The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-20
NEWS FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
FORTRESS MONROE, August IS, |

ing Lieutenant G. Church is acting Adutant Gene
raj The presence Of General Wool is already having
good effect upon the troops.
The volunteer regiments fast receiving their new
uniforms, and their condition in every respect rs I'M
proving
Heavy firing heard this morning at Wilioughoy
Point. The rebels probably trying the range oil their
batteries.
Captain Wales comrany of New York Light Cavalry is
already well organized hoped that the regiment
of which il is part will soon be completed.
OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENCE.
FORTRESS MONROE Va, August II, 1861.
Arriral and Reception Of Major General John Wool at
the F'treS-hakes Visit Inspection to Newport Ners,
Accompanied by General Buttcr-An Immediate Attack
Threatened Vigorous Preparations for DJence-F'iags
Of Truce to and from No,5ops-Aaach on Pickds-Pay
mca q Toops-A Military Commission Forned-Inteli
gence Of Captan Aasslns and Lieutenant Moseback-
1he Weather, dc.
Major General John Wool and his private secretary
arrived this morning in the steamboat Louisiana, Captain
Cannon, from Baltimore. He waited upon as soon us
the boat made fast to the wharf by General Butler
and STALL Colonel Dmmick coramandant of the post and
several officers Of the garrison besides number of SOL
diers and civilians who had assembled to the General
Commanding Of the department
After the gentlemen had paid their respects to the
the boat AT hal-past seven, escorted by General But
Ter Colonel DmInck others, General Wool stepped
upon the wharf, and received by salute of thirteen
guns from the heavy ordnance of the Water battery This
salute gave the first intelligence to the residents at large
of the Point of the arrival Of General Wool and by the
time the party had reached the fort nearly every
out TO him. and many the expressions of pleasure
and satisfaction ut his coming The General Is the guest
OF his predecessor in command OF the fort.
The reports OF the fred the salute must have
been heard in Norfolk The air calm and heavy, and
the explosion reports heard ut the
instant and then followed the reyerberatons Wough
by Point and the rocky Rip Raps from whence it
seemed to in deepest tones across the Hampton Roads
and roll over Sewalls Iont like the mucrng Of distant
thunder finally dying away towards Crancy Island. The
effect grand and could but been appreciated
by the rebels, who were IN the greatest state Of excite
ment at Sewall's Point.
AT half past o'clock, with Gen. Butler, Gen. Wool
paid visit to Newport News IN the steamer Express.
He there received with salute Of thirteen guns and
Immediately went to the quarters OF Gen Phelps where
he called upon by the OIL stationed there. He
afterwards through the camp and inspected the
1renchmens, which, learn met his appreciation. Tho
unexpected arrival IF an officer at Gen Phelps head
quarters with the intelligence that the enemy had 0p-
peared before pckes, with artillery supported by ill.,
fantry, menacing attack upon the camp, made it ne
Cessary to change the programme little and the usual
brigade review was abandoned. The officer of the day
after arrived ana conf med in measure the pre-
yous reports Instantly the order prepare for battle
given and the long ro' beaten, and in short
time the forces ready for action. Lieutenant Hooks
battery sent out towards the picket to hold
the force in check if it should threaten
immediate attack Before the Express left with the
generals the battery had not returned but
attack had been made was it quite certain that the
enemy had advanced in force. Still every precauon
taken to drive back the advancing enemy if he should
attempt TO accomplish his long wished for object of
driving us from the sacred SOIL
There may be music there tonight if General Magruder
fingers about too close to us Generals Wool and ute
came down ut half past one
When the former will assume command is not den-
ntely known, but probably in day or two ta rival
has produced the greatest satisfaction among the New
York troops who prefer TO DO commanded by New
Yorker. AS he did not bring staff with him, he W i'll
doubtless form it from officers Of the regular my
stationed here.
flag of truce was sent up to Norfolk this morning in
The Adriac to convey two ladies' and several children to
''secesia Lieutenant Crosby, OF the navy had charge
Of the flag, and several officers, among whom Cap
tain Renshaw of the United States Navy Captain Davis
Provost Marshal; Lieutenant Yelverton Signal Officer
DIR. Townsend, OF Philadelphia and two members of the
press-including your correspondent-who saw many
things he cannot describe Mr. Ward, OF the
New York Illustrated Ne,us, was also of the
party The Adriatc ran up as far as Craney Island,
where she anchored, and awaited boat from the
other side, into which the ladies safely transferred
and came back
A flag OF true was expected to-day from Norfolk, to
bring some chapans Of Maine regiments other pri-
released parole But up to the time of writing
nothing has been seen of it, Probably tomorrow
shall have them with and if they have anything in
teresng to communicate | shall endeayor to obtain it
Tor the HERALD.
The expedition have before alluded to has not yet
weather If nothing to prevent the expedition
from arriving of its labors there doubt
something towards an eecua blockade Of portion of
the Southern coast will have been ACCOMPLISHED
The boat to-day brought Paymaster Way with specie to
The amount of twenty thousand dolarshe latter through
Adams Express-to pay Off the Tenth regiment Of New
York Volunteers Lieutenant Colonel Elder acting Colonel
This regiment has been in service over three months and
have not yet, received copper from Uncle Sam.
Though late tho paymaser's appearance is not the less
acceptable to the soldiers, whose families are in in
is cd nj annd in vii
off the Second and Ninth New York regiments encamped
7here General Butler took the responsibility Of apropr
atng the money which had laid idle in Mr.. Sanborns
hands, at the Express office, nearly three weeks,
waiting paymaster whose whereabouts none
10 it long since were growing and grumbling
and caused to be carried to Newport News and intended
they needed it, and to his credit be it said brushed away
1hc red tape and determined to the position and
perform the duty Of paymaster himself He was relieved
of the trouble by the appearance Of Major Way who
now distributing the gold to the grateful soldiers.
Tomorrow or next day the Tenth Zouaves will be paid
pay except the Union Coast Guard They have not re-
ceived cent yet from the government which they
have served with il commendable degree of fidelity and
zeal and their claims should not be overlooked
gotten.
military commission, formed under the new law to
promote the efficiency of the army has been ordered
assemble at this post, will be from the following
important ORDER
GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 20.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, &C.,
FORTRESS MONROE, Va, August Is, 1851.
In compliance with General Order No. 40 War Depart
ment, Adjutant Generals Office Washington D. c. August
3, 1861, "a Military Commission will assemble at
Fortress Monroe Va at eleven O'Clock A. the nth
snsant to examine and report upon the capacity quaA.
cations, propriety Of conduct and eiciency' of such
commissioned officers may DO reported to the Commits.
Sion.
H. The commanding officers of regiments are directed
to report to the President Of the Military Commission
any commissioned officers OF their regiments they may
consider desirable TO have examined in regard to any
Of the points mentioned in paragraph l.
III. The following officers will constitute the commits
Bion-
Major W. Hays Fourth Artillery, President;
Major Kimbal, Ninth regiment New York Volunteers;
Captain Jardine, Ninth regiment New York Volunteers
Captain Bureigh, First regiment New York Volunteers;
Captain Van Dohn, Twentieth regiment ~ Y Volunteers
who will record the proceedings. By command Of
Major General BUTLER.
G. G. CHURCHILL, Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
will be observed that by paragraph H. it is made op-
tonal with the commanding officer Of aregment whether
An officer in his command shall be examined by this
Board and his capacity, qualifications, &c, TO com
mand be ascertained. l predict that the labors Of
The Board will be very light, and it will be dis
covered officially, what Of the members can
satisfactorily learn otherwise that there are but precious
lew officers in the department who are unfit for com.
mand Welknow there many who would be better in
lhe ranks than wearing sword but il is very doubtful
whether commanding officers will report the fact If the