Northern accounts of war movements, &c., &c.
Through the kindness of a gentleman who reached this city yesterday, we are placed in possession of files of late Northern papers, from which we make up the subjoined summary. We give the Northern accounts of war movements for what they are worth.From Fortress Monroe.
The Black Republican correspondent of the Northern Associated Press communicates the following: ‘ Fortress Monroe, Aug. 6.--General Butler returned to Old Point this morning. Nothing has yet transpired as to his remaining here, but it is understood that the Federal army at Fortress Monroe is to be greatly increased. The General has spent the afternoon at Newport News, experimenting with Hotchkiss shells. Hampton will be reoccupied on the arrival of the first regiment from the North. [We think that is somewhat doubtful.] Lieut. Crosby, who conducted the successful expedition to Accomac and Northampton, on the Eastern Shore, will leave Old Point in the morning with an effective force for a similar purpose. The sailing frigate Savannah is being towed up the Roads, and will proceed to Newport News to relieve the Dale, now ordered to sea. The crew of the bark Linwood, of New York, thirteen in number, have just arrived on the Quaker City. The bark was wrecked on Cape Hatteras. They were picked up off Cape Henry. The Quaker City picked up this morning, near the Capes, a small boat containing ten shipmasters and seamen, who had escaped from Fort Oregon, North Carolina. They give some startling intelligence of the doings on the North Carolina coast. At Hatteras Inlet there are three steamers and a pilot boat privateering. One of them, the "Gordon," ran the blockade at Charleston and of the Whole coast up to Hatteras Inlet ten days ago, since which time she has captured brig Wm. H. McGilvery, of Bangor, from Cardenas, with molasses, and schooner Protector, from Cuba, with fruit. The names of the privateers are the "Gordon," the "Coffee," side-wheel steamer formerly running between Old Point and Norfolk; steamer Marion, formerly a Wilmington tug-boat; and schooner York, a Norfolk pilot-boat. All of them are armed with rifled cannon. Those from Norfolk were taken down the canal to Albemarle Sound. Newbern, North Carolina, is the headquarters of these pirates. Ten gun-boats are being collected and mounted at Norfolk, to be taken down the canal; crews for them are now being shipped at Newbern. The bark Glen, of Portland, with Government coal, was captured a week ago, and taken in to Beaufort, N. C. The refugees state that the Confederates scarcely regard the coast as blockaded at all, and consider the Quaker City the only vessel doing any efficient service against them. During all this time, several gun-boats have been quietly anchored at Old Point. The frigate Wabash has arrived from off Charleston, for coal and water, having been relieved by the Roanoke. She recaptured the schooner Mary Alice, of New York, which had been taken by the piratical schr. Dixie. The prize crew are now prisoners on the Wabash. She also took the brig Sarah Star, bound from Wilmington to Liverpool, with turpentine and rosin, and sailing under English colors. The Wabash accidentally run into the gunboat Seminole, but did little damage. ’ The following paragraphs are from the Washington Star, of Wednesday evening:Rumored skirmish across the River.
‘ The city has been full of rumors to-day of a skirmish last night across the river, in which secession cavalry charged upon our pickets, and that a number of the enemy were killed and two of our own men, and three wounded. Up to the time of going to press we cannot obtain any verification of the rumor. ’The Confederate Army.
‘ Some of the Federal troops encamped about two miles North of Georgetown, are said to have seen a considerable body of troops (some thousands) encamped yesterday on the Virginia side, and supposed to he a part of Johnson's command. These latter seemed to be about two miles from the river, and about one mile and a quarter above the Falls, exactly opposite an alleged fording place. The ford, which is impassable for wagons or artillery, has to be approached from the Virginia side through a narrow defile cut through the abrupt hills at that point; and the ford itself is by no means wide. It was also noticed that axmen seemed to be at work felling trees between the troops and the river. ’Alexandria Menaced — Rare News.
The following specimen of news is from the Washington correspondent of the New York Herald, of August 7th: ‘ A gentleman who has been recently compelled to leave Vienna, states that the rebels have about ten thousand men at that point and Fall's Church, and that they are menacing an attack upon Alexandria. He says that he has mingled freely among their troops, and confirms the statement that they had over one hundred thousand at Bull Run and Manassas on the 21st ult. The estimate made of their killed in that engagement is twenty-seven hundred, exclusive of wounded. They admit that the slaughter on their side was double what it was on ours. He reports that the wives of rebel soldiers state that their husbands are engaged in mining the road between. Fall's Church and Fairfax Court-House, and that they intend to connect the mines with small vials, filled with explosive material, and that their main batteries in the direction of Manassas Junction have not yet been discovered by our troops. From another source it is learned that ever since the occupation of Harper's Ferry by the rebels, a force of from one thousand to twelve hundred men has been engaged at Richmond in the manufacture of rifled cannon and ordinance of various calibres. They are said to have turned out an immense number of cannon. ’Senator Mason's property.
From a Philadelphia letter in the Baltimore Sun, dated August 6th, we copy the following: ‘ Yesterday, Mr. Chew, of Germantown, applied to Judge Ludlow for an injunction to prevent Senator Mason, of Virginia, from taking money out of the estate in which he is interested, located in this county. In asking for the order, Mr. Chew said: ‘"I apply to your Honor for an order to prevent James M. Mason from taking out of the jurisdiction of the court funds which the trustees have invested under order of the Orphans' Court. Already a very large sum has been taken out of the State by that very remarkable traitor, and I have no prospect of ever getting retribution, if the balance of the funds is taken away," Judge Ludlow suggested that a citation might issue, and notice could be made by publication, Senator Mason has ten days in which to appear and answer.’ ’A New plan of the campaign.
Henry J. Raymond, of the New York Times, who is now in Washington and enjoys intimate relations with General Scott and other military men, makes the following suggestion in a letter to his paper: ‘ Let a civilian, then, make one suggestion to those who hold in their hands the lives of our patriotic soldiers and the honor of their country's flag. His suggestion is this: The rebel army ought not to be attacked in its present position, for the simple reason that it now occupies, of all others which its engineers could select, the very spot in which it can be most conveniently and certainly surrounded, and ultimately captured. The rebel camp at Manassas is protected on three sides by considerable streams, and on the fourth side, though at some distance off, by mountain ranges, the passes of which are, of course, held by their forces. Thus, on the north side of their position is Bull Run, a name now familiar to every reader. On the south side of the Junction is Broad Run, a stream quite as large as Bull Run. On the east side is the Occoquan River, formed by the confluence of Broad Run and Cedar Run, and receiving Bull Run as a tributary. Now, between these three streams, and thus protected by them on three sides, is the rebel Army — well entrenched, doubtless, and with entrenchments protected by appropriate advanced works. The distance from Manassas Junction, the centre of their position, out to either of these surrounding streams, is from two to four miles. The question now is, how should this position be turned? We have a force already at Harper's Ferry, capable, with another at the mouth of the Senaca, and a strong guard at each of the fords, of protecting the line of the Potomac and crossing over into Virginia, and, after concentrating, advancing upon the enemy's left flank, whenever the time arrives to justify that movement. That time, however, will not arrive until a strong force shall have been sent down the Potomac from Washington, or brought up the Potomac by sea, and landed at the mouth of the Occoquan, within ten miles of the enemy's right flank, and at Dumfries, within twenty miles of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, the channel through which he procures all his supplies and reinforcements from the South. I ask you, Mr. Editor, to take a map of Virginia, and observe this single fact, that a force landed on the Potomac within thirty miles of Washington will have before it a march of only twenty miles to turn the enemy's position at Manassas and cut off his retreat, or to take and hold his communications, and assail his rear. The conclusion at which I arrive, then, is that the first aim should be to render the Capital secure, by adequately guarding the Potomac. That, retain order, formidable forces should be landed at or near Occoquan and Dumfries, and supported at those points by armed vessels, while entrenching themselves there, preparatory to a forward movement. That this movement should then be simultaneous — Banks' column taking the lead, to that the rebel General could spare no force to fall upon any one division, without exposing his position, thus weakened, to be pressed by the other two. In fact, if this suggestion were adopted, he could not and would not attempt to hold that position — exposed as his communications will be to interruption — and he must, consequently, fall back upon Richmond, losing his baggage and munitions, and a rout, at least, of his army, in the retreat. ’Col. Richard Thomas.
The Baltimore Sun, of Wednesday last says: ‘ Col. Richard Thomas Zarovia, of the Confederate army, formerly Richard Thomas, of St. Mary's county, Md., whose name was changed as above by a previous act of the Virginia Legislature, is cautiously guarded. At right he is placed in a cell for greater security. He is allowed, with the other prisoners, the privilege of walking through the grounds for exercise at stated times, in company with a guard, but he has hither to refused to avail himself of it. He is said to have received a great many testimonials of sympathy from the ladies of the city, including table delicacies, and any number of embroidered slippers, &c. He is allowed to receive the visits of his relatives. The other prisoners have fewer restrictions imposed upon them. ’Federal forces at Manassas and their loss.
The Baltimore South says: ‘ There has been much dispute as to the number of the Federal forces engaged in the battle of Manassas and their loss. By reference to the account published by George Wilkes, of New York, and the official enumeration of regiments, and the disposition made of them before the battle, we gather that the right and central attacking columns consisted of 30 regiments and 14 batteries, while the left wing, under Colonel Richardson, which was also engaged, consisted of 4 regiments and 1 battery, making a total of 34 regiments and 15 batteries actually in the fight, equivalent to from 35,000 to 40,000 men Besides this force actively engaged, nearly the whole of which was concentrated against the left and the left centre of the Confederates, the Federalists had in reserve, under Colonel Miles, 9 regiments and 2 batteries, and under General Runyon, 7 regiments, making a total of 16 regiments, or about 15,000 men in reserve. The Federal loss is more difficult of computation as the lists of casualties are stubbornly withheld by the Government. This is in striking contrast with the conduct of the Confederates, who publish in their journals the names in full of the sufferers as rapidly as they can be obtained. Some Federal regimental officers have, however, made returns and the mortuary statistics of 17 regiments show a loss in them of 2,460. In this list none of the casualties among the regular troops, which were heavy, is included, nor does it embrace the loss in some of the volunteer regiments which suffered most severely. The total Federal loss cannot be computed at less than 5,000. ’Slow Recruiting in New York.
A letter from New York, August 7th, says: ‘ Recruiting still goes on in this city, but recruits do not come up by the hundred, endeavoring to crowd into full ranks, whence they must of necessity be driven away, as was the case with one or two regiments on that famous Sunday, the 21st of April--two days after the march of the Massachusetts Sixth through Baltimore. The fever of military enthusiasm which then pervaded the city has given place to a moderated sentiment. The work of filling up our new regiments has become a steady movement, so that the military associations now in progress here proceed with system and regularity. There are now two or three hundred recruiting offices in and around New York. ’From General Banks' column.
Headquarters Army of the Shenandoah, Pleasant Valley, Aug. 7, 1861.
James Brown, private of Company E, Pennsylvania Twenty-eighth, died of typhoid fever yesterday.
He was a native of Ireland, and a resident of Mauch Chunk.
He was interred to-day in the burial-ground adjoining the camp.
The secession prisoners captured opposite the Point of Rocks, are in the cavalry camp, strictly guarded.
They appear to be quite easy in mind as to their future.
They are a portion of a cavalry company, but without uniforms.
Some of their friends have visited them in company with our own officers, but no private conversation is allowed.
One of our pickets brought in a prisoner this morning, taken on the river shore near Shepherdstown.
The cause of his arrest I have not been able to ascertain.
A person claiming to be of Harper's Ferry applied this morning for a pass to go thither, stating that he had a sick child at home.
For want of proof Colonel Porter declined to grant his request.
The man replied, with a degree of impertinence, that it made no difference, as he should go anyhow.
A gentleman near by familiar with Harper's Ferry, could not identify him as a resident, and Col. Porter ordered him to be detained at headquarters until the fact could be ascertained.
Passes to the Ferry are now confined to well-known residents of this vicinity or those well vouched for.
Irregular secession Cavalry are frequently seen in the vicinity of the Ferry, in small squads.
Yesterday 11 were reported to have been discovered near Bolivar Heights.
A strong scout was immediately sent out to secure them, but have not yet reported.
The great efforts making by the rebel commanders at Manassas Junction to amass a large stock of supplies would seem to indicate some forward movement in this direction.
It is also confidently believed that Johnston is now a short distance north of the Junction, and may be on his way to locate at Charlestown, where scouts are known to have been frequently seen of late.
The recent report that General Banks is to be superseded by Gen. McCall, is believed by officers here to be destitute of foundation.
I may, perhaps, be allowed to state that it was probably by suggestion of Gen. Banks that the Government adopted the plan of centralizing a large force at Baltimore as the most convenient point for suddenly reinforcing any one of the three great armies east of the Alleghany mountains, and being more accessible to supplies than any other city.
The general health of the camp continues good.
From New York.
A recent letter from New York says that England, in pursuance of the demands of the commercial and manufacturing interest, will offer to mediate between the contending parties in America; that the C. S. A. will accept the mediation; and if Lincoln refuses to do so, then England and France will raise the blockade. The same correspondent says: ‘ Mr. Thomas Francis Meagher, one of the captains of the gallant 69th, is very indignant at the statement of one of the "secede" organs in Baltimore, that immediately after the battle at Bull Run he declared, in the presence of his men, that the South had won its independence and therefore ought to be recognized. Mr. Meagher declares it his determination to proceed to Baltimore, to demand there the authority for the allegation. The week has been a disastrous one among the merchants and commission houses. The failures have been very numerous and very heavy, but the daily journals, as a general rule, have refrained from printing them, for fear of aggravating the depression already existing. The most important suspension of the season, perhaps, was that of Messrs. Glaflin & Mellen, a firm whose standing has been A No. 1 for a period of twenty years past. Their liabilities are enormous — some say as high as $2,800,000; but their assets are understood to be much more than an offset to their obligations. This failure occasioned a profound sensation in business circles during the day, and the belief is general that it will bring down many other houses in the same line of business. The bank statement to-morrow will probably show a falling off in the discount line of half a million or more, and the specie will be down near a million. ’Scott opposed to Banks.
It is said that Gen. Scott is deeply impressed with the grave importance of the position of affairs at Harper's Ferry, and wishes either General McCall or General Cadwallader to be placed in command there. It is said, also, that the President is opposed to making any change of the kind, and is determined that General Banks shall be retained.-- It is known that the Confederates have designs in that direction, and the importance of having an experienced General in command there cannot be over estimated.From Missouri — Abolition dispatches.
St. Louis, August 7.
--A battle occurred on Monday at Dug Spring, nineteen miles South of Springfield, between the Federal forces under General Lyon, and the Confederate troops under Ben. McCulloch.
The battle did not commence until late in the afternoon, and was short, but spirited while it lasted.
The rebels left on the field forty of their dead and forty-four wounded, while the federal loss was but eight killed and thirty wounded.
During the battle a division of United States cavalry. 270 strong, made a charge on the rebel infantry, said to have been four thousand strong, cut their way through them, and returned with a loss of only five men.--The charge was most gallant and terrible, several of the rebels being found with their heads cloven entirely through.
The enemy retired during the night, and Gen. Lyon took possession of the field, having captured eighty stand of arms, fifteen horses and wagons.
Another battle was momentarily expected, the enemy being in large force west of Spring field.
[We give the above as it reaches us through the Black Republican Associated Press.
The Washington Star says the Government has received a similar dispatch, with the additional statement that the battle was fought on Friday, the 2d instant, and that the Federal forces numbered 8,000.
and the Confederates 15,000.
The same paper has the following additional special dispatches:]
St. Louis. Mo., Aug. 6
--On the next morning the enemy renewed the engagement, which was in progress at the moment of our last information from Gen. Lyon's command.
Apprehensions are felt here for the fate of the day, as the enemy is believed to be in double force to that of Gen. Lyon. Gen. Lyon's army is, however, believed to be much the best equipped of the two.
St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 6
--9 P. M.--I now have doubts as to the renewal of the engagement on the next day, [Saturday, August 3--Editor,] though the most reliable information intimates, unmistakably, I think, that the enemy were approaching General Lyon in considerable force from the West, having passed through Mount Vernon.
This body of disunion troops must be a portion of Ben. McCulloch's army not encountered by General Lyon on the day before.
I am no believer in the story that McCulloch's army is fifteen thousand strong.
The presence of Sigel with General Lyon adds greatly to our confidence here in the result.
However, if pressed by a superior force, General Lyon may easily fall back to Wilson's Creek, ten miles South of Springfield, where he can play his artillery, (fifteen pieces, and six twelve-pounders) to great advantage upon the enemy.
A rumor is afloat here to-night that General Lyon was killed in the alleged engagement of Saturday, which I am satisfied did not take place.
Movements of Federal troops.
Washington, Aug. 7
--The movements of troops are now conducted with the least possible parade and publicity, affording a strong contrast to former similar military proceedings.
It is evident, however, that Gen. McClellan is sedulously employed in making the best disposition of the forces under his command with a view to the protection of the Capital, should the Confederate forces, relying upon disloyal Marylanders as co-workers, threaten its security.
Reports are prevalent that a large body of Secessionists, supposed to be part of General Johnston's command, has recently been seen within two miles of the Potomac.
at Great Falls, in nearly a direct line with the fording place.
If this is true, it can be safely stated that the Confederates would not find their passage unobstructed, and would discover certain arrangements on the part of the Federal Government not inserted in the disunion programme.
It is known that there is on the part of our troops the utmost vigilance, while our lines are sufficiently extended to guard against surprise from any quarter.
Washington items.
Washington, Aug. 7.
--Hon. A. W. Randall has been appointed Minister to Rome, vice Rufus King, resigned to take command of the Wisconsin Brigade in Baltimore, to which city he has been ordered to-day.
The following order was to-day issued from the post-office appointment office:
"It appearing to this department that vicious persons are engaged in transmitting through the mail envelopes having printed or written upon them scurrilous or scandalous matter, it is ordered that postmasters stop all such matter as soon as discovered, whether at the office of mailing or elsewhere, and for ward it at once to the dead letter office at Washington.
[Signed.] John A. Kasson,
First Ass't Postmaster General."
Confederate war vessel sunk.
Philadelphia, August 7.
--The U. S. Steam gunboat Flag arrived at Fort Mifflin this morning with thirty-six rebel prisoners, taken from the rebel war vessel ‘"Petrel,"’ formerly the U. S. revenue cutter Aiken, which was seized by the secession authorities of South Carolina, at Charleston, last winter.
The Aiken fired at the U. S. frigate St. Lawrence off Charleston, probably mistaking her for a merchant vessel.
Immediately the St. Lawrence returned the fire, giving the enemy a broadside, which quickly sent her to the bottom.
Five of the crew were lost, but the rest were rescued by the boats of the St. Lawrence, and have been sent here on board the Flag as prisoners.
From "away down East."
Augusta, Me., August 7.
--The Republican State Convention, which was held here today, was large and enthusiastic.
Gov. Washburne was unanimously re-nominated.
Resolutions were passed declaring that the war, which had been forced on the North, is now to be waged without any desire for subjugation or conquest, but to maintain the supremacy of the laws and preserve the dignity and equality of the several States, and that when this object is accomplished the war should cease.
The Bogus Convention.
Wheeling, August 7.
--The State (!) Convention reassembled yesterday and to-day.
The first business transacted was the appointment of a committee on the division of the State.
A resolution declaring that, inasmuch as the Legislature has refused to divide the State, it was unwise at present to take action for that purpose, and proposing an adjournment, was tabled — ayes 39, nays 25.
A resolution was referred proposing to take the vote on the division of the State in the counties west of the line running from the northeast corner of Tennessee along the top of the Alleghanies to Maryland.
There will be a warm contest for some action being taken towards a division of the State.
The measure will meet with strong opposition, but the friends of a division will probably have the majority, and they appear determined to push matters.
Indian hostilities.
Fort Kearney, Aug. 6
--The California pony express has arrived here with San Francisco dates to the 27th ult. The news from California is unimportant.
Intelligence from Arizona states that the whole country was at the mercy of the Apache Indians, who made an attack on Fort Buchanan and thoroughly cleared it out, carrying off 70 Government mules, and taking four prisoners. A detachment of 100 dragoons, under Lieut. Davis, started from Fort Tason, thoroughly armed and equipped.
Excitement in New Mexico.
Independence, Mo., Aug. 7.
--The Santa Fe Mail of the 22d has arrived.
Great excitement prevails in New Mexico on account of the threats of the Texans to capture the Government property in the Territory.
A body of Texans had assembled at Fort Bliss about 700 strong, with a number of pieces of artillery.
Their pickets were within ten miles of Fort Fillmore, where there are thirteen companies of regulars.
The Kentucky election.
Louisville, August 7.
--Nearly the full vote from forty counties have been received which return but three secessionists to the Legislature.
But the disloyal counties have not yet been generally heard from.
Well informed politicians estimate the Legislature in each house to be composed of seventy-five per cent. of Union men. [This is an abolition statement.
It is probably exaggerated]
The Rhode Island General Assembly.
Providence, August 6
--Governor Spragne has called an extra session of the General Assembly, to legislate on military matters.-- They meet in this city on Thursday.
It is expected that two more regiments and two more batteries will be raised.
The Army worm in Maine.
Bangor August 6th.
--The army worm has appeared within a few days in great numbers, in this city and Ellsworth and other places.--It is committing great ravages in the grain fields.
Diplomatic appointment.
Washington, August 7.
--The President has appointed H. G. Wells, of Michigan, minister resident to Honduras.
