The weekly Ottumwa courier., 1861-05-22
From the Seat of War.
Special to the Herald

Tha Lynchburg Virg:nian of the 18th
says the remains of Washington have been
conveyed to Lexington, Va, and there in.
tered in a suitable musoleum.
Direct news from Harper's Ferry, received
by this arrival. A new battery has beer
erected on the hills. 1t was supposed by
the rebel chief that they would be attacked
soon after the close of this week, and that
Gen. Butler would command the expedition
Yesterday scouting parties were sent on,
and telegraphic signals agreed on, by which
approaching troops were to be made known
Gentlemen from Virginia here now con
firm the report that an army which invades
that State will be harrassed by numerous
bands of Gurrillas.
An officer of troops just from Carlo, says
Gen. Pillow was certainly seen on the Ken.
tucky side of the river on Saturday.
The Times Washington dispatch says the
Secretary of War has to-day accepted the
first Brigade of Chicago, 5000 strong. They
go for the war. Col Mulligan leaves 70,
Illinois tomorrow to bring them On. They
have orders for marching in this direction as
soon as he arrives.
Learn from the Postmaster General thai
it is intended tomorrow to suspend all the
steam naval service in the seeding States
as these steamers have no business now OF
any importance except the mail service, from
which the government derives no benefit
1t becomes nothing but subsidy to sustain
broken down vessels in rebellious territory.
All sub-contracts will therefore be annulled
by the government.
1t is reported that a letter received from
Col Lee by a gentleman in this city saws the
whole statement of the removal of Washing.
tons remains is without the slightest foun-
dation
The statement made by some Baltimore
papers that all the troops recently passing
through Baltimore had not been molested or
!nsultcd, is incorrect. Ringgold's artillery
were grossly insulted nearly all the way
through the streets, but no offensive attacks
were made.
1t is reported that in consequence of G ov.
Hicks remonstrance that Virginia troops
have been withdrawn from MARYLAND. Tf
promptly occupied by us the Heights thus
vacated will completely command the town
and encampment of Harper's Ferry.
Worlds dispatches says the Huntsville
has joined the Niagara before Charleston
harbor, and the two now constitute an eff
cient blockade there. At the last accounts
nothing but fishing smacks had been caught.
1t was deemed necessary to-day to stop
rnmors to despatch messenger 10 Arlington
Heights, to make critical examination to
see if any batteries were erected or any
troops were at hand He has returned and
reports I've saw no cannon, and with the ex-
ception ofa small picket guard of 20 men
opposite Georgetown, there were no soldiers
to be seen within a radius of 5 miles of the
Heights.
tits stated that Chief Engineer HasweA
from New York, who was lately under arrest
at Harper's Ferry, was released on the
strength of dispatches from New York, de-
claring that if he was hung, every Virginian
in the North that could be found, would
meet a similar fate.
[Tribune's Dispatch
The President has accepted three fine tugs
offered by Mr. Sturgls of Chicago. some
weeks since, will be detailed for service at
Cairo.
Arrest for treason continue to be made
daily-the lines are being drawn more closely.
A young man cf Newark, N. j., Just ar
rived from Charleston, says there is very
little military activity there All the troops
had marched for Virginia He witnessed
the bombardment of Sumter. If any were
killed at Moultrie or the battery, thay were
buried there, and the fact was not known at
Charleston. That he has seen Beauregard
twice since the bombardment. Hercmained
in Richmond one day. There it is all action.
Troops are continually arriving and depart
Ing. Says cavalry are good men, but poor
horses seem to be very numerous Perfect
confidence as to the result of the conflict
reigns everywhere.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Maj Mulligan's
Irish Brigade has been accepted for the war
The department daily receives bushels o
letters from applicants for places, both mill
tary and civil, most of which ask for replies
1t is proper, therefore, to state that it is the
inhexible rule, that letters relating to such
subjects, though read and filed, are NOT ant
cannot be answered.
Special to the Herald.
1t is useless to disguise the fact that lead
ing members of the diplomatic corps ir
Washington are engaged in constant and
anxious discussion, on the course it may bt
necessary for them TO adopt They have
recently received urgent instructions from
their respective governments, to inform then
with the utmo: precision, of the chances o
the two sections in their present deadly
quarrel.
tbs leaked out that the government ir
question, declares that their commercial in
terests are identical in great degree with
the South, and that if they are forced into
taking sides with either, they will be com