The New York herald., 1862-04-20
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
,-~->>~~o~~-~->-~~~-~~-~~
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1861

EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON-ALL THE TROOPS
MARCHING TOWARDS THE POTOMAC.
Quito excitemens occasioned about dark this
afternoon by the sudden movement Of all the troops of
all stationed in the immediate vicinity Of the city
towards tho several bridges across the Potomac. Tho
streets and hotels Immediately hled with variety
OF wild and absurd The infantry columns filled
the streets and avenues the artillery and cavalry shook
tho earth with their heavy tramp, activity every
where, and although wondering at the sudden summons
all pressed eagerly to acton Upon reaching the
side the commander Of each regiment nterrogated
by officer Of the staff of General wadswortb,
mand!ng the DIVISION to the condition Of his regiment.
and informed that he had boon called by order
Of tho Secretary Of War; to ascertain with what prompt
the troops here could be put in motion for
action. Tho precision and prompness Of the response
TO this call were particularly gratifying 1t manifested
the readiness OF the whole division upon any emergency
The Van Allen cavalry, under and OF Colonel Mix
WAS especially compmentod Within fifteen minutes
after the receipt Of the order it in limo, completely
equipped, and, with is forage train with ,hres days
forage reported afterwards at the Long Bridge.
Some OF the infantry regiments responded with astouish
ing celebrity. The whole drill exceedingly gratifying
the officers Of tho division satisfactory the
li:ary authorities
TaE REORGANIZATION OE THE MEDIC AL DEP EPARTMENT
or THB ARMY.
The TO reorgsnizo and the efficiency the
medical department OF tho army adds to tho present
corps ten surgeons and ten assistant surgeons twenty
medical cadets, and az many hospital stewards as the
Surgeon General consider necessary. Tho Surgeon
General to be appointed under this law is to have the
rank, pay and emouments Of brlgadier general
Therc to be assistant surgeon general and
dca inspector general OF hospitals. The latter is 10
have tho supervision Of all that relates to the sanitary
condition OF tho army There to be, bCsidcs eight
i,trn M tins
tho sanitary condition of tho Transports quarters and
camps OF She field and general hospitals. The appoint.
ments 10 be made By the President, ehor from tho
regular volunteer surgeons with solo regard TO quail
hcaons.
BRANCH PosT OFFICES IN CITIES.
The authorizing the Postmaster General TO estab
li6h branch post Offices IL tho cos prescribes the
charge Of ouscent in addition 10 tho regular postage for
every deposited any branch post Office be for.
warded by mail from tho principal Office and which shall
bo prepaid by stamp, and cent for every letter do
liversd at such branch Office, 10 be paid on delivery
THE NAVAL Afro ErATIoS BILL.
The Naval Appropriation o contains item of
y $500 goo to pay Cor and u sh Stevens battery the
money not to be expended ufiels the Secretary Of tho
Navy Of the opinion that the will secure an e
eent steam battery The section apPropratng thirteen
millions merely says "to enable the Secretary to con
tract for iroa-clad steam vessels-of-war."
THE CALIFORNIA MAIL SERVICE.
The Post ONCE Appropriation bill provides one
million Of dollars for the service Of the Cali.
fornla central route, and repeats the acts ro-
qvirng tho Postmaster General, la causing the
transportation OF tho mails By steamships between the
United States and foreign ports or between any Of our
ports touching a, foreign ports tosive the preference
10 American ovor fsreign steamships, when departing
from the port for the destination within three
days OF each other The Postmaster General IL author.
izsd to establish . coast mail. not less than semi
monthly, by steam vessels between San Francisco aud
Crescent City California including service at the inter-
mediate ports provided tho sum to be paid for such
vice docs not exceed $50 900 per snnum.
Ths President has approved and signed the sbovs
named bills.
The SICK IN THE HOSPITALS.
The number OF sick soldiers in the government hospi-
tails In Washington and Alexandria was at the las, week.
ly report three thousand four hundred end seventy eur
Twelve hundred and ftyons Of the number belong TO
New York regiments
The following orders and appointments nl.ds at
the Navy Department to-day
John H. Oates late Of tho Congress, has permission to
bo examined at Boston for Acting Master.
Charles W. Cleveland, Of New Bedford has permission
10 report to New York for examination as Acting Master
Alexander Tllinghsst, Of Now London, Conn. and Ed
ward A. Torre are appointed Acting MASTERS NJ the new
York Yard.
Commander q. Gausovoort is detached from ordnance
duty at Navy Yard N. Y and ordered to the com.
rnand OF the new steam soop Adirondack.
Carpenter Johu o. Butler II ordered 70 the United
states steamer Michigan.
SIC. Iane aud L. W. Aldrdgs areiappoii.ed Acting
Third Assistant Engineers and ordered to the United
states steamer Michigan.
g.o. W. Gsle OF Now Hampshire, is appointed Acting
Assistant Surgeon, and ordered to she United States
s,estnsr Henry Andrew, OF Commodore Dupont's
squadron.
xx.xAYoR BERRET DECLINES SERVING ON THE ExAS
CITATION COMMISSION.
Ex.Mayor Berrst has declined the appointment ten.
dared him by the President Of the commissioners
under the bill for the abolition Of slavery In the District
Of Columbia.
THE NEW POST OFFICE NEvsrArsR WRAPPERS.
The much needed and very convenient article Of sta
tIepery lately placed sale a. all the post ofsss by
Postmaster General Blair bids fair 10 add largely
A. 49, es~~,ots ~ dspaYtmeut The eAlOQ