The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-19

at Edwards Ferry opposite Goose creek about thirty
miles above this city When he attempts this exploit he
VIII lind more difficult than fighting an open Held enemy
om behind masked batteries at Bull run The attempt
will be the Bull and the river will become bloody
General Mcclellan win be glad to see his Old friend,
Beaurcgard, attempt to cross the Potomac with his
column. The latter wiz find new class Of men from
those who led at Bull TO dispute his passage not
brave, perhaps, but more experienced and skilu
the leader % whom educated at West Point at the
time Beauregard was there.
General Banks at the head of fifteen thousand Of his
weappsnted column, will follow the daory steps
Of his forgiven predecessor Paers IN, but
will probably be where he will be abb to contest tho
rebels right to invade loyal territory He will illustrate
the efficiency Of learned political general. There
is probably no man living at the present
day, of his age, who has been a more
devoted student Of military affairs for the past ten years
thanN. p Banks. Few works. discussing military mat
tiers, have been published in the English French Ger
man language that he has not carefully perused.
General Stone, who has been aching to show his hand
in this crisis is patiently waiting with splendid column
TO move against any foe to the Union matter who he
is whence he In BRIEF the the rebels
attempt to cross the Potomac the will reach
the crisis and settle the question whether have
a Union and government not
The federal forces well disciplined, in fine health
and in excellent spirits They TO realize the strength
of their condition, and have the utmost confidence
IN their young and gallant commanding General.
THE FEDERAL CAPITAL STILL swARMING WITH
REBEL SPIES.
The facilities enjoyed by the rebels to obtain inorma
ton in regard TO our military preparations here
Of serious annoyance Notwithstanding the orbearance OF
loyal correspondents and editors furnish read
Of oura of Tho
Potomac, intelligence Of this sort is constantly and
regularly communicated the other side The spies Of
the rebels are swarmng among They come in
every imaginable capacity-men and women,
chants, marketmen and mechanics, and wives, widows
and daughters of some person the other side
of the Potomac. They abound in oil the depart
ments Of the government. They impose themselves
upon the confidence Of the highest officers and they find
means through their CONDUCTORS in Maryland TO transmit
daily to the rebel headquarters all the information they
thus enabled to obtain. They live among us, they
part Of permanent residents, and arrange
tiers so completely that they pass lines frequently
when loyal men arrested suspicion
few days ago two individuals presented themselves at
the lines Of the army Of the Shenandoah Of them
since proved to be entirely loyal and going upon legt
mate business not provided the other passed freely
upon permit from the Secretary Of War himself. The
latter one OF the most active vruent and notorious Of
the rebels Of Baltimore. The one who has, perhaps.
spent more money In behalf Of the rebels than any other
half dozen in that city, and s the proprietor Of the
South, the avowed, OPEN defiant and mschcyious organ
of the rebels there
PASSES 10 CROSS THE POTOMAC.
The Provost Marshal here, General Porter is doing
everything In his power to correct this ev He has pub
lshed the following order in reference to passes-
GENERAL ORDER.
HEADQUARTERS Cry GuAuD Aurust II 1851
To whom passes will be granted TO cross the Potomac
First-Ohicers and soldiers on duty. They must show
second-Sutlers, who must exhibit their authority.
Third-Ctizens to transact important business, who
must have their applications ndorsed by some well known
n B-No passes viii be granted to citizens whose pur
pose is to crafty their curiosity make pleasure ex
cursion.
No passes will be granted colored persons unless &C.
companied by responsible citizen TO vouch for their
character and business
BY command Of Brigadier General Porter.
WIN. W. AVERII. A. A. A. G.
This circumspection is necessary but is not sufficient
The evil intended to be remeded be efectuay
cured while rebel agents allowed free ngress and
egress into the city by Of the railroad and notony
admission without let hndrance, but also absolutely
employment in the public Offices and other places where
they have opportunities to gather all the information
needed. The rebels manage matters differently. Their
movements are kept profoundly secret No who has
lions is permitted to leave their lines send out Of them
any communication except their confidential agents
those who are bound to secresy by the solemn obi
cations It is also well known that all letters going into
the territory occupied by the rebels via Louisville are
opened and examined by the rebels and that letters
permitted to be sent there by thousands without any
animation whatever On our side Of the line.
THE ASPECT OF AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.
This has been, without exception, the most intensely
quiet day experienced in Washington the attack on
Fort Sumter With the exception Of the movement of
single regiment every thing has peculiarly peace
full and Sabbathk expression Even the rumors which
usually form the daily food for excitement wanting
and neither martial music marching military disturb
the quiet the strctest Sabbatarans can re.
qure. 1t may be, however, only the dead
calm that precedes the fearful storm. Though our
doctors do disagree, those in whom we place most
confidence just now Of opinion that it viii be long
before shall be disturbed by the booming Of
and the battle Of small The rebels are still making
their advances slowly and cautiously. They have
menced throwing up intrenchments at Springfield Station
few miles out Of Alexandria, and evidently massng
all their available force for grand attack In addition to
the military necessity for them to make the attack to save
their army from dsorganization and dissolution
the accumulation Of vast quantities of military
stores and ammunition at this point offer
ces, they make attack retire. In the words Of
General Scott reckessness would be prudence in them
this crisis in their affairs.
INSPECTION OF THE TROOPS, THEIR ARMS AND EQUIP
MENTS.
There general inspection Of the troops and their
arms and equipments in the Department of the Potomac
to-day. The inspection conducted by officers of the
regular army principally members Of General McClelans
staff The inspection very minute in its details and
defects and points Of commentator carefully noted The
result Will be reported at headquarters.
THE EMEUTE IN THE SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT AND
ITS EXPECTS.
The affair Of the Seventy ninth regiment has been seized
upon as basis for many very loose unjust rema ks
about men and things-nen, of whom are seeking
while others are avoiding notoriety; and things that
ought not to be stated but il stated should be done
without exaggerst on. One statement intended to re-
fleet dscredit upon Colonel Stevens and magnify tho Do
stion of Colonel Sckes 1t is 10 be presumed that the
latter does not desire to be elevated at the expense
Colonel Stevens. Is due to Colonel Stevens say that
hours before General Porter arrived at the camp of
the Seventy ninth on Wednesday Afternoon he Sevens)
had by a skilful move taken the arms away from