The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-06
NEWS FROM THE LOWER POTOMAC.
OUR BUpp,s FERRY CORRESPONDENCE.


Firing from the Rebel Brt,ries--Aadch The Hebe'
Seamer Geage Page--SnaH Craft Runninghe b. !,
ade--The Batteries Along ne Virginia Shore Aer
Aqssa Crcet-Iosition Of the Federal Potomac Fief-
The Rebel Reaforcemenis at shimia9 Poins-I'roaa'F
Construction Of a Rai'rood o That Paee, Gc.
The rebels continue to amnse themselves daily by
throwing number OF shot aud shell from then batteries
opposite here tho Virginia siio OF the Potomac.
Generally they fail short into tho river; occasionally
. shot shell lands on the maryland side have
observed that every afternoon between three and four
O'Clock a dozen Shots less fired from the bat
tey directly shipping Point and the central one, short
distance further down at Transport II Is probable that
the position of the at that hour gives them clear
Wow OF tha Marya side and that they take advantage
of tho opportunities thus Afforded to test the accuracy OF
their guns at different ranges.
Hitherto the shooting has been nearly all on one side.
Until within a day two their Numerous sauta ions
have remained unanswered Day before yesterday the
first laundering went from this point Early
on the afternoon OF Thursday Of Captain Doubleday
ten pound rcd Parrot guns which were placed in on ex
celent position the beach Bdds house. opened
nre the rebel steamer George Page, which, with the
two captured schooners, Fairfax and Mary Virginia. has
been shut for time In QuanticO creek the mouth
of which Is opposite this place Ferty or fifty shots
hred from battery, and several believed have
told upon tho little steamer. The batteries tho vr
gnis shore returned thu fire, but did do pagc OF
damage TO u.s. General Hooker, commander OF this div
sion, present while the firing going on. Tho
occasion Of lively interest, although
killed or wounded either side. Yesterday afternoon
the attack the rebel steamer resumed, when
few guns discharged at her. Her hull is entirely
hidden by the bark OF Quantico creek The slots were
servcd with remarkable accuracy and precision and
believed that much damage was done TO the oGirig-
1ng about tho bows Tho machinery Of the
Iase is fan, and can be very easily disabled.
Tn, rebel batteries answered the fire OF ours, but with
out ctf,ct. uring the afternoon much amusement
afforded of soldiers by witnessing the fruitless
Efforts the rebel batteries hit two schooners which
passing down the In the morning four small
soops had the fire of the batteries upon them and
passed untouched by single shot. Yet sem. Of the
shots well directed Ole of those fred Mt schooner
in the afternoon close across her bow while shell
burst between the masts above the rigging. M
board hurt. While the firing was progressing, Col
Wells First Massachusetts regmentwas executing Skin
Although tho navigation of the Potomac is prac-
ticaly Closed by the batteries at, Shipping
Point small crafts nightly run the rebel
blockade with immunity. In a dark night, with
favorable wind, they can hug the Maryland shore and
pass unperceved On Thursday night nine sloops and
schaoners most oyster boats, down the river hav
ing first been hailed by our pickes which are stationed
ali ong tho shore for considerable distance above and
below the Point.
The blockade of the Potomac Is still subject Of
abatoi interest seems strange 10 person looking at
Potomac squad should have allowed them to be blilt.
But the explanation is found in the fact that they
obscurcd by trees during their construction They are
DO plainly seen by the naked eye. There
are others however, which are Invisible. II is be-
lcved that there batteries above this point.
The opposite Indian Head few miles
alb W here, but il appears 70 be deserted No firing
comes from that locality Besies the batteries at ship
ping Point Evans ,ot and those recently discovered
high bluis Almost entirely concealed by the trees in that
vicinity the next place where formidable deences have
be constructed is Aqua creek On s northern point
tn little clump trees which they could have
thrown up battery but is obvious that should that
have been attempted, and rebel force placed
that projecting piece OF land Union troops could have
crcssd some distance above and captured them with ease
That is commonly called Kings Point as Mr. kiags house
Ia situated almost the point little to the right,
the shore, tho southwestern side Of the creek,
high mn on tie hin Mr. Bruce farm and residence are
Further the right Of the most command
ing submits cf tn tange there Is spot where appear
ances indicate that battery is located. with good
glass evidences defensive operations 1t Is
only probab however that there Is regular battery
there, for it is considerable distance couple Of
aud although heavy gun. AZ that place coulC
the rive the mouth Of the creek, I, does
absolutely necessary that battery is required there
for practical purposes But the fist batteries known
exist below the lower at Smiths Point those
the railroad depot Aqua creek IS point of i'm
porance because it l. tho right wing Of the rebc
lines and has direct railroad communication with Ere
derCksburg and Richmond 1t of the first places
taken possession OF by the enemy soon after the outbreak
Of the rebellion and has been strongly fortified Not far
from the waters edge. the buildings belonging 10
the railroad depot, there three batteries. Although
they were partly siienced long ago in the second
engagement with the steamers Thomas Free
and Anacosta, the damage sustained at that
time has evidently been repaired and they now
apparently ready for active operations On the height
behind there batteries erected Immediately the
of the derot buildings bearing little the lcf
from the Maryland shore there is long hill rising
the right to the height Of perhaps. hundred ftty
feet, and sloping the lcf d distance u no, more
than thirty forty feet from the Lowell Of thu river.
long white line the summit of this hill evidently nd
Gates that carthwoks constructed upon IT, although
neither embrasires nor guns arc visible This Hill Is
clear in front having a heavy background of timber
hollow lfs haSA tho
smoke Of numerous rebel encaminents ia Here
and there an occasional tent is visible To the left s
another hill With projecting front, sharp at the summit
the sides soping almost pcrpendcuarly 1t is along
the soathen side of this hill, through the valley,
that the railroad from the creek cred ricksburg
and Richmond n, Publications appear upon it. II is
probable, however, that At points along the gorge,
short distance from the river, towards tho interior
have been taken to command the railroad
the Union forces should effect landing that point.
From this SPOT along the shore Of the river, tho banks
gently ,nluating for about third a a mile, when
another blge hill, somewhat regular in shape. has the
appearance Of being fortified Several tents and the
sinoke of camp fires can he seen on the summit Adioil
ing this the left, large hail. perfectly symmetrical
immediately attracts attention. ms ciest s paid, on
the lower part Of both ends is covered with nderb
is very commanding POINT, and appears to be wei
fortified with caswok Is At its base on The southern
end, right upon the beach, are Mr. Funncs isnhouses
the spot being known as the lump fisheries. There
many other fishing dcros at various localities bou
the Potomac Following the The river
little further the banks become rough rugged and
heavily wooded. They do not to al0rd desirable
positions for batteries These front hills are supported II
trees Presently however, this roat range is separated
ny deep gorge cal cd Split Rock through which seer
looming mp IN ia distance, the valley On rising
ground the splendid mansion built by lIr Gustavrs wal
lace. Accotink creek, branch Of tho mac creek
up the gorge In front Of his gorge near tho water
there battery, whch occasionally opens sing
vessels Potomac creek Is only short distance below
There appear 10 be two batteries, a hl and
the other nearer the water. separated by con
siderable distance, opposite Potomac creek. II i
not believed that the batteries az ths point have
stationary ans, but that led pieces Brought 10 TIL
fortncntions when they mes led Saovdon Andrews
battery cf artillery from Mary and has b3en distinguish
cd the river the guns pointed % the shores thu
state in which the company organized. They h.v
thrown IrQjcctiec within half milo Of the Mary am
shore. aud tho ryer ia nearly Ggc mi.cs wide at thl
point The disan frcm Aqua creek 70 Potomac croo
Is about miles That tho lowest point the poto
river "a; which batteries believed to be orecte
by the rcbe as l. pretty well at ntcatcd that ter
AT Mathis Point, Notwithstanding tho fcas
which have en- entertained th9tlormiahle ocnca, ln
eSist at that place bat flon Shipping Point down b
Aqua and Potomac creeks there undo edly are hate
res at eyey available spot while large bodies u troor
concentrated in the immediate. vicinity o. shippn
Pot.
The ttlc Union aeo' constit ting tie principal lortio
Of the Potomac .uilrun - situate ~ Leaut fl
al L. m 30 = hay on ftn l4u4 III ~