THE PKESS. PUBLIBHID BAHT, (BDNDATB KICK?TED,) BY JOHN W. FORNEY, OFFICE No. 417 CHESTNUT STREET. VUE DAILY PRESS, CtraLT* Cssts fm Wra, parable to the Oarrior. Hailed to subscribers oat of the City at Six 3011ar9 P*a ArrauM, Foo» Dollars *om Eioht Mosths, Tbki* PML4RR ron Six in kU vanoe for the time ordered. THE TRI-WEEKLY PRESS, Hailed to Subscribers out of the City at Threb Dol taAßS Pie Ahntjm, in advance. COMMISSION HOUSES. coffin, & CO., 820 CHESTNUT STREET, Agents for the following makes of goods PRINTS. DDNNKLL UFO. CO. .... GEXXNK MFO. 00. LAWNS. DUNNELL MFG. CO. BLEACHED COTTONS. CiOttsdale, Forentdale, Auburn, Slateraville, Centred ale* Jamestown* Blackstone, Hope, Bed Bank. Dorchester* Newbury port, Naumeag, Zouave* Burton, Greene rMfg. Co.’s A. A., B. A., O. A.* and other styles. BROWN COTTONS. Burnside, Trent, Groton, Ashland, Chestnut, Glenvillo, Mechanics* and Farmers’. COBSBT JEANS. —Glasgow, Manchester. AND STRIPES. —Grafton* Jewett City, •Madison, Statersville* Agawam, Keystone, Choctaw. CANTON FLANNELS.—SlateraviUo, Agawam. SILESIAS.—Smith’s, Social Co., Lonsdale Co. WOOLENS. ABMY BLUE CLOTHS, KEBSEYS, and FLAN NELS. BBOAD CLOTHS.—Plunketts’, GlenhamCJo., Ac. CASSIMEBES.—Gay A Son, Saxton’s Bivor, Ac. SATINET S.—Baas River, ■‘Convorsville. Lower Val ley* Hope* Staffordville, Converse and Hydo, Convoxse 3Jros. A Co., Shaw Mfg. Co. KENTUCKY JEANS.—Bodman, Mystic. Gold Medal. BOMET FLANNELS.—WTLLIAMS’3 Angolu* Sax -dBy T Merifto, and aths* stj-Ua! LONSDALE Nankeens and Colored Cambrics PLAJD liTNSKYS, COTTONADE3, ftc. [fe26-3m SHIPLEY, HAZARD, & ' HUTCHINSON, Mo. 118 CHESTNUT STREET, COMMISSION MERCHANTS you 9H9 9-ALfi OP PHILADELPHIA-MADE GOODS. se2&-6m ILLUMINATING OILS. jQIL! OIL!! OIL!!! ut crusting the wick, and but slowly. BbU. lined with glass enamel. WEIGHT, SMITH, & P tcARSALL. fe2l-tf Office 515 MARKET Street. fIARBON AND COAL 01L5.—50,000 V-/ GALLONS now in store or d-livered In Pittiburg. for sale by WILLIAM M. WILSON, ST* Special contracts made with shippers for Oils deli vered at the wells or at any Atlantic port, in i: glast lined’* barrels. fei'J-tf CABINET FURNITURE. t /CABINET FURNITUBE AND BIL \J LIABP TABLES. MOORE & CAMPION, No. 261 South SECOND Street, 1s connection with their extensive Cabinet Business are sow manufacturing a superior article of BILLIARD TABLES,. Aod have now on bßnd a full supply, finished with the MOOBE A CAMPION’S IMPROVED CUSHIONS, which are pronounced, by all who have used them, to be euperior to all others. For the quality and finish of these tables the manu facturer* refer to their nranorons juUrAns thPAHghAnt • the Union, who are familiar with the character of their work. fe*26-6m CLOAKS AND MANTILLAS. pLOAKS— Handsome styles of well-made, serviceable gar ment*. The beet mode, tbe best fitting, and the host material! fd? the price. A large stock from which to •elect. COOPEB A OONaBD, del* 8. E. cor. NIMT» and MARKET. CL O A K 8 ! The Largest, Cheapest, and Beet-assorted Stock to the oHr. HOUGH ft 00., Ho. 25 South TENTH Street, Opposite Franklin market* DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. ROBERT SHOEMAKER & CO., Northeast Corcer FOUBTH and BACK Streets, PHILADELPHIA, WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS, IMPOSTERS AND DEALERS in FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC WINDOW AND PLATE GLASS. IrARtrFACTttRBRS OP -WHITE LEAD AND ZINC PAINTS, PUTTS', to. AOZSIS FOR ,H> OELEBRATED FRENCH ZINC PAINTS. Dealers Bad consumers snppliod at VERY LOW PRICES FOR CASH. fel2-2m LEAI Bed Leads White Lead} Litharge* Sugar of Lead, Copperas, Oil or Vitriol, Calomel, - Patent Tallow, Chrome Bed, <7hrom© Tenowj Anna Fortis, Muriatic Acid, Xpaom Salts, Bochelie Salts, Tartaric Acid, Orange Mineral, Soluble Tart. Bub. Garb. Soda, White Vitriol, Bed Precipitate, WETHBBI Druggists and Mai Nos. 47 and 49 Jaipur LOOKING GLASSES. JAMES S. EARLE & SON, MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS OF LOOKING GLASSES. OIL PAINTINGS, TINE ENGRAVINGS, PICTURE AND PORTBAIT FRAMES, PHOTOGRAPH FRAMES, PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, oarte-de-yisitE PORTRAITS, EARLE’S GALLERIES. 818 CHESTNUT STREET, j„l6 PCDCLAPELPHIA. rfXS DR. FINE, PRACTICAL DEN. WnnSTMT for IB yearn, No. 218 VINE Street, abore Second, inserts the moat beantifni Teeth of the age, mounted on fine Gold, Piatina, Silyer, Vulcanite, Co- Felite, Amber, Ac., at prices more reasonable tor neat ■rad substantial vrurk than any Dentist in Ibis city, Teeth Plugged to last for Hie*' No pain in extracting Teeth, Artificial Teeth repaired to suit. No pay until satisfied aO is right. Reference, beet families. fe22-3m 'CHES.—Our facilities for tba BEST WaTGHKS manufactured -*t end we eye wiling them nt vnry mods. Use watches repaired by finished work* 'nted to giro entire satisfaction. ABR & BBOTHB&t Importers, IHEBTMXTT Street, below FOUBTH. AMES BETTS’ CELEBRA- FOB &ABIBB, ud tU under eminent medical patronage. La :tans are respectfully requested to call only * her residence, 1039 WALNUT Street, avoid counterfeit*.) Thirty thousand ?n advised by theirphyriclana to use her >*e only are genuine tewing tte United labels on the box* and signatures, and >rters. with testimonial* ooiS-tnthstf FRESH ROLL BUTTER at the NEW STORE. No. 502 North ;. mh4-tf AMILY FLOUR, RUCK ir, Bye Floor, and Corn Me&t, al «*ara on iOTTWALb', No, 812 SPRING GA.B mh4-tf 208 MARKET Street. >, DRY AND IN White Precipitate, Lunar Osustig, Narcotiiitt, Sniph. Morphine, Morphine, Acetate Morphine, liac. Sniph., Zther Snlphorfo, Itfaer Citric, Sulphate Quinine, Oorro. Snblim., Denarcotized Opium, Ohio ride of Soda, WetherilTs ext. Oincha. Tartar Emetic, Chloride of Lime. Crude Borax, Refined Borax, Camphor, Resin Co pa via. LL A BROTHER, mfactnring Chemists, North SECOND Street, PHILADELPHIA. VOL S.-NO. 186. CARPETS AND OIL CLOTHS QT.TVNT ECHO MILLS, GERMANTOWN, PA. McOALLUM & Co., MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS, AND REARERS $O9 CHESTNUT STREET. (Opposite Indopendence^Ha 1 .],) ■/* CARPETINGS, OIL CLOTHS, &c. We l\a\o now on hand an extensive stockof Oaruetinaa, of our ovn and other makes, to which we call the atten tion of cash and short-tin.o buyers. mh7-3m ■pOURTH- STREET CARPET STORE, No. 4T ABOVE CHESTNUT, No. 4T. J. T. DELACROIX Invites attention to bis Spring importation of CARPETINGS, Comprising every style, of the Newest Pftttorne and Designs, in VELVET, BRUSSELS, TAPESTRY BRUS SELS, IMPERIAL TfiBKE-PLY, and INGRAIN C VfiNETUN^and DAMASK STAIR CARPETINGS. Ci. SCOTCH BAG and LIST CARPETINGS. FLOOR OIL CLOTUS, in every width. COCOA and CAN *. ON MATTINGS. DOOR-MATS, RUGS, SHEEP SKINS, PRCG.GUfS, ami GKUMG CLOTHS. AT WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, LOW FOR CASH. J. T. DELACROIX, mhs-4m 47 South FOURTH Street. CARPETINGS. J. F. & E. B. ORNE, NO. 519 CHESTNUT STREET, (OPPOSITE STATE HOUSE,) Have received, per Bteamer Edinburgh, and other late arriYale, their SPRING IMPORTATION OF NEW CARPETINGS: CEOSSLEPS YARD-AND-A-TIALF-WIDE VELVETS, 9-4 MEDALLION DO., ENGLISH BRUSSELS, EXTRA-QUALITY tapestry, BRUSSELS CARPETS, WITH BORDERS, (of new (Jl‘slj’ii9, for Hulls and Staled). INGRAIN AND THREE-PLY CARPETINGS, of oxtra Quality. ALSO, 500 PS. J. CROSSLEY & SON’S XAPEgtBT BRUSSELS CARPETS, FROM 874 TO ®1 PB. YD., “ Together with a complete asEortmout of OIL CLOTHS, STAIR AND FLOOR DRUGGETS, hugs, mats, Ad., All of new, choice selections, and AT MODERATE PRICES. J. F. & E. B. ORNE, mli3.tf OPPOSITE STATE HOUSE. HATS AND CAPS. IQ££) SPRING STOCK IG£O JLOO/V. complete. AOU/w, C. H. GARDEN & Co., Manufacturers of and Wholesale Dealers in HATS, CAPS, AND FURS; STRAW GOODS. FANCY BILK AND STRAW BONNE TS, Artificial Flowers, Ruches, Feathers, Sc., No. 600 and 602 MARKET Street, 8. W. corner of SIXTH Street *7-A largo and complete stock. The best terms and the lowest, prices. Cash and prompt “ timt buyers ” are particuariy invited to examine our stock. mhl-2m FINANCIAL. e j AAA TO $1,500 WANTED ON tJ/IjiS/Vv Mortgage, amply secured on valuable property. J. H. SI DO ALL & SON. Conveyancers, mhlo-2t* S. tv. corner of fOUIITH at d N Sta. VERY DESIRABLE $O 3 V VI/. LOTS In FBANKFORD, clear of aU encumbrance, and Cash, will be given for Ground Bents, Mortgages, or improved city property. Apply to J, H, WATERS, 110 South FOURTH Stroet. Q J AAA AND $>3,000. —This amount tip LVVV to LOAN on Mortgage or Ground Rent. Apply to B. PETTIT, No, 309 WALNUT Street fIJ.Q OAA —A FIRST-CLASS IM VU.OU". proved GROUND RENT of this amount for sale, at a liberal discount Apply to B. PETTIT, Jal No. 300 WALNUT Street. PROPOSALS. Abmi supplies. Office of the Commsssabt of Subsistence, ) No. 1139 GIBABD St., Phila., March 8, 1862. J PROPOSALS will bo received at this Office until 12 o’clock M., March 12, 1862, for furnishing, tor the use of the United States army, at such times and in such Quantities as may be required during the mouth of March, tbe following subsistence stores, viz: 200 Barrels Mess Beef. 1,000 Barrela Extra Superfine Flour* 400 Bushels new W hite Beans, in flour barrels. 20,000 Pounds Prime Rice, in barrels. 80.000 Poui ds Prime Rio Coffee, in barrels. 45,000 Pounds Light Yellow sugar, in barrels. 1,500 Pounds Adamantine Candles, full weight, twelves. 6,000 .Pounds good, hard Soap 150 Bushels good, floe, clean, dry sftli. 800 Gallons Syrup or Molasses. AH articles to be of the best Quality, securely packed, and in perfect order for transportation Bids will include packages and delivery in the city. Seller’s name and date of purchase required on each package. Certificates of inspection of meat and flour will be re quired. Bids from known dealers or manufacturers only will be considered, and each bid must be accompanied by the written guarantee of responsible persons for the faithful performance of the contract. Proposals to i>c endorsed) “ Proposals for Subsistence Btorcrt,” and directed to mhS-tmhlS Captain F. N. BUCK, Commissary of Subsistence U. S. Volunteers. LEGAL. JN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR A THE CITY AND COUNTY OP PHILADELPHIA. Estate of ANN BRYNAN, deceased. The auditor appointed by the Court to audit, settle, and adjust the account of MARY 31. BRYNaN. de ceased, whoVaq administratrix of said decedent* (as filed by John Brynan, her administrator,) and to report dis tribution of the Valance, will meet the parties interested on MONDAY, tbo 17th day of March, 1862, at 4 o’clock P. M„, at his office, No. 213 South tIXTH Street, Phi ladelphia. mb4-tuthsst LEWIS <3. CASSIDY, Auditor. TN THE ORPHANS’ COURT FOR X THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA. APPLE, Sr., deceased. Estate of HENRY Notice is hereby given that the widow of said decedent has filed in said court her petition and appraisement, claiming to retain personal property in the Appraiser meat mentioned to the value of three hundred dollars, under the act of Assembly of April 14,1851, and supple ments thereto, and that the same will be presented for the approval of said court on Friday, March 21st, 1862, unless exceptions are filed thereto. JOHN L. SHOEMAKER, mh 4-tutMt# Attorney for tbe Petitioner. rsT THE ORPHANS* COURT FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADEL PHIA. Estate of CATHARINE YOHE, deceased. The Auditor appointed by the Court to audit, settle, and adjust tbe acconnt of ABRaHAML RIX, Trustee under the will ot the said decedent, and to report button of the balance, -wili meet the parties interested, for thojpurposcs of Jus appointment, on TUESDAY, March IS, 1862, at 4 P. M., at his office, No. 219 South SIXTH Street, Philadelphia. LEWIS C. CASSIDY, mh6*thatust# Auditor, GROCERIES. TITACKEREL, HERRING, SHAD, f’J- BAI.MON, *O.-3.000 bbls, M«» JfOB, 1, 3, Slid 8 MACKEREL, large, medium, and small, in assortod packages of choice, late-caught fat fish. 0,000 bbla. New Halifax, Eastport, and Labrador Her rings, of choice qualities. 6,000 boxes extra new sealed Herrings. 3,000 boxes extra new No. 1 Herrings. 4,000 boxes large Magdaline Herrings. 250 bbls. Mackinac White Fish. 60 bbls. new Economy Mess Shad. 25 bbls. new Halifax Salmon. 1,000 quintals Grand Bank Codfish. 500 boxes Herkimer County Cheese. In store and landing, for sale by MUBPHY A KOONS, nos No. 146 North WHARVES. LOW, SON, & BENJBOW’S SOAPS AND PERFUMERY. Mr. G. ii, BENItO W, of the above firm, bo long known to the American trade, ii forms his friends and patrons that, the partnership having expired with Mr. Low. he has taken into partnershlo Ins son, HENRY B ENDOW, who haa bean matii 1 tears connected wish the late firm. G. It. Benbow having purchased the chare of the busi ness belonging to Rjbert Low, Sr , who was the original proprietor of LOW’S JiROWN WINDSOR SOAP, Ac., BENBOW & SON will continue the manufacture of that superior article, having had tbe sole management for several years. Also, of HONE Y, GLYCERINK» FANCY 80AP8* POMADES, PERFUME*. BRLNItEg, Ac, the quality of which they guarantee oquul to any imported into the American market. Buyers visiting England the present year are requested to examine our goods and prices without incurring the obligation to purchase. BENBOW Sc SON, mS’lm 12 LITTLE BRITAIN, London. TpOR CHEAP BUTTER, CHEESE, JD Eggs, Poultry, Ac., go to the NEW STORE, No. 502 North SECOND Street. mbi-tf Fresh pound butter always on hand at tbe CHEAP STORE, No. 502 North SECOND Street. tnli4-tf PRUNES. — French Prunes, in kegs and boxes, in atom and for sale by RHODES A WILLIAMS, 107 South WATER Street. SHEEP AND GOAT SKINS—A email invoice of Sheep and Goat Skins for sale by JAURKTCtIE & LAVKRGNE, fe2l 202 and 204 South FRONT Street. f ms. TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1862, Viml Statistics of Philadelphia. No public department, in this city is bettor conducted, or more important as regards effi ciency and economy, than the Board of Health. Its Annual llcpOrt lor 18CI is before ns, and .supplies a great deal .of valuable and interest ing information respecting the vital statistics of this great city. It is signed by Dr. Paul 13. Goddard, President, of the Hoard. There were more deaths, by 2,900, in 1801, (bail in 1800, partly owing to the preva lence of epidemics of small-pox, scarlet lever, and diptlieria. Typhoid fever prevailed to some extent, “ but a large proportion of these cases were bodies of soldiers dyisg in camp, and brought home for interment.” The total number of deaths reported by the Health De partment in 1801, was 14,-108, from which de duct still-born (80, leaving 13,838 deaths in the past year. Of these, the return is: male adults, 2,782 ; female adults, 2,009; male chil dren, 4,800; female children, 4,217 —total, M/108. Deduct still-horn males, 301; still born females, 200—net total of deaths in Phi ladelphia in last year, 13,838. The greatest mortality was in July and August, and the least was in October. Contrary to prevalent belief, the “ fall” months were the healthiest. Intra-mural burials are rapidly decreasing, and; indeed, ought to bo wholly discontinued. K The time has come, in the opinion of the Board, to put a stop to all interments in the thickly populated parts of the city, and the attention of Councils is earnestly requested in the matter.” In the past year 002 vessels have been visited by the Lazaretto and the Port physi cians, who also examined 1,50-3 persons On hoard of the same. The Board point out the propriety of having the executive officers of the Lazaretto Station appointed and controlled by (lie power required to provide for their compensation. Appended to the General Report is a report from Dr. John Bell, who was in charge of the Temporary Small-pox Hospital, which gives the deaths from small-pox in Philadelphia from 1840 to 1801. The lowest number was 2, in 1859, and by far the highest number was 758, in 1801. The next highest mortalities were 427, in 1852, and 390 in 1850. The number dropped down to 05 in 1807,7 in 1858, 2iD 1859. In the year 1800, there were only 57 deaths from small-pox, while, in 1801, the number was 758. The Board strongly urge the City Councils to pass an Ordinance for providing for the erection and management of a permanent and commodious hospital for the care and treatment of* contagious diseases. Tim number of nuisances, public and pri vate, in this city, is considerably larger than in 1800, and this is caused, the Report says, “ by the shameful neglect of parties whose duty it is to clean the public highways.” There was a time, not remote, when Philadel phia had obtained, and well-merited, the repu tation of being one of the cleanest (and al most, consequently, the healthiest) cities in the American continent. It no longer retains that reputation, and, indeed, during the months of December, January, and February, was al most as filthy and ill-conditioned as that city of slush, New York. In a few instances, (“ one or two eases/') the- Board of Health assumed the responsibility, legally vested in it, of performing the neglected duty of the Depart ment of Highways. TTe learn that “certain contractors, after having received due and timely notice, failed to clean certain streets, of which bitter complaints had been made. The Board then employed other parties to perform the labor, and notified the Highway Department and the City Controller to demand payment from the derelict contractors, and the ever vigilant and discreet Controller promptly re fused to countersign the warrant lor the pay ment of said contractors, until they had repaid to the Board the expenses incurred in conse quence of-their default.” It is to be regretted that the Board limited its action to one or two such cases. Through the greater portion of January and February, the footwalk opposite the State Honse was never once touched with a broom, and for weeks the twelve trees in the centre of that path con tinued with heaps of snow around their bases. Yet the Mayor ot the city must have witnessed this nuisance every time that he entered or quitted his office. When the highest mu nicipal officer thus tacitly permitted the conti nuance of a nuisance, directly under his own eyes, no wonder that the duty of the Depart ment of Highways was neglected. The Board report favorably of the working of the newly-established Registration of births, deaths, and marriages. The system, as car ried out under the surveillance of the Board, is accurate and simple to a degree. We have personally examined the bouks, on various oc casions, and have been struck with the neat ness with which they are kept, and the readi ness with which they may be referred to for information. The Board report an increase of 3,938 cases of vaccination by the Vaccine Physicians over the former year, hut regret that “an alarming indifference to the necessity of early vaccina-* tion of children still manifests itself among all classes of society. Notwithstanding so favora ble opportunities are offered, ' without money or price,’ to the poor population, there are hundreds of children in our city still unpro tected from small-pox. The proportion of six hundred and fifteen deaths of children, in a mortality list of seven hundred and fifty-eight, by smallpox, is corroborative of this asser tion, and the necessity of a compulsory law for vaccination is apparent. Such a law, it is learned, is now before the Legislature of an adjoining State, and we would recommend the passage of a similar law for this State, or at least for the city of Philadelphia.” The paltry salar.v of $OO a-year to each vac cine physician is reprobated as a meagre re muneration, while, at the rate of 2-3 cents for each case successfully vaccinated, the collec tor, who merely ascertains the names and resi dences of parties wishing to he vaccinated, sometimes receives from $4OO to $5OO a year. The proposition to allow 25 cents to the phy sician for each case successfully vaccinated, and 10 cents to the collector, is here repeated and urged. The deterioration of the Schuylkill water, from the decrease of the limestone and increase of sulphate of iron (copperas) from the coal mines, is here noticed, as “ evinced by the ac tion on the valves and pumps, which are now becoming rapidly honcy-combed by the action of this corrosive ingredient. Some action should be at once initiated to remedy this evil, or the Schuylkill water will become useless, as it is above Beading, where no fish C#n live. Another great trouble is the infusion of refuse dyes, and offals of all kinds, from the various factories on the eastern bank of the river.” Bad drainage, from the Coates-street sewer; the deterioration of the water at Germantown, from dyestuffs and acids j and the bad condi tion of the water from the Kensington works, are noticed, with a recommendation to appoint a commission to examine into all causes likely to affect the public health, and report to the City Councils on the sanitary evils existing in or about Philadelphia. The filtration of the water used in this city, as the Croton water is filtered at New York, would be a sanitary boon. At present, alter a heavy fall of rain, tbe water used in this city is more or less muddied, and unpalatable, as well as unwhole some, unless filtered. The whole quantity used can be filtered, for it is done elsewhere. The whole expense of the Board of Health is reported by Mr. "Washington L. Bladen, tlicir efficient chief clerk, at only $33,730, which is s2,2ooless than the whole funds appropri ated for this purpose. No where, we venture to say, is so much work done, and properly done, for such a small expenditure. This in cludes $8,440 for removal of nuisances, $3,330 for vaecination, and $7,581 for salaries and expenses at the City Hospital. The salaries at the Health Office itself are only $7,000, and the expenses $9lO. The whole expenditure exceeds that of 1800 by $7,818, an increase PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, MARCH 11. 1862. that “ has been mainly caused by the expenses incident to the treatment of an unusual num ber of small-pox patients at the City Hospital; the pay for vaccination, and tho removal of nuisances from public and private property.” The receipts in 1861 are less by $2,102 than in 1860. The health officer, Mr. William Read, sup plies, in an appendix, abstracts of the registers of births, marriages, and deaths, and reports that, with very few exceptions, the provisions of tho law making tho registration compulsory had been compiled with. This system of re gistration ought to be enforced upon every city, town, village, and district of Pennsyl vania—indeed, in every State in tho Union. The office at Philadelphia might he organized as tho bureau of vital and other statistics for the State, directing the action, receiving the reports, and chronicling as well as classifying and arranging the information received from the provincial boards. It seems to us, also, that the machinery of such hoards might bo advantageously and inexpensively employed foT taking the Census, in each State, and we should not then see, as in 1860, New York credited with from 100,000 to 150,000 more inhabitants than it ever possessed, while, through culpable carelessness, Philadelphia was set down as having from 50,000 to 80,000 fewer inhabitants than its actual population. In the fulness of time, no doubt, there will he a general statistical and Health bureau in every State. Here, our Board of Health is an ad mirable commencement, for which the puDlie have to thank the earnest and indefatigable gentlemen who have given their timo and talent towards its excellent organization. The Progress ot the War. [For The Press.] Mn. Editor .»* I vt\s\ da* would write a good article on the progress of the war. Such a one would do much to open the eyeß of the people; who, thinhiog that there is nothing in war but what is recorded in the pages of history, look upon our oper&ilftßS As sloiy, of little effect, and blame the Government and the directing generals and com manders. History of war Bpeaks only of battles; the un thinking world therefore looks upon war aOQßjfwt ing only in battles, and we, who live in warlike times, are disappointed unless a battle a week and a skiriui?h every day is reported in the telegraphic despatches. But 1 know how much of war is pre paration-raising, equipping, collecting, and drilling armies. The battles are the great trials which, in default of skilful strategy and cool wisdom, decide the fate of campaigns, remedy our faults, or punish them. But, if tbe solid results are obtained by marches, by movements by sea or land, thoy are a crown of glory to their conductors, more honor able and less bleody than the most valiant deeds in a field, where want of skill has pitched two equal forces to w ear out their lives in bloody—because equal—atrife. Was not Frederick a soldier ? He fought against great odds, with 120,000 men to oppose 300,000, and yet, iH fourteen campaigns, fourteeen years of war, he fought only fourteen pitched battles—& battle a year. Marlborough, too; no one will deny his sol diership—a great leader, a most successful one— brilliant as he was in battle, he never lost one; yet his historian says he was not partial, though so successful, to brilliant passages at arms, and none ever more boldly, more wisely, more desperately directed them; but, unless forced by necessity or tempted by great opportunity, he fought no fights. In ten campaigns—ten years of warfare —he fought only five pitched battles, and won them all. Wellington, too, a great commander, in seven campaigns fought only fifteen battles, all of which be won, and he fought so many because he was in ferior in numbers, and was opposed to the enter prise of soldiers reared in tbe school of Napoleon. Napoleon fought innumerable battles during tho fifteen campaigns conducted by him in person. He is an exception to the rule of modern warfare, but he came to the command at the end of the revolu tion in France, and found an innumerable army in the field, trained by tho rerersos of the Revolution, and consisting thus of veteran soldiers, not of raw recruits. He had always, throughout his won derful career, a large portion of every battalion made up of men inured to war, whose steady, trained, and disciplined valor encouraged and di rected the raw recruits which fsom time to time replaced the dead and disabled. Well, now, during the past year we have created our armies out of nothing; armed, collected, trained them; and we have fought two pitched battles which we lost—Bull Run and Wilson’s Creek, Missouri; two or three skirmishes we have loßt also—Bethel, BalFs Bluff. Belmont was doubtful —a battle won from a second battle on the same ground, against fresh troops which the enemy had thrown across the river—we retired to our boats. Since our foroes have been brought into being the bombardment of Fort Pickens, tbe taking of H&tteras, of Port Royal, of Roanoke, the skirmish of Somerset, of DrancS ville, the b&Hld Cf Bodneville, of Mill Spring, of Fort Henry, of Fort Docelson, of Rich Mountain, of Carricksford, of Carnifex, of Gauley, of Lexing ton, of Springfield, and a dozen serious oombats in Missouri, are written, and when history records tbe events of the great rebellion, these names, which will all illustrate the half-dozen pages which can be given to the events of the year, will make a brilliant rcoord of the first oampaign. A winter campaign has seldom afforded such results. Marl borough’s campaigns were carried on for ten years in Flanders. Holland and Belgium together cover only 24.000 square miles. Five thousand square miles of territory did cot change rulers as the result of his ten nnmpaigns and five pitched battles. Fre derick’s kingdom of Prussia, the scene of fourteen campaigns, defended by fourteen pitched battles, is only 108,000 square miles. 220.000 square miles is the extent only of the whole of Spain and Portugal, in a part only of which Wellington manoeuvred against the marshals of Napoleon for seven years. Wbat has our wiDter campaign done for us? The Fummer secured to us Mary- 9,ooosquare Western Virginia..,..., «•«.».15,000 (C Tbe winter has given us Ken- tacky 37,600 “ Half of Tennessee, (soon to be the whole) 22,500 “ Missouri, of which we held at one time only St. Louis, Fort Leavenworth, and a camp or two 67,380 “ One-tenth, perhaps, of North Carolina is now ours 4,000 “ Here, then, is a result for a winter campaign; the first campaign, after the creation of the army. Battles enough to illustrate the page of its history, and a territory of 150,000 square miles redeemed from an enemy who had at least au equal hold with ourselves on every Inch of It, and entire pos session of a great part. This territory is inhabited by 3,000,000 of people. Is this nothing ? Lonis Napoleon and Austria spent a season in preparation, set their hests in array, 300,000 strong on each side-, fought two pitched battles—Magenta and Solferino—and some 8,000 square miles of Northern Italy changed hands. In two years of the Crimean war, 400,000 men took half of one town. I don’t think we have done badly; and the re mainder, I think, will follow ih due time and rapid course. Battles are not all of war, though they are all of war which appears in history; and doubtless the people of Paris, in the moat brilliant, days of Napo. Icon’s campaigns, complained of the tardy progrefa of the war, where brilliant events, the results of tbe months of preparation were, as in the campaign of 1809, crowded into a few weeks, after his armies had marched to the field of aotivo operations. Yours, X. "What is to be done with the Prisoners 1 [For the Press.] Put them to work. Employ them to retribute, in some degree, the destruction and devastation they have been the instruments in-perpetrating, get them to work in constructing new fortifications in places sufficiently remote from their late fellow conspirators to be secure from recapture or escape. It is no objection that quarrying, waiting, or digging are foreign to their avocations at home. Thoy worked with a will or under constraint to de stroy bridges, to tear up railroads, to obstruct com mon bigbways, to burn houses, to dig ditches, to throw up earthworks and embankments whence to slaughter their faithful, fellow-countrymen, aad now neither they nor any others can complalq at their being employed in similar works of construction, not of ruin, for the benefit of those whom they have done so much to injure. Noroan they com plain at being employed in labors which would have to he done by our soldiers or oiikans, every man of whom is the equal, at least,-of the best of them—a voter, one of the sovereign people from whom emanates the Government. Employing the prisoners on public works would-'somewhat com pensate the expense of maintaining them; it would keep them from idleness, the mgthor of evil, and would be better for their health. The text says: “If he work not, neither shall he eat.” Strong guards would be necessary at tie plaoes where the labor is to be performed, but if not convenient to spare them from tbe army, detachments of the militia would suffice, surrounded by a loyal popula tion. Several of the works suggested by Mr. Arnold’s committee would be proper aud safe sites for em ployment of the prisonen. Among them, the en largement of the Illinois and Michigan oanal, a fort at the entrance to Laki Superior, a military road n Lake Superior from Oreon Bay to Marquette, a forUfloatton or the Straits of Mackinaw at the en trance to Lake Michigan, a fortification of Toledo Bay, Maumee Bay, Pat-in Bay, and the Presque Lie at Erie. About two thousand men at each these places would do much work there, and it would be' a better mode of disposing of thorn than by letting them, and such others as may be captured, go loose on parole, which they nsnally violate find rejoin the other rebels ns scon as they get outside of the lines of our armies. The officers, of course, would be separated from the privates. C. The Kensington iTon-Glad Frigate. GREAT ACTIVITY AT THE SHIP, BOILER, AND ARMOR YARDS. Tbe disastrous and alarming news from fortress Monroe was everywhere canvassed on Sunday, and the excitement was maintained until Monday noon, when fuller and more satisfactory telegrams were received from the seat of battle. The moss of people at once asserted the invincibility of such steamers as the Merrimae, and opinion seemed unanimous that by similar iron-clad assistance only could we insure the safety of our sea-coast garri sons and maintain tho blockade. It was variously said that such arined monsters could steam out to sea, and, oue after another, run down every vessel of the blockade; nav, they could, wherever the depth of the water accorded it, even approach our Ncrlhern tfiltfl, add spread havoc among the ship ping at onr'wharves. Straightway the topio of the hour was that of iron-mailed ships. Old newspaper files were turned to, and sage descriptions of tho Mystic frigate, the Ericsson, or Monitor, propeller, the Stevens bat tery, and others, were regarded. A number visited, during the day, the new iron-clad frigate at the shipyard of Messrs. Cramp & Son. The work of constructing this vessel is progress ing rapidly, and her builders feel confident that she will be ready for launching by tho first of May, an d handed over to the Government in July, ac cording to the terms of the contract- The vessel, when finished, will he one of the finest of the kind in the world, and will be far superior iu many re spects to the British frigate Warrior. The new frigate is to he 3,500 tons burden. Her armament has not yet been fully determined, but she will carry at least sixteen guns, of eleven-inch bore, and will, doubtless, have several deck pivot guns. Notwithstanding her immense weight, she has been so modelled as to draw but fifteen feet of water, besides having the additional advantage of greater steadiness in a heavy sea. She is two hundred and thirty feet long, sixty feet beam, twenty-five feet hold, and will have three full decks. The greatest feature about the new frigate will bo tho exceed ingly small quantity of water which she will be made to draw. She will be the lightest draught of over five hundred tons, except the Pawnee, in onr navy. In this respect the vessel will be su perior to the much-talked-of Warrior, the weight of both being taken into consideration. The lftUer draws twenty-seven feet of water, or more than the whole depth of the Kensington frigate—twen ty-five feet. Owing to the declivity in tho sides of the now frigate, it will almost be a work of im possibility for an enemy to board her. The de clivity of the sides commences at the water’s edge. The bulwarks are exposed 11 foot abovo water mark, and the tops of the bulwarks are situated 10 feet from a vertical line that joins tho foot of the bulwarks aud tbe water mark. Besides this, the iron plates will be so constructed as to project 6 feet beyond the stem below water, which will enable them to act as a battering ram, by whioh Tessels may be run down and swamped. The iron for this purpose bag already been prepared, and is now ready for use. Her boilers, engines, rudder, and steering apparatus will all be below water mark and out of barm’s reach in case of action. The deok will also he covered with iron. The iron plates, be low the water mark, will all bo fastened ou before launching, while those on the sides will he put in place afterwards. The iron plates on the sides will be hammered smooth, and owing to the declivity, balls will glance from tbe vessel. Behind the iron plates the wooden bull will.be 23 inches thick, in addition to. tho knees and waterways. The wood used in tho construction of this vessel is principally oak of the beßt quality, cut in Penn sylvania and along the borders of tbe Delaware. The wood is received in a rough state, and is out into the proper sizes and shapes at Messrs. Cramp’s yard. The logs are piled along Girard avenue for several squares, where they are cut by tho work men, and hauled to the yard, whioh is also corored with tbe timber. At tbe present time, about 405 men, of which 100 aro laborers, and the balance borers and ship carpenters, are employed on the new frigate. As soon as she gets more full; under way, this force will be greatly increased. The iron plates for the vessel have been designed by Messrs. I. P. Morris & Co., and are being made by tbe Bristol Forge Company, Messrs. Bailey, Brown, A Co., of Pittsburg, and by Merrick & Sons, who hare received the contraot for the con struction of the whole vessel. They are fifteen feet long, twenty-eight and a half and thirty aud a half inches wide, and four inches in thickness. A ham mer, weighing two and a half tons, is employed in their maqgfacture. Soine of the iron plates have already been finished and forwarded to the yard, and will soon be fast ened on the vessel. The work of placing on the iron casing will occupy about six weeks’ time. The engines and boilers are all under way at Merrick’s, and will he finished at the proper time. Tne en gines are about 2.000 horse power. The total cost to tbe Government for tbe construction of this ves sel will be about 2900,000. We present below an extract from a legal, in The Press of a month ago, showing that we antici pated in these columns the encounter between the Merrimac and Monitor : Engagement Between two Ikon-clad Snips. —Another reflection is suggested by the adoption of armor for ships. How is a steel-plated ship to engage a steel-plated ship ? Their guns ean do no execution on each other, and sailors, marines, and everything destructible, are under cover. What is to be done when such ships, if hostile, meet ? Are tbe; to salute and retire in search of smaller fry, or are they to fight ? If they fight, it would be the combat of two Aohilleß, without even vulne rable heels. If these ships are all that is claimed for them, there are but two ways for them to en fage each other—either to sheer off, and, like two nights at tournament, charge each other, when the probability is tbat both would go down; or else to cl oBe and board, when victory would depend, not upon tbe invulnerability of the ships, nor upon the calibre of their guns; and yet that is what these ships are built for. It follows that a stoel-clad ship could not protect a convoy of ordinary transports against the attack of another steel-clad ship. The protector could do nothing but witness the destruc tion of his convoy. It results, then, tbat a steel, clad ship is useful only as opposed to wooden ones or fortifications. Important Propositions—Foreign Succor. The Richmond Examiner of7th inst. says We learn that there is almost a unanimous dispo sition in Congress to extend propositions to foreign Governments for aneeor, these ptepesltioUi to be grants of peculiar commercial privileges, and terms of years of free trade; but that this disposition has been checked by motives of delicacy, as the matter is oonsidered to be one ot treaty stipulations, and to belong to the Executive. It appears to be generally thought by members that the suspension of the tariff, at present, would lose us an important element of power in our treaty atipulations that might, too, possibly be used as a basis for propositions for foreign succor in the ex isting war. We speak advisedly when we notify our reaiers tbat propositions, for the succor of foreign Governments are likely to bo Soon con sidered in a secret session of Congress, so far as those propositions can be framed to avoid anything like himiliation, and to invoke no concessions other than commercial favors. Petroleum Oil. The Scientific American says: The petroleum oil trade has become gigantic in Us proportions. An idea of it may be obtained from the late annual Teport of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, in which it is stated that ih 1859 it carried only 325 barrels; in 1860, 21,791, and lait year no less than 134.927 barrels. This railroad carries the oU to Erie, Pennsylvania, from whence it is transmitted to the East by the New York and Erie Railroad. The Atlantia and Great Weatera Railroad also carries large quantities of the oil, and in summer fiat boats come up the creek and take down heavy oargoes to the Alle ghany river, thenoe to Pittsburg. The product of tbis petroleum region is estimated at 75,000 barrels per month. On one day, two weeks ago, there were no less than 120,000 barrels on the surfaoe of the ground on Oil creek, as we have been assured by one who was on the spot at the time for the very purpose of obtaining accurate information. The yield of these oil wells is so bountiful that the crude petroleum can now be purchased at them for a few cents per barrel. It is so abundant and cheap that the pumping wells are suspended for the present, as it will not pay to incur the expense of using a steam engine for drawing up the oily fluid; hence only the “ flowing wells”—those whioh throw np their petroleum—are in operation. The greatest expense in winter connected with the transit of the petroleum is the hauling of it to the railroad sta tion by teams. Tbe region is very rough and hilly, and the roads bad, hence the expense of teaming is necessarily high for drawing it from twenty to thirty miles to the nearest railroad stations. No less than three thousand teams are now employed in the Oil-ereek region, and yet they are incapable of taking it aw&y as fast as the wells deliver it; therefore, vast quantities are suffered to flow late the creek. Never before have men been supplied with such a cheap fluid for producing artificial light, as the refined article in large quantities of seveial barrels is but 37i cents per gallon in New York and only 40 cents per Bingle barrel. Dimollaed, the infamous French murderer, manifests the most hardened indifferenoe sinoe his conviction. He wraps his shackles with old linen, to prevent them coming in oontaot with his flesh, and interrupts the exhortations of the priest with complaints of the bad sausageß given him to eat. Private Joseph Kviine, of the Second Maryland Regiment, was hung at Fort McHenry, on Friday, for the murder of Lieutenant Whitson, at Camp Carroll, on the 10th of September. THE REBELLION. NAVAL FIGHT AT NEWPORT NEWS. FURTHER PARTICULARS. U. S. GUNBOAT OREGON BLOWN I I*. Heavy Loss of Life on the Cumberland. CONFLICT OF IRON-CLAD VESSELS. THE MERRIMAC DISABLED. A Rebel Gunboat Cut in Two. LATEST FROM THE SOUTH. Reported Evacuation of Manassas. CAPTURE OF TWO REBEL VESSELS BY COMMODORE DUPONT. PANIC AT MEMPHIS, TENN. A Battle at New Madrid, Mo. &c., &c., &c. Fortress Mobrob, Mnrob B—The long.ei. pected rebel steamer Merrimae has at last made her appearance, and yesterday afternoon, with the assistance of two gunboats, whioh came out with her from Norfolk, and the Jamestown and York iowu, which came down from tbe James river, made an attack upon Newport Newa and the naval vessels stationed at that place. The Merrimae wag first seen from the rampaTts of Fortress Monroe, on her way to Newport News, at about a quarter before one o'clock. Two rebel gunboats followed her. They all carried the Con federate fiag at the stern. The gunboats had a French flag at the mast-head, and the Merrimae had a flog at her bows, which was described by some as a cotmnedore’s flag, and by others as a black flag. The Roanoke flagship having been disabled by the breaking of her shaft some time since, was taken in tow by the tugboats Dragon and Young Ameviem. At about the same time tbe aiarm-gun at the Fortress was fired, and the whole garrison turned out under arms. The Tenth New York was briefly addressed by Colonel Benedix, and all testi fied the greatest delight at the proapeot of an ao. tion. After being under orders for some time, the garrison was dismissed until they should be wanted. The rebel boats steadily pursued their way to Newport News, and the Merrimae soon turned the point and was lost to view frets, the fortress, The first shot was fired from the frigate Cumber land at a little past 2 o’clock. The Sewell’s Point battery then opened upon the Minnesota, which was passing, and the Sawyer gun at the Hip Baps replied with a few shots at Sewoli’s Point. A thick smoke was soon seen to arise above New port News Point, indicating that the battery there, as well as the Cumbefland and Congress, was engaged. Tho details of tho action could not bs seen froth the fort, but a telegraphic despatch was received, announcing that the Cumberland and Merrimae were in close quarters. As the latter approached the Cumberland she did not pay any attention to the Congress, bat after firing two guns, struck her (the Cumberland) with her sharp bows, making a jagged hole in her side at the water line, seven feet in extent. The Cumberland immediately began to sink, when the Merrimae backing a short distance, ran into her a second time, asakiog another terrh ble hole, which admitted the water at a furious rate. She continued firing until the water began to enter tbe port holes, and soon after she careened over and finally sank at about 3 o’clock. The Newport News battery and the guns of the Cumberland fired continuously upon tho Merri mae, bnt no apparent effect was produced. The Minnesota unfortunately got aground on the way up, and could offer but little assistance. Shortly before three o’clock, the Jamestown and Yoritoum arrived from np the James river. The latter was disabled early in the afternoon by the Cumberland, and put into shore for repairs. After sinking the Cumberland, the Merrimae turned her attention to tbe Congress, and in less than an hour afterwards a white flag was hoisted on board the latter. A rebel gunboat immediately went alongside of her, and the officers and marines being taken pri soners, the seaffiOh were allowed to escape to shore. The United States frigate St. Lawrence arrived here during the afternoon, and without dropping anchor proceeded up the river. She followed the example of the Minnesota and the Roatipfy, in firing upon Sewell’s Point, but her Bhot fell short in like manner with the others. The gunboat Mystic was also towed up in the afternoon. At sundown the Roanoke, St. Law rence, and Mystic, all returned. After 4 o'clock the Merrimae continued to throw shell into the camp at Newport News, while the Jamestown, and other rebel gunboats, commenced firing upon the Minnesota. The latter replied as vigorously as possible, and the conflict was eontinned without any apparent effect until dark. During the evening the frigate Congress was set on fire, and presented a brilliant spectacle. At midnight she was blown up, causing a tremendous explosion. During the evening the Ericsson steamer Moni tor arrived very opportunely, andatonceproceeded up the river, although she was not propared for ac tion, to take her part. During the flight only an occasional gun was fired. Reinforcements of men and ammunition were sent to Newport News early in the afternoon. But little damage of a serious nature was done there, and no one was killed. This morning the conflict was. renewed. Until the presence of the Monitor was known to the Merrimac, the latter was engaged with the Minne sota, and but fer the fortunate arrival of the MonU tor the Minnesota also might have been lost. The two iron-clad vessels engaged caoh for two or three hours at long and at short range. No per ceptible effect was produced upon either. They west alongside once or twice, and seemed almost to rnn each other down, but they soon reappeared. Tbe Ericsson battery succeeded finally in forcing a large bole in the port side of the Merrimac, and the latter in company with the whole rebel fleet, re tired to Norfolk, at about one o’clock. The U. S. gunboat Oregon was struok by the Merrimac in her boiler, and was blown np this morning. The gunboat Zouave was also seriously damaged and was obliged to return. The principal loss of life was on board the Cum berland, where it is thought as many as one hun dred and fifty must have been killed or drowned. Bat sixlives were lost on the Minnesota, accord ing to a statement made by one of her officers. A rebel gunboat was cut in two yesterday after noon by the Cumberland. The crew of -the Minnesota were brought on shore this afternoon, and, with the assistance of the steamer Spaulding, she has been got off and is now on her way here. She received numerous shots, but no serious damage. The Congress is supposed to have lost over one hundred, including an offioer. The escaped crews of the Congress and Cn-Jnbertand havo ar rived here. The Monitor has come up to the expectations that were entertained of her, and has proved her self impregnable to the heaviest shot at close quar ters. She behaved remarkably well on her passage from New York, and although the sea covered her decks completely at times, her speed did not seem to be at all diminished. To her presence here may be attributed the safety of the Minnesota and other vessels in port and the Anal disabling of the Merri mac which had previously been proof against eycrytfeing, Captain Worden, of the Monitor, was wounded in the head while looking out of the whcol-house. No other accident of any kind occurred to the battery or crew. We havo not yet boon able to. obtain a list