The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

—General Banks, at Baltimore, acting under the direction of authorities at Washington, this morning seized the steamers Mary Washington and George W. Weems, both owned and commanded by the Weems Brothers. These steamers have been running for a number of years between Baltimore and the ports of the Patuxent River, and it is said carried down a number of passengers who joined the Confederate army. The seizure was to prevent their being taken in a similar manner to the St. Nicholas and run into Fredericksburg as prizes. —Baltimore American, July 9.

—To-day orders were received at the headquarters of the army, in New York, to send on to the seat of war at once the company of the First Artillery, part of the Fort Sumter garrison, which remained at Fort Hamilton. Instructions were immediately sent down to the brave fellows, who were under arms for the road in a few moments. The old ensign of Sumter went along with them, as they believe “there would be no luck in the company without it.”—N. Y. World, July 11.

—This day whilst Col. Porter, of the U. S. Army, with a small party of men, was reconnoitering near the lines of the secession army in Virginia, he was approached by a detachment of the Confederate forces, in command of Capt. Taylor, of Kentucky, bearing a flag of truce. Col. Porter, on bringing the detachment to a halt, was informed that Capt. Taylor was the bearer of a sealed letter from Gen. Davis to President Lincoln, which statement was verified by an endorsement to that effect on the back of the letter, written and signed by Gen. Beauregard at Manassas Junction, and requesting that safe conduct might be given to Capt. Taylor.

Col. Porter accordingly sent Capt. Taylor, accompanied by an officer and an orderly, to the head-quarters of Gen. McDowell, at Arlington, where they arrived at seven o’clock in the evening, and were detained there until the visit of Capt. Taylor was made known to Lieut.-General Scott, upon whose order he was conducted to the General’s head-quarters in Washington, where Gen. Scott received the letter of Gen. Davis, and sent it to the President, the bearer of the letter being in the mean time detained at head-quarters.

The President, having read the letter, informed Gen. Scott that he might send the messenger back, and Capt. Taylor immediately took his departure for Arlington, and thence proceeded on his way back to Richmond.

No answer to the letter was given by the President, and it is conjectured that the mission was merely a ruse to get a view of the main works of defence, and ascertain the means at the command of the Government for a forward movement. Certain it is the messenger was not enabled to carry back with him any very encouraging tidings. One object may have been to occupy the attention of our authorities and delay matters for a few days, so as to allow time for aid from Manassas to Johnston at Winchester.—(Doc. 73.)

—Tm following official order appeared today:

“Henceforward the telegraph will convey no despatches concerning the operations of the Army not permitted by the Commanding General.

Winfield Scott”

Department of War, July 8, 1861.

The above order is confirmed.

Simon Cameron, Secretary of War.

—The Second Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, Col. George H. Gordon, left Boston for the seat of war at Martinsburg. The regiment consists of one thousand and fifty men. They wear the regulation black felt hat, turned up at teo side. Their coats are made of serviceable blue cloth and their pants of blue flannel. Since the men first went into camp at West Roxbury, they have been put through the most rigid discipline, and are therefore now prepared to meet the enemy under any circumstances. The camp equipage of the regiment, consisting of twenty-five wagons and one hundred horses, left in advance of the troops during the afternoon. Each company is supplied with three thousand ball cartridges and seven days’ rations. The officers seem to have been well chosen. Among those in command of companies are sons of the late Rufus Choate, Thomas G. Gary, and the Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr. The staff are all well mounted.

—Capt. Thomas, or the “French lady” who a short time previously captured the steamer St. Nicholas on. the Patuxent River, was himself captured by the Baltimore police.—(Doc. 74.)

—The De Kalb Regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel Leopold von Gilsa, left New York for the seat of war.—N. Y. Evening Pots, July 8.

—An infernal machine, designed by the Rebels to blow up the Pawnee and the vessels of the Potomac flotilla, which was set adrift near Acquia Creek, was picked up floating toward the Pawnee. The following description of the article has been sent to the Navy Department: Two large eighty-gallon oil casks, perfectly water-tight, acting as buoys, connected by twenty-five fathoms of 3½-inch rope, buoyed with largo squares of cork, every two feet, secured to casks by iron handles. A heavy bomb of boiler iron, fitted with a brass tap, and filled with powder, is suspended to the casks six feet under water. On top of the cask is a wooden box, with fuze in a gutta-percha tube. In the centre of the cork is a platform with a great length of fuze coiled away occupying the middle of the cask. It was intended by the contrivers of this weapon of civilized warfare, that the shock of a collision should light the fuze. The machine was first discovered by the Pawnee while lying off Acquia Creek, in company with the Freeborn and two or three other vessels. The commander of the former, on seeing the object toward the fleet, sent out a small boat’s crew to make an investigation.—N. Y. Tribune, July 13.

—This morning, at an early hour, a considerable body of Secessionists made their appearance at the Great Falls, above Washington, opposite Major Gerhardt’s command, Eighth German Battalion, of about two hundred men, and commenced firing. Major Gerhardt’s battalion returned the fire, and after the exchange of a few volleys, “nobody hurt,” the rebels retired, but returned again this afternoon about five o’clock with reinforcements comprising a body of cavalry. The firing was kept up with spirit on both sides for several hours, and two men of Major Gerhardt’s command were mortally wounded and have since died—privates George Riggs and Martin Ohl. No other men were wounded on the Union side, but Major Gerhardt’s sharp-shooters emptied several saddles on the other side, and suppose they must have killed at least a dozen before the enemy retired. Gerhardt’s men are anxious to cross the river and meet their enemies hand to hand if they can be found. The firing from the other side was all along the shore from near Dickey’s tavern to above the Falls. Both Riggs and Ohl belonged to Company B, Turner Rifles. Both were married men, and the last words of Ohl was a message to his wife “not to grieve for him; that he died for liberty and his country.”—National Intelligencer, July 9.

—It having been ascertained to the satisfaction of the War Department that Captain Manry, Assistant Adjutant General; Captain Carter L. Stevenson, of the Fifth Infantry; and Second Lieutenant Dillon, of the Sixth Infantry, entertain and have expressed treasonable designs against the Government of the United States, their names, according to General Order No. 87, were stricken from the rolls of the army; and also Major Albert J. Smith, Paymaster, for having deserted his post at Key West, Florida.—Army Order No. 88.

—The Twenty-third Regiment N. Y. S. V., arrived at Washington. It is commanded by Colonel H. C. Hoffman.—National Intelligencer, July 9.

—Mb. Vallandigham, of Ohio, visited, this afternoon, the Ohio encampments in Virginia, and was greeted with the sight of a hanging effigy, bearing the inscription: “Vallandigham, the traitor.” When he approached the Second Ohio Regiment, he was saluted by a discharge of stones, and, on the interposition of the officers, they were also pelted, until it amounted almost to a riot. He was finally released from his unpleasant position.—N. Y. Tribune, July 8.

—Very impressive and interesting services took place in the Church of the Messiah in New York this evening. The exercises were chosen with special reference to their fitness for the first Sunday after National Independence. The services began with Collins’ Requiem of Heroes:

“How sleep the brave who sink to rest,

By all their country’s wishes blest!”

Then followed the xlviith Psalm, slightly modified, the minister rending a verse and the congregation responding with the alternate one. Dr. Osgood made the prayer, and afterward the choir sang the “March of Liberty.” The beginning of this sacred song is:

“No battle-brand shall harm the free,

Led on by Christ our Liberty!*

This was succeeded by Psalm csivii., read by the minister and people; lesson from the Old Testament—the Promised Land—Deut, viii.; chanted Psalm—Cantate Domino; lesson from the New Testament—Christ weeping over Jerusalem—Matt, xxiii.; and Gloria in Excelsis.

The subject of Dr. Osgood’s brief extempore discourse was “God with Nations,” in which he showed that the august feature of modern civilization was the consecration of nationality.

—The New Orleans Picayune published an elaborate article upon the celebration of the Fourth of July, in which it stated that the present rebellion is “based upon the same eternal principles which justified and glorified the patriots of 1776.”—(Doc. 72.)

—At Washington orders were issued as follows:—”The State of Illinois and the States and territories West of the Mississippi and on this side of the Rocky Mountains, including New Mexico, will, in future, constitute a separate military command, to be known as the Western Department, under the command of Major-General Fremont, of the United States army, head-quarters at St. Louis.”

It having been ascertained to the satisfaction of the War Department, that First Lieutenant John Thomas Goode, of the Fourth Artillery, entertained, and had expressed treasonable designs against the Government of the United States, his name was stricken from the rolls of the army.

Captain John McNab of the Tenth Infantry, having, while in command of Fort Laramie, given satisfactory evidence of his disloyalty to the Government, the President directed that his name be stricken from the roll of the army.

The President also ordered the name of Assistant-Surgeon, Lafayette Gould, of the medical staff, to be stricken from the roll for refusing to renew his oath of allegiance.—N. Y. Commercial, July 6.

—The work of erasing names from the Guion compromise petition lists is in progress. On the fourth of July fifty-six names had been erased, and a large number yesterday and today. It is amusing to note the effectual manner in which the names are erased. In most cases it is impossible to decipher the name—it is out a crossing off, but a complete blotting out. Almost every person who has erased his name says that his signature was obtained under false pretences. One or two say that they were informed that it was a petition to the Common Council for an appropriation for the Central Park, and that it would afford an opportunity for the employment of laborers now out of work!

The story that “some one” (meaning Mr. Galon) had commenced a suit for the arrest of Superintendent Kennedy and Mr. J. B. Taylor, fur false imprisonment may be stated in brief: An application was made to Judge Leonard for an order to arrest these gentlemen, and the Judge promptly refused.—N. Y. Evening Post, July 6.

—Forty-five men of the Third Ohio regiment fell in with an ambuscade of several hundred rebels at Middle Fork Bridge, twelve miles east of Buckhannon, Va. Being surrounded they fought desperately for some time, then cut their way through the enemy and retired, losing only one man and having some wounded.—(Doc. 71.)

—This morning the rebel troops stationed at Fairfax Court-House, Va., were advancing upon the Federal lines, when a regiment of their infantry fired by mistake upon a company of their cavalry, killing seven or eight men. and wounding several others.—N. Y. Evening Post, July 6.

—This morning the Missouri rebel troops, under Gov. Jackson, broke camp near Rupes Point, in Jasper Co., Missouri, and marched south in the direction of Carthage, the County seat of Jasper County. At Brier Forks, seven miles north of Carthage, they were met by Col. Siegel, with 1,500 Union men, who immediately gave them battle.

The State troops were posted on a ridge in a prairie with five pieces of artillery, one twelve pounder in the centre, two six-pounders on the right and left, cavalry on each flank, and infantry in the rear.

The artillery of Colonel Siegel approached within eight hundred yards, with four cannon in the centre, a body of infantry and a six-pounder under Lieutenant-Colonel Hassendare on the left, Colonel Solomon’s command with a six-pounder on the right, and a body of infantry behind the centre artillery.

Colonel Siegel’s left opened fire with shrapnells, and soon the engagement became general. The rebels had no grape, and their artillerists being poor, their balls flew over the heads of the National forces. After two hours’ firing, the enemy’s artillery was entirely silenced, and their ranks broken.

The State troops were now driven back some distance, and the officers ordered a retreat. The centre gave way, but the order not being heard on the flanks, the advancing United States troops were in danger of being surrounded themselves, and fell back. They retreated slowly, keeping up the fight, the artillery making fearful havoc among the enemy’s ranks.

About 1,500 rebel cavalry then attempted to outflank Siegel, and cut off his baggage train, which was three miles back, when a retrograde movement was ordered. The train was reached in good order, surrounded by infantry and artillery, and the retreat of the National troops continued until a point was reached where the road passed through a high bluff on each side, where the enemy’s cavalry were posted in large numbers. By a feint, as if intending to pass around the bluff, Siegel drew the cavalry in a solid body into the road at a distance of 150 yards from his position, when by a rapid movement of his artillery, he poured a heavy crossfire of canister into their ranks; at the same time the infantry charged at a “double quick,” and in ten minutes the State troops scattered in every direction. Eighty-five riderless horses were captured and sixty-five shot-guns, and a number of revolvers and bowie-knives were picked up from the ground.

At the crossing of Dry Fork, the Federal lines were very near being broken, when by the timely arrival of 200 Union men from Shoals Creek, they crossed with but a loss of five killed, and two mortally wounded. The battle continued, the United States troops alternately fighting and retreating until dark, when they reached Carthage, having crossed Buck Branch and Spring River. On the way, the fighting was all done with the artillery, Col. Siegel retreating as soon as they got them in position, and playing on their ranks as they advanced.

The rebel loss was great; a resident of Carthage states that he passed over a part of the battle-field after the conflict, and saw wagons and hacks passing in every direction, gathering up the dead for interment.

The loss on the part of the State troops cannot be less than from 300 to 500. The ground in many places was strewn with dead horses.

The retreat of the National forces was conducted in a style worthy of veteran troops, and with as much coolness as if they were on a parade-ground, instead of the field of battle.— (Doc. 70.)

—About five o’clock this morning twenty-five of Hawkins’ Zouaves encountered a rebel force, supposed to number about one hundred and fifty, including twenty-five cavalry, and one field-piece, seven miles from Newport News, Va.; three of the rebels were shot, and also six of Hawkins’ Zouaves. The latter sent for reinforcements, and five companies were sent to sustain them.—N. Y. Evening Post, July 6.

—Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Ripley, head of the Ordnance Department, received the brevet of Brigadier-General in the United States Army. A well-merited honor. He is one of the oldest and most valuable officers of the army. He was abroad on leave at the commencement of the rebellion, but hastened home to offer his services. On being asked by a friend if he had returned to engage in the war, he replied: ” Yes, and to give my last drop of blood to defend my Government.” He has disowned his nephew, Major Ripley, who took part in the attack on Fort Sumter.

Captain (now Major) Doubleday of the First Artillery, recently promoted to be a Major in the Seventeenth foot, received his new commission.—Baltimore American, July 5.

—The Mozart Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers, embarked this morning, at Yonkers, and left for Elizabethport, N. J., to take the cars for Washington. The regiment numbered 1,046, and were armed with Enfield muskets. They had two hundred common tents, forty officers’ tents, ten baggage wagons, each drawn by six horses, four hospital ambulances, twenty camp stoves, and two brass 12-pound howitzers.— N. Y. World, July 6.

—A Union meeting was held at the city of Louisiana, Missouri, at which Mr. Charles D. Drake delivered an elaborate speech in defence of the Union and the Constitution.—(Doc. 63.)

—Pursuant to the call of the President of the United States, Congress assembled at Washington this day in special session. Galusha A. Grow, of Penn., was elected speaker of the House, and took the oath of office, which was administered by Mr. Washburne of Illinois. The President’s message was received and read together with reports of the heads of the various departments. The message is brief, and the facts it states are well known; the important points of the document are those which embody the recommendations of the President in relation to the measures to be adopted for the prosecution of the war. Compromise by Congress ho regards as out of the question. The people only can compromise on a question which affects the existence of the nation. He therefore asks that Congress give to the Executive the “legal means to make the contest a short and decisive one, by placing at the control of Government for the work at least four hundred thousand men and four hundred millions of dollars.” That number of men, he says, are ready and willing to take arms for the support of the Government, whilst the amount asked for war purposes is quite within the ability of the country to supply.—(Doc. 65, 66, 67, 68.)

—A Small flag of the Southern Confederacy was raised over a house on an alley in the upper part of the city of Louisville, Ky., to-day. The perpetration of such a deed on such a day is almost sacrilegious. The miserable flag’s time was short. Some patriotic Germans took it down, and bore it away, and burned it. Its ashes are a part of the mud of the streets.— Louisville Journal, July 8.

—The passenger trains on the Louisville and Nashville railroad were seized this morning at Camp Ironsdale, near Mitchellsville, by order of Major-General Anderson, and carried to Nashville, Tenn. The managers had taken all the engines and running stock to Louisville. Ky., against which policy Tennessee had remonstrated, and this seizure was a necessity as a measure of protection. Major-General Anderson informed the agent of the road that no further seizures would be made, and that trains should pass uninterrupted.—Louisville Journal, July 5.

A skirmish took place at Harper’s Ferry, Va., this evening between companies of the New York Ninth Regiment and a detachment of Confederates, who had returned to Harper’s Ferry. A number of men belonging to one of the companies of the New York Ninth crossed over to the Ferry, for the purpose of seeing the work of destruction which had been perpetrated by the rebels, when they were fired upon by a party of men from Bolivar heights. They immediately crossed the river, returned to their encampment, and being reinforced, proceeded at once to the Potomac, opposite Harper’s Ferry, and opened fire upon them. The rebels, concealing themselves in the houses and behind the abutments of the burned bridge, had a decided advantage, and from their position poured a galling fire upon the Federal companies on this side, which were perfectly exposed: yet they stood their ground with almost reckless bravery, until the firing ceased from the opposite side, when they retired with a loss of two killed and three wounded. Several of the rebels were killed, one was killed by a citizen of Harper’s Ferry, who engaged in the fight, he being driven from the place by the rebels.—Baltimore American, July 8.

—The rebels erected a battery, and mounted two rifled cannon at Matthias Point, Va. —N. Y. Times, July C.

—The New Hampshire Legislature adjourned to-day, after a session of thirty days. Resolutions were reported, declaring the war now in progress a war solely for the maintenance of the Government and the suppression of rebellion; declaring against the right of secession; asserting that neither the President nor Congress can constitutionally entertain any proposition which has for its object the dismemberment of the Government or the dissolution of the Union; and finally declaring that the State of New Hampshire pledges her resources for the integrity of the Union, the support of the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws of the General Government. When these resolutions were put to the vote the members all rose and gave a unanimous aye. Not a member voted in the negative. A militia bill was passed authorizing the Governor to raise three regiments, to each of which he may add a company of artillery, cavalry, and riflemen.—National Intelligencer, July 9.

—The Sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, commanded by Colonel E. F. Jones, were presented with an elegant silk flag, by the loyal citizens of Baltimore, at the Relay House, where had assembled several thousand ladies and gentlemen for the purpose of witnessing the ceremonies. The regiment having been formed in a semicircle, S. J. K. Handy, Esq., advanced, and addressed the command in an eloquent and patriotic strain, presenting the flag in the name of the loyal citizens of Baltimore. Colonel Jones received the flag, and responded briefly to the address. He remarked, among other things, that ladies and gentlemen, representatives of the loyal citizens of Baltimore, had come to place the regiment under an additional obligation, in bestowing such a beautiful flag upon them. An acquaintance which opened in blood had been continued and cultivated with services of great kindness. The command appreciated the many acts which had been bestowed upon their wounded, as well as the kind expressions of the Union-loving citizens of Baltimore. The flag was accepted not only as a token of loyalty, but as an evidence of friendship, which he hoped would continue to grow and strengthen; and when it was unfurled at home, many eyes would be filled with tears in memory of those who had fallen. The presentation laid the old State of Massachusetts under an obligation to the city of Baltimore, and would ever be remembered by her best citizens. In concluding, he assured all present that the object of his regiment was not to oppress, or even to harass the South, but to protect the Capital and preserve the Government. He regretted that his language could but faintly express his feelings, but if his friends could look into his heart they would much better understand him. At the conclusion of his speech three cheers were given for Massachusetts, in response to which nine cheers were given by the regiment for teo loyal citizens of Baltimore. Baltimore American.

—A Correspondent of the Charleston Courier:—”There are some who affect to believe that we shall have a peace before we have a fight. The reaction so long predicted al the North having begun, the circulating petitions of merchants, bankers, clergymen, and other citizens of New York, which are pressing their peaceful influences upon Abraham Lincoln, are also operating here. The question is already being discussed in its various bearings, and the auspicious event has even been assigned a place this side of Christmas.

We have no idea, however, of giving up the contest without, at least, one grand exhibition of the power, the prowess, and the resources of the people who have been stigmatized as “the ruffian rebels of the South.” We went into the war on principle; let us come, out on principle, but not until we have left a mark upon our enemies that shall secure for us for all times to come the respect of the world. The hundred thousand men we have in the field will not be content to lay down their arms in peace, until they have struck a blow that shall quiver through the North; and unless this be done, the millions they have left behind them will have their “welcome home” alloyed by the thought that their husbands, sons, and brothers have returned without teaching that lesson of humiliation to an insolent foe, which, next to the Lord’s Prayer, has been the uppermost desire in every Southern heart.”

—Gen. Lyon, with upwards of two thousand National troops, left Booneville, Missouri, for the Southwest.—N. Y. Times, July 7.

—The Military Board of Arkansas issued a proclamation, calling for 10,000 men to repel invasion by the National troops through Missouri. Each company is to arm itself with the usual weapons of the country, furnish its own tents and camp equipage, which will be paid for by the State. Regiments are ordered to organize for immediate service.—Memphis Appeal, July 4.

—A correspondent in Morgan county, Va., in a letter to the Baltimore American, gives the following account of affairs in that district: —We are now experiencing and witnessing the evils of secession in this county, where we have always enjoyed the blessings of liberty and the freedom of speech. We dare not open our mouths now. The Confederate troops, which came into our county on last Sunday (three hundred and fifty), have caused a great stampede among our Union men. One-third of the male population has gone to Maryland for fear of being impressed in the Confederate service. A perfect reign of terror prevails here; business is suspended, and our citizens are compelled to stand on guard without board or pay. Neither friend nor foe is allowed to cross the river at this place or Hancock, but fortunately the river is very low, and we can occasionally steal away and wade across at other places, to get our mails. Two gentlemen from Maryland were arrested here yesterday and taken to headquarters at Berkeley Springs, upon what charge I have not been able to learn. I presume they will be released to-day. It is impossible for us to learn the object of those troops, though it is reported to-day that they intend to march over to Hancock and take possession of a large quantity of flour and grain for the use of the army at Winchester.—Baltimore American, July 6.

—The Twenty-Fourth Regiment New York S. V. from Oswego, arrived at Washington.— N. Y. Tribune, July 4.

—Between 3 and 7 o’clock this morning the troops which have been concentrating at Hagerstown and Williamsport, Md., for several days past, crossed the ford at the latter place. Gen. Patterson reviewed them as they filed past him.

The morning was bright and beautiful, and the soldiers were in excellent spirits; the advance took place before daylight, the post of honor being assigned to Captain McMullen’s Independent Rangers, and the First Wisconsin, and the Eleventh Pennsylvania regiments. The advancing column consisted of the brigades of Abercrombie, Thomas, and Negley. The Independent Rangers behaved remarkably well, getting close up to the rebels, within a distance of only 75 yards. Abercrombie’s brigade led the advance, and the casualties of the conflict were almost exclusively on the First Wisconsin and Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiments. Col. Jarrett and Lieut.-Col. Coulter led the skirmishers, opening upon them at 400 yards. The whole of the rebel forces at Martinsburg, consisting of four regiments of infantry and one regiment of horse, were engaged in the action.

They had with them four pieces of artillery, part rifled cannon, and were commanded by Gen. Jackson. The first city troops of Philadelphia were assigned a position near the United States cavalry, under Captain Perkins, and behaved remarkably well. The casualties on the Federal side are two killed and several wounded. Several of the dead and wounded of the secession troops were left on the field in their hasty retreat. In anticipation of a retreat by the Federal forces, the rebels had levelled the fences on both sides of the turnpike even with the ground, so as to cut them off in the event of their retiring to the Potomac.

The first stand was made at Porterfield Farm, on the turnpike, near Haynesville, where it was necessary to destroy a barn and carriage-house, to make a charge upon the enemy. Here the conflict was fierce, the rebels standing well up to their work, and finally slowly retreating. Knapsacks and canteens were hastily thrown aside as incumbrances to a backward march. The rebels left behind them a number of blankets, and other articles of value, indicating a heavy loss.

—The Thirty-fourth Regiment, N. Y. S. V., left Albany for the seat of war. It is commanded by Colonel William Ledeu.—The Twenty-fifth Regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel James E. Kerrigan, left their quarters on Staten Island, New York, for Washington.—N. Y. Tribune, July 4.

—The steamer Cataline was burned at Fortress Monroe, this evening.—Philadelphia, Press, July 5.

—The Legislature of Western Virginia organized at Wheeling. Lieut.-Governor Parsley took the chair in the Senate, and Daniel Frost of Jackson was elected Speaker of the House.

Governor Pierpont’s message was sent to both Houses, together with, a document from Washington, effectually recognizing the new Government. The message is a very able document and gives universal satisfaction. It is a succinct review of secession in Virginia, and of the causes leading to the formation of the present Government, and recommends an energetic cooperation with the Federal Government. (Doc. 29.)

—Twenty-seven thousand dollars belonging to the State were seized and carried to Wheeling by order of the Governor, from the Exchange Bank of Weston, Virginia, where it had been placed to the credit of the Western Lunatic Asylum by the State authorities. Capt. List was commissioned by Gov. Pierpont to go and take charge of the money, the work on the Asylum having been stopped, and there being reasonable apprehensions that the gold might fall into the hands of Letcher’s government. The Captain proceeded to Grafton, and upon making known his object to Gen. McClellan, in less than twenty-four hours a regiment of men, under Col. Tyler, were on the march. The expedition left Clarksburg on Sunday evening, and marching all night, reached Weston the next morning, about five o’clock. The people were all asleep, but the fine band which accompanied the expedition aroused the drowsy population by playing the Star-Spangled Banner. Col. Tyler took possession of the place, and Captain List went down and demanded the money in the name of the State of Virginia. No resistance was made, and the money was soon given up. The troops captured some twenty prisoners, all of whom were released upon examination, except the following, who were carried to Grafton and placed under guard: James T. Jackson, George J. Butcher, W. E. Lively, John Kearns, Jr., and J. Shumat. — Wheeling Intelligencer, July 3.

—General Banks issued a proclamation announcing the arrest of Charles Howard, William Getchell, John Hincks, and John W. Davis, late members of the police board of Baltimore, and giving his reasons therefor.— (Doc. 62.)

—This afternoon Lieutenant Yelverton and eighteen men of the Seventh New York Volunteers, made a reconnoissance from Newport News, Va., up the James River road to within a mile and a half of Great Bethel. At that point they came upon five of the rebel pickets, who precipitately fled, leaving behind, with other trophies, their hats and coats, which showed that the owners were officers. In the pockets of the hitter were several letters just finished, giving a complete account of the late advance of 2,800 men from Yorktown to attack Newport News. One of an amusing character from the pocket of James Steele, bookseller, Richmond, describes the federal troops as a set of baboons, to be speedily driven from the sacred soil of Virginia.—N. Y. Evening Post, July 3.

—Edward Clark, the Governor of Texas, issued a proclamation, in which he said: “It will also be treasonable for any citizen of Texas to pay any debts now owing by him to a citizen of either of the States or Territories now at war with the Confederate States of America.—National Intelligencer, July 3.

—Fifty Home Guards under Captain Cook, from De Soto and Hopewell, Mo., proceeded last night by rail to Irondale, where they arrived this morning at 9 o’clock, and marched towards Farmington in search of contraband arms, &c., reported to be in the neighborhood of that place. They passed through Farmington about three miles eastward towards the river, but finding nothing, were returning home, when about six miles west of Farmington, they were attacked by a body of some 250 to 300 well armed and mounted secessionists, who were in ambush. Their fire was returned by the Homo Guards, mortally wounding Win. Hunter, one of the secession leaders. The Home Guards returned to De Soto without the loss of a man or a gun.

The rebels in that section are in possession of artillery, and gathered their clan by the discharge of their cannon, and were rallying all their forces in anticipation of the return of the Home Guards. The brave 300 were concealed in the brush, and fired upon the Home Guards in an open field.—Missouri Democrat, July 3.

—The marine artillery of the First Rhode Island Regiment left Washington, at night, by rail; destination unknown.—The Third Massachusetts Regiment moved from the encampment within Fortress Monroe, to occupy a position between Hampton and Newmarket Bridge. Col. McChesney’s Regiment (N. Y.) took the place of the Third Massachusetts.—N. Y. World, July 3.

—The Governor of Tennessee stationed an agent at Mitchellsville, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, near the northern Tennessee line, to prevent goods declared contraband in the southern confederacy from coming north.—Louisville Journal, July 2.

—James M. Sanderson assumed the control of the culinary department of the army at Washington, under the direction of the Sanitary Commission.—N. Y. World, July 1.

—Ben. McCulloch, Brigadier-General of the rebel forces, issued a proclamation to the citizens of Arkansas, as follows:—”To defend your frontier, troops of Missouri are falling back upon you. If they are not sustained, your State will be invaded and your homes desolated. All that can arm themselves will rendezvous at Fayetteville, where they will await further orders. All those who have arms of the State, will march to the scene of action, or give their arms to those who will not desert their country in the hour of danger. All organized companies, whether cavalry or infantry, will report at Fayetteville, and will at once be formed into regiments and battalions. The necessary subsistence stores will be forwarded from this post. Rally promptly, then, citizens of Arkansas, and let us drive this Northern horde back from whence they came.”—Memphis Argus, July 1.

—The Fifteenth and Seventeenth Regiments of Indiana volunteers, left Indianapolis this afternoon for Virginia. Each regiment has a corps of fifty sharpshooters, and two pieces of artillery.—N. Y. Tribune, July 2.

—The Fourth Regiment of Michigan volunteers, numbering 1,046 men, under the command of Colonel Dwight A. Woodbury, passed through Baltimore on the route to Washington.—Baltimore American, July 2.

—The Ninth Regiment of Massachusetts, numbering one thousand men, under the command of Colonel Cass, arrived at Washington.—National Intelligencer, July 1.

—This morning at daybreak fourteen rebel scouts attacked three pickets of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, belonging to Company E, stationed on Shuter’s Hill, Va., four miles from Alexandria, wounding Lewellan Roemer, of Blue Bell, and killing Thomas Murray, of Norristown. The pickets returned the fire, killing two rebels and wounding a third. One of the slain was a sergeant of the Letcher Guard. The rebels beat a hasty retreat. The firing having been heard by the Union troops, a detachment of Zouave and another of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment reinforced the pickets, and followed in the trail of the rebels for some distance, finding four rifles and three revolvers, which the latter threw away in their hasty flight. One of the revolvers, very valuable, was marked with the name of John Johnson, a farmer living in that vicinity, who is a noted rebel. The Pennsylvanians behaved with great spirit and with the coolness of veterans, boldly holding their position, though wounded, in the hope of being reinforced.— N. Y. Herald, July 1.

—John Williams, who behaved so bravely in the skirmish at Matthias Point, carrying the American flag out of the fight in safety, though it was completely riddled with bullets as he went, was promoted to the post of Master’s Mate for his gallant conduct.—N. Y. Times, July 1.

—Yesterday the armed steamer Sumter, “of the Confederate States Navy,” ran the blockade of New Orleans, and got safely to sea. The New Orleans Picayune, in noting the fact, said:—”The first vessel of our little navy, the C. S. steamer-of-war Sumter, sailed on Saturday last, on a cruise, having ran the paper blockade of the Lincoln Abolition war steamers, off the mouth of the Mississippi. She has a picked crew, and her commander is known to be a most brave and chivalrous sailor, and he has under him a most gallant set of officers: Commander, Raphael Semmes; Lieutenants, John M. Kells, R. F. Chapman, W. E. Evans, J. M. Stribling; Paymaster, Henry Myers; Passed Assistant-Surgeon, Francis L. Gait; Lieutenant of Marines, Becket E. Howell; Midshipmen, Richard F. Armstrong, W. A. Hicks, A. G. Hudgins, J. D. Wilson; Gunner, Thomas C. Cuddy; Sail-maker, M. P. Beaufort; Engineers, First Assistant, acting as chief, Miles J. Freeman; Second Assistant, W. P. Brooks; Third Assistants, Matthew O’Brien and Simeon W. Cummings. She has a crew of sixty-five men and twenty marines.”

—The Charleston Mercury published the following on the Confederate Commissioners in Europe: It is now several months since our commissioners were sent to Europe. Thus far it seems they have got no further than England. Mr. Rost, one of them, has gone over to France; but as he can have no authority to act alone, we presume that he goes rather to ascertain the views of the Emperor of the French than to make a treaty. We infer from Mr. Rost’s departure from London to Paris that nothing has been accomplished in England.

Indeed, from the order in Council forbidding Confederate privateers bringing their prizes into British ports, we are only surprised that any of the Commissioners should have remained in London a day after this new order was issued. This is an act of quasi hostility, which, it appears to us, ought to have arrested a conference with the British authorities. It was well known that, whilst Great Britain has the greatest interest in the independence of the Confederate States, there is an element of antislavery fanaticism which would, in all likelihood, paralyze her counsels in our favor.

Why our commissioners have lingered so long in England, and have not gone directly to the greatest source of success, the government of France, we are at a loss to determine. By pretermitting the Emperor of the French, the British ministry have had the opportunity of obtaining, perhaps, his co-operation in the line of policy they design to pursue. By a direct communication with him, he would most probably have controlled instead of supporting the policy of England.

We, of course, do not know the means used by our government to conciliate the prompt acknowledgment of our independence by France and England, but it is clear, if we expected them to depart from that policy which the laws of nations strictly required, we must offer them inducements of industry. Our separation from the North, and our lower tariff, certainly gave them the prospect of great commercial advantages, from our independence; but the tariff might be changed—it might be made low from motives of present policy, and we might, after that policy is accomplished, in our independence have renewed higher duties. To present to these great States alluring assurances of present commercial advantages, it appears to us our commissioners ought to have proposed a low maximum of duties, to extend over many years yet to come.

It is absurd to suppose that either France or Great Britain will run the risk of disagreeable, if not hostile complications with the United States, without the security of clear advantages to be obtained. When we have fairly fought out our independence, of course all foreign nations will acknowledge us; but to take us by the hand when we are weak and want their aid, and when our position is surrounded with doubts—in their opinion, at least—as to our future success, we must offer such inducements, strongly appealing to their interests, as will indemnify them for all risk in taking us in their embraces by friendly commercial treaties.

Have our commissioners been empowered to offer to France and England a treaty guaranteeing for a number of years low duties on their manufactured commodities imported into the Confederate States? We fear not; for if they had been empowered to make such treaties, we are satisfied that they might have returned home with their mission completely successful, and the war on our frontier, on the part of the United States, reduced to a weak absurdity.

—Leonidas Polk, better known as Bishop Polk, of Louisiana, having received the appointment of Major-General in the rebel service, assumed the command of his division. His headquarters were at Memphis, Term., in the neighborhood of which the troops comprising his command had their rendezvous. “This is the first instance,” says the Memphis Appeal “in the country ‘s history of the appointment of a high-church dignitary to a position of so much responsibility in the military service, and will, therefore, as a matter of course, evoke criticism among the old fogies of the red-tape school. But apart from the fact that the acceptance of this appointment was urged upon Gen. Polk with great earnestness by the President, the general-in-chief of the army, and other military officers of distinction who are well acquainted with his qualifications, there is much in the character and history of the appointee which inclines to the opinion that the selection is highly judicious, and one which will give great satisfaction. General Polk received a thorough military education at the West Point Academy, which he entered, from North Carolina, in 1828. He graduated with honor and entered the United States service, his first commission as second lieutenant of artillery bearing date July 1, 1827.

“He did not remain long in the army, however, but resigned in December of the same year, and embarked in another and different field of usefulness. General Polk will bring to the discharge of the duties of his position, a mature judgment, ripe scholarship, unusual activity of mind and body, great firmness and decision of character, a chivalric bearing, and the presence and mien of a thorough soldier. Though not a stickler for mere etiquette of the camp, he is a rigid disciplinarian, and, withal, the very man to win the confidence, and command the respect of his soldiers.”

—A correspondent of the Charlatan (S. C.) Courier, writing from Richmond, Va., says:— “There are few points of a war character which, just at this time, can appropriately form the subject of a letter. All eyes, however, are directed towards Manassas, and it is not improbable that by the time these lines reach your readers, the telegraph will have preceded me with the details of a great battle. The northern despatches all indicate the gradual approach of the two armies, the strengthening of outposts and various other movements which forerun hostilities. The southern press, on the contrary, are discreetly silent, and all we know is what we see ourselves, or hear from those who have seen for us; but the two sources of intelligence concur in the fact that unless the good Lord creates a modern Babel at Manassas and Alexandria, or drops down between the armies a veil of Cimmerian darkness, nature, personal gravitation, and animal magnetism will as certainly conspire to produce a collision as the multiplication table tells the truth.

“There are some yet, however, who affect to believe that we shall have a peace before we have a fight. The reaction so long predicted at the North having begun, the circulating petitions of merchants, bankers, clergymen, and other citizens of New York, which are pressing their peaceful influences upon Abraham Lincoln, are also operating here. The question is already being discussed in its various bearings, and the auspicious event has even been assigned a place this side of Christmas.

“We have no idea, however, of giving up the contest without, at least, one grand exhibition of the power, the prowess, and the resources of the people who have been stigmatized as the ‘ruffian rebels of the South.’ We went into the war on principle. Let us come out on principle, but not until we have left a mark upon our enemies that will secure for us for all time to come the respect of the world.

“Two hundred thousand men we have in the field will not be content to lay down their arms in peace until they have struck a blow that shall quiver through the North; and unless this be done, the millions they have left behind them will have their ‘welcome home’ alloyed by the thought that their husbands, sons, and brothers have returned without teaching that lesson of humiliation to an insolent foe, which, next to the Lord’s Prayer, has been the uppermost desire in every southern heart.

“In a civil point of view, as rapidly as circumstances will permit, the wheels of government are being geared and the machinery set in motion. The old adage that ‘large bodies move slowly,’ meets its falsification every hour. The operations of the various departments are in fall blast, and from the President down to the errand boy, every man moves as if he was a confederation of steel springs. Nor is this activity confined alone to the government. Artisans and merchants have all the work they can do in supplying the demands upon their several vocations incident to the presence of an army of needful soldiers.

“Blacksmiths are fabricating bowie knives; machinists are making arms and altering flint to percussion locks; millers are turning out floor; bakers are kneading bread by the ton, while butchers, grocers, and caterers generally are beleaguered day and night to supply the wants of the augmented population. Clothing, shoes, accoutrements, and camp equipage—all find ready sale. The frequent arrivals hereof poorly uniformed companies keep the ladies likewise up to their elbows in business.”