The Daily Dispatch: may 20, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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‘ Washington items.

Washington, May 17.--The statement that Ross Winans, Esq., of Baltimore, was unconditionally released, is unfounded. There is authority for stating that he was only released by order of the General Government on giving his parole of honor that he would do no act openly or covertly hostile to the Government of the United States.

The Irish Brigade, over one thousand strong, tendered by Major Mulligan, was to-day accepted by Secretary Cameron for service during the war. The probable destination of the Regiment is Washington.

from Annapolis.

Annapolis, May 17.--One hundred men, Captain Thomas' company, of the Thirteenth N. Y. Regiment, with two pieces of artillery and three days rations, went down the Bay yesterday, on the propeller William Woodward, to retake the Smith Point Light-Ship, which has been towed a few miles up the Great Wycomico river. The Secessionists have two more light-ships in their possession.

It was not determined in Washington to-day where Major General Butler would be sent.

A train ran off the track last night between the Annapolis Junction and Washington, injuring one man and destroying seven cars.

from Havana.

New York, May 17.--The steamer Karnak, from Havana on the 11th inst., has arrived.--The health of the city was good.

The United States steamer Crusader, at Havana, from Key West, reports that the famous yacht Wanderer had been taken by the United States steamer, St. Louis for the Federal Government.

The steamer W. H. Webb had arrived at Havana from New Orleans under the United States flag, but was sold and transferred to other parties.

Missouri affairs.

St. Louis, May 17.--A detachment of volunteers surrounded the town of Potosi, on the Iron Mountain Railroad, on Tuesday night, in consequence of Unionists being driven away from there, and one hundred and fifty citizens made prisoners. The Unionists were liberated, and the Secessionists were then released on their parole. Nine of the leaders were lodged in the arsenal as prisoners of war.

Four hundred pigs of lead were seized at the lead factory while returning. A Secession company of cavalry was dispersed at De Soto, and thirty horses seized. The volunteers also raised an American flag on the pole erected for the Secession flag. Two prominent Secessionists there and at Victoria were captured.

Thirteen Union families have arrived at St. Louis, having been driven from their homes in various towns on the Pacific railroad.

Gen. Price has issued orders instructing the Brigadier-Generals to immediately organize the militia in their respective districts, and hold them in readiness for active service.

The officers and soldiers are enjoined to afford all the protection in their power to the persons and property of citizens of the State, without reference to their political principles, the object of their organization being simply to protect people in their rights under the Constitution of the State and of the United States. The troops are warned to avoid collisions with any armed bodies, unless absolutely required to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people.

The flag of the State of Missouri is the only one to be used by the militia.

the movement in Western Virginia.

Wheeling, May 16.--The Central Committee of Safety met this morning, John S. Carlile presiding. After an expression of sentiment, it was found to be unanimous in favor of holding the Convention on the 11th of June. Delegates to be elected on the 4th.

The separate State movement also received the endorsement of the Central Committee.--They require arms, ammunition and money from friends to the Union to encourage and sustain them.

Capt. Wm. Craig, United States Army, mustered in a new company to-day. One company from Wellsburg landed at Wheeling Island with arms and ammunition. Arms have been supplied to forces already on the island, amounting to some 800. Much depends upon the policy of the Administration in regard to reorganizing the new State. If the right of separation is acknowledged, the fact is accomplished, unless the Secession element in Western Virginia is more fully aroused than it is now.

A full regiment will be in camp at this point within a few days — all Union men.

United States troops in Texas.

New Orleans, May 17.--Advices from Texas state that Col. Van Dorn has succeeded in causing the surrender of the remaining Federal troops in Texas. The Texans, in considerable numbers, would doubtless soon appear on the frontier of that State, taking necessary steps to defend the State against any incursions.

Unfounded rumors prevail at Montgomery of Abolitionists marching to capture the forts on the upper border.

there Prizes captured.

Philadelphia,May 17.--The steamer City of Richmond has arrived from Washington via Fortress Monroe. Left at Washington steamer Boston, to sail yesterday for Annapolis. The City of Richmond reports that last evening, 30 miles south of Cape Henlopen, she saw the steamer Live Yankee with three prize steamers in tow, bound North.

naval movements.

Boston, May 17.--The United States brig Bainbridge is under sailing orders and hauled out into the stream to-day.

The United States frigate Mississippi is about ready for sea, and is expected to sail on Tuesday. Commodore Meniere, Flag Officer of the Gulf Squadron, will sail in her.

military affairs.

Philadelphia, May 17.--The Pennsylvania regiments have been re-numbered in consecutive order. Those now at Baltimore are numbered as follows:--Col. Lewis' the 18th, Col. Lyle's 19th, Col. Morehead's 22d, Col. Patterson's, at Washington, 17th.

the New Sloops-of-war.

Philadelphia, May 17.--Orders for building one of seven new sloops-of-war have been received at the Philadelphia Navy-Yard. --The ship will be pushed rapidly forward.

Col. Anderson at Cincinnati.

Cincinnati, May 16.--Col. Anderson arrived in this city this afternoon. He was met at the depot by the Mayor, who tendered him the hospitalities of the city. He was then escorted through the principal streets by a procession of citizens and military.

all quiet at Cairo.

Washington, May 16.--The Government received additional intelligence to-day from Cairo. The commanding officer reports everything in most satisfactory condition.

Although they are in daily receipt of information to the effect that an attack from the South will shortly be made, yet no apprehension is entertained that such will be the case. Our forces there, he says, are fully prepared, and no doubt is felt of their ability to resist any attack that may be made.

Massachusetts Legislature.

Boston, May 16.--The appropriation bill for three millions for State war expenses, and the seven million loan bill to the General Government, passed both branches of the Legislature to-day by a unanimous vote.

sad Casualty.

Boston, May 16.--In Manchester, Massachusetts, last evening, a child of Frances Christon accidentally set fire to a fluid lamp. Both the child and its mother were enveloped in the flames, and burned to death before assistance could be rendered.

from the South.

New Orleans, May 16.--The report that Commissioners have been sent from Havana to Montgomery is denied.

’ The Very Latest.

The New York papers of Saturday furnish the following intelligence:

‘ important rumors Respecting English and French action on American affairs.

Washington, May 17, 1861.--It is useless to disguise the fact that the leading members of the Diplomatic Corps in Washington are engaged in constant and anxious discussion on the course it may be necessary for them at any day to adopt. They have recently received urgent instructions from their respective Governments to inform them with the utmost precision of the chances of the two sections in their present deadly quarrel. It is leaking out that the Governments in question declare that their commercial interests are identical in a great degree with the South, and that if they are forced into taking sides with either, they will be compelled to look carefully after cotton and free trade.

England is disposed to move cautiously in this important matter, and is playing her usual game of urging France to take the chestnuts out of the fire. The country may not generally be aware that there is at this moment an agent of the French Emperor traveling in the South, by the name of Barouche. He is instructed to say that he is simply collecting information for the Commercial Bureau, for the Minister of Public Works; but this artifice is too transparent to deceive the most credulous. He is a political more than he is a commercial agent, and his dispatches, regularly forwarded to Paris, necessarily exercise great influence over the mind of the Emperor. What may be the final conclusions of France, whether she will think it her interests to play into the hands of the revolutionary party in the South, remains to be seen. Our Government are preparing for such an emergency, and it were better for the leading Powers in question to reflect long and deeply before they take steps which may involve them in consequences they little dream of perhaps at this moment.

It is beginning to transpire that Mr. Russell, the correspondent of the London Times, is not merely writing letters to that journal, but that his private communications for higher quarters contain a good deal of interesting matter he does not think altogether discreet to put in print.

Several arrests have already been made within the last twenty-four hours, by order of General Scott, of persons who have recently arrived in this city, and who register their names on the hotel books as coming from the North. These persons are believed to be spies, and are undergoing a most rigid examination. If detected, short work will be made of them. Two were seized in their rooms at Willard's Hotel last night.

arrest of A Suspected spy.

Washington, May 17.--A man by the name of Wood, from Newark, was arrested as a spy yesterday, by order of General Scott. Wood commenced his operations by tampering with the members of the Newark Regiment, through which means he obtained an introduction to Gen. Runyon, and thence to Gen. Scott, who became fascinated with his plausible story, and employed him as a secret agent of the Government to go South. Wood received some money from the Secret Service Fund to pay his expenses. Before leaving the city he expended a portion of his funds in liquor, and while under the gay and festive influence of the same he pitched into several members of one of the Newark companies for taking up arms against the South. This threw suspicion upon him, and he was immediately reported to General Runyon, who was astounded, but immediately ordered him under arrest, and that his person and property in his room be searched. This was done last night, but nothing was found upon him but money. The Colonel of the Newark regiment ordered that a guard be kept over him all night, supposing that the report this morning would release him; but before Gen. Scott read it he ordered Wood to be delivered over to the marshal of the district, and lodged in jail to await further orders. The supposition is that Gen. Scott is in possession of other evidence than that alluded to, upon which the prisoner is held.

Wood is a man about forty years of age, and is said to be a Secessionist. He is one of many such, not only in this city, but in other places, who are receiving salaries under the Government.

military affairs in Washington.

Washington, May 17.--Gen. Butler is not promoted to a Major General in the army, but a Major General of volunteers, which expires with the war.

The report here to-day that Gen. Cadwallader's first official act was to release Ross Winans creates an intense feeling of indignation. There are reports that Cadwallader is a large property holder in Baltimore, and desires to pacify the rebels of the city.

The President summoned the Cabinet to-day in great haste, and they were in session about one hour. Secretary Seward left the White House at the close of the meeting, and proceeded to the quarters of Gen. Butler, and not finding the latter in, dispatched one of the General's aids in pursuit of him. The interview was soon had and lasted some time.

how the Government will collect the Revenue.

Washington, May 17.--It appears that the Government is steadily carrying out its programme of action as to the rebel States. It has determined to appoint collectors for the different Southern ports, and is engaged in selecting men of energy — whose names we at present withhold — adapted to fulfill the important functions confided to them.

The duties will be collected on the decks of men-of-war, whatever may be the opinions of legal authorities here or elsewhere on the subject.

from Ohio.

Cincinnati, May 17.--Col. Anderson is still in Cincinnati. He is likely to receive a grand ovation in Louisville.

The report about Mr. Breckinridge is entirely unfounded.

Gen. McClellan, commander of the Western district, has sent five thousand guns for the use of the Kentucky Union men. Their particular destination is undivulged.

The First Regiment, Guthrie Grays, Col. Baslie, 1,000 strong, passed through the city to-day for Camp Dennison, sixteen miles above, looking towards Western Virginia.

Dan Rice's circus flotilla was menaced by the mob last midnight. They demanded that Rice should hoist the Union flag instead of his own. He repelled coercion, brought a howitzer, charged with slugs, to bear on the mob, and defied them; put on steam and stood for the Kentucky shore, where he is now safety moored.

The Bank of the Ohio Valley was thrown out to-day by the Cincinnati Clearing House. Other banks sound.

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