The New York Herald Newspaper, March 14, 1862, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. TERMS cash tm advance sent dy matt will beatthe sak of the sendar, “Nome but Title turvent tn New Fork THE DAILY HERALD.t wo cent oper copy. $7 per annum. Volume XXVII.. No. 72 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVEN{NG. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Comes Baws _WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Tag Beige or THR Sraso WALLACK’S THEATRE, No, 84 Broadway.—"loxey- moon. LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, CARTHY; OR, THE Peer OF Lay. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Rurrian Bor— | Co-Leax Bouxe—Oai—How 70 fay ise Reve. Broadway.—Tax Ma- BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Sticuney's Nationan ~Crmecus BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Com | Nortr—Livine Hirrororamus, Wuare, kc at all hous Sapax and Kava ‘afternoon and «vening, BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad way.—Dows Ly OLD K-Y-KY, yvesant Institute, No. 659 (as, Daxens, &c. HOOLEY'S MINSTRELS, Stu Broadway.—Eruiortan Son: and 20th, The death of Capt. McCrea, who died bravely, the last man at his guns, after more than half his command bad been cut to pieces, is’a sublime instance of gallantry and devotion. The fight lasted the entire day, and resulted in s heavy loss on both sides. The Union army lost about two hundred, and the rebels a much larger number. CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday, the Naval Committee were instructed to prepare some fitting notice of the bravery of seaman John Davis, whose conduct was recently alluded to in terms of praise by Commodore Dupont in his official report. A reso- lution of inquiry of the Secretary of the Navy, with regard to the removal of the Naval Academy from Annapolis, Maryland, to Newport, Rhode Island, was offered by Senator Kennedy, of Mary- ‘and. The Senate voted thanks to Commodore Foote, of the Western Flotilla, and Lieutenant Worden, of the mail-clad steamer Monitor, and the officers and men under them, for their recent brilliant exploits. The resolution for the expul- sion of Senator Powell, of Kentucky, was taken up, and Mr. Davis, of Kentuky, spoke at length in fovor of it. He was interrupted by Senator Pow- eli; but, without deciding the question, the Senate went into executive session, and subsequently ad- journed. MELODEON CONCERT HALL, 539 Broadwa; Sa ‘Sons, BURLESQUES, &0.—CONTRAAND CosvEst! Ne CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 585 Broadway.—So Diners, Bunieequas, Ao—isaceca sts Bae GATETIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Broadway.—Drawixa Entertaiaents, Bacets, Panromimxs, Farcxs, £0. AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, 444 Broadway.—Unru.y Youru—rouicy Orrice—! “ Ui asp dunia, CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT HALL, No. 4 Bowery, — | Buncxsqves, Soncs, Daxors, 1.0 Clone PARISIAN CABINET Open daily from 10 A. M. NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 —Bunixsal Boxcs, Dances, 40. es nea OF WONDERS, 563 —— Ong E ae RS, Broadway, New York, Friday, March 14, 1862, THE SITUATION. Everything continues quiet in the vicinity of Ma- massas. A masked battery, mounting three guns, was discovered on Wednesday, on the Warrenton turnpike, between Centreville and Bullrun. The rebels, it appears, resorted to the vandalism of Poisoning the wells before their departure. Two men, attached to a Wisconsin regiment, of General Smith's division, were poisoned yesterday by par- taking of the water. Orders have accordingly been issued prohibiting soldiers from using the old wills in the vicinity, and new ones are being dug. The rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac con- tinue to be examined by our officers, and the guns not destroyed by the enemy are being disabled as far as possible. By our intelligence from Winchester there is little doubt that the rebel forces under Jackson have retired to Strasburg, in which direction heavy firing was heard at noon yestesday, indi- cating that the fugitives were blowing up the stone bridge over Cedar creek, to prevent pursuit. It was reported by some prisoners that the rebels intended to make a stand at Strasburg, but it was stated by others that Jackson will post off for Richmond, when the news of the evacuation of Manassas reaches him. Our troops were received with the utmost enthu- siasm by the people of Winchester. The regi- ments as they entered the town were loudly cheered from the houses, and they replied warmly to the greeting. The accounts of the late naval achievement at Newport's News, which we give to-day, together with a map of the battle ground, will be found highly interesting. They comprise the official re- ports of Captain Van Brunt, of the Minnesota, and Captain Watson, of the gunboat Dragon. The rebel story of the fight, as furnished by the rebel journals, and the editorial comments thereon, we give in another column, and they will be read with considerable interest. The Monitor is repre- sented as disabled, which we know is not the fact, and the disasters to the “‘Yankee” fleet are paint- ed in terms of horror quite congenial to the rebel mind. Our despatches from Fortress Monroe yesterday, state that the Merrimac is afloat at the Norfolk Na- vy Yard, and a large force of workmen is employed in repairing her. Serious damage was done to one of her prongs, and the forward part of the vessel was stove in. By a despatch from Cairo we learn that the pro- tection of Memphis seems to engage the serious attention of the rebels. General Bragg has arrived there from Pensacola, with a force of 10,000 men, and it was thought that they were sent forward to reinforce New Madrid and Island No. 10, at which latter point all the rebel gunboats are concentrated under the famous Captain Hollins. Gencrals Bragg and Beauregard were said to be at Jackson, Tennessee, where they are erecting strong fortifications. Memphis is reported in a state of anarchy. The citizens are flying from there, and cottom, molasses, sugar, and other Merchandise were being shipped South. Such was the insubordination of the citizens that martial law was proclaimed in Memphis on Monday last, in order to compel the people to turn ont and fight. We give sketches to-day of the Union officers engaged in the late battle at Paris, Tenn., where our forces defeated the rebels, six hundred strong’ and took possession of the town on the morning of the 12th inst, General Halleck's official report of the battle puts down the loss of the enemy at one hundred killed, wounded and prisoners. General Halleck also reporta the defeat of one of Price's guerrilla parties near Lebanon, Mo., in which the rebel commander, General Campbell, and one hundred others were captured, thirteen killed and five wounded. The schooner A. H. Manchester, Capt. Nicker- son, arrived at this port last evening, from Pope creek, 8. C., and Port Royal, making the passage in six days. She brings 3,000 bales of cotton and sixty-seven hides, consigned to Hiram Barney, Esq., Collector at this port. Her news is unimportant. Nothing of any moment had transpired since the wailing of the Philadelphia and Oriental, whose news we predicted a few days ago, Everything remained quiet, and the condition of the troops was about the same, being in good health and fine spirits. We give to-day full particulars of the battle near Fort Craig, New Mexico, on the 2ist February, the results of which we published several days ago, nd the skirmishes which preceded it on the 19th In the House of Representatives, the thanks of the republic were voted to General Curtis and his officers and men for gallant conduct in their re- cent engagement with the rebels, and sympathy for the friends and relatives of the loyal slain was expressed. The National Tax bill was then taken up, in Committee of the Whole House, and a long debate ensued, consuming the greater portion of the day’s session and being participated in by va- rious members. An amendment was adopted giv- ing the franking privilege to the Internal Revenue Commissioner,” whose office the bill creates. Another amendment, to allow each State to as- sume its quota of the tax, was one of the subjects of discussion in connection with the bill, which proposition was finally withdrawn, and, without taking definite action, the commi(tee rose. A bill was introduced from the Highways Committee providing Tor additional railway facilities between New York and Washington, and was sent back to the committee. The Judiciary Committee intro- duced a billto provide for the discharge of State prisoners, which was recommitted, when the House adjourned. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. In the Senate of our State Legislature yesterday, the bill to amend the General Life and Health In- surance act was passed; also that permitting the Supervisors of New York to borrow money in an- ticipation of the tax. Petitions in favor of the Me- tropolitan Health bill and the proposed liquor pro- hibition amendment to the constitution were pre- sented. The resolutions on the latter subject were made the special order of business for Tuesday next, at twelve o’clock. A bill was introduced to amend the act in relation to the district courts of this city. Notice was given of a bill for a railroad in Twenty-sixth street. A communication was re- ceived from the State Comptroller giving the ex- penses of official advertising for the years 1860 and 1861. The bill to provide for sending convicts under twenty-one years of age to the penitentiaries was debated in Committee of the Whole, and pro- gress reported. Inthe Assembly a resolution was adopted directing the State Engineer to prepare an estimate of the expenses of enlarging one tier of the Erie Canal locks to one hundred and fifty feet in length and twenty-five feet in width, so as to per- mit the passage of gunboats. Remonstranges against a railroad in Broadway were presented. The bill providing for the assumption by the State of its portion of the national tax was ordered to a third reading. A large portion of the day was consumed over subjects of only local interest. The stock market opened weak yesterday morn- ing, but gained strength as the day progressed, and closed very strong, with a general inquiry for the speculative railway shares—rumors being in circulation which led to the belief that the government is satisfied that the end of the war is close at hand. Money was easier than yesterday, and six the general rate for callloans. Foreign exchange is dull at 12 a 4; gold quiet at about 101%. me steam transport Ellen B. Terry, from Hat- teras Inlet, via. Baltimore, where she landed two hundred and fifty furloughed sick anf wounded sol- diers from General Burnside’s division, arrived at this port yesterday. Hon. (. H. Van Wyck has been hard at work at the St. Nicholas Hotel during the last weck inves- tigating the amount of salaries and perquisites received by the government officials in this city. Custom House officials have been wandering about the corridors of the hotel in a state of great ex- citement, and, from what we can learn, the future action of the committee will tend still further to increase their perturbation. A meeting of the Union Defence Committee body was calied for yesterday, with a view to dis- cussing of the resolutions adopted by the Cham- ber of Commerce on last Wednesday. A qnoram of the members not having attended, the matter has been indefinitely postponed. A quorum not being present last evening at the Board of Aldermen, President Henry announced an adjournment to Monday next. The Board of Councilmen met last evening, and transacted considerable routine business. The com- munication sent in by the Comptroller at the last meeting, relative to the city debt, taken up, and thre resolution appended thereto unanimously adopted, which was, that the Comptroller be authorized and directed to apply to the Legislature for the pas- sage of an act to reduce the taxation of the city of New York, by applying the surplus revenues of the sinking fund for the payment of the city debt. The tax levy for 1862 was returned by the Alder- men, with several amendments to the appropria- tions made by the Councilmen, amounting in the aggregate to over a million of dollars. On motion, the Board almost unanimously refused to concur with the Aldermen in the proposed additions to the Comptroller's estimates. Subsequently a re- solution was adopted, requesting the Comptroller to petition the Legislature for the passage of an act authorizing the raising by tax, in a general manner, the amount which may be required to defray the necessary expenses for the current year. Thus it will be seen that the action which the Councilmen have taken in this matter will result in a material reduction of the tax levy for the present year. Our commercial report from Barbados, W. I.; dated at Bridgetown on the 19th of February, states that the market was fully supplied with every description of American produce, and sales of most articles Were effected with difficulty. Flour raled—extra Ohio $6 02, extra Philadelphia $6 12a $6 16 per barrel. Colonial Bank bills on New York rated—ten days, five per cent, thirty days, faur per cent premium. The cotton market was tamo yosterday, while the sales, chiefly in small lote, footed up about 650 bales, Within the range of 270. a 280. for middling uplands. Some forced sales were reported a trifle under these figures, Largo holders were not pressing sales. The flour market exhibited moro animation, especially for com. mon to medium grades of Western, while prices for most kinds were unchanged, Wheat was heavy, and, in the abscnce of sales of moment, quotations were nominal Corn was more active at the recent concession, with sales of Wostern mixed at 68)¢c.a 00c, Pork was un changed, while there was some more inquiry, especially for fature delivery. Sales of new mess were ma at $13 60, mew prime at $10 62% o $10 s1\. were less active, but steady, with sales of about 900 bhds, and 40 boxes. Coffee was quiet for Rio. About 700 mats Java and 160 do, stained, were soid at rates. another place, Freighta Were unchanged, and ven in Fogmqomeni tau. NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1862. Where Will Jeff. Davis and the Rebel Army Run to? General MoClellan is after Jeff. Davis aud his runaway army. Where will they fy to? Where will the Confederate Congres* find a place of safety? It is stated by a North Carolina paper that the seat of government is about to be removed from Richmond to Raleigh. But the question is whether the latter is notas much in danger from the operations of Burnside as Richmond is from our Army of the Potomac. If it should fall back still further to Columbia, the capitai of South Carolina, would its safety be long insured against the advancing column of Sherman? In Milledgeville or any other part of Georgia it would be equally imperilled. Should the rebel government return to the place whenco it set out—Montgomery, Alabama—how long would it be safe there against the legions of Halleck moving up the Tennessee? It was evident, from the desponding message of Davis to the Confederate Congress at Rich- mond, that he was sorely and sadly puzzled as to the course he ought to pursue; and in truth he had very good reason for his doubts and fears. Difficulties surrounded him on every side- Whether he fought, or ran away without fighting’ his embarrassments were very great. If he held his ground at Richmond, and hisarmy at Manas- sas gave battle, there could be no doubt that it would be defeated, and that he and his Cabinet, with the whole rebel Congress, would be bagged as game of the largest size. If he should retreat to the far South without a fight, the de- moralization of his Army of the Potomac would be as complete as that of his army in Kentucky and Tennessee. If it fought and was beaten, as it would be, and fell back southward, it would be also demoralized. In any event, the moral effect upon the Southern mind must be dis- astrous to the cause of the rebellion. Asa choice of evils, the rebel President has deemed it better that his army should fall back from Manassas, believing discretion to be the better part of valor, and knowing that he who runs away may live to fight another day. The Richmond Examiner says the receding movement of the rebel army from Centreville and the Upper Potomac is not on account of the pressure of General McClellan, but from purely strategical reasons, and that the new line of de- fence will probably extend from Staunton to Gordonsville, and thence, we suppose, to York- town or Norfolk. But it is not at all likely that this line will be maintained longer than is ne- cessary to give the rebel President time to pack up his trunks and make his hegira to the far South, at a time that the migratory birds are beginning to move thence towards a colder la- titude, and that the languishing Southern chi- valry have heretofore sought the refreshing breezes of the North. The game is now up with him, no matter what he may do and no matter whether his army fights or not. The struggle is virtually over, and should there be another great conflict it will be a useless fight after other events hed determined the fate of the war. There is nothing left, therefore, for Jeff. Davis but to move as rapidly as possible towards the tropics. There are two or three roads still open to him. The shore or Atlantic coast line is already cut. His passage is blocked by that way. But he may escape through the Valley of Virginia by the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad to Chattanoo- ga, provided Knoxville is not in the hands of the Union troops, and thence, if he is in time, he may reach Memphis, whence he could cross into Arkansas en route for Texas; or, if it should be dangerous for him to proceed so far on that route as Memphis, in consequence of the exten- sion of our military lines in that direction, he could turn down southward at Corinth or at the Grand Junction, through Mississippi to Louisi- ana and Texas; or he could fly from Chattanoo- ga southward through Georgia and Alabama, and thence across Mississippi and Louisiana to Texas; or he might escape by another rail- road route, from -Richmond through North Carolina by way of Raleigh to Columbia, South Carolina. From Columbia he might pro- ceed to Augusta, Georgia, and through that State to Southern Alabama, and thence to Texas. That route is still open; but if any point of the railroad between Columbia and Augusta should fall into the posses- sion of Sherman’s corps, or some portion of the North Carolina road, by way of Raleigh, should be cut by Burnside, the fugitive would be estopped by that route. There is, however, another and a safer route through North Caro- lina, and that is from Richmond to Danville, Va., and thence by turnpike forty miles to Greensborough, in the centre of North Carolina, the terminus of the railroad to Columbia, South Carolina. This is the internal railroad route which the rebel Congress, on the advice of Jeff. Davis, has undertaken to complete by finishing the portion between Danville and Greens- borough—a job which it is now entirely too late to complete for any military purpose. This route would also bring him and his army to Texas, and thence his way is open to Mexico, the only place where he would be tolerably safe. Let him hasten there with the utmost despatch to help the Mexicans to drive out the European coali- tion, and he may become President of Mexico or King instead of Maximilian. anarchical government would just suit him and his turbulent followers. ——_—____& * ‘Tae Tax Bu.t—It Ovent To px Passep Iumn- piaTELY.—The Tax bill, which bas been publish- ed, displays a remarkable amount of industry and sagacity, and it is, on the whole, as good a measure as could be expected under all tho circumstances. Mr.Stevensand the other mem- bers of the Committee of Ways and Means have been unjustly assailed by journals in New York calling themselves republican, but sympathizing with secession and revolution. There might possibly be improvements made in a few of the details of the bill; but it is proba- ble that, in waiting to improve some points? the bill might be altered for the worse in others. It would be endless to discnss all the details, and it would be productive of no good. Let the bill be passed, therefore, at once. The ne- cessities of the government and the country re- quire it. Tho people are in favor of it, and there are none to oppose it but the radical re- volutiouary republican journals who desire to arrest the progress of the war and allow the Union to be permanently dissolved, or to revo- | lutionize the government and introduce a reign of anarchy and disorder. The very crumbs that fall from our tables, the excess of meats cooked beyond what are required, the surplus cloths and useless ornamients worn by both sexes, together with extravagant ; furniture, i] would more than pay the whole tax without its ofigcts boing folt by any potdam. Bul sen it cd we had to make sacrifices, let us consider "the grandeur of the cause which demands them, and every murmur shall be hushed. New Inon-Cap Vessers-or-War.—Sweet are the uses of adversity. The lesson taught by the late naval battles in Hampton Roads has not been thrown away upon the government or the country. We have lost some ships now, but the loss will prevent greater losses in the fu- ture. The Navy Department is awakened from its dream of false sccurity. Already it has issued orders to clothe the new sloop-of-war Adiron- dack with iron mail. This fine veecel, with her armor on, will only draw thirteen feet of wa- ter. We also perceive that the Committee on Naval Affairs in the Senate, who were before adverse to the proposition submitted to them of expending fifteen millions of dollars oniron- plated vessels, on the ground that they were still an experiment, have suddenly changed their opinion, and will report in favor of the resolution. We have no doubt that the Senate itself and the other branch of the legislature will see the necessity of adopting it at once. With the Monitor and the mailed frigate now being fitted out at Philadelphia, the mailed frigate built at Mystic, Conn., and now being finished at Greenpoint, in this port, and the Adirondack, we shall soon have a force sufficient for the protection ef our wooden walls till the new vessels ordered by Congress are ready for action, giving the government e@ naval force with which it can sweep the seas and reduce the strongest fortifications. Every ship-of-war we have ought to be convert- ed into a steamer and clad with iron, like the Merrimac. The old sailing vessels-of-war are behind the age. Not only are wooden walls useless against iron sides, but even stone walls must succumb to such engines of destruction as the Merrimac and the Monitor. Our forts in future must be built of iron, and those now in use must be plated with it like the new gun- boats. Should war ever break out between this country and any of the great mari- time Powers of Europe, we would imme- diately have brought to bear against us vessels like the Warrior or La Gloire, of the impregna- ble and destructive character of which we have just had a sample in the performances of the Merrimac. We have learned from our late experiences of these iron vessels, that they render the ordinary coast and river for- tifications of but little use. Instead of lavishing money on the erection of granite forts and earthworks, it would be bettor for us for the future to spend it on the construction of iron-plated vessels and floating batteries like the Monitor, which, from its defeat of the rebel iron monster, we take to be the nfost perfect model of this kind of vessel now afloat. The subject is one that merits the attention of the States having a line of coast to defend. Our New York Legislature should immediately vote a sum sufficient to build a large floating batte- ry on the Ericsson pattern. Our citizens would have more confidence in it than in all the forts that we possess. Tue Navy Department Cautep To Account.— At the meeting of the New York Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday it was resolved “that in the opinion of this Chamber the chicf cause of this disaster (the destruction of life and pro- perty committed by the rebel iron-clad steamer Merrimac in Hampton Roads) lies in the culpa- ble neglect in which the naval defences of Hampton Roads were suffered to remain, after the knowledge of the near completion” of said rebel iron-clad steamer. This accusation is levelled at Secretary Welles, and we shall be glad to hear what defence he can advance against it. He was well informed of the intend- ed experimental trip of the Merrimac; he knew that she was a dangerous customer; and if he could have done nothing else to render her per- fectly harmless, he could have ordered the sink- ing of an old hulk or two in the narrow channel of Elizabeth river, which would have sufficed to shut up this deep draughted rebel monster in the harbor of Norfolk to the end of the war. If this simple contrivance has not yet entered the head of the venerable Secretary, we would call his attention to it. It may not yet be too late to lock up that rebel monster; otherwise she may slip out in the dark. Pittow ann Froyp Heva cp to Dry.—Jeff. Davis, President and Commander-in-Chief of “our Southern rebel confederation, has hung up Floyd and Pillow to dry. It will be remem- bered that Pillow was in the chief com- mand at Fort Donelson when invested by General Grant; that Pillow, on finding the place too hot to be comfortable, desired to leave; and that Floyd, the second in command, was of the same way of thinking; but that Buckner, the third in command, on being sounded, protested against the attempt to run away; and that, in this emergency, Pillow, with a small force, slipped off under cover of the night, turning over the chief command to Floyd, and that Floyd, with his immediate fol- lowers, joining Pillow, turned over the chief command to Buckner, and that thus poor Buckner was left to shift for himself. Pillow and Floyd escaped, and made upa cock and bull story of their prowess, destroyed Such an |ethe bridges and other public property at Nash- ville, and then resumed their flight. Buf upon their own reports Jeff. Davis has condemned them, suspended them, and hung them up to ary; and thus ends the miliary glory of the bombastic charlatan and blatherskite Pillow, and the pusillanimous thief and traitor Floyd. Kwocxep iv THe Heav—All our old fashion- ed wooden vessels of war and all our stupen- dous and exponsive old fashioned stone for- tresses. A half dozen iron-clad vessels, of the style of the little Monitor, would be worth more to us now than all the other ships of the United States Navy, and a dozen of Ericsson’s little revolving batteries on land and afloat would be worth more for the protection of the harbor of New York than all our forts, from Governor's Island to Sandy Hook and from Hell Gate to Montauk. Ericsson’s impregnable bat- tery marks the most important revolution in the art of war since the invention of gunpowder. Rep Tare ano Wrovcut Inox Suot.—It ap- pears there were on board the Monitor, in her attack upon the Merrimac, fifty wrought iron shot of one hundred and sixty-eight pounds each, which Captain Ericsson believes would have reached the vitals of the rebel monster had they been tried; but that they were not tried because of an express interdict from the Ordnance Department. Red tape; old fogyism. But who authorized this exttaordinary bit of red tape from Washington? Whiy to know. a should like OUR ARMY AT MANASSAS. A Masked Battery Found Near Bull Run. THE WELLS POISONED BY THE REBELS. The Old Wells Shut Up and New Ones Dug. AFFAIRS AT WINCHESTER. UNION SENTIMENT OF THE CITIZENS. The Retreat of the Rebels to Strasburg. OPERATIONS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC, So, ben, &e. AFFAIRS IN GEN. M‘CLELLAN’S DEPARTMENT. SPLENDID CONDITION AND ENTHUSIASM OF HIS GRAND ARMY—INCIDENTS OF THE OCCUPATION BY OUR ARMY. Wasninatox, March 13, 1862. Everything continues quiet in the vicinity of Fairfax: with no change in the position of the troops. Multi- farious rumors, of course, prevail as to future movo- ments, A leading and exciting topic of conversation is the now order of the President, relieving Gen. McClellan of all command of the army, except the Department of tho Potomac, Although many, in their high estimation of him as a military loader, and assurance of his ability to take chargo of the entire army, regret this diminution of his command, most of the troops are elated at havias him as their sole and exclusive leader. With General McClellan at their head, the way to victory is belioved to be sure and swift, and a@ brilliant future to await tho progress of the Potomac army. Colonel McQuade came very noar being shot to-day, whilo iuspecting his regiment. One of the pieces, which proyod to be losided, discharged in his band. Tho bal? passed through the visor of his cap. ‘Wm. Tyler, private in company C, Fourth Micbigan regiment, Colonel Woodbury, was accidentally shot this morning. A Minie musket ball passed through one log and iodged in the knee of the other, causing a compound fracture of the bone. Two mon attached to a Wisconsin rogiment in Genora! Smith’s division wore poisoned to-day by drinking water from a well that had been poisoned by the rebels, It is thought that neither will survive. The names of the poisoned men are Sergeant Cutts, company F, and pri- vate Williams, company K. Cutts served through the Moxican war. Alltho men have been prohibited drinking from old wells, and new ones are being dug. Major Larabee and Captain Nanovek, with an escort of twenty men, were the first of our troops who visited the Bull run battle fietd, I state this fact to eet at rest the various claims sct up for this honor. Among tho tro- phies they sccured were a rebel flag, several sheots of Confederate postage stamps, and a schrapnel shell that had failed to explode. Brigade and regimental drills continue to-day, as here- tofore. It is said that a division drill and reviow will take place to morrow. ‘The desire of officors and mon to visit Centreville, Bull run and Manassas increases. More visited those places to-day than any day heretofore. Several companies from Col. Averoll's and Col. Gregg’® cavalry regiments, of Gen. Fitzjohn Porter's division, were on @ reconnvissance this afvernoon beyond Ma- nagsas. The best judges who have inspected the quarters at and noar Manassas declare that they would accom- modate one hundred and forty thousend men. ‘Tho barracks have ali boen recently occupied, and that the army was not Incking for subsistence is proved by plenty of empty champagne and por- ter bottles and pickle jars left behind in the decampment. Many circumstances show conclusively to the mind of every vister there who knows anything of camp life, that the evacuation was made hastily. Hundreds of articles have been brought away as trophies which would never have been left behind by the sol- diers if they had not boon marched away upon short no- tice. Cooked victuals wore found upon some of the ta- bles, and all tho quarters at Manassas had the appear ance of having been recoutly occupiod and hastily aban- doned. To-day a large number of soldiers went down to Ma- nassas on foot to supply themselves with articles left by the rebels when thoy fled from their stronvhold. Last night eight contrabands came into the camp of tho Sixth cavalry, who state that the rebe) host was in great haste and confusion when they reached the vicinity of Rappahannock station. Their transport wagons were mired in the wet ground, and many of their teams were disabled. One of the contrabands said, “ Massa, you might find some of dem horses alive and dying in de mud now if you go down dar.”” Thousands of persons visited Centreville and Manassas to-day, to satisfy their curiosity respecting thoso famous locaiitics. The Warronton turnpike was lined with peo, ple, on foot and horseback, officers, privates and civilians, Military mea are invariably struck on reaching Centre- ville with the great natural strength of the position, and the scientific manner in which it was propared for an at- tack. : Upon the ridge commanding the slope toward Fairfax, and that toward Bull run,a line of redoubts, connected almost continuously by breastworks for infantry, eom- mand every potot of approach, and extend two miles or more. The fortifications are lettered from A to T—nine innumber, An attack upon them, when they were well defended, must have ri resulted in great slaughter, ‘These Wore mevor provided with heavy guns, ‘and the reason evidently was tho impossibility of traus- porting them across Bull run, Cub run, &c. ‘Tho rodoubts are provided with platforms for seigo guns, commanding every point and a railroad track to the fortifications. It ts evident that the work upon this track has been abandoned within ten days. Sleepers freshly laid, and_ timbor freshly hewn, show that the work was in pro- gross quite rocently. ‘The quarters just vacated by tho soldiers give abun- dant evidence of having been occupied by a large force. ‘The barracks wore snugly built, and provided with huge fireplaces, as well as other arrangements for the comfort of the occupants. Their interior shows that they have ‘all been occupied, and good judges say that the Centre- ville quarters would accommodate about forty thousand ‘mon. Even the citizens of the place were never allowed to inspect the fortifications, showing the strict military surveillance of the rebel officers. All along the fields botwoen Contreville Heights and Manassas thore are evidences of camps. Tents have boon pitched in almost every field, and an tminense num- ber of permanent log dwellings are standing. Ina by. place near Bull run, below the Warrenton Piko, one hun- dred and fifty log dwellings had been oceupied by caval- ry. Anogro who lives near the spot, and ono of whoro children was stolen by the troops whon thoy retreated, says they wont away last Sunday aftornoon. It has beon stated that Manassas was evacuated on Friday; but there are plonty of proofs that they did not ‘eave until Sunday, Letters wore found in Manassas dated on Friday, March 7, ono of which contains the following: We took | our guns and carried all our ammunition to-day to Bull run, and pitched the balls and powder into the water; ‘and tell Andrew Lanbert that Coloman’s company—one of tho ton battories there—is ordored away; and they | carried thoir ammunition to Bull run,and threw it into the water, too, Wo don't know whore we shall go; but you must keep writing to this piace until I send word where we have gone to.” A large number of shells haye been found in the rebo; magazines, They were neatly packed in fino seaweed, | which is eaid to be an excellent plan to keop the powder ty aid prevent prémature explosions. =~ 1 vossible one A BRILLIANT CAVALRY CHARGE. OUR AKMY CORRESPONDENCE. Camp ov Tux Lancoun Famrax Covet House, March teases” The Charge Made by Fourteen of the Linco Cavalry * Against One Hundred aud Fifty of the Enemy's Infan- try—A Desperate Fight— First Lieutenant H. B. Hidden Killed—Bravery of Corporal Eugene Lewis,@ Washing. ton Market Butcher Boy—The Troops Kill Fhree, Wound Five, and Take Bleven Rebels Prisoners—The Remaining Rebels Retreat Rapidly, dée., dc. Two days of excitement and tho monotony of camp life on the Potomac ts broken, Companies A and H of the Lincoln cavalry were on Saturday ordered to proceed to Burk’s Station (your readers all know whore that is) and guard a portion of the railroad and a bridge, then bein’ rofaired bya body of laborers. On Sunday morning General Kearney and his brigade pushod forward to the same point, focling his way into the enemy’s country. ‘The enemy’s scouts were hovering about in the vicinity, and it was evident that wo were close apon his out- posta, About eleven o’clock General Kearney ordered a detachment of fourteen men of the Lincoln cavalry, under command of Lieutenant Hidden, to advance to a certain point on the road, feel the enomy’s position and report. Flankors were furnished, but they do not seem to havg kept up with the cavairy, which soon:came upon one of the enemy’s supporte, where about one hundred ang fifty of his infantry wore posted. Sooing the cavalry advancing, the enemy quickly formed and commenced firing, the arms used being Kentucky rifles. The tempta_ tion for a dash on the part of tho cavalry now became irresistible, Quickly Licutenant Hidden told off his men, and, placing himself at their hoad, dashed down upon the rebels at full speed, choering and shouting to his men as he went. A majority of the robels, aston- ished at the intrepidity of the charge, took to their hoelg ‘ama scampered off in true Virginia style. Tho rest fought desperately. Lieutenant Hidden féll from his horse dead. A rifle ball entered his left shoulder, curved through bis neck, and came out at the cheek, killing him almost instantly. Lieutenant Hidden was a brother-in- law of William ‘Woo! , the colebrated shipbuilder of New York, He was a young man of fine personal. ance, brave as a lion, and much beloved by both ‘een ond men, who doeply regret his loss. To the jormer ho was always the courteous gentleman; to tho latter he was @ command, the enemy hand to hand. Corporal Lewis, dismounted, cheored his men on, fighting himself like a tiger, kil.ing two of the onemy and wounding a third. Some of these rebels had resolved to die ra:tier than be taken prisoners, and oa refusing to surrender bad to be bri to their senses by 8 pistol shot. One fought until deprived of his rile and bayonet,and then drew one of tho strangest looking bowie knives aud continued to defentl himseif in the most desperate manner until dospaiched by a ball from a revolver. His weapons are now trophies in the hands of the trooper who prove: his victor. The whole thing was done quickly and well, We killed three, wounded five and made prisoners of elevon, who were marched off bevore their fleving comrades had time to re- cover themselves. Corporal Lowis, seeing one of the rebel lieutenants at a distaace, heading south, mounted Lieutenant Hidden’s horae aud went ip pursuit. He soon overtook and bagged the game, whoturned out to be about assorry a looking specimen of the reducet chivalryas you ever saw—a real whiskey drinker and tobacco grinder. ‘Tho F. F. V. had serious objections to being taken prison- er, or rather, as he said, ‘‘surrendering toa corporal.” A few raps with the backof the corpora!’s sabro on the rebel’s shoulders goon brougit him w his senses an@ lowered hisdignity. Te is now sharing tho fate of bis fellow rebels in a cowfortable prison in Washington. Goneral Kearney, who saw this charge from a distanee declares it the moet brilliant dish and desperate bit of fighting he eversaw. He took each man by the on his return and complimented him for his bravery. ‘The remains of Lieutenant Hidden will be sent to his friends in New York this afternoon, in charge of an officer of the regiment. DEATH OF LIEUT. HARRY B. HIDDEN, OF THE LINCOLN CAVALRY. ‘Tho following letters relative to the death of Lioutenant Hiddon, who fell while charging so gallantly on the rebels at Sangster’s station, Va., explain themselvos:— Camy Kearney, F amarax Summary, March 11, 1862. Dear Coronst:—I have just reached cam». The news of Hidden’s death touched my feelings deeply. His body has been carefully laid ont aud covecod with the flag of his country. I am awa.e that the regiment was just leaving camp for the onward movement when his remains were brought in, and hence the offiesrs were deprived of giving public oxpression of the high esteem in which this Youn man was held by the whole regiment. I would, owever, Suggest that as many of them as can be got to- gether and suitable resolutions , expressive of their love and attachment for the brave young man who {ell s0 no- bly, bo passed. Sueh expressions, coming from his fol- Jow officers, could not fail to carry that cunsolation so much needed to the hearts and minds of his many rela- tives and friends in New York. Very respect(uliy, * ogg F.C. ADAMS, Captain. friend, COLONK!. M'ERYNOLDS’ REPLY. JARTERS Finst New York Cea} Farrrax Court Hovss, Va., March 11, 1862. My Dean Apaus—I received your favor,and foel much obliged for your bind suggestio:s. We all that the oxigencies of the service compelled us to ot for the moment the observance (by action) of that respcct bis dag: or the higher duty that oar country desanded is thay tl jer duty that our coi eld. But I assure you none of us felt the loas of the brave and gallant Hidden the less on that account. His charge, at the head of twelve mon, against one hun- dred and fifty of the enemy’s infantry, and the ure of more than their own number of prisoners, jing & liontenant (a West Poiut cadet), was one of tha most brilliant dashes on record. General Kearnoy saya it was ‘one of thy boldest dashes he ever wiinessed; aud what more could be said, coming from his Ms? Our officers are 80 much soparsted on duty—some at Manassas, some at Centreville, some on duty hore, &e., &c.—that it would be impossib'e to get them together at this time. You are deputed to draft resolu- tions as their sentiments, and [ beg to assure you that you cannot speak in too strong language of the merits of the deceased, He was the periection of honor, of chival- ry and courage—a gentieman, in every sonsecf the word, in all his relations; and his death, although he died so nobly and in such a glorious cause, is a matter of the most profound regret to all officers and men of my 1 0gi- ment. I feel individually that i have lost a true an! re- liable friend in the field, and his country one of noblest gons and soldiers. You are also deputed to company the remains to New York, as the reprosen of the regiment. His relatives command our tanst } felt sympathy, but it is their consolation to know be died the noblest of deaths, under the flag of his country. Tam just going to guard mount, and therefore am cou- polled to close, feeling assured ‘that you will tly repie- sent the regimcnt. | am sincere'y yours, ANDREW T. McREYNOLDS, Colonel, Commanding Firat Now York caval Fieutenant Hidden will be buried on Sunday, military honors. WHERE ARE THE REBELS IN VIRGINIA? IMPORTANT STRATEGIC MOVEMENTS OF THE RRSEL GENERALS. TO THE EDITOR OF THR HERALD. ‘The next stand of the enemy is along the precipatory bank of the Rappahannock river, from Port Royal vp to Frodericksburg, thence along the South bank of tho river up as far a the junction of the Rapidan with the North Fork of the Rappahannock, thence along tho Rapidan as far as tho base of the Blue Ledge Mountain. ‘The country immediately south of the north course just marked out is strikingly like that on the south sideof the Potomac above Georgetown, very hilly—both wild, deep ravines; particularly is this the case for somo eight miles below Frodeficksburg, all the way up to tho buss of the mountain ridge. There is a wooden bridge at Fredoricks- burg leading over the Rappahannock and the county of Stafford, and one at the village of Falmouth, which is in Stafford county, leading over the river in the county of Spottsylvania, Falmouth is a mile above Frodericksburg, and there are but three fords in the river between Frodo- ricksburg and the mountain; one at the Wildcrnoss, which is about a mile from tho Rapidan; another where the railroad crosses, and o@ third about three miles northwost of Orango Court House, At tho breaking out of the robollion it was a matter of serious discussion by Beauregard, Loo and Johnston whether this should not bo the lino of forti- fication instead of Bull run and Manassas. The Manassas Railroad, bringing provisions from the valloy, ¢arsed them to select Bull run, the Rapidan and Rappahannock being made strong by extensive military engineering in the meantime, Thore cannot be less than one hundred And eighty thousand men strong along this line of fortifi- cation, between Port Royal and the base of the mountains. ‘The river is deop and narrow below Fredoricksburg— 160 yards wide and fifteen fect deop. Above Fredericks- burg and at Falmouth the great falls of the Rappaban- nock begin, and extend all the way to the source, The banks aro rugged, broken and precipitous, and covered with the original growth of timber. the river hore is deop and rapid, being at times—in the spring and carly summer—os much as thirty feet, Sweeping the vrilgos ‘away at Falmouth and Fredericksburg, as has been tho case twice during tho last twelve months. Upwaris of twenty thousand men have been at Fredericksburg since the 10th of May, 1861, and laburing men been at work on various fortifioations all along the river bank for months past. This line of defence was begun antorior to the fortifications along Bullrun, and was dostined asa sort of cover in case of defeat at Bull run. ‘The swampy country of tho Matapony, east of tho junetion of the Mat, tho Ta, the Po and the Ny, and {ddicated by a line reaching from Port Royal and Louisville, thence down the Matapony to the P’amunky ‘and the York rivers, form the extended line of fight from the mountain to the bay. Tho abandonment of the whole Lhwor Potomac and the Rappahannock, below Port Royal, is because thoy are umtenable on account of the ready approach of boats and bothg easily outflanked by a force reaching them there, The country is tho best for defence along the whole Atlantic slope. or with