The Daily Dispatch: November 29, 1861., [Electronic resource]

are down the Potomac, returned this morning with six political prisoners.

It appears that these parties are a portion of a secret organization for the purpose of conveying men and arms to the rebel Government.

A large quantity of arms were discovered and seized.

A rebel spy was also arrested, who had just turned from the other side, and had left Richmond the day before. Many valuable and papers were found in his possession. The expedition also seized a large quantity of contraband correspondence, which was found in the several post-offices in lower Maryland.

They discovered the channel through which the rebels have been receiving Northern papers and other important information. The expedition was under command of the Government detective, who has made most of the important arrests, and was entirely successful. He was also aided by Captain Keyster, with a detachment from the third Indiana Cavalry, 100 strong.

Orts in Regard to the strength of the Union army — movements of Gen. but .

From the Washington telegraphic correspondence of the New York Herald we take the following items:

‘ Paragraphs are extensively published, stating that it has been officially announced that the Government has six hundred thousand volunteers in the field and in camp. No such official annunciation has been made. The act in that our forces now in the field, have been generally, through the representations of politicians for their own purpose, greatly estimated. In this way the public has been made impatient for achievements, for which the army is not ready, and enlistments are greatly retarded.

General Butler made a flying visit to this yesterday, coming in the morning from Fortress Monroe, and leaving in the afternoon at the same place.

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