The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-19
WAR ITEMS,
THE AFFAIR At AQUA CREEK,

NENEa HS IHEAGH
THE AFFAIR At AQUA CREEK,
The steamer Columbia arrived at her wharf in
this city on Saturday. She will return to Wash
ington to-day, taking a cargo of Government
stores. From parties who arrived on the Colum-
ola, we learn that battery was distinctly visible
at Matthias Point. The Federal flotilla which
visited Aqua Greek for the purpose of discovering
a masked battery, very successful in its mis-
eion. hen within a mile OF a point which here
tolore was thought unguarded, battery opened
on the fleet from gorge, and the FIRST shot struck
the Pocahontas in the stern, making a hole through
her. The fleet Immediately retreated up the river
ana got beyond the range of the guns. The shots
hred from the battery passed clear the river
which is three miles wide, indicating that it is
composed OF rifed cannon of large calibre. The
hOtilla consisted of the PocahOntas Pawnee Mount
Vernon, Yankee and Live Yankee. The Mount
Vernon returned to Washington on Friday night
and reported that the rigging OF the P0cahontas
had been slightly injured from the fire OF the Con-
federates. She left Washington on Saturday to
return to the hotilla.
GEN. BANKS COLUMN.
Information from Gen. Banks column has been
received, to the effect that he had retreated to
Point Of Rocks, for the purpose-it is sated-of
covering the ferries on the Potomac aud making a
closer connection with Gen. McClelan's division.
portion of Gen Banks force is also said TO be re-
treating towards Rockville. 1t is believed that
Gen. Banks Southern line and Gen. McCelIau's
Northern line OF pickets are in close proximity
Nothing is known of the movements on the Viz
ginia side of the river.
Masked Batteries.
1t IS believed in Washington that Gen. Mcclellan
Das erected masked batteries within his ues, both
above and below Washington; in consequence of
which belief great security is felt in certain circles
In case OF a movement on the Capital.
II"rper's Ferry Bridge.
In consequence of the withdrawal of General
Banks troops from Harper's Ferry, the repair of
this structure will have to be abandoned The
Government directed the repair of it, and assured
the workmen of the utmost protection, but their
failure to comply will, of course, result in cessa-
tion of operations for the present.
FASuNI THE SUUIII.
No Fortifcati0ns as yet Erected at New Or
tcans---The Machine Supposed TO be IN
tended for the Capturing of the Brooklyn.
~, FROM the v. a. Com"'erciaS 1i9Uerti5er.l
The Intelligence from New Orleans and cities
along the river to Memphis is late and important
AT New Orleans no tortifcations have been erect
ed, although preparations being made to build
them speedily. Gun carriages have been procured
in considerable numbers and fitted for the reception
OF guns. The new custom-house has been convert
ed into foundry, and guns are cast for special
at New Orleans.
! At Algiers formidable instrument of destruc-
| tion is being prepared, and was expected to be
| launched about the goth. 1t was intended to
directed
against the frigate Brooklyn any other blocka-
ding vessels at New Orleans. The tugboat Enoch
Train, built at Boston, and one of the most power
ful tugs OF her class, has been converted a pur-
| pose never intended by her builder or the gentle
man whose name she bears. The upper portion of
the boat has been covered with railroad iron and
perfectly shielded from the attack of an ordinary
/ cannOnade. At the bow ram has been construct
| ed. The bow has been built out to the extent of
| five feet, heavily framed with timber, and then
covered with heavy wrought metal.
At the extreme end a formidable mass of iron
projects in the form of knob. Beneath this knob
| and beneath the surface of the water two strong
! grappes have been arranged, so fashioned that
upon coiding with ship the claws will fasten into
the side OF the vessel and take firm hold. Protected
by these grapples in manner not unlike insects
lance or sting, there projects an auger connected
! By means of sbaftng with independent machine
on the boat This instrument is intended to operate
! as follows: Upon the attachment of the grappIes
to the side Of the attacked vessel the aurer will be
set in rapid motion aud bore its way into the side.
When one hole has been forced through, the auger
can be Withdrawn, and, by of an independ-
ent axle, the position will be changed so to ope-
rate upOa another portion of the ship, thus boring
| holes rapidly and large enough to sink the vessel.
| The boat will have crew of six men, who will be
protected beneath the iron roof the pilot observing
| the direction through a tube small telescope.
The Algerines are sanguine of the success of
their pet invention, and have spent a large amount
| Of money to perfect it, They evidently have not
estimated the not very passive nature of the object
against which it will be directed or the chances of
failure, should the Brooklyn decline to remain
| stationary long enough for this monster musquito
| to afix its sting.
Arrest OF a Supposed Agent of the Southern
Confederacy.
SEIZURE OF TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
| From the ". Y. Post cf Fridayl
Last Tuesday afternoon the Surveyor OF the Port
! with officers Isaacs and Bum, boarded the steamer
! Persia at Quarantine. On the way up to the city
! intelligence was communicated to the Surveyor to
tae effect that of the passengers on board,
named Thomas S. Serrill, was a violent secessonist
and had stated to another passenger that he was
! returning from Europe with the proceeds of loan
which be had negotiated in Europe for the Southern
! Conederacy.
On the arrival of the steamer at Jersey City,
officers Isaacs and Bum made a thorough search Of
the perrson and baggage OF the passenger desg-
| mated and succeeded in finding 100000 in Bank OF
England notes, and large number of letters and
other important papers. the contents of which
leave no doubt that the Information given to the
Surveyor correct.
Surveyor Andrews at once communicated with
Secretary Chase, who in the city, and the
Secretary commended the proceedings already
taken and advised the arrest of Serrill The mat
ter was also communicated to the Federal Govern
ment at Washington
Meanwhile the money, amounting to E40 600,
and the letters were taken to the Surveyors office.
The letters have been read, and are discovered to
be strongly secession in tone, and some of them
suggest plans for breaking the blockade and sup
plying the Liverpool market with cotton. These
the bearer and render it probable that the G4O,OO
was loan to the Confederate States, as he repre-
sented.
several passengers by the Persia have volunta-
rily come forward and have made atlidavlts re-
specting the secession talk of Serrill on board the
ship. .,
This morning the United States District Attorney
put warrant for Serrill's arrest IN the hands OF
officer.
for wears engaged in the cotton business He is
about fifty years of age, and is represented to be
wealthy.
Some of the afidavits of passengers, made this
morning, state positively that Serril said that the
money in his possession was ga loan for the Con-
federate States"
The Frivateers Active.
The following is from the St. Thomas Market
Report of G. A. Phillips Niles & Co., of July 30:
We have been somewhat startled by the news of
martial law having been proclaimed at Venezuela.
Also by the arrival of the privsteer Jefferson Davis
10 guns in San Juan, Porto Rico, the Goth inst.
for provisions ard water; likewise the overhauing
! of American vessels by the privateer Echo, about
| 200 miles to the northwest; and privateer Schoo-
ner in lat. "a long. 600 20 cruising; also priva-
| teer steamer Sumter, in Curacao.
A Philadelphia Brig Captured by the ...JefT.
| Davis.''
The Charleston Courier of the 9th instant an
nOunces the arrival there of the officers of the
| bark Rowena, of PHILADELPHIA from Laguayra,
| captured by privateer.
Her real destination is well known to pc oh1' ~
| ton. The captain boasted that he would run tue
blockade without difficulty. ,u;--,.oor Totr
The Courier also states that the PRIV Nateol ~ ~
| Davis had captured a large Philadelphia prlg from
| Havana and taken her into Brunswick, georgia,
in the absence of the blockadng brig ferry'
y.,y Yard at Washington.
rL ronaIIer Tempest, of Georgetown, came up,
inr nmo taken down several vessels in ballast, and
rban arriving at Aqua Greek been stopped by our
feet and sent back, in consequence OF some fault