"WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1883. ‘SITUATION. ‘ . i «#'• Again have we occasion, as a Christian he profoundly- grateful to Al - ; God for a glorious victory roucli- our arms ! Vicksburg surrendered national forces on the Fourth of. v I That- is the sum and substance of Admiral Pouter’s official despatch to the , , .Secretary of the Navy. It is only one brief '.sHtentence; but how-full of joyful meaning ! j,>how full of life''and inspiration for the loyal hearts of the Union ! In all the ofii- - ‘ rial despatches that the war has produced, has ever a more cheering or signifi cant sentence been penned? ft is a tri butflito the -indomitable courage of the , - .jffiiy of the Southwest, . and to the shill 'our it is a congratu- to the nation, upon the success is crowning its arms in the East and 'West; it is a yindication of the righteous ness of our cause, and of the wisdom of*our military councils ; it is an appeal to' all peo ple to remain firm arid united in support of • the Government which has given such a •'■ striking proof of its power, resources; and determination ; it is a promise that the day of final trimnph is not far in the future, and that peace and prosperity shall follow 1 im mediately, in the wake. - We gather hope, and strength, and comfort as we read the ..curt and unpretending words of Admiral Pouter ; and as our hearts swell with pride 'end gratitude, ytc begin to appreciate their full significance and value. How many 1 weary days of toil beneath the sultry Southern sun do they suggest; how many privations patiently endured; how many battles fiercely fougbt, and never r won but at a fearful price; how much mi i : ' -hery and suffering. heroically borne; how ;' 1 much of the courage “ never to submit or r.’ yield,” which distinguishes the Union sol dier! The victory which General Gram has achieved is perhaps the most important of the war. It certainly eclipses all previous triumphs, and will scarcely be excelled in value by any successes which the future mnyHaave in store for us. There may he more desperate struggles ; there may be struggles which shall cost us more dearly in . -precious lives, and possibly have a larger share of historic fame; there may be : A -.struggles in which we shall . take more r-'i-pfisoners and trophies ,of war. But it • may .be safely assumed, that we. shall gain no other victory, which, of itsfilf, will have a greater influence in de r T,-> : stroying the rebel power, and bringing the t war'to a close. The tourniquet so long tightened across the artery of the Mississippi .has been removed, and very soon the life — blood of the rebellion, no longer to he stanched, must rapidly ooze away, and the. • fresh, current of trade and prosperity flow ‘ again in’tlie old courses. The rebellion has s '-. received a, mortal, wound. The Army of - 'the Southwest has cut it completely in two, and the severed parts can hardly retain their Vitality until another Fourth of July shall return, to claim the homage of which it was most unjustly deprived tins year.' ' Our latest advices, though containing little definite information as to 'the where abouts of the main rebel army, under Gen. .... .vliBE, render it sufficiently clear, in our opinion, that he is still retreating with all possible speed towards the Potomac. Vet he must pause somewhere, and fight another battle before 1 he can hope to cross that .. river, for our advance is close upon him. Our cavalry does not cease to harass his .retreat, and General Meade is clearly master of the situation. It .is impossible to wherAJieWy^^pauß^thJ^^^g. >y /General Meade’s Strategy, that the battle must take place at the posi tion which Lee wishes to gain to enable him to cross the Potomac, This point, we are forced to believe, must be either Wil liamsport or Maryland Heights, ancl proba bly the latter, as it is a position fortified by nature, and superior as a strategic and de fensive post. It is impossible for him to resume the offensive; the most he can hope for is to escape. If he succeeds in this, it can only be with great loss, and, at most, he willv escape into a re gion where he cannot obtain supplies, cannot menace our armies, and cannot even he of service to the; defence of Richmond. We are assured that Gen. Dix has already isolated the rebit* capital from all oppor tunity of reinforcement. The bridges on the I South Anna are said to be destroyed; the Fredericksburg. and Richmond, and/the Virginia Central roads are in our possession, and the fall of the rebel capital was never before so imminent. It should also be borne in mind that General lleintzelman will probably bear an important part in what promises to be the closing campaign in Vir ginia. Beaubegaud’b presence at Cul peper is a speculation admirable for its ven ture, but scarcely approved ■by circum stances. Whether Lee succeeds or not in elitering Virginia, so strong are the be leaguering fates against him, that in any case we may predict his final and utter dis comfiture.’ The New Fourth of July. ' On the I'ourth of July, 1*776, American Independence was formally declared.; on the Fourth of Ju1y,1863, it was virtually re affirmed in the glorious events which assure" us that it cannot be clestroyed. On the one day America resolved that she would arise, and take her place among the nations; on the other, having arisen to all that" her wildest dreams could have embodied, she proved she was too great to fall. In that event she asserted her rights; in this, she re vealed her power. All that was gained on the one day, was on the other preserved; and every word which on the Fourth of July- 1776, wag Mad ftusn tU- Mali Independency rvsvivfid a new em« phasis, a proloumler meaning, from the deeds done On the anniversary of that day, in 1863. ‘ - When the American colonies of Great Britain declared themselves to be free- and .independent States, and, though weak and Unprepared for war, successfully defied the authority enforced by the armies of the eml pire whose yoke they had cast oil, their triumph was indeed glorious. But not less glorious will he the victory which the United _ a s will finally achieve over a foe more JSTT tllatL ® leat ‘ Britain—a victory the Fourth of July with Vicksburg. y ’ and the capture of . These resuits are more than coincidental. The anniversary ot the day of Freedom was an inspiration to our armies, and inflamed them with a fiercer ardor. Men who could not conquer then, could never conquer. We believe, that it was a pure impossibility -for the Army of the Potomac, standing on -Pennsylvania soil on the evening of the 3d of July, to have failed. A moral necessity compelled it,, to succeed.: It is no wonder that the battle, was the bloodiest of the war, and that our forces surpassed all theif brave ry on other fields. It may have been a co incidence, that Vicksburg should have been surrendered on that day, but hereafter we are disposed to believe, superstitiously, perhaps, that the Fourth of July had something to do. with . everything good that happens. Henceforth we have' , double cause "to gelc- j brate the Anniversary of American Inde pendence, for it is also the anniversary of National salvation. We had thought it im possible to make the day more glorious, but Grant and Meade have taught us our mis take. Eighteen hundred and sixty-three il luminates with new light the memory ol Seventeen hundred and seventy-six; splen dor is added to splendor, and joy to joy; we shall hereafter read with very different feel ings the words which Jefferson then gave untojthe world, and agree with him; though for new reasons, that “Governments long established'should not be changed for light and transient causes. ” Our Good News tii Kuvope. Within a week from this day, lutolflgenoe of the great successes of our bravo goldiera, commanded by General Meadk, will bo tf'kh graphed throughout Europe. It Is not diffi cult to predict with what various feelings It will bosrccoived by different parties. The friends of religion and humanity will exult over such a palpable victory for Freedom, while interested politicians and speculators, cotton spinners and cotton brokers, ship builders and smuggling ship-owners, will bo downcast and despairing. The Roebucks, ■ the Grngories, the Fbroussqns, tho Lind says, and all that class, will naturally grieve, and oven tho Emporor Napoleon himself may seriously take a prudent pause, and think twice boforo he roagitntes the ques tion of calling upon England, or even upon Spain, to interfere in the great American contest. The, Masons, Slidells, Mc- Henries, and other rebel agents and sym pathizers, will have sagacity enough to cknow, when the particulars of Lee’s defeat reach them, that their game is thereby play ed out. Following fast' upon that glorious news the, fall of Yicksburg will afflict them and gladden the hearts of all who love _i,k«rc£.ovoti-i7i-iucipies“or'Freedom. Hence forth, the traitors must sink back into their natural insignificanco, only too hap py. if the creditors of “tho so-called Southern Confederation ” do not personally come down upon them for payment of the Loan, which was lately made on the strength of misrepresentations as to the prospects and condition of Rebeldom. Yet another set of men will be pleased with the goefd news which was sent hence on the glorious Fourth. Palmerston, Russell, and the British Ministry generally, who have been' unable to see the propriety of intervention, will have a sufficient reply, in the facts, to any solicitations from the crafty ruler of France.. That reply will be decided—to the effect that the North, which is ending the war, had better be left to itself. Yet 'a fourth class in Europe will be greatty impressed by the glorious news which we have sent them. Politicians and traders will care for little hut the re sult—the bare fact that the Army of the Po tomac decisively beat the Rebel army under Lee — but military men, in every part of Europe, will anxiously study the details, in their desire to “ show how fields were worn” They will curiously examine all the features of . the crisis we have just passed through, and judge how'far the manner of Meade’s generalship accords with theii own ideas of the art of war. European generals, it is known, are particular as to the mode of conquest. It will he remembered that, in the Italian campaign, the Austrian generals bitterly complained that Napoleon’s tac tics, which defeated them, were flagrantly in violation of the settled rules of the art of war. General Meade’s successes are in ac cordance with such rules, hut history pre sents no parallel to his achievements. He was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac on June 28th; took it at once against the enemy ; and on the Ist of July only the third day after he was at the head of that army—fought the enemy; fought him■ again on the2d;.and thoroughly de feated him on the 3d. Here, in less than six days, we find what would be considered a great result of months in the field. His tory has hot recorded any thing like this— for Wellington had aid from the Prus sians in the campaign which terminated on the field of Waterloo, and also commanded an army almost every individual of which knew him. personally, and .had fought under him in Spain and Portugal, whereas Gen. Meade had to ■ handle a great army be fore- ho had time to become acquainted result wks Wory The military annals of the great Napoleon present nothing at all approaching Meade’s Three Glorious Days of July. Without much seeking for a parallel in modern history, one cannot help comparing Lee’s inroad upon Pennsylvania with Na poleon’s fatal invasion of Russia. No doubt, the Rebel leader originally entered this State with the purpose of plunder. Our unprotected condition, in consequence of not having an organized State militia, most probably suggested to' Lee the feasibility of assailing Harrisburg and levying contribu tions there; he may even have dreamed of making a dash into Philadelphia, the spoils of which would have been acceptable to his . soldiers. He lost all his chances by delay. His best chance, and a considerable one, was in celerity of action; he dallied with time, and thereby enabled volunteers to be mustered in, and, finally, the strength of the Army of the Potomac to be hurled against him. In the end, now close at hand, he will probably resemble Napoleon, who lost his army in Russia, and returned home with a mere handful oi men, the wreck of a fine army. He will find it as difficult to get back to Virginia over the Potomac as Napoleon found it to obtain safety by the passage of the Beresina and the Niemcn. , We may anticipate, with no small degree of pride, the praises which the veteran sol diers of Europe, just and candid in their es timate of the military character, will bestow upon the Army of the Potomac and its noble commander, a man whose modesty is equal to his professional merit. We may be sure that military critics will do justice to this brave man, suddenly called to a post of un precedented responsibility, but who, in less than a week, rising superior to all difficul ties, won the greatest battle of the war, whether we consider its mortality or its prestige. : May God grant to this great and good soldier a continuance of victory, so that the -great which Humanity and Freedom alike desire may be speedily and efficiently obtained. A Fact. and. a Suggestion* Tlie Queen of Prussia is paying a visit to the Queen of England, at Windsor Castle. Punch significantly suggests the probability that, ere long, she will be rejoined by her Royal husband, the royal blunderer who, fsr ills last two yeais ( lias Muir fining «n nuitfli to niftlio Bjns-flMft: jsj hearable In Prussia. This sovereign, who .hap. great power, with just capacity suffi -ciont to use it to the public detriment, would make.a respectable drill-sergeant. On the throne, he is a positive nuisance. His purpose is to goyern, if he can, independent of the Constitution and laws which lie swore to sustain and obey, and he has' dismissed the Rational Legislature, undertaking to govern without its aid or sanction, to collect taxes without the slightest legal right to do so, and to gag Public Opinion, by destroy ing the Liberty of the Press,.and by putting down the right of holding Public Meetings for the open expression of public opinion. The Prussians, it seems, may not protest, save in solitude and with bated breath, against the tyrannic conduct of their heredi tary ruler. : > The Press is so decidedly under control that the Reform , ! which is one of the leading newspapers in Berlin, has received a second warning, (the third authorizes the seizure ■ and confiscation- of type and presses J be cause it simply stated that the second ordi nance, signed by the Ministers of Chakles X, at St. Cloud, on July 25,' 1830, “ anni hilated the Liberty of the Press. ”. It may be that this was a fact of which his Prussian Majesty did not wish to be reminded, but lie will find it difficult, with the events of history in men’B minds, to make them not apply, what has been to what i*. For “History is Philosophy' teaching by ex ample.” Punch -very sagaciously ask's, “ If King < tam s Ministers give a warning to a newspaper for merely quoting the state ment that an ordinance of Charles the Tenth of Prance destroyed the Freedom of the Press, what would they have done bad it mentioned the historical fact thatCrrAULUS the First of England lost his hoacl by at tempting to rule without a Parliament?" Certain English and French politicians have given 'themselves a great deal of gra tuitous trouble, during the last two’ years, about the state of affairs in the United States. They have been oppressed by a desire to mcddlo in those affairs, and the word “Intervention" invariably throws them off their balance and sends them off “on the ranipngo," In nil directions and in the wild est (hsliion. Wo are not quite sure whether the Emperor Napoleon himself is not to ho counted in, as one of these political busy bodies,’but his Minister, the Count de Per- Sicrav, cortainly may bo considered as duly muetorod into that band. Palmerston and Russell, as: well as Derby . and Malmes bury, were in it, at one time, but only as “ three-months’ men,” whereas Gregory and FiiiictussON, Laird and Lindsay, and especially John Arthur Roebuck, ap peared to haye entered the intervention corps for the term denoted in the usual phrase, ‘or until the termination of the war. ’ ’ It is very clear that this’corpswillnot be permitted 1 to act in this country. We do not meddle in the affairs of .others ; we do not allow others to meddle with our affairs. 'Yet, unwil ling that the Anglo-French interventionists should suffer from inanition—should perish because they have nt thing to do, we beg to suggest that they turn their attention to Prussia. There they will find an intelli gent and 'well-informed population grossly misgoverned by an oldman, whom it-were charity to consider singularly weak-headed ; rather than wilfully bad-hearted, and only restrained' by their reverence of the laws which he sets at defiance, from him and ejecting him from g country which, has, no longer anj cogence' in him. There they will find a Parliament summarily dis missed because its popular members de clined the cajolements and resisted the dic tation of a venal Ministry. There they will find .a- Monarch who has perjured himself before God and man by violating his coro nation oath. There they will: find a no bility at once false and feeble, convulsively clinging to the steps of the throne, and counselling its occupant not to concede even the slightest point to the country and the people. The issue of such a state of things must bo a popular outbreak. Now, if the English and French intervention .agitators want something .to do, ("in stead of foolishly expecting that we shall ever permit their action here, ) why not in terfere in this Prussian crisis ? As Sir Lucius would remark: “It is a very pretty quarrel as it stands.” A Revolution is evi dently impending. A Revolution in Prus sia would disturb the peace of Europe. Let the interventionists use their talents and in fluence to obtain a peaceful and satisfactory solution of the difficulty, by obtaining from William of Prussia his signature to a few lines, in which he will abdicate the Crown in favor of his son, who is popular, sen sible, and liberal, and a great good will thereby he effected. Liberty will resume her rights in Prussia, Europe will have no more to apprehend from probable, troubles in Germany, and the name of one crowned tyrant will be erased from the list of So vereign rulers. Let Roebuck, Gregory, Persigny and Co. achieve such a consum mation as this, and the world will forgive, and even try to forget, their having sought to sustain Slavery in our own glorio'us coun try, how battling for the great cause of human Freedom. The Three Powers vs. Russia. The policy .of England has been pacific ever since Victoria commenced her reign in 1837, and the desire of the British people has long been to avoid war, because of the cost. Yet, the naval and military expenses of England have<floubled in the last twenty five years of peaceful policy, and Napoleon 111. adroitly seduced England into a war with Russia nine years ago. Even now, ftiereti’s a movement fin hand, got up by Napoleon, which may lead to- a second war w'ith Russia. England has united with France and Austria in proposals to the. Czar, whichi Lord Palmerston has declared, “include a general and complete ~ —jj—i—.Mi.ai'mi official positions in Poland, that'perfect liberty of conscience he granted, that the Polish lan guage be used in 'all Polish transactions, and that a regular! system of recruiting be established.” It is improbable. that the Czar will grant what is hereby requested—we might almost: say is hereby V'y/utycd. The war-prepara tions in Russia are proceeding with great rapidity and on a vast scale—ostensibly to' quell the Polish revolt, but evidently oiUlie chance of hostilities to be commenced"*by the three great Powers. The prospects of a bloody war in Europe are certainly very much augmented by the joint action of France, England, -and Austria. - LITTER FROM "OCCASIONAL.” "Washington, July 7, 1803. If I have not been as constant in_tliis correspondence as my duties to the readers of your newspaper would demand, the ne cessities of the hour, and the perilous con dition of the country, must be my expla nation, if not my apology. These are times When the words of any man, and particu larly a citizen as humble as your Wash ington correspondent, would be out Of place, and I write now in the midst of the joy occasioned by these double triumphs to mingle my congratulations with those of my-fellow- countrymen in Philadelphia and elsewhere. The poets tell us that the darkest hour precedes the dawn, and we may surely feel that this has been the ease with our unfortunate country. The last letter you printed oyer, this signature con tained a warning and _an appeal. The enemy was literally thundering at our gates, and peaceful Pennsylvanian homes were desolated by an invading army. The coun try was taking up arms, and we saw an up rising of the North surpassing the scenes succeeding the fall of Fort Sumpter. I ad dressed such words to your readers as seemed demanded by ?the occasion, and although I felt hopeful, the most sanguine expectation did not anticipate the joy that is felt this afternoon. An hour ago I read i a despatch'from Admiral Porter, announc ing the fall of Vicksburg. Of course you have rejoiced over the news from the Army of the Potomac. The proud army of the rebellion has been jiunished in the midst of the scenes of its devastation and arrogance, and the" haughty Lee, in stead of making thojeoal mines of Penn sylvania the saarecl fire of Southern inclo. 11,0 diy ~f PULcUjAL a terrible example of Southern wrath, is now huddling his trembling columns under the shelter of the mountains of Upper Mary land, and looking for safety to the fortifica tions of Richmond. Perhaps we estimate these victories too highly, but in the philo sophy of the world success is virtue. Suc cess commands the respect of foreign coun tries—for nations, like men, .worship power. You saw the effect of our disasters in Vir ginia upon the world. Abroad, the nation was despised and neglected—at home, its authority was scorned by disloyal men. The "Administration was denounced in bitter phrases, and such men as Fernando Wood, representing one extreme, and Wendell Phillips, representing the other, united in calumniatingjjie President and the Cabinet, and all those in authority. The effect of these victories must be to confound'these complaining men and utterly destroy their influence and authority. They vindicate the Administration, the chiefs of our mili tary system, the-courage of the Army of the Potomac, the justice of our cause. There is one thing, however, settled to the satisfaction of the people, and it will go in to history as the greatest triumph j>f those bloody strifes— The American Republic de pends upon no single-man to work out its sal nation. This country is something more than the instrument of any man’s ambition, or the illustration of any man’s genius. The Army of the Potomac has shown that itg prowess is not controlled by itscOmrnander in-chicf, and. that the idolatry of a name THE PRESS.—PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1863. is tho -vainest of its’fancies. For reasons of policy tlio Government lias found it expe dient to change the commanders of that army, and. at length, passing from Mc- Dowell to Hooker, we settle , down upon George G. Meade. The fact that General Meade is a soldier; that he has risen to his present position by the slow and easy force of merit, and that heha3 been free from the enmities and jealousies that have weakened the power of our armies, forms the happiest possible cpmbination of events for the cosn try, and the highest tribute to his personal worth.' I.seo in these changes in command; in the readiness with- which ■ the army is adapted to them ; in its devotion to the flag, superseding ' ail personal cohsidera tiohs; and, above ' all, in the last mag nificent victory, won by a new general, in a new country, and under the most in auspicious circumstances, this one fact, that never in America can there be a military government.. Our army is of the people, and our cause being the people’s cause, they light like men who have laid down the pruning hook and spear to-day, only to take it'.up. to-morrow. In this way let us look upon our last victory, for there can be no more precious thought attending our triumph. . OccAsioNAr.. ITS UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TO GENERAL GRANT. July 7j 1 o’clock P, The- foV. despatch Las just been received: U. S. Mississippi Squadron,; Flag Ship Black Hawk,‘ July 4,1863. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy: \ Sib : I have the honor to inform you that Vicks burg has surrendered, to the United States forces on thia 4th of July, Very respectfully, your obedient servant,,. D.iD. PORTER, Acting Rear Admiral. . . [fJEOONB D3SPATCH.] Cairo, 111.', July 7.— The tiespatoh boat has just arrived here from Vicksburg. She left at lOo’clock on Sunday morning. - The [passengers announce that Gen. Pemberton sent a dag of truoe on the morning of the 4th of July, and offered to surrender, if his men were allowed to march out. Gen. Grant is reported to have replied that no man should leave, exoept as prisoner of war. Gen. Pemberton then, after consultation With his commanders, unconditionally surrendered.. '< The news is perfectly trustworthy, We may expect to hear very soon that Johnston’s army is without officers. A letter from Vicksburg, 27th ult,, says: 11 There is a general feeling among the rebels in Johnston’s army that when Vickaburg falls the game is up with the Southern Confederacy. This, he says, is the common remark among minor officers: ‘ Well if Vicksburg goes up, I’ll be d—d if I won’t throw up my commission.’ A friend, who has visit ed Johnston’s army, aßked the question of what would be the effect of the fall of Vicksburg upon the Confederate' forces. It seemed to be freely ad mitted that Knoxville must be given'up in that event, and the favorite plan appeared to be to fall back upon Montgomery, Alabama.” Reception of the News. Washington, July 7,—The biief telegraph from Admiral Porter to the Secretary of the Navy, an nouncing the surrender of Vicksburg on the 4th of July, was.reoeived a few minutes before one o'clock. The newe spread with astonishing rapidity through out the city, exoiting the most marked and expres sive enthusiasm. Theintelligence was at once com municated to the President by Seoretary Welles in person. SPEECH OF PRESIDENTXINCODN. A procession, with a band of music, proceeded to the exeeutive mansion this evening. The crowd soon became immense, and there were, in addition to the patriotic cheeringa of the citizens and music, repeated cheers for the President, General Meade, and Gen. Rosecrane. The President, appeared at an open window, and spoke in substance as follows: Fellow-citizens : I am very glad, indeed, to see you to-night, and yet I will not say I thank you fod| this call,.but I most sincerely thank Almighty for the occasion on which you calied. v jCbtferaJ How long ago is odd years since—on the 4th of July, for the first time in histSry of the world, a' nation, by" its and- declared,. ** as a eelf-erident ,trdtfi£ that all men are created equal,” [Cheera.l- rhat was the birthday of the United State. Qf Atnertca. Since then the - 4th of- July several very’ peculiar lne two . mpßt distinguished men< engaged in tho tramuig and support of the ..Declaration were Thomas Jeffterson and John Adams; the one haying penned fifty year, after they put their hand. to\the paper, it pleased Almighty God to take Ihem froS this Btage of action. These are, indeed, remarka fll. our Another president, five year, after, was oslled from this .take ofiex lstence omthesame day.aud month of iheyear;and .now, on .this last 4th of July just passed, when we have a gigantic rebellion, at the bottom of-which IB an effort to overthrow the principle that all men are created equal,! we have the surrender of a moat powerful position and army on that very day ruheersl. And not only so, but in a succeaaion of battles in Pennsylvania, near to us, continuing through three days, so rapidly fought that they might De called one great battle, on the Ist, 2d,‘and 3d of the month of July; and, on the 4th, the cohorts of those Who opposed the declaration that “all men are created equal,” turned tail, and run [long-continued chenng.J . Gentlemen, this is a glorious theme and the occasion for a speech, but I am not prepared to make one worthy of ihe occasion. I would like'to speak in tOßes'of praise due to the many brave oft cere and soldiers who have fought in the cause of the Union and liberties of-their country from the beginning of the war. There are trying occasions, not only in success, hut for the want of success. I, a ■ Jl j 0 “entinn.the names of officers, lost I might do wrong to those I might forget. Keoeut events bring up glorious names, .and particularly prominent ones, but thtse X .will m iniioS i Having Sfufi this much, I will now take th™ muife Three cheers were given, and after the musio the' large orowd proceeded to the War Department. Loud cheers were given for Mr. Stanton, who returned his thanks for the compliment, and. spoke in high eulogy of tho recent deeds of the Army of the Poto-- mac, and the successes resulting in the fall of Vicks- burg. lie expressed his confidence in the early crushing out of the rebellion, and anticipated that successes will follow successes, and claimed that we had achieved great victories over the rebels and cop perheads.' • Gen. Halleck briefly addressed the multitude. He remarked that it had been nearly two years since he took command of the Amy of the West. General Grant was under his command, and that officer had nqwfought fifteen battles, and won fifteen victories. Wow he is three-fourths of the way down the Mis sissippi, and to-day or to-morrow will be in Port Hudson. • Mr. Stanton then proposed three cheers for Gene jsi Meade, three for General Grant, and three for General Halleck, and nine for the Union. These were enthusiastically given, when the band struck up a spirited .air. ■ SenatorsTVilson, ‘Wilkinson, and Lane, of Kansas, and Kepresentatives Washburne and Arnold, of Illi nois, also: inade speeches which were frequently in terrupted by applause. ■■ ■ .A large number of persons proceeded to Secretary Seward’s residence.. He said that he in the be- was against this war, to put it off, if possible. If that was a weakness, there was a warrant for it in the character of Him who died to save the world. -He desired the cup to p»bs from' him, if his Heavenly father pleased. If not, then he would accept it.: He waited until >the war was made not by us, but by our brethren of the South against us. Self-defence, he argued, was the beat cause on earth. With this, no nation could perish. He waited to receive the war, not to make it. No nation could be saved without sacrifices. If he -could not save the Country, he was here, at the ex pense of all he held dear, to be baried"ia'‘its ruinß. He spoke somewhat at length, and hopefully of the future, previously remarking: “If I fall let me fall on the public streets, and be burled under the pavement, and let the asßassinß of my country's liberty tread upon me till there arise from my grave Borne avenger to restore' the liberty of my native land.” Mr, Seward was frequently interrupted by 'applause. - ■ ■ General Martindale followed Mr. Seward, in some jifltriotic ana atirrlDi miiSi;.; viofirrfiiiiifinr numim uuti mmsm Pim&to nml Morrill* of Maine, together with Senate* Wil son, of Massachusetts, had a conference with -the Government authorities to day, which resulted in the ordering of five vessels to protect the eastern coast, from Nantucket to Calais, one of them to especially cruise for the safety of the fishing vessels. The Chronicle building was illuminated to-night, in honor of the victories in Pennsylvania and the /all of Vicksburg. There were lights in 76 windows, .or nearly 900 panes of glass were illuminated. N>;w Havkn, July 7,—National salutes are being fired over the fall of Vicksburg. .Nkw York, July 7.—A salute of one hundred guns was fired this afternoon in honor oi the cap ture of Vicksburg. There was also a universal dis play of flags and unbounded enthusiasm. Every body appeared happy and jubilant. • Salutcß were also tired in Brooklyn, Jersey City, Staten Island, Hoboken, and Williamsburg; The shipping in the harbor displayed their bunting. In Wall street, the despatch from the Associated Press wab bulletined, and the fall of Vicksburg was greeted by cheer upon cheer from an immense crowd. The premium on gold declined rapidly, closing at 133. July 7.— The glorious news of the sun ender of Vickeburg was received here amid the ringing of the church bells and a salute of one hun dred guns. The most intense enthusiasm prevailed. The Union League room and several private resi dences were illuminated this evening. Lancaster, Pa., July 7.—The wildest manifes tations of enthusiasm greeted the announcement of the fall of Vicksburg. All the bells In the city were ruDg, and every, flag flung to the breeze. The dis. play of bunting at the Union Leaguo house was the finest ever displayed here. . The tiring of cannon was necessarily omitted, as the guns belonging to the city have been stationed on the Susquehanna since the rebel raid into this county was first threatened. " A Lancaster county regiment was organized yes terday for the three-months* service, and Colonel Franklin, who commanded a brigade at Chancel lorville, is colonel. Ten companies for another re giment are full, and will leave for Harrisburg to morrow. The, above are exclusive of a Jw\\ battery THE FILL. OF VICKSBURG! Ofiidal Despatch from Admiral Porter. THE NATION REJOICING. of artillery and three companies of cavalry recruit ed in this county for the six* months’ service. Boston, July 7.—The news of the surrender of Vlckßburg appeared to cause a more joyous excite ment in this city than any previous event. Bells were rung, cheers were given, and congratulations exchanged generally. . At Newbury port the bells were rung, and a salute of one hundred guns fired, Despatches from many quarters describe similar demonstrations of joy and gratitude for the glorious result. . .... Portland, July 7.—The bells are pealing, sa lutes firing, and the citizens in a high state of ex citement generally over the Vicksburg news. Albany, July 7.—Salutes were fired by order of the Adjutant General. The citizens to-night are demonstrating their joy with muaio, fireworks, and immense gatherings in the streets. Syracuse, Mass., July : 7.—A congratulatory meeting was held to-night. A salute of 100 guns was fired, the bells rung, military parading, fire works and bonfires blazing. Such a scene of en thusiasm and rejoicing was never seen before. WASHINGTON- Special Despatch®* to. w The Press.” Washington, July 7, 1863. Generals Killed and Wounded* A gcntßman conversant with affairs states, bb the result of a recenfexamination of the records, that since the commencement of the war we have lost thirty-seven generals by death, twenty-six of whom were killed in battle or died by reason of casualties; and, in addition, sixty-one generals have been wounded and recovered. General Hancock. It may not be publicly known that Gen. Hancock was wounded in the groin, in the recent battle, by a ten-penny nail. This is 'accounted for on the sup position .that it.was driven from a fence nearby. The nail and a small piece of wood have been ex tracted, and the patient is convalescent. Officers who have arrived here accord much credit to him and General Gibbon, for their conduct on the field, ~ Intercepted Despatches. From intercepted letters, written by Jeff Davis, it is ascertained that there were recently but few. rebel troopß in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, they having been withdrawn to re inforce Johnston and other general!} Q? the so-called ~ -r The Fourth* Among the incidents of the Fourth of July was' the presentation to the Washington Couunandery, No. 1 Knights Templar and Knights of Malta, of two magnificent standards; one the banner of the Order, and the other the national standards The presentation address was made by Rev. Dr. Mc- Murdy on behalf of Sir Knight J. P. Bartholow, by whom the donation was made. After the con secration of the standard, and an address by Grand Commander French, the Knights escorted the City Councils todhe celebration ground. Enrolment. The War Department is busy sending out the necessary papers and instructions for a draft under the recent enrolment. There Beems to be a; deter mination to pußh military affairs-.with additional vigor. RETREAT OF THE REBELS. Lee Reported Crossing his Wagons on Flatboats at Williamsport. MARYLAND lIISIGSITS REPORTED FORTI FIED BY THE REBELS. THEIR ESCAPE APPREHENDED. FROM HARRISBURG, The Rebel Army on the Potomac—Tlielr Wagons Crossingon Flatboats. Hakbisbcro, July 7—6 P. M.—lnformation from; reliable sources proves, without doubt, the con tinued retreat of the rebels towards Hagerstown and Williamsport. Their wagon trains are all In front and are being ferried across slowly, in two flat boats. The Potomac Is very high—in fact, bank full—and the troops oannotoroßs, their only pontoon bridges being destroyed. A large force of the ene my’s infantry prevented the capture of Williams port by General Buford, with bis cavalry. Our army is fast following them.up, and a great battle. will.be fought before they suefifeed in getting, away.. This fight, it is hoped, will result in the capture or dispersement of the whole of Lee’s army. There has been no intelligence received of any fight near Mercersburg. -The report probably grew out of the cavalry twnt of Gen. Gregg, in which he prisoners. THE HEBEL ARMY ON THE POTOMAO—A BATTLE AT WILLIAMSPORT. July 7—9 P. M.—A despatch re- London says that a . gentleman, who arrived from Williamsportj brings; the in formation that a big fight was going on when he- anil that there are no rebels at Green castle.U whole -rebel army appears . to be on bank of the river, and it is, no doubt, making fdesperate fight.- * v ’ Maryland. T.—Major General ButterfieldL roBEi Jul: passed tbfeHvh Bevcre thnn was at first supposed. He suffers (internally, and moves about with difficulty, .Gen. "Warren is now per forming the duties of chief of staff 1 . Captain E. P. Fitch, depot quartermaster at Mar tinsburg, Va.* arrived in this city to-day, about one o’clock, with his train of horses, wagons, and Go vernment stores, valued at over one and a half mil lions of dollars.. It will be recollected that it was said that much of this property had been destroyed and captured by the rebels on Gen. itlilroy’s retreat from Martlnsburg last Sunday week.» From Carlisle. CAKLTsmr, July 7. —The railroad bridge here was finished to day, and the road is now open to Scot land-creek Bridge, six miles this side of Chambers burg. Between these two points about three miles of road Is destroyed, and also'about the same dis tance between Chambersburg and Hagerstown. Eight dead rebels were found yesterday in the wheat field which they occupied the night or the bombardment. This makes 18 jn all killed that night. inthWsuitl*^ 11 * ” one of the enem r now remain ._ ~ Hundreds of strangers arrived to-day -u Harrisburg on their way to Gettysburg. Most or them go to seek their friends in the aTmy. Major Burt, aid to G-enerAl Couch, commanding the troops here, sent yesterday to Harrisburg 135 rebel prisoners, and this afternoon »4 more, iriclu« ding two captains. They are mostly deserters pisked up by the militia. , ■ There is no news ,of the) late movements of Gene ral Ijec; General lee supposed -to toe at Maryland Heights. Harkisbueo, July 7—Noon.—General Couch to day received information which 1b considered re liable, that General Lee intends to occupy and hold Maryland Heights until his army can reoroßs the Potomac. . There is no news here from the Army of the Potomac FORTRESS MONROE. Mokboe, July e.-The steamer John A. Warner, Captain Cone, arrived this morning lrom City Point, having on board two hundred and fifty women and children, going North. Two of the women, after arriving here, refused to take the path, .and were detained by the provost marshal, Capt. Blake. * ’ > Thc ®* eß “* lu P Cfthawba, Oapt. Baker, arrived from New Orleans to*day, and bound to New York. With a cargo of sugar and cotton. She also brought 460 rehel prisoners, captured by Gen. Banks, which were landed here. : Copt. Baker reports that they left New Orleans ■ -Inly Ist, and at that time the bombardment of Port Hudson was going on successfully. Our steamers are regularly up the Mississippi river, and the report that General Banks’ supplies hayc been cut ofl is without.foundation, and utterly false. Great confidence is expressed in New Orleans of the immediate fall of Port Hudson. Resellers from the rebel army are coining into Gen. Banks? line daily. . ..The Richmond Enquirer, ..of July 4th, is received here, and contains the following: “ Ai’xanta, July 2.—The Yankees are makine a ramln East Tennessee. A strong force was at Se quatchie \ alley yesterday. ,• To-day there has been no communication with Knoxville or London Bridge. ■..!*lt-li tiellivifl‘that uresis nnu noEffiinai’ armiii m in jiwpiim. m partfculars recelrjeU,* 7 • “ July 2, iM».—The Impressment Cominissioners of toe several States met in conven tion to-day. yirglnta, North Carolina, and Florida were not represented, and the other States only par th?, Convention adjourned to the 27th uist ant, for a lull attendance, imnort tton ” atter » will then be submitted for eonsidera- Port Koyal. New Yobk, July 7.—The steamer Arago has ar rived from Port Boyal, with dates to the 4th. A deseitetfrom Colonel Montgomery’s negro re-i -rnent has been executed. . a The defences of Folly Island have been nearly completed. ' ' Owing to rumors that the enemy is deepening Wappoo Cut, with the view of bringing down, an iron-clad, one of our monitors has been placed' in the Stooo. The typhoid fever is quite prevalent in the Bth Maine Regiment, and several fatal cases have oc curred, principally amoDg the new recruits. Tlie.Raid in Kentucky. Louisville, July 7.— The excitement which pre vailed last evening, and culminated in. hurrying a large portion of our people into the streets between, one and two o’clook this morning, was occasioned by the firing of cannon on the IndiSna shore about midnight by order of Adjutant General Noble, who, without previous consultation with our authorities, took this means to arouse the Indiana Legion, whose serviaes it was thought would be immediately required. This firing impressed our people with the idea that an artillery conflict was progressing be tween Morgan and our forces a short distance" south of the city. Last evening rumors prevailed of the advance of Morgan's force to Sheppardsville. These rumors cannot be traced to any authentic source, but the telegraphic communication ceasing between here and Sheppardsville, the excitement became intensi fied, and continued through the night. All was quiet this morning, and probably none of Morgan’s forces have been this side of Bardstowii. They are now said to be retreating. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF. REBEL ATTACK OK DOMIDSOmLLE. A. DISASTROUS REBEL LOSS 600 130 Prisoners Captured. PANOLA, IVIISS., CAPTURED BY THE UNION FORCES. New York, JuTy 7. —The steamer Oahawba has arrived, with New Orleans dates of the 30th, via Fortress Monroe. The New Orleans New Era states that a large rebel force under Gen. Greene approaohed Donaldson ville on the 27th, demanding a surrender* Of course this waß refused. The rebels demanded the Removal of the women and children, and at half-past one on the morning of the 28th the rebels made a vigorous attack in force. The battle lasted till daylight, three hours, when the rebels were repulsed with heavy loss. Our lobb was 6 killed and 14 wounded, including among the latter two officers. Our gun boats participated in the actionr Up to noon on Monday, our forces had buried 64 dead rebels, and were very busy burying more. It is estimated that 100 dead rebels were left on the field, and the entire rebel loss is 600. We took 120 prisoners, including 11 commissioned officers,among whom, are a colonel, two majors, and one captain. A rebel lieutenant colonel, two majors, and 6 lieutenants were killed. The rebel newspapers received in New Orleans state that [the Federals had captured Panola, Mis sissippi, destroying a large amount of rebel pro perty, and* cutting off Johnston’s communications and supplies. The Buffalo Disturbances. Buffalo, July 7.—Up to this evening no further disturbance has occurred, though the rioters ex pressed a determination to watch for vessels for black crews, and prevent tKfcir working. In the riot yesterday two negroes were drowned, and about twelve badly beaten. The Irishman first shot by a negro was not. dangerously hurt. Dftßt evening one negro Bhot and killed another negro. California and China. San Francisco, July 6.—Arrived—Ships Favo rite and Golden State, from New York. The'Chinese Overland Trade Report has been re ceived, of May 15th. It says that General Gordon, commanding 3,000 Chinese soldiers disciplined by the late General Ward, had captured Tael §in from the rebfels, after a desperate resistance. The rebels were led by English, French,- and other officers. They fought skilfully with muskets, but failed for want of artillery. There is reason to fear that the time is not far distant when the rebels will become good and-weU armed soldiers. They are trying to buy artillery, and employ educated Europeans to teach them the use of heavy guns.- The Japanese dates are to May 11th. The British minister complains of large Bales of arms, by the Americans, to the Japanese. In case of war it is supposed that Jeddo will be blockaded, and the Foo Ohoo islands seized. Arrival of Steamer New York. ' New York, July 7.—The steamer New York, from. Bremen, has arrived. Her advices have been anticipated. The Asia at Halifax. Halifax, July 7.—The Asia has arrived, with Liverpool advices to the 27th n\t. • Police Commissioners of New York. New York, July 7.—Rumors are current that .Gov. Seymour intends to revive the Metropolitan Police Commissioners. Tile Fourth iu Halilax. Halifax, July 7.—' The Fourth of July was cele brated here by the American residents and some Nova Scotian friends by a" dinner presided overby Consul Jackson. The Union victory at Gettysburg was received with the greatest enthusiasm. First National Bank of New York. New York, July 7.—-The First National Bank of New York has completed its organization with a capital of $200,000, and deposited its securities with the Comptroller of the Currency at Washington. This institution will open for buiness at its new office on Wall street next week.. The officers of the bank are Samuel C. Thompson, president, and James Curpney, cashier. The Siege of Vicksburg. The following is a chronological record of the siege of Vicksburg from its first inception: May 12, 1862 —Flag- Officer Farragut demands the surrender. " June 18—Farragut passes Vicksburg with his fleet, June 23—United naval attack upon. ' July 24r—Naval siege raised by Farragut, Dec. 23—General Sherman defeated. Jazi. 2, 1863—General Sherman withdraws from. Jan. 22 General MoOlernand prepares for. siege operations. . February 4—General Grant arrives. February 18—Gen. Grant commences bombard ment. • March 21—Admiral Farragut arrived. March 25— I Two gunboatß run past. April Ifi—Six gunboats run past. April. 17—Fire opened from peninsula batteries. April 29—Admiral Porter shells and passes Grand Gulf. ; * April 30—Gen. Grant lands at Bowlinsburg and moves on Port Gibson. May 3—Grand Gulf and Port Gibson captured. May 12—Engagement and victory at Raymond. May 13—-Battle at Mississippi Springs. May 14—Occupation of Jackson. May at Baker’s creek. . May 17—Battle of Big Black-river Bridge. • May 16—Evacuation of Jackson by Gen. Grant. May 18—Gen. Grant invests Vicksburg. 1 May 18—Haines’-and Chickasaw bluffs captured. May 19—-General Steele carries the rifle-pits, and. Gen. Grant’s right and left rest upon the river. May 22 —An unsuccessful ..assault made by Gen. Grant^_— snrreiiaer6'd'to"Geiii Grant! EU ROPE - The Asia at Halifax. Halifax, July 7, —The steamer Asia, from -Liver pool, with dates to the 27th ult., and via Queens town to the 08th, arrived te-day. The Hammonia arrived out on the 25th. The Persia arrived on the morning of the 27th ■ . ■ , ENGLAND. The [custom-house authorities of Liverpool noti fied the owners of the Gibraltar, late Sumpter, that unless two guns on board were landed, the ship would be detained on suspicion that they were for the Confederates. r _The London Globe controverts the notion that England is bound to maintain indefinitely the policy of immobility on the American question. It says that neutrality is notthe whole duty of.nations, and fully endorses Napoleon’s views on the Ameri can question. Believing that there is ho chanceof restoring the Union, it says that England is bound -■to bear obstructions to her commerce and shipping, though vexatious,* so long as it appears she would avert greater evils, by taking action.to end them, but is not bound to endure them any longer. * There which should prescribe to her, for an indefinite period, a national silence and immobility, 11, by speaking and moving, she can exert a pacify ing influence on the combatants, who have lost their independence and power of self-control.. In the House of Lords,' on the 2Gth ult., Earl Rus sell denied the statement that Napoleon.had_renew ed his overtures for a joint mediation between the Federals and Confederates. -In the House of Commons, Mr. Roebuck stated that he should bring on his motion for the recogni tion of the Confederate States on the 80th.' Tlie Vienna Journal mentions a report that Lord Palmerston would endeavor to induce the bellige rents in'America to submit their differences to the King of the Belgians. The papers are filled with speculations upon the probabilities now growing out of Polish aflairs. It Is believed that the notes of the three Powers were presented to. Prince Gortschakoff on the 25th. The Russian answers are anxiously awaited. PRANCE. The Paris correspondent of the London Times adduces reasons for regarding the new ministerial arrangements as indicative of a paoifle policy. Thus the member of the Cabinet who is the most persis tent adversary to war-like expeditions, Whether against Mexico or .Russia, is M. Fould, but Fouid retains office, and it is not believed at Paris that he would do so but with a'peace policy. The general Wish is that a war with Russia should be avoided, though many think it inevitable. The French Government is increasing the artillery by about 200 guns, and the order from the War Office was very sudden. -It is reported that France has made fresh re monstrances at Rome to obtain the withdrawal of the ex-King of Naples from that city. „ , POLAND. The Morning Post says : “We are far from wishing to.predict an European war, but .we can imagine a .combination which would render such a war rather a name than a'reality, There is no, reason why it should*consist of anything much more serious than the breaking. off of diplomatic relations. If Aus-' tiia is allowed the-Jree transport of arms and mu nitions of-war across the Gallician frontier, and to place, a corps of 60,000 men in Gallicia itself, and if the Russian fleet were blockaded in the Baltio so ab to keep os>en the coast of SaragotiA, the Poles could do the rest themselves.” The LondonDaity News says the position of Eng landjis one of some difficulty, and perhaps of some danger. \ The Morning Tost announces the conditions under which alone an armistice would be consented to by the Polish National Committee: First. The armis tice must extend throughout the whole of Poland. Second. A plenipotentiary on the part of the Na tional Government must be admitted. Third. A National Diet, composed of u delegates from the Pro vinces, must meet.under the guarantee not merely of Europe, but also of the national army, which occupies all the Provinces. If these conditions are not complied with, the Poleß will hold out to the last. The Post adds that, such being the temper of the n»«ton t y. «»n h»i t&M fiUlllft Will AOKiDt llo.cov i;!...i.in j.peci'ili.tloa« on --- w»r with England, uni! shew* bow v.Jaer,.U« u, owing to her commerce on the oaean. Much sympathy haß been shown in the Austrian Council for Poland. - :La -France asserts that the three Powers have ad dressed observations to St. Petersburg against the acts or the Russian agents in' Poland. The Poles have defeated the Russians near Wida wow, capturing six guns. « \ ; AUSTRIA. Count Rechberg stated in.the lower House that the policy of the Government was peace on all foreign questions. THE LATEST. London, June 28.— The Confederate loan is 2 discount. The Persia’s advices excited attention to-day. The impression prevails that Lee has, made a mis take in invading the North; that it will give Lin coln great assistance in raising men and means, and will again excite a warlike feeling throughout the North, and tend to prolong the war. 1 Commercial Intelligence* - i [Per a -Ha 1 ‘ Liverpool. June 27 —Breadstuffs dull. ; Richardßon .4 Spence quote Flour dull and easier at 21a®«4s 6d. Wheat has a downward-tendency; rod Western 9d@ Sd; rod Southern 9ts 3d(2»956d; -white Western 9S 9d@ 10s s_; \vMtG- Southern Corn steady;mixed 27f@27?Sd; whiteBos@3oa3d. ; Provisions dull, The circulars report Beef firmer,'and the.finer qualities.ilight) v improved. - Pork inactive. Baeonsteady for choice. Lai-d dull aud easier. '.Tal- • lowsteady,. Buttarquiet. l '-Produce.-^The'Brokers’ Circular reports,-Sugar: and Collee suady; .Ashes quiet; Rosin firmj Turpen- ' tinefirmat 102# 6d ; Petroleum quiet at Is lld©2* for re ®ned, and 10s 6d hhl for rrude. c", J? ~ J ARKisTS, —>l6BBl*B. Baring report: Bread- - Svnfrs dull: Coffee, firm; Iron quiet; Spirits Turpentine quiet at JOQa; Petroleum.staady ;-reSoed ls ; 10d;-CYude : 16b 6d; Rice very dull; Sugar quiet; Tea inactive; Tal low firmer. • . LONDON. MONEY MARKET, June 27.—Consols closed yesterday Rt:91%@92. The iuerpase-of hmTloa in the Dsnk is £l76,nw : American Stocks «re inacMve. Illi-‘ noia Central 29©28 disconnt: Erie Railroad6os»Gl. ’ THE LATEST. - ± Livbbpqol, Saturday Evening, June27.*-Cottou—Salas to-day 6,000 bales. niclmliDg 3,000 bales to speculators and exporters. The majket closed ‘firmer and' uu chansed.r Bui! aij3lTffs. —The quotations are barely main tained. " •Prc.visious are quiet. Beef more buoyant, v > Produce steady. : LoxiiOK, June 27—Evening.—Console . .. ■ *. . American Stocks.—lllinois Cent al 29®28 discount. Erie Railroad 6C@6l. .. . . PhipNews.—Arrived from Philadelphia, .Tuue 27tk, ships Tona wanda and Fanny, McHenry, at Liverpool; endtheVigointho Clyde. • . . . ~ Arrived from Baltimore—ship Copernicus at Liverpool,' A Speech by Robert Toombs* At Sparta, Georgia, or the 17th, this prince of fire eaters, and late rebel Secretary of State, made a re* markable speech. It was court week, and Mr. Toombs.was called upon by his “ countrymen.” He wished it distinctly understood that as to the ends to be attained by this revolution, the Southern people were a unit. The only issues upon which there was any difference of opinion were the means by which the ends in view could be most readily aQd efficiently reached. The Government was entitled to every dollar, every life, erery drop of blood ne cessary to success in our struggle. The Constitu tion bestowed them on the Government, and all he asked was that its tremendous power might be used in a constitutional way, so that the forms and the substance of personal liberty, as well as a national independence, might be preserved. After other preliminary remarks General Toombs lookup the conscription act, and discussed it at some length. It-was unconstitutional, because, in calling out the militia, it did not leave it, aB the Con stitution required, to the States instead of the Central Government to officer the militia. It threw the power of appointing officers into the hands of the executive, rather than allowed our brave volun teers to elect their own officers, as it was their con stitutional right to de, He paid a glowing tribute to our volunteers who had, previous to the con scription, borne our flag in triumph upon every bat tle-field under officers of their own election. To deprive them of their constitutional right of elec tion was’to make them too much like regulars—sol diers of a form of service, bo odious that not one regiment'of such, in due form, had-been found to breast the tide of blood in this fight. • There were no such troops as regulars in our service. General Toombs desired to be understood at this point. He desired just as manyinen called into the field as the exigency required. He himself had pro posed in Montgomery to'put five hundred thousand men at the absolute disposal of the President, to be called out and to serve when aDd where he might deem best—reserving nothing but the constitutional guarantee that the States might offloer their own forces, and the troops elect their own commanders. General Toombs next discussed the Confederate tax act. He did Rotdeny therightof taxation to its fullest extent. But he thought the provisions of the act not wißely adapted to the end in view. He thought that the tax in kind, imposed by this act, was particularly unfortunate. The third measure discussed by Gen. Toombs was State endorsement of Confederate bonds, to which the speaker was opposed. It was like asking his servant to endorse his note, when that servant was liable for its payment without endorsement. The question of our finances was one of tremendous magnitude, on'e which it was impoßßible for him to discußß in full upon that occasion. Hereferredto the heavy expenses of the war, and to ike depreciation of Confederate notes. It was well for i« not to shut our eyes to this unwelcome fad. It might happen that these notes would come not to be worth more than Continental money. In that event, it would be all important to preserve State credit intact, to meet the emergency, and carry on the war. Some people, seeing State bonds at a premium, imagine that if the States would endorse Confederate bonds, this act would bring them up to the value of State currency. On the contrary, it would bring State currency down to the level of Confederate bonds. This he wished to avoid, and bold State credit as alast resort in the last emergency. Throughout his effort, Gen. Toombs paid glowing tributes to Southern women, who had done so muon for Southern independence—which always elicited rounds of applause. The last subject discussed by General Toombs was martial law. He was utterly opposed to itT The Constitution bestowed sufficient powers upon the Government, and they were amply sufficient, during war as well aB peace. The Constitution was designed for war and peace both. It was adopted almost amid the booming of cannon and the clangor of arms, and it was not true that it was to be regarded only in times of peace. SHELLS.—A rebel 13-inch mortar, and, I believe, the only one that they have in the west, is located in a casemate about a mile from our lines, in a fres cade of treeß and vines. It has done some splendid execution. Four out of five of their shells Btrike within a radius of three hundred feet, and ninety out of a hundred explode; You will naturally ask why ours do not sowell? We have eight just the same size in the Mississippi river, within two miles of the city. The answer is a humiliating one. The ordnance that is made by contract for our army is near ly as deficient. I have seen ten shells fired when only two exploded. The rebels collect our shells and get the powder out of them; they give six dollars a pound to their men for it. . This is blameworthy beyond denunciation. Scores of our men have been injured—some have had their arms blown off—from inferior ammunition. The blame is icith contractors and inspectors. We pay for good ammunition and receive worthless. Oar artil lerists areas good as any in the world. 1 have seen a cotton bale pointed out at 1,600 yards, and struck with a Hotchkiss shell, and a bush that concealed a rebel sharpshooter, a thousand yards off, torn up by the root with the same, and it was because they could calculate on two of them being alike. I don’t know where they are made, but they are the only water-tight contractehell that Ihave seen. Inmost of them the lead plug is not tight, and there are sand holes in the shell.— Vicksburg Correspondence. Public Entertainments. New Chestjtut-stbeet .Theatre. —If/we have heretofore failed to notice the new play at the Cheatrut-Btreet Theatre, as fuUy'as its merits de serve, it has only been because our space has been claimed by more exciting matter. Now, however, that the strain of public excitement is over, the vic tories won, and the danger of rebel invasion paßt, the public mind reverts to more, familiar, iinot more congenial, subjects, and the people, whose whole thoughts have been engrossed for weeks past by war bulletins and the newß of battles, begin to feel the need of some diversion from such harassing topics. The “Peep O’Day,” as produced at the Chestnut, is a wonderful, absorbing play—infinite ly more absorbing than any mere “ sensation” play ever produced here; and the Interest is pleasantly varied with touches of theraresthumor, abounding in every scene. Never, in fact, was there a more artis tic blending of the humorous and pathetic in a single piece, and the audience finds itself alternately moved to laughter and to tears. The chief interest of the plot hinges on the. machinations of one Stephen Pur* cell (Mr. McCullough), the villain of the play, who having conceived a wicked passion for Kathleen Kiv* vmagh (Mtb. D. P. Bowers), basery endeavors to effect her ruin. To accomplishthia he causes her brother Harry (Mr. B. P. Barrett) to be arrested as a conspirator against the Government, and as he is : discovered with treasonable papers in his possession, which PurceKhadtreaw;he.rAwsl.c_t»Tp.«o^_?-Tijbs.o^ji*— r - —» c» »»iiui t' cime Derore, he is sentenced to transpor tation. The erst act, entitled “the Wren’s Nest under the White Thorn,” closes With his parting from Kathleen,Mary Grace, (Mrs, X. L. Barret,) to TOhoinhe is affianced, and Barney, (Mr. J. L. Bar ret,) is not only touchingly rendered, but abounds in beautiful' scenery, and gems of Irish melody. The skill with which the artists have blended the waters, mountains, and rich foliage, illumined by the rayß of the setting sun, succeeded by the twilight, and then faintly tinged with the re flection of the from' the suffice of the lake, presents a moßt admirable picture, and con veyB 9 faithful idea of the wild beauty of Ireland’s scenery. The effect is greatly enhanced by the appropriate and excellent music of the orchestra under Mr. Hassler’s leadership. That beautiful and mournful song, “ Savour neon Dedish," is sung during the act, by Mrs. J. L. Barret, with much good taste, and with no striving for effect, and iB nightly applauded. . . . The second act opens seven years later. Stephen Purcell having deceived Kathleen by a mock-mar riage, endeavors to cast her off, having other schemes in view. Kathleen, however, though homeless, persecuted, and robbed of her fair name, is not ah together friendless. Barney in still faithful; and so ’likewise are one Captain Peep O’Day,: and the parish priest, Mr. O'Cleary (Mr. Beak). Meanwhile Cap tain Howard (Mr. Hinggold).falla in love with Mary Grace, and endeavors to win her hand ; but her old love for Ha?ry Kamnaqh has not died out, and she refuses the new suitor. The act concludes with a tableau, no idea of which can be conveyed in words. It is an Irish fair; there is singing, fighting, dancing, shillalehs, and cracked'fcrowns. Just as the revelry is at its height, Pother O'Cleary : appears upon the I scene. The chapgeds instantaneous. The fighting I ceases in the twinkling of an eye; arms that raised aloit to Btrike, are suspended in air, and' the whole assemblage which appeared to be mixed up In inde scribable confusion, is instantaneously grouped into a tableau, which, for picturesqueness, harmony and arrangement of colore, cannot be excelled. Itis’a triumph of-dramatic skill, and should be photo-’ graphed by some of our enterprising artists. The third act still shows Purcell persecuting Kath leen. He has given put that she was dead, in order that he may marry Mary Grace, for he, too, has been smitten by her charms. Kathleen, haying dis covered through Barney’s kindness the residence of her husband, confounds him with a visit, when he had supposed her in a distant country, and demands of him that he shall restore to her the name to which she is entitled. Purcell thereupon de-- termines to destroy her life, and through the in strumentality of Mac* Mullins (Mr. Charles Wheat leigh)', she is decoyed into the “Foil Dhuiv,” or Hark Valley, under the belief that her I long-lost brother Harry has returned, and is about to be restored to her. This portion of the scenery iB truly magnificent, surpassing anything we have ever witnessed. Dark, fearful precipices, rising high against the heavens, separated by. a chasm through which a torrent is gushing, and bubblin', and sparkling in the moonlight, and across whtch°a frail bridge is thrown. It is so frail a structure that it seems to sway to and fro with every motion of the trees and foliage stirred by the winds. It is across this bridge that Kathleen must pass. She does not hesi tate, but, passing it boldly, descends from crag to crag to'the. valley, Black Mull his has just finished digging her grave; he discovers her and attempts to seize her. "With a shriek, she struggles from his grasp and darts away into a hidden path. The would-be murderer, fearful she may escape him alto gether, seizes his axe,-and, clambering up the rocks, hews down the bridge, which falls with'a feariul craahj awakening the echoes pf fhp yf)JJ JJ-, KfitUllll tfiEfi sjs sirifsn fitr st'ffffft u mrnrilßii wuii Buw*w, iwd hv is vi» tiiq ppiii? nf talsins lier lire, when Harry Kavamyh - and Barney' appear on the brow of the precipice. It is a fearful moment. The bridge is sown, and a moment more it will be too Iste to rescue Kathleen, “The - tree!” “The tree !” shouts Barney, and. in an instant Harry has seized the limb of a’tree, swung himself offfrom the dizzy height, and, reaching the ground unharmed, kills Mullins, and saves his sister’s life. The scene is given with thrilling effect, and is nightly'received with the wildest hursts-of applause. The fourth act happily, concludes the-story. ffatMeeh’s honor is" vindicated; Purcell is killed-by Barney; the Peep o’ Day boys receive, a ■ full paj-don, on condition that they lay down their • arms ■, Harry and -Vary Grace are reunited,. and all the clouds of adversity dis perse with-the “])eep o’day.” Much praise, is due to the entire company, for the spirit and ability evinced in this performance Mr 3. Bowers, kb Kathleen, was the embodiment of an un affected; truehearted, pretty Irish girl, and never appeared to more advantage. Mr. B. P. Barrett’s Harjy Kavnvayh was a faithful rendition, and shows that this artist, possesses unusual versatility* ad well as a high order of talent. Charles Wheatleigh, as Elackjdullins, had eovipur,'.lively littie’to iio, yet performed his part better than- any one , else could have done. ’ Mr. John Mcbulfdugii’s Stephen Pared was an accurate representation of'cold-blooded, .scheming villainy, and, in,an artistic sense, was very satisfactory to the audience. 'Mrs. Charles Henri had little opportunity;:as Mo'isftu, for the display of her abilities, but was spirited as 'evei- at the Irißh -fair. It seemed to us, however,. 'that she did not exert herself to sing as well as usual. “I’m Sitting on the Stile, Mary,” is a very pleasing ballad, when properly sung.. Mr. J. B. Barrett; as fiavney, was a genuine Irishman—rollicking, humorous, kind hearted—and sang the “Darling tfuld .Stick”- with so much gusto that he was thrice encored. -Barney was a general favorite. Thy. remaining members of the company played very-well. The “Peep O’ Day” will, no doubt, rim for sev eralmonths to come, WtWbern, K. O. Kjw-foitK, July'l.—Tho steamer Terry, with Newb*rndate3 of the 6th imt,j has arrived. SECOND EDITION. FOUR O'CLOCK A. K. BATTLE ON THE POTOMIL Reported Total Rout of L®« s s Army, REBEL ATTACK ON HELENA, MISS, Another Tietory on the Fourth off July. The Battle on the Potomac~-Keported Rout of lee’s Entire Armyv Harrisburg, July 7.—[Special to Hew York World,]—lntelligence has. been brought here by scouts from Chambersburg, which establishes the fact that Lee has pushed the remains of hiß army beyond Hagerstown. Cannonading was heard this afternoon at Chambersburg, and there is hardly a doubt that General Meade has forced another fight from-Xee. The prospect is very encouraging for the utter rout of the invading army. It in expected that telegraphic communication with. Chambersburg will be re-established to-night, when definite news of the decisive battle on the Potomac may be looked for. All the information from the front iB moat satisfactory. The mails will soon be despatched again up the Cumberland valley. Large numbers of troops are constantly passing through here towards Carlisle. Harrisburg, July to New York Herald.l— Later and important intelligence received from Williamsport states that the rebels were drawn up aloDg the line of the Potomac. The river was rolling and surging, brimfull. The ene my had ho pontoon bridges, and were ferrying theic wagons across, with great difficulty, in two scows* The operation was bo slow that it Bimply amounted to & stand-still. Our army had. already arrived at the scene 1 ? and at 4 o’clock a furious battle was pro gressing, in which the annihilation of the rebel army was almost reduced to a certainty. Harrisburg, July 7—10.20 P. M.—The latest re f- port here is that the whole rebel army is routed iA an utter panic. They are fleeing in all directions, throwing away armß, abandoning guns, trains, and everything for life. Baltimore, July 7.— The American's special from Frederick says that parties who left Hagerstown to-day report That the head of the rebel army had already commenced crossing there, and that there seemed to be indications that it was to be massed, perhaps, to try. conclusions again with the - Army of the Potomac. This is, however, very doubtful; the greater pro bility is that Lee will push as rapidly on to the river as possible, and try to regain for his army oa the soil of Virginia the confidence and prestige they have lost on this side of the Potomac. If with, his army buoyant and assured of victory, he could not win at Gettysburg, how can he expect to do so now, when the conditions are so greatly changed? Sanguine people may dream of bagging-or annihi lating a great army, but doing it is next to an im possibility. The Potomac above Harper’s Ferry makes a considerable bend to the northward, and Lee’s lines of retreat to the river are shorter than any other that we can pursue, though the rebels may reach the other side of the Potomac without further punishment, it will still not be for the want of effort on our part to inflict it on them. Our cavalry, under Pleaeonton, is on their flank, and will not fail to Btrike hard. Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick, are miles in front ,of here, and the ad vance of our infantry columns is also where it ought to be. The South Mountain passes , are oura, and with these evidences of further possible success, we must await results. Comparing various estimates which reach me, I think cur captures will reach 9,000 or 10,000. To this number is to be added badly wounded, strag glers, and deserters, which our cavalry are gather ing in by hundreds. The rebel loss, in killed and wounded, can hardly fall below 12,000 or IS,OOO, which will swell their total loss to 25,000, or one-third of, the 75,000 men'Lee brought over, with him.' Of pri . soners we lost none, exoept a few officers whom Lee was able to carry off. Three thousand of our men who fell into his hands he paroled, but the parole is of no effect under the terms of the new cartel, be* cause General Meade refused to agree to it. Kcbcl Attack on Helena, and Another Victory on the Fourth of July—Eight Hundred and Forty Prisoners Taken, ■ Gaiko, July 7.— Between 8,000 and 10,000 rebels, under Holmes, Price, and Marmaduke, made an attack on Helena on thej""=**»s ®f me ;th of July. m three columns, but the roughness of the ground was suoh as to preventthe rebels from, bringing up artillery. They attempted to carry the works by assault. The centre column charged in the direction of Port Curtis, and took three lines of rifle-pits. The flank attack was not so successful, : which subjected the centre to an enfilading fire which swept them down in great numbers. They were soon surrounded, and one whole brigade, or what was left of it, numbering 840, fell into our hands, 740 of whom arrived here this morning. Among them are Col. Lewis, ofthe 7th Missouri, 001. John son and Col. Bell. General Prentiss was. awareaiLthe‘Contemplated attack, and was prepared.-He had about 4,000 men, and was assisted by the gunboat Tyler. The priso ners say the battle will be renewed. The battle commenced at 4 o’clock A. M. and continued till 10 A. M. The rebel loss is fifteen hundred killed, wounded, and prisoners. The entire Federal loss is not over 100. General Prentiss is confident that he can repel, any assault. It is thought that the rebel depredations near Lake Providence were to draw the gunboats to that point, and thus to give them a better opportunity at Helena. French mediation Improbable. . N>;w YORK, July 7.—’The Commercial’s Paris letter, of; June 23d, sayß that the report that.the Emperor is pressing mediation schemes upon England- is en tirely unfounded. He adds that Mr. Dayton is pre paring for a visit to the United States. This shows that he has no tears or anticipations of anything of - the kind. Propositions from Jefferson Davis. AN AIT RICATIOX FROM ALBXiTOSR Hi STEPHENS REJECTED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN. From the New York Herald. 3 Washington, July 6.—The following facts have been obtained from a source which guarantees their correctness, and the statement may be relied upon as strictly true. ..Oil Saturday, the 4th inst., the rebel gunboat Dragon came down the James river with a flag of truce. Acting Bear Admiral Lee sent up an officer to meet it, when it was ascertained that Alexander H. Stephens and Commissioner Ould wereonhoard. They represented that they were the bearers of an important letter from Jefferson Davis, Commander in-chief of the Army and Navy of the Confederate States, to Abraham Lincoln, Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy ofthe United States, and requested permission to proceed to Washington in the Dragon, and present the letter to President Lin coln in person. They declined to reveal anything further, in rela tion to their mission, than is above stated. Admi ral Lee, of course, had no authority to grant their request, and they consented to wait until he could communicate with. Washiogrop, and receive iiißtruc tions in regard to the matter. He accordingly tele* graphed the facta, and requested instructions. This morning a special Cabinet meeting waa called to consider the matter.'- The granting of the request involved many delicate and ithpdrtant'questions, as such a proceeding might be construed into an ac knowledgment of the nationality of the pretended Gonfederate Government: and, after all, the matter might be some comparatively unimportant affair, such as the employment of negro troops, &c. No decision was arrived at, and the Cabinet meet* ine was accordingly adjourned until to-morrow, and Admiral Lee waß instructed to ascertain, if possible, th e object of the mission. In the meantime, however, the tug containing the rebekambaßßadorß'had turned about and steamed up the river, without any parting salutation or expla nation, and thus ended the mission. A gentlemanjusfc arrived from Richmond, who lefttheday before yesterday, says great consterna tion prevails" there. - The defences are occupied chiefly bj- armed citizeusj and feqj| qjy ?Bt?r?8!SSfl be ea. 7, »TTd I-rnhmond be* In Ifmy: canl>« conccalrs'Uj there. •' - l WAsmmmTS, July B—Evaning—la the application of Sir. Alexander H, Stephens and Commissioner Ould to be permitted to proceed to" Washington in the rebel gunboat Dragon, to present in person-alerter from Jeff. Davis to President Lin coln,'it was decided today-that the application could not be granted, and Admiral Lee was instructed to notify them that, should the application be renewed, the ordinary channels would suffice for the trans mission of any communications they might desire to make. LEE’S OFFENSIVE 3lOVEMENT.—Theßich mond Whjg t :o'f July Ist, contains the following: “ What General Lee’s plan iB we do not know, and would'nofr’liint at if we knew. It is enough for us to know who formed it and.-who is exe cuting it, to feel the Assurance that it is wisely de signed,; and will, be skilfully out.' Thepo licy of invasion was not forced upon: him by the exigencies ;of* hi* situation,! by pressure of public opinion, nor by orders, from superior authority. It, was deliberately chosen by himself. He knew what he had to encounter and what he had to rely “on. He comprehended spirit, resources and character, of the and he appreciated the fidelity and heroism of-his own .troops, and theskill and intrepidity of his own lieutenants. Weighing everything, he determined te take the step, and th& Executive sanctioned his 'determination. It was & movement liable to grave contingencies and perils, and that could only have been justified by the rea sonable prospect of securing great advantages. We believey therefore, that grand eventualities are em braced in the plan, and we entertain the most san guine hope that they will be accomplished, because we repose so implicit a confidence in the great stra tegist v?ho designed and the great soldier who di rects the movement. 5 ’ / THE GOOD JTEWS. —In the crowd which. ; ’throDged- the streets in front : of the .Evening Post office thia afternoon there were many amusing inci dents. Men fell to shaking each other’s hands with, violence. Others slapped their neighbors on the back, and said “■lsn’t it glorious ?” Others again, wild with enthusiasm,' tossed their hats into the air and shouted: and one old gentleman, unable to contain himself, mounted, our doorstep and delivered the following brief but .pithy speech: "Gentlemen t (extending his hand) give me your hands! I don’t know how you feel—but l am just as happy as I can be l” ■„ ■ ' ■ This seemed to be the universal reeling,' Three or four men were seen in the street; this afternoon ardently embracing each other in the exuberance of their joy. So far as we could ascertain the tribe ot copperheads was invisible,—lf, X* Evening Po&i.
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