Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-17
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.

RECoSSoIssLNcE OF THb RLFFLHAsNocK.
The Jacob Bell arrived al the Nevy-Yard yes
terday afternoon, and reports that on Monday last
In company with the Island Belle, Satellite, Res
olute and RelIsnce, she proceeded on reconnois-
sance up the Rsppahsnnock river. In the after
noon they had reached the vicinity Of Urbane.
aud Acting Master Street, Of the Bell, with siI
men, under instructions Of the Fling oicer, pulled
up the creek towards the town for the purpose Of
assuring its inhabitants that their rights and prop
erty would be respected. On entering the creek
they found q long enbankment. and were bailed
by man, who asked what they wanted. Tbey
answered that theirs was peaceible purpose.
man aimed a rice at the boat aud 1r-d. and in
stantlv the smbankment was lined With men,
who fred volley at the boat, only one Snot, how
ever, striking 1t. Master Street returned the IRE
and pulled back 60 the steamer, and the Scats
drew up In line and sheIled the rebels out.
They then proceeded up the river and observed
from nearly every house white sheet living az
flag Of truce, and after proceeding some I've
miles landed at Ceft-t's wharf, and heard from
a family that Fort Lowry had been evacuated
No men were TO be seen at any Of the houses eX-
cept the old and innrm. They were Informed
that all OF them had been either pressed In th"
service or had ran away. They WIRE also told
that system Of signals he'd been established by
the rebels from the dierent points, and that their
approach was already known above
Fort Lowry, and after shelling the woods, landed
a small force and raised the Stars and stripe, ON
the rebel flagstaff. The place had been vacated
only short time, as the bread was found to be
wsrm in the ovens; although II is probable that
the main body which gsrrsoned the place had
left some days previous. They had erected nearly
one hundred comfortable frame buildings. and
seemed 10 have been supplied with every conve-
nipnce. The hospital was found 10 be In com
plete order, and the medicines standing a. "
they had been lately In use In font Of the fort
light boat had been sunk. In removing the
fhaxyh aA al ted NrrFpE
Founders were sunk, the boats in which they
were being taken across having swamped.
After removing all the stores thai could be
easily taken of, the balance. together with The
buildings, were burnt by our forces.
The feet then proceeded up TO Tappahannock,
where they arrived about 10 O'Clock on Tuesday
morning, and anchored Of the town. The ip-
habitants had been sIgusled Of their approach,
aud were In terrible fright, m1ny hsviug already
left, and others hastily packing up their goods
Lieut.. McCrea, with a strong force, land d about
one O'Clock, with flag of truce. and assured tbs
inhabitants that they would not he molested In
their lawful business. Very shortly large mum
Der Of those who had left returned aud The goods
were moved back In the stores and dwellings As
soon an the Inhabitants had returned, the tsstsrs
and stripes" were hoisted from the top Of the
Court House, and was greeted with hearty cheers
from the feet.
At an early hour on W Wednesday morning a
sloop was seen some Eve miles above, and M sster
Street was dispatched with the Island Belle %
capture her On getting within mile aud a half
Of her, the crew were seen 10 take boat and has
tily pull for the shore ball was sent after them.
but without effect The slOop was then taken
possession of, and was found 90 be the Reindeer,
freighted with army stores, which were 60 be-
landed at Tappahannock. she had also a large
mail aboard, among which were letters contain
ing valuable Information.
After securing the prize and assuring the in
haitants Of their protection, the feet then started
to return, and when passing the mouth of To-
tuskey creek two &C boomers were observed some
four or i've miles up. A boat was immediately
sent up and they were brought out At Union
Wharf, some fifteen miles below Tappannock,
boat was landed and two prisoners in uniform sT-
rested and brought of They gave their names
as r.. l.. Mozingo and James A. Cansn, and state
that they have recently been drafted In the militia
and were on the way 10 camp.
The other vessels, with the prizes in tow, are
expected at the yard this afternoon.