From Washington

Washington, JNov. 4 - ö f. M. The Union forcea now hold all the gaps on the Blue Ridge, so that it is impossible for tho euemy to get tlnough and come in the rear of McOlellau or advance on Manassas. It is evident to-d:iy that the rebels are desirous of drawing our army over the Blue Ridge into tho valley and coinmence battle, or else they are retreating down the valley. Telegrama from tho army seem to aÜ generally coincide in the laíter idea, whilo the very position of our arniy seeius to confirm that as the condition of" ühe rebels. No general engagement seerns probable iaat now. Oen. Sickles holds the advanco in tbe immcJiate front tonight nearly to Warrenton, and the indicationa are that the rebels, who were rebuilding the railroad towards Mauassas, have entirelv disappeared, it being a feint to cover their retreat. The whole rebel strength from Grot'donsville to Winchester and Warreuton does not amount to one hundred thou sand, ineludiug conscripta and all. They are to sweep away all cattle and provisions. The Monitor loaves on Saturday for service. No one is állowed ou board to see the nature of her repairs. Surgeons were appointed to-day to examine draftc! men in Pennsyivania. The recent stringent enforcemont of orders from headquarters rcijuiriug all partios in Baltimore who ship goods to any point except Wiishingion or goverumeut depots, to take the oath of allegiance, and the men who purehase said goods or to wbom they are shipped, to give proof of their loyalty by taking the oath, has worked and is working a wondeiful revolution. The Commissioner of Internal Rerenue decides that the making up of beddings and mattresses it considered a manufacture, on which a tax of three per oent. ad ralorem must be paid. The rumor taken from Southern papers that Mobile has beou taken is not credited here by thosc who ought to kuow. Gen. Banks declares that the present winter ïj not to be lost in inaqtion The government, ho say-, is determined to put forth lts strenglh, for iminerous ex peditious are on foot that cannot, if vigorously pressed, but be fatal to the rcvolted States. Gen. Banks has conferied with the Governors of all New England on his new expeditiou, whieh is to be ontirely under hia ootnmand. The case of McDowolI was to have beeu reached to day, by the court of nquiry now in sessioi here. The Harper'B Ferry case, however, drags its length along so slowly, that it may be sonie days ere it shall have been final ly disposed of. Uovernor Morton had a long interview with the President at au carly hour tliis forenoon, upon matters connected with the ptosecution of tho war. Last evening a wcllknown hiwyer was arrcsied here and sent to the fld Capitol. The cause of the airi-st hits not yet j (rausplred, ■