The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-09-24

5000. There are also about 5000 in the
vicinity OF Noland's Ferry. The force at
Fairfax Court House is quito small. Gen
erals Beauregard and Johnston make this
place their headquarters Tho main bat
terry on Munsons Hill consists of three
42-pounders little in the rear of this is
another brttery more secure, containing
three guns, The men are generally well
clad, but not with woolen clothing, and
are beginning to suffer for want of it, es-
peclaly those from the extreme Southern
States. Blankets are very much needed,
and it is considered impossible to supply
their wants. The troops have no shoes
but those they brought from home, and
most of them are about used up and there
j. no possible means for supplying the ar
tiele. They cant be manufactured, as
leather is scarce, and there being no neat
foot OIL to be had, hides can't be cured.
The cotton crop which haa been pledged
for the Confederate loan is not to be re.
moved to the sea board cities until ready
for shipment for fear of seizure. There
has been pressed into the Confederate
service nearly all the teams and horses in
the valley of Virginia. Farmers are thus
deprived of the usual advantages for till
lng the ground, preparatory to the sowing
Of next wheat and corn crops Forage for
horses is being rapidly brought up, show.
ing that speedy move is about to take
place between Acquia Creek and Alexan-
dria. Two new batteries, one FIVE and the
other ten miles above, have been erected
The work on these batteries is done on
dark nights The intention evidently is
the further erection of similar defenees
along the Potomac up to a point as near
t. Alexandra as practicable. He says
the rebels feel safe in regard to the pro-
lection of the Potomac between Acuuia
Creek and Matthias and that this feeling
OF security has probably arisen from the
fact that contraband goods have in seyera
instances been carried across from the
counties Of Charles and ST. Mary's into
Virginia from the Maryland side. In
these two counties signal lights have been
noticed giving the rebels timely warning
OF the passage at night of any OF our sail
ing vessels Ny informant learned before
leaving Manassas that the anticipated ad-
vance will be made simultaneously at No
lands Ferry, Alexandria aud at points
between Acquia Greek and Matthias -
The movement at Alexandria will proba-
bly, be a teint. They have made every
attempt to induce Mcclellan to attack
their masked batteries, but are now salts
fled he will not. My informant was asked
ii he had heard Of plan to assassinate
Maj. General Mcclellan He said he never
did, but had heard about assassinatinc
President Lincoln, whom they assert to
be the head and front of all their trouble
lie says they regret that Mcclellan is in
command and express the hope that Gen.
Scott will again take command. He says
Jeff. Davis, although not dead was quite
feeble when his death was announced, and
that his health Is falling fast The gen.
tleman who is my informant had a high
position in the rebel army, and had the
confidence Of Beauregard Heis native
OF Virginia.
A tnlen woman, residing at Lewins-
vile, arrived here to-day She reports
there are not more than II 900 or 10000
rebels in Fairfax Court House. 1t was
their attention to attempt to cross on the
Upper Potomac They had moved large
portion OF their army III that vicinity
They hoped to cross, and then by flank
movement cut off Banks division They
swear vengeance against him and his gall
liant army, and seem more anxious for a
fight with him than with General McClel.
Ian.