New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-12
ARMY AND NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

On the 10th of September a email force of United
States troops was about being sent out from Fort
| Walla Walla, to endeavor to capture some Indians
who had committed depredatiors in the vincinty Of
that station. Orders subsequently, Issued to the
commanding officer at Fort Dallas to detail detach-
ment Of soldiers for similar purpose.
The Portage Army Road was, at last advices, being
vigorously proceeded with, and the arrival of Com
psny A, United States Engineers, was daily looked
for as it has been ordered to assist in completing the
work.
From Fort Wsshita, we learn that Companies and
A. LIST Cavalry which had been attached to the Ante
lope Hills expedNn hal reached that station safely
Lieut. Col. Magruier, who has been for some time
connected with the Army Headquarters in this city,
will leave soon to join Company Z, ID Artillery, at
Fort Leavenworth, whittier he has been ordered by
the War Department.
A few weeks ago the officers of the United States
steamer Saginaw left New-York TO join that vessel at
Mare Island, where she has Just been completed.
She is detailed for the East India squadron, and will
90 in commission before the 10th of November. Tue
Saginaw is the first American man of.wsr which has
been constructed in California, and will probably be
the last sdewheel steamer built for the United States
Navy, ss all naval authorities agree ia condemning
vessels Of that description as unfit for hostile service
She is los feet epg, 20 feet beam, 400 uns,
and is registered 80 horse power. She has two en-
gines, inclined oseilstng ones, placed fore and aft,
which are supplied with Winters patent rotative
valve and cutoff. Her overhaDging wheels e. the
common radial' are 20 feet in diameter, and feet
face-he shafts being of wrought iron. The boilers
sre two in number and have the usual brass tables.
Her capacity for carrying coal is such that 100 tuns
can be slowed easily, her consumption for about 20
days at uns per day. She rates with the Michigan
thrd-clsss side.whee steamer and is smaller than al
the other craft OF her kind except the Water Witch.
The Saginaw, Michigan, Water Witch, Saransc Sus-
queharna, Powbatan, and Mississippi are since the
Fulton has been lost ali the sde-whee vessels in the
United States Navy.
In connection with the construction Of the Saginaw
il may be appropriate to say that the navy.yari at
which she was launched s situated near Benicia
Mare Island California and is one Of the finest sites
for naval station in the world. The sum Of &IOO 900
was originally appropriated for lis purchase bu. be-
coming exhausted in defraying expenditures no. pro-
vided for in the regular annual estimates, subse-
quent allotment Of funds had to be specially made for
buying it, Mare Island is destined to be one Of the
most extensive naval ship.buldng yards in the Union
a. vessels for the Pacific and Eat India squsdrons
may be constructed repaired and commissioned there
without coming TO the Atlantic States al all Officers
and sailors, as in the case OF the Warren. can be
READILY obtained in California, so that large saving
be effected by building and equipping vessels at
Benicis while the e1pense Of transporting seamen
across the Isthmus need not be incurred
There are four naval houses on Mare Island, masur-
rg 10 The aggregate 600 feet 10 length by 60 fee. in