UUf. 11 , 
capture resulted from an act of Captain Wilkes, 
which would be a fault on their own side. 
Capt. Wilkes has presented to this government his 
reasons for releasing Ihe Trent. 
“I forbore to seize her,” he says, “ in consequence 
of my being so reduced in officers and crew, and ihe 
derangement it would cause innocent persons, there 
being a large number of passengers who would have 
been put to great loss and inconvenience as well as 
disappointment from the Interruption it would have 
caused them in not being able to join the steamer 
from St. Thomas to Europe. I therefore concluded 
to sacrifice the interests of my officers and crew in 
the prize, and suffered her to proceed, after the 
The country cannot afford the sacrifice. If I main¬ 
tain those principles and adhere to that policy, I 
must surrender the case itself. 
It will be seen, therefore, fhat this government 
could not deny (he justice of the claim presented to 
us in this respect upon its merits. \\ c are asked to 
possession of Ship Island is thus related by a cor¬ 
respondent of the Hartford Ccmrant: 
On the western end of the island, commanding 
the channel, is a fortification, commenced by the 
interests of our country, and interrupted the action 
of that of the Confederates.” 
I shall consider first bow these reasons oiroht to 
afiect the action of this government, and secondly, 
how (hey.ought to be expected to affect the action of 
Great Britain. The reasons are satisfactory to this 
government so far as Capiain Wilkes is concerned. 
It Could not desire that the San .Jacinto, her officers 
and crew, should be exposed to danger’and less by 
weakening their number to detach u prize crew to 
go on board the Trent. Still less could it disavow 
the humane motive of preventing inconveniences, 
leases, and perhaps dis; ls tors, to the several hundred 
innocent nmwengera found on boned the prize vessel 
Nor could (his government perceive any ground for 
.10 to tec frS* nation jurt what 5e° bTvcIS^ ^ time ago, and 
insisted all nations ought to do to us. The claim of abandoned for want of further appropriations. This 
the British government is not.made in adiscourteous fort the rebels look possession of and manned it 
K/L “ b0 ” t 1 ' 20 ?.^ ."<* 
similar case. shanties, covered the fort with sand hags, mounted 
In coming to my conclusion, I have not forgotten s ' x heavy rifled guns, and were, in fact, prepared to 
that if the saletv of this Union required the deton- resist quite a navy. A U. S. gunboat was ordered 
tionof the captured persons, it would be the right rm)n I vnn( 
and duty of this government to detain them, frit “ P F r 0Ut • land ’ Not havin£r ,oroe eao «gb 
the effectual check and waning proportions of the attack (be rebels, tin' commander adopted a 
existing insurrection, as well as the comparative clever strategem. Having on board several nris- 
«“*■ T* * »««" MW 
from resorting to that defence. ’ their ears with stones of a large fleet coming down 
Nor am I aware that American citizens are not in blow the Ship Island fort into the Gulf! Then, I 
warily surrendered (or any when they were sufficiently impressed with the 
iowrvw,'’or tohSrewbc?^ «f«ie fleet that'was; to. destroy them, 
rl jointly raise a question on ,ftt thc pnnwiera escape. It worked like a 
charm. Early the second day after the departure 
by oi the prisoners a beautiful scene was there to the 
other nations, and even to * ml lore through the morning shadows. The 
bat which is now before uf. whole island was in a blase. The gun-boat went 
vhoti Great Britain, as well np soon after, and found the rebels evacuating 
:,uA& 0f M T^n“ „ N '“''T , ‘"r" nl “ ?" 81018 “ d SW i»* »<■- 
if tiould in no other way so boating Ironi the staff that bad Iteen pointed by the 
such inquiries, as wc think Confederate symbol of treason. The report copied 
F°" nd ^y 11 Now York paper from the New Orleans Pica- 
>f a just and magnanimous yune ’ ®lfeaJriiig of « the, immense Lincoln fleet ” that 
fur consent to be guided by watched their debarkation, corresponds with the 
H 1,1 l ' ,t , U I> hurled injuries “ yam ” impreaBed upon the rebel prisoners. Thus 
Kl ™nSS a ^T„ a fi ' von important stations on our 
riHicaHy right, oOUtDern blockade, with one .steamer of ninety men 
I -suggestions of this kind. 1 and four guns. 
Buckner, ex-Minister Preston, and Edward Crutch¬ 
field to the ameunt of $20,000 each, and in smaller 
sums against several others. 
A great fire occurred at Nashville, which con¬ 
sumed $i00,000 worth of property, on the 22d ulL 
C. Q. Armstrong’s nork bmiu> fnrmn .1 
Baltimore boat, which was detained for the purpose, 
look the released prisoners to Baltimore. The num¬ 
ber released is 240, nearly all of whom were taken 
at the battle of Bull Run. 
questioning the fact that these reasons, though appiv- a* the United states, was the home of generations 
rently incongruous, did operate in the mind of Cop- which with all their peculiar interests and missions 
bun Wilkes and determined him to release (he have passmi away. She could in no other way so 
(ren.. ibiimui actions generally pr< re-ed upon effectually disavow any such inquiries, as wc think 
mingled and sometimes conflicting motives. He she does now by assuming as her own the ground 
measured the sacrifices which this decision would upon which we stood. It would loll little for our 
_j .. claims to the character of a just and magnanimous 
w -- j j vi uir KUV* 
ernment to (he custody and disposition of the cap- 
tnred persons. This government cannot censure 
him for this oversight It confesses (hut the whole 
subject came unforeeen. upon the goveramem us 
doubtless it did upon him. Its present convictions 
on the point in question are the result of deliberate 
examination und deduction now made, and not of 
any impressions previously formed. 
Nevertheless, the question now is not whether 
Captain Wilkes is justified in what he did. but what 
is the present view of the. government as to the 
efloct ol what lie has done? Assuming now, for 
argument's sake only, that the release of the Trent 
if voluntary, involved a waiver of the elaim of 
the govern merit to hold the captured persons 
the united Slates could, in that case, have no 
hesitation in saying that the act which has thus 
already been approved by the government, must lie 
allowed to draw its legal consequences alter it. it 
is of the very nature of a gift, or a charity, that the 
giver cannot, afier the exercise of his benevolence is 
past, recall or modify its benefits. 
We are thus brought directly to the question 
whether wc are entitled to regard the release of the 
Trent as iovoluelarv. or whether we are obliged to 
consider that it was voluntary. Clearly, Hie release 
would have been iuvoluntary hiwl it been made 
solely upon the tirst ground assigned for it by Capt. 
VV ukes, namely, a want of a sufficient force to send 
the prize vessel into port for adjudication. It is not 
the duty of a captor to hazard his own vessel in 
that ground. J M 
Nor have I boon tempted at nil by suggestions 
t cases occurred when Great Britain, as well 
«-i 7 T 14 _ . J i’j.i .it n 
regard as a claim intrinaicajly right. 
Putting behind me all suggestions of this kind. 1 
efer to express my satisfaction that bv the adiust- 
firefer to express my satisfaction that by the adjust¬ 
ment of the present case upon principles confessedly 
American, and yet. as 1 trust, mutually satisfactory 
to both of the nations concerned, a question was 
finally and rightly gctlled between them which here¬ 
tofore exliansted not only a!! forms oi' peaceful dis¬ 
cussion, but also the arbitrament of war itself, for 
more than a half century alienated the two countries 
from each other, and perplexed with fears and appre¬ 
hensions all the other nations. 
The four persons in question are now held in mili¬ 
tary custody at Fort Warren, in the State of Massa¬ 
chusetts. They will lie cheerfully liberated. Your 
Lordship will please indicate a time and place for 
receiving them. 
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to your 
Lor«f?uip a renewed angurjincc of my vary high con- 
sideration. William H. Skwaru. 
Department of Kansas. 
Tmk report in a recently published letter from 
St. Louis, in regard to a Texas expedition being 
fitted out at Fort Leavenworth, to be under the 
charge of Gen, Hunter, with Generals Lane and 
Denver as subordinates, is correct in essential par- , ■ r ^ ,c,n were WUer in “foir 
ticulars. General Lane, is at present engaged i/the ^'atment they had received 
discharge of his duties as a Senator of Kansas. He u’esi rn ’ ara W> and ttu: rebellion in 
will leave this position onlv to take exclusive er,m. J V Ir £ ,nia ’« considered entirely hopeless. 
C. Q. Armstrong’s pork house, formerly of this city n ah vices from 1 ort Royal indicate that Commodore 
contributed materially to the progress of the flames , ll ^ 0nt 18 P rt ’pariDg for a new naval demonstration, 
and the stored shells exploded terrifically. Gunboats are concentrating, and large numbers of 
- men and launches are practicing in the work of assist- 
Dcpsirtroent of Western Virginia. in ^ and Ending of troops. About 10.000 troops can 
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, ^ H'lton Head in addition to General 
writing from Summereville, Va, under date of Dec « brigade, to operate against Charleston, 
22d. says tliat portions of companies B, E, and U r ^ el force at Coosawatoliie. News 
about one hundred and fifty men, with Major E B • 5 , K '° 1°.™ J’ 011 Ko ^ a1 ' on the lst instant, is 
Andrews, all of the Tbirty'-Six Ohio, which is sta- ^Z ?!£?. . T ^ e J r,tiph s^amer Fingal attempted 
tioned at S„ started on an expedition a few days Jt , b 3 lockad ° at Savannah, but was foiled, 
since, the object of which was to investigate the m ! ak \ he . r wa Y throu ^ h W «rsaw 
condition of things in the vicinity of Meadow Bluff ^ir ,nform > au ® n bav ' ng been . wodved from a 
and Lewisburg. They fonnd no enemy in that 1 ? ^ boat. Ottawa wn< dispatched to the 
region in force: Major Andrews destroyed the bar- SllT T?' ^i^^ 1 M ° ?quit ° flwtof 
racks, one hundred and ten buildings'at Meadow ‘ . d ® WD to a,ti ^ k ber. After a brisk en- 
Blutt which had been evacuated, with some tents ?Ut thr0Ugh 0ne of Tatna11 ’ 8 
and a few army stores. Floyd’s troops are sffid to ^ ^ 
have been ordered to Richmond. . A s PW)iab schooner without a name, but laden 
The Major returned yesterday, bringing in two Wltb a va,uab,fi oar S° of Havana cigars, shoes and 
notorious rebels, one of whom was a guide to a °^"’ r p ^ or ” s ' WlU5 chased, run aground and burned 
company of rebel cavalry. He also captured one at CnmFK ‘ rlHn ' : Illlel > on ‘he 15th ult., by the lioats 
hundred head of cattle, overone hundred South-Down ° f , ' l ° Renville and Alabama, ner cargo was 
sheep, eighteen horses, a number of mules and takfin off ’ the crew having previously fled to the 
working oxen, twenty-eight rifles, four holster pis- W ^ ds „, , 
tola, and a quantity of powder horns. The Con- * he Richmond (Va.) Dispateh of the 3d inst says 
federate mills were also seized. No prisoners taken a pr | vatfl tolegram has been received here, dated 
except four meu, notorious as in active sympathy Mobi,e ’ .' ^'f«rday, which states that Picayune But- 
wilh the rebellion. “ lerisat Ship Island; also, that the Federals have 
Some of the property was taken from the farm and nondnaF possession of Bloxi, and it is believed that 
summer residence of W. H. McFarland, a wealthy tb<! ^ wil1 ° 0CU W‘ aI * 'he towns on the coast in that 
banker of Richmond. Ho has a son in the rebel region ' They captured two cannon at Bloxi. It is 
army. His nephew is Uie Secretary of Legation to Ft ' lU ‘ d lhat the - v lando<1 there from 6.000 to 7,000 
Mason, and was captured with him by Commander Fr ® op8 ’ and ,llrt her, (hat they express tliv determin- 
Wilkes. ation to push forwanl their forces to Jackson. Six- 
The people of that region were bitter in their ^ vea5c!s an? reported at Ship Island. 
uy Ariel rrom fort Royal, on the lst instant, is 
interesting. The British steamer Fingal attempted 
to run the blockade at Savannah, but was foiled. 
She got ready to make her way through Warsaw 
Sound, but information having been received from a 
deserter, the gun boat Ottawa was dispatched to the 
Sound, and on her arrival the rebel Mosquito fleet of 
Tat mil I came down to attack her. After a brisk en¬ 
gagement a shell was put through one of Tatnall’s 
vessels, when he returned. 
A Spanish schooner without a name, but laden 
with a valuable cargo of Havana cigars, shoes and 
other stores, was chased, run aground and burned 
at Cumberland Inlet, on the 15th ult, by the boats 
of the Bienville and Alabama. Her cargo was 
taken off, the crew having previously (led to the 
oraei 10 wtunv a jadtciul uAammaiion to the can- n i . trw , » 
lured party. No large prize crew, however, is legal ly ort 1 of,al,ludc ,Fo ’ and 18 Die property 
necessary; for if is the duty of the captured puny to of Mississippi. It is about sixty miles 
uwcBsar yj ior 1 , m uie uuiv 01 Uie captured pur.y (d 
acquiesce and go willingly before the tribunal to 
whose jurisdiction it appeals. 1 f the captured party 
indicates or propoaes to employ means of resistatuie 
which the captor cannot, with probable safety to 
hansel! overcome, he may properly leave the vessel 
to go forward, ana neither she nor ihe State she rep¬ 
resents can ever afterwards justly object that the 
captor depri ved her of the judicial remedy to which 
she was entitled. But the second reason assigned 
bv Capt Wilkes for releasing the Trent, differs from 
the first. At best, tberefare, it-must be held that 
Capt Wilkes, as he explains himself, acted from 
combined senUraenfs of prudence and generosity, 
so that the release of the prize vessel was not strictly 
so that the release of the prize vessel was not strictly and, in com 
now the plac 
we to expect these expla- ea: n laio,,. 
nations by Captain Wilkes of his own reasons liir . . 
leaving the capture incomplete to affect the action of a 8,lghl c,i 
the British government The observation upon this <'ast, and w 
point winch tirst occurs is, that Captain Wilkes’ western end 
explanations were not made to the authorities of the 
captured vessel. If made known to them, they h< “ ,8lurid 18 
might have approved and taken the release upon wide, and is 
the cximlilton ol waiving a judicial investigation of grass or folia 
the whole trailsactioil. or they might have refused 10 u-..,, p. 
accept the release upon that condition. But the ' ! n ’ 
case is one not! with them, but with Ific British gov- vvi<lth - ;uul 
ernment. L we claim that Great Britain ought not I Oak. The wl 
to Insist that a judicial trial has been lost because two sou arc rr 
we vountanly released the offending vessel out of , , 
considaration lor her innocent paiwengers, I do not ^ ^blamed 1 
sec bow she is to be (bund to acquiesce in the anywhere or 
decision which was thus made by us without neces- this is too pal 
Eify on our part and without knowledge of condi- W u n 
uons or consent on her own. wnen me 
The question between Great Britain and ourselves, pomo Diirty-ai 
tons stated, would be a question not of right and of ing on the e 
law, but of favor to lx* conceded by luir to us in starve to deaf 
return tor favors sjiowa by us to her. of tl.o value of l ^ 
which favors on both sides we ourselves shall be the s1, g8 eetcd ? «• 
judge. Of course the United States could have no kidt's.) and 
thought of raising such a question in any case. the cattle, tin 
I trust I have shown, to the satisfaction of the i OOHP aml nn 
British government, by a very simple and natural ^ / 
statement, of ihe facts and analysis of the law appli- ,ure tht> ,attor 
cab.e to them.-that this government has neither fort will tree l 
meditated nor practised, rior approved any delibc- day time, and 
rate wrong ;n the transaction to which they have ,1 , .• ,, 
catted its attention; und, on the contrary, that wliat " ^ dnv<> l l 
litw bay p< ned has been simply an inadvertence following any 
consisting In a departure by trie naval officer, free increased and 
from anv wranglul motive, from a rule uncertainly the oilv meat 
established, _ and probably by the several parties th y a " 
ooncennxl either imperfectly understood or entirely I -ike most o 
i'" kl : OV,r l' r ' r “fo* error the British government contains a pre 
has a right to expect the same reparation that we as v „ rmir . }ll! w 
an independent State should expect from Great ° ’ hut w 
Bntam, or Irani any other friendly nation, in a simi- area > ltwiM nc 
lar cafia. an( j 0 t]j er a mi 
1 have not Uxm unaware that in examining this io these seem 
question. 1 have lallen into an argument for what , , 
seems to be the British side of it against mv own placc whcre 11 
Ship Island—How it was won from the Rebels. 
As this little island seems destined to become 
(lie scene of important movements for crushing tho 
rebellion, and as the peculiar proclamation of Gen. 
I but lam has already turned public attention toward 
it, we give a description of it and its surroundings 
as furnished by a soldier to the'Eastern press: 
Ship Island is situated in longitude P9°, and a little 
north of latitude 30' , and is the property of the State 
of Mississippi, It. is about sixty miles from New 
| Orleans, nearly the same distance from the North 
East Pass, at. the mouth of the Mississippi river, 
forty miles from Mobile, and ninety from Port 
PickenH. It lies between Horn Island on the east, 
and Cat Island on the west, and is distant about 
five miles from each. Some ten or twelve miles 
to the north, on the mainland of Mississippi, are tho 
towns of Balexi, Pascagoula, and Mississippi City. 
1 here towns arc favorite summer resorts for the 
wealthy planters and merchants of the Gulf State©, 
und, in consoquenc.fi of a bar off their shore, are 
now the places of refuge for rebel gunboats. 
Ship Island la somewhat undulating and extends 
in a slight curve about seventeen miles east north¬ 
east, and west south-west At West T’oiut (the 
will leave this position only to take exclusive com¬ 
mand over a column organized with a view to 
demonstrate to the country tho correctness of those 
principles to which alone he believes the war can 
bo brought to a successful close, and the rebellion 
terminated and permanently overthrown. This 
position it is generally understood, is cordially 
endorsed by the Administration. 
Reports from the Indian country show war as 
fairly begun between the loyal Indians against the 
Texans and rebel half breeds. In u fight in the 
Cherokee country it is reported that Cooper, Texan 
General, and McIntosh, tho leader of the rebel 
Greeks, were killod. The loyal Indians lost 14. 
Department of Missouri. 
Dispatcher received at Headquarters on the 
2d in.si., announce the capture of the notorious Jeff. 
The moral effect of the expedition, it is believed, 
will be excellent. 
A special to the Cincinnati Gazette, from Huttons- 
AT!_• * _ _ . -* 
The Richmond (Va.) Dispatch of the 3d inst. says 
a private telegram has been received here, dated 
Mobile, yesterday, which states that Picayune But¬ 
ler is at Ship Island; also, that, the Federate have 
nominal possession of Bloxi, and it is believed that 
they will occupy all the towns on the coast in that 
region. They captured two cannon at Bloxi. It is 
stated that they landed there from 5,000 to 7,000 
troops; aud further, that they express th* determin¬ 
ation to push forward their forces to Jackson. Six¬ 
teen vessels are reported at Ship Island. 
The Charleston Mercury has a dispatch stating a 
large force of the United States army had landed on 
North Edisto, and had seized Railroad station No. 4 
on the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. 
The official report of Commodore Dupont, in rela¬ 
tion to sinking the stone fleet, has l>een received at 
ville, Virginia, says an expedition consisting of 400 ,iie Nav Y Department. The substantial part of the 
of the 5th Ohio. 300 of the 2d Virginia, and 40 of doc, ‘ mont consists in the report of Charles Henry 
Bracken’s Cavalry, which was sent out by Gen, Davis, who had command of the fleet. In this report 
Milroy, to attack Huntersville, was a complete suc¬ 
cess. They attacked the enemy on the morning of 
the 4th insi., consisting of 400 cavalry and 350 
militia. After skirmishing an hour, the enemy 
retired with a loss of 80 killed and wounded. On 
our side none were lost Eighty thousand dollars 
worth of army stores and clothing was captured and 
destroyed. 
The Commercial's dispatch says Huntersville was 
the depot of supplies in AVestern Virginia. Their 
cavalry were armed with Sharpe’s carbines, and 
attacked us tw o miles from Huntersville. We drove 
have been pretty thoroughly scattered. 
One of our men captured by the rebels and car- 
300 salted beeves. 3,000 lbs. salt, largo quantities of 
sugar, coffee, rice, bacon, and army clothing, worth 
from $28,000 to $30,000, were entirely destroyed. 
™ PP , uuy. ,ied to Springfield, has just returned to Otterville I wlV , , ' ’ ^ Z vnu ™ 1 * ««*"*<**• 
'sorts for the havinn left the former nbu-n «« ru, • t ti ’ W< ca P tu red a large number of Sharpe’s carbines, 
Gulf States, He8a r B ^bers and pistols. The stars and stripes were left 
. lute with 8,000 men had taken all the horses in floating over the Cn„r(. Hn„«. —___. 
country. But 1 am relieved from all embarrassment Die western end of the island are situated the 
r ?* ."T ^ » bfch 
defending and maintaining not an exclusively Bril- thp * ncendlaI 7 teforts of the rebels. The houses 
teb interest but an old, honored and cherished ctMud8t of on< * good sized, well built brick house, 
American cause, not upon British authorities, but which, after considerable repairs, would make very 
rwssssw &sbl iirosrfes rr* i J » 
in n uni uii int'ir flnoro ai'tf* .■ » * , . 
„ 0 » Of Trfuirr for *, 
Ship Island is somewhat undulating und extends afld waa m(lkfn I)It . parationg for !on 8t ^ fh 
in a slight curve about seventy miles cast north- pwp]c of Arka ^i te allow Pri« te' enter 
west-raen'ir be U u'h^v "ft <>,nt ^ Ul ° Uiat State with any other troops than those regularly 
cab rn end) where trait Massachusetts ,s located, enlisted in the Confederate service, and he had only 
the island is a little more than an eighth of a mile im nion Umt „, rvi ^ Tho count north ^ 
wide, and is a mere sand spit, utterly barren of Springfield was full of men returning from Price’s 
gn^or fo .age of any kmd. The eastern end, or aPray> who „ hl ihe , worc dt;tcrroi L to rol J 
Ea t 1 unit, is about hree-quartera of a mile in homo and teke the oa{h of aUe|?ianot , rrfcc would 
width, and .8 well wooded with pine, cedar, and live Uc lcft wUh only hjg imunt ai Confederate troops 
“I*- 2° f IT 7 ltai T T T thaQ «"<* Hok's rapid operations last week there is a 
n / r/" '"? ; rr ; y - , I V XC0, . le | nt ' VuU ‘ r can perfpot quiet in all the region between the Missouri 
obtained in unlimited supply by amkmg a barrel and Osage rivers, not even a rumor of rebel camps 
anywhere on the place. The great advantage of or squads being heard. P 
this is too palpable to require comment. _ 
When the rebels evacuated the island they left T .__ . ... ... 
some thirty-six head of cattle. They are now graz- mCn ° IO * 
ing oft the eastern end-of the island, (they would ^ disiaich received on the 3d inst, from 
starve to death at West Point, unless, as somebody ^ ou ‘ svdlo > K .v-i states that up (0 the latest advices 
suggested, they were provided with green Rpec- from Gpneral Buell's army, no engagement bad 
tiicles,) and are in a veiy fair condition. Besides kd< en pfooo between the Union forces and the rebels, 
the cattle, there are droves of hogs running about ^ wus cx P ec * ed * however, that hut little time would 
loose, and any quantity of racoons. So numerous <>!a P P0 ^ M3l ' ore < ‘‘‘ ,ier a decisive battle would be 
are the tatter that the sailors and marines from the or KOtuo rapid running done. The rebels 
tort will tree ten or a dozen of them together in the we ? e reported to have taken their position, and the 
day time, and then kill them with their cutlasses as Gnioniste were within one and a haft' days march of 
they drive them down. Soldiers are not slow at tkem ’ 
following any such example, and already they have The Green River Bridge is completed 
increased and varied their government rations with federal reconnoisance© are made almost daily 
the oily meat of this much abused animal. south of die river. 
'■'h —tf «* W«0. » thin IMl (hi. pl&c E^TK^d-v G * rtW4 ^ 
epntains a pretty well assorted stock of reptile© and T7Z ir'cra • ,, • 
vermin, but with two thousand men on so small an S 7 f re ff° nbKr g h ’ 
area, it will not be long before the alligatore, snakes, ^ T t T } ‘ aad "\ ^effectual attempts to 
and other u most unpleasant bodies” will bid adieu’ d ? P T ZoU kT fr0m h “ ® omer f et entrenchments, 
to these scenes, and take an early train for that . prag I K,et of m immediate general 1 
place where there are no armed men to molest them. 
All the Kcntncky banks located where rebel 
dominion prevails have been consolidated under 
Henry J. Lyons, of Louisville, as President, who 
has authority to run them for the C. & A. 
The Jourhal has information that Generals John¬ 
ston’s and Buckner’s forces have torn up the Louis- 
floating over the Court House, 
to Huttonsville in fine spirits. 
Our troops returned 
Department of the Rust. 
Official information received at the Medical 
Capt. Da via says: 
“On tint night of my arrival off Charleston, the 
light bouse was blown up, by which the purpose of 
my visit was essentially promoted. After the bar 
had I wen rounded out tiyo ships were sunk, one on 
the eastern and one on the western limited'(he eban- 
nel, which served to limit the field of operations. 
Alter all the ships which were to he sunk sixteen 
in number- bad been brought here and in a posi¬ 
tion to be easily moved, they were towed in by 
smaller steamers and placed upon and inside the 
bar, m checkered or indented form, lvlng as much 
as possible across die direction of tin* channel in 
several lines some distance apart, and they are 
made to nearly overlie each oilier so that it would 
bo difficult to draw a line to them in ihe direction of 
the channel, which would not be intercepted by one 
of the vessels." 1 J 
Commander Davis says he was guided by several 
principles in chosing the place and manner of sink¬ 
ing the vessels, viz; 
1st, The bar was selected because it is the princi- 
pal and culminating point of the natural deposits 
in this line, by adding the material contained in the 
hulks to those already placed there bv null no. It 
may be expected that the natural forces which ag¬ 
gregate tire latter will tend to keep the former in 
their afistgnea position. 
2«L By putting down the vessels in an indented' 
form it was intended to create a material obstruction 
Department of the army of the Potomac, states that to tho ldu “ 1,K!l without seriously impeding the (low 
the mortality is less in proportion to the number a W ^L acroaa 
(ban in any American city. Tho department has 
tho official list of 117,000. and the health of this large 
body oi men, notwithstanding their exposure, is 
better than the health of an equal number of men 
anywhere in the United Staten. 
Official advices from Williamsport state that do- 
cue cjuMinui wiiuwm seriously impeding the now 
ol water. Ii it were possible 10 build a wall across 
the channel, the river, which must fimv to the sea, 
would undoubtedly take another and similar path; 
but it on the contrary the blocking up of the natural 
channel is only partial, the water may retain part of 
its old course and require the addition only of new 
channel* of Final] capacity. 
3d. This mode of sinking vessels is intended to 
establish a combination 01 artificial interruptions 
• • *.. • i » r MAI.V till it L VI IT* j , . . . ■c i 1 upiivuo 
tachmente of the 13tb Massachusetts and 1st Mary- ' i^nTre o' i: l. C w o mn , h 1 , ; n P 0,1 a 81n H 11 s ? a,e H 108c 
......j_• , , . ,, . . . _ J ot Hell (.ate or Holmes’ Hole, nroducunr like them 
land participated in the route of the rebel forces on eddies, wh 
the 31st ulL Our men buried 29 of the enemy, and render the 
it is supposed many afterwards died ot their wounds. nel kttXard 
Onj- loss was five wounded and none killed. The Van 
The vessels of (Jen. Burnside’s fleet were inspi'cted the 3d, a 
on the 3d inst. by Gen. Porter and Col. Sackett, by brings 3b,f 
order of Gen. McClellan. They report accommoda- brigade ad 
lions ample and arrangements were excellent for t ook posse 
the transportation of troops to the fleet The men resistance, 
wore paid off on the 4th inst $700,000 were distrib- them. Gei 
uted, three-fourth3 of which were sent to their mile© of tl 
families. from the r 
Six retell prisoners were sent to headquarters on dcad j and 
the 3d inst, by Col. McLane, Provost Marshal at w, ‘en they 
Alexandria. They were taken by our pickets on R aid to be \ 
the left wring of the army. Their information is AOtlO men 
deemed of high value, and stringent measures were unknown, 
taken to prevent all communication with them. The wounded, 
rebels arc expecting an advance from our army Michigan, 
along the whole line. They are more than ever do- Stevens no' 
moralized by discords among their public Him. awaits re-ei 
Gen. Magruder is believed to have been relieved — 
of his command at Yorktown, and Gen. AVise, who AF] 
has been quiet since his return from Western Vir¬ 
ginia, is expected to assume command there, or if Thk rur 
not there, at Frederick. further tro 
A scouting party, from 700 to 800 strong, composed arising frou 
of six comnanies of the 20th New York regiment, nah with st 
and three companies of Harlan’s cavalry, left Camp unfounded. 
T T *|i . . . — 
of Hell Gate or Holmes’ Hole, producing like them 
eddies, whirlpools, and counter currents, such as 
render the navigation of an otherwise difficult chan¬ 
nel hazardous and uncertain. 
The Vanderbilt, from Port Royal on the morning 
of the .'kl, arrived in New York on the (ith inst. She 
brings 3(5,097 pounds of cotton. General Stevens’ 
brigade advanced on main laud on the. lst, and 
took possession of the rebel batteries after a short 
resistance, assisted by the gunboats in shelling 
them. General Stevens followed up to within six 
miles of the Charleston railroad. A flag of truce 
from the rebels requested permission to bury the 
dead, and an hour was granted for the purpose, 
when they fell back on their fortifications, which are 
said to be very extensive, and defended by 10,000 to 
12,0(10 me.n under General Polk. Their foes is 
unknown. Our force was 4.500, aud had eight 
wounded, including Major AVatrous, of the 8th 
Michigan, who was mortally wounded. General 
Stevens now holds possession of the main land, and 
awaits re-enforcements from the North to proceed. 
AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON. 
Thk rumors current in the newspapers that 
further trouble may be expected with England, 
arising from the blockade of Charleston and Savan- 
Dah with stone hulks, are regarded here as entirely 
Hamilton, near Fortress Monroe, on the 3d inst., 
sr,at:» e , Rii ' r< r "r — d ****** 
thus, becoming a considerable maritime power, have buts for cooking bouses, Ac. The linbthouse has •, i '<**t lour orf.ve miles beyond Green River, pan led by Majors Begesoe and Carting, of General 
W TW nati . 0 “* ,)CCQ a «ne°ne. but Uie rebels burntitso thoroughly, ^ the X ?. 18 Upon them ’ and VVo ° r8 Ftaff - About two miles beyond Little Bethel 
unis, uc-commg a conaiaerabic mantimo power, have for cooking houses, Ac. The lighthouse has 
* diwwv, Imi OoRAeta taunt It mttWMgMjr, 
by James Madison, when Secretary of Slate in the break ,n P the glass and carrying off the lamp, that 
administration of Thomas Jefferson, in instructions it is unsafe and likely to fall at any moment. It is 
given to James Monroe, our Minister to England, round and built of stone. 
Although the case before him concerned a descrip- The sand at Wes( P/.ini „ w.,, ,.;r 1 
bon ot persons different from those who are inci- V! T \ * oint ,s o{ a bcanllfil1 ( I ua,lt y- 
denfly (he subjects of the present discussion, the an(1 in Uie rtlul of *’ arl y morning or evening 
ground he assumed then wiwfhe same I now occupy, rosemblos, in the purity of its Whiteness, the snot- 
und the arguments by which he sustained himself less drifts of enow which now cover the hills anH 
upon it have fawn an inspiration to me in nrenaring „ n iL.„„ , ' ?, . e “ ,lls and 
this reply. ° a alleys of New England. Coming suddenly upon 
“ AS henever,” he Bays. “ properly found in a neu- dpck bcfore the illusion is perfect, and one 
__i 4V f 1 . - ---- ” v VMV4 jumur uruiri 
set fire to the whole mass, repeating the same opc- the Infantry halted, and the cavalry proceeded to- 
ration at diflerent distances all the way to Glasgow ward Big Bethel. When six miles this side they 
Junction, besides felling as many trees as possible met the rebel mounted pickets, which were driven 
n...... 1 1 t , . ... ouATTv wmeu duw cover me mu 
ulkiii it liave ikx ‘11 an inspiration to me in nrenaring ,n <■ »r , . 
this reply. 0 valleys of New England. Coming suddenly 
“Whenever," he says, “ properly found in a neu- deck teffore sunrise, the illusion is perfect, an 
tral is sunnosed to Im‘ liable nn *nxt mmn»i ra almost forgets that he is in a-‘-* 
Junction, besides felling as many trees as possible 
across the track, and were engaged in blowing up 
the tunnel, which is about 300 feet long, near the 
Junction. ' 
Thursday week a small scouting party of Fede¬ 
rate went below Paducah, losing a William Owens, 
whom the rebels threatened to hang. The Federate 
in. The cavalry gave chase, but were unable to 
Gen. McClellan’s health continues to improve. 
The Government has taken measures to obtain 
cotton seed from Port Royal, in order to plant it in 
Illinois and other AVestern States. 
The Navy Department is sending out specifica¬ 
tions, inviting proposals from shipbuilders through¬ 
out tho country for the construction of iron-clad 
steam batteries. The Government is very anxious 
overtake them. On arriving at Big Bethel, the that this class of war vessels should lie immediately 
place appeared to be deserted. It had apparently constructed. 
tral is supposed to be liable on any ground to can 
lure and condemnation, the rule in all cares is tha 
.Tp “ cui r , ,° WUL ‘ Ufe wC lJr rCHUV keen occupied by 3,000 to 4.000 men, including 2,000 It is doubtful whether all the correspondence 
, ,, H ' ’ a a Ul,a ’ °' SUl £ a ' til nun Owens, or 3,000 cavalry. Breastworks were found nearly between this and European Governments, touching 
arrested there itoburt WolfoIl° 7!r« -; a miIe in extent * and Pierced for 12 guns. After the rights of neutrals and belligerents on the ocean, 
r , , , . q * prominent rebel of a short stay tlio scouting party returned. eallod for by Senator Sumner’s resolution, will be 
aducab, and sent word to the rebels that his fate The steamboat Goorge Washington left Old Point communicated to the Senate. Enough will be made 
vut< ( < nn mi 1 jy a of Owen a Wolfolk s at 11 o’clock on the 3d inst., and proceeded up public, however, ioiffiow that Russia, Spain and the 
vltr ^ 10 ^ OMtM8 fr ° m G<?D ' JamCS R!ver ’ ah0Ut Dine milc3 h ^- d Newport smaller maritime powers, are almolt ready to 
The 1 NorU.an.pto Mr. Marc,’, doclrine, b, rticb private 
no “rr j t’ won r . I!ni 1**™ 1 • ** *>» 
lx; carried before a legal tribunal:where a regular ™ ook UfJOn ’ U 18 wretched stuff to walk in; it is so 
trial may b.' had. and where the captor himself is soft and dirap that a five or six mite march is dread- 
truu muyoe luai. and where (fie captor himself is 
liable to damages for an abuse of his power. 
( an it be reasonable then, or just, that a bellig¬ 
erent commander, who is thus restricted, and thus 
fully exhausting. 
The island possesses a very superior harbor, into 
_1. S’ . . 
t T, 1 «.I ,.u ;t a t.. f aducab ’ and stli< ’ " <>rd to tke rebels that his fate The steamboat George Washington lef 
n .. , 1 . .. . I-- -- 7 IUIIU1 f Ijllli Aw v l/Ul l 
oU; for the exchange o the men. _ News, where the rebel steamer Northampton was 
. he Journal has a letter from Columbus giving met with the Union prisoners from Richmond, 
an account of ft slight skirmish in Adair County, in They stepped on board under the protection of the 
which the rebel loss was five lulled and the Federal National flag, as the roll of their names wins called, 
, ‘" n< ' and euck happy looking men are seldom seen. 
Humphrey Marshall, leading (5.500 troops, is near Cheer after cheer arose from each boat as they an- 
I rPijfnnnmnr i oml if ?a «.:n__> J I 
property is guaranteed the same immunity on the 
.sea as on tho land; that France is not far behind 
them; and that Great Britain alone, despite her 
recent championship of neutral rights, stands by 
her own precedent. The publication will, without 
. . uuw miu ftHauiuT nuiej 
may choose into a sennee abhorrent to his filings 0 ,. r , 
cutting him off from his in re tender connection^! f fcr ibc m08t dai! - £r<> 
Pr/fofnnhmnrK orwl it i i % l \ V,TU f«c*A5UCUI* JUU [JUUHCttUOD Will, W1ID0UI 
to^r i m gh> -n d P < he WlU Boon marcfl P roat;ked i and the band of the 4th artillery played 1 doubt, contribute to the success of a movement in 
rerous sforniB in the gulf— 
towards Maysville. 
General Buell has ordered Brigadier General 
( , • . , ‘".v. « . . ■i.nv(juun“, ,. . , • . d— uuai uuo uiueieu nngaaier ueneraJ 
exposing his pund and Iris Person to the most humili- lh08ft ,rora 1110 eastward and southward—and might Garfield forward. A battle 'sevneetod u i aW i w 
atrng discipline, and his life Usdfto tlio greatest be easily entered during these R tom« 
aung aiscinline, and his life itself to the greatest 
dangers? Reason, justice, and humanity unite in 
protesting against 80 extravagant a proceeding.” 
Ii i decide this case in favor of my own govern¬ 
ment, f must disallow its most cherished principles, 
ana reverse and forever abandon its essential policy! 
ra Unng heS ° 8 ' 0rDLS without a Attachments were filed in the Chancery Court on 
f °'!L ^fribouses wore placed in proper Saturday, under the law subjecting the property of 
portion* The me and tall of the tide is only from rebels to confiscation who remain in the Southern 
twelve to fourteen inches. Confederacy thirty days after the passage. Pro- 
The manner m which our blockading fleet obtained cesses were issued against the property of General 
“ Home, Sweet Home,” which added to the enthu¬ 
siasm. As the boat passed Newport News, the 
crows uf the United States frigate Cumberland aud 
Congress manned the rigging, and the troops at 
Camp Butler crowded the beach and the wharves, 
and sent over the water their shouts of welcome. 
The George Washington arrived at Fortress Monroe 
on her return at about half-past five o’clock, and the 
the right direction, already on foot in England. 
The earliest letters date back to ls56, soon after the 
Congress of Paris adjourned. Some of the ablest 
in the selection are from Mr. Mason, the successor 
of Mr. Faulkner. Mr. Pickens’ dispatches from St. 
Petersburg are full of interesting conversation on 
the subject, between himself and Gortschukoff. 
which are, perhaps, too free to be made public. 
