The New York Herald Newspaper, May 9, 1862, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, i EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS, TERMS cash in advance. Money sent by mail rcill be at the isk of the sender. None but Bank bills current in New York California tdi he la, b st af gach month, ab sic THe PAMILY HERALD, Wednesday, at four cents per ony, oF $2 ver unum e rate OLUNTAKY CORRESPONDENCE, containing imporiant ewe, solicit any quarte, of the world; if used, will be Tieradly putd for. Ba-OUK FORKIGN CORRESPONDENTS AN Panrw0caaty Requmrey 10 Seal at Lerreus axp Pack- y Great 0 include pusteupe; the RS BENT US. ‘NO NOTICE taken of anonymous correspondence, We do not return re d rommunictiona, ADVERTISEMENTS renewed every day; advertisements in- serted tthe Wexxiy Heratp, Paice aud in the California and European Exlitions. 305 PRINTING courted with neainae, heapnese and der paw Volume XXVII AMUSEMENTS TiIS EVENING, NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Tas Enouaxrrese, WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Tax Huxcusace. eas THEATRE, 644 Broadway.—Jeaous m pRAURA KRENE'S THEATRE, "Broadway.—Rzisox axp NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowory.——Dzr Frets- OuUT/—Gane GOL OF Ts WiLDERNLSS—PRINCE AND P48 Waiouxam. OLYMPIC THEATRE, 435 Broadway. eEBs 1s Not Gor®—Froiic 0 tax Farnies— BARNUWS AMERICAN MUSEUM. Broadway.—Cox. Wats, £0. at all bours,—<' ME Foum.i, afternoon ead evening. sl al LL taar Guir HEROULES, BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ ! (Way.—KUGGED Fain, Hall—472 Broad: CANTERBURY MUSIC HAL! Broad : Danozs, ienuwaae a way —Soncs, PEOPLE'S MUSIC e Ba ving HALL, 45 Bowery.-Sonas, Dances, F< taal MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.—Somxs Mcsi- PARISIAN CABINET OF WON Broadway.— Open daily from WA. M. nO P — = + % ee New York, Friday, May 9, 1862, (oe = = THE SITUATION. ‘The news from General McClellan’s army is full Of hope for the Union, of glory for the young General himself, and is pregnant with ruin to the rebel cause. The occupation of Yorktown, with ali its immense fortifications on Sunday, so rapidly followed by the attack upon and the capture of Williamsburg on Tuesday, has eventuated in a Fapid pursuit of the enemy which has forced them poross the Chickahominy, upon the left bank of Which, at latest accounts, General McClellan had halted his army for s temporary rest previous to. pressing on. The rebels had succeeded in’ @estroying the bridges; but as there are two fords 'y to be ¢rossed, our troops will find no difficul- ty in continuing the pursuit, and, if necessary, Griving the rebels from any intrenched position they may take up there—if, indeed, it be their in- tention to make a stand at that point. The graphic account of the fight at Williamsburg, from our spe- ial correspondent, which we give to-day, will be tead with intense interest. Hancock’s celebrated bayonet charge, the electric effect of General Mc- Clellan’s pgesence at a great crisis of the battle, fand the daring charge of a bedy of rebel infantry ‘Veross an open plain, form striking incidents in the fescription. s In addition to the active operations of our land lorees, we learn that the iron-clad gunboats at Fortress Monroe are by this time participating in the affair on the Chickahominy. The Galena, Aroostook and Port Royal started up the James fiver yesterday morning, at six o'clock, to cut off tho river communication with the rebels on the Chickahominy. They had passed Day's Point be fore seven o'clock, and heavy firing was heard at that time. Mosntime Sewall’s Point was being evacuated by the rebels, and the Monitor, Nauga- tuck and a fleet of gunboats had left Fortress Mon- foo to take possession of the rebel stronghold on fhe Point. We give a list of the killed and wounded st the battle of Williamsburg, as far as we have been able to obtain the names up to this time. | A despatch reached Fredericksburg, now in possession of General McDowell, yesterday, to the effect that the rebels had evacuated Norfolk. ‘Thus it would appear that evacuation is the order of the day in all quarters. The official repemt of Commodore Porter, recount- tng the capture of New Orleans and the reduction of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, is given in another column, together with the official despatch of Cap- tain Theodorus Bailey, announcing the victory, and, a3 its result, in the glorious fact that “the way is clear and the rebel defences destroyed from the Gulf to Baton Rouge and probably to Mem- phis.”” From this it might be inferred that Com- modore Farragut has gone up the river towards the latter city. The nows from the Southwest is important. A despatch from Cairo yesterday says that three brigades of General Buell’s army had seized the Portion of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad between Corinth aud the Grand Junction, cutting off all communication between the two points. If Shey hold thiswection of the road they will com- pletely divide the forces of General Beuregard, ‘and render his position still more dangerous than before, it not utterly hopeless, Some parties recently arrived from New Orleans announce that-immense quantities of cotton and tobacco, sugar and molasses were being destroyed @ll along the river country, from that point to Memphis, both by the planters and the officers of the rebel government, who were running up the iver in steamboats, aiding in the destruction of these staples. CONGRE , In the Senate yesterday, tho Honse bill appro- ing $30,000,000 for the pay of the army for year ending Jane 30, 1362, was passed. The fHouse bill making Port Royal, 8. C., a port of ry Wasalso passed. Mossrs. Foster, Doolittle Davis, were appointed s select’ committee, to ich was referred the House lution relative the impeachmont of Judge Ham tet . ‘The bill limiting the rs - ayy Majer | Beigadier Gonerals was pasecd. It limite the ) ber of Major Generals to thirty, and of Briga- diers to two hundred. Mr. Sumner offered a roso- Bution, which lies over, declaring that itis inoxpe- @ient to inscribe on the colors of reyiments | the victoricoa won over our own citizens, | ‘The bill ostablishing & Department of Ag. | Ficahure was passed. The bill providing for Be colicction of taxes vm lauds ia ingurrectiouacy | districts was explained by Mr. Doolittle, and then laid aside till to-day. ‘The bill relating to the selection of jurors for the District ef Columbia was passed. A bill to abolish the office of Marshal of the Dis- trict of Columbia and establish that of Sheriff was introduced by Mr. Halo. Both these last named measures are designed to punish Marshal Lamon for his failure to propitiate the radicals with regard to fugitive slaves. The bill provid- ing for the education of colored children was taken up, and an amendment edopted, repealing the black code of the District of Columbia. The Senate then adjourned. No business of general importance was trans- aéted by the House of Representatives. Mr. Love- joy called up his bill to secure freedom to all per- sons within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal govertiment to the end that freedom may remain forever the fundamental law of the land, and in all places whatsoever, 80 far as it lies within the power or depends upon the action of the governmont of the United States to make it so. A motion to lay the bill on the table was negatived by a vote of tifty against sixty-five, MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. We have news from Hayti dated at Port au Prince on the 15th of April. The attitude of Spain was very threatening, towards Hayti, on account of her claim of one of the old ter- ritorial boundary lines, which enters between the two parts of the island like a wedge. France did not appear so well inclined to aid the Haytiens as she formerly professed to be, and much trouble was anticipated. The Haytiens think that the open violation of the Monroe doctrine will induce the United States to interfere in behalf of the republic. Coffee was abundant, and prices had declined. It is likely that a Haytien ship, having a number of aristocratic notabilities on board, will soon touch at New York, on her way to France. x Rev. Dr. Bellows and wife, of this city, with nineteen young ladios, arrived in Baltimore on the 6th inst., en route for Fortress Monroe, where they will attend on the sick and wounded soldiers brought to that station. Granada, to which point it is reported General Mansfield Lovell, with his New Orleaus rebel sol- diery, has retreated, isin Yalabusha county, Mis- sissippi. It is at the junction of the Jackson and Ohio and Memphis and New Orleans railroads, about midway between Memphis and Jackson, and equidistant between the eastern and western boundaries of the State. Governor Buckingham, of Connecticnt, deliver- ed his annual message to the Legislature on the Tthinst. The document onters largely into the discussion of war matters, and the causes, pro- gress and present condition of the rebellion. The Governor says Connecticut has furnished thirteen thousand five hundred and seventy-eight fighting men to the government, of whom two thousand three hundred and forty, being three months men, have returned; two hundred and twenty-eight were discharged, one hundred and ninety-one killed in battle, and thirty-one resigned—leaving atill in the service ten thousand seven hundred and eighty- eight. ‘The subject of military instruction in the public schools was again brought up at the meeting of the Board of Education held on Wednesday even- ing. The merits of Quaker guns as suitable wea- pons with which to arm our school boys were fully discussed, and after a lively debate it was de- cided to make inquiry as to the expense which will attend the procuring of real guns, with bayo- nets. According to a statement of one of the mem- bers, we shall soon have an army of five thousand schoolboys, who, we may rest assured, will glad- ly lay down their books and slates to take up arms in defence of the Union. The case of Haynes, first mate of the Nightin- gale, was submitted yesterday evening to the uy, under the charge of Judge Nelson. The jury had not agreed.at the rising of the Court, and Judge Nelson informed the Marshal that if they came to a conclusion before ten o'clock last night Judge Smalley would come down snd take their verdict; if not, they should be locked up until morning. There not being a quorum of the Board of Al- dermen present last evening, President Henry de- clared the Board adjourned to Monday evening next. The Amorican Bible Society, the Five Points Mission, the New York State Colonization Society, the American Congregational Union, and the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, held their anniversary meet- ings yesterday; but the all-absorbing news from the armies in the field occupies all our space, and we are again obliged to hold over our reports of their proceedings. An adjourned meeting of the Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction was held yester- day. From the weekly statement it appears that 2,080 persons were admitted to the different insti_ tutions during the week ending on the 3d inst. g @ total of 7,111 remaining there on that date—a decrease of 110 on the preceding week: The cash receipts from the 35th of Apzil to the 8th of May inclusive, amounted to $401,041 21, in which sum is included $100,000 received from the City Chamberlain, and $300,000 from the Comp- troller. The cotton market was quiet yesterday. Scarcely enough was doing to establish a basis of quotations. Dealers seemed to be in some degree at a pause, andthe views of holders and buyers were so wide apart as to check sales. The former continued to manifest cenfi- dence in the article, while buyers were confining their purchases to small straggling lots at irregular prices, while desirable lots of any material size were held with firmness. Tho sales embraced about 130 @ 150 bales, on the basis of 263¢c., with some lots reported at 270. Ordera were plenty, and could not be filled at 25c. a 25%. The flour market was heavy and lower, with sales at a deciine of 10c. per bbl. Wheat was lower and nominal, while sales were quite limited. Corn was heavy and lower, with more doing at the concession. Western mixed nold, in store, at 530. aS4c., and at Sic. a 56c., delivered. Pork was active at unchanged prices. Sales of moss were made at $13, and of prime at $100 $10 1234. Sugars were firmer and }jc. per Ib. higher, with sales, including New Orleans by auction, of about 2,200 Lhida., with 20 boxes and 5,000 bags. Coffee was quiet. Freights were firm, with a fair amount of en. gagemonts. Retversixo Goon Sense or 11% Sovra.—The cordial reception that General Prentiss and his fellow prisoners met with in Memphis shows that the Union feeling in that city is stronger than was supposed. The events that have taken place at Pitts! Landing and New Orleans have probably brought home the conviction to the minds of most people in that city that the rebellion is nearly piayed out. The General and his party wero fairly loaded down with presents, and in return for their acts of kindness he made speech, in which he told the crowd some bold trutha about the deceptions prac- tised upon them by the rebel leaders. These statements, notwithstanding that the Provost Marshal was present, were loudly » showing that the pubHo mind ia tents & already prep apse! kr back to the Faas Of the o} ail tami cheering symptoms are being everywhere manifested in North Carolina, and as soon as the people of the other revolted States are aseured of aid againet their oppressors there isno doubt that this revulsion of feeling will become general. This being the case, we need have but little fear of the guerilla operations with which it is threatened to prolong the war. ‘The Union men of the different States, as soon as they get arms in their hands, Will be able to take gare of these marauders. NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1862, ‘The Rebel Rout in Virgipia—A Dissolving | his own board and washing. MoClellan, there View of the Rebellion. General McClellan is vigorously pushing forward his viotorious columns upon the re- treating and demoralized forces of the enemy charged with the defeace of Richmond. On Sunday he entered Yorktown; on Monday he was in front of the enemy’s works at Williams- burg; on Tuesday he passed over them and into the ancient little city; on Wednesday we find him ten miles beyond, on the left bank of the Chickahominy; and on Thurs- day our only doubt as to the remainder of his march upon Richmond is whether it will be still disputed by the routed rebel forces of General Jo. Johnston, or whether, without fur- ther resistance, they wiM abandon their Con- federate capital and the State of Virginia. In this connection, our latest news frem For. tress Monroe satisfies us that the “Old Do- minion” is already virtually redeemed and restored to the Union; that from Richmond to Norfolk the rebels are under @ panic which will speedily rid the State of their presence; and, better still, that their removal from Virginia will soon be followed by their complete dis- persion, whether they attempt to pass out into the cotton States by way of North Carofina or East Tennessee. While the Gaiena and several of our gun- boats have passed up the James river, to attend to the rebel army of the peninsula on that side, our readers will be gratified to hear that the Monitor and the Stevens battery have led the way over to Sewall’s Point for a final aettle- ment with the Merrimac and the other rebel defences of Norfolk. The reported evacuation of Sewall’s Point, however, would seem to in- dicate the evacuation of the city under a pre- concerted movement for the absolute abandon- ment of the State, with such forces, means and munitions of war as the desperate leaders con- cerned may be able to cérry off. It matters little, however, what their designs may be, for the inevitable result, close at hand, is the cap~ ture of every fragment of the armed forces of this rebellion in Virginia, or their expulsion from the State. The splendid achievements of our naval forces of the Mississippi river, resulting in our occupation of New Orleans, have contributed much to the demoralization of the great rebel army of the East. The loss of New Orleans to Jeff. Davis and his confederates is thus operating to the fall of Richmond, as their loss of Nash- ville precipitated the evacuation of Manassas. Tn the same way Gen. McClellan's occupation of Richmond will operate to break up and dis- perse the great rebel army of the Southwest, under General Beauregard, or 80 to demoralize it as to turn it over without much further bloodshed into the hands of the irresistible army of General Halleck. East and West, we have thus before us a dissolving view of the broken-backed rebellion, which fully justifies our oft. repeated opinion that it will be among the exploded con- spiracies of the past, before the fourth day of July. Our brave soldiers and sailors are prov- ing themselves too much, not only for the armed traitors of the South, but for the dis- union schemes and intrigues of our abolition conspirators of the North, East and West, over the field of this rebellion. The day of a great deliverance is at hand. A New Casus Belli Between Surope and America. It is remarkable that, with all the pains we take to behave ourselves properly, we are con- stantly offending our transatlantic neighbors in some way or other. Tho dust has not yet had time to settle upon the voluminous diplo- matic correspondence which satisfactorily arranged the Trent affair—Mason and Slidell have not yet completely recovered from their surprise at our unexpected return of their per- sons and baggage to the custody of England—., and already weediscover that our interference with the London Times correspondence, and the return of Bull Run Russell to the British isles, have incensed all Europe against us, and given England a new casus belli. In yesterday’s issue we published Russell's valedictory and explanatory letter; but we were unable to place before the public the London Times’ editorial, the remarks of the Paris Pays, and the comments of other Eu- ropean journals upon Russell’s dismissal We hesitate te print them even now, fearful of the effects of such sanguinary articles upon the terrified inhabitants of this barbarous and mob-governed country. Like the war horse of Job, they breathe fire and fury, threateningsand slaughter. All Eng- land is of course hostile to us upon Russell's account, and the gun manufactory at the Tower of London is busy‘at work, the Warrior is preparing for sea and the export of saltpetre will be again prohibited. Tho gun manufac- tory of the Tribune, the aid of the Monitor, and the supply of saltpetre in the Mammoth Cave, are our sole defences. The press of France has taken up England’s quarrel, and the Emperor promises to send the Gloire, the Plongeur and a regiment of awful Zouzous, old friends of Russell and veterans of the Crimea, to assist in demolishing us. Whether or not Russia will join in the attack is still doubtful. The Czar was our very good friend during the Trent affair; but this isa matter of so much greater moment that we are afraid he wil think it his painful duty to take a hand in at our chastise- ment. Russell left this country in the steam- ship Chins, carrying big own carpet bag, and without @ friend to goodbye. He is coming back ine mail-clad man-of-war, at the “4 combined navies and armjes of Eu- e | 'e aresto be wiped out, and there is no for it. Letup pay our prayers, and dle as comfortably and with as extra trouble as The government officials who have brought this trouble upon us have inourred a terrible responsibility, Who they are and how the thing came about the mighty Russell is kind enough to tel? us in bis parting epistie, and we therefore invite a@ention to thet doleful document. It seems that, after various appli- cations, General MeClellan told Russell that he might go with the army, if he would pay Cor fore, is not to blame, and we are glad to know it. Russell pfepared himself with severest pocket pistols, of different varieties, for friends and foes, and then embarked upon a govern- ment trausport, in company with Colonels Ne- ville and Fletcher, and Captain L’Amy, of that crack corps of England—which we may soon see here to our sorrow—the aristocratic Scots Fusilier Guard. Just as the party were drinking bon voyage in a bottle of champagne, General Van Vliet ordered Russell to vamose the transport. Russell produced an invitation from General McClellan for him to go with the army, General Van Vliet produced a much more pressing invitation from Secretary Stan- ton for him to stay away. Russell concluded to accept Stanton’s invitation, shouldered his trunk, kissed his hand to bis friends, went back to his hotel, and wrote a letter to Presidont Lin- coln, a letter to Secretary Stanton, a letter to General Marcy, and another letter to Pre- sident Lincoln. Seoretary Stanton did not reply. General Marcy was equally kind. President Lincoln answered by his Private Secretary that he was “disinclined to overrule a decision of the Secretary of War, founded on what appear to the Secretary eonsiderations of high public importance.” Russell prints all these letters; and, although we regard his-last epistle as the death warrant of the nation, wo cannot help smiling at the manner in which this penny-a-liner attempts to conneot his name with the names of our President, our Secretaries, our generals, S. A. R. the Comte de Paris and the officers of the Scots Fusilier Guard, as if to show the folks at home that he had been in good society for once, and add the endorsement of noble names to his plea that he is a martyr to the truth of history. But, to return to our muttons, it is Secretary Stanton, then, whom we have to thank for this contemptible fuss about a London reporter. To his incivility we are indébted for the threat of the London Times that henceforward Europe shall know nothing about our civil war. We owe to him the credit of provoking the sneer that Russell was sent away because he could not be punished, as could correspondents of American papers, if the reports were distasteful to the Secretary of War. Mr. Stanton has burned his fingers very often by meddling with the press, and we cannot congratulate him, his ad- visers and abetters, upon the result of his wrangle with Russell. The idea that he has ever controlled the American press is simply ridievlous. He has written a great many bun- combe orders; but his orders have amounted to nothing, and have been useful only as excuses for Inck of enterprise in small fry papers, which could not have obtained or published the news if Secretary Stanton had remained out of Washington all his life long. If Russell should have been sent out of the country it ought to have been done when Russell was doing real harm, not when his Hes were exposed, his character understood, his teeth drawn, and his misrepresentations lost sight of in the glorious blaze of Union victories. The American press is quite able to take care of iteelf and of any foreign interlopers, and the sooner our govern- ment relinquishes the bogus pretence of con- trolling it the better. This belittleing the nation by pompsusy arraying ii like Russell is perfectly absurd; and if Russell heads the forces of England and France, and comes over, like Bombastes Furioso, to anni- hilate us, we had better at once apologize and beg for quarter, without stopping to show fight in so ridiculous a cause. Tun Anti-Stavery Socmty AGai.—The Anti-Slavery Society took another pull at the bellows on Wednesday evening. We gave an abstract of the speeches yesterday. Mr. Theo- dore Tilton, one of the editors of the Independ- ent, and noticeable only for his evident attempts to get a little notoriety by wearing Henry Ward Beecher’s old clothes, and adopting Henry Ward Boecher’s cast off opinions, made a very silly speech, and distinguished himself by quoting a Latin sentence without under- standing its meaning. Wendell Phillips, who is good for any number of speeches daily, and does all the oratory of the society by the job, followed the twenty-fifth rate Beecher in a spicy lecture. Phillips attacked President Lin- coln, Secretary Seward, and Andy Johnson, of Tennessee, and wound up by aseaulting Par- son Brownlow. Phillips had better let Brown- low alone. The Parson is rough, ungainly, coarse, tough, vulgar, honest, Christian man, whose good, loyal heart redeems his bad language. Phillips is a clever, polished, refined, educated, gentlemanly fanatic, whose heart is as black as the negroes he professes to love, and whose treason is as abhorrent as his eloquence is attractive. Phillips may have the advantage of Brownlow in manner and elocu- tion; but if the comparison is extended to the hearts, the purposes and the lives of these two men, we think Wendell Piiliips will find it very odious. Tae Reiciovs AxstvensaRtes.—The religious anniversaries, with which-“this city has begn blessed for the past few days, are now nearly concluded. In « pecuniary point of view they have been very, and deservedly, unsuccessful. There is no greater Inunhbug on record than these annual assemblages of vagabondizing parsons and seedy philanthropists, who come here to pray money ou! of the pockets of simple people. So far from »ccomplishing any good, the moneys collected a! these anniversary meetings support only a si 0! idle, worthless ranters, who are too lazy to carn their own livelihood, except in this swindling manner, ‘Wear after year these gutherings have been held, and vice and immorality are just about as rampantand prevalent as ever. Ordinarily such 9 dismal failure to accomplish anything would be the ruin of any organization; but when le dabble with religion they seem to lose their commen sense; and so they have gone on, giving largely and receiving no re- turns, This year we are glad to notice that the war has cut off the supplies of the pious anni- versary beggars, and we hope that they will euffer accordingly. News from Hatteras Inlet. ‘The United States traaspert George Peabody arrived at New York yesterday from Hotteras Inlet, having left thet plage ob tbe Gin ines. Nothing of importance had transpired at Hatteras tinge last advices, The United States transport Eastern Queep, for New York, with sisk aad wounded soldiers, was to leave next dey. The transporte Albany and Cos enok, hence, had just arrived, Pamapecenta, May 8, 1862. ‘Well executed counterfeit $100 notes on the Allegheny bein, bed on the brokers to. Bank ori vary han been, etrested. It is understood that they are uiso circulating Ia New York and cut tue sountry. i a Leen reece ee ae ne a eee nee Ee ee ee THE CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEARS. Official Report of Commodore Porter. OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF CAPTAIN BAILEY. The Way Clear to Baton Rouge and Probably to Memphis. @he Union Loss Only Thirty- six Iilled. LOSS OF THE REBELS OVER A THOUSAND, &., &., &e. Captain Bailey's Oficial Report, Fontrxas Mownor, May 6, 1862. To Hon. Grozow Waites, Secretary of the Navy:— I bave the honor to announce that, under the provi- dence of God, which smiles upon a just cause, the equa- cron under Flag Officer Farragut has been ‘voychsafed a glorious victory aid triumph in the capture of the city of New Orleans, Forts Jackson, St. Philip, Livingston and Pike, the batteries below and above New Orleans, as wel as the total destruction of the enemy's gunboats, steam rams, floating batteries (ironclad), firerafe and ob- structions, booms and chains. ‘The enemy with thoir own hands deatroyed from eight to ten millions of cotton and shipping. Our loas is thirty-six killed and one hundred and twen- ty-three wounded. The onomy lost fron one thousand to one thousand five hundred, besides several bundred pri- soners. : ‘The way ts clear, and the rebel defences destroyed from the Gulf to Baton Kouge, and probubly to Memphis. Our flag ‘waves triumphantly over them all. Tam bearer of despatches. THEODORUS BAILEY, Captain of Gunboat Cayuga, and Second in Command of Attacking Force, Oficial Reports of Captain Porter. Unngp Staras Sraawee Harrier Lawx, Mrxrserrri Rrveg, April 25, 1862. Sim—I have the honor to inform you that Flag Oficer Farragut, with the fleet, passed Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the morning of tho 24th, and should be in New Orleans by this time, as he can meet with no obstacles such as he has aiready passed, the way being compara- tively open before him. We commenced the bombardment of Fort Jackson on the 18th, and continued it without intermission until the squadron: made preparations to move. The squadron was formed in three lines to yass the forte, Captain Balley’s division, composed of the following vessels, Jeading to the attack of Fort St. Philip:—Cayuga, Pon- sacola, Mississippi, Oneida, Verona, Catahdin, Kineo and Wissahickon; Flag Officer Farragut leading the following necond line, the Hartford, Brooklyn and Richmond; and Commander Beli leading tho Third division, composed of tho following veseels:—Sciots, Iroquois, Pinois, Winova, Ttaska and Kennebos. Thostenmers belonging to the mortar flotilla, one of them towing the Portsmouth, were to enfalade the water battery commanding tho approaches. The mortar steamers wero tho Harriet Lane, Westfield, Owasco, Clifton and Marine—the Jackson towing tho Portsmouth. ‘The vessels were rather late in getting under way and {nto line, and did not got fairly started until half-past three A. M.; and the unusual bustle, aud apprised tho Garrizom that gomethun was going on. “I one hour and ten minutes afr the vessolshad weighed auchor they had passed the forts, under a most terrjfe fre, which they returned with interest. The mortat, ficet rained down shells on Fort Jackson, to try and keep the men from the guns, while the steamers of tho mortar fleet poured in shrapnel upen the water bat- tery commanding the approach at @ short distance, keep, ing them comparatively quiet, ‘When the last vessel of ours could be seen among the fire and smoke to pass the battery, eignal was made to the mortars to cease Griug, and the flotilla steamers were directed to retire from a contest that would soon ‘Decome unequal. It was now daylight, and the fleot having passed along, the forts began to pay their attention to our little squadron of steamers—the Portsmouth, which was being towed up, and three of the gunboats, which failed to pass through. These latter became entangled in some wrecks and chains, placed in the river to obstruct it,and which were ouly partially removed. One of these vessels, ‘Winona, got through as far as Fort 3t. Philip, but having ail tho guns bearing on her she sensibly retired. "The Itaska was fairly riddled, and had a shot through her boiler, amd the Kennebeo escaped unhurt. Tam disposed to think that our squadron received but little damage, considering the unequal contest—one hun- dred and forty-two guns on board ship opposed to ong hundred on shore placed in a most eommanding position. For thirty minutes after the ships passed, the forts fired very feebly on the vessele that remained outside; gomuch so that the Portsmouth was enabled to drop with gsho current out of gunshot, though the shot fell pretty freely abeut hor at inst. Ithink theftre from the sbips aust have beon very destructive of life. The last we saw of our vassols they were standing up tho river. Some explosiong took piace, which made us feel rathor uneasy, but which may have been the rebel gunboats. We could see that our squadron had not destroyed all the enemy's vessels at the fort, for three or four of them were moving about in all direstions, evidently in a state of excitement. Bofore the fleet got out of sight it was reported to me that the celebrated ram ‘Manassas’? was coming out to attack us, and, sure enough, there she was, apparently steaming along shore, rexdy to pounce upon the apparent ly defenceless mortar vessels. Two of our steamers and some of the mortar ygseels e soon discovered that the Manassas could harm fo ho againé aid I ordered the vessels to save their shot. She wasybe- giuning to emit smoke from her ports, or holes, and was discovered to be on fire and sinking. Her pipes were all twisigd and riddled with shot, and her bull was also well cul up. She had evidently been used up by tho squadron as they passed along. 1 tried to save a curiosity, by getting a hawser around her and securing her to the bank, but just after doing #o she faintly ox- ploded. Her only gua went off, and omitting flames through ber bow port, like some huge animal, she gave a plunge and disappeared under the water, Next came a stoamer on fire, whi vessel of war belonging to thé rebeln, and ater ni others, #1! burning and flcating down the stream. Fires seemed to bo ragivg ell falong up tho river, and we euppored that our squadron were burning and destroying ‘lo vessels as they passed along. It appears, however, that the McRae and two river boats, and their celebrated floating battery, Drought down the night belore, were left uohurt, and wore till flying the Confederate flog, ‘The matter of the Heating battery becomen a very serious affair, ax they are all hard at work at Fort Jack. gon mounting heavy rifled guns on it, which areof no further uve to them in the fort, She mounts sixteen guns, is almost as formidable @ vessel as the Merrimac, perfectly shot proof,and has four power. ful onginos in her. I shall at all events take such steps as will prevent her from destroying anything, and we may still hold her in check with the steamers, though they are rather fragile for euch a service, This is one of the {ll-effects of leaving an enemy im the rear. 1 sup- pose that the ships fired on her aa they passed through, but that her mail resisted the shot. She had steam on thie morning, and was moving about quite lively, I tried to put some mortar shel! through ber roof, bat without effect, as she moyed off. ‘The forts are now cut off from al! communication with New Orleans, a8 I presume that Flag Officer Farragut bas cut the wires. LT have sent the Miami around with General Butler to the back of Fort St. Philip, to try and throw in troops ay the querantine, five m: along the forts, and at the dea two and supply him with ammenition. 1 sm also going to send part of the mortar fleet te the back of Fort Jaekson, to cut off the escape of the garrison by tag way and stop supplies, A deserter, who can be relie qo, informs us that they have pleaty of provisions fo, ~ two months, plenty of ammunition and plenty of discom. forts. fur shells set whe citadel on fire tho first afternoon we opened. It burned@flercely for soyen hours, but I thought ita fire raft behind the fort, aa they continually soud them down on us, biN wilbout any effect. But fow casualties occurred to vemsels on this side of the forte. ‘The Harriot Lane lost but ous man killed, and one, I fear, mortaliy wounded. ‘The Witena lost three killed and threo wounded, and the Ituska, with fourteou shot through hor, had but fow men hurt. These forts cas hold out stil! for sometime, and I would suggest that the Movitor and Mystic, if they can be spared, be sent here without & moment's delay to sottle the question, ‘The mortar fleet have been very much exposed and undor aheavy fire for six days, during which time they kept the shells going without intermis- pion. Ono of them, the Maria J. Carlton, was sunk by a shot passing through her magazine and then through her bottom. ‘The flotilla lost but one man killed and six wounded. Tho boaring of the officers and mon was worthy of the highest praise, They nover once flagged during a period of six days; never had an accident to one of the vessela by firing, and, whoa shell and shot were flying thick above them, showed not the leaat desire to have the vessels moved to a place of safety. The incidents of the bombardmont will be mentioned in my detailed report. I merely write thie hurried letter to apprise the department of the ,state of affairs, and shall send it of at oncef via Havana. The sight of this night attack was awfully grand, The river was lit up with rafts flied with pine- knots, and sheyships seemed to be fighting literally amides flames and smoke. Whore wo were tho fire of shé enomy was high and comparatively harmiloes. Tam in hopes that the ships above fared as well as we did, though amid such a terrific fire, It was gratifying te see that not a ship wavered, but stood steady on hor course, and I am in hopes, and I see no reason to doubt it, Ohat they now have possession of Now Orleans. Tam, with groat respoct, your obeddent sorvant, DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Flotilla, eal Unrrep States Sraawer Harner Lana, Mawmeur: Rives, April 25, 1883. To Hon, Gimzon Wetixs, Secretary of the Navy:— Captain Boggs has just arrived through acut throurk the swamps, and brings tho following additionat intel geuce:— ‘The Varona was sunk—about one hundred mon were killed and wounded. Ships all ready for another fight, No obstructions on the way to New Orleans. Elovem confederate vessels sur and burnt in passing the forts, Genera Butler is about to land men the back way, six miles above the forts. No officers killod or wounded. Soldiers captured miserably armed and without ammu- nition. NAVAL OPERATIONS ON THE COAST. Rebel Batteries Captured and Prizes Taken. Wasuivoroy, May 8, 1863. ‘The Navy Department has received despatches from Commodore Dupont to-day, dated Port Roysl, May 2, giving interesting particulars of an expedition on the 20th of April, with the Hale, to capture a battery on Grum. ball’s plantation, moar the Junction of Dawho-pow-pow and South Fiisto rivers. It appears thoene »y opened on the Halo when within eighteen hundred , ards, and com tinued their fire as she wound her way to engage ther at close quarters; but, when the Hale reached the last, 4, and was inaking astraightooursefor the battery, the revels flod in haste, Licutenant Gillis landed with a party o€ men to destroy it, The work was about 350 yards Cross the river bank, and mounted two long, fine twenty-four- pounders, on oxcollent field carriages. So rapid wasthe fight of the robels that one of the guns was left loaded and primed. The Hale returned to her anchorage without having « man injured. Another report details the proceedings at Bull’s Bay. Lieutenant Nickels crossed the bar with the Onward ea the 7th wlt.,and anchored within 800 yards of the light house on Bull’s Island, and opened fire on a small work Gituated about fifty yards to the southward of the light- house. Shortly after he landed in his boats, covered by the guns of the Onward, the rebols fired the party, but, not awaiting an attack, fled from tho island to the mainland. The Onward has now complete command of the channel, eo that no vessel can either enter or go out. On the 3d ult. Lieutenant Commanding Nicholson, of the Isaac Smith, then stationed at St. Augustine, having heard thataschooner had come over the Matanssa, bar,some eighteen miles to the southward, despatched threearmed boats, together with a detachment of twonty- five men from Col. Boil’s command, to capture her, which was dene, and the schooner brought up toSt. Augus- tine. The vessel was cailed the Empire City. Shehade register and cleared from Nassau, N. P., for 8t. Jcha, MN. B. Her cargo consisted of provisions, dry govds, modicines,&c. In consideration of tho fact that the citi- zens of St, Augustine were without the nocessaries of life, and with no means of getting them, Licutenant Nicholson sold the cargo) or a portion of it, at auction. ‘The gunboat Kerhama, on the ist ult., off Mobile, oap- tured the R. C. Files; while attempting to run the blook- ade. She was loaded with cotten, and has been sent te Key West. THE WAR IN THE SOUTHWEST. The Headquarters of Beauregard at Pe- eahontas. Z Cmcado, May % 1862. Aepgelal despatch from Cairo says?— A refugee front Jackson, Mississipp!, reports that the headquarters of Beauregard are st Pocahontas, and thas not far from 75,000 troops are concentrated around him. General Lovell’s army at the latest advices was at Tan- gipahs, on the New Orleang and Jackson Railroad, sixty- eight miles horth of New Orleans. - Omcaao, May 8,.1868. A despatch from Cairo says:— Is is reported from Pittsburg that three brigades from Genera} Buell’s army had seized that part of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad midway betwoen Corinth and Grand Junction, thus cutting off the rebel communica. tion hetween ghe two points. It is also reported that @ detachment of General Pope’s army had seized the road th. . south of Corin! (Cuno, day 8, 1968. ‘The hospital Doat Louisiana, from Pittsburg Landing, ved to-night. No engagement had taken place at Corinth up to YentggSey Rove ur forces wore gradually, advancing, and were & of three miles from enemy's adyance, The latter were acting strictly om the defensive, and for three days bad not sont out aay reconnoitering party. - ode o ‘The roads are still ip bad eondition, owing to late hee vy rains. . ‘The expedition from Hickman, @ent against Clay an@ King’s guerillas, have returned. They fell in with them in the vicinity of Obion on the river, and} a sharp skirmish, the rebels were routed. It apj tin the firet skirmish with Curtiss’ Nebraska Horse, six of our men were killed, twelve wounded and fifty captured. ‘The steamer De Soto, from Fort Wright, has arrived, but brings no news. A rebol spy has been captured while endeavoring to cross the Mississippi at nigh™* ¢ skiff, He had copies of the late Northern papers. - was placed in confinement. GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPER’ Immense Stocks of Cotton, Su: é Burned by the Rebels in . Mississippi Valley. Lovisvitas, Ky., May 8, 1862. ‘Twe thoroughly ‘reliable gentlemen,” Kentuckians, who have jast arrived from New Urieaas, report that alt along the Mississippi,from Memphis te New ¢ r -19, there is one general bonfire of property, particu, ~~ cotton, of which 1,100 bales were burned at New © At Memphis the sugar and-molasses, in large qu ties, 1s on the bluff ready to be Yolled into the river All the stock of cotton ie ready to be fired on the ay; ry of the Union fleet. ‘The people of the river towns are retreating inwaré ‘and destroying property along all thesouthern tributaries of the Mississippi, the planters in many cases applying ‘Abe torch to their own cotton. ‘The re! ernment hag alse boats runring up the river, ying the cottos. Among the great number only one pianter was found who objected to the burning of bis cotton. . News from Sam Franeiece and Chine. Sam Faawowco, May 7, 1662 Arrived ship Phantom, thirty-three days from Hong * Kong markets of Mareh 20 quote Gallego four at $16, Tens for the United Btates continued In demand at previous rates, Tonnage was im brisk demand, with fow ‘vailadle vease le in the harbor. 4