The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-28
From the Salem 0siette.
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

The anticipated conflict in the neighbor-
hood of Washington did not take place on
Friday as expected, the rebels, In this in.
stance, as In many others, having returned
before the approach of the Union army
When General Mcdowell advanced his out.
posts at daybreak he found that the rebel
pickets-which were almost within speaking
distance on the previous eyening-had been
called in, and that the rebels had fallen back.
1t has become evident that some other design
than an attack in the direction OF Washing.
ton had been decided upon, and accordingly
the orders for all the regiments to hold them.
selves in readiness for an immediate march
were countermanded for the time being; but
il appears that the orders to march were
again issued to five regiments later in the
day. showing that all danger Of an attack
had not been dssipated by tho sudden with
drawal of the rebels.
Evidences multiply; that the Government
expects soon to initiate active operations
against Bcauregard's line-among which are
the continued arrival of troops at the Capt.
tai, to take tho place of those which are
daily pushed into Virginia. II is stated.
also, that the. Government has determined
to accept the services Of twenty-five addi-
tional regiments Immediately.
General Mcdowell, meantime, continues
to advance his lines. Five thousand OF his
division moved, on Friday, from Balls
Cross Roads to the vicinity Of Falls
Church. point about three miles distant
from Fairfax Court House, and the same
Ntapna A In tha li.
rection Of the latter place on Friday after
noon proved that there were $500 rebels
there, and it wss thought that II they should
be reinforced u battle is inevitable ut that
point.
There is considerable Sickness among our
troops Frequent alarms, causing irregular
habits of sleep and food, exposure to the sun
and rain, and the great heat Of the last four
days are producing their Legitimate result.
The complaints peculiar to summer are
very common among the men.
The following are Saturday evening dis
patches from Washington.
General Mcdowell Is u little inpatient,
and DESTROYS to advance on the enemy, but
Gen. Scott steadily declines to sanction such
course, his policy inducing him to keep
quiet for q while yet.
From letters received at the War Depart
mcnt to-day, there is reason to believe that
the rebels intended to attack Washington
Saturday morning, but for some reason the
plot failed to come to head.
An intelligent citizen of Washington, who
arrived here to-day from Fairfax Court
House, says the rebels there have force of
at least 10000, but are badly provisioned,
half furnished, and greatly demotalizcd.
The rebel soldiers grumble because Beaure-
gard does not march upon the Federal lines.
and, in order to keep them quiet, are con-
tinually promised that forward movement
will soon be made, unless Gen. Mcdowell
brings his forces againgt them.
A dispatch to the New York Herald gives
the following us " Gen. Bcauregard's 6uer-
lila Policy"
Recent information from Virginia received
hero states that this guerilla sort of warfare
was Beaurcgards great point in his plan of
the campaign at the recent conference OF the
high officials, civil and military. Every
turn in tho road, every mountain defile is
guarded by the traitors. BY this means they
expect largely to checkmate tho government
troops, and eventually compel them to leave
the country. The State Of Virginia, rugged
with mountains, much OF the country in its
primeyal condition, full of meandering rocky
streams and dangerous defles, is the spot
where such warfare us the one attempted
to be carried out can DO most successfully
pursued. The retreat from the banks OF
the Potomac is sufficient evidence that such
was the case. There will be no open and
decisive battle. Ii will be skrmshing from
thckcts and masked batteries, whenever a
Mimic rifle can bear on an outside picket,
or party lying in ambush can surprise
some scouting expedition, that will he the
extent of their defensive operations, except
in situations. where it would not be posi-
bic to cut of communication entirely from
distant places.
A letter from Manassas Junction, to tho
Charleston Courier, says
Gentlemen come into camp daily who fear
their own slaves will murder them. The lower
classes of whites are melting the slaves to such
degree that civil war is on the point Of inau-
Duration. Their own people are hostile in their
rear and, fearful Of the latter, they apply hour.
ly for passports which General Beauregard
grants, provided that no wagons or horses are
taken from the State
1t reported that Beauregard, with his whole
force are ut Fairfax Court House. Our troops
near Alexandria, have been hourly expecting
an attack for two or three days past. Ii Is said
that Major. General Dix will command the troops
across the Potomac. The reporter OF the asso-
ciated press made an observation from high
hill near Falls Church, on Sunday, aud saw
clouds Of dust las IL bodies OF men were in mo-
ton |"
The skrmish that occurred on Monday in the
vicinity Of Edwards Ferry proves 10 have been
q serious affair for the rebels. A few shells
were thrown across the river by the battery
attached to Col. STOSE's command, and one OF
them struck in boat In which party were
crossinga small creek, and nearly twenty OF
them were killed.
The telegraph yesterday afternoon brought
the following dispatch:
NEW YonK, June oath.
Awashiugton dispatch to the World say that
all the latest advces represent the intention OF
Beauregard to advance on the Federal lines, 10
anticipation that such q movement Is essential
TO keep up the spirits Of the rebels. All our
regiments have been under arms for the last
twenty-four hours, as the Government was per-
fectly satisfied that Sunday was the day in
tended for the attack by the traitors.
II is stated that JEFF Davis's opposition alone
has prevented the rebel forces from makinga
general rush towards Washington.
Several more shells at the Navy Yard were
found to be filled with sawdnst.
The War Department has assured Senator
johnson and Hon. Mr.. Etheridge that the Union
men of East Tennessee shall be sustained, and
nm order has been issued including Tennessee In
the district under command Of Brig. Gen. An
derson.
II has been decided to reinforce the more nd.
vanced posts on the opposite side Of the Po-
tomac.
Private Willie Richardson, Of Stoneham, Co
f.. of the Massachusetts, 9Th, accidentally shot
himself Sunday afternoon, in the breast, while
loading q revolver. There Is bare possibility
of his recovery. He was great fayorine.
HARPEns EEnRY.
1t appears that there is still large force OF