The New York Herald Newspaper, August 11, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 9465. THE WAR IN VIRGINIA. Great Battle Near Culpepper Court House on Saturday, One of the Hottest Con- tests of the War. Generals Pope, Banks, Sigel and MeDowell on the Field. Stonewall Jackson and Ewell in Com- mand of the Rebels. The Rebel Force Fifty Thousand Strong. General Banks Sustains the Heat of the Battle and Holds His Position. THE LOSS HEAVY ON BOTH SIDES, &., te. - &e. ‘Wasmator, August 10, 1962. ‘Tho most desperate fight for the numbers engaged ince the war commenced occurred yesterday at Cedar ‘Mountain, eight miles south of Culpepper Court House, Virginia, between General Banks’ corps d’Armve of Gen. Pope's forces and the rebels under Stonewall Jackson in person. General Pope had sent General Banks’ command to the front early in the morning, and the divisions of Generais Augur and Williams took position a mile ora mile and a half this side the ground of the skirmish of the day provious. In the afternoon Crawford’s brigade of Gen. Williams’ @ivision, composed of the Forty-sixth Feonsylyania, ‘Tenth Maine; Fifth Connecticut and Twenty-olghth New York regiments, with Best's battery of regulars, moved forward tea piece of high ground between Cedar creek ‘and Crooked river, come four miles north of the point where the Culpepper and Gordonsville turnpike crosses that stream. To the seutn of this point, distant about three-fourths of a mile, rises the Cedar Mountain, a spur of the great thoroughfare range. ‘No sooner had our troops emerged from the timber on the north,and crossed Codar Creek, than a battery of heavy guns, located in the thick timber half way up the \gnountain side, opened upon them with shot and shell, and another, of smalier guns, from a point of timber about three-cightha of a mile to the westward. Eost's battery of Parrott guns was immediately planted om the crest of, the hill, and began replying to the two, while the infantry was posted in line of battle to the right @f the battery. by ‘The cnemy kept up & continuous fire from both datte, vies come balf an hour, which was rapidly returned by Gapt. Brest, when three additional rebel batteries opened from as many different localities. At about five o’clock the rebel infantry was discovered tm strong force upon our right and in front supporting the webel batteries, when word was sent back to the main Body stating the fact. Immediately Gen. Augur's divi- gion, with the remainder of Gen. Wiuliams’ division, were thrown forward and posted upon the right of Gen, Crawford and fronting the dense timber where the rebel tnfantry wore posted. General Banks now rodeon to the field and directed ‘he operations. General Geary’s brigade of General Anger’s division had the advance amd maintained it ad- mirably. General Geary’s brigade consisted of the Firth @hio, Seventh @hio, Twenty-ninth Ohio, Twenty-eighth Pevusytvania and Snapp’s Battery. ‘No rooner bad these treops taken their plaecs than tho edels opencd musketry fire upon them from two side” ‘and in front, sided by the batterios before mentioned. he batteries on the mountain also kept up» mos® destructive fire, but the federal troops never faltered or even winced. At half-past five the battle became gene- val, artillery replying to artillery and infantry to infan- try, and desperation was the order of the day. The fight eontinued until darknem put a stop tothe carnage. 1 ave witnessed many battles during this war, but I have geen none where the tenacious obstinacy of the American @haracter was 00 fully displayed. Oar troops fought with the valor of veterans. No sooner aida volley of musketry or ® discharge of artillery mow down the ranks of a regiment than the gaps wero @oeed up and a new front presented. Reginwnt vied ‘with regimont, and brigade with brigade, in deeds o, valor; and few instances indeed were there where even Mdividuals faltered. ‘The Eighth and Twelfth regulars attached to Gencral Banks’ corps, led by Captain Pitcher, did excellent ser” vice. Captain Pitcher was wounded severely, though mot dangerously, im the knee by ® musket shot, but he opt the Held antil the end. ‘With the setting in of darkness the firing of musketry eeared, but the artillery upon the moustain kept upa rendom firing until near midnight. At dark our troops Witharew toa small copes of wood, about half a mile to ithe rear of their first pesition, where they were joined looon after by the corps of Generals McDowell and Sigel, ‘who formed in their rear, At nine o’elock in the evening the hungry and wearied ‘The night was unusually lustrous, and all prominent jebjects were as plainly distinguished as in the bright daylight. Thoreughfare Mountain loomed up to the west, la rebel signal light now ashing through space, and our ir faccs towards the enemy, Crawford's brigade, which had borne the brant of the t, threw themeslves, almost exhausted, upon the t grass, and talked over theadventures of the battle. 0 of the men incauttously made fires, and this reveal- our positien, the enemy commenced shelling us. — ‘Their firing was generally excellent, the shells burst- among trains, ambulances aad horses, soon compel- ‘our soldicre to move back toward Culpepper. 3 panio was very nearly occasioned at this time, the regiments teok to their heels to get out rauge, 0Bd seeing po many men retreating, others that had not reached the field also started to run and soon the roads were crowded with frightened people, who added to the existing misfortunes by telling wild stories of repulse, loss and discomfiture. Goon the Provost’s Guards wero thrown across the Toads and fields, stopping stragglers, and suffering only the wounded to pass. ‘The wounded eamc in off foot in great numbers, and the ambulances were promptly on the spot to carry off those unable to walk. ‘The scenes that made the morning light terrible were the concomitants of all battle fields; but the unusually heavy loss of feld and line offers was remarkable. ‘Most of our wounded are wounded in the lower limbs. About four q’clock*in the afternoon General Popejand staff went upon the field, and were greeted with the most ‘Yooiferous cheers, The General rode to extreme front in the thickest of the fisht, and eame near getting intes rebe) ambuscade, but he discovered bis danger tn time to ‘avoid it. We took seyeral rebel prisoners, from I gained some informatios. It is certain that the rebel General Winder is killed, General Jackson is wounded slightly in the hand. General Saxton is mortally wounded. ‘The rebel force engaged in the battle was from forty to fifty thousand. ‘The casualties on our side are fully set forth in tho liet of names send you of killed and wounded, now at the hospitals in Culpepper Court Bouse. ‘The list was taken at nine o’olock to-day. : Gen, Augur’s wound is not dangesous. It ie a flesh wound in the hip, Gen. Geary is severely wounded in thearm. Gen. Banks had his horse killed under him, as id also the chief of Gen. Pope's staff, Col. Ruggles. Large numbers of hespital tents and stores were sent from Washington to-day to the scene of action. Culpepper is one vast hospital, though most of the ‘wounded will be sent on to Washington for treatment, Two pieces of artiliery and a large aumber of emall | VW; arms were captured from the enemy. — Another Account of the Battle. Hyapquarrens, Six Mies Bsronn Cutrzpren, Va. ‘August 10, 1862. } A dattle was fought yesterday between General Banky and Stonewall Jackson, General Bayard,of Gencral Mc- Dowell’s corps, with his cavalry brigade, had been en- gaged the day before in the extreme advance near the Rapidan river, skirmishing and mancuvering, taking some prisoners, and ending with slight loss—baffiing the efforts of a large force to surround and out him off. Yesterday morning he was engaged for some hours be- fore General Banks came up, and, with four regiments of cavalry the First Pennsylvania, First Maine and First Rhode Island, delayed and embarressed the enemy’s ad- vance. The rebels, under Jackson and Ewell, had crossed the Rapidan in force, and their advance guard, 15,000 strong was attacked by General Banks yesterday afternoon, ‘about six miles south of Culpepper Court House. ‘The fight was almost wholly with artillery at frst; but the infantry became engaged about six o’clock, and a de- termined and bloody contest followed. General Banks’ right wing, under Geveral Williams, suffered severely. _ ‘The rebel position was in the woods, while the troops which attacked them were obliged te cross open ground. ‘Tt was not till about six o’clock that it became eviden, the rebels were attacking in force. Previously to that there had been a rather desultory cannonade. The whole rebel force suddenly attacked in uverwbelming numver® at all points. Nearly all their regiments had full ranks. At balf-past seven o'clock Gen. Pope arrived on the field from Culpepper, acoompaniea by”Gen. McDowell, with part of McDowell's corps. The battle was substan. tially over, General Banks holding the same ground that he occupiod at the beginning. after the arrival of General Pope there was an artillery contest, continuing at intervals till nearly twelve o'clock” The night was unusually clear and the meon fall. The rebels planted s battery against General McDowell’s centre, where General Pope and General Banks were, bringing thom both under the fire, ‘The generals and their staffs were go near the rebel lines, being actually in front of their own lines, that & sudden charge of rebel cavairy was made from the woods @ quarter of @ mile off, apparently with » view to capture them. The attempt was repelied by a vigorous fire from McDowell's troops, and the generals ‘end their staffs left the ground under a cross fire from the rebels and their own troops. The fire of the rebel batteries was afterwards silenced. Gen. Pope on arriving sent fresh troops to the front to take the place of Gen. Banks’ exhausted columns, Th® enemy did not renew the attack except by artillery. The troops were under arms and in position all night. Gen. Banks was on the field throughout the action and was constantly under fire, His handling ef bis troops ‘and personal gallantry are highly praised by his officers. ‘The bravery and good conduct of the troops were con- spicuous during @ large part of the fight. When over- powered by numbers, some regiments retreated in dis- order. é General Banks is rather severely hurt by an accident, Acavalry trooper ran against him, and he was struck heavily in the side, Nevertheless, he remained on the field, and ie on duty this morning with his command. General Geary is wounded, and bas had as arm am- putated. General Augur is severely wounded. Major Pelonge, General Banks’ Adjutant, took command Of a hesitating regiment, and gallantly led it through « galling fire, He received two shots and is severely but not dangerously wounded in the side. ‘The Second Massachusetts was in the hardest of the fight and suffered soverely, The Fifth Connectiout, ‘Twenty-seventh Indians aad Forty-sixth Pennsylvania are badly eut up. ‘Lieut, Ramsey, of Gen. Banks’ staf, had his borse shot under him. bi ‘The rebel Gen. Wilder was wounded. ‘The losses are very heavy on both sides—not less than 2,000 or 8,000 killed, wounded and missing on each aide. Some prisoners were taken by both. Jeekson and Ewell were both present in the battle, Reinforcements under Gen. A. P. Hill, tothe amount of 18,000 men, reached the rebels last night at abous the same time ours arrived. Skirmishing in front is going on this morning, but the troops on both sides areao much exhausted by fatigue ‘and the intense heat that no serious encounter is ex- pected to-day. ‘List of Killed and Wounded. ‘The following 1s # list of the killed and wounded up to ten o'clock yesterday morning:— Mur Mauthewsou, 46th Feonsyivanta, 7 "ens Lieutenant Colcol Brown, 23th Pennsylvania, Joionel Cogge Ww), 66th Cavey Kl Liontonant Sieve, "sd Wisconsin, kil'ed, NEW YORK, MONDAY, AUGUST Hl, 1862. Colone! Steinbrook, 109th Pennsylvania, wounded, Colone) Creighton, —— Ohie, badly wounded. ’ Major ©. B.Fulton, 66th Obic. rs iH g +3 ; ae EE ; Ee E ate SS 8 29s i i ry 3 2 Co, fs. s RSP = Zl er i ‘| ES: ay Bee EE 5 Pi F & ea > fs i ea i ef & Serta AY so. ee 2 2 2 t) : : - HE 38 aE 1 rE of a8 ry , geiee aroek Fhe? Se etree F BEE | 2: 4 g? PeveH Exon = F; Fj # : ee » A, 7th Uhio, L. F. Haskell, aid fo General Prince, lower part of Shiga Chas. E. Alderman; Co. D, 3d Wiseotisia, Rush Griswold, Co’ B, 20ch Ohio, In aru. W. H, Sturn, Co. I, 27th Indi band. J.G. Parsous, Co. 4, 7th Ohio, Henry 8. Bartlett, Co. G, 10th ; M. M. Andres, Co. C, 7th Ohio, hand. Bint: Chass Mf Shadd, Cor Eyadsher” wounded ebin. spt. » M.S Co. . Elery 8t, Lawrence, Go. A, 7th Onis, leg. sauce Cape Geo. Pensest, Gen. ah Ids’ staff, ball through pt. Geo. Ponsett, Gen. Shields’ staff, » Ben. Huber, Co. D, 107th Pemnaylvania, bp 5 i 4 FF f ss ae Suge g i 2 5 $f Fel? H if ry a: J ae i 4 ze € a & i F H i 3 ch Pe au oP Z ee FF ops E 3 SOP pee F995 ¢ i 5 af i t ¥ r cr rh ¢ is Fe Up ’ son ryt é r a ul i i i i i ri 2. > Ta) ot z a855 ie pee $ Fi 3 oO. t : 5 F ve 3% 9 a By 5 fil i § Giant iamemsmaca z ° iat iis ¢ 2 oe fl i , Maine. Sergeant G. P. Cia} . Bergenmt ice, Co. K, 16k Virginie Cavalry. J. Hi. Peek, Co. D, 106th New York. Robert Wallace, Co, A, 109th Penney’ W, Gurl, Co, A, 8th United PD. MoGuhan, Co, A, 26th Pennsylvania, 8. Baker, Co. D, 111th Pennsy!vania, J. Goode, Co, D, 46th Pennsylvania, J. Kolly, Co. G, 109th Pennsylvania. M. ©. Shep! Bouthard, Oo. F J Parr, Oo, B, 12th United States. ‘W. H. Martin, Co. ©, 111th Penneyfvania. Major H. G. Armetrong, 6th Ohio, seriously. Capt. J..A, Remley, Sth Oblo, Lieui. W. V. Neely, 6th Ohio, serlovaly, ai ‘Thos. D. McAlpin, Co. A, 2d Massachusetts, cc, Viney 107th Pennsyivani. Leatonant Kinoord, Co- F, 6th Unio, Captain J. A. Ramsey, bo. B, 6th Ohio. ‘Ldeutenant R. . Co. D, bth Obio, Hleutanant N. V. 8 , Co. Hi, 6th Ohio, ant A. J. Sheyers, Co. 4, 6th Odio, Ldvatenant J. MJackeway, 00-3, 64h Obio, i g He salt i i i HYE ru Be 2p lJ ee $ i ir i ai if i . J. Colamer, 24 Maine battery, eye, . Noten , Co. Springler, A. Wutfunt, 5 lars, Teg. Jobn B. Magger, Oo, A, 100th vania, rm, Frank Andrews, éth Maine Battery sl tly, 8d Maryland, leg. usetts, “Some Things Can be Done as Well as Others,” &e., &o., &o, Wasminaron, August 10, 1862. ‘The following is from the Petersburg Daily Zzpres of Be Ricamoxp, August 8, 1862, A Gespatch from General Van Dorn to Secretary Mallo- ry states that the Confederate ram Arkansas, Licut. Ste- phens commanding, bad been destroyed. She left Vicks- burg on Monday to co-operate in the attack on Baton Rouge. After passing Bayou Sara her machinery became disabled, and whilst sttempting to adjust it several of the enemy’s gunboats attacked her. aftor a gallant re- sistance she was abandomed and blown up. Her officers and men reached the shore in safety. ‘The Mobile Evening News of the 224 thus expatiates on the ‘doles of the varmint:’—We have published severe) \ccounts by our correspendeats of the exploite of. the Arkansas ram, but the subject is not easily exhausted, for the deeds of the floating battery and her gallant crow ‘will tell in history, even should their career etop short with the daring voyage from the Yazoo river to Vicks: Durg. Wo are expecting hourly to hear more of the “ram.” Tho repairs of damages to her were completed last week, and om Saturday night she was expected to get under way for another desperate struggle with her out. qumbering foes. THE WAR IN THE SOUTHWEST, he Guerilias Under Porter Badly Whipped. Br. Lovrs, August 10, 1863. To Major General Hatixce:— Colonel MeNejll, with one theusand men, whipped Porter's forces—two thousand five hundred Kirksville, on the 7th, and again near Stockton, yester- @ay. Colonel Merrill reports Porter's forcos demoralized ‘and broken up. Cobb and Poindexter aré still to be at” tended to. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Brigadier Genoral. General Bragg the Head ef Thirty Thousand Rebels. Nasaviiz, August 9, 1662. Genera] Bragg ie ta command of 805000 rebel troops at Battie creck. 5 ‘Three rebels were hung in Alabama recently for the murder of two Union soldiers. Colonel Wynkoop, with 180 cavalry, surprised 700 of the rebel Colonel Forrest's men on Monday, Bear Sparta. Colenel Wynkoop withdrew after losing one man and Killing thirty rebels. The Draft in New York. Auaanr, July 16, 1862. The Governor is underateod to bo In receipt of import- ‘ant despatches frem the War Department in relation to the draft, but he does not deem it proper to make them public in advance of their promulgation by the federal [ONTRVILLE, wugust @, 1962, ToL, Tmouss, Advutant Generali—m It is with pain I inform you that Brigndier General Robert McCook diod at twelve M. on the 6th, of ce wound or wounds infiicted gy on hee yd was pea mbuldace ome distance. ahend of ‘hie br ‘ ‘Arrival of the United States Steam Trans- port Albany from Newbern, N, C. ‘The United States stoam transport Albany, Captain J, Lewis, arrived at this port last night from Nowbern, N. C., leaving that port on the 6th inst, She brings no news, ‘and bes tho following passengers: — T. B. Hulse, T. J. Thomas, master of the Commiodore ; 'f. 8. Dayton, W. E. Knox, master’s mate of steamer ; Charles L. Stanton and nurse, L. Baker, A. Callmann, Dr. Mearsun, W. Freeman, ©. Wells, T. spilt: man, Mr. Doach, Mr. Tisee, Mr. Dradloy, o Ling and jady, A. J. Gilbert, Mr. Van Vick, Mr. Deantug, sir. MoGovern Jevt. ©. Tindenburgh ba a I A. PRICE TWO CENTS. THE NEWS FROM EUROPE. | IS ICLELLAN A SOLDIER? THE SCOTIA OFF CAPE RACE. TWO DAYS LATER INTELLIGENCE. Important Statement of Earl Russell Endorsing the Action of the United States Cruisers in the Bahama Waters, The Tuscarora Frightens an English Rebel Trader, Bussia, France and England Negotiating on the American War Question, &e,, Sr. Jouns, N. F., August 9, 1862, ‘The stoamship Scotia, from Liverpool on Saturday, August 2, via Queenstown 34, was boarded by the news yacht off Cape Race at ten o’clock this forencon. Her advices are two days later than those by the Jura, The Scotia has 200 passengers, among them Archbishop Hughes. ‘The United States sloop-of-war St.Louis was at Madeira July 22. ‘The Paris Bourse was (August 2) firm; rentes 69fr. 100. ‘The french haye reoccupied the Roman fronticr re- cently evacuated. Garibaldi has issued @ proclamation to volunteers te assemble at Sicily, announcing that the time of action bas arrived, The destivation of the expedition is un- known, ‘The latest despatches from Liverpool, dated on the 2d of August, say the steamship Europa, frem Boston via Halivax, bas arrived. The United States steam sloop-of-war Tuscarora left Quoenstows on the evening of the Ist. Destination un- known. a, we. At a public meeting in Liverpool for the relief of the @istressed in the manufacturing districts, upwards of £16,000 were subscribed on the spot. ‘There were rumors of an early marriage of the Print, of Wales either to a Danish or Prussian princess, General Forey left Cherbourg on the 29th for Vera Craz. The emVarkation.of troops for Mexico was pro- cooding briskly, General Concha would leave Madrid for Faris on the ‘28th inst. His mission is reported to include an endeavor to establish an understanding between France and Spain regarding Mexico. ‘The other continental news is unimportant. Bombay telegrams of July 12 report « rise in cotton and cotton goods. The American War Question. ‘The Tuscarora was at Queenstown , supposed to be look- ing after the new steamer known as No. 290, bound from Liverpool for Nassau, N. P., designed for the'rebels, which bad put into Holyhead, where all her men left her. Various rumors were current, especially en the Conti. ‘Rent, as to intended mediation in American affairs, ‘The Independance Belge asserts that France, Russia and Engiand are negotiating. The two former bave made propositions to England, but had received no final reply. Another rumor is that England has sent a special en- ‘voy to Washington to urge President Lincoln to take the initiative towaras poace, if ho wishes to avoid offers of mediation. Another unlikely rumor, from Paris, is that England is secretly negotiating with the United States to counteract @ possibleestablishment ef the great empireof Mexico and the Southern States undor French patronage. All these mast be taken for what they are worth, the au- thorities being wholly unreliable. ‘The Army and Navy Gasette has no faith in Knglish me- diation for some timo to come. ‘The Bishop of Oxford has recommended his clergy to pray for peace, Forty merchants and shipowners of Liverpool having me- morialized Kart Russell relative to the alleged violation of tnternational law by the federal cruisers in the Bahama waters, Lord Russell replied, through Mr. Layard, in ¢ffect justifying the proceedings of the erutsers, owing to the prac- tice of sending vessels to the Bahamas for the purpose of running the blockade. He recommended strict attention to the Queen’s neutrality proclamation. General Popo’s proclamation that his army must hence- forth subsist oa the country in whieh it is has been con- strued inte the adoption of a system of rapine, and pro- veked some unfavorable comments by the press. Sir BE. B. Head ad , in the London Times, that the cheapest defence for’ isfor England to proclaim a system of retaliation, such as, if the Americans were to invade Canadaand burn Toronto, England will bombard ‘and burn Boston, &e. ‘There bad been a party;debate in the English Commons. Messrs. Cobden and Disracli reviewed and genorally ge- precated the ministerial policy during the past session. Lord Palmerston spoke in its defence. The hasty action in the Trent affair was denounced avd defended. ‘The London Spectator treats the last news from Ame. rica as the most disheartening yet received by the frieuds of the North, as it shows the logs of heart has come over the Northern people. It thinks that, however silent the masses are, they may yet arise in their strength for @ last grand‘effort, The same journal also reviews: Commercial intelligence, LONDON MONEY MARKET. Coveeis.—Consols closed og Friday, August 1, at 93% @ 94 for money. ‘Amorican securities wore stili deolin Contra! shares 61 @ 50 discount, quotes 1 9056 & 276; Exchange of = ‘Tonmesseeans. JABHVILLR, Al 9, 1862, Jouncon ha beou eetbortoed and goes Ni Arrival of Wounded Soldiers at Phila= “PukaDeLrmA, August 10, 1868. Ly ‘Tho steamers Commodare, State ot Maine. abd Joba Frooke i icom. Harrieon’s Landing, with about 1,300 wor" |, arrived () the Solmyikill to-day, The Opening Battles of the Rebellion. The ‘Short, Sharp, Decisive” Cam- paign in Western Virginia. What a Soldier Can Do When Untram- melled by Politicians, “ke, de, Se. The history of McClellan’s campaign in Western Vir- ginia may be considered by some, at this conjuncture, ag old and uninteresting. But we are happy to think that that class of our readers is small. To the reader of co- temporaneous history the campaign in Western Virginia fs beginning to be appreciated. As it was the opening campaign of the present rebellion, the importance Of its results on the gonoral issue, and the great military genius it developed, render it one of great interest. The early agitation of the secession question, the secession of Southern States, the fall of Sumter and the final seoossion of Virginia, which capped the climax of the rebel confederacy, eaeh event occurring in rapid succession, naturally produced much uneasiness throughout the country, but especially in thoee States, aud particularly in those sections lable to be immediately affected by the operation of the hazard- ous experiment of wholesale rebellion. The secession of ‘Virginia was looked upon asa foregone conclusion long before it was publicly aunounced, seoresy being observed im order that tho leaders might improve every advantago to make the hellish work successful. “The question of se- cession or no secession from the Union was offered to the people of Virginia. The manner in which this election was conducted—<z parte, under tue menaces and threats of the rebel mob—rendered the voz populi null and void. The rebels carried the election, and Virginia voted her- self political damnation. But, while the greater portion of Virginia voted for secession, the northern portion of it— embracing ten or a dozen eounties, known as the “ Pan Handle,’’ bounded on the east by the Alleghany Moun- tains and Pennsylvania, west by the Ohio river, north by Pennsylvania, and south by the Great Kanawha river— declared itself, by tho popular voice, unalterably at. tached to the old Union, This attachment to the Union was declared, judividually and collectively, amid the threats of tho few leading secessionists in that section, who threatened their masters’ vengeance upon the heads of these loyai Virginians, The Convention for forming a new State government succeeded the scceesion of old Virginia, and this was followed by the establishment of the State of Westera Virginia, The noble eonduct of the people of this embryo State was bravo in tho extromes backed up ag it was by a moral courage displayed only bya brave and determined people. While their con, duct was the admiration of all loyal citizens, tho Governors of Ohio and Pennsylvanie—Deun!- son and Curtin—pledged to the new State the entire sup- port of the military forces of their States te protect it against the assaults of secessionists; and when the cam- paign should be forced (‘there should be no cessation of hostilities until the national flag floats over efery parti- cle of national property in the country.”” The organiza tion of troops in the States of Ohio and Pennsylvania at this time was pregressing under the call of Presideat Lincoln for 76,000 men, In the former State, in tho early part of May,Gevrge B, McClellan, then the Presi- dent, Civil Engineer an General Superintendent of the Ohio and Mississippi Ra‘lroad, was tendered the posi- tion by Governor Denison of major genera! command- ing the Ohio militia. Aimost at the same time, Govorn- or Curtin, of Peonsylvania, made McClellan a similar tender, urging,bim to accept it as Pennsylvania was his native Siate; but Governor Denison’s offer came first and was accepted, The Governor of Ohio, in making this wise solection, did soon the merits of Gen. McClel- yan’s former connection as an officer of the United States Army, in which army he had fought bis way to = captaincy during the Mexican campaign; and while in that capacity, as one of the distin. guished members of the military commission who visited Europe during the time of tho struggle betwoen the allied forces against Russia, im his absence enjoying ample facilities for inspecting all the operations of both hostile camps, he was enabled to render him- self persenally familiar with all tho details, im every pessible aspect, of modern warfare on a gigantic soale. His repert to the government of the ro- sult of his observations forms one of the most reliabie and interesting military works, In 1857 MoClelian re, signed his eommission in the army, and immediately com. menced the civil pursuit in which be was, engaged until the appreciative tender of the Governor of Uhio was made and accepted. ‘Tue early part of May found the rebols in possession of Harper's Fersy, where they had established a base of operations menacing the States of Maryland and Peansyl- vania. The importance of the position and its contiguity to the threatened point of attack made its reduction a matter of importance, and @ large Union force was tw be directed against it. The attack of this point by single movement was deemed unwise, and, as it could beap- proached on the nerthwest, via the Baltimero and Ohio Railroad, from Weatern Vieginia, it was decided to send an army from that locality. This force was to be under the command of General MoCiellan, who had already or- ganized the militia of Obio upen the admirable Prussian system, with one hundred thousand reserve. On the 14th of May, 1861, General McClellan received ‘a commission ag major ‘fo the United States Army, ranking second only*to General Goott, and war assigned to the command of the Department of the Ohio. It comprised all the States of Mi:soar, iIilinois, Indiana, Ohio, and that part of Virginia lying north of the Great Kanawha river, and wes: of the Greenbrier river apd the Maryland line, with so much of Pennsylvania as lies west of a live drawn from the Maryland line to the northeast corner of McKean county, Tennessee and a were subsequently added, i ately after the formation of the new Western ‘Virginia government the rebels sent {rom Eastern Virgi- land, Ohio. This was successful, and at that meeting tho General laid before those dignitaries the framework of his plan, the mecessity of ite immediate execution, he and the proved the material ef the army by loping éfF incompe- tent officers, and placing good ones in their stead; and In fees than one month his army was ready for the Western Virginia compaign. Hore {t ts necessary to digress fer & moment to state an important fact which 16 not