New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-10

numbered, Capt. H<engaged them brishly. Two reoel
officers are k0owu 20 have been kieds captain and
lieutenant and several men wounded. On earning
the faes, Coli Phelps advanced five companies 70 sup
port Capt H., at the same time sending the Monticello
mp the rive, the banhs OF which the affair occurred
On coming up, the Monticello threw three shels INTO
the rebS2 camp, but they had fed. The pursuit wac
Kept up for ten niles. On the way they iound
hospital where they learned The two oihcef
had died. Their retreat was too RAPID, and
olr men returned without bageing Their
game During the skirnsh IN The morning an Incident
occurred that shows how ready the rebels 10 resort
to tricks While Capt. Hanille men we've pouring
their voleys iBto them the rebel captain stepped for
ward and exclaimed: For Code sake stop firing
you are firing on your friends r. " Who are you y
asked Capt ii. At that instant be perceived That they
were rebels and poured another voley into them IL
was but trick TO obtain ime 10 ou,-fank Capt H''
who. perceiving the fset, placed hmseh quite beyond
the intended movement
Since The affair a. Bethel the scouts from Newport
News have bagged of the rebels and had several
skirmishes with what effect il not known without The
loss Of man. Col. Phelps command is under gocd
discipline and in high state Of efficiency.
learn from Lieut.. Col Washburn Vi the Vermont
regiment that abundant evidence, going to establish
the fact that the whole forces in and about Yorktown
are in a dsorganzed condition has been obtained lately
from various sources and moro especially from the
Il uers found in the knapsaeks which the Rebel scouts
let Lehind when they fed precipitatey fey days
sDcS There ia abundant testimony aso going TO show
that the troops ara poorly fed One soldier writing TO
fneno in Richmond complains that pork lie the staple
article Ct food, and remarks, If when return any
man ever mentions prime middlngs, will kill him.
Another saws the -four is poor that IT, after eating IT.
man should 90 into the water be would surely SINK
il is 90 heavy. Ons recent march from Yorktown 10
the rear of Newp 1T News, or rather on their light
back, the threw aside their knspsacks shoes and
clothing generally which ont and infested
with yermin. The route for distance marked
by these evidences Of Reconciliation.
The Rebels have established camp on James
River nearly opposite to ours, at Newport News. Al
present il does not exceed one regiment. Tbs morn
ing Can't Brane fred few shots from the MosuceDo
which reminded them that they were in barIas way,
and had better move. Whether they will heed this ad
monitor remains 10 be seen.
With sufficient force, and everything else equal
the "bagging not only Of the Betbels, batof York
town. would be entirely practicable. But II ID under
stood that Gen. Butlers orders do not at present per-
NIT him to undertake the enterprise even Il his force
was great enough.
Should the force here be increased TO the extent II lie
now talked, the advance on Yorktown viii doubtless
be made Nor can Norfolk and the Navy-Yard be
overlooked for the latter Of the very places to
reclaim which the war was commenced. SO we may
count on the attempt being made time or other
Our force is barely kept good By the arrival of the
Baker Regiment for il about equals the Massachusetts
men whose will be up in fifteen days Col Baker
himself has gone 10 Washington, and understand that
il is doubtful whether he returns OF all.
The rumor that we are TO have Gen. Dix here bss
been revived, though / do not know with what truth.
His seniority over Gen Butler Is established by the fact
that while their commissions are dated on the came
day, Gen. Dix having previously been on the army
roll outranks Gen. Butler. That Gen. Dix stands
high with the army here ss well elsewhere, ia
very evident from the very general wish some time
ago expressed that he might have command of the
New-York regiments who very will comprise the
entire force here and who very naturally will prefer
a New-York General Such a preference would not
necessarily convey dissatisfaction with Gen.
Butler, whom, do not doubt, our troops
would be glad to follow into the field. The impress
sion prevails however, that Gen. Dix would institute
more thorough system of discipline, which his mill
tary experience and education would enable him TO do
think may safely say that troops earnestly long
for true military discipline and drill, at the hands Of
experienced officers, in whom they can place conf
dence, not only on account Of their reputation and
perience, but because of their recognized fitness TO
command, confirmed by their presence and manner.
1t was expected that the CourM Martial for the trial
of Col A lien would commence it's stngs Wednesday of
this week but UNDER tand that tie Colonel will not be
ready and that therefore, few days will be given
him 70 complete his preparation. lie is a prisoner
parole in the fortress, while his regiment is at New
port News
Gov. Morgan will soon have three, il no more,
vacant Colonelcies to fill in this department and he
do nothing 30 commendable to rise above the idea Of
fsvoritism. and make the selections from merit He
should reject the militia idea, and appoint with
solid qualifications Let us have men who have
learned the trade and will confer credit the State.
If vote could be taken in any of the regiments
here, do not doubt that it would be unanimous in
favor Of West Pointer over almost any man that
could be named without the education Of the Academy
The universally with which mitery education is
recognized and demanded is the highest commeDdaiion
that could be paid to Yves, Point. know Of militia
Generals of high rank WHO do not enjoy the confidence
Of the army TO the extent that educated Captains
even Lieutenants would on the field of action.
The bunders Of Pierce and the mistakes a Schenck
sppsl men when they think that they are the legitimate
results of militia generalship Let Gov. Morgan make
his mark higher than he can hope to do by any other
of his life by appointing Colonies of education and
recognized military qualities. Give US men who know
their trade. If you do not how is the private to know
his? /.
In Norfolk and at the numerous eDcsmpments for 20
miles around the Roads the Rebels celebrated the
Fourth Of July with apparent earnestness. Salutes