New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-07
FRo5I FORTRESS MONROE.
The Case Of Col. AiIeu-Bnrning OF q
Steamer.
From Our Special Coney,endent.
FORTREss MoSEoE, Old Point Comfort, [

FoRTREss MOSEoE, Old Point Comfort,
July 3, 1861.
The arrest of Col Allen, 20 far from being act Of
doubtful Justice strained necessity, false expedien
cy, was one that the commanding officer could not
have avoided unless he prepared 70 zee the regu'
laons of the army violated openly and with imruniy;
his own authority mbverted and set at naught, and
conduct the most outrageous substituted for wholesome
discipline. To the charge Of wRnton destruction OF
property in tie burning of the wheat field / under
stand that Col Allen replies that the grain about
TO be gathered for the benefit OF tue enemy and that
in order 10 prevent their receiving snch hid and
fort it was bis duty to prevent their raping the
field l am assured this is an assumption that not
only oyerrode the safeguard of the Commanding
al, which the owner and reapers bad but is wholly
at variance with the facts. There is in Col. Aliens
Regiment, excellent material, but since they came
here as / was yesterday assured by regular officer,
WHO has recently enjoyed Enough don't believe he
really enjoyed them mucl abundant opportunities for
knowing the corps has considerably degensraied The
men have not been looked after they should have
been. The blame should not fall exclusively on Col.
Allen. He may have done his best, as in some things
he appears to have done his worst. There is or
should have been power over him, which should
have been exerted to render backslding impos-
sible. Unlafpiy, there appears to be no superior
rover knowledge, responsibility. No corps can
fail 10 deteriOiatc unles8 the officers from fret 10 last
understand their duty, and knowing will 60 it,
Col Allen win have fir trial, which will take
place probably within a week. II he is guilty, be win
he punished II be ia not he will stand all the higher
for bayiug passed through the ordeal.
IfCol. AIen, or anybody else for him, has ander-
taken to benefit has by sssailing Gen. Buffers
loyalty he has done very f,olish thing. The country
has not cessed to remember how Ike deverer Gen
Butler appeareda Annapolis how he throttled rebellion
there and aferward st Baltimore struck q. blow at
the very instant whom il told most that stamped him s
the GIFTED, bold executive man, that dared 10
shoulder responsibilities and knew how TO use his
power in sustaining the Government TO the beet ad-
vantage on coure Gen. Butler, or any friend Of bis,
can have not the slightest from such issue.
lie has seen much fthe world TO expect wholly 10
escape deractioD and he may in
having escaped 40 long.
The steamer Catline was burnt 70 the waters edge
Last evening about O'Clock. She had ius,.come down
from Newport News with Gen. Butler bis family and
staff and bad started TO return when she was observed
10 be on fire in the neigbborhood Of the steam-chest
Size burnt very rapidly aud those on board had barely
time TO escape, some by jumping overheard ana sus-
tanning themselves by the rudder till rescued. She
was an old boat and was purchased about three
months ago for $ls,0OO and chartered by the Govern
eni for three month"; for OOO per month"; with the
provision that IL Loot the to receive sj0-
90. The term for which she was chartered will have
expired in about two weeks The charter parties and
ownens are wel-known politicians in the State Of New.
York, among whom are o. B. Matteson, Charles
Sietson, and c. G. Davidson. The profit the owners
has been upward ~ 500 per month. II is understood
that ,he was insured for 5000 Between the in
surance and the $4,000 clause in The charter, the
owners sre not likely to be heavy sufferers by the
speculation.
Recent scouting parties have gained much valuable
Information, and though forces that have been
Gently pushed forward for the moment in an ex-
posed situation il is believed that they will be able TO
cope with any force that is likely to make t- appear
snce.