362 
artillery officer, Sherman’s battery having gained 
fame in the Mexican war. Captain Sherman was 
breveted “for gallant and meritorions conduct in 
the battle of Baena Vista.” He is a native of Rhode 
Island. Gen. Sherman's headquarters are on board 
the steamer Atlantic, which carries over 1,200 troops 
besides her own crew. 
Three brigade* of the land force are commanded 
by Gens. Viele, Stevens and Wright 
Egbert L. Viele was graduated from the West Point 
Military Academy in the year 184H, and was a class¬ 
mate of Gen. McClellan, He served in the Mexican 
war, and in 1843 resigned bis commission to accept 
the position of Chief Engineer of the State of New 
Jersey. Since then he has been Engineer-in'Chief of 
the Central Park in New York city and Brooklyn. In 
the early part of the rebellion he organized a battal¬ 
ion of two hundred men, and followed the Seventh 
regiment to Washington. He is considered an able 
and experinced officer, and attbirty-six years of age 
ranks as a Brigadier-General. 
Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who is General in command 
of the Seventh Brigade, was graduated at West Point 
in 1839, and entered the corps of engineers. He 
resigned in 18/13 to accept the appointment of Gov¬ 
ernor of Washington Territory, and was elected as 
Representative to Congress in 1867. 
Gen. Stevens was in Mexico, and was breveted 
Captain for gallant and meritorious conduct at Chere- 
bneco, and was breveted Major at Cbftpultepco, Sept. 
13, 1847. He was severely wounded on the same day. 
Horatio Gates Wright, commanding the Third 
brigade, was graduated at West Point in 1837, aud 
appointed a lieutenant in the engineer’s crops in 
1841. Since his graduation he has been an assistant 
professor at the United State* Military Academy, aud 
has the reputation of being a auperior engineer and 
thoroughly efficient officer. 
SurruEs.—The material outfit of the expedition 
includes a vast variety of objects, which, when enu¬ 
merated, prove what knowledge and careful fore¬ 
thought is needed in those who superintend the 
operations. It may be said that it contains almost 
everything which a community would gather and take 
along if it were about to found a colony in some 
deserted island of the ocean. 
First and most necessary comes food. Besides the 
rations provided for the troops while they shall 
remain on hoard, the transport* bear at least, three 
and a half monthB supplies of food of every kind for 
the great army which ia to he landed. One ship car¬ 
ries ont a cargo of water; and the department has 
already chartered and laden other vessel* to send 
down further supplies of live stock, and other needed 
provisions. 
The Ocean Queen and other steamers take out, 
besides troops, Buck articles as shovels, picks, hoes, 
two wheel carts, brick, cement, grindstones, lumber, 
prepared fraraeB of houses and barracks, ready to be 
set up, cross-cut saws, immense quantities of sand 
bags, beam*, Ac., Ac. 
Besides the two wheeled dumping carta already 
mentioned, there are also a great number of hand 
carts and barrows, especially of the latter. Of course 
every tool needed in constructing earthworks is 
found in this immense omnium gatherum. 
Three or four transports are partially laden with 
brick, mostly fire-brick. These are probably to be 
used, in conjunction with the tine Cumberland coal, 
for heating shot. Camp stove.s are cheaper, handier 
and more quickly sol up for cooking purposes, and 
the brink tiro most probably to bo used in construct¬ 
ing furnaces to heat red hot shot, with which the 
great columbiads do good execution. 
Ammunition,— An immense store of shot aud shell 
is on board, as also many huge columbiads, mostly 
the vast ten-inch guns which do such fearful execu¬ 
tion. The Atlantic and Baltic carry the most of 
these, but more are understood to be placed on other 
vessels as well. 
There are also quantities of gun carriages and light 
guns for field operations. Of these many are Parrot 
guus, and all are completely fitted, ready fortheartii 
lerists’ hands when they are lauded—caissonB, forges, 
and large quantities of grape, canister, shot and shell 
being with each battery—sufficient, one would think, 
for a campaign in the interior. 
Wagons. — A great many army transportation 
wagons are provided, over and above those which 
belong to each regiment, and which the troops took 
away with them. Extra camp equipage of every 
description ia also provided, and a great number of 
extra arms arid infantry equipments, fully sufficient 
for 10,000 men. This looks as though the govern¬ 
ment expected to arm the inhabitants among whom 
the troops will be landed. 
Footballs. —A curious item in the stores carried 
by the expedition consists in several hundred foot¬ 
balls. These were put on board for the exercise of 
such portions of the array as may remain in garrison 
at the point where a lauding is made, and where de¬ 
fences will, of course, be at once erected. 
Pilots. — All the best pilots belonging to New 
York city have gone down with the expedition. 
They were chosen becanse they are familiar with 
every point on the Southern const, from the Chesa¬ 
peake to the Texas shore. Besides these pilots, a 
number of skillful and trusty coasting captains were 
engaged from Cape Cod. These men know every 
inch of the coast; have sailed into every harbor aud 
inlet with their craft, and will be able to carry the 
ships iuto any port, great or small, on the Atlantic 
or in the Gulf, where the expedition may bo ordered 
to land. 
Horses.— Of horses the expedition has nearly fif¬ 
teen hundred. They are mostly on board the Great 
Republic, Vanderbilt, Ocean Queen, Baltic and Eric- 
son. One ship takes, as supplies for these animals, 
eight thousand bags of oats, and besides this other 
vessels carry further supplies of oats and corn, while 
many tnns of hay are divided among the transports. 
Table ok Distances. —The following table of dis¬ 
tances is in Nautical miles, and our readers may soon 
expect to hear from some of the points mentioned: 
From Hampton Rom’-h to Hatteras.139 
“ Hatmras to Beaufort, N. C. .. 86 
“ “ to Charleston... ”"””"260 
“ *' to Port Royal. 300 
“ “ to Savanuali..... ".320 
“ “ to Brunswick. I'.'.'.....370 
The fleet, when under steam with transports in tow, 
will make seven knots per hour if the wind is not 
adverse. Under Bail, with fair wind and good 
weather, the progress would be more rapid. 
Department of the West. 
The total number of killed, wounded and miss¬ 
ing of the body guard iu the fight at Springfield, is 
61; of the rebels, killed and wounded, according to 
their own statement, about 80. 
The passengers from the west report that Col. 
Mulligan had been released by Price. He was seen 
at Warrensburgh on the 1st inst., on his way to 
Springfield to bring away a child left there. 
Gem Fremont and staff arrived at Springfield on 
the 28th ult.; also the Benton Cadets, Col. Carr’s 
Cavalry, and Major Holmes’ Sharpshooters. Gen. 
Siegel’s command arrived at different periods during 
the same day, finding no professed rebels in the 
place. Our troops were received with delight, the 
Stars and Stripes being displayed at numerous 
houses, and men, women and children waved their 
handkerchiefs from almost every doorway. 
Major White, of the Prairie Scout*, whsse com¬ 
mand Btarted with Major Szagonyi for Springfield, 
had been quite ill, and was captured by the rebels 
while riding in a buggy, and after the fight was 
taken several mileB ont of town by a guard of twenty 
rebels, but was rescued by a party of Green County 
Home Guards, and is now in .Springfield. 
A gentleman who left Neosho recently, arrived at 
St. Louis on the 30th oik, and says Price was then 
there with his whole command, and bad been joined 
by McCulloch with 7,000 men. From the most reli¬ 
able information he could obtain, the number of 
rebels was from 30,000 to 36,000. Some of the cavalry 
regiments were very fine - one regiment in particular, 
whose horses were all one size and color, and fully 
equipped in every particular. The cannon that was 
landed at Forsyth had arrived at Price’s camp, 
McCulloch’s men came from the East to Neosho, 
and then proceeded to Pinesville, fifteen miles south 
of Neosho. Jackson had called a session of the 
Legislature at Neosho. It had already met, but 
lacked four members of having a quorum. The 
rebels were commanded by Colonels Johnson, Fra¬ 
zer, Price and Turner. 
Gen. Prentiss, who left St. Louis on the 28th nit. 
with a force of infantry, to surprise and capture the 
rebels at Fulton, iu Calloway county, has returned, 
and reports that before he reached Fulton, Gen. John 
B. Henderson, of the State Militia, had made a com¬ 
promise with the rebels at Dyer’s Mills, near Concord, 
whereby he commanded the United States ’roopa 
not to make any arrest, of the rebels who would lay 
down their arras and return to their homes. Prentiss 
acquiesced in the compromise, but on the first viola- 
tloH of it will visit severe vengeance upon the 
offenders. The rebels were 400 strong, and Hender¬ 
son's force numbered 1,600. The proposition for 
compromise came from the rebels. 
Gen. Luno captured a transportation train of the 
enemy near Butler, In Bates county, on the 28tb ult., 
and took the escort prisoners. Among the latter 
were Capt. Whiting and Lieut. Vaughn. Lane also 
reports that he found a large number of sick and 
wounded rebels at Rose Hill, Johnstou county, in a 
starving condition, to whose wants he ministered. 
On the 28th ult. a fight occurred at a place known 
as Munday’s Hollow. The rebel force consisted of 
about eight hundred men, undCr whose direct com¬ 
mand is not known, but most of them belonging to 
Col. Johnson’s regiment, which, since the accident 
to that noted officer, has been under command of 
Lieut.-Col. Summers. 
The fight took place near what is known as the 
Union road, leading to Lebanon. Near the road is 
a steep hill, rising abruptly from the road and sloping 
to the south. On this declivity the rebels were 
formed in line of battle, when Capt. Bwitzler ad¬ 
vanced and formed in front of their left flank and 
between them and the road. At the same time, and, 
rtrangely enough, without Capt. Bwitzler’s know¬ 
ledge, Capt. Montgomery came up on the enemy’s 
light, and joined his company with that of Capt. 
Bwitzler. Between them aud the enemy was a thick 
enpso of brush, which, cyeopt at one or trro inter¬ 
vening spaces, protected them from the fire of the 
rebels. It was through one of these open spaces 
that Mr. Tucker, the only man killed on our side, 
was shot. As our cavalry advanced, the rebels fired 
several rounds, but doing no injury except the killing 
of Tucker and one or two horses. When within 
sixty yards, Capt. Bwitzler gave the command to 
fire, first with taeir carbines, next with their pistols, 
and then, with drawn sabers, to charge, accompanied 
with a deafening yell. In an instant the gallant 
little band was in the midst of the enemy, dealing 
death and destruction on all sides. Their line was 
broken, the utmost confusion ensued, and soon the 
whole rebel force was in full retreat. The Iobb of 
the rebels, as accurately ascertained since the battle, 
was sixty-three killed, about forty' wouuded—many 
Of them mortally—near forty prisoners, thirty head 
of horses, and a large number of guns, pistols, Ac. 
A messenger from Linn Creek brings interesting 
news from that point, lie reporta that. Gen. Wyman, 
with his command, had arrived safely at that place, 
lie was preceded by two or three companies of 
cavalry. When the cavalry entered the town, they 
found one company of rebels under Capt. Roberts, a 
merchant of Linn Creek, iu possession of the place. 
They were, to all appearances, perfectly ignorant of 
any danger from any quarter. A portion of them 
were in a blacksmith shop moulding bullets, and the 
rest were in different parts of the town, so that the 
surprise was complete. The whole company, officers 
and privates, was “bagged”and held in safe custody. 
The company numbered about forty men, and were 
well armed. 
Kentucky.— Gen. Thomas’ official account of the 
Wild Cat affair, says the forces were nearly equal, 
and tke United States troops repulsed the enemy, 
with great loss to the rebels and little to themselves. 
A party of thirty men of the 28th Illinois regiment, 
while scouting on Saturday, encountered a party of 
rebel cavalry and infantry eighteen miles below 
Paducah. A brisk engagement ensued, and the 
rebels were routed, with the loss of a captain, lieu¬ 
tenant, and several wonmled. No loss on our side. 
Three companies of the Dtb Illinois went forty- 
eight miles up Cumberland river on the 3lBt ult, 
and attacked a company of rebel cavalry 100 strong, 
completely routing them. The rebel loss is 13 killed, 
24 prisoners, 52 horses, and all their camp equipage. 
The Federal* had two wounded. 
Department of llie East. 
Major General McClellan has issued the 
following order: 
Headquarters ok thh Army, Washington. ) 
November 1, 1861. j 
General Okuer, No. 19.— In accordance with 
General Order No. 94, from the War Department, I 
hereby assume enrnrmtnd of the United States Army, 
in the midst of difficulties which encompass and 
divide the nation, hesitation and self distrust may 
well accompany the assunipilon of so vast a responsi¬ 
bility, but confiding. as I do, in the loyalty, disci¬ 
pline, and courage of our tronps, and believing, as 1 
do, that Providence will favor ours as the just cause, 
! cannot doubt that success will crown our efforts 
and sacrifices. The Army will unite with me in the 
feeling of regret that weight of many years and effect 
of increasing infirmities contracted and intensified in 
hie country's service, should just now remove from 
our head a great soldier of our nation, the hero who 
in his yonth raised high the reputation of his country 
in the fields of Canada, which he sanctified with bis 
blood, aud who in more mature years proved to the 
world that American skill aud valor could repeat if 
not eclipse the exploits of Cortez in the land of the 
Montezumas; whose whole life has been devoted to 
the service of his country; whose whole efforts have 
been directed to uphold our honor at the smallest 
sacrifice of life; a warrior who scorned the selfish 
glories of the battle field when his great qnalities as 
a statesman coqld be errpl yed more profitably for 
his country; a citizen wij>, in bis declining years haR 
given to the world tke Most shining instance of loy¬ 
alty, disregarding all tit* nf birth and Clinging still 
to the cati«e of trnth and honor. Such has been the 
career and character of Winfield Scott, whom it has 
long been the delight of the nation to honor, both as 
« man and a soldier. 
While we regret his loss, there is one thing we 
cannot regret, the bright example he has left for our 
emulation. Let ns all hope anil pray that bis declin¬ 
ing years may be passed to peace and happiness, nnd 
that he may be cheered bf the success of the country 
be has fought for and low d so well, and. beyond all, 
let us do nothing that wi| tanse him to blush for ns. 
Let no deft-ct of the nrmy he has long commanded 
embitter bis last years, tut let onr victories illumi¬ 
nate the close of a life so grand. 
GKO. B. McClellan, 
Major General U. 8. Commanding. 
The rebels are fortifying Centerville. They have no 
force this side of Fairf4x Conrt House, which our 
scouts ngpwl about at ni(Jit without entering. They 
still have pickets. Our troops occnpy Vienna and 
onr pickets are beyond Anandale. 
Gen. Stone’s report of the battle of Ball’s Bloff was 
sent into the War Department on the 29tb ult In it 
occurred the following: 
Col. “Baker having arrived at Conrad’s Ferry with 
the 1st California regiment, at an early hour pro¬ 
ceeded to Edward’s Ferry sod reported to me in per¬ 
son, stating that his regiment was at the former place, 
rind the three other regiments of his brigade wire 
ready to march. I directed him to Harrison’s Island 
to assume command, nnd in foil conversation 
explained to him the pc-ition as it then stood. I 
then told him that Gen. McCall had advanced his 
troops to Pranesville, and that T was extremely desir¬ 
ous of ascertaining the exact position and force of 
the enemy in our front,; nd exploring, as far s* it 
was safe on the right toward Beesbttrg, and on the 
left toward the Leesburg and Green Spring mad. 1 
also informed Col. B.»kerthat Gen. Gorman, opposite 
Edward's Ferry, should lie re-cDforced, and that I 
would make every effort to push Gorman's troops 
carefully forward to discern the best line from that 
ferry to the Leesburg and Green Spring road already 
mentioned: and the position of the breastworks and 
middle batteries which prevented the movement of 
the troops directly toward the right, were also pointed 
out to him. 
The means of transportation across, of the suffi¬ 
ciency of which he (Baker) was to he judge, were 
detailed and authority given him to make use of the 
guns of a section of Vaughn’s and Bunting's batteries, 
together with French’s mounted howitzers, all the 
troop* of hi* brigade and the Tammany regiment, 
besides the lfitli nnd part of the 20th Massachusetts 
volunteers, and I left it to hi* discretion, after view¬ 
ing the ground, to retire from the Virginia shore, 
under cover of his guns and the fire of the large 
Infantry force, or to pas* over rc enforcement* in case 
he found it practicable and the positions on the other 
side favorable. I stated that T wished no advtinco 
made unless the enemy were in inferior force, and 
under no circumstances to pass beyond Leesburg or 
a strong position between it and Goose Creek on the 
Great Spring road. 
Col. Baker was cautioned in reference to passing 
the artillery across the river, and I begged if he did 
so to see it well supported hy good infantry. 
I pointed to him the position of pome bluffs on this 
side of the rivpr from which artillery could act with 
effect on the other side,leaving the matter of crossing 
more troops or returning what were already over to 
his discretion, and ga ve him outire control of opera¬ 
tions in the night. 
After Col. Dcvens’second advance, Col. Baker wont 
to the field in person, and i is a matter of regret to 
me that he left no record of what officers and men he 
charged with the care of the boats, and insuring the 
regular passage of troops. If any were charged with 
this duty it was not performed, for the re enforce¬ 
ments as they arrived found no one in command of 
the boats, and great delay was thus occasi' ned. 
Had one officer and a company remained at each 
lauding, guarding the tie ^ • t roir full capacity would 
have been made scrviceahl-, and sufficient men would 
have been passed over to vrsuYc success. 
The forwarding of artillery before its supporting 
force of infantry also impeded the rapid assembling 
of an imposing force on the Virginia shore. H the 
infantry force had first crossed, a difference of 1,000 
men would have been made in the infantry line at the 
time of attack probably enough to have given us 
the victory. 
I cannot conclude without, hearing testimony to the 
courage, good discipline and conduct of "all the 
troops of this division during the day. Those in 
action behaved like veterans, and those not, brought 
into action showed that alacrity and steadiness in 
their movements, which proved their anxiety to 
engage the foe in their country’s cause. 
We mourn the loss of the brave departed dead upon 
the field of honor, if not of success, nnd we miss the 
companionship of those of our comrades who have 
fallen into the hands of onr enemies. But all feel 
that they have earned the title of soldier, and await 
with increased confidence another measure of strength 
with the foe. Char. T. Stone, 
Brig. General Commanding. 
Ths following proclamation has just been issued: 
Headquarters, Baltimore, November 1st, 1861. 
To the United States Marshal of Maryland, and Pro¬ 
vost Marshal of lialtirnore: 
Information has come to my knowledge that, certain 
individuals who formerly resided in this State, and 
are known to have been recently io Virginia, hearing 
anus against the authority and foreps of the United 
States, have returned to their former homes with the 
intention of taking part iinthe election of November 
6th, thus carrying ont at the polls the treason they 
have committed iu the field. There Is reason also to 
believe that other individuals lately residents of 
Maryland, who have engaged in similar hostility to 
the United States, or in actively aiding and abetting 
those in arms against the United States, are about to 
participate in the election lor the same treacherous 
purpose, with tlie hope of' carrying over the Slate by 
disloyal votes to the canse of rebellion Hnd treason. 
I, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me, 
to arrest all persons in rebellion against the United 
States, require you to tal e into custody all such per¬ 
sons in any election district, or precinct in which 
they may appear at the polls to effect their criminal 
attempt to convert, the political franchise into an 
engine for the subversion of the Government and sup¬ 
port of its enemies. In furtherance ot this object, 1 
request the judges of the election in the several pre¬ 
cincts or the State, in case any such person shall 
present himself to vote to the committee, to hold him 
until he Can he taken into custody by the authority of 
the United Stales, and I rail on all good and loyal 
citizens to support the judges of election, the United 
States Marshal and his deputies, aud the Provost 
Marshal of Bahimore, and the police, in their efforts 
to secure, a free and fair expression of the voice of the 
people of Maryland, and at the same time prevent the 
ballot box from being polluted by treasonable votes. 
Joun A. Djx, Gen. Com. 
The great fleet sailed on the 29th ult, the Wabash 
taking the lead, at day light, when the gnn was fired 
as a signal, and the Cabawba bringing up the rear. 
The vessels, about 80 In number, formed iu line a few 
miles down the Roads, and went ont between the 
Capes iu splendid style. The morning was the most 
beautiful of the season, aud the scene the finest ever 
witnessed on this continent. 
Orders were sent to the officers commanding the 
naval expedition to govern themselves, so far as per¬ 
sons held to service are concerned, by the principles 
of the letter addressed to Gen. Butler; hut discretion¬ 
ary power is given to the commander for special cir¬ 
cumstances; and instructions are given to avail 
themselves of the services of any persons, whether 
fugitives from labor or not, who taav offer themselves, 
to be employed in such manner as deemed most ben- 
ficial to the service; also to assure all loyal masters 
that Congress will provide ;nst compensation to them 
for the loss of the services if persons so employed. 
Lieut. Porter of the Powhattan reports that he 
arrived at Maranham, September 24th, only five days 
after the Sumter left. The latter had cruised for two 
or three days at the month of the harbor to overhaul 
the brig Maria, which was expected from New York. 
The Governor of Maranham treated t.be officers of the 
Stirater to every courtesy, promising them that they 
might sell the Maria there if Bhe was captured, sup¬ 
plied her with coal, but was unwilling to do the same 
to the Powhattan. In entering Miirnnbam the Sumter 
got ashore, lost her false keel, and when she left whs 
leaking. She left under sail, having housed her 
smoke stack. She had taken no prizes since the 
Addy Bradford, and it was understood her master 
was to bnrn, sink, and destroy, particularly Boston 
and eastern vessels. , 
Department of Western Virginia. 
A special dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette on 
the morning of the Sd inst, says:—The rebels under 
Floyd opened fire on Rosecrans’ force yesterday 
morning from two points, opposite Ganley Bridge 
and Camp Tompkins. Tbe telegraph office and Quar¬ 
termaster’s store were no doubt destroyed. When 
ray informant left Ganley yesterday their shells were 
aimed at the ferry boats and buildings above named. 
The enemy has large guns and a large body of infan¬ 
try. Floyd’s forces opposite Camp Tompkins are not 
lesB than 4,000. How many at Gauley Bridge, four 
miles this side, is not known. 
Telegraphic communication by the Kanawha line 
is intercepted. Casualties unknown. 
The Cincinnati Commercial had advices from Bose- 
C ran s’ Headquarters to Saturday evening, with the 
following particulars: 
On Friday morning at 8 o’clock, the enemy opened 
fire with 2 guns, at, pofbts opposite Ganley and Camp 
Tompkins, and a noisy fire of mnsketry. Their 
object was evidently to cut off supplies. They suc¬ 
ceeded in sinking a ferry boat on the Gauley River, 
and threw about 40 shells iuto the camp of the 11th 
Ohio. Not one of our men was killed. 
A Cincinnati gentleman from Gauley Bridge, Sat¬ 
urday evening, reports that Floyd had cut a road 
around the hill where Rosecrans was encamped, and 
was shelling his camp. RosccranB was returning the 
fire and had silenced 2 batteries. He had sent a 
force op the new made road to attack Floyd in the 
rear, and would have them completely surrounded. 
No Fcdcrals were killed when ho left, and only about 
half a dozen wounded. The majority of the shells 
thrown by the enemy did not explode, and their mus¬ 
ketry was wild and irregular. The ferry boat which 
had been sunk by the enemy’s shot on Friday, was 
raised that night, axd communication across the 
river restored. No firing on Saturday, on either side. 
The position of the forces on Saturday evening 
was as follows: 
The rebels were in possession and left for the west 
hank of New Ttiver. Gen. Schenck’s Brigade was a 
few milrs above the junction of Gauley and New 
Rivers, on the east side of New River. Generals 
Cox’s Brigade and Rosecrans’ near the junction 
between the rivers. Gen. Bonham, below the junc¬ 
tion on the right hank of the river. Floyd’s force is 
believed to be about 7,000. It was believed in camp 
that Gen. Schenck’s and Bonham’s Brigades would be 
thrown across the river above and below Floyd, and 
catch him. 
The loss of the telegraphic commnnicatiens was 
occasioned by the alarm of the operator, who, when 
firing opened, sent a hasty dispatch to Clarksburgb, 
announcing the battle, and then commenced to move 
his office tip tin- Gauley. Hu was two or three miles 
up the river when he was overtaken by orders from 
Rosecrans to return, and while returning, bis wagon 
wa* driven over a precipice and the apparatus 
destroyed. Floyd’s demonstration was rather agree¬ 
able to Rosecrans than otherwise. Rosecrans was 
certain that he could hold his own, and expected to 
bag his assuilanta. 
Just as we were preparing for the press dispatches 
i conveying the following gratifying intelligence were 
received: 
Washington, November 4.— The War Department 
received a dispatch late this evening from Gen. Rose- 
crane, stating that Floyd had made an attack on him 
hut he had repulsed him with great loss. Gen. Rose- 
erans further states that an officer with a pretty large 
force had got in the rear of Floyd, and the pre¬ 
sumption was that Floyd and his entire command 
would be surrounded and captured. 
WA 8 HIN 0 TON, November 6.—An official telegraphic 
dispatch received to-day states Gen. Floyd’s force at 
7,000, and that Benham’s and Sohenek's brigades 
were following him on the New Road. The dispatch 
is extremely hopeful of a brilliant victory, and the 
prospect of it is cheering. 
Another telegram from Cleveland, dated last night, 
states that the Kanawha boat had just passed Mays- 
ville, and reported that Gen. Rosecrans had repulsed 
Floyd, and at the last accounts that Gens. Benbam 
and Schenck had got in his rear, and that it was 
thought that Floyd’s force would be captured by them. 
Afl'air* in AVn*lili)gron. 
The most important event of the week is the 
resignation and retirement of Lieut.-Gen. Scott We 
give the closing scenes in the military career of the 
old hero: The following letter from Gen. Scott was 
received on Thursday evening: 
IIKADQCARTKR8 ARMY, WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 1861. 
Hon. S. Cameron, Secretary of War—Sir: For 
more than three years I have’been unable, from a 
hurt, to mount a horse, or to walk more than a few r 
paces at a time, and that with much pain. Other 
and new infirmities—dropsy and vertigo—admonish 
me that repose of mind and body, with the appli¬ 
ances of surgery and medicine, are necessary to 
protect a life already protracted much beyond the 
usual span ul man. It is under such circumstances, 
made doubly painful by the unnatural and unjust 
rebellion now raging in the Southern States of our 
so lately prosperous and happy Union, that I am 
compelled to request that my name be placed on the 
list of army officers retired from active service. As 
this request is founded on an absolute right granted 
by a recent act of Concress, 1 am entirely at liberty 
to say that it is with deep regret that I withdraw 
myself in these momentous times from the orders of 
the President, who lias treated me with Hurh distin¬ 
guished kindness and courtesy, whom I know upon 
much personal intercourse, to be without sectional 
partialities or prejudices, to be highly conscientious 
iu the performance of every duty, and unrivalled in 
activity and perseverance. And to you, Mr. Secre¬ 
tary, whom I now officially address for the last time, 
I beg to acknowledge my many obligations for the 
uniform high consideration I have received at your 
bauds. I have the honor to remain, with high 
respect, Your obedient servant, 
Winfield Scott. 
A special Cabinet council was convened on Friday 
morning, Nov. 1st, to take the subject into consider¬ 
ation. It was decided that Gen. Scott’s request, 
under the circumstances of his advanced age and 
infirmities, could not be declined. Gen. McClellan 
was thereupon, with the unanimous agreement of the 
Cabinet, notified that the command of the army 
would be devolved upon him. 
At 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the Cabinet again 
waited upon the President, and attended him to the 
residence of Gen. fecott, Being Beated, the President 
read to the General the following order: 
On November the 1st, A. D. 1861, upon hi f s own 
application to the President of the United States, 
Brevet Lieut.-Gen. Winfield Scott is ordered to be 
placed and hereby is placed upon the list r.f the 
retired officers of the Army of the United States, 
without reduction in his pay Hnd suhsisteney allow¬ 
ances. The American people hear with sadness and 
deep emotion that Gen. Scott has withdrawn from 
the Motive control of the array, while the unanimous 
Cabinet express t.heirnwn and the nation's svmpathies 
in his personal affliction, and their profound sense of 
the important public services rendered by him to bis 
country during his long and brilliant career, among 
which will ever be gratefully distirtgnlslu-d bis faith¬ 
ful devotion to the Constitution, the Union, and the 
flag, when assailed by parricidal rebellion. 
AsRAnAy Lincoln, 
Gen. Scott thereupon arose and addressed the Pres¬ 
ident and Cabinet, they also rising, as follows: 
This honor overwhelms me. Tt overpowers all ser¬ 
vices I have attempted to render mv country. If I 
have nny claims, they are all obliterated with this 
expression of approval bv the President, with the 
support of hia Cabinet. I know the President and his 
Cabinet well. I know the country has placed its 
interests in this trying crisis in safe keeping. Their 
councils are wise, their labor* are as untiring as they 
are loyal, and their course is the right one. Mr. Pres¬ 
ident you must excuse, me. I am unable to stand 
anv longer to give utterance to the feelings of grati¬ 
tude which oppress me. In my retirement, I shall 
offer up my prayer* to God for this Administration 
and my country. I shall pray with confidence for its 
Bucccsi over ull enemies, and that speedily. 
The President then took leave of (ten. Scott, giving 
him his hand and saying he hoped soon to write him 
a public letter, expressive of his gratitude and affec¬ 
tion. The President added: 
General, you will naturally feel solicitous about the 
gentlemen of your staff who have rendered you and 
your country such faithful service. I have taken the 
subject into consideration. 1 understand that they go 
with you to New York. I shall desire them at their 
eaUiest convenience after their return, to make their 
wishes known to me. I desire yon. however, to be 
satisfied that except the unavoidable deprivation of 
your counsel and assistance which they have so long 
enjoyed, the provision which may be made for them 
will be such a* to render their situation as agreeable 
hereafter as it has been heretofore. 
Each member of the Administration then gave his 
hand to the veteran and retired in profound silence. 
The following is the response of the Secretary of 
War to Gen. Scott’s letter. 
War Dr cart meet, Wafhixotox, Not. 1,1861. 
General:— Jt is my duty to lay before the President 
your letter of yesterday, asking to be relieved under 
the recent act of Congress. In separating from you, 
I cannot refrain from expressing my deep regret that 
your health, shattered by long service and repeated 
wounds received In yimr country’s defense, should 
render it necessary for you to retire from your high 
position at lids momentous period of our history. 
Although you arejnot to remain in active service, I 
yet hope that while I continue in charge of the depart¬ 
ment over which I now preside, 1 shall at times be 
penuitted to avail myself of the benefit* of your wise 
counsels and sage experience. It has been my good 
fortune to enjoy s personal acquaintance with you for 
over thirty years, and the pleasant relations of that 
long time have been greatly strengthened by your 
cordial and entire co-operation io all the great ques¬ 
tion* which have occupied the department and 
convulsed the country for the last, six months. In 
parting from you, I can only express the hope that a 
merciful Providence, that has protected you amid so 
many trials, will Improve your health and continue 
your life long after the people of the country shall 
have been restored to their former happiness and 
prosperity. 
I am, General, very sincerely, your friend, 
Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. 
Lieut. Genl. Winfield Scott, present. 
Quartermaster Stuckcr advertises for proposals for 
delivering iu Washington within the next thirty-five 
dHys, 715,000 feet of cullings, and 285,000 feet of 
scantlings. The bids are to be opened on the 29th 
inst. This looks like putting up extensive winter 
quarters. 
Highly interesting information from France estab¬ 
lishes in diplomatic circles here the fact that the 
Emperor Napoleon and bis government consider the 
integrity, greatness and prosperity of the American 
Republic to be identical with the present and future 
prosperity of France. 
There is a slackness iu enlistments again, especially 
from the larger States. So much circumlocution and 
embarrassment arc interposed by State authorities, 
and the men are so shaved and swindled in their fit¬ 
ting out, that they will not enter the service through 
the Bute channel*. Enlistment* are so slow that the 
War Department is about to return to the system of 
accepting men without the interposition of the State 
authorities. It is also contemplated to obviate the 
injustice of some of the Governors in pressing officers 
on Regiments, by commissioning the officers through 
the War Department, directly by the President. 
The State prisoneis heretofore confined in Fort La¬ 
fayette were ail moved to Ft. Warren in Boston harbor, 
which has been fitted up for their accommodation, 
The object of the change is not divulged, but it is 
believed to be the intention of the Government to put 
the Fort in a more perfect state of defense, for the 
protection of New York harbor. 
The President informed certain impertinent United 
States Senators who called upon him on the 30th ult., 
to know when a forward movement is to take place, 
that the responsibility of such a movement is left to 
Gen. McClellan, aud that it is the purpose of the 
Executive to sustain him in hiB undertaking, what¬ 
ever his determination may be. The Senators left 
satisfied. 
Secretary Cameron has authorized the establish¬ 
ment of a depot for prisoners of war at Johnson’s 
Island, iu Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie. An experienced 
builder of Sandusky has contracted to erect seventeen 
buildings capable of accommodating 1,000 prisoners. 
They are to be finished by December 10th, at a total 
cost not to exceed $25,000. First Lieut E. W. Reed, 
of the 8th Infuutry, now on parole, is to be Acting 
Assistant Quartermaster and Commissary of Subsist¬ 
ence for this depot. One hundred and fifty men will 
be detailed as guard. 
The following letter from Garibaldi has been 
received by the United States Consul at Antwerp: 
CakkkrA, 18rfi Scf.tenjber, ’61. 
Mr Dear Sir:—I saw Mr. Sanford, and regret to be 
obliged to announce to you that I shall not be able to 
go to the United States at present. I do not doubt of the 
triumph of the cause of the Union, and that shortly. 
But if the war should unfortunately continue in your 
beautiful country, 1 shall overcome all obstacles 
which detain me, and hasten to the defence of a peo¬ 
ple who are dear to me. G. Garibaldi. 
The Provost Marshal's Court at Alexandria has 
made a decision which will gladden the hearts of 
Northern merchants. The substance of the decision 
is that our brethren of Dixie muBt pay their debts. 
The question came up at the Court, Adjutant-General 
Breese presiding. One of the Broadway merchants 
complained that an Alexandria dealer had possession 
of his goods, and would neither pay for them nor 
return them. The Alexandrian was brought up forth¬ 
with, and undertook to plead some of the old Virginia 
Btay laws. The Provost Judge couldn’t see it in that 
light, and decided the case by summarily ordering 
Provost Marshal Griffith to take possession of the 
property, and to return to the original owner such 
portions as he could identify. Provost Marshal 
Griffith has therefore in his possession about $50,000 
worth of woolen goods, mainly belonging to New 
York merchants. 
