The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-24
Whie was in flames large rebel force appeared at
optons Hill, which is mile and half distant.

THE WOODS ON ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ON FIRE.
After dark this evening iid glare ghted the horizon
southwestery direction from the city proceeds
from burning woods the eastern slope Of the heights
above Arlington House.
TIE NATIONAL FAST.
The national Fast Day will generally be observed here.
Professor Mccoy win repea, the afternoon, the Hall
Of the Representatives, his grafton which was delivered
on last Tuesday, commemorative Of the seventy fourth
anniversary Of the adoption Of the constitution.
THE NAVY STATIONERY CONTRACT.
The contract for supplying stationery for the Navy
Department and its various bureaus for the current fiscal
year. has been awarded to Philip soomons, Of this city
THE AUTHORIZATION OF VOLUNTEER OFFICERS.
The following special order has been made, in accord
ance with the act of Congress providing for examna
ton Of the qualifications Of commissioned officers of
lunteers-
SPECIAL ORDER, No -.
HEADQU ARTERs ARMY OF THE PoroNAc,
WASHINGTON, Sept 20, 1861.
Under the authority Of section tenth OF act of Con-
gress approved July % Military Board to consist
of officers herein named will assemble Arlington Vir
gina, at ten O'Clock A. M Monday the Esd inst 10
examine into the capacity, qualifications, proprieiy OF
conduct and efficiency Of all commissioned officers Of vo
luntecrs who may be ordered before IT,
Detail for the Board,Frst, Brigadier General Louis
Benker' volunteer service second. Brigader General
John H. Martndae, volunteer service; third Brigader
General John Sedgwck volunteer service; fourth Colonel
J. Mcleod Murphy, Fifteenth New York regiment fifth,
The Junior member will record the proceedings
BY command Of MAJOR GENERAL. MCCLELLAN.
s. WILLIAMS Asst. Adjt. Gen.
This Board commenced its labors to-day. rgidex-
animation is to DO instituted in order to insure oonpe
tency and fitness in the rank of the whole army.
ARMY APPOINTMENTS.
The following named Brigader Generals of Volunteers
have been appointed
John b. s. Todd, of Dacotah Territory, late Captain
Sixth infantry.
Major and Quartermaster Van vliet, United States
Army, to be assigned duty Chief of the Quarter
masters Department Of the Army on the Potomac.
Major Barnard, of the United States Engineers, TO be
assigned to duty Chief of Engineers of the Army of
the Potomac.
John Newton and Winfield S. Hancock are also to be
Brigader Generals of Volunteers.
REVIEW OF TROOPS BY GENERAL MCCLELLAN AND THE
FRENCH PRINCES,
General Mcclellan and staff accompanied by the Prince
de Jonve and son. the Count de Paris and Due de Char
tres reviewed the division of General Mcdowell at noon
and that Of General Richardson at four O'Clock. The
troops appeared to great advantage and their excellent
order, well the condition of their camps elected
much commentator. General McCcllan's appearance
upon the parade ground of General Richardson's division
greeted with enthusiastic shouts by the whole CON-
mand.
ASSIGNED TO GEN. M'CLELLANs STAFF.
The Count de Paris and Due de Chartres nephews of the
Prince eJonvile have been assigned the staff Of Gen.
Mcclellan with the rank Of Captain.
THE POSITION OF SENATOR BAKER.
II is true that Senator Baker has been appointed Major
General Of volunteers but he has not yet sgned his
ceptance He regards his position in the Senate the
highest to which any man reasonably aspire, and
hence is not probable entertaining this opinion that
he will resign unless the pressing exgenccs Of the coun
try shall demand his services in the field.
THE ARMY RETIRING BOARD.
The Army Retiring Board hold daily sessions and are
proceeding with their work. Col. Long, who was re-
tired has been restored to the position Of Chief of the
Typographical Engineers. Several officers in addition
those heretofore reported who regarded superan
nuaed have been retired Their names will not be made
public at present.
CONDITION OF GEN. HEINTZELMAN.
Gen Heintzelman, who wounded in the arm in the
battle at Bull has nearly recovered from the injury
He will be assigned the command of u division in Viz
ginia
GEN. MCLELLAN's BODY GUARD.
Captain Barkers Mcclellan Dragons made their APP
pearance day in uniform consisting Of dark blue
coats and light blue pants Sc decided Improvement
SURPLUS RATIONs OF SOLDIERS.
According to an army order issued to-day, whenever
companies, by an ccOnO1cal use of nave
raised surplus 1t must he left the hands of the Com
mssary from whom they drew their raions. The bills
of purchase price, Of the articles will be paid by
any Commissary having funds for that purposes for the
benefit of the economist Heretofore surplus rations
been sold to suffers and sorekeepcs exchanged
for other supplies by the soldiers.
CAVALRY REGIMENTS FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE
SOUTHERN FRONTIER.
II is known that the rebels have been receiving sup
plies of provisions and munitions Of war from Mexico,
the Territory Of Arizona and the frontier Of Texas
circumstance which in measure renders the blockade
Of Southern ports futile Arizona anu New Mexico
are entirely unprotected by any Union force at
present, and perfectly open to tho enemy. A
proposition was made time ago to the govern
men and received the warm approval Of the Secretary
of State, raise regiment Of cavalry in California 10
protect this line of the connection with Mexico, and
afford aid and comfort to the Union in Arizona Texas
and New Mexico Had the proposition been adopted the
dsgraceul surrender Of Fort Fillmore would have been
prevented, and the rebels would have been deprived Of
those necessary supplies which they obtained without
hndrance from this quarter It is said that the offer to
raise and equip cavalry regiment in California for this
important service is about TO be renewed by parties
peten to command it, and it is 10 be hoped that the War
Department will at accept desirable accession
to the forces Of the Union.
CAVALRY FROM OREGON.
The War Department hos authorized a cavalry company
to be raised in Oregon.
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN FRANCE AND MEXICO.
A letter from Paris, received to-day, says that the
French government has respectfully declined 10 inform
the Mexican Minister there Of the object Of the feet to
sent to Mexico saying that the Of the latter
will be duly apprised of it through the French Minister
So far as appears from the letter. the movement Of
France and England is not necessarily hostile.
THE NEW GRANADA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
Tho commission FOR the adjustment of claims against
New Granada Is in session daily but make little progress.
The counsel busy engaged preparing their cases.
No umpire has yet been selected They seem to have
great trouble in agreeing upon proper person
NEW TREATY WITH DENMARK.
The treaty with Denmark, which has just been
ratified at the State Department, by Col. Roslo, the
Danish Minister, and the Secretary Of State, provides
that deserving will hereafter be surrendered
their Consus and also that Consus to have full ris
dicon all of difference arising between captains
officers and crew Of the ships Of their nations.
THE SHOOTING OF THE MAJOR OF THE FORTY SIXTH
PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT.
49,. ta.a q.