Army of the Potomac.
[from our own correspondent.]
For several days but little of interest has transpired here that could be published, or that a careful and experienced journalist would venture to put in print. Mere rumors and speculations are of little value to the public, and only serve to keep up a feverish excitement in the minds of those restless individuals who are never content unless circulating news. Facts, such as have become matters of history, are legitimate subjects to write about, and I shall endeavor to collect as many as possible. As strange as it may appear, there are as many rumors and false reports here as there are in Richmond, and it requires great care and attention to details to be able to separate the false from the true. I will give one example, to show how easy it is to fall into error. Last night, a courier came from the advance posts, bringing the news of a battle that had been fought that morning near Arlington Heights. Everybody was on the qui vive for further information, and of course questioned all who came from Fairfax. Some two hours after the news was received another courier came in and denied the story in toto, and said he had passed the day with one of the regiments reported in the engagement, and that they were fifteen miles from the battle site. Here was a dilemma. After some hard labor and much questioning among the officers of the post, it was found this particular regiment had been detached from the brigade to which it belonged, and were assigned to some special duty. Both couriers told their stories correctly, but a single error of ignorance caused the whole to be discredited. I mention this to show that it is no easy task to get correct news even at the headquarters of the army.
Yesterday morning, while attending the services of raising a shaft on the spot where Bartow fell, heavy firing was heard in the direction of the Potomac, which lasted some two hours. Only the larger guns were distinguishable, the dull, heavy report of which, reverberating over the hills, came to our ears like the distant sound of thunder. It was then believed a general engagement had taken place; but the firing soon ceased, convincing us it was but a skirmish. Only a few meagre facts have yet been obtained of the affair, and I have waited up to the last moment for further accounts. What has been learned here can be told in a few words. --Early yesterday morning eight thousand of the Federals marched up to Munson's Hill, which our men were fortifying, and made an attempt to dislodge them.--Our advance consists of Longstreet's and Bonham's brigades, stationed near each other, and close by Munson's Hill. Long-street's force is composed of the First Virginia Regiment, commanded by Lieut. Col. Fry, in the absence of Col. Moore, who was wounded at the battle of the 18th; the Seventh Virginia, Col. Kemper, Lieut. Col. Williams, and Major Patton; the Eleventh Virginia, Col. Garland; the Seventeenth Virginia, Col. Corse; one Georgia Regiment attached at present, and several pieces of artillery. Gen. Bonham has four South Carolina regiments--the 2d, Col. Kershaw; the 3d, Col. Cash; the 4th, Col. Sloan, and the 5th, Col. Williams. A portion of these were sent against the approaching enemy, and the engagement commenced. After a severe fight the Federals were repulsed, and fled towards their line.
There was another small affair still further up the river which took place yesterday at about the same time. With all their fears of masked batteries to drive them from the vicinity of a patch of woodland where one might be placed, the Yankees ran upon one near the Falls, but a short distance above them. The 2d company of the Washington Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Squier, had been located upon the bank of the Potomac, and yesterday the Yankee force marched exactly opposite, and were preparing for an encampment when the battery opened on them. Three or four rounds were fired exactly in their midst, causing great havoc. Perfectly terror- stricken, the Federal soldiers ran in every direction — a large body of them taking refuge in a church near by. Another round from the terrible masked battery caused them to raise the white flag, when the firing ceased. How great loss they sustained is not known, but it is safe to say it was considerable. The Washington Artillery does not throw idle shot, as has been proven in two previous engagements.
This has been a rainy day, and a very disagreeable one to be out in. It is almost impossible to get about on account of the mud, and we wait a few hours'sun to make the roads in a condition to move forward. G. M.
