The New York herald., 1862-03-20
AFFAIRS ON TIE LOWER POTOMAC.

Vigilance OF the Union Generals-Inte-
resting Account Of q Reconnaissance OF
tho Union Forces Beyond Dumfries-
Rebel Cavalry ySeen-Considerable Booty
Captured by our Troops-An Impressed
Rebel Soldier Delivers Himself .Up-IIis
Story and Death-The Movements Of
the Rebels-The Evacuation OF Aauia
Crock, dsc., sc.
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1862
An evidence Of the vigilance of general officers Of
tthe Army OF the Potomac is exhibited In the fact that
when the rebel forces began evacuation Of Dumres
at daylight Sunday morning. General Hooker was in
possession Of the intelligence hapast eight o'clock
and was verified and transmitted TO headquarters be-
fore ten o'clock that morning. az
gentleman who has made . thorough Investigation
of tho matter that tho story about negro
whipping in Hooker's division, published in the Tribune
correspondence few days ago. entire fabrication
Tho correspondents doubtless deceived by rumor
current in the camps which, upon investigation proved
,to be unfounded.
correspondent who has spent several days in the
camps Of Hooker's division states thas the New YoRx
HERALD s eagerly sought after there He speaks OF tho
universal manifestation OF devotion Generals Mcclellan
and Hooker by the officers and OF tho division He
believes the Tribune would be booted from the camp
osred for sale there It's dastardy assaults upon those
who hghng tho battles Of the Union are universally
.sxecrated by the soldiers
The correspondent Of the NEW York HERALD on board
the Stepping Stones sends the following interesting ac
count Of reconnaissance In the neighborhood of
Dumfries:-
UNITED STATES STEAMER STEPPING s-oyEs !
WApE's BAY, PoroNAc RIVER March Is, 1862
Yesterday morning the Satellite towed over to the
Virginia shore canal boat having an board large
aumber Of troops landing effected near ouantco
creek, and the line Of march was taken up towards
Dumfries, on accommodating expedition. Tho
troops penetrated about ten miles into the country
On their way they largo body Of rebel cavalry Mt
distance beyond Dumfries; but the Union troops
did not attack them and the rebels exercised the like
rorbearance. All along the march were seen signs Of
military occupation in the Of partially do
stroyed camp equpages and materials recently
como so familiar to the newspaper reader
large quantity Of booty fell into the hands Of our
troops. Among II Eve hundred excellent Bamoral
blankets hetroops had the further good fortune to
fall In with suffers storo nc occupant Of which had
dscamped In the general stampede The soldiers need
hardly say stood upon ceremony, but boraliy hped
themselves the creature comforts lying loose
These consisted OF large quantity Of solid b and
some preserves wndfall to tired and hungry men.
While the march Northern belonging 20 a.
North Carolina regiment in and surrendered. Ho
said hs had been compelled by the rebels authority to
join the regiment which he did in the hope Of finding
opportunity 70 escape, which, however, only offered
itself yesterday. He makes tho following statement
He had remained at Aquia creek from the commence
Of tho war, and had been engaged in working the
guns there. Aqaia creek Is being evacuated, and tho
rsbcl troops falling back to Fredericksburg Only
two guns remain at the creek, blind, and 70 cover
che nnal retreat.
After crcuitcrs { fatisuing march Of some twenty
i've miles the orng party returned on board the
canal boat and wore owed back 10 the Maryland shore
tHa CAT vh,pt
of the night On the way the boat was completely
crowded. and BY some accident the involuntary ssccs.
sionst, as he represented himself, fell overheard.
Efforts were made 70 save him, but Intellectually, the
weight Of his equipments causing him 70 sink like q
stone.
is believed that the cavalry seen near Dumfres is the
only rebel force between that place and the Rappahan
mock.
Tho steamtug Leslie, which arrived hero latc las.
nxht reports that whom she passed Aqua creek the
buildings and wharf there were fire, the supposton
being that tho rebels have evacuated the place and
aJ f,ovu