The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-11
THE @sTUATION.

LII a. f%bIO AIloN.
Tire movements 10 the neighborhood of Washing
ton and the Potomac have some points of interest,
although not of particularly marked Importance as
far as yet lasceriained. Some slight skirmishes
had occurred through the day, but nothing serious.
The rebel pckots had been withdrawn and con-
centration of their troops in the neighborhood of
Chain Bridge had become apparent. Every
manGuvre was. however, carefully watched and
noted down by The Union forces.
The greatest activity is prevailing in all the de-
partments of the Navy Yard at Washington
Nearly two Thousand men are employed, many of
them night and day. large quantity of shot,
shell and ammunition daily forwarded to
proper points. Dahlgren rifed cannon are made
with great rapdity. Seamen are being daily
drilled in howizer practice, with mark I'd success.
The Thirteenth New York Volunteers have been
Joined to another brigade, and are ready and
willing to do their duty, to wipe away the
disgrace of their former conduct.
The government are determined to reduce their
Geographic expenses, and have issued an order to
that effect. The telegraph is not to be used, ex-
ccpt in of public necessity otherwise than at
the expense of the person sending the message.
Governor Curtin presented the Pennsylvania
troops with the flags ordered by the Legislature Of
that State at the request of the Society of the Gin
cinnat Of Pennsylvania The ceremony was inn
posing, and during the proceedings, General
Mcclellan delivered his maiden speech to the
troops. The address was characteristic of the
man. being, like his military dispatches, remarka-
BILE for its Napoleonc brevity and clearness
General Mcclellan restored to the Seventy ninth
regiment of New York State Militia the colors
which had been taken from them, expressing n
hope that the regiment would not again have to
part with them except in an honorable manner.
The day will be an eventful one in the history OF
many of the troops now in the vicinity of the cap
ital.
report had reached Washington to the effect
that the rebel steamer George Page had escaped
and had captured several barges containing GO
yernment stores but the rumor was apparently
without substantial basis, if not entirely false.
The news from Gen. Banks column is cheering
The rebels had thrown up two gun battery at
Conrad's Ferry; but shortly after its discovery
one of the Union field batteries was brought to
the scene of action and engaged the rebel works
throwing spherical shot with considerable
effect, causing stampede among the chivalry
There seems to be little trouble among the
rebel troops. whole Mississippi regiment is re
ported to have revoted on Saturday last broker
their muskets to pieces, and started for home.
complete Generalization Of the army is apparent
Thirteen rebel regiments have left for their home:
since the capture of the forts at Hatteras.
The sarcasms of the Richmond papers relative
to the capture of the forts at Hatteras Inlet are
very biting and censure the rebel government
severely.
General Dix has forbidden the Mayor of Bati
more to continue the payment ofthe old police force
to which edict Mayor Brown had very reluctantly
signiied his compliance.
The news from Missouri indicates a strict en-
forcement of martial law in st. Louis. The Pro
yost Guard is to be respected by officers and sol
ders as well as by civilians. From Rolla is re
ceived reports Of two skirmishes-one on Dougal'
Prairie Gasconadc county, and the other at Cuba
In the former case two rebels were killed and eigh
taken prisoners, and in the latter ten rebels wer
killed and thirty-four horses captured. No en-
gagement is known to have taken place betwee,
General Rains (rebeD and Colonel Jim Montoo
merry up to Friday last, by which i
may be concluded that Fort Scott was sti,
safe. General Price was reported within 81
teen miles of that place, marching onwar
to join General Rains when the unite
forces would number about seven thousand +,
Governor Jackson is said to have left Springfield
to join the State forces. General Ben. McCuoc
was last heard of at Fort Smith en- route for For
Walker, Arkansas but it is suspected that hi
troops would hover about the border so as to b
h readiness to advance and act in concert with q,
Missourians should his services be needed.
General Anderson had arrived at Louisville