The New York herald., 1862-03-17
OPERATIONS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.
Our Naval Correspondence.

UNITED STATES STEAMER SrEPrIyG STONES,
MArrAwoMAS CREEK Potomac Rver March IL 1852. 4
Evacuation Of the Rebel Baserses-Tns Anocosin SHELLS
C0cspa Point-The Landssg-Hoisting ae Stars and
Nrtp>s-Precipide Flight or the RSels-Dd.geroas
1Tdp-Burning Of TIE George Page and other Rebel Pro.
Ecty-Whdt the Solfiers Did-PruSent Precautions
Description Of he Rs3el ifcntiens--Milddry Recon
nofssonce-WAo Fbund in the Rebel Batteries, dc.
On Sunday al noou Lieut. Commanding Badger, of tho
Anacosta observing tho absence Of the usual scnes at
Cockpit Point and the familiar Sights incident thereto
concluded that the rebels had evacuated Acting this
suppostion, Captain Badger alongside the Yankee
and inquired of Commodore wyman what no should do
The Commodore told him TO take the Piedmontcsa and
reconnoitro. He did and tho result he salts
Rsd ta the rebels had really left Captain Badger then
went back TO the Yankee and reported to this effect,
and asked permission test the matter by
shaltpg the battery, when the Commodore gave
him permission TO do so at long range-not
without rcason--apprehcnding some diabolicai trick
This done. sholl after she'll thrown into the
Point. Soldiers Of General Hookcrs division who
II Stump Neck, where thoy could see everything, de-
clare that was The prcttest thing the way OF firing
that they had ever Shot after shot went right
into the battery but, IL turned out tho enemy had
'4vamosed tho rancho,' to q Californian phrase.
Finding that the shots not returned Capt Badger
went in closer and closer and yet response was elicit
ed from the enemy. He now determined on landing and
o boats crow, under the command Of Acting Master
John Williams, was sent on shore Swiftly they climbed
iho hl and quickly they arrived in the battery But
here a danger presented itself The carriages of the
rebci guns had been set nrc and a lot OF fascnes
were piled under each gun, rendering them nearly red
net. The heat too intense to approach them for
time but at length discovered that tho guns had
been Spiked the rapid retreat Of the rebels quan.
city W clothing, and ratons Of fresh beef for the
day. found hanging the troos showing that the
evacuation had been Effected with considerable precpi
taton.
Among the Grs OF the dutos devoving on the galan.
tas who had taken possession the running Of the
glorious Stars and Stripes. This matter OF the
most ordinary convenience for the rebels in their haste
had actually left the flagstaff with its hayards standing
yand the Star Spangled Banner was run up by Acting
Master wiliams"0h Jack" OF Matthias Point-who has
achieved reputation for devotion 10 the American flag
on further examining the Notifications at Cockpit Point
u was found that dangerous traps were attached
the rec magazines. BY ingenious contrvance, O
Zap onA hinges, at the entrance Of each magazine was
made descend the caps OF conical shells OF large
calbrothe flap having iron plates fitting down on tho
capsav1hc heavy shells the flap would give an i'm.
petup 10 the blow. Outside Of the entrance concealed
strings were so contrived that, on touching one
with the foot, the trap would fall, involving
all near by in destruction. The sagacity Of
Mr. williams, however, enabled him to discover