The New York herald., 1862-02-05

and exclusive powers to act for this Gen.
Ecott's movements point in another direction.
THE ERICSSON FLOATING BATTERY.
Information has reached here that the Ericsson floating
battery authorized by of Congress August last
to be commanded by Lieutenant worden, win in the
OF week be sufficiently completed to test its
efficiency.
ANOTHER sKIRMIsH NEAR THE occoQUAN.
Yesterday afternoon another little skirmish occurred
near the banks Of the Occoquan. It reported in the
morning that body of rebels was at Pohick Church.
Captain Lowing Of the Third Michigan regiment. Colonel
Champn, then picket duty in front OF General Hent
zelmans division, took hiryour men, under Lieutenant
Brennan. from Company y, and forty-four under Lieu
tenant Bryan, from Company H. and went to meet then
Arriving at Pohick Church. no rebels seen. The
party proceeded to the banks Of the Occoquan
opposite the town Of that name. Arriving
there early in the afternoon, few unarmed
observed drilling in the town. They gave the alarm.
when number Of rebels from the houses and fred
on A brief skirmsh took place. Four Of tho
rebos to fall, and were carried OF by their
comrades No injury sustained by any Of party,
except by man, who was slightly bruised by spent
ball.
The enemy was about sending large party tho
Occoquan when our retired to their pickot posts.
Near Mrs. vioet's house they discovered tent,
which used by rebel picket, and destroyed
it, When they had reached Pohick Church on
their return they heard four volleys and several
separate shots fred nearly two miles distant,
bearing the left. AS of party the
time 1t supposed that the rebels had over couple
Of squads 10 attempt to capture men, and meeting
with each other had by mistake fred upon their
men.
CAPTURE OF REBEL SPY.
Captain Miles, of General Howards STAFF left hoad
quarters with forty infantry from the Sixty first New
York regiments and subsequently joined by thirty OF
the Eighth Illinois cavalry. under Captain Garheart, in
General Summers DIVISION for the purpose Of arrestng
Mr.. Beach, who was supposed to be rebel spy They
went along the Little River turnpkesto Mr.. Goodngs,
few miles from Fairfax Court House, where portion Of
the party halted A few went down the Old Brad
dock road, where tracks Of rebel cavalry were dig
covered They followed the tracks to the house where
Beach was living. The rebel cavalry company
had halted outside the gate, while Captain De-
lany, their commander, it afterwards appeared,
went to the house and communicated with Mr.. Beach,
detachment Of our men made him unexpected call
and took him into custody, and this afternoon brought
him blindfoded to General Heintzelmans headquarters
On the way home they arrested suspicious chafacer
near Mr. Gooding's and brought him to headquarters
also. Both are undergoing examination
IMPORTANT SCOUTING EXPEDITION.
small scou ting party, under Captain Harkness, Of
Colonel Mers Eighty Pennsy ylvania volunteers, in
Genral Howard's brigade, which went out few days
since from General Summers division, has safely re-
turned to camp with considerable valuable information.
They proceeded nearly twelve miles along the Orange
md Rail- md ad tha t>o
tween Burk's Station and Fairfax Court House. They
ascertsined the positions Of the ensmy's outposts,
and heard the beating OF the rebel drums
They found that young man. residing beyond lines
who had been frequently seen about encampments
in the habit Of conveying information the enemy
He arrested and sent to headquarters In Washington
for examination Tho day before shs arrest he was in
Alexandria, with few articles which he purchased there
He to the house Of Widow Taylor who is his
aunt He says he told his aunts folks that of
pickets posted at his gate. Widow Taylor has
least IN the rebel army Asquadron of Stewards
rebel cavalry had been at her house about a week
ago, and had taken forty three head Of cattle from
people residing in that neighborhood. The reconnois
well conducted and proved entirely success
ful. Early this morning
FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE NEW YORK TY-EIGHrH
REGIMENT.
An unfortunate accident occurred last night Colonel
Wards Thirtyeighth New York regiment, by which one
soldier lost his fe Two members Of Company who had
been acting cooks in the regiment the habit Of
taking pan of hot Goals every night into the tent
where they sleep. Last night, the tent being closed
tight, The having filed up all tho chnks there
opportunity for the to escape The consequence
that this morning one of the men John Scott, found
sufocaed to death, ana the other John BcNei almost
insensible. Scott had enlisted from East New
Xorlr off nj throo n,c loeb HE
buried with military honors in a suitable spot near
the regimenal camp ground, which overlooks the Po
This is the first death that has occurred in the
regiment July last. McNei in the hospital and
is improving fast Soldiers should remember that puro
air is at all times essential not only fc but health
REJOICING OVER GEN. MEAGHER's CONFIRMATION
There was great rejoicing to-day among the regiments
composing the Irish Brigade when the news reached
camp that the appointment Of Thos Francis Meagher as
Brigader General had been confirmed by the Senate,
Most Of the officers and many Of the gathered
Gen Meaghcr aud expressed their qualification in the
enthusiastic Colonel Nugent of tho Sixty
ninth, who has been Acting Brigadier General made
few appropriate remarks to which Gen. Meagher replied
in his usual fcictious He will formally assume
command Of the brigade tomorrow afternoon.
DEATHS OF SOLDIERS.
The following deaths OF soldiers reported -Corpo.
raj Bernard Faabruch Company c. Penn
syvania Volunteers Granville s. p Arnold Company !,
Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry Private Gregg Company c,
Second Maine Volunteers Charles E. Brown, Company
A, Thirty first Pennsylvania - Henry N. Maynard,
Company G. engineer corps Corporal E. d. Holly, Com
pany Tenth New York Volunteers James Smith, COM
pany c. First United States chasseurs Camden Pritner
Company II, Eighth Pennsylvania corps Thomas
Casey, Company +, Fifty seventh Pennsylvania volun
teers Corporal John Hays, Company G. Twenty third
Pennsylvania Volunteers Timothy Grsnness, Company
f, First Bcrdans Sharpshooters c. II. Hines, Company
Isecond United States cavalry Private Paul. Company
D, engineer corps Sergeant Jerome wilkins, Company
N, Second New York cavalry; james Rose, Com
pany c, Third Pennsylvania reserve corps; H.
jeffrey, Company ], Eighth New York cavalry +;
lily. wyant, Company NJ, First New York cavalry; Ma