Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-11
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
A FALSE ALARM.

Last evening, a Wisconsin regiment In the d.
vision Of Gen. Mcdowell imagined that they had
discovered the enemy at distance. advancing In
large force In an instant the news was tele-
graphed to headquarters here, and In the next
quarter Of an hour the divisions commanded by
Generals sumner, Heinttleman, Franklin, Bler-
ker, Mcdowell, Porter ana Mccall, were all
under arms, prepared TO receive the foe that was
alleged TO be marching upon the Union lines.
Great vigilance was exercised throughout cur
whole force through the night. scouts having
been thrown out instantly, to feel, IL were for
the enemy IN every direction. This morning
General Mcdowell telegraphed that he had as
certained that the Wisconsin regiment In gues-
ton had mistaken accommodating force from
Blenier's division for the enemy, which led to
the alarm being given.
We have information from Gen. McDowells
immediate front up to Q a. m. to-day, when hfs
scous had returned, reporting that no enemy had
been thi, aide OF Fairfax Court Rouse Of late
Gen. Newton, of Franklin's brigade, also sent to
scout the county In his 'front.' and found no traces
OF the enemy's proximity up to 10 a. m. to day.
Gen. Sumner held his division In readiness to ad
vance at moments warning up to 10 a. nj to-.
day, with his frst brigade and battery Of four
guns in advance, on Edsall's Hill.
Gen. Heintzleman telegrapbed few hours
since that his scouts had also been unable 10 ind
an enemy in his front, and % did Gen. Blenker.
We publish thsse facts In order that the public
may comprehend how well arranged are all the
plans Of the army for acting In concert upon an
instants warning. Or, in other words, how ef-
hcient its discipline and methcd Is rapidly be.
coming.
NAVY YARD.
The Mount Washington arrived at the yard last
night, but with no news Of Importance. The
steamer Yankee left the yard last night where
she has been undergoing extensive repairs, and
Joined the fotilla. she now relieves the Harriet
Lane as dag ship, the latter vessel, 1t is rumored
being destined for service elsewhere. The King
Phillip has been removed from the ways and will
soon be completed. The Satellite and Leslie are
also about ready for service again.
Yesterday, the seamen manned the launch hes
and cutters at the yard, and, under Lieut. Parker,
rowed out into the stream, where they engaged In
sham fight, the engagement lasting for some
time. Each boat carried rifed howitzer, which
blazed away In furious style, the men perform.
ing admirably, and executing the various evolu-
tons with their little feet In a manner hip hly
creditable to themselves and their drill officers
Should our Jolly Jack tars, under Lieut. Parker,
be so fortunate as to get brush at secesh either
on land or water, somebody will certainly A" get
hurtp
The workmen were to-day being paid of.
COLONEL EERRIGAN.
The trial of this oficer, now in progress, at
tracts greater throng of spectators to Aylmer'.
Building, opposite the War Department, tina,
usual on such occasions Of late. Besides Ed. L.
Hearne, Of n. Y, the Hon. Reverdy johnson
acts "a his counsel.
To-day, Gen. Martindale, called for the prose.
cudon, has been under examination. His testi.
mony went to prove utter insubordination on Col
rs part, and an entire lack Of the discipline I'm
his regiment necessary to make IT useful 10 the
service
Quite e number Of witnesses had been previous
~ examined, whose testimony leads to similar
conclusion, and that dissipation was apparently
at the bottom of his reprehensible conduct.
LATEST FROM THE UPPER POTOMAC LINES.
General Stone telegraphed to headquarters here
this forenoon, follows. Viz:
PooLEsvILLE, Dec. 1l-945 a m-There are
rumors Of increased force near Goose Creek, bit
from personal examination from heights, early
this morning, cannot see as many signs Of bo.,I.
troops as before.
II large force is near Goose Creek or Leesbn,y
II is concealed.
EXCHANGE or PRISONERS.
Richard y. German, John Savage Judpe DaIsv
and Collector Barney were before the Cabinet
yesterday, with reference TO a general exchange
Of prisoners, and particularly with reference IS
Col. Corcoran.
TRIAL or COLONEL sERRIeAk
An additional charge against Col Kprrio,n
was read to him yesterday at the court martial 10
the effect that be had given information TO the
enemies OF the government, residing In Fairfax
county No witnesses on that point have vet been
called. The examination yesterday was with
reference to the charge Of drunkenness and neglect
Of his regiment.
FROM THE LOWER POTOMAC
Confederate Picket Guard Shsllsd ty the Flo
ttHd-COrf,dtr StorehOnss Burnt
The Secretary Of the Navy Yesterday receive5
the following letter from R. NJ Wyman. Ieuten-
ant commanding the Potomac hOtlla: |.
u y STEAMER HARRIET LANE,
On Matawoman Greek, Dec 9th (
Sir 81 have the honor to report to Won that
this morning, about half-paat nine O'Clock see
Ing the enemy,s pickets with three camp wagons,
the southwark of Freestone Point, and baltinU AZ
some buildings near the beach, | directed the
steamers Jacob Bell and Anacostia TO shell the
buildings stood In with this vessel a, far as
the draft Of water would admit, to protect them
IN the event Of the enemy bringing 4 field battery
TO Freestone Point
After Smelling the buildings and hill, and driv
Ing back the pickets, Lieut.. Commanding McCrae
landed with few men and fred four houses,
which have since burned TO the ground They
contained suffers stores, -four, etc and Az eight
hours elapsed before the are subsidized, I Judge
that the quantity OF stores must have been con
siderable. The enemy fred but few mu,ket
shot.
MILITARY DISCHARGES
Readqud,ts,J Of the Army, AdTt G..,sOn.s)
Washington, Dec. ), 1861
General Orders No. 10i
The attention Of ofacers OF the Army ia invited
20 the following, In addition to the orders of the
Secretary Of War embraced In the regulations for
the Recruiting Service
1. The large number Of enlisted men DISCHARGED
on "Ceruncates OF Disability" has attracted the
notice Of the General inc ief and an IL 4. an
especial duty to render the rank and file Of the
Army as effective az possible, the attention of
superintendents and other officers concerned
either with the enlistment of men, or their dis
charge on account Of disability, 10 directed to the