The New York Herald Newspaper, May 15, 1864, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. @AMES GORDON BENNGTT, SDTTOR AND PROPRIEROR. OFFICE N. COKNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU BTS. Volume XX1X AMUSEMENTS TO-MORROW BVENING BIBLO'S GAWUEN, Broadway. i Dax omio. ‘WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Monmr. WINTER GARDEN, Brondway—Auxnicax Covstx~ Pappr Mies’ bor OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway.—Saran ix Paxis— Uxrorciey Pexais NRW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery. —Jack Susrranp— Biva oF tae Woovs—forw Hin Our BOWKRY THEATRE. Buur—Hoirr sven Bau ry—Tus Hooss Taat Jace rrain Kyp. BARNUM'S MUSEUM. Broadway.—Two Grants, Two Pwarss, avvimos, What 1s li, 6. at ali bourse, BELrae Gom—At Sand 7% P.M. BLS, Mechanics’ Hall, €72 Broad WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 614 Broadway,—Ersortan once, Dances. 40—Hanpr eore . BROADWAY THEATRE, as Broadway.—B guism ‘Tes evr. »AMERICAN THEATRE, No. 414 Broadwar.—Baccars, Pantomimes, Bumuxsques. £0.—DeousLaaxav. SALON DIABOLI QUE. 685 Broadway.—Rosser HELLER, NEW YORE MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— Cumosimies axp Leorvnss, from 9 a. M. till 10 P.M. HOUSE, Brooklyn.—Eraiorian squES, £0, ‘3 ROOLET'S ————_—__—— —- = THE SITUATION. Tho re't_ ble and terse bul.etins issued by Mr. Stanton lose Bone of their hopeful tone as they are promulgated from aay to day. There ts Lut one word from all quarters where our armies are battling, and that is success, There was no general engagement in Virginia on l'riday Pho enomy have fallen back four miles from General Hanovek's rdyanced position. Geveral Moxde bas issued a oongratrlatory address to tho soldiers of the Potomac army, reminding them that Although for eight days and nights they dave been fight. Ange desperate foo, in naturally strong positions, com Pelling him to abandon bis defences on tue Rapidan and even his lust intre ched position, with » los" 0” ef bteen Guns and eight thossan t privonera, yet their work is not Overe-t at the evemy must be pursued and overcome. Seven thousand five hundred prisoners arrived at Bolle Plaiu on Friday night, including the generals captured by General Hanccok. Goueral Butior ts In a position to give a fine account of Dimself, The latost cows from him is to yesterday morn fog at tem o'clock, wh r he teleg aphs to Mr. Stenton, from his beadquartors at ‘Half-Way House,” stating ‘thai Coveral Gil!more, with 9 portion of bis corps and » Hrigade of the Eig! eenth corps, made a flank movement von the right upon the epemy's works at Fort Darling on ‘Friday, and assa. ited and took thom with very little loss, Our troops held their lines durli; the night, and the rebels were drivou from their first lino by Genoral Smith vin tho morning. At eight o'clock the enemy had falien ack into their redonbts, and our artiilery were being Brought to bear upon them at last accounts. ios, Danens, Buxixsgues, &0.—Hiow | Reloforcements are arriving rapidly at Washington ‘The first detachment of one thousand volunteers from Obio, and one rezimout of cavalry, reached there last night. A rebel despatch in tho Petersburg Register of the 12th boat, says that General Averi'! bai burned the bridge off Che Virginia and East Tennevs:* Railroad, at New river, Dube are tha Taal donc! with all ite munntinn at Dublia Station; and fartber, th . tue Central Kallroad is Gostroyed by the Union treops at Beaver Dam, in Hanover county. If there was any doubt as to the continuance of success for the army under Gonoral Sherman it is dispelled by the Intelligence of yes:erday, The cspture of Dalton by General Thomas is fully confirmed. We took five thou- Gaud prisoners and some ten or twelve pieces of artillery, which the rebels le!t bebind them in the works, after (bey abandoned the plice, in thelr disordered retreat Cowaras Resaca and Rome. Our troops pursued them hotty General Schofield had moved from Bull's Gap on the 24 thst , and engaged the evemy on the 4th with great suc- 00es, driving them into North Carolina after four hours’ bard fighting The Philadelphia despatches touching war matters Continue to prove that the reputation of that city for concocting canards cannot be in the least impeached. Bprightly and sensational as they may be, we forego the Pleasure Of reproducing these despatches for public who seek truth upon the serious subjects of the day, apd therefore we «mit them from our columns, The news from Red river, by way of St. Louts, yester- ay, reports Admiral Porter a! Alexandria, where large force was engaced in damming the river, so as to give sufficieut depib of water at the falls for the gunboats to pass over, General Grover was in command there. The ‘Union lines embrace a circuit of three mies. There was no communication by land with the army at Graod Ecore McClernand’s command was rendervousing at New Orleans, for the purpose of reinforcing Banks. Gezera! Bmnith was to rovurn with bis troops te Vicksburg. OMicial returns of the Sargoon-in-Chiet im General Bavks’ command show our loss at Pleasant Hill to be 670 Killed, 1,340 wounded, and 1,600 missing and pri- eoners. Wo loara by an arrival from Key West yesterday that the Harriet Lane, which was captured by the rebels in Galveston bay in January, 1863, has succeeded ip escap- tug from that port with a cargo of cotton for Havana, where she is now lying. Her armament has been re moved, and she ts omployed in running the blockade. Moveral other bloskade runners from Gaivesion, with Large cargoes on Buard, bad also reached Havana in wafety ‘The Seoretary ef War bas issued an impertant order ‘with regard to prisovers, stating that as it has beso oMicially reported that Mr. Quid, rebel commissioner of exobange, bas declared, without consulting with the Gutborities of the Doited States, that all rebel prisoners Golivered as City Point ap to the 20th of April were ex @hanged, It ie ordered that all federal prisoners of war fend all civilians op parole prior to May T, 1864, be de Aiarod exchanged, The order farther stale that the webela still romain indebted te the Union government ‘Shirly three thousand Ove hundred and ninety -six prison: o's, (or whom no equivalent has been received. MISCLLLANEOUS BEWS. Our Buropesn Gies by tho North American reached this ‘eity from Quebec yesterday eveni.g. The news has been anticipated by the report of the Africa ‘The mails of the Africa reached Boston from Halifax at four o’olook yesterday evening, end were forwarded to dais city. A letter from Dover, England, of the ath of Apri, wave teat (he Vetted States steamer Kearsarge arrived in Dover Roads om the 26th inst, The following day she WA under weigh, stood off and came to anchor in the Chnwnel, the object of this movement evidestly veing to a te e tee Alexaséra, which ts still tying be (he Toateth dock, Liverpesl, wil! be rapidly completed amd mate ready for sea by the Messrs. Miller. ‘The @myerer of Austria has ordered that the Fighty “qugmment of bainns, which bore Uns same of the Archduke NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, MAY 15, 1864. Ferdinand Maximilian, abal! heoceforth be called after Maximilian |., Emperor of Metico. Captain Miller, of the schooner Ajmeer, from Gonaives, which arrived yes'erday, copfirms (he previous report of the burning of Gonsives on the Tth of April. One bun- dred and sixty hovses apd sLores were destroyed and lives lost. The ainount of loss is estimated at $20,000, Heytien ourren-y T echin Elizabeth Gillesple, of and from Londonderry for P.{ \delphio, with passengers, coal, iron and potatoes, W ntasboro last night oa Corson Inlet bar, N. J. Pase son gers saved. Arconnts from the ship's gonts say that the shi, iso! tigut, the underwriters think she probably *witi be lost, The funeral of Co'onel A. B Chapmen, Fifty-seventh New York State Voluntesrs, took place yesterday after- ‘noon, from his late residence, tu Weat Thirty-iourth street, and was attended by a large concourse of people. His remains wore escorted to Greenwvod Cemetery by the Fourth company, Seventh regiment National Guard, of which be was formerly « member. The remains of Brigadier General Stevenson arrived in this oity at an carly hour yesterday morning, but were immediately despatched to Massachusetts, where the funeral services are to take place. A meeting of New York ladies will take place atone o'clock to-morrow afternoon, at Cooper Institute, to take ection relative to the anti-luxury, anti-fine dresses aud anti-importation scheme recently inaugurated at Wash- ington. A Dumber of addresses are to be delivered, and ' the proceedings will doubtless be of a most interesting character. Joe Coburn left this city yesterday afternoon in the s oniaship City of Washington for Eogland, where he is © go into training immediately after his arrival for a £ and pugil stio coucest with Jem Mace, the present fa- ‘vorite of the muscalar Christiaus of Great Britain. Joe vag een of by a select party of his admirers, including Hurry ful, Izzy Laxerus and Bob by bis side till the last moment, compan 4 Lis journey by Cusick, tbe cole brated trainer, who has cousented to do the Mentor for his valued iriend Joseph. The three days’ examination of the senior class of the Taw School ot Columbia College terminated about six o'clock on Friday-alternoou, Uver sixty candidates were examined by Professor Theodore W. Dwight and the fol- lowing committee:~Ez-G vernor Hamilton Fish, 8 B. Raggles, George T. Strong, G. M. Ogden and William Petts. The commencement exercises will take place next Wedncsday evening, at the rooms of the Historical Soole- ty, ond will consist of an oration by Mr. Edmund Wet- more, ® vaiedictory by Mr. Albert McNulty, and an address by Professor Dwight on “The History and True Theory of Legal Education. "? The dulness Jo commercial circles, noticed all through the week, covtinued yesterday, when business was at almost a complete stand, Tuis was not only the case with imported goods, but also with aomestic produce Petro- Joum was dull and nominal, Cotton was dull, heavy and lower, am wore likewise pearly all kindr of goods. (n ‘Change flour fell 6c. @ 10c., wheat 1c, @ 2c , while pork, lard and tallow were also slixhtly off. Corn and oats were a shade firmer, and whiskey advanced about2e, Freighis wer ber dull, except ia wheat, for which several ves- sels were taken up to Cork, forjorders, at 6s. 6d., with one reported at 6: Od. ner quérter. Our Sa * East and West. Our latest advices from the Army of tke Potomac indicate that there was a lull in the fighting on Friday. Lee, in the hard fight of Thursday, evidently found his position at Spottsylvania Court House untenable, and re- treated on Thursday night. He was pursued on Friday, and found in pesition four miles further south, and apparently disposed still to dispute our advance, General Meade doubt- less refers to this still defiant attitade of Lee in his order to the army, in which he tells the soldiers that “their work is not over,” and that the enemy has yet to be “overcome.” But certainly he is neither hasty nor unduly sanguine when he expresses his confidence that “the future efforts of the army will result in success.” Lee’s army ia greatly raduaed in numbers, burdened with a portion of its wounded; its supplies of food, and perhaps ammunition also, are inadequate to its wants; it can expect no reinforcements, and it would seem as if only some miracle in warfare could now turn the tide of success in its favor. Secretary Stanton informs us that it is not true, as reported, that General Sigel has cut Lee’s communications with Lynchburg. Si non e vero, e ben trovato. It ought to have been true, and might have been the last feather in the scale. Lee’s communications with Rich- mond are certainly cut, and it is now reported that he bas received his supplies from Lynch- burg entirely since Grant has been south of the Rapidan. Had that road been cut his army would now have been four days without ra- tions. Gen. Butler is doing bravely before Fort Darling. His despatch to the War Department, dated at eight o’clock yesterday morning, an- nounces the fact that Gen. Gillmore, by a bril- liant flank movement, got possession of the ene- my’s works on the right on Friday night, and held his position. He sends another despatch, dated ten o'clock, in which he states that at eight o’olock in the morning—even while he was dictating the first message—Gen. Baldy Smith had assaulted and taken possession of their outer lines, driving the rebels into three equare redoubts, upon which, at last accounts, Gen. Butler had brought his artillery to bear. From General Sherman we have a continu- ance of good news. McPherson’s movement on Resaca by way of Snake Creek Gap had compelled Johnston to add one more to his innumerable retreats, and to evacuate Dalton in a hurry. Our forces were in pursuit, and there was every appearance that Johnston would be compelled to fight on disadvanta- geous terms. We captured five thousand pris- oners and ten or twelve pieces of artillery. In East Tennessee the troops under General Schofield defeated the enemy and drove them into North Carolina, after a hard fight, on the 4th instant. Thus, as the news culminates, it gives assu- rance of success at all points, Tur Corrzrugaps Coutna Rovnp.—The Al- bany Aflas-Argus says that “with the oxtino- tion of Lee’s army falls the secession eause aad the government of Davis.” “Extinction” is 00d, and we guess “that’s what's the matter.” A Watt Sraewr Panavox.—Harlem pre- ferred stock, yielding a dividend, sells in Wall street at 101, while Harlem common stock, which has never yielded a dividend, sells at 275. Under which thimble lies the little joker? Tan Rawwx ror Liv Th the Conner fustitute on Friday evening, al- though called as @ Lincoln rally, was, in fact, a rally for Grant. The speeches were about Grant. The cheers were for Grant. Lincoln played second fiddle all the way through. So is ill be with every political meeting, wher- over assembled ‘The Fighting Qualities of Onr polatery— Theie Endurance and Tenacity. For eight days the Northern and Southero armies bave continued their sanguinary strug- gle in Virginia. Such a contest is without his- toric parallel. For eight hours the French se!- diery at Waterloo beat against the British lines with magnificent valor. Through those eight hours the British lines firmly held their place— hardly an impression seemed to be made upon them anywhere—and in the ninth hour the French army, apparently as magnificent an army as Europe bad ever seen, melted away in absolute rout. So it was at Blenheim. The army that represented the aggressive policy of France’s last great sovereign before Napoleon ‘was utterly destroyed in the afternoon of asingle day. All the battles of the war for the Spanish succession were of the same character—strug- gles fought out and determined by one grand collision of the respective armies. This was also the character of the battles of the seven years war and of the thirty years war. It is generally the character of all battles fought by Europeaa armies since the invention of gun- powder, and battles that are continued on from day to day are the rare exception in Europern warfare, In our present war we have the exact reverse of this. Battles continued through several days are the rule, and the exceptions are those that are ended inone day. Fatr Oaks was a battle of two desperate days, and carried a little into the third. Shiloh was also a two days battle. Murfreesboro was a three days’ battle, drove the Army of the Potomac from its posit on in front of Richmond, and hoped to destroy it, continued for seven days, and was one series of onslaughts and repulses of the most sanguinary character. Gettysburg—the hurdes$ fought battle of the century—continued through thred days. Our army repulsed tiere, on its right, jeft and centre, assaults compared to which the assaults of the French at Waterloo lose their great place in the history of battles—assaults such a8 no French infantry ever yet seen could make—and our army, in an exposed position, withstood an artillery fire as much more for- midable than the fire of the French batteries at Waterloo as the recent great improvements in artillery could make it. It is handed down as the crowning evidence of the superiority of British troops over all others that they stood under the fire of the French artillery for eight hours, and repulsed the advances of the French infantry made in that time; yet our men stood for three days under a fire certainly not leas severe, and repulsed repeated advances, unquestionably more impetuous and desperate; and the only reason why Gettysburg did not end in the same absolute ruin of one army that Waterloo did is because our antagonists were better men than the French were, and did not yield, as the French did, to the exhaustion and depression consequent upon their great efforts and their failure. We leave out from the number of eur con- tinued fights Chancellorsville and the series of battles between Pope and Lee. They were the successive onslaughts of one army against widely separated parts of another, and illus- trate, not the fighting qualities of our soldiers, but the inability of certain men to handle large armies. The rest are stubborn struggles, main- tained day after day by the whole of one army against the whole of another. AAU MUTE HU luery by RR be Bhan Mat ohn series of battles in Spottsylvania county, which had continued for eight days at the last ac- couats, and was not ended then. For eight days the twe armies have struggled, neither one able to gain over the other an advantage so de- cided as to end the contest, and neither d's- posed to relinquish it. Such a thing has not happened before since the invention of gua- powder. In ancient warfare struggles were sometimes protracted in this way, and the rude armaments of antiquity doubtless contributed to that result. It took three days for the Ger- mans, under Hermana, to destroy the Roman legions under Varus, and the Franks, under Charles Martel, fought the army under Abderrahman for seven days; but the introduction of firearms has changed that. Yet American soldiers maintain battle with the same stubbornness against musketry and artil- lery with which the angients maintained it agatost the short sword and the javelin; and they are the only men in modern armies that do so. Unquestionably the record of this war Proves eur men to be the most tenacious and magoificent fighters in the world, and this they will yet even more decidedly show to those European nations who have taken the eppor- tunity offered by this war to infringe and tram- ple upon our rights. The wersarte: The anniversaries of the religious societies have been in full blast during the week. But fow have paid any attention to them, the pubilo mind being too much engrossed by General Grant’s operations and the grand work of strangling the rebellion, to give a thought to such matters. It is now some five and twenty years since we began reporting the proceedings of these societies. Previous to that none but the reli- glous papers took any notice of them. A great outcry was raised against us by the parsons and their organs for thus invading their pro- vince, They soon, however, found the gratui- tous publicity we gave them conducive to their interests, and they became as eager to have their proceedings noticed in the HanaLp as they were at first violently opposed to it. Under the stimulus thus given, the societies all prospered and grew rich. For The contest by which Lee and Jackson ; assistant missionaries sent out was thirteen, of whom six are ministers, two of them returning to their fields of labor. ries have been licensed to preach the Gospel in India and six in China by presbyteries in those countries. Over 21,000,000 pages of the Soriptures and tracts have been printed during the year at the Mission presses, and nearly other have been rich infun. One sister treated ¢ The $ te maar leaving te ans credit of the soolety of $5,237. The entire amount expended in publications for the army during the war is set down at $76,351. There have been dis- tributed during the year in tracts 1,996,500 copies; of volumes, including pamphlets in stitched covers, 579,008 oepies, and of religious journals 3,699,000 copies. Tbe American Home Missionary Society shows an expenditure during the year of $149,325, against $195,537 of receipts; $8,814 are still due for missionary labor. The report states that twenty-seven mew oburches have been organized during the year, and twenty have become éelf-supporting. Thirty houses of worship bave been completed, forty-three ropatred, and twenty-six others are in process of erection, The oumber of ministers of the Gospel in the service of the society, in twenty- one different States and Territories, is 756. The number of missionaries would bave been greatly increased if suitable mon could havo been obtained for the important posts where their services wore needed; bnt this was impos- sible, from the fact that the war had made large drafts on the society’s missionary supplies in furnishing chaplains for the field and hospitals, and also in services connected with the Sani- tary and Christian Commissions, and in the care and instruction of freedmen. The American and Foreiga Christian Union claims to have a balance of $2,174 left after defraying all expenditures for the year, the receipts being $72,758, and the disburse- ments $70,583. Glowing accounts are given of the progress of the socioty’s missionaries in South America and on the European continent, but more especially in Italy. At Athena the Rev. Mr. Constantine, a native Greek, is stated to have commenced his labors with good pros- pecs; He has @ Bible class and Sabbath school of betwee twenty and thirty pupils. The American chapel in Paris has proved decided success, being at present, through the labors of its late excellent pastor, Dr. McClin- tock, entirely self-supporting. The American Bible Society received from all sources during the past year $560,578, of which the legacies amount to $121,239. The donations of the society in grants of money and books are set down at $181,144, and the expense of foreign work at $60,065. The total issue of books is estimated at $848,360. The army and navy bave been supplied through the agenoy of the Christian Commission with 766,075 volumes, while the total issues to the army and navy have been about two millions of volumes; 18.494 volumes have been issued to the freedmen of the South, and to the se- ceded States 217,824, besides sales of 40,054 volumes forwarded under flags of truce. The society publishes books both at home and abroad, in about forty-six languages and dia- lects, The Board of Foreign Missions of the Pres- byterian Church reports the year’s re- ceipts at $222,082, and the expenditures at $221,609. The number of missionaries and Three native missiona- Aiwa thaveand yauths hewe been taught in tho schools. The Methodist General Conference has had an encouraging statement laid before it. The report of the Book Committee, of New York, showed so great a degree of prosperity during the past four years that {t has enabled the agents not only to pay the awards to the Church South, together with all the salaries and appropriativos ordered by the Conference, but to declare a dividend of $400 to each of the annual conferences in 1863, and make it advisa- ble to do the same in 1864. The receipts of the past year were $560 578. The report of the American Female Guardian Society shows an expenditure for the year of $21,485, against $23.441 of receipt:—leaving a balance of $1,956 in its favor. From the report of the American Seamen’s Friend Society we learn that during the past year one hundred and forty-four libraries were issued to our ships on the blockading service, besides a great number of Bibles. The United States vessels before Charleston and at the navy yards of Philadelphia and Charlestown had also been similarly supplied. The savings of the men at the Home were greatly in excess for the year over any past year. The total sum deposited amounted to $66,290. It is further stated in the report that there are at the present tine upwards of thirty five thousand ovlosed seamen in the naval and mercantile service of the country. The anniversary of the Deaf and Dumb Insti- tute was an interesting exhibition, the pupils exbibiting great proficiency in the exercises. The roport shows the society to be in a flourish- ing condition. From the report read at the annual meeting of the Howard Mission it appears that 1,300 children have been cared for by the society dur- ing the past year. It were to be wished that a more liberal support could be given to this valuable institution. The Women’s Loyal National League and the spiritualists have also had their anniversa- ties. Whilst the proceedings of the one have been “flat, stale and unprofitable,” those of the her audience to a dissertation on free love, whilst a malo apostle expressed his belief govern one In looking ‘of property for sale and to rent in your columns, but no that he would go into another world un- changed in any of bis moral or physical attri- butes, the only difference being “that he would be Moses Hull with his coat off instead of on.” Aspeech from Mr. McKinley, of Cora Hatch notoricty, against free love doctrines, nearly led to a row. Amongst the resolutions brought before the Convention, was one signed by a concourse ef departed spirits, denouncing the present constitution and government of the United States, and calling on all the progres- sionists of the republic to meet on or about the 5th of September next, for the purpose of many years the aggregate annual amount realized by them at these anniversaries could not have been less than a million and a half of dollars. This comfortable condition of things would no doubt have continued, even in spite of our political troubles, bad the managers of these societies kept to their original pro- grammes. The introduction of the nigger, how- ever, gradually undermined their influence; sensible and patriotic people became disgusted, and their receipts fell off. People of really raligious feeling could not be persuaded to sub- soribe longer to institutions whose mission seemed to be to promote strife instead of cha- rity and peace. The result is that their reve- gues from voluntary sources are now twenty- five per cent less than what they once were, and instead of devoting « page of our journal to their proceedings, as formerly, all that the interest attaching to them warrants is such a brief notice as we cam give in the limits of the present article. The American Tract Society reports the gregate of its receipts for the past year, donations, legacies and sales, at $367,487— moking, with the balance ia the treasury, SO a 5 ee nominating candidates for the Presidency and Vice Prosident, and inaugurating @ newer and higher form of government. With these we beliove close the week's an- niversaries. Next May we hope to be able to add to them a feature of more marked interest, ia our first annual commemeration of the downfall of the rebellion. Horeos Riven Bat.noap.—!mportest changes fo time tadle of thie road take effect to-day. The first ‘n0em express now leaves at four o'clock, Instead of Afteap| mimetes past (bree o'clock, and the secend at str o'cledit tenteed of retook; Wi giving greater mall and pas: NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. WAR GAZETTE. OFFICIAL. Deciaration of Exchange of Prisomers of War, &. GENERAL ORDBRS—NO, 191. Wan Deraxruser, AvuTant Guyerat's WasmmoTox, May T, 1864, 1.—It baving been officially reported that Mr. Ould, re- bel commissioner of exchange, bas declared, without oon- sulting with the authorities of the United States, that ail rebel prisovera delivered at City Point up to the 20th of April were excbanged, it is Ordered, That all federal prisoners of war and all civi- Manson parole prior to May 1, 1864, be declared ex- changed, and they are thus declared exchanged accord. ingly. I1.—It ts further announced that, after deducting the Bumber of federal officers and men embraced in this or- der as exobanged, the rebels will remain indebted to the federal government, according to tables carefully pre- pared by the Commissary General of Prisoners, from oficial date, thirty-three thousand five hundred and ninety six, for which no equivalents have been received by the federal government. 111.—All paroled officers and en!isted men herein de- olared exchanged who are in camp will be immediately forwarded by the commandants of camps to thoir regi- ments and commands, and will be reported to the Gom- missary General of Prisoners accordingly. Those who are absent on leave will, oo the expiration of their leave, repair forthwith to the parole camps at Annapolis, Md., or Columbus, Ohio, By order of THE SECRETARY OF WAR. & D. Townsarp, Assistant 4djatont General, GENERAL NEWS. Wastnatom, May 14, 1864. MATLS FORWARDED TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. The mails for the Army of the Potomac, which have been accumulating here since the movemont across the Rapidun commenced, are to be sent down to the front to- night on the er Connecticut, in charge of Colonel Markland, the special agent of the Post Office Depart: mont, who is assigned to duty with Lieutonant General Grant. es THE TREASURY BEE) pase. The Trowdury Investigating Committees have taken thé testimony of nearly ali those who were most prominent in originating the charges pre'erre’, bul as yet nothing bas been elicited implicating any officer with frand or corruption of any kind, The testimony tends mercly to show what opportunities, in the opinion of the wit- Desses, existed for the perpetration of (rauds. OBSEQUIES OF COLONEL HARRIS. ‘The funoral of Colonel Harris, late commandant of the United States Marine corps, took piace hore to day. DEATH OF HUGH TYLER. Hugh Tyler, of Athens, Pa., long well and favorably known as a prominent government contractor, died in ‘this city to-day, OUR IRON-OLADS. Admiral Dupont’s and Hon. Winter Davis’ book, in an- wor to the iron-ciad document of the Secretary of the Navy, is nearly ready for publication, THE RELISF OF SEAMEN. Senator Hale has reported a bill for the relief of sea- men whose vessels sho \d be wrecked or sunk, but re- fusing avy allowance to officers. RECOGNITION OF CONSULS, ‘The Prosident bas rooognized Carlos K. Leland, as con. sul, and Jose H. Snyder, as vice consul, of the republic of Uruguay at New York; also August Widemuayn as consul ot Wartemburg at Ann Arbor, Mich., aod Frede- rich Kiumph as consul of Wurtemburg at New Orleans, News from California. ‘San Francisco, May 12, 1964. ‘The Nemooratic Convention have chosen Messrs. Biglor, Weiler, Downey, Hayes, Stevens, Wetberell, Whipple, Simple and Berry delegates to the Chicago Convention, and adjourned with three cheers fer the constitution as ft is and the Union as it was, and for the downfall of Abraham Lincoln. ‘The public exultation over the news from Grant oon- tinues unabated. Meetings for the Sanitary Commission have beeu arranged throughout the State. Money pressure very groat. Receipts of bullion for the past ten days, $1,200,000. Loans on best paper, two per Cent; currency exchange, 60 per cont prem.; coin drafts, 4a5. Arrived ship Governor Morton, New York; bark Ceres, we sain, San Francisco, May 14, 1864, Sailed, steamer Golden Age, for Panama, witn one hun- dread and ninety-five passengers and nivety one thousand and thirty-five dollars in treasure. Arrived, sbip Eagle Wing, from Boston. Captain Levi- poll was killed February 1. Also arrived, ships Keith, from London; Robin Hood, from New York, and Sbattermuck, from Boston. ‘The arrival of the foregoing vosscis adds largely to our Supplies of merchandise. Tho jobbing trade is healthful, and mercantile interests generally appear to be prospering. The recent rains in the mountains have increased the supply of water for mining aod milling purposes. s. Mrs, Henry 0. Watson will give ove of ber very popular and artistic dramatic and poetic readings at Dodworth’s Hall on Tuesday evening next, Misa Nioa Foster rexds several selections from the poets at Chickering’s Hall on the sam L. 1.—TROTTING. cepatakes, $200, mile heats. Shacklodack (pacer), h H. Botley wagon. Time, 3:03—3: ‘The next trot at the above track will be between Lady Ella and Jimmy Lynch, for $2,000, which will come of on Tuesday next. Brooklyn City News. A Puwsoronrs Maxcracronr Dastaorep ay Fine.— About nine o'clock Inst evoving afire broke out In the large brick building No, 10 Water street, occupted by Mr. J. Lindstadt as a pianoforte manufactory. The flames origioated on the first floor, and in a short time the whole interior was ina blaze, The prompt action, however, of the Fire Department had the effect of cou fining the dames to the structure in which they originated The butiding or several pianos, together with prepared aod unprepared material, destroyed. One piano was saved, as wee also several horses stabled in the rear. The loss may amount to $20,000, epoo which there is « partial wsurance. It is Dot known how the fire originated, bat tt in — wo have beon by accideut, The adjoining cracker y ot Mosars. by water, & Co. was considerably damaged Howees for 5 to Let. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Permit me to suggest to persons advertising real estate for sale or to let, im the Hanan, the advantage of giving the number of the street and prico—two things which for a house, I motice several pieces street or price stared. HOUSE HU! Trials at Police Headquarters. THE COMMISSIONRRS ON A NIGHT KAMBLE—Oan- GEANT LITTLE REFUSES TO FRED A DYING HOKSS, AND 8 COMPLAINED OF, RTO. ‘The most notable foatures in the triste a Police Hexa- offences gave some ludicrous accouats of their seeing the te mane SSR LS aoe eee Shaat tun tows to hums ast desired hie to Brocare some food for tne aatinal ‘The Sergeant declined not thinking to ellos business. Citizen Patten decame angry at tnd asked the ergesnt his name, ‘The intter give it aad the orttzon sought re- ‘be has na ree wo be BUTLER! INGHLY IMPORTANT NEWS, Attack on the Rebel Defences at Drury’s Bluff The First Line of Works Car- ried by Assault, &e., &., &e, Despatches from General Butler te Bee- retary Stanton, Wasuwotow, May 14-—9:50 P. M Major Genoral Dix: — The following telegraws have just reached this department from Geneva: Butler. No other reports have Been ceceived since my despatch of this afternoon. EDWIN M STANTON, Beoretary of War. GENERAL BUTLER’S FIRST DRSPATOH. Haxy-Way Hovusz May 14—8 A. M To Hon. Eowin M. Stanton:— We are still before the base of the enemy's works at Drury’s Bluff, Fort Darling. The enemy are here in force. General Gillmore, bya fank movement with ® portion of his corps and @ brigade of the Eighteenth corps, assanited and took the ene my’s works on their right, It was gallantly done. The troops bebaved finely. We held our lines during the night, and shall move this morning. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major General Commanding. GENER‘, BUTLER’S BECOND DESPATCH. Heapquarrers, Hate-Way Hoves, May 14—10 A. M. Hon. Eowm M. Srawron, Secretary of Wars~ General Smith carried the enemy’s first line ‘ on the right this morning at eight A.M. Loss small, | The enemy have retired into three square redoubts, upon which we are now bringing ous artillery to bear with effect. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major General Commanding, MOVEMENTS BEFORE THE BATTLE. Brauvpa Husvasp, May 18-8 P. At an carly bour this morning Gener | Butier renewed his advance iowards Fort Darling. He reached King» laud creek at twelve o'clock noon, and formed his line of battle on the southeast side of the creck, with the right on the Jamos river. The Montiors and gunboats are near the mouth of the creek, within three, miles of Drury’s Bluff. Taree o'Cion P. M. General Butler is superintending the concentration of his batteries, Yesterday afternoon his advance pickets captured @ rebel courier, with a despatch from Beauregard to the officer in command at Drury’s Bluff. The despateh ‘says:—‘ Hold your position until I reinforce you.” Foun o’Cuoox P. B, In two bours the rebel reinforcements came. General Butior had sent @ force to turn the pike, an@ Grove the rebeia back. Our loss was slight. General Ames is in position to keep Beauregard ta Pe tersburg. ‘The rebels at Drury’s Bluff are evidently not disposed to fight without reinforcements. Admiral Lee to the Secretary of t! Wasmvaron, May The Navy Department bas received the fullowing dem patch from Admiral Lee. It is dated fagship Malvern, May 12, six o'clock, evening:— There is no information from Richmond. Goerttlas keep tbe contrabands from coming ta. Raining last aight aod to-day, The Furtress Monroe Despstch. Fortnass Monnon, May 18, 1864, ‘We expect to hear of fighting from Goneral Butler's army by the noxt despatch boat, ‘The troops were under arms to move carly yesterday worming Darivg the 11th the enemy kept out of sight, and ae not show themselves in avy force through the day, Yesterday a rebel battery, stationed on the shore of the James river, noar Turkey Island, opened fre upon some of our gunboats. The gunboats commenced shetling the encmy,aeé be retired, evidently to great haste. Tt is reported here that General Sheridan has made a detour im the rear of General Lee’s army and joimed General Butler This needs confirmation Large supplies of commissary aod merical stores are being forwarded up the James river, ané the SaeRary and Christian Commissions are well represented. Tae (riends of the soldiers ean rest assured that all ie being done that can be for the comfort of the men, The Exchange of Prisoners Going On. Fortra Mownos, May 14—P. M. ‘The exehange of prisovers has been resumed. Aiken’s: Landing ts agreed upon by Commissioners Ould and Mab ford as the place of exchange. Nineteen rebel prisowers have been brought from Ban muda Huodred. They were captured on the 12th ag@ , * 13th inst, by the Thirteents New Hempehire-regiment. ’ ‘There i nothing later from the front to-day. REBEL ACCOUNTS. ‘ Buanvpa Howpaxp, May 18—6-P: ‘The Petersburg Register of May 12, nas the following:— i ar. Britton, who exploded the torpedo. in the James. ‘4 river, was instantly killed:by the enemy. Major A. W. Stark’s artillery oe Saterday sunk thegum boas sheobone ia the James river. f Bushrod Johneoa has s command \a Petersburg. ‘Phe Lyons and Davis Correspondence. Pumaperma, May 14,1006, A letter has been received in this city from Lord Lyons. | stating that he has sever hed aay correspondasce with. | Jefferson Davis, ané tbat recent publications to that efit Arrival of the Afies at Boston. Bostom, May 14, 1906. | ‘The steamship Africa, from Liverpool wie Hafifem, arrived here at four o’ctoox this afterneon. The mallp and newspaper bag of the press will be faswarded to amy r York by the half-past P.M. train, Commoeree With the Weat. / Cisvmsmp, May 14, 1066, ‘J. Mrmma, Agent, Ne @ Astor Hoace:— , The Prairie State arrived at neon ce Saturday, with one hundred tone of camel goods, This te the first veusel theangh this aprieg. BELON & BRIDE, Break im the Champlain Canal. J Aunany, May 14, 1064, ‘A break tm tho Champlain Ganal at the Glens Maile feoder will delay mavigniion three or four dave. Beate , alll probably be able ta nam the bras at Wenthor op Monday,