Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-16
From washington.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11-Our pickets stationed
at Prospect Hill were driven in last night by the
rebels in force, their object being doubtless to
certain the position of our advance.
All our troops are in comfortable condition.
The army of the Potomac will probably soon
be divided into several corps d'armee, according
to the practice of European commanders.
This plan has met with strong opposition from
the military men of the old school. but Mcclellan
has insisted upon it and it will probably be adopt
ed. Should it be done Gems. Mcdowell, Frank
lin and Porter will be among the commanders of
these divisions, which will be from 80 900 to So,
QUO strong.
Mr.. Muir, British Consul at New Orleans, is
now in Washington, having been "a days en- route.
His journey was much DISTRACTED by the trans
portation of rebel troops over the railways. He
says the same determination and enthusiasm con-
tinues to be shown throughout the South.
The rebels are subjected to serious depriva-
tons. All luxuries had disappeared, and neces-
saries of life were becoming scarce.
Mr.. Muir will probably soon return to England.
A squad of the Van Allen cavalry under Major
Max captured a rebel Captain from Richmond
yesterday above Pooesville.
John Power of Philadelphia, delivered to day
l, 900 mimic rifles which arrived from Belgium in
the Bavaria, early this morning.
The steamer Union sent two launches into
a creek about seven miles from Acquia creek to
burn rebel schooner. The expedition sue
ceeded.
They were fired upon from field battery but
not injured.
The Postmaster General returned to day.
The Hcraids special says Gov. Ramsey. of
Mimi. who has been here for some weeks, at
tending to the affairs of that State in connection
with military matters. He has appointed N. T.
j. Dana, a graduate of West Point, Col. of the
LIST Mimi. regiment, in the place of Col. Willis
A. German promoted to Brigadier General.
The last news from the Gulf squadron left
Commander Mexican, who succeeded Commander
Mervine, on board the Niagara, which is now the
flag ship, off Pass a L'0utre. He was making
active preparations for the complete closing of
the Mississippi. He would then move from that
position to Pensacola.
The whole coast from Galveston to the Florida
Reefs completely blockaded.
Fort Pickens is prepared to attack Pensacola,
Forts McRea and Barrancas, and hold them.
There is no doubt in the opinion of the boat
officers there that the place can be taken without
serious difficulty.
Richmond papers are trying to cover, not only
their losses in the recent skirmshes, but also
the forces that retretired before our advance on
Lewinsyille, but their deserted camps there be-
tray tie fact that they had beef recently occu-
pied by 10 900 to &c, 000 men.
A special to the World says Government
has caused the arrest fcertin parties in the West
who had large quantities of goods intended to be
taken out on the plains and through the Indian
Territory into the rebel States. Contraband trade
of an extensive character is thus pre:ented.
It's the opinion in high military quarters that
unless the enemy attack our lines within ten days
no battle Is imminent.
The traces of their camps found b., our forces
as they advanced show conclusiyely that the enc
my until recently had force of at least 20 600 in
direct line from Munson's Hill to Lewensville.
Brig. Gen. Stoneman. chief of cavalry in Gen.
McClellans staff, has been appointed a Major
General of volunteers, that he may personally
superntend and control the large cavalry forces
now in the field.
The Maryland Postmaster who was arrested
for sending bags of letters to the rebels has been
brought here together with mis- packages.
The Government has gained much valuable in
formation from them. He is in Jail.
The Times's despatch says that Gen. Morgan
arrived this morning. He says the Empire State
will have 100, 600 men in the FIELD by the close
Of the month. New York is prepared to raise
I equip and maintain a quarter of a million Of men.
WASHINGTON, Oct. l2.-Several stampedes of
slaves have occurred in Worcester county, Mary
land.
Lieut. Bliss who has just arrived here from the
camp at townsville, reports that all was quiet at
that post to-day.
1t is understood that Secretary Cameron sjour-
ney to st. Louis has been undertaken tor the pur-
pose of arriving at a correct conclusion concern
| ing the state of affairs in the Western Depart
] ment.