Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-17
Late frsm yvashingten.
We copy the following from the Washing
ton Star, of last Wednesday evening:
THE SITUATION

lac o1IGAIiUN.
Daily and nightly reconnoisances over the
river show that Beauregard's army, or at
least the advance portion of it. is constantly
shifting most of its positions. Thus, on the
night before last, il was discovered that its
pickets near Falls Church had been drawn in
TO very near the Village boundaries while
those upon the Georgetown and Leesburg
turnpike had also been considerably drawn
in. Nevertheless, the impression prevails in
military circles here, that Beauregard is now
massing most Of bis troops between Fairfax
Court House and Leesburg. That those NOV
ed a few days since from Manassas Junction
were advanced to that vicinity, as explained
above.
1t Is further believed by the best informed
here, that every thing that Davis has been
able to scrape together in the way of fighting
material. not absolutely required elsewhere,
has been hurried on to Beauregard, and that
the latter's army has thus been greatly in
creased. His purpose is now, apparently. to
tempt or to provoke General Mcclellan to
leave his entertainments, in which we hardly
think he will be shortly accommodated, as he
must advance against them or decline the bat
tie the secession authorities have been so
long seeking, as their newspapers allege.-
The latter course on his part will be scarcely
less disastrous to his cause, under existing
circumstances than defeat.
None here doubt General McClellan's en-
tire readiness to receive the enemy whenever
they may imagine themselves strong enough
to advance further in this direction, whether
above, in front of, or below the Federal me-
tropolis.
4 PHILADELPHIA DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON.
A delegation of the citizens of Philadel-
phia, consisting of Morton McMichael, III. g.
Carey, Chas. Gilpin, and six or seven other
influential gentlemen, arrived in Washington
on Monday evening. and on Tuesday they
called upon Secretary Cameron with the
view to procure from the government the
services of a competen engineer to make
reconnaissance of the approaches to Phila-
delphia by land and water, SO as to secure
the erection of Notifications for. the better
security of the city. Upon stating their bus
mess to Mr.. Cameron that gentleman said
that he bad already responded to the request
of the Mayor of Philadelphia, made to him
on the same subject and had already dis
patched engineer to Philadelphia. as sug-
gested.
Subsequently the delegasion visited the
President, who was assured through Mr.. Nc
Michael that Philadelphia was devoted to
the cause of tine Union. Mr.. Lincoln, in re-
spouse, remarked that he was happy to hear
of the loyalty of that city. He was strength
ened by these assurances. Some might
doubt his abiliiy-he doubted it himself-to
answer public expectation, in carrying out
the object of the government. But they need
have no doubt of his sincerity. The only
thing he had to complain of was the fault
finding spirit of the press, in some cases, as
manifested against the government. They
were too impatient. He was resolved to do
his duty, and he had Q confidence that every
other department would do theirs as well.
And if all others would do so, we would
soon be able to turn our guns upon the COM
mon enemy, instead of firing into each other.
While the cannonade was in full progress,
Captain Thadeus Mott, who, when the firing
was first heard, was drilling his company at
Langley, four miles from the battle ground.
arrived on the ground with section of artil
lery, consisting of one large bronze thirty
two FOUNDER howitzer and one ten-pounder
Parrot gun. He took prominent position,
commanding the enemy's battery, opened fire
from his hOwiizers, aud fired but three shells
each, one striking in the midst of the Rebels
and completely silencing their battery. First
Lieutenant Geo. A. Kensel, of Grifiu's bat
terry, who was in reserve at camp, arrived
with another section of artillery simultaneous
ly with Motifs battery. and he also opened
on the enemy.
The Rebels, thus seeing themselves over
matched, rstreated from the field to the mu
sic of the Union batteries, which continued
for ten minutes after the Rebel batteries had
ceased.
There were six killed and niue wounded of
the Union troops.
These Casualties were, in part. owing to
the fearless daring of the men, who violated
positive orders which were given TO secure
their safety.
The smbulances were now brought up, the
wounded cared for, the dead brought into
camp, and the troops ordered to return, where
they arrived at half-past five O'Clock, P. M.
Our troops acted well during the engage
ment. There was no confusion. The troops
marched home in ordinary time, with the
bands playing Yankee Doodle, Hail Colum
bia, the Star-spangled Banner, and other po-
pulisr airs.
1t should be stated that General Mcclellan
took particular occasion tonight ID comp j.
ment the commander of the reconnaissance,
for having accomplished a splendid result.
DR.. George C. Blackman. Professor of Sur
gerry in the Medical College at Cincinnati,
to be with the accommodating party
and rendered valuable aid in attendance
upon the wounded, WHOM he accompanied
from the field to the hospital.