AMERIIp VOLUNTEER. J9HB B..BUMTON, Editor & Proprietor. CiRLISLE, I>A„ JUNE 20, 1851, OUR F LAG. *« Forever,float, that standard sheet I ■ Where breathes the foe but falls before list With Freedom's soil beneath our feet. And Freedom’s banner waving o’er ns I [£7-Wo see it stated that the expenses of our Government, at this time, amounts to one million of dollars a day! Heavy. . O* A dispatch from Albany states that sixty two full regiments have been offered and enrolled in the State of New York, be sides many odd companies. ( Over 50,000, men.are enrolled in these regiments. Returned.— The Hon. George M. Dallas, late Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States -to the Court of St. James, returned to his residence last week. Ho has proved an efficient and popular officer, His reception in Philadelphia was gratifying in every partic ular. - ■ Hypocrisy.- —The Black Republican papers, ■ .now that Stephun A. Douglas is dead, are lavish in their praises of the deceased states man. During his lifetime no epithet was too foul to ho applied to him by those same jour nals. Their praises now is an insult to his memory and his friends. . Rather Expensive. —The New York Times estimates the expenses of the war at a million M dollats a day. Congress will have to au ’ thorize a loan of a'huudred millions to last until the meeting of Congress in December, when another hundred millions or two will ■ be-necessary,’ United States securities are now 15 per cent, below par. Verily, what hayoo docs war make with the productive re . sources of a country! ... ;. Missouri —There are serious indications of an outbreak in Missouri, and a portion of her population are prodably as rabid Secession ists as can be found anywhere in our co in try. But fortiinatly, they are not only surrounded bn throe sides by loyal States. But many of their own fellow citizens are warmly devoted to the Union. It is not possible for them to . gain complete control of the State, and it they carry, their treasonable schemes, very far they will .be spcedly attacked and overawed. Death op Hon.. G. M. Keim. —Hon Geo. Me Keim, a prominent and well known cit izen of Beading, and equally as prominent in Pennsylvania, died in that city on the 11 inst. He represented the Berks county district in Congress from 1838 to 1813. Subsequently he served for a number of years as United States Marshal for the Eastron District of. Pennsylvania, resident in Philadelphia. He was a gentleman of excellent character, al waysranked high socially, and Was universal ly respected. • Gooey poa Joi.v.—lEe have Godoy’s Lady’s Book ifor July which commences the sixty third volume. This volume will be furnish ed to subscribers for One Dollar, and will comprise the six best numbers of the year. It will contain seven steel engravings, six of 1 the double extension plates, and all the win ter cloak patterns. This offer is made to meet the times, and all our lady readers should ■ avail themselves chance,to procure a work worth double the price asked. Address L. A. Godey, 323 Chesrint street, Philadelphia. Lieut. Slemmer. —This gallant soldier re turned to his homo in Norristown, last week. Ho was accompanied by his fathful wife, whose patriotism and devotion at the time the rebels wore thwarted in their plans to seize Fort Pickens attracted the admiration of the coun try. Wo are sorry that Lioat. S. is in poor health, caused by his long aud arduous service. Ho was cordialy welcomed by his old friends and neighbors; and the city authorities of Philadelphia gave him a. public reception on Tuesday in Independence Hall. This is a compliment rarely ooffered an ffioor of his rank. Ho is a son of the veteran printer, Adam Slemmer, for many years editor of the Norris town Register. Death Warrants. —Governor Curtin caused death warrants to bo issued in two murder cases, for the execution of the criminals con victed at the time specified in the warrants as follows. William Weaver, of Perry county convict ed and sentenced to bo hung for poisoning his wife. The evidence on which Weaver was tried and convicted was of a circumstantial character. His execution is fixed for the Gth of Sdptembcr next. Armstrong, tried and convicted in Philadel phia for the murder of a man whom ho had decoyed into his wagon on pretence of taking a ride, will be hung on the 9th of August next. CnußEii!,«iD V alley Rail-Road. — The Har risburg Union, in.speaking of the profits this read is making at this time, says: ; Thq Cumhetiand Vailoy railroad, ■which for years has done nothing hut a small local ~ trade,' (enough however to pay a handsome , dividend,) and has always been looked upon I ns n “one-horse road,” has suddenly hoeomo one of ' thd most important routes for the time being,' in Pennsylvania, if not in the Union. It is not alone the transportation of troops, horses, and munitions of war that has thrown an immense amount of business, upon tho Cumberland Valley railroad, but tho number of people who travel to Chambersburg to see their friends, as well as those who are attract ed there to see tho operations and movements of the army, is immense. If the war in the direction of Harper’s Ferry continues, and tho Cumberland Valley ronte continues the groat thoroughfare, the Cumberland Valley rail road will make live times more money than it Oost originally. “A TRUCE IN POLITICS'” In God’s name, lot there ho a truce in poli ties,” exclaims the Herald, Thou why don’t our, neighbor rebuke the' 11 powers that bo” fo¥ the miserable proscription now practiced upon Democrats? Look at the recent army appoint-' moh't's, and then answer candidly whether most -of these wore not selected solely because they are prominent as Republican brawlers? Wo. never assumed, as our neighbor intimates, “that because a man is a member of the Re publican party, he is either a knave or a fool.” We are incapable of using such language. But'wo Jo say, and can prqv^otnrassertion true, that a number dfsfendves and fools have been appointed to military positions, because of their , politics. And wo do say, and can provoits truth, that Cameron and Curtin have refused to accept the best military talent in the State, because those possessing this talent are Democrats. The Herald admits that great frauds have been practiced upon our volunteers, but at tempts to relievo the Republican party in part, by, saying “that,the charge of fraud will not have to bo borne entirely by Republicans.” Indeed! And who else, pray, can be' held re sponsible ? Let the Herald name a single De mocrat, if it can, who has beefl selected to fur nish supplies to the soldiers. There is not one, so far as pur knowledge extends, The millions and tons of millions of dollars thus far spent have passed, through Republican hands. The beef and pork contracts, blanket and shoo contracts, cloth contracts, flour con tracts—every thing—have been parcelled out to Republican pet politicians, many of whom stole half .the money placed in-their posses sion. This is notorious. “ A'truee in politics)’' indeed 1 If the Her ald means by this that wo shall cease expo sing Wrong, we answer, never 1 Wo will “cry aloud and spare .not. 7 *’.’and shall hold up to the public gaze the gmlty parties, wo care not who they may bej brswhat position they oc cupy. Those demagogues who only lust, fall made their throats Sore in advocating the doc trine of “free speech and a'free press,’’ arc now. attempting to act the tyrant, and would muzzle the Democratic press, if they could. Democratic editors are frequently reminded by the hirelings and pimps of the adminis tration—we have no reference to the Herald— that the exposures of the villains now prac ticed by the robbers of our array, might bo considered " petty treason.” And sonic of the cnivens who thus “ caution” Democratic edi tors, are foreign mercenaries, who, in all prob ability, wore compelled to leave their own country to save their thick necks from the halter. A pretty state of.affairs, indeed, when ;American citizens must be “cautioned” by dirty, worthless, thieving foreigners. We. are firmly of tho opinion, too, that it is not only important, but absolutely necessary, that the Democrats maintain their organiza tion, and thus save the.people, as far as pos sible, from tho oppressive burthens of taxa tion that dishonest men have imposed upon them. Wo will do all in our power to assist on with this unfortunate war, and to crush out rebellion, but wo will not bo blind to the iniquities of the Republican party. The re i peal of tho tonnage tax last winter, by the 1 Republican Legislature, 'was not only a stu pendous piece of wickedness and scoundrel ism, but it was a most villainous fraud upon the people. This act, together with.tho more recent acts of robberies committed- upon our; patriotic volunteers, should, forever damn the Republican party in this State. Lot tlio Democratic party, then, preserve its organization, anil never grant ‘‘a truce” until victory perches upon our banner. In conclusion, we call the attention of the Herald and our readers to the following arti cles from the Philadelphia Inquirer, a paper whoso editor supported both Linooen andGu.r tin. There is certainly something wrong, when papers like the Inquirer “speak out in meeting.” Let us.have no more Paper Genetiai.s. There never was a braver or more patriotic army than ours. Our soldiers are of the very best,material —the bone and sinew of tho coun try. They should have cool, sagacious com manders, possessing that deliberate impetu osity which always distinguishes the accom plished soldier. In our present contest, a largo portion of our commissioned officers are ap pointedby the. States, and in most instances, up to the rank of Colonel, are elected by the privates or their appointees. There will, of course, ho many mistakes made, and incorii petent persons will .bo found in many of the regiments, but they will be gradually wooded out, as their want of talent for command is discovered. ‘A good Colonel is soon known by the superior discipline and efficiency of his regiment. . ' The greatest difficulty is, of course; in the selection of Brigadier and Major-Generals, upon whoso coolness, courage ami.experience, the fortune of a decisive battle may turn, and there is no better rule than that prescribed by our late act of Assembly, that they should bo competent person lf ‘of military education, ex perience and skill. No State Executive should appoint any other persons, and if ho does, he must bo held answerable to the people for all such disasters as have lately occurred at Great Bethel. In the regular army, and in all appoint ments of officers in the military service of the United States, the War Department is respon sible, and its policy should bo to disregard all private friendships or associations, all politi cal hacks, all contractors who have neither capital, character or credit, and all mere poli ticians, wloo, either as members of legislative bodies, or as lobby members, have received pay for their services in either capacity. If the Department appoints as commanders men, however distinguished in civil life, who btuie neither military education, skill nor experience, then it is responsible to the whole country for all the terrible misfortunes that must follow from entrusting the command of armies toper sons incompetent, from want of military know ledge, for tho successful manoeuvre of troops in the field. This is the time to speak out, and every civilian who is offered high military rank should ask himself: Can I drill a company or a regiment, or carry a brigade successfully into action, without first looking at ScorV’s Tactics ? and ho should reflect, before making up his answer, that there is no time to study hooks of tactics while under fire in the field. Under such inexperienced Generals, soldiers i might very properly say: We do not wish to [ho sacrificed, for wo remember Great Bethel. Wo have in the regular army, say eight hundred educated and gallant officers, besides those who, are eleven of West Point, or who have served their country in the field. Oan not Generals ho found amongst these men?. VTni w? /’ kiontenant-Colcmcls and Majors can be, and why should such men de voto their lives to. milttary pursuits, when a civilian, without military skill, is to bo placed over their hoads._ The military profession re quires great genius and long experience. In the principal coiiimaftdora, and in our great chief, wo arc singularly fortunate in posses sing the greatest soldiers of the ago. Wo should hot furnish so groat a captain TOfh in- Compoteut generals, who must CR«T w*t“ them into' action' th'd last edition Tactics, to enable them to mancpttvre their commands in the field.. IVo hope to hear of no. more civil Generals.- _ jJ , " ■ - Lieutenant Grf.bi.f.’s Remains, at Inde pendence Hall.- —The body of this noble young officer and thorough soldier, ot the United States Regular Army,.who.was killed, at Great Bethel, through’the military ignor-' anco of a small .'politician, appointed to a com mand over him, was conveyed to Independ ence Hall, yesterday, at half-past one o’clock, amf'tfty there in state, while his sorrowing fellow-citizens flocked avohnd tohidn mourn ful idien. The coffin was draped with a flag of his Regiment; his hat, sash and sword were deposited on the lid, together .with crowns of orange flowers, white satiu ribbons, labelled “Purity,” in letters of gold, and, at the head, the young soldier’s photograph, dis playing a manly face, that bespoke nobility of soul and a generous heart. '* It was considered advisable not to display the entire corpse, which, however, was dressed in full Uniform. Unlike the simply mous tachioed portrait, a thick black heard was left entire. By a covering of orange flowers and of hair, combed upon the spot, the side of the face shot away was completely hidden. The funeral obsequies hod previously taken place at the residence of the soldier's parents, atten ded by his family relatives and a deputation from the City Councils, At that place the Episcopal service was read by the Rev. Mr. French; his father-in-law, a short funeral eulogium pronounced by Rev. Thos. Bral nard, follbwcd bv d prayer from Rev, John: Jenkins. Rev. Mr. Brainard, in his re marks, enlarged upon the strict temperance and purity of life of the deceased, and upon the many virtues of his boyhood and subse quent life, Mr. BrainaiU) had baptized him, and watched his career from infancy. It,is related that Lieutenant George Gre- Bi.fi had written a few lines in pencil to’ his wife,’previous to the action, in whioh hecx perienced a presentiment of his approaching ond. Also, on witnessing the blunder ofBn " gadier General Fierce, he remarked that he ■ would rather lose his life twenty times over i than that such a disgrace to odr arms should . have occurred. When left isolated on the bat tle field with his men, it Was suggested that ’ ho should retreat. He replied, that ho knew 1 no such Word, till the buglo for retreat sbun . ded. ■ '. , Appointment of Incompetent Officers. We find the following in the Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer: I learn that there is an open rupture in the Cabinet between the President and the Secre- tary of War. There is said to bo a radical, difference of opinion between them on all im portant subjects. The recent high appoint ments in the army made by the Secretary, of civilians, utterly ignorant of all military know ledge, have deeply grieved and wounded the President who protested against them in en ergetic, language,’and only yielded at last a reluctant consent. There.nro other subjects, too, in relation to which the President declares that the Secretary is embarrassing the service and injuring theeountry. It is rumored that old Abe bluntly told the Secretary , that he m igh t give up his portfolio whenever he wished to, for. that he was President,, and was deter mined to be Commander-in-Chiof in deed, and not in name only. . Whether all this is true or not, we shalhseo hereafter; but one thing is certain, that the patriotic sentiment of the people of this State has been insulted and Outraged by the ap pointments civilians to high military rank, who have no experience or knowledge upon that subject, who have not the confidence of those who know them, and who are distin guished only for trickery, corruption, aud dea perato speculating propensities. When our people are putting forward every effort to pre serve the Nation, giving their men and their means with hearty free will, and just as these efforts are about to result in something effec- five, their patriotism and moral feeling is sud denly insulted by the appointment of men to Generalships, &<j., that they would not entrust with a drove' of dogs. Tint Hessian,' of the. Harrisburg Telegraph. Cool impudence from a “ native bom” may be endured; .but when a IleHsian —-a native of Ileaso Darujstadt—attempts to decide who are and who are not “gentlemen” hero in his adopted country, he deserves to have his ears propped. The little, thick-necked, ignorant, impudent, imported Hessian of the Harris burg Telegraph — George Beboneb— a follow wTio fills the several positions of Post Master of Harrisburg, and liek-spittle andboot-black to Simon Cameron— has expressed his wise opinion that wears "no gentleman,” because we do not consider Dave T aggabt’s recent appointment one fit to beraade. Well, well, wo care very little for Beboner’s opinion of us ; but if any body wishes to know who BERGNEB-is, and the manner in which he has made his money, wo refer him to the records of the Auditor General’s Office at Harrisburg. None but a thief, a perjuror, and scoundrel, could have that kind of record. • Defeat of Henry Winter Davis.—Mary land elected a full delegation of Union men to Congress on Wednesday last, with possibly a single exception, one district remaining in doubt. The defeat of that arrant demagogue, Henry Winter Davie, by some two thousand majority, is something we did not anticipate. Wo trust that his defeat disposes of the last of the Plug Ugly tribe. Mr. May, his-,guo oessful opponent, is a firm Union man, and more reliable than Davis, who industriously pandered to the vilest mob spirit as long as he could obtain a seat in Congress by this means. During the secession outbreak in Baltimore, he was nowhere to bo found, but as soon as the tide turned, he'too turned up, and by the usual appliances of fraud’ and trickery foisted himself upon the Union men as their candidate for Congress, much to their disgust. Though devoted to the Union,"this was a little more than they could bear—and the verdict of AVe(J§esday last informed Mr. Davis that his career of political infamy was ‘finished. The Secession Conspiracy.— Edward Ev erett, in a private letter, reoonily published, declares his knowledge of the fact, that for thirty years loading Southern politicians had boon resolved to break up the Union, and that the slavery question' was but a pretext for keeping up agitation, and holding the I South together. The Now York World is informed, from a trustworthy source, that one of the latest occupations of the now deceased Sena tor Douglas, was the partial preparation of a pamphlet exposing, from a personal know ledge siniilar to that from which Mr. Everett speaks, the secret machinations and public plans of this great Southern conspiracy. BQf Upwards of seven hundred slaves have escaped from Virginia within the past two weeks, and are now hold by the Government 1 forces as contraband of .war. Value to their I owners 5700,000. MOftE ABOIt 'THB FRAUDS. ■Day after daj£ says the Charabersbnrg Times, more light 'iq being thrown Upon .the stupendous frauds that have been perpetrated upon the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the General •Government, in supplying the Volunteers of thii State with food, clothing and equipments. The Grand Jury of tho U. States District Court, at Philadelphia, have 'had the Matter .under consideration for some weeks, avid in their presentment to the Court make distinct charges of fraud. Though, as they soy, from tho fact that they were limited, by the instructions of the Court, to an inves tigation of only those contracts made with the National Government, lind because “ these frauds have been so ■.carefully concealed, and so sedulously guarded by the parties commit ting them, that the Grand Jury has found it impossible so to separate them ns to bo able to present tho cases, which would properly bring tho guilty parties under the jurisdiction of the Court,” yet, they declare that, “ the most indubitable evidences of the perpetration of these frauds have been, detected.” It should bo remembered- that these charges are preferred by a jury of unprejudiced men, acting on their oaths, under the direction of a,Court of Justice; men sworn to*do their duty,between.man and inan. It is no party matter, but a fair and open judicial investiga tion, dealing with facts of the deepest magni tude; and, incomplete af}d unsatisfactory as it must bp, for the reasons above given, is en titled to the greatest respect and consideration. One of tho most serious charges.against the State Administration, beyond that of actual rascality, is that from tho beginning,.a set of incompetent and unreliable men wore assign ed tho managemontof affairs, and that through' their carelessness and ineompetency, the State , has lost thousands of dollars, We quote from the presentment of the-Jury ( “ Admitting the fact that, to meet a sudden and extraordinary emergency, the Executive of Pennsylvania was called upon by the Pre sident of the United Stated to furnish provi sions and equipments for a large body of troop's, and that the militars£organization of the State was not upon*such a footing, ns would enable the State Executive to oomplj with the requisition as economically as might have seemed desirable; still, this inquest has failed to discover in either the suddenness or magnitude of the requisition anything tojus tify the palpable mismanagement which char acterized the effort. When men entirely in competent were appointed to take charge of, and assist in managing the niost important military departments, such a result was ine vitable. “ In no case jvhioh ciime to the knowledge of the jury, was there in the* Commissariat or Quarter-master’s department anything in the form of a written contract between the Gov ernment agent and the , parties furnishing supplies. “No evidence was presented,to the jury to show that there was any inspector of the pro visions. This fact applies more particularly to that'branch located at Philadelphia. “The requisitions appear to ha ve boon made simply as to quantity; quality and price were , rarely referred to, and for,aught that the jury - could learn to the contrary, the orders were filled or not, as suited the disposition of the ] sellers. Beyond,the more issuing of the re- , quisitions, the'acting agents appear, to have , given the subject no further consideration. If the parties filling the : requisitions did not avail themselves of the doors for fraud thus freely and widely the - fault was not with these .Government agencies. _ ■ : ;■ _ “.With, hundreds of men in Philadelphia entirely conversant'with Uio business—men ;whh, (if mot have given their services to the Government for a fair compensation, this inquest cannot but con demn the policy of appointing to places of such importance, men so notoriously incom petent ferr such dutieWf;. If there bo no aettm |?ailt attached to the transactions of tho Administration of Gov. Curtin, tho facts hero brought to light are enough to condemn it. There were no writ ten contracts; there was no inspector of pro visions ; the requisitions were made simply In regard to quantity—-quality being out of the question, when nothing hut insignificant soldiers were concerned.- can readily imagine why no written contracts wore to he found.. If such things were in existence they would bear upon their very faces the evidence tho iniquity in which they Were conceived.— Wo can also understand why no, inspeemr Of provisions was appointed ; if rumor he cor rect, it would have been instant death to any man who attempted!to inspect some of the provisions furnished at Philadelphia, Harris burg and Lancaster. That furnished at this point, under the management of J. Allison Eystof, wo; are happy to say, was abundant, good and wholesome. ' , The presentment further goes on to state, that — “ They have evidence .of the fact, that the purchases, as a general' thing, wore made, not from first hands, but through jobbers and middle men, and that, in consequence, the prices paid were manifestly higher than the market rates at that time, or than they would have been had the ordinary rules of business governed tho transactions." The next charge preferred is in the follow- ing language: “ The arras supplied by tho United States Government to some of the troops; from tho Frankford Arsenal, have in many cases been proven unfit for the soldiers, and dangerous to thorn in their own hands for want of proper inspection. Tho attention of tho authorities is directed to tho mismanagement, neglect or incompetonoy of tho U. States officers there in charge, and the remedy that is needed." After carefully reviewing this sickening de tail of incompotency, carelessness, and vil lainy, tho inquest close their report with tho recommendation that “ a full and searching investigation should ho made, by some com petent tribunal,” and yet express tho fear that tho nice manner in which all possible traces of fraud have been concealed from tho public eye, will render such an investigation exceed ingly difficult, and perhaps fruitless. Like tho wily Indian, who covers his tracks through tho snow or over tho ground, when ho anti cipates pursuit, these sharpers who have boon hanging around tho Administration of Gov. Curtin, have involved everything in such an inexplicable mystery that wo entertain hut faint hopes of a thorough and satisfactory in vestigation. The commission appointed by the Governor is an able and reliable one— “ Honest old Jacob Fry” is not a term of more political favoritism—ho is as true as steel. But they will be able to discover noth ing. Suppose an investigation of tho tonnage tax speculation was ordered to-day—jfcho affair in which our model Governor and his boon companions played such an important part, is it likely thatnny direct evidence of bribery could bo discovered? Yet, every observing man knows that hundreds of thousands of dol lars word expended by the company to secure the passage of tho bill. So it may prove with this commission. Tho tracks have boon cov ered. Good men wore chosen as commissioners merely as a blind to deceive the people. We sincerely hope that something more may bo brought to light by the commission. If they are unsuccessful, the next session of tho le gislature will have to take the matter in hand. There will be good men sent there with that express purpose, ’ If they fail, wo shall have to be resigned to our fate. AS ABOLITION TRAITOR CAUGHT. Among tho telegraphs seized by tho Gov ernment is one from J. E. Harvey, a leading Republican, who was very recently appointed Minister to Portugal, inf&rming the Charles ton authorities of the intention of tho Pres ident to reinforce Fort'Sumter, of tho strength of the fleet, ten.—Exchange. Mr. Lincoln had better see to it that ho has not more than one Harvey among his office-holderdS' loading Abolitionists, who have been praying for a dissolution of tho Union for the Inst quarter of a century, re quire watching these times. And yet Lin coln has appointed scores of these very dis unionists to office. James E. Harvey, was for many years the Washington correspondent of the Phil. North American, and wrote over the signature of “Independent.” All who have read Ids'let- ters will remember that they wore couched in beautiful language, and were strong and pow erful. Ho was also correspondent of the New York Tribune, and his letters to that paper ho advocated a dissolution of tho Union as the best way to abolish slavery. Ho was and is a rampant Abolitionists—one of those fellows who “ preferred the Chicago platform to fifty Unions.” The administration knew he was a disunionist before he was appointed Minister to Portugal, but yet his abolition principles gave him favor at the White House. Wo copy tho following dispatch concerning his treachery from the N. T. Herald : Washington, Juno V, 1851 The man to whom James E. Harvey .tele graphed the government secrets, referred to in my dispatch yesterday, was A. G. Mngrath ed, of Charleston, lata United States Judge. One of his dispatches to Magrath contains a denial of the fact that he was one of the Wash ington correspondents of the if. Pi Vribune. Harvey’s object in. deceiving Magrath on this point can be easily imagined. He probably kenew that his friend Magrath would have ho confidence in the 'statements of any man who represented an antbslavcry paper. Harvey’s dispatch', informing Magrath of the determination of the government not to withdraw Major Anderson from Fort Sumpter, was sent the day before the fleet with reinforce ments arrived at Charleston. The more the case of Harvey’s alleged trea son -is investigated, the greater the offence against the law of treason is made manifest. The fact that Mr. Harvey, with the commis sion of the President of the United States in his pocket, accrediting him as the representa tive ofthogovernmenttoaforeign court, should at the same time communicate the secrets of his governmenttdanv person, would bedeemed a high offence; but that ho should select Judgo Magrath, tho so-oalled Secretary of State of the treasonable, seceded State of South Caro lina, makes the offence more aggravating, and should subject the offender to the niost prompt and severe punishment. What seems most extraordinary, is the statement that a certain high official knew the fact that Harvey had committed this high offence, and allowed him to depart with his commission, deeming him, of course, a proper representative of this gov ernment. : General fierce. Gen. Pierce, who commanded, the expedi tion to Great Bethel, is a citizen of Massa chusetts, and held a military command in that State in the militia. Many, persons suppose that Gen. Franklin Pierce, ox-President of the United States, is tho person alluded to, hut tho ex-Prcsidont is a Now Hampshire man, and is not in the army. The Massachusetts Pierce is more of a civilian than a soldier, notwithstanding his command in the militia. The'Boston Transcript, speaking of the lat ter, says; , 1 ' “ We have no more to fear early in the war from incompetent Generals and Colonels, than from any other source. Lot us bear no more of incompetent militia officers having claims to command. In all respect, we must say let the Governor not mince matters one day long er in appointments and in removals. This Commonwealth insists that tho valuable lives of her troops shall not he risked under incom petent officers, and that in appointments the rule shell be, in case of doubt, for offiers ask ing appointments to show competency, and not for their opponents to make out a case of incompetency. “If the telegraph can be, depended upon, we can be reasonably certain that had Col. Gordon or Lieut. Greene, or any officer whose qualifications have been tested, been in Brig. General Pierce’s place, this sad and humiliat ing defeat would not have happened.” . Maryland Congressional Election.— The election for members of Congress in Mary land, on Thursday, has resulted, in the Fourth District, in the defeat of, Henry Winter Davis, and the election of Henry May, who was a supporter of Mr. Dodgi.as in tho last Presidential canvass. Mr. May is a very eminent lawyer in Baltimore, and has com mitted himself, in the most unequivocal man ner, fdr the Union. He is said however to favor moans of compromise, and is not com mitted'in favor of tho present policy of the Administration. -The Second, Third, Fifth, and Sixth districts have elected the Union candidates. Another Regiment. —Col J. IV. Geary, who commanded the Second Regiment of Pennsyl vania volunteers in Mexico, has received from President Lincoln an order to raise a regiment of volunteers for tho war. Col. Geary is now in Philadelphia, and his desire is to procure tho host military talent for officering his reg iment so as to do credit to himself and tho State which ho represents.— Exchange. Glad to publish the above. Col Geary is a soldier, and proved himself a sagacious offi oea iff Mexico. Wo hope a few more men Isko Col. Geary may bo selected to head our regiments. o*At tho Relay House, Md., some of tho scouts of Col. Jones, regiment (sixth Massa chusetts) had fallen in withja.lady travlirig in a two horse buggy with a trunk fastened on behind. Some circumstances of suspicion led tho scouts to examine tho trunk, when it was found to bo filled with percussion caps, an articnl now tmioh in request in tho traitor camp. Tho lady was suffered to go on but tho caps were retained, lost they might go off in tho wrong hands. o*Maher, of Chicago, is tho lowest bid der for tho great boof contract for tho army. Ho offers to deliver it at Washington for $4, 48 per 100 pounds. APPOINTMENTS NOT FIT TO BE MADE ■ The civic administration of the War De partment seems, to bo experimenting on the public patience. At a time of mortal peril like the present, when the Republic is engag ed in a struggle of life and death —when, through.the black treachery of Floyd and his fellow-conspirators in the military service pi the country, the array has been placed at .a double disadvantage of being inadequately armed and short of skilled officers—when the noble army of volunteers who have gone to the defence of the Union with their lives in their hands, most requite educated and prac ticed military skill to direct their mighty but undisciplined energies—at such a tune, com mon sense people expect the War Department to make its selections of officers from the very host material fit its command.. Plain ns this duty is at any time, it would seem to be im perative now. ,We most deeply regret to find the public expectation in the matter referred to very frequently disappointed. Almost every telegram from Washington brings intelligence of some appointment to high military com mands of persons totally unfit by any previous training to bo entrusted with even the smal lest squad. Many, of these are persons in other States, bat somo of them are taken from our own, and of these wo design to speak, be cause it is a local duty. ‘ few days ago, tho public mind of Penn sylvanja was shocked by the telegraphic in telligence that a certain B, Rush Petriken had "been appointed to the command of a re giment in the regular army, over the heads of a vast number of. meritorious officers, who had scon service in the field. To justify such a proceeding, Mr. Petriken should be a gen tleman of high military qualifications, but he is nothing of the kind. Wo use mild language when wo say that .he is totally unfit for the responsible duties of a Colonel in the regular army, and is distinguished only as a local party politician. Yesterday, tho people of tho State were subjected to another and similar shock, by tho announcement that John P. Sandcyson, formerly of this city, had been made a Lieut. Colonel in tho regular line, with rank next to Col. Anderson. Mr. Sanderson is widely and not unfavorably known in Philadelphia os a lawyer and as an editor; butdt'Will he news 'to the people here to learn that he has any sort of qualification for a Lieut. Colonelcy in the'regular service. - In this i case, also, it is using temperate language to say that it is “an appointment not fit to bo made.” To-day, Philadelphia and. the Common wealth w'll be surprised by the official bulletin announcing tho appointment of * Alexander Cummings, Esq., to a Brigadier-Generalship. While wo share in the general appreciation of Mr., Cummings’ abilities in the sphere in which he has had long practice and training, we feel it to bo a duty to declare that we have never heard, and known of no one who ever heard, that he has the first element of either education or experience for the responsible position in which he has been placed. Let us place these appointments in the broad light of contrast. Lieutenant Slemmer, whoso soldierly skill and decision saved. Port Pickens from the grasp of the traitors, re r mains still a Lieutenant, while John P. San derson is made a Lieutenant-Colonol. Gapt. Doubleday, Anderson’s brave and qxpoi jonoed brother-officer and valuable colleague in the defence of Fort Sumpter, and for whose life blood the Palmetto traitors were fairly pant ing because of his dauntlees zeal and energy, has just marched his men again to the field, but is still only a Captain, While B. Rush Petriken is made a Colonel. Major Anderson, whoso discretion and ability as a military commander, displayed through the trying piogo in Charleston harbor, was, after long delay and apparent hesitation, made a Colonel, while Alexander Cummings is, at the first leap, and with no claim to soldierly science, made a Brigadier-General. ■ Such anomalous and reprehensible conduct in tho administration of the War Department invites examination, scrutiny and remark.— .Much of the public censure which it will be sura to-provoke, may bo visited .upon the Chief for to him . tho appointing power belongs. But those who are well in formed of the relations between the persons we have named and the Secretary of AYar, cannot fall to trace the influence thro’ which these important but unfortunate appointments have been made, and they will lodge there-' sponsibillty upon the proper head., It gives us no pleasure to indulge in such comments; We .were among those who. hoped and ex pressed-the belief that tho Secretary of War would, in the administration of his high office, falsify all the .aspersions of his, life-long foes. But we have misgivings that this hope is- not to be realized. Thus far appearances indicate that the powers of the War Department are to be directed to the aggrandizement of more personal adherents, regardless of tho superior demands of the public service, and the safety of the bravo soldiers whoso lives are entrusted to incompetent hands.— Phild. Inquirer. , | Monument to Senator Douglas. —A num ber of the friends of the late Senator Douglas, representing several States, assembled at the National Hotel in Washington on Thursday, for the purpose of concerting measures to erect a suitable monument in his honor, and make preparations for delivering an eulogy upon the deceased on the evening-of the '4th of July. Hot? C. Hnskin was chairman and John. F. Ennis Secretary. After an inter change of views, J. J. McElhone, J. E. Ennis, Thos. C. Fields, A. M. Sallade, and George W. McLean, were appointed a commit tee to arrange for a future meeting, E. Joy Morris, the new Minis ter to Constantinople, telegraphed to Gover nor Curtin on Thursday, (resigning his seal as Representative from the Second Congres sional District, Gov. Curtin . responded, ac cepting it, and appointing Tuesday, the sec ond day of July next, as the day for a special election to choose his successor. Hon -Gdo. M. Dallas is spoken of as the Democrat can didate. Cotton Mir.r. at Harrisburg, Pa.—ln con sequence of the short supply of cotton, the di rectors deem it advisable'to close the mill for the present. . o*ln Cecil county Md., the Union candi date for the Maryland Legislature has re ceived 400 votes against only 15 for the reb el candidate. The Confederate Government has appointed General Leo Commandcr-in-Chiof of the forces in Virginia, in which State there are said to be about 55,000 men enrolled. The Minnesota was blockading Charleston on the sth Inst- The Brooklin is off the month of-the Mississippi. "Mobile also is blockaded. BZfThe secession ordinance in Tennessee has carried by a very large majority, some say 70,000, Pity. BQf" Troops are constantly flocking into Wheeling from the adjacent countries, for de fence of the Union. flSyGon. D. E. Sickles, New York Brigade takes one company from Heading, besides other companies from Pennsylvania. O-O; II Browning has boon appointed Senator by Gov. Yeatos,-io fill the vacancy ocasioncd by the death oP Senator Douglas. : THE WAR NEWS. Advance of United Stales Troops on a Rebel Battery, Fnenfis Firinynipon Fiicnds.—liepulse of the . United States Forces.—A Mashed Battery. —List of Killed and Wounded. Baltimore, Juno lii— The steamer from Old Point Comfort has arrived with ,the fal lowing intelligence, dated at Fortress Monroe last evening. ■ This has been an exciting,, and: sorrowful day at Old Point Comfort. Gen. Butler, having learned that'the rebfds were forming an entrenched camp with strong batteries at Groat Bethel, nine , miles from Hampton, on the Yorktbwh road, ho deemed it necessary b> dislodge them. Accordingly, movements were made hist night from Fortress Monroe and Newport Nows. , , , . About midnight, Col. Duryea’s Zouaves and Col. Albany regiment crossed the river at Hampton by means of six large bat tcaux, mannod/by the Naval ’ Brigade, and took up the lino of march. The former wore some two miles in advance of the latter. At the same time, Col. Benedix’s regiment and attachment of the Vermont and Massa chusetts regiments, at Newport News, moved forward to form a junction with the regiments from Fortress Monroe, at Little, Bethel, about half way between Hampton and Great Bethel. The Zouaves passed Little Bethel at about 4 o’clock, A. M. Benediz’s regiment arrived next, and took a position at the intersection of the roads. Not understanding the signal,; the regiment in the darkness of the morning tired upon Col. Townsend’s column, marching in close order, and led by Lieut. Butler, sou of Gen, Butler, and also his aid, with, two pieces of. artillery. Other accounts.say.“that Col. Townsends regiment fired first. At all events, the fire of the Albany regiment was harmless, while that of the Germans was - fatal, killing one man and fatally wounding two others, with several slight casualties. _ , The Albany regiment being back, the Ger mans discovered from the accoutrements loft on the field that the supposed enemy was a friend.. They had in the meantime fired nine founds with small arms and a field piece.— The Zouaves, hearing the fire, had turned and fired also upon the Albany boys. At daybreak, Col. Allen’s and Col. Carr’s . regiments moved from the roar of tho fortross to support the main body. The mistake at Little Bethel Having been ascertained, the buildings wore burned, and a major, with two prominent Secessionists, named Livery’ and Whiting, were made prisoners. The troops then advanced upon Great Beth el in thd*following order: the Zouaves, Col. Bender, Lieut, Col. Washburne, Col. Allen, and Col. Carr. At that point our regiments ■ formed and successively endeavored to take a ’ largo masked battery of the Secessionists/ The. effort was futile, our three small pieces of artillery not being able to cope with the heavy rifled cannon of the enemy, according to some accounts thirty jn number. The rebel battery was so completely-masked that no man could be seen, but the flashes of the guns only. There were probably less than 1,000 mfin behind the battery of the rebels. A well concerted movement might have se-' cured the position, but Brigadier Gen. Pierce, who commanded the expedition, seemed to have lost his presence of mind, and the Troy Regiment stood an hour exposed to a galling fire. An order to retreat was at length given, but, at that moment; Liept. Greble, of the U. States- army, and in command of the artillery, was struck by a cannon ball and instantly killed, He had spiked his gun, and was gal lantly endeavoring to.-withdraw his command. Capt. George IV. Wilson, of the Troy regi ment, after the order to retreat, took possession of the gun, and with Quartermaster McArthur brought it off the field, with the corpse ol the beloved Lieutenant. They brought them, to the fortress, this evening.., There are probably 24 killed anf 100 wounded. ' Lieut. Butler deserves the. greatest credit for bringing off the killed and wounded. Several of the latter are,now in.’the hospital It should, have been state'd that Col. Mc- Chesney ? s regiment formed a reserve, and that Col. Hawkins’ regiment moved from Newport News during the day. The armed vessels wont up to the Newport Nows, excepting the Cumhcrland. All the regiments are now prob ably at their former quarters. Much indignation .is manifested against Brigadier General Pierce.'. Gen. Butler'has been übiquitous, doing all in his power to save our men and the honor.of bur cause. From the Baltimore Patriot of Wednesday evening, we obtain . some additional particu lars in regard to the battle at Great Bethel. The number of . killed on the Federal side will,not, it is said, exceed fifteen,of sixteen, and the wounded fifty or sixty. All the killed and wounded were brought back to Monroe in boats, under the charge of the Na val Brigade, who lire said to have acted in the bravest manner in going on .to the field,, and bringing the bodies off during the thickest of the fight, thus exposing themselves to the greatest danger from the fire ,of the enemy. The entire blame of the unfortunate result of the affair is laid on the shoulders of Gen. Pierce, who, is execrated by every one for his total want of efficiency. ' This sentiment was shared alike by both Union men and Seces sionists—-the latter especially openly expres sing their contempt for him. Gen, Butler was perfectly enraged against him, and when' Pierce was brought before him, he cursed him, called him a fool and a coward, told him he had failed in the pofformonco of his duty, declaring that he would not hereafter trust him, ho matter how small or unimportant the. affair, When the first of the Federal troops arrived vicinity of the river, and before the. commencement of the battle, they captured three prisoners, who were cooking some vic tuals before a small fire. These men had been sent out on a reconpoitering expedition; and did not perceive the Federal troops until too late to retreat. One of them was Capt. Whit ing, a commander of a company, and the other two privates. - „ , , Capt. Whiting states that, the Confederate troops were commanded by Col. Magruaer, late of the United States army, and that ther were at least 2,500 men in tho batteries,which were constructed in tho most formidable man- n(3 Tho loss of the Confederates is reported by the passengers to have boon heavy* but tie exact number of killed and wounded is not kD There were only three regiments on the Federal side in the engagement, comprising 1,800. The colonels of the other regiments refused to order their men to march up to the battery, declaring that such was their whntof confidence in Gen. Pierce, that they would not run the risk of imperiling their lives, pre ferring rather to bo court-martialed than do so. There wore three thousand men in Fortress Monroe, and eight or nine thousand in the vicinity. Provisions and fresh water were plenty. Gen. Butler was making extensive prepay ations for another movement, which ho would command in person, and it was expected tna the battery would be taken before the close o the week. CiiAunEnsnnna, Juno 13.—Under J tions from Major General Patterson, Colon Lewis Wallace with his regiment volunteers, .loft Cumberland on the lltu in q for Romney, Virginia, where he surprised after a hard fight, completely routed pw cession troops, capturing some prisoners, ling two, and wounding one, and taking class camp equipage, provisions, stores, arms, &o. On our side one was a t wounded. The regiment returned to borlnnd the same day
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