The New York Herald Newspaper, February 15, 1862, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Volume XXVII..... ' AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving place. ~!ratan Orega— Mat ne at Uae olan k—vamea NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Tax Steancer—Honzr- BOON, .—Sertous Fawity—NataD WINTER GARDEN, Broadway. QuReN—\y Youne Wire ano OLp Ummmstia. WALLACK’S THEATRE, No, 844 Broadway.—Tax Wo Dek. LAURA KEENE'S THEATRE, Broadway.-Ove Auxx: cam Couses Da NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Diox, tie BOWERY Bowery.—Sticaxxy’s Nationa. Cimous. Afteravon aud Evening. BARNUM'S: AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Cox Norr—Livina Hirrorotamus, Wate, &c., at all hours.— Ovo, afvernoon and evening. BRYANTS’ MIN‘ -—Deviw's Ducat— RwWSKOY—AKRLAND AS LT Is, ‘STRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad. way.—-Dows 1x OLD K-¥-a¥, HOOLEY'S MINSTRELS, Stuyvesant Institute, No. 658 Broadway.--Ermiortan Songs, Dances, &c. MELODEON CONCERT HALL, No, 539 Broadway.— Sones, Dances, Buatxsques, &c.—Howar ty 1keLanb. CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 585 Broadway.. Danoxs, Buncesquas, &C.—MazULm, THE Neu? OWL. GAIETIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Broadway. —Dnawsxa Roou ENTERTAISMSDED, Baleste, Paxtomeee Pincay Be, AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, 444 Broadway.—Soas, Bat- Lars, PANTOMIMES, &¢.—PORTRAIT PAINTER. CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT HALL, No. 45Bowery.— | ; | one million for an ordnance foundry at Washington. Buagusseuss, Songs, Dances, 4¢.—Reqvxzvous. PARISIAN CABINET OF WONDERS, 563 Broad’ — Open daily from 10 A. M. a9 P. M. a NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.—Bonesqurs IRVING BALL, Irvii im LL, aoe Place. Cine: ‘Scmwmrpar’s Vocat. New York, Saturday, February 15, 1862. THE SITUATION. ‘The brilliant success of the Union arms at Ro- anoke Island forms the principal point of our news to-day. We give in the minutest detail the entire history of the expedition of General Burnside, to- gether witha highly graphic account of the affair at Roanoke Island, accompanied by two maps, which show the whole topography of the country in that vicinity. Our account to-day occupies no less than eighteen columns of our space. In importance this victory in the waters of Pam- lico and Albemarle Sounds has not been equalled by anything which our armies have yet achieve, and taken in connection with the victory in Ten- nessee, at Fort Henry, the surrounding of Fort Donelson, and the evacuation of Springfield, Mo., by the rebels—below referred to more particular- ly all of which have been accomplished within a few days, the affair at Roanoke Island acquires a double vaine. The battle was a desperate one; but from the beginning, when our troops were landed at Ashly’s Harbor, on Friday afternoon, the 7th instant, Success seemed to attend them. The rebels were intrenched in the centre of the island, but by the gallantry of our men they were dislodged at the Point of the bayonet, and driven towards the northern end of the island, where those who were nat killed or wounded surrendered. Our loss is said to be about fifty killed—thirty of the army and twenty of the naval force. Our wounded umber about one hundred and forty. We refer ‘our readers to the detailed account in our colurins to-day for complete information of this most suc cessful achievement, and to the official despatch of General Burnside, which was received by General McClellan yesterday evening. General Burnside's despatch is short, soldierly and comprehensive. He states in a few words that the army has gained ® decisive victory, that they have captured six forts, forty guns, over two thousand Prisoners, and three thousand small arms. Among the prisoners was Captain’ 0. Jen- nings Wise, who soon expired from wounds re- ceived while attempting to escape in a small boat. General Burnside says thet the men, both soldiers and sailors, fought most gallantly, and deserve all praise for the manner in which they endured the hardships of a desperate fight in swamps and thickets. He does all honor to Gene, rals Foster, Reno and Parks, to whose bravery the glory of the day is due. He further announces that Commodore Goldsborough has been entirely successful in his attack on Elizabeth City and the Tebel fleet of gunboats. Commodore Goldsbo- tough tells his own story concisely in our column* to-day. A despatch from the camp in front of Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland river, dated on the 13th inst., informs usof the important fact that the fort was completely beleaguered by Generals Grant, Smith and McClernand, who surround it with an army of nearly 40,000 men. They commenced the bombardment on Wednesday, and the fight raged with great vigor on both sides throughont the day, and will be continued until the revels either are driven out or surrender. There are said to be eleven thousagd men in the fort, together with Generals Pillow, Floyd, Johnston and Buckner. Our gunboats were acting gallantly" The account we give to-day shows that the action was a formidable one, and the firing was very de- structive. Our troops made several charges on the intrenchments, reaching sometimes within a very short distance of them. An expedition under Colonel Riggins, of General Grant's staff, advanced as far as the railroad bridge on the 11th inst., and released the rebel steamer Evansport which was lying against one of the piers. Proceeding to the Big Sandy river, the expedition seized contraband goods valued at $75,000, including tobacco, wheat and corn. @The rebel papers are most desponding in their comments upon the state of affairs in Tennessee and the Union feeling existing there, the extent of which they are compelled to admit. They al- most acknowledge that Tennessee is now lost to the rebel cause, Our news from Missouri brings us intelligence of another splendid snecess. An official despatch was received by General McClellan yesterday from General Halleckf announcing that the rebel Genera} Price, with his whole army, evacuated Springfield on Wednesday night upon the approach of our troops towards Wilson's creck. Our cavalry pursued them, while the main body % our army took possession of the town and hoisteu tue “old flag” om the Court House. A large NEW YOKK HERALD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1862. river, as described im the accounts of the expe- Bruiayt Orerations of Our Navy.—The amount of stores and equipage fell into our hands: ‘The details of this important victory have not yet reached us. The result of it, however, renders Missouri almost clear of the armed hosts of the rebels. We have received the official despatches for- warded to the Navy Department detailing the course of Commodore Dupent’s expedition in the vicinity of Port Royal; but the facts contained therein have all been published before. Upon the whole we can present our readers with @ satisfactory record to-day of our army and navy movements, The President has issued an order, through he Secretary of War, releasing all political pri- vs now in the custody of the military authori- ics in every quarter, upon giving their parole to afford no aid tothe enemies of the government— spies alone excepted. The President states that, as the rebellion is now manifestly on the decline, the severe measures resorted to in the beginning are no longer necessary. CONGRESS. An amendment to the Army bill was adopted by the Senate yesterday, giving the bounty allowed to soldiers, in case of death, to the relatives of the deceased. A resolution was also passed authoriz- ng and requesting the President to dismiss from the army or navy such officers as, in his judgment, were unsuited to the service, or when the service would be benefited by such dismissal. In the House the Naval Appropriation bill was passed, whan amendment appropriating fifteen million dollars for building additional gunboats, as also The Senate’s amendment to the bill for the sup- pression of the coolie trade was concurred in by the House. Mr. Wikoff, who had purged himself of centempt to the House by answering the ques- tion propounded by the committee, was ordered to be discharged from custody. Both bodies have adjourned over until Monday. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. Much routine business was transacted in the Legislature yesterday, but nothing of special im- portance. A motion to lay the excise question on the table was defeated, after an amendment had been offered instructing the committee to report a graduating scale for the sale of liquors by license, and to provide for such restrictions as may best snbserve morality and temperance. Among the petitions presented was one for the repeal of the law exempting ministers of the gospel from taxa- tion. The steamship Ariel arrived here yesterday from Aspinwall, with $614,146 in specie. The news from Central America is unimportant. The United States gunboat Massachusetts, Com- modore Melancton Smith, arrived at this port last at half-past nine o'clock, from Ship Island. The Massachusetts has on board the cargo of prize schooner J. W. Wilder, captured by the steamer R. R. Cuyler, consisting of coffee, lead, leather, &c., and likewise the cargo of schooner Gypsey, captured by steamer New London, consisting of 108 bales of cotton. ‘ The United States gunboat Vixen, Lieutenant Commanding W. S. Jones, from Port Royal 10th inst., arrived af this port yesterday. She brings no news. > : : Our files from Bermuda, dated on the 28th and 29th ultimo, contain an account of the embarka- tion of Mason and Slidell on board the La Plata mail steamship, at St. Thomas, from the British war vessel Rinaldo. It is said that the Rinaldo was boarded in the port by an officer from a United States ship-of-war—name not given—who inquired if it were probable our government would surrender the rebel agents. Mason and Slidell stood, it is said, in his sight, and the British officer to whom he addressed the question replied bysaying, ‘There are Messrs. Mason and Slidell.” It is alleged that the American officer went down the side and jumped into his boat in haste. The West India division of the British North American fleet was very active in its movements. The Bermuda Royal Gazette of the 28th of Ja- nuary says:—‘‘ We are sorry to learn that letters have been received here from Hayti, via St. Tho- mas, mentioning that most.of the immigrants from Bermuda to that island had been ill of fever, and that the following persons had died, viz:—Messrs. William Tucker, Albert Basden and Theophilus Robinson. The bark Thomas Dallett arrived at Philadel- phia yesterday from Venezuela. She reports bu- siness dull and the countfy in great commotion. General Paez was at the capital (Caraccas) in commaad of the national land forces, and was about proceeding to meet the insurgents, and was determined to show no quarter, in order to es- tablish law and order on a basis firmer than has ever existed heretofore. The ship Stephen Glover arrived at Boston yes- terday from Calcutta, with upwards of §,000 bays of saltpetre. The British steamship St. George, Captain Wiley, from Livetpool, arrived yesterday morning, having on freight one thousand nine hundred and three bales of American and sixty-three bales of East India cotton. A very patient and enduring meeting of the Board of Aldermen listened last evening, for more than one hour, to a report, read by Alderman Day- ton, from the Committee on the Mayor's Message. Mr. Dayton went elaborately into the laws of the city of New York, and severely commented upon the reorganization of the Board of Aldermen, as pro- posed by Mayor Opdyke, which he pronounced to be a mockery and a fraud, and calculated to bring the elective franchise into contempt and disrepute. The workmen on the Central Park were engaged during the whole of yesterday in cleaning and planing the ice, which was in good condition; and with prospects of frost last evening, the ball will doubtless be up to-day. The cotton market yesterday was irregular, while the sales embraced about 600 bales upon the basis chiefly of 8c. a 200. for middling to strict middling uplande. Pressod sales were made under these figurer, and in one case of this kind it was reported as low as 25¢., cash, to- day, while some lots of middling uplands were reported At 270., and little was to be had under the above dgures. Flour was in some better request, end prices advanced bc, per bbI., with more doing. Wheat wae irregutar and sales limited. Corn wae steady, with a fair demand from the trade, with sales of Western mixed at @6¢. a 6534e. Pork was rather firmer, especially for old mess, which was sold at $12 25 a $12 6215; new cold at $12 871; a $15 12)¢, aud new prime at $9 50. Sugars were steady, with sales of about 450 hhds. Cubas and 80 boxes. Coffee was in fair request; sales of 1,800 bags were made at p. t. Freights were unchanged and engagements fair Usion Freuixe my tae Soora—Rever Avurs- sions.—Amongst the various causes assigned by the rebel organs for the capture of Roa- noke Island by the Unionists is that of dis- affection and treachery on the part of the North Carolina regiments. Now, there is nothing to show that there is any ground for this assertion. The rebels surrendered because it was physi- cally impossible, in view of the odds against them, that they could do otherwise. The fact, however, that their organs venture to cast this imputation upon the men of North Carolina is a significant one. It proves that they have serious doubts of the loyaity of the peopie of that State to their bogus government, and anti- cipate its speedy loss to the Southern confedo- racy. It is curious enough that in the same sheet in which this statement appears there is a frank admission of the existence of a strong Union fevling on the banks of tho Tonnepece dition of Commander Phelps to Florence. By and by we will discover that this feeling is infinitely more wide spread and deeply rooted than we had any reason to suppose. The Brilliant Victories for the Union. The authentic reports, direct from the Burn- side expedition, which we republish this morn- ing, of the victory of Roanoke Island, will be found materially different, in many respects, from the confused, conjectural and exaggerated accounts of the panic stricken rebels, and par- ticularly in regard to the killed and wounded on both sides. The rebels gave us a desperate and sanguinary struggle, involving losses on their side of three hundred killed and a thou- sand wounded, to a thousand killed on our side; whereas, from the actual observation of these casualties, it appears that the Union loss in killed was less than fifty, and our wounded about one hundred and forty. These returns completely dissipate the highly colored reports made by the rebels of their desperate hand to hand fighting to main. tain their position, and clearly show that, on finding themselves in the immediate presence of our land force on the island, they first at- tempted to make their escape, but discovering that all means of escape were cut off, they sur- rendered at discretion. Meantime, it appears the rebel gunboats having had a taste of the hailstorm from Commodore Goldsborough’s flotilla, had abandoned the island to its fate and had hurried up. the Sound to Elizabeth City: where, on the fourth day after the first opera- tions against the island, they were overhauled and destroyed. Without further repetition of the details of these successful Union movements on the land and water, we may say, without qualification, that the results place all the seaboard defence® of North Carolina, all the cities, towns and vil” lages of Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, and the navigable rivers emptying into them, the cities of Beaufort and Wilmington, and the most important railroads of the State, complete- ly at the mercy of the Burnside expedition. In fact, to express our advantages already gained in North Carolina in a very few words, we may say that they secure to us the speedy restoration of the State to the Union. Our new style of gunboats, with their tremendous engines of destruction, in the East and in the West, have proved their capabilities to do al- most anything required of them. “In their effi- ciency we have the secret of our sure defence even against a hostile European coalition. At the same time we discover, in the victories of our land forces since the opening of the new year, that they have secured that practical training and discipline which is equal to a charge into a thick forest, the fording of diff- cult swamps, and the storming of masked bat- teries “in the face of the enemy’s fire.” We have, in addition to the above, the gratifying news from Missouri that that mys- terious Jack-o’-lantern of secession—here to- day and gone to-morrow—the rebel General Price, has again taken to his heels, and is off for parts unknown. Our forces under General Curtis have reoccupied Springfield, and have thus fallen into the possession of a considerable amount of military stores, left be- hind by the retreating enemy. It is thus very evident that Price was compelled to leave ina great hurry, and we apprebend that, having once more resolved upon a trial of speed in- stead of a trial of battle, he will not be again overtaken this side of Arkansas. We think that Missouri may be set down as redeemed, that the southwestern corner of Kentucky is very near the hour of its deliverance, and that with its recovery Tennessee will fall into line’ and our gunboats will moveon down to New Orleans. Let the great rebel camp of Manassas, mean- time, be patient; for it will discover before long that it is not excluded from the aggressive combinations of General McClellan. Our Iron Waris—Tue Guspoat Branco oF Our Navat Service.—The result of Commo: dore Foote’s brilliant operations against Fort Henry has been of more advantage to us than the mere capture of that important strategic point. It has demonstrated beyond all ques- tion the superiority of iron plated over every other description of war vessel, and has shown, besides, the power of gunboats thus clad to reduce the strongest land fortifications. Had the vessels that made this attack on Fort Henry been unprotected by iron, there is no doubt that every one of them would have been sunk by the tremendous fire of the rebel batteries: The number of indentations made in the iron coating of their hulls by the heavy balls discharged by the latter prove that they must have speedily succumbed. Nearly all these boats were old river steam- ers, and, of course, were neither as scientifically modelled nor as strong as if they had been spe- cially built for the purpose. We may judge from their performance on this occasion what the efficiency of the new gunboats will be which are about to be constructed under the recent act of Congress. Totheir prompt reduc- tion of the rebel fort we owe the equaily prompt passage of that measure, which but for it would have dragged on to the end of the session. We shall probably also owe to the casualty that be fell the Essex some important improvements in the new vessels, which'will place them beyond all possibility of a similar disaster. Now that the invulnerability of iron clad hulls is established, the attention of Congress should be at once directed to the defence of our ports and harbors by floating batteries similarly constructed. Although the Stevens battery has not turned out what was expected, there are sevoral features connected with it that might be profitably improved upon. Th: subject is one of pressing importance, and we are glad to see that the House yesterday appropriated $15,000,000 additional for more gunboats. It is not when a foreign war thr atens ns that we should begin to think of the means of defence. operations of our navy have been attended with brilliant success in almost every engage. ment since the beginning of the war. Hatteras, Port Royal, Roanoke and Fort Henry have fallen before the irresistible fire of our gun- boats. The most complete victory of all is that at Roanoke Island, where the whole force of the enemy were killed or captured. But the most valuable in its consequences is that in which the main body escaped and only a few artille. rists were taken. We allude to the capture of Fort Henry, which, in @ strategical point of view, is of the highest importance, opening up not only Tennessee, but Alabama and the whole South to our arms. The rebels have, hitherto, vaunted of the superiority of their generals; but they have been outgeneralled as well as whipped by our navy at Hatteras, at Fort Henry and at Roanoke. Bowling Green is ren- dered untenable by the victory at Fort Henry, and must be abandoned, if it has not been al- ready evacuated. Columbus must soon share the same fate. Good generalship would have retreated in time from Roanoke Island with so small a force, or it would have reinforced the island with an army sufficient to hold it. Fort Henry was of more importance to the rebels than Bowling Green, and good generalship would have suggested that both it and Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, should have been made impregnable and manned with a powerful force. We expect every hour to hear of the capture of Donelson by our gunboats. It is evident the rebels have no generals; our navy is outmanceuvring them completely. So much for the importance of that arm of the service and the necessity of sustaining it in full strength. The despatches of the naval com- manders are in keeping with the character of the work they have performed. They are re~ markable alike for their brevity, dignity and modesty—no rhodomontade about them. The events of this war are demonstrating that the quality of our navy has not deteriorated by a long interval of peace, but that it deserves to be the pride of the nation as much now as it ever has been. Tue Finat PassaGe oF THE Demand Note Bri BY THE: SeNaTE.—The Demand Note bill has come from the Senate with the legal tender clause and the clause for the payment of inte- rest in specie. These two important features of the bill have been retained, and we have no doubt that the House of Representatives will accept the amendments of the Senate, and that the bill will very soon become a law. The payment of the interest in gold cannot reason- ably be objected to when the bill makes the notes ® legal tender. The specie payment of the interest is the best feature of the bill. The amendment of Mr. Simmons, adopted by the Senate, is not of much account, and its final adoption or rejection is of little consequence. With or without this amendment the pill renders the notes about as good as gold—better secured than the notes of the Bank of England, if the Tax bill be only brought forward immediately and passed into alaw. The annual produc- tions of the country are worth $1,900,000,000 (nineteen hundred millions of dollars); to say nothing of the accumulated property, worth sixteen thousand millions. By a proper tax bill those productions and that property will be pledged as security for the notes; and what other paper money in the world has as good a basis as that? There ought to be no depreciation, and there cannot be unless with great mismanagement on the part of the go. vernment or its agents. Let the Tax bill be produced. Mvp Tae Great Eneuy.—We have to call the attention of the “Onward to Richmond” shriekers, who have been impatiently urging the advance of General McClellan to the condition of the streets of the city of New York, and ask them, when these are flooded with slush ankle deep, and blocked up with all manner of icy, snowy and other obstructions, what must be the state of the roads in Virginia. If in the very heart of our civilization—the commercial metropolis of the country—it is a perilous un- dertaking to cross Broadway, and a difficult thing for our ordinary wheeled traffic to circu- late, in spite of an expensive street cleaning contract, we can easily imagine how our heavy artillery and ammunition wagons would get through the deep mud of the yielding Virginia soil, and how proudly our infantry columns would march when they had to contend against the double enemy, mud and the rebels. Let the agitators in question take a sober view of the situation, and be satisfied to let well enough alone. Tae Recext Usion Vicrortes—Within the last few weeks three different branches of our government have achieved great victories. The army has gained the brilliant victory at Somerset, has cleared the rebels out of Mis- souri and has captured the rebel strongholds upon Roanoke Island. The navy, besides capturing several valuable prizes, has taken Fort Henry, made a splendid excursion up the Tennessee river, destroyed the rebel fleet in Pamlico Sound, assisted to reduce Roanoke Is- land and captured Elizabeth City and Edenton. Meanwhile the administrative department of our government has succeeded in passing the Treasury Note bill through both houses of Con- gress; and this bill, which makes the govern- ment money a legal tender, necessitates the payment of the interest on government bonds in specie, and provides for a sinking fund, is as great a victory, in a financial point of view, as those gained by the army and navy. But the victories to come promise to rival any here recorded. We shall soon hear more good news of Buell, at Bowling Green; from Thomas, at Knoxville; from Halleck, at Fort Donelson; from Sherman, at Savannah, and from Burnside, in North Carojina. Our navy will shortly report more prizes, and is de- signed to aid our land forces in the operations in prospect, and to accomplish valuable service in the Gulf of Mexico. In Congress we anticipate the passage of the taxation, the banking and the bankruptcy bills. The prospect is bright now for the Union cause, and rebellion can find no comfort cither in the past, present or future. Maernc oF rr BOARD oF ENGINERRS AND FOREMEN.—Last evening a special meeting of the above Board was held at Firemen’s Hall, Chief Engineer John Decker in the chair. ‘The meeting was called to make arrangements for the juneral of the late Thomas Morgan,a member of Engine Company No. 6, who was killed on Thursday afternoon, while proceeding to the fire in Poarl street. A series of resolutions were presented by Assistant Fngineer Jacobs, complimentary to the decoased, which were unanimously adopted; and it was resolved that the Department tur, out in a body to attend the funeral of the deceased, on Sunday afternoon at ene o’clock,and that the fire bells be tolled while the funeral cortege is proceeding to the ferry. ine Company No, 6 was selected to carry the Fire De t banner, The remains of tho deceased ‘will be buried in the Fireasqn’s Burying Ground at Green. wood Vemovery. Attack of Fort Donelson by the “Union Forces. Progress of the First Day’s Bombardment. Gallant Conduct of Our Troops Under Heavy Fire. The Rebel Fortification and Camps Surrounded, &., &e., &e. ‘The Union Troops En Route to Fort Donelson. Curcaco, Feb, 14, 1862. Capt. Willard, of the Chicago Light Artillery, left Fort Henry day befere yesterday, at half-past ten o’clock, and -roached this city to-day. From him we learn that the artillery loft Fort Henry for Fort Donelson between three and four o’clock on the morning of the 42th, with six regiments of infantry. Gon. Grant and staff and body guard left at ten o’clock the same day. The rear guard left at twoP.M. Tho whole force was 40,000 men, with twenty-seven picces of light artillery. At four o’clock on the morning of the same day eleven regiments left Paducah, under convoy of the gunboats, to go up the Cumberland river—making the whole force fifty thousand men. The gunboats expected to reach Fort Donelson at seven o’clock yesterday. It was designed to attack Fort Donelson with the whole force yesterday afternoon. The Attack on the Rebel Fort Donelson’ Catcaco, Feb. 14, 1862. A special despatch to the Chicago Tribune says:— Camp oN THE FIELD, NEAR Fort DonELsox, Feb. 13—12:30. Fort Donelson is invested by our troops. Our lines arg formed from right to left and from north to south, nearl¥ surrounding the fort. A heavy cannonading and skir- mishing have been going on since half-past seven o'clock this morning, but, owing to the extent of our line of ac- tion, little can be learned of the result. I hear, how- ever, that the Captain of Company I, Seventh Illinois regi. ment, has been killed, General McClernand’s division is operating on the right wing, and General Smith on the left. We have had but one gunboat to play upon the fort until just within the last half hour, since when the other gundoats have been firing on the fort. ‘The force estimated to be within the breastworks, from the best information, is about 15,000. No reinforce- ments can arrive, as all communication is cut off. It is now thought that their left redoubt has fallen into our hands. All the officers are acting with great valor, exhibiting a fearlessness highly creditable to our Western army” General Grant and staff have been riding along the lines all the morning, regardless of the grapeshot that is being showered in every direction. Exaut 0’Ciock P. M. ‘The cannonading and skirmishing has continued briskly all day, but has been lately discontinued. A considera ble number have been wounded om both sides. me ‘Twenty-fifth Indiana, which rushed boldly up to the in- trenchments, had during the day forty of their men wounded, all slightly. The Seventh Illinois and Seventh Towa, who have been close to the enemy’s fire, have lost some mon. Among tho killed is Captain Wardell, of Company I, Seventh Illinois; and Colonel Morrison, of tho Forty-ninth Illinois, is wounded. Berges’ sharpshooters have done good service. They kept several of ‘the enemy’s guns idle by picking off the cannoneers as fast as they appeared at the guns. Captain Birnk, with a company of cavalry, went around tothe left bank of tho river this afternoon, and reports “nat the gunboat Carondelet received a ten inch ball through her casemate, which wounded eight men, but did not injure the boat materially. Captain Walker, of the Carondelet, says be has dismounted three of the rebels’ river guns. The other gunboats had not arrived up to six o'clock in the evening. ‘The rebels’ rifle shots and grape bave been flying thick and fast about here all day. Somo six shots struck around General Grant and his staff this afternoon while they were riding along the lines. Ono bullet hit one of the horses of the body guard near by. The fort will bo stormed in two days if not surrendered before that time. Our men have driven back the enemy in every instance. Generals Pillow, Floyd, Johnston and Buckner are said to be here. One company has been within seventy-five yards of the enemy's intrenchments. Sx. Lovis, Feb. 14, 1862. ‘The Democrat's special Cairo correspondent says the fight at Fort Donelson began at nine A. M. yesterday, ‘and during the day tho rebels were driven out of the fort three times, and forced back again by Gen. Grant. ‘The gunboat Carondelet had been struck but twice up to noon yesterday. A battery of five pieces, opposite the river, opened on her during her approach to thefort. The steamer Alps has arrived here with the wounded from the Carondelet, Some of them are seriously hurt by splinters. The Alp* mot Commodore Foote thirty miles below Donelson, with gunboats Louisville, Conestoga, Tyler, St. Louis and Pittsburg, and towed the two latter to within twenty-five miles of the fort, where she left thom at three o'clock this morning. A Cairo special to the Democrat says that Capt. Norton, from Fort Henry yesterday noon, reports no fight had taken place up to that time, but firing was heard, which seemed to be on the Cumberland river, about ten miles below Fort Donelson. Beauregard and John Bell are said to be at Donelson. About $100,000 worth of tobacco reached here from Tennessee river. A feraging party, which left Bird’s Point yesterday, brought in several thousand bushels of corn, taken from Lieutenant Colonel Swank, of the rebel artillery. Special despatches to the Republican, dated Fort Donel son Inst night,eay that up to that time our loss was about twonty killed and two hundred and fifty wounded. “mho right wing of our army rested within sixty yard, of one of the rebel redoubts, tho enemy having boon driven one mile. Twonty rebels had been killed in skir. mishes. Company G, Berges Sharpshootors, Capt. Cutter’ got within seventy-five yards of a rebel battery, and completely silenced it during tho entire afternoon, by killing every man who attempted to work the guns. ‘Adosporate advance was made on one of the redoubts by the Seventeenth and Forty-ninth Illinois, under Col. Morrison, of the Jatter regiment. They made two gal- lant charges, getting close to the enemy's breastworks, but wore obliged to retire in beth instances undera heavy cross-fire of artillery and infantry. Both regiments suf- fered considerably. Col. Morrison was severly wounded while vory near the rimpirts, There wore great quanti- ios o€ brush piled Retore the breggtworks , which it was impossible to penetrate. Captaiu Brohan, of the Forty. ninth Ulinois, was killed. The loss of both regiments is about one hundred killed and wounded. Abeavy rain set in tonight, which wilt try the men severely, they having no tents, and in many eases, owing to their position, not being able to build fires. Colonel Oglesby says, ‘We came here to take that fort, and we don’t intend to leave until we do it.’” General Grant Appointed to Command the Army in West Tennessce. Sr. Louis, Feb. 14, 1862. General Halleck has assigned General Grant to the command of the District of West Tennessee, and General Sherman to the District of Cairo. Commanders of dis- tricts, divisions, brigades, and posts, are directed to have an immediate inspection of all their troops for the diseovery of stolen and contraband property and fugitive slaves. General Order No. 3, issued in 1861, will be strictly enforced, afd any ofeer wh®has permitted it to be violated by his command will be arrested, tried for neglect of duty and disobedieneo of orders. The Tennessee River Expedition. Fort Heyry, 12, 1862. An expedition has just returned from up the Tennessee, Colonel Jno. Riggin, of General Grant’s staff, in command of a detachment of Birge’s Sharpshooters, Company A, of Edgar county, Captain Campbell, and Company D, of Rock. Island county, Captain Conklin, went up thorriver on the steamer Illinois, as far as the railroad bridge. After getting the rebel gunboat Eastport off the pier of the bridge, where she was fast, the steamer dropped down to the mouth of the Big Sandy, and took on contraband goods at that placo, and at Paris landing some seventy- five thousand dollars worth of contraband goods, which ‘are all hore at the mouth of the Big Sandy. We found the tents and camp equipage of the troops that left Fort Henry. Wo took 200 hogsheads of to- baceo, 2,500 bushels of wheat, besides a large quantity of corn and plug topacco, The troops have moved, and Fort Donelgon will be ours to-morrow. IMPORTANT FROM MISSOURI. ANOTHER SPLENDIDSUCCESS Retreat of the Rebels from Springfield. Capture of a Large Amount of Stores and Equipage. The Official Announcement of Gen. Halleck, &e., &e., &e. Sr. Louis, Feb. 14, 1862. ‘The following despatch was forwarded from headquar- ters this morning to General MoClellan, at Washington:— ‘The fiag of the Union floats over the Court House im Springfield. The enemyretreated after ashort engage- ment, leaving a large amount of stores and equipage, which was captured by General Curtis. Our cavalry are in close pursuit, HL W. BALLECK. Sremarmp, Mo., Feb. 18, } ‘Via Buan Cummx, Fob. 14, 1862. -Our troops are in Springficld. ‘The enemy retreated last night with great haste tow ‘wards Ozark and Wilson’s creek, without accepting bas- a Sr. Lous, Feb. 14, 1862, A special despatch to the St. Louis Demecrat, dated Springfield, Mo., 13th, via Boar Creek, to-day, says:— Our troops took possession of Springfield to-day with- out fring a gun. General Price evacuated the place yesterday afternoon, marching out on the Fayetteville road. ‘Wasmmncro, Feb. 14, 1862. ‘THE TREASURY NOTE BILL IN THE HOUSE. ‘The Treasury Note bill, with the Senate amendments, was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means+o-day> ‘and ordered to be printed, and made the special order for to-morrow. It will probably bea law before to~ morrow night. EFFECT OF THE RECENT UNION VICTORIES. ‘The rapid succession of victories produces the liveliest gratification im all departments of the government. The plans of General McClellan for th® suppression of the rebellion are beginning to develope themselves, to the astonishment and delight of true Union men. The rapidity with which the blows directed by him are falling upon rebeldom has mado his enemies here look extremely crestfallen. They were staggered by the capture of Fort Henry and the opening of the ‘Tennessee river, astounded by the brilliant success of Burnside, and made utterly deperate by the news to-day from Missouri. ELATION OF THE ARMY OVER THE ROANOKE VICTORY. ‘The army men here are in ecstasies over the Roanoke affair, It is regarded exclusively as a victory of the army. THE BEARER OF DESPATCHTS FROM THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION. ‘The official despatches from Commodore Goldsborough ahd General Burnside were brought by Mr. Henry Van Brunt, Secretary to Commodore Goldsborough, and won of Gershorn J. Van Brunt, flag captain of the fleet, He was aecompanied {rom Fortress Monroe by Lieutonant Harris, ordnance officer on General Wool’s staff. MISREPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE ARREST OF GEN. STONE. ‘The statement of the Times correspondent, copied im the 7ribune’s editorial on ‘Lies’ yesterday, entirely mis. represents Adjutant General Thomas, in charging that he ‘wag the one who had gone to General McClellan, and, by representations, obtained permission to embargo the wires, in relation to despatches announcing the arrest of General Stone."’ Adjutant General Thomas was not in the city, but at his residence atthe Soldiers’ Home, during Sunday and Sunday night. He not only had nothing whatever todo with the embargo placed upon sending that news by telegraph, but was not aware of the arrest of General Stone until the following morning after his arrival at Fort Lafayette. ‘There is now no doubt that the arrest of General Stong was in consequence solely of General McClellan's convic_ tion of his duty in the premises, and without any inter. vention of the Committee on the Conduct of the War. ORDER IN RESPECT TO WATER TRANSPORTS. ‘The following has just beon issued by the War Depart~ ment:— ‘War Derartaest, Wasnixcrom, Fob. 14, 1862. In order to know what moans of transport can’ be had by the government, and at what rates whon Fequired, jtamediate proposals by telegraph for furnishing the fol- lowing transports will be received by the War Depart- it meniret—Barges, such as are used on the North river for transporting cattle. eam tugs and towLoate. Third—Steamboats of any description adapted onty for smooth waters. ‘Pourth—Songoing steam vessels of every description. The proporals should specify the Goserigiion of vessel#, tonnage and equipment, also the rate of ol ter per day, with crew and everything except coal. and war ern Fi to Oe WIN MM. STANTON, Seeretary of War. THe CASE OF VAPTAIN GORDON. In the case of Captain Gordon, the slave trader, the Supreme Court of the United States were this morning engaged in hearing @ motion, by Judgo Dean, of Now York, for a writ of prohibition, directed to the Cirewit Toth of the United States for New York, to arrest the ‘execution of Gordon, on tho ground of alleged irregularity inthe proceedings. The Court will decide the motion on . In reference to this oaso there was laid before tho President to-day ® potition, signed by five thousand citizens of New York, among them prominent business men, praying ® commutation of punishment. Departares. we Sel ang Lavenroor—Steamship St Goorge—J A Peck, wi Wetrent, Mra Monroe and sone, KO Bid and, we Toads Lord, Ie Woe tf Winiams sar vbneE Arrivals