The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-16
Brisk Skirmishing at the
Outposts.
IMPORTANT FROM MISSOURI.
Explanations Regarding Cuban Re-
cognition Of the Rebels,
&C., &C., Go.
oUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES

WASHINGTON, Oct. Is, 1861.
IMPORTANT FROM THE LOWER POTOAAC-THE Po-
OAHoNrAs AND SEMINOLE FIRED UPON FROM REBEL
BATTERIES OPPOSITE SHIPPING POINT.
Commander Craven arrived at the Navy Yard this
evening" with important information from down the Po-
tomac. appears from his statement that this morning
the Pocahontas and Seminole left the Navy Yard the
purpose Of joining the notla When opposite Shipping
Point, where the Potomac quite narrow, the rebels
spened masked battery, and commenced brisk fire
upon the former vessel They also commenced telling
trees, which in front of another and by the time
that the Seminole had arrived had ready for full opera
sion.
Commander Craven, who some five miles this side
with the Yankee hearing the firing Immediately steamed
up and arrived just in time that the
had passed He did not learn whether any injury had
been done TO the vessels or not.
The rebels threw the shells clear river The
battery he regards as NEST formidable He has
reported the facts this evening to the Secretary Of the
Navy. What action will be taken hasnot yet TRANSFERRED
When Commander Craven arrived at the Navy Yard
tonight the Pawnee was in the channel with full
pement Of men for an expedition down the river He
ordered her remain until decision had been
In regard to this new battery.
very probable that large force win leave at once
Tor tho purpose Of dslodgng this battery.
Affairs down the river beginning to be exciting.
ents heretofore made in this correspondence although
they have been again and again contradicod by other
correspondents and newspapers
The schooner Dana came up yesterday. On Saturday
night she fired into by the rebel pckets at Matthias
Point, but they dispersed by shell from the
Island Belle, which came to her relief.
This morning the steam storeship Wyandank came up,
having laid undor Matthias Point for several hours
Sunday, transferring stores to the Howell Cobb without
discovering any signs of the rebels.
The report that the rebels battery
the mouth Of Quanco creek hitherto reported in the E
RAID confirmed by reconnaissance made by the Pu-
sey Tonight 1t has been doubly confirmed by the fact
that the battery has shown its teeth and proved really
formidable affair
The Pocahontas spoke the Yankee, lying at Indian
Head, about ten miles above the mouth of Quantico,
nine O'Clock and passed In passing Shipping Point
she threw shell into the rebel battery but elected
reply. About hour afterwards the Seminole passed
down. Tho trees front of the battery had been cleared
away and the battery fully exposed TO view. AS
the Seminole approached brisk fire opened upon
her, which she returned The engagement lasted for
half an hour. About fifty rounds exchanged. The
uhot thick and about the steamer she passed
down apparently unhurt.
II is evident that the whole length Of the shore,
from shipping Point, the mouth of Quantico, to the
mouth Of the Chopawanse, is lined with bate
ries, in which are mounted several rifed guns,
and others carrying eight or nine inch shells. There
SIX OF these batteries within that distance The
one Shipping Point has four guns The others have
each at least two. Every vessel drawing six feet
Obliged to pass for four miles within threequarters Of a
mile Of these batteries.
The performance today settles the question that the
navigation Of the Potomac open only the will Of the
rebes long they permitted occupy their pro-
sent position.
AFFAIRS ALONG THE UNION LINEs-BRIsK sKIRMlsH-
ING At THE oUrPosTs, ETC.
General Mcclellan and staff proceeded over Long
Bridge early this forenoon and passed through Aexan
dria 10 the extreme southern line of pckets and
thence proceeded along outpcss visiting Springfield
Station Benton's Tavern Falls Church and Townsville,
frequently coming in sight Of the rebel picke,s, who
would scamper away at the sudden appearance Of the
Generals imposing cavalry escort General Mcclellan
returned the city this evening by way of the Chain
Bridge
While our areryists trying the range Of thei
rined cannon Minors Hill about twelve o'clock to-day
they discovered about hundred rebels in the mmed
ate vicinity Of widow Chds house, situated about two
miles westward. well directed shell from of our
Parrot guns burst Immediately their heads making
them scatter in every direction, except towards
pckets An hour afterwards Of the rebels returned
and set fire 10 Mrs. Childs' house, burning it to the
ground. is supposed that this done prevent
II from becoming a shelter for troops
Our pickets now extend beyond Lewinsville. To-day
the rebels undertook to dispute the ground with them
A few shots settled the matter, pckets charging
most galanty upon the rebels, driving them back in
Aismay, and 30 completely routing them tha. they did
not appear again during the day.
private despatch, received to-day, announces that
body of rebel cavalry proceeded from Romney to the
mouth Of the upper branch OF the Potomac where the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad the river and de-
sroyed the bridge which cost the company about sixty
thousand dollars. This is said to be in revenge for the