The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-07
line HanU bal and st. Joseph Railroad
y iidgeS Burned by Rebels.
q > rain Of Passenger Cars Precipi.
tated Into the Platte River.
Seventeen Persons Killed and a
Large Number Mangled,
&C., &c., &c.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 1861.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 1861.
NO BATTLE YET.
The expectations generally entertained here Of battle
to-day, have not been realzee. The day has passed
with comparative quiet all the points along the Poo-
mac. The rebels have not renewed the attempts
made day before yesterday to drive in pckets the
neghborhood of Great Falls with their red and
Shells The force there side has been strengthen
ed, and General Banks column in position to foil any
effort to the river above the position occupied by
General Mccall AS stated in this correspondence
hast night the rebels have lost their opportunity They
md all possible crossing places in the vicinity Of Wash
ngton well protected that they dare make the
tempt There Is nothing left for them except 10
tire or DO driven back whenever General Mcclellan is
ready to move against them.
In the meantime the operations of feet along the
Southern coast the capture Of Hatteras Inlet the expec
cation Of descents upon other important points and the
manifest gathering Of Union strength for decisive blow
upon the whole rebel concern, various points, at tho
moment, has spread CONSERVATION throughout tho
whole rebel army. 1t Is ascertained that only has
the influx Of rebel soldery into Virginia been arrested,
but numbers Of regiments there are determined to
60 home to defend their States from menaced attack
Another blow like that at Hateras Inlet will increase the
CONSERVATION Of the rebels to a complete panic.
ARTILLERY PRACTICE.
The heavy firing this morning was from battery prac-
tce which persons miles distant construed into an on
gagement battle having from day to day been pre-
dicted by many owing to the approach Of the
armies
Reconnaissance OF THE UNION LINES FROM THE
CHAIN BRIDGE TO ALEXANDRIA.
reconnaissance made to-day along the whole
frontier OF the Union army in Virginia from point OPP
posite the Chain Bridge to Alexandria. Tho condition of
oil the camps is excellent and strict military discipline
was everywhere enforced The soldiers anxious to
meet the enemy however large may be his numbers.
Matters near the Union line the south side OF the
Potomoc remained toleraby quiet during the day. The
enemy's Notifications Munson's Hill near Bailcy's
Cross Roads, completed They have now in battery
three FOUNDER rifle guns To-day the pcets on the
Union line observed the rebels mounting heavy guns by
the aid Of rggers shears The rebels extend their line
Of pickets to within half musket range Of our lines
The consequence is continual interchange Of Icaden
compliments. Yesterday private Francis King, of Com
pany K, Second Michigan volunteers, wounded
through both lungs while on picket duty Munsons
Hill His wounds considered mortal.
At dark last evening several detachments of about
twenty or thirty men in each, sally of
the cnemys fertilization at Munson's Hill and come to-
wards the Union pckets Up dark their purpose had
not been ascertained.
Sergeant Acker, OF Company A. Thirty eighth regiment
New York Volunteers, while picket duty near Commo,
dore Forests house, Alexandria, last night re
ceved wound from gun in the hands Of a concealed
enemy He was at the time, giving the countersgn to
his guard and had just left sentinel pass another
when he saw the flash Of gun, aud Immediately dis
covered that he was wounded
OPERATIONS OF TIE REBELS.
The rebels have taken possession Of and erected earth
works on hill about mile south Of and commanding
the residences Of Gilbert yandeerwercken and Gilbert
Venderberger four miles from the Chain Bridge Both Of
these houses arc occupied by pickets, while the
pckets Of the enemy clearly within sight The firing
between them is freqent each party awaiting himself Of
every opportunity for shot, II is feared the rebels in
tend Smelling those houses which belong to well known
Union Last night while picket duty in the neigh
borhood of the residence oAr vandeerwercken Sergeant
Ivens and private 7lam Fogurty, of Company E. Ninth
Massachusetts, regiment, were taken prisoners
Munson's Heights still occupied by the enemy who
have planted two heavy pieces OF ordnance their earth
works.
The rebel pckets continue to fire at the house of Mary
Hall, Of Balls Cross Roads, where our pickets are
sheltered
BALLOON RECONNAISSANCE.
Professor Lowe made several aeronautic reconnosances
yesterday from Arlington Heights, attaining greater al
fuee than in his experiments heretofore From his re-
port and also from the commanders of several recon-
Roerg parties, the position and strength of the enemy
near the Union lines has been pretty clearly ascertaned
INSPECTION OF THE UNION TROOPS BY GENERAL
MCCLELLAN AND STAFF.
General Mcclellan crossed Tong Bridge last night and
passed along the ouposs of the srmy returning by way
of The Chain Bridge to personally satisfy himself of the
condition Of Affairs and arrived in Washington before