Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
State of affairs on the Potomac — an alarm.
Fairfax C. H. Aug. 24, 1861.
The extent to which the public mind is subject to credulity in time of war is most remarkable.
Anxiety becomes the blindfold of the judgment; truth and reason are overwhelmed, and nothing is too monstrous for belief.
Gen. Johnston, who was represented to be at the head of a large division of the army and actively engaged in throwing up fortifications at Falls Church is quietly remaining at his headquarters, situated within a half mile of Beauregard's, near Manassas Junction; and the assaults upon Arlington and other operations looking to the immediate occupation of Washington have only been executed as yet in the vivid imagination of those who plan battles and conduct campaigns on paper.
No offensive movement by the enemy is in expectation here, and, indeed, our Generals have information confirmatory of the view that, unless an advance shall be made by our forces, the present year will perhaps expire before the fighting of another battle.
Such delay as this, it is anticipated, will hardly be permitted; but the exact time when the plans and strategy of our commanders will ripen into the bloody action of attack and assault, cannot be approximated to from any evidence or indications to be discovered here.
The skirmishing between the pickets at Falls Church continues severe and deadly, and may even provoke an engagement between large portions of the two armies, by inducing the defeated or weaker side to supply its outposts with reinforcements, until the number which at first was few is swollen into thousands.--It is now stated, however, that General Long street, commanding the advance brigade, will issue positive orders for a discontinuance of the picket warfare, which he declares to be only an annoyance, totally worthless in its results, and also unknown to the rules governing civilized wars.
In Europe the rule against surprising and picking off sentinels is so decided that hostile guards are frequently known to converse with each other, and sometimes go unarmed.
A false alarm of a grand character was created to day in the Brigade of Gen. Long- street from a skirmish with the enemy's pickets, during which a heavy reinforcement was rapidly sent from Alexandria, with the design, it is supposed, of killing or capturing a portion of our scouts.
The cavalry pickets galloped hurriedly into Fairfax and reported the Federals to be advancing in great numbers; and really for a short time the absurd impression prevailed that the ‘"Grand Army,"’ which but yesterday was beaten into a mummy, had strangely recovered from its fatal rout and shameful demoralization, and, like sheep, was again being driven into the slaughter pens of Bull Run and Manassas.
The long roll of the drum, indicating an immediate battle, was sounded throughout the various encampments, and soon the entire brigade was under arms, and its bread, bright banners moving in the direction of the foe. Thousands of infantry filed handsomely off in the direction of Fall's Church, their faces delighted with thoughts of the expected conflict.
The 1st Regiment, commanded by Col. Fry and Major Skinner, was preceded by a band of music, and just behind it was heard the loud rumbling of the famous Washington Artillery.
As the heavy carriages, mounted with the gloomy-mouthed cannon which swept down the enemy on the memorable 18th and 21st, rattled over the stony streets of Fairfax village, shout after shout went up and throughout the long lines of infantry.
The cry was heard, ‘"Boys, the Washington Artillery is with us. O, if the Yankees will only come."’ A heavy squadron of cavalry (a portion of this brigade) followed in the rear, and made a most formidable appearance.
The much to Fall's Church was rapidly made, but no enemy was there to meet our eager warriors.
He had advanced but a short distance and then retired behind his cover.
Gen. Longstreet accompanied his disappointed brigade, and after resting it awhile at the church, gave the order to march back.
The men sullenly obeyed, abusing bitterly the cowardly Yankees.
This brigade has been recently increased by large additions of infantry, cavalry and artillery, and is now the largest and most formidable of the army.
Its commander is an ex-United States officer, rigid in discipline, a great General, and enjoys the almost unlimited confidence of Gen. Beauregard.
Col. James L. Kemper, who is remarkable as well for his business tact as his military and legislative ability, was rendered, a few days ago, the chief position in the Quartermaster's Department, a most lucrative and honorable place, but declined the appointment, expressing his firm desire to remain the commander of his regiment.
Ithuriel. 