The New York Herald Newspaper, April 15, 1862, Page 3

end of the saw a rope thirty feet in length is fastened and carried to boats upon which men are sta- tioned, ‘Ten men man and work each rope. 4—Stump of tree. Band C—Plank fastened upon the stump, in which a Pivot is set for the saw frame to work upon. © w. #£—Water line. P-Bottom. HH—Frame of saw. The Next Point of Attack om the Mis- sissippi. We have no knowledge of any formidable works of the @nemy on the Mississippi river between Island No. 10 and Fort Randolph, which will probably be the next place ‘shat will command the attention of Commodore Foote, with bis fleet of gun and mortar boats, Fort Randolph is on the east bank of the Missirsppi river, near the town of Randolph, Tipton county, Tenn., about sixty miles above Memphis, one hundred and sixty below Columbus, and one hundred and eighty below Cairo, . The position is naturally a strong one. The fort 4 a rough and incomplete earthwork, constructed last fall. J¢,is built upon the Second Chickasaw bluffs, more than one hundred feet above the river, and imme- diately south of Island No. 34. The lower part commands the three mouths of the Hatchie river, that empties into the Mississippi just above ‘the town of Randolph, at the upper edgo of the blufis. of batteries, and, at gorges, is bi oot bei “f, wien ts , is capable of fortified to an almost indefinite extent, The Soaition, bowenen; is really of no manner of use or benefit, except to dispute the navigation of the river. It has no railroad communi- cation, and as an army stationed there would have to de- pend upon the river exclusively forthe tranaportation of ‘supplies, it would not require Jang to. cut 48 off and starve IMPORTANT NAVAL CAPTURES, Prizes Captured by the South Atlantic Squadren, ‘Wasuinaron, April 14, 1862. Commodore Dupont reportsto the Navy Department wader date of Aprilé,that the schooner Julia Warden aud schooner Lydia and Mary, were captured in Cape Rowan Passage, between the Santee river and Charles ton—the first op the 27th and the second on the 29th utimo—Dby the United States armed bark Restless, Act- 4ng Volunteer Lieutenant FE. Conway commanding. Thei cargoes were rice and corn mea) Be also reports that the ship Emily St. Pierre, of Charloston, from Calcutta, was captured on the 18th ult. by the blockading squadron, while steering directly for Charleston harbor. Her cargo consisted of 2,173 bales ofgunny cloth. Commander Goldsborough sent her to Philadelphia for adjudication. Most of her cargo went North in the steamer Oriental, which left Port Royalon the 28th ult, The English sloop Coynell, of Nassau, N. P., was cap- tured by the Susquehanna, Captain Lardner, onjthe morn- morning of the 3d inst., about two miles from Charleston bar. Shebad a cargo suitable for and in great demand in a Southern port, Gaptain Lardner sent her to Phila. deipbia for adjudication. Another schooner was run ashore by the blockading vessels on Sullivan's Island, where sho remains a wreck. Valuable Prizes Captured in Great Yco- mico River, Va. Bartmwore, April 14, 1862. ‘The United States feteamer Hercules, Thos. 8. Dungan Eieutenant Commanding, reached this port this morning, ‘saving with her theschooner Pride, previously noticed as ‘being captured; and the sloops Wren and Velma, both of Great Ycomico river, western shore of Virginia, also Prizes. The Hercules Jeft this port a short time since, towing down the lightship, which had beem previously fitted up for the tail of the Horse Shoe Shoal. After this Lieu- tenant Dungan eraised inthe vicinity of Smith’s Island, and succeeded in capturing the scheoners Whig and Pride. Hethen placed on board the latter Licutenant J. G. Baker, with an armed crew, who, on Friday night, observed in Cager’s Straits, off Fog Island light, the sloop Wren; and after a chase of two hours the latter wag rup ashore at Shark’s Point by her crew, who eecaped. The sloop was immediately boarded, but no goods er cargo of any description were found in her. In the stove were found the remnants of certain papers, which bad been partially burned, among them a license 40 trade, signed by the Clerk of Northumberland county, Virginia. ‘The Hercules, with her new consorte, cruised about, and on Sunday @ sail was noticed about six miles off’ steering directly for the steamer, which, at the moment’ wae . Tho steamer immediately got under ‘weigh and proceeded towards the vessel—the captain of which, om perceiving the Hercules, changed his course and endeavored to effect his escape. After a chase of ‘half an hour the Hercules came up to the vessel, which proved to ‘be the sloop Velma, having on her stern the ame of “Bridgetown,” but hails from Great Yoomico iver, in Western Virginia. Possession was takon of her, ‘ogethes with the captain, Samuel D. Lankford. of Great Annemsin, and crew, with five passengers from Rich, mond. ©ne-of the latter was a.captain in the rebel army On searching the Velma there was found a large mail, containing about 200 letters, a number of which wefe ad. dressed to persons in Baltimore, and @ Jarge number to Persons im vanious parts of the State of Maryland. On searching the crow there were also,found $2,000 in Vir- ginia bank notes. The Volma had, some time’ reviously ‘been cleared from this port for Pokomoke Sou |, with a cargo consisting Of provisions of various kinds. This targo, instead of being discharged in a Maryland port, was taken over to Great Ycomico river, and there dis- barged withia the boundaries of Virginia. The sloop, in ballast, was coming back to get ® new cargo, The rebel captain, previous to being captured, burned fois commission in the fire, remnants of which being found among the ashes, he acknowledged the faet, and aieo that ho had been engaged in the battle at Manassas. Lankford, the captain, is part owner of the vessel, and tas been engaged in this contraband trade for five months. ‘The paesengors and crew were all, with thone eap- tured a few days since by the Reliance, givon charge of Colonel Morris, at Re taen yan following 1h list of the passengers'on board tho elma — Joho G. Little, of New Ye Joneph C. Wilson, late a ‘nerchant of Baltimore; , late of the house of T. T. Martin, of Baltintore; Geer; ea hy Med oid more, aud H. 4. Brooks, w, sont. ef Prof, N. 0. Brooks, of Baltimore, a captain in the army. The erew are.— net D. Lankford, Robert H. Creswell, Samuel J. Whittington, wito js’ part owner, Joti ¥. ML. Jiiton, Ksq., aurveyor of this port, went on beard and succeeded in finding tho mails and money Discharge of the Captured Prisoners. Baitiworn, April 14, 462. The ansengers taken on board the Velma were taken vofore the United States Marshal to-day, and ) Strange to try, have all been retoaged. Some of them profess that they were ignorant ot tha NEW YORK HERALD, THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. SKIRMISHING ALL ALONG THE LINES. Interesting Details from Our Corres- pondents in the Field. Immense Strength of the Rebel Defences, de, &., &. Our Army Correspondence. ‘Wanwice Court Hovss, Va., April 10, 1862. The Position of the Army—The Activity of the Enemy— Number of Batteries Daily Discovered—anmicty of the ‘Federal Troops for the Attack—Fresh Meat for the Army— Extent of Our Pickets—The Revel Gundoas Teazer—Popu- larity of General McClellan with His Oficers—Reinforce- ments for the Enemy, &c., dc. ‘There has been no change in our position since my last. It continued to rain hard all day yesterday and last night, and one can form mo conception of the depth of the mud, unless they chanced to visit Virginia during the latter part of the win- ter, The experience of the army thus far on the “sa- cred soil’? has been anything but a pleasant ene. In the Meantime we amuse ourselves by watching the enemy and dodging their éhells, which they throw every time they can see asmall group, Our men are not permitted t return the fre. The rebels have wasted a large quantity of ammunition upon us, and thus far with little damage. If we remain much longer in this mud hole we shall lose more men from disease than we would by storming their batteries at the point of the bayonet. Every day our men discover new batteries, but what number of guns they have we cannot ascertain with certainty. We have counted thirteen batteries on the river, besides some they are said to have back of these, and they undoubtedly have a large force to defend them. A prisoner taken yesterday says that fourteen rebels were killed by ashell from one of our guns on Saturday, and we could distinctly see them carrying off men on stretchers during the engagement. Our men are impatient to be at them, and can hardly be restrained. We received yesterday the first instalment of fresh beef, consisting of one hundred head of splendid cattle, and more are on the way. Lieutenant Samuel J. Smith, Adjutant of the Second Rhode Island regiment, has been attached to the staff of our General as chief commissary, which will insure ou" being well provided with provisions in future. ‘Several Southern gentry have come in and taken the oath of allegiance, and requested our General to place a “safeguard” over their property, which was being ap- propriated by our troops. I believe their request has been granted in every instance, although I think the loyalty of some of them is very questionable. One of them has five sons in the rebel army. He tells the same old story of being a Union man, and that bis sons were forced inte the army. Our pickets extend down as far as the James river, near the residence of a man by the name of Young. His residence was the probable headquarters ot oneof the rebel generals, as arebe) flag was flying there when our forces advanced, and any quantity of empty bottles were lying about loose, which is a sure sign. He was very wealthy, and his grounds are laid out with much taste. He was the owner of a hundred negroes, and also of “Young’s mill,” which was surrounded by fortifications, and which we captured. ‘The rebels came down with. a steamboat to the wharf near his residence and took him awayowith all hiseffecte, The vedel gunboat Teazer keeps a constant watch on our movements, moving backward and forward inthe James river, near the mouth of the Warwick. Whenever she catches @ glimpse of our pickets, she rane up and salutes them with a few shells. She is a small boat, and carries only one gun that we can discover. It would be well for some of our gupboats to teach her better manners. Eien o’Ciock P. M. A messenger has just arrived from Newport’s News with the Heratp containing the account of our glorious victory at Pittsburg and the surrender of Island No. 10. The news spread like wildfire, and every one was eager to secure a copy, but there were only enough to supply a few of the officers. Whoever was fortunate enough to secure one was -obliged to read aloud to® crowd of delighted listeners, and the rejoicing was kept up till a late hour of the night. The officers under General McClellan, from the highest to the lowest, love and respect him, and will follow him, whether to the cannon’s mouth or in leaving the ma” nagement and command of the army to the abolition generals, who, instead of taking the fleld and fighting the battles of the Union in person, have remained valiantly at home, criticising the actions of those who have staked their lives and fortunes in defence of the constitution and the Union. As pear as can be ascertained, the force opposed to us at this point is 43,000, and they are being constantly rein- forced. General Peck discovered the camp fires of eight new regiments on our left last night, and we can hear them cheer upon the arrival of every new regiment. In Camp, Bevors THe INTRENCHM Yorktown, Va., April 11, An Aerial Voyage Eztraordinary—The Course of the Bal- loom—It Drifts Towards the Enemy’s Lines—Perilous Po- sition of General Porter—His Coolness and Presence of Mind—Rapidity of His Descent—Reconnoissance by Gene- ral Jameson—An Infernal Machine—The Enemy Busy on Their Intrenchments—Tents for the Troops, de. , dc. The exeiting event of the day bas been a balloon recon- noiseance by General Fitz John Porter om a scale of rather larger magnitude than was intended. At five o’clock in the morning Genera) Porter took his place in Professor Lowe's balloon. He supposed the usual number of ropes ‘were attached to it, whereas there was only one, and a place in this, as was afterwards ascertained, had been burned by vitriol, used in generating gas. Taking his seat in the car, unaccompanied by any one, the rope was let out to nearly its full jength— the length is about nine hundred yards— when suddenly snap went the cord and up went the bal- loon, This was an unexpected part of the programme. ‘The men below looked up with astonishment, and the General looked down with equal bewilderment. “Open the valve,” shouted one of the men below. “)’l manage it,” responded the General. Up went the balloon, higher, higher. Itrose wih great rapidity; ite huge form lessened as it wildly mounted into the regions of the upper air; it became aspeck in thesky. The wind was taking it in the direetion of the enemy’s territory. By this time every staff officer and hundreds of others were looking at the moving speck. It is imporsible to describe the anxiety felt and expressed for the fate of him, the central object of thought, in that far away moving speck, every moment becoming less visible. It is seen to move in our direction; the counte- nances of our men brighten with hope, It passes over our heads. Soon it begins to descend, but with a rapidi- ty that arouses renewed apprehension. Quickly @ squad of cavairy, led by Captain Locke, Lieutenant McQuade, of the General’s staff, plunge spurs into their horses and dash away im the dircetion of the descending balloon. The rest of the story is as 1 recoived it from the General's own lips. While the rope was being played out he adjusted bie glass in readiness for his proposed view of the enemy's terri- tory. A sudden bound of the balloon told him in a mo- ment that the rope had given way. He dropped his glass, heard the call, ‘Open the valve,” made the response given above, and set about looking for the valve. He was sensible of being flighty (the General loves a pun as well as the next ome), but was not at all nervous. He saw the wind had taken him over tne line of the rebel intrenchments. Having no wish to drop in among them he let the valve take caro of itself, and proceeded to take advantage of his position to note the aspect of reber objects’ below. Crowds of soldiers rushed from the woods, and he heard their shouts dis. tinetly. Luckily he was above the reach of their bul. lets, 80 be was not afraid on this score. ‘The map of the country wae distinctly discernable. Ke saw York. town and ite works, York river and Ke wind. ings, aud Norfolk and its smoking chimneys. A counter current of air struck tho balloon, and its course was reversed. Its retreat from over reboldom was rapid. Fle opened the valve, the gas escaped, and down he came. He could mot ray how fast he ‘came down, but it was with a rapidity he would not caro to have repeated, The car struck tho top of a shelter tent—under which, luekiy, no ono happened to be at the tumo—knocked tho tont into pi, and loft him enveloped ina mass of collapsed Git wilk. Ho erawlod out, and ENTS AT 1862. TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1862.-TRIPLE SHEET. found himeelf in the middle of acamp, not one bundred rods from General McClellan's beadquarters. “Teame mounted, you see,” was bis remark to Genera) Burns, who was about the first man by his side. He gave the details of his acrial voyage to Gen. Burns, who, seeing the opportunity of getting off @ joke, could not lone the opportunity. “You are a suspicious character,’ remarked General Buras. “How 807’’ asked General Porter. “ln the space of balf an hour you have been taken up by a dalioon and arrested by a shelter tent.” “And you bave come down safe, eee,” broke in Cap- tain Locke, before the laughter at Genera) Burns’ duet of puns; ‘J came with this cavalry company to look you up.” “You ought to have sent fying artillery after me,” re- joined General Porter. General Jameson, accompanied by the Sixty-third Pennsylvania regiment , came near having a bloody ren- contre with some of the enemy in a reconnois: sance. Going down the Warwick road, half a mile from their encampment, taking @ road at right angles leading through a piece of woods three-quarters of a mile further, and thence mounting the brow of a hill, they suddenly came upon some rebel earthworks, two hundred yards in advance. The rebels opened a fire of musketry Debind these works, firing about one hundred ana fifty shots. Our men responded, and they fired a second vol- Jey, with a like return on our part; after which our men retired, seeing the inequality of the contest, from the position and vastly superior numbers of the enemy. We lost one man killed, Sergeant David Irvin, Company F. ‘What effect our shote had upon the enemy we had no means of telling. Our officers and men were perfectly cool under the fire, and retired in perfect order. ‘If satanic smartness can be of any service to the enemy in killing off our troops, they are not wanting in the arts- ele, To-day a large shel! was picked up’by Majer Scharff, of the Thirteenth New York Volunteers, evincing a ‘cli- max of diabolical intent on the part of the rebels surpass- ing any prior revelation in this line. As the shel} had not exploded it was deemed prudent to handle it cau- tiously. 1% proved to be an infernal machine of the first water. The top of the plunger extending beyond the surface more than is usual excited suspicion, and instead of unloading it in the ordinary way, by unscrewing the plunger, the contents were re- moved by loosing the casing. This mode of unloading de- veloped the fact that between the plunger, containing the cap and the plate on whieh it strikes, cotton had been introduced, thus preventing cencussion and con- sequent explosion when the shell struck the ground. On the side of the plunger @ place had been filed in and filled with matches, communicating with the powder, so that by unscrewing the former the matches would be ignited by the friction, causing the shell to explode. Who will no, say that this was an infernal machino of the fir water, and that the foiling of the enemy in their diabolical pur, pose was most fortunate? I need not add that our men in the handling and unloading of these dangerous missiles have received a lesson whose teaching is not likely to be neglected infuture. A word more about shells. One was brought to-day to General Porter’s headquarters that had been thrown by a mortar. It was a big fellow, no less than eleven inches in diameter. It struck about fifty yards from Allen’s battery, burying itself six feet in the ground. Fortunately ks contents fizzed out before striking, 80 that no damage was done. A repetition of the cheering heard several mornings since behind the enemy’s intrenchments occurred this morning. ‘This fact, and hearing the moving of cars at all hours of the night, induces belief that ‘there have been new arrivals of reinforcements. Our skirmishers and pickets say that the rebels are still busy, day and night, on their intrenchments, making them stronger. Each day shows new gans mounted... One of the army signal corps, whoseglasses are the. most perfect of any we have, tells me that from their position, which ison a slight promontory at our right, jutting out into ithe York river, he counted to-day, sixty-three cannon on the ‘enemy's, work. His view embraced only the intrench- | ments on the enemy’s left. . General McClellan and staff occupy tents, the Sibley tent being in the ascendency. Our gallant leader bas now literally taken the field. The troops are impatient to be ordered to the work. The Fourth Michigan regiment, Colonel Woodbury, which bas occupied the advance in Howard’s brigade, and bas been exposed more than any other regiment in the field, and conducted itself with heroic gallantry, re- ceived to-day @ supply of the D’Arilay shelter tents. The boys are jubilant over this needed auxiliary to their comfort. Their unmurmuring endurance of over threé days’ visitation of rain and wintry cold, and that, too, without fires in a cheerless wood, and nearest to the enemy’s front and their storm of shells, has shown that they are made of the right kind of stuff. It is such men that will fight our battles, win our victories and make victory noble. As far as patient endurance of rain and cold and ab- sence of fire goes, and but little less danger of shells, the Fourteenth regiment, N. Y. V., Colonel McQuade; Sixty-second Pennsylvania, Colonel Black, and Ninth Maseachusetts, Colonel Cass, deserve, too, the bighest meed of praise. Their General has reason, in the progress of this advance thus far, to be proud of his brigade—as proud of it, in fact, as the regiments are proud of him. Notwithstanding the exposure, however, to which the regiments have all been exposed, the Brigade Surgeon in. formed me to-day that when called on to make outa list of those that should be sent to the general hospital, there were only five requiring to be sent there. Camp mn Front or Yorutown, April 11, 1862. Skirmish With the Enemy—The Veadly Effect of Our Sharpshooters’ Rifles—Operations of Our Troops to Repel the Enemy—Prospects at One Time of @ General Engagement—Gatlantry of the Federal Troops—Names of the Killed and Wounded—Losses of the Rebels, dc. , dc. This afternoon we had a slightskirmish with the enemy. During the morning the rebels had been throwing an occasional shell‘towards our encampments, ‘without any injury whatever. Their outposts kept ha- rassing our pickets along tbe entire line, while at the same time there was great activity manifested in their intrenchments. A new rebel regiment was seen going into the work on tbe left. About one o'clock in the afternoon they made an attack on our pickets jp front of that intrenchment, but were soon repulsed. ‘We had one man killed—private E. L. Crow, Sixty-first Pennsylvania regiment. The rebels made three subse- quent attacks, and burned severa) buildings between our jines and their fortifications. They had evidently become exasperated because our sharpshooters bad been picking off so many of their men, and #0 they determined to make some demonstration. When word was sent to Genera] Hamilton that the enemy was advancing on our left, he bad the brigades in bis division immediately formed in line, and the artillery in position in the rear: General Jameson was ordered forward witb his remain. ing regiments to support the other regiment, which was on picket. Information was soon received that our pickets had beaten back the enemy op the left, but that he was ad- vancing on our contre. While troops were going to their assistance it was ascertained that they were able to hold their position. Then the enemy was pressing our left again, and Genera) Hamilton ordered Gen. Jameson to despatch two regiments to that locality. Two regi- ments were immediately on the march acroes the pla- teau. Presently General HamiHon told General Jameson to take his other regiment and assume command of the whole line in support of the pickets, which be did suc. cessfully. A detachment was rent on our left along the woods which skirt the Warwick road, from which the rebel batteries aro visible. The Fifty-seventh Pennsy!- vania, Colonel Campbell, and Eighty-seventh New York, Colonel Dodge, were deployed on the line of the same road under cover of the woods. Gemeral Jameson theo dismounted and made a personal reconpoissance of our jine to the left. He evidently soon became convinced that the pickets wore able to bold their ground, and that the enemy intended @ demonstration somewhere else Shortly # sharp fusiiade of musketry was heard, and then followed several well fired volleys to the right, which indicated that that was the place where the revels in- tended making their pringipal attack. Berdan’s sharp- shooters and some of our pickets of the Sixty-third werg driven in, The rebele were advancing, firing sharply and yolling loudly as they came, The Fifty-ceventh regiment was ordered dows the Yorktown turnpike in double quick, Six companicngfiled off inte the woode to the left, and four companies, headed by Colonel Canip. bell, dashed down the road to meet the rebels At sight of our men the rebels ran out of the road upon which they were advancing, and sought shelter in the poach orchard and along a road to the left, There were six or seven hundred of the enemy, Volley succeeded volley, and there was overy indication of @ hot engagemont: therefore the Eighty-sevonth New York regiment was ordered down a8 a reserve, Tho firing became general for half an hour or more, when the rebels were beaten back, retiring, however, in good order, They burned a house near the turnpike, and several other buildings further w the'left. During thie time the rebels continued to throw shot and shell over from their river works around the town and their onter chain of earthworks; but none of our men were injured by them. ‘The air resounded with the booming of the cannon, the bursting of shell and the roar of musketry. A section of Weeden’s battery, under ‘Lieutenant Clark, was placed in the field, and fired about forty rounds at the rebels. Our shelis, a8 weil as our bullets, did great execution among them. It is believed that at least twenty were killed and wounded. Aftor the firing ceased, the rebels were heard in the peach orchard carrying off their kisled and wounded. The Sixty-thira regiment had two men killed altogether and one wound- ed, and the Fifty.seventh four wounded. The pickets of Twelfth New York regiment, in General Butterficld’s brigade, General Porter's division, who were under command of Major Barnard, stood their ground firmly, and drove back a regiment of rebels whieh was advancing on the extreme right. Therebels carried seven of their killed and wounded off the field op stretchers, and later in the evening returned witb an ambulance for the remainder. The Twelfth regiment was highly complimented for their gallant conduct. ‘They had only two men slightly wounded. ‘The following is a list of the casuaities:— KILLED. Hliphalet Crow, Company K, Sixty-third Peansylvania, by @ ball on the top of the head. Joseph Thompson, Company A, Sixty-third Penpsy)- vania, by a ball in the cheek. WOUNDED, ‘Thomas Bronkg, Sixty-thiré Pennsylvania, slightly, ie the thigh. ‘The following are the wounded im the Fifty-eeventh re- giment:— Sergeant Mervin, Company F, slightly, in the thigh. Corporal Parks, Company E, slightly. Sergeant Cochrane, Company F, slightly, in the knee. Corporal McKnight , Company B, slightly. Several soldiers had their clothes perforated by bul- lets, but escaped injury themselves. A bullet passed round the back of private Westcott, Company B, Fifty- seventh regiment, entering at one shoulder and running round underneath his coat, coming out at the other. Private Bell, Company F, had a bullet pass through his sleeve. Corporal Drake, Company I, had some of the skin grazed off his hand, and Luther Grange, of Com. pany A, was struck by @ spent ball. Sergeant Bush, Company C, Sixty-third regiment, whose pantaioons were rolled up at the bottom, found that a rebel bullet had passed through them, cutting the folds. At twilight the firing had ceased. ‘The Sixty-third wap relieved. by two regiments from another brigade, and General Jameson returned to camp with his troops. The Rebels at Fredericksburge Heapguanrens, CAP Ngan FREDERICKSBURG, March 16, 1862. Sorpimrs—Im assuming the command of the third bri- gade, Aquia district, I congratulate myself that Ihave control of men who, by their good conduct and. soldierly bearing, will illustrate the virtues and patriotism of the noble State they represent. Our recent reverses will not cause this command to despond. We will not despair of the confederacy. Our camp is near the tomb of “ Mary, the mother of Wash- ington,” and you will baptize in heroic blood the nod con- secrated by so many historical traditions, before you will consent to see it defiled by the step of the Vandals. ‘our own homes have been invaded. The Hermitage, with the tomb of Jackson, is held BY the enemy. They must and shall be driven back. ‘is ig @ part of your holy mission. Do not be discouraged. Our cause is just, and God will smile upon it. Hereafter, in the honorabhe old age of those of you who survive, you will ‘de saluted ag of the liberating army of Tennessee. Heaven, with justice, your mothers, wives, children and sisters, cal] upon you to be firm and Joyal. I ask no higher honor than tobe your leader, and I only ask it be- @ause I know you will follow where honor and duty call. §. R. ANDERSON, Hrigadier General. By G. P. Surm, Aid-de-Camp. IMPORTANT FROM ALABAMA, One Hondred Miles of the Memphis and Charles- ton Railroad Held by Union Troops. FLIGHT OF THE REBELS ALONG THE ROUTE The Rebel Communication Between the South and Southwest Effect- ually Cut Off, &e., &e. HG Tt April 14, 1862. ‘The following despatch has been received by the Secre- tary of War, dated ke., Nagnvnu, Tenn., April 14, 1862. On Saturday morning two expeditions were started from Huntsville in the cars, One, under Colonel Sill, of the Thirty-third Ohio, went east to Stevenson, the junc- tion of the Chattanooga with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, which point they reized, two thousand of the enemy retreating without firing a shot. Colonel Sill captured five locomotives and @ large amount of rolling stock. ‘The other expedition, under Colonel Turchin, of the Nineteentb llinais, went west, and arrived at Decatur in time to save the railroad bridge, which was in flames. General Mitchell now holds one hundred miles of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC. Explorations at Aquia a: Potomac Creeks—Rebel Parties Scouting—Con- firmation of the Reported Retreat of the Rebels from the Rappahannock. ‘Wasnnctom, April 14, 1862. On Friday afternoon the steamer Jacob Bell, Lieu- tenant Commanding McCrea, visited Aquis creek. A Doat's crew was sent ashore, and landed at the water battery, which was found abandoned. The long wharf had been destroyed, but the railroad depot was unin- jured. The track had been torn up and the rails and ties carried away. The quarters of the rebel troops were standing. All stores of every description had been re" moved. The battery is admirably constructed. It con- tains five embrasures, with conveniences for mounting a pivot gun, and a bombproof and magazine. The gung had been removed. None of the rebels were secn in the neighborhood. On leaving Aquia creek the Jacob Bell proeeeded to Potomac creek, where another landing was made. ‘The best battery yet seen on the banks of the river was thore discovered. It is of large size, constructed withou, embrasuree , for sweeping guns. The intrenchments were formidable. The landing party encountered some of the rebel pickets. The seamen gave chase to them; but find- ing they were being drawn beyond the range of the Jacob Bell’s guns, they were ordered to return. Up Saturday morning the Jacob Bel cast anchor within cannon shot of the water battery at Potomac creck: Another battery was eecn in the rear, on @ high hill, ‘When the landing party were a little more than half way to the battory, a largo barge, with about twenty men in it, was seen pulling across the cteek towards the point on which the battery is crocted, furthest from the steamer. The whistle was sounded as a signal for the return of the party. Subsequently a boat's crew went ashore at ® farm house lower down, They were joined by several negroes, who escorted them to the farm buildings, which wore found in charge ‘of @ negro man and woman. The blacks said they had seen three rebel pickets, one of whom was mounted, a little back in the woods, a abort time before. While they were talking some more negroes came in, roporting that they wore from the neighborhood of Fredericksburg. They confirmed the various reports of the revel troops being beyond that place, and said the bridge leading thereto not been destroyed. They further stated that there Gfo rebel iroope at King Goorge’s Court House. These men wore in great foar of Doing taken, alleging that they had been tbreatened to be sent to the mines and kept ender ground. They wanted to be taken on beard the steamer; but Mr. Street, Acting Master, was not authorized to take them. While the party was on shore several of the rebel pickets wore seen standing on tho brow of a hill. Cap- tain McCrea sent a shell from his 32-pounder after them, which made them fall as if struck by lightning Loss of the Schooner Helen. Boston, April 14, 1862, ‘The schooner Hoten, from Messina for Philadelphia, was abandoned at sea on the 11th ult, Her crow were taken off by the ship Marshflold, and landed at Bath, Me. , on the 12th inst, OPERATIONS OF THE MERRIMAC. Her Second Appearance in Hampton Roads. Interesting Description of Her Maneuvres, &e., Fortress Mownos, April 13, 1862. The Merrimac remained in the same position all day yesterday until evening, when, together with the rest of the rebel fleet, she returned to Norfolk. She was generally supposed to have been aground, ‘None of the rebel fleet have shown themselves to-day. Several captains of vessels in port testify, in relation to the three vessels captured by the rebel steamer James- town, that they were ordered to move either outside of Fortress Monroe or inside of Hampton bar. The United States schooner Haze sails for Hatteras this afternoon, with the mails and passengers. &., &e, ‘Wasuinotox, April 14, 1862. A private despatch, dated Fortress Monroe last night at ten o'clock, received here this morning, represents that there was clear moonlight and all quiet in that viemity. Our Fortress Monroe Correspondence. Fortaess Monzog, April 12, 1862, ‘The Reappearance of the Merrimac—Preparations of the Union Vessels to Meet Her—Orders to Act on the Defen- sive—Activily in the Bay—Poor Practice of the Merri- mac's Guns—Sudden Death of a Soldier, dc., dc. The long expected reappearance of the rebel steamer Merrimac occurred yesterday morning. After a lapse of nearly five weeks in repairing damages sustained by her engagement with the Monitor, she returned to the Roads from Norfolk at seven P. M. yesterday, accompanied by her consorts, the Patrick Henry, Yorktown, Teazer, Raleigh and Empire. The visit would no doubt have been made earlier, as the rebel flee’ were at anchor for several days previous, but the prevalence of the north- easterly gale, whieh lasted three days, and only termin- ated last night, prevented it. This morning the sun peeped out of the horizon, ‘and soon illumined a clear sky; a slight haze was percoptible on the water, which for a short time obscured the vision, but at seven A. M. it cleared up, and instanter the rebel fleet was seen abreast of Sewall’s Point. The announcement of the approach of the rebels created no little excitement, as at the time their fleet appeared running directly for this point. The signal gun at the fortress was fired, and in afew minutes the garrison was under arms; and the artillerists, composed of detachments of the Naval bri- gade and Wisconsin artillery, soon after manned the guns on the parapet of the fortress. The large fleet of Union schooner transports which was anchored in the Roads, on seeing the rebel fleet, slipped their moorings. and’ favored by wind and tide, were soon out of harm’s way, Many of those in Hampton Cove, restricted by the narrow and serpentine channels, not being able to get out of the way of thomselves, were assisted by the steamtugs, of which tnere ‘are a number here. The little Monitor, which has been anxiously awaiting the reappearance of thé Merrimac,on seeing the latter approach got ready for action by clearing her decks, lowering her smoke and steam pipes, slipping her anchor, and in less than ten minutes was ready for action. The orders from Flag Officer Goldsborough were, however, to aet strictly on the defensive, and to give battle only when the rebe! craft should approach a given point. The Merrimac and her consorts meanwhile bad approached to within four milés of the fortress, and there she stopped, having» as it afterwards proved, @ certain boundary, without the range of the guns of the fort, over which sh® would not pass. The French war steamer Catinet, which was anchored near the Monitor when the Merrimac hove ia sight, and was taking in water from a Union schooner, took up her anchor, and, taking the schooner under the protection of her fing. proceeded to @ point between here and Newport's News, where she bad already been preceded by the French war steamer Gassandi and the British steamer Rinaldo. ‘The steam transports State of Maine, Mystic, South Ame. rica and others, with troops, were in the harbor, but soon moved to a haven of safety out of the range of the threatened point. The Monitor, in her defensive atti- tude, joined by the Stevens battery Naugatuck, steam- ed around in the Roads, at times showing their broad- sides defiantly at the rebel fleet. The rebel fleet seemed to take a cowardly advantage of the presence of the foreign vessels in: the Roads, and kept continually under their cover, so that had our policy been on the offensive ‘we could not have fired a shot at the rebels without en- dangering the neutral vessels. I alluded to the position of these foreign vessels in a former letter, and the ne cessity of their removal to another point; but the flag officer in charge here has displayed a judgment in the case which merits a public condemnation. ‘Things re- mained pretty much in statu quo, the rebel fleet backin® and filling, at times running up to the Merrimac for or. ders and then steaming away. At nine o’clock A. M. the rebel gunboat Patrick Henry left the fleet and ran into Hampton Cove by the inside channel, leading fromi New- port's News Point toward Hampton village. At first it seemed to be a mancuvre to induce the Monitor to change her position; and others supposed the rebel steamer had hostile deeigns on the federal camp at Hampton (Camp Hamilton). The sequel to the problem was soon dis- covered when the rebel craft, subsequently joined by the rebel steamer Teazer, were seen cutting out two Union brigs and a schooner which were at anchor about two miles from shore. The affair was deeply humili- ating, and no efforts were made by our fleet to prevent the outrage until after therebel steamers were escaping with their prizes and under full headway for Norfolk, ‘when the gunboats Octarora and Naugatuck were sent up Hampton Cove to a point pear where. the stolen vessels bad been anchored, ‘The Patrick Henry towed her prizes to Norfolk, and re, turned te join the rebel fleet shortly after twelve M. A large number of rebel excursionists on steamers followed the fleot down from Norfolk to see the fun; but thoy were doomed to disappointment, as no fight cecurred up to five P.M., upto which time the rebel fleet confined them- selves to the bounds established by them in the morn- ing. At this time the Monitor is at her old moorings, but ready for action at any moment. The flagship did not approach the threatened scene of conflict, but was an- chored several miles down the bay. from which point all orders bad to be communicated. General Wool, with his staff, was busy throughout the day, making the most ample preparation to guard against and meet the assaults of the rebel fleet. ‘The Merrimac and her rebel consorts roturned to Norfolk from the Roads at haif-past five o'clock last evening, without having induced our fleet, including the Monitor, to give them battle on unequal grounds. Be, fore leaving, however, she exchanged a few shots, at Jong range, with the Union gunboats Octarora and Ste- vens’ battery Naugatuck, the latter lying at anchor in Hampton Cove. The practice of the Merrimac was very poor, her best gun not throwing @ shot over three miles, while her opponents threw shot over three and oue-half miles—the Naugatuck, with her superior one hundred pound Parrott gun, throwing even further. 1 apprehend, from the movements of the rebel feet, that they are de, Yermined to confine their operations within such bounds as to easily run under cover of the batteries when- over the tide of battle seems against them. I do not concur in the opinion of some people, that tbe Merrimac intends to run the blockade, Sueh a step would be highly injudicious to rebe, interests, and would at once open the channel for the Union forees to Norfolk and to Richmond via the James river. The Merrimac will confine herself to Norfolk and vicinity, and, with her satellites, the Patriek Henry and Yorktown, commit such petty thefts as stealing such small craft as stray away from the protection of the guns Of Mh foe ae After tho rebel fleet returned to Norfolk last evening 14 was thought that in all probability they would again ‘venture ent to make a moonlight attack. To be ready to repelahy such assault the land and naval anthorities made ample preparation. The night was serenely beau- tifal;, the water in the Roads #8 placid as Como, and as light a8 noonday. Instead of hearing the Whi of hostile missiles of the enemy, the quiet of the might was agreeably broken by the performance of one of the bands on board one of the transports ip the harbor. ‘Tho sweet strains of “Oft in the Stilly Night,’ «The Mocking Bird,’ and selections from “Somnambula’”? filled the air far and heart of many abraye soldier who, in all probability’ will never moro enjoy the comforts of home. At eight o'efock this morning the Merrimac and her consorts were again eeplod coming down from Norfolk. ar, and charmed ond cheered the & 3 ‘They pursued their course, with black columns of smoke curling out of their pipes, and the dirty looklog “Stars and Bars” fying from their staffs. While watching them intently through a first rate telescope, I observed the Merrimac, a8 she was passing the north point of Craney Island, came suddenly to astop. In a few minutes the whole rebel fleet gathered about her like chickens about an old hen. J at ouce opined that she had grounded, and for several hours I intently observed her, but she did not budge an inch; and up to this hour, baif- past four P, M., she still remains in her stationary posi- tion. Ludeed some persons, with probably better occular organs than | have, positively assure me that they could see ber wooden bull for two feet below her iron armor. If this was so, there never was nor will there be a better opportunity to give her her quietus. Indeed, the offeera of the Monitor were anxious to try the experiment; but longer heads than theirs—whether any better judges! Very much doubt—would not listen to the proposition. There was quite @ little fracas yesterday within the Walls of the fortress, between a soldier of the Tenth regi- ment and the post sutier, named Moody. The loyalty of Moody has always been doubted by those who know bim and hig antecedents best. Yesterday he was indulging in @ too free use of sentiments of doubtful loyalty, when one of the soldiers, a listener, heard him; be said, “") came here to fight traitors,”’ and, suiting the action te the word, knocked Moody down and gave him a first rate whipping. Everybody here applauds the action. At eleven o’clock @ private of Company D, Sixth regi ment New York State cavalry, which had just landed; named Edward Bannan, while watching the manwuvres of the rebel steamer Merrimac and fleet, from the long dock, was seen dropping on his knees auddenly, Anum’ ber of his comrades went to his assistance, and on raising him found that life was extinct. Deceased had died from apoplexy. Bannan was a native of Troy, and about thirty-five years of age. He leaves a family unprovided for. Forraess Monror, April 19, 1862. The names of the captured vessels are as follows:— Brig Sabao, Captain David Baker, of Cape Cod, Mass. This vessel came into this port laden with hay, consign-~ ed to Colonel Ingals, United States Quartermaster of the: Army of the Potomac, and haa not as yet discharged her freight. Captain Baker also had a quantity of lumber om board, which he brought on private speculation. Brig Marcus, Captain Charles E. Crockett, of Stocxtop, Maine, had as freight the horses, artillery and equipments of Captain Bates’ New York Empire battery, which had been discharged yesterday at Newport’s News, and the vessel was lying off in ballast to be out of the way of the shipping. Schooner Emily, Captain Shriver, laden with sawers: stores; no part thereof discharged. All these vessels and the greater portion of the crew were taken prisopers. The Sabao lost six men, named as follows:— Simon Crowell, mate. ', cook. P, Hickson, seaman. H. Baker, seaman. —— Simon, seaman, —— Howland, seaman, Captain Baker had left his veese), a short time prior te the coming out of the Yorktown, to make arrangements for the discharge of his cargo, and thereby escaped cap ture, He owned one-halfof the vessel, which is usin. sured. The brig Marcus had but two men aboard, named Joseph P. Leonard, second mate, and Levi Butler, stew, ard, who were unable to escape from the vessel. The re- mainder of the crew made good their way to the ebore in small boats. ‘The captain and three men of the schooner Emily are prisoners in the hands of the rebels. Their names I Baye been unable to ascertain, To a great extent thefault of the capture of these vee. sels lies with the commanders thereof. Captain Millward, the harbor master, had warned them of the ‘impending dangér likely to result from remaining in their exposed Position. Every possible craft having steam was made available by Captain Millward to tow the sailing vessel out, and the above named were the only captures made by the rebels, Our Newport's News Correspondence. Der. oF VinGinia, Newrorr’s News, Va., April 11, 1962. t Reappearance of the Merrimac, with Siz Other Steamers—Three Vessels Carried Of by the Patrich Henry—The Rebel Fleet Goes Back in the Bening Without Showing Bight, dc., de. ‘This day has indeed been a puzzle to all of us in thie camp. At half-past seven o’clock this morning Lient. Ayres, commander of our signal corps, sent a mossage te Gen. Mansfield, informing him of the approach from Elizabeth river of the Merrimac, the pasa Jamestown, the Teazer, and three other gunboats. we came down to the Sigual Point (where there is a bend in the James river) we had a fine sight of the whele rebel fleet, as it moved slowly up towards Sewall’s Point. ‘Tho weather was delightfully clear and warm, and nothing tended to obscure the view of the grand battle whieh we all eagerly expected to take place. The three foreign men-of-war—two French and one English—were lying between Sewall’s Point and Fort ‘Wool, as far ag we could see, about midway (forming a perfect shield to the rebel steamers); and many and se- vere comments were passed upon them for this unac- countable, and, in our opinion, highly improper mede of Proceeding. At nine o’clock the Patrick Henry passed over towaras: Hampton creek, within easy range of our guns, and, without the least interference on the part of our navy; carried off three vessels lying at anchor there. They were afterwards handed over to another and smaller rebel steamer and towed off to Norfolk. This, with the the afternoon, formed the whole of the remarkable pro- ceedings of this day; and now (at half-past five o'clock} the rebel steamers have left ‘‘the scene of action,” ané are all lying quietly behind Craney Island. The whole movement on both sides is a profound imac really is our ruler or not, brought to a final test. However, the powers that be no doubt kiow what ought. ‘and what ought not to be doue, and 20 we have, asyet, right to grumble. Dur: tthe whole day the roofof the Merrimac was with people who were evidently enjoying the pe at int ; bu ment temake = dash when the proper opp y of The Rebel Steamers Lying AU Day Quidly Off Sewall’s Point, de. At eight o'clock this morning the rebel steamers were Up to the present writing (seven P.M.) there are no signs of any forward—or backward—movement on their part. It is evident that their real intention is to run the blockade and go up York river to destroy our feet of Yorktown; and we can now understand what the ble reason was that the Monitor did not interfore the Patrick Henry took the three vessels out of Bamp- ton creek yesterday. The moment the Monitor had gone over towards Ham) creek the Merrimac, which was lying near Fort Wool, would Qave tried to run into the 1 that leads out of the . We have now eo Bd. wae mail te are improv days, the abeense ~ communi- it very severely, Fortress Monroe, during these fine cation by water is not NEWS FROM GENERAL BANKS’ ARMY. Woonerock , Va., April 14, 1862. A party of Ashby’s cavalry, said to number two com- panies, attacked a body of infantry at the railroad bridge: yesterday, cast of Strasburg. A squadron of the Ver- ‘mont cavairy were called out, bul no enemy was seen. she abaTrat sab cavary have been seen across une Mountain, near thie place Epexucra, April 14, 1862. At an od iron furnace, seven miles from the vurupine; where a body of cavalry, infantry and artillery are sta~ toned to protect foraging partier, two rebel cavalry and infantry men have been captured and brought in. ‘The rebels aro firing at our pickets constantly, bat are- not replied to, Tho Provest Marshal at Edenburg came vory near being shot by them this morning. Brigadior General Hatch and bis staff of cavairy nave just arrived from Warren Asalute has been ordered in celebration of the regent victories to-day. The chaplains observed tho events in an appropriate manner on (he Sabbath in their difforont regiments,