New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-20
NO BATTLE AT WASHINGTON
From Our Special Correspondent.

From Our Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON Sept 49, 1851.
The expectations Of an immediate battle have appa.
rently subsidized and may now look for another Pc
Rod Of suspense" with nothing exciting than
occasional pcketbrushes and now and then a recon-
noisssnce from various points aougtbe lines of the two
armies. Upon what ground the recent apprehension Of
general engagement was based the public lie not in.
formed but we know that the apprehension was openly
admitted and that the highest military authorities IN
Washington shaped their course accordingly Ua.
doubtediy their private Of obtaining normatioa
are more comprehensive aud accurate than hosee ca.
joyed by individuals. Otherwise the auxietes Of tho
past week would appear TO be quite without founda
ton Trere is certainly on the part Of the rebels no
apparent intention to attack has there been for tho
last month. Their reconnoissalces, the reports Of
which have often spread an excitement far beyond
Washington have been more important or threaten.
ing than similar demonstrations OF own and no ar.
guments are needed TO prove that the National Army
does not contemplate taking the offensive part pes-
ent. From the limited force with which the rebels
have advanced on each OCCASION it is easy to that
their desire has been merely "feel position to
test the soldity of our defensive lines and learn as
nearly as possible, how our main body is placed. 1t
appears to be their present object to take pos
session of all unoccupied ground which may 10
held by them without severe contest.
Our own Reconnaissance have been mads
with somewhat similar view but never with tue
purpose of opening an attack The approaches Of
the rebels signify very. little in this regard Half
score of regiments the outside constitute their force
in the immediate neigbbOrhood Of Washington. The
country this side of Fairfax Court-Iiouse would not
serve them for general camping ground, and the
imsy defenses they have erected not of the kind
that would be necessary for the protection of largo
body of troops Apart from this the fact that the dis
unionists have planted their pickets directly in tho
faces of ours, which they certainly have been doing
for number of weeks s no evidence of preparation
for battle The ground was left to them to occupy or
to avoid, as they should choose. That they have
occupied it il by no means a disappointment to our
Generals 1t was a concession offered with the hope
of stimulating them into further advances But hero
their warness the superior of their leaders,
has served them exceedingly wen. They have taken
all the ground we left to them, and they hold in
irregular, struggling way but they do not attempt to
come beyond it, aud they will not do 20. Only ono
contingency can render possible movemeLtupOn our
lines and that is the gradual overthrow of military
authority among tie rebels by the uncomfortable m-
patience of their troops.
The recent skirmishes and Reconnaissance which
ave been made against us at Balls Cross Roads, and
elsewhere, have been probably taken particular in
| deaons of contemplated attack. But the resul. ID
more likely to be exactly the opposite. II is by thess
expeditions that the rebels have made themselves
better acquainted than ever Within iruness and
rity Of our lines. Only general understanding Of
the immense strength of present position, and Of
the resistance offered by the chain of fOrtieatiOns
which stretches from wing to wing would be needed
to check any such temerity. The rebel chiefs have
toerabe idea Of what compose the defenseS Of wash
ington, and they viii not endeayor to test them mora
closely. Undoubtedly, they have purpose Of soma
kind in offering their perpetual show of defiance. IL
NAV be bait to tempt prematurely forward, or it
may be blind TO .ome preparations for distant move
mept; but believe it may now be taken as certain
at no assault upon Washington viii be part OF the
rebel PLAN Moreover, the prospects of conflict OF
any kind, in this immediate vicinity, grow fainter
every day,