Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-03-20
From Washington.

On the 18th, Senator Grimes of To-
wa made a vigorous and eloquent
speech on the resolution giving thanks
TO Flag Officer Foote. He was lis.
tened to with marked attention, and
received congratulations from Scna-
tors of all shades of opinion. He
gave the Western navy its due, show
ed by documentary evidence that the
credit Of the plan on Forts Henry and
Donclson belonged to Capt Foote, and
that he would have taken Nashville
the week before Buell. did, and thus
saved valuable stores, if he had been
permitted by Gen. Hallcck. Mr.
Grimes enlarged upon the value of a
navy to free people, and incidental
ly alluded to the Monitor and Mcrri-
mac fight as showing the value of
iron clad vessels whose construction
he (Grimes) had urged since he took
his scat in the Senate. He also paid
q handsome tribute to Lieut.. Worden
and Capt. Ericsson.
Senator Grimes received despatch
from Assistant Secretary Of the Ma
Wy Fox, at Fortress Monroe declaring
his confident belief that the Monitor
in her next engagement will sink the
Merrimac. Mr.. Fox confirms tie re-
port that the Merrimac was injured in
the fight. He expresses the opinion
that another contest between the two
vessels is certain, and that the con-
flict will be terrible.
Repairs have already commenced at
Bull Run, and the probability is the
Railroad to Manassas will be in run
ming order this week.
The Secretary of War has informed
. friend Of Gen. Fremont that no Court
Of Inquiry would be ordered in his
case, as there aras nothing on mhith 10
base Il.
Large numbers Of contrabands have
reached our lines, which extend from
Centreville to Manassas, and aie still
coming in Ivy droves.
The President cordially recommends
that Capt. Goldshorough receive
vote of thanks of Congress for his ser
vices and gallantry displayed in the
attack Of the forces commanded 10y
him and Brig. Gen. Burnside in the
capture of Roanoke Island and the
destruction of the rebel gunboats on
the It'll, Sth, and 10th of February.
Mr.. Edwards has introduced in the
House joint resolution rendering the
thanks of Congress to j. Ericsson for
his enterprise, skill, and forecaste dis
played in the construction of the Mon
itor, and to Lieut. Worden, officers and
men, for services recently rendered.
The Naval Committee Of the Sen.
ate have agreed to report bill at
once for the appropriation Of SIS, 000,-
600 for iron clad vessels of war.
The President urged in person upon
General Mcclellan a command for
Gen. Fremont. The difficulty is that
he outranks everybody but Mcclellan
(he was confirmed Major General the
same day as McClellan) and if sent
anywhere he must take the chief CON-
mand.
The Postoflicc department has re-
ceived letter from Nashville dated
3D. inst, in which it is stated that
Special Agent MARYLAND in taking pos
session of the Pustofiice in that city.
found that the rebel postmaster had
stripped the Office of every article OF
property, including blanks, locks, mail
bags, scales, keys, etc
Gen. Hooker reports from Budd's
Ferry that all the enemy's batteries
ia front of his line are abandoned and
the guns spiked-some of them valu-
able pieces. This virtually opens the
Potomac and raises the quasi blockade.
The House bill for the apportion-
ment of members of Congress among
the States, has passed in both Houses
with an amendment which gives an
additional member to Vermont, Rhode
Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky,
Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, in conse-
qucnce Of the large fraction in the
population of these States, not repre-
scented by the law as it first passed
tho Houso