The New York Herald Newspaper, March 9, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 9311. THE RETURN OF TENNESSEE, ERESTING ADVICES FROM NASHVILLE, wert The Union Sentiment of the People. e Capital of Tennessee Wheeling Into Line. INCIDENTS, &o., &., &o. Our Nashville Correspondences NasaviL1e, March 8, 1861. the Rebels Succeeded in Removing fiom Nash- wWile—The Reawn for Peacefully Evxcuating Bowl ing Green Still & Mystery—The Advance of General Michell—How General Hardee, at Bowling Gren, Balls from Loomis’ Battery—The Feel- fashville—A Union Man Reains his Flag the Troubles and Hoists % When the Union Posession—The Ola Man's Letter to His Daughter—The Vandalism of the Rebels—List of the Union Scldievs Taken Prisoners by the Rebels at Fort Donelson— Kindness of the Ladies of Nashville to the Wounded—The Blection, de. ‘The occupation of the capital of Tennessee by Union troops was a military consequence of the surrender of ‘Fort Donelson and the evacuation of Bowling Green, ity-four pieces of heavy artillery, twenty-four and thirty-two pounders, and at least two millions of dollars |worth of army stores of various kinds, disappeared within | few days previous to the arrival of one of the military divisions. Two bridges across the Cumberland, erected iat am aggregate cost of nearly balf a million of dollars, have been destroyed by the rebels. division arrived on the bank opposite the city on Tuesday, February 25. Thecity at once surrendered to troops. Notwithstanding the destruction of property the rebels, a large amount of commissary stores fell Bnto our hands. What induced the evacuation of Bowling Green without ven an attempt to test the strength of its immense for- fications and the bravery of the troops collected for its fence, is a mystery. History may ascertain; but there nothing im cotemporaneous events thatare now known affords any satisfactory explanation. At the counci) war which determined its evacuation Beauregard, }, Floyd, Pillow, Buckner and Hindman were pre- nt. Beauregard’s opinion, that the place could not be ld, is said to have had more weight than any other. fhe evacuation was determined and immediately com- d, Beauregard leaving for Columbus, Floyd and for Fort Donelson, with orders to fight to the last, fhe other generals remained to superintend the removal troops, artillery, ordnance and commissary stores to jashville, The theory of future operations was tha; could be held againat the federals. To makethe nce more certain, Floyd and Pillow, with their bri- and a number of the best regiments in other divi- , Were moved at once to Donelson, This waseight da} the surrender of Donelson. The rebels proceeded dy with the work of evacuation. So confident were of the impossibility of the enemy crossing the Big Grid making an attack upon them, that the ordi- precautions to prevent surprise seem to have been In the meantime Genera! Mitchell had received orders advance his division towards Bowling Green, by the of Dripping Spring. The next morning his division acrossGreen river, and the next day at Dripping ‘ing. Here a halt was made {@r orders from General .. Late in the afternoon of the 14th the division hed Big Barren. During the night, ia the midst of a rrible storm of rain, sleet and snow, the whole force, Polonel Turchin’s brigade being iu advance, was moved ross the river, nearly in front. “iowling Green. she dels had six trains of cars upon the track loaded with y stores and troops. General Hurdeo was iv a bauk onversing with the cashicr. Directly the roar of a ott gun from Loomis’ bettery and the screech and ex osion of rifle shell woke h.m from his comfortable zecu- ity. “My God!” said he, “did you hear that?” «Yes, hat was it?” said the cashicr. “It was a cannon from the federals.”” He immediately ran without his hat to depot where his men were loaded upon the three rear As he reached the depot a second shot struck smoke stack of the forward locomotive. The third— @ta distance of one and three-fourths mile—de- royed the tender. Hardee and his troops fled in the ost eonfusion, and Bowling Green, with its grauito dications, was ours, General Buell’s forces exrived here about noon of Mon- . The white lag was flying iu all directions, and an r of capitulation was made by the civil authorities to General Buell and Lieutenant Bryant. The rebels wing destroyed the bridges, the steamers, five of hich were taken possession of by our troops, were to be used as ferry boats. On Tuesday Buell was engaged in arranging the details of the of the city and its occupation by our forces, in b manner a6 would best secure safety and security to lic and Priyate property, aud assure the citizens of safety to their persons, and of the pacitic and intentions of our government. feon after the regimental colors of one of the regimonta hoisted on the State Capitol an incident occurred |, Mastachusetts,and for twenty-eight years acitizen ‘Nashvilie, came through the crowd totthe colonel and duced an American flag, thirty-eight by niueteenfeot in . Amid all the persecutions and frenzy of the seces- excitement he remained an open, fearless Union , and retained possession of his flag, He asked, with in his eyes, the privilege of presenting it to the regi- }) which was the first that landed. Me was porm tooist the ‘ag with his own hands. A fow days I met him accidentally at the Post Orlice. He @ letter, which he had written to his daughter, to onel Markland, the postal director, and permitted me copy it, remarking that it was not intended for publi- ion, but expressed his feelings aud those of many oth- ‘The following is s cepy of 80 much of the letter as of interest to the public:— Nasuviie, Feb, 27, 1862, God, the flag of the Union now floats over ovr eitided capital. On Tuesday, the 25:n, a. Ae army, in, sevenveen transports, ted by’ one x! < a witha “ ot iret ba ~y aris one gun, The Ohio sacem areca y a the heaven: is proud city, where, Henge months, have been treated with esr wid as: one inilieted with a \eyrosy spot. My de loved, my absent one, how sini! fell you all my sad pring thas earful period? M. so\A silted wih upon insult was poured up desert passage ny, 10 fre by night, to co, vow, but not in despair, it pope, that this come, With my own hand, in 1 Thoisted that flag where ii now floats, embled with the fluttering of tren: my loved one, and you, ny brothers . My ci sd mite i.” Tam now willtag to gO home tor e i, for | know He agut to give my people rest, For the last ten ‘dayn T have scarcely slept nt ail. The xan Rangers bad been told I had the flag, and in.ended hoist it, and swore vo burn itin my house if I did not give epjuet giot ot Caton, rte o amy hou ie i tearly in the mn oF uuder m cid of tine knowing Where {ofuqite | a csee wee it is diMcult to ascertain precisely what is the fooling the public ia this city, The relation of the federal » ities towards the citizens—a rule maintained and 7 i by force of arms—nowoever mildly and discreet. exercised, does not conduce towards perfect freedom in expression of opinion, A largo majority of the citi- ug of Nashville had been led, by the various wtOpe fa. liar to the public, up to the hoight of secession, Mouoy 4 wen had been furnished the rebellion with great y. Many of hor citizens, ineludin wont the Aapat prominent, had fallen in tie battle te Bysiness (1 been prostrated, property yas ray ities were becoming worth!ess, my ie esleting Gurees of war were fastened upon ‘and in | of their they charged thelr condit! the government Against wh! 7 had reised ‘Bande. Thus conditioned, they cout Tot be we et epeeetve with very hearty weideme whe Union gj. mpaness dual Y ( esi yj, diery. The policy which General Buell has pursued is not on'y the wisest, but the establish the government in the a‘fections of the people. By bis order the righis of private property have been most scrupulously observed and respected; markets and etores which were closed by the rebel ofticers have been Arguments and street harangues from oiticers and men with citizens have been prohibited. Still there is an unimistakeable rebellion seated deeply in tho mo, It will wear off, by a proper aduamnietration of only. course which will re- most, was to instruct cient Postal Director vision to take possession of the Post n var tail commonnication with the al States. We now bavea daily mail by the way of ad having been repaired ns far as daily mail by the Cumberland. ewspapérs which had Suspended on the downfall of ning to restine publication. Nashville Banner of this morning, haa the fol- hort article, which is tadicative of tho feeling of Generel Broll’s first atop, H. Mi Bowling Green, and a As far ao we knory, 8) xeeptionable manner. netice to them, as well as to reassure prehensive on that core. war fox men to behave boorisbly ef: and we tust, th the principal duty of the incumbent of whieb is to citizens againat insult or outrage from the 8 power to (he people in the : polite manner possible. ‘There ip a general detestation of General Sidney John- ston in all classes. His destruction of property shows him to be either entirely incompetent for the position he holds or worthless vandal. Kitary necessity he destroyed the railroad bridge acros is point, which cort $: ge just above it, which cost when he knew that General Orant bad at Dovor twenty- two large steam tranports, with which the be bridged at any time. lich is worthy of note, An aged gentleman, anative of Under the pretence of m the Cumberland the suspension bi In the latter bridge Zoilicoffer’s estace owned $20,000——all the property of the estate cepta homestead. His more recent exploits aro th on the Tennessee and Alabama did Southerners say (hat th @ soldiery, the vandaliem of ¢ the perfect good behavior of our tr portment of the Union ion, if sucha thing be pos- With regard to tho military operations of Gene- ral Buoll’s army it is proper to way enough and sufiicientiy disciplined and armed for i ‘a! reconnolsaance in force yesterday within four miles of Murfreesboro, The rebels have evacuated that and the unexceptionable cers, will make Tennessee nd allen back towar “miles from the Alabama State line, boro’ they discharg ‘< of prisoners th turned to this place. Below during the baitic at Donelson, and sent from this piace to Murf Y are aupposed to be still with the rettwating army:— Jobn Rupert, Company A, Thirtieth Minois. Win. Stockwell, Compt Sam. Fisher, Company K, Thirtieth Illinois. D, Thirtieth Min you, Company K, Eleventh Illinois. — Ransom, brother of Col. Ran Capt. Summerville, Thisty first Miinois, som, Kleveuth Blin Eleventh Mineie, ‘arkins, Thirty-firet Iilinoig, . Simpson, Thirty-first Milt v Robt, Hervin, Company H, Kiev Dan. MoMaher, Company Hh, Eley . Meadows, Compa Jos. Survey, Company K, Deunia Fitzpaerje ‘Wm. Colderwold, oe Wm: Rowder, Company K, Elaventh th Jagon Clingman, Company A, kiet Company A, Eleve' I, Ninth Minois, Sonn, fo. Bes ry ‘e the eurrendey, NEW YORK, SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1862. THE CAPITAL OF TENNESSEE. Map of Nashville and Edgefield---The Railroads and Public Buildings. Nasheille and Northwestern Railroad SsrcuPLES tendance from the rebel staf! which remained, and from resident physicians. Wut it has been iagufflcient, aud tho want hanes been anpplied by Oar own surgeons Th fs Urdersiood that during the day adequate provisions will be mado for them, ‘ihe wounded heroes of tho bloody flold of Donelson ‘should not suffer irom want of surgeons. Tsaw in ono ward five wounded woldicrs, each of whoi was suilering froin eryeipolas. 'T cstly inquired for a snrgoon, stating that the had not been ed for twenty-eight hovrs. tary Commission has been represented by two gentle. amen, one of whom occupied his time in writing for the Chicago Vridune its special correspondence, and both of whom, 80 far ae a for the wound y be mistaken, wounded at the Fema. ital. ‘The ladies of the cit: kindness and attention ja their powe daily, bringing luxurie: 1ong them f have notice deut Polk and the Hon. J It, Tn Nashville and Davie ount ies 9 600 votes wel t at the election on Saturday last, and this tick- et elected :-— For Cfreuit Court Judge=N. Baxter Bor Crroust Court Clerk—-D. C, Love. For Sheriff —Joun K. FAmondson. tty W.J. Taylor. nue Collector—¥. F. Everett Por County Court Clark—P. L. Nichol Newspaper Accounts, NASHVILLE AND THE SOUTHERN PARSS. {Prom th We ‘earn that prosa luenting offensively upon Nashville in regent events, and we seo that the Memphi reflocts severely upon the conduct of 3 All these strictures unjuu blamed for what took place in th’ in command and tho State government. Tho created by men who occupied the highest pos the city was virtually surrendered by the gem declined, b ing | wounded every Thoy visit them t# in abundance. tho ladies of the late Presi- x Cheatham. ody is to be |, who igh to go shroogh or Cheatham was o! 1g ia his devotion to the best the city, subject to the dirvetion of (ue mili- tary authorities as iong aa they remained to direct. RAILROAD COMMUNICATION BRTWEEN LOUISVILLE AND NASHVILLE. Communication by railroad and riv opened at once between ihe two pine ‘The repair of bridges between this city and Bowling Groen on the Levisvilie ond Nashville Railroad is being prosaguted with great rapidity, and will be completed ma day or two. We hoar it stated also that is is (be intention of the federal government to rebuild at onco the railroad bridge acrots the Cumberland at this place. POSTAL FACILITIES KEOP The Post Office in this city has been talon pomsereion of by the United states authorities again, and the flret mails for the North and East left last night. Another mail rt t to Lonisville by rail at an carly hour thie morn- ing. Colonel A. If. Markland, of Washington city, brs deen sent here from the Post Office Deparunent, abd will remain in charge til! a regular Postmaster is ect No new postago stamps have arrived yet, wi must thorafore be prid in specie. The old iss froin the United States Post Office will not be the office here. Staraps of the new issne can be obtained at the office to-day or to-morrow. TENNKSSED LEGISLATURE STILL PLYING. {From the Memphis Ayalanche, Feb. 26.) The Legislature met yesterday, will only twenty or thirty members in the lower house and nine in the se. nate, We learn that it is not improbable that the Legisla- ture Will Lnaily adjourn from Memphis to MeMinnvil at which point, it is believed, there will be less difficulty in obtaiuivg a quorum. SSIRMISHTNG. (From the Nashville Banner, Maret 1.) hear of various reports of skirmishing between the federal and Confederate pickets south of this city; Dut we are unable (o get particulars vatiicisntly authentic to print. TUR OVERFLOW OF THE WATERS IN TENNESSEE, {From the Repablican Panner. | ‘The waters ure auvsiding slowly; but an immonse ter- Fitory in atill overflowed, not only on the Curaberland, but on al! the amallor streams throughout the State, T! damage don immengse—beyond computation, Will he regularly D. Sketch of Nashville, Edgefield, &.—Map of the Locality. In conneetion with the opening of communication with the capital of Tennessee, we presont our readers with a correet map of the city and suburbs. To explain the map we also give e SKETCH OF NASUVILLE, Nashville is the county seat of Dayidgon county and the capital of the State, 16 bas long vied with Memphis for the honor of being the commorcial moiropolis of the State, but the little pestiferous Bluff City has beeu victo- rious in the contest, The northern stregts of the city are ty five feet above the level of tho Cumberland river, which, in the central part of the town, is coudined by high bluffs on the southern side, while a low dnd nar- row valley on the nortHiorn side is sqpetimes coverad by it, The billson the nerthern side, in the town of Bugs field, are tho banks of the river at present high water, ‘Thriver is now rapidly falling. Tho river at Nashville was croseod by a splondid susponsion bridge aud a draw bridge made by the railroad company. The suspension bridge hae been destroyed by pulling the pins out on the soutbern side and precipitating the whole ¥-RAVO Feeeiyod medion aj ' glo the river, seventy feet below. The rajjrond NIAAA ATARI bridge has been burned. ern bank of the river. in. Kentucky, HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM NEW MEXICO. DESPERATE FICRT NEAR FORT CRAIG. GREAT L038 ON BOTH SIDES. Groand ‘and the Union and Rebel Commanders, Sketches of the Buttle Denver Crry, March 7, Via Juumsscre, March 8, 186: } following news was received to-day by military and terrible battle, lasting all day, teole pleat Valverde, ton miles south of Fort Craig, on the ist of February. ‘The fight was probably resumed again on the 22d, ‘The losa ie great On both sides.) Both parties claii A reginont ef Now Mexicans, commanded by Colouel Panton, ran away, Captain Meftae, who had charge of onr artillery, and evory one of his command, wore killed at their posts, aud their cannon was taken by the rebels. Kit Carson wns within Afteen mités of Fort Craig, Firing wae heard from his direction, but with what result was not ascertained at the timo the messenger Locality of the Battle Ground Sketch of the Commander of the De~ partment and of Captain McRaceThe Mareh of the Rebels to the Att Sketch of the Rebel General, &c., Ke. ‘The telegraph from Donver City brings us intelligeoos of a battle in New Mexico, The news being imperfect, tho result is still unknown. What we do know, how- over, gives us dceisive information of a bravo reaistance having boon offered by tho regulars in charge of tho ar- tillery; for tho report states that ‘Captain McRae and every one of his command were killed at their port, aud ‘then, and not Ul then, their cannon was taken by tho ‘This pisos of bravery is ret forth the more aroatly with the conduct of ihe ly a it coptram REFERENCE L_STATE CAPITOL “UNIVERSIT MeRieae co ait, The public square of | New Mexico Volunteers, a wholo regiment of whom are Nashville is_at the southern terminus of the suspension | reported to have ran away. As yet it appears doubtful |, @epots, main streets, springs, fords; wharves, &c.,are shown on the map, to whicha more ready and intelligible reference can be made than to this letter press description. Nashville had a populas tion in 1960 of 23,000 inhabitants. It is bountifully wa- ‘tered with limestone, sulphur and chalybeate water. A fino chulybeate spring is near the southern termi. nos of the suspension bridge. The bluffs on the opposite shore are about the same level as the hills on the north- As the streets running north and south recede from the river, they rise above tho levol name t, crossing the range shown as running east from Hill, and again descending beyond it. time of high water, as at present, the back water of the river overflows the valley south of the town, penetrat. ing ae far as the penitentiary and Stemple’s tannery. ‘The geographical location of Nashville is a3 follows:— It is situated on the left or southern bank of the Cum- bortand river, about two hundred miles from its mouth, It is two hondred and thirty miles east northeast two hundred and six miles south and nearly seven hundred miles from Washington. It stands in latitude 36 9, longitude 86 49, at an elevation of four hundred and aixty feet above the level of the sea. The buildings of the city are architectural, well built and valuable, citys lighted with gas, and suppliod with water from tlie riyor, The railroad and water communication is very is tho centro ot a good trading com . We have recently given a long description of ities of the city, aud do not think it needful to repoat (le facts on this occasion. SKETCH OF EDGEFIELD, Figelield ioe very pleasant village of Davidson county, Tennessee, and is situated on the right or northern bank of (he Cuaborland river, opposite Nashville, @ hand me church, too sehoois and a manufactory of lard oil and contles, The village was commeneed in 1849, and was connected with the capital of the State by a wire suepensioa bridge, recently destroyed by the rebels, To 1853 it hada population of about eight hundred per- na, Dut as the city rose in importance and population #0 did also the property of its village sister increase, which side these volunteers were on—whether rebel or Union troo| The battlo appears to have taken place near asmail villago named Valverde, which is situate! on the left bavk of tho Rio del Norte, or Rio Grande, near the border of New Mexico and Arizona, Fort Craig is ten miles north of this point, on the same river. Colonel Kit Carson has had his head- quarters at Albuquerque for some time, but has since moved southward towards Fort Craig, aud was reported within fifteen miles of that post at last advices. Ashe takes with him a moderately good force, it is to bo hoped that his arrival at the scene of action may hive caused some great change in our favor. Other reinforcemens have doubtless reached them ero this. In tho econt change of military departments, a new de- partment was made of this Territory, The General Or” der No. 97 thus describes MUJTARY GROGRAPMICAL DEUARTMENT NO. 9. Department of New Mexico, to embrace the Territory of Now Mexico, with the headquarters at Santa Fe, to be commanded by Colonel F. R. S. Canby, Nineteentn United States infantry. ‘This command would make tie Colonel an Acting Brigadier General, ho having chief charge of both tho regular aud volunteer forces of tho department. We therefore subjoin a sketch of thas officer. SKETCH OF COLONEL CANBY. Colone! Edward Richard Sprigg Canby was born in the State of Kentuewy, and entered the Military Academy in the year 1896, He is between forty and forty-five years Of age, Ho gralusted on the 30th day of June, 1899, standing No, 301m his clare, In. which we find the names of Gen, Hajlock, Gen, Stevens, Gen. Paine, Gen. Ord, Cap. tain Ri 13 and other noted officers. He was promoted on the Let of July, 1839, to the rank of Second Lieutenant of the Second United States infantry, and on the 18th of June, 1646, wan farther promoted to the First Lieutenancy. During that year he held tho regimental Adjutancy, and ‘on the Sd of March, i847, was appointed an Assistant Ad font General, with the brevet rauk of Ceptain on the staff. He waa breveted Major in Angust, 1849, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Cherabuseo, in Mexico, and was also distinguished io the Dattle of Cerro Gordo, This brevet rank dated from A’ 20. .1851, he was farther bravet for gallant conduct at 1 Be! te—the brovet dating from September 13, 1347. 4 in the Adjutant General's Depart. he was promoted to the (ull rank i United States infantry, and re- On the 8dof Mareh he was appointed M.yo nin Infantry, which posi- tion he held in the “Army Register’ of Janury, 1861. On the 14h of May, 1861, he was farther promoted to the Coloncley of the newly formed Nineteenth regiment of rantry, ond on the Sth of November waa Spratnted to tho ecbarge of the Department of New x00. sof his countrymen, ho fighting and dying to protect his gone, Which were not given np until the Javt man had fatien dead boride his piece. We append a is gallant officer, and did our space tempt to immortalize every man in jommand. They allfongbt, fell and died ia « noble uanse—peace bo, therefore, bo their ashes, SKETCH OF CAPTAIN M’RBAE, Captain Alexander McRae was a comparatively young man, having but recently turned his thirtieth year. wag a native of North Carolina, and entored the Mili- tary Academy as acadet in the year 1867, On the Ist of July,1851, he graduated, and was breveted Second Lieutenant of the Mounted Rifles. In January, 1867, ho was promoted toa First Lieutenaucy,and on tho 10th of June, 1361, was further promoted to a Captaincy in the Third United Siates cavalry, ravking seventh on ‘the list of the officers of the regiment, and forty seventh in the Hoeal rauk of the captains of cavalry, according to the Inst published list. A brilliant career, had he lived, would have been before the brave and gallant captain, who hag thus suddenly been snatched away from the service of his coubtry. 5 Rebel Accounts from New Mexico, ARCH OF THE PROOPS UNDER GEN. SIBLEY, a Mor respondence the Houston Telegraph, Fort Troax, New Mextoo, Jan. 17, 1862, Last night the medical stad of the First rogiment, Sibley's brigade, was much horrified oa receiving the in- felligence off t jidiang having destroyed two iomis of medicines, instroments, &c,, sent by Dr. Covy, from Moailla, for the expedition. There was an escort of ten mon. They were attacked by 120 Indians, and had to make their ereape by retreating back to the next camp, gixton miles, after deri, 1 learn that there were bo- tween Mity and seventy-five guns also on the wagens. After the Indians had taken everything ey. wanted, they bnrned ano destroyed wagons and all. This ing the Masons retired two niles from camp to ti and held a meeting, Major McMahon, W. M., initia w politique for initiation, and three for have Wad several meetings, but this ts the attended, Jancany 18, 1852. y letter, b, L wes called off the arriral of Co} n Wore Just (row El Pato, aod bring the inteli (gens PRICE THREE CENTS, ery of Capt. McRae is worthy of a place in | first division of the second regiment being at Dona Ana, and will be up here to-morrow night, and the wecond dt bi] ay ~ avs. The advance of the third regiment, jeard Of, was at Kagle Springs, and by this Hime at Fort Quitman, of ecm Oe mountains here are full of In and we dread them worse than lo the Linco by odde. The ovber ») he (hey got several more of our horses, mules and oxen. To-day they have been trying to burn us up by firing the grass within three mil us, which con sumed ail the grass to the river opjosite the camp. We have been thwarted in our forward movements for want transportation wagons, many of our (eas bay inj failed on the route, besides having lost several teas sto'en by the Indians. Colonel Scurry to-day has taken command of the regi- ment, and to-morrow will sond out several spy compa nies toreconnoitre, and the probability is thal we will strike across to Santa Fe and miss Fort Craig, abc Jot vh Second regiment close upon it, and we will cut of the treatof the enemy. Major Raguet will command ove of the scouting parties. Weather fiveand pleasant, The health of the regiment is good. Yours,&¢., J. &. M. Sibley, in a proclomation to the people of New Mesico, gives the following statement:— ‘The existing war is one most wickedly-waged by the ‘United States upon the Confelerate States for the subju- gation and oppression of the latter by foree of arme. 16 bis already tatled, Victory has crowned the arms of the Confederate States wherever an encounter worthy of be~ ing called a battle has been joined. Witness (he battles of Bullrun, of Manassas, of Loxington, of Loceburg, of Columb: ind the capture in the Mesilla Valley of tha whole force of the enemy, by scarce half their gumber. SKETCH OF GENERAL SIBLEY. Henry H. Sibley, a native of Louisiana, was formerly in the United States service. He entered Wert 0 a8 acadetjin 1833, and was appointag a second licutenant of the Second United States dragoons on the 1st of July, 1838. When he graduated he stood vory low in his clase, in the list of which appears the names of a number of rebels, including Hardee, &c. He was promoted set lieutenant in March, 1840, and acted as adjutant from 1841 to 1847. In February, 1847, he was appointed, and Dreveted major in July, 1848, which rank he held when he left the army to join the rebels. His military experi- ‘ence is therefore not very great, and his blatant procla- tion docs not speak too highly for bis literary talent. An attack was made by the rebels at Fort Craig on the 5th of January, but they were compelled to retire before @ superior force. They then fell back upon Eh Paso, but it is believed that it wasa feint to draw the troops out of the fort, as Colonel Canby \s reported as being in pursuit of them. On the 7th of February the Texaus, under Sibley, were reported as being short of supplies, they being then at Fort Thomas, ‘The object of the attack may have been to obtain the supplies at the fort; but of this we can only at present make a surmise. IfKit Carson should have arrived in time, or the reinforcements have reached the headquarters be fore the battle, the whole complexion of affairs may be changed by this time, as the battle is reported to he taken place over a fortnight since. IMPORTANT FROM THE UPPER POTOMAC. Capture of Leesburg by the Union Forces Under Colonel Geary. Precipitate Flight of the Rebel Troops. — MANY PRISONERS AND SUPPLIES TAKEN, Heavy Firivg Heard in the Direction of Winchester, &e., &e., &e. Lusenvnc, Va., March 8, 1662. Colone! Geary baa taken Leesburg, and driven General Hill, with big whele command, from the town and sur- rounding forts. The Stars and Stripes now wave over all, General Hill's army fell back towards Middleburg. Last night Colouel Geary left Lovetteville with bis whole command, and marched through Wheatland and Waterforu, taking prisoners at both places, and putting the scattered forces of the revels to fight. Bhortly alter sunrise he took posseseion of Yort Jehn- Aton, which was rechristened by the officers Fort Geary. He (hen entered the town, with tage flyingaud bayonets fixe, Tuo rebel troops, who had thought this one of their greatest strongholds, could be discerned throvgb a glass retreating. The command took many prisoners and stores, and are in possession of the bank, Post Ofice and public build- \ge. Forts Beauregard and Eyans were also taken. ‘This brilliant achievement, by a well timed blow ana skilful manoeuvre, is of vast importance. ‘The command ig Weil and in good epmite. A detachment of the Fires Michigan cavalry did much ery ice under Col. Geary in this movement. Savvy Hoon, March 8, 1662, Colonel Geary, with the foree under bis command, occupied Leesburg to-day, and the abandoned works of the enemy in the vicinity of that town, No further particulars have yot been received here, bug it is believed tho enemy declined in thie instance, as ip moet others, to give battle. Colonel Broadhead, of the First Michigan cavalry, 16 acting as chief of cavalry in this division of the army. At this moment artillery fring is beard fn the diree- tion of Winchester. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THB CAPTURE OF LEESBURG, Poo.as¥nim, March 8, 1862. To Barcaner Gerxnat S, F, Wintame:— Leesburg was entirely evacuated yesterday morning by the ri The reports are that Colonel Geary’s advance is there. N. J. T. DANA, Brigadior General, Cnaatetown, Va., Mareh 8, 1862, To day ® Mr. Cartor, a member of Hayler's cavalry, together with three valuable horses, a carriage and other articles, were captured and turned over to the Division, Quartermaster. A consiterable amount of Confederate scrip was also seized, Private Whitney, of the Michigan cavalry, who was accidentally wounded on Friday night, died to-day, During a visit to tho residence of Colonel Lewis Wash- ington, near Hallstown, your correspondent was ins formod that, subsequent to the departure of the pro- prictor in Angust Inst, the rebels paid ita visit and ap- propriated a large collection of portraita of General Wash- ington and his family, being, probably, the only collec- tion of the kind extant, It is to be regretted that previous to the order of Gem oral Ranks some wanton depredations were committed om private property in this vicinity, but it is probable (hat the perpetrators will be detected and severely pun- ished. IMPORTANT FROM MISSOURI. The Rebels in Force at New Madrid= Skirmishing ween the Union and ‘oreces, dics, ce. Tine she Sr. Lovim, Mareb 7, 1862, A inl despateh to the St. Louis Democrat ways that senna who left Goneral Pope's command yesterday states that the rebels at New Madrid have between five and ten thousand men, and four gunboats anchored off town, and that it bes been completely invested by i forces, Some ekirmishing has ensued, and several of our men wore killed by shells thrown from the rebel gun- on wecame within range. Our officers are cqn- boats wren y and complete viewory, If the gunboats of @ driven away. = Mages that the enemy is fortifying Savannah, it onthe Tennessee river. of the rebel anchors left at Columbus have propriated (o complete the equipment of eur Rey from Cliorlestan , no. aN, that qur forces are congtantly ekirmishitg with Jem, Thom seed Md three or four of Ube la.ter’s men are cap! ared datiys