Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-21
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, May 20.-Ihe government
has received adyices from London which al
fords perfectly satisfactory indications of the
policy which will be pursued by the British
government towards the seeded states. The
administration entertaius a firm conviction
that its course in crushing out rebellion will
be fully sustained in England.
Rev. Dr. Fuller OF Baltimore. has arrived
from Savannah, where he uttered reasonable
sentiments at a meeting OF the state Baptist
convention. The government is watching
him.
Judge Nelson, writing from Tennessee that
the Union men of the eastern section of the
state will give twenty thousand majority
against secession.
WASHINGTON, May 20.-The secretary of
war in letter to acting Surgeon general Wood,
alludeS to the bad, unhealthy condition of the
quarters provided for the troops, and says
citizen s0ldiery who SO promptly have so
periodically responded to the call of the presi,
dent Tor the defense of the constitution and
laws, are entitled TO the tenderest care and
most assiduous attention OF the government,
and the surgeon general is directed to cause
Immediately an inspection OF the barracks by
competent medical officers and report such
measure as are necessary to promote the health
and comfort of these citizen soldiers.
The steam tug Freedom arrived this after
AOOH irDlH lOfI hOuTOS, DFIilSluS uespdlCllSS u
the government. On her way up size captur-
ed two small vessels and wharfed them at the
navy yard. A passenger by the Freeborn
states hat on Saturday two vessels from the
fleet paid a visit to the vicinity OF SewalPs
Point, about four miles from fortress Monroe,
where the Virglnians were erecting battery,
and threw sundry shells at the Virginians'
works, materially spelling their architectural
arrangements. These shots were returned,
but without effect on the vessels. 1t is no.
known whether any body ashore was killed.
Commodore Pendergrast sent flag Of truce
to Norfolk, with view to make arrangements
for the transportation from thence OF certain
persons to the north, and he received an as
surance that in this respect he should De ac.
comnodated. The vessel was i'll waiting to
take them to New York.
There is sumo excitement to-day by reports
of a fight at the mouth of the Potomac, but
the navy department is satisfied that there is
no truth in the story.
The frigate Niagara has been withdrawn
from the blockade of Charleston for more i'm.
portaut service, and another vessel will imme
diately take her place.
WASHINGTON, May 19.-Maj. Gen. Butler
has been ordered to Old Point Comfort, with
nine regiments, of about 1900 men each. This
l know positively. Aggressive operations are
at last actually TO be commenced by the ad.
minstration. Gen. Butler left for Annapolis,
on his way south. last evening.
The announcement OF the formation Of a
new military department, including Virginia,
North Carolina, and Tennessee has added in
tensity to the war excitement and the further
announcement that the command was assigned
to Maj. Gen. Butler, Iii no way diminished the
feeling.
Gen Mansfield and Gen. Butler have been
wit Mr. tl,a
part of the day, and Gen. Scott has been a
party to the consultation this evening. Gen
Butler, it is presumed, will go to Annapolis
to morrow and from thence to Fort Monroe
at which point some Is 900 troops are to con.
cent.ate within the week, with Which it is ex-
pected Gen. Butler will obtain control of the
department. Gen. Wool naturally feels dsap-
pointed at this assignment, but Gen. Butler re-
fused peremptorily to be stationed under him,
and the result was that the new department
was given to Gen Butler, and Gen. Wool will
probably go elsewhere.
Brig. Gen. Mansfield, of the army, it is un'
derstood, will take command of the corps
d'drmee that will advance into Virginia from
this point 1t will consist of 25 900 volunteers
and 5000 regulars, nearly 30U0 OF whom are
already concentrated here. Col. Henry l..
Scott has been appointed inspector general in
place of Gen. Mansfield.
The forces that Will be detailed to retake Har-
per's Ferry will probably be commanded by
the newly appointed Brigadier General Butler.
General Patterson and staff, including senator
Sherman, OF Ohio, are here to receive verbal
instructions concerning the proposed move
ment of troops from southern Pennsylvania
upon Virginia.
A detachment of the seventy-trst regiment
returned from cruising expedition down the
Potomac this evening. They report the cree
ton of heavy battery at Aqua creek On
the down trip the battery was masked with
trees, but on their return 1T was exposed to
full view. AS the government is determined
to keep the navigation of the river open at all
hazards, active measures will doubtless be in
sttuted to secure its removal.
The president to day visited the Great Falls