The Daily Dispatch: August 24, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Preparations at Washing on — Troubles of the Administration, &c.

The Washington correspondent of the Baltimore Exchange furnishes that paper daily with honest views of things at the headquarters of corruption. We make some extracts from his letter of the 20th inst.:

In all that one sees and hears among military operations here are the signs of vigorous, if not desperate, preparation for an impending clash of arms of the most formidable character. The very quiet that prevailed in the streets — the street disciplines that reigned just. now — the busy but mysterious going to and fro at officers from Department to Department, and circulating around the headquarters of General McClellan, the Quartermaster General and the Provost Marshal, with bustle in their movements and earnestness in their manner — all indicate action, anxiety, haste. The inflow of munitions and provisions amounts to an inundation — not an hour in the day that does not show from forty to fifty wagons around the depot, rushing hither and thigher and snatching up their loads of harness, cartridges and fodder, to rush them past the City Hall campward, and return in a jiffy for new burdens.

The arrivals of men, however, are not in proportion to the importation of army freight. Nevertheless, I am assured that the President confidently expects reinforcements to the amount of 75,000 from the Northern States shortly.

Eighteen vessels, including a number of gunboats, are reported to have been dispatched to Aquia Creek to watch the batteries and cut off all correspondence between the two shores.

The attention of the War Department seems to be especially directed to this point, and for good cause; for it has just been discovered, that a battery of heavy allege guns has been erected on the Maryland shore opposite the strip of land lying between the Aquia and Potomac creeks. There is also a formidable rifle battery newly detected, near the Potomac creek. This is, of course, a fresh sensation and will engage without delay, the attention of the Potomac floffile, because such a disposition of the batteries gives the Confederates the command of the river.

The seemingly positive report which reached us yesterday, as we were taking the cars — hat Griffin's battery had gone over to the enemy, has proved entirely incorrect. Griffin's battery is attached to the Provest Marshar's force, and stationed at the corner of H and 17th streets. With only one or two exceptions the officers are Republicans of the deepest days.

The refusal of Mayor Berret to take the oath of allegiance administered to the Board of Police, on the ground that he is an an-efforts member of the Board, exercises the minds of many here, in private as well as public circle. No sensible people doubt the ‘"loyalty"’ of Mr. Berret. He has a right to be as punctilious on a question of official stiguestte as he pleases.

Another correspondent of the Exchange writes:

‘ The complications and embarrassments experienced by the Federal authorities in this city are almost beyond conception. There is trouble in the Cabinet, trouble in the War Department. trouble in the Navy Department, trouble among the military chiefs and diseffection among the volunteers, on both sides of the river. The appointment of Gen. McClellan over the heads of so many older officers, has caused an immense deal of heart. burning. McDowells friends are indignant at the treatment which he has experienced. and do not hesitate to speak with the utmost contempt of the brilliant achievements in Western Virginia of the young Commander-in-Chief. Are you aware that Gen. Banks aspired to the post now occupied by McClellan, and that he was warmly pressed upon the Administration by quite a number of his especial political friends and admirers? It seems hardly credible, but nevertheless. I believe it is strictly true.

An effort is now making to transfer him to the War Department, and as it has been foreseen that such a promotion would give to New England two members of the Cabinet, it has been suggested to remove both Cameron and Welles — to give to Banks the portfolio of the Secretary of War, and to appoint a new Secretary of the Navy from Pennsylvania. It is doubtful. however, whether this programme will be carried out in the existing condition of affairs.

’