The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-26
GEN. WOODS DIVISION.
OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENT

OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENCE.
FORTRESS MONROE Va, Nov. 90, 1851. Y
Ac.iptty in the Department of virynia-The Butler Eaps-
dition-GenraI Phelps Relieved Of has Command and
Assigned TO the Erpeditioa-Generdl Joseph X. ~ Mans-
field 10 Take Command at Newport Neps-Colond Mas
Weber Appointed Commanderof Camp Hanil.on-Bom-
tardnent Of Retel Camp at Warwick, on the YorA
Ricer-A Large Nunaber If Rebels Reported Killed
Besreen Forty and Fifty SHELLS 7oua Into The Rebel En-
canspment, de-, &c.
The Department Of Virginia at present be de-
termned on by the powers that to be of inn
oftance after the Rip Rap Van Wrinkle episode we have
passed through since the first occupation designation
thereof having been passed in mastery inactivity The
arrival Oh humorous soldiers for the past three days
new life into tho troops the prospects least
Indicate some movement that is crabko or all tho
sdery that has been added our forces here Ponnsy
vania has the largest How many more
will get here am unable say but rumor has il
that thirty thousand men will camp this side Of Hamp.
ton and probably beyond) by the LIST proximo regi-
ment of cavalry from Pennsylvania, in Of COL
Harland, numbering 200 men, mounted and equipped
arc encamped near the seminary at Camp Hamilton.
General Butler left here again last evening for Washing
ton He spent portion Of his stay with General Wool
and the other at Newport News with General Phelps.
The latter is to accompany General Butler In his
tcmpatcd expedition and today he has relieved or
his command and General Mansfield assigned TO tho post
at Newport News The following special order has been
issued this subject appointing Colonel Max Weber to
the command vacated by Gen. Mansfield
SPECIAL ORpERs-No 100.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or VIRGINIA
FORT MONROE, Va, Nov. q, 1861. I
Brigadier General J. X. T. Mansfield will turn over
the command Of Fort Hamilton TO Colonel Max Weber
Twentieth regiment n. Y. s. w., and proceed without
delay to Newport News and relieve Brigader General j.
W. Phelps, or any other officer who may be in command
Of that place. By command Of Major General WOOL.
WIN. ID. WBirPIK, Assistant Adjutant General
The appointment Of General Mansfield to the command
Of Camp Butler does not TO the appreciation or
all Since his assuming control over the forces
at Camp Hamilton everything has prospered the troops
composing his brigade dearly loving him. and often ex-
pressed themselves ready follow him to the DEATH and
now, having brought them u state of thorough pro-
lcency he is removed and sent to a new department
Although Newport News is q very important point still
officer not possessing the efficiency experience OF
General Mansfield might do very well TO command the
post and the department at Washington ought TO have
placed the veteran General in command Of division
either on the Potomac or in the great West The entirs
army records do not show talented, able and
experienced officer than General Mansaeld and yet he
| is allowed to remain in a place where he has NO
opportunity to distinguish himself do the
service to hts country that his loyalty and
patriotism prompt him to offer. However, the General
has not expressed himself either one way or another
He is much of soldier strict dscipnarian TO
utter syllable against order of his superior ON
GERS, if that order should consign him TO the
mand of the Rip Raps the Dry Torugas This after
noon accompanied by his aids, Captains Clarence H.
Dyer and Drake DeKay, General Mansfield proceeded to
Newport News TO assume command Of his new depart
ment.
The new commander Of Camp Hamilton, Colonel MAR
Weber, Of the Twentieth regiment New York Volunteers
Is well known to the readers Of the HERALD that
tce Of his merits ut this time seems almost superfuous
His from the commencement Of this war, the
ganizaton of the New York Turnverein into the Twen
teth regiment and his subsequent brilliant achieve
at Hataras, have been canvassed numerous
times, that the name Of Colonel Weber household
word.
This officer has the merit Of being soldier par excellence
from the battle fields Europe, demonstrated the foct to-
every American interested in this and is placed
IN command Of division large enough for two major
generals, and sl he is only colonel. II any man de-
promotion it is Colonel Weber, and will venture
to say that among all the Germans in this
try would be acceptable to Tcuonc citizens
brigade commander than Colonel Max Weber. II s TO-
be hoped that his acting in that capacity only the pre-
Of proper promotion, in order TO give opportu
nifty for advancement to many gallant and efficient ocers
| in the Twentieth regiment.
Immenso excitement exists here regard engage
men two of our gurOoas with rebel battery on the
York river From the cage reports have been enabled
gather appears that the gnboats Cambridge and Hct
Eel (he latter commanded by Lieutenant II. r. Davenpor
had been sent from their station oil Newport News 10
make reconnaissance the York river, and at about
ten O'Clock last evening opened with shells on
rebel encampment at Warwick where battery was be-
ing erected. Between forty and fifty Shells fifteen and
twenty seconds fuse fred, and the supposition 10
that large number OF rebels have been killed. The
nonadng plainly heard at this point, and it was at
first supposed that the Cumberland and Congress had
dropped down and engaged sewals Point am IN hopea
OF giving you full particulars tomorrow.
OUR CAMP BUTLER CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP BUTLER, NEWPORT NEWS, Va. Nov. "a, 1851.
Smelling Rebel Cdmp-A Remembering Captain, dc.
On Friday evening last the steamers Shawbeen and
lockwood, Captains Calhoun and Graves, commanders,
up James river six miles and shelcd
the camp Of tho Fourteenth Virginia regiment stationed
four miles below the main camp at Youngs mill. The
boats left here little after dusk, and remained quietly
in position until half twelve O'Clock at night,
when they commenced their work. They threw forty
eight Shells many of which must have done good effect
as the camp presented excellent target from the many
guard that stood in bold relief against the dirk
sky. Nothing definite, however, be known until
have had some scouts by land in that direction for the
is situated about mile from Shore and is hid from
view by small wood extending along the water
Captain SYLVIA, of tho First New York Volunteers &C.
conpanied the expedition, as he knows more about the
country around here than any man in camp he goes by
the name OF the Accommodating Captain from tho
fact of his peculiar fondness for peepng far posi-
bic into rebel camps. Sometimes we meet him in the
afternoon tired and dusty ask "why Captain sylvia
where have you been today" The reply $50,
have only been half mile within the enemys camp and
seen their guard mounting"
AWARD OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS FOR.
ARMY CLOTH.
PHILApELPHIA, Nov. 25, 1851.
The government contract for four hundred and fifty
thousand yards osy blue army cloth has been awarded
at 81 02 three hundred thousand yards, double width,
81 and hundred thousand yards dark blue ditto
50 70 per yard to Messrs Bullock Co., Of this city.
NEWS FROM NEW MEXICO.
FINANCIAL AID FOR THE GOvERNsENT-ACT1vE EN-
RoLLMENT OF TROOPS, ETC.
KANSAS Cry Nov IS, 1861.
The Santa Fe and Cannon City mail, with dates to the
16th arrived this morning, two days ahead OF time
There were through passengers.
AT meeting OF the merchants Of Santa Fe. on the 7th
instant it resolved that they would endorse for tho
government to any amount that may be advanced to tho
Territory This action taken in consequence of tho
scarcity of con which has heretofore made up tho cir
cuating medium in the transactions OF business and has
from cause almost entirely disappeared, causing
unusual stringency in the money market.
The call Of the government OF Now Mexico for 10 900
militia men to garrison the different posts the Terri.
tory, has been promptly responded to- and the whole
number will in short time be reported for duty.
light battery commanded by Lieutenant Anderson
United States Army, left santa Fe the south the
9th inst
An important movement In this direction is anticipated.
Gen. Hatch and family have left for the East.
The smallpox prevails with fearful mortality among
the children in the Rio Abao 1t has also spread to tho