The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-17

The Secretary OF State of the United
States, has issued circular to the Governors
Of the Sta,es ,"dering on the lakes and
seaiourd, asking EN- to rali the attention
IF their Leg slatares to the improvement
and perfection of the defences On their bor-
ders and to confer with the General Govern
ment on the subject.
The loss of the United States steamer Sa.
ranac, in storm, off the mouth of the MIS-
sissippi, is reported in the papers, She was
fine vessel, built in 1913, carried six guns,
and was well equipped. Per contra-the
Navy Department has information that the
Saranac is at San Francisco-and conse-
quently that the report of her loss is un-
true.
The recent falling back of Gen. Rosen.
Grams in Western Virginia, is severely con-
demned in the Cincinnati Times (Adm.) -
which paper states that "Carnifax Ferry
turns out TIC have been a great blunder"--
and that Floyd out manouvred Rosencrans.
Both Lee and Rosencrans have now fallen
back.
The returns from Iowa indicate that Gov
Kirkwood, republican. has been reelected
by from six to seven thousand majority
James F. Wilson, republican, has been eject
ed to Congress in the First district in place
of Samuel Curtis, who accepted the Colonel
cy in the army and resigned. The Legisla-
ture is largely sepublican.
The only batteries reported on the Virgil
MIA side Of the lower Potomac are those at
Quantico, and ct Aqua creek, and therea-
bouts. The Seminole, in going down on
Tuesday, was fired at, and had part of her
topmast struck off by ball.
F. H. Pierpoint, the Governor appointed
by the late Wheeling Convention, has issued
proclamation inviting the Union citizens
Of Virginia, living in districts not represent
ed in the Congress Of the United States, to
hold elections for members Of the House Of
Representatives,, on the Z4th Inst.
The New York Herald gives an account Of
an intended expedition on the part of the
United States Government to reopen and
keep open the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
We have returns from fifty counties in
Ohio, which give Todd, the Union candidate
for Goyernor, a majority of over thirty thous-
and. ...- Its.
The Northern papers continue to affirm
their belief that Com. Hollins' account Of
the late naval engagement at the mouth Of
the Mississippi is wholly Untrue, or greatly
exaggerated.
It is believed at Richmond that both Nor
folk and New Orleans are to be attacked by
the United States Naval Expedition now
ready at New York.
Secretary Cameron, who has lately been
on visit to theWest, has returned to Wash
ington Gen. Anderson, in CONSEQUENCE Of
continued i'll health, has been relieved from
his command in Kentucky.
Some guns were fred at the Pawnee from
the batteries at Quantico on Wednesday,
but she passed on without returning the fire.
Cannonading was heard down the river On
Wednesday afternoon.
Several arrests were made 10 Baltimore,
on Tuesday and Wednesday, Of persons
charged with treason. They were sent to
Fort McHenry.
The Naval Expedition lately fitted out in
New York, attracts great attention. 1t con-
sists of a large feet of steamers and other
vessels. Twenty five thousand troops vii 7
be sent out in this fleet. It's ultimate dest
nation is not stated
Moses Kelley, late chief clerk in thu
terror Department has been appointe