THE PREW4. POIRLISERD DAILY, (BVISDATS 111.011PTID,) BY JOHN R. FORNEY. 0/1103 MO. 417 OHNSTITUT BTBIIII% THE DAILY PRESS, TWILIT]. CENTO PBS WSW], payable to the - Carrier. Mailed to Subscribers out of the Olty at SIR DOLLARS Paz Ainarmr, FOl7l DOLLARS vox EIGHT MONTI& Telma VaLimits POT Slx Monees—inyariabi7 In advance for be:tisse ordered. THE TEL :WEEKLY MESS, Nailed to kintmeribere oat of the City at Timm Bot.- LAie Poo Avarua, in advance. EXPRESS COMPANIES ARMY EXPRESS GO, 337 CICESTNIET STREET, PIIILA.DELPHIA. This company having entabliehod an agency In Ma City, la prepared to forward - ALL RINDS OF GOODS WO BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON, ALEX &NOMA, ANNAPOLIS, FORTRESS MONROE, NEWPORT NEWS, PORT ROYAL, "THE SOUTHERN BLOCKADING SQUADRON TO NEW YOB'S, BOSTON, AND "EASTERN CITIES 'Heavy Goods should be delivered at DEPOT, corner Or BROAD and PRIME Streets, before FOUR O'CLOCK I'. M., where our Clerk will give a Bill of Lading. MALL PARCELS SHOULD BE LEFT AT OFFICE NH CHESTNUT STREET FREIGHT AT VERY LOW RATES DELIVERED IS WASHINGTON. Goode for the EAS f at our Office in CHESTNUT Street DAVIS, BELDEN, & Co., ramoxrAL OFIIDE IN NBW YORK, 32 BROAD- SUPERINTENDENT OF THE 0011PA:NIT j 920 piwflf.44 we THE ADAMS EXPRESS 001dPAITY, Once 820 OHNSTNUI liteast s forwards Parcels, Packages Merchandise, Bus saw slid Swig, aitbsr by its ogre lines aria oaaaaattas gift other 'Express COMpardell, to el Ithe vended Tome" led ORM of Lb* United Mates CLOAKS AND MANTILLAS. P EAT BARGAINS LADIES' CLOAKS, To clone out, At the illitoll-STREET CLOAK AND MANTILLA STORE, N. W. coiner TENTH and ARCH Ste. •081-Sm JACOB HORSFALL. drILOAKS-- Mr/ Eandeorae dries of wed-Dude, eerilceabie gar slants. The best mr.de, the best fitting, sad the bed materials for the price. A large stock from which to Detect. 000 PER a write de/4 S. E. car. eIINTI4 and MA RKET. CL 0 AK Et! Tba La: gent, Chvapeato and Beet-assorted stock in the alty, HOUGH & 00., No. 2b South TENTH Street, Opposite Franklin Market. GENTS• FURNISHING GOODS VINE SHIRT MANUFACTORY. The subiber E would invite attention to his IM scr PROVD OUT OF SHIRTS, Which he makes a specialty in his bus - Lases. Also, eon 'dandy receiving NOVELTIES FOR GENTLNNEN , B a. W. SG( ITT. GENTLETTER'S FURNISHING "STORE, No. 814 CHESTNUT STREET, lan-tt Four doors below tho tiontinontal. COMMISSION ROUSES. SHIPLEY, PLAZOLE HUT D, CHINSON, MN 1111 USIEBT2iIIT MEW, 901(11I8131011 11Z1101‘ ANTS POP TEN BALM OP Fklir.A - DELPHIA-IVIADE selB-e GOODS. at LOOKING G _,ASSES. JAMES S. EMILE & SON, NANUFACTUDEBE AND IMPORTERS LOOKING - GLASSES. OIL PAINTLNOS, EIRE ENGRAVINGS, PICTURE AHD PORTRAIT FRAMES, PHOTOGRAPH FRAMES, PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, OASTE-DR-TISITE PORTRAITS, EARLE'S GALLERIES, 810 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA CABINET FUItNITURE. iriA.BIBIET FURNITURE AND Bile LLILBD TABLES. MOORE & CAMPION, kzo. 2tl South SEOOND Street, twouseetion with their °steady() Oabinet Badness Me RON menniaoturieg t. =Wirier article et BILLIARD TABLES, S have new oti hand aNB aunty. finished with the SWORE a OAMPIOWS IMPROVED CUSHIONS, ere pronounced. by ell who have used them, to be n to ail ahem the onality and 'finish of thew Tables um menu- Ord Pair to their numerous patrons throughout the who are MUMMY with the °hamster of their work. su2B-em GROCERIES. PLE OLD OURReINT WINE, OUR USUAL SUPPLY, JUST RECEIVED. ALBERT O. ROBERTS, DEALER IF FINE GROCERIES, jaB-11 Corner of ELEVENTH end VINE Bta (GENUINE) JAVA AND MARACAIBO COPPEE,..I., hue 06LONCi reoeiyed, sad for sale by PHILIP REILLY A CO., No. 7 N. WATER. Street. AND GREASE. 50 tieraeg is Lent lard.; 3 tierces White Gveme, m the Weet, and in gore. For gale by MURPHY & BOONS, No. 145 NORTH WHARVES. ACKEREL, HERRING, SHAD, AMON, &c.-8. 000 bbls Mess Nos. 1,2, and AL, largo, Eleiillllll, and ova in.aasortad if choice, late.canght, fat nab. 31a. New Halifax, Naatport, and Labrador Bar. :bolos qualities. oozes extra new coaled Herrings, boxes extra new No. 1 Herrings. boxes large klagdaline Herrings. bbls. Mackinac White Fish. bble. new Economy Mess Shat bbl. new Halifax Salmon. `4 quintals Grand Bank Codfish. Noxes Herkimer County Cheese. — .4 landing, for sale by MURPHY di KOONS, No. 146 NORTH "MARYS& DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. NE LEA. OIL. Bed Lead, White Lend, Litharge, Sugar of Leto!, Oconee - ea, Oil of Vitriol, Calomel, Patent Yellow, Chrome Red, Chrome Yellow, Aqua Forth, Iduriatic Acid, Rpsom Salta, Rochelle Salts, Tartaric Acid, Orange Mineral, Soluble Tart. S. Carb. Sod% Whits Vitritd, Camphor, Red Precipitate, Beata Corwin. WETHER LL & BROTHER, Druggists and Mapufactining Chemists, Nos. 47 and 49 NorthSECOND Street, PHILADELPHIA. 'ELS AND SPADES. GEORGE lIALYMAN 2 btANUFAOTORIIR, OF BREAD AND QUARRY STREETS, Bet. Arch and Race, and Second and Third. -FRICTION METAL, Superior uouStY* JAMES YOCOM, Js., bRINKER'S ALLEY, Rot Front and Second, Race and Arch eta QUALITY ROOFING SLATE Lys on hand and for gale at Union Wharf, 1451 - net" Kensington. T. THOM el, 211 WALNUT Street, Philadelphia. :OEN, HANDLES, TWINE, me, Bockete, Ac., for sale by AKISTON, Commission )(mobRAC '22 &oath WATER aftmedi BAIL DUCK gad PAN - oil numbers sad Inwaft t Awning Twills of ell dwiodwilosis far Tromft and Wagon Coven. .nureetorers' Drier tells. from 110 Ing, Belting, Sail Twine, &o. JOHN W. EVIEW CO., * lea /MEWS A Thor. ET PRINTING, AND ither description of Printing, of the mon te, at the wort matosahla totes, $$ BIND• BROWN'S, BMWs Bo kilo* V 4 Sone 1161114 MANAGERS D. GREENE, N. e. SANDFORD, 4Anarat Runinfritemeleat. , DRY AND IN White Precipitate, Lunar Caustic, 2fBrcotine, Bulph. Morphine, Morphine, Acetate Morphine, Lac. Sulph., Ether Sulphuric, Ether Nitric, Sulphate Quinine, Corm. SubLim., Denarcotized Opium Chloride of Soda, Wetherill'e ext. Cincha Tartar Emetic, Chloride of Lime Crude Borax, Relined Borax, , -1 / 4 .071 f //4-.(rji 4714r4 . • • , , " •/ / , • • ' '‘‘. t o or trite_ eit r _ c._ - .; ' *it.• * 440 • LI is:sl _ 44 . ..b• VOL. 5.-NO. 161. RETAIL DRY GOODS COWPERTH WAIT & CO., DRY GOODS, N. W. CORNER OF EIGHTH AND MARKET STS., PHILADELPHIA. We !lave now in slurs for sale, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, One of the LARGEST, and BEST SELECTED Stocks of DRY GOODS to be found in the city, comprising all the POPULAR MAKES OF MUSLIN'S, Bleached and Unbleached, such as Watasutta . , Magnolia, Wllliamsr ills, Utica, Boot Mills, Mendotal Red Bank, Androscoggin, I l okonoket, Bates, Green Company, Wilton, Lawrence, Black Rock, And a variety of ethers, all of which wo motioning LOWER, TB AN Tills PRESENT MARKEL , RATES. Also, a large lot of • NEW STYLE PRINTS, AT 12.4 CENTS PER YARD. Ale°, .50 pieces of NEW STYLE MERRIMACK PRINTS AT 15 CENTS PER YARD. . Together with a large assortment of BLANKETS, FLANNELS, TABLE LINENS, and feS.tf DRESS GOODS. CHEAP MUSLIMS AND FLAN MEM—Rasing made large purchases of Muslin and Flannels _ FOR CAS% (Not from Bankrupt Merchants, but from merchante who aro not bankrupt.) we are able to sell them much below the present retail prices. wAliameeille Mu.line at 17 cents by the piece. Rhode Island Water Twist at 15e ii Black and White Rock at 14c Lebanon Long Cloth at 13c It Good Qualities at 12X c. 3 caws Good Muslims at Sc. 2X yards wide Bleached Sheeting at 31c. 2X do do do do 35c. 3 do do do do 37x0 UNBLEACHED MUSLINS. 3. bales Stark Mills yard wide, very heavy, 150. 2 bales Portunouta i 3 yard wide, very fine, 140. 1 case Unbleached Cotton Flannel 11c. 1 bale '2B inch Ballard Vale Flannel. Ibalo Ballard Fab% Flannel. . • 1 bale 4-4 Ballard Vale Flannel. B. STEEL & SON, feB No. 713 North TENTH Street. above Coate.. JAS. R. CAMPBELL Flo Co., IMPORTER:, AND CASH DEALERS IN DRY GOODS, AT wiIOLEI3ALE AND RETAIL, No. 727 CHESTNUT STREET. Having organized a RETAIL DEPARTMENT in connection with their WHOLESALE TRADE, will ex hibit, at all miaow, a his of Hoods by the yard, piece, or package, at such rates as to commend their stock to the attention of cash buyers. ja2B-tf GREAT REDUCTION IN PRICES OF MANY STYLES OF WINTER GOODS FOR FIFTEEN DAYS LONGER, BEFORE TAKING THEM INTO STOCK, Figured and Plain Merinos% Plain and Gay Long Shawls. Dark Dress Goods, Poplins, &a. Plaid Flannels—Pink, Bine, and Brown. Ladies' Scarfs, reduced 30 par cent. One lot of L. C. Hdkfs., at 15c. Two lots do., at 25c, a bargain. eye lot of Linen Diaper at SIM a piece. Hoop Skirts-75, 8734, $l, and $1.12. Nice assortment of Gingham. Ladies' Merino Vests, all sizes. Misses' Merino Vests, all sizes. Gloves and Hosiery of all kinds. Gents' Silk Handkerchiefs, aplondid assortment at J. H. STOKES', 1425 ti 702 ARCH Street. FAMILY DRY _GOODS STOKE. EYRE Ec lANDRIL, FOURTH and ARCH, Lave in store o. Roo stock of GOODS FOR FAMILY OUSTOM. Good plain colored Silks. ' Fashionable figured Silks. Durable black Silks, plain and figured. Linen Shillings and Linen Shootings. Beet makes Long Cloth 'Shining MusLIM Table Linens and Damask 'rouelingo: Blankets, fine quality and large size. Marseilles Quilts of all sizes. Cloths and Cassintores for men and boys. White goods, a very full stock. Black goods of every description. . ja23 MUSLINS ! .51 US GINS MUSLIN S ! RUMENS BY Tlll3. rIBOB—MIFIBLIITB BY THE BALE.—Now is the time for housekeepers to buy their Elbeetings and Shirtinge, as all kinds of domestic goods are rapidly rising, and there can be no possible diminution of : prices. We still have a few boxes of Wameetta, Williamsville, Black Bock, and oth'r popular makes. Good Muslim at 8, 9,10,11 mute. The best 12- cent Muslin in the city. Our Pillow-Case Minable, and our 10-4, 11-4, and 12-4 Sheeting, purchased some time since, are from Ibsen to four cents cheaper than can be found elsewhere. COWPBETII WAIT & CO., jal2 N. W. cor. EIGHTH and ffARKICT. 67 PIECES NEW SPRING .PRINTS. Now 4-4 Shirting 'Prints. Maw Oil Chihit44 at /9,4 conitiororib. 25. hew Importtd Ginednune. COOPER & CONARE, fe3 NINTH. and MARKET Streets. BLACK ALPACAS. One auction lot 3 . 13 i, worth 50 cents. One auction lot 25, worth 31 coots. rine Black Wool Delaines, 3T3 cents. COOPER. & CON ARM, te3 Southeast corner NINTH and lIILICKET LINEN GOODS. Medium and Fine Fronting Linens. Heavy Shirting and Pillow Linens. One lot Bed-bordered Fringed Towels, 15% cents ; cheap. ✓Lines Sheeting, Diapers, Napkins, Doylies. Damask Table Clotho, May Llueue, &c. COOPER & CONARD, fe3 Eoutheast corner NINTH and 111-11HIBT. SHEPHERDS' PLAID CASHMERE. A) One case just opened. Buck and White Oheclus double width. A . lllO All•wool Vashantres. Jan SHARPLESS BROTHERS. NEW BALAIORALS. Four buudrei imported Balmoral Skirts, At prices lower tbau before offered. jafi SHARPLESS BROTHERS I ussiA CRASH, -LIU In medium and fine qualities. Scotch Craeh and Towelling. Jan SHABELESS BROTHERS EMBROIDERED MUSLIN CUR- Ttilkia—At Tory low prices, to sell the stoat. SIA.B.PLEBEI MitallEll4 CHESTNUT and EIGHTH Streets 'PYRE & LANDELL, FOURTH and ABM open to-day, a fresh assortment of Bouble•faced Black Figured Silks. Solid Colored Brown Figured Silks. Bluee, Diodes fireen, and Purple Silks. pan VYRE & LANDELL keep the very heaviest Plain Black Dress Bilks. Beavy•bordered Stout Black Bilks. Widow's Silke, without gloss. Bich Plain Silks, for city trade. 1.0 $ B 250 BALMORAL SKIRTS, full size. 6 alaterals Wholesale. Bahnorale Retail. jaB EYRS k LANDELit. EV ERY LADY WHO WISHES TO BE BEAUTIFUL should purchase HUNT'S COURT TOILET POWDER. It is used by the Court Beautiee in Europe, and it is the only Powder that will not injure the skin or rub off. Price, 12, 25, and 60 cent.. RUNT'S )31.0031 OF ROSES, a beautiful, na tural color, for the cheeks or lire; it will not wail off or Injure the skin, and remains durable for years. Price $l. These articles aro quite new, and can only be ob. tained of HUNT & CO., 133 South SEVENTH Street, above Walnut. All kinds of Fancy Soaps and Per fumery- jalB-1m ENGLISH ENCAUSTIC TILES F()It vtootts.—Mintou's Tiles for vestibules, halls, dining-rooms, hearths, and for public buildings of every kind, as laid in the Capitol at Washington, and in many churches, Mores, banks, hotels, and dwellings, in every part !of the country. Patterns, composed of Buff, Bed, and Black, 32c per square foot: with Blue, Green, or White introduced, 34c to 36c per toot. Lithographic de signs Bent by mail, on application, B. A. FIARTUSOI L Importer, Ja24 No. 1010 CHTEBTNUT street. HANGING VASES. Ornamental Flower Pota. Parlor Vases for Growing Flowers Baskets for Jardiniere. Pedestals with Vaee for Flower& Antidne Vases for Mantels. Vases Benitissaace for Parlor. Bantle and Terra Cotta Vases, Lava Flower Pots and. Yams. Garden Vases and Pedestale. Brackets for Basta and Figures With a great rsriotY of articles imitable for Obriot. Malt inmate, Tor sale retail and to the trade. Warerooma 1010 CHESTNUT Street, Philadelphia. dell S. A. HARBISON. TERRAPINS, OYSTERS STEWED AND FRIED, AND CHICKEN SALAD.—Invi. eation Cards and other notices will be giataltted puts of the city, with punctuality. The ondersigned is at all times prepared to present, for the inspection of Ladle!! and Gentlemen a net of the things necessary fora large or small entert ainment, as the ease may be, thereby avoiding an unnecessary profusion end waste ; and flatters himself, that by his long expe rience In business, be will be able at all times to give, as heretofore, entire eathafaction to all who favor him with their patronage. HENRY JONES, Caterer, No. 250 South TWELFTH Street, above unarm. Cel-gm ARMY AND NAVY PAY COL LECTED.—AIso, arrears of pay for resigned, discharged, supernumerary, and deceased officera—Bonn ty money—Census money—Contrac tore' pay—Dischai gee —Extra pay—Land warrants—Penaions—Prize money— Reuniting Emptiness State Pay Suktaletence and Tranaportation, procured by ALBERT POTTS' Army and Navy Agency, N.B. corner of THIRD and WILLOW Streets. ja22.lm* Oix LEAD-8 barrels just reamed per schooner Assolia, for rale by JAURETOHN k eel . 404 and 404 South MORT titrest DRIED APPLES.-66 sacks new Western Dried Apples; 7 bbis new Western Dried Apples. And received and in store For role by manly it, K 0011136 101-11 led NORTH WHARVES. WHITE FISH.-145 half bbls. No T 1 White 'Fish, for side by 0. 0. SADLER' B 00.. fel 108 ABOH &root, gd door above Front- TJlje 4J it. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1862. THE REBELLION. INTERESTING SOUTHERN NEWS. Rebel Accounts of the Skirmish in Tennessee. FURTHER ACCOUNTS OF THE RIOT IN , RICEIMOND. TILE MERRIMAC AN ACKNOWLEDGED FAILURE. Affairs is Ha'leek's Department. THE POSITION OF THE ARMY NOW MOVING AGAINST PRICE. SKETCHES OF THE PROMINENT LEADERS IN THE FORT HENRY BATTLE. Progress of the Expedition to East Tennessee. FROM LANDER'S - DEPARTMENT. THE FEDERAL FORCES REOCCUPY ROMNEY. r. THE FORCE SENT AGAINST SAVANNAH AGGEBATED. &e., &c.. &o. NEWS FROM THE REBEL STATES. From Fortress Monroe and the South. FORTRESS MONROE, Feb. 7, via Baltimore.— The steamer Ea-stern State arrived here this morn ing, having left Hatteras yesterday. She brings the important news that General Burnside's fleet left the anchorage at the Inlet for the North on Wednesday morning. The gunboats started at sunrise, and the troop-ships followed Wen after. Their destination was Roanoke Island. The weather was fine when the fleet left, and the news of the arrival of the expedition at Roan oke Island was hourly expected when the Eastern. State left. Three or four regiments were lett at the Inlet. The _Eastern. State will return to Hatteras to morrow morning. The names of the sick who died on board the StOOTO131" Suwanee, during her voyage to this point, are ; James F. Hackett, Company I, Twenty-third Massachusetts; Jesse Mack, Company I, Eleventh Connecticut; William H. Potter, Company G, Eighth Connectiout ; Samuel Gilbert, of New Sharon, Vermont, seaman OR the Maria Pike, and Chauncey F. Cleveland, Company K, Eleventh Connecticut. All but the last named were buried at sea. Charles W. Boynton, of Company F, Twenty ninth Massachusetts, died to-day of typhoid fever. Seven Prisoners of war, exchanged on parole, and several other passengers, came down from Balti more this morning, to go South. Thoy were sent to Craney Island by a flag of truce, under command of Major Jones. No news or passengers received. Nothing bad been heard at Norfolk of the Burn side Expedition. The steamer Rhode Island, which arrived from Philadelphia yesterday, sailed for Port Royal this afternoon. The steamer &manse left last night for Phila delphia fer repairs. Rebel Account of a Skirmish in Tennes. The Norfolk Day Book, of yesterday, hiw the following : Knox - v - 11LE, Feb. s.—On Sunday Lieut. Colonel White's Tennessee Cavalry encountered a force of Lincoln's infantry, in Morgan county, Tennessee, estimated at 100 to SOO, on the mountain side. Col. White charged the enemy, and Capt. Darman, the centinander. tbc Federala, rallied hi s menmen twice. Duncan was shot through the bead and killed by J. Roberts, a lad 15 years old. The Kentucky Unionists were then completely routed, and fled in confusion, leaving seven dead. The Federal Fleet near Savannah. The Savannah Republscan of Thursday says : The glass revealed yesterday no new movement; among the Federal vessels lying in the Cut north of the river, beyond an addition to the number. Some imagine they have moved nearer to the river, bat we could discover no material change in their po sition. Persons familiar with the watercourses in that locality say that they have not ye; reached Wall's Cut, but are lying in the river beyond ; that it does not communicate withthe main channel, yet that.vessels occupying their position can readily command the main passage. It has been stated, by persons wbo ought to know, that the portion of Mud river which leads to Wall's Cut into the Sa vannah river goes dry at three-quarters ebb, and that, if the Yankee gunboats should par all ob structions, they would not be able to come through. There is nothing new from other parts of the toast. The Burnside Expedition The Richmond Dispatch eays: The Burnside expedition will have the effect of making us look well to our defences in that quar ter. Roanoke Island ought to be made impreg nable. AU our batteries there and elsewhere should be provided _with bomb-proof coverings, and the channel should be obstructed, and no means left unemployed to foil the purposes of the enemy. The Reported Riot in Richmond BALTIMORE, Feb. B.—Prem Richmond papers, we learn that a serious disturbance broke out in Richmond, on- Tuesday night last, which, for a time, threatened disastrous consequences to life and property. It is said to have first commented in a drunkor, brawl. At this a crowd tolleeted, which soon grew to formidable proportions. Three or four persons are said to have been killed, among whom were some of the police. Rouses, stores, &c., were broken open and ran sacked, and it seemed impossible to cheek the vio lent proceedings until late the following morning, when many engaged in the mob retired of their own accord. The Dispatch, speaking of this affair, calls it a disgrace to the city, and shameful in the extreme, It calls for the city to be instantly placed under martial law. The citizens (women especially) wore greatly alarmed. The Failure of the Merrimac. The Norfolk Day Book of Friday contains the following leading editorial on the failure of that " famous " ironclad steamer Merrimac, on which the rebels relied for sweeping the Federalnavy out of Virginian waters. The Day Book says We have scarcely patience enough left to Speak in temperate language of the useless impropriety of two of our notemporaries which have seen fit, in their thirst for notoriety, to thrust before the public the fact that the Merrimac has proved an abortion. This, too, in disregard of the well-under stood wish of our authorities, and the spirit, if not the letter, of the late act of Congress, designed es. pecially to keep the enemy in ignorance of our plans and preparations. We were in possession of all the fasts now divulged, but preferred to sacri fice newspaper success to the public good. It will be in vain for these newspapers to plead, in ex tenuation, that the information they have thus given to the winds will not reach theenemy, for the columns of their leading journals collie to us laden with extracts from the Southern press. The daivage baying been done we hasten to lay before our readers a statement of the facts, in order to correct some of the erroneous impressions which may be produced by the articles to which we have alluded. The necessity for this is all the more to lamented, because the negroes who lately soaped from our lines carried to the enemy intelligence that the Merrimac was a complete success. The facts, then, are briefly as follows: The cal culation in the displacement of the ship was erro neous, and, if we are correctly informed, was occa sioned by, the incessant alterations made by the Bureau of Construction in Richmond. We make this statement in justice to Mr. Porter, wbos.e calculation was . made for a different suit of armor from that which was finally ordered for the ship, and after the experiments made by the Ord nance Board at the fortifications on Jamestown Island. The error, which we believe to be of considerably more than two hundred tons, was discovered when the ship was floated, and to that fact is to be attri buted her detention in dock. The chief subject, however, of regret occurred in this connection, for when the ship was shoved up again, it appears that she caught upon the blocks, and received a consider able strain. in consequence of this some parts of her machinery have been taken out, a quantity of dead wood will have to be introduced to prevent the tendency to " hog " thus unexpectedly de veloped. It would be vain to deny that this is a serious in jury to the ship. But we are happy to state that a careful survey shows that it is by no means irre parable. The knowledge of these facts will s we know, be produCtive of serious disappointment throughout this entire community, and not only throughout this community, but throughout the 4 otire South, for public expectation had long been on tip toe to see this iron-clad leviathan steam down the harbor to raise the blockade. But, in the natural revulsion of feeling consequent upon the discovery of these facts, already known to a small circle which is daily expanding, we beg leave to admonish our readers against indulging in the indiscriminate and bitter criticism which has already found vent in the newspapers of which we have spoken. With what propriety these journalacan ass ail Use PHILADELPHIA, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1862. contractor and ether authorities connected with the Merrimac we are unable ut present to perceive; and we suggest to the community the obvious pro. priety of awaiting in this matter the action of the tiovernment. That the whole question will bo nar rowly examined into we have every reason to be. neve, and, until some investigation has been made, we may be pardoned for advising the public ti keep he temper and wait for further developments. In the beginning, however, we were not of those who thought the ship able to get into the moat at. Old Point, and, steaming majestically around and around. refluce that fortress in a day's bombard ment. Nor have we believed that she could achieve half the rotate that popular fancy has, in advance, attributed to the ironclad monster, In the be ginning, we anticipated trouble from her vast pro portions and prodigious length. Her great draught of water will prevent her ac tive operations. and the draught, originally about 24 feet, has been considerably increased by the error in calculating her displacement, to which we have alluded. But it does not follow that she will be useless; on the contrary, when her necessary re pairs and alterations have been made, she will com plete the defences of our harbor. In the worst as pect of the case, she can be moored below, and will render the approach to Norfolk utterlyimpracti cable to any force that the enemy can bring against us. She will be sufficient for a protection against a water attack, whilst on land all we ask is that Gen. Wool shall come over and make a reconnoissance in force to find out the nature of our land defences, and the courage of the men by whom they are sup ported. It would be affectation in us to deny our mortifi cation at thisdisaster re the Merrimac's machinery, or to attempt concealment of our mortification at her great draught of water; but after all, we shall again be enabled to see " another" experiment made with her, until which time we related our readers that severe criticism can do no good, and suggest that they await a full solution of the vexed question as to whether or no the Merrimac is a success. When this has been arrived at, we will praise or blame, as the result requires the one or justifies the other. - • The Situation at Columbus—Gen. Polk Culls for Reinforcements. This community has reason to look to the de fence of no position in the whole circle of the war with more wakeful vigilance and keener concern than that occupied by General Polk on the heights of Cohn:loMS. We can afford to indulge a comfort able sense of security with reference to the seaboard approaches to New Orleans. We feel sure of our ability in defending the river against any fleet of the enemy, attempting the capture of the city by way of the river from the sea. We realize even a less degree of exposure upon any of the land ap proaches from the sea to the pity. Fifty thousand men thrown upon them would be lost; to a hundred tl3onsand men they would be impracticable. But what is the fact in regard to the route down the river from Columbus? Should Columbusfall, what is to prevent the enemy from sweeping down the river with the immense fleet of gunboats and float ing batteries which he has been so long preparing at St. Louis and Cairo, and with a hundred thou sand men, under Ilalleck, to attack us on one side, While an expedition striking us from the sea would attack us on the other? Who can answer? Do effectual defences answer? Do preparations fur defence in rapid progress answer? Where are the defences? Who is engaged in the preparations? These questions admit of no satisfactory answer. Our eependence at present for the safety of the city from the approach of a formidable expedition down the river is upon Columbus. That is the northern key to the Mississippi delta. That in possession of the enemy, the floodgates of invasion will he Opened. Our situation would not be hope less, for the soul of Southern men, fi ghting a war of independence, must not dream f despair; but we would be confronted with terrible dangers, and the whole country exposed to fearful evils. On one condition only can we realize a full assurance that such dangers will not occur, and that such evils will never impend. That condition is the impregna bility of General Polk's position at Columbus. But it may be asked, is not that position already strong? Strong it undoubtedly has been, as the enemy's gunboats that encountered its betteries found out, and as his army-at Belmont bitterly dis covered. Strong it still is in point of its defensive works, in the resolution of its defenders, and the vigilance, prudence, ability, and energy o fi its com manding general. But in war, strengtla is relative. The force under General Polk's command, it is to ha feared, is not as large as it should be in view of the augmentation of the enemy's force threatening his position. Ills force has been stationary while the enemy's was being in creased. Ile is scarcely in a situation to extend his wings, to guard his flanks, and prevent his posi tion from being turned by a column of the enemy pushing past his right. These reflections are not penned in the spirit of an alarmist, but that they are called for by the occasion is sufficiently evinced by the fact that Genera) Polk has sent an officer to Louisiana, and one to Mississippi, to urge upon the Executives of those States the importance, to the security to the Lower Mississippi valley, of a speedy reinforce ment of his eolumund. Captain Bernard Anomie, of this city, entrusted with General Polk's commu nication to Governor Moore, arrived yesterday, and has already bad an interview with the Governor, who, we understand, will confer immediately .witist General Lovell on the subject of the communica tion. General Trudeau, who has charge of the heavy artillery at Columbus, is also in the o ily, an d corroborates all the apprehensions expressed in the foregoing remarks. Is it not possible to send five thousand men from this city to General Polk's reinforcement? It is safe to say, perhaps, that a much larger number could be spared at pre sent, especially as they could be speedily returned by railroad, in case of shy atartrgenay, which is DM not foreseen. At all events, Columbus de mands the earnest attention of our authorities. The enemy is making a last effort, and we should be ready to meet it effectually everywhere; but, above all, to meet it effectually at Columbus. We have only to stand our ground for sixty days, and the enemy will sink in exhaustion and despair. But be will drink new hope and life, for en indefinite prolongation of the war, if we fail to stand our ground at Columbus.—N. 0. Delta of 30t/e ult. A Memphis Paper on the Re-enlistments . _ in di r e Rebel Army, The Memphis Appeal of a late date says We are surprised that the subject of re-enlisting old troop in our army, and recruiting newmaes for the spring campaign, is treated by the greater por tion of the Southern press as a trivial matter, which will regulate itself, and from which we need have no apprehensions of danger. It is well, perhaps, that all of us do not sit in a state of dreamy apathy and view thie important and absorbing subject in a similar light, waiting fur the Government to put a ball in motion whose momentum is absolutely no thing it it buts to receive an impetus from the pa triotic hearings of the groat popular heart. There is danger in this matter which can only be avoided by being properly exposed. Nothing that we can conceive of will prove so disastrous to our cause as a failure to lot the people---they who originated and are carrying on this war—be fully advised of the sacrifices and endurance that are to be expected of them before it is brought to a successful termi nation. Chief among other subjects, full of solici tude, is that of securing the punctual re-enlistment, for the war, of every available man who is now in the military service of the Confederacy—a con summation which, if attained, will render the con flict comparatively short and decisive, when other wise it might be protracted and pregnant with fre quent defeat. It is not the part of true wisdom for us to under estimate the importance of this Matter—batter by far exaggerate it, and thus err on the side of safety. We observe that the Northern press are placing great hopes upon our inability to pass this ordeal, and are urging increased vigor on the part of the Federal Government, with the view of discouraging re-enlisunents. A late copy of the Chicago Tribune, Which wo have before us. ven tilates this subject in a long and elaborate leader, dwelling upon it with a chuckle of the grimmest satisfaction. It ventures the boasting assertion that if the Washington despotism will press its alleged advantages gained in the repulse or Crittenden with proper vigor, " the rebellion is dead." The givings out from Washington, too, arc quite similar in their character and spirit. We are informed by a late despatch that 4, all the intelligence which the Government receives is to the effect that the rebels will have great difficulty in inducing their twelve-months soldiers to remain in service after their period of enlistment expires," and that if the march, bemeward is likely to begin soon, unless circumstances unforeseen prevent it." We can here plainly see what the enemy regards as our greatest weakness, and that he relies upon it as the sole source of triumph upon fields where his armies have been overwhelmed with continuous dis aster and defeat. Forewarned, therefore, we should be foreirmed. By the way of initiating the work before them, the Confederate Congress has very properly passed a law offering a liberal bounty upon all enlistments during the war, together with a furlough of absence of from thirty to sixty days. That body need not yet rest on its oars, however, in the delusive belief that its task of legislation is complete with this exhibit of statesmanship. They must devise some measure better equal to the emergency than this— one which, while it may appeal to patriotism, will still be effective in case that appeal falls upon ears impervious to its natural influence. A Richmond Editor in Daitintorc. The Richmond Dispatch. says the loofa editor of the Richmond Enquirer recently visited Baltimore, and passed the Federal lines without any difficulty. " His report of the prevailing sentiment of the people of Maryland, gathered from reliable sources, ie moat encouraging. He roprezonta that fully nine tenths of the people of the State and of the city of Baltimore are earnest sympathizers with the Southern views." -; South Carolina Troops. The Virginia correspondent of the Charleston Conner says " that out of the Fifth south Carolina Regiment, numbering eight hundred men, whose term of service is about expiring, but one hundred and seventy have signified their willingness to enlist "for the war." Escape of Slaves A local correspondent of the Norfolk Day Book writes a complaining article relative to the recent escape of slaves from that city. He says these es capee are made through instrumentality of secret societies in Norfolk, who hold their meetings weekly and in open day. He estiunatea the value of the contrabands recently escaped at $20,000. Special Message of Jeff Davis on Rail- The MY/miner Of the 11th instant, says: We learn that President Davis has sent into Con gress a special message, recommending that the aid of the Government be extended to the objects of the resolutions adopted by the convention of railroad presidents and superintendents held in this city last December. It is understood that the President takes the ground that the capital necessary to con• struct the establishments required for moiling rails, and the manufacture of locomotives, cannot well be bad, unless the Confederate Government will make some advance for the purpose. It is also suggested that the machinery proper for Telling the rails might be connected with that which is ne cessary for rolling plates for uses which are wanted in the naval service. It is known that the whole matter of aiding railroads is largely engaging the attention of Congress ; and there is some curiosity to discover to what extent the wiseacres of the Provisional Congress propose to adopt the proposition of the convention referred to, that " the railroads are a part of the military defences of tho country." Another item in the same paper gives this bit of information : It is understood that the subject of the comple tion of the Covington and Ohio Railroad west wardly is under the consideration of the State Le gislature, with a view to &negotiation with the Con federate States Government for an advance of tho funds necessary to complete the improvement. We may relieve some anxiety on this nubjeet by stating that President Davis has advised Con gross against any direct appropriation for this pur pose, in tbo present condition of the Treasury. The plan was (submitted to President Davis by Mr Fontaine, president of the Virginia Central Railroad, to bring into operation an unfinished' section of the railroad line between the Western terminus of Central Railroad and it& Kanaitpha Valley. The section of the road to which allusion is specially made is twenty miles in length, crossing the Alleghany Mountains, and pass ing immediately by the Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, on the direct route by which troops, pro. visions, and munitions of war, were hauled by wagons to the command of Gen. Floyd. The Saltpetre Seizure. Our dospatehos have already announced the de termination of the rebel authorities to seize all the saltpetre in the South. The following is tho " See ley of War's" order on tho subject: 66 CommenaTE STATES OE AMERICA, " WAR DEPARTMENT, "ItlcumuND, February 4, 1862 "Bands of speculators have combined to mono pollee•all the saltpetre to be found in the country, and thus force from the Government exorbitant prices for an artiole indispensable to the national defence. "The Department has hitherto paid prices equal to four times the usual peace rates, in order to avoid recourse to impressment, if possible. This policy has only served to embolden. the speculator* to fresh exactions. "It is now ordered that all military commanders in the,Confederate States impress all saltpetre now or hereafter to be found within their districts, ex cept such as is in the hands of the original manu facturers, or of Government agents and contractors, paying therefor forty cents per pound, and no more. The price fixed is the highest rate at which con tracts have been rns4o, and leaves very huge profits to the manufacturers. "J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War." The Tobacco Crop. The Richmond market reports of the sth lust say: Heavy shipping tobacco still commands g oo d prices, and has, within the past two weeks, shown rattier an upward tendency. This we think is mainly due to the vast quantity of money in the market seeking an investment. Planters ablo to hold their crops should consider this. Except real estate, tobacco is regarded as perhaps the safest in vestment now presenting. But for the want of storage room in Riehmond, we should expect to see tobacco continue to advance in price. Every avail able Safe place in this city is, however, crowded to its utmost capacity, and those disposed to buy are restrained by this consideration. How Soldiers May be Made Happy. . The Richmond Ezcantner, of the 6th instant, in a solemn leading article on the re-enlistment of the rebel troops, says The desire of the twelve-months volunteer to visit his friends at home is natural. It often amounts to a morbid passion, seriously affecting the health of the soldier. It is said of the French conscripts, under the empire, that this passion took like possession a them ; and, where fur loughs were refused, the victim• frequently died of home-sickness. The surgeons, soon discovering the fact, granted leaves in every case where the unmistakable listlessness of countenance betokened the presence of the morbid longing. The result of the liberal policy was found to bo most happy. In every ease, the visit completely restored the patient to health and animation, and he soon be came as eager to return to camp as be had before been to leave it The Examiner seems to think that the rebel troops need the benefits of this " liberal policy." It adds : But, be the number of these re-enlistments great or email, the enemy will be apt to find a suffi cient number of brave Southern men in the field to bailie and defeat their designs. The people of the South have never failed in their duty in this strug gle, and they little understand the temper of the South who think they have grown weary and will now prove recreant to the emergency. They have Much =ere c t° fight for now than when they engaged in this contest. It was then their politieal rights which they were vindicating ; it is now not only freedom from a ruinous• taxation and a crushing debt, but for every principle of freedom which our race have been wont to cherish as sacred. The Stone Blockade in Illaffit's Channel. [From the Charleston Mercury. Jan. 28.] Observations made yesterday afternoon show that the Yankees have sunk ten old hulks on the Rattle snake Shoal, about six miles from Beach Channel. There is one vessel with her masts still visible, just inside the Rattlesnake Shoal, not yet sunk, but evi dently ready for sinking. The blockading fleet, yesterday afternoon, con victed of three ataarnera or gunboata,.and one bark. Two other vessels were seen steering southward. One of these appeared to be sailing toward Stone Inlet; She proceeded quite slowly, evidently in tending to feel her 'AV. Southern Fastiirond Connections (Prom the Itictunond-Dierateb, Feb. 4.] The House of Delegates having agreed to Senate amendments to the bill authorizing connections be tween Richmond and Petersburg, it is now a law. The railroads will now, no doubt, take the earliest opportunity of making the connections permanent, as they are required to do by the bill. The bill for a connecting link between Richmond and Frede ricksburg, and the Manassas gap railroads, at the junction of the respective roads, will come up fur consideration in the Senate this morning. Population of Charleston. The Mercury states the white population of the city of Charleston as follows Males 13.139 "Females 13,830 Total 26,962 Number of families 5,092 Males between 18 and 45.. 6 730 Males between 16 and 60 8 130 . . . . Of the males 8,411 were born in the Confederate States, and of the foreign-born population, which amounts to 4,719, 532 are from Northern States, 1,771 from Ireland, and 1,429 from Germany. The Methodists The official members of the Baltimore Confe rence Methodists, of Fredericksburg, adopted resoletiemi in favor of uniting, as a Conference, 'with the Southern Methodist Church. Their pro ceedings conclude with the following resolutions : 1. That in our opinion it is expedient for all the preachers of the Baltimore Conference (who Gan do so) to meet at some place, to be agreed upoa, early in the month of March next, and consider the condition of the Church and the views presented above. 2. That in our opinion three or more commis sioners to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South ought, to be appointed for the purpose of carrying out the object aforesaid. Richmond Morals The Richmond Extuainer of the oth says : The rowdyism now rife in this city has become intolerable, and demands immediate suppression with the high hand. Acts of brutal violence, vulgar ruffianism, and gross indecency, are of momentary occurrence in our streets. The most orderly °Wen and the most delicate lady are exposed to outrage and insult. No man's life, even, is secure in broad daylight on our most public thoroughfares. To surround, knock down, bruise and maltreat, has become the pastime of the ruffians that throng our pavements. The evil must be suppressed, or else Society must surrender its authority to brute vio lence. We must disorganize the social system, resolve ourselves into savages, and prepare for pro tection by the most effective weapons of self defence, or else we must assert the power of the law upon the persons of the ruffians and vagabonds that Infest our streets and alleys. * 4 More vigilance should be re quired of the police, and a larger constabulary em ployed. Every street-corner should be manned by a policeman in uniform, armed to the teeth, whistle in hand, prepared to rally a dozen colleagues in the instant of disturbance. The license money arising from the rapid increase of grog-shops would seem appropriately employed in invigorating the police. If these furnaces of hell-fire are allowed to dis pense at every corner what not merely intoxicates, but crazes, surely the revenues which they pay into the city treasury should be expended in protecting the valuable lives which they imperil, and in re storingtbe order which they disturb. The city, by tolerating a thousand dens of iniquity and paSsion, owes the duty to its population of affording it pro tection from the dangers and outrages thus en gendered and prepared. The time has arrived for vigilance and summary reform, or else ruffianism, theft, arson, druiskenness, and murder, will soon claim ai th o e th c e i r ty uo ill u tr il ir li e t fo . 4l=rr iu rv u e ir . oo the foh. lowing statement "A few nights ago, the gamblers of Richmond held a convention in this city, and after thefatibion of the noble refrigerators' of Con gress, transacted their business in secret session. We axe informed that one hundred and fifty mem bers of the gambling and 'plug fhiternity were present; that fifty thousand dollars were voted and subscribed to as a fund to tarry , the next elec tion for Mayor; and that the candidate nominated as likely to unite the gambling and rowdy interests of Richmond 'is an ungrammatical grocer and whisky-worm of the name of David J. Saws tikes. We two very much of the opinion that, if matters are not speedily bettered in Richmond, the gamblers,plugs, and the retired and unsavory whisky-dealer they propose as their candidate, will be in the hands of a vigilance committee before the date of the next municipal election." Nisnellneteontl, • Mrs. Margaret Rives, the sister of the Hon. Wm. C. Rives, died, last week, at Carlton, near Char lottesville, Va., at the residence of Alexander Rives, Esq. The Nashville Union. saps General Pillow had withdrawn his resignation, having been advised of a change of circumstances at Columbus. lie would at ones enter the service again under General Beauregerd. The Wilmington (N. C.) Journal says the people along the coast are manufacturing a great quantity of salt. The Mississippi Legislature has passed an act to raise ten thousand volunteers for the defence of the State ; and if a sufficient number do not volunteer, then they are to be drafted. The Senate of that State had passed a bill calling a Convention of the people of that State. Col. Maxey's regiment of Texas infantryreached Little Rook on Saturday last, en route for Colum bus. An article from the Knoxville Register says all the soldiers found retreating from the,late battle in Kentucky, through the country, are at once arrest ed, and will be drafted into regiments. In the Tennessee Legislature, on the 27th, reso lutions mourning the late loss of lien. Zolliooffer, And the heavy defeat in Kentucky, were passed. /t calla the diktat a ead and dianstrous ono. The Charleston Courier says all the sufferers by the great fire in that city have been abundantly taken care of by the people. The Macon (Oa.) relerrraylt says that Governor Brown's proposition to Advance a million or two of the Confederate tax, if he can be allowed interest on Oho advance until due, hes !been responded to. by the Secretary . of the Treasury, declining the ad vance, lIS 'keret., money enough in the Treasury. (Snob as it ki.) The rebels of New Orleans and other principal points in Louisiana celebrated the 213 t b* alt. as their Independence Day, that being the annlerea. ry of the secession of that State. The Louisiana Senate have primed the Mir for loaning cotter) planters ten millions of dollars, rind . the bill was returned to the House on an amend ment. The New Orleans Delta says the Route will pass it, of course, and then only the wisdom and patriotism of Governor Moore, if he will exert those virtues, can prevent a heavy blow being aimed at the high financial standing of that State. Tele grams to New Orleans state that the House Com mittee of Commerce have reported against the ex port of (rotten from any port in Louisiana. The act re considered unconstitutional, as the Constitution of the Confederacy gives to Congress , the power to regulate commerce. The Bowling Green (Ky.) Courier, in its notes on the Mill Spring defeat, "kills" Zollicolfor in the following high-tragedy manner Gen. Zolliceffer advanced to within a short dis tance of an Ohio regiment, which had taken a po sition at a point unknown to him, and which he supposed to be one of his own regiments. The first intimation he had of his clangorous position wan re- OelYcci when it was too late. " Theses otiZolli coffer," cried out several of the regiment in front of him. "Till him ! " and in an instant their pieces were leveled at his person. At that moment henry M. Fogg, aid to Gen. Zollicoffer, drew his revolver, and fired, killing the person who first recognised Gen. Z. With the most perfect coolness, Gen. Z. approached to the head of the enemy, and drawing hts sabre eut the head of the Lincoln colonel from his shoulders. As soon as this was done, twenty bullets pierced the body of our gallant leader, and Gen. Zollicoffer fell from his horse a mangled corpse. GEN. HALLECK'S DEPARTMENT. Affairs at Lobanon, Missouri. The correpondent of the St. Louis Rejmbhcan, writing from Rolls under date of February 12 says: The report that Rains had been captured by Lane'a forces is yet without confirmation. Let ters from Lebanon (where the report originated), of recent dates, have nothing to say on the subject, and, as I expected, the whole story is likely to prove a fabrication. I have before me a letter from an intelligent gentleman, now with the army, bearing date Le banon, February 1, which, though containing no news of special interest, gives much general infor mation in regard to the roads, the people, the pro- Sent Statue of, and the prospect before our army. To place your readers in possession of this informa tion, I can do no better than copy from the let ter: "Gen. Curtis braved it out by keeping to his horse, but your humble servant crept into an am bulance, and snugly ensconced in a buffido retie, was enabled, with some degree of comfort, to make the journey. We did not arrive in this place till Wednesday, and then found almost every house, office, and building, occupied by quartermasters, adjutant generals, or headquarters, or by the pri vates of the First Missouri Cavalry. Gen. Curtis, even, was unable to procure any suitable head quarters, and his staff and orderlies reposed for the night in their tents, pitched upon the snow. "Fright's battalion have moved on from this post. Boyd's and Phelps' regiments are encamped —the one on the north, the other south of the town, and the streets are filled with soldiers. " Chief - Quartermaster Sheridan is paying for all purchases of forage and commissary supplies, and the country people are pleased and encouraged with his gentlemanly manner and consideration, and are becoming assured that the purpose of the army is not to rob and plunder, as has been too much the case, but to pay for all things required for the public service. Corn and wheat are plenty in this neighborhood, and the money is a very acceptable thing to the farmers. cr There is no news from Price that is in any way reliable. Will he fight? is a question frequent ly asked. lam inclined to the opinion he will, if reinforced to any considerable extent from Ar kansas—not otherwise. But few fugitives have arrived as yet en their homeward way. I would advise them not to come too soon. "The news, if there is any. is kept very close by those . permitted to know ; but my impression is, there is but little to know. "When the command will move from here I cannot ,tell. What it will do the future must determine." The writer justifies the inference that it will be several days—perhaps weeks—before the army will move forward, but that it is the intention of the commander to establish thei+rmy in Springfield or some contiguous point: As General Davis' brigade is en route for Lebanon, and several regiments are on their way there from this place, no movement of importance need be expected until all the troops to take part in the campaign shall have been concen trated at that point. 'non, if Inner Price is 10 spilin' for a fight," herein doubtless be accommo dated, and have ample opportunity to show his "pluck." The latest news from Price received by the pub lic at this place is,that he is eight miles this side of Springfield, and intends to show fight. The qiia-- tion whether he will fight or run can be settled only by waiting until he has a chance to fight. All speculations on the subject are nothing more than conjecture, and you can judge of his probable ac tion with as much correctness as any one else who is likely to communicate with you. • The Strength of Columbus, Ky. The St. Louis correspondent of the Cincinnati Times, writing under date of February 4, says : The strength of Columbus has not, so far as I can learn, been wasted. It is believed, by its holders, altogether impregnable against any and all assaults, and not without some reason. The rebels have had nine Months to fortify the position, and have pro fited by all the advice given them through Union correspondents of the loyal press. When they had made all the preparations deemed necessary, some wiseacre would point out in print the defects of their defences, and they, like sensible men, sapient enough to learn even from an enemy, would imme diately set about remedying the evilg; aryl in this way they bare been enabled to blend science with Nature, and render Columbus a kind of American Gibraltar. Columbus has some two hundred guns, many of them of the largest calibre, including three ono hundred and twenty-four pounders. The rebels have placed powerful batteries on the bluff, an d Irater guns along, the shore, commanding the river for a mile and a half above and below, and they boast they can blow our whole fleet into the air be fore it can approach near enough to do them da mage. A great deal has been said of submarine torpedos. Whether or not any have been deposited under the Mississippi, I am unaware, but if they , have they are more a bugbear than aught else, since they have very rarely done any service. Such batteries must be so nicely adjusted, and so scientifically prepared, that they are very apt to be out of order. They explode, but almost always at the wrong time, and tend to do fully as much damage to their friends pfi foes. If the eulanerinos wore the sole danger at Columbus the enterprise would not be very hazard ous. The town is strongly fortified, and, as Beau 7 regard, an excellent engineer, has either taken, or is about to take, command of the place, any direct assault upon it will be attended with great loss of life. It is reported that General HaHeck has for weeks past been industriously studying the best mode of attack upon - Columbus, and that he has an idea of assaulting it in the manner usually adopted. He is said to lave formed a brilliant strategic plan, by which the rebels at Columbus will be shelled or starved out in a few weeks. I have received some intimations of this proposed scheme, but do not feel authorized to divulge any portion at present, particularly as I sin ignorant of the correctness of my information on the subject. It certainly seems as if a skilful general could devise some other plan of reducing Columbus than of boetegieg it under all its gnus. Most military captains have tried every other means before or dering an assault, resorting to that as a desperate issue, and the last of measures. Sketches of the Prominent Leaders in the Battle at Fort Fleury. COMMODORE FOOTE Commodore Andrew H. Foote, who •so gallantly led the gunboats in the action at Fort Henry, is a native of Connecticut, and entered the service from that State, in 1822. Since that time, he has been continually in service, making the whole time of his naval career extend over forty years. He is still, however, full of the fire and vim of youth, and is one of the beet specimens of the old sea•dogs in America. Over twenty years of his time, he has been on ocean service, cruising in almost every sea; ten years he has been on shore duty, and twenty years of his time has been what is de signated as unemploye . d. He received his com mission as commander in 1822, and was last at ifea 1211859. o.h:we that time, he has teen on servioe in the Brooklyn navy yard ; but, about eight months ago, was assigned to the duty of superintending the putting up of the great Mississippi flotilla. Com modore Foote is known in the navy as ono of its most efficlint officers, and distinguished himself greatly in China by the bombardment and breach ing of a Chinese fort; the fort, in all respects, a superior work of masonry. The feat called forth the praise of all foreign naval officers on that coast. Commodore Foote is an affable gentleman, and, as will be Been by his reply to the rebel Tilghman, never surrenders. CAPT. FORTIER Capt. Porter, of the gunboat Essex, who is re ported as badly scalded by the bursting of his boat's boiler, is a native of Louisiana, but entered the navy from Massachusetts iu 1823. He is a son of the renowned Commodore Porter, who figured so prominently in the war of 1812. Ha has been thirty-eight years in the service, and has seen twelve years sea duty, five years shore duty, and the rest of the time unemployed. Ho was last at sea in 1850, and was then, and has been since un til recently, in command of the sloop St. Marys. His commission as naval commander dates only since 1535. When the Illisi=iedippi flotilla was pro- Je•oted, be was detailed to the command of a gun boat. The Captain christened his boat the Essex, after his father's renowned vessel, and judging from precedent, Capt. Porter is the " ' or fighting man of this expedition. Ho has Dahl gren guns for his armament, and delights in " shell ing." Re worked prodigimisly getting his boat ready, and since then he has been cruising mud, stirring up the rebels wherever he could find them. It was the boast of Commodore Perry that he built some of his vessels on Lake Erie in twenty-six days. Captain Porter took the ferry-boat New Era, completely stripped her of everything but the frame-work of her hull, and entirety remodeled, rebuilt, and planked her, strengthened her with additional timbers and knees, caulked her, put in bulkheads t built strong and ample gun-desks, cased her hull with iron plates. ; in faot, oonstructed a new vessel, carrying nine heavy guns, and floated her out of her dock in fourteen days ! The mechanics tell, with considerable zest, bow, on the fourteenth day, Captain Porter, who had been Orewding the TWO CENT E. work night and day, without giving notice, opened the gates of the floating' dock, let on tlae water, and, to the astonishment of the industriourartising aboard, the craft was in her element. It is earnestly to be hoped that the calla :et Cap tain will speedily recover, ne4 I rody °ammo for votive duty on his beloved element. coilF.2l tarn EU STET Commander Boger N. Sternbal; of the Csrxikr anti, is a native of Maryland, hale a oitizon , of Chio, from whiell State be was appointed to the' navy. Be entered tke service on thce2rth of Marsh;' 1032; and has, therefore, served the - United Stater nearly thirty years. lie wake V61211;410 to a Het/ tenancy on 5o 20th of October, 1343. Voider that connoisaion he was eight years at sea, I - .oa total sea service being aiateenyebn and nine menthe. lie was for nearly eight years on shore and other duty, and was for o7or five years unoulployod. Me was last at osa in January, 1880. and, at the commence ment of 1801, had the ehaege of the Navair4trylum of Philadelphia. At that thee he stood N0...3810n the liat of ligutenantm of the navy. The rebblSan and other causes made several vacancies in thalitt above him, and his name etude on the last FAIN:I -ed list of commanders-No. 96, he having been pro.. 'noted to that rank. Ile held in the present con. test the command of the gunboat Cmcznnati. LIEUT . PA-ULU/11G. Lieutenant Leonard Paulding is a native and% citizen of Now Ark, from wlueh State he was ap. pointed to the navy. lie- that entered the service on the 19th of December, 1840;. and has therefore' served the United States over twenty-ono years.. Ilis present 0011[Mg8E1011 of. lieutenant bears date from September /4j 1855, t