The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-20

had no opportunity to emerge from the places In which
'aey were hived. 1t is known that there are IN
Aqua creek alone one hundred and forty launches and
oarses capable of holding aggregate Of from Ave thou
sand to ten thousand men, II is presumed that there is
also large collection Of launches and fats in Potomac
creek, ABOUT two miles and half below Aqnia creek.
1t is evidently the design Of the rebels to use
these boats for the transportation OF large
force TO the Maryland SIDE for the purpose of attacking
Washington in the rear. They have been exceedingly
busy during the hast week in that neghborhoed, and
have actually the command Of The Potomac ut that point
They have two batteries the lower side at the mouth
Of Aqua creek each side Of the mouth Of Potomac
crock, battery Of rihed the Virginia shore
between the creeks, and at Mineral Point the Mary
land side, about midway between tac creeks The dis
'tance from Aquia creek to Potomac creek is about
two and half miles, and the river opposite
to Mineral Roint is two and half miles wide. The
range OF the red guns the battery opposite to Mineral
Point four miles On Thursday last this battery made
trial of ts guns upon the Pochontas and Yankee. The
latter obliged TO haul OF TO position Ave miles from
the battery to get out Of range There camps
of the rebels in plain view back Of the batteries between
Aqua and Potomac creeks. They have at this point
from eight to ten thousand men, and cavalry force at
Chorawarnpse creek, short distance above, and
two Tennessee regiments at Quantico, stul
day n thousand at work on new
Entertainments in the neghborhood Of Aqua creek but
Notwithstanding these formidable preparations the as-
o. the Potomac at That point by the rebels viii BE-
found an mpossibity.
The vessels Of the Potomac dotlIa have been recalled
There duty in the vicinity of Aqua creek the
steamer Yankee, the flag ship Of the Potomac squadron
the Pawnee, rocahontas, Froeborn, Reliance Rcsote
Penguin and Union. The Jauob Bell, Underwater and
Baltimore just arrived at che Navy Yard, will be
adled to tho feet. The Baltimore brought
MP from Old Point twenty launches, capable OF
carrying twenty men and twelve pound hewitzcr
-each for shoal water service and complete the
police The feet is lying OUT Of range Of the ried
battery of the rebels but in full view Of the from
Aqua creek 10 Potomac creek and ready prevent any
crossing, even ia small boats.
The opinion prevails here in military circles that
the first thing TO be done is TO clear away
these distractions to the Potomac, and occupy
position with union force 1t is matter Of considerable
debate whether thas not in fact the proper point for the
beginning Of movement upon Richmond. The defences
at Aqua creek be carried with less trouble than those
at Manassas and the road to Richmond quite direct
as the other
GEN. M'CLELLAN's STAFF.
Thos. NJ. Key, of Ohio was to-day appointed Al de-
Camp to Major General Mcclellan, with the rank of
Colonel to date from August 49, 1860 The commission
dated thus award Of services rendered Western
Virginia acivilian. Tie appointment ia the first and
only one made under theact Of August 1851 Col Key
is Western man. born in Mason county KY. in 1879
graduate Of Yale college In 1885, commenced the practice
Of the law Cncnnati in 1872 Judge Of the Commercial
Court Of atcty from 1s4s TO 1852 and elected the
State Senateof Ohio in 1850. successful lawyer and
man Of proved ability, he placed upon the stafr Of
General Mcclellan as Judge Advocate while he was
Major General Of the State Of Ohio and has accompanied
him as an active and efficient member Of his staff enjoy
ing the confidence Of the General through all the campaign
in Western Virginia and since he assumed the command
of this department This appointment completes General
McClelans staff, which is composed as follows
Major Seth s. Williams Assistant Adjutant General.
Captain Alexander Coburn, Assistant Adjuans General.
Captain Lawrence Williams, Aidde-Camp.
Captain Edward Mex. Hudson, Aid de- Camp
Captain Nathan E. Switser, Abide Camp
Thomas M Key, AiddeCamp, with the rank Of Colonel.
Stuart Van Welt, Major Qaartermaster's department
Colonel william F. Barry, Second artillery, Chief of Ar
tillery
Captain Charles p Kngsbsry, Chief Of Ordinance.
Lieutenant George c. Strong, Assistant Chief O. Ord
nance.
Captain H. r. Clarke, Chief Commssary Of Subsistence
Surgeon Charles s. Trpler Medical Director.
ARREST OF CAPTAIN DE sAGNEL.
Captain De Sagnel commander OF the rebel artillery a,
the battle Of Rich Mountain Western Virginia and who
behaved with great gasntr, severely wounded and
supposed to have escaped ao the woods and there
died, arrested short time since, endcaworins u
make his escape through of the mountain passes
the valley Of Virginia Ho hadebtaned shelter, and
manned secreted NATL Gar recovered Of his wounds
to attempt an Escape.
-GOUTHERN LErTERs
recently intercepted mail GAG, The first being trans
lation-
CaARIEs2oN, August 3. 1861.
DEAR FEIIx-On politics will say much The last
important affair isii too fresh not to be in good spirits
about Moreover alone know pretty well what
known the public write for instance the ai
can assure yon atn see daylight and weein soon
nave full sunshine Lhave read Russes private letter
about the battle, and he completely disposes of she
Yankees Lord Lyons last good saying that he
Nv ,uh say Seward fa vile snakc) M you will zd
nit that the southefers have beigeFent rights you
must admit they sse belligencnt Power"
You may rest assured that the SoutfAs be indepen-
deEt and become greater than the North for
wesh is here and not At the North because the soil
here produces every thing that 10 neosary and
over yields immense values ihc0ton, tobacco rice &c.
csfras.
In the products of the earth this South Ia Abe greatest
country hope Hamburg will soon give direct steam
navigation In January expect TO he in full business
for England will and must break up the blockade have
still later information, which still more confirms in
the beitf that England anu France will soon acknowledge
us. MORRIS SEIlGMAN.
Another letter in the aasa mail bag Is follows:-
CHARLESTON, Augusta, 1851
Ny DRAp .IoHN-The LiEGoin government has stopped
ELe mails and avail myself Of good friends Robert
Muir and John Paul going over, which they have TO do
bs very crcutous route, to reach the steamer Africa
at New York by the time sheaeaves for Liverpool, the
144h inst
Aher speaking of private .aSars the writer con
TIMES
We are in tie midst Of hut streets quiet.
We have gained great victory the Yankee army an
Virgnis- The movements Of army secret ,but
we will probably have startling pews
/ am that the intelligent people of Europe must
long this have the superiory of Son th
and principles Ihope that yo9 have read the Nos
sage Of the Northern President ncon) and then that
of our President Jefferson pavis} What contrast!
We have a well organized government, with good
constitution. The Northern government is total
wreck--niatuated, lawless barbarous. Our hlr-
Dor is still bloeIraded and Of coGrse we lnge
a scarcity Of such articles hay. Butter, COFFEE
tea &c; but, Notwithstanding. have plenty u
the staff of life The crops of cotton, rice and
most abundant for in country where days labor Is
ployed the cultivation o the land goes uninterrupted
~ during IL s not in the Northern States. They
in desperately bad condition. They haze market
for their produce: their manufactures all stopped
they have cotton 20 work upon, and II they
had the only market for their fabrics the Souh
who. by high tariff, obliged so take their
goods at their price. In fact their business Ia COM
petey paralyZed, and fully expect a revolution
there very Their government must IN drawn