The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-22

Some forty vessels down yesterday and safely passed
the rebel batteries large number of shots cd
at them but none struck
The government sent down the Potomac tonight two
steamngs, for the purpose OF bringing up a number of
the vessels loaded with government They intend
to pass the batteries in the night.
The Navy Department to day notified the War depart.
ment and also number or gentlemen who have vessels
that now below the batteries and afraid to venture
up that after tomorrow they would be ablo bring all
the vessels up the river How this be done the Dc
partment does not state
The loss Of The schooner Fairfax on Saturday is atri
bued TO the fact that at the time when the hawser by
which she fastened to the tugboat was parted her
captain and all board of the tug and there
one the schooner throw out line to make
which carried her rapidly towards tho Virginia shore,
and Immediately under the enemys guns the fire from
which was concentrated schooner she
drfted or The story Of the chain the channel is
still adhered to by OF the board OF the Re.
soute who declare that they fch the grating Of chain
along the keel Of the vessel but this is explained by the
officers, who report that the ting grated upon sunen
ledge OF rock in the river at the moment when the
schooner broke her fastenngs.
The schooner Fairfax belonged the wife Of Major Ben
PerIey Pooie The furniture board belonged to John
Evans, Of the Williamsburg IN. Y) Times. It was val
ned at thousand dollars.
PASSAGE OF THE POTOMAC AT SHIPPING POINT BY
THE REBELS.
Information has been received at tho NAVY De.
partmcni, that during last night rebel force or
about Eve hundred mon crossed the Potomac firm Ship
ping Point at the mouth Of the Quantco and landed at
Fudds Ferry the Maryland Shore The report was at
first dscredted. Those who familiar with the con
don Of affairs insisted that the rebels have NJ means Of
transporting such force the Point it been
ascertained that the crossing effected in small boats
probably brought overland from Richmond Erode cts
burg The rebels armed with muskes. After land
Ing and making Few inquiries Of the residents they took
to their boats aud Immediately returned the Virginia
aide.
NEWS FROM GEN. RosEcRANs' coMNAND-TnE ENEMY
FALLING BACK.
despatch received to-day from General Rose
crars, dated Camp Tomrkins. Gau-y Bridge,
where he has been cncampod for some time. He
reports everything quiet. The rebels, it appears,
are falling back from their position. snd from
the best information which 10 obtained of their
movements they concentrating in pretty large force
below 10 corporate with Genera, Johnston no has Sc
paratcd from General Beauregard.
WAR EXPENDITURES IN TIE wISf--sEvgI.AvIoNs OF
THE CONTRACT INVESTIGATING C0AHf7rEE--RK-
MovAL or GENERAL FREMONT.
In connection with the fact that pay niert has been
suspended Of debts created in the Department Of the
West is proper state that the Investiati Com.
fni,tee appointed by Congress to inquire into Al.
contracts, and low in session IN st. Inus,
have, in their sxaninaio ions, discovered great ir.
regularity and exfrayaSce in tho public expenditures
In view Of all the circumstances il Is splarcnt that the
administration will yield to tho necessity OF completely
reorgani2ing the entire department accomplish which
General Fremont will be transferred assigned some
other duty The President and his constitutional advisers
determined that that department OF the service shall
be managed with prudence so far they have
exercise tho power to control it, While the steps
sary TO b. taken may affect tho standing position Of
few individuals. It considered better that such
changes should be made rather than the great interests
stake hoold suffer By hesitation or inacop the
part OF the govern nnent.
RETURN or THE SECRETARY OF wAis--rnE CASE OF
GENERAL FREMONT.
Secretary Cameron and Adiutant General Thomas re-
turned to-day from their Western tour Of inspection.
There is much anxiety to know how tho Fremont case
will be affected by the information gained by the Score.
tary from personal examination into Vie condition Of
affairs in Missouri
The Secretary Of war will visit New York in few
days.
EXPLANATIONS RESPECTING THE PURCHASE OF ARMY
CLOTHING ABROAD.
The statement Of the Journal OF the 18Th that
letters Of credit for fi2000 600 sterling, nearly SEQ
OOo have been mt TO Europe by government agents
purchase army wooleps. is regarded another evil
OF exaggerations which sometimes and cause
mischief On careful investigation is found that the
sum of s40c 600 ant $500 900 sen,
in thirty days all less than 81 0oo to secure cloths
to be up this country the pressing wants
Of soldiers in the field until manufacturers
can supply the goods much needed, II was a
wise precautiou the rart of the government officers
whose duty is TO and know that the wants OF the
soldiers are provided for.
- The greatest exercised in tho selection of
agents execute the order. George P. Smith Esq.,
Iittsburg, gentleman Of unblemshed character and
large experience a merchant requested by the
chasing material, which he docs without compensation
for services but solely assist the government from
the best and most patriotic motives.
The policy Of the Secretary Of War in supporting home
manufactures, when it is possible to be done wthou,
positive injury the service has been unfrequcnty
cscd in practical manner for the benefit Of
manufacturers that question arise in this
The order detailing Colonel Charles Thomas Assistant
0uartermaser General accompanied by George r Smith
of Pittsburg, Pa with authority TO purchase wooer
goods for the of the army, has not been counter
mandcd, as stated.
DEATHS IN THE MILITARY HOSPITALS.
Tho following deaths in the military hospitals and
the camps of the army Of the Potomac here have
Cured during Saturday and Sunday
VIM. Campbell, Company B, Fifth Pennsylvania Re-
serve.
l.. R. Darlington, Company r, Ninety second pennsy
vania.
Geo Motzcr, Company A, Forty sixth Pennsylvania.
Barney Sullivan, Company f. Thirteenth Pennsyk ania.
Fredk. Isaacks, Company Third Pennsylvania cavalry
VIM. T. Estell, Company II, New Jersey cavalry.
LAS Rowe, Company i, First Michigan.
II s. Tower Company D. stockton's independent Mchi-
gan regiment.
Robt Maxwell, Company I, Third regiment Excelsior
Brigade
VIM B. Keppler, Company c. Nineteenth Indiana regi-
ment.
THE PRICE AND ISSUE OF POSTAGE STAMPS
The price paid the former contractor for furnishing
postage stamps eighteen cents per Thousand. The
price paid the present is fourteen ing