Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-10-22
FROM WASHINGTON.

The Reliance went down to join the fo-
tilla last night and the Robert Leslie started
thither to-day at noon.
Some forty vessels went down yesterday
and safely passed the rebel batteries. A
large number of shots were fred at them, but
none struck.
Itis believed the armed steamship, or float
ing battery, now building after the Erricson
plan, will be completed long before the other
two are finished. The work upon it being
of less magnitude, large surplus from the
sum appropriated by Congress for the pur-
pose remains.
Secretary Cameron returned this morning
from the West.
The good disciplinary order of our troops
in their movements affords subject of mill
tary praise.
Special to Post:
Mr.. EIlet, a prominent military engineer
of this city, has proposed to the Government
a plan for constructing a number of steam
rams with iron beaks for the protection Of
the large seaports in the event of fordign
war. 1t is believed the Government regards
this proposition with favor.
There is a rumor here to day that a sharp
correspondence is going on between Secre-
tary Seward and Lord Lyons in continuation
of that which has already been published,
but no authentic intelligence has transpired,
and the report is regarded as untrue.
The Baltimore and Washington Railroad
Company expects to be able to satisfy all the
requirements of the Government in the trans
portation of troops and supplies over its
single track, with additional facilities for
travel.
The Govnrnment does not credit the re-
port of the escape Of the steamship Nashville
from Charleston, in fact it was stated that
evidence to the contrary had been received
here.
The following intelligence is from the
Richmond Enquirer of the 18th, of the af-
fairs at New Orleans:
New ORLEANS, Oct 1.-The expedition OF
Commodore Hollins, consisted of the Ma
nassas, the iron clad Marine Battering Ram,
with one "a FOUNDER Dahlgreen gun.
The steamer Oalho1n, the flag ship, with
one 24.pounder and two l8-pounders, Dahl
green guns; the steamer Ivy, with an eight
inch 32-pounder, rihed; the steamer Jack
son, with two inch columbiads; the steam
er McRes, with 64-pounder, mounted on a
pivot four inch columbiads, and a "a
FOUNDER, rifed; the steamer Tuscarora, with
one inch columbiad and 3l-pounder, ri.
fed; and the cutter Pickens, with one 8 inca
columbiad and four 24-peunders, coronades.
The blockade had the Richmond, Vincennes,
Preble, Water Witch, and the schooner Jo-
seph II. Toone-in all So guns.
Oh Friday last cur feet started for Fort
jackson, the Manassas leading the way. The
night was intensely dark and the Manassas
ran into a vessel, striking her near the bow
and cutting into her upwards of twenty feet.
Appalling shrieks were heard aboard the
doomed ship. Signal rockets were fred
The enemy beat to quarters, and perfect
iron hail fell npon and around the Manassas,
during which her machinery became de-.
ranged. The Tuscarora and the Watson
came up with the five barges, which had
been cut loose and set adrift on the stream.
When the morning came our feet COM
menced to pursue the retiring enemy, and a
heavy cannonading began, which lasted till
8 o'clock. Several shots struck the Rich
mond. The shots from the Yankees were
badly aimed, as they did not touch one Of
our vessels. When the firing ended the
feet returned to the city with the prize
schooner Joseph II. Joone, loaded with coal,
and which had been deserted during the
night. A large quantity of lumber, which
had been intended for the construction of
fertilization at the head of the passes, was
burned. The vessel sunk was not the Preble,
but the Vincennes. The vessels Of our ex-
pedition arrived on Saturday night.