Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-31
From WashInRton.


WASHINGTON, July 2s-The Potomac river below
Washington cannot be crossed by the Rebels as Sec
rotary Welles has ordered powerful naval force
to guard if. The river above Washington to Har-
pers Ferry isequally secured by Union forces that
line the banks. The story that Gen Lee intends to
cross the Potomac between this point and Harper's
Ferry cannot be true, as Lee has no desire to be
sand@iched between Mcclellan and Banks.
There will be an entire change in the whole or
ganization of the army, by placing each brigade
and division upon more satisfactory basis.
About midnight last night there was q collision
between pickets and the Rebels IN the vicinity
of the Chain bridge. 1t was believed that Beaure-
gard was about to attempt the execution OF his
menace to breakfast in Washington this morning
but upon the return Of our TecOnnoitering parties
from Fairfax all apprehension OF au immediate at
tack was removed A Reconnaissance was made
last night by large force OF cavalry and infantry
in the direction of Fairfax per ion of the party
proceeded as far as the Court House and f-und
no signs of the enemy there or on the route except
the mounted picket guards which retired at their
approach.
The withdrawal OF the Rebels from the vicinity
in front of our lines Of fOrtications adds strength
TO the rumor that their main body is proceeding
towards Leesburg and Edwards Ferry. 1t may be
possible however, that they have by the aid of TIE
railroad from Manassas, dispatched an oyerwhelm-
ing body to attack the Union army of the Shensn-
doah at Harper's Ferry and drlve it hack across
the Potomac.
Vim, Burch, the owner of the carriage which
Harris aud MeGraw went to recover the body of
Col. Cameron, returned late this evening He was
compelled, before being released, TO take an oath
not to reveal nything relative the force or de-
lenses of the Rebels, what he saw there. He Is
consequently, charry in his communication. He
states that the party were allowed to pass up 70
Manassas, where, upon presenting themselves to
Gen. BeRuregard they were arrested and placed in
confinement for several days. In the meantime,
Messrs. Harris and McGraw were sent to Richmond
as prisoners.
Burch finally, through the intervention of person
al acquaintance at the Junction, was examined and
dismissed, and allowed to return. He learned that
Mr.. Harris would probably, through the influence
of prominent personal friends, obtain his release.
but there ia probability of the immediate releass
Of McCraw, who is Pennsylvania. Both were
believed to be very deeply imbued with Rebel sym
pathy Burch was not permitted to examine the
battle field. 1t is supposed Col. Camerons body is
unburied the field, or has been huddled INTO a
trench with the bodies that have been thus buried
Mr.. Bureh says the hospitals are crowded with the
wounded.
He reports our wounded are well cared for, and
that the Rebel chiefs had determined not TO agree
to any exchange Of prisoners. Burchs carriage
driver states that he heard that Coils. Wilcox and
COrcOran had been sent to Richmond. He also
states that when he left the Junction early this
morning, Gen. Beauregard was making prepara-
tons to recspture Alexandra TO- morrow or next
day. In confirmation of this il is reported that
Gen. Beauregard has sent information to this effect
TO prominent Secessonist residing in Alexandria
spscial to the New York Tribune.
Col. Lander will be authorized to organize. and
summon here the men of the mountains and plains
with whom he was associated and became very
popular while engaged in opening overland mail
routes to the Pacific.
Sherman's battery crossed into Virginia las
night.