The national Republican., 1861-09-21
BY TELEG
Mail Correspondence Of the Associated Press.

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Datosonoile, Nd, Sept. lo.-There has been
no serious demonstration on the part Of the
Confederates within the past forty. sight hours,
and as far as can be learned, everything along
the upper Potomac remains In state Of quiet
tonight.
The division quartcrmaster to-day protested
In the name Of the War Department against the
payment in coin of any bills for damages sus.
tained by owners of property where encamp.
ments are located; but he will certify to such
claims, based on principles Of equity, leaving
1t to Congress or the Court Of Claimsto author.
lie the payment. The cause Of this procedure
is supposed to have arisen from the fact that
much Of the federal coin heretofore disbursed
for this purpose has found its way to the SO.
cession side Of the Potomac. It is understood,
however, that supplies for forage and subsist.
ence are not included in this protest.
Yesterday, an unauthorized scout of the
thirty. y.fourth New York went across the Poto.
mac, near the mouth of the Seneca, and were
attacked by a superior party Of the enemy.
One Of our men was killed outright and several
wounded. One Of the latter was shot through
the check, but fed. pursued by the attacking
party. On reaching a creek, he threw in his
gun, and plunged in himself Lying on his
back, and resting his head upon stone, with
his mouth and nostrils above the water, he
evaded his pursuers; and, after three hours
submersion, he crawled to the shore of the
river. His companions, who were concealed
on the Maryland side, discovered and rescued
him while making vain attempt to swim
across. These inoursions, which can be pro.
ductive of no good. to our cause, are con-
demned by experienced officers.
The second Rhode Island battery, stationed
near the mouth of the Saneca, yesterday
shelled an enoampment of the Confederates,
nearly opposite, and 1t is believed that several
wero killed. The enemy did not respond
probably for the want of artillery.
1t Is reported that a lieutenant and several
men, belonging to one Of the river guard regi-
ments, crossed the river secretly, and are be-
lieved TO havo deserted to the rebels. The
names Of the officer and the regiment are with.
held until the report can be verified; but the
authority is conceded TO be reliable.
Our own and the enemy's pickets are said to
frequently meet on one or the other shore of tho
Potomac, and pass time in social intercourse,
occasionally partaking Of each others hospi-
tality.
This morning at daylight, 1t was discovered
by General stones pickets, near Coonrods
Ferry, that the enemy, during the previous
night, had commenced, and partially construct.
ed an entrenchment on the Virginia side, about
five hundred feet from the shore upon slope
facing tho river.
One Of our light batteries opened upon them
about nine O'Clock, and after twenty or thirty
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and but little Of the results Of their labors.
For some days past, conversations have beer
held between our own and the rebel pickets
| from which 1t has been discovered that the
latter belongs to the second Richmond cavalry
who were anxious to exchange late Richmond
papers for the leading Union journals, but oul
pickets declined TO reciprocate.
Lieut.. Col. Seward, nephew of the Secretary
of State, recently, from serious indisposition
withdrew from the command of the New York
nineteenth, and proceeded to Washington
where no rendered his resignation but before
its acceptance, q rumor reached him that a
battle between superior force of the enemy
and the division to which his regiment WAS at
tached was imminent, and notwithstanding his
physical debility, he withdrew the resignation
and Immediately rejoined his command.
Your correspondent hopes to be excused fol
particularzing among the efficient regimenti
| of General Bankss command, the Pennsylvania
twenty ninth, under the veteran Col. Murphy
This officer rose to the grade of a lieutenan
colonel, in the war of 1872 and 1915, and still
retains the vigor of early manhood. Thi'
| regiment joined the army at Sandy Hook, ant
| its commander, as we'll rs his officers, have
performed all the arduous marches on foot
His encampment drills, and discipline, are con
sidered models by competent military authori
| ties.
There is general complaint in regard t
mail facilities in this division of the army
Numerous letters never arrive, while other
are days and weeks behind their time. Thii
is attributed to local Offices, and carriers, NOR,
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