Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-02
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
A FLAG OF TRUCE PROM GENERAL JOHNSON.

Bailey's Cross Roads, bearing dispatches from
Johnson (bcrne by Lieut.. Hanger, Of the Sixth
Georgia RegInsnt,) addressed to Gen Mellow.
ell. The flag bearer was at once conducted to
the tent Of Acting Brigadier General McGann,
who caused the package borne to be sent to Gen
Mcdowell, keeping the bearer and his attendants
in bis camp.
Last night, General Mcdowell sent duplicates
of the dispatches in question to Gen. Mcclellan,
and this morning they were duly laid before the
President. Their contents, Of which we know
nothing. ere however said and believed to be Of
importance. Tinsso Danaos dona fsrentes.
ACTIVITY IN The NAVY DEPARTMENT, ETC.
In reply to the slurs and imprecations so indus.
triously thrown uron the Secretary of the Navy
through many presses. 1t Is but necessary TO re-
mind the public that on assuming control Of his
Department, on the 4th Of Ma rch last, Mr. Welles
found that bis predecessor had left but three
at bis disposal for the work Of al ding with the
Navy to maintain the integrity Of the Union all
the rest fit or ready for service being at points
from which he could not make them available In
the instant emergency THAT was upon the country.
Since then, he has actually managed to get hun
dred and si1ty-three vessels actively employed in
some way or other In connection with the
work OF closing the ports Of the revolted States
and SURPRISING piracy under the pretense Of pri-
watering. So effective a naval force was never
before improvised under any Government with SO
small means at hand for commencing and pushing
through the work
Nine-tenihs Of the growing against the Secre-
tary, to which We refer above, comes originally
from parties disappointed In getting ito the ser
vice. ruinous contracts from the Department, for
the sale or charter Of unfit vessels unsuitable guns
&c, &c. Hundreds of owners Of old and rickety
steamers Cf every description, almost useless for
anything else, have ''tried II onn the Department
to get rid If their hulks at enormous prices Their
disappointment on finding Secretary Welles not
to be easily swindled, Is at the bottom Of most of
tie newspaper complaints. Nine-fenths OF the
mercantile steamers afoat are not sufficiently
staunch to carry guns; and unless they can carry
them effectively. they utterly useles, for any
naval purpose whatever, except az transports. AS
fast as the Department has been able to ID steam
ers that will carry guns Of any description effect
lively, they have been promptly brought into ser
vice when that could be done without submitting
to downright extorticn. The closing of the ports
Of the revolted States Is already more complete
blockade than was ever before achieved by any
navy, of coast Of so great extent, notwithstand-
Ing the difficulties with which the Department
had to contend when Secretary Welles came into
office. In a month from this time when all the
vessels now being prepared shall be In service we
Shall hear no more Of vessels getting In or out Of
forbidden port, or of privateers annoying the
commerce of the United States
RETURNED FROM RIcHNoTp
MIR. Julius Bing, German, who accompanied
Senator Foster, of Conn. and other civilians on
the field at Bull Run. on the memorable SUNDAY
OF The battle, and was made a prisoner, returned
to Washington yesterday afternoon. He says that
having been forwarded to Richmond with other
prisoners, he was released the interposition Of
the British Consult being British subject The
consul furnished him with dispatches to Lord
Lyon, which he found more effective In saving
him from mob violence In the different villages
through which he passed back to Washington.
(via Fredericksburg and across the Potomac, and
through Maryland,) than the pass from the Viz
ginia military authorities he also bore. He re-
ports that the Hon. Alfred Ely, Of New Ysrk, and
Col. Corcoran, of the New York Goth, are both
prisoners In Richmond, and though confined, are
not kept In the Jail or common military prison,
but In comfortable quarters. Col. Corcoran, II
wounded, (Which he thinks 10 not true, } Is 90
slightly wounded az not to be seriously inconve-
nienced by it. His Impression, however, is that
Col c. had been sick, not wounded.
THE COMMAND OF THR WASHINGTON NAVY YARD.
Congress did wise thing Yesterday In chang.
ing the law SO as to allow the President to keen
Commander Dahlgren in his present position a,
the head Of the Washington Navy Yard Up to
this Congressional action, no officer Of lower
grade than captain could lawfully command It,
whatever bis competency might have been He
Is gentleman Of great force Of character and un.
surpassed efficiency in the service, and az naval
ordnance officer ranks in Europe as we'll as this
country as perhaps the first in the world The
Washington Navy Yard is now the point at whch
the ordnance Of the service Is prepared and I'm.
ished; and in having the entire control of the
affairs Of the Yard, he is able to push that now
most important naval work, far more vigorously
and satisfactorily than he could otherwise do.
THE PROVOST GUARD.
AT the suggestion Of Col. Porter, U. A
Provost Marsha here, we republish Major General
McClellan's order forbidding the absence of OH
GERS or men from their respective CAMPS excep,
under positive orders or with proper permits
Yesterday Colonel 3 guard arrested a number
Of soldiers tins Improperly absent and in Wash.
ington. To-day he also CONNIE noes the arrest OF
all officers who fail to be governed by Gene, al
McClelan's order. Both officers and men NAV
rest assured that Colonel Porter will carry 1t GU,
to the letter In all cases
He has also already had occasion to deal sum.
marily with persons selling liquor improperly to
soldiers, and designs hereafter putting a stop to
the practice with quick and firm hand So, the
public may expect soon to hear of more bottles
and spiggOts demolished with the saber, in our
midst
GENERAL ORDERS, No.2
Headquarters, Division of the Potomac
WASHINGTON, July 80, 1851
me GENERAL commanding the Division has
with much regret, observed that lsrge numbers
OF officers and men stationed In the vicinity of
w ashington are In the habit Of FREQ uentiny the
streets and hotels Of the CITY
ibis practice Is eminently prejudicial to good
order and military discipline, and must at once
be discontinued.
The time and services Of all persons Connected
with this Division should be devoted to their an
propriate duties with their respective Commando
IL Is therefore directed, that hereafter no offcer
or soldier be allowed TO absent himself from his
camp and visit w ashington, except for the per-
io'mance Of some public duty, or for the transac
ton OF important private business for which pur
poses written permits will be given by the com.
manders Of brigades. The permit will state the
object Of the visit
Brigade commanders will be held respopsibIe
Tor the strict execution Of this order