The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-13
ManumissiOn Of Slaves by Gene
raj Fremont,
&C., &C., &c.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Sept. -, 1861.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS ALONG THE UNION LINE IN
VIRGINIA.
The military aspect Of things yesterday, and especially
the sharp fight at townsville which troops shoyed
their superiority impressed every here with the be-
lief that general engagement between the contcnding
forces would commence today But the events Of to
day have dispeed this idea Military affairs
quiet the river tpan during the day The usual
amount Of skirmsbng continues between the pickes o.
buth sides. Matters all along tho Union line in
aatu quo
The firing in the direction Of the Chain Bridge this
morning was from artillery practice.
Everything has been remarkably quiet in the neigh
borhood Of Baieys aud Balls Cross Roads to-day. The
residence Of Mr. Ball. to the right Of Balls Cross Roads,
is alternately occupied by pckets and those Of the
rebels, ours during the day, and theirs at night.
General Mcclellan went over the Long Bridge this af
ternoon, tour Of inspection into Virginia He viste
Fort Albany rst and then directed his course north to-
wards the Chain Bridge.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT AT LEwINs-
VILE.
General McCelanis despatch to the Secretary Of War
Is very brief He merely says that Gen. Smith made a
reconnaissance with 1000 to Lewnsvile remained
there several hours and completed their examination Of
the ground When the work completed and the com
by which two were killed and three wounded
Grin's battery he says slenced that Of the enemy
and our men came back in perfect order and excellent
spirits. The men behaved most admirably under the
FIRE. He concludes by remarang, "We shall have NO
more Bull run affairs"
The following is the official report Of the important re.
connosanco which took place from the Union encamI,~
ment near the Chain Bridge
CAxp ADVANCE, Va Sept. II, 1851.
The Seventy ninth regiment of Highanders, New York
State Militia ordered the special Reconnaissance in the
direction Of Fas Church. left camp at o'clock A. NJ
Sept TO- and 70 tho place designated through
the various bypaths, without disturbing the enemys
pckets, and arrived there at daybreak The command
divided into TIVE wings TO guard the approach Of the
enemy Soon afto< The men had been posted airing
heard in the direction Of Lewinsvile, and q body
of cavalry carne from the direction Of Falls
Church, and when endeavoring TO pass whore we
were posted ordered TO fire, which
they did causing the enemy 10 retreat. Previous
to their retreatng which was caused by well directed
Faconer, the enemy fred US, killing one private John
Downie, Of the Eighth company. At the same time the
who had on when captured Majors shoulder straps.
HIS name is hobbs, Of Colonel Stewards cavalry regi
Having successfully accomplished the mission we were
ordered ouhe prevention Of the pckets at Townsville
being reinforced-and the enemy having retreated and
the alarm being sounded in all enenys camps in the
neighborhsod, we left our position and arrived in camp
by way Of langley at halfpast ten o'clock A. ~ The
lowest estimate OF the encmye loss Is four killed two
expedition is owing to the exrtions Of our guide Mr.
Sage.
Lieutenant Alexander Graham Of the Eighth company,
conspicuous for his GOODNESS and bravery during the
engagement. Nj Hazard Stevens, volunteer distinguish
ed himself in the expedition f his usefulness and his
bravery during the engagement
With these remarks beg TO submit the above report
fo-rs obedicntiy. DAVID IRELAND,
Adjuant Seventy ninth Regiment.
The bodies Of Sergeant samuel Goodwin and private
Oliver Hubbell, of Company D. Nineteenth Indiana voun-
teers who were killed in the affair Townsville ycster.
day, were recovered to-day. They will be sent home to
their relatives.
No further tdngs have been heard of Lieutenant Han
cock, who Is reported killed. the body not having been
found. The presumption that he was taken prisoner
GENERAL LANDER AND GENERAL BURNSIDE ORDERED
ON SPECIAL SERVICE.
General Lander is ordered with his brigade of picked
sharpshooters upon special expedition The chivalry
must look out.
General Burnside who has bcsn detailed 10 the service
Of orgApizng regiments into brgades is detached from
that duty and ordered upon important and active
service General Casey succeeds hnhere in tho work Of
organizing brisades.
GEN. sICKLES IN THE FIELD.
Since Gen Sckles received his commission Of Brigader