The New York Herald Newspaper, May 25, 1862, Page 1

. THE NEW YORK HERALD. SEE WHOLE NO. 9388. NEW YORK, SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1862. IMPORTANT FROG THE PENINSULA. Aidgance of the Union Army Beyond the Chickahominy. “A Rebel Camp Shelled Out mo ‘at New Bridge. “PRECIPITATE FLICHT OF THE ENEMY, Three Successful Skirmishea witd the Rebels. Ze Louisiana Tiger Adont “Finished” by the Foust The Great Battle to Take Place at the Enemy’s Works Before Richmona. The Union Forces in Splendid Con- dition for the Contest, &e., &o., &e. Despatches from General McClell Headquarters. M’CieLan’s Heange a: ‘Ten Mizs yrou Ricumonn, May 24, 1862. @ur troops crosred the Chickabominy yesterday both ‘at Bottom’s'and the railroad bridges, and now occupy a esition one and a half mites beyond. A few of the enemy’s pickets only were seen in front @f the advance under General Stoneman at New bridge. A strong guard of the enemy is still visible on the op- Pesite sideof thecreek. Their presence wil! not inter- fers with the crossing of our troops when the proper Sime comes. A large number of men have been detailed for the building of a number of bridges as differot points on the creck, ‘The baitoon ascension made to-day by Professor Lowe ®ve no assurance of the enemy being in any conside.a- Die force noar at hand. From the best information that can be ascertained the ememy have selected a position between three ard four wales on this side cf Richmond to meet tho federal ‘troops. Tue advance of the federal army now being within geven miles of Richmond, its further progress must @eorssarily be slow in order that the main body shall ‘eome up to be prepared to meet any emergency that may arise in approaching the capital of rebstdom, Very little iring was heard to day in the direction of ‘the position hold by our gunboats in the James river. ‘Tne morale and vigor of the Army of the Potomac is equal to that of any army in the world. For these cha- vacterirtics it is indebted in a great measure to its Pro. ‘vost Marshal, Brigadier General Andrew Porter. The eendition of the troops in passing through Virginia has probably made a favorable contrast to the rebel army f the minds of the people, as is also every course which ‘Bas been pursued b y the military authori:ies generally. W’Crg 14x’ Heapquamrsrs, May 24—P. M. ‘The only matter of interest which has oecurred to-day ‘was the shelling out of the rebels on the opposite side of ‘the river af New Bridge, which was done in » most @atis‘actory manner by the bat:ery of Major Robertson @ané Captain Tithal!, of the Second artillery. The euemy ‘Mande no response, but suddenly broke camp and left with ‘heir baggage trains. ‘The balloon made an excursion near one of the batter- tes, and from its elevated position a note was made of Qhe effect of the different shots, which was communicated 2 those in charge of the battery. General Marey and a portion of General McClellan's ‘Stall wore present, and witnessed the precipitate retreat @f the enemy. ‘There is nothing further worthy of note from the di- wection of Richmond to-day. Wasuincvon, May 24—Midnight, A despatch to the War Department from General McClellan states as foilows:— ‘Three skirmishes to-day. We drove the rebels from Meebanicsviile, seven miles from New Bridge. The Pourth Michigan about finished the Louisiana Tigers. Piety priscnersa.d Mity killed. Gur legs, ten killed and wounded, Our Army Corre: dence. Brutiwone Stone, Fhomrens Mines East ov Ricumoxn, May 23, 1862. Mhe Revonsoissances—The Engineer Corps—The Railroad in Running Order, with Good Roiling Stock, de, ‘Tho results of several recent reconnoinsances have shown the rocewity of extreme prudence in making all future movements towards Richmond. Gen. McClellan fe doing ail ho can with the forces at his disposal, and ‘wo will have Richmond; but we will bave to fight for it, ‘The army has now advanced to Bottom’s Bridge, twelve miles from Richmond, Gen. Woodbury’s En- gincer corps was engaged yesterday in rebuilding that Bt ucture. The turnpike road to Richmoud crosses the Ghickalominy here, The stream is fordable, however. Gew. McClellan bmseif, and cme of the oficers of his Gta, iscluding iho Prince, rode across it on horseback Yesterday. ‘The rajiroad from Whito Touse to the Chickahominy foncw in successful operation. We bave upon it loao- motives and cars, all of whieh were brought in steam- uate from Baltiwore to White House. A new track has Deen laid from the landing to a convenieut point an the @id track. More roiling stock will continue to arrive daily. Liewtenant Colonel Thomas Engan, of the Mozart (New Yo:k) regiment, who was arrested at Fortress Monroe about two w.eks ayo, and was confined at the Rip Rape, has b. on released aud restored te his c.mnand, by order @f Geveral SicCiellam. He was wrrested on a vague @barge of treason; but it now appears that the arrest was eaused by private malice, ané a court martial is now to session here om his accuser, Gereral Fitz Jobn Porter expressed from the first his conviction of Colone! Kagan's gmnocence; and General McSiellan,on inquiring into the aaiinir, at once detected the animus of the affair, and di- Bected the immediate, unconditional and honorable re. of Coleone) Fagan, and bis restoration to his com i, Ag the Heaaio published the fact of the arrest and imprisonment, it is but just that this act of vin* @eation should also appear in its evlum.s. T have con- ‘versed with a great Dumber of officers in regard to the ease, aud they ail coueur im speaking of Tieutenant Colo” Bel Fagan as a Drave and efficient officer. After two days of intense heat, a ruin storm, accompa. fled with hail, set in yesterday aftermasn, which wi! @ousiderably in pede the movements of the army. ACCOUNTS FROM REBEL SOURCES, The Legisiature Determined to Defend the Capital. [From the Richmond Dispatoh, May 16.) KESOLICIONS PASSED ON THM L4TH INST. by (he Generals wbly of Virginia, That ssoinbly boreby express its desire that the enpiial (the suate be defouded to che lass extromity, if aucks dete by accordince with the views of the ire: ALO etal e, fdeut De sessed thas way lestruct ion and loss of proper ty taser individuals shall thereby r-guit, will ho submnit od bo. That a committee of two on the part of ui three on ihe partof the House, be ap. vnleabe the adoption of the forescing re- tho President, WIL. F. GORDON. Jn, 0. H.), and &. of R. and that the Py the Senate Pinel we Bu.lbhon tb ‘A copy from the robs. Joux 7. Cowas, Dowty. On the 16th the jrint committee pooviousty appointed fo cornmunioate with the rebel President regarding the dufence of the city, made the following reyor! == The Joint eommitiyee appointed by the two hous eovmunicaic to the Wresi.ext o; the Conf. erate St. the Joint resolutions of the Genoral Assorbiy in relation to Vie defence of the ily, have diaularged the duty con- ecbully report. that their hater- was in the hi factory, and js fraukuess to the oommittee, were wali calculated to in- Spire them with confidence’ and to reassure (he public mind. After,roading the resolutions he desired us to Fay to the General Assembly that he had received the com- munication of those resolutions with feelings of lively gratification, and instructed us to assure the hovres that it would be the effort of his life to defend the soil of Vir- ginia and to cover hor capital. He further stated that he had never entertained the thought of withdrawing the army from Virginia and abandoning the Stat; that if, in the course of events. the capital should fall—the necessity f which he did not gee or aniicipate—that would be no ‘san for withdrawing the army from Virgi ix. The war could still be successfully maintained on Virginia a bet twenty years. Ail of which is respectfully sub- mitior JOHN ROBINSON, Chairman Senate Committee. WOOD BOULDIN, Chvirman House Committee, Whereupon Governor Letcher issued the following pro- clamation, declaring that ‘the capital munt not be sur- rendered:”"— By ‘Taw Governor or Virarsia.—A Proct.aMarion.—The General Assembiy of this Commonwealth having resolved that “the capital of the State shall be ds ded to the last extremity, if such defence is in accordance with the views of the President of the Confederate States, and havirg declared that whatever destruction and loss of property of tho State or iidividuals shall thereby resulc will be cheerfully submitted to,’? and this action being warmly approved and secon‘ed by the Executive, there fore,Ido hereby request all oflicers who are out of ser- vice, from any cause, and all otbers who may be willing to unite in defending the capital of this State, to assem- bie this evening at the City Hall, at five o’ciock, and pro- ceed forthwith to organize a force to co-operate with the ‘Tredegar battalion, aud any other force which may be detatied for the purpose ind'cated. The organization upon being reported to the Executive, will be recogniz and properly officered as prescribed by law, and be sub- ject to the orders of the Governor for local \tefence, un- der ions to be hereafter prescribed. Promp! and efficient action is absolutely necessary. We have # gal lant army in the field, upon whom we ful'y and confi- dently rely; but no effort should be spared which can contribute to the noble object. The capital of Virginia must not be surrendered. Virginians must rally to the resene, Given under my hand and under the sealof the Com- monwealth, at Richmond, this 15th day of May, 1562, and in the eighty-sixth year of the Commonweslih. JOHN LETCHER, Public consultation having been recommended, th, people met en masse on the evening of the 16th. We copy the following account of WHAT WAS DONE AT THE CITIZENS’ MEETING. Mr. Joseph Mayo, the Mayor of the city, stited that the ity Council had adopted resolutions requesting the Governor to place the Tredegar batialion at his digposat for the defence rf the city. He endo sed in the most enthusiastic manner the prapoved action of the meeting, aud said that if the city of Riehm was ever surren- dered to our enemies it should not he by adescondant of jts founder. He wou)! sooner die thay surrender our city, anil if they wished a Mayor who would surrender the city they must elect snother in his place. Governor Loteher was then called on, and heartily ap- objects of the meeting. He suid that the city be surrendered by the President, by the by himseif. wid committee was appointed by the chair- ‘olonel St. George Rogers, of Florida: Lieutenant Colo- nel Willian Mumford, Colonel R. iM. Nimmo, Peyton Johnston, William G. Paine, Lieutenant C. 0. Lamotte, of South Carr iina, ‘The committeo was requested to meet ot the City Hall At nine o'clock to-morrow (Saturday) morving, for the purpose of receiving the names of al persons who are dispored to unite under the organization recommended by th: proclamation of the Governor. The mocting thea adjourned. Comments of the City Press on the Neces- sity of Defence. From the Kichmond Lispaich, May 16.] We are proud of the spicit of our gove:mmenis, Con’e- erate and Riate, relative to this question of holding and defending this State to the last. ‘Tbe army will not aban. dou the sacred soil of Virginia, That has been made the battle ground, and on that must the enemy establish his superiority ‘n'a tuir fight before it will be abandoved to him. The evacuation of the seacoast prsitions and cities eanecessity, There was nm oiding it, in conse- quence of the immense advantage enjoyed by the enemy in bis possession of gbe entire navy of the United Staes, and the material mechanical skill for the rapid cop- struction of iron clad gu::boats, while we had neither a avy nor the inaieria! and the mech \nical furce to enable us to compete with him in any sevse. It is true we had the Vi-ginia; but, besides her, nothing. Her destraction, and the questions it involves, suggest matters of debate which afford neither satefaction nor benefit now to dis- cuss. Our inability to meet the enemy an the water, as ‘@ goneral question, wos clear and indisputable, und the withdrawal from the sea unavoidable. Second to Virginia is the defence of this city, for mani- fold reasons, and it is in keeping with the geueral pur- pose of both govarnmen:s that they should resvtve to the uttermost tv defend Richmond. Ali the means in the power of the State aud the confederacy are pledged to this, and we may be assured that the euemy will not be allowed to gratify the prominent desire of his heart. to hector and domineer over the inhabitants of this far- famed and beautiful vown, until every means is ex- bavsted, The President nobly takes the stand that, thourh Rich- mond should fail, there are plenty of batte fields yet in Virginia to fight for theca. se for twenty years. The sentiment is as truthful ae pat futic. The Confede- rate government assures us that the Old Dominion is not to be given uv. God forbid that itshould. it would be giving up much more than Virginia. The cause would be, indeed, itself well nigh surrentered in that e The government is not only just, but wise, in ite determination to stand by Virginin to the * * * * To lore Richmond is to lose Virginia, and to lose Virginia is te lose the key to the Southurn o n- federacy. Virginiana, Marylanders, ye who lv u rallied 7 defence, would it not bo better to fai! in herst eos than to barely abandon them, and viow from the sur rounding hills the humiliation of the cap,tal o the So th- To die mm her streets woud be bliss to be tp cnse- ern confederacy? wnd to fal where tyrants stro.e woul the spot anew and wash it of every F * #'* ‘The iors of Richmond id like the Joss of disustor by A rehance on 4 potter that Richmond stiould fall as the ¢ of the confede- f che hireling devended, and ewpital oF tbe con. saved from polution of th eracy rewis wiih the pe, Ie, airul with it Virginia, itberhed bers, Bk LUp More ACCH gratefully. Wile friends are pot hour, 0 bi devet Lifi noth apie the goveriment set-—let the pe yet. If fate comes to iis worst, lok the ruins of Ei bo its most lasting monument Food for Fort Darling. {From the Richmond T way 16.] itizens of Ric pare couked provisicns to be sent tothe meu at the y have no tit vod for thomselves. presume the Mayor eM thon as to the manner in which suck supplies can be sent to them, Rebel Account of the je Gunboat Fight at Fore Huger. {From ihe hichn Dispateh, May 10.) Fort (von, Hanoy's Burer, May 8, 1862. Three of the enemy's gunbouts—two of them iron. clad, came upateithtoclick this morulng to Fort Boy- kin (commanced by Captain jobn 0. Shivers) and opened Hire, discharging about th: ev hundred rounds of shell and rifle shot. fort, which had only five mounted guns, returned fire until ten o'clock, when ourdurs were given to spike the guns and burn the quarters. A fine company of lig! Smithield, Iss 10 participate in fight; but learning that the avove orders had been given they returned. tbree gunboaus moved up the } river eight miles to the gfort on Hardy's ti ff, and at eleven o'clock the gums at this fort oj fire, which was returned by the boats continually antil two o'clock, After tiring over two hundred rounds of shell and rifle, they passed up the river out of range of the guns at the fort, we having fired the first and Inet gun. Our flag waved gloriously throughout the engagement. Not a man fort, and only three were wor during the was as cool 4 2 veo hours and a half, and collected as if only performing the daily prectising the ‘of his guns on the fort; alo, Captain J. H. Atkin, of Varina artillery, and Captain Branch. of Wuito’s art ry, and their Tesyective officers—all their names not jearn; vor can too much praise be given to the men in each company , obeying every order from their officers iy and cheertully, as if they bad faced a hundred joa insted of this thelr first battle. Tt would pleased their friends to they fought, After the mea to be drawn up in there was a oran thet did not wish to remain in the fort and fight with him, to step outof the ru: would allow bia to leave the fort and get out of the range of the guns, Not a man moved, not an eye quiver- ed: bat with one universal ery of “Ne! no! ne! we will fight!’ Can such men be conquered? Oficial Rebel Rep f the Iron-Clad Reconna' mee. (From the Ri tnuond Dispatch, May 16, Dnevy’s Buvrr, May 15— 11 A, M, Sin—We have engaged the enemy's five guuboate for two and abalf hours, We fived the Galena (iron-clai). She has withdrawn, ging down the river, advcmyaw by the thee wooden vessels. Our lose in killed and wounded sinall. Respeccfaily, your obediont #e aut, b, ARRAN! Hon, 8. BR. Maccony, Secretary of the Navy PRICE THREE CENTS. Comment on the Resuit. From he Ri ismond Dispatch, siay 16 late in commencing our preparations for the defence of the appro ch to tl ‘ity by the James river, and though the enemy infernal gunboats? ca ght our obstructions at D ury’s Bluff hardly in eadiness, we uve the satisfaction at least of having repelied b's first assault. H» went away yesterday, we have reason to hope, smart! datnaped, after two hours and a half of fea ful canncnading of our betterig. His with. drawal gives time for {further preparation for bis next essay, which will ce:tainly be made, O'r joss is sight; but m than in some instances ‘@ important positions have been surrendered. Wo trast that this beginning is an earnest of the determina: tion to keep the gupbouts back They have been felt by 8, and some idea may be formed of cameity and power for. evil. The man our guns are somewhat more re real men who lable than the militia who have been entristed with guns at tomo points where it was most im- portant we should make good our defence, Seanen are tho best of gunn-rs, aud it hee been a great mistake to leave them nothing to do, while the caononiering in many cases bas been left to mou who wore not at all to compare with them. Tho,pudlic spirit hero is the best imaginable, ihe people ato realy to make any sieriflce to defend the place, and are evtirely averse to surren- dering it at all to the gunboats. They wili cheerfully submit it to destructi n first, according to the dis,osi- tion of both the governments. Subscriptions for the Rebel Woanded and Families of the Killed. {From the Richmond | spa cb, May 16.) We have been requested to state thats subscription Met has been i the office of the Virginia Life Invu- rance Company for the benefit of such ollicera, soldiers, sailors or maries, or their families,as have been or may hereaiter be killed or wounded in defenceof the vb- ructions in James wiver. Tis is a justand proper movement, and we are gratified to witness its inargurae tion, The gallant mn who are cxpesing themseives in the batteries along our river shore are contending ior — principle dearer and of more inestimable value than More pecuniary co.gidevation; but the very fact that their services are apprecia' ed, aid that @ generous cow- munity is determined to reward their faithfulness and devotion to principle, wiil cheer their hearts und uerve their arma in the darkest hour of trial and coniiict, We will not int mate a doubt that the citizens f Ribcmon alive to the importance of wMl readily aud gladly cou commendub; bject. Richmond Photogruphed by a editor. {From the Kicinond Dispatch.) We are infested with hosts of thieves, b ack! pros- titutes and others, wuo daily offend tho nostrils with theirsbnoxious and polluting presence. Gambling dens abound in every divection, We appyal to the sense and Justice of tho city government, cil and military—iet not our youth be longer ruined by these harpics; and partrealarly let not our wives and daughters be insulted by the snabashed imp: det.ce of these fedows, cpowding oir streets and gapping the life of our liberty ald morais. Rebel Speculations Upen the Capture of Richmond, [From the (ichm ud | igpa'eh.) ‘Tho Yankecs, it appears, are Fo eostuin of Koon being i woud that they ure already making Wart ihe eld Live of boats om Wa-h ng: ton to ‘these boats, having portormed tueir mission in bombarci'g amt burving the deencwiess homesteads upon the ba kw of the Fotomwe, aud ti Kid- the negioes, aro now to be trausfo. aied inte wes Of peacc, and in © tiny, by commecciad intercourse, Une gioiious Lisio, mu, dare) i seem Wo take whip) ed us into and be realy to 1 as they mission, Wo shall forget thd past, up and be as gud tre ever. ASU ce ito vu CouuLEY they wilh j date us once more With their wues aid notions, books and lissivcanes, $10 inch Low employed wn ting throats will bo competing with each other tor our custom, each one accusing tie oti os Oo: haying Deewin the war, and swearinn that he himsed was aiways op posed ty it; tho ships, wkich are ravagiog our Cont, Wad come to our harbors laden with the products ov Yan '« industry, and go back Wish the toeiming riches ® our Such, at least, a thew expe that knowiedge of butnan nature which is derived ex- ciusivery from the siudy 0. thetr own cunracter, Wo do net prevena to coubs that there are pouty in the South who would full these expectations; but we ave Bure that sew of dhe are of ustive growtu, There may bo men from Now England, and from ocher couatiiws, who would hail with rapture the over. brow of the suuur ern ca, itl, Put toey are a mivority even of their own counirymon resivent in the South, ‘the great mass of them are loyel; and us to the Bative born disloyasts they are tov few in num- ber to deserve mention. “Toryism is vet in tue Bouth what it Revolution. ‘then the to: ivr were ;owerful in pumbers, and o ten respectabie in chu racter aud position. Nor did they couceal heir toxy: for they were too strong Wo have reaou for conceannent. They proclaimed their sentimeuts bully, amd not owy ‘shat, but fought us ip the drow! lignt of day. Lhere ace few ‘tores in Virginia. Whatever may have bwen tho divirions of semtiment at the beginning of the war, the Ya.kee conduct of it has maue us one people. thing ay union with them is be eafver an impossibuity. If they conquer us they mutt hold us by the stroug arin; for ail respect, all cuuicence, ali jove has deparied forever. ‘they may Jorce their hateful presence on people, they may ; erfume our sir witit & of codtish, ana make it musical with to tions, but the y caunot recreate the Unien. ‘They might ‘4B woul attempt io galvanize adead bouy into lite, a mike it perio. m ali tae functions of beastly humanity. it will only Le wheu the South is dead physically ind moray, Wat they can become mast rs of our country. Their emply vayoring and giscouading pass by as the idle wind. “Choy may take our cities, bur our immu, se territory remain, abd not an ineb of itwiil be wes bit the ground (hey siaud op. ihey may plaat their feet fray, But it will be as @ versed plants its Keel wu the waves, only to conquer that por tie, touches, and always to beat is mercy Sts anger. Even their bowstfut menaces cf che oa o. Richmond are po bettor founded than their menaces uttered Unis time @ year ago. ‘They we.e just as osul- tant and confiueat+f the tuture Toeir graud army brought teezraph wires with than, ww be extended a8 they advace d, Lanueulls to be priced vpon oor tinbs au DA Lers Upon oO Vanged @ Lrogiamiie tor & u) to cowbrate the vier). Lhey had even reuier ao waehor se in Washington Wired lo deparis the b es who Were to bo takeu wb stiy owltO OF daw Heeks, Qa whey Bad are weeny ball talks chy aye tor App @alyeniay 10.) yders ut dichuond, a Yoly be 10 Frou rewchINg to proveut t 1 go ob uw nation. Joe. Johnston to Drive Back McClellan. Vous the setersvarg eXproes, lity We learn froin & gentenien who tert UL at ten o'clock Ay 1orehwun, (Mat & I votuson s vaw giwrd was omy one Us site of New Kent Court 8 Quvanced foreus Word wb he S81 Tsgemed wo preva lit Le Tt House is twenty -a, be mite: ¢ MoCelian deieate, at Unt woud be com kuwn, b ured or Cut W \ 186 that Ceueral Johasion bat le, (envral Mee 2, bet the burp was revising. New ncuit Richmond, aaa Ww tho yreater parti pe ww retreat hi reaching wiici tb Ti was ‘houg! § not iimprobab would (ender tho yous, » NEWS FROM Fraxnuw, Va., May 24, 1862, The following circular was issued from headquarters ing congratulates the army on @ new victory in this department, won by the akill and bravery of our soldiers ayainst the superior numbers of division, commanded by Col, Creok, was attacked yesterday morning at Lew. insburg by Gen. Heath, with three thousand men, and after @ lively engagement ihe enemy wore routed, and fled in confusion. Col, Crook captured four caanen, two hundred stand of arms and one hundred prisoners. Oty Joss was ten killed and forty wounded. ‘The results of this victory will be important, ‘The Goneral Commanding is confident that the ferces now under bis immediate command but lack the opper- tunity to emulate the gallantry aud share the glory of their comrades of the army of the Kanawha, ‘This circular will be read at the hoad of every regiment or separate corps im this army. By order of Major Geueral FREMONT. Azsant Tracy, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General, THE SIEGE OF FORT WRIGHT. Wastimaton, May 24, 1862. ‘The following was reestved to-night at the War De, partment. Camo, May 24, 1862. The steamer Alps, arrived from the flotilla, reports all quiet. The rebel fleet, which has been absent for seve, ral days, has again made its appearance at Fuiton, two miles below Fort Pillow. Nothing official from the ficet. Camo, May 24, 1962. ‘The gunboat reconneisance raade yesterday discovered the rebel eet at Fulton, about two miles below. There iw wy Surthor dowbé bus thas be rebels stil) bold it, DEFEAT OF THE REBELS AT Lewiseu2e, | NEWS FROM NORFOLK. Cc » Muskets and One Handred Pris- oners Captured, Gxcrnant, May'24, 1802. Colonel Heth, with 3,000 men, attacked or forces under Colonel Crook yesterday morning, and afiar a severe fight the enomy were driven back and oonpletcly routed. Crook’s force numbered 1,309, Our loss is ten kled, forty wounded aud eight missing. ‘The loss of the enemy is much greater, ‘Thero were captured four cannon, two of them -rifled; also two hundred stand of arms ind about ono hundred prisouers, iacluding one Leutenant colouel, one major and several ¢aptains and Heutevants, NEWS FROM GENERAL BANKS? CORPS. Union Troeps Deiven from Front Royal by the Rebels. Smmasnves, Va., May 24, 1962, Hon. E. M. Staxtow, Seoretary of Wi Colonel Kenly’s command of infantry and cavalry tng been driven from Front Royal, with consi lerable loss in killed, wounded and prisovers, Tho eu my’s foreo imestimated at from five to six thousand men, and is reported as falling back on Fromt Royal, He probabiy occupies the place this mo ning. XN. P. BANKS, Major Goneral. ’ Wasmcron, May 26,1852. Kenly, in command of the force at Front Royal, was Qot ki.ied, but only wounded and tken prisocer. No ‘bce of the engagement at Front Royal yester- day Baye been received. ‘The enemy are in possession of Front Royal. Genoral Geary cec:pies 2 strong position om the Manassas Rail. roud, at White Plains. He has been reiatorced. Genera! Boul ‘ulso been stro: gly reinforced. Dispatohes were received at the War Denertment a ten @'@lo@k to-night, from General Banks ut Winch ster. He moved from Strassburg to Winchester fur the Purpose ef securing his stores and trains from the eno- my, 8d to prevent his comm:nteation from being inter- rupwd, His advance guard entered Winchester at tivo o’cleek, with ali his trains and stores in sa ety. AGtrong attack was meade upon the trains at Middle. town by tbe rebel infantry, cavalry ana artillery, but it was repulsed, and a few wayous abandoued by toamsters were secured. General Banks will return Immediately to Strasbarg. A gentioman acquainted with the localities and posi- tions of General Banks? army does not regard tho re, ort. of to-day as indicating any danger to the main body of the troops of that command, Kenly’s Fi-st Maryland vegiment, with @ squad of cavairy ard a portion of a bawery, wore stationed at Frout Reyal as an ontpost (8 guard a mily and @ half from tho mun sem of the Manassas Raitrad, while other troops gearded the track. Tho bridge supposed to be endan, gered was three miles from Front Royal Junction, and strongly ed. It is consivered aimo t im ossibio for the enemy to reued the bridge bef ve reinforvs.nonts frem Keet.rtown or Straseb rg would have arrived there, Atal eyonts the attack could nut @uve joo arded Goneral Banks’ army. Barixaonn, May 24, 18: sorted deth cf Colonel Uenty produces incense feeling here, where he was widely kuown and big teoimed, add where his regiment (the First Mas Pond) His ds have been throngiig ver offices all the aceri.con, ng the gr atest anxiety to tearn the particulars of of the fate of the gailant Colonel and bis men, ie ‘ami- Nes of the soldiers are patnsully alarmed by the numerou Fumors flying abo yes WEWS FROM RAFPAHANNOCK RIVER. Our Naval Correspondence. UND ED SrATER STEAMER SeEUP.NG STONES, me oy Ra: patasmuck, Va., May 22, 1452 . The Movements of the Stepping Stone—A Storm om the Rappahannock, de. We loft the Patuxeut river at eleven o’cleck yesterday morning, and, rounding Point Lookout, ran up tie Pow- mac. Ata quarter past six o’clock we met the Yankee @ littl: above the entrance to Wicom.co river, coming down from Weshingt pn. Captain Frank wenton board, when Cummodere Wyman ordered Lim to foilow the Y.nkee down tie river. At ten o'elock we stopped off Pivey Point, aud van alengside the Yankeo, when we re- evived a quantity of coal from ber, of which we wore in ueod, and received orders to proceed to Fortress 6 10 Commodore Goldsborough. We jwued down the river, taking on board Acting Master's Mate George M. Lawrence,as ex ec. tive «feer, and an engineer ior the Freeborn, which 1 up the Rappaha nock, The accoonts of the stepping stones baye@ beon transferred from the Wyandank to te A Fomt Comfort, and we my nuw be ched from the Potomac flotitia. , we reached (his place and reported nt Commanding Badger, of the Anacostia, when he ordered us to proceed up she river, wiih the en- gio er for the Freeburn, and lettere, Sc., with istic tions to pat them up beard the first steamer we fe) in with, and then rovurn on our way to Obl Pomt. On near- jag Fert Lowry we fell in with the Resolate, ou board of wh ch we mace tho transfer, and thea ran back bore to take a full supply of coa! from a brig and schocwor, At ten ininutes to four o’eteek P.M, whi.e thas en gaged, tle everest hail storm 1 have ever witnessed Durst over the veevel. The day had been hot, »with a cour :ky and atmo-phere, and very little wind bowing. Quickly the heavens ap the river were © road with heavy elow!s, the biackness of winksh t od in Satonsity over where wo are lying, while down tae Chesspoake was quite clear, The wind, too, suddenly #hifted to the nor:h, and gradvally ine enged in toree. ‘The lightuirg began to Hlagh, but the interval betwee the gla © and the thun. der ind.cated (hat the elect. i¢ current was ata sate dig tacee, A moont sound was now heart from ite direc tion of the wind, and tho river, which had boeu tolerab y calm, was egitated by catsyaws, which ine awed ve wavelets, driving bowa the vessel by the direction of the wind, while a thick biack cloud, exienting from the water skywards, like a solid wall, advayced with ther, he noise creased and drops or rain ewan to fall. at jongtin the g vached (8, seeomponcd with @ tolerable jeu of ram, and the Roth which lay afew yards to jwoward of the se 6 site of which wo wore mwored, has to Weide collision. Haiinow be- gan to fal!, in small stones at Grat, but they quiekiy in. creased in size, (ho precaution was tiken Co close ‘ail doors ad windows, particularly thoveto windward. As the Stopping Stoves has i. po wise been alt. red from Ler form ofaterry bost, sho a fitted up with agreat pumber of sufh winions. Th @ minute, sluost every glass of there w Windwa dwassinished. The loud ratte of the halon the hurricane deck was terrific, and re- cessant discharge O biusketry, @hile the ‘en glase added to the noise of the elemental 1 took my station by an open window to leeward, where I could witness the storm, withowt danger from tue falling hailetones, many of which were of the size of @ hen’s egg. The deck of the schooner, upon which I lwoke:, was soon covered with them. They fell with #0 much forco that most of them were smashed into small pieces. Ali Bands on board the several veesels were fortunate enough to get under cover in time, or serious wounds might have been inilicte aud tt i8 Not improbable that life that were falling from clouds, All the while the lightning flashed vividly, but there was very little thunder, The swrm did at last meny mit r to spread over a great area. 4 to & comparatively ” ,and its retreat towards the eastern shore was Caton by the rear of the dark, opaque and perpoudi Jar cloud that heralded ite approach, After the storm, the men cn board gathcrod together &@ large quantity of the haiistones from the earth, for the purpese of cooling their drinking water. As an illustration of the momentum with which the stones fell and were driven by th eof the wind, I of glass in front of the frame Trough ty ay i per oratod by’ large bulla: aud te through it, as if per oral a les, aud chucked in'all directions.” J ag Tho injury on shore to cherry, apple, peach and other trees, vow in blossom or covered with young fruit, most have beon great in lcouiities visited by the hail storm. ‘There is reason to believe, too, that cattle and sm*li si have been destroyed. lm ply, however, the de- ‘vasta.ion cannot have been very widespread. Forrnnss Monnox, May 28, 1868. So ene, Stones has just at here, and will re. re to Commodore Goldsborough immediately. ‘the ‘ankee is to come down hore to-day, 1 bole, bringing the President aud other: olabilities. It rained hore y, terday, bu. the hail sierm, a) | @utielpated, did pos rr 0 fay wow, ¥ ‘Authorities Still Refuse te Take the Oath of Allegiance. The PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL WOOL, The City Placed Under Sirict Mar- tial Law. Enthusiastic Union Meascng at Portsmouth. Two Thousand Deserters from tie Rebel Army Coming In. REPORTED OCCUPATION OF WELDON, N. C., Rey Rory &ee Barrmwonn, May 24, 1862. ‘There is brit little change in the condition of affairs at Norfolk, The Mayor and members of the City Council still refuse to take the oath of alieziance. General Woo! had an inte-view with them yesterday; but they ccn- tinned in the suiks, s0 that he now refuses all intercourse with the people of Norfulk and Portsmouth. Even the little Bush.ess they have beon doing tn the way of straw- Derries and pes is Bow stopped. Goneral Wool sent up@ prociamation to Norfolk this Morning notifying the people that the matter was entirely in their own hans. So soon as they shal! acknowledge the supremacy of the government they will enjoy its fonterivg aid; batwhile they remain in their present rebsitio is mood they will be cut off from all advantacer of trade and commerce, and the city wi! be governed by strict marial liv. ile also assures them that no contingsucy can possibly arisy wherehy Nor‘o'k will agiin be giver i to the control of the rebel government, and tha: those who entertain Union s-ntiments caa give ox) ecsion to them with am- ple assurance of protection of all thelr rights as citizeas of the United Staces. Most of tho stores are now onen, and tho sale of such gods as they have is prograssing. Ag ‘ar ag can be asvartaina:!, no one is now willing to recoive Confederate notes at par. Business is mostly done fo small notes of tha Virginia ban'cs and other char- ovations, Goveruieit notes are received with at avidity. The Union men of Nortutk still hold back, afriid to express gontiments openly, in deflince of the rebellious spiritaro nd thi Quite an enthusiastic Union meoting was held at Ports- month on Thursday night, Not less than eigiit hundred were present, including many Union mon from Norfotk. Thoeourseof the govermwont in refusing to allow pro- visio: # to come vaero for loyal people was severely oriti cived and jhe propristy of sich «course by no mean, approved. ‘The vearcity of pr wisions aad necoweacies of fife is so great aad pices are so high that the poorer glasees have to live alnost entirely on fivh and oysters, The secessionists are nearly all wea'thy people, who can stand high. prices, and hve laid in their stocks long siuee. There is no donnt that the decision of General Woo! is exding to great mffering among the poorer classes. ‘They have sifured beyond endurance for a yoar past, aud when the old flag was again hoisted tbey hailed it with @ ght, an@ maturilly expected spocdy relief from their priv&tions, It ig estimated there are now in Norfolk and Ports- month not less (han one thonsand deseriers from the force with which General Huser left Norjelk. Those who have come in, and are still arriving, in squads of tens and twenties, did not succeed in escaping until after they reached Petersburg. They are in a most deplorable con- dition. A party who came in today ssy there must be nearly one thonsund more scattered through the woods behind them, All willingly take the oath of allegiance, and appear most happy to have escaped {rom the rebel army. The Minnesota will proceed te Norfolk to-morrow morning, when the wh: le fleet will bave abandoned Old Print and taken up @ position at the o/d naval stacic The walls of the Navy Yard buildings are ia a solid condition , ard can soon bs put in order again, The ma <D‘nery was taken out of the buildings before they were ted,and packed u) with the intention of being re m ved; the rapid action of General Wool preveuted the remo’ Numerous wrecks sunk in the ha: bor and river by the rebe sare all to be removed foriiwiih, including the wrecked Merrimac. A large Dumber of fuses and shells were obtained from tha latwr yesterday, It was reported at Norfolk yesterday that General Burnside bas takeu Weldon. Our Norfolk Correspondcnee. None sis. May 22, 1862 How the Presvlent's Piocdauaiimn Wty A Visit to Pig Puin'—opinions of an te. wat published In Northe-n papers, that beer mace to Resassinato Union troupe aa this viciulty, | have the av thority of the Military Gover. nor for saying, Has no foundation im fact, On suaday af- tornoon @ report reachod General Viele’s head juarlere that the horse of Colonel Brown, Tweuty-eights indiana regiment, bad made his appearance in camp without his and wounded, and that the iafereuce was that the Colovel had beea fired upon by some person, Another report reached the same point almost simultaneously chat Alicwtenavt of tLe first battalion New York mounted rifles had aiso been shot avand a button taken off us coat inmetiate fuvertigation found Colonel Browa in his qnacters, perfectly unconscivus that he bad been in any jereonal danger, even from rumor; aud the siory in re gard to the lieutenant was proved to be ag old as the trip of te mounted rifles to Suflolk, the matter referred to hay ing occurred ia the march to that place and in the vi- cinity of that town, and that shot was probably acciden- tal, Tho secessionists im thiv city are circulating al) sorts of rumors daily, and those to which public atten- tiom has been cailed are beyond a doubt some ef their vil- Janous concoctions, Thus far taere has been nothing bat @ respectful deference paid to the oificers and mon of the Union army stationed here by the male portion of the whabitants, who, if they are a little sulky, have exhibited good discretion in all their acts. V women, many of whose husbands and lovers are ja the rebel army, occasionally show a little harmies® female apite; but they have beon treated with sueh marked judifference that their exhibitions of coutempt have resulted in complete failures, Upon the whole there is not a more orderly, better-regulated city in the United States to-day than Norfolk—thanks to the wis- dom and judicious management of those who have had the conduct of affuire; amd the last thing to be appre. hended is any serious overt act on the part of the in. habitants, At the rate at which the, oath of allegiance is administered, Norfolk will ve # staunch Union city be- fore the week is out, The city authorities sii) Temain but ° yt, majority of the male citizens Son ten hee the support of the About two buadrei persone ettothen, Py ‘resident in relation to the Hunter has been well received already apparent. It has oom. ists and dopri y aro used up their strong point, which bee been that war is @ mere plan of emancipation, and are dumbfounded. ‘hey can mo longer appeal to the interests or the fears of ¢ wi i part of the State, and their oc: ‘aio Union mon have been strengthened by 4, and do not attempt to conceal their joy at ta promugation, They now feel that t \ fortr to s:and upoe andare nore secure thai since the com: menceme: t of our troubles. The seed sown, although it nay be (ion slony ground, Will be (own flourishing alter ma@uy days. mewbat celebrated, but not very euphoniously \ babiery was visited on /u@sday by are der comman | f ena tO lone, Bs owne ‘Tue proc advised action of Ge here, ani its effect plevely disarmed the rabid secess: thom of their siock in trade. 1 i } Doage. tion, and mach better construcied than those ou Sewall’s P int, Crangy Island and other points defending the ap pr ches to Nor‘o’k. Fifteen gune were left im position, ‘one of them a rifle’! pieve of large ca.ibre. , The barracks were lot in god order and gave evsdences of taste and com ort. party were the first Union mep tua had . The farmers in the meigh- Bi Leod exhibited a gurliness of dis:osition at tiret, and «1 to show anything like a good Samaritan- \fumished excursinn'sts, A few mo- a ion, however gseemed to convince thers troops wore hamans. und the best that Weir houses allorded was soon produced. Considerable rebei property was found at the Point, which will be taken possession of Jobe C. Wise, an eminent citizen of Norfolk, and eldes brotkpr of Henry A, Wise, had an interview with the 'y Gevernor yes.erday, by reqnest. Mr. Wise is com Isic cripple; Hut notwithstanding that he is suffer. ing fron. paraiysis, aid has lost his eyosisht, his mind ‘aud is as active as ever. After & frankly admittod that the people of ih are vain-glorivus overburdened with self conceit, and boastful in the extreme, and that our present troubles were the resi'tof the fostering of those sect.onal characteristics until they had como to regard themselves superior t¢ any other body of men im the world, The maprer 0’ Gen. Vielo imp: essed him fayor- ably, and, althougt he came (@g urod with a sympathy for big native State and the s uth. he departed more than two-thirds @ conve:t to the Cenerai’s proposition that the governmen: must be preserved atall hazards, and that the South has no rea! gronuds for bringing g¢B calamities upon the covntry as baye been entailed Dy this rebeliion. ‘the interview was an interesting one, and the ‘ew persons who witnessed it were desply affected by theoccasiin. Mr Wise ig upou the confines of the grave, pressed by disoage and wearied with a weight 1 Ne thio 19. srage wh. foe Cs al = toodgood, Santos and a few the hiciviost business here, and who are heavily indebted to Noithern houses. remain closed, for obvious reasons. ‘They have bo-n among the most violent of the opposer of the government, probably under the fear that theis Northern creditors mighi cali upon them; the door te the Union has been opened they keep up their shutters under the same apprehension. ‘Their true ition is well understood here, and the sensible people re look upon them with contempt ‘The work upon the railroads leading out of is actively prosecuted, and within a (ew days trains pase on to Suffuik. ‘All that is wanted now is the stock. ‘Business at the Provost Marshal’s office is a fair crite- rion of the order of the city. It is admitted on hands that Norfolk has been anore quiet for tho past days than it bas been known to be for any time within year past. There are no complaints of the ordinary out- Tages upon persons and property, there are noarrests for drunkenness, and the city is more jike » country village than apything else. Whether the chinge ts to be attri- buted to the superior moral condition of our soldiers, which is reflected by exampie by the people, or whether the rebel army took ri(-ratf of the commu- nity with it, are questions which I will not discuss fur- ther than to say that the adinixture of the pure Unionism has undoubtedly produced the resuit, INTERESTING FROM SONORA. Sevession Agents in Mexico—Possible Se- cexsion of Sonora from the Mexican Confederacy. (Correspondence of the San Francisco Bulletin, May 1.) G April 15. 1852. Political matters are now, wiih us, ihe most interests Ing sv.) ot of disexssion, FF ng Lime past.we have been receiving & succession of rep ris that the Southera erates were preparing to invade our State of Seno- ra, and were itrating considerable bodies of troops nyon our northern frontier for that puryose. Jie of iast month there svddeniy appeared in Hermosilio, a man dressed in (ull American aniform, battons and a!l,er high rauk, who was attend ¢ by two mort remarkabe for their leu hair and gencral pearanoe, who were aso wearing the United 't soon became known that + was no less than Colonel James staves Army, who was the tehos fom Brigadier General H, H. Sib. ley, commandin; the army of New Mexieo, Comfederate Erates, to Governor Pesjuiera of this state. Colonel Reily, ip his incerrourse with the Amoncans while iv tins State, boasted that he was the commander of 1,000 men near our frontior, who, for the last six months, liad not asked or received vue dotiar of pay— to whom had down issved a single ration, either in provisions or clothinu; that they were ali well armed, and were net afraid of the devil bémself; in faet, that hie forea was altocether self supportiny. This fact in rather suggestive of the inquiry how it was that they suyiported themsolves. The government here bas invelligence that Ge. Sibley has under his commad about 3,000 mon, he is ap- proaching our frostier, when it ixexp cted that there will be @ wniou between them andthe trieuds ef Gan- dara, and that there will be aa attempt made to take possession of the state. Gop. Sibley aridresved to the Governor of Chibuahua a commanication similar to the cne understood to have been agdveased to the Governor of aaking his friendly oit.ces to tho Confer cause, or at least a strict neutrality. The trirw Governor Pesqniera at the cavital had refused to General Sibley the privileges ed. and hat also rofvrel to ansser the auestios pro- On the cther ham! Colone! Roily boasted ip About the mi Reily, of the bearer of des) he desired: in fact, thas Le had been far more successful than he had hoped for, It is certain that (oione! Reily, in his notes to Goverbor Pes juivi a,ex presses jertect oul isfaction, and congratiiates che Wovernor Gpou the frend now existing betwen she State of Sunusw ard It aopeara chet Geveral Vesqriena addressed a note to General Sibley and another Wy Colo- nei Reily, both of wineh, 1 wodersta jeugtby, copies of which Ioxpe ted to obtan vany failed, Lean only gaees at their coniea's, as woll am Cue) caren why copies were withhetd, How ers1 Sibley’s communicat in Chihualma I have) nv Reily is reported to have Governor Pesyuicra, Ub difticoky in obtaining Governor of Chi! . what be wanted fri There con be peo dw bt ganized pian by tho secee. alo, with that of ernia, Ip ihe there is @ thoroughly 6 1 of view thes re suecessful u the! a rh vonfederney Lave reat fins ly dovea'e.t soft these sar © IN eas whieh is sure toreswt folerai p wer in Uy Perhays you ma: Jeast | have not seen ic stated—iuat withie o ( an attempt wos maze In Your Sate ty raise 1,600 men, to come iuto this Stats, ty carry ent th Ww moDehs boty of nove A in the he would accept one in the cause of secesa mn @ lation; but the gentleman in yusstion reiuse> ject was abendoned, for the presont at least, Under this stato of facts, there can be 10 doubt of the abgolute necessity of our gov p- ing apon our frontier a considerable body of troops, and in our harbor an adequate naval force, t at once eheck and keep dewn any and ali such movements. At present there is not an obstacle in the way 0 the fall success of these schemes. aud if our goveroment does Hot take some preventive mesures immediately, t have do doubt thas we shall have serioe trouble ov Ovr hands. The recent convertion entered into between the Mexican Central Goveromeut ud the Allied Powers te another source of trouble with us, Tho fiends of the pre- sent State government avticipate that an attempt will be mado to remove the preseat Govern an’ plicomocther ta his position. This they are much disine.inod tosubmit to, fe determined to, Feels. this movement. “it neceneary, are determi resi a they are determined to withd-aw from the Mexican ¢ a federacy with such other States an oun be induced to them, and sustain themselves i an indepen.ens condition it ble; if they connot so susiain themseives, they will solicit the protection of the United States govern- iment; and indeed many are solicit annexation from the many |, but Every much prove acceptable to the federal government, But wilt mot the of Sonora be compeilod, if reused protec. tion by the United States, to for it at the banas of th: forces of the Confederate Siates—more expecially it these forces are in the position to extend such nr: teint 1 learn that it is the intention of General Sibley & aa. Gtruct a fort at Calapruses,in Arizona. This place ie mont admirably situated for such @ purpose, Deiftg » ithim eight miles of the line, easily defendet, ina m st fertile country, and upon the main road from this State to Cbi- hhuabua and Texas. The occupation o that pomt in force will enable the secessionists to compictely overawe the je of (his State, The property belungs to Gandara, fr'there not here an additiona! reason for strong precau- tionary measures being taken by our government, and t without delay? on retotore wekere had good reason for believing that the government uf Sonora was | isposed to extend to the citizens of the United States all the (acilities for busines, and every protection in person and property which foreign resivent could desire. There cannot be the i doubt that not only does the government, but the whole Mexiown people of this State scrongly sympathize wich the Northern States, aod i their hearte porte Bet ft aa the sucess of the South, If our goverment will but keep at the pone nie an needed suit jent foree to keep Back the soo asion~ inte, 0) prevent their approaching Out Croutiers in forca, and sending their off into our towns and seaports. pot only to obeen Sup ed atid @etablioh magaziven, but cart measures With their secession brethren now in our raidst, a8 they have been doing witt in afew days 1 ji depend upon the active sympathy and "1 peer of the government and people of this Save, Bub {f lert wo the overpowering force of @ | wmy of se- coasionisif om the tiers, ready to he tate om ihe sigh est pretexc, with the @& ation of @ Jorge vumoer in our midst, i should no one thisroverument should Gud Meelf compeiied to chan its pubiey