Late from the North.
We have received New York and Philadelphia papers of April 30th, from which we gather some further intelligence of affairs at the North:The capture of New Orleans.
Chicago, April 29.
--The following special dispatch has been received by the Times, of this city, from Fort Wright, dated the 28th inst.: ‘
From deserters I learn that New Orleans is now in the quiet possession of Captain Porter.
The Union fleet passed Fort Jackson on Thursday, after a desperate naval engagement, in which one vessel was sunk and several badly damaged.
It was supposed by the rebels that the Union force is very heavy.
The rebel loss was 60 killed and 184 wounded. The engagement lasted a part of two days.
The United States forces took possession of the city without a struggle on Friday, the rebel force having evacuated after destroying all the steamers which they had no use for.
They took with them the greater part of the military stores in the city.
No official report of the surrender of New Orleans has been received at Washington.
[Another dispatch, dated Fortress Monroe, April 28, mentions a report that the Louisiana, the iron-clad vessel built at New Orleans, was, ‘"while on its way, sunk by the Federal steamer Pensacola."’ This needs confirmation, as, indeed, does much of the news we extract from Northern papers] ’
The armies near Corinth.
Pittsburg Landing, April 29.
--There was some heavy firing across Lick Creek this morning caused by artillery practice with the rebels by our advance guard, who, after a slight skirmishing, in which we captured several prisoners, occupied Pea Ridge, and at 9 o'clock occupied Monterey, 12 or 14 miles from Corinth.
A very intelligent sailor, formerly of Boston, who deserted from the rebels this side of Corinth, reports that the capture of New Orleans was generally known in the rebel camps in them morning of the 27th inst.
He also states that on the 18th the time of two of the Louisiana regiments that were enlisted for 12 months expired, but by the new conscript law they were required to serve two years longer.
On being so informed, both regiments laid down their arms and refused to fight, when Beauregard detailed four regiments to guard them as prisoners.
It was not known that Gen Habeck was in command here, but it was the general impression that Gen Buell was at the head, and that our army was retreating of Nashville.
Col. J. C. Kelton, A. A. G., arrived here to-day, relieving Captain McAllen who, was obliged to go to Cincinnati on account of the health.
Louisville, April 29.--One hundred and seven prisoners, captured by Gen. Mitchell, at Huntsville, arrived here to-night, en route for Camp Chase.
Cairo, April 29.--The steamer Bacon, which left Pittsburg last evening, has arrived here.
Generals Halleck, Buell and Grant have moved their headquarters near the front of our lines personally superintending all the details attending the advance of the whole force, observer which were hourly expected.
General Pope's division advanced four miles on Sunday, and is now encamped in sight of the enemy's camp fires.
The rebel deserters who came in on Saturday say they had heard rumors of the fall of New Orleans, which were, however contradicted.
The pickets occasionally exchange shots.
A later arrival to-night reports that our whole army is moving forward slowly.
Contrabands and deserters coming within our lines repeat the previous statements about Corinth being evacuated.
[It is hardly necessary to state that the story of two Louisiana regiments laying down their arms is an infamous canard]
Seven Miles from Monterey, Tenn., April 28, 1862.
Five companies of our cavalry and a skirmish with the enemy's cavalry two miles in advance of this.
The enemy retreated.
Five of them were killed--one a Major.
Eighteen persons, with horses and arms, were captured and are now in camp.
One of the prisoners, Robert Vaughan, was formerly, foreman in the office of the Louisville, Democrat.
We had one man wounded and none killed.
Our forces are in capital spirits.
The prisoners say the enemy have upwards of eighty thousand men at Corinth, and will fight, and that they are busy entrenching and mounting large guns.
The bombardment of Fort Wright.
Washington, April 29, 1862.
--The Navy Department has received dispatch from Commodore Foote, dated last evening.
His fleet was still in front of Fort Wright, and prosecuting the siege completely but effectively.
Cairo April 29, 1862--The De Solo arrived here this afternoon from the filed.
She brings us news of importance and reports no change or movements.
The bombardment was kept up by the mortars at long intervals.
Chicago, April 29, 1862.--The rebel strength Wright is stated by intelligent deserters at 8,000 men, under General who has not been superseded as reported.--They have seven batteries, mounting twenty-six guns.
"the mountain Department."
Wheeling, Va., April 29, 1862.
A trusty scout sent out by General Milroy went within seven miles of Staunton, and round there a rebel cavalry company, and learn that Johnston, shortly after leaving the Shenandoah mountain, was orders back, but replied that its occupation by 10,000 Yankees made it impossible.
He was then ordered to join Jackson east of the Blue Ridge, which was being rapidly done.
The some scout reports the loss of a foraging party twelve mile from McDowell.
While water bound it was attacked by guerillas, the wagons and horses were destroyed, some men badly wounded, and some killed This is a bad loss in view of the present limited transportation facilities.
Harper and Bennett, two notorious guerillas, have been sent to Wheeling.
Major Mekey, of the Garibaldi Guard, Blenker's division, died day before yesterday.
Wonderful Stories from New Mexico.
Kansas City, April 28, 1862.
--The through mail, with Santa Fe dates to the 12th and Fort Union to the 15th, arrived to-day.
After the battle of Pigeon's Ranche, Col. Hough fell back to Fort Union, where a dispatch was received from Gen. Canby, ordering a junction to be formed with him at Galesta.
Major Paul was placed in command.
The troops for the junction ordered by Gen. Canby arrived at Galesta on the 9th, in advances of Gen. Canny, and learned that the Texans had abandoned Santa Fe, and were retreating from the territory.
Major Duncan, of Gen. Canby's staff, who was in command of the advance guard, had fallen in with a large party of Texans, when a fight occurred, in which the later were routed.
Maj. Cuncan was slightly wounded.
General Canby reached Galesta on the 11th, and an immediate pursuit of the Texans was ordered who were 30 miles South.
No doubt was entertained of the speedy capture of Sibley's command, as they were entirely destitute of everything, having lost at the battle of Pigeon Rare all their baggage and supply trains, provisions, &c.
The health of the rebel army was not good, and many had died.
One hundred and sixty sick and wounded had been left in the hospital at Santa Fe.
A large number of merchant trains were passed en route to this city.
San Francisco, April 28.--The steamer Panama has arrived from Mazitlan with dates to the 19th.
The rebels in New Mexico and Arizona are making efforts to bring the border States into sympathy with them.
General Sibley, commanding the rebel forces, had sent to Colonel Relly to open negotiations with the Governor of Sonora.
Colonel Reilly tendered troops to enter Sonora and the Apaches, for whose service he asked the right of way over land from Guayamas and Arizona, and also the privilege of purchasing supplies at Mazitlan.
The Governor entered into a long correspondence with Reilly, and sent a special messenger to the Governor of Sinaloa on the subject of his mission.
No definite arrangements appeared agreed upon, but Reilly received courteous treatment from the Government officials, and at last accounts had arrived at Guayamas, where he boasted he had been far more successful than he had hoped for.
The siege of Yorktown.
Headquarters of the Potomac,Before Yorktown April 29, 1862.
The rebels are apparently just realizing the fact that Gen. McClellan is making extensive preparations to open the second siege of Yorktown.
Up to yesterday the works of our troops have steadily progressed, directly under the enemy's eyes, without any responses from their guns, excepting an occasional shot sent to inform us that they are still there.
Our earthworks are now beginning to present a very formidable appearance to the enemy, and all day yesterday and last night they kept up a brisk fire on them, with a view to draw the men out. Occasionally a shell would come so close as to make it unpleasant, when they would lay close to the ground until it had passed over.
No one was injured, and the work progressed as though no enemy were within range.
This morning the rebels opened with increased vigor for about three hours from their batteries near the river, but receiving no response they ceased.
Yesterday, Gen. Hancock went out with a portion of his brigade for the purpose of driving the enemy from a piece of timber which they occupied in close proximity to our works.
Our troops advanced through an open field on their hands and knees until they came within close musket range.
The rebels, who were secreted behind stumps
and trees, were anxious to get our men on their feet, and to accomplish this the Captain in command of the enemy shouted at the height of his voice to charge bayonets, supposing that our frightened troops would instantly jump to their feet and run, but they were mistaken in the men. The command being given the second time, the rebels arose, when our troops poured into them a well-directed fire, causing them to retreat, leaving their dead and wounded to be cared for afterwards.
During the skirmish a new battery, which the rebels had erected during Sunday night, and which interfered with a working party of our men, was most effectually silenced and the guns dismantled.
The weather is more favorable for military operations.
The time is drawing close when the Commanding General will commence the task of reducing the enemy's work erected to impede the advance of the Union troops.
All are sanguine as to the result, and the troops are eager to be led forward.
The following dispatch from Gen. McClellan to the Federal Secretary of War, dated the 28th of April, is published in the Northern papers.
Nothing of interest has transpired during the night.
No firing on our right, where the work proceeded undisturbed.
On the left the enemy fired a good deal, but hit no one, nor was the work interrupted.
Have just sent a heavy field battery to silence a gun or two of the enemy that have been impertinent this morning, but have hurt no one.
The weather has improved, and we are making good progress.
From Fortress Monroe.
We copy a portion of the New York Herald's Fortress Monroe correspondence of the 28th: ‘ Five rebel gunboats appeared in the Warwick river at 10 o'clock A. M. to-day, and shelled the camp of the left corps of the army of the Potomac, but with what result or loss on our side I cannot at this time state, as no authentic account of details has reached this point. General McClellan telegraphed to Flag-Officer Goldsborough the facts, but the message, up to five o'clock P. M., had received no practical answer. The James river is practically closed to our fleet so long as the Merrimac and her consorts have the freedom of Hampton Roads. The only way we can raise the blockade is by blocking up the narrow part of Elizabeth river with stone laden bulks, thus barring the door against any further annoyance and allaying anticipations of attacks, from the fancy rebel craft. The measure is perfectly feasible at any time the Flag- Officer so directs. Until then we are liable to be attacked here at any moment by the Merrimac. When this shall have been done the James river will be opened, thus enabling us to operate on both flanks of the enemy's position on the York and James rivers — a measure which would soon insure the fall of the rebel stronghold. There seems to be, and it is the generally expressed opinion here, that there is too much supineness and disinterestedness in the management of naval affairs in the North Atlantic squadron. Until this is remedied, little may be expected of our fleet. The Merrimac and four rebel gunboats were distinctly seen this morning anchored between Craney Island and Norfolk. It was confidently expected that they intended to pay us a visit to-day, but they did not. A large rebel flat-bottomed boat has been busy all day to-day conveying troops from Craney island to Sewell's Point. The regimental banner of one of the rebel corps was seen distinctly as they were being ferried across the Elizabeth river. ’The rebellion Settled in a Hurry.
The New York Herald again closes up the war on this continent, and makes the wonderful prediction that two weeks will bring the matter to a close: ‘ It is a singular fact that at the present time, with a million of Americans arrayed against each other in arms, we are yet within a month, or perhaps two weeks, of the end of this war. So closely do war and peace keep company, that in a few weeks we passed from state of profound quiet to all the tumult and horrors of battle. Now, while the whole land resounds with the clash of arms, we are upon the eye of peace, and soon our armies will dissolve as rapidly as they congregated, and on glorious flag will leave the battlefield to float proudly over every city, town and village in the land. Two more great, successful efforts, and the military portion of the work of restoring the Union will be practically concluded. These efforts will be made at Yorktown and Corinth, where the best Generals this country has ever produced — McClellan, Halleck, Beauregard, Johnston, and their subordinates — at the head of the largest and best equipped armies ever seen on this continent, will soon engage in the most sanguinary battles of this, and perhaps of any war. If the politicians will but leave our Generals alone for a few short weeks, we cannot doubt the result of these battles. If, however, our Generals are hampered or interfered with, the politicians will find that the wrath of the people is the wrath of God in its terrible severely, and that a defeat of our forces will be equivalent to a revolutionary regeneration of our Government. Let no one, then, be rash enough to move a finger to prevent the certain victories planned by our great leaders, which will shortly end this rebellion and restore us our country. ’Rich Scenes in the Yankee Congress.
Washington, April 29.
--A family quarrel between the Republican members of the House has been raging fiercely for two days past.
The exposures of rascality made by the Committee on Contracts, has roused the anger of the friends of the plunderers, and a furious assault upon the committee was the result.
Some of the leading Republicans took up the cudgels for the peculators; but they were met by the committee with such sledge hammer blows that they have come out of the contest much damaged, and with loss to their party.
The affairs came to a crisis this afternoon.
The previous question was moved, which, with the motion of Mr. Stevens to lay the whole subject on the table, was pending when the House adjourned.
The assailants of the committee would make the country believe that the contractors are intensely patriotic and that the Government has been really a gainer by their operations; and, not content with that, have reflected upon the honesty and fairness of the committee.
Some very spicy compliments passed between them this afternoon.--Mr. Roscoe Conklin made a spread-eagle speech against them, and Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, called him a defender of robbers, thieves, and plunderers.
Mr. Holman, of Indiana, one of the committee, made a speech bristling with facts that would damn any party that should attempt to excuse them.--The opposition members have enjoyed this family quarrel exceedingly.
They sit quietly around the ring while the fight is going on and the rascality is shown up. The venerable Mr. Wickliffe, of Kentucky, was an admiring spectator this afternoon, and his countenance, for the first time during this session, was a picture of contentment.
Many of the Republicans who have no axes to grind in the contracts mourn the affair, saying that if the committee were handsomely sustained the Republican party would not suffer in the next campaign from the deviltries of individuals, as it may, since its leaders have so stoutly defended the guilty ones.
Commercial
New York, April 30.
--The stock market was buoyant yesterday.
Government sixes ½ to 1 per cent, and the general railway list ½ to ¾ on account of the news from New Orleans.
Exchange 112½ to 112¾.
Gold 102.
The cotton market on the 29th was irregular — Movements of small lots — prices unchanged.
Sales of 530 bales closing on the basis of 29 to 29½ for middling Uplands. 