The rale. as it was r- The CentUtattem as It ba SATURDAY MORNING. MAY io .011! aellilve as ea every page. frWe MIESIIIgo OF THE DEMOCRAT- Da" 'IC COMMITTEE OF CORRESPOND /MN-11m Demooratio Committee of eorre2- jkindienen for the county of Allegheny, will meet ISO* ST. CHARLES HOTEL. in the city of Pit ta isoghoo SATURDAY, the 10th day of MAY, A.O.,;11111*. at tag o'clock, a. at. Ageneral attendance is requested. THOMAS DONNELLY. Chairman. A PERBONA.L EXPLANATION. Oar _readers remember of reading the passage at arms between Mr. VlTasbhurne Conkling, last week, in the House of Representatives, upon the report of the "Investigating Committee." Washburne wastpdte enraged at Conkling's attempt to damage the report of the committee, and very plainly told him that he was defend ing "open robbery." After a week's re flection, the gentleman from Illinois has come to the conclusion that his remarks, upon the occasion referred to, were not praised,' parliamentary. He accordingly took them back : "Mr. WASIIIIIIENID, (Rep.) of Illinois, obtaining the consent of the Uouse, to make-a personal expligoitiun, briefly re feried to the small zikently made by him ," • of the report of the Com vernment Contracts, and said the remarks made on that occasion with reference to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Conkling] were unparliament ary, out of order, and unjust to the House and the gentleman, - and he trusted both would forget that they were ever made." After this retraction, and consequent soothing of the tender susceptibilities of the gentlenian from New York, as well as the acknowledging of an insult to the hn =whets honor of the House, Mr. Conk ing atone and drew thins mildly in reply: _"Mr. Bascom Coximse, of New York, nu he 'was glad the gentleman had, on reflection, characterized as unjust the re marks-to which the House had listened. Without'expressing his assent or dissent from-that opinion, he would content him self-,wisk the statement that if a want of discretion had led him [Mr. Conkling] to do violence to the propriety of this House, or to wound the feelings of any member, he regretted it." W doll% Ben. Wade make Vallanding ham take back the " liar, scoundrel and eoward," which he bestowed upon him, two weeks since? We see that he has been bluetering in the Salida of late, inform ing that body that "those who talk of .the constitution now are traitors," but he has no word for Vallandingham. How is thief_ Ben. Wade, like Sumner, is _quite visaed in debate, apparently full of mettle, but , ,whee an- opportunity is offered to eithee to exhibit his pluck in the usual gentlemaqy manner, his courage, like _theta Bob Acres, "oozes out at his finger midi." We are both disappointed and iiissitited with this burly and athletic Buckeye. No wonder that a few Ohio volinteers quailed before the murderous fire of Beaaregard, at Shiloh, when the plueky - Ben. Wade shrinks from an en eounter with one like Vallandingham.— This example is most pernicious; it might do well enough in piping times of peace, but now it will have a worse effect upon the martial spirit of our people than had his scampering from Bull Run, in July last, making inch excellent time as to impress spectators with the idea of his beinrengaged in-carrying the mail. One felicitous correspondent remarked that, upowthe oeession referred to, Wade ran faster than "a scared dog." PROM YORKTOWN, The Truth about McClellan. The ialior of the New York Times, who appears to be well informed upon the sub ject, in a late letter explains the supposed difficidty between Generals McClellan and McDowell, as well as the former's plans - being interfered with by the War Depart ment: " Gen. McClellan's numbers have been strangely overstated in many quarters,— and I 'Maid an influential member of Con gress, who has been vehement in his com piastre 'McClellan's inactivity, insist, the other:day, that be had over two hun _deed thou - Mind men under his command on the peninsula. Now, I have the figures for annuact statement of his force, by corps Pareses, divisions and brigades, and if it were q ui te pru dent even yet to state these details of his force, I should be very glad to gin thims,by way of refuting this opin ion. I can. say, however, withont impro priety, .tbat Ids effective force is just about onolall'ihe number assigned,—a little more, perhaps, but not much. His origi nal plan, as I hive already stated, was to send a corps d'arssee to the rear of Glou• cester,—to reach West Point, 25 miles above Yorktown, aid then, by combined attack is sear, in. front and on the flank, from oarpnboula, to compel a surrender. This pira.buwas ander the necessity of ehaagnig wilesi - Cleneral McDowell's corps visa witadtaStiand sent to the Rappahan• - sock; betemisrlii *as then left without a fore* sellelelt, to warrant a detachment OW Is lll**u this operation would have supitrod. His only resource, there fore, WN to =lke the attack in regular Ibena alit _by a reviler siege operation,— o" defeat by undue haste or inimingusei preparation, and making it aheolitely it that he could hold every stop he 'Wake in advance. "Andbare let as my one word es to the Amen froithe Witidrawal of Gen. M'Dow ell from his command. This very remark- Ale stmL — lias been very frequently as signed to very unworthy motives on the partot Gen. McDowell, whcAs charged with having desired and sought an independent command. : I :believe this to be grossly un just anal latterly untrue. Gen. McDowell is as honorable and high..toned a gent: a. Marl se there is in tie array, and I believe hi m to be latterly incapable of any such conduct. In this point of fact, moreover, I know that General McDowell did not d es i re a separate command,—that he de aired, above all things, to co-operate with McClellan in the execution of the grand alum* assignedioAdm, and that he was surprised, chagrined and bliterly_disap pointed when he receivAtkeorderifwhich detached him from the srmy. The reason for the change, which was made by the Sec , retary of War with the assent ofthe Presi dent, wasfearforthe safety of Washington. The battle at Winchesterkadistartied,thern by resealing a much stronger rebel force in their immediate frontthau they had sup posed—and, upon inquiry4they found that I the troops left for the protection of the I Capitol were less effective than had been assumed. It 'vas thereupon decided that one of the two corps remaining, either Me: DOwell's or Sumner's, should be withheld, —and the choice fell upon the former.— This is a very simple explanation of an af fair which has been invested by rurner with a great. deal of political importance, and which has occasioned a good deal of bitterness of feeling. But I believe it to be the true one. Enough on this subject fn• the present." From the New York. Worht. What has been Proved. The war is now so near a close flint it is safe and may be profitable to point out some of the lessons it as taught the American people. Among them ore the following: It has proved Olathe Unit od States have more military resources, and can put int., the field greater armies, than any inviel on earth. It has proved that. in a life-and deal h struggle, a slaveholding is no - match free labor community. It has proved that the United States government has no friends amre the g o y ernments of Europe, and farthermeretha: it needs none. It has proved that in a crisis demanding self-command and prudence, such as the Trent affair, a nation of freemen can act as wisely as the wisest monarch. It has proved that Yankee inventiveness and mechanical skill is us remarkable in war as in peace. It has proved that an 'earnest devotion to the arts of peace does not disqualify a nation for great military achievements. It has proved that we were wise in not having built a great wooden navy. This will suffice for the present. A British Trading Fleet Pitting , Out for Charleston. I The Liverpool Post, commenting on the' WHAT IS WELLES ABOUT. recapture of the Emilie St. Pierre.'and the Raymind. r,l Ow Now York Mars talks blockade of Charleston, says: • very plainly of the ii.etlieiency of the Navy While writing in allusion to the Charles- Departme;ll.. :ipetikini; of the retreatin g ton blockade, we may mention that the rele:ds from Yorktown he says: screw steamship Hero, KO tons, recently I - Thee will la! much more likely tostrike employed in the Baltic trade, has been I freak Wiliianisburg across the Chickaho sold to a Liverpool house. She has left minv River teal ether tributaries to the Hull for this port, and is inteuded for the 1 )y o . e . James, am by the bridges, trade between Liverpool and Charleston. Th ere retard the pursuit of our troops. If they The Hero is a very first steamer. is also in the Hull docks, undergoing at; take this route to Richmond, McClellan overhauling for a Liverpool holm., the ran reach that city in advance of them, screw steamship Modern Greece, or about anda thettat time. , t ,,• • , ha in the rear of any 700 tons. Iris understood that this steam er, also being a fast vessel, is intended for i force that may _menace McDowell and the Charleston trade. I3anks. It ' , cents to roe much more prob. - able that the rebel army will seek simply to escape southward/_v crossing the James River, and abandon Richmond and the Official news from New Orleans is daily rebel government to its fate. The only expected. It is not thought that the first way to i)revent its ~- rape in this direction report front that quarter will give much l i s by at, ad r;qcc ...four gunbr,AT up the other account than of the ocenPation ofihe Jamtiz; Riror, anti this; it is hopeless to city, and the land and ruaval movements I obtain. ns it implies the active and vigor immediately precedent. thereto. The ad- l otis c,-ope:ation of the Navy Department ministration has considered that °ply the — a phenomenon which has not vet been presence of a large Union element in New witnessed. and which is not likely now to Orleans accounts for the wonderful see- Ib e displayed for the first time. The whole cess of the expedition. For this reason it i American . navy is paralyzed by the _Vr.- will probably have los difficulty in organ• rimue. f'ommodore Goldsborough, on izing a temporary Governme n t than has this station, will not stir a vessel nor mace been experienced in Tennessee. I hoar a gun :it wry' dircetion so long as the Mei-- that the Senate has already considered the rimoe tl,r(,:af , n. this part of the coast.— vote confirming the appointment of a col- Whether In' is acting on his own discretion lector at that point. or under ord.‘r: fro:a the Navy Depart- Quite a conservative special commit:et' men:. Ido ro,; 1: ri ,:r: but the spectacle has been appointed on the various eunlis- presented lure is pitiable. Vje have here cation bills by the president pro tern. of the Ole .11eait•a-, which has already shown Senate, in accordance with the determine- herself a match fur the Merrimac;—the tion of that body last evening. At it ;head Naagertk.i. and Catena, both iron•clad: is Mr. Clark, of New Hampshire, nut such the l'audeehilt. A Ji!9 o and Illincu's are names as that of Mr. Collarner, of Vt., Mr. prepared fin. the express purpose or ruu- Cowan, of Pa., Mr. Henderson, of Mo., niug her ditwn---liesidestuto guns mounted are among the others. Nine is the nun- lon shore, thr,.n balls and shells weigh her of the Committee, and the radicals are inf.; over 4:0 poands. and both command in the minority. iin; at point-Idank range the channel Contrabands flock to the city daily, laueli through Which tile Herrintac must pass to to the annoyance of that class of abolition- ,onto;,. York Ifiver. unit the entire arms.- fists whose zeal in the behalf of negroes is input of Fortress Monroe; and vet with all inspired by a desire to turn the matter to chi; to: ,e the naval authorities here do account in the way of pclitical loaves and 1 not dare leok the ifit•rintite in the face, fishes, rather than from disposition In Ibur twt az; if ihe to-i of the world had come practically serve them. The :Northerners if she shows her Ito:.: a cra,,,y r,iand. reluct at the idea of negro emigration The gunl,ttat,i, moreover, are of not the among them, and hence the abolitionists in slight,_, tiso tigainst the-Verrimac and are Congress are devising ways to support the doilla not the slightest service Of any kind contrabands at public charge by putting i where tle-v are. They could run upJames them into the army of whire soldiers. River ally IliOlt ulithCallt the knowledge of The representation that the border State I the rebels. and when once twelve miles up. men contemplated a withdrawal from Con- are perfectly safe from pursuit, as the grass is a calumny upon a class of men who ihirritnac draws too ranch writer to• get have, more than any others in the national ,I :my higher upt legislature, exhibited devotion to the coin,- I .The speed of our gunboats being with ers.. They deprecate the efforts or the 1 out doubt mita greater than that of the radical Abolitionists to convert the war for i iferaintac, would, in filet, enable them to. the Union into a partizan sectional war for; pass beyond her reaeh tip the. James River the accomplishment of the purposes of a . l at any hour of the day, and a glance at the crazy faction ; but they have no idea of i map will satisfy even those butlittle versed abandoning, -their • posts at a juncture so in military matters that such 4 move critical, and demanding the utmost ever- meat could be amended with no other re gies of every staunch s upporter of the suit than the capture of the greater part, if Union and the Constitution. ' not the entire,. rebel army now on this pe- The friends of the Government have ninsula. The gunboats can ascend Jafnes heard with great satisfaction, through Con- River to a point almost within shelling dis federate sources, of the fact of a Union tance of Richmond, and with that river meeting of citizens of New Orleans. It once under our control—with other gun has not been doubted that the existence of boats at West. Point on York-River. and a a strong Union element in the great com- strong army following rapidly in his rear, mercial metropolis of the South-west has there would he no alternative for the. had much to do with the discomfiture ofj enemy but to snrrender, or hawd a battle the rebels in that quarter. Its influence with a certainty lA' defeat before him. will permeate the State, and it is not, therefore, unlikely that a provisional gov ernment may be established td hand, by the people, which will only need the en dorsation of the Federal Government to become stable and effective. _ ----.........--- FROM WASHINGT ON The Confirmation of Zerman. The public have been informed that J. Napoleon Zerman, an exiled Austrian, lately on Gen. Fremont's Staff; had been. confirmed by the Senate as a Brigadier General. This fact has astounded the knowing ones of Washington, and espec ially the foreign diplomatic corps. Count Mercier avers that when be was with the French Embassy at Madrid he knew Zer man as a detected adventurer and impos.' ter at Court; that his career, if romantic, as stated in the dispatches, was simply the romance of crime; that he is a • convicted swindler and forger, who has served in the galleys and pined in the jails of Europe so often that such facts ceased to be novel ties worth mentioning. At. the Navy De partment, to-day, I learned that General Zerman, a short time since, would have gladly accepted a. position as Master's Mate in our naval service, with the mod erate stipend of $4O a month;_bnt he was spared this obscure fate to rejoice in the star of an American Brigadier. WE keep within the limits of the con stitution,'' said Senator Browning the oth er day in speaking of the confiscation bill, "we have no right to pass such a bill, and no possible advantage could result which would equal the evils which would arise from the violation of the reat char ter of our liberties." Here is a condensa tion of reason against the purposes of the Abolitionists perfectly unanswerabl e . If the people of this country wish to pr e . serve their liberties they must see to it that their representatives do not, violate the Constitution. Mark themenand the news papers who are now fileerizig 'at the COu stitution becasum it is . snAtaway.oLtheac--1 vonsplishinifitiof their designs. t Fmnee andand Keep Clear. Eggl 'NT There is every reasoVae Here tb i at the rebellion !night have rieet6ern§hitt4itite eompamtive ease, monthit ttgiS had; the leading rol - wan poWirs, histeatiof etiant enaneing it as they did;:* - repolied; , as genuine fric-ndship for the fedetral govern meet... would have prompted. Had,Efigland and vrainie exhibited the same concern for the continuance of the Enion that was so frankly shown by Russia and Italy, the red battle-fields of 1,362 might never have existed. We say, then, that these two nations, above all, have no business to utter a syllable touching the when, the where, or the how we shall give the rebels peaeo. They are entitled to no hearing in the matter. It is quite too late in the day to make any proffer Of good offices. They might hale done something once, on their own tide of the water, in the way of checking the nascent monster which look ed to them for belle they did exactly the contrary. Now that, after an effort which has ernezed the world, we have gained fall centrol of it, they must leave it to our own management exclusively. They can oi,i e es only by standing entirely alool. 1 If there err any international rights ! which Th.?: rebels, in their desperation, may ele!angc. - —such c; the destruction or pro fperry owned by foreign subjects, or any trespass upon the rights and immunities of forcian officials within the limits of the reLellior.—of course it is just and proper I that foreign ministers should see to their ! prol,..etion. Nobody would think of oh jec:mg. That is all within their legitimate province. But beyond that, even though their interests may be concerned, they have DO VOIPO' in the matter. It doubtless is crwtti•: i!,jurions to England and France, that the role in their desperption, should burn their cotton and tobacco; but that. is no reason for any attempt to induce our government to hold out terms, so that the-y :nay not be driven to desperation.— Our interc:k are supreme iu the matter. They imperatively forbid all terms what ever, and require absolute, unconditional submission. The contemned authority of the national government must be vindi cated to the full. A lesson must be made of the rebellion that shall be an effectual warning through all time against its repeti tion. In the tare of this vital necessity no merely material interest, affecting either ourselves or foreign nations, ought to he cauvased I,:r a moment. Ma. Jonx CAssr.t.t., the great publisher, of London, prinzs the outside of sixty Eng lish country newPpapers. These are all alike, with a change of title. They are then sent to the country printers, who print on the itt , :ide their editorials and lo cal news, and send to subscribers. JEFF. DAV!':' "conscription" message is one of the most sickening pieces of sophiStry we have ever rend. We could imagine the Southern people, when they read it, felt like a certain old class-leader we once heard of. A youth, in telling his experiences at a Methodist. love-feast, in terpolated a long story about a disappoint ment in love. When he concluded, the gray haired class leader rose, wiped his spectacles. and said—" Brethren, let MI all — puke."—Louisville Dem. }7L OTD Complains that he is unjustly treated. We are disposed to reply in the language of the Rev. Mr. Spurgeon— " What ! out of hell, and complain ?" —Lousalle Journal. • • CUSTOM HOUM Pittsburg U h, April Ilth, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that "SEALED PROPOSALS" accom panied by proper guarantees accenting to forms to be furnished on application at this according will be received thereat, until 12 o'clock. meridian, on the FIRST TUESDAY OP JUNE NEXT. Eir the supply of Pets:visions. Medicine, dm., enumerated in said forms, for one year, commenting on the first of July neat, and endiug . on the thirtieth of June following. The quantinee stated are esti mated with reference to the usual number of pa. dents in the Hospital; but the Unit States re serves the right to take more or less of said arti eks, accordingly as they may be required. If the articles delivered al the Hospital are not in the lodgment of the Physician of the best quality and adapted to the Bonita), ha will be at liberty to reject the same, to purchase other articles in their stead. an dt o ch arge the contractor with an _y ex cess of cost over tbe contract prices. The United States reserves the right to accept the proposals for the whole or any portion of the articles mom fied. CHAS. W. BATCEELO . apls:td Survgyor and Agent of Marine Reepttitl, fr - DEITIUCT, . JOH X KIIMPA 9 MtICII - iritt - bewpmdt:- .bwa fAr nolaissibi•Ab aponxinating RePublioan First iVitiPlik LATER NEW BY 11-0001. 'MEARTidie OUT AGAIN. THE. MONITOR READY FOR HER. Bombardment of Se-sr- BARRACKS ON FIRE FROM THE CONSTANT CANNONADING. BALTIMORE, May 9.—The special cot respondent of the American sends the fol lowing relative to affairs in Hampton Roads and the Peninsula: FORTRESS Motmoa, May S.—This has been a most stirring and exciting day at Old Point, and all are anticipating an early fall of Norfolk. At eleven o'clock the steamer Naugatuck was observed rais ing steam, and about twelve o'clock she moved out by the side of the Monitor, which steamer had also cleared her deck for action, hat* taken down her awning and pipes, and stood forth in full fighting trim. 11:30 o'clock,--The gunboat Dacotah has just moved up in • line of battle, with two little batteries, followed by the sloop of-war Seminole. The San Jacinto and the Flag Ship Minnesota are also under steam. 12 o'clock.—The Naugatuck moved up toward Elizabeth river, followed by the Monitor and Dacotah, in line of battle, the San Jacinto following slowly. Heavy firing can still he heard from the direction. of the James river, where, as you have already been informed by tele graph, the Galena and other gunboats have gone. The Bide wheel steamer Susquehanna has just moved up, passing the Seminole and San .theinto. In the menial:n(lole Dacotah. nnitor end Naugutuck had reacher' the channel and taken a position off Sewall's Nita, and the Dacotah fired a shot towards Craney Island, which fell short. A second shot from the Dacotah struck on the beach at Sewall's Point. 12:30.—The Susquehanna moves up and takes the lead of the San Jacinto and Seminole. No answer from either of the rebel forts, and the Dacotah and Monitor are steaming up the Elizabeth river, the Naugatuck lying of toWards the mouth of James river. Presently the Daeotah and Monitor approaa Craney Island and Se wall's Point. . The Dacotah fires every few minutes, alternately at Sewall's Point and Craney Island, the enemy making no reply, although the balls all reach their in tended destination. The Monitor is now taking the lead, but has not fired. In the meantime the Seminole and Susquehanna open on Sewell's Point, and two shots are fired from the Point, all the latter falling short of the Monitor. which is now a mile above the other vessels. 12:40.—The rebels are firing rapidly from Sewall's Point, principally at the Monitor, While a continual succession of shells are being poured into the enemy from the Sus quehanna, Dacotah, Seminole and Sun Jacinto. broadside after broadside. The Rip Raps also throw uu occasional shell' into Sewall's Point. 12:10 I'. M.—The Susquehanna, Da cotuh, San Jacinto and Seminole are pouring shells and the Monitor threw her first two shells from a point full a mile and a half ahead of the other vessels. The guns from Sewall's Point tell short of the regular fleet. Many of them explode high in the air at hall' distance. The Monitor is still moving forward. firing an occasional shot. whilst the lip Raps and fleet, laying oil' in line of battle, are still firing steadily. 1 o'clock P. M.—The Monitor is now within a mile of elvall'st Point, moving slowly forward and firing. The enemy is firing briskly from Sewall's Point at the Monitor and shells are falling thickly around her. Craney Island is atso join ing in the tight,and has just thrown several shells nit the Monitor, one of which ex ploded directly over her. The Monitor moves steadily forward, occasionally firing and receiving shells and shot from the rebel batteries, with perfimt indifference. 2 o'clock I'. M.-,-During the past hour there has been bdt little change in the progress of the bombardment. The Moni tor has fallen back; and lays alone side of the Sie , ,pichanna, : probably for alone pur pose of communicating with her. The Naugatuck, in the meantime, has been throwing shells. into Pig Point, and the fleet have also thrown a number of shells in the same direction. ANOTHER ACCOUNT Foumess \E ,toe, May B.—Shortly be fore noon to-day the Moititor, Naugatuck, Seminole, Susquehanna, Dacotah and San Jacinto, in the order in which they are named, steamed up to Sewall's Point, Captain Gardiner in command of the ex pedition. As soon as they arrived within range. they opened with shot and shell over Sewall's Point, most of which were good shots. It was netirlv half an hour before any reply was mode from the Point. The. Rip Raps next opened, and then the 'Naugatuck for the first time. Several shots were tired from the single gun on the extremity of the Point, where one from the Monitor struck in the vicini ty, chinbtless disabling the gun, as it has not been fired since. The position of the Monitor was far in advance of the rest of the fleet, and she continued in motion un til within a mile or two ofthe Point, where considerable execution must have been done by her accurate firing. The Nauga- . tuck kept in the back ground, the range of her Parrott gun enabling her to do so.— The Sewall's Point battery replied briskly. The Rip Paps fired occasionally, and a continual fire was kept up by the gunboats. The affair was comparatively uninterest ing from this point of view, on account of the distance being so great that the details could not be seen At about one o'clock a black smoke was seen to rise, which it was supposed was oc casioned by a combustible shell being thrown into the woods. It soon died out and disappeared. . Nothing more occurred till a little before two o'clock, when the firing was very fee ble from the Point. The Monitor about this time returned from her advanced position and rejoined the fleet. In the distance nothing could be seen of her butts small square black spot on the 'water. - At a quarter past two o'clock, a very dense black smoke arose rapidly from Sew. all's Point, probably from -the burning of the barracks or other buildings: At about half-past two o'clock the Mei rimac made her appearance, when the fleet, with the exception of the Monitor, return ed. 1 The Merrimac is still rat five O'clock) off the Point, and the Monitor is ready to at tack her. The Seminole has returned to the lower roads. There is no prospect of further fighting at present. _ • • At:half-past five o'clock the Monitor re turned. The Merrimac remains in the same Position.:' STATE SENATE-IE, itt.: SASIEAN" is a eandidate Tor the nomination for .TATS SENATOR. **DWAIN& -ANS CIPMIT_!I7:4 V . " 1 .1M- faret b Arisy r'fl7 ll "'l all's Point. The Galena Aground. Witua3innrae, May 10, 12 M.—The War Department heard, a .few minutes ago that the Galena was aground off Hog land. . I judge not badly, for the reason that Capt. Rogers does not •throw over the coal. We have sent him all the assist ance he asks. My troops are in motion and in magnificent spirits. They have all the air and feelings of veteransi it will do your heart good to see them. We have effected a junction with Franklin and instructions have been given, so that the navy will yield a prompt support, when ever and wherever required. G. B. McCLELLAX• M.'. Gen. Coinnandin:. CILAY•4O 414=11:1111:01V1Pal maIIsCLAWINVint Seem ion THE IRYSATESttELEGRAPIT. General McClellan Beyond Williamsburg. Heavy Battle on Wednesday Last. 20,000 of Our Troops Put 30,000 Rebels to Flight. with Great Slaughter. FORTKESS Monroe, May S. —By the steamer front Yorktown I learn that Gen. McClellan had advanced twelve miles be yond Williamsburg end has had several skirmishe3 with the enemy, routing them with heavy loss. The embarkation of troops for West Point.i:it progressing with great rapidity. A heavy battle took Place on Wednes day afternoon between the troops of Gen. Franlen and Gen. Sedgwiok and the rebels under Gen. Lee, who were endeavoring to make their way to Richmond. It is said to have been the seYere, , t battle on the Peninsula. The relici4 were totally rout ed and flanked, being driven hack towards the forces under General Johnson on the Chickahominy. The whole number of Federal:a killed and wounded was thrcc hundred. The enemy were driven back by our gunboats with great slaughter. They had not less than 50,000 men, while our force at the time was not over 20.000. only that num ber having landed. - Had it not been for the gunboat~ ona troops would have he,m defeated. The crew of the si eam-tug J. B. White, which deserted from the enemy, report that there was great excitement at Not , folk this morning. Gen. Burnside was within a few miles of iVeldon. • The rebel troops are evacuating that city with all pos Bible speed. Sewall's Point and Pig Point they say are already abandoned, and prep arations were being made to destroy the Navy Yard and other public property. etticAcm, May special dispatch to the journal from Cairo. says: The steamer Brown arrived front the flotilla this morn big. having left at daybraak yesterday Four rebel gunboats were seen rounding the Point, making way in the direction of our mortars, evidently intending to cap ture them. Our gunboats formed in line of battle, cleared the decks for action, and tired some fifty shots, when the rebel gun boats retired. The distance was so great it was impossible to say whether any °shots took effect,. Our mortars, which had ceased firing for two days, commenced when the Brown left - , and was going on with great vigor. To guard against any surprise, the mor iar boats are towed up time river every night, and remain behind the fleet. A special to the Tribune, says: Mayor Sharpe, of Columbus, carried away by the rebels at the time of the evacuation of that place, bas escaped. He tells pitiful sto ries of affairs in Memphis. He pointed out a place where the rebels buried thirty pieces of cannon at Colum bus, ail of which have been exhumed and are now in our possession. The boat front PinsburgLanding arrived last evening, and reports our army within two miles of Corinth. Heavy tiring was going on on our ex treme advauce, but it was not thought a general engagement. .Memphis papers of the Yd, 8d and - nth imtants, have been received. The Avalanehe of the sth says the battle so long anticipated at Corinth has been delayed for the present. From Fort 1% right our ads - ices are to Saturday. The rederals continue their harmless pastime, much to the amusement of our gallant boys. Wt. believe there is every prospect that our authorities will, under no circumstances. surrender this stronghold. From Vicksburg we learn the authori ties are rapidly hurrying forward guns and completing the fortifications, which are represented to be of such a formidable chaqcter as to p eclude the possibility of a passage by the enemy's fleet up the river The Avalanche acknowledges a loss of twenty killed and one hundred wounded at Farmington, on Saturday last. I t deprecates tiei adoption of a policy of persecuting f n i-en, and says such a course or No government is sui cidal. and ;:tlettlated to lead to disastrous results. The government, is becoming unpopular and the Avalanche does not hesitate to' attack it vigorously. General Cleman, who left. New Orleans first, says after the Federal war vessels passed the forts the women influenced their husbands in the forts to give up the result. There was 300 men, with the spiked guns, gave themselves up to the enemy. Gen. Butler is in the city, having come up in the first transport from below. Ric Irmo ND. May 3.--=Authentic informs- tint' from New Orleans says the troops at Fort Jackson mutinied, and spiked some of the guns, when Gene' al Duncan surren dered. The gunboat Louisiana was at Fort St. Phila unmanageable, She received a broadside at the distance, of 30 feet with out injury, and was then hlown up by the Commander. The French commander of the frigate Militaire, before he surrender ed, gave notice that it reqniied sixty days' notice before the bombardment of the city in order that the French citizens could re move. All cotton on shipboard in the city and at Baton Rouge was - burned. Thirty-two thousand bales were thus destroyed. Jeff. Davis issued a proclamation ap pointing the Sixteenth of the present month for the people to unite in their sev eral places of worship, in humble suppli cation to Almighty God, that he will vouchsafe his blessings on the Confeder: ate arms, and that He will strengthen and protect their armies, and watch over and protect the people from evil machinations of the enemy and in his own good time restore peace. Governor Letcher has issued a procla mation annonncing the rejection of-the amendment of the State Constitution by a majority of 678. ArGUSTA, May 3.—Prisoners who es caped from Key West, report three thou sand Federals on the Island and five hun dred in the hospital with the small pox. A local item in the Avalanche save some city merchants refuse to take Confederate money even at a heavy discount. lAsm VAMAIN:2I 7iW/Zi white Wheat reegiy_elaad for ale by IA 1 11 NA A. Flit, ap2l oozier Market and Phatateseta. Further of hterriitltio arc , Monitor. 2:15 I'. l' f. Monitor and Daeotah are moving ttlitink• again slOwly, up the mouth of the Elisabeth` river. A dense black smr...7te has commenced to rise from Sewall's Point, indicating that mir incen diary shells, thrown there, have tired the barracks. The Dacotah continues to throw_ her 6hei/S direct into the Point, and the explosions can be distinctly seen.— The shells from the Point mostly fall short and splash along in the water or explode in the air. Constant changes in poSition of the vessels, destroy the range of the rebel gunners, but they are however mak ing quite a determined fight from their works, giving our fleet almost shell for I shell and shot for shot. Sewall's Point is almost enveloped in smoke, from the con stant explosion of shells and smoke from its own guns; and the fire raging in the vicinity must make it a hot place for suf fering humanity. 2:3o,—The Monitor has led out of the action for nearly an hour, probably for cooling her guns, whilst four large vessels throw occasional shot, all of which appear to enter the works of the enemy, or ex plode within the woods beyond. The Rip Raps has also kept up a constanterossfire, throwing large numbers of shell in the rear of the Point batteries. The Rip Rap bat- • tory have the range of Sewall's Point per fectly. 2:45 r. x.—The rebel monster, Merri mac has now made her appearance, and has just passed out from behind Sewall's Point and is moving down slowly towards the Federal fleet. Her black hull can be seen moving slowly along the shore in front of Craney Island batteries. Simul taneously with the appearance of the Mer rimac the Monitor started up from behind the wooden vessels and moved up to meet the enemy. Dense flames of smoke as cend from the pipe of the Merrimac and Molitor, with only a puff of white steam escaping from her, and looked in the dis tance like an atom on the surface of the water. The larger Federal vessels draw to one side and left the Monitor and Naug atuck in the patch approaching the enemy, the contestants being yet fully two miles apart. 8 o'cloek.—The Minnesota fires her signalgun and the long roll is being beat in the Fort. The Minnesota is also com ing up from her anchorage below the Fort. The fleet had all been lying quietly at adehor fir the past. half hour, when a signal .from the flag-ship ordered them all to return. The. Susquehanna lead the way, followed by the San Jacinto, Seminole and Dacouth, the Monitor bringing up the rear, and all apparently using the greatest speed towards the l''ort. To spectators this seemed rather mor tifying, but as they moved down in line the Monitor was observed t 8 halt, and the San Jacinto and Dacotah also followed her example, leaving the Susquehanna and the Seminole moving ahead. The four steam ers and the Monitor having taken their po sitions the Merrimac also halted and the five vessels stood thus not more than a mile and a half apart. The Merrimac was not, apparently, willing to come further down and the Monitor unwilling to go fur ther up. The Merrimac also steamed up in front of the wharf of the fort, followed slowly by the Vanderbilt, when both stopped. Af ter laying in this position the Minnesota turned round and steamed back, and the Vanderbilt without turning backed water slowly down the river. Whilst all this ma noevering was going on firing had entirely ceased from all points. st.—The Merrimac has turned around and steamed-back towards Norfolk with her rebel flag flying impudently. A klaltimore steamer, the Oeorgiana, has laid out in the stream with steam up all afternoon ready to escape from danger at the earliest moment. The Minnesota and Vanderbilt have gone "'Risk to their anchorage. The Daco tab again proceeds up towards the Mer rimac, anti the 3lonitor also starts towards the mouth of the Elizabeth river. The Dacotah is now within easy range of Sew all's Point. but the batteries do not open on her. She and the Monitor have both stopped, and the Merrimac is laying sta tionary about a mile in advance of Cran ney's Island batteries, here commenced au important movement which cannot be made pub' ic. Thirty-Seventh Congress. WASHINGTON, May 9.—SENATE.—Mr. %yard. of Del., presented a petition that equal privileges be extended to all the ' newspapers of the country. Mr. Browning, of 111., presented a peti , tion for a ship canal from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river. Mr. Chandler, of Mich., from the Com mittee on Commerce, reported a House bill in relation to the better protection of the revenue. The bill authorizes the Pres ident to refuse the clearance of any vessel where he has reason to believe that its cargo is intended to reach the rebels. It also authorizes the Secretary of the Trea sury to prohibit the transportations in rail roads of certain goods which might in any way reach or fall into the hands of the re bels: . Mr. Wade, of Ohio, presented two pe titions in favor of the confiscation mensures. Hoorn—Mr. Lovejoy, of 111., presented the following re olutions which were adopted: Resolved, That is with feeling of de vout gratitude to mighty uo,i Lnat the House of Hepres, atives front tine to time have heard the triumphs of the Union army in th 'eat struggle for su premacy of the C itution and the integ rity of the Union Resolved, Tim -, receive with pro found satisfaction the intelligence of the recent victories achieved by the armies of the Potomac, associated from their locali ties with those of the revolution, and that the sincere thanks of the House are hereby tendered to Major Gen. G. B. McClellan for the display of those high military qual ities which secure important results with but little sacrifice of human life. Mr. Lovejoy offered a resolution slightly modifying the resolution acted upon yes terday, to secure freedom to all persona within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government. • . Mr. Allen, of Ohio, moved to lay it on the table. Disagreed to. Mr. Lovejoy demanded the previous question. Disagreed to. Great Pattie in Memphis. htowrzsmi, May 9.—A refugee who es caped from Memphis on the 4th, arrived here to-day. He reports that the citizens are in a great panic. The rebel troops are gradually evacuating Fort Pillow and com ing to Corinth. Gen. Beauregard is rak ing and limping every thing for the im pending battle. The conscription act takes effect on the Ist inst. The Appeal says every man must fight or cut bail. The Atlanta Confederacy of the 24th chronicles the arrival on the 23d, of a long train of box cars filled with tories, and their departure on the 24th for Madison, where they will be .imprisoned in an old factory near that place. .A letter -from. Brownsville says that a pronunciamento from Vidaurri has been received imposing a duty of one and a half cents on every pound of cotton shipped in New Mexico, and a duty of twenty-five per cent. on all goods shipped from New Mexico into Texas. A reconnoissance to within a mile of the enemy's entrenchments establishes the fact that. the rebels are therein large force, and farther, that they will fight inside of their entrenchments. - improving IVeathergood. news a fast. i Nothing s known hertoftbe suppression of *Fs at Cairo or new of any kind not airsidy telegied. Owe'hun rig* , prisoners of rtorgan's hivirri - arrived at Nashville an route for the Noah. .411141er kteport. W4liinsums M ...The tollowin g is Flitir4)l . ;,•; tlle;a1 report: eo Vt. AG 62j r Off th e 1an:4.1.1,ra 1 , 932. DEAa :f u : excitement of th last two .1: . you 11)::.A riot mvpris,:d I have es: dine - Many thine • I ought to do, nod ocu of lens to write to you on the oecasitm of my takits,.• this city. But, thank God, it, lies been done, and-re what I esteteive a handsome atylo. - - I had two Union risen on board,-who had been forced into the Confederate ser vice nt Pert Jackson its laborers, They informed ruse that there were two forts near the city, and as we approached the locality I tried to concentrate the vessels • but we soon saw that we taus' take a raking fire for two miles, so we did not mince the matter, but dashed directly ahead. They permitted_ us to approach within a mile and a quarter before they opened on as. Captain Bailey in the Cayuga, Lieuten ant Commanding Harrison, was in ad vance, and received the most of the first fire; but although the shooting-was good they did not damage his little vesseL The Cuyahoga then fell back, and the 'Hart ford took her place. We had only two: guns, which I had placed in the tonal hint forecastle, that would hear on them, until we get within half a mile. We then . sheered elf. and gat . ..! them such a fire its they never dreamed of its their philosophy. The Pensacola ran after a while and took the starboard battery off our hands, and tui a few minutes the Brooklyn ranged up and took a chance at my friends OA tile left bank, but they were silenced in should say twenty minutes or half an hour. But I cannot keep a note of time on seek occasions. I only know that half of the vessels did not get a chance at them. Tbo river wart ton narrow for more than two or three ves sels to nit to advantage, but all were tie anxious that my greatest fear was thative• would lire into each other, and Captain Wainwright and myself were hoarse call ing on the men not to fire into our ships. This last affair is what I call -one of:the little elegancies of the profesmion—it dash and a victory. But the passing of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip was one of the. most awful sights I ever saw. The smoke was so dense that it was only now and then you could see anything but the flash of the cannon, and the fire ships or rafts,'one of which was pushed - down upon us—the Hartford—by the Ram Manassas s and in my efforts to avoid it we rail the ship on shore. and then the tire-raft was pushed alongside, and in a moment the ship was one !daze all along the port side, half way up the main and mizzen tops, but thanks to the good organization of the fire depart ment hy Lieut. Thornton, the flames were extinguished, and at that saran time we backed off rind get clear of the raft. But Intl this time we s ere pouring shells into tip, forts and they into us, and every now and then a rebel steamer would get under . our fire and receive our salutation of a broadside. _ At length the fire slackened, and we FAN: to our surprise that we were above the forts and here and there a rebel gunboat en fire, as we came up with them trying to make their escaper. They were fired into and riddled so that they ran them on shore, and all who could, made their escape to the shore. lam told, Ido not know how truly, that General Lovell had gone downs that evening, to make en attack with thirteen gunboats, a large rim of eighteen guns and the Manassas. The- Manassas and Mississippi made a set it each other at fell speed, and when they were Within thirty or forty yards, the ram dodged the Mississippi and ran on shore when the latter poured her broadside into her and knocked away her smoke stack, arid then boarded her. but she was found to be deserted and riddled, and after n while she drifted down the stream full of water. She was the last of-the eleven we destroyed, but the larger ram was still at Fort Jackson, but they say here that she was sent down before she was ready, and that she will have to sur render with the forts which I hope, Will be to-day or to-morrow. I Will give thew& my attention as soon as I can settle t aft'airs of the city. This morning, at 6 A. at., I sent to Capt. Morris, whose ship - commanded the Mhos to take possession- - of it and hoist the. American flag over it, which was done, and the people cheered it. At ten, I sent on shore again and ordered Lients. Portz, of the Navy, and Brown, of the Marines, with a Marine guard to hoist the flag on the Custom House, but the excitement of the crowd was so-greet, that the Mayor and Councilmen thought it would produce a conflict and great loss of life. At eleven a signal was made to , -,he fleet for divine service, under a general order, copy No. 0. April 2G. In the afternoon, having been informed that there were two forts eight miles above the city, at a place called Carrolton. 1 determined to take a look at them and de molish them. We accordenly ran up, but, • to our surprise, we found the gun carriages all on lire, and upon examination, found the guns all spiked. It was a most formi dable work for Foote to encounter. Oa his way down a long line of defenses ex- tending . hack from the river to Lake Pont chartrain, both above and belowthe - on which were twenty-nine and thirtygunu each. His demand was at first relived, but the soldiers told their officers that we were in their rear and they would not - be sacrificed. So this morning the 29th, the gallant Bailey brought us the intelligence in the • Cayuga, Capt. Harrison, that the forts had ' surrendered, the ram blown up, and that the American, flag floats over both forts..--. , I have sent down for Gen. Butler's troops • to come up arid occupy the city, and will soon be off for Mobile. Depend uon it. we will keep the stampede up. I- send Capt. Bailey home as bearer of dispatches, . he has done his work nobly, and that while* . suffering under an infirmity which requires attention and repose. In am very truly and respectfully your obedient servent. [Signed] - D. G. FARRAGUT, Flag_ Officer. ------ Gen. POW! °Metal Statelitiiill.- CiNctx:rxrt, May 9.—The Commercial publishes General Pope's official report' of the capture of Island No. 10. Gen. Pope • says it is almost impossible to . give is correct statement of the immense quantity" • ' of artillery, ammunition and su pplies of every discription which fell i nto Our hands. Three Generals, two hundred and . seventy-three field and company officers, sift thousand seven hundred privates, one hundred and twenty-three pieces of heavy, artillery, thirty field suns, all of the best character and of the latest patterns,seves.- tho sand stand of small arms, several wharf boats of provisions. immense quan- - tides of ammunition, all kinds, many • hundred horses and mules, with wagons,[. harness, Sc., are among the spoils. Very few, if any of the enemy . escaped, and ;. they only by wading and swunmingthrough swamps The. conduct of the troops throughout - was splendid, as the results of this toperi='' lions and its whole progress very_ plainly exhibit. We have crossed the nver blab' which are lined with batteries dud defend ed with 7,000 men. We have pursued and captured the whole forCe of the 'enetflund all his supplies and material of - War Ind have' again recrossed and occupied' our camp at New Madrid without losing a man or meeting with an accident. Such results „bespeak efficiency,- good, conduct and high discipline and, soldier. , like deportment of the best- character:Pa tience, willing labor, endurance of MM. 'ship and privation for long periods,prompt obedience, order and discipline,- braver) , and spirit are the qualities which these_or, :-! , i 'erations have 41 - eveloped in forces un der my command, and which ensure fort, ...rink them a brilliant and successful career-in arms. It is difficult to express theleelims. , which such conduct has occasioned use, who is fortunate enough tri•betomMander of such troops. Thornier* few material betneleiteithin the range of wading; which ' a man of courage and spirit would hesitate to encounter with such a force.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers