The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-12

WASHINGTON, Sept. II, 49,.
n accordance with orders from Gen. Mcclellan, this
morning Gen. Smith, commanding the advance brigade on
the south side Of the Potomac the Chain Bridge d
rected Typographical reconnaissance In force to be
in the direction Of townsville.
The recommending party consisted Of the Seventy
ninth New York Volunteers Third Vermont Volunteers,
battalion Of the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers battalion
Of the First United States Chasseurs under Lieutenant
Colonel Alexander Shale sections -four peces) of
the West Point battery, Captain Griffin; fifty Of
Company H. Fifth United States cavalry, Lieutenant Nc
Lane commanding, and ono company Of Youngs cavalry
tho whole under command Of Colonel Isaac j. Stevens
acting Brigadier General. The scientific corps in
charge Of Lieutenant Orlando D. Poe United Topo
graphical Engineers assisted by Lieutenant West of the
United States Coast Survey who to conduct the re-
connoisance
The accommodating party, thus organized left Camp
Advance about seven A. NJ, and proceeded without mo
lestation to Lewinsve, distance of four FIVE miles
reaching that point at bali past A. ~ just in
get sight Of the heels Of rebel cavalry picket about
fifty strong, which evacuated The village, and retreated
in the direction Of Falls Church. without firing shot
upon the approach Of Our advance guard.
After the arrival of troops in Townsville cavalry
and infantry pickets thrown all the dvegng
roads and prominent places for distance Of half mile
Scouting parties also sent to observe the move
ments of the rebels, should any be attempted
At about eleven O'Clock a. NJ. n large body Of rebel
cavalry were in the distance watching the move
,nens Of our troops They did within cannon
or musket range and therefore their appearance did not
interfere with the operation of the accommodating party
Lieutenant Poe, of the Engineers with corps OF as
estants commenced his surveys and proceeded an
area four miles square, obtaining valuable topograph
cal Information.
At half.past two O'Clock the reconnaissance
petod and orders given recall the pckets preparatory
20 returning TO Camp Advance All the pcScts responded
to the recall except picket Of the Third Vermont
from Nineteenth Indiana regiment Col Stevens sent
detachment out TO learn the Of their detention
and subsequently learned that they watching the
advance column Of the enemy, consisting of seven
hundred cavalry, two regiments Of Infantry and foar
pieces Of artillery, who coming from the direction
of Falls Church.
Little or no paid to the rebel advance
the objects of the expedition had been accomplished and
our troops had proceeded but few rods their
home when the enemy's battery which by this
time had attained position within three-four,hs
of mile OF our troops opened rapid ca
nonade on our forces with shot and she'll The
firing was kept up for ten minutes, when section
of Captain Glns battery consisting of two npoundey
riHcd capnops, immediately placed in position,
turning briskly the FIRE of the enemy. Simultaneously
from behind and ether places Of concealmen while
our troops were formed in line Of battle, with orders
70 Gre unless the enemy out OF their hiding places
The cannonadng became general, and continued
for fifteen or twenty minutes when Brig. Gen. Smith ar
rived on the ground having ont from his camp pos
haste unattended by escort. He ordered some npo
TAM changes in the position OF forces expecting
neral engagement
While the canonade in full progress, Captain Tha
deus Mott who, when the firing fst heard was drill
Jug his company Langley, four miles from the battl
ground, arrived the ground with section O
artillery, consisting Of one large bronze thir
ty.two FOUNDER howitzer and one ten poundc
Parrot gun. He took prominent position
commanding the enemys battery, opened fire from hi
howizers, and fred but three shells each, srin
the midst OF the rebels and completely sicncng the
battery. First Lieutenant Geo. A. Kensol, Of Griffin
battery, who was in reserve al camp, arrived wit
smother section Of artillery simultaneously with Mot
battery, aud he also opened the enemy
The rebels thus seing themselves overmatchcd rerea
cd from the feld to the music of the Union baterc
which continued for ten minutes after the rebel batter
bad ceased.