The New York Herald Newspaper, April 23, 1862, Page 3

Vittle had boen taught us by the incidents of the Ameri can battle, it was Natural euough to apprebend sorne per ‘Yorse misdirection of our efforts. However, for once, it appears as if we ehould tak lesson in good time, the Prime Minister's remarks will put tke country ‘atease on this point. We shall build no more wooden ships’) Wo shail make ail the progress we cau i irca ‘ships, and we have the invaluable advantage of possess: ing & Lumber of fine frames ready to receive their armor. Henceforth a ship without its shielid will Le no fighting s af all. A man-o!-war must take on her platés exactly a whe takes in her powder—one process being just a» in duspensable as the AS to the oxpense, We have no great fear of t It if wayio but get rid of one obligation while accepting another. What rendered sicam so costly was that we petsisted in building sailing ehips as well as steamers; and iron #hips would, of course, add beavily to our outgoings f we continued to build wooden ships also. This time, however, we hope that eueambrance will be escaped. As Lo the question of etationary fortifications, that was concisely disposed of by Sir J. Pakington, “The question of forts,” said bo, * is a doubtful one, but an to the :mportance of an iron-covered fleet, there i nO difference of opinion—no doubt at all.” Those words couain the pith of the whole controversy, &Bd gov- ‘ernment has done wisely in accepting conclusions which nobody, with Mae evidence mw before the world, could pos- ritly acoid. {From the Londen Fost (government organ), April 7.) * ’ * * * * * Indopendently of the strength of the British navy as a means of att or defence, we have been obliged, by re- ‘cent events, to consider the comparative strength of exist- ing or proposed fortifications. To this subject the Houge of Commons devoted a considerable portion of Friday might. Has the introduction of appar ently invulverabie sbips-of-war rendered fortifications entird!y useloss? MW sbips of war can be nade invulnerable, it follows as a matter of course that fortifications, however heavily ‘arined thoy may de, afford no means of defence. The sole manner in which a fortification affords defence against a soa attack is by the injury it intiicts upon as railants, If (hat injury cannot be inflicted, then the for- tification might ag well never have been constructed. ‘The question ultimately resolves itself into whether ships- of-war can be made, for practical purposes, invulnerable Ww artillery; whether, in fact, the means of defence can be made superior to the means of attack? As at present advised, it would gcom that the means of defence are vastly superior, apd consequently the government acted wisely in postponing for the present the forther con- struction of fortifications on the established system, as these can alone be made serviceable as a meausof attack. How, then, are our dockyards to be defended. The necessity for raising additional defences was pointed out by a commission specially appointed to inquire into the matter, aud most assuredly that necessity has nct be come less pressing since the introduction of invulnerable war vessels, Jn our dockyards We the materials out of which our navy isto be created or supplied, art their de wructim, more especially under existing circumsatnces, tuvnild be inconceivably disastrous. The sole means by which the necessary defence can be alforded has been suggested to be the construction of engines similar to ‘those which have rendered fortifications useless, 1t does not, however, by any means seem clear that eyen they will insure the protection of our dockyards. If an iron Pp ved ship ean shell @ town, though exp sed to the guns of a fort, it can equa ly do #o though exposea to the attack of a similar versel. Lf, for example, La Gloire could PA's wihimpunity within ange of any guns which we could place on the for.ifiexions oulside Portsmouth, there is no Teas. nto ‘she coult not pass with (he same impunity wilhin the range of the Warrior's guns. The Warrior might battle La Gloiro just ax ineffectually as the Monitor did the Merrimac, whiist the Freuch ship threw ail her fire into the unprotected doekyards. Those who decry tke further construction of fortigeations should not run away with the idea that the construction of iron-plated ships- of-war willof necessity afford the much needed protec- tion. They might from their motive power possess soine advantage over stationary forts, but this advantage seems to us more than counterbalanced by the superior calibre of the guns with which fortifications might be armed. This bt ug to what we have suid is the ulti- mate issue to be decided. Can the means of at'ack be made superior tothe means of defence? Weare of opinion that they can, Science has not as yet been taxed to produce what is now required of her. Now, however, that the pressure been put on, we feel no doubt that she will speedily answer to the call, Opinions of the French Pre: HONOR OF THE MONITOR INVENTION ACCORDED TO MR. ERICSSON—THE CUPOLA GUN SYSTEM TO SIEGES ON LANDs {Paria (April 6) correspondence of London Poet. } The French journals are now in full cry about plated vessela, The Paris journa's generally express their satisfaction that France had the prudence of trying her experiments in plated vessels on aemalier model than has been selected in England; first, because the expense is infinitely lesa; and next, because the large sized ves- ecle are found to have answered badly. The Pays instances the Defence and the Warrior as eomparatively failures in Engiand, principally from the fact that thoy do not answer the heim freely; whereas the Fren-b irou-caned vesreis, the Gioire, the Norman- die, the inviucibic and the Couenne, a'though large in size, Moye, it affirms, with facility. The same journal then inquires whether ihe English vessels just named ‘| a0 de considered formidable machines of war, avd ex- presses a doubt on the point. [From the Paris Pays, April 5.) Let us suppose a cose of war. One of ihose English frigates perceives an enemy's iron-cased vessel, gives ebase aud comes up with her. The latter, emailer aud Jess heavily armed, but perfectly under comiman:, mo- derates her gpeed’ and resolutely prepares for action. ‘The English vessel, unic @ rubs past her or comes to action ata distance which would be disadvantageous, is obliged to regu'ate her #teerageway by that of her ad versary, and whilst the latter can ‘command her m ments at will, the former, which is not acted on by her be ho other resource than to use her large teeth at such rare moments ws the enemy's vessel shall be unskilful enough to expose herself to their bite. The issue of tho struggle probably would not be doubtic Such 1s now the sta’e of the best and finest iron.ciat Bnglich vessels, The Admiralty aro endeavoring to lind a remedy for those defects. Will it ed? We are, therefore Fight in saying that England, pursued by the unporia nate phantom of an- invasion, impossible in our day, 50 Propitious to treaties of commerce, has formed an exay gerated idea to herself cf the importance of dete: 2 has only understood a part of the problem which we have solved. Why, therefore, has she not endeayered to build mon-of-war uniting the soa going qualities whtel render them fit for navigation? Why? We do not know but it is well known that she will find tout, and public opinion has already comprobended this truth, that wheu seagoing qualities cannot be united to those of resistance, it is far preferabie to bold to the former. Combat is scvidental; navigation is the normal state. Armor was thrown aside, because in overloading the soklier it pr vented that activity of movement which is the first. of Bis conditions, We shall hi ame manner comme to the system of overloading vesseis as Jittle as possible— that is (0 gay, not to encumber them with wo heavy iron casings, aud contine ourselves to merely applying them to the water line, in order to shelter them frm the effect Of shot in that part, and preserve them from fire. We think that up to the present time notuing more than that has been done in France; and expericuced seamen, whone opinion 18 entitled w respect, consider that oor new systom of naval coustructions the progress of the age. At ullevents, we do not enormoce sums of money, aul defence is eecure:. {From the Paris Temps, April 5.) It does not the less remain established that the age of ‘wooden vessels in passed. The federal yesse), the Cum bderland, cut open by the epurof the Merrimac, aud going to the bottom with all her crew, couragecusly firing her Inet broadside, cannot be remembered without pain, If the Monitor had not arrived the same fate awaited, perhaps, the Minnesota, which hat not less han seven hundred men on board. Naval warfare in ture will prebably only admit of two sorts of ships— tromcased vessels, which cannot be boarded, destined es. pecially lo operate on the coasts and against fortresses; and ‘steam wessels of Great speed, capable of ewaping Ly slight Srom the formidable artiltery of the first, ani employed for distant expeditions. Ordinary steamships wili perha;s oue Cay serve as simple tugs to the floating batteries which in this matter might serve in the atiack of the enemies’ coasts and cover invasions. In the English Parliamont it hag already beon proposed to protect the fortifications in order to place them in a condition to resist the new vessels. Who if in ordinary sieges the system % Vanban will not be renounced, and if means will not be found to push forward on railways revolving towers aymed with heavy gun: The dul has commence! between ivon and cannon; and if in nayal batties we aro brought back to the spurs of the Punic ware, ordinary wars will perhaps restore to us something Jike those mon- Atrous machines which wore made use of in the s.eges of antiquity. It Is important to nations which care to pre forve their position not to allow themsolves to be dis- tanced in the struggle, The enginer Ericsson, i sirweting the Monitor, has had the merit of creating ih vetiel witch may be really called invuin-ratie. ‘The Bn ish sroneplated Frigates cannot pretend to Uvit title, a8 they are not entirely covered with iron socondly, as their deck is open, the same as in the Fronch vessels, su that the Gloire as well as the Warrior, is liable to be boarded. France bas reason to congratulate herself on baving adopted for her iron-cased vessels a smaller model than + that used in England, but sho must also turn to account the important lessons which the Americaus have given ual. She must, at the same time, continue the improverients in artillery that she has commenced. The substitution of Stemeunes for cylindrical-conical shots is, we kno of Gia eemions, on we fcientitic officers are now c will, perbaps, furnish a means of e ; ly resisting tho armor-covered stipe. ero of Great Britain, In tho House of Commons, on the 7¢h inet. , Mr Disraol, made @ general attack upon tho financial policy of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, He denounced the idea of commencing the year without a surplus, while the trade of the country was diminishing and its revenue declining. Ho thought England might find herself in a most unpiea- nant predicament, if unforeseon difficultios should arise ip America or on the Continent. Fle thon disrected and argued in opposition to the various discal arrangements of Mr. Gladstone, #ince he assumed the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. Gladstone replied , and with considerable bitterness refuted the argument of Mr. Disraeli During the general debate which ensued, Mr. Bentinck condemned tho policy of the government, and attribute (tho dintress of the country to ils inconvistens and in policy in refusing to reeogi 26 the Confederate 8 ‘The House ultimately went into committee, when tho resolutions of the Chatcellor of tho Exchequer, author iz: gt 10 Of £1,000,000 Exchequer bonds, to be paid after any period not e ing Six years; re wing the income tax and the toa and sugar duties for far, sanctioning the occasional | ceitos to geil beer ke. the reduction of the duty on playing cards, and the stump duty o foreign Loan bonds, were keveraily agreed ty and ordered to be reported to ihe Hovve Parliamentary proceedings on the bth inet wore \ iniportant m both honsek, Av motion. wa Mousa of Commons for the product pondenee roiative to the afame in Chir A comparativg retin of pauy #m in Bagiagd she NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1862.—TKIPLE that on the lant day of February there was an increase in the Northwestern district (which comprises Lancasiiré aud Cheshire) of eighty-six per cent over the correspond- ing day lost year fu other parts of the country the increase is comparatively trifling. ‘The crops in Kugland are represented as most promis- ing and luxuriant, ‘There is agreatly moreaged breadth of wheat town,and the crops ere three weeks toa month earlier than last year. ‘The Earl of Derby was sutfering from an attack of in- fiuenza, coupled with gout, and was unable to attend to his Parliamentary duties. Ie was improving, however, Notice had béeou given im the Common Councilot Lon don of @ motion to present the honorary freedom of the city 1 a gold box to Mr. George Peabody for hig muni- ficeout gift of £160,000 for the permanent relief of the poor of London a France. The Moniteur publishes a circular, addressed by Count Persigny to the prefecte , which stater that seven hundred and sixty six conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have each declared in favor of acting indepen- dently of one another, and that eighty-eight conferences bave accepred the General Counci!, uuder the presidency of @ high dignitary of the church, ‘Count Persigny states that, a8 the question of organization has been definitely settled by the conferences, and the legal existence of the society admitted by au imperial decree, each of the conferences of the society will ceforth exist indepen- dently ef each other, aud have no connecting central tie. ‘Count Persigny ihe, alluding to a letter of M. Baudon, in which that genticuvan asserted that he would preserve the centralizing power of the society, says that this would be an inffaction of tbe laws which would ‘ot be permitted by the government, ‘Statements and counter statements had been made re- lative to Gencrai Guyon’s secall from Rome; but accord- i the latest rumors he was not to be disturbed. A proposition of the Archbishop of Toulouse to cele- Drate ap a glorious event @ massacre of Protestants three centuries ago. is severely condomned by tbe principal Freneb journals, Accounts from the munufacturing districts etate that more animation prevailed among them, aud that the operatives were better eroplo, than for some time Shopkeepers, however, are complaining, and itis remarked in Paris that the advertisements trom large himents winding up and eelling off a and under first cost are more bumerous than at any period ence oR At Lyone Ube irade in raw silk had become quite iN] ‘the accounts of the growing crops are-favorabie. Kreadstufis were dull and rather jower in Parix. ‘the Parig Bourse on the 8th instant opened firm, but closed Hat at 69.90, Italy. ‘The Ministry had given orders lo increase the nuwbe: of iron plated whips. A conspiracy of greatextent is gaid to have been dis: among the clergy of Bologna, 1: is confirmed that au engageraeut had taken place be- tween the reyal troops and the brigands under Crocco, and it was réported that Crocco himself was killed, Kormore were current that Austria intonded to incorpe- rate with the ariny the best troops of tho ex. Duke of Mo- dena, sending the remainder to infest the Neapolitan provinces, Discontent prevailed upen this account among the Modenese troops. In the Italian Chamber of Deputies, on the sth inst., Signor Caraciola requegied explanations of the ministry as to the measures taken agaist brigandage, which has re. cently breken out anew in the Capitanata. He demanded that the negotiations for the removal of Francis Li. from Rome should be renewod. Signor Ratazzi acknowledged that trouble had occurred in some of the southorn provinces of the @egdom. Le beheved , however, that the reports of the outbreak had boon exaggerated, because, having inquired if any augiuentation of the military force was required, Gea. La Marmora bad stated that mone was neceseary. He Piaced full trust in the ofticiale recently despatched to these provinces. Signor Ratazzi continued. With re- gard to the removal of Francig li. from Rome, the go- Vernment of the King insists on pointing out that the presence of the ex-King is the source of the disorders ariving from brigandage. The governm the Emperor recoguizes th corsity of providing against its continuance; but it is im- possible to suceced in vanquishing all our difficulties at a tingle blow.’ Siguor Fetrucelli added a few words, and the # .bject dropped. Prussia. It is stated that on the Vib wat., by order of bis Majes- ty, @ commission, compored of the bighest weuerals in We service, would mect to consider the possibility of effect- ing a further reduction of the military budget, General Wrangel would preside. In the approaching meeting of the Chambers, several bills upon changes in the tariff may be expected. It is a'so the intention of government to repeal the taxes upon corn and a considerable redue- tion of import duties upen rice, cattle and meat. and also Mining productions; the latter to consist of @ redaction ‘of cue per cent. annually for the next three years, in order to Bupport the iron trade against foreign competi tion. ‘A proporal-is alo. yucler-diecuseion to increase -the price of galt to its former rate, for the purpose of raising hora to be devoted to the augmentation of the Prussian ject. Rassia. The St. Petereburg Gazetto de | Avademio states that, according to a communication addressed by the Minister of the Interior to the committee of the press law, it was the intention of the government to maintain the system of censorship upon all periodical publications, bat to re- place it gradually by judicial proceedings. The Journal de St. Petersburg announces that the Em. peror had authorized the issue of 18,000,000 roubles of ‘Treasury notes. Greece, ‘The Paris papers pubbeh a telegram from Athens, of the Sth inst., stating that the insurgents at Nauplia de. mand a general amnesty and a change of the ministry A decree for the amnesty bas becn published, excepting nineteon of the chiefs of the insurrection. ‘The same telegram avserts that the English and Freneb. squadrons before Neuplia are stationed there under pre- nee of protecting their rexpective Consuls, but, in lity, for the purpose of advising the iwsurgenis bit, and offering an asylum to those persons not in cluded ‘in the amnesty,” ‘The result i expected to transpire in the course Of a week. ee and China. om tta to March 16 report yerson, calling himeelt f Rao, having vorrupt= ments of the Nizam, a tumult was ion. At this jumeture, however, the plot was discevered. Palla Rao absconded, and peace wae restored. om China there are reports (hat the pe were ib & state of starvation, aud were eat flesh. A large body of revele had been driven cot of a barri- cate at Woosung by the imperialists, under the com mand of Colovel Ward, an Americ le of Nan- 6 human © in Irclana, ON THE LOYALTY OF The Fami COUNT DE PaRis TRE one KISH TO THE UNION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LONDON TrMKs, insert in your next Sin—Wili you have the kiuduess to cation the following letter, addr rer of the Gowla Aug ing’ Club Relief Fund for this y by bis Koyal Iigi Reyal Highness was a n ber of the club for two sea- fons. | therefore (ook the literty of bringing under his notice the deep distress at present existing’ in this local- ity. I feel assured that his letter will be perused with much interest by th se who sympath of the suffering poor. ROU Recess, Galway, April 7. LETTER OF BIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Manassas JONcTION, Va, March 27, 186 Dear S10 your letter, and { thank you for not bi the interest i should take in fterings of the poor neighbors of Gowla. After bav- witnessod more than once the misfortunes of the Irish race on its own goil, Ladmire daily bere on the continent of America ite energies aud devotion to the country of its aloption. 1 have sent an order to Messrs, Coutts & Co., iu London, to hold at your disposal the sum of £20, which you may get through their correspondent in Dublin, and ald tg the subseription list of the members of the Gowia Olu, LOUIS PHILIPPE DORLEANS. To RoukRT MPCREDY, with the wants RT MiCREDY. The British Prize Ring. COMING ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN BBENAN, MACB AND SAYERS, {From Boll’e Life in London, Apri 6.) © it is Heena’s intention at once to throw wntiet to Mace, and bave another shy for the ms We vel down the pected the arrival of a fresh candidate with frome anxiety, writes to us from Norwich that Mr. Moss Phillips hae ful) authority to treat with Heevan, and to fign articles to any amount up to £500 aside, It i rumored that Sayers has issued acartc! calling On Heenan to once more try conclasions with hima; but as Sayers is under @ pond nevor to fight vain, and ag his trustwes are determined to pi vent his dor we inclined to believe this is mere gossip. At any rate, it is certain that if Sayers gave up his pre. fent profitable speculation and signed articles, the mat- ter would not go further, as his Id take steps to prevent it. We know not w an’s brother has come over on the same busi but if he bag, Mace has clearly his work cut out, seeing that should one brother be unsuccessful, the other would, doubtiers, apring up to avenge his fall. In addition to his pugilistic practice, the Benicia Boy har, we hear, undertaken an engagement with @ troupe of equestrians during the exbibitio THE CHAMPIONS OF THE LIGHT WEIGETS—Fiony BETWEEN DAN THOMAS AND JOB NOLAN FOR £200 SIDE. JFrom the Cork Constitution, April 10.) ‘The fight yesterday, in England, between Dau Thomas and Joe Nolan, of the light weights, ie pines, ‘Yhotnas gained the firet blood, with a left-hander Ma \he third round the constabulary male their ap- pearance and the mon loft tho ring, having beon at it twenty-seven minutes With all despatch the ring was again pitched, and at feven minutes after ono o'clock the battle recom meuced ; - the seventh bout Nolan was knocked down from the e On the whole, twenty two rounds wore fought in the two rings, meking the aggregate tine one hour and The police made their appearance, and onc tilities had to be auspendod, and ait returned to the me tropoli#, Thomas almost without a mark, while Nolan bore the proofs of his opponent's hitting. Commercial Intelligence, THE LONDON MONKEY MARKET, The funds were inactive, but the quotations wore Bteadily maintained, Consols closed at 92% a 74 for Doth nioney and account, rel ‘The discount market was without change 944 W 2% per cent be initax of gold continued the Grea’ Beitain had artiyet from Mulpourne with 167 ownwes of gold dhe Bost biits PYLE Hous for Lg Rew Fyy pling loan groatly exe ceeded the amount required, and (he loan was quoted at 2024 per cent premium A bank establishment for British Columbia bad been started in Loudon, under the title of the “Chartered Bank of British Columbia and Vancouver's Island capital is fixed at £250,000. Another project of Jar Rature was also spoken of. Lonpon, April 10, 1862. ‘The bills had been returned of Messrs. 8. Jao Co., shipowners, St, Peters, Alexandria, but their Labs lities are not more than about £16,000. About £20,000 in bar gold were taken to the bank yes- torday, making a total of £336,000 since the Jast return. Messrs. W. 8. Lindsay & Co. have placed the iron #crew steamship Tynemouth, of 1,650 tons, on the Berth for the gold fields of British Columbia, to sail from the London Docks on the 24th of next month. ‘The London News (city article) says the tendency of the stock markets yesterday was more favorabie, par- ticularly at the close of business. English railways ad- vanced one-eighth to one quarter per cent. Tho London times’ city article says the English funds yesterday remained without alteration. The railway Market experienced au improvement during the later houre of business, After the official close of the market the tendency was expecially favorable. AMERICAN SECURITIES. Eno ehares, 33)4 a 3394; Tinos Central, dis. ,46 a 44, LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET. Lavearoor, April 9, 1862. The market is firm and hardening, particularly for American descriptions, which are a sbade dearer thau when the Canada saed. Sales or 7th and 8th inst. about 14,000 bales, Includf%g 4,500 on speculation and for ex- port. The market to-day (April 9) is firm and tending upward; sales 10,000 bules. TRADE AT MANCHESTER Also ehows an improving tendency for yarns made of American cotton, which are quoted geveraily 394. @ 24a, higher than last week. BREADSTUFFS MARKRT. Messrs, Wakefield; Nueb & Co.; Richardson, Spence & Co., Bigland, Athya & Co, report flour in better de- mand at last week’s decting, Quotations 28. a 28s. 6d, Wheat vory qniet, but wuchanged: red Western, 108. 34. ails. 2d.; Southern, lis. 4d. a id. 6d.; whe, 128. a 128, 6d. Cornquiet at 27s. $d. a 28a. for mixed, and 338. a 34s. for white. PROVISION MARKET. Beef and pork quiet and unchanged. Bacon inactive and a shade earior. Lard—Little doing, pricos unaltered. Tallow in moderate demand at 44s. a 45s. 6d. for North American. Futter dull and 2g, @ $8. lower. PRODUCE MARKET, Avbes inactive. Sugar keops steady. Coffee in limited demand. Rice dull. Linseed oil firm at 388., in export casks. Rosin quiet but frm, at 14s. for common. Spirite of turpentine steady at 69s, a 70s. LONDON MARKETS, Breadetaffs dull and nominally unchanged. Sagar du!) aud partially easier. Coffoo well maintained, Tea quiet, but full rates asked. — Rigo dull and prices weak. ‘Yaliow in moderate demand at 408. a 46s. 3d, Linseed oil, 368. 90, a 37 LAVEST MARKETS, : LIVERPOOL, April 10, 1862, Cotton Duoyaiit at nnchanged rates: sales to-day 10,000 bales, of which 3,000 were to gpeculatars and exporters, Breadstuff quiet and unchanged, Provisions quiet, but steady. Tonnow, April 10, 1862 Console 9834 a 94; }Jinois Central shares, 44 a 44% dis count; Eriet, 8832. IMPORTANT FROM ALABAMA. General Beauregard’s Despatch to General Coopor—Arrival of Rebel Reinforcements atCorinth—Great Importance of General Mitchel’s Occupation of Huntsville, &c. x Cimcmmnats, April 22, 1862. The Gasette’s Hunteville (Ala.) correspondence says that Beauregard’s despatch to General Cooper, calling for reinforcements, was found in the telegraph office, having passed over the wires before Mitcbel’s division reached Huntsville, and about two-thirds of the reinforcements salled for had already passed down to Corinth. The remainder are collected at Chattanooga, and at other points on the Tennessee river, being unable to move for- ward op account of General Mitcbel’s obstructions. Beauregard’s despatch was partly written in cypher, but wascasily translated by General Mitchel. The rolling stock captured by General Mitchel has been sent to Nasbyilie, NEWS FROM MEMPHIS, TENN. Speech of General Prentiss to the Captured Union Prisoners—Effect of General Mitche)’s Movements in Alabama, &c. Sr. Louis, April 22, 1862. From a gentleman, who left Memphis a fow days after the battle of Pittsburg, we learn that the rebels, putting both days of the battle together, claim the victory. Their claim rests on the supposition that more were killed wounded and taken prisoners on the Union side than their own Our informant says that General Prentiss made a speech to bis troops in Memphis, in which be endeavored to moliify their complaints in relation to treatment, food, &c, He told them they would soon be exchanged, and railed them generally to keep, up good spirite. Genera} Prentiss was in excellent tomper, and owned that (he Union troops were defeated on Sunday, but vaid that the rebels were badly whipped on Monday ‘The prisoners were being sent to Richmond. Our inforroant wag in Huntsville when General Mitebel reached there with tis division. ‘The securing of that Jace was 4 complete surprise, and (he occupation of the railroad between Decatur and Stevenson wae regarded ag the hardest blow the rebels have yet received. ‘The rebels were preparing to make a desperate stand al Cornth, and fresh troops were coustanUy arriving at Momphis when be | Business at Memphis was almost entirely stagnated, and the people generally seemed to believe that they were op the eye of events which would speedily decide the war. THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT WRIGHT. of the Siege—A Powerful Gune ming from New Orleans, &c. (Correspondence of the Chicago Post | Neak Fort Prrow, Teun. , April 17, 1862, United States gunboat feet is sul near Fort i'it- orously bombarding that rebel stronghold. Al reports of the taking of the fort up to thia date are pre- mature, On the coptrary, asmart and lengthy fight is in prospect. The mortar botobardinent was revewed this afternoon, and was continued for geome time, gradvally relaxing tho fire. The rebels replied with round shot from their batte. Ties, using One ten-inch gun, the shots from which fel) close Lo the mortars aud gunboais, One shot was so well aimed as to fall within six feet of the Carondelet, caur- ing her immediately to change ber position. But little firing has been done by our gunboats, while the mortars have moet effectually annoyed the enemy Daily deserters from the rebels state that the now gunboat, City of Louisiana, built at New Orleans, is hourly expected to arrive and take part io the fight. This boat is said to be plated with railroad iron one foot thick, carries six boilers, twenty-four guns, and is able to run Often miles an bour—a thing simply impos. ei ‘These samme deserters also state that the fort bas beep reinforced with (en thousand men, This, likewise, may be looked upon doubtful story, The number in the fort was about five thousand. ‘Tho inhabitants bere claim the battle of Pittsburg. Thoy eay it je @ complote victory for the rebols, and that when Boauregard withdrow bis forces he did it in perfect order by reason of Buell’s arrival, Grant's army is said to have beon broken in pieces and utterly demoralized. Boauregard’s forces aro variously stated atone hundred: thousand men, A report was brought in yesterday that Memphis was burned, but it is not credited. When the news of the fal) of Island No. 10 reacher hore, most of the slave owners took their Diggers and do. camped, The inbabitants remaining claim to be Union, and furnish our commanders witb ali the information they can. CricaGo, April 22, 1862, Anpecial despatch to the Chicago Journal, from Cairo, says that the news from the fleet at Fort Wright is wim. portant, The bombardment continues, ‘The rebels have cut tho levee at tho Arkansag shore opposite the for nd the fine farming lands there aro now covered witB a lake of water for miles around, Tho residents are greatly exasperated at this outrage. News from Gen, Halleck's Army. CuicaGo, April 22, 1862 Most encournging news continues to be received from Arriva) of Cotton and Tobacco from Ten+ nosace. Preisnved, Pa., April 22, 1862, The first boatload Of cotton and tobacco from the Tonnessee river has arrived, having left Nashville last weok, and will pass East over the Pennsylvania Railroad to day Arvest of Rev. D, R. McAnally at St. Louis. Sr, Levis April 22, L862, Roy. D.R. MeAnally, editor of the St ‘ ate, hast been arrested and placed ina military p tor pt Oy teeaecraby MitPebe, as the comese ot Louis C Meannily 's pore woxigus ty the vil ub (We yeyerument, THE SIEGE AT YORKTOWN. Interesting Despatches from Our Army Correspondents. Favorable Progress of the Operations of the Union Army. FINE PRACTICE OF THE SHARPSHOOTERS, Cessation of Hostilities while the Rebels Carry Off Their Dead. REBEL ACCOUNTS FROM YORKTOWN, Ber, Bey hee Fosrness Mowrow, Apri) 21, 1862. ‘Ther nothing new from Yorktown, except that mat- ters aro progressing satistactorily. ‘The weather is atill bad, ‘Wasnixcron, April 22, 1862. Al) was quiet at Fortress Monroo and Yorktown to-day at one o’clock P, M. The weather was pleasant, the army in high heart, and operations progressing favorably. Arrivals from the peninsula in front of Yorktown to- day Driog cheerful accounts of the progress of General MoClellan’s preparations for the last blow to the rebe!- Jion, Even the storm of Sunday occasioned no cessation of the work. pet Our Army Correspondence, ‘Warwick Court House, Va., April 18, 1862. The Good Understanding Between the Rebel and Union Pickett—The Appearance of the Country—Peculiarities of Warwick Court House, de. My experience has been, since I have been here, that the best and cheapest mode of obtaining information of the movements of our army is to go out on picket, and make a bargain with the generous foe that we will not fire on each other, and then sit down and hold a little friendly conversation together. The pickets of one of our regimenis and those of the Twenty-ninth Souto Carolina Volunteers seem to have established quite a friendly intercourse with each other. 1 don’t know whether there are twenty-nine regiments from South Carolina or not; but they tell us they are the ‘Twenty ninth, and are from near Columbia. Most of them are stonecutters, aud have quite a number of ac- quaintances in our regiment who were working in Obarloston and Columbia about the time of the bombard- ment of Fort Sumter. They say that they are much in want of coffee end alt, and one of them offers to come over in a cance if we will agree not to make a prisover of him, and trade off some tobacco and whiskey for coffee and salt. Our boys would not agree to the propogal, but agreed that they would not fire on them; #0 they came down and sat on the banks of the river, which at that point is but about one hundred and fifty yards wide, and while some con- tinued the conversation with us others went into the river bathing, our boys doing the same. Their esti- mates of their forces vary from 15,000 to 45,000. When reproached for the burning of Hampton, and for their various acts of vandalism, they replied that ‘there would bea greater leaving and burning hore ina few days.” The improesion left on-our minds was that they intended to burn and evacuate Yorktown shortly. They acknowledge that they are sick of the war, and that brothers ought not to fight egaiast brothers. One of them eaid he would like to settle the tssue by a game of euchro; for, said he, “I’m bell on euchre.” They offer to give us Richmond. papers for the New Yors Heraiy; but we can hardly afford to make the exchange, whea we get the Herazp only about once & week, and then have to pay twenty-five cents for a copy. We feel, however, anxious to send them som thing to enlighten their minds, because thoy claim the victory at Pittsburg Landing. ' When they were about to be relieved by another company they told us company that would relieve them was from @ Georgia regiment, and bad telescopic rifles, and would shoot us if we did not hide in the woods The Goorgia company commenced fring as soon as they got on post, and from that time out it was a continued game of bush fighting. with ‘nobody hurt on our side.” This Georgia regiment was the same oue that engaged the Second Khode Island regiment at Boli run, the Georgians said they bad a haversack which they took Bull run, marked cieutenant 0, P. G Clarko, Second Rhode island Volunteer Lieut. Clarke, now a caplain, thought they had had t loan of it long enough avd had better hand it ove ‘They demurred aud invited hit over to take it, He bas the tubject under consideration, and thinks ho will, in a fow days, if the General should give the orders, go over on the other side, and not only take his haversack, but help to take @ battery, Among all the Virginians | have rec since | have been bere, | have seen but one that could either read or write. ‘The country looks old, and the inhabitants have an air of aboriginal simplicity that jy sWikingly in coutrast with the intelligent, knowing Northinen Tho vil age of Warwick Court House consisig of one Aweling house, one store, one lawyer's oillce, court house built in 1810, very ancient style, jail, clerk's ce, and one bi There is no church, no school house or blacksmith shop, three of the essentials to a country village in New England. Car Barone Yorwtows, April 19, 1862. Operations of Onc of the Corps—The Second Linc—State of the Peninsula and the Weather, de, The corps to which I have been attached has had as yot but little participation in the eaciting operatiops going on for the reduction of tho rebel stronghold at Yorktown, Thus far the only portion of this corps en- gaged has been a battery of one of the brigades. The duty aemigned to the battery has been to prevent work upon a small roud fort about two and a half miles dietant, and for several days the picces have been gerved quite actively, Dut with variable success, the rebels con- tinuing operations in spite of the occasional shells dropped around them. None of the infantry have been engaged, The corps will probably be moved to the frout soon, and the men afforded the opportunity which they so ardently desire, to have a band in the game now ing 01 one peninsula may be termed the paradise of froge. All night jong the country around is scarcely bearable on account of the infernal racket whicb goes on continually from the noigy denizens of the marshes and ponds which abound on this tongue of Virginia territory. But there js no escape from this nuisance, and the camps endure jt as best they can. The weather here bas become sudden- ly June-like. The days are as warm asin New York during that month, while the nghis, in the clearings, are a6 cool As in Getober, A stravge combinationof weather seems to prevatl,and there are apprehensions that the heaith of the troops will suffer in consequence of the sud. den changes from heat tw cold. Already there are ap- poarances of a slight increase im typhoid cases; but it may be that with proper preowutions the threatened evils will be averted. A poor country decidedly is this same peninsula which the federal troops are called upon wo tight for, Flat and unvutoresting, unproductive and un- profitable, mparsable ip rainy weather, and almost unin- habitable in dry, it affords very littie in the way of raction toa siranger. The former inhabitants have ft, and in viow of the apparently God-forsaken con- all dition of the jovality they can scarce be biamed for tuking themselves off to auywhereeise. The government will baye to (ake possession of the whole peninsula under the gontiscation act; but I do net think the whole concern will pay the expenses, however diepowed of, Camp Wixvim. Scors, In Front ov Yoretown, Va., April 20, 1862. Plight of the People from the Scene of Operations Visit to the Mansicn of @ Union-Loving Virginian—A Sample of the Rebel Despotism— Whas the Colored Foiks Say—"' Cals” fornia Joe,” of the Berdan Sharpshooters , dc. ‘The map of the siego of Yorktown in 1781, published in the HsraLp, forme @ subject of interesting study to off cers and men bere, The fidelity of ite outline of York town, and the creeks, ravines, swamps and land on and abort whieh we are encamped, is apparent to the most cagval observer. The samme road to Hampton is still used, tud the hougo now occupied as a hospital ie not far, e dontly, from whore the hospital stood at the Revolution ary wiege At is true the aspect of the country hag changed ginco the, time the commander of our Reyohwionary heroes occupied this ground, But there are the wind. ings of the river aud creeks and trees and rocks and ravines and bits énd plains the same now as then—tho road, bold and indelible stamp of mature, ever present and unehangesble, The memory and thought jaspire patriotic feeling, and there is that in it and all the co- incidont circumstances of national struggle and purpore that carries contidence of sure victory in the days of coming contost, I may state, in this connection, thay Mt places have been found the ruiwed remains of tho Revolutionary fortifications, 1 examined one of these anciont earthworks this forenoon, [t ison the peninsular plot of ground noar the enemy's works on tho right, formed by a bend of Wormsley creek, The forma, tion of the earthwork is plainly discernible, the ditch nt it and riflo pits now. ‘to 1 to the § tliat, Mie plist wow with the & in eove are Pine trees cover the spoy nue murat ing of the wind like holding ighty com is Of tho patriowe dead, who, to SHEET. 1781, laid dewa their lives here, and with them the foundations «f the Union our Northern eoldiers are under arms \-day to render sacred and perpetual, and toaccomplich which they have pledged their lives also ‘There are but few people living about here who were here before the advent of our army. Moss of the inhabi- tants fled at the approach of our troops. Confiding in the truthfuiness of the’ statements of the rebel leaders that they would all be killed, their dwellings pillaged and burned, and all their property confiscated or destroyed, they hurried panio-stricken away, satisfied witheaving their lives. Those who have remained have reason to congratulate themselves that they allowed their better judgment to convrol their fears, They find their persons are tafe, their property secure. I yisited one of the old stamp Virginia mansions yesterday, near Cheeseman’s creek, occupied by a Mr. Parkhurst andj family. Mr. Parkhuret ig now past sixty, and has lived in this section of the State nearly all his Jife. He had faith in the Union cause and the Union ariny, and it was @ faith that had not been misplaced. His family, which is a very nu. merous ag well as interesting one, were now rid of the painful fears they had endured for long monthe past, and besides were in the enjoyment of comforts—tea, coffee, sugar, salt, and such like articles, which heretofore could only be procured by paying fabulous prices. On his stating that he had two sons and a son-in-law jn the rebél army, I could not resist the inquiry how they came to diflur with him upon the subject of the war, aud enlist in the rankg of the enemy. “Toere are no young men to be found,” he said, a shade of sadness overspreading his countenance, and bis eyes suffused with tears, “who love their coun- try more than my boys, They are young and stalwart and there was no help for thei. They wer compelod to take up arma. Thank God, they will not fire a shot at 4 Union soldier. Their shots will be in the air.’” “They may be shot,” broke in Mrs. Parkhurst; ‘but T shail mourn them asa Northern mother mourns her sons killed in fighting for their country.” ‘And there are many Southern sons,” resumed Mr. Parkhurst, ‘who will do as my sons have sworn to do. This war has been brought about by lying, ambitious politi¢ians, Could the ravk and file of the rebel army to-day aseort their wish and will, they would come over to the Union side an! work heneeforward for the capture and hanging of the rebel army leaders who have so base- ly betrayed them,” In the course of the conversation Mr. Parkhurst gave some instances of the inebriated habits and ferocity of officers of rebel regiments recently encamped in’ his vicinity, He saw with bis own eyes the colonel of the Louisiana Tigers run his sword through his rar because the latter deported himself ina style that di not suit his ferocious fancy. He also confirmed the story published some time ago in the HrRaun of the shooting of twenty members of this regiment in Rich- mond, for their acts of lawlessness in that city. Gene ral Magruder’s fondness for old Bourbon and other alco: holic distillations he mentioned as a chronic failing and well known to everybody in his command. They com- pelled negroes to do tie burden of the manual work and made no more of ehooting one than’ of xtealing a fal cow or pig. A good delegation of the colored population, who es = ever, that, though he was not perm:tted (o maku any dit closure of the number, their logs was very heavy. Last night it began to rain again, and pelted pitilesely the numberloss details that lay ‘out in the woods for every purpose, but especially the pickets, whose duty of courke deprives them of the comfort of fire. Just ab ip hardest, and when it beat inconceivable tattoos om our tent, at nine P. M., the loose aud seattered crackle of far away murketry was heard off to the right, and gradually jau down toward us like ® gigantic gamet, and swelled into a gontinuous fire, with two ‘or three volleys, and then a fire of artillery. Word went rapidly in every direction for regiments to be held ip readiness, and the heavy fire gradually (ribbled away into the shot of a picket here and there, and a!l became quiet, One hour later it arose and fell off in the same wa: broke out all along the lines very heavily, Again all Was in readiness, but no One know What was the toatter. Those who fired in our front said that the enemy had tempted to cross, but others who had kept ther ey his works had seen no movements. ‘To day we 2 that an attempt lo cross wag made to our right, iD frout of our right flank, and that the Orst fire came from onee worked without wages and butter on the hoe- cake, still linger about here. They failed to see the advantage of pursuing their fleemg masters. One any day may gather up ® great deal of wit, folly, wisdom and such like intellectual coruscations that furnish food for tho metaphysically inclined, by going among them and talking with them. I met one tho other day of Jim Crow expression of face and hair, who says he was in Yorktown at the time of the Revolu- tionary siege. 1 loft him profoundly impressed with his Hiverian aptitude at story telling,and I doubt not th reader will be #0 impressed on reading the following portion of my confab with him:— “Did you see the shooting?’ 1 inquired. Yes, indeodee, massa; } seed it all.” “How did you like it? “The musketry wusn't mafia’, but seein’ the big can- non balls skeered me some.’” “How did you escape getting killedy’” “I gtayed hid in a deep, big cellar all de ’hole time, * responded the catechised Ethiopian representa. tive, with a breadth of grin and compass of guffaw that showed very clearly that, in his own estimation, he had done one smart thing in his life, if he bad never dove another. A second colored brother I have mot in my wandorings whose notions of personal smartness do not reach the altitude of the one mentioned. His modesty, what is more, takes a direction many white. folks would do well to imitate, He said been a slave all his fife, and his last owner was Mr. Clark, who ownea large ‘amount of property, and who, by the way, a corporal in the Peninsular Guard, a rebel regiment. “Do you think slavery right or wrong?” I asked him. “Wrong, ob course, massa.’” “How so?” “1 know it be wrong, massa, but I can’t arger.”” Here is a portion of a conversation witha third negro and with itT will wind up the negro question. He had ted that the negroes were as well off slaves as they free. ‘They orter *haye themselves,” remarked the argu- mentative individual referred to, putting himself in an oratorical attitude, ‘and get good masters, like me, and they will be well taken care of.” “And you have always been well taken care of?” I remarked, in a congratulatory tone; *‘you are one of the lucky ones.” (It in not ebry one hab the same luck as me.’? “In what regard? “Why, my massa was my own fadder.”? Th one personage who is making himself a history in the preliminary siege of the rebel stronghold in frout of us— California Joe,” of the Perdan Sharpshooters. I spent an hur yesterday in his tent. He is a character. 1 was surprised at his age. He is past fifty, but looks a foore of years younger. He stands as straight as an arrow, has an eye as keen as a hawk, nerves as steady as can be, and an endowment of hair aud whiskers Rubens would have liked for a patriarchal portrait. Ho bas spent years of his life shootirg grizzly bears in the forests and fastnesses of California, and carries @ telescopic ritle that in his hand will carry 4 long ways and with territic For several days past he has occupied asa place a hole dug m the ground just big enough for ilis wwerrivg rifle has made many a rebel bite Ho says he likes the sport, and he meat keep it up. A rebel rifle bail knocked Off a portion of the upper band of Lis rifle. He esteems this a mere trifle. An acceptable rain storm set in last evening. Itis raining as I ologe this letter. At our loft is heard beavy cannonading. A stormay Sunday's baitle may yet have to be recorded. shooting hime the dust. Fo. k Mies Avove Warwrk Cockr Hi April 20, 1862 The Sharpshaters—A Flag of TruceBurial of the Dead— The Reut Loss at the Fight—Rain Again—Rapia Fir- ing, dc., &eo Jn this immediate neighborhood the war has dwindied to the tine practice of sharpshooting, and we “fright the souls of dreadful adversaries” at telescopic range. Our excitement is that of sport rather than of war. Our skirmishers, intont ag astronomers, patient as fish- ermen, lie under cover all day, and since they hay there the enemy on the other side, to use the fine phrase of Beauregard, seems to have ‘felt it to be his duty to withdraw from the sceno;”’ not in defeat, of course; for wo know that be is not far away; nor yet in trepidation; but only that he very naturally does not like to be stalk- ed at,and perhaps doce not like the peculiar voice of that army miustrel, the rifle ball. Neither does your correspondent. Luckily, we have heard thissound. We say luckily not in the assumption of especial valor, but because we have a fancy that he who is hit heareth it not. Happy, therefore, is the man who hears it, Now, we cannot say that the sound is musical; yot never did the uf de poitrine excite livelior attention, Faraway you hear a report, faint—by rea- son of the distancemand in a second or two, a swift, dolicate whisper flies through the air and is lost. Sid- ney Smith called the hiss of the cobra di capollo ‘the whisper of death; but it is @ hoarse sound to this—a barsh, coarse noise, with reality in it—this might be taken for its echo, except that it is infinitely faster. For three days now our men heve practised toward tho rebel batterice. Numorous glasses observe every movement made, and if an adventurous rebel indulges in a peep, be js of course instantly seen, and as instantly an- nounced, ‘There is a headg’ says one; and instantly five of @ix begin to hunt for it through those wonderful telescopic sights, and some further di- rection from the original discoverer hoips the hunt. Should the head go down as soon 88 seen, so much tho better for the head. Sometimes it stays long enough w be found and sighted, and is then almost inevitably piercod; for the accuracy of fire with these rifles (at reet) is scarcely less than ulous. One announce. ment—''Thore is @ whole in ab embrasure’ —is almost always anticipated by the fire of one or more rifles; for the embrasures are particularly kept undc? Mpight.” Bot it must be admitted that the men of the great Southern pation dedge well and quickly—oven as the dipper dives. However much they have said about tho‘ ‘last diteb,’” in this cage they always prefer the first. Yet two days ago one of the enemy's men expressed bis contempt of our riflemen in avery positive manner, io boldly #prang out upon the ‘apet of one of their nes nroente and Dogan a double shut "This enter- tamment was cut short by @ single shot, and the bold follow fell over, having apparently “sbuilled off this mortal cor’? . As @ consequence of v1] this the enemy's batteries aro completely #tient. Not ashot has been fired from bis artillery for three days, and though our battery gives an oceasional remembrancer there is no response. Sueh is the position of aifire on our front, aud now we wait for ders oe vectorday, at about two P. M., a white flag was shown from th y's batteries, aud immediately after an offices & ut acroes (he dam and was met by an offi- cor ofour Heneral’s sta, He came to request that hos- Lilities should cease for two hours, in order that our dowd, lett upon the field, might be beried, — Hostilities ceased accordingly, and thirly nine bodies were brought over, Nota word had previously been spoken about there men from either side, though it must certaimy save been Known that some dead wore left upon the toni One man, who had thus lain on the det more thin two doys and two nights, y i ad was taken atte the onenry # host An ottieer of our side 7 Jan exchange informa. tion with the repel orheor the extent of tho boss on Oiiber ekte; but the rebel villves declued. Ate paRL. hows the enemy's rifle pits up there. It appeare to have Swept down to eur frout by mere contagion, Yesterday @ balloon went up from the enemy apd abother froin our side. Rebel News from Yorktown, TRE FIGHT ON THE PENINSULA—THE WOUNDED. (Correspondence of the Petersburg Express.) Rucumonp, April 18, 1862. The fight on the peninsula Wednesday excited vast interest here, and the bulletin boards were surrounded all day by an anxious crowd of readers. Gur people ¢on- lideutly expected fuller accounts in the dailies thie morn- ing, but were disappointed. They contained the same that was posted yesterday, but nothing more. Several gentlemen on the accommadation train, which left your. city this morning at nine o’@lock, brought over copies of the Express, and I was fortunate enough to secure one, I concn, have several interesting partioulars not mep- tioned in any other paper. The gallant and deeply la- mented Colonel McKinney was well known here, bis death is greatly mourned. If I mistake not he gradu. ated atthe Virginia Military Institute with diatinction, and those who are well calculated to judge say he was an accomplished officer, The Fifteenth North Carolina seems to have suffered more than any other regiment engaged, aud it is gratifying w know that they sus tained the well earned reputation of the Old Norsh State for unflinching courage in the face of dauger. General Magruder speaks in high terms of praise of all the troops engaged. At the hour this letter is penned, not even a rumor has reached us from the peningula, All b that a gen- eral engagement is imminent there, and that it cannot be deferred louger than to-day or to merrow. What Gen. McClellan is waiting for it is not for us to Say; but know- ing ones think that our generals will not wait much long- er for anybody or anything. Kxpecting a great battle as any moment, our Mayor, Mr. Joseph Mayo, has issued the following noti¢e in the inorning papers of this day:— To mw Ss OF RicHMOND.—Many wounded soldies® from Ye y be ex in Richmond. The bate for the defence of this city is about to be tought. | Accommo- dations the brave sold Ibe needet. Let the people past seven o'clock, at the ‘of Richmond © ty Mall, to m » ask — housekeeper to come prepared to open his house to the gal- lant men who have periled their lives in our defence, ‘That there will be a hearty response to this call there can be no doubt, Nota man, woman or child ip our midst will now refuse to extend every aid in their power to these wounded soldiers. THE REBEL COLONEL M’KINNEY OF NORTH CAROLINA’ [By telegraph to the Richmond Diepateh. } Lyxcnstro, April 18, 1862. Colonel McKinuey, who was killed on the Peninsula, Wednesday, was buried here last evening. There wos ® large turnout of the citizens. {From the Richmond Dispatch, April 19.] The Lyachburg Virginian pays the following tribute to the memory of Colonel McKinney, who fell i the battle on the Peninsula last Wednesday :— In common with many of our readers, we regret to hear of the death of this gentloman, a native, and, unth within two years past, a citizen of Lynchburg. Colonel McKin- ney was a graduate ef the Virginia Military Institute, and when the war broke out was Professor of Tactics 1 the North Carolina Military Institute. He volunteered bis services to his adopted State, was elected a Captain, aud subsequently Colonel of the Fiftcenth North Carolina re- giment, at the head of which he fell, day before yester- day, whilst gallantly defending the oil of his native State. Colonel McKinney was quite a young man, and had bright prospects before him; but, alas! they beon suddenly blighted, and an aged, infirm father, sis- ters aud brothers, by all of whom he was deservedly es- teemed, are left to mourn the sudden death of @ beloved son and brother. The remains of Colonel McKinney reached Petersburg on Thursday, on the way to Lynchburg, for interment. THE PENINSULA. {From the Petersburg Express, April 19. ‘The telegraph brought no tidings from the peninsula yesterday. The James river xeamer did not stop at City Point ae usual, and consequently we are without any in- formation through that soarce. Passengers from Island and Norfolk report that heavy firing was heard the direction of Lee's Mills for several hours during Thursday night, but we have been unable to learn the cause. c impression still prevails that @ great battle must be fought there in Jess than twenty-four hours. ‘This, however, has been the impression among outsiders for more than a week past, but there has been no regular battle. PREPARE FOR TAKING CARE OF THE WOUNDED. (From the Petersburg Express.) In view of the imminence of a tremendous confliet in the peninsula, which may occur at any hour, the follow- ing brief and appropriate communication we hope will Jead immediately to the action in our community which it invokes, We see from Northern papors that arrange- ments have been made iu Philadelphia and other cities for taking care of the wounded in the approaching battle, ina way to relieve their sufferings and minister to their comfort a much as possible. Such an example in our foe is worthy of our imitation, and in this opinion every Southerner will concur, We therefore submit the sug: gestion of our correspondent to the attention of our eitis zens, not doubting that it will mcet their unanimous apd cordial approval:— ni ran, = A. SUGGESTION, A great battle on the peninsula is imminent, The transportation of the sick and wounded can be more ousily effected to Petersburg than to any other city save Richmend; and I would respectfully suggest that the Mayor call ns, as has already been done in Richmond, for the purpose of making arrange- ments to take care of those who may suffer in the field of battle, A PHYSICIAN. IMPORTANT FROM GEN. BANKS’ CORPS. Advance of the Troops to Harrisonburg and Suray—The Shenandoah Valicy Abandoned by the Enemy—The Rebel Forces En Route for Gordonsville, die. Wasuinton, April 22, 1862. ‘The following has been received at the War Depart- ment:— New Manxer, April 22, 1962. To FE. W. Stanton, Secretary of War — Our advance is near Harrisonburg. Wo have troops cross the mountains protecting the bridges on the She- nandoah at Almy, and on the Suray road. To-day we passed a force forward toSuray. The peo- ple were greatiy alarmed at firet on account of the re- ports circulated by the rebels as to tho treatment they would receive from us, but in the course of a few hours they became quite reconciled to the presence of the troope. x1 There is a good road to Warrenton, twenty-five miles and a turnpike to Culpepper Court House, the same dis” en several recent sharp skirmishes with the enemy we lost three men. The rebel Jackson hag abandoned the Valley of Vir. ginia permanently, and is en route for Gordonsville by the way of the mountains, Every day brings its prisoners and numerous deserters from the rebels. N. P. BANKS, Major General, Complimentary Resolutions from Ohie to Gen. Shiclds. The following complimentary resolutions bave been re- ceived by Gen. Shields from the Legislature of Ohio — Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representa tives of Ohio, That a vote of thanks be and is hereby tendered to Brig. Gen. Shields, and the brave officers and men under his command, for ~ gallant conduct in the : ory at Winchester, Va. TeResolved, {hat the Governor be and ho is hereby re- quested to trausmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to Gam, Shields, to be read to his command, REPORTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA. Rebel Account of a Repulse of Union Troops at Elizabeth City, N.C, Foxtress Monroe, April 21, 1862, A fing of trace was received to-ca; A Petersburg paper of this morning says that the Senate has refused to concur in the House resolution for adjournment. ‘The same paper also contains @ report of @ repulse of @ Union force, under Gen, Burnside, at Elizabeth City. It is stated that the Union troops, 6,000 strong, attempted to land there, but wore repulsed, with « loss of five bun- dred killed, by a Confederate force of 1,000, including @ Georgia regiment. Tho rebel loss in killed iw stated at fifteen, including Capt. McCoun and Lieut, Wilson, beth of the Georgia regiment. A report of tie same fight, to the rent in Norfolk Inst DIEM. cow, April 2, 1862, Richmond papers of yerterday (Monday) morning, con- tain a telegraphic report the landing of our forces near Elizabeth City, N. C., aud au engagement at that point, They admit that thelr foes retired to the DismalSwamp Canal, with a loss of thirty-eight Kitled and wounded, and say that the federal logs was heavy ‘They algo notice the oecupation of Fredericksburg, and complain of the withnirawnl of Heir troops, whieh wore there in force, without a contest shme otfoct, was cur. All Clear at Cape Race, Sr. Jonna, N. F., April 21, 1862 he ico hag entirely disappoared from the vioinity of Cape Race, and it ie confidently anticipated that Curepeamy pews will be obtained (here alist) immediately,