Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-19
Prom Washington.

WASHINGTON October lSth.-Throughout the
whole day there have prevailed rumOrst that the
rebel army had crossed the Potomac and was
marching on Washington. The frequency of
such rumOrs has caused them to be disbelieved,
but there is serious reason to believe that Lee
with an augmented force is moving in that direc-
ton, and will cross the river to attack Washing
ton on the north side, if not prevented. Gen.
Meade is massing his forces in that direction, aud
"A battle may be expected within "a hours, but
no apprehensions are entertained as to the result.
Gov. Solomon of Wisconsin is here, and has
succeeded in having the quota of volunteers
credited to his State in the draft that is to be
made
1t has been concluded that the draft shall be
carried out in the Western States, but each one
is to be credited with its supply of volunteers,
and the draft is to be made accordingly.
The sudden movement of our army has shut
in n number of guerrillas between it and the
defenses. and steps are being taken to capture
them.
The following is a copy of a letter from Mr..
Mason to JEFF. Davis, found among the inter-
cepted correspondence of the latter. 1t plainly
shows the treasonabis purpose of the writer at the
time:
SELMA, VA, NEAR WINcHEsTER,l
September 30. 1856.
My DEAR SIR:-l have a letter from Wise of
the 9th, full of spirit. He says the Governors
of North Carolina, South Carolina and Louisiana,
have already agreed 10 the rendezvous at Raleigh,
and Others will. This ia your most private ear.
BE says further, that he had officially requested
you to exchange with Virginia, on fair terms of
difference, percussion o r.'hint muskets. ! don't
know the usage or power of the Department in
such cases. hut if it can be done, even by liberal
construction, | hope you viii accede.
Was there not an appropriation at the last ses-
sion for converting flint into percussion arms2
If so, would it not furnish good reasons for ex-
tending such facilities to the Statesf Virginia
probably has more arms than the other Southern
States and would divide in case of need.
In a letter yesterday, to a committee in South
Carolina ] gave il rs INV Judgment. in the event
of Fremont's election, the South should not pause,
but proceed at once to immediate, absolute and
eternal separation. So | am a candidate for the
first halter.
Wise saws his accounts from Philadelphia are
cheering for old Buck in Pennsylvania. Hope
they be not deIusive.
(Signed.) j M. Mason.
The information from the Army of the POto-
mac 20 night is to the effect that reports came in
from our cavalry Yesterday evening that the enc
nv had massed a large force at Manassas.
There were vague rumors that the enemy was
straitened for supplies. and having signally failed
to secure them from Gen. Meade has. again turn
ed towards the lower Shenandoah Valley and to
our posts on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
Rebel infantry pickets made their appearance
last night in the vicinity of Chantilly. which in
dictates the presence of a heavy rebel force in that
vicinity, but Gen. Sedgwick drove them back to
Frying Pan from his front.
Later information up to noon to day says our
cavalry reconnaissance went within a mile of
BristOw and found nothing but a few rebel scouts.
Rumors continue to multiply to the effect that
a rebel column was moving toward Point of
Rocks or Harper's Ferry. but after careful in
quiry by private parties, no information has been
obtained to &C nfirm these reports.
The following was received to day at the
headquarters % the army:
CLARKsBURG, Va, Oct. IL.
Gen. Sullivan reports that his cavalry scouts
from Martinsburg Yesterday encountered a de-
tachment of Gilmore's rebel cavalry and captured
the whole force. thirty nine in number, with
horses. equipments, &c.
(Signed) B. F. KELLY,
Brig. Gen. Com'd'g.
Ii would seem that a general engagement IL
considered probable. from the fact that the army
surgeons have received orders 90 hold themselves
in readiness 10 Droceed to the army.