New-York daily tribune., 1861-12-27
ACTING ASSISTANT PAYMAsTERs.
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.

The Reported Escape OF Col. Corcornn q
Humbug-AIartn in Norfolk-Thc Burn
side Expedition-Tho Employ mens and
Pay Of the Contrnbands.
From Our SPECIAL Correspondent
FoRrRKs, MONROE, Old Point Comfort, Dec. Is, 1851.
The statement in The ". y. Times by one Hurd
pretending 10 have escaped from Charleston, and en-
couragng the idea that Col. Corcoran had made his
escape from Charleston Jail far as 1t asserts that
he made bis way from the South TO the North by
lag of truce from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe is,
am persuaded, without the slightest grain of truth
and no doubt is in every other respect equally uD
worthy of credit. have made diligent inquiry, and
find that 10 one by the name Of Hurd, nor any one
resembling him, nor any company lise that be repre-
sents came with him from Norfolk have been pas
sengers by flag of truce since the Charleston IRE.
The Times has been auped and led into misleading
the public. The elaton which tie representations
Of Hurd were calculated to produce among the
friend. Of Col Corcoran WIS the result of piece Of
yillainous MISREPRESENTATION as l I'm entirely per-
suaded, and as il universally believed here. If the
representation is true then Hurd and bis companions
came from Norfolk and passed on TO Baltimore and
Washington ithout any body here knowing the fact
Beside this evidence Of is falsiiy, the pretended
statement of Hurd itself bears internal evidence Of
being unworthy Of credit, and on a second thought,
presume but few intelligent persons would be mis-
led by it.
As anticipated would he the case, the rebels
who cano down TO NEWMARKET Bridge, yesterday,
and burnt some buildings, made good their escape
before the force seut from the Fortress and Newport
81. afa for
them and their sudaciiy viii not be repeated many
times without At penalty.
TIE population Of Norick and especially the rebel
l,adeis, sre greatly alarmed At tie prosrect " ich
ihey think they discover, If being attacked. Tley
have recently taken means to obst'u-t the deep
channel TO ihe city above Craney leland wiiah is
colt, sson that they DO noi have confidence IL Their
numeroue batteries this eide, 10 which ,bey have
devoted % much labor aud expeDse, snd which
mount large number Of guns. With u native fore
thought entirely Characteristic and sagscious, they
have recently constructed bridge from the back
part Of Craney Iilsnd, over the marsh 20 the MAIN
| nd for the purpose Of making their escape when
attacked TIE bridge in question hes been con
sruc,ed in great lGste, since the rumor Of an intn-
tion 10 attack found currency, and for other put
uose IN the world thnu TO retreat over il and make
good their escape the fan.e ar nj Por; Royal
The Norfolk rebels are quite sure ilat the Burn
SIDE Exyedi,ion will pay them WAT, while Others
are equally certain that the E,red:ion is going up
The Potomac, tie james, and suniry other rivers.
This being Christmas Day, Qugre-master Tall
rasdce gave tie "contratnAnds holiday 70 far as
il was possible 10 do ~. Some few had 10 work for
a few hours, when they were allowed to jon their
fellows in tie fun frolc, and lettering, which lhey
were privileged TO ENJOY TO the iullet sxten'. Nor
was THE all. Certain creature comforts we're fur
rished and paius aea TO cause he negroes TO enjoy
themselves, IL not few nsianesr, liberal gif1s IN
money we're bestowed, and altogether The negroes
appear 10 be the bappiest people on tie " Point.
In addition 10 wlai said IN my last concerning
des,iuion am,r the negroes, which has been repre-
sented in the New-York papers to exist here, wish
10 stste distinctly that the plan which after mature
deliberaiion was adopted by the heads OF the dii'
ferenl departments and approved by Cen Wool and
which is now rigiliy enfoTced, eoniemPlaee hat
every colo ed man. wonian and child shall lie fully
cared for. Thote that can labor are paid $40 per
MONTH g. Of which eoes 10 the laboref 10 cash b'
clothing il charged 10 bin at The lowest rle' anu e
residue goes into fGnd to support those WAC cs'no'
lai r In addition, rr,ons are served to s free-'o
men. women and children, those wno can and lho'e
ubo cannot labor. This system bas already produced
cons. .derable fund, quite sufficient for the purpose,
10 keep away dest,uton, aid to prevent Ola FONT
becoming what at prefent it il not, ard 1t is not
likely 70 he, missionary ground; at Least, 70 far
"a the destiiuion Of any Glars Of ts population %
concerned. Those who nevertheless feel disposed
to give money, clothing, or anything else, TO the
negroes here, can do go and their contributions VIII
be faithfully dispensed But it may as well be un-
dertood al tho outset that under all circumstances OF
whatever nature tney will have 10 20 into the hands
of the Qusrternasler, to be dsFereed by his drfe-
ton. This il military post, and iis operations VIII
no, be suffered TO be inreffored with, nor tie bans
which are everywhere pointed TO as models tor
treating the contraband question be allowed to he
perverted in any manner.
by TelscsphI
ToRTRrss MONROE Dec -. !
Via BALrIxoKg, TaJrrdEy, Dec 20, 1871.