The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-03
ON SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 1851.
aEN. MCCLELLAN RETAINS COMMAND OF THE ARMx OF
THE POTOMAC.
General Mcclellan will continue in actual command Of
che Potomac.
PRESENTATION OF SWORD TO GEN. MCMILLAN
- SIGNIFICANT SPEECH OF THE GENERAL.
A Committee Of tie City Councils, of Philadelphia,
waited Major General Mcclellan at his residence this
evening, and presented him with magnificent sword.
General Mcclellan in the Of Lis reply said that he
received the sword not for what he hal done but for
what be hoped to do. All that necessary was pa
teuce and confidence, and victory would eventually be
ours.
THE BLOCKADE OF THE LOWER POTOMAC RUN BY
THE STEAMER POwHATAN.
The steamer Powhatan arrived the Navy Yard this
morning, having run the blockade last night She has
been at Annapolis for te past and left there
Monday last Since Tuesday she has been with the o.la
the Lower Potomac and last night started up and
past the rebel batteries in the darkness although the
enemy evidently heard her, and lights out and
signals made The pilot Of the Powhatan who knows the
river thoroughly says that any vessel might have passed
the rebel batteries last night without ncurrng any risk
from them.
The steamer Baltimore is used to convey stores from
Old Point to the aota below the rebel batteries and
at Wade's Bay last night when the Powhatan came up
Four sloops, Jersey schooner and pungy cano down
past the batteries yesterday early ia the afternoon They
with exception, took course through the swash
channel, next the Maryland shore; and although the
rebels wasted large quantity Of ammunition in firing at
them, Of them struck. One Of the sloops,
commanded by German kept close along the Virginia
shore running the gauntlet Of all tho rebel batteries and
escaped unharmed from the heavy fire aimed a. it.
Thirty forty shells thrown from the rebel bat
tories over intrenchments the Maryland shore
hrtth not mn he Of n.
work. Some Of thirty two Founders answered with
three or four rounds but II is not known whether
shots reached.
WIRING FROM THE REBEL BATTERIES ON THE UPPER
POTOMAC.
Yesterday afternoon q shell was thrown from the vir
Ena shore striking the Of Lieutenant Brauns who
has command Of tho battery Of tho First
artillery at Difficult creek, Edwards Ferry One Of
The persons In the tent wounded slightly In the arm
by the explosion The shell Is supposed 70 have been
from light battery
THE REMOVAL OF GENERAL FREMONT.
There seems To be little doubt that nearlya week ago
special messenger left Washington with letter 10 Gen.
Fremont ordering him transfer his command to Gen
Hunter until shall be specially designated
RESIGNATION or THE CHEF CLERK OF TIE wAR
DEPARTMENT.
James Lesley Jr., the present efficient and accomplished
chief Clerk Of the War Department. finding that the To-
bors OF his arduous position were greatly affecting his
health has, TO tho regret Of hts many friends concluded
% retire from active duties for tho present. Mr. Lesley
has been appointed Consul at Nice which has raised
10 eaared consulate under the o Congress
having become from ns position on the ron,er Of France
spd aly,a place f much importance In reference 70
American commerce in the Mediterranean At shis pos,
hs knowledge f continental languages hts ability as
wrssr and his thorough acquaintance with public mat
trs In connection with sovemsnt will enable him
70 render valuable and important service.
Tho Consul Generashp Of British India, at Calcutta
with salary Of IS 600 per annum was rendered to Mr.
Lssoy but he declined IT, prcerrng TO give his services