Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-10

d
ticular occasion of one battle at least we are per-
mitted to pass forward the direction of the Poto-
mac. ara writing this letter late in the evening,
after having walked since II o'co clock twenty five
miles, wading the Occoquan sans cLL0tleS, and va
rious other fAtigues, including the annoyance of
overhaungs BY pick-ts in every conceivable diree-
ton.
THE COUNTRY AROUND MANASSAS.
The whole country about here appears to be one
vast camp. The scenery at Manassas reaching
across the broad plains to the azure combs of the
Blue Ridge is at any time extensive and pleasing;
bat with the camps of the Louisiana and Georgia
regiments dotting the meadows or showing through
the vstas of the beautiful woods of this section,
the effect is most decidedly picturesque. Add to
these quiet September night with the camp fires
ranged on the low hill sides, and the songs of the
soldiers coming slowly, but regularly to the ear on
the quiet air, and the Is so diversified and en-
vened as TO ca1tivate the dullest taste and stimu
late 1t with emotions of the beautiful
About a mile up the road from the junction, is
the headquarters of General Johnston-a plain;
yellow painted farm house, with the old Virginia
porch, and the indispensable shadetrees. The Cen
eueral himself looks like plain Virginia farmer.
OF course, there is intelligence to be obtained
here of the movements Of the army, although it
seems an especial point with of the officers at
headquarters TO persuade civilians that there Is no
prospect whatever Of battle to crafty their curl
Osty, or whatever propensity may have hurried
them to the theatre Of war.
POSITION OF OUR LINES.
Whatever these intimations of officers may be
worth it very certain that the present position of
our lines is critical if 1t does positively donate
an intended engagement. OF course it is proper,
from prudent and circumspect considerations, that
| should give no information have obtained of the
disposition ofour forces beyond such general state
ments as may be innocent, and at the same time,
possibly interest your readers. circumstances may
occur at any time to throw off the restraints of
Id an he Of
full knowledge of the present movements.
There are two opioniols here as to the Intention
of advance movements which have taken place all
along our lines Should the attack come from the
Cnamy, we will not, you may rest assured, be- un-
prepared to meet it. All our regiments have been
under marching orders for the past few days. Gen.
Longstreet's command is in occupation of Munson's
Hill In other directions, our lines are within three
miles of Alexandra. This is all the enemy knows
and is likely to know, notwithstanding his persistent
efforts by the sklrmishing of Gay or two past,
(probably continued to-day to get around Munsons
Hill to discover what is 10 the rear of our exr me
advance. This is not likely to be discovered with
out battle and when the enemy chooses TO offer II,
we may presume that he will not be declined.
sKIRNISHTE ALONG OUR LINES.
The skirmishinG between our lines at any moment
may bring on a general action. And, again, such q
result may be deferred for weeks In the affair of
outposts on last Thursday at Falls Church be-
tween a portion of Gen. E4rly's brigade and the
enemy, every preparation had been made for
general action, which, however, was declined by
the enemy.
This affair resulted in the loss of two Of our men
with repulse of the detachment of the enemy,
with four killed and some seven eight prisoner
in our hands One of the latter rode into our lines
and gave himself up, declaring that his three
months term of service had expired, and rather
than be constrained to endure the viessitu1es aad
pers of war longer he preferred the lazy and easy
accommodations of a prisoner in Richmond. He
was of course, accommodated to his liking.
Firing was distinctly heard on our lines yester-
day afternoon supposed to be in the vicinity of the
advanced portion OfEarly's brigade.
ACTION NEAR MUNsOS's HILL.
A report, however, has reached here-the ex-
IRENE right of the advanced Ii les-of heavy skir-
mishing at Munson's Hill. A detachment of the
enemy is said to have been repulsed with 70 or 80