Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-10-22
NIGHT DlsPATCun.
From w ashlngton.

NIGHT DlsPATCuES.
From w ashlngt0n.
WAsHIx0r0E, Got. N.
Tho Reliance went down TO join the dotills last
night and the Robt. Lesslis started through to-day
noon. S,me forty vessels went down yesterday.
and safely passed the Rebel batteries. A large
aumber Of shots were fired 1t them, but none
struck
1t is believed that the armed steamship or float
ing battery now building after the Ericsson plsn.
viii be completed long before the other two are
finished, the work upon it being Of less magnitude.
A large surplus from tho sum appropriated BY
Congress fCr the purpose remains.
Secretary Cameron returned this morning from
our troops and their recent movements, affords
subJsct Of military praisc.
Especial to Post.l
Mr.. Ellet, prominent military engineer sf this
city, has proposed to Government . plan for con-
structing number Of steam rama, with iron bsaks.
for the protec ion Of the large sea ports, in the
event Of foreign war. II is believed tho Govern
ment regards this proposition with favor
There 10 rumor here to-day that sharp cor.
rcspondesee 10 going on between Seey. seward
and Lord Lyons, in continuation Of that which has
already been published, but no authentic intelii-
gence has transpifsd. The report is regarded -
untrue.
The Baltimore L Washington Railroad Co. On.
poets to bo able to satisfy all tho requirements Of
the Government, in the transportation Of troops
aud supplies over It's single track, with additional
facilities for travel.
The Government does not credit tho report Of
the escape of Il STEAMSHIP lash Vile from Charles
ton. In fact, IL Was stated that evidence to the
contrary, has been rcceiv we'd here.
The following intelligence 10 from the Richmond
Enqs'rv Of the l5tn, Of sGsirs It New Orleans
Nsw OsLsAxs, Oct. IL.
sA:o ~
tho ManAsas, the iron clad marine bAttsring ran.
one 6A-pound DahlgreD gun, the steamer
Calhoun, tho flag ship with ono "a
pounder and two z6-pounder Dahlgrsn guns,
the:steamer Joy, with an s-inch 32-poundcr, ,riasd
the steamer jackson with t~o 6-inch Columbiads
the steamer Mcltea with . 81 FOUNDER mounted on
pivot, withofour s-inch Colum biads and ono "a
pounder, ,ri6ed tho steamer Tuscsrora with ono T.
inch Columsiad and a 81 FOUNDER, riAed and the
cutter Pickcns with one small olum bisd and four
24-Pounders, carronades. Tho blockade bad the
Richmond, vinconnes, Preble, Water Witch and
frdat nsr, -ohr nekt E,aFted fof OIL 52.xson 40
Manassas leading the way. The night was intense
ly dark, and tho Manassas into vessel, strik-
ing her near the bow and cutting into her upwards
Of 20 feet. Appalling shrieks werc heard aboard
the doomed ship signal rockets were fired, the en-
emy beat to quarters and . perfect iron hail fell
around and upon the Manassas, during which her
machinery became dcranged. The Tuscarora and
the Watson came up with the frs baTges which
had been cut loose and set sdrift the stream.
When the morn came fleet commenced TO pus.
sue tho retreating encTy, and heavy cannonad-
ing began, which lasted until 8 O'Clock. Several
shots struck the Richmond. The shots from the
Yankee wero badly aimed IS they did not touch
one Of our vessels. When the firing ended tho
feet returned I. the city. with the prize schooner
Joseph II. Toonc loaded with coal, which had
been deserted during the night. A large quantity
Of lumber which had been intended for the con-
struction OF fertilization at the head Of the pas
ses, was burned. The vessel sunk was not the
Prebls, but the Vincennes. Three vessels of our
expedition arrived on Saturday night.
There are rnmors of battle in progress near
Leesburg. No particulars. Tho Federal troops
are known to DO surrounded on an island in the
river near that point. Parties Of Federal troops
venture % far as Mt. Vernon.
The rumor OF fremonts removal Vas received
to day.
The following telegram from Gen. Stones com.
msnd, has been received at hcadquarterA:
A gallant reconnaissance was made early this
morning by Maj. Mix, Of tho Van Allen cavalry,
and Capt. Stewart, Asst Adjt Con-, from Edwards
Ferry towards Leesburg, with 30 cavalry, and they
came the l4,h Mississippi regiment, received
their fire 1T 30 yards, returned it With their pis
tolls and fell back in order, bringing in prison
or. We have possession Of the Virginia side Of
Edward Ferry.
Additional accounts ray that, up to 8 O'Clock To-
day, Gen. stone had held his own satisfactorily
there though his comparatively small force On
the Island 10 engaged with some ZOO Of the
enemy.
A subsequent dispatch, received late this eve-
ming, says Gen. kvsns hss field pieces, end ,
masked, and about 1000 men. prisoner taken
mentions that be has 1000 Rebel troops and ex-
poets reinft rcements. Gen. Stone as that time
believed he could occupy Leesburg to-day and
hold it.
On careful Investigation, it is found that the
sum Of 100000 was sent TO England and $780,
700 10 70 be sent in 80 days, OF little less thsa
million dollars, TO purchase cloths 70 be made
up In this country 70 meet the pressing wants q
our soldiers tho 6sld. until our own msnufactu-
rsrs can supply the goods 80 much needed. The
greatest care was exercised in the selection of
agents TO execute the order.
In connection with the fast that payment has
been suspended on dehtscreated in the
Department Of the West, il IL stated
that tho Investigation Committee appoint-
I'd By Congress, TO inquire into contracts;
and now in session in 81 Louis have, il their sx-
animation. discovered great irrsgulars.es and e.
trsvagance in public expenditures In view d
these ciseumstsness, il 10 apparent taas The Ad-
ministration will yield to the necessity Of eoa-
uletelv re-osRanising the entire Depa5tosut .
accomplish which, Gen. Fremont will b eans-
isned, - arranged, 70 some other duty The
President and his constitutionsl sAviseTs, ars de-
tsrmined thss that department Of the service shall
and co exercise the power 70 coDtfol It, while tho
steps necessary 70 be taken, may shsct the stae4-
ine og position Of Individuals, u y esuSlA-
cred bstese thst such changes should - nAds,
rather than The great interests ot stake sh0ula
suffer BY hssitstion oe iAs ;tion on the part eS he
Government.
tension Of his Reaper patsst Of 1sl7.