Latest from the North.
reported resignation of McClellan — Hooker has accomplished nothing the Tribune calls for his Removal — Halleck ought to take command, &c. Fredericksburg, May 18.
--I have received the New York Herald, of the 15th inst, and send you the following summary:
Rumors about McClellan say he has resigned, and the President refused to accept.
And again, that he was about to be placed at the head of the army.
Great excitement was produced thereby.
His resignation is contradicted, and probably the rest will be.
Telegrams from Grant's army to the 8th say the advance was within 15 miles of Edward's station, 18 miles east from Vicksburg on the railroad, the army being 18 miles from Grand Gulf, encamped near the Big Black river.--They had not possession of any part of the railroad between Jackson and Vicksburg.
The battle at Clinton is doubtful — the last accounts state nothing about it. Grant is receiving heavy reinforcements.
A new road overland has been made from Young's Point to the river below.
Part of Sherman's corps had reached Grand Gulf.
The military inquiry in the case of Col. Kimball show that the first statements are substantially correct.
The case of Vallandigham is said to be settled by the President disapproving the sentence of the Court, which was ratified by Burnside, and changing it from two years imprisonment at Tortugas to banishment from the Northern States.
Burnside refused to obey the notification from the Circuit Court of Ohio that Vallandigham had applied for a writ of habeas corpus.
There was an insurrection at Port au Prince, headed by General Aime de Gras, to overthrow the Government of Jeffrara.
In 48 hours he was arrested, and all was quiet.
The warrant for the the arrest of Capt. Armstrong, for failing to deliver Hambleton, late of Augusta, Ga., is still unserved, A. having left the city.
He has been removed to Fort, Lafayette, and this will prevent any conflict between the civil and military powers!(?)
Speculation still continues in the stock market.
Gold was dull at 150.
Exchange 165, Breadstuffs lower.
A dispatch from Washington, dated May 13th, says: ‘
It was stated that Hooker fell back in consequence of a council of war of the corps commanders.
The public will be surprised to know that four of the six Generals present urged upon General Hooker an immediate advance on the rebel army; only two were in favor of recrossing the river.
It is believed that a forward movement would have crushed the rebels.
The exportation of horses, mules, and war material has been prohibited by order from the War Department, and all designed for exportation will be seized.
The Treasury is now abundantly supplied with legal tender notes, received in exchange for bonds.
Its preparation of notes is confined to those of the smallest denomination.
It is supposed that steps are to be instituted whereby home forces shall be organized, under Government auspices, to repress disloyal demonstrations and organizations in the North.
Philadelphia has already moved in this matter.
The steamship Cherokee was captured off Charleston, while endeavoring to run the blockade.
Col. Kilpatrick, who executed the most brilliants part of the recent cavalry raid, has been assigned to an independent cavalry command.
About 160 of the prisoners captured in Virginia have agreed to take the oath of allegiance instead of being returned to the rebel service, and have been sent to Philadelphia.
Of the prisoners of war taken at the Rappahannock, 1,172 have been sent to Fort Delaware; 60 remain at Soldiers' Rest, having given wrong names when captured; sent to be exchanged, 900.
Whole number, 2,132.
(Nothing is said of civilians captured.
They are doubtless counted among the above.) ’
The Herald says, editorially, "The exclusion of the New York newspapers from the Army of the Potomac is one of the most transparent of all the blunders of our military authorities in that quarter," and hopes "the President will by special order secure to the soldiers the privilege of newspapers against the silly caprices of blundering Generals."
The Herald says the Tribune, of the 14th, throws-Hooker overboard as a failure; says he has not advanced since he retreated with a larger army than the enemy after losing 17,000 men. It is equally severe upon Stoneman; contends he accomplished little or nothing, not interrupting Lee's line of communication at all, or only for twenty-four hours.
Gresley, also, comes out fiercely against peace movements.
Almost everybody is for peace.
The terms are the only question.
Peace must come at last.
At present there appears little likelihood of peace, but it must come when one or the other finds out war will not pay. [Has it paid the North yet?]
The Herald says if Vallandigham is sentenced, Wendell Phillips should be also.
It is opposed, however, to all such arrests, and is for free speech, free press, and trial by jury guaranteed by the Constitution.
Hon. James Remington is U. S. Marshal for Florida.
The Herald says Lee and Hooker occupy their old positions and may perhaps remain so for some time.
It is reported that Lee will remove the bulk of his army to Hanover Junction.
Another report says Lee is planting guns at U. S. and Banks's fords, and designs an offensive movement, or is guarding against another crossing.
His opportunity was when Hooker was half over, but he was too much exhausted.
It is said Hooker ordered a recrossing, according to his plan, before retreating, but Halleck overruled it. It is reported that Halleck will take command and crowd Lee as he did Beauregard out of Corinth, without knowing it. Then he will excel Burnside and Hooker.
The facts prove Hooker unequal to so large an army, and that there was no necessity for his reward. We do not suppose the army will move for some days of weeks to come.
The rebels a great victory, with nothing to show it Halleck had better take command, for at least will not be disturbed by conflicting orders from Washington.
The Democratic Committee as Albany have called a meeting of citizens, to be indignant and protest against Vallandigham's arrest and sentence.
The steamer Orizaha has from San Francisco with over a million in treasure.
McClellan expressed great grief at Stonewall Jackson's death — said "he was since are, true, and valiant.
Lee is the ablest commander, but Jackson was the best executive officer the rebels had.". 