Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-21
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
A Battle in Progress near Leesburg

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A Battle in Progress near Leesburg
Just Is we go to press with this (nrst) edition
Of the Sta, to-day we learn that the enemy have
attacked detachment Of our troops-probably Of
Division General Stones command-intrenched
on an island In the Potomac, about three miles
from Leesburg.
The ofacial telegram announcing the fact mere
ly adds that the enemy, though in force, have
made no impression upon the Union works on
the Island.
The battle continues In progress and we hope
to have some details Of 1t in time for our second
edition of to-day.
CHALLENGES ONLY THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF
The SCHOONER FAIRFAX.
7As Cirevmstoness Of the Capture Of hs Transport
schooner FairfdT.
The circumstances of the loss Of the schooner
Fairfax on Saturday morning last, are as follows.
Viz:
The armed tug Resolute had that vessel and
another in tow. The crew Of the Fairfax instead
OF being where they should be, on their own YES.
sci, were on beard the tug. While under the fire
Of tie batteries, the Fairfax struck a sunken ledge
ard the shock parted the hawser by which she
bsd been made fest to the tug. The tide-cur-
rsnt-was setting rapidly against the vessels, and
instantly swept the Fairfax In the direction of the
batteries.
There being no one on the Fairfax, rope
thrown from or To her could not be made fast
II ne enemy seeing her adrift, Instantly concen-
trstsd their fire upon her; king Il a too haz-
erdous experiment to lower and send a boat 10
her with new rope, ere she drifted completely
under The batteries guns Thus she was evil
IDENTIFY lost through the failure of her own officers
and crew to be at their proper posts
Had they been there, to have thrown a new rope
ever to the tug, on the instant the other parted,
mat occurrence would not have endangered her.
The AsPERsIOs uFoS MAJOR BEckwrIH
Some days since we took occasion to expose the
utter groundlessness and sinister origin of an at
tack upon the character Of Major Beckwith, Com
snissary, U. 8 A, appearing IN the Washington
correspondence Of the New York Times of the 18th
Inst Without attempting to meet single point
OF our REPUTATION, the writer reasserts his as
pernons in the Times Of the 18th, and seeks to
Justify them wholly upon the plea that Major
has declined to ask court Of inquiry
for the consideration Of anonymous and general
not specihc-charges against his oficial integrity
While we do not deem II necessary to restate
our original refutation Of the malicious ISLANDERS
against Msjor B., 1t may not be amiss for us to
publish the two letters subjoined which, if any
thlng wsre wanting to that end, show beyond
Iuftoer question, not only the sweeping untruth
OF the charges Of the Times writer but also the
sarng Injustice Of the only allegation uTon
WHICH he bases his effort 10 get revenge by ma
iigning Major B for the personal grievance of
some sinister Spectator or SPECTATORS in army
contracts who have failed 10 find him as pliable
a. was evidently desired.
Once CODn,iI,a,y General Ssbsistsnee,}
Washington, Oct IL, 1861.
To the Editor Of the Nsp YORK T,mss:
Sir: In your paper Of the llth instant | notice,
under the beading OF 'washington, Thursday,
this Department, Of peculation In the weigh t ot
cattle received under the present contract.
In justice to Major Beckwith | deem Il nv
duty 70 state that he has nothing whatever TO o
with the weight OF cattle under the contract Ais
dstes are confined to this District. and the cattle
burg, Pa
May request as conspiciou. an insertion Of this
IN your psPe. as was given to the incorrent rumor
very respectfully your obi servant,
j. +. TAYLOR, c G. :.
Headquarters Army Of the Potomac,|
Washington, Oct. II, 1861.
Asio, BsekDiti, Com of Sxb U s A
Major: The Mojor General Commanding has
received your letter Of the 18th inst with its In
siosure-a slip from the New York Times Of the
The General does not think Il necessaryfor the
Nnalcsuon Of your character that you should
h.1e zoe court Of inquiry for which you apply
And Standing In this army shares with the writer
on the article alluded to, doubt as your iutey-
MY, and thinks II better to lend entity to the
at,ack by any onicial notice Of IL.
aus very respectfully, your obedient servant,
= WILLIAMS, Asst Adjt General.
EVANSVILLE.
Last night, the division Of Mai Gen Mccall
rested In and around Drainesvllle as on the mig ht
before So far, they have pitched no tents there.
Gen MeC.'s scouts went yesterday four or I've
miles outfrom DTainesville towards Leesburg-to
point within seven miles Of the latter town
Ihey found no enemy In arms on the territory
they traversyd
TIE LATEST FREMONT RUMoR.
Though without the means of verifying the fact
positively, we have good reason TO believe In the
runner saying that, ere leaving st Louis, the Sec
retary Of War caused to be delivered TO Mai Gen
Fremont the Presidents order appointing Major
Gen Hunter TO the command Of the Department
Of Missouri, In his stead.
REcoNNoIssAScE
On Saturday and yesterday, Gen Mcclellan de-
voted himself for the most part to making care
ful reconnaissance Of the territory recently aban-
doned by the enemy In his front In this work be
was assisted by some Of his typographical engi-
neers, who brought OF complete and very valuable
notes Of their observations.
TEE BLOCKADE OF THE RIVER A DEAD FAILURE
Forty vessels that had anchored at Indian Head,
wind fsvoring, passed the batteries, going down
the river yesterday. Twenty four shots were fred
1t them, but not one OF them were struck, though
some OF them sailed within mile of the enemy,s
guns.
fhosAsLE BURNING OF BOLIVAR By The REBELS.