The New York Herald Newspaper, April 8, 1873, Page 6

6 CUBA. SPANISH WAR BULLETINS, Paper Victories, but the In- surgents Active. Plan of the Campaign for the ‘Clearing Out” of the Rebels. AGR'AMONTE’S REVENGE. Conference, Ambuscade, a Real Surprise ~ and Exohange of Prisoners, HAVANA, March 29, 1873, ““The present state of the instrrection in Cuba offers some important changes. The Spanish Havana journals publish reports of numerous and repeated engagements with the insurgents, but the details given are so obscure, being purposely, in most cases, Withheld from the public, that they cannot be considered as satisfactory or to be re- lied upon. Experience has taught the peopie here to never rely upon published war bulletins, How- ever, the stereotyped account of such affairs, with which we have been favored for four years back, has in some degree by force of circumstances been slightly modified, and just at present we occasion- ally, but rarely, read such deviations as follows:. The insurgents in strong numbers resisted stub- borniy‘and mancuvred for several hours, making eiforts to involve our terces; but this time we were enabled to disperse them, This, then, would clearly indicate that if ‘this time they weré dispersed” there must have been others in which the msurgents obtained the advan- tage, also showing more combined and discip- lined efforts by the insurgents. In a recent con- versation with an officer of high rank, and who has been in active service since the insurrection broke out, this genuleman coniessed that the insurgents at present were very strong and were not at all ap enemy, to be despised. He also irankly stated that when equal in numbers they mever avoided a combat, but, on the gontrary,, would attack with spirit and dash, using the machete freely; that their Jman@uvres showed that experience had taught “them perfectly the. science of war, and in equal “Tumbers they generally got the best of the Spaniards, as the greater part of the fighting men of the insurrection were veterans, who had gone through the four years’ hardstps anu had most of them been wounded in battie, The troops at present opposed to them were mostly recruits, just arrived {rom Spain, unused to the difficulties ol the country and chimate, and easily became dis- pirited at the guerilla warfare practised on them by the insurgents, and the tcils and dangers they had to undergo soon undermined their constitu- téon and left them an easy prey to yellow fever and ‘other diseases, iu regard to the war correspondence published in the journals of thts island and the official reports ‘toetmioperations, this officer ircely contessed that -“tnby wae not(at all reliable. However frank in his conversation, he endeavored to impress upon your correspondent that the reverses lately ex- perienced by the government troops had but light. ‘weight on the ultimate success of thelr arms. GOVERNMENT PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN, He remarked:— We who are in the secret of the plan of campaign can easy understand this, The only odject. we buve at present im view is to finish the new mili- tary trocha, so a8 to isolate the in- surgenis, separate’ the Eastern from the Central and the Central from the Western Department, | and prevent the insurgents from making incursions from one department to the other; giving ali our strength in troops to guarding these trochas and cities, and allowing our enemies to roam the wilderness at will until they get tired, as ft 18 impossible to cl them out Of thei sorcsts and their Mountain fastnesses. CHANCES OF SUCCES: Buch really in theory appears to be the plan of the campaign; but how it will operate cun easily ve foreseen. So many new plans have been inel. (ectuaily tried, each at the time supposed to be excelient by the plainness of tuem; but exvertence has already shown that encompassing, encircling, enclosing, investing and efforts to starve the insur- genta out have nad the same results as the threatening proclamations oi Dulce, Rodas and | Valmasetla. To localize the insurgenta bv military cordoux, oF trochas, as the Spania 1 them, is scarcely to be thoucht or, taxing in consideration tue topography of the Ba-tern ral Depart- ments, with the mountuin chuins traversing v whole exteut of these departments, the dense forests and woods, the numerous caves, all of which protect the movements 0: the patriots, and they appear or disappear at will, and gene! the troops in pursuit of them least ex insurgents are not to be starved. always find in the Cattle t immense savannas of the Cen+ tral Department, and, like Marion's men, they can make a meal out of the roots of the sweet potato or the yam, the platano and ether wild vegeraples, aod fruits found ia abundance throughout the whole extent of the soul of Cuba. MYSTERY IN AID OF THE ART OF WAR. A peculiar incident of the mysterious manner in which the war against the insurgents is carried on has recently ‘been related to your correspenuent by a perfectly reliable persou. “it must be remem- vered that, some two montis ayo, Cole Pru rull, commanding one of the columns of the Cen- tral Department, suddenly disappeared, and nis capture by the ‘insurgenis Was reported; but in What maanér was, howev t divniged at the tr de om the contrary, rum reached Santiago a about the middle oi January that, by an act of treachery on the part of a certuur Spanish cologel, Agramonte Was made a pris« oner during a& cenference held at the re- quest of the Spaniards, ‘rhe following is the danner in which Agramonte turned tue tables on Colonel! Vrucurall, who is ute officer referred to: Some time at the commencement @/ the year Prucuruli offered Generai Riguelme to bring in Agrauionte dead or alive, and with a view of carry- ing ont this design sent ‘a message to Agramonte begging a couference, alleging he had news of the Utinost importance to the insurgents to communi- cate, Which would set at rest ail diterences exist- Ing between Spaniards and Cubans, avoid farther bloedshed and establish an Lonorable and lastin; peace to the Island of Cuba. Pracurull allowed Agramonte to select the place where it would be most convenient to meet, stipulating that both parties should meet unarined and unaccompanied, save by a few unarmed aides, Agramonte agreed to the conditions; but, taught by experience that the Spaniards were not to be trusted, as on a form occasion, on tle same pretext of a conierence, he had ween treacherously fired upon, prepared tor ail emergencies, chose an appropriate spot, and am- buscaacd in the surrounding woods four hundred of his best men, TUE TEMITER'S BRIBES AND A FRREMAN'S TRIUMPH. ne appointed time of the interview arrived, and General Agramonte, accompanied but by one aide, awaited the arrival of Colonel Prucurull, who fon appeared with two officers and a file six men. Prucurull iunmediately propesed to buy Agramonte With the sum Of $200,000, and provide & vessel’ to take tim end his chiels away trom the island, » framon te spurned the propositions in the same aughty manner with whien he rejected those sade him by the commissioners of Count Valma- da on former occasions. Prucurall then in- med Agramonte that be was his prisoner; a ong torce Was near, and themseives being eight wv esistauce was useless. Agramone, not at surprised at the turn affairs had taken, raised lata preconcerted sign if treachery was at- »ted—the men he had stationed in the woods .: down upon them wita lightuing speed, and vcnruil found himself the captured instead of captor. DIOP RGOTIATIONS AND RXCHANGE. so happened that a few days previous the sy ards had captured Emtlio Luaces, one of remonte’s stanchest chiefs and an itnimate ' Luaces, being brother-in-law to the Chief « Police tn Puerto ncipe, Was not taken into the city, but confined m one of the smail forts not ior distant, and the news of his capture was not cuvulged, in order to ‘ent the clamor for bis oxece thon by the unconditionals of Puerto Principe. luvin diately after,the capture of Prucurull Agra- moute sent werd to General Riquelme proposing an exchange of Luaces for Prucurull. Riquelme cemuuded the entire party, to which Agramonte agreed, with the message that eight Spaniards were Sul very little for one patriot. Prucurull is now again to be seen in Puerto Principe, and but a very lew are — to account for his mysterious du rance and reappearance. Tun, BPANisn EMANCIPATION BILL BEFORE THR PUBLIO. ‘The tion here of telegrams from Spain an- pouncing the sage Of the bill for the abolition ot slavery in Porto Rico, has made but little im- saion upon the slavery party here. All their ly directed to the keepin; lication to Cuba, and jt! % ‘athough fettered with the proviso that slaves must work jor three years with thew resent masters, was considered lugs itabie. | to estimate and, coupled with the assurance that Cuba would not be touched at present, has not caused theims ression expected of the slavocrats of this city, bub: ¢ 18 not unusual that these fellows bark a great deal and bite not at all, The parties most interested that the abolition decree should be extended to this isiand—namely, the Maree, 08 rincipally in FF cities, Who thats’ nti She nant h whe tPbndg saying, “If we are not soon freed we themselves, will free ourselves.” THE PORTO RICO LAW AND THE PRESS, ‘The press comments variously upon the new law for Porto Rico, The stately Diario briefly gives the Tact and speculates over the resulta of the next whioh it @. will prove tobe stormy and stroi contested. The Voz de Cuda distusses the question at more length, and states that the amendment to the origin: oe of immediate emancipation, of obligation te slaves to serve three years longer, probably @ concession made by the government in behalf of the interests which were against immediate emancipa- tion, thus showing itself more flexible than the Previous Ministry and even the majority; but judges as rather inadvisable, in a political viow, that the indemnification, which freedom granted by the National Assembly to those in a province who were wanting in that ilberty, by the consent of all the nation, should be placed to the exclusive charge of the local treasury, The economy which the national treasury wouid thus ebtain would not compensate for what would be lost im @ politicat point of view. Between the limi! of four months Stated In the original project and the three years of forced ator whick the slave must to his owner, the first is Three years i8 too long a time it for the beginning of liberation and woo short asa preparation between forced labor and absolute liberty. The Voz is further of epinion that two years ago Porto Rico wouid have obtained more Javorable conditions than those which the Republic has granted. Pertaps Cuba would have succeeded in obtaining better conditions from the same Republic than can now be asked with any hopes o: reaching them. THR FRANCHISE AND FACTS. In referring to the dissolution of the Cortes, the Voz states that it will not shine in the annals of the present time tor wisdom, Renee skill or fore- sight; but its name will be linked to one of the Most memorable facts of the present age, proving that great qualities are not always necessary to obtain same and a place in history. The Voz con- cludes :— Tf the Cortes have not definitely founded the Republic, they have given a cruel blow to ‘monarchy, and one of the monarchical parties in Spain has with them finished its task and its existence, falling with the “institution” it could not defend, never to rise again. La Constancta—which, since the Republic nas been declared in Spain, is still more retrograde and reactionary, and is worried to death by its Ce abet) the Voz, Suropa, Tribuno, and Juan Paioma—in its comments on the law, de- clares it was not passed in the manner desired by such men as Labra, Padiais and other reformusts, who since last’ November had presented their plan with the object of finishing the production of that Antiila. Many prominent men of Porto Rico have given assurance that the social reform was much less dreaded than the projects which referred to political reforms and especially municipal questions. ‘It is well known,’” says the tancta, “how the labor of Porto Rico is organized. The production of the island will fallorr and many proprietors will suiler losses, but the situation of the island will run no risk whilst the ultra radicals do not succeed in changing the terms of the new law, which obliges the freedinen to remain three years longer with their masters.” FINANCIERING AND TRADE. Private advices /rom Santiago de Cuba state that on the 20th inst. agreeably to an invitation from the Governor, Colonel Arias, a meeting of mer- chants was held at the government buuding. The Governor informed the meeting that His Excel- lency the Captain General had sent him an order to the following effect :—That if the merchants and planters should continue to refuse to take the bank notes of the Spanish Bank of Havana as currency they would be considered enemies of the govern- ment, and might be treated as insurgents. After the order had been read several attempted to start a discussion, but were promptly stopped by the Governor, who suid the order was not intended for discussion, but fulfilment. On the foilowing day the police called upon all the merchants and shopkeepers, and notified them that by superior orders they must receive the Spanish bills as cur- rency. To this many tunid ones agreed, but ethers refused. This matter may be prolific of disturo- ances yet. PROPERTY IN THE PRESS. The Constancia in @ curious paragraph reveals its importance and shows something of the produc- tiveness of Havana journalism. It says that from the 15th of say, of the it year, On Which Gu ea took charge Of that journal, to the ist of March, $16,700 have been disbarsed above its income, of which the directors and owners paid $8,600, tne re- mainder having been paid by the triends of the sousaa who will not abandon it. The monthly oss to the journal, which last September was over $2,000 monthly, has been reduced to $800, and, says: the editor, this amount will be supplied to us for ears, li need be, by the friends und partisans of the Constancia and its views. CAPIURE OF THE SPANISH GENERAL POR- TILLIA. The Herala Despatch Contirmed—Sketch of a Bioodthirsty Martinet—Tortaring Cuban Prisoners. % The recent telegraphic despatch to the NEw YorK HERALD Irom Key West stating that the Spanish commander of the forces in the Cinco Vilias district, General Portillia, had been cap- tured by the patriot forces, is now confirmed by the arrival of a Cuban patriot from Havana, who not only asserts that the General has been cap- tured, but the whole of his stad, It is impossible the amount of demoralization which this capture wili bring about in the minds of the Spanish tyrants who new hold enslaved Cuba. The gentleman who brought the news Was not aware if the prisoners are now alive or dead, but the possibility is that, as Cabans and Spaniards jong adopted the principle of imaking ho prisoners, all the men in question now sleep beneath the sod. SKETCH OF GENERAL PORTILLIA. General Portillia Was a native of Catalonia, born in 1815, and at an carly age entered the Spanish army and was attached to an infantry regimeut, and did good service in Spain in the periodical revolutions of that country begotten by every tresh pronun- clamento., Tue year 1865 found him engaged in the reoccupation of St. Domingo and = situated at the town of Monte Criste, a town near Porto Plata, and oO#iciating as a colonel, under tie orders of General Izquierdo, Who subsequently became Captain General of the Spanish province of Castilia, Portillia, who was thought a good disciplinarian, if not & man of much brains, Was promoted before the Spanish evacua- tion of St. Domingo to the rank of Meda, getlnds gene- ral. When the revolution commenced in Guba in 1869 he was placed im command of tue Cinco Villas district, ising the towns ol abate Va ‘Trini- dad, Villa a, Santi Bspiritu and Remedios, ius borribie barbarity towards Cuban pris- Oners is a matter of history, notably his treatment of the General Villeja’s family, Which is one of the mest honored in Cuba, and tt is alleged that many of the prisoners made were tortured by Portillia’s order, and from hus cruelty he gained the soubriquet of the ‘Wolf of Cinco Villas.” His desperiate and arrogance towards the men under bis command were also the theme of much cenvérsa- tion. The staff captured wouid consist in all prob- ability of the following members :—Three aidés-de- camp, Chief of Engineers, Chief of Artillery, five adjutants, a doctor and servants. A VENDEITA. In September, 1869, Colenei Portal, acting under the orders of General Portilia, captured and exe- cuted General Honorato Castillo. Four months later his cousin, General Angel Castillo, captured Colene! Portal, with 300 men and one piece of ar- tillery. The Colonel was instantly shot and a large number of the 300 men consented to join the liber ating forces, and many of them are still soengaged_ GERRIT SMITH ON SLAVERY IN CUBA, eatin nc Letter from the Veteran Abolitionist to the Cuban Anti-Slavery Committee, New York. Prraesoro, April 4, 1873. My Draw FRizNDs—The pamphiet entitled “Slavery in Cuba,” which your letter promised me, has at lastceme. I have read it with interest, You ask me to write ap article in behalf of the Cubay cause. But I am getting too old to write for the press. Moreover, it is enough for me to say that I am still the friend of that cause, as much so as | was when, a few years ago, I gave largely and repeatedly te the Cuban Aid Association in New York, and a8 much so as [ was when an article from my pes in behalf of that cause, Was published in.the New York sun. As I viewed it our government should, long ago, have conceded velliyerent rights to the Cubans struggling for freedom from the yoke of In oars and from the yoke of slavery. Then, too, if this con- cession had not resaited in such freedom our gov- eanment should have united with other govern. ments te put an end to that internal type ot slavery which Speman pores upholds in Cuba and to the wholesaie murders which this Power per- sists In perpetrating there. ‘The world is too far advanced in @ rational civili- zation and in an all-comprehending fraternal re- ligion that it should any leager be allowable for the nations to stand still while one ef them continues to indulge in the horried crimes of which, if Ld were ever guilty, they have thoroughly og Ii Spain will not cease from her singular superlative wickedness the other nations shoulda make common cause inst her and stay her e slavil and murderous band, The Meavenly Father has placed the whole world in the care of the whole world, the whole human tamily in the care of the whole human family. The conventional or human atrangement whereby # nation is leit to govern itself is wise, but it does not exempt the nation frem the world’s supervi- . Ifsuch nation, instead of governing ite sub- t# rationally snall sink into the madness of en- ing and #8 ugatering them, then must the otuer nations fel back uvon tueir original right, ae @ again. under their original obligation to ui aa OT of their fellow men. “however, unhappy Cuba been for ages but a slave pen and a slaughter house? It is, em- Pphatically, high time that the uations should spread, rhe of even if in doing #0 over her tl meroy, they shonid have to override both national and in- ternational law. Intervention in such @ case is ed r law of the great God and of a mankind, be iter, however, than this will it be if Spain— now, thank Heaven! a Republic—shall be so im- bued wit y spirit of her Castelar and her other hi erator ana leaders as to deal frater- | and lovingly with ‘al! the races of Cuba. Your society, in its and directing the pul reat work of Snlienteniy sentiment, will nee Money te pay printers and lecturers. I trust that many wi! contribute to supply this need. Please hand your treasurer the inclosed draft for @ couple of hundred dollass, Go on, ana ph not till your great wopk is done! Your friend, GERRIP SMITH. To Mr. 8. R. N, President, and Rev. H. H. Garnat, D. D., Secretary. CUBAN LIBERTY. A Lectare by Antonio Zambrana—“Cuba Shall Ere Long Be Free”—The Wife of President Cespedes. Irving Hall was filled with an audience of some seven hundred Cubans last evening to near a lec- ture by Mr. Antonio Zambrana (a representative of the Cuban Congress who escaped from the island in an open boat on the 7h of last month), entitled “The Present Condition of the Cuban Insurrec- tion.” The lecturer was introduced to the qudience by Mr. Piniero, who spoke in the hirhest terms of his bravery as a soldier and his valuable services im the Cuban Congress. Mr. Zambrama then commenced his lecture by describing the noble band at Yara, who in 1868 swore to be free or die, and depicted in graphic terms the progress of the revolution, and how from an insignificant com- mencement it had grown to its present large di- mensions. Hethendwelt-en the glorious beauty of their loved isle, and prayed the Father of All Mercies that in His good time He would give it back to the long-suffering Cubans, who had sub- mitted to centuries of tyranny at the hands of the Spaniards. ‘‘Yes,” exclaimed the lecturer, “CUBA SHALL ERE LONG BE FREER and the baneful flag of Spain shall be seen there Do more, and we shall forever be ridden of our Spanish chains and fetters. Fighting in our bushes and while hiding tm our mountain recesses it is our dally prayer, and the patriots are all sworn to do or die, We have all felt Secniy grater! for the arms and expeditions sent out to us trom this country, and our hearts beat sympathetically with our brethren residing in pres lands, and we feit that our efforts on behalf of Cuba Libre were ap- reciated, Our cause is not the cause of a people, t is the cause of Christianity and civilization— (cheers)—and, with God and Outright, we will prevail. Our PROSPECTS WERE NEVER BRIGHTER than they are at tle present moment, and our troops are confident of success. In conclusion I would pray that the ditferences of opinion which have existed here for some time may no longer exist, and that you work, one and all, with heart and soul, for the redemption of Cuba. Among the audience was Mrs, Cespedes, wife of the President of the ublic of Cuba; Miguel ce Aldama, H. Cisneros, Leandro and Andreas Rod- riguez, J. M. Mayorga and many other distinguished patriots, UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. ae Issuing of War Bonds in Arkanaas—An Act of Open Hostility—A Maryland Railroad Case—A Louis! Cotton Suit. WASHINGTON, April 7, 1973. The following opinions were delivered by the Supreme Court of the United States to-duy:— No. 178. Havener vs. Woodrufl—Certificate -of division trom the Eastern District of Arkansas—In this case Havener sued Woodruff ona promissory note given tor & consideration in war bonds issued by the Arkansas Secession Convention. Un the trial the Court divided in opinion on tne following ques- tions which were certiiled to this Court for answer: First—Was that consideration of the note void on the grounds of public policy, so that no action could be sustained? Second—Was the consideration of the note illegal under the principles of public law, the constitution of the United States and the laws of Congress and the proclamation of the Presi- dent relating to the rebellion, which existed and was pending when the note was made? ‘These questions are both answered in the af- firmative, the Court holding that the issuing of the bonds was an act of open hostility to the United States, declaring the adherence of the Con- vention to the enemies of the government, and that altogether the bonds were used as a cit- culatin, medium in the semse that any negotiable money instrument, founded on the pub- lic faith in its payment, is guch @ medium. ‘They were stilt not a foreed currency which the people of that section were obliged to use. In this the case is distinguishable from the case of Thorimgton vs. Smith, betore decided by this Court, Tuere the question was upon the validity of Confederate mouey a8 a consideration, and it was sustained on the ground that it was the only medium of ex- change of a people under the absolute control of the Confederate government, and was hence a forced currency. Mr, Justice Miller concurred, or rather acquiesced, in the opinion, al- though he thought the consideration in this case was within the principle of ‘Thorington vs. Smith; and he did so beeause it limited that case as a precedent, he having reluc- tantly concurred therein on account of the appa- rent necessity for protecting millions of le in the transactions of a term of years. Mr. Justice Field delivered the opimon the Court. No. 159. United States vs. The Baltimore. and Ohio Railroad Company—Error to the Circuit Court for the District of Maryland.—In 1854 the company mortgaged its road to indemnify the city against a debt which it was to incurin issuing certain bonds in aid of the company. The mortgage required the company to provide the city with the amount needed to pay the interest on the bonds as it feli due, and finally with the sum needed to pay the principal. The company has retained from its quarterly payments to the city the amount of the goverument tax, und the question is whether the company is liable fer the tax. The Court below held that the interest tax was the property of the city, and that it could not be taxed for that reason. ‘This Court affirma that judgment, holding that the joan was solely for the benetit of the city, and that, therefore, the tax, if imposed, is upon the property of the corporation of Baltimore at it 1s not within the power of Congress to tax the prop- erty 01a municipal corporation, and that it not the intention of the Internal Revenue laws tax the property ofsuch corporations. It is also held that the tax imposed by the 122d section of the Internal Revenue act of 1864 was substantially a taxon the stock and stockhelders and not on the railroads or canal companies therein men- tioned. Mr. Justice Hunt delivered the opinion of the Ceurt, Mr. Justice Olifford dissenting. No, 136. The United States vs. Tweel—Error to the Circuit Court for the District of Louistana.—In this case Tweed was a@ government agent, as he alleged, for the purchase of cotton on the Red River, He purchased certain cotton from other sourches for his own benefit, but it was seized by the government, and this action was to recover for its detention. He showed title to the satisfac- tion of the Court below, and the judgment was in his favor. The government, claiming that the cotten was captured and abandened property, and Was taken possession of by Tweed as an agent of the United States, brought the case here, where Tweed’s title ts sustained and the judgment affirmed, Mr. Justice Clifford delivered the opinion. Dissenting, Mr. Justice Bradley, THE JERSEY CHARTER ELECTIONS, Governor Parker's Course on the Hoboken Question. ‘ In Jersey City, Hoboken and New Branswick municipal officers will be elected te-day. The all-absorbing topic is the consolidation of Hoboken with Jersey City. Governor Part ker has concluded not to sign the bill till the election is over as he is apprehensive soine confusion might ensue on acceunt of the weighty interests involved and the want of due time for full deliberation on the part of the ad of both ities. However it en decided in several districts to cast votes for conselidation, and by the terms Of the bill it is previded that the measure may be voted upon at subsequent election. So that the people of Heboken have afew months more of separate munieipal existence before them, The ieeling yesterday in Hoboken showed that a large majority § are in favor of consolidation. In the camp of the monopely alarm reigns lest even by accident Hoboken should texlay be wrested from its grasp. When consoli- dation is accomplished Weehawken must follow, cay Md city will have its rightful property re- stored. NEW ENGLAND METHODISTS’ ANNUAL CON FERENCE, Boston, April 7, 1873. At to-day’s session of the New Engiand Annaal Conference of Methodists the report of the Com- mittee on the American Bible Society was sub- mitted, The management was heartily endorsed, and @ serious of resolutions commending the Soetety and asking the co-operation of the Church in aiding it were adopted, ‘The following persons were chosen officers of the Church bxtension Society :—President, Rev. Joseph Scott; Vice Presi- dent, 0. T, Taylor; Correspending Secretary, Rev. W. G. Leonard; Treasurer, James P. Magee. Resolutions complimentary to the Rev. William Butler, D. D., recent; pointed Superintendent of the Methodist ions in Mexico, were submit- ted and ado} A resolution, stating the need of a denominational missionary magazine, to be issued monthly in the city of New York, and ui mediate steps tn this direction, was algo adopted, SECRETARY PRO TEM. Rare Admiral Robeson Play- ing at Soldiers. “AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.” The Dual Secretary in Conference with } the Chiefs. of Bureaus. | HOURS AT THE WAR OFFICE. How the Salty Minister of Marine Transacts Business—Judge Holt, General Townsend, Surgeon General Barnes and Admiral Case. Wagarnaron, April 2, 1873. May the service united never sever. So warbied that plump and jovial mariner, Rear Admiral Robeson, a morning or two ago, a8 he gayly traversed the narrow distance between the Navy Department and the War Office. Coming from the former, he was about to enter the latter 88 the above-quoted strain from an old and well- ‘Worn sea ballad was borne from his lips by gentle Spring zephiyrs to the ears of those about the door. General Belknap, that ‘heroic sized and visaged son of Mars, has gone westward with gallant Phil Sheridan, to inspect the latter's rough riders in Northern Texas and on the Rio Grande; and as the Attorney General has ruled that brave Tecumseh Sherman is preclidea by law from doing anything usefal ina civil way, now that his sword is con- demned to idleness, the whole burden of govern- ing the land and navat forces has fallen upon the broad and-shepely shoulders of the Secretary of the Navy. Thus, again, after a legal separation of seventy-five years’ duration, is the spectacle offered of a ‘united service,” so far as concerns the fountain head of administration. ROBESON AT ARMY HEADQUARTERS. On the particular morning above mentioned the genial Minister had for that one day disposed of the naval destinies of a@ great nation by referring them all to his alter ego, Admiral Case, for report and opinion, both to be rendered on the day follow- ing, and was on his way, fresh and eager, to the kindred department, to deal more directly with questions which, because they were new and short- lived, offered greater attraction to study and wider fields for the play of original and unfettered ge- nius. Before proceeding up-stairs to the Mints- terial sanctum he sought on the lower floor the unpretending single room that is made to support the pretentious title of “Headquarters of the Army; but, early as it was in the official day, Sherman, to whom a secretary or shorthand writer would be a hindrance, had already read and answered his daily average of twenty or thirty letters, and, escaping from confinement, was taking “all out of doors’? into his lungs and measuring the capacious pavé by hasty strides toward the Capitol, perhaps to develop a new thought into a useiul maxim, by following it up in Mr. Spofford’s big library. Mr. Robeson, therefore, stepped across ve hallway to the room of Adjutant General Townsend, a gentleman, in persoa and surroundings, intensely suggestive of all that is prim and proper, formal and decorous in bureau- cratic life, Here the chilliness of the official atmospiiere soon proved too much for the joyous and worldly-minded Secretary, accustomed, so to speak, to the ‘comforts of a home’ in the dim and arowsy old Navy Department. His flight was has- tened, too, by the impending recital of some ab- struse point of military etiquette that arose during the Florida war, and which, thoagh’happily settled at the time, after much official tribulation and labor, was unhappily recalled frem the grave of the adjutantal memory by a chance coincidence of the Present time, It was against such ghostly resur- rections that the Saxon-bearded Belknap had so often to raise the fervid invocation, “Good Lord, eliver us!” aud while wringing his. brother Secre- tary’s hand on the breaking up of the last Cabinet meeting before his departure to inspect Sheridan, he had whispered in his ear a hasty caution against bumping on the twin rocks of “QUSTOM” AND “PRECEDENT,"? ‘as laid down in Townsend’s charts, while cruising in company with the Adjutant Generai. So the ad interim Secretary of War gought the room above, wherein, after dropping anchor by the sec- retarial desk, he dropped his hand upon the knob of the call-bell, placed in échelon upon the right flank of Scott’s Military Dictionary, with its left slightly “refused,” as laid down in Upton and Jomini.. Answering the summons came a colored messenger, @ very model of deportment, whose cunning but not andactous fingers have in their day tweaked the noses of Presidents who gave free- dom to whole races of bondmen, Ministers of State who organized the gigantic resources of a rich and industrious nation and Generals who conquered a jant confederation of sovereign States, while a old Dut loyal hand held the sh; and glittering steel against the throats of greatness. Between these Sepnecting links of past and present history occurred the following colloquy SECRETARY PRO TEM, (impressively) —Orderly, I’m ere. ORDERLY (non-committedly)—Yes, sir. SECRETARY PRO Tem—Orderly, is there a attendance in the ante-room? ORDERLY—Yes, sir; several chiefs of bureaus. SECRETARY PRO TEM.—Well, show them in, one at atime, and, orderly, in order of rank. The orderly, taking the last command as apply- ing to intellectual rank and, at all events, giving “custom? and “precedent? the benefit of any doubt, ushered in the Chief of Engineers, General Hum ‘&@ quiet, seft-spoken and modest man, with @ War and peace recerd in friendly con- flict to preserve name to history—a match- less type in our service of the soldier, the scholar and gentleman. With apparent diffi- dence, yet witheut waste of words, he lays open a plan of certain modifications of the forts of New York harbor, demanded by the changed conditions of naval warfare, adopted by the Board of Engi- neers sitting at ‘New ‘ork, approved by. himself, and requiring the nominal approval of the Secre- tary of War, as.k t of the military chest. The Jace of the ad interim War Minister lights up with leasure; at the very threshold of his new duties he has come upon a@ familiar topic, In a friendly and confidential. way he tells the patient Hum- phreys that he has been over the whole subject of sea coast defence with Case and the other boys over there in the Navy Department, and that he thinks, and they think with him, that ail the money now spending upon forts Is dead Waste, and might | better be applied to the building of sub-aqueonus torpedo boats, which, under the management of the navy, have solved. THE PROBLEM OF HARBOR DRFENOR. Only the shadow of @ smile e upon the fea- tures of the man of science as the man of words went on; but none the lesscrnetly, because kindly, did he demoush the airy and aqueous theories of his temporary superior by suggésting that theugh it were among the px jlities Of the future that the torpede boats should, from their watery oa automatically biow the Glattons and reat Peters y » it was among the certainties that the coneentric and cross of heavy guns from casemates of stone, pro- tected by earth, and from open batteries with earthen parapets, would be needed to perform the preliminary offices of hospitality. He could have added, bat refrained from adding, through cour- vesy, that ey time the heavy guns, with the auxiliary aid of channel obstructions and floating torpedoes operated from land, had ended with the strangers, the vaunted torpede boats would only be useful in clearing the wreck for the benefit of peaceful navigation. Confronted by two sides of an open question, the Secretary pro falls back with his sub-aqueous torpedo squadron, giving New York the benefit of & temporary provision of defense vy allowing her seacoast fortifications to stand. “General phlreys bows himself to the outer door, the Secre- eatching sight, over his bending shoulders, of the Roman ijace and figure of the senior brigadier general of the army—all but made the junior major eneral @ month or two sgo—Quartermaster eneral Mcigs, The Quartermaster General 18 noted for three qualities, each of the one in urest and most persistent type—ebstinacy ecentricty and ttvegrity. He has paid “millions for defence,” but, exacted “not ene cent for tribute,” and, while keeping millions in the Treasury that rightfully belong there, against every effort to get them out, has kept other mil- lions there—but not so many aft that honor and justice belo! to private present business is to submit a propositien for re- mount Parts ‘of the cavairy force destined for Indian operations in the Spring, and here is again at hon a, bovine, horees oncnah under his command, fae mane, Corps, Morente up $7,000 worth of “corn and beang,” or other eaujne fod- NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1873—QUADRUPLE SHEET. der, every year, if there be truth and honesty in a mates. Davy esti Following General Me! ter—Joseph Holt, of Kentucky. The man who has sat in cabinets with stavesmen in fact ag in name, in his eld age finds the quietness of § bureau place and the security of a bi jier’s rank comes a national and pay better than the strife of politics, the drudgery of the Bench and the tur! of the Bar and it is loss elsewhere is all clear gain tothe arm: those who compose it. Even now, sustained M the law that requires the proceedings of eve! itary court to be sent to him for review, he is ing to the attention of the executive head of the army some deed of injustice wrought upon that object of thy, “the accused,” by ce—none of them pies in the fate of sonsancs sone be Ma’ “after me the deluge’? the 4 eral mighs well exc see! thie rr in “line presenee™ is.Colonel Ww Myer better known as “Old Probabilities,” a iF sul in the army, who turned his..eariler re into labor and rst,, gaye to the army flag and torch signals _and field telegraph trains, and terwards to country the system of observation and telegraphic rt of storms. His present business is to make a arrangements, in the absence of the regular head of the department, for the ordering of the weather, Secretary Robeson,. who, irom his frequent vocal assertions after dimner, inthe evening, is known to leve A wet sheet and a flowing sea, bespeaks a prolongation of the equinoctial winds and rains of Maren mto April, with exceptions to be noted in favor of the nights on which he intends to’go out to have @ rubber, a glass Of sherry and a biscuit with dome of the old sea dogs on a turn of shore duty In the Revs Doponment Myer, who is One of the most accommodating- of men, though & little out of gorts on Inauguration Day, promises due observance ‘ol the ambrosial nights, and leaves with the Secretary an enlarged meteorological map of New Jerse: paper ‘of red-headed pins, by the 1 of Camden can deduce the sage eae f the season for Cape May and Branch running from a series of observations k to the silurian age. sings out the dusky Chesterfield, with absent- minded recurrence to former scenes and occupa- tions, and, responsive to a familiar summons, enters Surgeon General Barnes, a man of mark 10 dress, in society and in his pro/ession; harmonious witnin and without; a firm believer in allopathy, the Jefterson Medical College, the Protestant Epis- copal Church, the saving grace of kid gloves, the pores that be and are to be, ees and dis- jinctiens of life, and a hereaiter o! good dinners and jee poaiety where Father Mathews and Par- son Beechers will neither be heard or seen. Gen- eral Barnes, who has spent nearly his whole life in the medical corps of the army, was created Surgeon General by Secretary Stanton upon the fail of Dr. Hammons fall that turned out to be a rise in the end. The Secretary saw something to admire in the cold and haughty temperament of Dr. Barnes, then Medical Inspector General, and took him first into official faver and afterwards into personal friendship. He became his patron’s physician and, by a ¢ a8 peremptory and overbearing as his patient’s manner, prolonged for six years a life already forfeited when placed in hig keeping. Once secure as head of the med; ical corps, Barnes gave his first attention to crushing rivalry and intrigue, and this, with ample means and disposition, he eifectually accom- plished. His most formidable opponent was Sur- geon Edward P, Vollum, ranking first in intellect and attainment in the whole medical stai%. Vollum, however, went to the wall, and Jias been kept close against itever since. But a gfeater than he has arisen, in the person of A VOLUNTEER SURGEON who came into the regular service with the close oi the war, bringing a professional reputation a8 good as any aire: in it, and with a political con. nection and capacity tor intrigue that have so far given him the mastery ofthe field. For seven years @ struggle fas gone on between this youn; Napolgon of surgery and his nominal chief, an wherever the latter hag not. saved himself by.com- promise he hag suifered ignoble deleat. The steps of his throne are already reached, and at last he dreads the appearance of the intruder in its seat. ‘That intruder is Dr. J. H. Baxter, son of a former Congressman from Vermont-and somewhat known to the medical profession of New York through ante-bellum service in the hospitals of the public institutions of Ce pa correction, + But the present thoughts and errand of Dr. Barnes are proud and agreeable. As Secretary of War, even -pro tempore, the scholarly and scien- tiflc Roveson is deemed to be entitled to a morocco- bound. and herbie copy of that precious volume, the ‘Medical and Surgical History of the ‘ar of Rebellion,” and the Surgeon General comes to present it in person. For seven years, upon the We. of captains, two devotees of science, Drs. J. J. oodward and George A. Otis, have worked day and night upon this crowning monument of professional zeal and capacity, and already promises of that reward which is dearer thaa money—fame—are coming in. What meed of raise could be more fully and fittingly rendered ‘han in the closing sentence of a letter of acknowl- bs Be from one of Europe’s most illustrious living surgeons :—‘‘After all, your civil war was nota vain and empty slaughter!” Extravagance ofidea and expression this, from.a non-medical standpoint; but the demonstrator and student of anatomy must not moralize over a “subject,” but proceed cheerfully to its dissection. THB “EXECUTIVE SESSION” at the War Office is virtually over for the day. Muitifarious papers are brought in by the elerks to be signed or read, but they are chiefly on routine atters and offer nothing to the resording pen of history. Various officers and civilians are also ad- mitted to brief interviews by card, but as their business relates generally to personal profit or gratification they are referred to the proper bureau eficers or told to call again when General Belknap gets back from Texas, There is nothing in ail their recitals to detain the Acting Secretary or entertain the readers of the HERALD. At thirty-five minutes past noon the genial Robe- son puts on nis hat and gleves, adjusts his cane and eyeglasses for promenade service, and, with the HRALD correspondent upon his arm, paases through a deubie ramk of respectful attendants frem ante-room to corridor, down the stairs and out of a building that, because of associations yet to become classi¢, deserves to be saved from the destruction soon to come upon it, THE YOUNG INVESTIGATION, The Evidence of Mr. Tainter and His Cross-Examination—Alleged Forgery of Miller’s Name. An adjourned meeting of the committee of the Board of Supervisors was held yesterday to inquire into the charges preferred against Mr. J. B. Young, Clerk of the Board. Mr. Hawkins put in a number of documents to show the appropriation of various sums, the product of warrants drawn by Woodwar After this he put in. also several documents, attached te which were afidavits Sertitying: to the correctness of the war- rants bearing the name of G. S, Miller. Mr. Hawkins claimed that some of the signatures on these docu- ments were forgeries. Me also said that Mr. Young had certifiea as to their correctness as Commis- a of Wasi Poet ene oa Ririocendine pein led up prevented any criminal procee taken on their certification, 3 aay Mr. Tainter was cross examined by Mr. Rufus Andrews, and said that he had been e1 ed on these investigations about sixteen months; that he waa paid by the Comptrotier, and that he began the invesi ion into J. B. Young’s aecount in the Shoe and Leather’Bank about February last. In answer to the question as to whether he would state positively that the checks drawn by ‘oodward on Young were part of the money taken from the city treasury, Mr. Tainter said, “I know of no other source from which the moneys could have come; I caunot swear that it was the identical money taken from the city treas- ury,” and read an extract from the letter addressed to the Comptroller, already published, in which certain amounts—about twenty-seven thousand Glaeuen ts te tees with deposita made by Woedward in the Broadway Bank, and afterwards deposited to the credit of Young in the Shoe and Leather Bank. Mr, Tainter was pressed as to the ersonal examination of the accounts of both ‘oodward and Yeung, and gaid that he had made & personal examination. At one o’clock the commitree adjourned to Fri- day next, when several witnesses, for whom sub- panas were issued, will be examined, FATAL RAILWAY CASUALTY. Coroner Kessler yesterday held an inquest at the City Hall in the cage of Demnis Ryan, a child four Years of age, Who, © week ago, was accidentally run over and killed by car 94 of the Grand street, Bast Broadway and Battery Railroad Company, near the sbrosses street ferry. Deceased, in running beside the car, fell on the track before the hind wheel, which assed over his neck causing almost instant death, in the immediate vicinity of. where the accident ocurred the children play on the rail track, which they cross and recross with great danger to them- selves. In their verdict of accidental death the jury suggested that the cars go at a slower rate of ae at the Ra where this accident occurred. e parents of the deceased live at 50 Vestry strect. A STRANGER WITH A FRACTURED SKULL. A post-mortem examination has been made at the Morgue on the body of an unknown man, about thirty-five years of age, who some days ago died in Bellevue Hospital, and the result showed he had a fractured sku ly on the morning of the 23d ult, deceased was found by Officer King, of the Third precinct, endeavoring to gain jon to Delmonico’s, Broadway and Chambers street, and taken to the station house, from which he was sub- sequently transferred to the Tombs and from thence to Bellevue, It was 8 cted that the stranger, who appeared to have been a poor German laborer, Was insane, and the impression prevails that his skull had been fractated by an accidental ll. |The body atill remains, at the Morgue for idenfification, and Coroner Keenan has the case in charge, SAVED ON THE HUDSON. A Propeller, with Thirty Passen- gers, Icebound at Night. HOW THE RESCUE WAS DONE The Last Plank Between Death and Life. A MOST SENSIBLE NEGRO. POUGHKEEPSEE, April 7, 1873. There was & narrow escape from another dis- aster on the Hudson River at two o'clock this morning, one mile and a half north of Rhinebeck. The propellers McManus and Redfield left New York on Saturday night, the former for. Coxsackie and the latter for Hudson. Both got along very well till after passing Rhinebeck, when they ran into ice twelve inches thick, and after butting at it several hours retreated to Rondout for a safe har- bor. This fact was telegraphed to the Redfeld’s owners at Hudson, whose propeller Nubpa laid at Hudson dock receiving freight and passengers for New York. About two hundred people were on the dock, many of whem intended to take passage on ‘the Nuhpa, but who decided not to when the telegram was received. At seven P. M., however, she had thirty passengers on board. She crashed through the ice in safety, and, though going slowly, passed through the ob- structions with comparative ease, not having to stop once till she reached a point e A LITTLE SOUTH OF BARRYTOWN at two o’clock in the morning. At this hour all the passengers had retired to rest, several of them oo- cupying berths in the cabin below the main deck and the balance in state rooms which lined the ap- Persaloon. Suddenly the steamer came to a dead stop in the center ofa huge fleld of ice. Backing out she ran into it again, but did not make much headway. The next time she went in, the tce broke away on each shore and the action of the tide forced the heavy fields from the west and from the east against the Nuhpa, holding her as if in @ vise, and cutting a hole, all of two feet square, in her-hull, just astern of midships on the starboard side. Henry Briggs and George Perry, ilots; George H. Powers, one of the owners, and ‘aptain Treman were in'the pilot house when the shock occurred, Captain Powers hurried to the saioon deck, and, running the whole length ot the saloon, awoke passengers, who Tushed from their staterooms bewildered and eee and in their nightclothes. Captain owers told them all that the boat was sinking, and hurried them forward where men were en- gogo in preparing the lifeboats for la eanwhile Captain Powers smashed in the empty stateroom doors, and hastily procured all the ie. preservers he could, which were eagerly seized by the passengers. The news of the sink- ing of the steamer had ‘also ‘been sent to the few sengers in the lower cabin, and they, too, hurried up stairs and ran forward, nearly all on board clustering in a group near the pilot house. ‘the boat onthe starboard side was hang- ing on the davits and was got ready first. Capt: Powers ordered the men to stand back and let THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN GET IN FIRST, By this time the stern of the steamer was gradnu- ally sinking, and it was feared she might make a sudden lurch: and go down, and the greatest ex- citement ensued. One woman threw her arms around the steward’s neck, and plead with him nos tolet her little girl drown. He assured her the rospects were good for all tobe saved. The four female passengers and three children were placed in the boat as expeditiously as possible, and the order was given to lower it. Through some misunderstanding the bow was lowered much faster than the stern, and sudcenly the tackling broke and the boat with its occupants, fell to the water, one or two of the ladies and one child being huried into the river, This created a wild scene, and it was feared several would he drowned. Fortunately the boat on the port side had already been lowered, and into it jumped two or three of the crew. who pulled it to the star- board side, where the women were fast drowning. After superhuman exertion on the part of the crew the women were rescued. Ina few, moments all had got into the boats except Ghat] Powers, who stood on the forward deck,,and then, seeing that his passengers were all safe, he left the steamer to her fate and also got into a boat. All this happened in the middie of the river, and by the time the liieboats were filled and ready to move towards shore they were opposite the State dock at Rhinebeck, with an immense field o1 ice between them and the shore, now the question of reaching land in safety was a serious one. A few of the more eourageous as soon as heavy ice was reached, step- ped from the boat on it and groped their way ashore, dragging @ boat over the ice along with them. Another party started to do the same thing, taking the ladies with them, one of the men carry- ing a long joist. When within about one hundred feet of the shore the ice in front of them suddenly cracked and moved, leaving a chasm ten feet wide directly ~ in their pathway. This was @ rmew danger, and again the unfortunate assengers were panic-stricken and one of the ies fainted. The man with the joist threw it across the chasm, and, taking the swooning lady im hisarma, walked across the water on the joist, reaching the shore in safety. The balance followed, and all except one man pot across nicely. He fel in up to his neck, but got out again all right, AFTER THE PASSENGERS REACHED SHORE they walked down the railroad track to McKlIroy'’s Hotel, Rhineciiff. The household was awakened and everything was done for their comfort. Many of them lost all their clothing. One man had on nothing but a pair of stockings and an overcoat, and one or two ladies had on nothing but their night dresses. All were wet through and be- numbed with the cold. While they were warming themselves by the stove a railroad watchman came running down, ing he could hear cries of distress coming from the steamer. A boat was procured and an attempt made to reach the vessel, but without success, The cries could be distinc! by the men in the small boat, and it was finally discovered that they came from the assistant cookK—a colored man. He was asleep below the main deck when the accident happened, and did not turn up when the smal! boats left. He was told that they could not reach bim, when he answel he right, boss, Tul go for’ard and do the best I can.” At daylight the Nuhpa had _s floated down the river as far a8 Vanderburg’s Bay, nearly opposite Kelly’s dock. Captain Powers proceeded to Rondout, and secured the services of the pro- peller McManus and the ti ¢ Samuel Corneil, and with them went to the spot. The assist- ant cook was found in the where he had a good fire ing, he was smoking’ a Pine. The Nahpa was sunk astern to her hurricane dec! her bew being entirely out of water. On her forward deck three valuable horses were standing in the water up to their bellies. fhe tata to Eugene Pulver, of Hudson, and were the only live stock on board. The balance of the freight consists of hay and straw, @ light deck load and 100 barrels of sand located amidships, The Nuhpa has no whatever her hold. early all furniture and carpets in her id muck of her joiner work outside ia, ¢ McManus and the tugboat towed her to the flats, une mile and a half souta of Esopus lighthouse, and beached her at a point where it is thought the heavy floating ice will not reach her, The horses were then taken off, a5 was also as much of the freight as was possible, when the McManus and tug steamed back to Rendout. The Nubpa has been ALWAYS AN UNFORTUNATE OAT, Her hull or keel was that of the steamboat Ber&- shire which was burned several years ago between here and Rhinebeck and many lives were lost; two years ago the Nuhpa ran ashore in a fog last year she lost @ wheel in the lower+Hudson; one of her owners stated that she is now dam to the amount of $75,000 or over, but that the company can stand it; the wrecking steamer, Ciara of New York, has been sent for and is expected to arrive alongs¥le the Nuhpa to-morrow, when she will be pumped out and towed to the dry dock. The Nuhpa is nearly three hundred feet in length and fifty feet in width and carries 800 tons. Her original cost was $180,000. She was considered to be the largest and fastest propeller on the Hudsom River. About all of her -ASSENGERS Pi left for Hudson from Rhinebeck on the half-past seven train this morning, and ali in @ rather diliapi- dated condition; ameng the female passengers were Mrs, Warden and ehildren, of Hudson, who were moving to New York; they had all their furniture on board; @ family named Mosner waa alsoon board; @ lady named McUase fell in the river from the small boat when it was being lowered; she had on nothing but her night clothes, and it was with*great dificnity she was rescued. THE OFFICERS of the Nuhpa are as follows:—Captain, R. P, Tre- man; Clerks, T. Traver and H. G, Kinne; First Mate, M. Fitagerald; Firat Pilot, Henry Briggs; Second Fulot, George Perry; First knginver, Nelson Doane; Second Engineer, F, Van Benschoten ; Stew- ard, Van Ness Fritz. THE NUHPA 18 OWNED by the New York and Hudson Transportation Com- pany, which company also owns the propeller Red- eld, The accident has caused considerable con- sternation ke! steamboat Captain Tremper, of the Cornell, intended to have that steamer leave New York’ to-@ay or to-morrow ior Rondeut, but he has conntermanded the order, and now will not alow hec to siart tll the heavy we disappears, freight the men. i i ecaaaaaaaaaac,