH NEAR EDWARDS FERRY.
Half company of National soldiers,
encamped on the island opposite Ed
wards Ferry now. but near The Virgin
ia shore. were attacked, but drove back
large body Of rebels. who made good
their retreat.
Somebody has been imposing on the
public. and using poslmasters as agents
TO collect funds for the humane society
here, which has no existence.
The Old Point steamer reports that
an attack is apprebended from the James
River rebel boats.
4 BATTLE ExPECTED-BUT DECLINED BY
THE REBELS.
The city and the camps have been
the scenes of more than usual excite
ment for the past thirty hours, the pros
pect OF battle on Saturday evening
appearing imminent and near. Du-
ring an extended reconnaissance on Sat-
urday afternoon the enemy were discov-
cred drawn up in lines as il for battle,
and in numbers that showed a recent
great accession to their troops in that
quarter.
1t was believed that it was their in
tenlion to engage US at that point. and
General Mcclellan at once made prep
arations to give them battle.
Though no battle resulted, the army
has carried itself on what was believed
night before battle, with spirit and
enthusiasm most gratifying and auspi-
cious. Later in the evening, skirmish
ing began among the pickets. and some
of ours were driven in by superior num-
bers of rebel cavalry. Numerous shots
were exchanged, and one Of the rebel
cavalry was killed. Gen. Mcclellan
and his officers were in the saddle all
the night, and the morning saw them /,
offering an imposing line of battle. with ,
a readiness for general engagement, !
should such be the result, when it was
found that the rebels had prudenlly re-
tired, having withdrawn their pickets
two miles beyond Lewinsville. The af-
fair, though without marked result, is
still most valuable in the proof it gives
of the effective mobility Of our troops,
which cannot be far distant from a
more brilliant and practical test.
Much disappointment is caused TO
parties arriving here wishing TO visit
friends in the camps, by the strict ad
herence to the order prohibiting such
visits to our troops. The rule has in
creased stringency and should be un-
1ers!ood abroad TO save expense and
an unavailing journey to the. seat Of
war.
SECOND DISPATCH.
Little more happened last night than ;
vas embraced in my former telegram.
The enemy, in considerable force of ar {
illery, infantry and cavalry, were s
lrawn up in line some two miles from
ur advance at Lewinsville. After
irving in our foremost pickets, they re- E
ired without firing shot. Gen. Nc
IlelIan countermanded his general or :
ers for his staff on this side to Join
i'm. for the troops in Virginia to be v
nder arms, and those here to be in :
eadiness ID march at an instant's no. {
ice. He. however, spent the night h
here for the first time, not returning d
II afternoon.
Several batteries of artillery started +,
cross, but returned before noon.- B
ome of the cavalry ordered across re- 7
lained, and some returned. II is not