The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-16
THE CAMPS ON THE POTOMAC.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Examiner. I
PROSPECTS OF GENERAL ACTON.


OK THE OoCoQUAN, Sept. @, 1851.
From what can be learned in the camps, gathered at
headquarters concluded from the of the
days we are now equally and positively certain that
attack Is designed on our part on Arlington Heights or
Immediately on the works of Washington. The occupa-
ton Of Halls Hill has not been followed up by anything
indicative of an attack On the Union works Mt Arlington
Again, il is somewhat remarkable that the headquarters
OF Generals Johnston and Blauregard should still be
tnued ut Manassas junction, and not be moved to
the advance If the enemy should accept the
gage Of battle which we have offered persist ntly
for nearly week past or should be able to excite
general action by heavy skirmshng lines the end
Of our advance movements will be sufficiently gained
The battle should such occur, will be fought
vancei lines, and In position sufficiently advantageous
to he followed up into Washington. The conclusion
obtain, that direct attack is present designed upon
the ipors Of Hasan9on al least not the Sostern sido
EXTENT OF OUR
The prisoners we captured at Halls Hil-some six or
eeven--wiil be down tomorrow They say that the
enemy has been preparing to give us battle. Skirmshng
still continues on our lines and the shots of the pckes
are heard nearly every morning before breakfast.
lines are very extensive, reaching from Lecsbulg to
point near Occoquan just below Mount Vernon, along the
entire extent of which the fire of the pickes may be
heard from r. s IN mt to regiment.
IF ON the Richmond Examiner, Sept. IL
The armies Of Generals Johnston and Beauregard have
been temporarily combined, and styled the "Ary the
Po;omc.n While united for certain purposes they are
Sill astnct in their organization and details
OF command General BeaGregard ut the head of tho
first corps and neral Johnston Of the second While the
latter is the ranking officer of seniority of appointment,
and could according TO regulation, assume entire
mand of the army yet with that Difference for the feel
nes and sodiery reputation of his iustious comrade
he has waived the right and RENTS him the full enjoy
mcn Of all the authority and prerogave which he had
anterior to his arrival at Manassas The commands
nre all esentils distinct and no order of general cha
racter is issued by General Johnston without full
and free interchange Of opinion with General Bcanrcgard
To say that this conduct is not appreciated by
regard would do gross injustice TO that gallant officer
and gives pleasure to inform readers that moth
Ing exceed the mutual feeling of affection respect and
confidence existing between two distinguished Gen
erals. There is no cashng CT authority contention,
no heart burning. Everything moves on in the army
with the most perfect accord and good feeling.
Nothing additional is reported as TO movements the
Potomac Cur troops are stead terrifying their ad
vanced positions, and extending their lines every
direction. Regiments go down daily reliefs thos
duty in the advance, distribute the hardsipe
N the forward positions. Meanwhile the whole army Is
the alert Nothing exceed the enthusiasm Of thes
troops or their anxiety for battle.
few days since the balloon came over in the direction
Of Munsons Hill, where Captain Rosscr, of the Louisiana
Artillery had several rillcd pieces When about mile
of, he fired at il, without disturbing its occupants
Sighting another of his pieces with care he repeat.
ed the experiment with better result. This time the
balloon disappeared earthwards with startling rapidly
and has not been seen since.
Life the advance forces is full of stirring incidents
The men have tents bivoaackng nightly and sleeping
on their arms. Few camp fires permitted The long
roll beat sometimes four five times during the night
in preparation for attack while the sharp quick crack
81 the rifle and mUskct heard at Intervals through both
nigh, and day.
IFrom the Camp CORRESPONDENCE of the Richmond FIX
hminer, Sept. :.
NEAR TIE PoroMAc, Sept 5, 1861
Reaching Manassas-not until past five O'Clock in tho
dieIs well as the civilians to oban passes through
the lines II was found mposs bic for civilians under a
recent order Of General Beauegard, to obtain passes
any of the advanced regiments but awaiting ourselves OF
the intention Of joining regiment for the particular
csion of one bat l. at least permitted pass for
ward in the direction of the Potomac am writing this
letter late in the evening, after having walked since
eleven O'Clock twenty five miles, wadng the Occoquan
cue and various other fatigucs including the an
noyance OF overhaungs by pickes in every conceivable
direction.
TIE COUNTRY AROUND MANASSAS.
ahOut hprp tn ho opn cf
camp. The scenery at Manassas, reaching the
broad plains to the combs of the Blue Ridge is at
any time extensive and pleasing; but with the camps Of
the Louisiana and Georgia regiments dotng the meadows
or showing through the vtas OF the beautiful woods of
this section the effect most decidedly picturesque Add
TO these quiet September night, with the camp fir es
ranged on the low hill sides and the songs Of the soldiers
and the scene is so diversified and enlvened capti
yate the dulest taste, and stimulate with Of
the beautiful
About mile up the road from the junction is the head
quarters Of General JOhnston-a plain, yellow painted
farm house. with tho old Virginia porch and ndis.
pensabe shade trees. The General himself looks like
plain Virginia farmer or course there intelligence
10 be obtained here OF the movements o. the army,
although II seems an especial point with some of the
officers at headquarters 10 persuade civilians that there
nomospect whatever Of battle crafty their curiosity
or whatever propensity may have hurried them TO the
theatre of war
POSITION OF orR 1rvxs
Whatever these ntmatous of officers may BE- worth, II
is very certain that the present position of our lines
critical If it docs not positively denote intended en-
gagenent OF course 1t Is proper from prudent
cunsppct CONSIDERATIONS thnt should inorma
ton have obtained OF the disposition Of our forces be-
You'd such general statements as may be innocent and
at the same time possibly interest your readers Cir.
cumstances may at any time to throw OF the re-
strans OF secresy and admit the readers Of the Eram
TO the full knowledge of the present movements.
There are two opinions here the intention of ad
movements which have taken place all along ou
lines. Should the attack come from the enemy vii
not, You may rest assured, be unprepared 1t
All our regiments have been under marching orders 70
the past few days. Gen. 1Ongstreets command is il
occupation Of Munsons HILL III other directions OR line
within three miles Of Alexandria This is all tn
enemy knows and is likely TO Know notwithstanding hi
persistent Efforts by the skirmishng of day pas
(probably continued day., TO get around Munson'
I'LL to discover what is in the rear Of ad
vance. This is not likely TO be discovered without
battle, and when the enemy chooses 10 offer 1t, ma
presume that he will not be declined
sKIRMsirIyG ALONG OUR LINES.
The stirmishing between our lines at any moment ma
bring on general action And again, such result
he deferred Tor weeks In the affair of outposts las
Thursday, at Falls Church, between portion of Generi
Euly's brigade and the enemy, preparation ha
ben made for general action, which, however, was d.
elined by the enemy.
lhis AFFAIR resulted the loss Of two of orr men with