The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-29

Blu rum an attack upon this city by the rebel army has
been seriously anticipated. There y very little founda
ton Tor TINS belief, except the enion of skilfu military
oncers that Beauregard Ought to follow up Of
our 'orces by an attack, before they have re-
covered from the disorganizatlon and demoraliza-
i'h vi their retreat and that the attack ought TO
'' 'naoe ~ turning our right flank and coming
sF'h 'peo'y from the Maryland side arousng the Mary
'ahd rebels to organized action meanwhile This opinion
Is very generally entertained and while nothing definite
Is known OF theVmovements Of the rebels II has been
strengthened to-day by the fact that they advan
eng In front, and by that largo force Of the
rebels is approaching the Potomac In the neghborhood
Leesburgh II is fact that troops kept on the
alert In anticipation Of such by the enemy
Our general officers divided In opinion to the proba
bty OF an attack but in he additions are con
tinuay being made to Of defence along tho
whole line Of the Potomac from the Point of Rocks to
Alexandria. few days ago men were observed taking
soundngs OF the Potomac between the Point OF Rocks
and the mouth Of Seneca creek, probably with the
view OF discovering ford at point that
Is not defended on our side All officers agree that
any attack ID made will from that direction as
there is possibility of crossing below within reaching
distance Of Washington and the dOcuces the other side
OF the river with the present force deemed i'm
prsgnable.
hpout miohIgnt last night there was o collision
between our pickcts and the rebels In the
vicinity OF the Chain bridge. Tho firing heard
at Arlington Heights occasoncd nm alarm there
The long roll was beat and tho troops summoned
to arms The assembly also sounded at the artillery
quarters in tho city. believed that Beauregard
was about to attempt the execution Of his menace to
breakfast IN Washington this morning. but upon the re.
turn OF our reconnoterng parties from Fairfax Court
house all apprehensfons OF an immediate attack was
removed
Reconnaissance was made last night by largo force Of
cavalry and infantry in the direction Of Fairfax Court
House. portion of the party proceeded as far as the
Court House and found signs Of the enemy there or ON
except mounted picket guards which retired al
their approach The withdrawal of the rebels from the
vicinity In front Of lines Of orcations adds strength
TO the rumor that their main body is proceed
ing towards Leesburg and Edwards Ferry. It
may be possible however, that they have by
aid Of the railroad from Manassas Strasburg despatched
an overwhelming body to attack the Union army Of
the Shenandoah at Harpers Ferry, and drive Il back
across the Potomac
THE LOSS ON THE REBEL SIDE AT BULL RUN.
Information was received this evening relative to
Messrs Arnold, Harris and McGraw who several days
ago went in quest Of tho body Of Colonel Cameron The
former was sent BY the rebels to Richmond and the lat
tor to Manassas Junction They did not accomplish the
object Of their mission. Mr.. Birch who took them 10
Bull run has returned and reports that nil tho dead arc
not yet buried and that the slaughter on the side Of
the enemy is far creator than they themselves
THE BLoCKADINa sQUADRON-BRITIsH VESSELS
ALONG THE COAST AND m TIE GULF.
Commodore Strngham, Flag Officer of the blockading
squadron has arrived here and has had repeated inter
views with the Secretary Of the Navy Tho feet under
the Comodores immediate supervision Is doing excellent
service, and is constantly bringing prizes Of various
kinds and value. appears however, that our block
adng squadron is still quite inefficient. Strenuous
enorts are being made which will undoubtedly
be successful, to mako It effective There are
several British menof.war lowering about and
along tho coast and in the Gulf, who are on the
watch for tho purpose seeing whether vessels pass in or
out Of any Of the bockaded ports II said that tho
commanding ofcer has reported several cases to tho
British Minister, LORD Lyons u 10 no. known whA. &C.
ton his lordshp his tsken but pretty certain that
this repeated the matter Will be- already report
ed TO the Britain government and will probably be
brought tone attention Of our goyetnment Also II is
known here that the rebel leaders At Richmond are play
ing int the hands Of both tho English French Minis
tors, by assuring them that vessels are constantly
passing m and out OF the bockaded ports along he entire
Southern coast II Is already evident to tho government
from intelligence just received from the commanders Of tho
vessels Of the different stsons that It Will require much
larger number Of vessels than Is now b tho service 70
mako the blockade effective and respected by foreign 60
vernments II will take nearly half Of our present
mercantile marine to accomplish this purpose.
NEWS FROM FORT F1CKsNs.
Tho government has intelligence from Fort Pickens
with dates to the Goth instant. There was little
news Of importance. Affairs were generally
we'll Considerable sickness prevailed Wilson'S men
were suffering terribly with the heat. The defensive
rks and Qon
crossing and neary completed The feet off tho harbor
had little to occupy them. No attempts had recently
been made by the rebel prvateers other vessels to
attempt an entrance nor had they made their ap.
pearance in that direction The rebel force at Pensacola
was believed To be small, although there were no means
Of ascertaining the exact number.
THE PLANS OF THE NEW COMMANDING OFFICER.
specuatiomis rife to the probable disposition and en-
poyment Of our forces by the new commanding ofacer
but he is in the habit of keeping his council and does
not communicate his plans, to his staff officers until
the moment when they are TO bc executed His general
orders are for divisions brgades and regiments to be
ready to move at an hQurs warning 1t is thus he has
won his victories, and will he is promptly obeyed, win
more. -a--s- - - -. r
LoosExEss Or MILITARY APPOINTMENTS.
The looseness with which military appointment are
made here has created disgust and dissatisfaction
services have been offered and even pressed by friends
are coolly passed over, others VIGOROUSLY incap.
able or unfit honored with important COM
missions. case in point is narrated TO day.
Two or three weeks ago it WAS discovered by the
officers Of the Twenty ninth New York volunteers
Colonel Ste!nway that captain in the regiment was at
the time Of his joning the keeper Of brothel The
officers compelled him to resign threatening if he did not
they would throw up their commissions few days ago
the same individual presented himself General Benker
and his staff arrayed in the uniform Of colonel having
received an appointment Of that grade from the war office
The officers Of Blenkers brigade have fled protest
against his appointment.
TIE FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT
me Fifth Massachusetts, Militia started homeward this
morning 1t was upon the right of the Fire Zouaves in
the hottest Of the engagement Bull Run and behaved
calamity Its galantry will be acknowledged in its vel