3B0 
About 8 o’clock P, M. (yesterday,) the detail of 
men and officers was announced; the boats hoisted 
out; the men armed and supplied with ammunition. 
The expedition was placed under the command of 
Lieut. John H. Russell. The boats, with oars muf¬ 
fled, left the side of the ship at about 11 P. M., and 
pulled into the harbor, keeping far enough from the 
rebel side to avoid observation. They continued on 
up the harbor to a point a little above the Navy Vard. 
Here the course was changed, and each boat was 
headed for its especial object. From this moment 
every thought and every effort of both officers and 
men were directed to the successful accomplishment 
of this most dangerous enterprise. 1 he parties in 
the launch and second cutter were to board and burn 
the schooner; those in the first and third cutters 
were to charge the battery and spike the recently 
mounted "big gun.” 
Lieut. Sproston, heading the crews of the first and 
third cutters, landed at the northern face of the stone 
wharf, and made directly for the newly erected 
battery. Whether this battery was not manned at 
all, or whether the men at it bad been drawn from 
their stations by the noise of the strife which had 
already commenced at the schooner, or whether they 
had “traveled,” is not known. However that may 
be, but one man was found near the gun. True cour¬ 
age, wherever found, will command respect, but the 
brave man sometimes loses his life where his light 
heeled comrades save theirs. This solitary soldier 
stood his giound in the face of thirty men, and dis¬ 
charged his musket at Lieut. Sproston, but simulta¬ 
neously with the discharge of his musket was that of 
Gunner Horton’s pistol. The lone defender of that 
battery missed his own aim, but fell under that of 
the more fortunate gunner. In a few moments the 
“ columbiad ” was spiked, and Lieut. Sproston hav¬ 
ing accomplished the duty assigned him, according 
to previous orders, recalled his men to their boats. 
The other division of the party, in the launch and 
second cutter, on upproaehing the schooner, found 
that instead of being moored in the stream, she had 
been hauled into the dry dock slip, and was tied up 
to the wharf. Nothing daunted, however, at this 
unpleasant change in the programme, our gallant 
fellows dashed ahead in the slip alongside the 
schooner. As they were approaching the vessel they 
were hailed from her decka live or six times, and 
were thus prepared to expect a hand-to-hand encoun¬ 
ter. The cutter—being much the lighter boat — 
shot ahead of the launch as she approached the 
enemy’s vessel, and as she passed under her bows 
was greeted by a galling fire, but In a moment she 
had gruppled the schooner amidships, and Lieut. 
Blake and his men were on the rebel deck. In 
another moment the launch was under the schooner’s 
guns, and, like the cutter, was received by a deadly 
salute. 
Before the enemy bad time to reload, Lieut. Rus¬ 
sell was upon her decks, followed by the brave 
fellows of his boat who had escaped the murderous 
discharge of musketry with which they were greeted. 
Forty or more of our officers, seamen and marines, 
precipitating themselves so unceremoniously upon 
the enemy’s deck, produced a stampede among them, 
and nearly all of them fled from the deck to the 
shore. One only attempted to stand his ground 
against the " boarders,” and be was instantly shot by 
Lieut. Russell. As soon as the decks were cleared of 
the rebels, our men proceeded to set the schooner on 
fire, and when this was effectually accomplished, 
they took to their boats and succeeded in getting off 
with but a few straggling shots from the rebels, who 
had begun to rally upon the wharf. 
When the boats had got beyond the range of mus¬ 
ketry, the first and second cutters were both ordered 
to give a parting salute to the enemy that were 
collecting upon the wharf, which they did in the 
shape of five or six rounds of “ Canister ” from their 
twelve-pound howitzers. What execution was done 
by this is not known, but, having the light of the 
burning schooner upon their mark, it is reasonable 
to suppose that we more than balauced accounts for 
the tire received by onr boats. 
So small a force as this, under the command of 
Lieut, Russell, on this occasion, entering into the 
very stronghold of an enemy, spiking his guns and 
burning an armed vessel, iB an exploit not often Bur- 
passed, even in the history of a Navy many of whose 
members have been distinguished for their gallantry. 
It was not done, however, without loss— three killed 
and fifteen wounded; two fatally, five severely, and 
the others slightly. None of the officers were severely 
wounded, but among the slightly wounded are Lieuts. 
Russell and Blake; Capt. Reynolds, Marine corps; 
and Midshipman Higgiuson. The killed — Clias. H. 
Lamplier, coxswain; John R. Herring, seaman, and 
John Smith, marine. 
Departnient of the West. 
Kkntccky. — The Senate resolution offered by 
Mr. Whittaker, requesting Gov. Magoffin to resign, 
was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations. 
Senate undjHouse)'adopted the resolution instruct¬ 
ing Breckinridge and l’owell to resign. If they 
decline to comply, the Senate of the United States is 
respectfully asked to investigate their conduct, and 
if found to be in opposition to the Government, that 
they expel them. 
Nathan Garther, Jr., is confirmed as Secretary of 
State vice Monroe, who has gone to C. S. A. 
Both Douses passed the $2,000,000 loan. 
The Bulletin says a gentleman recently from Bow¬ 
ling Green, states that the military authorities there 
notified the Sheriff of Warren county to pay no 
money into the State Treasury. 
Buckner had gone with a portion of his troops to 
Hopkinsville, Greenville, und other places, taking 
arms wherever they could find them. The troops at 
Bowling Green believe that 30,000 additional troops 
are daily waiting an hour's notice to come into Ken¬ 
tucky. A Mississippi regiment recently came to 
Bowling'Green, expecting to come directly through 
and occupy Louisville and remain there. 
Some mercenary Unionists are finding army em¬ 
ployment for themselves and servants, and a market 
for their produce, and give unmistakable signs of 
yielding to secession. 
A special to the Bulletin of the 2d says 800 or 1,000 
confederate [troops took possession of Hopkinsville 
on Monday afternoon, and 400 Union troops under 
Capt. Jackson were falling hack on Henderson. 
Reports' are also in circulation that Ruckner with 
5,000 confederates would attack Spottsville on Thurs¬ 
day. It was also rumored that Zollicoffer is retreat¬ 
ing towards Rarboursville. 
The Legislature took a recess till November 27 , 
directing tbcJCommittee on Banks to inquire in the 
meanwhile into the management of the Bank of 
Louisville. The Bank of Kentucky has promised its 
quota, $700,000, for the defence of Kentucky. The 
Bank of Louisville, whose quota was $2oo,o00, has 
furnished nearly $100,000. The Northern Bank has 
promised $25,000 more than its quota. The Farmer’s 
Bank has promptly responded to its quota of the 
S2,000,000 required. In discussing this question, 
Senator Speed said that a majority of the Louisville 
Bauk directors would gladly welcome Buckner, and 
open their vaults freely to him, and therefore he 
wished the management exposed. Speed’s resolution 
passed both houses. 
Missouri, — Mr. White, of Col. Mulligan’s brigade, 
arrived at St. Louis in the Scdalia train at an early 
hour on the 3d. He brings information np to Mon¬ 
day night. 
Price had left Lexington with the main body of 
his force, and is moving southward for the purpose 
of effecting a junction with McCullough, after which 
he will give Fremont battle. Dr. White represents 
that Price ib decided upon tbiB point, having been 
elated and intoxicated by his victory at Lexington, 
lie says that Price anticipated an easy victory over 
Fremont at this point, and then will move on St. 
Louis. There were over 24,000 rebels ready to rise 
and welcome him with arms in their bauds. Dr. 
White thinks that the rebels will endeavor to get 
between us and forces at Georgetown, and surround 
and cut off Davis and Keigel, and then meet Frembnt 
near this place. The rebel force have 19 field pieces 
and expect rilled cannon from the South. Gen. 
Price Baid the C. S. A. had loaned Missouri $1,000,000 
for the purpose of carrying on the war against the 
U. 8. government. The rebel troops are confident of 
victory, and are clamoring to be led against Fre¬ 
mont. Dr. White gives a sorry statement in regard 
to the conduct of the rebels towards the wounded at 
Lexington. They took away from him all his hospi¬ 
tal stores, not leaving even a sponge. A portion of 
Price’s force had moved towards Independence. 
There were hut about 300 men in Warrensburgh 
when the Doetor passed through there; he thiukR 
Price’s force numbers 40,000. 
Dr. White says on his way here that 18,000 rebelH 
had parted from the main army aud marched towards 
Georgetown with the Intention of taking that place 
before re-enforcements could arrive from Jefferson 
City. 
Dr. White believes that the rebels have no idea of 
getting the State, but intend to make a demonstration 
in vant numbers upon Georgetown and St. Louis, and 
that they are perfectly confident of their ability to 
take them. No immediate attack Is feared on George¬ 
town, and our troops are prepared to receive the foe. 
Gentlemen who arrived at St. Louis on the 4lh Inst, 
from Redulia, confirm the report of the evacuation of 
I/exington by the rebels, and also bring Intelligence 
of the probable occupation of that place by Gen. 
Btnrgis. * 
Major Baker, of the Home Guard, who was among 
the Federal prisoners taken at Lexington, and who 
refused to give his parole, escaped from the rebels on 
Monday night and arrived at Sedalia this morning. 
He says all the confederates left Lexington on Mon¬ 
day P. M., and that their rear guard as it left were 
fired upon. Several were wounded by the shells 
when they first left Lexington. 
Major Baber thinks it w as the intention of Price to 
march direct on Georgetown, but information having 
been brought to him that Gen. Siegel was advancing 
with 40,000 men, he moved westward towards Inde¬ 
pendence. Whether the main body of the rebels 
pursued this route auv distance, Major B. is unaware, 
as during the confusion among the rebels upon the 
reception of the news of the large force of Gen. 
Siegel, and the reported pursuit of Sturgis in the 
rear, he escaped. Baker thinks Price’s effective force 
numbers about 25,000, in addition to which he has 
some 15,000 irregular troops, whose principal occu¬ 
pation is foraging, but this portion of the army had 
pretty much left the main body before Major Baker 
escaped. 
Jn consequence of the secession of the Cherokee 
nation, and its alliance with the C. 8. A., Colonel 
McKinstrey, Provost Marshal, has issued a proclama¬ 
tion notifying the St. Louis Building and Savings 
Association, that the sum of $33,000, being part of 
an annuity paid the Cherokeesby tbe Government of 
the United States, now on deposit in that institu¬ 
tion, is, under the act of Congress, forfeited to the 
United States, and confiscated to their nse and benefit. 
Department ot Western Virginia. 
On the 30th ult. live companies of the 1st Ken¬ 
tucky regiment, four companies of the 35th regiment, 
under Lieut, Col. Genart, surrounded and attacked 
the rebels at Chapmansvllle, and after a short engage¬ 
ment completely routed tbe rebel forces, killing 60 
and taking 70 prisoners. The rebels in escaping 
were intercepted by Col. Pratt, who killed 40 and 
took a large number prisoners. The country between 
Charlestown and Wyandotte river is now freed from 
secession power. 
The morning of tbe 1st inst. witnessed a lively 
scene at Cheat Mountain when a reconnoisance in 
force was made under command of Brigadier-General 
Reynolds. At 1 o'clock a portion of Brig.-Oen. R.’s 
brigade, consisting of tbe 3d Ohio regiment, 24th, 
25th, and 32d, and a portion of the Cth Indiana regi¬ 
ment, 7th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 17th, together 
with a detachment of Bracken’s Indiana, Robinson’s 
Ohio, Greenfield’s Pennsylvania cavalry, and detach¬ 
ments of Howe's regulars, Loomis’ Michigan, and 
Down’s Virginia artillery, numbering in all 5,000, left 
Cheat Mountain to make a reconnoisance in force, in 
front of tbe enemy’s position on Greenbriar river, 12 
miles distant. Col, Ford’s 32d Ohio was sent forward 
to hold au important road, the possession of which 
prevented the enemy from flanking our main column. 
The expedition came in front of the euemy’s forti¬ 
fications at 8 o’clock, their pickets retiring after firing 
an ineffectual volley. Kimball's 15th Indiana was 
immediately sent forward to secure the position for 
Loomis’ battery. Amman’s 24th Ohio deployed as 
skirmishers on the south slope of the mountain. 
Loomis’ battery getting into position and supporting 
the 15th Indiana, opened the battle. Shot was im¬ 
mediately responded to by the enemy concealed in 
the brush, but they were soon routed by the 14th with 
the loss of seven killed and a large number wounded. 
Howe’s battery, supported by the 13th Indiana, 
then moved forward, taking a position 300 yards 
nearer the enemy's fortifications, opening a brisk fire. 
Firing on both sides was almost incessant for an hour, 
our artillery doing execution, judging from the 
lamentable shrieks of the wounded. The enemy’s 
battery did comparatively little injury, their guns 
being too much elevated. Our guns effectually 
silenced three of their guns. While observations were 
being made of the enemy’s fortifications, occupying 
three more hours, an irregular artillery fire was kept 
up, occupying the enemy’s attention. 
During this interval the 25th Ohio and the 16th 
Indiana regiments rendered efficient service in scout¬ 
ing among the mountains, before the close of the 
reconnoisance, which was most satisfactory. The 
enemy received heavy re-enforcements from the camp 
near Mount Monterey, making their strength about 
25,000. The leconnoisauce partakes more of the 
character of a regular engagement than any previous 
battle in Western Virginia. Our loss is but one killed 
and eleven wounded. It is impossible to ascertain 
tbe loss of the enemy. It will not, however, fall 
short of 500 killed and wounded, as our artillery did 
terrible execution. Their camp was situated on a 
slope of the mountains, supported by a number of 
guns. We captured 13 prisoners from the enemy, 
and a lot of cattle and horses. The reconnoisance 
proved entirely successful, affording information 
relative to the enemy's strength, which could not be 
ascertained from scouts. Our troops acted nobly. 
Gen. Anderson and CoIb. Jackson aud Oliver com¬ 
manded the rebels. 
Department of the East. 
Gkn. McClellan and Btaff, including the Count 
de Paris, aud accompanied by Gsn. Burnside, visited 
the outposts of the Army of the Potomac on the 1st 
inst., inspecting the National as well as tbe Confed¬ 
erate fortifications about Munson’s and Upton’s Hills 
and Fall's Church. The Inhabitants in tbe vicinity 
state that the rebels were but half clad, worse fed, 
and most of them entirely shoeless. They had no 
money, but an abundance of Virginia shinplasters, 
with which they paid for their forced purchases. In 
a deserted house near Munson’s Hill, several letters 
written by the rebels were found, in which they state 
that it was Gen. Beauregard's intention to attack the 
Uuiou troops on the 20th of September. They' 
expressed much gratification at the prospect. 
Our troops ate breakfast on the 1st inst. at Pohick 
Church, 1C miles beyond Alexandria, on the Fairfax 
road. There were 400 of them—100 of the N. Y. 
16th, under Capt. Palmer; 75 of the N. Y. 26th, 
under Capt. Arrowsmith; 76 of the N. Y. 27th, under 
Capt. Jay; 75 Kentucky cavalry, under Woodbum; 
and 75 picked men. They went to break up a nest 
of 150 rebel cavalry who were plundering the Union 
farmers of the district and turning them out of their 
homes. The rascals, apprised of the expedition, got 
into the saddle at daybreak, just in time to receive 
the fire of our head files. The wounded fell in num¬ 
bers, but were thrown upon their horses arid carried 
off) or hastily taken into the woods. The church 
was used as a barrack, tlie beds on the floors being 
yet warm. There was great joy in Accotink, as over 
400 of the rebels had harrassed them mercilessly for 
weeks. From the church for many miles wesl, north 
and south, a reconnoisance was made, which showed 
that there were no large bodies of troops this Hide of 
Oceoquan. The reconnoisance was pushed about 
nine miles further into Virginia in this direction 
than any made since Bull Run. 
A dispatch from Gen. McDowell to Gen. McClellan 
says that Lieut. A. J. Ziegler, of Stuart’s rebel 
cavalry regiment, has just been captured by the 
pickets of' the N. Y. 25th. He gives hut little infor¬ 
mation, but says Jeff. Davis, Beauregard, Johnston 
and G, W. Smith, late Street Commissioner of New 
York, now a General in the rebel service, were at 
Fairfax Court House on tbe 80th ult. reviewing the 
troops. 
The prominent positions at Munson’s Hill, Fall’s 
Church and Upton’s Hill, which were so suddenly 
evacuuted by the enemy, have been strengthened by 
large bodies of Federal troops, and our men are 
now engaged in throwing up Btrong field workH. 
The defiant attitude of the rebelH hereabout has 
been abandoned. They are now acting purely on 
the defensive, and are manifestly in constant alarm 
as to an assault from some quarter where they arc 
moat assailable. They cannot execute their own 
programme of crossing the river, and fear aii attack 
upon their own flanks. Their position forma a 
crescent, reaching f rom Oceoquan Creek to a point 
above Leesburg, whi) the center extends from Fair¬ 
fax to Mananas Ji., etion. Tbe riae in the river 
above, and the presence of tbe Potomac flotilla 
below, Washington, precludes their crossing; but 
they are aware that we have cemrnaud of meanB to 
cross at any point and turn either of their flanks. 
Tbrir step backward is considered here by expe¬ 
rienced array officers as an indication that, they do 
not intend to offer battle on the Potomao. 
The enemy's recent movement toward Leesburg 
and Point of Rocks, ia construed Into a strategic 
movement only, and one not requiring the strength¬ 
ening of any particular point along this line. Be¬ 
sides the present high state of the water in the 
Potomac, which will for some days impede the pas¬ 
sage of the river, our positions are so selected that 
no experienced officer would recommend a crossing, 
even if practicable. The fact that they unnecessarily 
exposed their strength or weakness at the Great 
Falls, ia a sufficient guaranty that no attack in force 
was premeditated. 
If private intelligence is to be relied upon, the 
enemy’s strongest position is about one and a quarter 
miles in the rear of Manassas Junction, where it is 
represented the entire available resources of tbe 
South are concentrated. Tbe bearer of this inform¬ 
ation has recently visited all the principal points 
from Richmond to Leesburg, and haB given many 
important details of the number, position and re¬ 
sources of tbe rebels which are not requisite to be 
published at this time. All former statements as to 
the privations, discontent and demoralization of 
rebel troops are fully confirmed. 
Rebel officers still attempt to inflate the hopes of 
soldiers that Washington will fall an easy prey to the 
chivalry of the South, hut the recent successful 
expedition to Hatteras and the progress of Rose- 
crants in Western Virginia, together with scarcity 
of food and money, are rapidly convincing dupes of 
political aspirants that the days of the reign of 
Southern tyranny are numbered. The soldiers and 
subalterns, and, in many cases, officers of high 
grade, utter loud complaints against Virginia for not 
furnishing the materials and sinews of war, as 
promised through the partisan leaders. Gentlemen 
who furnish this information, sincerely believe that 
delay is the surest and quickest weapon to reduce 
the South to loyalty. 
Capt. Thomas, of the Quartermaster’s Department, 
has on exhibition at his quarters a large amount of 
clothing belonging to the rebel army, which was 
captured at Munson's Hill. Some of the coats and 
pants for the officers are of the finest French cloth, 
and oi a substantial character. They were captured 
in the rebel wagons, together with muskets, sabers, 
pistols, and several of Colt’s six-shooting rifles. 
The clothing is elaborately adorned with tinsel. 
The attack upon our encampment at tbe Great 
Falls, on Monday morning, was by six regiments of 
infantry, a body of cavalry, and a regiment of artil¬ 
lery, all intrun6itu for the Upper l’otomac. They 
fired about forty rounds of shot and shell, doing 
considerable damage to the horses, hurting slightly 
oue person, exclusive of another who w-as hit in the 
shoulder. The guns used by the rebels were seven 
in number, 6 and 12-pounders, the latter being rifled, 
and throwing projectiles of tbe Sawyer pattern. At 
the beginning of the cannonade, Lieut.-Coi. Suiter 
and the Adjutant of the 24th N. Y., rode up to the 
Falls, ten miles distant, and found a regiment on 
guard there widely scattered, they having no artillery 
to respond with. While Col. Suiter was conversing 
with the Adjutant, a six pound ball from the enemy’B 
battery passed between them into a sand bank, from 
whence it was taken. The ball was of a fine finish, 
showing that the rebels are not deficient in the man¬ 
ufacture of their projectiles. 
An army order has jnst been issued, announcing 
that all depredations upon private property will be 
severely punished, and that remission of the death 
penalty for such outrages will not be granted, 4c.: and 
that the commanders of guards over such property 
will be held responsible as the principals. 
The steamer 8. R. Spaulding returned to Fortress 
Monroe on the 2d inst., from Uatteras Inlet, bringing 
the latest intelligence and the remnant of the Naval 
Brigade. A few people were still coming in to take 
the oath of allegiance. The frigale Snsquehannah 
had taken two prizes which had unsuspectingly 
approached the Inlet They were both schooners 
from the West Indies, loaded .with salt, sugar, Ac. 
The gunboat Cambridge came up this morning for 
coal and water. She ha3 been making the blockade 
off' Beaufort, N. C., and has taken four prizes, the 
prizes being the Louisa Agnes, from Sunenborg with 
a cargo of fish, the Revere, from Yarmonth, N. S., 
loaded with fish, the Edwin, from Barbadoes, with 
molasses, and the Julia, from St. Johns, with tin, 
mediciue, Ac. 
The passengers by the boat which arrived on the 
6th inst. from Old Point, report that Gen. Wool 
addressed the prisoners at the Rip Raps, who had 
been sent there by (Jen. McClellan, en route to Tor- 
tugas. He told them that had Gen. McClellan shot 
them on the spot for their rebellion in the face of the 
enemy, he would have Tieeri perfectly justified. He 
had, however, a proposition to make that all who 
were w-illing to place themselves in his band should 
step forward three paces. Those who refused would 
proceed to Tortugas. The entire 160 stepped forward 
with cheers, and many were bo affected as to shed 
tears of Joy. 
The Pawnee returned from Hatteras Inlet on the 
5th. She reports the loss of the propeller Fanny on 
Tuesday. She was on her way from the Inlet to 
Chicoinacomiea, the encampment of the 28th Indiana 
regiment, and was captured by three rebel tugs 
which came out from Roanoke Island. Two rifled 
cannon, 25 men of the Indiana regiment, including 
Quartermaster Ira N. Holt, several of Col. Hawkins’ 
regiment, and a cargo of commissary stores, fell into 
tbe hands of tbe rebels. The captain and crew of 
the propeller alone escaped. 
Affairs at Washington. 
Tuk announcement that the Spanish Government 
jtnrposes sending an expedition against Mexico, with 
a land force of 5,000 men, to march to the city of 
Mexico, is looked upon here as a mere brag. Should 
any such interference take place, our Government 
has determined to resist iQ and to promptly repel 
with our army and navy any force that may be 
directed by Spain against the neighboring Republic 
of Mexico. 
It having been reported to the State Department 
that agents who are employed by individuals to pro¬ 
cure passports are In the habit of exacting a fee from 
those for whom the passports are required, alleging 
as a reason therefore that a fee was charged by the 
Department, notice is given that no fee has ever been 
charged by the Department for a passport that such 
a charge ia expressly forbidden by the Act of Con¬ 
gress of the 18th of July, 1856, in regard to all pass¬ 
ports there issued, except by agents of the U. S. in 
foreign countries, and in the latter case the fee is 
limited to the sum of one dollar. 
Secretary Seward addressed to the Governor of 
Maine, the following letter upon the release of a 
political prisoner confined in Fort Lafayette: 
Department of State, > 
Washington, Oct 4. \ 
Governor: — Application has been made to the 
President for the release of Robert Elliot, a political 
prisoner now held in custody at Fort Lafayette. The 
evidence taken in his case shows that he had not 
only conceived the purpose of treasonable co opera¬ 
tion iu the State of Maine, with insurrectionary citi¬ 
zens, hat that he had even gone to the extreme 
length of getting up an unlawful force to operate in 
Maine against the Federal Government. His asso¬ 
ciates iu this treasonable enterprise have taken an 
oath of allegiance to the United States. This pro¬ 
ceeding is very proper in itself, but the representa¬ 
tions that they make that they arid he were loyal 
to the Union, when they were combining in arms 
against it, cannot be accepted in his behalf. It 
appears that he is too intelligent to misunderstand 
the legitimate, tendency of his acts. He cannot be 
released. On the contrary, continued vigilance iu 
ferreting out conspiracy, and arresting it by announc¬ 
ing it to the Government, is deemed worthy of special 
commendation, if any of the other offenders are 
still persisting in their treasonable acts, of course 
you will not fail to give information to this Depart¬ 
ment. 1 have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
William H. Seward. 
To His Excellency Israel Wabubcrnk. 
Tbe country was startled during the past week by 
the telegraphic announcement of tbe arrest of Major 
General Fremont, and the appointment of General 
Wool to his command. It is known that Col. Blair 
has preferred charges against him, but these have not 
yet reached Washington. According to the revised 
army regulations, charges are required to be trans¬ 
mitted through the superior officer, which in this 
case is General Fremont himself. The copy of the 
charges, however, have been received, to be filed in 
the event that General Fremont himself shall neglect 
or decline to transmit the original document to the 
War Department. The following dispatch, dated the 
3d inst., seems to set the matter of General Fremont’s 
removal at rest: 
To Brigadier General Curtis, St. Louis:—Fremont 
is not ordered to Washington, nor from tbe field, nor 
is any court martial ordered conceruing him. 
William H. Seward, 
Secretary of State. 
General Wool has been relieved from the command 
at Fortress Monroe by General Mansfield, and has 
reported himself at Washington. There is good 
reason to believe that he has been ordered to St. 
Louis. Should General Wool remain — which is 
uncertain—he would, of course, as senior officer, 
rank Fremont. This, however, is very different from 
displacing General Fremont, who will retain bis pre¬ 
sent position. It is thought more probable, however, 
in well-informed circles, that General Wool’s visit is 
a temporary one, for the double purpose of examin¬ 
ing, on behalf of the Government, the condition aud 
prospects of military affairs in the West, and of giv¬ 
ing to pending operations the benefit of his experi¬ 
ence and skill. 
The excess of expenditures over the Post Office 
Department receipts for the 4th quarter of the year 
I860, was nearly $2,000,000, which excess for the 1st 
quarter of the present year was $803,000, he 
receipts being nearly $2,197,000. The receipts in the 
latter quarter exceeded those of the former by over 
S50.000. 
The United States and New- Granadian joint Con¬ 
vention for the settlement of claims against the 
®€T. 12. 1 
AM 
m 
c 
latter, growing out of the Potomac affair, hag 
appointed Hon. Nathan G. Upham, of N. IL, as Com¬ 
missioner, who acted in a similar capacity in 1853, 
for the United States and Great Britain Claim Con¬ 
vention. James Carlisle for New Granada will forth¬ 
with proceed to take testimony on behalf of that 
Republic, aud present it on the first Monday in No¬ 
vember, to which time the Covention adjourned. 
The Secretary of War, in consequence of the pres¬ 
sure of public business, is compelled to cease open¬ 
ing any letters addressed to him marked private. 
Hereafter all letters so marked will remain unopened. 
A letter from the ex-President of the Republic of 
Switzerland, who is now a member of the Federal 
Council, says:—We watch here with great solici¬ 
tude the progress of the secession war, a war which 
if not succeBsfnlly checked by the patriots of tbe 
South, may assume formidable aspects. It is time 
the array with which the North confronts secession 
may appear imposing even to the South. Neverthe¬ 
less!, when the avalanche is once fairly in motion, it 
is too late to frustrate its formation, and gathering 
in its devastating course to a vast proportion, it 
sweeps resistlessly onward regardless of every obsta¬ 
cle, until striking some mountain wall of rock, “fel- 
senward ” it is dashed into fragments and rendered 
harmless to many a peaceful and happy valley home 
upon which it would have otherwise brought ruin 
and misery. May God Almighty protect the Re¬ 
public. 
By telegraph to the 5th inst, we learn that advices 
received in Washington from the West, represent 
that the people are intensely excited over the rumor 
of the removal of Gen. Fremont. So general is this 
outcry st the West that the Government has deter¬ 
mined not to interfere with him until he has had 
ample time to show his capacity for command. It is 
certain that he will neither be superceded nor court 
martialed while his troops are in the face of the 
enemy, and his friends are filled with ardent hopes. 
Gen. Wool left Washington by tbe morning train 
to-day. It is supposed his destination is St. Louis. 
Gen. McClellan has put ah end to the visits of Penn¬ 
sylvania politicians in our camps. 
The Richmond papers of Thursday state that Jeff. 
Davis arrived at Fairfax Court House on Wednes¬ 
day, and made a speech to the soldiers, telling them 
that if they would make good use of their rifles they 
would soon be in Baltimore. The Richmond papers 
state that the sick soldiers of the rebel army have 
been sent from Manaspas to Richmond, and that the 
movement was made in expectation of a battle. 
Washington is not yet purged of traitors, and they 
still maintain themselves undetected near several offi¬ 
cers high in power. An occurrence by which the 
night expedition against Mnnson’s llill miscarried in 
its main purpose, demonstrates this fact. General 
McClellan did not subject 20,000 rnen to a night 
march with no other object than the occupation of an 
unimportant hill. He had formed a plan to capture 
the 6,000 or 8,000 rebels who were in that vicinity. 
With tbe prudence of a good General, he bad arranged 
certain signals to be displayed from Washington in 
case any unforeseen occurrence should cause the expe¬ 
dition to be abandoned at the last moment. General 
McClellan did not confide his plan to any but a very 
few prominent officers, whose co-operation was neces¬ 
sary. What was his indignation then, when he was 
on the field personally superintending the movements 
of the forces, to see the signals from Washington 
requiring the troops to remain in camp. The rebols 
discovered the signals, and although he redoubled 
his efforts to hasten the departure of the troops, the 
rebels had got beyond his reach when he arrived at 
their entrenchments. General McClellan ia reported 
to have vised very strong language with reference to 
the manner in which the Union cause w-as betrayed, 
and a brilliant and effective coup defeated. 
Information has been received by the Government 
that the British steamer Bermuda, 2,600 tuns burden, 
which, several weeks ago, was reported to be fitting 
out to carry arms and provisions to the rebels, has 
succeeded in running the blockade and entering tbe 
port of Savannah with a large and valuable cargo of 
arms, ammunition, provisions, clothing, and military 
stores. The sympathizers with the rebellion in Wash- 
ton are congratulating themselves upon this event, and 
laugh in their sleeves at the arrival of this succor, 
while, as they say, Commodore Stringbam was glorify¬ 
ing over the recent victory at Hatteras Inlet. 
The telegraph this (Tuesday) morning says, it is 
ascertained from an official source, that Gen. Wool 
has as yet received no instructions that he will pro¬ 
ceed to Missouri. 
Numerous complaints and charges have been pre¬ 
sented against certain regimental quartermasters for 
malfeasance in office in the purchase of provisions 
und forage. The matter will forthwith be investi¬ 
gated, and parties, if found guilty, will be punished. 
Both Gens. Meigs and Van Vlietdemy deny the 
statement that any officer of the United Stateg army, 
connected with the quartermaster’s department, is 
implicated in recently discovered speculations. The 
Government has already procured a large quantity of 
forage at about tweuty per cent, less than is paid by 
private individuals in Washington. 
Brigadier General McDowell is to be made a Major 
General of Volunteers. 
The President has arrived at no definite conclusion 
regarding the Missouri question. He has, however, 
decided that hereafter all contracts and appointments 
for the Western Department shall be made in Wash¬ 
ington in the regular way and through tbe ordinary 
channels. Brigadier General W. K. Strong will abo 
be authorized to make such changes in Missouri, as 
Chief of tbe Staff, as he shall deem best. Tt has at no 
time been decided either to arrest or remove General 
Fremont; and it is authoritatively reiterated that 
nothing but the imperative demands of the public 
interest shall induce the Government to supersede 
him. 
Highly important advices have been received Bom 
Cuba by the steamer Karnak. The Spanish war 
steamer Leone was waiting at Cadiz for the result of 
the Cabinet conference relative to the European 
coalition against Mexico, that advices of the ultima¬ 
tum of Spaiu might be immediately dispatched to 
the Captain General of Cuba. In the meantime an 
expedition is being fitted out to Havana for Mexico, 
under pretext of sending it to St. Domingo. A g° ot * 
deal of precaution i3 exercised by the Cuban authori¬ 
ties relative to tbe general plan and extent of the 
expedition. It will consist ol‘ six batteries of howit¬ 
zers and 10,000 men. Much of the material is being 
arranged in packages suitable for transportation on 
mules. The expedition will be ready to start the 
latter part of next mouth. It is given out that Spain 
is taking these steps against Mexico on her own 
responsibility, but advices state definitely that the 
English and French are to send their quota of men as 
well as to co-operate with their fleets in the Gulf. 
The whole country will be startled some fine morniDg 
by the extent of this movement and the end it in s in 
view. The regulation of Mexico ia only one of its 
least important objects. It squints further North. 
na I 
t£U 
f 
i • - 
X 
IrS 
$ 
a: 
44 
_ 
