The New York Herald Newspaper, January 28, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 9270. ——— Iaportant Order from the Secretary of War. Practical Measures for the Relief of Prisoners of War. Bi:bop Ames and Ex-Gov. Fish Appointed Com- — yainstoners to the Rebel States, The Aspect of Our Relations with &., ke. e, Wasinnaron, Jan. 27, 1862. IMPORTANT ORDER-FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT— BELIEF OF PRISONERS IN THE HANDS OF THE REBELS. ‘The following excellent order bas been issued to-day by Secretary Stanton, and willbe carried into immedi- ate execution if the rebel authorities do not object. ‘Whether the same courtesy will be extended to the rebels remains to be seen. There is no arrangement to ‘that effect yet. The exchange of prisoners so far has been altogether informal:— ‘ORDER AFFOUNTING REV. BISHOP AMBS AND HON. HAMILTON FISH (COMMOSHONERS TO VISE AND RELIBVS CITIEENS OF THE UNITED STATES NOW PRISONERS OF WAR IM THE REAEL STATES. ‘Wan Dsrantuawr, Wasutnorow, Jan. 27, 1862. Ordered, that the Rev. Bishop Ames, of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the Hon. Hamikon Fish, of Wew York, be and they are hereby ap ‘Pointed Commissioners to visit the prisoners be- longing to the army of the United States now in captivity at Richmond, in Virgmia, and elsewhere, and under such regulations as may be prescribed by the authorities having custody of such prisoners, relieve ‘their necessities. and provide for their comfort, at the expense of the United States,in pursuance of the order Iheretofore made on this subject, and that said Commis- wioners be requested immediately to signify by telegraph to the departmont their acceptance or of this ap. ointment, and report in person st Washingten without delay. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Governor Fish, being notified by telegraph of his ap- ointment, has promptly accepted. Bishop Ames has @lso accepted. The Commissioners will accompany another quota of rebel prisoners, and will proceed under flag of truce from Fortress Monrce and make known to ‘the rebel authorities the object of their mission, when, if Tefused, they will return. If allowed to remaiv they will Proceed to execute the duties assigned to them in the above order. THE BUANSIDE BXPEDITION—AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY, No official information has yet been received from Genera) Burnside’s expedition, nor have any further ad. ‘vices been received to-day io reference to the movements of our troops in Kentucky. GEN. M’CLELLAN’S STAFF APPOINTMENTS. ‘The subject of the confismation of General McCiellan’s ‘etal came up in the Genate in executive session to-day. ‘The officers nominated by the President to the staf, num" Dering between fifty and sixty, have passed the Military Committee favoraply, but the whole matter was very saddenly and summarily disposed of to-day by the expo- sition of the fact that the law regulating such appoint- ‘ments gives the President full power to act in the matter, fad does not require the advice and consent of the Senate. ‘The staff is, therefore, complete and fully authorized. GENERAL GIGEL RETAINED Bf THB SERVICE. ‘The resignation of General Sigel not having been ac- Gopted, his military abilities being highly appreciated, he ‘will not renew it. As a strong friend of the Union he ‘will continue in the service, where he can be of mos, use, either in Missouri or on the Potofhac. A series of events prompted him to retirefrom the army, but the more receut cause of complaint, it is believed, will be remedied. AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC. ‘The United States brig Perry, which for some months past has been anchored just below Alexandria, fitting out for sea, was put in readiness in the early part of last ‘week, and on Thursday night ran down past the Confede- vate batteries in tow of the Pusey. She was not fired at. ‘The repairs to the Island Belle were completed at the yard on Saturday, and, taking on board General Sickles and some officers of his brigade, she ran down past the ‘srebel batteries on Saturday night without being fired at, and after landing her passengers at Liverpool Point, laid Dy until Sunday night, when she returned to Indian Head- On her up trip six shots were fired at her by the rebels, ‘Done taking effect. The rebels appear to be enlarging and strengthening their works at Cockpit Point, as if to make the Occoquan ‘the main line of defence on their right wing. OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO. ‘The condition of affairs in Moxico is regarded with much interest by our government. The Senate Com. mittee on Foreign Relations have deferred action on the late Message of the President, submitting a project of a treaty, on account of the subsequent material changes in the aspect of the Mexican question. It was expected that another comnfunication on the snbject, suggesting alterations in the proget to correspond with the altered position of affairs in Mexico, would be sent to the Senate to-day, but the programme is not yet completed, and ‘will not be presented until after tho return of the Secre. tary of State from his visit to Now York. When the nows of the occupation of Vera Cruz by the allies wag firat received it was believed that the opportunity for treaty negotiations was ended, but recent advices revive inducements to make efforts in that direction. ‘Tho allics have, it appears, found more than they bar- gained for. They expected an easy prey anda popular welcome. Their attack has accomplished what nothing else conla—t ‘eunion of the Mexican people. All of the opposition leaders except two have availed themselves o¢ the amnosty offered by the government, and are now act- ing conjointly in its defence, Only Marquez and one other, ‘Doth go stained with infamous crimes as to render their adherence to the government undesirable, have not ac. cepted the amnesty. The allies are themselves blockaded on the land side, denied any fresh provisions, and com- Pelied to look to Europe for the most ordinary supplies. The reinforcement of the threo thousand Spanish troops at Havana will hardly compensate for losses by death and disesse from the origina) force, and jthey will be compelled t wait until the sickly ecagon shall have commenced before a sufficient number of troops can be brought together on the west to attempta further invasion of a country so susceptible of defence by a united people. ‘The belief prevails here that if, as has been hinted in certain quarters, the expedition was not merely a blind for Preparations ultimately to be directed against the United States, the allies in seizing upon Vora Cruz have pos. sessed themselves of an elephant of which they would gladly be rid, and would welcome such negotiations between our government and that of Mexico as would enable them to retire honorably from the dilemma, The setaure of Vera Cruz has greatly obstracted the commu. wication between the Mexican Minister here and bis government. Despatches are now received chiefly by way of Acapulco and Panama. General Lon Domingo do Gojcourta, from New York, ar- rived hero to-day on important business for the Mexican qovernment. 7H AB COMMITTER AND THR BATTLE OF BULL RUN. ‘Lieutenants ©. . Hazlett and H. B. Reed, of Grimin's battery, were subpanaed to-day to appear before tho Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the Wa ‘The testimony of theso officers, it supposed, will have ‘Feferonce solely to the battle at Bull run, at which both an active and gallant part. THE CONGRESSIONAL WAR COMMIITRE AND THE BAT- TLE OF BALL'S BLUFF. Colonel Devens, of the gallant Massachusetts Fifteanth arrived bere last evening, in answer to © subpoena from the Committees on the Conduct of the War, To day he Appeared before that bedy, and gavo an account of the part he took with his regiment in the battle of Ball's Piuth It will be remomberod that Colonel Devens had 7 two sharp fights, with 600 of his command, before Gen’ Baker erossed the river, and that 800 ef that number were either killed, wounded or taken prisoners. After standing ‘their ground like old regulars fer eight hours, the regi- ment was driven to the river by the everpowering nym- ders of the enemy, and many of the men wore drowned im attempting to regain the Maryland shore, Genera) Devens himself swam scross the river, after doing all he could to secure a safe retreat for his men, that being bis last resort next to surrendering or suffering instant death from the sword or the bayonet. Colonel Devens’ teatimony is considered highly important in its bearing upon the battle of Ball’s Bluffs, but cannot be published ot present. DEFENCES OF THE NORTHERN FRONTIER. ‘The Committeo on Lake Defences, of which Representa, tive Arnold is chairman, have been delayed in their ac. tion by the sickness of General McClellan, but{ since his recovery they have been placed in possesion of his views and opinions. They are now awaiting a detailed eetimat® from General Totten, but will before long makeafullre port with regard to the defenees of the Northern frontier. GENERAL BUTLER’S EXPEDITION. ‘The supposition in some quarters, that the dispute be- tween Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, and the gene- ral government, relative to General Butler, has caused the delay of the Constitution, with a portion of Genera! Butler’s expedition, is an entire mistake. The Constitu- tion has been delayed by order of General McClellan for military reasons having no reference whatever to the political or personal objections raised by the Governor ‘agatet General Butler, ‘THE CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL BENHAM. It fe not true, as repeatedly announced in the press of the country, that the charges against General Benham have been laid aside by the Goneral-in-Chief, and that General Benham has been ordered to return to duty. As before stated in this correspondence, the case was only suspended because the witnesses on both sides embraced @ long list, all of whom are important officers and cannot be spared from the field of active rations, In the meantime General Benham was ordored to be released from arrest, but not to return to duty: Elearn that misrepresentations have appeared in many of the newapapers of the country relative to the caso of General Benham, and an investigation has been going on 4s to the authority upon which they were based. The rosult of this investigation will,I learn, eause an addi- tional charge to be brought against General Benham, whose case wi be tried as speedily as the public interest will permit. INSPECTION AND PAYMENT OF THE TROOPS. An inspection of arms and equipments in the Massachu- setts Ninth regiment took place yestorday, and prizes of Diankets, coverlets and stockings, contributed by the workmen of the Charlestown (Mass.) Navy Yard, were awarded as prizes te the nine cleanest men in each com. pany of the regiment. The payment of this regiment commenced on Saturday moon, and lasted until Sunday night. The men complained loudly of the stoppages for clothing, having been compelled to pay thirty-six dollars for their Massachusetts shoddy cutfit, and seventeen dol, lara each for the government uniform, together with extra clothing in most instances. If the whole allowance ofclothing for the year had been squared at this pay- ment, each soldier would have been brought in deb, eleven dollars. It is expected that the Massachusotts Legisiature will refund the price of the uniforms furnish- ed to the regiment last April. SPLENDID TARGET PRACTICE. Ayres’ battery of the Fifth United States artillery did some splendid target shooting to-day from Smoot’s Hil). ‘The target, which was ten feet long by twelve feet wide, was eighteen hundred yards distant. Thirty-eight shote ‘were fired with sliells, all of which exploded, and only three falling short. This battery consists of six pieces, four ten-pounder Parrotts and two twelve-pounder Napo" leons. FETE AT GENERAL SMITH’S HEADQUARTERS. ‘There was a gay and brilliant party to day at Genoral Smith's headquarters. The tickets of invitation were given out by the General’s lady. Some half dozen car- riage loads of ladies and gentlemen, beéides several on horseback, went from this city. Generals Porter, Han- ceck, Morell and Brooks were present. The old moot mansion was resplendent with glittering buttons and bright fomale faces. This afternoon most of the division rogiments were paraded, as also the Cameron dragoons. On the way to General Smith’s the party partook of a lunch at Minor’s Hill, the headquarters of General Morell. DEATH OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL PEARD. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Peard, of the Ninth Massa- ehusetts regiment, died to-day, in tho Brigade Hospital at Vanderwerkin’s, of structural cisease of the brain. He bad an attack of paralysis on Friday, and was insensi- ble most of the time until he died. His remains will be embalmed and conveyed to bis late residence in Milford, Mass. His loss is deeply regrotted by the regiment. SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. The Committee on the District of Columbia have do. cided to report adversely in the matter of abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. The two main fea- tures of the adverse report will be inexpediency and un_ constitutionality. The report has been, and will be de. yayed a little longer, in order to allow Mr. Franchott— one of the committee, and the ono who has the subject especially under investigation—to prepare and introduce into the report information of a valuable and instructive character. TARE BUSINESS FOR THE BXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE GENATE. The executive session of the Senate to-day was occu- Pied chiefly in debate upon the law in relation to the ap- pointment of the officers attached to General McClellan’® staff. ‘The only confirmation was that of B. B. French, as Commissioner of Public Buildings, which was done unanimously NATIONAL ARMORY, 1s is said that the number of petitioners ip the matter o¢ the establishment of a national armory west of the Allo. ghany Mountains noarly reached the number of one hun. dred thousand. AGRICULTURAL BUREAU. Thore is @ bill bofore the Houso to ostablish what is known as an agricultural buroau. As this bill proposesa radical ehange im the connection of certain agricultural interests with the Patent Office, and is likely to give rise to @ great deal of debate, for the questions involved in it are to a great extent of national interest, affecting asthey do, and commanding as they ought to, tillers of or opera- tors on the soil, I propose to give a few factse—roliable ones, gloaned from fountain head sources—in relation to the sudject. It isa well known fact that hitherto Con- gressmen have mailed to their constituents varitics of seed, furnished to them in accordance with the provi- sions of certain existing Jaws, and which they havemade, in @ measure, subservient to their electioncering purposes or interests. And in some instances it is stated that the circulation of those seeds has gained for representatives & reelection, operating as an advertising medium, or friendly calling-to-the-mind of some distant consti. tuent @ remembrance of “‘our representative in Con. gress.’ Again, the circulation of seeds in this way has been, in a vast majority of cases, a failure, principally from a want of knowledge on the part of those receiving them as to the proper mode of planting, some planting too deep and others tice versa. There is now on handa large quantity of thistle seed, brought to thie country from Russia for distribution in accordance with the law. ‘The difference between this seed and our own is extreme. ly slight, the former producing only @ little more fra- grant flower or blossom. It is held that had this seed been scattered over the country by circulation it would have produced real detriment to the country and been « positive shame. Besides, it was brought bere with the idea that it was better than our own for bees, and it is said that it has entirely failed in ite object. Another foreign importation, that cost a large sum of money, turn. od out—that is, on trial it proved to be—nothing more or lows thane weed, actually running wild in this coun. try, but @ rarity im the land from whieh it was im. ported. The present Commissioner of Patents, on com ing into office, was so impressed with the utter useless. nets of certain seeds that came under his observation, that he had them immediately burned, in order to avoid detriment to the land should they accidentally get dis- tributed or mixed with other valuable seedlings. Itis thought by those who understand the subject thoroughly that the traasforring of the control of this agricultural matter from one to another, as contemplated in tho Dill, will fail of bringing about better result than heretofore, The only way to @ it practically effect- tye is to provide for @ practical test of the seods before Aistributiop, and the having of their colection placed un- NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1862. der the control of truly scientifie men, who will enter into the prosecution of the plan from ecientifie and Bot epeculative motives. TEE FRANKING PRIVILEGE. 1s is alleged by many members of the House, and es pecially by 20% = few Senators, thas the bill abolishing the franking privilege was passed in the House, radi- cally, with the hope and in the expectation that it will de defeated fo the Senate. If the bill should be so de- feated, it would mako it seem as though the House—the Tepresentatives of the people—was willing to sacrifice everything it could for the public good, while the Senate Tefrained from s0 doing. In s word, it would place the House before the country in the light of # generous, Magnanimous, patriotic body, and the Senate in just the reverse; I moan as far as this matter of the frank: ing privilege goes. If Mr. Sherman’s Dill, which hes for its object the curtailing of the public ex: Penditures in the way of salaries, should pass. the Sevate, it ie presumed it’ will be defeated im the ‘House. This will be ® counter movement on thé’ part of tRe Senate. for the action of the House in the matter of the franking priviiege: Mr. ntchins says that they will try and take Mr. Sherman at his word, pass bis Dill, and not tet him catch the House and place it in a false porition. THE PACIPIC RAILROAD, ‘The Commitee on the Pacific Raitroad—Mesers. Camp- bell, Alley, Blair, Jr., Cox, Webster, Franchott, Arnold and Sargeant—are to meet to-morrow, when. it is thought, they will adopt some definite plain in regard to this sub- ject. The committee may report a bill and leave it to the House to decide on the propriety of passing it at this session; or may submit a report recommending that the subject be postponed for the present, in consequence of the peculiar condition of the public finances. RAILROAD FACILITIES BETWEEN NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON. Mr. Baker, of the House Committee on Reads and Canals, saya that the railroad facilities between New York and Washington must de increased speedily; for unger the presont system the army is made te suffer, to ‘& great extent, in not being abie to obtain means of trans- portation for an adequate amount of supplies. I am informed that an arrangement is abeut being completed for a new railroad line to Washington, by way of the New Jersey Central to Easton, then to Philadelphia via Reading, Pa., and then direct to Washingtos. This new line will only be thirty miles longer than the present so-called direct one; and it is contemplated to more than compensate for the increased distance in having less stoppages and faster time. SANITARY CONDITION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TROOPS. A despatch in Sunday’s Hanaip complimented tbe Mas- sachusetts Ninth regiment on account of the healthy con- dition of the men. Iam surprised to learm that the Seventh and Tenth rogiments, of in Couch’s brigade, show a better state of health, even, was recorded of tho Ninth, The morning report of the Soventh showed yesterday that only one man was in the hospital. He was a private, and had the typhoid fever: ‘The sanitary condition of the hospital is pronounced by an exporienced army officer who visited it with adju. tant Goneral Schouler, of Massachusotts, to be perfees. Tho report of the Tenth regiment, Colonel Briggs, shows Bone in the hospital, and only a few men exe from special duty. ‘This is considered, in view the late bad weather, a most extroard! state of good health, and is highly complimentary to the commanding officers of the regiments. SUPPLIES FOR THE NEW HAMPSHIRE TROOPS. The following articles hgve been distributed among the New Hampshire and Maine regiments by Cyrus Hamlin, son of thé Vice President, and @. J. Prescott, of Maine, commissioned to that duty:—Fifteen hundred and sixty- one shirts and drawers, fifty-two hundred pairs of socks, seven hundred and twenty-nine pairs army mittens, sheets, pillow cases, quilts, blankets, &. .These artitles were purchased with the money, about four thousand dollars, contributed by the workmen at the Kittery Navy ‘Yard, every man in the yard, from the commandant down, contributing one day’s pay, and about three hun- dred dollars contributed by the Ladies’ Benovolent So- clety of Kittery. APPROVAL OF THE BILL RELATIVE TO WITNESSES BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTERS. The has approved the bill repealing the pro. vision of alaw which exempts witnceses who have been examined before an investigating committee of either ‘House of Congress from testifying before a court. NEWSPAPER POSTAGE. ‘The bill introduced by Mr. Colfax to-day relative to postage rates on printed matter is nota but has been referred to the Post Office Committee for fur- ther consideration. THE AaMy. General Keim, of Pennsylvania, recently appointed a Brigadier General, has been assigned te « brigade in General Casey’s division, Army of the Potomac. Captain Gregg, of the United States Army, has been appointed Colonel of the regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry formerly commanded by Colonel Chantry. RETURN OF CONGRESSMAN ELY. Hon. Alfred Ely has returned to the city, and will resume his scat in the House to-morrow. THE NEW JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT. The oath of offico was this day administered by the Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States to Asso- clate Justice Swayne, who took bis seat. SWORD PRESENTATION. Lieutenant Colonel Jourdon, of the New York Tenth legion, was to-night presented by the officers of the Fourteenth (Brooklyn), of which he vas formerly Major, with @ splendid sword, sash, gauntiets, boots, spurs, &e. The non-commissioned officers and privates of the Fifty. third Pennsylvania Volunteers, this morning, through Captain Weutrod, presonted Colone! Brooke and Lieuten- ant Colonel McMichael with beautiful and costly swords. ORGANIZATION OF THR HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT. The Sanitary Commission has had several conferences recently with the War Department and the Military Com, mittee of Congress relative to a reorganization of the Hospital Department. Itappears they desire the selec: tion of officers of the regular medieal staff shall be made more with regard to efficiency than to the prevalent usage of seniority. The Commissioners say they are acting on the principle that it is better to take precautionary mea. sures against sickness in camp than to fill the hospitals, RETRENCUMENT. Tho bills already introduced contemplate making a re, duction of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in the annual expenses of both branches of Congress. Detention of Train: the Hudson River Railroad. Avmany, Jan, 28, 1862, The train which left New York at sevempo’clock on Monday morning arrived at midnight, having been seven. teem hours on the way. They overtook the train frem New York on Sunday evening at Hamburg. At Poughkeepsie three trains were united, and, with half # dozen locomotives, they were eight hours reach- ing Albany. fine EA from Albany was met snow bound only five mil from its starting place. No accident happened all th the engines were several times off;the track. snew was not deep, but was crusted over so that it was with great diMculty that the engines could force through, Disastrous Fire in Boston. PARTIAL DESTRUCTION OF QUINCY MARKBT. Boston, Jan. 27, 1862. A fire broke out this morning in Quincy Market, in the story over the stalls, which proved very disastrous to early all the occupants of the market, by the flames, smoke and water. Very fow of them were insured. Nourse, Mason & Co. , dealers in agricultural fmplements, seeds, etc., located over the market, were damaged twen- ty thousand dollars, felly insured. The entire market building, which is owned by the city, was greatly damaged. Obituary. Pamor Ann Natsane, an aged colored woman, who bad Jong resided on the York road, sear Baltimore, died on the 24th Inst. She was familiarly known to the neigh- borhood as ‘Old Aunt Phebe,” and her ki one hundred and ten years. She was thought by some to be still older, but there was no way of establishing the date of her birth beyond her own assertion, and her nar. rative of events, as far back aa the above, “Aunt Phebe” wasa ‘ant in the family of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, @ signer of the Declaration of Indepenaen and spoke of him as ‘‘massa’ to, the day of her dea She knew General Washin, and had often seen him. The deceased was once married, and leaves several grand. children, Before her death she dictated » verbai will to some of her white friends, who took an ii and bequeathed to her grandchiidren the articles of her humble household. Sever eat in her, ious Mite of her neigh. bors, who had been kind to her, were not forgotten in the | ‘jams will and testament’ pf ' Auut Phebe.’ OSE OCC DO IED CHANGE IN POST COMMANDERS OP VOLUN. TEERS IN THIS CITY. GPECIAL ORDERS NO. 37. Qmweast Heapquanrsns, Stats or Naw Yous, Abst. Guvenat/s Once, ALBany, Jan. 26, 1862. nt} 1. Brigadier Genera) Yates is hereby relieved from the command ef the depot of volunteers in the city of New York, from the Ist day of February next, and will -then resume the command of his brigade. 2 ie Geains Starianend 9a tok annmansen St veins, teers in and about the city of New York will, from that date (February 1), be Dy Colonel Geo. Bliss, or. nae te yeeed ie ‘of the volunteer foree ia 7. order of tho Commander-in-Chief. THOS. HILLHOUSE, Adjutant General. DEPARTURE OF THE TWELFTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER BATTERY. ‘The Twelfth New York Volunteer Battery, compesed of 143.men, and commanced by Captain Eiiis, which has ‘beam quartered for several days at the army barracks in White street, took their departare for Washington at one e'glock yestorday afternoon, the route, The spar are tobe supplied te te an FIRST REGIMENT EAGLE BRIGADE. Gept. N. W. Mulley, Company B, First regiment Eagle brigade, Col. Daniel Jilman, wason Wednesday last the reofpient of a very desufiful servico sword, sash and belt, as @ token of esteem and regard, from a number of hails personal friends of New Brighton, Staten Island. The present made in of Capt. Mall . pany at thet amp, at Saltersville, N. the ig vi 1g been drawn up in line, Mr, Richard Cunliffe, one of the New Brighton friends, prosented the same, with ks, which ually com- Shimqntary €0 the mon as to thelr Captain, "Cope, Malley tw a very suitable manner. THE SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT NBW YORK STATE MILITIA. On Friday evening, the 24th instant, the armory of this gallant regiment was the goene of more than usual zcitement. An election was to be held for Lieutenant Colonel, and a full attendance of the officers belonging to it wore present. Brigadier General Ewen, commanding tho Fourth brigade, presided. About half-past seven @clock the polls were opened. a very just compl{imont was paid to Major Bagley before the voting commenced. ‘The senior Captain, Jouw Baxsun, arose, and address- ing Genera] Ewen, said that, inasmuch as Major Bagley baad positively refused to allow his name to be proposed for Lieutenant Colonel, though accerding to his rank and them and the mombers of the regiment; that they auk- ed of the General, through him (Captain Brlin) that be- they procesded to an election, and { not out of ordinary rotine of the mecting' that he would put the following resolutiea:— ; RewWwed, That the oflcersof the ninth regiment offer to Major Bagley their sincere thanks for the interest which he has always displayed in the welfare of the regi- ‘meat; and understanding from him that he would most ively decline being a candidate for the position of tenant Colonel, they help expressing their regret, of conv to him how confi dence 7 entertain for in; the. coon tions he made, and the energy displayed in iding for fen evs with the election. Aseach offi- oor’s was called his ballot was deposited. The tel- Jer then proceeded to canvas the result, and Richard O'Gorman, Esq., having received the unanimous vote, as dgcadyd Of the regiment. He had at many elections for officers, but such an unanimity of feeling he had never before seen. The choice of the an tothem. He giment that Mr. O’Gorman would not only reflect credit and honor on the Sixty-ninth, but on the whole division. congratulated bimeelf on having such an officer in his brigade. He was the kind of aman on whom they could det |. And that now, when my friend, the noble and it Colonel Corcoran, your honored and beloved com- mander, is a prisoner in the hands of the foe, you could not by any possibility have selected a man who will aid and Lam tt te to maintain the high credit and renown which your deeds have won for you from the whole coun- try better than he, and therefore I with much pleasure deolare Richard O'Gorman the legally electect Licutenant Colonel of the Sixty-ninth regiment by the unanimous ‘vote of its officers. Jounston moved,and Lieut. Bore seconded, thanks of the officers of the board be tendered to Brigadier General Ewen for the manner in which he Presided at the election, and also to express how much they feel indebted to him for the many acts of kindness which the regiment has received at his hands since its formation. This resolution was received with the utmost enthu- siasm and carried unanimously. THE NEW CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. Sketches of Major Dycr, the Incoming, and General Ripley, the Outgoing, Chief of Ordnance. It hag been announced by telegraph that a chango has taken place in the Ordnance Department, by the appoint- ment of Brevet Major A. B. Dyer to the position of Chief of the same in the place of Brigadier General Ripley. As the position is one of great importance whon a war is in contemplation or in active progress, we give our readers a brief sketch of the military career of each of tnese officers. The sketches are very interesting, and it will be found that the new Chief of Ordnance entered the Military Acadomy twenty years later than his pro. decessor, and, of course, would be more likely to be per- feet in the knowledge of modern warfare. His oxpe- rience of the same would make him the better dtted for the position than a student of war of a preceding genora- tion, and, being a much younger man, he would certain ly be-more active in the discharge of the duties of so im- portant a post than one se much his senior, SKETCH OF GENERAL RIPLEY. Brigadier General James W. Ripley was born in and appointed to the army from the State of Connecticut, and bas been in the service of the United States for over forty-seven years, He entered the Military Academy as a cadet in April, 1813, and graduated the next year, he being appointed in June, 1814, « Second Lieutenant of ar- tillery. He was the Regimental Quartermaster from the year 1817 to 1821, during which time—viz: in April, 1818— he was promoted to a First Lieutenancy. In May, 1821, he was transferred to the Fourth artillery as a First Lieu- tenant, and in August, 1826, was promoted to a Cap- taincy. He was transferred to the Orduance Department jn May, 1832, with the rank of captain, and on the 7th of July , 1838, was promoted to a Majority. Io Mgrch, 1649, he received a brevet of Lieutenant Colonel for meritorious conduct, particularly in the performance of his duties in the prosecution of the war with Mexico, the brevet bear. ing date May 30,1848. On the Sist of December, 1864, F Ordnance, which position be held at the breaking out of the rebellion. On the 2d of July, 1861, he received the drevet of s Brigadier General, and om the 34 of Augusy in the same year was made a full Brigadier Goneral, and Placed at the hoad of the Ordnance Department. SERTCH OF MAJOR DYER. Brevet Major Alexander Brydie Dyer is a native of Vir. ginia, but was appointed to the arnfy from the State of Missouri. He entered the Military Academy in the year 1833, and graduated in 1837, and at that time stood No. 6 io his class. On the Ist of July of that year he was ap. pointed a Second Lieutenant of the Third artillery, and in July , 1838, wae appointed to the Ordnance Department, In July, 1848, he was brevetted « First Lieutenant for gallant and meritorious conduct in the conflicts at Em, buda and Taos, in New Mexico, the brevet bearing date February 4, 1847. He, however, declined the bonor, and was made a full First Lieutenant, his commission datitig from March, 1847. He commanded a section of Love's Hight battery, under Brigadier General Sterling Price (Bow a rebel), and was brevetted Captain for and meritorious conduct in the battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales. The brevet was awarded in March, 1849, and dated from the 16th of March, 1848. On the 8d of March 1853, he was promoted to be @ full Captain of Ordnance’ a, in the army lists of 1869, 1960 and 1861 he ninth on the list as to date of commission. The rebel lion made a great change in the department, and his name beads the list of Captains of Ordaance in the army list of September, 1861. Ho has since been brovetted Major, and now has chief charge of the Ordnance Dopart- ment, a post of great importance in the present state of the country. Therank which will be awarded him with bis new position has not yot been announced, —_—~ The Rebels Consider it a Failure. THE GALE ON THE COAST. THE PANIC IN NORTH CAROLINA. and i &e., Wasarnaron, Jan. 28,1862. Up to half-past twelve o'clock nothing bas been re- @sived from General Burnside, although the lines have been kept open in expectation ef news. Baurmonm, Jan. 27, 1862. ‘The boat from Fortress Monroe has arrived, aud brings nothing confirming the loss of tho steamer Louisiana. The steamer Spaulding, due frem Hatteras, had not arrived. ‘The Richmond Dispatch contains a despatch frem Nor- folk saying that the Baltimore South, received there, con- tains a statement that a report had reached Baltimore of ‘the loss of five of the Burnside flect im Pamlico Sound, and that a large steamboat, probably tho Louisiana, had deen burned, &c. Thus it would seem that this report had no other foundation than this secesh sheet, the Balti- more South. NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS. the Petersburg Express, Jan. 26.) A who reached this city Wednesday, says the Norfolk Day Book of yesterday, direct from the North Carolina coast, addresses us ® communication, in which he states that the report of General Gatlin and others as tos large federal fleet being in Pamlico Sound, with the purpose of making an attack on Reanoke island, Newbern and other places in the vicinity, turns out to beentirely He further states that this report reached Edenton on Monday night, and such was the credit given to it that immodiately adjourned the Confederate Court. , but that reliable information has since been receiv by letter from Roanoke Isiand, dated Wednes- day, five o'clock A. M., to the effect that no such flect is in Pamlico , and that no fears are entertained there of am immediate attack. Reliablo information from Hyde county alao eorroborates this statement. Our correspondent conciudes his communication by esying:-— Tavoe, therefore, it may be confidently asserted that neither the Burnside expedition nor any other fleet is to be found in the waters of Eastern Carolina, with a hostile purpose toward Roancke or Newbern. THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION A FAILURE. ‘The Duy Book has the following interesting editorial on the expedition:— We are satisfied, from all the light that we have been enabled to get on this subject, that, through the interpo- sition of a kind Providence, the backbone of this expedi+ tion has boon broken, and that we now have nething to dread from it. The remnant of it may make a fecble opeet to strikeafter a little time to recuperate, but for tive purposes the thing is a failure, and it carries the war apie down with it. The Northern papers are talking very hard to keop the spirits of the people up. Thoy now say that the ex- pe mn was not intended for operations in the North os coy eager pyr oy only havc put into Hat- ras from stress of weather. ammon—gagn- mon. We know all about that. Weadvise old Abe and his tribe of kangaroos that they had better be making tracks from the wrath that is setting in against them, or he cmap gee hao = Napanalg Seotch hoy not enablo him to get ou mn as easy as they ona- es ae that the Burnside expedi asin, we ropeat rnside tion isa —. dead fai uae oe ne onan the next news werccive from Kurope the Scauthern confederacy has been recognized by France and England, and that those nations have deermined to disregard the inefficient blockade, THE GALE ON THE Coast. ‘rom the Petersburg Express, Jan. 25.) to despatches various its on the of North Carolina the weather has Perfectly there for the last few days. A beers yo ‘have been tumbiiag the surf around Barnside’3 ves- tele in a way bordering on the tremendous, and we fancy that pirate chief and his corsair rabbie have been pretty nearly out of their skins. About Hatteras, me, the biliows have been as furious as the lash storm king could makethem. Wehave mbenty re, it ing and burned to prevent their falling into the hands of the Confede- rates. This was several vo ago. We learn that on Thursday all day and night gale Hi i as the wind was from the eset. We have yet to hear how the Yankeo buccaneers fared in this onslaught of angry Old Neptune them. Ever-since Burnside reached the North Carolina coast he has beep bumped and buffeted about by tempestuous winds in a way perhaps that bas impressed hiin with the idea that his expedition is the mere sport of the elements. He has not had a quiet, comfortable hour, day or night, since his arrival at Hat. teras, amidst the deafening roar of the boisterous wa:ers dashing upon its beach. [oes not this look as if the wrath of Heaven was descending upon those wicked and infamous marauders, whose purpose is no other than to plunder an unoitcnding people, burn down their houses ‘and lay waste their fluids? ne Mies gy PANIC. ce {From the Nowbern (N. C.) Progress, Jan, 23. ‘The true position and uitimate object of the Br ngide fleet is now one of the greatest mysteries and most diffi. cult problems that this nation has to solve. From what ltt e insight we can get into the Northern papers it would seem that even tho Northern peopls are uncertain as to its purpose, and are as much or more coucerned for its safety (it having encountered a heavy gale off Cape Hen. ry) than we are about ite destination. Thisis qui natural, inasmuch as upon its succoss depends their fu- ture salvation as a government to a very large extent. Several reports have reached us recentty to the effect that large quantities of gunboats were in the Sound and thata siraultancous‘attack would be made at four or five important points, this being one of the places, at the same time, the’ legitimate result of which has been a panic here.’ We, however, are not exactly prepared to call ita panic, for it resembles more a cvol and delibe- rate determization on the part of our male citizess to piace their wives and children in a safer position out of town preparatory to giving the vandals a fight as desporate'as they may choose to muke it. No man bas been idle bere fo days, and evory man seoms determined to dispute the advance of the my inch by inch to the very las venture to set foot upon land." Ther: determination on the countenance of every one that seems to say-—‘‘If he come we will kill as many of him as he canof us.” We hav but little heretofore about ru- more that have reached us, not knowing whether they were true or not, and not wishing to cause any unnecos. sary alarm. Up to this writing we are not sure whether there is now, or ever has been, a Yankee gunboat over the Swash at Hatterayor not. ‘the Intest news we have is through Captain Hill, who arrived here yesterday from Mattamuskeet, Hyde county, through the Sound, and says he saw nothing in the Sound in the shape of a’ gun. boat. We shall probably hear :morobefore going to press, as Colonel G. B. Singletary sought an4 obtained permis. sion from the Commanding General to go on a reconnoi- toring expedition down the river. He leit Tuesday even- ing, and will probably return in time for us to give the result of his trip. P.8.—Colonel Singlet not ar. Tived when we went to press, and we are still in doubt, THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION OFF AGAIN, {From the Petersburg Expresa, Jan. 25.) Intelligence was brought to this city yesterday after. noon, we understand, by a gentleman from North Caroll- na, to the effect that the large number of versels la‘ely re- ported in Pamlico Sound had disappeared, and the coast ‘was clear at last accounts, If this be true, the fact would argue that the Burns.de expedition is destined for some other point. The veasels may only have put into the Sound for gg from the violence of that overtook them. Indeed, late information from North coincides witnj’and confirms this impression. We give this rumor merely as an item of news, not to be wholly relied on. The destination of the expedition is all a mys- tery, but on that,account the greater interest and anxioty are attached to it. It in not possible that many more days will elapse before the question of its destination and results will be rev: . [From the Wilmin, (N.C.) Journal, Jan. 23.) The number of reported at Hatteras and in the | Sound (126) nearly doubles the number set down in the New York Hrrato’s list of the vessels Burnside expedition. The vesseie may be accounted Dupont’s fleet from Port Royal, and his 4) ‘ance may be accounted for by their re appearance at Hatteras. It is bardly probable, if these sinty Additional vensels did come from Fort Royal. that they brought any land force, since Gen. Sherman is calling for reinforcements, not pre- paring to detach ‘expeditions.’ r=n quate. a (Correspondence Petersburg Express. t Svrrour, Jao. 24, . ‘The past twelve hours has been stormy and dreary in- deed, and the remark has fallen from lips that the Burnside fleet i® baving a terribie time. Provi- dence seems to favor us. The careful observer of passing events cannot have failed to sve in scores of instances since this war commenced, that the hyp arm of Je- hovah bae been stretched forth for our deliverance from our enemies. Truly, we ought to be a grateful people. [From the Petersburg Express, Jan. 25. The weather still continues of the most unamiable cha- racter. Yesterday was & continuation of the storm of the day before only on @ more extevsive scale. The winds roared furiously and the rain fell in torrents. Altogether this “‘Nor'easter”’ is one to be remembered, and when Our enemies come in ion of orrect detail of Risasiers to their shipping they will say go too. It is thought that if the Burnside expedition had not sailed we id have bad no suc » This looks a litte PRICE TWO CENTS. thie, » large number of Union eitizens were leaving the country on the samonight that Rainsstayed at Mount Ver- non. Report said that 170 or 200 rebels were cncamped on the head of Spring river, an rowle for Cassville. In regard to tho troops in Northern Arkansas, he says that he has it frem good authority that there are only about 600° or 600 at Cross Hollows and Cave Hill, Benten county. But # body of from 2,000 to 5,000 men were at Tiisforth Bend, about fifty miles below Van Bergen, on the Arkansas river. Soveral secessionists told him that Genera) Price’s forces at Springfield did not exceed 10,000 men. ‘This gentleman met the scouts of the Union army four miles beyond Lebanon, and other treops at different points this side. OUR COMMISSIONERS TO THE SOUTH. Sketches of Bishop Ames and Hamilton Fish. ‘The recommendation contained im the late order of Secretary Stanton, urging the appointment of two com- missioners to the South to look after the interests of Union prisoners, has been acted upon by the Presi dent, and ex-Senator Hamilton Fish and Bishop Ames have been appointed{ as said Commissioners. Wesub- join short sketches of these two personages:— BIGHOP EDWARD AMES. Edward Ames isa Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church in the United States, born at Athens, Ohio, in 1806. After receiving his education in the Ohio - sity, he was for three years instructor in a college ‘i Tilinois, He was licensed to preach in 1880, was soon after assigned te the Indians Conferenee, and ordained successively a Deacon and Elder. He took part in the General Con‘erence of the Methodists held im Baltimore in 1840, and in 1842 off- ciated as Chaplain to @ council of Choctaws, being the first Chaplain ever elected by an assemby of Indians. From 1844 until 1852, when he was made a Bishop, he travelled as Presiding Elder through various districts of Indiana. MAMILTON FIAE. Hamilten Fish, one of tho Commissioners to the South, though of late not very intimately identified with pubile affairs, is stilla man well known and esteemed through- out the country. He has occupied not afew very impor- tant and responsible positions, sustaining always a fair Teputation as @ statesman and politician. He is the sen of the late Colonel Nicholas Fish, and was born in this city in the year 1808, being at present, therefore, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. On his. mother's aide, he is descended from Governor Peter Stuy- vesant, the last Dutch Governor of New Amsterdam. His schooling was principally derived at old Columbia College, where he graduated with distinction, and subse- quently studied law; but the management of his immense family estate has monopolized most of his business time: It will thus be seen that Mr. Fish comes of the good old Knickerbocker stock, being a descendent of one of the most distinguished men that ruled Manhattan Island, before the peaceful little colony fell under the sway of James II. In 1843 the whig party clected bim as a mem- ber of the twenty-sighth Congress. In 1847 he was chosen Lieutenant Governor, and the year following was elected Governor of the State, His noxt appearance on the political stage was as United States Scnator for New Yoik, which office be assumed im 1851, and held for six years with creditable ability. His antecedents and character would seem to fit him well for the responsible position to which he has just been appointed by the ad- ministration. He is excoedingly mild, u:bane and pelshed in manaers, porsessing a fine figure, and gifted Our Ni Correspondence. Unitep Stares Stramen Dz Soto, Suir Isuanp, Dec. 28, 1861. Collé icn Between the Steamer De Soto and the French Steamer Milan—A Suppoted Enemy—The Chase—The Collisicr—List of Officers, de., dc. On the night of Thursday, December 26, the United Siates steamer De foto, while lying at anchor off the mouth of the Mississippi river in company with the frigate Colorado, discovered a light to the northward and eastward, and, supposing it to bea vessel trying to run the blecka © were ordered immediately to get under way by the captain of the Colorado, whicli was accord- ingly done. Atone o'clock, everything being in readi- ness, we proceeded to sea, and at half-past one o'clock all hands were called to quarters, the magazine opened and t amd shell parsed on deck. At two o'clock we commenced burning signals. At this time we were two miles off the pursued vessel. two At fiftecn minutes past were approaching her very fa:t,and they not ng to answer our signals im «By manver what- ever, vegan to think her ‘ivatce: , and our ship's company seemed anxious for the tray. ‘The captain of our sip was at his station, giving orders to his officers and men marine guard were on the quarter deck, fully armed and accoutred, and at half-past two o'clock we came in collision with this vessel, and internally injuring ber the same time injuring our starboard wheel 80 as toren- der it almost useless. Both vessels struck on, and, very lucky for both, separated in a few mo: mets. ‘The utmost confusion prevailed on board of the French vessel, whileon board of ours there was nota murmur, and a greatest confidenee ip him, and as a seaman worthy man they are ready and willing te go i iff with bm. There were no persons on sel. The De Soto is a fast steamer, and can almost anything afloat. The following is a list of her officers:— Crmmander—W. M. Walker. First Liew cnant—R. T. B. Lewis. Acting Master+—H. W. Bonoy, W. W. Mastin, O. W. i Ward. Assistant Surgen—B, ieee ; 2 * i. y 2 : w"diting Master's Male. B. Pottinger, W. N. MeCar- tec, G. Taylor, ©. C, Star; Leeds. inspection, without any price Mandant finds him unsuitable, he ie at once of tne depot fore thorgigh examination, ach ie ora writes Ik etinate of the vaiue of the Paper, tbe papersare then to ibai the estimate of aif A Fer "3 & i Hl Hi Hie b+ FF 3 i 3 i i s. & ' the inspector is taken to him, ice is paid by the government, f as much ashe can get, original owner « govern hat business is ite |. Gueb ‘nov ations are B08 @Ountenanced.