The New York herald., 1862-03-25
OPERATIONS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.

Explorations In Qua antico Creck-Ciever
Dodge Of sAo Rebels DisoOversd-Ths
Grave Of John Smith-A UniOnist Cuts
/ Has Throat TO Escape the Horrors Of
Richmond Prlson-Mortality Among
the Rebel TroOps-TrOPhies Carried
& Away, &c.
Our explorations were mainly confined TO the nortn
side Of Quantico creek whore we came upon the site
OF the First Texas regiment. A red flag was flying
each OF the two hospitals and black flag on Compa-
ny KS house. Also grave with board at tho head
bearing the following inscription cut in with knife
John Smith. Arkansas. Died Feby 23i. Peace TO his
ashes. Disturb the dead" Capt. Wards suspicious
aroused by the fact that tho was located d
recy among the hus, and he caused the grave to be
opened, when 10! John Smith was found to be nothing
less than a large number Of canvass tents.
Seven Of them being wall tents were brought away
the balance quite old and nearly worthless just
beyond VIC to the residence OF Union man
named Talbot, who has been secreted for week past
to avoid impressment Hearing the rebels had left
he returned and started for Dumfries to get
load of corn ground On entering the town. his two
mules seized by squad Of rebel cavalry, and he
was allowed his home. Still farther towards
Dumfries, at small house, was found an old man OF
sixty who had been seized by the rebels and thrown In
the guardhouse, suspicion Of being Union man and
having given information TO people. So terrible
his fears or Richmond prison that TO avoid II he had
cut his own throat The wound dressed after
and he sent his Owing TO the want Of pro-
per medical attention subsequently, the wound had not
healed Drs Monroe and Foye OF the First and Eleventh
Massachusetts, regiments, dressed II, and express the
opinion that although neglect has rendered his
| critical, no will probably recover:
fries Eve four horse ambuances were seen, apparently
removing the sick from that place Mr. Talbot says be
had not been removed He also coonrms the statements
regard the mortality there, having been told that
rebels had buried seven hundred men ~ that place.
Five male contrabands made their appearance in this
vicinity. They came out Of the woods upon the road,
bearing as Dag Of truce white cotton shirt tied upon
rcm Fanquier county and that their master has three
in the rebel army and was about 70 join himself
They told that the Yankees would catch and sell
thsm-thas they must go South Hearing Of the
Of Manassas and tho occupation Of the Potomac bat
tsres by troops on Sunday they started that night
and by lying hid during the day, and avoiding high
ways and towns. succeeded IN reaching our camps.
They are quite likely and intelligent locking dagkeys
An elaborate explanation Of the map spoken OF day
two since, found to-day, from which make an
extract. Referring 70 the single gun on the northern
talled "Loug Tom, !" he sayS:-
Long Tom the reader will reooIlect taken from the
sho good service this point and elsewhere
This the 80 FOUNDER Parrot gun left BY our troops in
their retreat from Bull What service she has done
seems a question, the rebels have injured nothing
| since the batteries have been established.
Tho Union peoplo on that side state that Mr. Evans,
the owner Of the property which the Shipping Point
and Evansport batteries located. practsed little
deceit upon the rebel government, by representing the
but mile and three quarters wide with the chan
mel the Virginia side. BY this means he effected the
OF his land at high hgure-receiving Confederate
scrip payment He ia reported to DO in disfavor with
the rebels Of ate who found the river much wider than
he represented and suspect him OF doceivng them to
| obtain high price for his land.
The diary Of private J. d. Lumbg, OF the Maryland
artillery records tho passage OF the Pensacola the
morning Of January l3, to the bitter disappointment Of
| the South
January a. he says, al hear to day that tho ofcors
and prvaes Of the Shipping Point batteries are arrested
for inatenon TO duty the consequence Of which was,
that the Pensacola passed in safety they not having fred
a shot. They deserve it-cven DEATH"
Nothing OF special interest occurred yesterday the
day being occupied bringing away munitions from the
Notifications Ct the enemy large number OF
ports medical rsquisons, sick lists &C. An abstract
OF prov isons Camp Carroll Virginia, the 4th, 18th
and 18th Of January shows 900 men, and the number
OF rstons hand for that force in each article
The Following IS the statement on the three days
named Bays Rdtions.