The New York Herald Newspaper, March 17, 1862, Page 10

HIGHLY IMPORTANT FNOM TENNESSEE. “Advance of the Union Troops to Savannah. Estimated Strength of the Rebels in that Section. Burning of a Railroad Bridge and Cutting Off ~ + + Ge with Rebels, ow 8 Tram Laura Wangs oree srs: ne The Restoration of Tennessee t@ 4 7, 1.97. Dear” 9 & the Secessioniste—he Deticacy of the the Union, Rey Ber ke. St. 500s, Batch 16,187, A Savannah (Tennessee) espatch to the &,. Louis Democrat says the expedit¥n wp tho Tennessee, river has Dearly all arrived, and "19 feet ia mow oR Yc point of proceeding further v’p, « The expedition +s commanded by Géavral C. F. Smith, ‘with Generals 3” ,orman, MeClernand, Rurlbut and Wallace ‘as division C¢ mmanders. ‘The force jg large and fully able to conquer any army fhe rebeY’s can bring against it. 4 Gener al Grant is ia command at Fort Henry. ~ enemy’s force in ‘this section is variously estimated 30,000 to 100,000. + General Lenw. Wallace’s division went to Purdy, McNairy county, yesterday, and burned the bridge and took up the track on the railroad leading from Humboldt ‘to Corinth, Miss., cutting off a train heavily laden with ‘troops, which arrived while the bridge was burning. REBEL OPINION OF THE DEFENCES AT NEW MADRID. £1. Lovis, March 16, 1862. A special to the St. Louis Democrat, dated on board the trangpert Alps, Hickman, Ky., 14th, contains the follow- ing frem Southern papers:— i; The Memphis Appeal says that two rebel transports ran ‘General Pope’s battery, at Point Pleasant, Wednesday last. | Aletter from New Madrid of the 11th pronounces the fort at that point impregnable; that it would be made the American Thermopyle. This, however, did not prevent ‘the rebels’ evacuation of the place as soon as Gen. Pope ceatracted his lines around it. ‘The Fidrence Gazetle says the federals landed a large fore: at Savannah, on the Tennessee river. + The Appeal also contains a despatch dated Clarksville, Ark., 12th inst., which says that Van Dorn and Price’ armies, with their bagcage trains, are safe in the Boston ‘mx wotaips. OUR NASHVILLE CORRESPONDENCE. Nasuvitix, March 6, 1562. Bnow and Frost—The Evacuation of Columbus—Gencrat Beauregard—The Reason Why Columbus war Evacuated — ‘The Business of Nashville Rapidly Reviving—Exirava- gant Charges in that City—Governor Harris’ Call for the Tennessee Militia to Turn Out—It Appears tole Disre. garded—Narrow Escape of General Nelson—A Grand ‘Seigure of Rebel Arms, déc. ‘The Ditieites are experiencing their severest snapof ‘winter this season. It has been snowing all day, and the sup and inhabitants were surprised this morning & find the snow and the white tents of the army vicing with each other in dotting the fields with an unusual Boating. Such severe weather as the present is seldom felt here, and comes at this time a strong ally to our forces. From the evidences of bad clothing and its scarci, ty accumulated bere, it is not improbable that the rebels ‘will this time find that Jack Frost is no ally to them. 1 presume you have already received the news—posi- tively known here—of the evacuation of Columbus. This im; movement on the part of the rebels, it is deii- siely ascertained, was effected on Saturday last, the Ist the rebels retiring to Isiané No. 10 in the Missis- F 5 Seer, wo Yow Madrid and to Tort Pillow. The gep- a from Feet rat etormnat bas ented thal bo Beton The informant has stated that he fou. fet, and thinks that “ the Union army will yet cate the devil.” He states that Beaurogard is in command of the Yorces evacuating Columbus, at the same time denying that that ubiquitous individual is dead. He York actually of it.” The rebels took their time to evacuate the place, removing all the guns but three of the heaviest, which were and otherwise damaged. All the huts and tents were burned, and the town of Columbus with them. The latter half of this clause admits of some doubt, but is entitled to consideration, ng a8 it does from the source mentioned. harges of indiscrimina'e destruc tion have been heaped upon the rebels, and which have in #0 mapy instances proved utterly false, that all state ments to such ab effect are to be received with caution. 1 is true that so far we havo traced the rebels only by the ruin they have left behind them, but it is eyaally true that many of the statements of the destruction of private property and robbery of private citivens are much exaggerated. The destruction at this place has been of public property only; but the ruins of the two splen did bridges at this point must long remain the only monu ments to show that ouce the Southern confederacy exist edhere. Nashville is in the United Statee, as all Tennes- feo must soon be, and from it she willnever again secode. She now sits on the bank of the swollen etreain nt he: feet, ‘like Niobe, all tears.” But if the river may be called hor tears, the source is fast drying up. At the same time Niobe is fast recovering from her grief. She bas been smiling for @ day or two past with revived business. The citizens who fled on the approach of our forces have, as a general thing, returned ang bogun the Prosecution of their business. By the way, the occupa. tion of the city by the ‘“federals,?’ as the citizene call us, bas not depreciated or done away with the shinplas. ter currency and Tennessoe bank circulation “Federals” pay with Uncle Sam's “blue and gray back Treasury notes,’ and take shinplaste i) change. The hotels are full in many instances with dead- heads, the same being sick soldiers of both armies. 1 found, on visiting @ sick friend, @ Union officer, at tho ‘Saint Clood Hotel, that he was in the satne room with a Texan Ranger, ant in discussing politics and re Lating atventi.res experienced during the war. Ry the way, I have seen a curious document, in the sh ape of the Dill of regular charges, posted on the bedroom doors ‘the Saint Cloud Hotel. Among its regulations is one to the effect that ‘no bells will be answered during meal ours, and guests will please not ring to prevent disap- pointment.”’ This is original, and worthy the attention ‘Of the Motropolitan and Bt. Nicholas proprietors. The bill of charges is literally as follows Breakfast, 76 conte LPG a edging $1; board per day ; boar 10 wool rd by 7 Doar per woth $b by the month, $60 these are not the only instances ot extravagan charges. The Henato is sold here by nows! : ony centa; the Louisville and Vincinnat) dailies a cents, and the local papers atten cents. The ferry charges acrose the river are tweaty-five cents for man and two doliars and a half for man and beast! It is only in these minor matters that I find myself posted up, 1am aware the foregoing is all desultery. 1 canno avoid it in the present state of affiirs, Ff: thing i8 = mixod in one cong! and no man can toll what is doing or what is to It ie eaually ditic it to tell what has beea done. tell it in avy other than @ conglomerate sty tunately for me, in this condition of my montal facnities, 1 aim released of the task by boing debarred of the privi loge of giving an account of the movements going on hero Correspondents, of whom much is demanded, «hould be thankful to the Meoretary of War; but, as the Ham®in live only heretofore desired details cr ments, and not Burmises of proposed schemes, my lat in this depart tie not lersened particularly. Bat ag movements are Ot to be detatied, be content with the information that the army is not idle The enemy may appear in force again ia Ten- Qersee, but tho army of General A. 8. Johneton @ that of Jobn B. Floyd does pot at present haunt this “anered soi!."’ “Murfreesboro and Columbus have been called rendezvous by the rebels, Isham G. Harris, who was Governor, and who is Com- mander in-Chief of the militia of Tennessee, has ordered onty five ate of Alabama o don’t know which. Residents here tay bis lon will not number 10,000 men, and I do TAapid retreat and subsequent uatavoreble w sachet prostrated a large nurnber of these; but Gen. Jol Will receive large additions to his force, not only ir points, but new recruits will flock into him imeigsippi, Alabama and Georgia. Arkaneas* has 1b 10 dd at home, and I suspect Louieiana als Ab sitemps Fag made a few aight singe to capture eral Nelson, ar a the attexopt came: snect rs near being ful. | Gener! ™ ison was invited to the house of s friend, the 3 of the capture him, and re- mn to the city. The gate Kooper was taken by the reported thas at nothing ositively is known of his fate. sity A company of Union troops have made an important capture of contraband afticles. Oneof the old Indian ‘scouts got wind of a rumor that a house on Water street was the depository of a large number of arms, and his Captain took possession of it, Arme tothe number of Seven thousand, one thousand pikes or Spears, each marked with @ miniature rebel flag,a number of small rebel tags for guiders, ammunition, shot, shell, and Various cther articles, among which ate a large number of secession uniforms. These articles age valued at something like haif a million of 1g stated by citi shrug nate ash aa aie BLT igl of artery ize nd will sen me rapidly fallin’ sm * - sey win erm po in ig aU hal crm ye falsity of these . vod again, i i A ig ports will be made 4 x — sSHVILLE, Tenn. , March 7, 1862. True Unior” tlomen who resides here that in the mouth of December | of which I NEWS FROM FORTRESS MON Governor Harris, on the public square, disbanded 10,000 | force of Geueral men, because of the uteer inability to'arm (hem. How | rosds to the north MONROE. it ts then possible to arm new rocruits, except with the | tier of the fact, amt ar ite aol to aga” Tei S'ihe"Sane inet | fom genie for Membe * he same t a will be necessary and not the leas difficult to feed this body ms Ty Ao Election Me r of the vast horde, and ton will have to re | the Ci Federal ONKTESS. sort to pillaging—not Kentucky now, or , but | which ensued, C what the Richmoud “South ” | any 7% aS : : Safa red aE ete | al 2 ° gowall's Point. i ured supplie for his ariny fs, “y = erate, At this point, even Ma? a aro ameaee wo) ope ’ . oint. ea Pytey ‘i reise Be peoule and large q) iow “T have exesiiens » . " acne buraed by the rel s, General Buell fgund meat livering that sanyy,” saieh the goutiomam, of enough t0 sun. so _ AY MAS Wanuie be wy _. vakéry fell into our har wapable of supplying the deman — prene A bag number rd city have also been encouraged 8 Operation, and the bread produced is freely PY by the government fer the troops at nse occupying the city, The rebels have not only Jo 4, 71, SoG? 8 of supplies, but many other Br?" ones ‘of inanuiactures which gave them aid aud ¢D* .yragomeat have beet cut off from them and appli¢*, to our own uses. I learn f po and it bas peeb found ot thoarmy fur steam pie series in tho ‘oneral Buell to g9 "* am hased The * tsls—Private Rights Respected by the Troops | the same authority wwb*ch gave mo the foregoing state- > seneral Orders for that Pwrpese—How the Rebels | ment in. regen ie movements of General Johuston, atade the Na shvilleite Pay their Northern Detts—Gen. Bueil’s Ceremonious Visit to Mrs. James K. Polk, de. that at Shelbyvi"\e, Tennessee, a small town in Bedford county, where a large amount of government stores bad been accumulated, the Union forces, hearing of the ap ‘The statements that a strong Union sentiment was | proach of Johnston's forces, rallied and destroyed one evinced here by the citizens on the occupation of the city by our troops are, so far as I have seen them, ex- aggerated. The public display of Unionism made here has been proved to have becn of a most contemptible character, amd most contemptible in the fact that the welcome was shouted by those who had previously been There are Union men and | inst. a United States gunboat and transport were moored the most noisy secessionists. Union women here—men who have been outspoken in their sentiments, and women who have plainly told their foclings to all who were curious to know them, and it is to their credit to say that, while in their hearts they welcomed those who had come to uphold tho banner thoy loved best, they were not so base as to make any show of exultation at the misfortunes of their ncighbots and fellow citizens. This was and has been the spirit t those who have been through all the late struggle faithful Tam ever doubtful of the public display of feeling. I prefor ratner to trust the That there has beon a great display of such sentiment as was hoped for from | doe ca the citizens of Nashville, I can assure you from persona) observation. Jn this city, so familiar to me, and which I left less than a year ago on compulsion, 1 know that a Union fecling has existed through it all, and | pointsabove thom, when they may be re- joiced the heart of the speaker had been when to the lag that was hidden. display of jcy made in privacy. many a familiar voice has told me how the old flag flew from Capitol, the unseemly and inhuman vindictiveness. And at the | not remomber what sheet—a letter trom thing which was of value to the rebol confederacy. supplies at this point are estimated as being very ell ble, particularly at the juncture in which General John- ston found himself and his Commissary Department A second item in the statement of this gentlemen is deserving of less credit than the foregoing, thastouch as he had the latter from hearsay, whie the former fell under bis own observation. He states tat on the 4th at a nameless point on the Tennessee river, at or near the line between the States of Tennessee and Mississippi, and the transport landed about 1,200 men, who, w the guidance of a Union man of that district, marched to Coriuth, Mise., and attacked @ large recruiting camp at that place. The uew recruits gave battle, but were dispersed after a severe fight, with heavy loss. Our lone is said to have been sixteen killed and a large number wounded, After dispersing the rebeis the mea returned to the gunboat, and the two boats pushed on vo Fiorened, which was already in the hands of the Union troopa, ‘The same gentieman who gave me this statement #aw at Memphis a large number of submarine batteries in course of construction; at least Lo said the shells which were used for that purpose. He describes them a8 veing oval sha) cd iron castings, cast in two pieces, aud after being iilied with combustibles and other materials of tion, are firmly riveted together and made water tight. They are ignited by means of galvanic batteries. He says that the country about Fort Pillow is filled with them, sunk in such @ manner as to entice the army w nited at will tories are ut four tn and our whole army destroyed. ‘These said to be about seven feet in length and flag staf of the | tho greatest diameter. ‘The Mississipp! river is als said But in a very fow instances have the citizens of hogy aoe ae Nashville displayed either an unbecoming exultation or to be filled with them. ‘This story 1s not as improbable ag at first it may appear. I notice in a daily paper—I do resident of same time there are but few instances of the denial by | Memphis warning our commander of the fact that such seceseionists of their sentiments. ‘The spirit of the | patterics certainly do exist. Unionists in this matter was beautifully expressed at the time of the occupation of the city by Mrs. McEwen, who was the last person to take down the Stars and Stripes, . being asked why, on the capture of the city, she had not raised flag, she replied that sho had lowered it rence to public opinion, and that now she ist it when it might appear as indicative of her exultation at the misfortune of her neighbors. As far as any public display was concerned, it was but a sub- whon Tonnessee seceded, nearly a year ago. the national once in d would not terfuge of frightened secessionists, and candor should treat itas such. Men so high toned and gentlemanly as those whom I @ met and know to have boen uncon- ditional Unionists through the dark 4: could not have been guilty of a display of the kind. But if any one doubts the existence of such a sentiment, he can’ soon learn to the contrary by an hour’s lonnging in the eity. Thad a few memoranda in regard to the policy pursued by General Buell towards the citizens of this place, but in the hurry of a change of quarters I have lost thom. The few instances which J intended quoting are, however, not necessary to a statement of the admirable manner in Which he administered the military law here. The citizens of the town opposite, and those of this , Were carly notified ’ that the rights of private property would be sacredly observed, acd this promise, according to the report of the citizens themselves, bas been kept much more faithfully than they had reason tohope. No man has boen robbed of a dotar’s worth of anything, and food and provender have been paid for without regard to the sentiments of the person from whom taken, Business men have been pro- tected in the prosecution of their business, and the high ways have been freely opened to the countrymen w desire to bring in their produce. The treatment of the Boople has ‘btedly been on the most liboral plan, the protection to property has more thau satisfied them, This sensible policy is having a most exccllent effect in disabusing the minds of the people in rogard to the imtentious of the “invaders,” as the local newspapers here call the Unicn troops. Thecity is as quict as if no troops were within hundreds of miics, aud no soldier is allowed to visit it without Jeaye from his captain, colovel, brigadier genera] and division commander. I append the following genoral ordors, issued from head- quarters at this point, as of interest to your Southern readers: = at a ene aera > NGniale oneiees, Heapquanters Deranruxnt or tas O10, ‘Nasnvattx, Tenn., March 1, 1862, No officer or soldier will be Pezinitted’ to vielt the city of Nashville or leave the camp of iin division without « Writ- regimental, brigade and division com- tonndert: ahd any ollcer’ or soldle i is rT or c Migned will not Ds detained by any ot the. urea iia army. “By command nfral BUELL. 3 A. A. G, Chief of Staff, LS Buapavanrens Depantuane ‘OF TOE 1 Oz0, 3. All soldiers are ibited from entering an; Enc eee cey aimee Serene Hou particularly applies to officers. The tights of private property must be sutedly ‘as ft is the exclusive Province of the civil authorities legally constituted to all the government, No marauding ndgring, under ai wi wiil be tole- tated; and any person of the will be punished the extrement rigor of the military law. AN ciliers oF muldiers, seeing or knowing of any’ marauding dering, has full power to arrest the offenders, ang are here. commanded to do #0, and immediately report thein to the Commanding General of the division tur rabunishment, | By Jauxe B. Pry, A. A. G., Chief of Staif. Captain J.D. Binghata bas been appointed Quartermas- ter at Nashville, with headquarters in the Masonic Hail; the former headquarters of the Quartermaster of the Confederate States Army. I yesterday had a couversation with a gentleman who, from his own account, appears to have been bailly usod by the rebeis. He informed me, ina lengthy and rather tedious discourse ou the frailty of human caley lations, that at the beginning of the war be was incl pressed to pay @ debt due in New York of $5,700, and was rather relieved for the time being whou the Legisia- ture ordered him not to pay his Northern debts. The order was a great relief to bis conscience. He felt as if forgiven already for the sin be had haif determined to make; and so he didn’t pay the debt to the Now York fir. ' Bat, alas, for his hopes, the State of Teanessee prosented a demand for the amount, and he had to pay it. By dint of hard labor he accumulated shinplasters and Confederate bonds to the amount of $5,000, which a inomth Or two since Le laid out in cotton, purchasing it in Mississippi, @ safe State, he thinks. Imagine his sur- prise aud his choler on reading, @ day or two since, that the Planters’ Convention at Richmond had determined to cestroy all ‘be cotton in the South, rather than have it fall into the Lands of the invaders. General Buell this afternoon paid @ ceremonious visit to Mre, James K. Polk. He was accompanied by Generale Nelson, Mitchell, McCook, Thomas, Negiey, Kusseatt, Jobnston, Dumont and Crittenden, and by Captains Fry, Rockwell and Wright. Mrs. Polk and her niece. 6 Saturn, were the bm 4 ladies who deigned to hold reception. Mrs, Polk is au elderly lady, fully fifty yours of age, of venerable appearance, and dignifie courtly in her manners. Misa Saturn is a young laty who has evidently seen much of society. The reception was painfully ceremonious. The ladies talked inces- tly of the rights of the South, forcing the subject upon (he visiters. General Buell intended the visit o8 a mark respect to the lady of the late Presideut, and not to her tho President of ‘the late existing ‘Ladies’ Southeru lief Agaociation.”’ Nasuvitue, Tenn., March 9, 1862. The Flight of Johneton's Army via Decatur—The Compos- tion of This Section of the Rebel Army—How It Will Have to be Subsisted—The Action of the Unioniste at Shelby. ville—A Skirmish on the Tennessee River, near the Missis- sippi Line— Rebel Submarine Batteriee—The Rebel Cavalry Killing Pickets—Thirten of Their Cavatry Paken Prisoners—The Lowisville and Nashville Railroad and the Connections, dc. Thave just met a gentleman resident here who was in Memphis at the t!me of the occupation of Nashville by the Union forces. He had gone there to settle accounts with the Quartermaster General of Bishop Polk's com- mand, who, it appears, bad his headquarters at that place. He ioft Memphis on Sunday morning lest, the 2d of March, and arrived the same night at Decatur, Ala., where he was detained, the bridge across the Tennessee at that point having been partially destroyed by the Unionists, whose purpose appears to have been to delay and retard the passage of the rebels under Jobnston tuto Alabama, He found Johnston's whole force with the escaped army under Pillow and Floyd on the northern bank of the river engaged in rebuilding the bridge, for the purpose of € Johnston was breathing vengeance against the Union men who had thus delayed him, and who, it would seem, have prematurely made themselves known by this action. The bridge was reconstructed in « hasty manner and the army crossed as hurriedly. My informant states that this rebel army bad recruited to avast host, and was now stronger than it had over been before. Ho said it was estimated at at loast 80,000, and daily and fiourly gaining strength. It is not im- possible that this may be true, for it is likely that the recruiting camps, which existed in such numbers in the lower part of the State of Tennessee, and in the northern parts of Alabama, Georgia and Mis- sissippi, have added many fresh recruits to the retreat. ing force. Camps had been established alowg the jines of tho railroads in this part of the confederacy, and re- crits have been en listed ‘for the war.” Such’ troopa, demoralized by retreat—rotront which was haifa panic will not prove fatthful alites to the rebels. A ehallor two in their midst would doubtiess operate upon them in an unpleasant.manner, The handling of such a force must be labor indoed, no matter how skilful a gencral holds the reine of government, Besides, it will prove al 1 am inclined to think that examinations at Columbus will substantiate the fact of the existence of such works. The rebel cavairy Lave been infesting the country im- mediately to the south of our troops ever since they wero driven from the city, and occasional’y make dashes and forays upon onr pickets. Many of thece have proved fatal to our troops, oue re- suiting in the death of a captain of Uhio cayuiry, and others in the loss of several privates. Ou Friday morn- ing, before the dawn of day, a force of sixty rebel cavalry dashed in among the horses of the Olio cavalry and cut them loose, drove off the wagons, aud would have secured their escape had not the men of Loomis’ battery pursued them on horseback. The train was re- captured and thirteen prisoners taken. On this morn- ing the pickets on the Franklin Pike were attacked by the same daring body of Louisiana cavalry. A fight en- sued, in which we lost four men wounded, one seriously, aud the rebels ono killed and another taken privoner. Theso forays are becoming troublesome. I notice om the southern half ot the Louisville and Nashville Railroad the cars of the ‘*Mobile und Ohio,” Orleans and Jackson,” ‘* phis and Charles. Edgefield and Kentucky,” ‘(Nashville and Chatta- jooga”’ Railroads: while on the northern half are those of half a dozen railroads in the North, among which are those of the ttle Miami and Cincinnati,” ‘Missis- sippigand Ohio,’ ‘Lexington and Covington,” and nume- rous other roads. Tbe Louisville and Nushville Railroad has become @ sad admixture of all kinds and all gauges of cars. The locomotives of the southern part of the road are almost entirely destroyed. Nasuvits, Tenn., March 11, 1852. Interesting from Nashvitle—An Arrival from Richmond— How Things Progress in That City—The Reeent Union Victories and Their Effect—Wrath and Excitement Amon, the Cilizens—The Rebellion Falling to Pieces—Cotten States to be the Only Theatre for a Confederacy—Desertion® from the Rebel Army—Talk of Impeaching Jeff. Davis in the Relel Congress, de. Thad @ conversation at a late hour: last evening witha gontlen ait who bas lately sae here {rom Richmond, and who left that city on the 1st of March, reaching De- oatur on the’evening of the 2d. He makes an interogt- of ni ARR Ge ti army in the vicinity % # the substance his statement had boon sent you on the authority of an: other geutleman, I omit it to give place to another of not less interest. ‘The Sunday of the earrender of Fort Donelson, the ex citerent in Richmond was as great ag it has been repre- sented to have been in Nashvilleon the announcement 7 the news of the surrender; the rojoicing of the morning over the encouraging news of the night previous was changed to the most dismal and doleful bewailings. The news as received from Nashville grew worse and worse as it lengthened out into a detailed account of the afair, and when the worst fears and actual condition of affairs became known the panic reached flood height, and the passion of the people vented itself in thousands of ways But upon the Cabinet chiefly, did the infuriated and pas. sionate crowds pour their sarcasin, ridicule and their threat Tt was unanimously decided that the Cabinet was a just subject of wrath, and that it doserved instant punishment from the infuriated people whom it had de- ceived, and this excited state of feeling was not coniined alone to the citizens. It extended to the members of Congress, who loudly declaimed their feelings upon tho subject. It has doubtless been scen that in the halls of their Congress they have also indulged in like Janguage. Up toalate hour of tho night the streets were filled with the people, whose excited state of mind gradually decreased untila quiet, depressed and apathetic etate of feeling ensued. How the morning papers spoke of the criminality of the Cabinet is already known to your readers. It is also well known into what a pitch of excitoment Richmond was thrown by the news of the capture of Roanoke Island. My informant states that immediately subsequent to that affair, and consequently about the time of the fall of Fort Donelson, troops began to pass through the city, evidently being drawn from Manassas and forwarded to the support of the Norfolk foreos. ‘This Movement became redoubled on the news of tho fall of the fort, ond my informant thinks a large number went to Hast Tennessee. But he admits that it is imporsible to tell, with any kind of accuracy, whither the troops went, as Jeff. Davis docs at least one thing well, and that is, concealing the destination of his troops. In this ho has the full co-operation of the rebel press, hie faithful alligs of the past, but, alas for his departing glory, now inclined to doubt bis ability to lead them ‘out of tho wilderness.” The gentioman who gives me this information isa member of that class which haunt ali capitals, and who, without being intimately concerned in State affuire,are yet never without data and information regarding matters and movements of great public interest. He says that among the class to whom I refer it was geuo rally understood that Kentucky, Tennessee—with the ex ception of East Tennessee—Virginia, Arkansas anil a por, tion of Mississippi would be yielded without a further struggle, to the dominion of Uncle Sam, while the ar mies of the Wost would concentrate at sone point along the range of the Cumberland mountains, in Alabama, and there arrange their defences of what is called the “South proper’? by tho official organ of Jeff. Davis. He says that the idea was expressed by a member of the Cabinet of Davia that heretofore the armies of the confederacy had been engaged in ostadliehing political, not military es; that those lines had been weak ones,from the fact that they had been political lines. He argued that had the cotton States alone seceded, not drawing with them the border states, tho republican administra. tion and the peopio of the North who had supported it would readily have acquiesced in the soparation. But all had been lost beeause all had been too eagerly sought for. argued that jt was now the duty aod policy of the goverument to abandon the border States, which had in every instance proved unfaithful ailior, in each of which they had found more foes than friends, and leave thom to their fate. He argued that nature had bounded and fortified the cotton States by a chain of mountains which extended from the Atlantic, at Norfolk, throvgh Virginia, Kast Tennessee kama and Missis- sippi to the river of the latter nate, and beyond which anothee chain boundel Texas onthe north. Itnow bocame the duty of the government to concentrate its forces for the defence of theee positions, and he had no doubt it would be done. Tho army in Missouri had accomplished nothing. It was policy not only to abandon thai place; but now that Nashvillo’ had fallen it was also wiadom to leave all the country between the Cumber. land and the Mississippi river to its fate. This, be it remembered, was not my iaformant’s argument, but that of a cabinet officer of the rebel government, made in the hearing of my informay Your better and later information from all parte of the country will enable you to decide if the movemonts of the rebels wpparentiy look to any such design. We have to-day information coming from Chattanooga of an evacuation of Manassas but nobody bi it, Tt fo nop. that Johnston is beyond Decatur. I te aleo presumed Mal the Febsl force in FAM Tennessee has been largely increased vince our occupa tion of this point } Tam not certain whether or not I wrote you in regard | most imporsibie to arm them. Jam informed by a gen | to desertions fom the revels at this point, memoranda NEW "YORK HERALD, MONDAY, ‘ow at least two ghonths. | “J the men componing Covers! < The Stars and Strt.. still Float- “img OVO the Cumberland, heave dwt: be ro vecerel Jehan, Generel Besdhcouid nos hae se ‘ee, , be, &e, Kennett’s message And that ee we Cement Porrness Monon, March 15, 1862. ‘Te purteance of orders from the War Dopartment for ‘the separanion of the administration of the affairs of con- twebands from military authority, « general order was erenow called They travetied wader | iewed today by General Wool appointing Charles B, Various pretexte had been te get siclen hereto | Wider to the office of Superintendent of Vagrants or staves, impvened , oF Ry fy tho Conteabands tm this department, Food, clothing and Sone had the come the conte, the pantalones | Shelter will be furnished as heretofore until further of the rebel onthten, which tang eapinived by saying | orders. ink they had obtaltied et a ee sdod tke, | Governer Pierpont having ieened a writ for au election thousands of Kentuckians and Tenmessesans dewerted the | i the Fires Congressional district, a poll was opened in fying army ot this point. T have ae Te. thie precinet to-day, About two hundred votes wero a gem tare sem amare Te Se | apo allt which were for Jorg gee Active operations of some sort have been going on at Sewall s Pomt, whether for reinforeement er evacuation i» uncertain. A gum was fired from tho Rip Raps last night at a sus- piciows lo king eraft im that vicinity, and a number of Yoesels have recently been seen off that point, The San Jacinto arrived to-day. A reek bas ccourred in the telegraph cable. be repaired the first fuir day. Wind 4.4.6. and stormy. @ur Fortress Monroe Correspondcnce. Fourese Mongo, March 14, 1862. The Late Naval Batile—The Rebels Evacuating Sewall’s Pount—The New Provost Marshal—The Revels Eoacuating te Peminwla, de. ‘The excitement attendant upon tho late debut of the rebel Won battery, the Merrimac (Virginia), in these waters has subsided, and the prosence here of the bat- tery Monnor gives us some assurance of security for the future. ot least we have no immediate appreiension of sey further destructive visit from the rebel machine. torday. Raiormg the Barner office & day ar two wine. t met an old acyvainiance who had d fed bes rarpoen » uniform and was Ertan! to retmelo & «pretation is ctu s AULire Of the oceupetion of the erty 1 notice Foote, of Teonessec, menmiber of Congress (rebel Congress), tlke of impeaching Dave or sending im tothe blak. Foote isa Sery little fellow of mare ine thaw he har eredit tor. He wee at one time Arbor of Miss ~eippt, and has always been o rival of ! He agured extonnively m Cayfurnia, | de ember in what athe aieasccity ® Me married rr Stace, in Kashvillo, hie ple wf residence During the last Preadontial carpage he war @ rlrong and infiyential advorate of Douglas Alter the eleote® divked Cunniam but foote ashy ike Ge et wos edited at that time by a weak vere! name! fro, who devoted Limpoif very closely te the Bote. Me had, after the de’eat of Iicil, gone Over to secon ouimm, ant was di Dhara by bis pee liar style of editor sudden the Gass beoune oe of tne most ably edited papers im the South, sud among (be warmest of the advocates of secersion. Inquiry wor made into the secret and it Was discovered that Foote was the editor, ond that whie talked Union on the ot wets: he edited secessionicm im the Geoie. He eariy became an open proselyte to the rebel faith, and war rewarded by a seat in Congress, whore he early disyiayod hie he tred of Davie by tak the lead in the now weit denn d It will out half past nino o'clock this morning two rebel porition party which has sprung up in the confederacy, About P ona wi ha fow more defeats will streng’ her evitelent- | steamboats came down from Norfoik to Sewall’s Point. ly to authorize and encourage it to rome celinite action One of them came still farther, and steamed to a point Tnotice in the list of the probable Cabinet of Jet. Davi the name of another Lounemerin, Gurtaver A. Henry. Henry is @ politician who bas made what L(.e rejutaten he has on the uame be bears and tho distant eee mm | to Patrick Henry. He is also @ ploaring speaker, theugh shallow thinker, and was @ Secemsionet im the Nel die guise. While on the eubject of Tennessee politic make a note of one or two others, Edwin i. Nashville, a Be'l and Everett elector and an man, has been appointed an acting major general of Tennessee militia, as lately called out and organized by Governor Harris, within four mi'es of Newport’ and then returned (© the point already named. At first it was thought these suspicious craft were but the avan! courriers of the Merrimac. The war vessels in port were promptly signalized from the Gagship to be on the alert. The bat- tery Monitor, anchored sbout a mile from bore, bad steam aiready up. The return of the rebel craft to the cover O¢ Sewail’s Point battery rondored their visit somewhat conjecteral. Some anid the rebels were re- comm itoring. others that (hey were picketing, and «thers belt other opivions. Your correrpondent's rimple judg- ment # (his the presence of the battery Monitor bere has rendered the rebel batteries at Sewall's Foint untenable, and (be rebel steamboats that have visited Sewail's Puint yesterday and today ave simply removing the troops and munv ions of war 10a poim! up the Nunsemond river, where the rebels are expecting to won hear from Burnside, some- teh re im the meighbarkood of Sujolk. The rebels have destroyed everythicg between New port's News and Little Hethel. Warwick is in ashes— houses, barns, graparies have ali been destroyed. The Commerce Following the Flag Adams’ Express Company have opened an olfice at Nashville and appointed W. W. Clements agent, At present the only mode of forwarding freight and freight packages or parcels from Louisville to Nasbyille is by steamboat via the Uhio and Camberlond rivers Messengers are running each way daily, over the Louie ville and Nashville Rail On the completion of thi riage all matter will be sent by rail, This will prebably ecowr within the next two weeks, No plan has yet been ar ranged by the government authorities in relauen te t tompoints within the territory late! oma yay ‘The company ‘boo pad @eny's pkets were seen, but it 6 believed their main at liberty at present, nor until some defuse rule in re- | body & etil! at Verktown, gard to such shipments shail have been adopted, to ro ceive anything going to Rowling Green and beyond, ex- copt freight or packages for sutlers, soldiers and othere connected with the army; and, in consequence of the constant change of location of the various regiments, it is not considered desirable or proper to eneo even this class of business, When offered it is dis- .tinetly explained to the party offoring that great difficulty, Involving. dela 4 for which the eompany will not hold itself re: ible, will probably at tend the transportation and delivery of such matigr, in consequence, as before stated, of the ovnstant more it of the various regiments from pint to point. Iyisiied Newport's News to-day; everything in quiet there. The masts of the Cumberiand still project above the water, om the fore tapthe old Stars and Siripes are fly ing, tie same a the day of the late battle. Captain Daye hes resigned the Provost Marshalship of this post. He has been eneceeded by Major W. P. Jones, Of General Wool's stat The old Marshal retires with the regret of everybody bere. Por the ight mouths be filled the posi, qt ripe jodyment, urbane toanpors aud strict impartiality heve won the regard of all with whom he ill be He for any lows re betwen Lduisvillo i ¥ h 4 ; ws cols the arty fistist erin che unscet how! Foxtams Mon, March 12, 1862. ay eee ee et Be god name of the | Arrisal of Commodore Gebitorough ami Other Distinguish clad argue gt ig company, bum: | od (ficers at (he Fori-—Sawing the Money on Beare tht of the regiment and State {9 which be belongs, and . ¢ the town to whteh it Ip io be 38a Pe ar 7 Minnesota—A Flag of Trace im Sight—The Crew of th’ nM fifo now being made for the establish ‘oute from Cairo to Forts Donelson and Henry, on tho completion of which due notice and information has pasted away, aud quiet reigus ngein the public. ‘Adan apron Grmpany bas eoecil aatherity from the in our much disturbed amp. thie the stoam: Paid gpg ony Hes 1S rieeea ae mica ship S. R. Spaulding, Captain Sol, Howes, Grrived from ve hog L yrg Bom vRege PY | Roanoke Isiand, bringing ae passengers Commodore L- eee points as the army M. " a. we Mr. Van Brust, Commodore's Secretary, and various others. Tho voteran Commodore expressed himeclf highly pleased at the cool and determined bravery of Captain G. J, Van Brupt, the ablecommander of the Minnesota, and was profuse in his praises of the Monitor, or,as the rebels call it, a cheosebox on a beard.”’ The compliments of the naval officers to the Monitor are greatly me: ited, and too much eanbot be said about this iron monster, In my report of the engagement of the 9th and 10th | inet., appearing in yeetorday’s edition, a slight mistake THE RECENT BATTLE IN NEW MEXICO. Map of the Position Occupied by Cok 1 Canby’s Forces, in the Neighborhood of Fort Craig, &c., d&c. c s " ys SY cocurred, which, although stall in itself, does injustico f \S x = onoS SS togoodmen, I refer to the stateront wbout the saving Wy Z KA ri ‘| aS ZR ‘ot the money on board of the Minoosota, The true facts G oF '§ " ES. Ay of the case are as follows:—On Saturday night, when it cx \ MIN <= f f | was thought the Merrimac would come out again, after \ WN iMoyy WY Hi getting ammunition, it was deemed proper to take the ) WY Cus money ($130,000) from Ler and bring it toa piace of Ze salety. The fleet paymaster, Mr. Pettit, was very do- sirvus of getting the money out. Acting Master Jobu F. Ferguson got the money from the ship and touk it into the main deck cabin, and handed the same into the gunboat Kesene, Captain Chas. A. Blanchard. Tne crew ‘of the ganboat and Mr. Sanborn, secon | officer, axsisted ‘guson in saving the funds. The rteamboat King Having Mr. Pettit ou board, took the inoney off the i D Zw KW fi = = Rescue and brought the same to the oftice of Chief Quar- => S termaster Captain Grier Tallmadge, whore jt was kept = = safely until the Minnesota came to her anchprage SS zs A tlag of truce came in sight from Norfolk, end was SS SS met by the steamboat Rancocas. The rebol flag brought CAVALRY — up a French officer for the Freneh fri ‘now jo harbor. > Thave seen a copy of the Norfolk Day took 0° to-day, which was devon of ail interest, having nothing further than copious extracts from Northern payors. Teannot pay @ highor tribute to the gallant crow of the Monitor than by publishing their thames to the world. 1 ain indebted to Lieutonant Green, of the Erica. tery, for the following list Of the crew — ohn Stocking, boatewain’s ‘Thos, 1ockran, ship's cook. Ed. Moore, wardroem cook Wm. Nichols, lavasman ‘Thos. Carroll, 24, lnndeman, John P, Conklin, E- u John Rooney, master-at- L. Murray, wards metew'd. arms. B. Cuddeback, captain's Poter Williams, quarterm’r, steward. \ Richd. Angir, quarterm’r, | Jesse Joues, surgeon's #t'd. Moses Stearns, quarterm'r. M. Leonard, fireman. wy Wm. Brien, yeoman. Thos. Joyee, firemen. Thos. Carrol, 1st capt. hold, John Garrety, fireman. 1D, Brinkman, carp. mate. J. Driseoll, fireman. Chas, Peterson, seaman, A. Tester, roman, Anthon Bisting, seaman, im, fireman. TT, C.F. Sylvesier, seaman. Robt. Williaa, firetnan. Wales %K Son. i S| Daniel Welsh, soaman. G. 8. Gear, Grotvan. * Hans Anderson, seaman, Christy Price, fireman. — Wi. Marion, seaman. Lay , fireman. ‘The accounts recently received from New Mexico con- Fone Deng: Oh _ we. jag ee “ firm, to some extent, the attack upon our forces in this | James Fenewick , seaman. by freman. department, but also state that Colonel Canby had beon | 7: 8. Vial, seaman. =n em laeney : eoman, reinforced by the troops under Kit Carson and others, Re Re Hubbell, pee ej and that they, thus combined, would be able to resist all | Peter Williams, or of the Mon.tor, distin Quartermast: guished himself greatly, and the offcors atv unanimous in bestowing the greatest praise on his daring aad bra very. During the entire yd Wiliams stooa by the wheel, notwithstand: ears felt as if motted Joad was poured in. For his bravery and good behavior he was promoted @ master’s mate, Hoe 8 4 native of Bromen, has beon sixteen years in this country and twolve years in the navy. Inthe list of officers aliached to the Monitor you omit- ted tho name of Mr. Daniel Tuify, Capt. Worden’s clerk ‘This morning Major Wm. P. Joues, of the United States Army, and Aid-de tongs des Major General Wool, resumed the duties of Provost ‘shal of this department, in the of Capt. Phineas A. Davis, of the Kiehardson light jor Jones was appointed Prevost Mare ial ber, and, being taken seriously ill, went on leave, and Capt. Davis was appointed in his stead, Captain Davis wos the Provost Marshal of thia depart- the efforts brought to bear against them. The brave con- duct of Captain McRao and his gallant band has also been fully confirmed. As yet this particular department is out of the line of the goneral movements of the Union army, and unless a great change should take place in the policy of the war po very material effect could be brought about by @ rebel attack upon the position. Having the dofences, however, in our possession, wo intend to keep them; and, as the larger rebel bodies will have to be employed on moro important positions, nothing but @ kind of guerilla warfaro appears evor likely to take place in this department. To tho north of Fort Craig is the pleasant station of Valverde or the “Green Valley,” and to tho wost of the Rio Grande ment under Putler, aud when Majer Jones returned is the Jornada del Muertos Spanish name, which | he was unabie to resume his duties. ¢ Davis waked means the ‘Road, March, or Passage of Death.” Tho | to be rolieve:t throo different times Crom J gel was granted on the Tt fool, pany as any soldier could wish, and bis anxiety to perfect pon Oy an artillery corps prompted him to resiga his position. latter name” is very symbolical; for there is no water on those plains for ninety miles south. That being the case, the protection of the course of the river is a mili- tary necessity, to the American forces stationed at the forts of New Mexico, and the possession of these forts ouly will insure that protection, Any attempt on the | hd the rebols to capture them will be resisted to the jeath. 10 THR EDITOR OF THE UERALD. Unrren States FiaG Str Mrcwesota, Hampton Roan, Va., March 14, 1862. Her Action and Injuries Sustained in the Conflict with the Merrimac—The Norfolk Day Book's Description Contra- dicta Wha! Was, Seen of the Conflict Between the Muni News from San Francisco. San Francisco, March 13, 1962, Arrived ship Blandana, Boston; Orpheus, New York; bark Cathorine, Australia; bark Pride of the Sen, thirty: six days from Foo Chow, China; brought no papors or letters. SAN Fraxcieco, March 14, 1862. Artived ship Gov, Morton, Now York. Sailed ship Sword Fish, for Foo Chew, B. i’, Hoxie, New York, teresting and Thrilling Statement of an Bye Witness, &s tor and Merrimac from the Decks of thé Minveotd—th* | f ‘seem, as one that the Merrimae has desiroyod; but, very fortunately, we are safe here, in close proximity to Foré Yess Monrog, and ready to go into action again at any moment. Were it not that we have three or four shot: holes near our ,water lino, and jour mainmast cripple all the dona to us by ‘oo doubtable Virginia, late Merrime~ Minueeote vas tidied ty Sin Ge, tae Mow un ip 9 prepmmpagne statement, highly colored by the highfaiuten of the editor. But why that iron monster Virginia did not riddle us as we lay deeply embedded in Virginia mud isamystery whichI cannot solve otherwise than by assuming that our ten-inch pivot was beating, heat- ing and softening her motal too rapidly to be agrevable: or harmless to her, and certain it is thatehe hauled off and boro away for Craney Island much sooner than wé anticipated. The vaporing of the Norfolk Day Book about the gallant daring of the immaculate chivalry, perfectly: safo within that enclosed bombproof iron ship, is dis- gustingly ridiculous. There was much less chance for us in fighting her than for a naked man fighting a knight encased in a suit of steel armor; for there is a bare possi- bility of getting @ sword point through the crevice of the gorget, and tho knight’s arms, legs and feet are more or less exposed; but the Vir- ginia did not seem to be vulnerable anywhere, and the chivalric heroes knew themselves to be within an impregnable shot and bomb proof floating battery. It we only had had water enough it was Captain Van Brunt’s intention to ran this ship right over her. That] know, and I think we could have done it, and it would haye been our only resource whereby wo might have sived ourselves alive. With our battery of nine-incb she'l gens and ten-inch piyot we can whip anyth! bualt of oak timber and planks that floats, or ever toa on the ocean, But oak cannot stand against iron. Un that wo must make up our minds without delay. ‘To this con- clusion I was brought on the first day. ‘The morning of the second day was a bright, calm and beautiful Sabbath morning. The facetious editor thus de- scribes the scenes:—‘‘Al first wo could sec the groat pufls of white smoke jutting out, now from the Virginia, now from the Minnesota, and at long intervals from the ‘black cheesebox; * * ™* but tho strange looking battery, with its black revolving cupola, fled before the Virginia, It was, as somebody said, ‘like fighting a ghost.’? Now this language must strike any thinking individual ag the spasmodic effort of @ man suffering under defeat to be funny—like a ‘coward whistling to keep his courage up.” The engagement, as we on board the Minnesota witnessed it, was as follows:—At about eight o’clock in the morning’ the Virginia, Yorktown and Jamestown were coming up the channel right under our stern, andat that time had not discovered the Monitor, ‘The two last tamed vessels were filled with troops, evi- dently for the purpose of boarding us after the Virginia had drawn our fire sufliciontly to exhaust all our ammu- nition, As soon ag the Virginia came within a milo of us she opened from an Armstrong gun, which planted a shot under our counter. A signal from our snip directed the Monitor to e1 the enemy. Right under our stern, immediately mm our wake, covering our leviathan like a flying fish, shot out the Monitor and rushed down upon the **monster.”” We stood upon the poop deck and watched tiny battery with ex- the movements of the cited astonishinent. As she receded in the dis- tance she appeared WRe a bad black water moccasin, gliding o’er the surface of the placid bay, with a pillbox shaped wart upon his back. ‘The monster Virginia locked upon her with appirent amazement, apd did not fire a gun. The little snake Poluted her head for tho amidsbip section of the Vire guia, aud when she rounded to, within fifty yards of wv, the comparative size of the batteries was as the moccasin to the alligator. For afew mcments they reomed to be eyeing each other through telescopes, when suddenly we saw a column of smoke arise from the tower of tho Monitor, and saw the shot trike the Virginia before the sound reached us. Then the other opeved with the whole broadside, wad every shot flew over the little battery. At mt moment, no doubt, they fancied that the; “Oghtiog a ghcst,’? and then the scene became most wonderfully exciting. Ali three of the rebels closed up and opened upon the Monitor; but a single shot sent through the timbers of oxue of the consoris started the twan paffing and blowing towards the secesh land, and the two irousides were left to fight the most extraordi- bay ongagement that the world has ever dreamed of. ‘The “monster” had a mighty advantage over her tiny autagonist iu number of guus; but the little one could turn on her hee! three times to her once, aud deliberate- iy she planted her solid shot right tnto the big one, with, the most telling effect, 1 aim convinced, Very soon the; mnAMwU wo thought, searchiog plonge their shot. At times the Virginia would try to Shaveott or run by the little wuake; but it was long be- fore she could do so, ani once she ran her cutting prow right into the rounded bow of the Monitor, and, we were afterwards informed, wi. tmost injarod Horselt; for the. sheer cut throx; i astern of ui were heading directly for our ship, coming up the channel under our stern, and we stood at our guus, resolved to give them every shot yet romaining and thea take to our tugs, into which the men's bage 1 hammocks had been passed in readiness, ow up the ship and let them vow Fag chips, but never to surrender, After the; run within a mile of us they steered in shore ani headed up flowly for Crancy Island. Now, if the Mia- nesota wos riddled, or supposed to be even, as tho Day Book Coclares, why did not those three steamers come. ud take possession Of hdd why ode not 1 hn parting gan atus? There issomethivg very mysterious io thas” fact, bat eo it wi they poten tem a Ng, a PO Ny lh ang ‘a rbot, We can only wecount for this by assuming ‘that all three were bad'y cut up and anxious to reach the vicwoity of a dock with the utmost despatch. Our little frend, the Monitor, is stilloa hand at this anchorage, with am ab mdaneo cought iron solid shot in her loekor at his present writing, and ready to poy her re- apocts to the obi on board thé Virginia as soon as: they are ready to upon her, and if sho does not calk on bor in the course OF @ week the little will ran gusts, while the of 3 Sar ees be em papers. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Bacrmonn, March 16, 1862. The work of repairing the Haltimore and Obio Railroad: is progressing repidly. The whole road will be io com- plete working order in teu days. Seven trains from tho: Obie reached Martinsburg to-day with provisions. Har--— por's Perry bridge is nearly completed. When it is en- tirely s@ trains will be run from Winehester to Balti- more. Genera) Shields telegraphed to-day that theen. of the in pushing forward the repairs has. oe thaa met his Leest” sanguine expeetations, A large foree of men ta on the whole line, and the broken machioery ueburg is being removed toy | the repair & com) to rou mili- i. tek ‘ shop. The government has enga, tary traing also on the W "RW hone, m tr K Worst David Bar, i Miss Mary Maher, J ie, Wea Fe r clean, Mra Carroll, J P Lure, eR: oy aM MISCELLANEOUS. TOLOGY—PARIB, eat hives ‘and Quide— optained In AN, IMPORTANT WORK 0 AL London and New A new edition, revealing the fing in the French and nt free to La rere i , Astor House, atu v ¥