The New York Herald Newspaper, April 18, 1862, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. D NASSAU 57S, Money sent by mail will be at the TERMS cash in advance. : viak of the sender. None but Bank bills current in New York THB DAILY HERALD, (0 cents per copy, $T THE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturdey, et sit , OF $3 per annum the Edition every Wed: ‘ ents per copy): $4 per annum to any -" 51,86 1 to any part of the Continent, Both io include pi uge; the da Edition an the ot, Ith and 21a ofeach month, of wit conts) or annum. THE FAMILY HERALD, on Wednealay, at for couts per OF He Ganwn. VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing important pews, solicited from any quarter of the world; if used, will be Wberally paid for. Ka@-OUR FORKIGN CoRnEsPONDENTs ARK PAaRTIOULARLY RequgsTéd TO Seal aL. Lertxns ann Pack- Aoms SENT U3, NO NOTICE taken of anonymous correspondence, We do not ‘commun 4D [ENTS renewed avery day: advertisements in- in the Wexkty Human, (Famity Henan, ond in the and jonas. JOB PRINTING executed with neatness, cheapness and das- ss AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. MIBLO’S GARDEN, Broatway.—Tam Excuaxrnxss. a " ar. WWINTEE GARDEN, ‘Brostwar.=Srux Warens Rox pWAGAon's THEATRE, No, 844 Broadway. —Tux Wox- LAURA KRENE'S THEATRE, Broadway.— Cantar; o8, tax Peer or Dar. aa at +, NBW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Tne Sreaxcer— Oaiworen in tas Woov—one Biuxpens Tuan One. BARNUWS AMERICAN MUSEUM, Brosdway.—Cox. Nure—Living Waatx, £0., at all hours.—Hor 0’ Mts. ‘Tuvme—Lusvons rou Lovans, afternoon aud evening, Hall, 472 Broad. i WANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanica’ way.—Wuo Sraucx Biuir Patrexson. MELODEON CONCERT HA! Broadway.—™. ‘Tutan PER. ORMANCES, BONGS, amen Eee to | CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 685 Broadway.—Soxes Buwcesquus, &6.—Kev UNnoux. GATETIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Broadway.—Drawixa Boon Burerrawments, Bavixts, Pawtouiaes, Fances, ae. AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, 444 Broadway. Dauger—Raicx0aD—CoOLiision—Joiey co Racal CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT HALL, No. 45 Bowery. — Buniasquas, Sones, Dances, &0—UEar as a rosie PARISIAN CABINET OF WOND: - Open dally trom 1A M.ULST MS Broadway. NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 ol Daron HALL, Broadway.—Bugtzsquss New York, Friday, April 18, 1862. —=—— oni = THE SITUATION. The work at Yorktown appears te be progress- Ang. Our gunboats have been doing good service at Gloucester for the past few days. On Wednes- say morning one of them approached within two miles of Yorktown, and the rebels opened fire {rom a concealed battery in the woods. They were driven in large force from another battery to the left of Yorktown on the same day. The re- bels opened upon our troops with their heavy guos, when a gecond battery was brought for- ward. A brisk fire was kept up for about four hours, during which three of the enemy's guns Were dismounted, when both parties ceased for a while; but the firing was resumed on our part late fa the afternoon, and continued until daylight next morning, effectually preventing the rebels from repsiring the damage they had sustained. The War Department received a despatch from General Banks’ corps yesterday, announcing that our troops are in possession of Mount Jackson, and have advanced as far as Rude’s Hill, where the rebels had assembled in force. New Market was to be occupied by our army immediately. General Shields basso far recovered from his wound as to be able to command his division in person. ( The Merrimac makes no demonstration, although the weather continues fair at Hampton Roads. ‘There seems to be very little doubt that she went. aground during her late attempt to come out from her place of retirement, and had to be taken back to the Gosport Navy Yard for repairs. It is stated, Upon competent authority, that she burst her gun when she fired the last shot at our boats on Friday fast. fhe news from the Rappahannock to-day is im- portant. A gunboat expedition succeeded on Monday last in securing Fort Lowrie and the town of Teppahannock, planting the Stars and Stripes oa the Court House. Two rebel vessels were captured by our fleet. The people at Tappa- hannock were considerably alarmed, and were shout to abandon the place until assured of pro- tection by Lieut. McCrea. CONGRESS. In tho Senate yesterday, the House bill en- larging the powers of the Court of Claims was re- ferred to the Judiciary Committee, and the House bill authorising the issue of certificates of indebt- edness was referred to the Finance Committee. A joint resolution appropriating $7,000 for the relief of the officers and privates of the Maine battalion, who lost their personal effects on the Port Roys! expedition, was adopted. The bill requiring elec- tora of the District of Columbia to take the oath of allegiance to the government was passed. The House bill—establishing a Bureau of Agriculture was taken up. Mr. Wright, of Indiana, offered a substitate, providing for an Agricultural, Statisti- cal and Commercial Bureau, and made a speech in sapport of it. The subject was, however, laid aside’ and the Indian Appropriation bill was taken up, amended, and laid over to be printed. The House bill establishing a branch mint at Denver, Colora- do Territory, was passed. On motion of Mr. Mc- Dougall, the resolution,relative to the arrest of General Stone was postponed till Monday next. Mr. Doolittle gave notice that he should move to have the subject referred to some committee, per- haps a select committee. A resolution was adopt- ed calling on the President for the papers and tes- timony in the court of inquiry in the case of Lieutenant Fleming, of the navy. The bill pro- viding for @ line of steamships between San Fran- cisco and Shanghae was called up; but without taking action on it the Senate went into executive Besaion. The House was occupied all day in debating the Pacific Railroad bill. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. In the Sonate of our State Legislature yesterday, soveral bills were passed, among which was that relative to the inspection of unsafe buildings in this city. The majority of the others were only of focal or private interest. The city tax levy and the bill to prevent frauds in laying out streets in this city were reported favorably and ordered to the Committee of the Whole. The bill relative to rates of wharfage in New York and Brooklyn was ordered to @ third reading. The bill for the en- largement of the canals sufficient to admit the pas- aage of gunboats came up for its third read, ing, but was somewhat amended and sent back to the committee. The Metropolitan Health bil Again came up, and, after being discussed and having fome amendments proposed, was made the Bpecial order again for this forenoon. The Aseombly’s amendments to the Swill Milk bill wore non-conourred in. In the Assembly, a mino- rity reportwas made from the committee appoint- od to inyestigate the transactions of the Mili tary Board. [¢ reviews the majority re port, and says, in gubstance, that no one connected with these transactions is deserving of serious condemnation, but that the errors wore inseparable from so hasty an organization of such @ vast system. The report was ordered to be printed. The Harbor Masters bill was called up, considerably amended, and ordered to a third reading. The conference committee on the Gene- ral Appropriation bill made a report, in which the House non-concurred, proposing a further con- ference. The Senate Excise bill came up, was debated at considerable length, had several amendments proposed, and was finally ordered to the Committee of the Whole. Our telegraphic report by the Canada at Hali- f)X, announcing the capture of the packet ship Yorktown by a rebel privateer, must have been written in mistake, as the Yorktown is now in this port. If any such seizure has been made, the name of the vessel taken must have been errone- ously telegraphed from Liverpool to Queenstown. There were eighty vessels entered at the Custom House yesterday from foreign ports. This num- ber of entries in one day was never exceeded but once, which was on the 15th of April, 1861, when the number reached hinety-one. A large number of them were from the West Indiés, with cargoes of sugar and molasaes. The Board of Aldermen did not organize last evening, a quorum not being present. This being Good Friday, the law courts, ag, usual» have adjourned over to Saturday morning. The only judicial tribunal announced to be in session is the Supreme Coart Circuit, part second, at present presided over by Judge Hoyt, of Buffalo. The trial of Thomas Duffey, charged with the murder of Alex. Small, first mate of the ship Southampton, terminated yesterday, before Judge Smalley, in the United States Circuit Court. Mr. Howe summed up for the defence, contending that there was no proof that the prisoner inflicted the blow, but if the presumption was that he did, then it must have been done in self-defence. The Dis- trict Attorney, for the prosecution, addressed the jury, who, after a charge from the Judge, retired, and after an absence of about three hours returned with a verdict of guilty of manslaughter. The Judge then sentenced Duffey to three years im- prisonment at hard labor, and to paya fine of three hundred dollars. Tn the Oyer and Terminer yesterday, the case of Edward F. Gallott, charged with mansleughter in the third degree, in causing the death of Andrew J. Fowler, was called on for trial. The homicide took place in a drinking saloon in Houston street on New Year's eve. It appears that a controversy arose between some parties, and in the affray Fowler was stabbed by Gallott. By advice of his counsel he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fourth degree, which plea was accepted by District Attormey Hall. Judge Barnard remanded the prisoner for sentence. » There was better feeling in Wall street yesterday, growing partly out of the belief that the differences be. tween General McClellan and a member of the Cabi- Bet, which have been the subject of general conversation, have bem eatisfactorily settled, Government stocks rose %% per cent, and the general railway list rose 3; a 34, the most active securities being Central, Erie and Toledo, which are believed to be largely oversold. Money was easy atSa6 percent. Exchange was dull at 112 a %. Gold lower—101K a 5. The cotton market was excited yesterday, +. closed at an advance of full one-half cent per Ib. The supplice on sale were light, while there was more inquiry on the part of spinners: the sales embraced about 3,000 bales, on the basis of 29c, for middling up- lands, and some holders asked 293<c. and were unwilling to sell for less. The flour market was heavy and dull, and, with moderate sales, prices fell off Sc. a 100, a l5e. per barrel, mostly to the ex- teat of the two latter figures: Wheat was again heavy and lower, while prices were irregular and sales limited. Corn was rather easior, with fair gales at 58c.. for Western mixed, in store, and 59c, a 60c. for do., de- livered. Pork was easier, but in demand at tho concession. The sales embraced mess at $12 50a $12 631,, and smal! lots were reported at $12 75, and new prime at $10 @ $10 314. Bacon was firm, and lard less buoyant. Sugars were less active, while prices were eteady, with sales of 350 bhds. Coffee was steady, but quiet, and without sales of moment. Freighta wore firmer, witha fair ammount of engagements. Sroxe anv Woonen Wauis Equatiy Unser- VICEABLE.—The wooden walls of the navy, so long relied upon as the chief defence of mari- time nations, fell before the iron-clad vessels of our navy, and, both in this country and Europe, the era of wooden ships is de- clared past. Tip capture of Fort Pulaski, demonstrates as conclusively that the cra of stone fortifications is also among the things that were. Under the terrific fire of our Parrott and siege cannon, the fort was breached in seven places, and a {successful defence was im- possible. These facts demonstrate that the immense improvements in artillery bave rendered our present fortifications useless and indefensible, unless they are heavily plated with iron. By and by we shall probably have them built of iron entirely. Then, with our coasts guarded by iron-clad forts, our harbors defended by iron-clad floating batteries, and a ‘great fleet of iron-clad ships at sea, the United States may defy the world to an attack. Henceforth, then, the shield of the Union must be of iron, and the national coat of arms a coat of mail. Watca Fort Pittow is Commovone Foore Arrer ?—It was reported in our telegraphic de- spatches yesterday that Commodore Foote had reached and was bombarding Fort Pillow. Now, the rebel General Pillow achieved so greata reputation in Mexico by constructing an intrenchment with the ditch inside instead of outside the walls, that the Confederates sent him to fortify the Mississippi, and he has builta dozen earthwork forts, several of which he has had the vanity to name after himself. The question is, which is the Fort Pillow that Com- modore Foote is bombarding? It cannot be the Fort Pillow just below Hickman; for that must have surrendered with Island No. 10. Is it, then, Fort Harris, or Fort Randolph, or Fort Wright, under another name? Or is it the re- ally important Fort Pillow, a fewmiles above Momphis? If the latter, how did Commodore Foote manage to pass the intervening forts safely’ and why does he say nothing about them? A little official explanation upon these points is very greatly needed. Waar Gex. Grant Has Done.—The Union commander at Pittsburg has been engaged in seventeen battles under the folds of the flag of the United States, fourteen of which have been fought during the present rebellion. In Mis. souri he held the various ranks of Colonel, Acting Brigadier General, Brigadier General and Acting Major General. He held the chief command at Belmont, Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, &c., forming a portion of those four- teen battles; and the spirit manifested by his conduct as Second Lieutenant at Molino del Rey, where he was brevetted, has not died within him now he is a Major General. A Riewreous Retiuscrios or Provinexve.— The civil war which the ruling classes of Eng- | land have fomeated in the United States has re- | sulted ins revolution in nay warfare which is destructive to her supremacy in Burope, and expoves her to invasion from France. Wheat a | just retribution of Divine Providence! NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1862, $$$ $e ‘ The Abolition of Siavery in the District of Columbia, The bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia having, with the signature of President Lincoln, become a law of the land, our readers will naturally inquire, what are the provisions of this abolition measure, and what are likely to be the consequences to the inati- tution of slavery in the Southern States? We published the bill at length a few days ago; but, for the benefit of the reader, we will briefly herein reproduce its leading provisions. First, it provides “that all persons held to ser- vice or labor within the District of Columbia, by reason of African descent, are hereby dis- charged and freed of and from all claim to such service or labor; and from and after the pas- sage of this act, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for crime, whereof the party shall be duly eonvicted, shall hereafter exist in said District.” The emancipation decreod is immediate, poremptory and absolute. When the bill, last December, was introduced in the Senate, there were some three thousand slaves in said District; when it was passed by that body, some three weeks ago, the number had been reduced to perhaps fifteen hundred, by transfors to Maryland; and when the bill was signed by the President we daresay there were hardty over a thousand slaves retained in the District to receive its boon of emancipation. All that were in the District, however, when the President affixed his signature to the bill, were legally free the moment after. The bill further provides the average com- pensation of three hundred dollars to the owner of each slave liberated; but from this compensation secession slaveowners are excluded. Ninety days are allowed to slaveowners to bring in their claims before the Board of three Commissioners appointed to settle them; and such owners so presenting themselves are required to take the oath of allegiance to the government; but this oath shall not be evidence of the facts stated by the petitioner. The Board may take the testimony of persons claimed as slaves for purposes of identification. For compensation of the slave- owners a million dollars are appropriated, and an additional item of one hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to aid such persons thus emancipated, to the ‘extent of one hundred dol- lars each, in removing beyond the limits of the United States, if they may desire so to emigrate. These are the leading features of the bill. President Lincoln, while intimating that the measure is not entirely satisfactory to him, signed it, because he has “ever desired to see the national capital freed from the institution (slavery) in some satisfactory way,” and be- cause “the two principles of compensation and colonization are both recognized and practically lied in the act.” We think, therefore, looking at these “two principles of compensation and colonization,” that our abolition radicals have gained little or nothing by this bill, as an entering wedge against slavery in the States. Mr. Lincoln’s late special recommendation, and the resolution in pursuance thoreof, adopted by the two houses of Congress, leaving the initiation of emancipa- tion to each of the several States concerned, close the door against any Congressional usur- pation—at least for the present—of the consti- tutional sovereignty of each State over this sub- ject. In the District of Columbia the constitu- tional supremacy of Congress is clear and com- prehensive; but this Congressional power of emancipation goes no further. We are aware that the radicals of the two houses are endeavoring in their confiscation bills—such aa that, for instance, of Senator ‘Trumbull—to uproot the institution of slavery in the slave States. But we dare say that, before they can push through either house any such revolutionary scheme as this of Senator Trum- bull, the last excuse for any such act as a war measure will have been extinguished by a gene- ral break up of the rebellion. In any event, while the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, under the peculiar circumstances of this crisis, amounts to little or nothing as an abolition triumph, we bave little fear of the consequences. It is an isolated act, and affords something for jcongratulation, in the fact that the disgusting agitation of fifty years of this thing of slavery in said District is now ended, and ended in the recognition of the “ two prin- ciples of compensation and colonizgtion.” This is good ; for either one of these principles, in connection with the admitted doctrine of State sovereignty over the subject, affords a pretty secure protection to slavery in the slave States against any violent abolition remedies, with President Lincoln at the helm. Tue Trunk axp Gen. Grant's Orriciat Re- vort.—Not being very well able, in conse- quence of its brevity, to mutilate the official report sent by Gen. Grant relative to the bat- tle near Pittsburg, as they did Gen. Cullom’s report of the evacuation of Columbus, the Tri- bune finds fault with it, on the ground that it is not explicit enough. Because the report does not state that tens of thousands have been slain. the Tribune's thirst for blood is not satis- fied. Gen. Grant speaks of his pickets; and the Tribune at once asserts “ we had no pickets,” thus giving a brave general the lie direct. It further ask ‘ Why does not Gen. Grant tell thus adding insult to imputation. Then, in defiance of Gen. Sherman’s official re- port, printed on another page of their paper, the Tribyne tries to throw the blame of the capture of Gen. Prentiss entirely on Gen. Sher- man’s shoulders, or insinuates it ought to be there. If, with prima facia evidence of inno- cence before them, the Tribune tries to condemn « Brigadier General, can we wonder that the General commanding has not escaped, when the Trilune could not get any other evidence of his movements than that perceived by the jaundiced eyes of the corps in Spruce street? ‘Tus Bervan Suarrsnoorers.—The regiment, of sharpshooters raised by Colonel Berdan have already been of great service in the West, but are distinguishing themselves most prominently at the siege of Yorktown. Stationed in the ad. vance of our forces, they watch every move- ment of the enemy with sleepless vigilance. If a rebel head is shown above the ramparts, it is instantly perforated by a dozen balls from our sharpsbooters. Several batteries of the rebels have been rendered temporarily unserviceable | off the gunners. scores up, in prairie style, the number of rebels he bas killed, by cutting a mark upon | the butt of his rifle. The rebels keep an equal- ly aconrate count, no doubt. At the outbreak of this war, the Southerners boasted of the ad. vaniage they had in their trained riflemen Berdan and bis corps have made that bonst- ing vain. by the skill with which Berdan’s riflemen pick | It is said that each rifleman | Our Soldiers and Politicians. n. So this war, the greatest of all, Congrossmo: In some terra incognita there is said to be | will fill our public offices with mea who have: volcano which throws up from a single crater | proven their patriotism upon the battle fiold. two great streams of water, the one boiling hots | Corrupt politicians will be crowded out of the other icy cold. Such a phenomenon is no inapt simile of our civil war, which has de- veloped simultaneously the most strongly con- trasted instances of devoted patriotism and noble heroism among our soldiers, and con- summate treason and unrivalled roguery among our politicians. There was a period in the history of this country when politics was the science of good government, and politicians, of all shades of opinion, labored earnestly for the prosperity of the nation, differing often in regard to the means to be used, but never in regard to the end to be achieved. In thege times, when poli- tica is synonymous with party sorambles for place and plunder, and when the title of a poli- tician bas lost its nobler signification, and be- come equivalent to that of rogue, rascal and swindler, it is hard to believe that we have de- generated so far within a period of less than half a century, and the student of our political history is almost compelied to doubt the acou- racy of dates and to set down sober facts ‘aa outrageous falsehoods. Still, this present war is at once the natural result and the con- vincing proof of our political degeneracy. For over thirty years our politics and politicians have been growing corrupt, and the result is that we have been transformed from a peaceful, prosperous and powerful people to a nation convulsed by the painful threes of civil war. When all our publio officers became politicians, and all our politicians became rogues; when our legislators thought more of party than of principle, and more of their salaries than of their duties; when our judicial officers made Justice blind to everything but gold, decreed poverty as the only crime to be punished, filled thelr pockets by emptying our prisons, and transformed laws into devices for the protec- tion of criminals and the oppression of honest men; when our executive officers, from the highest to the lowest, connived with knavery and shared its profits, extended their hands not to arrest criminals, but to receive bribes, and used their powers to defend vice and assail virtue; when the people, demoralized by bad lawe badly administered and worse executed, came to regard popular elections as means to relieve one gang of rogues of the trouble of holding office to make room fora fresh gang, equally corrupt, then the ruin of the country became an almost inevitable consequence, to be averted only by some signal crisis which would sweep away all political scoundrels as effectually as the Deluge cleansed the world of vice, even if it left us only a desolate country to regenerate. The progress of this rapid and terrible cor- ruption is distinctly traceable in our political history. During the administration of John Quin- cy Adams a deficit of about four thousand three hundred dollars was discovered in the accounts of Tobias Watkins, one of the auditors of the national treasury. So great was the indigna- tion excited throughout the country by this discovery that Watkins was incarcerated at Washington for some time, and, though it could not be proven that he had embezzled the money, he was afterwards shunned like a leper as he walked. the atreeta, and the opponents of the administration used his case as a potential ar- gument in favor of Jackson’s election. With Van Buren’s administration the maxim “To the victors belong the spoils” was fully recognized, and fidelity to a party, and not mental or mo- ral qualifications, became the recommendation to office. Profligacy, swindling and embezzle- ment ensued, and the people, not yet accus- tomed to official corruption, and irritated by a thousand evils arising from partisan legislation, swept Van Buren out of power and Harrison into the President's chair as with a whirlwind. Harrison was killed by the incessant importu- nities of office seekers; for the opportunity to live upon the public money had already as- sumed the place of the welfare of the country, as the object and reward of political success. Tyler succeeded Harrison, and devoted his whole term to displays of partisan spite and malice. With temporary checks, but with ever increasing power, the tide of cor- ruption has rolled on from that day to this, and during the last administra- tion it may almost be said that, from & postmaster to a Cabinet officer, there was not one honest public servant in the country. A reaction was natural. Regardless of every other consideration, the people rallied around and elected a candidate only strong in having the word Honest prefixed to his name. South- ern politicians, foreseeing this result, and their consequent loss of place and profit, determined to retain power over at least one-half of the country, nd seized upon the abolition agitation asa pretext to delude their constituents into secession. Civil war ensued; but even that catastrophe, which appalled the world, has failed to appal the politicians. On the con- trary, the war seems only to have fully de- veloped corruption, as night makes miasmas more perceptible. Official knavery, like a snake cut in two, lives in both sections of this divided nation. The old political swindlers rob the seceded South, while a fresh gang of experts drain the life blood of the North. Instead of being incarcerated and shun- ned, as was poor Watkins, our pub- lic rogues are entrusted with govern- ‘ment cuntracts, and, when detected in frauds, are transferred to foreign missions or assigned to new commands. No one doubts the honesty of the President; but his subordinates take ad- vaniage of his close attention to the war to make every department of the government a den of thieves, and in one single job our present official swindlers outrival the aggregate corrup- tion of Van Buren’s time. At the South the state of affairs is the same, or even worse. Official corruption and embezzlement run riot throughout the land. We look in vain for politicians to save us from the ruin they have caused. Our only hope is in our soldiers. In the army alone we find true patriotism and true patriots. Our soldiers peril their lives for the Union, while politicians peril the Union for money. Our soldiers do service at wages too small for the meanest politician, and wotld be contént with- out pay, if the country required it. Just this patriotism, devotion to the Union, self-sacrifice and disregard of personal aggrandizement we need in our public officers. | our soldiers, then, must not end with the war. | lions. They must redeem the Union they have pre- | served. The Revolutionary war gave us a | Washington. The little battle of Tippecanoe | gavo us a Harrison. ‘The war of 1812 gave us a Jackson. The Mexican war gave us heroes | of whom wo mado Prosidents, Goveigors and sight forever. Political parties will be swal- lowed up in the one great party of the Union. From the highest to the lowest office in tho nation, the soldiers who are now re-establish- ing the Union will be chosen to administer its fairs and conduct it to greater prosperity and greater glories than it has ever yet seen. Our Revet Prsonens.—It appears that since the Ist of January last, and without counting those captured at Pittsburg Landing, we have taken over twenty-one thousand prisoners from the rebels, as follows:— Feb. 8—Roanoke Island. 2,527 «" 13. ‘600 “ 16—Fort - 18,300 March 8—Pea Ridge, Ark + 1,600 ‘ 14—Newhbern. 200 ie 1—Island No. 1 6,500 Other places. . 954 Total..., .. 21,781 Now, the loss of ‘these thousands of fighting men isa very severe blow to the rebel cause, for men are”-very hard to get for the rebel’ army. Drafts and conscriptions—the ‘last’ re- sorts for recruiting an army—have been resort- ed to at the South, and every means is being used to reinforce Beauregard, at Corinth, and swell the forces under Johnston, at York- town. If we choose to retain these prisoners or release them on parole, we deprive the South of many thousands of veteran soldiers and cripple the rebel cause severely. Now, if these prisoners are exchanged and sent back to the South, is the blow to the rebel cause less severe? They came here expecting to find Northern people all barbarians, and they receive kinder treatment here than in the South. A very short stay at the North converts them from the error of their opinion of the Northern people, and they re- turn, like missionaries, to weaken treason in its very stronghold. Senator Gwin, who was confined in Fort’La- fayette, and has since turned up so mysteriously in Richmond, is an instance of these missionary rebels. In a recent conversation he told the people of Richmond that the determination of the people of the North was unwavering, and that our military laborers and manufactories of war materials had been doubled. This was very discouraging to the rebels, but how it must have inspirited the Richmond Union men. It has been often stated, and we think it quite possible, that many of our soldiers will settle in the South at the close of the war. On the other hand, many of the rebel prisoners will doubtless remain here. The poor whites who own no slaves have a very hard time of it at the South, and will do very well here with a little education in the art of labor. So this capture of rebel prisoners works a great many different ways, but every way well. Tae Orera.—Manager Grau, having mancu- vred like a cautious general all the winter, is now preparing to take the town by a series of dashing surprises. As in the case of General McClellan, people have been accusing him of not moving fast enough; but his present combinations will completely silence his detractors. He has only been waiting for re- inforcements to commence what we.are assured will prove a most satisfactory campaign; for with the accessions that he has made to his company he will be in a position to produce operas that are rarely played here for the want of the requisite strength. Of the new artists engaged report speaks in the most flattering terms. The return of the malady by which Madame Baseggio was afflicted in Ha- vana will unfortunately deprive the manage- ment of her services; but her place will be promptly filled by another prima donna of equal merit. In the meanwhile Signor Tom- besi will open the season on Monday, in the Comte de Mantua in “Rigoletto.” The new tenor is young, has a most sympathetic organ) and has been trained in the best school. Signor Ferri our public are already acquainted with. His return to our stage will be hailed with pleasure by all those who can appreciate a highly cultivated and conscientious artist. Of other debuts which are in prospect it will be time enough to speak by and by. The public have only to afford a generous support to Mr, Grau’s enterprise and desire to gratify them to be repaid by slavish expenditure on his part. Two additionally gratifying features of the re- organization of his troupe are the permanent engagement of Madame d’Angri—one of the best contraltos on the Italian stage—and the resumption by Signor Muzio of his old post of chef Worchestre. With such a capital business administrator, as Herr Grau, such an ‘accom. plished musical director as Muzio, and such an array of vocal and dramatic talent as the com- pany now presents, the approaching season cannot fail to be a most brilliant and success. ful one. Fravns iv tax Army Rort.—The bill in the House of Representatives to appropriate thirty millions of dollars to make up the deficiencies of former estimates led to a sharp discussion, in which it was charged that there were “ atro- cious frauds and peculations by the War De- partment;” that is, as formerly conducted. One member stated, moreover, that it was rumored that the $30,000,000 was to pay for a defalcation in the War Department when it was under the direction of Mr. Cameron. Mr. Dawes, of Massachusetts, said it was notorious that officers of mere skeletons of regiments were receiving full pay for doing nothing, and it was doubtful if such regiments existed at all except on paper, It is strange that, if our army oumbers nearfy 700,000 men, and that so many men are under ‘pay, there should be only 416,449 on the rolls. The estimate was for half a million of men, the number Con- gress intended to raise; but by some hocus pocus we are informed stone time that the number raised is 572,000, and then again that itis nearly 700,000. There ought not to be this uncertainty, and public justice demands that a rigid inquiry ought to be made into the allegation that army pay is drawn on fictitious rolls of regiments which have scarcely an exist- ence. This would be better work for # com- mittee of Congress than the foolish inquiry as to the alleged inhumanity with which the enemy conducts the war, and a bootless investigation about dead men’s bones at Manassas. The le- gitimate burthens ‘of the war will be heavy The services of | enough without adding thereto fraudulent mil- Let a searching inquiry be made. re and Ohio Railroad. ‘The Baltimore asi utiwors, Apt! 17, 1808. Brigadier Gonoral Kelly has promptly romoved all ctions requiring military passes over tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Parkors- burg, Wheeling of Benwood to Wasbington and Balti- more, no dogament of the kind beipe nqw necessary for tray@iling Hast or Wea be _—_ IMPORTANT SROM ALABAMA. ss » Operations of Gen. A litchel—His Victori« ous Advance Chech ¢@ by the Rebels Burning Bridges—W)St He Has Accom- Plishea, &e. ‘The following despatch was received from Gen Mitchet oa Wednesday evening by a friend 80d rolative im this city: — Haeanquanread Toute Divino, . Humevinig, Ala, ,April 16, 1902" } The enomy have burned bridges ta stop my advance upon Chattanooga, and have used the samo brilliant strategy to hold my column back from (erinth, bab for this we should this day have entered Tuscumbia» an® Floreuce. We have penetrated a magnificent cotton region, have taken and now hold and run more than ous" hundred milos of railway, well stocked with machinery and in fine condition. I have abandoned the idea of over coming nearer to an enemy than long cannon range. Thie is tho third State through which I have hunted him with. out success. 0. M. MITCHEL, Brigadier General. Sketch of General Mitchel. ‘Acting Major Genoral Ormsby McKnight Mitchel is « native of Kentucky, but entored the Military Academy from the State of Ohio. He became a cadot at West Point in the year 1826, and graduated on the 30th day of Juno, 1829, standing No. 16.in a olasa of forty-six, among whom were Robert K: Lee aad: Joseph E. Johnston, vot gonerais in the tobet service. On'tlie Ist of July, 1829, ‘he was promoted’ to & brovot second lieutenancy ta the Second United States artillory, and during the came day * received his full commission for that rank. On the SO Gay of August, 1829,ho was appointed Acting Assistant Professor of Mathomatios at the Military Academy o West Point, which position he retained until the 28th ot August, 1831. He resigned his military rank on thé 308 day of September, 1832. He then began tho study of the law, and practised as counsellor at law in the city of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, from 1832 to 1634. He next became a Pro- fossor of Mathematics, Philosophy and Astronomy, at the Cincinnati Colloge, in Ohio, which position he hold for en years—viz: from 1834 to 1844. During that timo— viz: from 1836 to 1637—he was the Chief Engiaeor of the Little Miami Railroad, and in 1841 was appointed a mombet of the Board of Visitors to the Military Acadomy at Weat Point. He became the founder and director of the Ob servatory in Cincinnati in 1845, and retained the latter position for several yoars, during which timo he edited aud published a noted astronomical journal entitled the Siderial Messenger. From 1847 to 1848 he held the posi- Lion of Adjutant Goneral of the State of Ohio, and in 1848 was appointed the Chief Enginoer of the Uhio and Missis- sippi Railroad, which position he held for some length ot time. During ail_ these years ho resided in the city ot Cincinnati, Vhio. . Since thon he has besn for some years conncsted with the Dudley Ubservatory at Albany as director, which position he held when, om the occasion of the grand Union Meoting at Union square, about this time tast year, he made his noted speech that was rendered se remarkable for its flery eloquence and strong devotion te the Union. It was in this sposch that he said:—'‘Tows allegiance to no particular State, and never gid, and, God helping mo, I never will. Iowe allegianee te the gov: ernment of. the United States. A poor boy, work- ing my way with my own hands, at the age of twelve turned out to take care of myself as best could, and begianing by earning but four dollars per montb, } worked my way onward until this glorious government of the United States gavo me @ chance at the Military Academy at West Point. There landed with my knap- sack on my back, and, I tell you God's truth, just @ quar. ter of a dollar in my pocket. There I swore allegiance to the government of the United States. I did not abjure the love of my own State, nor of my adopted State, but high above that was proudly triumphant and predgmi- nant my love for our common coumtry.”” His epeect ‘was continued with a fervor that held his hearers om tbralled, and amid his remarks the following wordsalse fell from hie lips:—*‘When the rebels como to their senses we willrecoive them with open arms; but until that time, while they are trailing our glorious banner’ in the dust, when they scorn it, condemn it, curse it, aud trample it under foot, I must smite, and ia God's name I will smite, and as long as I have strength I will do it. * * * @ Y am ready, God help me, todo my duty. Iam ready to fight ix the ravks or out of the ranks, Having been educated in the Academy, baving been in the army several years, having served as a commander of volunteer company for ten years, and having served as an adjutant general, I feel I am ready fr something. Ienly ask to be permitted to act; and, in Ged’s name, give me something to dot” ‘The choers that greeted the close of his fervid remarks will long be remembered by those who heard them. The rush to arms had commenced, and on the 9th of August, 1861, Ormaby M. Mitchel was commissioned & Brigadier General of Volunteers. The honor of his ap- pointment was conferred on the State of New York. He was then ordered to report to the commander of the new Department of the Ohio, which embraced bis native State. Many of the loyal Kgntuckians rushed to hie standard, and we soon find him in command of a brigade, next @ division, and next a column of General Buell's forces. He bad previously been under the com: mands of Generals Anderson and Sherman, in tha, department. The dash with which he made his brilliant entry into the rebel works at Bowling Green has not yet been forgotten, and circumstances more than himself had prevented him from coming moro prominently beforethe public ere this event. By the results it is plain that after the occupation of Nash- ville he moved down the railroad leading from that city to Chattanooga, where he was doubticss expected; but suddenly, and without any previous notice of his move- ments, we.find his force to have turned on to @ branch line to Fayetteville, and, by a grand forced march across the country, he turns up in possession of a point of their main Southern trunk line -of raiirond—the rebels? principal route of communication—midway between their two principal points of occupation at Chattanooga and Corinth, Here he seized a quantity of rolling stock, aud by its aid he secured ‘one hundred miles of the railroad.’ Although the rebels might have con- quered a small force at’ a junction or rait- road station, or might have surmounted the difficulties of a broken or burned railroad bridge, it will not be quite as easy for them to arrange so thoroughly an organized plan that would enable them ta regain one hundred miles of road in possession of deter- mined Union troops, But General Mitchel is not done yot. We sball again hear of him. General Mitchel, like many of our more prominent gener: also an author. He hae sent forth tothe world several of the finest astronomical works, some of which have been reprinted ifi a popular form in England and on the Enropean continent. His ‘Planetary and Stellar Worlds’ and his ‘Popular Astronomy” (published by Blakoman & Mason) have become text books, and hie ‘Astronomy of the Bible’ is now in the press, He hag also written three other works thi acquainted with, but which we bi been published. ‘Tax Fixe Anrs—Tim By tum Monsion.—We have received from Hatch & Co., No, 29 William street, a copy of a beautifully designed and neatly exectited colored engraving, thirty-six by twenty- four inches, of ‘the splendid victory of the Ericsson bat- tery, Monitor, disabling the rebel battery Merrimac, tem gins, and steamers Jamestown and Yorktown.” The picture also embraces our noble frigate, the Minnesota, in full operation, and the brave old siuking Cumberland, fighting to the Inst. The New Bankrupt Bill. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. New Yous, April 17, 1862, After ao untiring devotion to business iu this city for over thirty years, I now Gnd my fortune shipwrecked and myseif a bankrupt, with every prospect of going to my grave leaving my family in poverty and friendiess, without Congress relieves myself and other upfortunates: by the passage of a bankrupt act. Our representatives in Congress ate well aware that tens of thousands of the most active business men of the country must remain pressed down, unable to move, even to. provide bread for their families, begga ete ik would hould know who it is that opposes: tera, nat ‘rould seem to me ite frieeds should {got it in such @ position that the yeas and na: 3 be taken. ‘on it and the names published in ir wit circulated 1. Your erful influence, exerted through een 18 ie Taver, would command the gratitude of thous A SUBSCRIBER SINCE 1840. sands. Personal Jateligenee. Captain Strong and famdy, of the United States Navy; Rev. Jas. Abercrombie, (4 Baltimore; Colonel R. W. Lae, of the Massachusetts Tvontieth Volunteors; Mrs. Lao and Miss Leo, of Boston: Sianuel Mora, J. Perez and Jose Mendez do Castro, of Muba; James C. C. Ferrie and wife, of Middletown, (fn.; B,’ Mensto, of New York; J. H. Hasbrouck, of K:ogston; John W. Candler, of Bostou, and N. A. Haven, (f Chiongo, are stopping at the Kvorott Hose, Captain, Ponaparte Patterson has (April 2) arrived at Marsoi,zes from Algiers,