Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-10-31

WAsHIEGroN, Oct, 29-lniormatlon was 70.
ceived here to-day from the lower Potomac that
the rebel steam.r Page crossed the river with q
large force, on Monday, from Shipping Point,
and entered Ciicomt Ken river. The rebels
didn't disembaIk, but a boat containing twenty
men lett the steamer an went 10 q schooner
lying at anchor in the river near by. The cap
tain of the schooner was questioned as to the
strength and position of our forces
Without molesting the vessel, the boat pro-
ceeded to the eouth shore OF the river, landed,
and weuld have been bagged by Col. Tsylor's
Sd N. Y regiment, which was bivouaced In the
woods near by, but for the accidental blast OF a
bugle. The rebels became alal med, took to the
bost, and as coon as they reached the schooner
moved out into the Potomac, throwing shells in
every direction along the Mary yland shore, with
out doing any mischief. Toe eteamer went
over to Virginia, and didns return during the
day.
Yesterday one oil our steamers opened Ere on
q rebel battery below Acquia Greek. The Ieb
/ elsreturned the fire with considerable energy.
A large number Of rebels appeared on the ram
parts.
The steamer after engaging the battery for
some half hour, steamed up the river.
This engagement was witnessed from the
Maryland shore, and reaches US by messenger
The steamer has not arrived at the NAVY
Yard yet. 'Tis not known whether she was
damaged or not.
There seems to be no inclination on the part
of the rebels to cross. and their movements are
interpreted as altogether defensive. fearing Gen.
Hooker would cross and attack them. Desert
eTs from the rebel camp confirm this statement
A dispatch received here to-day from Gen.
Rosecrans, states he had advanced some five
miles In the direction of the rebels, and was
preparing to make another forward movement,
with a view OF driving the rebels from that en-.
tire section of country. He had intelligence
that for several days they rad been retreating
He intended following them as soon as neceS
ssry arrangements could be made.
Tribune Dispatch.l
Gen Stones report of the battle of Ball's Bluff
was cent in to the War Department to-day. In
it occurs the following:
Col. B,ker having arrived at Conrad's Ferry
with the Fret Csliforni Regiment, at an earl,
hour proceeded to Edwards's Ferry and reported
to me In persOn, stating that his regiment OIL
the former place and three other eg,ments OF
his brigade we're ready to march. I directed
him to Harrison's Island, to assume command,
and In full conversation explained to him the
position as 1t then stood. told him thas Gen.
aud was extremely desrous Of ascertaininp
the exact position and force OF the enemy in our
trout, aud exploring ss far as it w4s safe on the
right toward Leesburg and the left toward the
Leesburg and Gum Spring road.
alec informed Col. Baker, that Gen. Cor.
man, opposite EdWards's Ferry, should be rein
forced, aud that would make an effort 70 push
Cor mans troops carefully forward to discover
the best line from that ferry to the Leesbuig
aud Gum SpriDg road. already mentioned; anS
the position of the breastWOrk and hidden bat. |
teries which prevented be movement of troops |
directly from lett to right, we're also poiuted |
out " DIN.
The means Of transportation across, of the |
sutfici,ncy oi which be lB.ker) was to be Judge, |
was detailed, aud authority given him to max. |
use OF the guus Of u section each OF Vaughan's
aud Bunting b,tteries, together with Freuch', |
mountain boW,'zers, all tne troops OF bis brig.
ade, aud The TammaDy Regiment, beside The |
~ aud part of the 20.h Regiment of Massl
cbusetts volunteers. Aud lett 10 to his discue
tion. after viewing the g'ound. to retire from |
the Virginia shore ubder cover of his guns and
the fire OF the large infantry force, or to pass
over reinforcements in caee be found it practi.
cable and the position on the other side favor
able.
stated that wished DO advance made nm
lees the enemy were OF inferior force, aud under
no circumstances TO paes beyond Leesburg or q
strong p .si lou b, tween IL and Goose Greek, on
the Gum Spring Road.
Col. Baker was cautioned in reference to
passing artillery across the river, and begged,
II be did, to be well supported by good infantry
The General pointed out TO him the position
Of some bluffs on this side Of the river. from
which artillery could act with effect on the
other, and leaving the matter OF crossing more
troops or retiring what we're already over to
his discretion, gave him entire control OF opera
tions on the right. itl
After Col Devens's second advance, Col.
Baker went to the ield 10 person, and IL is q
matter Of regret to me that he lett no record Of
what officers and men he charged with the care
Of the boats ani ipsuring the regular passage
of troops. If any we're charged with this duty.
II was not performed, for The reinforcements a.
they arrived found no one 10 command of the
boats. and great delay was thus occssioned -
Had one officer and company remained at
each landing guarding the boats, their full ca
pacity would have been made serviceable, and
sutfioient men would have been passed over to
secure success. q ttsiQ a-l flsil
The forwarding Of artillery before i.s sup
porting force Of infantry aleo impeded the rapid
assembling Of an imposing force on the Virginia
q difference OF one Thousand men would have
been made 10 the isfantry line at the time Of
attack, probably enough to have given us the
victory. M
(Signed) CHAS. Z. STONE,
Brig-Gen Commanding.
WAsHrHoroN, Oct 80 The case Of suspen.
slon of the writ OF habeas corpus by the Presi-
dent, 10 regard to soldiers of the army, more
particularly in the case Of Provost Marshal
Porter, came upin Court to-day. Chief Justice
Dunlap delivered an opinion. The substance is
that he respectfully protests against the right
claimed by the President to interrupt proceed
inRe In this case. re s-sss
The Steamer Pusey arrived at the navy yard
to-day, Bringing dispatches from Capt Craven.
\ The rebel batteries we're opened upon the Ma.
ryland shore yesterday, and firing continued to
. late hour last night but without damage to
anybody on our side. asN tl
Itis believed that no vessels have within "a
hours run the blockade
Governor sprsgue has notified one Of the
CoIonels commanding one OF the Rhode Island
regiments, that his commission as Colonel is
revoked.