New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-09
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
Return Of Gen. Busler--Coi. Phelps Briss'
dier-gisit 20 Newport Tews--He5ei Move
,ecnts-PoIicy Of Government ON the Negro
Qucstion-Reyiy "a Gen. RusIer's Letter.

FoRrRKss MONROE, ORD PoTST Courorr,
Aug. 9, 1861.
Gen. Butler returned from Washington by this
mornings boat. After spending few bours at head
qusrten he took the boat to Newport News, accom-
panied by Capt. Dyer Of the Ordnance and members
Of bis staff He surprised Col. Phelps BY presenting
him with Brigadiers commission and the straps that
designate thGt new rank. The qualification which this
sppoinment gives is universal with officers aud men,
lud ia uAdenood 10 be tho result Of Gen. Butlers
ASKING 49,.
Its Understood Tat there grounds for expecting
speedy increase OF the forces here, end tbat We are
not likely 10 suffer disappointment in ths region.
The recent withdrawal Of troops Was tie resnit of an
exigenoy, which, when explained 10 Gen. Butler, re-
ceyed his cordial concurrence. In future operations
Fortress Monroe viii play conspicuous part liz po-
sition With reference - The neat cauYgn 10 achnowi'
edged indeed, never del.ed, and Will be sAen fully
into he account.
Tie object OF General Butler's visit TO Newport
News WAS 20 look af er the condition Of the poet and
tab strengthen tho position with the view
Of holding il agsu, all odds. Tho places Of tla Vef-
mon.ers who Ie for home yesterday, have been taken
by tle ia Ne8York Regiment Cclvne. Car, Who
ere on the light OF tie camp
This morning negro eano acr0es tho
river, aud told mort improbable story.
Among other things, he said that ior many days
the steamers have been carrying Large numbers q
troop. across James River with tho view Of attacking
Newpor. News; that the number in tie rear OF tie
tor place wss 70 co. aud That Yesterday the people
came TO the opposite eide OF the river IN tho expocta-
ton OF SEEING Eeport News attacked, and grand
battle. OF course he fellows 5tory inwcJSble
that hide attention was rad 10 t. That The Rebel
stesrrep hove been active for tie last week IS vel
known; but II there is any considerable number Of
troops wi,sin many niles q NewFo.. News, tlyy
have kept ,bemssyes 10 close that nobody l8 sefn
them.
Three ases oYtruce within week have Ienei'aied
the country toward Yorktown 10 the dssHer II o.at
or ten niles Oar pckc,s and scouts are ont aa, 'us
neither faes scouts, nor pchs's have seen anything
that so we'd either the inoEesse tbe a6yen q TOE
euemy. Newport News will neither be evacuated nor
given rp without It's costing tho enemy ali Il II wortH.
A. vet the Rebels have shown hrfe disposition 70 at
tack us behind inren,hntnts; and dent believe iFat
Gen. Mas1udor will venture TO break over the what az.
p,ars ~ have become stanoiDS rule, namely, 10 light
oply behind iurensmeuis. and then wiki the odds IN
| their favor.
They hav. shown ss little aspotiiion 10 occupy
Hn ugton, empty it is ss they arc 30 attempt to
take Newpon News. Ispent mot Of yesterday IN tho
ylllsgs, wandering where SONS probes to reSasdu
dangerous 70 stay Quite number OF negroes have
lately come iuto TIE village from the back country to
avoid being seized has been the in numerous
instances. Indeed, to operations Of thc rebels q,
pr,feni seem 20 he confined running on neRrccs anal
aSing prsonsls Of loyal white ren. Several negroes
have been shot while fleeing from the captors and
o,hes have barely escaped BY sd0ptBg al tJits OF ex
pedients and dsguifes. At time the war be-
eau has there been 40 much need of force adequate
TO sorting protection 10 loyal citizens and prevent the
improvement Of negroes, now. Tho withdrawal of
our forces from HAMPTON, ani consequently oi our
| risk.,s from wide extent Of country LFher-
10 occupied by them has onboldened the Rebels
70 exec ,es where before there WIS security
! aud TRANQUILITY. The negroes in the village are rs
general thing in miserable condition .aiiy WITH
sc.nty supply q provisions, and without EMP
Of any kind. 40 long as our troors occupied the vii
lige they gave employ aud the Of living %
bIs,t u theL, but siuce they left there bas been
neither occupation money. unJoElaLd that Gen.
gueg will give word that ali who desire TO leave the
village, can do b. steamboat which he will send
there This step will have to be followed by another
looking TO the support OF this unfortunate css IL
clear hat The lime Is Ut land when the question IIast
be treated practically. The public nind, which CONES
rl.dualy consider great questions, and to the taking
OF position is likely TO 10 drawn To this ast though
no: least question, developed By tho progress Of iae
| war.
With reference 70 the questions rai-ed In the letter
Of Gen. Butler 70 the Secretary of War, understand
that tho policy of tho Government will be the same II,
that Indicated by the GeRera, viz: that negroes COM
Ing within our lines TO be supported, and that
those that can labor viii Ne put at work; that
women, children, AMI aged and sick negroes seeking H.
viii receive support and protection; thst with refer
ence to negroes liable to Do pressed into the Rebel SER
vice, il will be our duty to throw around hem The
pro,ec,ios of the Government ami bring them within
our Inca ike any o,hcr properly OF thing Of advantage
TO the enemy. This, understand, viii be sObs,Hui-
ally he response OF the Government 20 the letter Of
G. ep Butler.
The Rebel horsemen who prowl about tho eoantrv,
come dovnto the outskirts Of the village a, evening"
now aad then, but no atomps to permanently occupy
tho village is made This serves to keep the nergoss
and few whites left in constant alarm.
Ii was reported to-day that Seoessioa Gag bad bsen
raised the village, but the truth Vi ibo report has
not bean verified. The prevailing ornial Is that
should this prove to be HE case the effect Of few
sllois shoaid be uied on the town.
Willie at Newport News to-day Capt. Dyer made
few experimental shots with tho Ho.cbkisslId Sawyer
psolectiles from the riied t2rounder. A range Of
aboss five miles was obtaisedi the extreme distance Of
tie sawyer shell exceeded tha, If the Hotohkis. pal.
ent. Tie Rcbels stand in great dread Of whit they
call the Sawyer gun it having thrown shells distance
beyond what they conceived was possible. shot
| time since shot was fired a; Rebel schooner up
James River which was not seeIi 10 strike. few