ptwrca Itilme, ALTOONA, PA MAY 15* 1862. Sucosasftil Strategy. . Events of momentous importance to this nation -and, perhaps, to the cause of liberty throughout, the world, hare followed each other in such rapid succession, within, the past fortnight, that the largest daily papers will scarcely contain full particulars, and.country weeklies can give but n faint outline of the more prominent. The names of those who have been instrumental in bringing them about have been immortalised, and a relief afforded to the dark historic pages of this, the second and, we believe, final struggle for liberty of thought, speech and action, and powerful demonstration of the tact that man is capable of self-government. Insurrectionists and traitors have been taught that treason cannot be tolerated, that it will be crushed but, and 'that their deepest schemes and boldest strokes to overthrow the best form of government the world ever saw, must in the end crane to naught. Foreign nations have also been taught,. if they did not previously kno* it, that the bone and sinew of thelaboring millions of this country, when trained to die art of war, are more invincible than the “Old Guard” in its palmiest days, or the entire phalanx of British bayonets on the field of Water loo., The armies of the Union fight for liberty and justice, and are thrice armed. They feel that it is more honorable to die in a righteous cause, than to escape the dangers of battle and crane off victors in a doubtful one. Those who have heretofore complained of the tardy movements of the grand army of the Poto mac, must surely now-be satisfied that everything was being done for the best. The apparent inac tivity of months only prepared it for the achieve ments of the past week. We shall not now be surprised to find those who were most loud in their censure, and unjust in criticism, gradually casing off and swinging around into the popular current, and according to the proper person superior strategy and magnificent results. Fewer men have been sacrificed, and greater advantages gained by the cautions movement of that army, than could possi bly have followed an advance upon Manassas, two months since, when the clamor for that advance was made. Although the rebel fortifications at that place were not so extensive and invulnerable as generally supposed, yet they were sufficient to have butchered our troops by thousands. And, we may ask, what would have been gained by the taking of Manassas? In a strategic ppipt of view it was worth nothing, because Richmond, the rebel capital, could be more easily from an other quarter—Yorktown—and if threatened from that direction the rebel army .at Manassas must necessarily be withdrawn. The sequel has proved this. Had our troops taken Manassas, and marched thence on Richmond, the obstacles in thier way, natural as well as artificial, would have greatly im peded theirprogress, and to-day, instead of rejoicing over the evacuation of Yorktown and the sur render of Norfolk and Portsmouth, we might have complained of tardiness, and our troops been lying idle along the banks of the Rappa hannock, awaiting the rebuilding of the bridges bunted :by the rebels in their retreat. The syste matic movements of the armies under Generals McClellan, Wool and Burnside, threatening Nor folk and Richmond from three quarters, and gradu ally cutting off their means of communication with the Sonth, has served to demoralize the rebel army and bring the citizens to a sense of their entire helplessness; consequently, they surrendered unconditionally. Richmond will not be given Up without a struggle. It is the “last ditch’* of the Confederate army of the Potomac, and, if they stand-fire, many of them will die in it. The operations of our fleets on the Mississippi, under Coins. Farragut and Foote, have won im perishable honors, and fully sustained the reputa tion of our navy. To bravery, ingenuity, and per fect knowledge of the art of war, rather than to nnmbemof men arid number and strength of boats, are we indebted for the victories in that quartpr.— But a small portion of the Mississippi river now remains in possession of the: rebels. It is a ques tion of time only when it shall be occupied by the Union flotilla.. This secured, the rebels will be completely surrounded, and the days of the Con federacy very few.. We,would like to give our readers full particu lars of the lath movements of our armies and the victories achieved, hut our space will not admit of it. We JRTO the most important and all for which we can find room. , Gobet’b Lxm’s Book.—The Lady’s Book for June looks as charming as the month for which it is Intended, and as bewitching as a belle dressed up afier.tfae style of the unsurpassed fashions which it contains. Godcy should pice the word “Excel sior” at the top of the title page. Nothing is looked for more anxiously than the monthly visits of the Lady’s Book, by those who receive it regularly.— When it once a visitor at the fireside and centre-table, nothing but the most adverse circum stances can prevent its return, year after year.— Price 1(3.00 per annum. L. A, Godey, Philndel- and “strnek”ifer 10 cents. The miners at Fotts ville have also gone to troik again, and the Phil ytotyhl. brought Quito keep down riot ing, lucre gone home. The increase demanded by them by their employers. WWe have read nearly a dozen articles in the Blear County 'Whig, addressed to the people of this district, hot with the exception of a personal QMWBBpn to Mr. Hall, have thus far been miahfc te iHwover what the writer is after.— Lew- Joat the ibt of the people in this region. , 7 gloriouMews ! Shylock was in town this week looking np his _ rents, and complaining loudly of the Railroad Com- AT 'W/xll- I D ri xl pany because they didn’t make things bight with i-N 01 iOlcl 3,11(1 iOl INlllOlllll him. Threatens to take away their charter and demolish; their property generally unless they lay a branch-road from the main track to, his property on Pine street. He was especially anxious to know how “No. 12” takes, and (as we didn’t see him) left word for us to let him knbw. We are sorry we can’t inform you, Mr. Horse Contractor, the general opinion, but we will give you our ideas. First, then, we think your spelling bad—as an evi dence—“ The Railroad- Company went cooiy to work and bought up the Legislature.’’. Now you shouldn’t have made that mistake, John. That looks bad for a man of your weight. Be more care ful in future, man. A “ cooiy” would be a bad article with which to buy np a whole Legislature, John, especially in these times, when the price of that commodity is so unstable. We pray you consult your dictionary, Mr. Brotherline, before you on Friday pen “No. 13.” Your reference to facts is also unfortunate, “J. B.” The tonnage tax was not three mills as originally imposed, neither was it two milk in 1801. We had sup posed that your experience as a borer in favor of its repeal that winter, would have posted yon bet ter. Neither did the State works cost $40,000,- 000, John, nor .the half of it, with all the stealings and robbeiy thrown in. Will you be kind enough to tell us, Sheriff, whether coal was one of the articles affected by the repeal bill of that winter ? One would suppose from your paper it was. Just add that to the other queries, and give us truthful answers to all. We will faithfully promise to pay you in the shape of a handsome “cooiy,” or plenty’ of “hard cash ” Our Irmy Correspondence. Camp Winfield Scott, > Close to Yorktoim, May oth, 1862. j Messrs. McCbcm & Dern:—“There ! is a di vinity that shapes our ends,” &c., and never was the trufßof this more fully verified than in the recent events at Yorktown. We, here in front of Yorktown, have been manoenvreing and strength-: cning our position in. order the more successfully to take possession of this rebel stronghold. Entrench ments have been thrown up, breastworks erected, guns of the largest calibre placed in proper posi tion, and everything that the cunning and skill of an able general conid devise and accomplish, has been done. The men have worked-assiduously, night and day, as did our good Old Revolutionary forefathers, with picks and shovels in hand and guns and ammunition on their backs, prepared to repel sorties from the enemy, at any moment, and on the shortest notice. Several have paid the penalty of this daring; yet all went on quietly and successfully for about three weeks. “Not a drum was heard,” nor a musical note from the sleepy bugle, to disturb the harmony of the pick and shovel in the accomplishment of their ardu ous duties. Balls and shell went whistling and shrieking above, around, and often in the midst of our brave boys, yet “all went quietly on before Yorktown.” The work approached completion; the army before Yorktown felt itself ready to at tack the army of 100,000 rebels strqngly fortified in advance of them. 3 On the Ist, 2d and 3d iust., the enemy kept up almost a continuous firing of shot and shell, many of them going completely over us, and many falling far short, bnt 1 have not yet heard of a single instance in which an effect ive shot was made. On one occasion a shell passed over our Headquarters, plunging into the ground, about one-fourth of a mile beyond ns, tearing up eveiything before it. This was a terrible shot to the rebels, as I learned from the lips of a deserter. He told me that that shot burst the largest gun they had, and that he saw fifteen men lying dead around it, besides two or three who were carried off wounded. This continuous firing from their guns was carried on while the contemptible cow-‘ aids were skulking away like thievesl : Yesterday morning, word came in that the enemy was leav ing the town, and soon every person was on tip toe of excitement. They were followed up by a portion' of General Carey’s division, and at three o’clock we had possession of the town of Williams burg. Before wtving, the scoundrels sp'iked what guns they could not take away, and strewed the ground with torpedoes. ’ They left j number of miserable tents behind them, besides many other minor articles, such as crackers, tobacco, playing cards, etc. Some of our boys found ■ swords and other more valuable articles, which they disjiosed of to good advantage. M was on picket at the time, and several of the hoys were the first in the rebel forts. Gentlemen, were it hot for cer tain unfortunate circumstances, 1 could heartily wish myself connected with Company M, where I would be enabled to cany out the design of my enlistment!. Several persons were killed yestetdav by the explosion of the torpedoes beneath their feet. One of the principal telegraph operators was in the act'of taking possession of the 1 telegraph office used by the rebels, when stepping uncon sciously upon one of those infernal machines, it blew off both his legs, cansing death in a few hoars. I. saw the poor fellow scarcely two hours previous. It is presumed by some 'that one of these instnunents may lead to a minej but I am disposed to doubt it. Quite a number of prisoners and deserters have come in to-day, and they all concur Assaying that the rebels intend; to make a stand at a swamp this side of Richmond, called Chickahominy, and fall back thence Into Rich mond. DuVis, Johnson and Magnifier were in Yorktowii last night. How. I would like to liave bagged tliat game! ' Well, gentlemen, we move immediately. Per haps my next letter will be from Richmond, but at the first opportunity I shall give you a more de tailed account of the evacuation. Respects to all. _ BL^VIN. From the Rappahannock. Washington, May 13. The steamer Wyandock arrived this morning from the Rappahannock. Her officers report that the Freeborn and Island Belle went up to Piankatbnk on Saturday, and cut out two rebel schooners, one with-a valuable cargo qf> whiskey and other stores. ' The Belle proceeded up the latter river some distance and discovered a body of about 500 rebel deserters from the Gloucester point batteries, who stated that'when the order was given they, being disgusted with the service, determined to march to the federal lines and surrender. They belonged to a Virginia regiment. They offered 'to lay down their arms, and expressed a willingness to take the oath of allegiance, which Capt. Harris, of the Belle, administered to all of them. MERRIMAC BLOWN UP. REBEL* GUN-BOATS CAPTURED They Approach within Shelling Distance of Richmond. The correspondent of the Associated Press gives i the following graphic account of the expedition ; against Norfolk and \the, subsequent surrender of ■ that city and Portsmouth, together with the navy yard: ; Fortress Monroe, May 9, 9 P. M. Old Point this evening presents a most stirring spectacle—about a dozcu steamer transports are loading troops. They will land on the shore op posite the Rip Raps, and march direct on Norfolk. President Lincoln, as' commander-in-chief of the army and navy, is superintending the expedi tion himself. About six o'clock he went across to the place selected for landing which is about a mile below the Rip Raps. It is said he was the first to step on shore, and after examining for himself the facilities of lauding, returned to the Point, where he was received with enthusiastic cheering by the troops who were embarked. The Merrimac still lies off Craney Island, and the Monitor has resumed her usual position. It is evident that the finale of the rebellion, so far as Norfolk is concerned, is rapidly approach ing. v ; The general expectation is that the troops now' embarking will have possession of the city before to-morrow - night. Willoughby's Point, Saturday morning, May 10.—The troops left during the night and at day light could be seeh from tjhe wharf landing at Wil loughby’s Point, a short distance from the rip raps. i The point at which we have landed is known as Point Pleasant, one of the' favorite drives from Norfolk, v . The first regiment landed was the 20th New York, known as Max Weber’s regiment, who pushed on immediately, under command of Gen. Weber, and were at eight o’clock in the morning picketed within five miles of Norfolk. The Ist Delaware regiment, Col, Andrews, was pushed forward nf nine o’clock, accompanied by Gens. Mansfield and Viele and staff. They were soon followed by the 16tb Massachusetts, Col. Wyman. The balance of the expedition consists of the Tenth New York, Col. Bcnedix, tile Forty-eighth I’emt sylvauia, Col. Boiley; the Ninety-ninth New York, /'oast Guards; Major Dodges' battalion of mounted rifles, and Captain Folett's, company D, of the Fourth regular artillery. 1 Gent Wool and stuff remained to superintend the landing of the balance of , the force, all of whom were landed and off.before noon. It is generally admitted that the President and Secretary Stanton have infused new vigor into both naval and military operations here, and that the country will have no cause for further complaint as to the insulting course of the rebels in this quarter. The President has declared that Norfolk must fall,- the Merrimac must succumb to tire naval power of the Union, and that the Government property at Norfolk must be re-possessed at what ever cost it may require. What is more, be has determined to remain here until it is accom plished. The iron-clad gunboat Galena, accompanied by the Port Royal and Aristoofc, went up the James river on Wednesday night, and although I have’ been unable to obtain any ; positive information from them since she silcnceil life forts in the lower part of the river, it is understood that the Presi dent has despatches from Gen, McClellan to the effect that they have given him most valuable aid in driving the enemy to the wall. New York, May 11. Special despatches state that the iron clad* steam er Galena has sunk the rebel steamer Yorktown and captured the Jamestown !in the James river. * W a 8 1 ri ngj o x , May 11. The following was received at the War Depart ment this morning: Fortess Mosboe, May 10th, \ 12 o’clock at night. j Norfolk Is ours and also Portsmouth and the Navy Yarfi. Gen. Wool having completed the landing of his -forces at Willoughby's Point, about nine o’clock this morning, completed his march on Norfolk with a,OOO men. Secretary Chase accom panied the General. About five miles from the landing place a rebel battery was found on the op jtosite side of the bridge over Tanner's creek. Af ter a few discharges of companies of infantry the rebels burned the bridge; this compelled our forces to march around five miles farther. At five o'clock in the afternoon our forces were within a short distance of Norfolk, and were met by a dele gation of citizens and the city was formally sur rendered. Our troops marched in and we now have possession. The Merrimac was blown up by the rebels at two minutes before ftvfc o'clock this morning. Site was set fire to about three o'clock, and the explo sion took place at the time stated. It was said to have been a grand sight by those who saw it. Fortress Moxroe, May 13. Eight hundred and eighty-five prisoners released from Richmond on ]tarole leave to-day on the steamer Wm. Kent. Ninety confederate" prisoners who were to he returned to Richmond, positively refused, although earnestly urged and threatened by their officers, and took the oath of allegiance. Norfolk, May 12. ‘ The city continues very qtuet. Most of the stores are closed, but it is expected they will open in a day or two, except in, cases where the occu pants have left the city with; the army. Some excitement stiff prevails, hut it is sup posed that in a few days, when communication is fully opened with the Northern ports, confidence will be completely restored. : The prices of almost everything are astonishing ly high. Candles for instance of a miserable quality sell at CO cents per jtouud; common brown wrapping paper .10 cents per package: brown sugar 20 cents. A nnml)cr of stores will be opened, however, in » lew days by parties from Old Point and Balti more.who will bring supplies of the articles so much wanted here. The Post Office and Custom House will doubt less he re-opened very shortly. Very little Union sentiment is openly expressed. All over the city our soldiers, both privates and officers, freely talk with citizens, which must produce a good effect. All the fortifications in the vicinity are occupied by Union troops, and all the public property is in the possession of the federal authorities. The policy of the confederate troops appears to be to concentrate its troolM at Richmond, and some even say that all the gnlf States will he given up Iteforo Virginia, and that Richmond will be held to the very last. . All insist that desperate resistance will he made there if nowlieic else. Several negroes arrived from Suffolk this morn : ing and report that there wore no troops, gnus or fortifications there, or on the road this side. Among most of the citizens here there is but little confidence entertained in the officers of the Confederate Government. The Confederate notes are refused in many places. Gold and silver are welcomed with enthu siasm by all classes of the population, many of whom have not seen cither for manv months. Elizabeth river, between Norfolk and Ports mouth, is of a deep coffee color on account of the tobacco which has been thrown overboard. Large quantities \yere recovered to-day, ■ damaged by Water, : • Gov. Vielc, the Military Governor, pursues a course calculated to produce an impression of the superiority of the Federal Government and an in tention to throw no obstacles in the way of private business, but to enforce the ordinances of the city government. The Day Book newspaper will be continued as an afternoon instead of a morning paper on condi tion that it shall be respectful in its tone. The first number, printed toAlay, contains nothing ex cept extracts from Northern papers and an edito rial statement of the bare facts of the evacuation and occupation of the city. GREAT NAVAL BATTLE AT FORT WRIGHT. Desperate Conflict Between the Cincinnati and Nlallory. THE UTTER VESSEL SUNK BY THE BENTON Cairo, May 21.—The desperation of the rebel cause in the Mississippi valley culminated vested day, in an attack on the United States flotilla off Fo'rt Wright. On Saturday morning, at an early hour, eight of their gunboats came around the point above the fort, and'boldly "advanced towards the flotilla. The Cincinnati, which was stationed at a point where the rebels came up on Friday, did not attract their attention until the fleet had passed above her. As soon as she was seen, a simultaneous attack was commenced from the whole fleet. The gunboats made an attack upon her with but little effect, as the guns were poorly aimed. The Cincinnati, in the meantime, had hauled into the stream, where an iron-clad ram, supposed to be the Mallory, advanced, in face of a continued broadside from the former, until with forty yards of her, and being the faster sailer, succeeded in moving between the Cincinnati and the right bank of the river, when men appeared upon her decks and prepared to board the Cincinnati. The design was frustrated by the Cincinnati throwing hot water from her steam batteries. In the meantime, the rest of our gunboats bad arrived at the scene of action and engaged the rebel fleet. The Mallory, undaunted by the failure of her attempt to board the Cincinnati, crowded on a full head of steam and came toward that vessel, evi dently intending to rim her down. Captain fStemble, who was in command of the Cincinnati, waited until the rebel monster emne within twenty yarils, when he fired a liroadside into her from his Parrott guns, which did fearful execution. The two boats were so close together by this time that it was imjiossible for the gunners of tiie Cincinnati to serve at their guns. It was onlv bv bringing the steam batteries to bear on them again that the Mallory was compelled to haul off.. Captain Stemble shot the pilot of the Mallorv with his revolver. He was himself wounded by a pistol shot fired by tiie pilot's mate of the Mallorv. While the engagement lictwcen the Mallorv aiid Cincinnati was ju progress, our shots had cxphxled the boiler ut one ot the rebel gunboats, mid set tire to another, burning-her to tiie water's edge. * The air was very heavy, and under cover of the dense stroke which hung over the river, the rebel fleet retii'ed. They were pnrsncti until they gained ;i shelter under the guns of Fort Wright.. None of our houts-were injured, except the Cincinnati, and the damage to her was so slight that it can he repaired in twcnty-foyr hours. Four men on the Cincinnati were wounded, in cluding the master's mate. No other casualties are mentioned. W hen the smoke cleared away, and the retreat ot the rebel fleet was discovered, a broadside from the flag-ship Benton was sent-after the Mallorv. Shortly alter she was seen to careen, and then go down with all on hoard. News from Southern Papers, Cincinnati. May Id.—The following Southern news have been received ; The Memphis Avulaitclt e of the Gth savs ; •‘The telegraphic news from Richmond is painfully sig nificant. McClellan seelns to have been, prewiring the same fate fur Richmond that Butler and Bol ter got up for New Orleans. The Congressional stampede from Richmond had a very depressing effect, and it was believed that it foreshadowed the early evacuation of Virginia. The policy of evac uating this city is played out. We have but pre cious litthrmore territory that we can spare. The A i-aiiincJic of the same day says of affairs at New Orleans, that Mayor Monroe and ail the al dermen have been arrested on retusing to take the oath of allegiance, and sent to prison. Great dis tress prevails in the city. Food of all kinds is ex tremely scarce, and flour is not to be had at anv price. There is more of the federal forces yet to be landed and the river is full of federal'gunboats, mortar vessels and transports. The Memphis Anjns says that the confederate loss at Shiloh was 7,000 killed and wounded. The same paper says, in an article on gunboats: Thus far it must be confessed that, our attempts with gunboats on the river have been disgusting lizzies. The people know it and so does the gov ernment. The Memphis Acalwichc says that 33J per cent, of Bishop Tolt's army were killed mid wounded at Shiloh. The Arutamhe of the 7th savs we have advices from New Orleans up to Saturday, at 11 A. M.— Geti. Butler had taken the St. Charles Hotel for his Head Quarters. ■ The Evans House in Povdras street has been converted into a hospital. ' The Jackson railroad depot was taken possession of on Saturday. The federal pickets have been extended as far as the crossing ol the Jefferson and Jackson rail roads. Four gunboats and one transport started for Baton Kogue on Saturday morning, and seven federal regiments had been landed at New Or leans. All the newspapers in New Orleans are stUTpub lished, though a federal censor has been placed over even- office to examine all matters and to ex clude whatever may prove inimical to the federal cause. A .proclamation from Gen Butler was sent to all the offices and refused. When the guard came to the peltu office and were refused, they took pos session, and sent for northern printers who worked it off" in the edition. . Hard on the “F. F. V’s.”—J. M. Broomall, of Delaware county, in an address recently deliv ered for the benefit of the’ volunteers, gives the “First Families of Virginia” a pedigree which, though in many eases truthful, will not be relished by ahem. In shaking of the aristocracy of the South, he said : • ■ n ‘;-; ri '. IKL ' al " a >- i fxisted in‘the South, and es|HH-ially in \ irginin and South Carolina, a party ol somo considerable strength, opposed, if not to Kcpnlmean institutions, at least to the general gmeininent. A state of things that prevents men from rising above the general level, except bv rea son of suijerior merit, is necessarily distasteful to men who have no merit, and who, notwithstanding are too proud to remain on a level with the masses! It we concede that qualities of mind are heredi tary, we will understand the moving principle of these ]Ktople by simply glancing at the oHi/hi of the boasted ■first families. “The men .who emigrated to Virginia at its first settlement, were of King Charles’ Cavaliers the younger sons of the decayed’ nohilitv cif Em-I land, ns poor and as indolent as such people usu ally are and proud in the ratio of their poverty and indolence. Those were the/viMcrs of the ‘firs't families.’ Many—too many—of the female colo nists-were caught by the police in the streets of the cities of England, perorating IH aty crimes, or living by means still more degrading. These Wo men were sold to the colonists at so many munds of tobacco per head, and they lieeame the mothers ol the -first families.’ It was naturally to be ex pected that the offspring would exhibit nil the pnde ot the cavalier with all the want, of prim-ip It of the London street thief, or prostitute. History will decide whether this expectation is verified.’’ ' NEW ORLEANS VICTORY. OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. L'mtst) State* Flag-ship *• Hartford. At anchor .ff rit V of New OrK-iins. April 2S. I Sf)2. ) Sir:" lam happy to announce to yon that onr flag waves over both Forts Jackson and .St. Phillip, and at New Orleans over the Custom House. I am taking every means to secure the occujiation, by General Bufler. of all the forts along the const. Berwick's Bay and Fort Pike have lieen ahantKmcd. lit fact there is a general stampede, and I shall en deavor to follow it np. lam bringing up the troops ns fast -as possible. We have destroyed all the forts aliove the city, four in number, which are understood to be all the impediments between this and Memphis. ■ I am, verv respcoffullv, vonr obedient servant, I). L. FARRAGUT, Flag Officer Western Gulf Blockading fsquadron. Washington, May 9. —The Navy Department has received the following despatches: United States Ocxboat CatcoA, , Orr New Orleans. April 25, 1862. J Flag-Officer : fYonr boldly conceived and splendidly executed flan of battle having resulted in ]>erfect success, leaves me time to make up the rejiort of niy division. You will find in Limit. Commanding Harrison’s' rejiort ah accurate out line of the noble part taken by the Cayuga* under his command, and hearing my divisional flag.— We led off at two A. M., in accordance with your signal, and steamed directly \ip the stream, edging a little to the starboard, in order to give room for your division. I was followed by fbo Pensacola in line style, the remainder of my division following in regular and compact order. We were scarcely above the boom when we wore discovered, and Forts Jackson and St. Phillip opened upon usf— we could bring no gun to bear, bat steered directly on. We were struck from stem to stem. At length we were close np with" Fort St. Phillip, when we opened with grape and canister. Scarcely were wc above the line of tire when we .found oar selves attacked by the rebel fleet of gunboats.— This was hot but. more congenial work. Two large steamers now attempted to board our star board Ikiv,-. one on the stern and- the other at our starboard beam. The nine-inch Dalhgren gun being turned on this fellow, we (ired at a range of thirty yards. The effect was very destructive, and ho immediately steered in shore and ran aground ami sunk. The Parrott gun on the forecastle drove off the one on the bow, while we prepared to rejiel the hoarders, so close was our remaining en emy. About this time Boggs and Lee came rushing in, and made a finish of the rebel boats eleven in all. In the gray of the morning, we discovered a camp with the rebel flag flying We opened with canister at 4 P. M., and received the sword and flag of Col. Zvmanekiz, and his com mand of five companies, anus and camp equidage. While engaged nt this jioiiit the Vanina came in conflict with a number of gunboats; she hail been butted by one of them and sunk. But with his forward gun still above water, tie was bravely maintaining the fight, driving off bis enemies anil saving bis crew. Informing Capt. Lee, of the On eida, who had also been engaged with tile enemy, of die Vunuia's situation, he instantly steamed up and made a finish of the rebel "bouts. The re mainder of the fleet now came up. The Missis sippi had been detained below with the Mimnssas and another irotv-elad. After Ibis everything pa.-sed under your observation. The pleasant duly now remains of speaking of the Cayuga, and her brave officers aud crew.— ITotp lirst to last, Lieutenant Commanding M. B. Harrison displayed a masterly ability in steering ins vessel past the forts, under a hurricane of shot and shell, ami afterwards in manccnvering and lighting her among the gunboats. I cannot sav 100 much tor him. He was gallantly sustained hv Lieutenant George W . Berkinsand Acting Master J iionias 11. Martin. These officers have mv un bounded admiration. ' ■ 1 must, in conclusion express the pleasure which I experience in witnessing the seamaniike manner in which all the slii)>~ were handled. The 'reports of lite divisional captains will inform vouofthe particular part home hv each ship. Respectfully, J. BAILEY, Captain and Commanding Division of the Red. To ilag-Officcr D. G. Farragut, Commauder-iu- Chief, New Orleans. U. 8. Shu- Harriet Lane, ) - April flit, ISGfl.j Sib: The morning after the ships passed the forts, I sent a demand to Colonel Higgins for a surrender ot the foils, which was declined. On the 27th I sent Lieut. Colonel Higgins a communication, herewith enclosed, asking‘again for the surrender. His answer is enclosed. On the 28th, I received a communication from him, stating that he would surrender the fort, and I came up and took possession, draw up articles of capitulation, and hoisted the American flag over the forts. T hese men have defended the forts with a bravely worthy of a better cause. I treated them with all the consideration that circumstances would admit. The three steamers remaining were under the command of Commander J. K. Mitchell. Ihe officers of the fort acknowledged no connee with them, and wished in no way to be responsi ble for their acts. ; , \\ bile I had a flag of truce up the\ were employed.in towing the iron floating battery of sixteen guns, a most formidable affair, to a place above the forts, and wltile drawing up. the articles of capitulation, in the cabin of the Harriet Lane, it was reported to me that they had set fire to the battery, and turned it adrift upon us. 1 asked the general if it had powder on board or guns loaded. He replied that he would not un dertake to say what the navy officers would do. - He seemed to have a great contempt for them. I told him we could stand the fire and blow up if he could, and went on with the conference, after di recting the officers to look out for their ships. While drifting down on us, getting heated, exploded, throwing the s!Bt above the river. A few moments after the battery exploded, with a terrific noise, throwing fragments all over the river, ittw wounding one of their own men in Fort Kt. Phillip, and immediately disappeared un uer water. Had she blown up near the vessels she would have destroyed the whole of them. W hen I had finished taking possession of the ions, I got under \vay in the Harriet Lane, and started for the steamers dhc of which was still fly mg the Confederate Hag. I fired a shot over her and they surrendered. There were on board of them a nuinber of naval officers and two comna- 1 mes of marine artillery. I made them surrender unconditionally, and for their infamous conduct in tlying to blow us up, while under a flag of truce, I conveyed them to close confinement as prisoners ul war, and think they should lie seat to the Xorth and kept in close confinement there until the war is over, or they should be tried lop their infamous conduct. I have u great deal to doliere, and will M_nd \on all the ]>aj)ers when I am able to arrange them,. 1 turned over the forts to General Phelps. Fort Jackson is a ruin, lam told that over eighteen hundred shells fell in and burst over the centre of the fort. The practice was beautiful. The next work wo go at we will settle sooner, as this has Iwen hard to get sit. The naval officers sunk one gunboat while* the vaiiihihitiou was going on, but 1 have one ot the other steamers at work, and h°PO >» have the other. I find that we are to be tlip hifwors ol wool anti drawers of water; but as the soldiers have nothing here in the shape of motive power, we will do all we can. I should ur\c demanded an unconditional surrender, hut with such a force in your rear it wds desirable to get isjssession of these forts as soon as possible. Ihe officers turned over everything iu or der except the walls and buildings, which arc ter ribly shattered hv the mortars. ■Vert- resjioetfullv, ~, W- 11. I’()HTEU, Commatiding. lo Flag Officer IJ, G. FARitAciL'T. ' VxirvD St.viEs Fuu-smp llAßiroan. 1 Off the City of New Oeleess, April 25,1802. | Dear Suit—ln the excitement of the bust two days yon must dot be surprised if I leave undone many things which I might to do, and one ofwhich was to write tV> yoii on the occasion of my taking tins city. But, thank God, it has been done, and in what I conceivt} a handsome sh-le. 1 hail two Union ra shooting was good, they did not damage hisves !i The" Cayuga then, fell back and tlic Hanford i,Ti ber place. We had only two guns, which I |,T placed on the top-gallant forecastle, that r„„ij liear. on them until we got within a half a mile-, We then sheered oil and gave them such a fi re ~’ they never dreamed of in their philosbphv. ' The Pensacola ran up after a while and tookti starboard battery off our hands, and in a few niiT utes the Brooklyn ranged up and look a chance T my friends on the left bant; but they were ij lenced in, I should say, twenty \ minutes, or hah' an hour; but I cannot keep a note of time on sad, occasions. I only know that "half of the did not get a chance at them. 5 The river was too narrow for more than two , )r three vessels to\ act to advantage, but all were *, anxious that mV greatest fear was we should tin into each other, and Captain Wainwright and my self were hallooing ourselves at the men not to lire into our ships. This bust affair was what i cmj one of the little elegancies of the profession— a ik.h and a victory. But the passing of the Forts Jack sou and St. Philip was one of the most awh o i sights I ever saw. The smoke, was so dense'that it was only now and then yon could see anythin ■ but the flash of the cannon and .the fire-ship. rafts, one of which was pushed down upon as, t) lc ■Hartford, by the ram Manassas, and in my effort to avoid it ran the ship on shore, and then the raft was pushed alongside and in a moment the >kip was one blaze all along the port side, half way m the main and mizzen tops; but thanks to theguoj organization of the fire department by Lieutenant Thornton, the flames were extinguished, and at the same time we backed off and got clear of the raft. All this time we were inuring the shells im„ forts, and they into us, and every now and then a rebel steamer would get under our fire am) receive our salutation of a broadside. At length the lire slackened, the smoke cleared off and we saw, t„ our surprise, that we were above the forts, and here mid there a rebel gunboat on tire. As we eanio up with them, ttying to make their escape, thn were fired into, and riddled so that they ran ilniii on shore, and all who coaid made their escape to the land. I am told, Ido nbt know how truiv that General Lovell had gone down that evening :to make an attack, with thirteen gunboats, a lurt-e :ram;of eighteen guns, and the Manassas. The Manassas and the Mississippi made a set at each other at fall, sjieed, and when they were within thirty or forty yards of each other the rum dodged the Mississippi and ran on shore, when tin; latter poured her broadside into her, knocked awav her smoke-storks ami then scut on hoard of her' hut she was deserted and riddled, and after a while site drifted down the stream full of water. She was the last of the eleven we destroyed, hat tin; larger ram wits still at Fort Jackson; hut tltcv say here that she was sent down before she v, : ,'- ready. and that she will have to surrender with the forts, which I hojie will he to-day or to-morrow,— I will give them my attention as soon as I ouu settle the affairs of the. city. ; I demanded the surrender of the city yesterday Of the Mayor, through Captain Bailey as the second in command. His reply was that the city was un der martial law, and he would consult General Lpvoll. His lordship said- he would surrender nothing, luit at the same he would retire and leave title Mayor unembarrassed. This morning the Mayor sent his Secretary and Chief of X’olice to see mu and say that he would cajl the City Council together at 10 o'clock, and giye lue an answer, and that the General had re tired, and that he had' resumed the duties of hi, ofiiwj as Mayor, and would endeavor to keep order in the city and prevent the destruction of propenv, I sent him, by his Secretary, the letter marked Xu, I, of , which a copy is enclosed. 1 also sent him a letter, demanding the surrender of the citv, in con formity with the demand made by me yesterday, through Captain Bailey. This morning, at C A. M., I sent to Captain -Morris, whose ship commanded the Mint, to take possession of it and hoist the American flag there on ; Which was done, and the /leoji/e chtertsl it.— At 18, I sent on shore again, and ordered Lieut. Hertz, of the navy, and Brown, of the marines, with; a marine guard, to hoist the flag on the Cus tom House; but the excitement of the crowd was so great that the Mayor and Councihuen thought it would produce a conflict and great loss of life.— At 1:1, a signal Was made to the fleet for Divine service, under a general order (copy No. 3.) On April 2Glh, in the afternoon, having been informed that there were two forts eight miles above the city, at a place called Carroltou, I deter mined to take a look at them, and demolish them. We accordingly ran tip, bat to ottr surprise, we found the gnu carriages all on fire, and upon ex amination, found the guns all spiked. It was a mod formidable work for Commodore Foote to encounter on his way down—consisting of a long line;of defences extending back from the river to Lake Fontchartrain, both above and below lie city, on which ■ there were twenty-nine and thirty guns each. ’ Immediately on my getting above the forts. I sent Captain Boggs, who is now deprived of a command by the sinking of his ship, which he had so nobly defended, down to Capt. Potter, through the’bayou at the quarantine, directing him to de mand the surrender of the forts. His demand was at first refused, but the soldiers told their officers that we were in their rear, and that they would not bo sacrificed. So, this morning, the 29th, the gal lant Bailey brought ns the intelligence in the Cay uga* Captain Harrison, that the forts had surren dered, the rams blown up, and that the American Hag' floats over both forts. • I; have sent down for General Butler's troo[s to come up and occupy this city, and will soon be o 5 for ■ Mobile, Depend .upon it, we will keep die stampede up. I send Captain Bailey home ,as beater of despatches. He has done his work no blyl.and that while suffering under an infirmity ■winch required attention and rejiose. ■Lain,'very tmlv and resp’y, vonr nh't serf. ~ ’ D. G. FAKRAGCT, ? Flag Officer W. G. Blockading Squadron. A. Strange Siort. — A strange story (not by .Biilwcr,) is going the rounds of the English press- A lately married Irish earl, wishing to improve his old mansion, set architects at work, who dis covered a room hermetically bricked up. It '' :L ‘ fittqd tqi in the richest style of one hundred and titty years ago, and on the conch lay the skeleton of a female, while on the floor was the skeleton ot 'a man, presenting evident traces of violence.— Jewels and dresses lay scattered about the room, but the fearfnl secret had been so well kept that no tradition could be remembered which world give any clue to the affair. The survivors— an injured husband probably among them —walled up the apartment, .which has kept its dread secret ever 3 ccntnrv and a half. 1?ook Wiustliso.—“Speaking bores.' si'» a victim of one of. the species, “1 cnu seatvcb imagine one capable of inflicting more misery than an intolerable whistler. I can stand a fife all flic nation is armed and equipped on trainii)£ day, and the drum, with its ‘flang, flang,’ -servy to drown its screams; but to listen to a poor air badly murdered by a poor, puckerer, I prefer death in some easier if not quicker way. I always think or the French stage-coach driver, who beine vvo much annoyed by such a bore, turned upon h| nl ’ “ Stine vriend, vat for you vissel all ze time.— ort loss your leetie dog, eh ?” Judge Daniel McCook, father of licju‘ r v A. MeD. McCook and General B. L. Mv'Ce" has {gone to Pittsburg Landing to oiler Iris serve* in the next fight. Jndge McCook has seven s*’it> in the army. PRINTED ON Campbeirs $650 “Country Press ribone power-pre PRINTING OFFICE. Having within the past two yean, nude consider j liil.m t'o our establishment in tho way of new t s-rew press, Paper Cutter, Card Cutter, Ruling K, Card Power Frees, and large Newspaper P fress! fa cut of which wo giro above) we are now pr«| anything to tho lino of printing urruiii i Ivin eoual to any establishment iu the Slate, ai [rices equally low. We can execute, on ebort nolle ivies of _ Iredding, Invitation, Visiting. Ball A Business Cj 1 Cinoulars, Programmes, LaMMOTH posters, sale bili aim® yiwsMS&®© Pamphlets* Pay and Check Bo BLANK BOOKS, LaNIFESTS, AND BLANKS of all kin Put we ask is a trial, feeling confident that we ca; Ltisfecthm if we have the opportunity. I Office in Low tiler's building, corner of V irginia an L streets, opposite Superintendent's Office. local items Kuskhal Obsequies op Gaft. P. T. K -As mentioned in our last, the funeral of ( •. T. Keys took place on Thursday Afternoon it 2 o’clock, P. M. the cortege moved from an Hall to St John’s Catholic Church, in the living order: . Altoona Brass Band. Isnort of Three Months’ Volunteers, under \ mand of Captain Szink. Major Kdie and Lieut. Campbell, U. S. J Hearse covered with American Flag, [datives and friends of the deceased in cajoi Citizens'on foot. [ Arriving at the Church, the coffin wa\» com rom the hearse into the Ohnreh, where the tressive ceremonies of that denomination [one through with, and an' appropriate adi [elivcred by Bev. Welsh, of Hollidaysburg. The ceremonies over at the Chnrch, the Session re-formed, in the order above given, hutched to the -Catholic Cemetery, above jutooita, where vvore consigned to their last [ng-place all that was mortal of Captain Key I'mlv may we exclaim: “ Brief; brave and glorious wo-ilm young career I Beloved by those who knew him best, am ■pcc.|ed by all who enjoyed his acquaintance, leatli is universally' lamented. I Kike on the Mountains. —For several bast ail the mountains in this vicinity, and, in nil along the line of railroad between this | nnd Harrisburg, have been on fire, and we bad a smoky time of it. So thick was the sii (hat the sun presented the appearance of blood. Shadows disappeared.' The weather was dry, w pud windy, very favorable for the rapid sprer (lie element. We learn that a great runout eordwood, belonging to different persons, has lestroyed, and among the rest, some 7(H) t belonging to Allegheny Furnace. T|te lire beared to rage tierces; and travel fastest on B imuutain, where it formed an unbroken line pic summit to the base, and burned up everyt bf a combustible nature in its way. The s liter nightfall, as witnessed from tliis place, [•awfully grand and sublime.” A smart sit yesterday (Tuesday) evening we hope extingn the flames. 1 Fatal Acoiiient.— On Thursday night Samuel Wilt, of this place, a brnkeman oJ pf the freight trains between this place andyni burg, fell from his train and was 'ama JSvei killed. It appears that, for the purposcalf r more comfortably, he hod placed a boanl d|ag f.v across a stock car, between the slats, lea viiii feud protrude over the bumper he occupied. \ passing through the narrows, below Lewlstov is supposed that the board was shaken out < place at the opposite end from the one on whic tot, thereby causing it to tilt and letting him between the bumpers. He fell with his legs ai the rail and his body on the outside of the n Dne of his legs was crushed from the thigh u knee, where both legs were cut off. He lived P few hours after the aeddent. His remains brought to this place on'Friday morning, leaves a wife but no children. Fire in Collinsville. —On Wednesday loon last, two weatherboarded log housi iroperty of Isaac Walton, were banted to frannd, in Collinsville, just over the hill from llace. The fire originated from a stove running through the roof of one of the build Ihq afternoon being dry, the houses compos combustible material, and none of the modern wees for extinguishing the element on ha won communicated to the second house, and present conld do little else than attend to s household goods. The fire was also commt rcd to adjoining buildings but was discovei lime to prevent it gaining any headway, if Ihe beds and bedding and other property i leeond stories of the house were burned. ' ■is no insurance on the booses or hoi aoperty Hetdbseb.—Rev. A. B. Clark has vacate witton at Annapolis, as army despa tchcr, at unied to Bis charge in this place. We an o have him among us again. Bev. D. S. B ' 10 supplied his place in his absence, has bet •ointed missionary to the Broad Top regie lx ®°ntha. We tire pleased to state tint umisitration of Bev. Banks was very acce] ° the congregation in this place, tie bids I c 11 popular and useful herald on the we won. 5 —VTe notice tßat Esquire Hums l^' en ofifipe in the small braiding on th n , OP r itC Icke8 ’ 9 store room, corner of II Annie streets, East Ward. Our fncii si e of town have long desired a justid i, e oTer Ulere > und now Squire H. Iras step ' ««ommodate them. As a matter •of e 'ey should patronize him. Agalv '~ Tbe larße "‘oro roum L . "fanch and Annie streets looks de< ! i since the slock of entirely new IiLT^ 6 * by essre - Geis Co,, hav in anotb^ 01 * B^olve8 ' their adrerti another column.