The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-10-11
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.
Condensed by the salem oa,s,.e.
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.

WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
Every thing is reported quiet in the vicin-
ity Of Washington and down the Potomac.
The rebel pickets made their appearance on
Friday afternoon in the vicinity of Falls
Church, but made no hostile demonstrations.
Munson's hill is now strongly fortified, the
9th N. Y. regiment having been engaged in
throwing up intrenchments. 1t is believed
to be in condition to prevent its falling in.
to the hands Of the rebels again. rrff
On Friday morning, 400 Of the national
troops went to Pohick Church, l6 miles from
Alexandria, on the Fairfax road, the object
of their movement being to dislodge body
cavalry who had been for some time pillaging
the farmers in tho vicinity. The rebels fled
in great haste as soon as they discovered the
advancing troops, and managed to escape oil
attack except the fire Of onr first files, which
was holly poured in upon them. The result
of the shots could not be accurately ascer-
tanned, but 1t was known that several Of the
enemy were wounded, being assisted upon
their horses, and carried of by their COM
rades. An extended reconnaissance showed
that no large bodies Of rebels are this side OF
Occoquan. A prisoner captured near WASH
ington says that JEFF. Davis, Beauregard,
Johnston and G. W. Smith, the late Street
Commissioner of New York, now Major
General Of rebels. were at Fairfax G. II. the
other day. looking with longing but hope
less gaze toward Washington.
1t is reported that the strongest position
of the rebels is about mile and a quarter
in the rear oil the Manassas Junction, where
the available reserves Of the South are con.
centrating.
Richmond papers say the sick rebels have
been removed from Manassas to Richmond,
in anticipation of a battle, and tibet JEFF.
Davis, in speech to the rebels on Wednes-
day, at Fairfax Court House, promised them
they should soon be in Baltimore.
A general order by Gen. Mcclellan, nam.
ing the forts around Washington, gives an
idea of the immense extent of the works
which have been thrown up around the city.
No less than ticenty-nine forts and three bat
tcries are named in this order.
The exact position of the works Of course
is not given, though that of some, like forts
Corcoran, Ellsworth, Runyan, and Albany,
works Of great strength, has long been
known. But the order in which they are
named indicates their general disposition.-
On the Virginia side there is chain Of 10
forts, extending from below Hunting Creek,
South of Alexandria, to the Leesburg road
above the Chain Bridge. There are three
batteries near the bridge. On the North
side of the city chain Of ten forts reaches
from Tenallrown, above Georgetown, to
Bladensburg, on the Eastern branch Of the
Potomac. No Notifications are mentioned
as existing on the side Of the city which is
covered by that branch.
Gen. Mcclellan has issued an order, re-
ferrng to the late dcpredations committed
by the Union troops at tho village Of Falls
Church. These exeesscs he dcnounces as
atrocious, and feels convinced that they have
been the work Of few men, and that the
officers and soldiers of the army generally
will unite in the suppression of practices
which disgrace the whole army. lie orders
that in future the penalty Of death shall De
enforced upon all parties convicted of such
outrages.
Gen. Mcclellan has stopped the visits Ct
Pennsylvania politicians to the camps.
NAVIGATION OF THE PUroxAc.
The Washington Star has information from
Alexandria, OF the Sd. which states that the
guns used by the rebels at Freestone Point.
and which were sent down from the line of
the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, have
been withdrawn, for fear Of capture by Fed.
eral troops. The Potomac is now fully open
for navigation, and the number Of vessels
coming up is unprecedented. The whole
river is dotted with large and small craft,
laden with coal, wood, lumber, hay and
heavy and bulky merchandise Of various
kinds.
GENERAL nASxs's COLUMN.
Firing was heard at noon on Friday, in
the direction Of Edwards Ferry.
The enemy arc known to have largely aug |
mented their force in the vicinity of Lcesburg
but military authorities are of the opinion
that it is only feint, and that on the first
by our forces they will fall
back on Manassas Gap Railroad and thence
down to the Junction. There is no appre-
hension felt Of any attempt on their part to
cross the river, or that they will make any
serious attack, uplc.s at long range over the
Potomac.
FORTRESS MONROE.
Gen. Mansfield has been ordered to the
of Fortress Monroe. No other
station has yes been assigned to Gen. Woo
It has been reported that he is to supersede
Gen Fremont, but 1t is not believed. The
report that Gen. Fremont is to be court.mar-
.ialed is denied.
The $50 mutinccrs at the Rip Raps, have
been pardoned, and mustered into service for
iuty at Newport News.
II is well understood that the rebels will
'oon attempt to run the blockade at Old
Point, with two steamers from Norfolk and
Yorktown, and another powerful steamer on
James River.
Passengers by the Old Point boat says that
,lagrudcr has demanded the evacuation Of