The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-06
Message Of Governor Magoflin to the
kentucky Legislature.
Tennessee Rebel Troops at Hick-
man, Kentucky,
Ae., &c., &c.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 1861.
HCTEMENT AT THE CAPITALIZE EXPECTED BATTLE.
The city to-day has been filed with the excitement oil
deferred expectation. At sunset last evening the inn
preston was general that this mornings would rise
upon battle field on the Potomac where the two great
other would be met in the laundering shock that would
oonvulse the whole country and decide the result Of the
contest between the government and the rebels This
expectation not without reason. The crisis in the
fate Of the rebels at hand Their Chief taken from
them by the hand Of Providence, the second officer
Il their socaed government Frustrated with loathsome
disease in the midst Of the army the winter rapidly CON-
ing upon their forces badly provided with clothing
food more than decimated by disease and loss for
nearly all the requisites for army has become
upon the Union army defending Washington and the Po-
toac retire from the position they have assumed.
That attack confidently expected to-day.
h has probably been prevented only by the
heavy rain that began this morning and has last.
cd nearly all day. It cannot BIO much longer
delayed, and will probably be begun with tomorrow's
dawn would DO absolute folly for the enemy to make
serious attack upon front, defended, is by
chain Of Notifications, and than hundred guns
placed that their fire be directed upon almost any
cent to prevent ectuay any crossing Of the lower Poto
mac anywhere within reaching distance Of Washington
and although eigned attacks will doubtless be made OF
all points, the principal assault WILL probably be In the
direction Of the Chain Bridge or at some point not
Great deal farther up the river
General Mcclellan is, however, amply prepared a.
every point His forces 30 disposed as to be available
wherever needed. 1t is than probable, however
that the favorable for the rebel attack now already
passed If it had been made Immediately after the battle
Of Bull run, or even week ago. perhaps yesterday,
there might have been some shadow Of hope Of their
partial success but to-day tomorrow the game is
our own hands If the attack should be attempted now
will only be the preliminary complete repuse that
rout followed by army that prepared all respects
for the Coward to Richmond" at the heels Of the
defeated rebels.
General McClellan's activity is almost superhuman.
He attends personally to every important preparation
He by this looked the face Of almost every
individual in this great army Although in the saddle
all day, he is again a visit Of personal inspection of the
lines late hour tonight He is Napoleonc in many
more ways than one.
CONDITION OF THE REBEL FORCES.
The Starts correspondence from Fairfax county saws
there dsunon troops Vienna picket guard
only being kept there Immediately around Flint Hill,
half way between Falls Church and Fairfax Court House
there the remains Of four South Carolina regiments
Colonies Kershaws, Cashs Bacons, and Williams regi-
They are reduced to about half their original
number by the contingencies Of their services
and principally through sickness. Each Of these
regiments originally nine hundred strong The
camp measles has ragged long and terrifcaliy
in these regiments throughout the rest Of General
Beauregard's army. AS s taken down
with now he Is removed to hospital in the inte-
ror. Recently the South Carolina regiments received
from their State supply OF clothing and shoes Of
which they in great need At present they have
su1ciency of provisions, fresh beef, bacon and -four
EFFECT OF THE CAPTURE OF FORT HATTERAs
The capture Of Fort Hatteras and its dependencies has
spread alarm throughout the Carolinas The regiments
from South Carolina Georgia and Alabama hurryng to
tho Potomac have been stopped the way and sent to
Newbern, under the impression that immediate at
tack IS contemplated upon that headquarters of the
rebel pirates. The North Caronians greatly cha
of tho