The national Republican., 1861-09-09
OVER THE MvERf

A REPORTED ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE GREAT
FALLS BY THE ECoNrEnnRATEs--CHAI AN BRIDeE
THROWING UP E.RrBwoRKs ~ TIE CoNFED.
sRATEs-.FIRrNG YEsrERpAY- PROBABLE FfoHT
LAST NIGHT NEAR BALLS Cross ROADS.
-. Eor/ some days, the rebel pickets have
been in large numbers in the vicinity Of Halls
house, near Balls Cross Roads. AT night they
wsuldtaks possession Of the house and retire
in the morning, when the Union pickets would
occupy II for the balance Of the day but as
night approached, q superior force would
again drive them away. .. -.-.
Yesterday it was determined to take posses
sion Of this house, and hold it at oil hazards,
for which purpose five companies were detailed
for this duty, and sent down to the support of
our pckets should this force prove insuff
ciept, they have reserve of five hundred men
close ct hand. The honor Of this affair has
been bestowed upon the twenty New
York, and we saall Doubt hear good &C.
count OF them during the day.
During the whole Of yesterday, large squads
of rebels, cavalry and infantry, could be seen
lowering about the neighborhood, and towards
night few shots were exchanged between the
opposing pickets but with what result is not
known.
On Friday last, while one Of our pickets was
quietly eating bis dinner short distance from
Halls house, he was fired upon by concealed
rebel, and instantly killed.
The firing yesterday which occasioued SO
much unnecessary excitement and which led
the over-sensative 10 rush to every available
spot with glasses, to see If there was battle
raging, proved only to be the firing of mus
kerry with blauk cartridge, from Fort Corco-
ran.
Still later in the evening, however, there was
picket skirmish, between the pickets Of the
twentieth Pennsylvania regiment and the Con-
federate pickets, which resulted in driving The
Confederate pickets in.
| CHAIN BRIDGE.
The Confederates have thrown up some earth
works about seven miles from the Chain
Bridge, commanding the Leesburg road. This
fact has just become known, owing to the clear
ing away of the woods that commanded the bill
on which they had been at work, and which al
the time intercepted the view from the hill
Some of the Confederates were at work or
them to-day, our informant states, when he lef
that vicinity. The strength of the position II
not yet known. II is supposed that these
works have been commenced with view tt
guard against any possible movement of ou'
forces in the direction of Leesburg
Il GREAT FALLS.
Several days ago the Confederates 1t is re
, ported, in small body, attempted to crot
over into the State Of Maryland, OF the Poin
!, near the Great Falls, but were met by tn
Pennsylvania sharp. shooters, and were repulse'
with considerable loss, while only one maj
was wounded on our side. The Confederate
made quick retreat, carrying with them thei
/, dead aud wounded.
!, GENERAL ORDER.
The General order issued few days ago b.
: Major General Mcclellan, in relation to th
observance of the Sabbath, and published else
, where, in todays papers, was read In all U
camps yesterday, and was received wit
general welcome and joy, amid great cheering
GENERAL MCCLELLAN UPON THE OBsERvANC
OF THE SABBATH-The following order has jul
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