The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-05
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DEspA TcHEs.

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WASHINGTON, Nov 4, 1861.
THE PERSONNEL AND MATERlEL OF THE UNION ARMY.
General Mcclellan has been occupied to-day in ascer-
tanning the strength, condition and disposition Of tho
army OF tho United States the command OF which has so
suddenly devolved upon him. He has called upon the
war Department for statement Of the whole number Of
men, and where posted and the total estimate of mate.
rial on hand and how distributed This information ia
necessary for the efficient discharge Of his duty
manding General Of the whole army He viii be oocu.
pied for several days in systetzng arranging these
matters 80 that tho burthen Of the management OF
military affairs may be safely confded 70 the Adjutant
Generals oicc. and afford the General opportunity
devote his attention specially to the Affairs Of the army
Of the Potomac remaining under his immediate command
THE CASE OF GENERAL FREMONT.
No authority whatever has beon given for the state
ment that General Hunter has been ordered TO
General Fremont. The whole Fremont affair was re-
errcd by tho Cabinet to the President time ago.
ne persisteny declines 70 announce at present his de-
cision in the matter. That he has decided the
question is beyond doubt. There is also little question
that the decision is adverse General Fremont Tho
only evidence to be adduced circumstantal but that
points inevitably to the change the command of the
Department of the West On Friday the 25h Of October
dispatches forwarded from the directly
TO General Hunter. II they not intended to recog
Mise him as the chief in command Of that department
they could not have been thus directed without Offering
indgnity TO General Fremont.
There is no longer any doubt entertained in military
circles that General Fremont has been superseded by
General Hunter temporarily, If not permanty.
AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POroMAC-THE UNION
BATTERIES OPENED ON THE REBEL STEAMER PAGE.
The Resclue paid flying visit to the Navy Yard last
night, but brought no news of Importance.
Oar battery Posey's Hill, back Of Budds Ferry is
completed and engaged yesterday trying the range
Of the guns the rebel steamer George Page lying
Quantico creek. Three Of the shots struck her. with
what effect is not known, she was Immediately with
drawn out of sight up the creek where she viii probably
be left aground when the flood in the river subsidies
FIRE AT THE GENERAL HOSPITAL.
At one O'Clock this morning fire broke out in the
lower story Of the General Hospital Judiciary square,
originating furnace The conlbustble parts of the
main building and of the right wing together with the
roofs, were destroyed When the flames first dis
covered hurried preparations made for the removal
OF the sick and wounded soldiers about fifty in number
This effected in good order and with safety to the
patients, who are comfortably cared for the neigh
boring City Hall and other buildings in the immediate
vicinity. Most Of the chamber furniture was saved
The fire ragged for hours without any water being
thrown upon it, There about two hundred patients
in the building The physicians and nurses barely es
capped with the clothes they wore and the efforts OF ali
who were present citizens and soldiers directed
exclusively to rcscuing the sick and ounaeu III which
important ard rendered by large detachment Of the
Tenth United States infantry, composing tie Provost
Guard detailed for that purpose from their quarters
All tho patients were saved and have been trans
ferrcd TO other hospitals, except old woman
receAtly sent to the nlrmary by the Commits
sonsr OF Public Buildings who is still missing Three
fourths Of the building was completely destroyed.
This disaster demonstrates the necessity for the intro
duction Of steam fire department this city Of long
distances and extremely limited facilities for the cxtn
guishment Of fires
FREsnET IN THE POTOMAC.
The frcshe in the Potomac has completely b.ockaded
the Long Bridge and rendered 1t impossible to-day For
tunatey was thoroughly repaired last week. would
inevitably have been carried away by the Of the
current and the collection of drift pressing against It.
The stone causcway the wooden parts the
bridge entirely submerged and the Virginia end Of the
bridge is several feet underwater.
number OF bodies OF soldiers drowned at Balls Bluff
have been picked up to-day at the wharves at Georgetown
and from among the drftwood collected at the Long
Bridge Nine bodies have been recovered to-day
Only one bore evidence Of wounds. The most Of them
have been buried upon Anaostan sand opposite George
town.
MARYLAND SOLDIERS GOING HoMB TO VOTE.
Banks column has been granted leave return home,
without arms, to participate in the State election
Wednesday largo number Of Marylanders employed in
the Quartermasters Department have been accorded
similar privilege. Thousands of Union voters driven
from Baltimore during the reign Of terror there in April
few Of whom will be able to return take part in this
election.
posTPoNEMENT OF TIE REVIEW OF GENERAL SMITH 5
DIVISION.
The grand review fixed for to-day at Halls Hill, has
been again postponed Of the continued nds
position General Smith, and the occupation
General Mcclellan with matters Of greater Importance
SMALLPOX IN THE POTOMAC FLorILLA.
Several Of smallpox have appeared board tho
Potomac flagship Harriet Lane Two up in the
Herbert, and tho Powhatan has gone to the Arsenal
wharf receive others TO DO brought up the Mount
| Vernon.
THE CASE OF COLONEL MILES.
appears that the Court OF Inquiry in the Of Colo
mel Miles made their report Tuesday last but the
evidence voluminous the general commanding in the
midst Of multiplicity Of ars Of vital importance, has
| not been able to give IL consideration.
DEPARTURE OF MRS. LINCOLN FOR BOSTON.
Mrs. Lincoln left Washington this afternoon FOR Boston,
| on a visit TO her son Robert
THE JURISDICTION OF THE PROVOST MAKsHAL OF
i ALEXANDRIA.
The Provost Marshal at Alexandria has for time
past extended his jurisdiction beyond the line
military Offences and established court which had alb
sorbed itself penary authority in the settlement OF
| civil as well as military causes This has been made a
matter Of complaint TO the President, and order
issued from the War Department to-day directing Gene
raj Montgomery commanding at Alexandria, to have the
jurisdiction Of the Provost Marshal confined exclusively
such matters legitmatey under the supervi-
! sion Of the military authorities.
FORTIFYIN0 THE COAST OF MAINE
The commission appointed by the Governor OF Maine
composed Of Vice President Hamlin, Hon. r. williams
and John Poor in reference to fortiyng the Of
Maine have had several interviews reference thereto
with the President who has given It most favorable
consideration and has transmitted the communications
the subject TO the appropriate departments for their
| action.
FUNERAL OF A SEAMAN.
4 A detachment Of seamen from the Navy Yard this
morning attended the funeral Of John Walters one OF
the unfortunate boats who were fred upon at the
time Of the death Of Capt. Ward and who then received
bullet wound in his breast. under the effects of which
he has fingered until the present time.
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