Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-04

The Seminole came up this morning, also, for
repairs, being somewhat leaky.
The Island Belle has been beaehed Immediate
ly opposite the yard, where she is undergoing
repairs to her stem, there being no other means
Of getting at her below the water line, as the
ways are occupied bv the storeship Anacostia
IL will be remembered the Island Belle ran Into
the Jacob Bell few days since, injuring her
own bows 90 as to Iay her up for a short time
with the latter for repairs.
This morning the gunboat Underwater, Lieut.
Lowry, went down and joined the hotilla again
AFFAIRS ALONG THE LINES.
Especial correspondence Of the Star.l
FALLS CHURCH, VA, Oct 3, 1861 Editor
Star Visiting this little village to-day for the
fTst time since the retreat of our troops from
Bull Run, / was struck by the great change
wrought In the neighborhood. Dwelling houses
are deserted, with their doors and windows
opened wide by the evacuating rebels, gardens
and crops trsmpled and ruined, while stencil
pervades the atmosphere in many places perfect
ly intolerable. No buildings in the village have
been yet destroyed, though there are evidences
Of attempts TO burn one or two Just east Of the
village is TO be seen what was once the ne brick
mansion Of DR.. Bowen, a rebel surgeon of
which nothing now remains save a heap OF
bricks and rubbish. A short istance above are the
ruins of a house, the property Of MI. - Fletcher
and down the railroad track. in the wild, roman.
tic valley, here and there tall lettering chimneys
stand sentry over the ashes Of rebel and Union
property.
TaVlor's I'LL affords the best view of the coun.
try westward from this place and from this poi mt
the rebels are occasionally seen stealing along the
heights and watching our movements from Bar
rett;s Hill thOuph their nj kats pnpcb pa.ra,
the village. All the timber (Which is quite heavy
here) is being cleared away, in order to perfect
the sweep Of our batteries now being constructed
with great skill upon commanding elevations,
and many of the soldiers are still busiIy engaged
fitting up in their new quarters those little con-
veniences so conducive to the comfort of solo Ter
life.
The first signs of the encampments recently &C.
cuPied blythe rebels on the road from the George.
town Aqueduct are found Just this side Of Bail,s
Gross Roads, consisting of rails set up md covered
win straw, and Of brush huts sheltered by thick
oVeIhanging cedar and pine A few rods east Of
UPton's Hill there are quite a number of these
rail- huis covered with corn fodder and rye straw,
capable Of accommodating about one regiment
ridiculous specimen Of Confederate earthworks,
consisting Of little ridge Of dirt, thrown up
ABOUT two feet high, runs along the side of Up
IONS Hillthe only signs Of rebel Notifications In
that vicinity, though 1t Is believed that in the
dense pines on Barretts Hill and beyond the Du.
fancy place there are masked batteries Of more
formidable character. From Taylor's Hill,
through gap ia the heights, the Blue Ridge is
seen, In direct line with which is visible at times
the smoke of a large encampment, apparently not
more than six miles distant
How long our troops will remain here, it is i'm
possible TO learn but think we shall stretch on
soon, though how far or In what force is known
only 10 the powers that be-