The national Republican., 1861-09-26
Military Intelligence.
AFFAIRS ON THE POTOMAC.

L.
Yesterday the steamers Seminole and Jacob
Bell, which have been lying for some time
near Indian Head, went On liltls tour OF
observation, near the Virginia shore, to ascsr.
tain whether the rebels really had possession
of the Potomac, as they boastngly assert.
They had not proceeded far, when an undis-
covered battery Of three or four guns opened
upon them. Several shots were exchanged,
and during the practice" the Jacob Bell
received shot, but sustained little damage.
The steamers were then withdrawn, and re.
turned TO their old location.
THE BARN-BrRNiNG sKiRMisH NEAR NrNsONs HILL.
A special messenger, who arrived last night
from across the river, informs us that yester |
day morning portion Of the second Michigan
regiment went out towards the barn they had
burned The night previous, (as noticed yester.
day y when they were fired upon by rebel pick
ets They instantly returned the fire with
spirit, aud with such precision that they killed
| two Of The rebels, when tho survivors Immediate
ly displayed flag Of truce, under cover OF which
they approached our Michigan boys, and pro
posed that there should be no more picket
friug on that line, which proposition was &C.
ccpted, and will be kept on our side, until the
rebels break their promse-then look out!
Besides the barn, there were several other out
houses destroyed, together with three hay
stacks and corn crib. So much for Yankee
ingenuity, enterprise and hot shot
| AN AFFAIR AT LEwINsvILLE.
We learn that, yesterday, five regiments Of
Infantry, Que of cavalry, and eight batteries
from Gen. Smiths command, made recon
noisancc toward Lewinsville, for The purpose
of procuring cattle and forage. While they
were in that vicinity, u large. rebel force ad-
, vanccd from the neighborhood Of Falls Church,
and opened upon our troops. Giifiin'S and
Motifs battery were soon brought into play.
They fired thirty.tive shots both being round
and shcll-csusing u scampering among &C.
cesll,' and their hasty retreat back TO Falls
/ Church. They we're not polite enough TO in
form us of the damage they sustained. On our
side, one man was slightly wounded by The ex.
} plosion OF a she'll Our troops captured an aid
OF Col. Stewart, of the Virginia cavalry. He
an officer only by his cap, formerly belonging
TO one of our men, aud which was probably
captured at Bull Run.
The firing heard so distinctly yesterday morn
ing, was not the roar of battle, as many sup
pos I'd, but merely battery practice by General
Beukcrs brigade and Captain Grifiu's West
Point battery.
INCREASE or REBEL FORCE ON MUAsoN s HILL.
j Through a reconnaissance made before Nun.
d sons Hill on Tuesday afternoon, the fact is dis
closed that the rebels have increased their force
there. Immediately to The left Of the hill they
have commenced throwing up new torti6ca
. on them at nightiall. This is the first move
ment made by them for weeks.
Il Intelligence has also reached here that th,
rebels have doubledtheir pckets on the line o
the Potomac, above Great Falls.
A sKIRMsH AT POINT OF ROCKS.
On Monday, an action took place at thi
point between part of the forces under Co
~ Geary and four or five hundred rebels on th
Virginia side Of the Potomac. The enemy wei
=, SHELTERED in the high point OF Catoctin Mou
~ ~ tain and in the houses at its base but The
~, were driven from every place by the batter
~, ~ and rifles of Col. Geary's command. tt
=. houses were burnt t. the ground, and Will
-. several Of the enemy arc known to have bee
killed and wounded, the Federal troops gu
tanned no injury.
Tul Mr. lnr m i'm nm
commissioned officers OF volunteers, accordil
to act OF Congress, has been appointed by Ge
~, Mcclellan, and commenced its labors on Nc
-. IN day The following officers compose the Boar
'ne Brigadier Generals Louis Blenker, John
Vi Martindale, aud John Sedgwick Col. J.
lou Leod Murphy, 18th N. Y. regiment Color
mn julius ,Stahl, Sth N. Y. regiment. The juAl
lat member will record thc proceedings. The Boa
the commenced lis lSbors on Monday.
'ne A NEW FIELD TELEGRAPH
be We learn that Mr.. Edward Wiebc fro
ra- Brooklyn, New York, is in this city, for 1
de- purpose OF rendering his new fl Id Telegraph
led the Government. Brooklyn and New Yo
alb. papers spoke very iavorably OF thi, inventi'
ses some time ago. when Mr.. W. had exhibited
II a there.
lep The particular features Of this telegraph u
are the following:
MIL J. There can be given with |. 1868 sigma
.aw changeable every day all the year round
?. Messages OF any extent can be transmit
col with electric telegraphic speed,
3. The apparatus is entirely simple in
W. "" construction, costs very little, and Can
'"' worked by every one. without previous pr;
'ay tice.
es'- 4. No operator need know the contents
tier the dispatch he is transmitting.
IN 5. The apparatus is portable field tie
rec graph, as well as stationary machine, FRI
3. which it can be worked into all directions
ible day or night.
avy q. The working ol this telegraph CO
al nothing because any common soldier can u