Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-10-22

4 Mr.. Ellet, prominent military engineer, 0
this city, has proposed to the Government
plan for constructing number Of steam Ram
with iron backs, for the protection of the larg
seaports in the event of foreign invasion. |
10 believed the Government regards this propo
sltion with favor.
| liIIt ITO the Associated Press
WAsHINaToN, Oct. 2l.-The Reliance wen
down to Join the fiotilla last night, and th,
Robert Leslie sailed thither to day noon. Some
forty vessels went down yesterday and safely
passed the rebel batteries; large number o.
shots were fred at them but none struck.
II is believed thei armed steamship or float
ing battery now building after the Ericsson plan
will be completed long before the other two are
finished, the work upon it being OF less magni-
tude. A large surplus from the sum appropri
ated by Congress for the purpose remains.
Secretary Cameron returned this morning
| from his visit west The good disciplinary or
der OF our troops in their recent movements af-
fOTds subject for military praise. 5fsl
There is rumor here to-day that sharp cor
respondence is going on between Secretary Sew
ard and Lord Lyons, In continuation of that
which has already been published. but no au-
thentic intelligence has transpired and the re-
port is regarded as untrue.
The Baltimore g. Washington Railroad Com
pany expects to be able TO satisfy all the re-
quirements Of the Government in the transpor-
tation Of troops and supplies over its single
track with additional facilities for travel.
The Government does not credit the report OF
the escape of the steamship Nashville from
Charleston. In fact it was stated that evidence
to the contrary has been received here. '-
The following intelligence is from the Rich.
mond Enquirer of the 18TH g..
NPu 0aIVANa Opf Id Tho pynpditinn nf
Commodore Hollins consisted Of the Manassas,
the on-cad marine BaLteriDg Ram, with one
four-pounder Dahlgren gun, the steamer Cal
houn, the flagship, with one twenty four pound.
er and two eighteen FOUNDERS Dahlgren guns,
the steamer Ivy, with an eight.nch thirty-two-
pounder rlfled, the steamer Jackeon, with two
eight.inch coumbads, the steamer McRae, with
sixty ty-four-pOunder mounted on pivot, fonr
eight.inch columbiads and twenty -four-pound-
er rihed, the steamer Tuscarora, with one eight.
inch colunbiad and thirty y-One- FOUNDER rifed,
aud the cutter PiCkens, with one eight inch CO.
lumbiad and four twenty y-four-pounder canon
AIDES. a...
The blockade had the Richmond, Viucennes,
Preble, Water Witch, aud the schooner Joseph
H. Toone, in all fifty three guns.
Or Friday last our fleet started for Fort Jack
son, the Manassas leading the way. The night
was intensely dark, and the Manassas ran into
a vessel, striking her near the bow, and cutting
into her upward of twenty feet. Appalling
shrieks were heard aboard the doomed ship
Signal rockets we're fired, the enemy beat to
quarters, and a perfect iron hail fell upon and
around the Manassas, during which her ma
chinery became damaged. The Tuscarora
and the Watson came up with four barges
which had been cut loose and set adrift on the
stream.
When the morning came, our feet COM
menced to pursue the retreatiDg enemy, and
heavy cannonading began, which lasted till 8
o'clock. Several shots struck the Richmond.
Shots from the Yankees were badly aimed, as
they did not touch one of our vessels. When
the firing ceased the feet returned TO the city
with the prize schooner Joseph II, Toone, load
ed with coal, and which had been deserted dur.
ing the night.
A. large quantity Of lumber, which had been
intended for the construction OF fortification
at tho head of the Passes, was burned
The vessel sunk was not the Preble, but the
Vincennes.
Three vessels of our expedition arrived on
Saturday night.
There are rumors Of battle in progress near
Leesburg. No particulars. The Federal troops
are known to be entrenched on an island in the
river near that point. F0raging parties of Fed
eral troops daily venture as far as Mt. Vernon.
The rumOr Of Fremont's removal SCREWED to.
day.
The following telegram from Gen. Stones
command has been received at head quarters
A gallant reconnaissance was made early this
morning by Major Mix, Of the Van Allen cav
airy, and Capt. Stewart, Acknowledgment
General, from Edwards Ferry toward Lees
burg, with thirty cavalry. They came on the l4lh
al S.al -. A.. A
thirty yards. They returned it with their pis.
tolls and fell back in order, bringing in one prs.
oner. We have possession of the Virginia side
Of Edwards Ferry.
Additional accounts cay, up to 3 O'Clock to-
day Gen. Stone had held his own satisfactorily
there, though his comparatively email force on
the Island is engaged with some 1000 Of the
enemy.
A subsequent dispatch received late this af-
ternoon says Gen. Evans has four field pieces
ana three pieces masked, and almost 1000 men.
A prisoner taken mentions he has 1000 rebel
troops and expects reinforcements.
Gen. Stone at that time believed he could oc-
cupy Leesburg to-day and hold IL.
On careful investigation it Is found that the
sum of $400,0 600 was sent 10 England, and
100000 more ia to be cent in thirty days-in |
all, less than one million dollars--to purchase |
cloths to be made up in this country TO meet the
pressing wants Of our soldiers in the field, un-
ill our own manufacturers can supply the goods
30 much needed. The greatest care was exer-
cised in the selection OF agents to execute the
order.
In connection with the fact that payment has
been suspended on debts created in the Depart
ment of the West, it is stated that the investi
eating committee appointed by Congress to ex-
anime into all contracts, and now in session In
st. Louis, have, in their examination, discover
ed great irfegularity and extravagance in the
public expenditures. Ia view of all the cir.
cumstances, IL is apparent that tho administra-
tion will yield to the necessity of completely
the entire Department, to accom- |
plish which Gen. Fremont will be transferred or
assigned to come other duty.
The President and his constitutional advisers
are determined that that department of the SER
vice shall be managed with prudence, so far as
they have and can exercise the power TO control
1t. While the steps necessary to be taken may |
affect the standing or position of some few in |
1t Is considered better that such
changes should be made rather than the great
interests at stake should suffer by hesitation or
inaction on the part of the Government.
The Commissioner of Patents has decided not
to extend on McCormick's application for On
extension OF his reaper patent Of lS47. vF 1
A Court Of Enquiry has been ordered at the
request of Commodore Pope, of the Brooklyn,
for escape Of the privateer sumter while he was
the Mississippi.
A Government construction train advanced
on the Loudon aud Hampshire Railroad to-day
a mile aud q half beyond Falls Church find
ing the road that far in good condition. aa7l
Rebel pickets were seen to-day on the Lees,
burg turnpike milebeyond our outposts.
A r. u..... r.on, Eon Gn,;khSa a; y;ator