The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,

WASHINGTON, july ~.
Bids are already coming in at the Quartermas-
ter's Department for building the gun boats pro-
posed to be used in invading that portion of the
Southern territory which lies on the Mississippi and
other Western rivers.
The rendezvous for these boats is fixed at Cairo
Two boats, drawing but IS inches of water. and
heavily armed. are now nearly completed in the
vicinity of Cincinnati.
received despatch this morning from Hon.
John sherman, stating that Sherman's brigade had
taken the Bull Run battery at the point of tho bav
onet. j. S. Pryor, Esq, afterwards gave me
statement, received by him from an eyewitness.
that battle had ensued, and the battery was not
or would not be taken.
These two reports taken in connection with a.
statement contained in the STAR led me to believe
that an engagement had certainly taken place, but
about six O'Clock met with hon. Mr.. Waslburue
and Rev. &. +. Smith, of Massachusetts, who had
left Centrevie at nine o'cnck on Friday night and
nothe slightest skirmish had then taken place: MANY
prominent officials receive and circulate the most
absurd rumors, each of which when retailed, is ex-
traaos-e , IN. tc7ad,on new story, though, per-
haps, no more false than the original.
General Mcdowell is still at Centreville and is
making extensive preparations for grand conflict
The grand army consists of $1,000 men, of which
z, 100 are cavalry. The artillery numbers 70 pieces
OF six, eight and tweve-pounders in twelve bate
ries.
General Mcdowell will probably erect Temporal
ry battery of the prominences in the yicin-
lty OF Bull Run, for the purpose of attempting to
shell the Confederates from their position The
bombs used are James patent, with a percussion
attachment. These shells do not explode until they
strike an object. The weight of the proiectile is
IL pounds, and may be thrown from a six.pound
gun.
AS Bull Run may be an further object of interest.
VIII state that 1t is mere rivulet, dry in many
places, but contains from four to six feet of water
IN the channel after heavy rains. 1t extends for
about SIX miles north and SOUTH and is crossed by
the Manassas Railroad. The Confederate battery
yrhi Nod al
on the west side of the Run, situated on a slight
eminence In ravine. The Bull Mill road is an old
one, and is cut through chain of hills ranging
IN height from five to forty feet and extending for
quite two miles.
Credtabe authority informs me that Beaure-
gard's force numbers sixty thousand, that on the
day before the battle of Bull Run four more regi-
ments had arrived from Richmond consisting of
South Caroinians, Alabamians and Mssissippians
together with number of Kentuckians. Both the
Gap and junction strongly entrenched, and
some OF the avenues fortified with heavy naval guns
brought from the Gosport Navy Yard.
see it asserted by some correspondents that Mr.
John Baughman, of Frederick, was released upon
taking the oath of allegiance. He took an oath but
no. to support MIR. Lincoln's Administration.
II Is sad at the War Department that General
John A. Dix will supersede Gen. Banks at the De-
partment of Annapolis and Baltimore, the latter to
assume command of the army in Northeastern Vir-
glnia. Cen Patterson's to have charge of division
of McDowel's '.grand army" Patterson's part of
the column will probably be a new one.
Brig. Gen. WIN. NJ. Reiey is here soliciting the
restoration OF his command now under Cadwalla-
der AS the time of the enlistment of this brigade
Is nearly expired Kelley desires the commission to
reenlist them for three years. General Cadwalla-
der received the original appointment because of
priority in date of rank over Reilley
Secretary Cameron is at Gen. McDowelrs head
quarters in Virginia. He will return on Monday
evening, and, it is said, will make immediate pro-
vision to furnish Gen. Mcdowell with ten thousand
additional men, and have twenty thousand more
brought here reserve.
Gen. Johnston's movements for the past three
days have been rapid effective, and not to be in
terpreted by any other than an able military mind
The most reasonable premise is that he is slowly
marching towards Manassas, in order to prevent
rear attack on the Confederates by the Federals
in Northern Virginia. Should Patterson follow
with his %, 900 men and seek battle, Johnston is
fully prepared, and will not avoid it.
The news at the department from Fortress
Monroe is OF an interesting warlike character
but little of it be CLEANED. 1t is certain thar
the Conederates have two three of their vessels
armed and IN commission. 1t is believed that the
gunboat Yorktown WILL IN II few days -.obn .
demonstration against the Rip Raps, with view of
disabling the formidsbeSawyer gun or Smelling
the garrison out. Commodore Strngham is on the
qua riue, and will make great exerons to surprise
and disable her.
There rumors at the Fortress and vicinity
of an attack to be made upon Yorktown village
as the primary step to the advance upon Norfolk
Gen. Butler supposes the place be taken with
ease at the point of the bayonet, if the Govern
ment will provide sufficient number of transport
barges to move the troops expeditiously.
The Mozart and DeKalb, New York regiments,
have crossed the river to aid in McDowell;s move
ment.
Two more companies of the District of Columbia
volunteers were mustered out of service Yesterday
The time OF service of the 9Th PENNSYLVANIA and
the list New YOrk regiments expired yesterdav
The former went home last night, the latter is still
rot mad hu tba Gov
complain bitterly of the attempt of the Govern
ment to keep them beyond their time of enlistment.
The 9th Maine regiment crossed the river this
afternoon, and will be followed by the Tammany
regiment on Monday.
number of Senators and Representatives went
over to Centreville yesterday. among whom were
General Jim Lane, of Kansas, and Mr.. Wilson,
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Military
Affairs
Fifteen Confederate prisoners arrived in the city
this morning. They were a party of scouts, most
ly Aabamians, who were not aware of the retire
ment of their colleagues from Fairfax, and unsus-
pPctingly marched into the camp of the Brooklyn,
On. Y. l4th) Zouaves Thew were brought to the
city in charge of five companies of the New Jer-
sey 3rd Regiment, and by order of General Mans
field confined under a strong guard in the old
brick capitol.
They are a splendid looking party of men, exhibit
ing In their captivity that proud independence
SHOWN by Gagged eagle, and their bearing was rem
u uotad additionally noble by the expression de-
~ ~ IN their truly intellectual countenances.-
can,n ". tahem, South Carolinian, has been now
dm,d three times, and when asked whether he
ned ,hat o gov retire to his home if liberated, re-
Pleu tat go long as his country needed his SER
vices his life and honor would be cbeerful us sacr
r Gea 10 t ne1 cause There is singular deep, pa
which strongly sns breasts of these prisoners
They believe themselves to be mar.y1s to- ,ba bl
est possible cause, and to be glad that thsE no
suffering for endeayoring to advance that cause
Inc steamer Yankee left the Navy Yard at noon
yesterday. She is intended as one of the crn;s
on the Potomac aotilla. VIC eruisers
Both Government hospitals on Capitol Hill and