New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-27
From Our Special Correspondent.
OLp Poryr CoaPopr INN. "a ICE,

To-day Major A. J. Myer, signal officer Of the ann
reported to Gen. Butler that Fortress Monroe and o
Butler at Newport News, were in communication hv
mears Of biz system of signals. Major Myer bss had
one man from each regiment in training for the lat tam
days. and Is now able to send and receive messages
with entire accuracy so tina, the commanding general
can ataon hmsefon The ramparts of the fortress ana
communicate with any all of the camps, at any tmo.
Forces on the march, by pre-arrangemen may also ts
communicated with. The system is one of signals with
flags by day and lamps by night. Words and combine
tons of words are ndicatedby certain motonsa kind
Of deaf and dumb alphabet, simple and easy to learn
and capable of conveying any message. BY repeating,
messages may DO sent any distance. Between tho
fortress and Newport News, TIE distance in direct
line, is about eight miles. BY the aid of good glasse
messages read, that s the motions Of the flag can
be seen with the greatest esse There are about the
system many things resembling the magnetic telegraph,
such rs repeating back breaking in when the message
is nc: understood and other conversational features,
There il nothing complex or cumbersome-a few flags,
jointed staff and two lamps, all lashed and covered
with slip not exceeding in bulk an ordinary fishing
tackle, constitute the entire machinery. To illustrate
the working Of the system: To-day Gen. Butler stsnd4
ing the Aagbason Of the fortress, wished TO send
the following message TO Col. Phelps at Newport
News:
"To Col. Phelps: The flag officer s coming.''
man taking in hand the rod ten feet long, to which,
was attached Tag lille than one yard square,
with black center and red border stationed himself
on the rampar,s, with Major Myer near him. As Ito
Major called 5, 81, 100 aud 60 on, the man made cer-
tain long distinct motions with the Gag IL took about
three minutes 10 send lie message. Another was iuis
medateiy returned that Col. Phelps had been commus
ncated the me sage. The following conversation took
place:
Gen Balc,--Tell them that there is no news frond
Washington.
Lies'. Thomas (hs oYerator)-Tell whom
Gsn. BstIeY-Co Phelps, and the rest.
At the request Of Major Il. inquired Of Lieut. Loo
der, at Newport News, whether there was anything
new in camp, that | could send 10 New-York. Tho
reply came back that Len Loder had left for the Fcr
tiess, ami that there no news.
The value Of the system will readily be seen. Moves
mens of armies car be controlled by it. It is parics1
lary seuiceahle in scattered encampments. Standing
on tire rampsrts of the Fortress Gen. Butler can any
tine any order he pleases to either one or all tho
encampmeuts and Sc. his army, or sny portion Of N
motion.
In addition 10 the ,e,es ~ port at Hampton battery
is D6ng cOIhtlucteu IN ice neSuDOrnOOC OF
inaIy commanding the mouth Of Hampton Creek. A
regiment goes out daily picket duty but for several
do Is past but little has been head Of the rebel
scouts Representations differ as 20 The strength Of the
enemy at Yorktown ranging from FIVE to twelve thou!
sGrd. On two points, however, there Is On agree.
ment The rebel forces are poorly fed and much dbl
satisfaction prevails among them. This arises frous
yirious Causes. a good many who have been pressed
Il. 49,. ill 4larrn nfa
moro on descrting than fighting against the Gag hey
still love- There are thousands in the Confederate
ranks with this feeling, and who will embrace the fst
opportunity tc make wide space between them and
the d5miniens Of Mr.. Jefferson Davis. The Corfe6s
crate forces are poorly paid, not paid AZ all While
in large guns they are abupdantly supplied they arc
deficient in small arms, many Of their troops having
only bird guns, and some noue at all.
An incident has come to NY knowledge credtable q
all concerned. At the battle Of Great Bethel Col.
Townsend the only officer on the field mounted and
in full uniform. When tie euemy's batteries weF9
playing hottest he formed his regiment In column 10
true military styls about the only true military ras
NEWER that day and in order to ascertain the postO5
aud strength Of the battery be rode deliberately across
field far in advance of his men, and coolly surveyed
the enemy's entertainments. While thus engaged 10
the mark OF the enemy as he was the admirauoa
of our troops, and especially Of his own regiment \
rebel was seen two or three times to aise his gun %
him and change bis position for certain sho, a
Zonave who witnessed the rebels movements and col'
pretending Col Townsends extreme danger, shot tho
rebel as be was drawing a sight on Col L. Hearing
OF the Circumstance, and becoming convinced thai IN
probably owed HE life the timely shot Of the Zouayj
Col. Il. few days snce, about the hour OF evening
parade, dispatched Adjatsnt Moore to Col. Duryees
field, with 20 gold piece I'm tie absence ofany oihee
medaD with hole bored through it and ribbon inset
ed. Col. Dgryee requested Private Burnham, Conn
ny * Capt. Ailpatricl to step in front Of the he,
when amid Ire cheers OF the entire regiment he wac
decorated for lis gallant corduct. He was at the ssHa
time handed note irciu Col. Townsend expires iag le
admiration for bis conduct.
Court of Inquiry to be held on the Little Bethel
blunder on the morning Of tie Gen. Price exploit q
Great Bethel The examination will probable take 8
wide range Bu;-wha of more Importance than snyf
thing elcis Gen. Pierce going 10 be retained here a
the daily and hourly Generalization Of our roopsl o
Inquiry will probably not be confined TO the quest %
Who fired frst--Coi. Townsends or Col. BendiAs
regiment II will probably extend to matters su'ss-
queut and anterior to that fa.al mistake. The wish Ok
The Bostor TFaEscriot NAV he gratihed. l hos
know that anybody here desires to hwart the desires
of that amiable Journal The way The TraH'er,ps
talks about military matters reminds one Of Mss WIZ
a bunderbuss.
Col Aliens men, on picket guardlast night, sr1esee
some fifteen men, women and children, and brooens
them 10 the fortress charged with making signals ~
sowing hghts Gen. Butler did not agree with 'a9
Colonel and discharged the aforesaid men, women an3
cb;lIren IN the consider bic diesust of Col Aleu-