Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-17
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.

GREAT BATTLE PROBABLY FOUGHT TEsTERpAY-
The following dispatch reached the Navy De-
partment this morning. 1t tells that yesterday
morning Commodore FOote probably attacked
the rebel works on Island No. 10. We hope that,
ere going TO press with the second edition Of to-
days Star, to get later news from tha' quarter.
CAIEo, March Is, 10 p. ma messenger LEFT
the notilla at 3 O'Clock yesterday.
The feet was then In line CT battle, dropping
slowly down, and within two miles Of the enemy
a; Island No 10.
Two mortar boats were in position, and four
shots had been fred by them.
The gunboet Benton Hrsd few shells TO tIy
the range No reply was made by the rebels.
The rebel gunboats were in sight. Large
bodies Of troops appeared encamPed on the main
land close TO the head f the island.
The Commodore (FoOte) Is in fine spirits. but
tie messenger did not expect the Aght to come of
before to-day.
TIE REcoNNoIssASCE.
Later information satisfies us that the recent
reconnaissance Of General Stoneman on the heels
Of the rear guard Of the rebels retreating from
Manassas extended up the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad only to Cedar run, a mile and a half
this side OF Warrenton Juncuon.
General StOneman's force consisted OF but 1 500
cavalry and 500 infantry. AT that point tLey
came cioss the rebel picksts, whom they drove
ors- iUn 70 force OF about two regiments OF
c07a 600 Infantry and battery Of artillery,
30 attempt to follow General 5 on his
Te: V2.ts Manassas
= 2ehels Fad burned the Cedar Run bridge
JssAa lie TiilTstd. The roads travelled over by
t-.-Eess2zoilsTing force Were found strewed with
la. cay7, rRaskets, blankets, ammunition. knar-
sscs :, broken down and abapdored loaded
NFaso7s, SC, &c, after the fsshlon Of the road
frc-! Bull Run 10 this city after the ever memoir
aoe Sunday OF July last, showing that the retreat
Of the rear Of the Rebels at least was made under
real and extensive panic.
The POLITICAL PRISONERS COMMISSION
The commission, Gen. DIX, Judge Pierpon.
and Mr. ebs.er, of the War Department. ser
Rotary, 10 make pdYts examinations CT tie
cases Of the political prisoners still held bv the
War Department, meet to-day at tie State De-
Pa-;ment-
They commence their labors with the c.ses of
such prisoners now in confinement in the old
Capitol military prison In this CITY.
On finishing those cases they will probably
proceed North, and consider the cases Of thoze in
confinement, first, at Fort Lafayette, and next at
Foit Warren.
AFFAIRS OVER THE RIVER
Many Of the regiments over the river suffered
exceedingly from the storm Of Saturday, severa
beng exposed TO II without any shelter whatever
member Of the New York 2lst regiment was
drowned in foEding stream swollen by the rain
aid a. re team attached to one Of the baggage
wagons. swept of. Several men belonging to
other regiments are also reported drowned
"A musician, named jos. shaler, in the band Of
the 2lst, was accidentally shot In the leg by bis
comrade, but without fracturing the bone. The
bali was extracted by the surgeon, and the
wounded man Is IN a fair way to recover speedily
ADDITIONAL ARTICLE OF WAR.
The President on Thursday approved the adj
ditIonal Article Of War, which goes into I'M
mediate operation, namely:
IAN officers or persons In the military or naval
service Of the United States are prohIbited from
employing any of the force under their respective
commands, for the purpose Of returning fugitives
frsm service or labor, who may have esca ped from
any person: TO whom such service or labor is
claimed TO be due; and any ofhcer who shall be
found guilty, oY court-martidl, OF violating this
article, shall be dismissed from the service ;,
REcosNoIssANcE TO sRENrsvILLK.
Our cavalry, Saturday morning, made a recon-
noissance as far south BrentsvilIe about tbir
~ miles from Manassas Junction, and learned
that rebel picket was stationed In the vicinity.
more for the purpose, IL is presumed, Of giving
alarm TO the rear guard Of he rebels in case If
an advance of the Union tro than for ma king
defence.
ADD2Ess OF MAJOR GENERAL MCCLELLAN TO rgx
ARMY OF The POTOMAC
General Mcclellan, on Friday last issued the
following patriotic address to the Army Of the
Potomac:
Headquarters Army Of the Pofopar.
FaiUdL C0ETt House, Va, March II, 1852
SOldleTs OF the Army of the Potomac
Fo, long time 1 have kept you inactive but
not without purpose. You were TO be discIn.
lined, armed and instructed; the Formidable AZ,
L.lleL YOU now nave had to be created; other
armies were 10 move and accomplish certain re-
suits have held you back that YOU mIgbt i've
the death blow TO the rebellion that has istrac,ed
cur once happy country. The patience you have
SHOWN, and your confidence in your General are
worth dozen victories. These preliminary ,e1
sulis are now accomplished. l feel that the ps
s s IsSots OF many months have produced their
frriti The Army Of the Potomac Is a real army
magnificent 10 material, admirable in disciDIine
ana Instruction, excelleGtIy 60 tipped and AIMED
--yoII commanders are all that 1 could wish
= ne moment for action has arrived, and know
mat can trust In you 70 save our country AS
rde thrOug your RANKS see in yOurfacps the sure
pfssage OF victory; feel thatyou will do whatev-
VIII bring you nov face TO face with the rebels
ana pray that God may defend the right. IN
whatever direction you may move however
strange my actions may appear TO YOU ever bsar
IN mind that my fate is linked with yoUrs ara
that all do is 70 bring Won. where kroSr yon
wish ts Bon the decisive battle. f-Id II IN INV
bOsine-s 10 place You there. 1 am to watch ovpr
YOU IS parent over his children, and Won knoyv
tnat your General loves you from the depth OF hin
heaft IL shall be my care, as II has ever besn m
Ssln success with the laest possible loss; but
kn3'' 'hst, II 10 Is Necessary. you will willingly
follow me TO our graves for on rig hteOus cause
hod smiles upon us, victory attends u.s. vet 4
would not have you % think that our aim is 10 be
Sualned wlihouta manly struggle will not
U.s. .lss u rom you; you have brave foes to en-
couner' foemen well worthy Of the steel that yru
VII use 30 well. shall demand Of you great,
AeIOie t1ern ons rapid and long marches pirate
c~h','l rriVations, perhaps. We will share all
bsetleTi and wnen this sad war = over we
~ Hfa 70 Or L7'oes, and feel that We can ask
- gaer hO1Or than TIE proud consciousnsss
'1@' W a--013ea 80 the Army OF the Potomac
Go. y, HcCLr-LAS,
hrjSr General Commanding