The New York herald., 1862-08-02
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY or TIM PoToaAc,
HARRisos's LANDING, July 81, 1862.

gained credence and proportions they rolled tended u
create considerable exctement-a thing almost unknown
10 our troops since the recent grand battles Early IN
the morning the balloon Intrepid made ascension and
Immediately its descent the entire feet Of menof-war
and gunboats moving towards City Point The
object Of this mlnguvre remains secret but It was re
ported the Merrmac backed by six other rebel
vessels had passed through the obsuctons on the
river below Richmond and venured ont to give battle
10 our fleet However, from parties who left OF the
vessels q late hour in the afternoon, learn that no
rebel vessel had made its appearance bat our feet was
ready for any emergency.
Az matter OF precauton, heavy battery was planted
on the bluffs near the landing, to protect the shipping
here In case Of q sudden coup by the rebels
At past ten O'Clock last evening the usual quiet Of
this vicinity suddenly disturbed by the rapid dis
charge Of fifteen muske shots from the south bank
OF the river The night dark Erebus and vivid
flashes or lightning occasionally lit up the river some
extent. In less time than II takes me 70 writo this the
entire camp aroused, and the flashing of lights
board the numerous transports notice that the lesson
taught them by The rebels In burning the schooner Louisa
Reeves Friday night last cautioned the boatmen
TO be on the alert against surprise and attack. 1t
appears that two boats showed Off from the hostile
shore flied with rebels, and to the steamtug Achil-
les. On being hailed, they replied by firing volley,
which returned by the hands Of the Achilles. Ths
rebels thon left and pulled towards tho steam transport
George Peabody lying further down the river and,
being haila answered that they the Provost Guard
Branan Assistant Provost Marshal, and Lieut. Randall,
officer of the guard got board of the seamtug General
Stewart Van Vlet and proceeded towards the of
firing Undoubtedly the coming of the tug gave warning
to the rebels that measures foot for their appre
nenson; and' as usual, they skedaadleaD about
was generally expected that field artillery might DO
opened on the shipping from the opposite shore;
but the gunboas lying OIL here would soon have made the
place too hot hold rebel The Van Vliet made the
tour among the entire shipping and ascertanng that
damage was done, returned TO the Landing some time
after midnight.
AS far as can learn was hurt our sds and,
owing the sudden departure the rebels tho result Of
the execution inflicted on them, If any, must remain
mystery, unless they choose to divuge it themselves
This morning at three O'Clock heavy firing heard
from the direction oil City Point Artillery practice,
however, is OF such frequent mot at such
hour however) that very little attention paid thereto
the atmosphere delightful breeze to-day makes IL
quite bearable and pleasant in the camps
Our Fortress Monroe Correspondence.
FORTRESS MONROE, July 81, 1852.
Arrival Of Secsh Prone,s-The Mortar FtstAfairs at
S,Jolk-Negyo Shooing-Aasers IN Norfout-Dea1 Of
a. New Fork 0Fcer-Deash of Signal 06Scer--Ayriyas
Of Pdymasers. de-, dc.
The steamer GeOrgiana arrived this morning from Bsi
more bringing two hundred secesh prisoners taken
in the valley Of tho Shenandoah and their way
to be released. They presented motley appearance e
tho parties board She Gsorgana offer fair sample Of
the Southern orces the rebel army must bs like Jossph
coat Of many colors. Some Of the prisoners were In
regular uniforms Of gray clothes, others habtsd
garments half military, half civil, while others were
clothed in the inevitable buternu brown domestic Of tho
Southern confsdeacy Most them looked cadaverous and
carcworn and some Of them were evidently quite ILL.,
Perhaps quarter Of the prisoners were mere boys
They expressed satisfaction at being their way home
again but the qualification was dashed by the reflection
that they would be immediately pressed into the army
Home TO them not to be joyful meeting loved ones
and friends but transfer 10 tbs deprvations Of tho
Southern camp. Even the contemplation OF the change
from the humane treatment Of their Union caposs to the
inevitable to the ranks seemed TO cause many Of
them very bitter fesags.
Porters mortar fleet made Its appearance this morn
ing. Of course, for obvious reasons, IL wo1d be i'm
proper for me TO make further mention Of the feet
beyond the announcement that everybody here is de-
lighted with all things connected with 1t.
great deal OF needless has been created in rc
gard Suffolk. Notwithstanding the bugaboo story Of
the informant Of the Associated Press, Suffolk never
in less danger Of attack than ut present Nothing
more formidable than some struggling parties Of the
enemy been known to visit the lower side Of the
Nansemond, These stragglers have exhibited much
boldness, Ia true; but this spirit OF daring has been
the result Of negligence than from any con-
dence in their strength. Recent reconnaissance havo
demonstrated the fact that rebel force Is this side
Ivoe and that too Insignificant TO least
alarm. Our scouts have been two miles within the
enemy Is lines DeyOnu backWater, ana failed
discover Of the rebels in strength In front OF
Suffolk the enemy Is not as presuming hs was two
months ago, when portion Of Harans cavalry cut
of. There is evidently disposition to create diver
sion in favor OF the enemy by means Of scarcs,
which the seccssioniss around Norfolk and Suffolk arc
part OF the government Suffolk Is in no danger even if
the enemy should have the hardibood make tack
upon II: The only Vulnerable point . gunboat would
effectually protect On Tuesday evening colored girl
was shot ut suffolk, by person unknown party
Of colored persons were in back yard, when some
shot took effect in the girls leg, causing severe wound
II has become fav0rite amusement with the chvary In
lines owners are hSrrying or that species Of property as
rapidly q possibls, leaving the crops 70 take OF
themselves -~~-.o s~
embarrassed position He has bsen soexcessjvely eDi
trinc Of conciation, and SO extremely ten.
sss s:s. Ssass ,Ss as 3 81,
sea- and no hardly knows how get back again lie Is
not equal 10 tho emergency Hc has in order TO break
up tho mail facilities between NO folk and Richmond
prohibited tho passaso u the wood sc,ws. This act
COMMUNICATION has also had tho casct to create wood
panic. Abe people excited on tho wood question
ne S mas sss also nS an
about salt and altogether therc appears 10 be an excite
meat about everything lhs results OF tho soo,h.
inc system ara upon Norfolk, and there is
no uso in longer Disgusting the fact that
the government Of the city should be entrusted to other
hands. General yielc IL noble Officer. He has proved
his value government by his brilliant operations
IN the investment OF Pulaski. Active life the field IL
his orte and thore hc IL most valuable to the govern
ment am he muet bo heartily sick Of the lie hc
Is forced lead aud would gladly be rooased from tho
Iahors which bring him credit With change in gov
erpnent pcy for Virginia, would not be cut OF pace
TO appoint administrators Of that policy aud able
general might be saved TO the army, with perfect pro-
priey, Ia the manner intlnated.
Captain Mascs, Of the New York Mounted Rifles, died
last night In Norfolk lie had been sick FOR Some days at
the Atlantic Hotel Captain NJ. was highly esltsaSd as
an officer aud q gentleman.
am also sorry to record tho death Of Lieutenant
Charles Breed, or the United States Signal Corps lilo
died OF bleeding Al the bowels yesterday morning. and
his body sent on TO his native place Norwich, Conn.,
the Afternoon IN charge OF Lieutenant Waite of
the Eighth Connecticut regiment. Lieutenant Breed
for ong time attached 10 General Burnsdcs forces and
was stationed with thcm al Ncwport's News nt tho time
Of his DEATH lie Was highly respected by his
drawn by the remaining members Of the corps and