Evening star., 1862-03-11

finished In four months; whereas It would take
Ell ahteen months to build new vessel OF equal
size and power.
IRON CLAD WAR SHIPS.
The backing and filling Of the Senate upon the
question Of making the appropriation repeatedly
asked by the President and Secretary Of the Navy
for the construction OF iron clad vessels, DELAYED
the arrival Of the Monitor at Hampton Roads
three weeks after the time II was Intended that
she should reach there. It was well known 70
the Government here that the rebel iron-clad feet
could not be ready to attempt a demonstration
until about this time, and every effort was made
TO meet those vessels with the Monitors heavy
guns. -
Had Congress promptly responded to the Presi-
dents and Secretary's recommendations In this
connection, instead Of wasting their time overs6e
inevitable negro, and In intrigues to wholly over
turn the Constitution Of the United States, under
the pleas of there being military necessity for 20
doing, which no military man sees, we would
not have lest the Cumberland and Congress, all
must now knew. l4 ~
Ii is due to Mr.. Grimes and others OF the Sen
ate's Naval Committee to call public attention to
the fact that they have labored increasingly for
two wears past to induce Congress to appropriate
literally for the construction of such ships the
Monitor. II is to be presumed that their advice
will now have its Legitimate weight in this mat
ter, In their Chamber.
The Mystic, another such ship, win very short
ly be ready; and the third In a week or two after
wards.
We shall therefore probably have all three on
ths station before the Merrimac can be prepared
for sea by the rebels, either one Of which will be
more than match for her, as was demonstrated
by Sundays action, In which she was so sig
nally crippled by the Monitor, without the latters
receiving any injury whatever.
Her two big guns-11-inch columbiads-are
clearly too much for anything secesh can get up.
THE DEAD HERO
The remains of the late Lieut.. Joseph B. Smith,
U. 9. NJ, killed in the naval action of Saturday
last, while in temporary command of the frigate
Congress, are now on the way up to this city,
coming via Baltimore. He was killed by the
explosion of a she'll, which shattered his person
dreadfully. His corpse was brought sff the sur
rendered ship by some Of the men set at liberty
by the rebels The remains will Of course be
carried to the residence Of his father here.
NO MORE PASSES FOR DIXIE.
Major General Dix has issued an order direct
ing that no more passes shall be granted to go
South for the present All travel Dixieward, save
by the blue coats, Is thus suspended 4.-rf
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTHWEST
Great Batht--Ths Combined Rebel Army of
Van Dorm, MeCNHoeh, Price and McIntosh
DJsated-GreGt Slaughter os Both Sides
Guns, FGgs, Procisions, &C., Captured.
OFFICIAL DISPATCH.
The following is the official dispatch from Gen.
Halleck announcing the great victory In Arkansas
has been received here:
ST. LOUIS, March 10-G. B. MeCkllas, Majo,
General, WaShingtos-No. 81. 'The army Of the
Southwest, under Gen. Curtis, after three days'
hard fighting, near Sugar Creek, Arkansas has
gained a most glorious victory over the combined
forces Of Van Dorm, McCulloch, Price and Nc
Intosh. -
sour loss 10 estimated at one thousand killed
and wounded. That Of the enemy is still larger.
"6uns provisions, &C., have been captured In
large quantities.
"Our cavalry are In pursuit OF the flying enemy.
II. w. HALLEcK, Maj jor- General.
FROM FORTRESS MONROE. Fl
A dispatch from Fortress Monroe last evening
says that the Merrimac did not make her appear.
ance yesterday.
The Monitor was honored with salutes and
cheers, both from the fort and feet. Everybody
was enthusiastic in her praise for the good ser.
vice she rendered on Sunday -.-.1
The following is copied from an Official report
Of Gen. W ool, dated Fortress Monroe yesterday,
and received per telegraph:
' Nothing Of importance has occurred to-day
The Merrimac has not made her appearance since
yesterday IL IL not Yet ascertained how much
she was Injured. The chief engineer Of the
Monitor says three balls from that vessel passed
hrOugh the Merrimac
"In the contest with the Merrimac the Moni.
tor suffered very little, although she was struck
twenty-three times" :
POSITIVELY FALLING BACK,
There is no longer any doubt that the rebels
have evacuated Centreville, Winchester, and
other important points, indicating general fall.
ing back OF their forces.
CHAKLEsTowS, VA March 10 1t Is generally
TumOred here and believed that Winchester was
fully evacuated yesterday. A reconnaissance was
sent out this morning TO ascertain the facts Intel
ligence from other quarters greatly encourages
all the friends Of the Union 10 look for speedy
cTippling Of the rebellion.
Latsr.-CHARLBsTowS,V VA, March 10, pm.-
II Is now ascertained beyond doubt that w in.
chester has been evacuated by the rebels Promi
nent places between this and Winchester are
now occupied by our troops.