Figblft between Loyal and Itebcl Indians. 
The Leavenworth (Kansas) Conservative of the 
23(1 ult., says that the day previous Opotheyoliolo, 
the head chief of the Creek Nation, in company 
with Col. Win. G. Goffin and Major G. A. Cutler, had 
an interview with Major-General Hunter. Opothe- 
yoholo, through au interpreter, told Gen. Hunter 
the recent terrible events he had pone through. 
The danger of remaining in their own country 
becoming fearful, John Roes, calling himself a 
Union man, had told the loyal Indians to go on to 
the Cherokee lands. They followed his advice and 
were attacked the first night after reaching the 
camping grounds designated by Rosa, When the 
Union Indians—only 2,000— were attacked by the 
rebel Indians and Texans—more than 3,000—they 
fought like tigers. The Unionists followed the 
rebels five miles and slaughtered them as they fled. 
The Union Indians then changed their camp, and 
again took the position designated by John Ross. 
The next day, our forces being strengthened, were 
attacked by the rebel Indians under McIntosh and 
Drew, and Texans and Arkansans under General 
Cooper, and the rebels were again defeated and 
driven back, leaving fifty-five rebels dead on the 
field. The rebel prisoners taken in these two 
engagements were “ dispatched” with arrows. The 
Union Indians then fell bock to the northern bound¬ 
ary of the Cherokee Nation, and there remained 
unmolested for two days. On the third day, while 
a large number of the Union Indians were out seek¬ 
ing provisions for their destitute families, they were 
again attacked by an increased force—nut less than 
4,000 in all. The battle commenced at 10 o’clock in 
the morning and lasted till night, the Union Indians 
maintaining their position. Their ammunition 
being entirely consumed, Opotheyoliolo ordered a 
retreat to Kansas. 
The Union Indians having a largo number of 
women and children, and all being on foot, the 
retreat was necessarily slow. The retreat, „as 
described by the Chief, was truly heart-rending. 
They were poorly provided with clothing, all 
suffered greatly, many were frozen to death, but 
the fatality among women and children was much 
the greatest 
Since the arrival of these persons a large number 
of their friends have followed them, and there are 
now not less than six thousand men, women, and 
children on our Southern border. Provisions, 
"blankets, money to buy beef cattle, and rations in 
large quantities have been sent to them. 
Replies were made to Opotheyoliolo* by General 
Hunter, Col. Gollin, and Major Cutler. The brave 
old warrior was deeply impressed with the inter¬ 
view, and departed fully convinced that the “ pale 
faces” would sustain his people with the full force 
and power at the command of “ the Great Father.” 
The Guubont Engagement Near Columbus. 
The following reports of the recent gunboat 
engagement near Columbus, have been received at 
the Navy Department: 
I’.viTKD Status (tlxhoat Essex. > 
Wm. D. 1’ortbb, Com ding. Fort Jefferson. Jan. 13, 1SC2. } 
Flag-Officer A. If. Foote.— Sir: On the morning of 
the 11th, Gen. McClernand sent on board this ves¬ 
sel, and informed me that the enemy were moving 
up the river from Columbus, with several vessels, 
towing up a battery. 1 immediately signaled Lieut- 
Com. Paulding, of the St Louis, to get under way 
and prepare for action. A very thick fog coming 
on, we were compelled to steam slowly down 
the river; but about ten o'clock, or a little after, 
it rose, and showed us a large steamer at the 
head of I.ncase's fiend. We heard her whistle the 
moment we were seen by them. Shortly after 
whistling, she was joined by another large and a 
small steamer. We pursued our course steadily 
down the river, and when within long range, the 
large steamer tired a heavy shell-gun. which struck 
the sand-bar between us, and ricochetted within 
about 200 yards of this vessel, and bursted. We, at 
this time, did UOt return the fire, hut continued our 
course down, in order to near the vessel 
By this time the large steamer Was joined by her 
consorts, and they opened a brisk fire upon us, I 
now hailed Lieut"-Com. Paulding, and directed him 
to try one of hi$ rifle cannon. He instantly fired, 
and sent his shot completely over the enemy. 1 
then opened from my bow-guns, and the action 
became brisk on both sides for about twenty min¬ 
utes, the enemy firing by broadsides. At tboVnrt of 
this time the enemy hauled off. and stood down the 
river, rounding to occasionally and giving us 
broadsides. This ninning tight continued tmiil 
be reached the shelter of the butteries on the 
Iron Banks above Columbus. We continued the 
action, and drove him behind his batteries in a crip¬ 
pled condition. We could distinctly see our shells 
explode on his decks. The action* lasted over an 
hour, and terminated, as I think, in a complete 
defeat of the enemy's boats, superior in size and 
number of guns to the Essex and St. Louis. 
On the 12th, Gen. McClernand requested me to 
make a reconnaissance toward the Iron Banks. 1 
did so. and offered the enemy battle by firing a 
round shot at their battery, but they did not respond, 
nor did l see anything of their boats. I have since 
been informed, through the General, that the boats 
of the enemy were "completely disabled, and the 
panic became’ so great at the Iron Banks that the 
gunners deserted their guns. The lire of the St. 
Louis was precise, and the shot fell well. The offi¬ 
cers and men of this vessel behaved with firmness, 
Mr. Riley, the First Muster, carrying out all toy 
orders strictly, while the officers of the gnn divi¬ 
sions. Messrs! Loving and Ferry, paid particular 
attention to the pointing of their respective guns. 
Mr, Britton, my Aid, paid all attention to my orders, 
and conveyed them correctly and with alacrity: in 
fact all the officers and men* on board behaved like 
veterans. Your obedient servant 
» W. D. Pouter, Commander. 
Flag-Officer Foote, in forwarding this report, 
says: 
Cairo. January 13,1862. 
Sib:—I forward a report from Commander Por¬ 
ter. The rebel gunboat shells all fell short of our 
boats, while our shells reached and ranged beyond 
their boats, showing the greater range of our gnus, 
but the escape ot the rebels showed the greater 
speed of their boats. Your ob’t serv't, 
A. II. Foote, Flag-Officer. 
Hon. Gideon Weli.es, Secretary Navy. 
Department of Missouri. 
Advices have been received at Sedalin that the 
1st Kansas regiment, w T bich was sent from that 
point some days since, arrived at Lexington Friday 
week, where they arrested several ot the most 
prominent and intense rebels of the town, also took 
and destroyed about 1.500 hogs, which were being 
packed for the use of Price’s rebels, and a good deal 
ot other valuable property. About 60 rebels 
belonging to the regiment of Colonel Alexander, 
now a prisoner at St. Louis, were captured about 
six miles from Sedalia on the 25th tilt. 
A prominent citizen of Southwestern Missouri 
arrived from Mount Yemen, Lawrence County, on 
the 26th ult. He says that General Raines, with 
about 400 men, stayed all night at Mount Vernon on 
Tuesday Dight the 1-ith ult.. on bis way to Granby, 
where his soldiers said they were going to work in 
the lead mines. Threats were made to arrest all 
men who had been connected with the Home Guard 
companies, and put them at work in the mines. In 
consequence of this a large number ef Union citi¬ 
zens were leaving the country. 
In regard to the number of troops in Northern 
Arkansas, he says that he has it from good authority 
that there are only about 50Q or 600 at Cross Hol¬ 
lows and Care Hill. Benton County, but a body of 
from 2,000 to 3.000 men were at TiMorth Bend, 
about 50 miles below Vanbergen. on the Arkansas 
river. Several secessionists told him that Price’s 
forces at Springfield did not exceed 10,000. This 
gentleman met the scouts of the Federale army four 
miles beyond Lebanon, and other troops at different 
points this side. 
The latest information from Rolla is to the 23th, 
and to the effect that our army is encamped at Leb¬ 
anon in considerable numbers. Major Wright’s 
battalion is quartered in the house lately occupied 
by the rebels, but the greater portion of the troops 
are encamped just beyond the town. No troops 
except scouts have advanced beyond that town, and 
it is improbable that they will until other regiments 
now on the way shall have arrived. 
General Curtiss and staff departed from St. Louis 
several days ago to join the army in the field. This 
would indicate that tho campaign is to be pushed 
forward with energy. Siegel lias arrived, and it is 
understood he will go forward with the expedition. 
The telegraph from Ottorville cm the 30th informs 
ns that the movement foreshadowed by the prepara-* 
tions of the past week, has taken place. One divi¬ 
sion, under command of General Jeff. C. Davis, has 
already taken up its march for the South. They 
left Versailles yesterday A. M. Their destination 
is supposed to be Springfield. The division consists 
of 5 regiments, the 8th and 22d Indiana. 27tb Illi¬ 
nois and Dili Missouri, accompanied by two batteries 
of 24 pieces, and 3 companies of cavalry, under 
commando! Major Hubbard. From the skill and 
energy of Davis, important results are confidently 
predicted. The next division under Turner is 
expected to leave to-morrow, or Friday. 
Emissaries from Price, bearing printed commis¬ 
sions signed by him. are busily recruiting through 
all this section. Numbers have been captured and 
brought in, upon whom the docunientsjwere found. 
They arc authorized to enlist from 3 to 12 months, 
or during the war. There are about 50 prisoners 
here awaiting orders of Provost Marshal General. 
Ft. Louis dispatches state that a large body of 
troops are moving from Rolla, Sedalia. and Otter- 
villo, the destination of which is supposed to be 
Springfield. 
The following is from Major Wright's report to 
General Wyman: 
General Price’s force does not exceed 8,000 or 
10,000 — all State troops. Price lias not yet been 
notified of bis appointment as Major-General in the 
rebel army, consequently rebel forces decline to 
re-enforce him. They say to him they have 30,000 
troops ready to join him when they receive official 
notice. McIntosh has gone to re-enforce the rebels 
in the Indian nation. The most of Raines' men have 
gone home, and the balance, 400, are at Sarcoxle 
and Granby, it is said, to run furnaces. 
Last Thursday Price was informed the Federals 
were moving against him in force from Rolla. It 
caused great excitement in the rebel camp. Price 
expects his appointment to be confirmed within two 
weeks, when lie will here-enforced by Confederates 
from Arkansas, Unless he can take command of 
the, whole force, he will be obliged to retreat. He 
has a large number of wagons, and is putting every 
thing in readiness to decamp. He intends falling 
back on Pine Hill, unless speedily re-enforced. He 
has a large number of men on the sick list. He has 
also fifteen day’s supplies on hand. Each regiment 
has organized a corps of the best marksmen to drop 
off officers. 
A largo amount of property was seized by Pro¬ 
vost Marshal to pay the amount assessed against 
prominent rebels by Halleck, and was to be sold at 
auction on Monday, February 3d, for the benefit of 
the L T nion Refugees. 
The military commission assembled at Palmyra 
for the trial of the bridge burners, have found seven 
guilty, and sentenced to be shot. The sentence has 
been approved by Major-General Halleck. and they 
will be executed at a time and place hereafter to he 
designated. 
A general order has been issued by Major-Gene¬ 
ral Halleck. in which it is stated that several com¬ 
panies of the dill Missouri Volunteers lately called 
U. S. Reserve Corps, showed themselves mutinous 
and disobedient. The companies have been dis¬ 
armed and placed in confinement at Benton Bar¬ 
racks. The privates and non-commissioned officers 
of this corps will be sent to Cairo to work on the 
fortifications till further orders. The commissioned 
officers at that post will see that these companies 
will complete their werk. and will report to their 
headquarters the names of those who obey orders 
and deserve to bo restored to the ranks. The offi¬ 
cers of these companies not having joined in that 
mutinous demonstration, hut having failed to 
enforce order and military discipline, will be mus¬ 
tered out of the service and dismissed. The Major- 
General commanding is always ready to listen to 
complaints, and redress all well founded grievances, 
but he is determined to enforce discipline and obe¬ 
dience to orders. All companies, regiments, or 
corps who shall henceforth disobey orders, or 
exhibit mutinous dispositions, will be dealt with in a 
most summary manner. 
Department of Kansas. 
Dnu xg the past week considerable interest has 
been aroused relative to an expedition ot large size, 
fitting out in this Department, and of which it was 
freely stated Senator Lane was to have the com¬ 
mand. The following general order, contradicting 
these statements, has caused a decided sensation in 
civil and military circles: 
The expedition about to be started south from this 
Department, called in the newspapers Gen. Lane’s 
expedition, it is the intention of the Major-General 
commanding this Department to command in per¬ 
son, unless otherwise expressly ordered by Govern¬ 
ment 
Transportation not having been supplied, we must 
go without it. AH tent*, trunks, chests, chairs, 
camp-stools, Ac., must be at once stored or aban¬ 
doned. The General commanding takes in bis 
valise but one change of clothing, stud no officer or 
Boldier will carry more. Surplus room in knap¬ 
sacks must be reserved for ammunition and provi¬ 
sions, Every officer and soldier will carry his own 
clothing and bedding. 
The General commanding has applied to Govern¬ 
ment for six Brigadier-Generals, that his command 
may be properly organized, and until they arrive it 
is necessary that he should appoint act ing'Brigadier- 
Generals from senior Colonels; to enable him to do 
this in accordance with orders on the subject, each 
Colonel will immediately report the date on which 
he was mustered into the U. F. service. 
(Signed) D. Hunter, 
Major-General Commanding. 
Here is an order calculated to suppress the 
marauding bands which have made this section Ihc 
field of their operations: . 
The general order No. 12, issued from the Depart¬ 
ment of Kansas, prohibits the troops of this Depart¬ 
ment from entering the Department of Missouri, 
without a special order. A11 armed parties, whether 
belonging to the service of the Government or not, 
who shall hereafter ckifs the Kansas border and 
enter ihe Department of Missouri without due 
authority, shall tic adjudged to have entered for the 
purpose of depredation, and shall be held subject to 
ihe penalties of military law. 
Anj r armed band oi men iu Kansas not in the 
United Ftei'cs service, nor acting nnder special 
authority obtained from the Governor of the State 
or of the (.eneral Commanding, are hereby warned 
to disband and return to their homes. _ 
Military Commissioners., for tho trial of all such 
prisoners*and all now detained on charges of doing 
concerned in depredatious or jay-lmwking, will be 
established. D. Hunter, 
Major-General Commanding. 
The 3th 'Wisconsin, Colonel Solomon, is quartered 
in Leavenworth. 
The 2d Ohio Cavalry, Colonel Doubleday, are at 
Platte City. 
The Santa Fe mail, with dates to the 12th. arrived 
at Kansas City on the 28th ult. Nothing of interest 
starring in the Military Department of New Mexico. 
Col. Canby has advanced up the river from Fort 
Craig, and at last accounts was at. Bernal, with 
twenty companies of troops. He still foars an 
attack on some other points than Fort Craig. He 
thinks the enemy reported at Animosa were there to 
direct the attention of Federals. Fifteen companies 
of Federals are at Fort Craig, the same number at 
Albuquerque, six at Santa Fe, and six hundred at 
Fort Union. _ 
Department of the Ohio. 
The week has passed in comparative quiet 
within the limits of this department. We give such 
items as are at hand: 
Through rebel sources it is ascertained that 15.000 
Federal troops crossed Green River on the 30:h ult, 
and a large force was in readiness to cross on the 
day following. 
General Thomas is not pursuing Zollicoffcr’s 
defeated army, tho roads and inadequate transporta¬ 
tion not permitting. He is building a road 30 miles 
in length, to render his advance into Tennessee easy 
and permanent 
A special to the Chicago Journal from Cairo, says 
that the forces composing the expedition against 
Jeff Thompson, report the country beyond Charles¬ 
ton infested with guerilla bands, who plunder every 
one, Union and rebel alike. The expedition went 
nearly to Sykcstowu. General Payne is determined 
to occupy Charleston, and for that purpose a regi¬ 
ment of infantry and a detachment of cavalry will 
remain at that place. 
A large rebel mail, containing several hundred 
letters, has been captured near Cairo, and contains 
letters of importance from Bowling Green and other 
rebel camps. 
Captain Constable, commander of the mortar 
boats, returned to Cairo from Pittsburgh on the 31st 
tilt. Twelve of the 13-inch mortars, with mortar 
beds and ammunition, have been shipped, and 
twelve of the mortar boats will be immediately put 
in readiness for active service. 
Commodore Foote being in want of men for the 
gunboat service, General Halleck. of the Missouri 
Department, has issued general orders, in which 
commauders serving in his department are ordered 
to take immediate measures to ascertain what men 
in their respective commands desire to be translerrod 
to the gunboat service. He directs that care shall 
be taken in selecting them, and that preference shall 
be given to the best men fitted for the service. The 
men selected are ordered to report to Quartermaster 
Graohett, U. F. Army, at St Louis, by whom they 
mil be enrolled and shipped. A list of the names 
of the men furnished from each command, stating 
in each case the company and the regiment the men 
have been taken from, is to be sent to headquarters, 
that orders directing the transfer of such men may 
be issued without delay. 
Department of the East. 
Our news from the Potomac is not very imports 
ant up to the time of writing, Monday, P. M. We 
give such matters of interest as have been made 
public: 
Gen. Heintzelman, it is said, is to be placed in 
command of the new grand expedition to the Soutb, 
the details of which are as yet kept secret. 
By direction of tho Secretary of War, an order 
has been issued prohibiting letters from being sent 
or received through our lines except by prisoners 
on either side. The practice has been, heretofore, 
to allow all letters to pass. It has been discovered 
that this privilege has been abused. 
Two sutlers who for some time past have been 
furnishing supplies to Stockton’s Independent Mich¬ 
igan regiment, were last week suddenly brought up. 
Finding that the soldiers were obtaining supplies of 
liquor from some unknown source. Major Davis 
made an investigation of their establishment and 
stoek. Aside from a large supply of whisky, he 
found about $800 in counterfeit money, which they 
had been industriously circulating among the men. 
The entire stock of goods was confiscated, which, 
with two horses and lour wagons, is estimated at 
$10,000 in value. The men have been brought to 
Washington to await the action of the proper author¬ 
ities. 
Orders have been issued for the Constitution to 
sail from Hampton Roads with her troops, at the 
earliest possible moment, for Ship Island. The 
health of the brigade is rapidly and decidedly 
improving. 
The dispatches received from Gen. Burnside are 
more favorable than the details of our “ Postscript” 
in the Rural of last week. A special messenger 
from the General reached Washington on the 28th 
ult. with the following statement, dated “Head¬ 
quarters Department of North Carolina, Hatteras 
Inlet, Jan. 26:” 
We left our anchorage at Annapolis on Thursday, 
the 6th, and after a protracted passage, owing to a 
flense fog, arrived at Fortress Monroe on Friday 
night at twelve o’clock. Leaving Fortress Monroe 
on Saturday, at ten o’clock in the morning, we pro¬ 
ceeded at once to sea, but owing to fogs on Sunday 
night, our progress was very slow. On Monday, 
the 13th, the weather cleared, with a heavy wind 
and a rough sea, which caused onr vessels to labor 
very heavily, and some were obliged to cut loose 
from the vessels they were towing. Most ot them, 
however, passed the harbor about twelve o’clock on 
the 13th, just in time to escape the severe gale of 
Monday night and Tuesday. 
The propeller City of New York ran on the bar 
at the entrance to the harbor, and owing to the 
severe weather and want of small boats, we could 
render her no assistance. She was laden with stores 
and was lost 
The General also says he had been led to believe 
that he would find experienced pilots at Hatteras, 
but he had great difficulty in accomplishing his v'ish 
for want of proper accommodations. He adds that 
he would commence that day to build a wharf for 
landing supplies. The men were cheerful and pa¬ 
tient, and he would proceed with confidence. 
An accident occurred in an attempt to relieve the 
steamer New York by which a boat was swamped, 
and tbe livp* of Col. Allen, of the 3th New Jersey, 
his surgeon, and a mate of the boat were lost. 
On the landing of the expedition at Hatteras, the 
enemy made their appearance in one or two vessels 
on a reconnoitering expedition. Our boats gave 
chase and drove them back. 
The transport-steamers and vessels grounded, but 
will got off by the aid of tug-boats. Only one. the 
City of Now York, was lost, and no lives—the three 
above referred to excepted. 
Official dispatches from Com. Goldsborough, dated 
Jan. 20th,addressed to the Navy Department, arrived 
on the 30th. Seventeen of the naval vessels were at 
that time in the Found and beyond the bulk bead, 
under the immediate command of Com. Rowan, in 
full readiness lor operations of any kind. General 
Burnside was preparing his forces to move in con¬ 
nection with the Heel Coin. Goldsborough says 
things now look hopeful, and I sincerely trust we 
shall be soon at the enemy. Any decided approach 
in this quarter on the part of the rebels, with all the 
force they can muster, would, to a moral certainty, 
result in their speedy capture and destruction. 
Intelligence from Favannah, received through 
rebel agencies, states that six Federal vessels 
entered the river on tbe 28lh back of Little Tybee, 
and passed up to tho north end of Wilmington 
Island, thereby cutting off communication between 
Fort Pulaski and the city of Savannah. The enemy 
shelled Wilmington Island and fired upon the Confed¬ 
erate steamer Ida, but no injury was done. Com. Tat- 
naU’s fleet was at Thunderbolt, but arrived safe at 
Savannah. Fort Pulaski has provisions enough 
to last them six months. 
From the same .source we hear that on the 
23th the city was comparatively quiet No immedi¬ 
ate attack is anticipated. The object of the Yankees 
seems to be to cut off communication witV Fort 
Puiaski. There were six Federal gunboats at 
Wells’ Cut, and seven at the head of Wilmington 
Island, commanding the channel of the river yester¬ 
day. Com. Tatnall convoyed two steamers and a 
float toward Fort Pulaski with provisions. The 
enemy opened fire upon them, and a battle ensued, 
lasting forty minu'es. 
The provision boats and.steamer Sampson are 
now returning. Tho Federals fired upon the latter, 
and she is slightly damaged. 
A letter from an officer at the fort says that the 
enemy cannot take it by any attack they may make. 
The Yankees are engaged in removing the obstruc¬ 
tions in the channel. There are other defences yet 
to pass. The people of Savannah are firm and con¬ 
fident of their ability to defend the city. 
The Norfolk Day Book calls upon the ladles to 
contribute their red woolen 'skirts and dresses to 
the Government, tbe price of flannel used for fixed 
ammunition being so high as to subject the Govern¬ 
ment to serious lax. 
In the expectation of the success of Gen. Burn¬ 
side’s expedition, and the opening of at least three 
Congressional Districts, Marble Nash Taylor, the 
Provisional Governor, has issued a proclamation 
ordering an election on tho 22<1 of February, to ratify 
or perfect the ordinances of tho Convention of the 
18th of November, and also for the election of two 
Members of Congress. 
Advices from Fort Pickens, at Philadelphia, say 
the rebels have withdrawn a portion ot their forces 
to Mobile, which they consider in special danger. 
It is understood that tho rebel force opposite Fort 
Pickens is not over 6,000, exclusive of that at Live 
Oak plantation, which is held to be from 1.000 to 
3,000 and fortified. Contrabands are continually 
coming to Colonel Brown. 
The New Orlean • Crescent says the steamer Cal¬ 
houn entered a Louisiana port on Thursday night, 
when she accidentally burst her boiler and became 
nnmanagable. The Captain, fearing acaptnre, burnt 
Lhe vessel. The cargo was very valuable. Fhortly 
after the commencement of hostilities, the Calhoun 
was fitted up at New Orleans as a privateer. She 
made several trips, and succeeded in bringing in a 
number of rich prizes. Her loss, the Crescent 
remarks, is to be regretted. 
The latest intelligence received, states that Fort 
Pulaski is now thoroughly invested. Gen. Sherman 
has daily reports of all that is done there, and will 
take the place when he chooses to attack it. 
AFFALRS AT WASHINGTON. 
Toe Special Committee on Defenses and Fortifi¬ 
cations of Lakes and Rivers had an important 
meeting on tbe 30th ult. Gen. McClellan was called 
upon, and ho laid before the Committee many facts, 
showing the importance of immediate action. He 
favors the fortification of a few important points, 
such as Mackinaw, Fort Gratiot, and some place on 
the Sault St, Marie Canal, and relies elsewhere on 
naval delenccs, to supply which he recommends the 
establishment of one or more depots of arms on the 
Lakes. It is understood that the Committee concur 
in these general views, and will make a report in 
accordance therewith at an early day. 
Col. Reyuolds, the Government agent at Port 
Royal, who superintends the growing, gathering 
and transportation of the cotton on the Sea Islands, 
arrived in Washington on the 30th ult, and had a 
long interview w ith the Secretary of the Treasury. 
He has already secured more than $1,000,000 worth 
of cotton. The 2,000 or 3,000 negroes just freed are 
industrious and orderly, and do their work well and 
cheerfully. They need clothing and medical attend¬ 
ance. He desires to take back with him an ample 
supply of the former, and several physicians. 
The House Committee on Commerce, at their 
meeting to-day. authorized Gen. Ward to report on 
the Canadian Reciprocity treaty. The report trill 
suggest a number of important changes, making it 
more equal and favorable to tbe United States. 
Certain prisoners juBt released from. Richmond, 
and who have arrived in Washington, say that of all 
the clothing forwarded to them by Gen. Wool, from 
Fortress Monroe, some months since, by way of 
Norfolk, care of Gen. Huger, not one garment ever 
reached Richmond. It is supposed they were appro¬ 
priated by the Confederates. 
The postal receipts for letters carried during the 
last quarter of 1861, are but little less than difring 
the same period of 1860, when the mails went all 
over the Union. The cost of transportation is 
$3,000,000 less. 
The statement that the House Committee on the 
District of Columbia has decided to report against 
the abolition of slavery' in the District, is untrue. 
Whatever the sentiments of the Committee may be, 
they have not yet been ex-pressed in a vote. 
The act establishing tbe Court of Claims will be 
amended, by making its decisions final upon the 
concurrence of the three Judges, with a limited 
right of appeal to the Supreme Court of the United 
States, and the disability of Congressmen to prac¬ 
tice in it. 
The urgent necessity which required the imme¬ 
diate purchase of arms, clothing, and other military 
supplies, from foreign countries, having ceased, 
Secretary Stanton has ordered that no further con¬ 
tracts be made by this department, or any bureau 
thereof, for any article of foreign manufacture that 
can be produced or manufactured in the United 
States. 
All outstanding orders, agencies, authorities and 
licenses for the purchase of arms, clothing, or any¬ 
thing else in foreign countries, or of foreign manu¬ 
facture, for this department, arc revoked or annulled. 
All persons claiming to have any contract.* bar¬ 
gain or agreement, order, warrant, license or author¬ 
ity, from this department, for furnishing anything to 
the United States, are required, within fifteen days, 
to give written notice of such contract, and its pur¬ 
port, with statement in writing of what has been 
done under it, and to file copy with Secretary of 
War. 
All contracts, orders and agreements for any sup¬ 
plies should be in writing, and signed by the con¬ 
tracting parties, and originals or copies filed 
according to regulations, with the head ot' the pro¬ 
per bureau. It is seldom that any necessity can 
prevent contracts from being reduced to waiting, 
and even when made by telegraph, its terms can lie 
ppeedily written and signed, and every claim 
founded upon any pretended contract outstanding, 
of which notice and copy is not filed in accordance 
wj|h this order, w ithin the period named, shall be 
deemed and held fraudulent and void, and no claim 
thereon will be allowed or paid by the department, 
without satisfactory proof of its validity. 
The following order, appointing the Rev. Bishop 
Ames and the lion. Hamilton Fish, Commissioners 
to visit and relieve the prisoners of the United 
States, has been issued by Secretary Stanton: 
Ordered , That the Rev. Bishop Amps, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Hon. Hamil¬ 
ton Fish, ot New York, lie and are hereby appointed 
Commissioners to visit the prisoners belonging to 
the army of the United States, now in captivity at 
Richmond and elsewhere, and tinder saeii regula¬ 
tions as may be prescribed by tin* authorities hav¬ 
ing custody of such prisoners' reJieve their necessi¬ 
ties. and provide for their comfort at the expense of 
the United States, in pursuance of the order hereto¬ 
fore made on this subject; and that said Commis¬ 
sioners be requested immediately to signify by tele¬ 
graph to this deportment their* acceptance or refu¬ 
sal of this appointment, and report in person at 
Washington, without delay. 
(Signed) Edward M. Stanton, 
Secretary of War. 
The War Department has ordered that henceforth 
all Union soldiers released from rebel dungeons 
shall, upon their arrival at Washington, receive, in 
addition to full pay, commutation of rations for the 
whole timo of imprisonment. 
Collector Barney has notified the Secretary of the 
Treasury that he intends to abolish the office of 
Collector at Troy, and allow the duties to be dis¬ 
charged by the Surveyor. lie also states that he 
intends (o abolish two more of tho same class of 
offices at Albany, there being no necessity for them. 
Ho says he has commenced the work of retrench¬ 
ment in the New York Custom House, having 
already abolished $50,000 worth of places, and 
intends to keep on doing so. 
Secretary Feward has w ritten to Marshal Lamon, 
directing him to discontinue hereafter the practice 
of the last half century, with reference to the use of 
the Washington jail for the custody of slaves. 
These instructions forbid him to receive slaves for 
safe keeping there, except committed by some com¬ 
petent law officer for offense against the law, or, 
unless taken up and committed as fugitives from 
slavery, in which he is hereafter to comply literally 
with tbe provisions of the law regarding their dis¬ 
charge from custody at the end of thirty days, unless 
previously lawfully claimed by owners. In these 
instructions, Mr. Seward has followed the letter of 
the law, and thus provided for the prompt correc¬ 
tion of the abuses in that connection, which have 
existed only by a custom of fifty years. 
Notwithstanding the alarms and croakings of 
some foreign journals and letter writers about the 
stone blockade, and other sinister reports, the dis¬ 
patches received at the State Department are 
regarded as conclusive of the complete restoration 
of the entente cordiale between the United States 
and Great Britain, and of the best possible under¬ 
standing with the Governments of France, Italy, 
and other European States. On the 30th ult., Secre¬ 
tary Seward and Lord Lyons exchanged congratu¬ 
lations on the adjustment of the Trent affair, in the 
spirit which, in the same case, animated Earl Rus¬ 
sell and Minister Adams. 
The Secretary of State, on the 31st ult., directed the 
release from Fort Lafayette of all the persons taken 
Horn on board insurgent armed vessels. 
It is true,, as has been stated, that Gen. Wool, 
under instructions, asked Gen. Huger if Smith, the 
pirate, were delivered to him at Norfolk, Col. Cor¬ 
coran would be restored to liberty and sent North. 
The answer in the negative w as owing to a differ¬ 
ence in rank of the two prisoners. 
Hon. Alfred Ely, M. C. from this (Rochester) dis¬ 
trict, late a prisoner at Richmond, had an interview 
with the President and Secretary Few ard on the 1st 
iust., and it has been determined to place the rebel 
pirates, now in New r York and Philadelphia, on the 
footing of prisoners of w*ar. An order has been 
issued to remove them to military prisons, with a 
view to exchange them for citizens confined at the 
South. This important and humane course may 
result in the return of Gols. Corcoran, Lee, Cogs- 
well, Woodruff, Wilcox, Vodges, and other officers 
now held as hostages for these privateers. A gen¬ 
eral exchange of all prisoners will, it is believed, 
speedily follow. 
Mexican letters from Havana state that the allies 
are greatly dissatisfied with their prospects in Mex¬ 
ico, and complain that Miramon and others have 
deceived them. They expected aid from a strong 
party, and find the population as one man against 
them. They are convinced that their present force 
is entirely inadequate to tbe task of bringing the 
Mexicans to terms. The troops at Vera Cruz are 
suffering greatly from sickness, five hundred men 
out of eight thousand being in the hospitals. 
Whenever they have ventured beyond the range of 
their cannon, they have been shot dow*n, if few*, or 
driven hack, if in force. 
The allies seem to be quarreling among them¬ 
selves. On one occasion, a French regiment fought 
a Spanish regiment, until a number were killed and 
wounded in each. In consequence of this brawl, it 
was believed that the French forces would imme¬ 
diately land at Tampico, W'hore, as previous advices 
inform us, resistance would be made. The English 
were at tho same time to attack Matamoras. 
