The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-31
Reported Battle Between the Union
Troops and the Rebels Under
Henry A. Wise.
Terrible Slaughter and
Retreat Of the Rebels.
Strong Efforts to Pass a Secession Ordinance in
the Maryland Legislature.
Threatened Attack on Cairo and
Birds Point,
&c., &C., &c.
OR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.


WASHINGTON, July 80, 1851.
TIE JAcoBINs AGAIN AT woRx-GEN. MCCLELLAN
AAMrEnED BY THE KNAvIsH POLITICIANS.
Already the very hour Of revival Of public conf
dcnce upon the assumption of the command army
Of the Potomac by Gen. Mcclellan the politicians are
making mischief by their untimely and i'll bod
Ing interference. Yesterday Gen. Mcclellan was
Informed that it the desire Of the Presi-
dent and the Cabinet that the whole responsibility
OF the organization Of the army he is command should
dovolve upon him alone and that consequently he should
be fully empowered to make his selection all dvi-
sion and brigade commanders II is acknowledged that
General Mcclellan has the ability to make proper seec
fions aud IL is evident that for his reputation as well
success he woald exercise care
Ia selecting able, efficient and reliable officers It is
known, Also, tina. he has tho confidence not
only of the people, ba. OF the whole army, and
that, with knowledge that their brigade and
division commanders were selected by General Mcclellan
the soldiers would go action with assurance that
they would be led 10 victory, and TO slaughter and
defeat The iDtmatjon that the whole Of making
these selections to be conded TO General Mcclellan
gave general satisfaction to all who have the cause
Of the country exclusively at heart but, like the devil
creeping into Paradise the politicians have stepped and
married the symmetry OF this excellent
They have ends and objects which them
Of higher consideration than the salvation Of the
country Their pocafrends, and pets, and followers,
and rotaners must be put position the immi
hazard Of losing another BATTLE of ultimately
disappointing the hopes Of the loyal people and destroy
ing tho integrity Of the Union.
To-day they have procured notification to General Nc
ellan that certain officers must be assigned to
origadcs; and thus, while throwing upon him tho
responsibility Of victory defeat, with an army
that has already retired from the field
they insist upon choosing for him the agents upon whom
he must rely in the hour of trial
The interference Of simple Politicians with the opera
lions Of the army has already been tolerated long
They have done much mischief and if thrust aside
will do much more. The administration has been clothed
with all the power necessary for the prosecution of the
var to successful and glorious result If it will now
on1de in the proper military officers, and turn deaf
% tho politicians all will be well; but if the military is
pc made their plaything none foretc the result.
ENGAGEMENT BRTwEEN A REBEL BATTERY AND THE
GUNBOAT RELIANCE AND STEAMER YANKEE.
Yesterday rebel battery the Potomac, short
mac feet. The gunboat Reliance and steamer Yankee
proceeded to engage the battery, distance of two
birds OF mile from the shore Their fire answered
10y three rled twelve Founders in the battery. The
Yankee strucl, just forward of the pilot house.
he shot lodging in the storage room, but
iong great amount of damage. The Reliance was not
ait. The gnnboats, using twentyfour and thirty-two
FOUNDERS threw round shot and she'll and their SHELF
bursting Immediately the rebel battery
u the camp in the The Pocahonas and the Phia
lcipha ice boat in the neighborhood but took
part in the ergagem6nt. What the extent Of the
iamage to the rebels Is not known.
Tho Reliance up during the night for supply o.
,oal and returned this morning
The Potomac feet is interchangeable in the performance Of
This river police duty Nothing larger than common
-owboat can possible escape its vigilance.
ARRIVAL OF A SOLDIER FROM CENTREvILLE-CoN-
DITIoN OF COLONEL WOOD OF THE FOURTEENTH
REGIMENT.
Sergeant Stineburg, Of the United States Army made
his escape yesterday from Centrevie and has arrived
here He saw Colonel Wood, of the Fourteenth Brooklyn
regiment, at that place Saturday. He wounded,
but doing WELL and in good spirits. The Colonel four
days i'll the woods with two Of his One Of his
went out to get some water and arrested All of the
wounded there doing well The rebels had pretty
large force there and also at Fairfax.
ARRIVAL or COL. sToNE-GEN. BANKS POSITION.
Col. Stone, commanding the division which has been
stationed at the Point OF Rocks, but which is now in the
vicinity of Harpers Ferry, arrived here today havine
left there last eveEing
Gen Banks has not evacuated Harper's Ferry. por
lion Of his forces have taken position on the Maryland
ide where they strongly fortified and inrcnched
ol Stone states that Gen Banks occupies most favor
blc position and will be ae to defend himself in every
Emergency if attacked he is receiving reinforcemens
Tally.
AS to the rebel forces very little is known The most
Exaggerated stories constantly brought in by spies
Ind Others but very little credence be attached to
hem.
Nothing was known of the rebel movements at Lees