The New York herald., 1862-03-14
GENERAL NEWS.

EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Secretary OF War.
GEN NE2AL NEWS.
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WASHINGTON, March 13, 1862.
AFFAIRS ON TIE VIRGINIA SIDE OF THE POTOMAC.
Accounts received to night from the Virginia side
present nathing OF especial interest among troops
TIE MOURNFUL H0wLINGs OF THE ABOLTTI0NIsTs
Tho assaults Of tho radical Congress their
bowling after General Mcclellan, producing a deep
feeling of dissatisfaction. The army officers and soldiers
almost idolize General Mcclellan They deeply resent
tho attacks upon him. which they know groundless
and unjust. In fact, much feeling is manifested
this subject throughout the army that there danger
Of its eectng demoralization by continuance Of this
fierce and reckless partisan warfare upon the who
has made the army what 1t s and whose plans Of the
campaign have thus far resulted goriousy for the
public.
Notwithstanding the Of the bowling gentry at
General Mcclellan for driving the rebel army away from
Manassas without battle, the result has only verified
his own predictions, frequently expressed, that they
would fall back from Manassas upon the approach of
army, in front or any attempt to turn that position In
edatey upon the flank towards Richmond It but Just
TO state that from the beginning Of his Of tho
army the Genera-n-C Chief has had but one plan for
Its prosecution and to this time that programme has
been strictly carried out and intended be executed
shall soon crown the Of the federal army and
close the war FOR the Union.
This plan cannot Of course be disclosed but the 70.
treat Of the rebels from Manassas necsssates aera.
tion in It, Arrangements have already been made for
its final execution. little patience tho part Of
the furious "on to Richmond" faction will afford them
opportunity to celebrate tho restoration OF Richmond
TO federal authority than they conceive to be
sible
THE STEVENS BATTERY AND THE xAn-cLAD GUN.
BOATS.
The House Committee Naval Affairs was occupied TO-.
day with an examination Of the Stevens ronclad naval
battery. Prof Henry and Mr. Livingstone appeared be
fore the committee and exhibited model of the battery
and explained its merits to the complete satisfaction Of
the committee, several OF whom have expressed the
opinion that tho duel between the Msrrmac and
Monitor has entirely proved the Of tho theory
announced by Mr.. Stevens, quarter of century ago.
Since Monday there nas been Q marked desire on the
part Of members Of Congress facilitate the eonstrue
ton Of none but froncad vessels Of This battery
has gained immense popularity. There s doubt Its
completion. without delay. will be recommended
by tho naval committees OF both houses. The
committee to-day were particularly struck by the
enormous weight of metal proposed be thrown, the
perfect security OF tho and tho cecrity with which
the guns be loaded by and aimed to any
quarter Of the horizon concentrated upon single
point.
Since the experiments Of the Monitor there a clemor
in Congress for the immediate completion Of Stevens bat
terry worth than whole navy Of ordinary iron
clad ships Of war. There Is to be private meeting Of
the naval committees Of both houses morrow to con.
slider this subject and also the proposed location of tho
Naval Academy at Perth Amboy.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO CONSUL LAWRENCE.
The Secretary OF state has granted months leave
q
afford him opportunity accept the appointment Of
Major conferred him by the Governor of Massachu-
sss, and to act as aid docamp to General Reyes com.
manding ono Of the corps d'armee OF the Potomac.
THE CONTRACT INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
The Government Contract Investigating Committee are
scattered. Mr.. Dawes at Boston; Colonel Van wyck
and Mr.. Fenton at Now York, probably examining
the fees and perqustes Of the federal that
city and the Affairs of tho Custom House generally
Several Of the other members OF the committee in
the West.
INCREASED RAILWAY FACILITIES BETWEEN NEW
YORK AND THE CAPITAL.
The report made from the Roads and Canals Committee
to-day, accompanying the bill for increased railroad
clities between New York and Washington. sos forth
that the sxgspcies or the require additional
and more speedy communication that ths line should
bs inland and safe from the dangers or foreign INVASION
want they say can be supplied by finishing tho Reading
and Columbia RaiiSbad, and the committee nc.
cordingly recommend that the Secretary OF the
Treasury be authorized 70 endorse tho hrst
mortgage bonds Of the company guarantees the pay.
Of tho principal and interest to the Of
hundred and drty thousand dollars two hundred and
tweuty-a thousand to be paid the completion of
half the road, and the remainder its completion.
GENERAL TyLER's NOMINATION CONFIRMED.
The only confirmation by the Senate to-day that Of
Daniel Tyler, OF Connecticut, Brgadicr General Of
Volunteers.
NOMINATION OF CAPTAIN RICKETTS, TO A RIrGA.
DIERsHIP.
Among the nominations for Brgador Generals sent to
the Senate to-day, that of Capt T. b. Ricketts, of
artillery fame.
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Tho House Committee the District Of Columbia will
substantially report TO tho House the bill passed in the
Senate for the abolition Of slavery in the District Of
Columbia. There will be a majority and minority re.
port accompanying the bill.
The refusal OF scat to Mr.. Upton, Of virginia in the
House, OF brought with IL his removal from tho
District of Columbia Committee. lis place was aod by
M. Fessepden, OF Maino and this change in the com.
miltee has worked tho present result.
REGULATIONS OF TIE GOVERNMENT PRINTING
BUREAU.
Tho House Committee Accounts have berose thon, n
bill making the Office Of the superintendent of the folding
room elective II IS intended 10 take the patronage away
from the Ioorkeeper, who is charged with having dis
placed Efficient ocer from this position mako room
for an inefficient member Of his family. II Is argued
that the provisions Of this bill will the governmen,
ten thousand dollars year, and better Service
RESUMPTION OF FOREIGN MAIL sERvICk pY THE
ARAGo AND FULTON.
The steamers Arago and Fulton, Which, for some
months past have been as ssvsrnmon' transports