THE PRESS, riWIiIBHBS DAILY (SUNDAfS BXCBFTBD,) ■Y JOHM W. FORNBY. OYTICB, *o. m’BOVFH YODBTH^TKBBT. YHI DAILY PRESS, Eightbb* Cents Per Webs; payable to the Carrier, tfailed to Subscribers out of the City at Quiet Dollars pgp imfTTM. Four Dollarb for Six Months, Pwi> dol lars for Three Months—invai iably in advance for the time ordered. , /■ • > MSf Advertisements inserted at rateo. 81* lines constitute a square. THB TKI WEBKLY PRESS, Mailed to Babsoribers out of the City at Dollar? Per Annum, In advance. • ■ YARNS, BATTING, & WAUIMSG. A- H. FRANOISOUS, No. 433 MARKET, Kg. 6 NORTH FIFTH STREET, Has in store the largest stock-in this City of TARNS, BATTING, WADDING, TARNS, BATTING, WADDING, YARNS, BATTING, WADDING, YARNS, BATTING, WADDING, YARNS, BATTING, WADDING, YARNS, BATTING, WADDING, Cotton Batting, Wadding, Carpet Chain, Cotton Yarn, Twines, Wicking, Ropes, &c. Goods Sold at lowest Casli Prices. WOODEN AND WIIIOW IV ARE. «-G/VWWW\A/WVW'^VWW^V/iArtAA/VWWWV'.'UVW' A. H. FRANOISOUS, 4.33 MARKET, and 5 North FIFTH Street, Calls the attention of dealers to his IMMENSE STOCK WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, WOODEN AND WILLO W W ARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, ' -WOODEN AND WILLOW WARE, BUCKETS, TUBS, CHURNS, BRUSHES, BASKETS, BROOMS, • LOOKING-GLASSES, TABLE AND FLOOR OIL-CLOTHS. WIN'D OW-BHADES, * CLOCKS, FANCY BASKETS, &C. Iff.l LARGER STOCK OF THE ABOVE GOODS THAN ANT OTHER HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY. CIOTHES WRINGERS. "the GREAT CLOTHES WRINGER. “PUTNAM «SELF-ADJUSTING- CLOTHES WRINGER” Is-warranted to he superior to any other in-use. EVERY FAMILY SHOULD POSSESS A CLOTHES WRINGE R. BECAUSE, Ist. It is a reliefto the hardest part of washing day. 2d. • It enables the washing to be done in one-third less time. 3dMt saves clothes; from the injury always given by twisting.. . - „ 4th. It helps to wash the clothes as well as dry them. WE-BELIEVE I IT ADVISABLE TO PROC ORE THE PUTNAM SELF-ADJUSTING CLOTHES WHINGER, PUTNAM SELF-ADJUSTING CLOTHES WRINGER. PUTNAM .SELF-ADJUSTING CLOTHES .WRINGER, PUTNAM -SELF-ADJUSTING CLOTHES WRINGER, PUTNAM SELF-ADJUSTING CLOTHES WRINGER,. PUTNAM SELF-ADJUSTING CLOTHES WRINGER, ... .BECAUSE, The rolls, being of vulcanized rubber, will glboar Lot and cold water, and will neither break nor tear ' ’The frame being of iron, thoroughly, galva •nized, all r danger from rust is removed, and the liability {feokhrink. &welVsplit.&c., so unavoidable in wooden machines, is prevented.. -Third ‘ The spiral springs over rolls render this .machine-aelf-’adiusting, so that small’and large articles, As wellae articles uneven in thickness, are certain to 'receive unifom-pressure.-: . _ - .... •■Fourth. ‘Tkeuatent fastening by which rls tightened,ttftne tub.webeiieve to be Superior in'sim •plicity offered. ■ Fifth 5 dt willfifaflOPfibrround or square, from, one •half toone-and-a-iinarter inches-'in thicknosß.withont he least alteration. v<- v ■ PRICE: gfo. 1,-#6.........-No. 2, S 3 .....Letter “A,” 18. “s'Ja? liberaTly Uawi, •With: ■■ . j? or the ■ “WOODENWARE ESTABLISHMENT* 7 OF- /A. H. FRANCISOUS, No. 433 MARKET St. and No. 5 North FIFTH St., mh!7*2m Wholesale Agent for Pennsylvania. Oil CLOTHS. ANS> WINDOW SHADES. -CARRIAGE, TABLE, STAIR, AND FLOOR OIL GLOTUS, i.IN COTTON AND LINEN"-FABRICS, VgJJALITY AND STYLE UNSURPASSED. WINDOW SHADES, - COMPRISING EVERY VARIETY OF NEW AND ORI GINAL DESIGNS, PLAIN and ORNAMENTAL. These goods will be sold to Dealers and Manufacturers a. at 2>riods much below the present price of stock. ' r THOMAS POTTER, manufacturer of oil cloths and WINDOW SHADES, -229 ARCH Street, Philadelphia,. and 49 CEDAR .and 95 LIBERTY Streets, New York. mh29-lm • PAPERHANGHSGS. PHILADELPHIA PAP E R HA N GIN QB. HOWELL & BOURKE, CORNER OF WOURTB AND MARKET STREETS, MANUFACTURERS OF PAPER HANGINGS AND WINDOW OUETAIN PAPERS, Offer to tie Trad* a LARGE AND ELEGANT ASSORT MENT OF GOODS,'from the cheapest Brown Stock.to the Finest Decorations. M. E. COR. FOURTH AND MARKET STREETS. N. B.—Bolid Green, Blue, and Buff WINDOW FA PEBS of every grade. fel7-2m MEW' GOODS! NEW GOODS !-WE *■ are daily receiving: from factory new patterns of WALLPAPEES, to which we invite the attention of dealers in Paper Hangings. In our retail department we have paid special atten tion to ; tasteful, designs suiting. Philadelphia taste. Booms papered by selected men, and warranted to give satisfaction. ‘ JOHN H. LONGSTBETH, . ;No:. ,13 'North THIRD Street. . DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. Robert shoemaker <& co., Northeast Comer FOURTH and BACE Streets. PHILADELPHIA, WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS, IMPORTERS AND DEALERS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC WINDOW AND PLATE GLASS, - ' KANTJFAO'roBEES op WHITE-LEAD AND ZINC PAINTS. PUTTY. 40. l ABBOTS FOB TUB OBLEBBATBD FRENCH ZING PAINTS. Healers and consumers snpplled at , VBSY L °W PEIOES FOE CASH. GAS FIXTURES, dec. r ARCH STREET. \ ' b. A. VANKIRK & 00., •; jKJjnjIAOTDBBBa OF iOHANDELIER’B . A . ANI> OTHER / GAS FIXTURE^. Viis£® r,nzo Fiffnreg andOrnaments»Porcelaln fcnd atd a varioty of . goods. Plows X "^ E AND EETAIL. J = flyamffo goods. INVOICE OF T*'* lisaMnt’VChampamo Wine, to ur. fo7 * ’ & LAVEBGWB, ■ IBOST BtraU. VOL, 6.—NO. 218. COMMGSSIOM HOUSES. qhipiet, hazard, & H .UTG H I N S O N , . No. 113 CHESTNUT STREET, COMMISSION MERCHANTS, POK THE SALE OF ... PIIIIA DE IP HIA -MA BE GOODS. mh3l-6m jYtJR SPRING STOCK IS NOW AH O bahged. 80,000 DOZEN HOSI E R Y , IT LOWEE FKICES THAN PRBBENT COST OF IM ; POETATIOJf. THOS. MELLOB * GO., 40 AND 43 NORTH THIRD STREET. QA N TON FLANNELS, Heavy and Medium. NEGRO KERSEYS, Plain and Twilled.. LIN SET S', White Rock, Weaterley &c., &c. BROWN BRILLS. Onhendi and for sale by SHIPLEYj HAZARD, & HUTCHINSON, ap3-12t 113 CHESTNUT Street. JOHN T. BAILEY * GO. SAGS AND BAGGING OT EVERY DESCRIPTION, NO. 113 NORTH FRONT STREET, WOOL BAGS FOB SALE. ' ia2B-6m GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS. QEORGE GRANT, NO. GlO CHESTNUT STREET, ' Has now ready A LARGE AND COMPLETE STOCK OF GENTS’ FURNISHING GOODS, of his own importation and-manufacture. Jlis celebrated «PRIZE : MEDAL SHIRTS,” manufactured under the superintendence of JOHN F. TAG GERT, . • (formerly of oldenbero a taggert, ) ■ are the most perfect-fitting Shirts of the age. - Orders-promptly attended to. mh.26-thstu.3m rjTIB FINE SHIRT EMPORIUM, Nos. 1 AND 3 NORTH SIXTH STREET. JOHN C . AES ISO JT ; • (FORMERLY J. BTTRR MOORE.) IMPORTER AND MANUFACTURER OF GENTLEMEN’S FURNISHING GOODS IN GREAT VARIETY AND AT MODERATE PRICES.- - N., B. —Particular attention given to the making of Shirts, Collars, Drawers, &c.. aps-6m PINE SHIRT MANUFACTORY. .The subscriber would invite attention to his IMPROVED CUT OF SHIRTS, Which he makes a specialty in his business. Also, con -Btantl^recmYin^s Fo:K (jBSTLEMEN’S WEAR. J. W. SCOTT, GENTLEMEN’S FURNISHING STORE, No. 814 CHESTNUT STREET, jaSO-tf . Four floors below the Continental. CLOTHING. Fine Clothing, Made up early, for • Sprias and-Summer Sales,.. now ready, • - WANASAKER & BROAYS, “OAK lIALL,’’ S. E. cor. 6th & market. DESIRABLE POB '. INVESTMENT, PRICES SURE TO ADVANCE. JJEN’S- AND BOYS’ -WEAR. OASSIMERES. NEW DIAGONALS. . NEW MIXTURES. NEW COLORS. NEW 6-4 COATINGS. NEW 6-4 MELTONS. LAMES’CLOAKINGS.- BOYS' CLOTHING READY-MADE.' BOYS’ AND MEN’S CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER. COOPER & CONARD. ap-l-tf S. E. corner NINTH AND MARKET Sts. JOHN KELLY, JR., TAIL O R , HAS REMOVED FROM 1022 CHESTNUT STREET, EDWARD F. KELLY’S, 143 South THIRD Street, Where he presents to former patrons and the public the advantages of a STOCK OF QOODS,eaual if not su perior, to any in the city—the skill and taste of. himself aud.EDWABD P. KELLY, the two best Tailors of the city—at prices much lower than any other first-class esta blishment of the city. ; apl-tf ■GLACE CASS. PANTS, $5.50, At 701 MARKET Street. BLACK CASS. PANTS, *5.50, At 704 MARKET Street. BLACK CASS. PANTS, 95.60, At 704 MARKET Street. BLACK CASS. PANTS, $5.50. At 704 MARKET-Street. BLACK CASS. PANTS, $5.50. At 704 MARKET Street. GRIGG & VAN GUNTEN’S, No. 704 MARKET Street. GRIGG & VAN GUNTEN'S. ; No.- 704 MARKET Street. GKIGG & VAN GUNTEN'S, No. 704 MARKET Street. GRIGG S VAN GUNTEN’S, No. 704 MARKET Street. GBIGG & VAN GUNTEN’S, No. 704 MARKET Street. mli22-6m FURNITURE, dec. PURNI T U R E . A LARGE ASSORTMENT, W. & J. ALLEN .1863. YARD, GILLMORE, & OO.j Importere and Jobbers of SILKS AND i . FANCY DRY GOODS,' NOS. 617 CHESTNUT AND 614 JAYNE STS., Have now open, of THEIR OWN IMPORTATION, a LARGE AND HANDSOME STOCK SPRING GOODS, COMPRISING DBBSS GOODS, SHAWLS, BIBBONS, GLOVES, &c. Also, a full assortment of WHITB GOODS. LINENS, FURNISHING GOODS, BM- BROIDERIES, AND LACES. The attention, of the trade Is requested. 1863. spring. 1863. JOHNES, BERRY, & GO., (Successors to Abbott, Johnes, ft Go.) No. »*7 MARKET, and 534 COMMERCE Street*. PHILADELPHIA. ZKFO&TBRS AND JOBBBBB OV SI L K ‘ AND FANCY DRY GOODS, Hat* new open a LARGB AND ATTBACTIYB STOCK in DRESS GOODS, adapted to tha Seaton. Also, a Fall Assortment In WHITB GOODS, RIBBONS, GLOVES, SHAWLS, &c., ■ Which they offer to the trade at the LOWEST PRICES, . CABH BUYERS • are parttenlarly invited to examine onr Stock. fel3-tf PAINTINGS, ENGRAVINGS, dec. JAMES 8. EARLE & SON, IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF . ; LOOKING GLASSES. vnAxana ix OIL’PAINTINGS, ENGRAVINGS, PORTRAIT, PICTURE, and )' PHOTOGRAPH FRAMES; PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS. EXTENSIVE LOOKING GLASS WABEROOMB AND GALLERY OF PAINTINGS, ial-tf , BU CHSBTNUT Btreet. Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1863. SPRING MItLINERY. SPRING MILLINERY. The undersigned lias -now open a HANDSOME STOCK OF RIBBONS, SILKS, CRAPES, . ILLUSIONS AND LACES. Also, a splendid assortment of FRENCII FLOWERS, Consisting of fine ROSES, ROSE BUDS, fine GRAPES, and FRUITS, V- All of the most ‘fashionable shades and styles. A LOT OF RIBBONS AND FLOWERS Of last season’s importation, will be CLOSED OUT VERY CHEAP. M. BERNHBIM, ■ No. 726 CHESTNUT STREET. inh3o-2in |jp) S’PRAW GOODS, 1863. FRENCH FLOWERS, LACES AND RIBBONS,' . OF THE LATEST FASHIONS, . - . . ' , * ; ' JUST OTENED ! d '• ' '-at. . " ' THOS. KENNEDY ■& BRO.’S, : Ho. - T»9 * CHESTNUT. Street, belojr EIGHTHr % ,>«. -mh3l-2m/. spring 1,863: BROOKS & ROSENHEIM, (Late Roßenhelm. BroofcH, Jt'Co. ), \ No. 431 MARKET STREET. North Side, | Have now open, and are daily mating additione';£heretp t A HANDSOME VARIETT OR H- •' RIBBONS. BONNETS,. MISSES’ AND CHILDREN’S HATS. FLOWERS, _ AND . , ■ MILLINERY GOODS IN GENERAL, to which the attention of the trade is respectfully soil- • eited. - mhlß-2m Cjrr., MISSES O’BRYAN, 1107 WAL rtfiSLwiIK'TJT Street, will open PARTS MILLINEET iP*’FOR.THE SPRING, on THURSDAY, .April 9th, 1863. . ap7-lm<‘ C®“t\ SPRING OPENING!—A GRAND Opening of BONNETS* CHILDREN’S &c., will take place at Mrs. J, HAM BURGER’S, 545 SouthISECOND Street, on THURSDAY, April 16th. inst., to which the attention of Ladies is called.- aplo-2fc*. 1863. ribbons AND MILLINERY GOODS. IL. DANNENBAUM CIiOTHS. CARPET WAREHOUSE. JOS. BLACKWOOD, 833 ARCH STREET, TWO DOORS BELOW NINTH (South Sidel, IS KOW RECEIVING FOR SPRING TRADE, A rich and extensive assortment of ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CARPETINGS, - Of the best makes, •■ • ' Embracing all the new styles, which are offered ‘ AT LOW PBICES FOB CASH. mMB-2m. JIUST RBCEIY ED, 3,000 ROLLS CANTON mattings; To Which we invite the attention of the trade. M’CATjIiTJM & CO., NO. 509 CHESTNUT* STEEET, EMOV A H . J. T. DELACROIX, has removed Ms STOCK OF CARPETINGS, From. 47 South FOURTH Street, to hiß NEW ©TORE, No. 37 SOUTH SECOND STREET, Whore he offers to his old customers, and purchaser* generally, a LARGE AND DESIRABLE STOCK 07 ' CARPETINGS, of all grades, and best known makes. OIL CLOTHS, MATTINGS, AND WINDOW SHADES, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, ’ > AT THE LOWEST PRICES. J. T. DELACROIX, iro. 37 SOUTH SECOND STREET, aliova Chastant. Ba}i9-3m • ■ . Q.I.EN EOHO MILLS, M’CALLUM & GO., - MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS, AND. DEALERS. x 609 CHESTNUT STREET, (Opposite Independence Hath} OARPET I N G 8, OILCLOTHS,***' ;**■ We hare now on band anentenslTa stack of CARPET- INGS, of on own and other makes, to which we call the attention of cash andehort-ttme buyers. felO-dra SEWING MACHINES, gEWING MACHINES. THE “BLOAT” MACHINE,- WITH GLASS PKESSER FOOT, - NBW: STYLE HEMMER, ERAIDEB, and other valuable Improvements. ALSO, THE TAGGART & FARR MACHINES: Agency—N.E. corner NINTH and CHERRT Streets. mbS-tf . ■ ■■■. ■ . g IN GEE’S SEWING MACHINES. For Family Sewina* sad Manufacturing Purposes. 810 CHESTNUT STREET. JalG-fUn, ;• • nLARET.—2OO CASES. ST. JUtiIEN CLARET. Just received and for Sale by CHASES, ft JAB. CARSTAIK&No. I*4o WALNUT and 31 ORA- KlTEiStreets, -* mh9-tf Advance of Gea»* I*ongstreet —Our Army Rciufoirectl anti Prepared for Action —Ml- . chael i Corcoran Acting Major General— Gen* Corcoran Kills Col. Kimlmlf lay Ac* cidcnt—Order of Gen. Keyes* Suffolk, April 11.—'For days days past (says the Herald's correspondent) Suffolk has expected attack, and our soldiers have continued to fortify. We had: heard that the rebel army in front of us was in an almost starving condition, and 'meditated an Attack on Suffolk for the purpose of getting the subsistence stores in this.place ; also, that they had been accu mulating a heavy force on the line of the Black water, between Franjilin and Zani, and had been .bridging the Black water river in various places, be sides bringing down . pontoon *bridgeß from some where in the neighborhood of Richmond. A while . ago, the rebels advanced in force, and captured our outmost pickets.. THE REBEL ATTACK. The'attacking force, as is usual, was cavalry. In an incredibly short space; of time our whole force was under arms, manning the defences, and our out. on the roads, on a. trot march, to give ’ the enemy the benefit of a hasty but warm recepf tionf General "Peek was out, too, from his head* quarters, seeing to the execution of his orders. The peopleiof-tbe town.are in a.wild state of trepida tion; Women are running here.and there, from one house to'another,and mothers are hugging their children to their breaßts, as-if to shield them from harm. .The .enemy .have attacked.us. onGeneral. Terry’s front. . . LONGSTREET’S iNTENTION.. A prisoner says it is the intention of the enemy to try and get between ub and Norfolk and Portsmouth, . and thereby cut off' our telegraphic, and railroad lines of coinmunibation, and prevent us from receiv ing reinforcements. ; ' COL. SPEAR’S POSITION. Col. Spear lias advanced with his cavalry brigade to a point one mile on the Blaokwater road, which is to the right ot theplace where the Franklin and •Petersburg. Railroads cross each other.- The enemy is now, in a straight line, - about four miles from here. Col. Spear has opened with his howitzers, - for the enemy is advancing skirmishers forward to the edge of the woods. A;few. shots have been fired from - Fort RosecranS, by-order of Gen. Terry, in order to get the range and let the enemy know that we are impatient for an attack. BRIDGE BLOWN lIP. The bridge over Nansemond fiver is now a tofcal wreck, and if the enemy ever expected to make a V dash to ahd over it, and thus get imo Suffolk, he lias been completely foiled. “ GENERAL PECK’S HEADQUARTERS. 1 ■' The scene at headquarters oFMajorGeneral Peck, -at. nine o’clock, was highly amusing. Imagine a major general sitting at a table in a forlorn-looking ;robm, maps all around him, and aids-de-camp, every *qne of whom' appears in as. great a hurry to fulfil his rinission as they are all to be made brigadier gene > rals, poking despatches into one hand of the major general, as the Tatter pokes a few crumbs -of bread into his mouth, and : aid-de-camp messengers de livering into his ears a whole volume of the English language, sb the major general makes a fruitless at-, tempt-to swallow a cup of scalding tea, and you . have a faint description- of scenes at headquarters. And all this for the sake of enjoying the luxury of being a major general, with a fair prospect of having your name wrong in the newspapers. COL. KIMBALL SHOT J3Y CORCORAN. '" April 12.—At'three o’clock this morning General Corcoran was proceeding to the front of his division, by order of General Peck, when he was halted, at a short distance from town by some one then to him unknown. The . person who halted him said he conld’not pasß, and demanded to know who he was. The General replied by saying that he was “Gene < ral Corcoran, proceeding to the front by order of /General Peck. ,, 1 The.officer said he could not pass without the countersign. . General Corcoran.said he . should, when the other insisted'that , he should not, at the Bame time making a movement to draw his sword. General C. quickly demanded to know who' he was, his regiment, rank, &c., when the latter re plied. General C., under.the impression that Colo nel'Kimball was drawing a pistol, instantly drew his own and shot him in the neck, and he died in a few.minuteß afterwards. Just then Quartermaster ■Cook rushed out and cried, “-Who fired that.piece V' ‘‘ Is that you 1” said the General; On receiving* an affirmative answer, the' General told ’ the' quarter master to look after the iDjured party, that he was *■ responsible for the occurrence,‘and passed on. The mortal Wound was then found to have been given to Lieutenant Colonel Kimball, of the 9th . New York, who was in . command of the Hawkins Zouaves. The Zouaves had but just arrived as reinforce ments. ; - ■ ■ . ' Si' PHILADELPHIA. • llilton Heat>, S. O.j April 4,18G3. G.HalpinjA. A. G., Department : of the South:" Oolonkl: I have the honor to make the follow ing report for thejlnformation of the major general commanding the Department of the South: In accordance with orders received, I embarked my regiments on the steamers Delaware and Gene ral Meigs at Beaufort, S. C., March 19, .for Jack sonville, Florida, where I arrived on the 23d ult., having .been delayed by rough weather. Major Hemingway, with three companies on the General Meigs, had already arrived. When I arrived, a rebel battery, mounted on a , platform car, propelled by a locomotive, waa shelling the town. The- gunboat Norwich, which accompanied me, at once engaged vigorously, aß.did also a rifled on shore. The enemy were, soon'driven , back.. He was, as I afterwards -learned, making a reconnoissahee, which it was his plan to follow up by an attack in force after night fall. He expected to make the attack so close aB to render our gunboatß unavailable, from the danger of their shells falling among our own men. Every ‘' quiet during that night.! The fact that our pickets had previously been driven in at :night to the edge of the town encouraged this plan, which waß frustrated by the arrival of the Bth Maine Regiment, and placing a night picket afterward at a distance. ' On Tuesday the 25th, the locomotive bat tery again approached,: and threw; several sixty eightpound shells into the city, among their own women and children, striking several buildings, but* injuring no one; Repeated night attempts were made by the enemy toehell the city. On Wednesday • a .recounoissance in force, commanded by Colonel Higginson, and consisting of five companies of the Bth Maine, under; Lieutenant Colonel Twitchell ;- four companies of the 6th Connecticut, under Major Meeker, and a portion' of Colonel Higglnson’s co-‘ ■ lored regiment, advanced along the railroad pickets upward of four, miles, driving in General Finnegan’s /pickets, but not being able to overtake the enemy. After proceeding as far as was deemed advisable, and the enemy showing no disposition to accept bat tle, our forces, commenced to return. Soon after the locomotive , battery appeared and threw several shells, but was careful to keep out of reach of our rifles. One of its shells killed Privates Charles Hoole and Joseph Goodwin, and severely wounded William Willis—all of Captaih.’McArthur’s com-' pany, Bth Maine Regimenfc—who were the only per sons killed or;woiinded there after my arrival. Col. Montgomery, with about 120 men of r his regi ment on the General Meigs, Captain Watson, ac companied by Captain Stedma'n, with the gunboat Paul Jones, made a successful expedition to Pilatka,- ,75 miles up the river, taking as prisoners onelieu tenant. and fourteen men, with their arms. The lieutenant violated his parole of honor and-es caped. . ' A-quantlty of cotton, rifles, horses, 1 and other pioperly, amounting to several thousand dollars in value, have been captured. -Lieut. Col. Billings, Ist South Carolina Volunteers, was wounded on the Pilatkn expedition.. In accordance with Special Order No. 162, received from Headquarters .-Department of the South, I withdrew all the United States forces from Jacksonville, Fla., and embarked them on transports, March 31, part of which had just arrived for thatpurpose. While the evacuation was taking place several- fires were set, a portion of them, undoubtedly, by secessionists. The Ores were not.confined to the lines.of the regiment. Perhaps twenty-live buildings were destroyed. Prior to my arrival many buildings had been burned—some by se cessionists, others by Union forces, from military necessity. T i ' Many Uniofl families cam© away with ua, our sol-; GERMANTOWft. FA. THURSDAY, APRIL 16. 1863, BEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, HEADY FOR AN ATTACK. Everything is now in full readiness for an; attack. Torpedoes are under all: the bridges not destroyed leading to town. A'few houses are. being pulled down; as they interfere with the range of our giins. We now have the pleasure of seeing the enemy on the railroad front of ..our ; western entrenchments. He appears to be moving his infantry to the right, amid.clouds of ascending dust, from the South Quay road to.the BlaCkwater one. Two or three ot the ; .pur Abandoned signal station; ‘more are deployed, in'the field as skirmishers, and cavalry can be seen on the railroad track, No at tack has yet been made. - CORCORAN COMMANDS THE -FIRST DIVI SION. r ■ Apiul 13.—The following order appoints General Corcoran to command of the lstDivision: HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, . Suffolk, Va., April 8,1863. tJntil further orders the troops of Brig. Gen.: Cor* coran’s brigade,;Brig. Gen. Terry’a brigade; and 00l- Fosteris brigade, will constitute the. lstjDivision of .the 7th ArmyJ3ofps, under command: of Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran, * ' ; * * James D. Outwater, Act. Asst. Adjt. Gen. Colonel Murphy, 69tli New York, now commands the Irish Region. ORDER OF GEN. KEYES. Headquarters, Department of Virginia, ' . Va., April 12, 1863.' • The proximity of the Confederate forces renders it proper, by ’ virtue ofthe ( military and naval-au thority of the United States, to give the following notice:.All foreign consuls and their families, all women and children, and all other persons not in the service of the United States who prefer safety to the conflict of-war,- are notified that on the approach of -the enemy to any town or village within this depart-* ruent, and the range of the Union guns, such town or village will be fired on wifchoutfurtherconsideration. : J E. D. KEYES, Maj. Gen. Commanding Department of Va, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. Details of the Loss of the Steam Gunboat George Washington—Return of the Iron clad S'luaAron—Military Changes—Offi cial Report nf our Recent Operations in Florida. . On Board the Nantasket, " - Off Charleston Harbor, April 11, 1863. r News reached us yesterday of the destruction of the small steamer George Washington, in (Joosaw river.(a branch of Beaufort river), by the rebels. The first report, which reached Hilton Head yeateiv day, led. us to believe that the officers, crew, and all on board had escaped; but later intelligence places our loss'at six killed and seven wounded. . The steamer waß making a short reconnoissance towards Port. Royal Ferry, when the rebels opened a battery of rifled six-pounders from behind a sand bank, and shelled the boat before those on board began’to suspect the presence of the enemy. The first shot from: the battery disabled* the steamer’s machinery, the’ second passed through her boiler, and the third and fourth set her on fire. AU the crew.not killed And wounded escaped in boats to the marsh' on the opposite side of the river,, and then ; waded hack to the dry land.on Port Royal Island. The George Washingtonf-coßt the Government about $25,000, and hasbeeivin the sendee since last summer. The New Ironsides and the remaining monitors have crossed the bar, and arc about returning to Port* Royal Harbor. T2ie land forces have re-em barked on the transports, and will leave for Hilton Head, iri the course of to-day. The expedition is virtually at an end. ..< ■ > Gen. Seymour, chief of Gen. Hunter’s staff, goes North by the Afago to-day, it is thought, by. many, nottoreturn. Lieut. Col. Halpine, Gen.-Hunter’s assistant adjutant general, an able, loyal, andpopu lar officer, will probably succeed to the position. - I subjoin the official report of Acting Brig. Rush, colonel of the Bth Maine, respecting the. late move ments in Florida: diera freely making all possible room for them on the transports. The expedition has all returned Bafely, Much credit is due Captain H. Boynton, Bth Regiment Maine Volunteers, for the; careful and prudent manner iii which he administered the. affairs of provost marshal during our brief stay at Jackson ville, Captain Cannon, of the Delaware, and his very gentlemanly officers, deserve mention for their kind treatment of officers and men, as do also all the officers of troops and transports, for cheerful assistance afforded the expedition and Union people who left with us.' Very respectfully, your obedient servant. JOHN D. RUST, Col. Bth Reg’t Maine Vols., Commanding Forces, —JN\ Y. Tribune, STATES IN REBELLION. Late oiid Interesting News from the South ern Journals—Genera.! Foster Still Holds z Out—Defeat of tlxe Rebels at Pontcha toula, Ua.—Entente Cortliale with Eng land—Rebel Detailed Accounts of the At tach upon Charleston—Personal Matters* FROM. WASHINGTON, N. C. The! Raleigh Progress says there were various and con flicting rumors on the streets Wednesday (april 8) re lative to aliairs at Washington, but it was not known that the place bad been attacked, or that auy engage ment had taken place. ' ANGLO-REBEL ENTENTE CORDIALE. The Richmond Dispatch of the Bth inst. says: “Wo have published the hist of the correspondence between Mr. Mason and Lord Russell on the question of the le gality of the blockade of our ports by the Yankee Govern nent and the recognition of the Confederacy. No South ern man can read it without feelings of indignation and contempt—indignation for the cold and stony haughti ness, not to say rudeness ,of manners of the British Minister towards Mr. Mason, afterwards only partially, atoned by a disavowal of any personal disrespect, and contempt for the subterfuges resorted to to cover a sel fish policy.” The Dispatch adds: ‘VWe must not forget, whatever the Ministry-may do or propose, that our country has received the most valuable assistance from the people :of England* and at this time there are schemes (m foot the)'e of great importance to us." - .THE REBELS DEFEATED AT PONCHATOULA. [From;the Mobile Register, March. 29. ] We have learned thaton.Wednesday about 1,600 Yan kees made an incursion upon Ponchatoula, which was guarded by. only 160 cavalry, and so sudden was their advent that our men were obliged to run without their horses. They retreated about twenty miles, telegraph ing at an imermediate station for reinforcements, which came the next day in the form of 1,200 of our Indian troops, and run the Yankees back, encamping a con siderable distance beyond Ponchatoula. The Yankees set file to the depot and several houses, which were ex tinguished ; but. they succeeded in burning all the schooners in which a set of traitors have been trading to New 1 Orleans with the connivance of some of our officers. Ponchatoula, La., is a station village on the New Or leans and Jackscn Railroad, and is distant about forty eight miles from the former city. RELEASE OF JOHN MINOR BOTTS. John Minor Botts, of Virginia, so long incarcerated in the Libby prison and in Salisbury, N. C., has been-re leased through the interposition of a friend, an extensive purchaser of tobacco, and lias; permls6ion to remain on his estate, near Gordonsville, under the pledge of not aiding or abetting the Union cause. EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN G. A. WEB3TER, OF THE UNION ARMY, AT RICHMOND. [From the Richmond Whig. April 11. v The execution of G: A; Webster, who was sentenced to death by couri martial for violation of his parole of honor, took place yesterday at Camp Lee, near this city. The prisoncr held a-commission under the bogus Pierpont Government, and when first captured was released upon parole, but again took up arias against the Con federate States, ana was a second time taken. For this military offence he was condemnced to suffer death by hanging. . ’He was accompanied from:the prison to the camp yesterday by his spiritual adviser. Rev. Dr. Brown, of the Presbyterian Church, and by several military officials. The guard was composed of Waren’s company of cavalry. The prisoner was dressed in the'uniform of a Federal officer. He was extremely weak from an injury received when he attempted to make his escare on a recent occasion, but* otherwise seemed to maintain considerable fortitude. On arriving at the ground a half hour was devoted to religious exer cise. 'in the carriage, and the prisoner asked the officer in command to extend his time until three o’clock/the latest moment allowed by the terms of his sentence; but it was not deemed expedient to grant the request. He was assisted up the steps of the gallows and seated over the trap, and.being asked if he had anything to say, de clined to make any remarks. He gave the signal him self, by droppiug a his hand, and at twenty three minutes before one o'clock was launched into eter nity. His death was almost instantaneous. It is about aycar since.a Yankee spv of the same name was exe cuted by. lianging oii the same spot. ' THE BOMBARDMENT OF CHARLESTON. [From the Charleston Mercury, April 8. ] : At last the long neriod of doubt and delay is at an end, and this goodly city, girdled with the fiery circle of its. baiteri es, stands confronting the most formidable armada, that the hands of men have ever put afloat. The first scene in the novel drama of the war, which, we trust, is to add new lustre to the fame of Charleston, has closed. Let us render thanks to the Lord of Hosts that the result thus far has been one of proud triumph to ourcountry. As yet, however, we have but entered upon the ordeal. It will be for the next few days to tel! the tale of our sad disaster, or complete Success. In view of the reticence which (for reasons of military •policy) has heretofore marked our allusions to the pre sence ofthe iron-clad fleet, a brief review of the events ofthe .week will not -be out of place.- About noon on. Sunday last the first intelligence was flashed to the city from Fort Sumpter, that the turrets ofthe far-ramed monitor gunboats were looming up against the south eastern horizon. During the afternoon the entire fleet hove insight. Eight monitors, besides the frigate Iron sides and twenty-seven wooden war vessels took up their position just beyond; the bar. As the news became bruited about the city very many of our non-combatant population (previously incredulous of danger) made hasty preparations to depart, and every train that- has left the city lias gone heavily laden with eleventh hour refngees and their effects. Sunday night passed quietly-by.- Monday morning brought us reports of the movements of transports up the Stono river, and the debarkation of a considerable torce •of Yankee troops on Coles 1 Island. But throughout Mon day and Monday night the armored-fleet held its position beyond the bar. On Tuesday morning it was observed that another monitor had arrived, making a force of no.less than.ten iron-clad vessels, including the Iron • sides.!- -/ . .... - ...... At ; two o’clock Qn Tuesday afternoon, a despatch from Fort-Sumpter announced"that* these ten vessels had . crossed the bar, and were cautiously steaming inward, the foremost one having at that time reached a point about three thousand yards from the fort. 3 The next news was brought touts, an hour later, by the dull detonation of . the first gun from Fort Moultrie, which was immediately answered by a heavy report and a cloud of white smoke from the turretof one of the monitors. At ten minutes .after three, the ; .enemy having: coins within range, Fort Sumpter opened her batteries, and, almost simulta neously, the white smoke could be seen puffing from the low. sand hills of Morris and Sullivan’s islands, indicat ingitbat.the Beauregard Battery on the left, and Battery Wagner on the extreme -right, had become’engaged; Five of the iron-clads, forming in line of battle in front of Fort Sumpter,. maintained a very .rapid return fire, occasionally hurling • their fifteen-inch shot' and shell against Fort . Moultrie, and the minor batteries, but all directing their chief efforts against the east face of Fort Sumpter, Gradually, hut visibly, the distance between the attacking vessels and the fort was lessened, an« as the enemy, drew nearer the firing became hot and almost continuous. About half past four o’clock the battle became fierce and general. Thescene at that hour, as viewedfrom the Battery.promenade, was truly-grand. Battery Bee had now mingled the hoarse thunder of its guns in the uni versal din; and the whole expanse of the harbor :en trance,-from Sullivan’s Island to Cummings* Point, be came enveloped in.the smoke and constant flashes of the conflict. Theiron-clads kept constantly shifting their position; hut, whichever way they went, their ports, always turned towards ..the battlements of Sumpter, poured forth their tetrible projectiles against the walls .of that famous stronghold; Ever and anon, as the huge shot went ricochetting towards the mark, the water was' dashed up in vast sheets of spray, towering far .above the parapet of the fort, while the wreaths of smoke con stantly ascending from the barbette guns showed how actively the artillerymen of the post were discharging their duties. In the foreground our own s aunch little iron-clads—the Palmetto State and Chicora—could he seen steaming energetically up and down their chosen fightingposition, evidently impatient to participate in the fray. ; Up to this time the frigate Ironsides had borne a very conspicuous part in the fight. Her long hull lay at- the distance,- apparently, of a mile from our batteries, and her tremendous, broadsides were more than once fitly answered by broadsides from' the fort. It soon became apparent that she was unab?e to stand the severe lire di rected against her. Steaming rapidly southward, she gave Fort Sumpter a lew parting shots, and withdrew from the action. The Keokuk; a donble-turretted Moni tor, soon followed her example, and before five o’clock the fire had evidently began to slacken. The remaining Monitors, however, still kept up the bombardment, and our forts and batteries replied with uudiminished alac rity. After a quarter after five P. M. the monitors began to retire, and at half past five the enemy fired the last 1 shot of the engagement. Gratifyingas were the general results of the fight, the latehour at which it closed precluded the possibility-of our receiving the full details from the foris. A despatch from Fort Sumpter informs us that the Ironsides and Keokuk -\yere both very roughly handled, and letived seriously m.iured. The Keokuk had her flag sbot down, her boat shot away, three holes in her smokestack, and a portion of her how shot off. The practice of our gunners was most creditable. -Nearly every shot struck some one of the iron-clads, but with what effect is not known. vFort Sumpter was struck thirty-four times. One of our guns was dismounted, but otherwise the fort is in good condition. Fort Moultrie was uninjured. The casualties at Fort Sumpter were a drummer-hoy, named Ahrens, mortally wounded, two men severely wounded, and three others slightly injured. At Fort Moultrie, one man was accidentally hurt by a fall from the flagstaff', on which lie was replacing our flag, which: had been shot away. We learn that he afterwards died. Two small houses on the back beach of Sullivan’s Island wei-e demolished by the enemy’s fire. . . After their withdrawal from the action, the enemy’s iron-clads anchored off Morris Island,'where they-now lie. Many think that the fight will be renewed at day break-this morning, but up to the time at which we write (three A. M. j all;, ia quiet. • The reports we get from-the Stono river say- that the enemy’s transports still-remain in the stream. Doubtless the Yankee gene rals intend, before venturing upon a laud attack, to await the issue of the stiuggle between their ships and our batteries. [From the Charleston Courier, April 8.3 • The day of trial: forXharleston has at length arrived. The battle, so long threatened, was begun on Tuesday afternoon. The result of that conflict has increased the confidence felt-in our ability to frustrate the devices of the foe, and protect our fair’city from' the pollution of his presence. As no mind was disquieted with appre hension by the boastful.tlireats and formidable prepara tions of the enemy, so now, after the repulse of his first attempt, every heart is sanguine of complete and bril liant success. . We have so often been disappointed—the enemy has so often and persistently failed to redeem liis promise con cerningthe nest of the rebellion —that the booming of the . sign ak gun, and the announcement that the battle had actually begun,'was a relief to the suspense under which our commnnityhave so long suffered. The cheerful man ner-in which the military - had uniformly spoken ol the conflict betweenour batteries and the* turreted monsters had emboldened the hearts of the people to such a degree that, when it was positively known that the engagement was opened,there came a thrill of joy to every heart, and the countenances of all declared plainly that a signal vic tory over the mailed vessels was reckoned upon without doubt or misgiving. • Information received from mysterious sources caused the general in command of this. district to expect an at tack at:an. early day. And that intelligence received .confirmation on Sunday.,morning. On that day four monitors,' the Ironsides,-and thirty vessels of various sizes,’were seen off the bar. Four monitors and thirty five wooden vessels.were added to the fleet on the follow*-; ing day; thirty-five vessels,' for the most pint transports,. appeared in the Sfcono; and the enemy landed a.force of about six thousand men on Coles’ and Battery Islands. These facts, with other indicationa.ledGcueralßeaure gard to count upon ah attack on Tuesday, and the ex pectations of that sagacious and watchful general were realized. The atmosphere early on Tuesday morning was misiy, but as’the day advanced the haze lightened, and the monitors and the Ironsides.were seen lying off. Morris ’lsland. Between two and three o’clock/in the afternoon a-despatch jroxn Colonel Rhett, commandant .at I?ort Sumpter, informed: General Beauregard that the'moui ftors and the Ironsides were approaching the fort. The ifleet were seen rounding the point of Morris Island, the Keokuk in the advance.- When, the double-turreted: monsteiv the most formidable of its class, came within range; Fort Sumpter opened upon her with a broadside. ’ Theykept on their way, and formed in line of battle off . . the fort, at a distance of:about two thousand yards. At three'P.- M.' tlie action was opened by Fort-Moultrie firing the first gun. Fort Sunipter opened ten minutes later. Battery Bee, Forts Wagner and Beauregard, and' the battery at Cumming’s Point, also opened, firing by. battery. - The fleet. fired with great rapidity. Our forts ,and!bafcteries repliedwith spirit and. singular accuracy. The Ironsides took position to the left of Fort Sumpter,. -directing all her guns at that ;fort, and throwing shells exclusively. ' ’ '.! ,\ ! • : It wat manifest that the Ironsides was appointed to test the*strength of the fort, whose reduction was the iuau- ' guration of the teriiflc contest now going bn. ;Fort Sump ter acknowledged the compliment of the preference* by pouring the contents of herbiggest gnus into the sides of that pride of the Yankee - nayy, and she was xiot treated .with contempt bythe other forts and batteries. About fony-five: minutes after, the engagement began -gleam was seen issuing indense volumes from the Irtfit-, : sides, and'she withdrew from.the action, taking position ' to the .south of Fort bumptcr. but-remaining a silent' - spectator! of the exciting scene; It; is belfcved she was" seriously damaged. ... , - The firing from our forte became more and more accn rate as tlie engagement proceeded. The shot, and shell fell -thickly in; tho* midst; of the hostile fleet, and tho : . smoke-stacks of every one of them were struck several ' times. Fort, Sumpter now’appeared to he the clitef aim of all the enemy ’s iron-dads. : The Keokuk, a ilouble- tuiTeted iron-clad, and eon sidered.by the Yankees the‘most formidable of tbeir ter riblemonsters, received a large share of attention from : our gallant’gunners.' She occupied the post of honor; and, in accordance with the custom of war, it was made the post of danger. She paitfdearly for her reputation, having been hit several .times. At about five o’clock, she followed the the Ironsides, aiid witTi* drew, evidently seriously crippled. • .• / The < ther.--monitors, continued the fight tilKforty-five ' minutes past five o’clock,' wlien-they steamed away,and came to Hnchov oft* Morris Islandi . -. v - During the battle a drummer-boy, bamed killed at Fort Sumpter, and five men wounded—two se-; Yerely.ih the head; the others slightly. Qneinaa. c.rms THREE GENTS. to hia death, from the falling nftbe flagstaff of Fort Moul trie. Two bouses on tolli van's slsland, on the back beach, were, struck, one of which was demolished. -A shot passed through Fort Sumpter’s flag. Colonel Rhett was in command of Fort Sumpter, Colo nel Butler of Fort Moultrie, Captain Sitgreaves of Fort Beauregard, Lieutenant Colonel Sinikins ef Battery Bee, Major Huger of Battery Wagner, and Lieutenant Le- Reene, with a detachment from Fort 55umpter,of the bat tery on Cummings’ Point, Fort Sumpter was hit thirty-four times, but received no damage. , We learn that six men,belonging to Cap‘ain Matthews' artillery company, stationed Battery Wagner, were wounded. Two of these ha,to since died.- Two were very seriously wounded, and it was fchouaht one would die before morning. . The other two, including an officer, were but slightlj- wounded. . , Tbe l ast gun was fired by the enemy at half past five P. M, ' Three iron-ciads, one supposed to be the Keokuk,were seen about six o’clock going south, apparently in tow of a large steamer.’ The others were atL outside the b tr. The Ironsides was struck in the stern by a rifled shot from Battery "Wagner. There were no;casualties, at the Cummings' Point Battery. The practice was admirablfe, and reflects great credit upon oflicers and men. All who took part in the battle performed their duties with arcor t skill, and fidelity. Their behavior and the accuracy with which they used their guns assure us that they are sufficient for the im portant work assigned them, and furnish ns with strong grounds‘upon which to bottom our hope of a decisive and glorious-victory. When they come again rfhd nearer, the iron-sheathed vessels wilL fare worse, * It is expected the enemy will renew the attack to-day. The Kandall Steamships. To the Editor of The Press Sir: ' In y onr issue of Thursday last, under the above heading, your correspondent “B” points out what he is’.pleased-to calla “ little error in the statement found in Captain Randall’s prospectus as to the capacity of his proposed steamships,’ and calls my attention to it, , ‘ ‘ that it may be collected in the plan proposed at page eleven in my pamphlet." This will .inform your cor respondent that’ I have taken due notice thereof, and will govern myself accordingly. - - ■ ? I notice, first; that B, has fallen into (not a little, but) a very preaf error in assuming that the R.andall ship will displace only CG percent, of 500x60x14—her length, breadth, and draught multiplied into each other. He assumes it, however,, and.then proceeds to show that this'great ship, after having-her full complement of passengers on board, • with baggage, provisions, &c., could hot-carry a . pound of freight in addition to her propelling power. To use his own. words', “ That the load to be carried exceeds the ability iocarryit 3,200 tons. " ,1 must confess,. Mr. Editor,.that this “ little error ” of 3.2C0 tons has some weight in it—a crushing weight—and doubtless intended to crush the bill now before the City Councils. B. rather piles on the agony, however, when he requires the Randall ship to carry at one time (what no other steamer ever has done, and what no sane man would attempt to do) coal for a trip to Europe and bach. I should-prefer, also, machinery that would weigh less than 1,000 tons; and.if the hull, must weigh 4,000 tons any way, lie certainly should not insist on her being at all times loaded with provisions, water, ice, &c., enough for 3.000 passengers for a trip to Europe and back , particularly when she has on board 3,000 tons freight. ~ Furthermore, I don't understand by what rale the steamship Niagara is made by 8.-to displace 60 per cent, of her measurement, while the Randall ship (which has a midship section 155 feet longer, displacing 95 per cent, of its lengtn, breadth, and draught), is allowed only 55 per cent, displacement. I suppose, however,it is by the rule of necessity, in order to'make a case. But let us examine into this matter First, let me remind.B. that 1 have always protested, aud ao .still protest against carrying.superfluons weight on ’steamships; and in speaking of our present ocean steamers, on page 6of the pamphlet referred to, will be found these words. “ They are all loaded down with too much and too hear?/ machinery, and obliged to carry too much coal , ” &c. This certainly does not advocate weight as one of the requisites for a successful. ocean steamer, I must, therefore, decline the honor of B.’s agency in loading the ship. "We will throw out, first, 400 tons of coal; second, 300 tons of machinery; third, 200 tons of water, ice, provi sions, baggage, &c., which will, reduce: his cargo 900 tons. Now. as 8., who announces himself as a professional engineer, posted on speed, 'Ac., learns for the first time, through'my pamphlet, the story of the Western Metro :polis and Empire State, I will briefly recite it here for the benefit of those who are not posted. It is an interest ing story, and something of a puzzle to those engine? vs and others who hold that the great desideratum to the at fainment of speed, is engine, with its army of greasers, firemen, coaL passers, , &'c. Possibly B. may, as he insinuates, dbubt it; the facts, however, are well know n to hundreds in this city. Some eighteen* years ago, the steamship Empire State, then building on take Erie, was supplied with an enginedf76-inchcylin-; der, 12 feet stroke, built by a prominent firm in this city, (doubtless well known to 23.) The highest speed she could ever make, under the most favorable circum stances, was 13to 14 miles an hour. . Some ten years ago this same engine was taken out of the Empire State, and placed in the steamship Western Metropolis; (a much larger steamer,) to run on the same route. She was 68 feet longer, and of a capacity some s’jO tons greater ithan the Empire State, and yet she averaged; 20 miles anhour with thissame engine. Had any other engine been employed, though exertingthe same amount of power, we should doubtless be told the great increase of speed was owing to an improvement in the engine; but : here is a clear gain of 50 per cent., in-the speed of the Me tropolis that must be attributed to the improvement in ' her model. B. will please bear these facts in mind, as it may enable him to. comprehend some other truths to follow that are not laid down in the books he is in the habit ofreading. The Western Metropolis, be it known, is built on what is known here as the .Randall model. She is 340 feet long, 40 feet beam, and draws near 10 feet of water. She has a midship Eection 100 feet long, with perpendicular sides, .flat bottom, and turn a short round bilge—a section that 95 per cent, of 100x40x10, the length, breadth,'and draught of that section being over 1,000 tons capacity, which space, not being used for freight, she was,. of course, buoyed .up 1,000 tons, and : thus she avoided the resistance of a deep draught of water. ■ Herein lay the secret of her superior speed with solit tle power. . If we take outthis midship section and bring the ends together, her displacement then would be some thing nearer 55 per cent. The same facts are shown by the Steamer-City of Buffalo. Now, if we will consider the fact that the Randall ship is but a second edition of these vessels * * revised and enlarged, ” adapted to service on a route of 3,000 miles, instead of a few' hundred, having a midship section-200 xoox 14 displacing 95 percent: of its measurement, arid the whole ship displacing 75 per cent, of 500 x 60x14, which gives a clean displacem-mt of9,oot< tons. It will bo seen that (allowing the hull to weigh 3,5i0 tons), even.then this * 1 little error” may* be snuglyStowcd away down by the side? Of the bilge kel sons, leaving room still for*'six hundred tons more. Margin enough for another ** little error.” . Your correspondent,;however, would have us to believe a vessel 500 teet long, 60 feet beam, drawing 14 feet wa ter, could barely carry her own propelling power. He tells, .us her total.displacement is only “sufficient to support 6. COO-tons,'-and no' more:” that the hull will weigh 4,000 tons, leaving roc-m for only 2,600 tons, which hehas kindly appropriated for machinery, 1 coal, passen gers,. provisions, water, baggage, &c. -There is nofcthe least shadow of a chance for'apound of freight in the great ship. All?this is, .doubtless, clear’asrnud, but,un fortunately for B, TJ ‘ can’t see it” in that light. Notwithstanding theopinionof B.'and. his intelligent ship-builder, that the hull of the Randall ship, will weigh - 4,QUO tons, :I have the judgment of more than one ship-- builder, of.very extensive experience, too, in building' steamships, that the hull of this ship will 'not much; if any, exceed 3,0C040n6 in weight. The Collins steamers, \ which are notoriously heavy, weighed only 1,525 tons, and B. ought to be'safcistied with double thatsum. Sup- ’ pose, however, it should weigh3,soo tons. Lotus see how'we stand now: : - - Total displacement of the ship drawing 14 ft., 9,000 tons •Weight of hull (allowingit to be)....5,500t0ns Weight of machinery ...700tons , ’ : ■/- Weight of coalfor-v0yage..........f...5)0t0ns Wiißht of passengers'.baggage, provi- ... . . • ■VTOgbt of freight. 3,000 tons—B.4oo tons Leaving an unoccupied space for So much for the * ‘ tittle error. ” Now, a word about speed,. &c. B introduces the new Holyhead mail line to snow the impossibility of attain ing a speed of-20 miles an hour without a vast expendi ture of power.. I hope the examples of the Metropolis, and others referred to in mv pamphlet, are not entirely lost on him. • It he can learn no lesson from these, he is, I fear, beyond the reach of reason. ’ I beg' he will not losesight of the important fact-thatthe Metropolis not only ran at a speed 50 per bent. greater, with the same engine, but’that she was a much larger shipthaa the Empire'State. With such facts.as' these before us, we should'be able to understand how a large vessel may, with a giveu ex penditure of power, be run cheaper and faster than a small one, particularly on long-routes,' where a' large amountof coal must be carried. . ; The fact that these Holyhead steamers exert 4,200 horse power, and burn 7 tons of coal an‘hour, to' make 20K’ miles, is, to my mind, sufficient evidence that'they‘are not well shaped for speed, or else-they drew more than 12feet.'S,# inches water (probablyboth); for itisweil known that the City of Buffalo and Western Metropolis, which arelarger ships,'make the same speed with one third that power. ~ How will B. account for this? It is :an interesting question. «... "'• Tlie fact is, the ships are so full of engines and boilers that they can carry nothing else, not even coil enough to run'them three days; so sensitive are they, that only nineiy tons aretaken on board, enough to run them twelve hours; Ai dyet, in the face of all this, these dis ciples of Steers, Brunei, & Co. cry/out against large ship?, and undertake to ridicule the employment of long, light-draught steamers for ocean service Surely B. never uttered a truer saying than wien he sarcastically ob serves, “It is to be regretted that the progress of steam navigation has been so long retarded by the iguorance and prejudice of tliese men; and I will add, theirfollow ers too, .who claim to know all that is worth knowing on the subject of naval architecture, who have been trusted by the commercial world only to mislead them. ” Suppose these same Holyhead steamers, which are admitted to make twenty miles-an hoar, were 100 feet longer. ... ». This 100 H, 35 *.12 feet 8 inches would displace o ver 1,250 tons of water, and give them room for a large amount of freight, - or coal , if yon please, without-increasing the draught or adding to the resistance aparticle,beyond the friction on that 100 feet, which is a mere nothing in com parison to the first cost of pushing the water in front of the vessel out of the way. And I wait ho better evi dence that the ocean may be crossed inside of seven days than is furnished by. these ships, badly shaped as they are, being at least ten feet too narrow to secure: a light draught of water, without which speed is impossible on : long routes. Tho world is beginning to recognize this fact. The experience of the past two years in the use of light draught steamers on our coast has taught a lesson that twenty years of peace might not have developed. ’ A few years ago it was popular to ridicule and laugh at the idea of a light-draught and flat-bottomedsteamer for ocean service, bufcnowwe find every, wide-awake ship builder rapidly approaching it. Even those slow coach es, the Government constructors, are beginning to catch tho idea, and at this moment are putting it to practice at the navy yard.in this city. It is being discovered, also, that one engine is.suflicieit where-formerly tioo were thought necessary. The large steamship Constitution,, with one engine, is'worth three of the double-engine steamers of the Collins line. and . cost less than either one of them. Some tell us.inat tlifese things have long since been appreciated by engineers Then, I ask, why have they not built the ships accordingly ? B. : says the Keystone. State is Jtat-bcttomed. So she is iust where her engine rests, and nowhere else. I have sailed in her, and know her. : ' ' v . The only really flat-bottomed steamers on the ocean are the blockade runners, the most fleet of any ocean steamers afloat; End we have every reason to believe they are formed after tho model of the Raudall ship, for we know that when the great ship-owner, Mr. Lindsay, was in this country lie took copies of .these drawings home with him; and we know, also, his sympathy with the rebels. . Wow, let ns.apply ihe 65 per cent, rule to these Holy head steamers. B. tells us. they are 2,000-ton ships, 350 feet long, 35 feet beam, 12feetS3£ inches draught, and built for speed; that they exert 4,200 horse-power, consuming seven tons of'coal an hour. Now, if 2,000 horse-power inihe Eandall ship weighs ,1,000 tons,tlien 4,2oo.horse 'power in xhese Holyhead steamers will weigh 2,100 tons; and if 3,CGO passengeTs, &c.. in the .Randall ship will ■weightootons, then I.COO passengers, &c., in those skips will weigh2oo tons. , And if the hull-of the Randall shipwilLweigh4,ooo tons, then . these ships will certainly weigh 2,-000 tons.“ Fair play is a'jewel.” Let’s see how these ships will stand the test: &>ox3oxl2 feet S>£ givey 157,'237 cubic feet; and - per cent, of'tliat is 50,979, which, divided by 35, the number of cubic feet of sea water iu a lon, and we have— ' : > • t ■ .r Tons. Tons. Total displacement , 2,313 Deduct weight of hu11.A.‘2,109 Do do ..machinery i. 2,900 >Do do -freight... ..... Do. d0.*.,, .passengers...... .... --200 Do . do- coal for one day........... 168 —— 4;46S - --i-.: - v- ... .... "2,155 .. Shoeing, by the same rule, in tho language of 8., that theToad'to be carried exceeds the ability to carryit 2,155. tons, without including a pound of* freight—and this in one steamer provided with coal for one day only- Ifwe take all four of them inco accormt, making the tonnage of one Rand all ship, the load to be carried would exceed the ability to carry it 8,620 tons. I point out this “ little'' 1 discrepancy * 1 not to find fault,’ - but to Bhow your-correspondent'liow charmingly his -rule; works when applied to his favorite class of steamers. , . Now, sir, I ask what reliance‘can he placed on one wlio,.in order to make a. case, will allow lus prejudices •to leailhim into sucli inconsistences t and how are we to regard those who, while claiming citizenship, and pro fessinga sensitive'regard for the in teres ,b of Pnilaael ’phiarexertftll-their powers and influence: to defeat an - enterprise, second-only in importance to,this city to. the ‘ construction of thePonnsylvaniaßaUroad; of which this is but an adiunck, the consummation of-which is; without doubt .earnestly desired-by, a large iinajonty of the-tax payers of this city; an enterprise*that, successfully car ried out. will domore to revive the languishing trade ' and commerce of Philadelphia: than anythingwe can do, ‘ that would give to immediate prestige and commercial importance nob possible’‘for her-to ac riuire inany other way ? : J. PALMBR BALDWIN. A iWnisK’s Cask Settled.—We men tioned in The Press, afew weeks ago, that tho liquor distillery of Jacob S. Hartzell, located.'at Nazareth) Fenna., had been seized by the United States oollec*. tor, in consequence of the proprietor having at* tempted to evade the revenue law. Since that time the matter has been adjusted, by Mr. Hartzell pay ing into |the United States treasury the sum of bix thousand dollars, and the expenses of the seizure. A considerable quantity of whisky held by the com mission merchants; of this' city wasseized at the ' same time, and the’duty upon it aiace paid. THE WAR PBJBSfS, _ (PUBLISHED WEEKLY.) The War Press will be sent to subscribers fcy mail (per annum in advance) at Five Copies * i : , ** Ten “ “ Twenty“ “ . Larger Clubs than Twenl y will be charged at the earns rate, 81.50 per copy. The money must always accompany the order, and in no instances can these terms be deviated from, as they afford very little more than the cost of the paper. Postmasters are requested to act as Agents fof The War Press--. 43r“ To the getter*up of the Club of ten or twenty, a«' extra copy of the Paper-will be given. Our Monitor Batteries at Charleston. OFZOTO2TS OF CAPTAIN ERICSSON, To tf&£dilor of The Press. Sir ? I /eel called upon to state, for the informs tion of the country, that the imperfections of the Monitors*, showa by Admiral Dupont’s trial of their strength at Charleston,-ar e not of a aeriouecharacter, What has ftappenetf will be readily obviated for the future. Everything eonneeted with our new fights ing machinesworked .precisely as iotendedr-not a single change of plan’ Being called for. The pilots house proving of inßUffleteftt thickness was not an unforeseen circs&mstance.- The limited- experience which we have had in actual conflict indicated that eight inches thickness would be sufficient, but it was* by no means assamed to- be a settled point, Hence such a construction was adopted- that,, without removing the structure or changing: its interior arrangements,, any number of addi tional plates might be attached to-the exterior and its> thickness increased to any extent. So with regard to the turret j it is constructed of an interior. skeleton, cylinder composed of platesfirraly riveted- together,, to which.any number of plates may-be bolted. It i» by no means yet established that ourttuprets-require increased thicknesß, excepting*possibly, at-the base* The public will do well not to be alarmed by the re marks of inexperienced observers who are startled to see the indentations produced by the enemy’s pro jectiles. We apply armor to keep out hostile shot, not to prevent scars and indentations. So far we have fully succeeded. It will be proper. to observe that the supposed imperfect steering qualities are utterly groundless. There is no class of vessels in the navy that obey their helm so readily bb the Monitors. The reason ia self-evident. The large equipoise rudder employed’is acted upon by the powerful current from the propeller with such iorce as to change the course of the. vessel with the slightest motion of the helm. In strong currents and shallow water, as in Charleston harbor, no vessel,can be readily manoeuvred. Admiral Dupont’B preliminary attack on Charles ton—the first practical 'test of iromclads—mußt be regarded aB the most important event in na^al/his tory. To this country the gallant assault on Sump ter by the new and untried vessels, exposed to the terrible flanking and raking. fife of numerous other forts, is fraught with incalculable benefit. -What ever may be the ulterior object of Government, the Substantial advantage has already been secured of knowing exactly what the iron-clads can endure, and what remains to be done to render the new sys tem perfect. It was high time that a practical test was instituted, since we are building a more rous iron-clad fleet than possessed by all Europe. The nation may thank the commanders of the Moni tors for the knowledge gained through their gallan try. With IeBB daring on their part, the Navy De partment would yet Jack some information neceasa ry.to direct the completion of the impregnable fleet now building. At the same time, the spirited at tack on Sumpter, and the havoc made daring half an hour’s contest, warns the Confederate leaders that they must keep their numerous batteries fully manned, and thatthey must not for a moment'slack en their vigilance with Dupont and his Monitors in with hair a day’s Bail. The history of war may be searched in vain for ah instance of such costly preparations, kept up at such vast expenditure, aB Charleston now requires, to ward off the blow from half a dozen small vessels, manned, provisioned, and coaled, at less cost than anordinary first-class screw ship. • , • Yours, very respectfully, . J. ERICSSON. New York, April 14,1853. Correction. To the Editor of The Tress: - ' Sir: The name of Lieut. Alexander M. Wright having been published as that of a dismissed officer, in your edition of the 7th insfc, you will oblige by giving the following order a place in your columns : SPECIAL ORDERS, NO. 29. Ae3iy op the Potomac, March 12/1863. [EXTEACT.] 5. The following named officers haring-tendered their resignations, are honorably discharged,.from the military service of the United States, in 1 com* pliance with part 4, general order No. 10, headquar ters Army of the Potomac, current series : Lieut. Alex; M. "Wright, 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry. By command oi Brig. General Stoneman. PRANK FU&NESS, Lieut., A. D. C. and A. A. A. G. 0. F. TKOWBRIGE, First Lieut, and A. A. A. G. Headquarters 2d Cavalry Division, March 13,1863. [Official^ Serious Accident on the IVew York Central Railroad. A OAH PRECIPITATED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT—THE INJURIES AND PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ACCl'*' Albany, -April 14.— As the train from the West, due here at half past two o’clock this afternoon, was within five miles of Albany, coming at the usual speed on the downgrade, the entire train went off the track, and the Jourth'car became disconnected from the rest, and rolled down an embankment about . a dozen feet in height, completely turning over, and was a complete wreck. Had this car been its'length further back it would have rolled into Reservoir Lake, Over a dozen persons were Beriously injured, biitnone were killed. Some of the fractures were very bad. .'How these persons escaped immediate death is a wonder. All concur that the accident wan caused by the spreading of the rails while going over a down grade. A train had passed over about twenty minutes before, and the rails spread to that • extent that about .every car went off the track. It also ap peared that the sleepers were very much decayed, and no doubt but that the pressure of the train on the rails, going, as the train was, over a down grade, was too great for the fastenings of the rails to resist. Destructive jpire in Pittsburg. Pittsburg, April 3 o’clock, Monday morning, a fire broke out on the Allegheny wharf, ‘ at Marbury street, which, but for an opportune change of wind, might have been as disastrous^' the great fireoflB4s. The fire was the work of an incendiary, and $l,OOO are offered for detection. The fire originated shortly before' three o’clock, among a lot of barrels of crude oil, and spread very rapidly, the burning oil flowing to the river, floating down stream and setting fire to everything combus tible on this side of the river, from Marbury street to the Point. Several lots of oil upon the wharf were destroyed, and also a number of bulk boats, some empty, others full. A few of the latter were ciit loose and floated down the river, burning as they went, while some.were secured on the opposite side of the Ohio. Some of the burning oil boats going 'down the. river presented a grand appearance. On the buildings the wind blew the flames'almost a hundred feet high, through dense;rfouds of smoke. A number of shops and yards have been destroyed, together with Mr. Paul Rice’s castle,'a row of brick tenements occupied by twenty-two families. Their destitution will be severe. 3,250 barrels of petro leum, worth $16,000, were also destroyed. The con viction seems to be gaining strength thatdt would be prudent to pass an ordinance prohibiting the storage of oil in the city, in order to prevent a repe tition of the great catastrophe of eight years since. Philadelphia ahd Richmond Prices Compared.— The following table will exhibit the average prices of every-day articles of consumption in Richmond and'other rebel cities j- also, the prices paid for the same articles in our own city: ," Kicbruond. Flour (extra) ..$33 bbi Butter (good) •• 2 , Com'Meal....- 71R.bnsh Bacon. V.... lhQiiifc So Supar(by hbda)-........... 1 lo©l2o .-Molasses -16 "ft sal 40©S0c New Bice... 23c lb 9c Java Coffee.v. $5 3nsib " " 87<©4Cc French Cloth S2©6 Cbeck-Ginghams 3.(5 yd 20@30c Printed Cambrics.. 4 1218 yd 32i£c Black English Crapes 6 40©12 75cf©$l. 53 Paris Jaconets. 3 yd 40@60c Fancy Spring Print 5........ 2 2Cc English Black and white do 2 30 wyd 29c Black and white Lawns.... 4 J 20@30c Alpacas '4'75 yd -25r©31 Jaconets...... 3 lG@uoc Brown Hollands..-- 3oc Irish Linens 59 yd 30©7ae Scarlet Woolen Flannels39vd: 45© ioc Printed Delaines 2 .30?jd . 22*sc Cotton Handkerchiefs, print 1 90 each s©loc Silks do. 1 4Sopach 73c Spool Cotton.... 662 9doz • 95c Pearl Shirt 8utt0n5......... 4 50 9 gross 30C@3125 white Bone 8utt0n5........ 3 9 gross 20c Pins 8 62 9pack 40c@$l 25 From the above, it will be Been that about ten times as much is paid for an article in the rebel cities as it coßts in the North. Surely, we have no cause yet to complain when we consider the state of affairs in the South. Employment and money are more abundant in the North than they have.been for years, which fully makes up for the advances in the price of living, ihe past winter has been an exceed* ugly easy one to the poor in our midst. • *. „ The Fibe Dep-abtment.—The .< Com mittee on Fire and Trusts of Councils will probably report another batch of fire comphnies to be located as steam fire engines or steam forcing-hofle compa nies. By ordinance.it is required— That any fire company intending to procure a steam fire engine shall, before contracting for such steam fire engine, first notify Councils, or the Com mittee on Trusts and Fire Department, of their in tention to procure onej stating their location; which shall be located by recommendation of the Com mittee on Trueta and Fire-Department, and ap proved by Councils, before any appropriation for their support shall bbmadej and’should any com pany recommended for a location neglect to provide themselves with a steam apparatus within six months, after being located by Councils, then they shall be stricken from the list. > ; _ The Fire Department, according to the last report of the. chief engineer, consists of ninety companies, have in their possession the following apparatus, to wit; ; ; Sream.fire engine 5.......... Hand engines. ■, Hose carriages (four wheels) Tenders (two wheels) Hook and ladder trucks. Number of feet of ladders Do. hooks Do. axe5............ 14» Do. feetof h05e.............. ......;...6&,70» Connected with the department there are 27 engi neers, 27 drivers, 67 horses, and 26 ambulances. The total numberof members, including the active, honorary, and contributing, as perlast report of the companies, is 12,000. * Consolidation op Regiments.—During the next two or three months the term of service of many of the soldiers now in the field will expire. This will leave many skeleton regiments, asthemen in the several regiments' have been enlisted - at