Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-15
contract. There have also been many old
United States vessels put in repair lately.
IRON WAGONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

IRON WAGONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
The Francis Metallic boat Company, of
Greenpoint, New York. have just received
from the Government an order for three hun
dred wagons, to be made upon the same prin-
ciple and of the same materials as the me-
tallic life-boat The company have Just COM
pleted an order for fifty Of these boats which
gave such satisfaction as at once to be fol-
lowed by the present order. The work will
have TO be pushed forward night and day
until the order is filed.
THE EXCITEMENT ON PICKET DUTY.
For genuine excitement, in which every
quality OF soldierly character is kept on the
qui UiVe, there is no position like that of the
picket. Placed on the outposts of our lines,
and often within close riae-shot Of the en-
emy's pickets, each watching for the other
and trying to conceal himself from view, the
greatest vigilance, caution and care is called
for, lest the picket unconsciously become a
mark for hidden enemy's arm. II shot is
fred by an unseen hand, he must, by rapid
deduction from the loudness of the report,
its direction and perhaps little smoke, al
most intuitively conclude where his enemy
is concealed, and in sending his compliments
back, in the form of MIME bullet, hope that
his enemy, if not silenced, will at least con-
clude that it is better not to invite any fur.
ther hostility. Then he is compelled to keep
eyes and ears open for the sudden approach
of q superior force, perhaps mounted, who,
with spirit of dare devil adventure, sur
round him and his half-dozen companions,
to carry them off as prisoners of war. How
to extricate themselves from such a position,
when once in it, sharpens ingenuity and
develops courage to their utmost point, and
bravery, skill and strategy have to make up
for want of numbers. The excitement of
months in times of peace is compressed to
day when on picket duty in time of war, and
an experience with most men only sharpens
the desire for more.
There are now stored at the arsenal at Har-
risburg, Pa, twelve thousand stand of arms,
forty-three brass six. Founders, one brass
ighteen-pounder, four brass six. Founders
brought to this country by Lafayette as a
present from the King of France to the Con-
tinental Congress, six hundred horse pistols,
six hundred cavalry sabers ten thousand
sets Of complete infantry accouterments, and
seven hundred and fifty thousand rounds of
cartridges.
POSTMASTER AT CAPE GIRARpEAU.
The military authorities at Cape Grardeau,
by order of Colonel Plummer, of the Eleventh
! Missouri, commanding at that post, have
taken possession of the postofiice and placed
! Major John O. Bennett, of the Tenth Iowa,
in charge.
THE ADVANCE UPON LEw1NsvtLLE.
In mere military point of view, the
forward movement of General Smiths
! division from the immediate vicinity of the
Chain Bridge to Lewinsville, is but simply
throwing forward the right wing of McClel-
lan's center, so as to make it parallel to the
advanced position of that center, resting, as
it does, upon Munson's Hill and Bailey s
Cross Roads.
AS strategic movement, it may become
| Nf fha ofaeS TA
be pushed forward either for the purpose OF
hanking Manassas upon the north, OF it may
be rapidly driven up the Potomac to assist
m thence onward I toward LeesSurp % 1'' to aanE anE
any attempt to cross and overwhelm Genera
Banks's column. This very movement shows
that Mcclellan anticipates the rebel attack il
this latter direction, if any be made. Cir
cumstances seem to indicate some point fol
crossing by the rebels (if they attempt the
Potomac at ally as far west as Harper'l
Ferry or Williamsport.