The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-24
IMPORTANT FROM THE LOWER POTOMAC.

Bloc OF the union
Forces ON the Maryland Shore, SC.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 1851.
rns RxxALps special correspondent at Badd's Ferry
ends the following despatch relative to the escape OF the
Colorado on the LIST inst.s-
About half past o'clock the afternoon OF tho
n, large schooner, the Colorado Captain scribner
from Caden New Jersey the gauntlet Of the rebel
batteries Skipping Point Coming down the Potomac
she was haiIed by Lieutenant Covery, Of Company r
First Massachusetts, regiment, who the beach at
stump Neoks-
UIook oct for the rebel batteries" he said.
"whsre are their biggest gunss" asked tho captain.
sThcr heaviest gun the lower point" replied the
Lieutenant.
The captain them with nearly all sail SET slightly alter
"a Of his schooner heading toward the upper
point, TO present small surface 70 the guns. Tho
upper battery Immediately opened on him. Having
safey passed IT, no beaded towards the Maryland side
Ae other batteries then fred the schooner she
down the river Forty shots fred, but not
struck her. and abe safely continued her
This the largest vessel that has passed those batter
sss In the daytime for several weeks Determined
- frightened At the reported Blockade Of the Potomac
she captain boldly concluded to sail past the batteries by
Daylight.
After his schooner had cleared the lower point the
tes sent few shots 10 the Maryland side. Two
q
thrtytwo pound siege gun. Lieutenant Dimmick arod
eight shots from two Of pound guns located
ssar Budds house. Those guns carry with remarkable
accuracy. Every shot well served. One shell burst
ever the upper rebel battery and another inside but with
what effect II unknown.
Professor L0we's balloon the Washington has bseu
brought from Matawoman creek on land and ia stationed
sar Mr. Pessys house. The rainy weather has prevent
% serial "Reminiscences for the last few days. but the
weather 10 favorable will made to morrow
M H. b. Posey, who was arrested some weeks ago on
suspicion Of having communicated with the enemy on tho
Virginia aide by means Of Signals has been
released no just grounds Of suspicion having been esta
sisshed against him. and, with his wife, daughter and
little son. has returned from Washington to his residence
Quite number Of vessels in Matawoman creek and
- the river within sight, which waiting until night
dor 10 run past the cbol batteries opposite this point
vOur oyster boats below waiting run up TO- night
The statement in . New York paper that Colonel Tay
r OF the Third Excelsior regiment had been arrested by
General Dix for ntoxcaton is . complete fabrication
The same correspondent, writing from Budds Ferry.
Maryland, Nov 10, says
Just after dark last evening the rebel steamer George
Fago, lying In Qaantco creek, got up steam Great &C.
uvny was manifest among the rebels during the
svening, The movements around the Page were Of n
very suspicious character large number Of men
were put on board and appearances indicated that they
were preparing for some kind Of demonstration They
knew that several vessels q short distance IN the
river, only waiting till nghtfa order TO run down
We anticipated that the Page might dash out dur
Nc the night and attempt to capture Of them as
shey wsro passing down. therefore movements were
closely watched by our men On the Maryland shore
ABOUT eight osck the vessels began sail up and down
the Potomac and for Several hours the scene vas
eeqne and interesting. At times tho sy vas overcaa,
Out now and then the still breeze which was uravaing
would blow tho clouds from portion OF the heavens and
me full moon would shine out respendant. For scvo
raj hours the vessels continued to sail down tho river
nostf them keeping pretty close to the Maryland side
Some However, took the middle Of the river apparently
. unconccrned as no batteries existed on
the Virginia shore. We watched them with
unusuAl interest, expecting that the Page might
make Aer appearance. or that the batterie
would spen tho schooncrs. the little rebel steamer
bad shown herself she would soon have been demolished
BY our Parrot guns the officers in charge Of which ara
anxious TO have chance at her.
About twelve o'clock l went in . boat with
Captain Chanberlin. Of Company K, First Mas
sachusetts regiment, across Chickamuxon crock.
% visit tho pckes and vessels tho river and TO make
midnight reconnaissance A light visible during
portion Of the evening Freeone Point but no signs OF
preparation were at any Of tho batteries on Ship
ping Point. The pickes of the enemy were unusually
quiet, as the night severe.
Twenty two vessels, mostly schooners ran down the
river during the night and i've principally oyster boats
passed up This Is the largest number that has passed
moro during any one night since the formidable
have been unmasked opposite here on the Virginia side
Tho rebels had splendid opportunity last night 70 do
some damage their guns really blockade the Potomac
Several schoonsrs, sailing close together passed their
batteries less than threcquarers Of mile from the viz
snia shore, noticed number Of schooners, Of about
Awwn h,rA t...-.l
mark to shoot at, while they easily distinguished
shs moon at times plainly revealing objects on the oppo
site shore, and making the night amos, as clear as day
long limo Of sail whtened the Potomac and vet not
gun was fred from the rebel batteries Although the
rebels, counting all their batteries at daren, points
nave about twenty miles Of defences along the river
shey are unable to enforce effective blockade even in
sne day tme As long as vessels pass up and down
~ they did last night cannot be said that there ia
thorough blockade Of the Potomac while the boldneas o,
Capt Scribner Of the Colorado who sailed his scoone
past yesterday afternoon without receiving particle Of
injury, although fortysev shots wore fred at him,
demonstrates that vessels can run up or down in
sho day time with impunity Very large vessels.
however, would DO apt to receive considerable
damage The big gun on the lower point appears to be
better served than any Of the other guns It Is said tina
me reoe nave two gnnners opposite here who were for
some time under the instruction Of Captain Dahlpren
himself Still, with all their facilities thew cannot HI,
vessel except she is anchored right within ranve II
Choir batteries and the blockade OF the Potomac
moro IN name than in fact The rebels have been OBJ
served closing the gorge Of the upper battery on
shipping Point with PALISADES and making an embank-
nent In the rear.
The high wind this morning tore portion Of tho
netting Of the balloon The increasing gallo rendered II
pruSsnt 70 tho valve and let all gas escape Tho
balloon was then folded up, and removed TO a place or
safety The generating apparatus is in Washington
being repaired that tho balloon canno. DO renased
s il return No aerial ascension can be made for few
days.
The same correspondent under date Of November 49,
sayss-Four soops and two schooners ran down tho
Potomac last night They unmolcsted by the rebe
batteries.
General Hooker has appointed Military Examining
Board consisting Of Colonel Nelson Taylor Of the Third
Excelsior regiment; Lieut. Col. George D. Wells command
ing the FIRST Massachusetts regiment in Acting General
Cowans brigade, and Colonel William Dwight, of the
First Excelsior regiment for tho purpose of inanrin0
INTO the qualifications Of officers in the division II 4, h