New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-16
Butler Question.
From Our Special Correspondent
FoRrREss MONROE, OLD PoIsT FoxFoRr,


| From Our Special Correspondent
FoRrRrss MONROE, OLD PoIsr FoxroRr,
July l3, 1861.
Yesterday noon a party Of ~ men from Company
f, COL Bendix's Regiment under Lieuts. Herringen
and Mosebach obtained leave to go beyond the lines to
procure boughs Without the knowledge of COL Phelps
they proceeded on o scouting expedition and when
nearly eigh. miles up James River fell into an ambus-
cade Of the Rebels Before they aware that the
enemy were in the neighborhood and while they were
resting In q dense wood, they were surrounded by
company Of about one hundred horemen, with whom
they exchanged Shots Our then fell back toward
fence, where they were met by force of about one
hundred infantry seeing whom they scattered and in
squad, made their way to camp Col. Phelps immedi-
sely advanced the remainder Of the regiment in pur-
suit Of the enemy and the retreat Of such as had
not come in. They subsequently returned without
having seen anything of the enemy. From inforna.
ton they obtained appears that FIVE rebels and three
of our men were killed. Out Of the forty-two, eleven
were still missing tbs morning and the inference is
that they may have been captured Lieuts. Heringen
and Mosebach were among the party who returned,
| both wounded in the left hand.
The going out 30 far was act Of extreme folly as
well as without authority. There are exteruating
near spoiling if not for fght for active employment
as ever men were; and independent unauthorized ex-
petitions are the almost necesssy consequences. They
have the right deposition and courage enough to give
success 10 almost any well planned expedition. We
but reapng tho fruis of the do-nothing policy so
long enforced here. In addition troops feel the
Disgrace Of the Bethel Affair." and burn to wipe 1t OUT
and no doubt, seeing no way orenea for them they in
IL. q IL tiaro
hook. Our forces are to a man anxious TO start for
Yorktown. believe that they would go there. No one
need be told Of tho consequences OF inactivity in the
camp. They arc beginning 10 develop themselves
II is eviden: that Gen. Magruder keeps his men en-
poyed though for the last week they have not shown
themseyes As near our lines before. The result Of
| Cart Hamips skiruish in which. Col. DeRussy and
half dozen others were killed, without az much as
scratch on our side, staggered them for time. The
question Is continually put in all our camps: Arc We
always ~ 10 kvIt in this state Of inactivity Tie
impression prevails l&, Gen. Buffers orders restrict
his operations, or prevent any whatever further thaa
to act on the defensive This is dsheartenng to
men, and i, the wont policy tha, could be pursued
"If you don't give soldiers something 70 do, the devil
will" is as true now as when it was uttered; and
there should be surprise should the remark receive
new Specification here.
II was understood that when Secretary Cameron left
us week ago General Buffers forces were to be i'm
medately nlade up TO the number originally promised
him. But as yet thers is evidence that this promise
will lie any letter kept than those heretofore made.
Perhaps the Secretary is too much engaged in organ
iring the army Of Suffers the appointment Of which
he has arrogsted TO himself altogether, abrogsing old
regulations and making 10 suit the case 1t
4 a Il r. II - IN II
column is suffered 10 dry-rot. Very likely for un-
derssand that General Scott since the affairs OF the
Beihels has been in humor little calculated 10 incline
him 10 look upon this Department with any other idea
than that of punishment " it Is the intention of
the Government to disgace General Butler, It
must be confessed that they have chosen q pro-
cess which, while It will not be likely 10 effect
that object, will infict an injury on the patri-
otc caise. II the idea is entertained that General
Butler is not the man 10 be truLted with extensive
| operstions il would he moro manly toward him aud
ampe fahfuluess to the country to ray 80, and put
some one else In bis place. rather than allow the cause
to suffer, that something like spite may be gratlied.
No one doubts that would have been just as easy to
| have this column to-day well on toward Richmond,
as to have il turned out TO pasture as now is. The
country demands results and If Gen. Scott thinks one
man canno. achieve them, let him designate t'me one
ese who in his estimation can. Or 10 Gen. Butler 10
Le made the victim Of tie feeling from which even
Lieuenant.Gencras rre not exempt, and which oiher
Maor General, have been made TO feel and under the
inaclion Of which they are now restinS1 We have
good sized srmy herr lapgusng under an nscrutabls
policy, that sm sure does not proceed from Gen.
| Butler. Whence docs tprOceedi Why ishf This
demand Is becoming loud and general
Iperceiye thst gentleman In your city edveniSes
that lie il about TO leave for Fortress bunroe and viii
take with him sundry things Of which our patriotic SOL
ders stand IN need, ard furthermore that be asks 70
have liz stock increased by contributions. Now there
nre sone things of which soldiers do stand in need
very mucb. not one Of which do believe win tho good
ip,cntioned gentleman think Of bringing Will name
few: from 5000 to 000 pairs Of boney-made shoes;
shirts and uniforms for as many men, blankets ditto;
and outfits generally to take the places OF those with
| which th,eying rascality furnished New-York ReBi-
ments nj the outset. Eick.nacks are not wened-nos
thing not found enumerated IN the Regulations. ii
Won want 10 do the patriotic who have volunteer
ed 10 defend the country kindness. bring those and
keen the rest at homo There is scarcely anything out
aide that the men cannot better do without than with.
reneat bring no pick-nacks or irregular traps OF any
sort The outer not the inner man, appeals therefore
give us clothing and shoes. The men will scarcely
thank you for anything else, 30 long ~ you forget
/ these.
Max Weber's regiment receives daily about twenty
barrels of lager beer, beside quantities Of light wine
and mineral water. Similar shipments were received
by Col. Bendix's Regiment at NewpOHNews. Ihave
heard old stagers say tha! they have never known
so large number of soldiers together and so little ID
toxicstion. An intoxicated man s very rare sight.