The New York herald., 1862-03-30
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

/ WASHINGTON. March 20, le6z
THE REBEL FLOATING BATTERY MERsMAo.
No fear Of the monster Msrrimac tho Navy
Department On tho contrary desire is expressed thas
she may again expose hesoh TO the Monitor and other
| vessels in Hampton Roads
Tue MIDDLE MILITARY DEPARTMENT..
military department 10 be cgxsd tins Middle Depart
ment and the States Of New Jersey Penn
syivania Delaware the Eastern shore Of Maryland and
Virginia and the counties of Cecil arfsrds Baltimore
Anne Arundel, in Maryland. has becH created. Major
Gonsral Dix, United States Volunteers, is assigned ths
command-hsadqu at Baltimore
ANOTHER EXCURSION TO MANAssAs-BURsED CANNON
RECOyERED.
The following despatch, dated Manassas March 20, has
been received
Conductor Franks today took out large excursion
party 10 Manassas. consisting of Colonel Baker ths
government detective police with number Of ether
officials accompanied by thor ladies' The telegraph
lines completed to warrenton Junction last night,
and working admirably. The Colonel this Afternoon
found Ave cannon which tho rebels had buried about
mile and a half beyond the Junction II appears that
| the broke down, and the guns were tumbled on
TO side OF tho track and buried and the ground
smoohed nicely them. Three OF them iron the
other BRASS the heaviest weighing fortysix hundred
pounds. Tho guns will be taken 20 Alexandra 70
| morrow.
DISTRACTIONS on TIE MANASSAS RAILRoAD
Tho freight train returning 70 AieK.'
andra last night found several rails placed thu
track, just above Fairfax station and In the darkness
them but without throwing the locomotive oG
These evidently placed there by secessioniss, as
number Of them live in the vicinity who make no secret
Of their dsloyaty.
ARMY OFFICERS LOUNGfNG ABOUT THE CAPITAL.
Some Of generals other officers have been 10
the habit Of keeping themselves before tho public by
pearing in the hote and Pennsylvania avenue almost
daily Visitors in the city other officers, and are
liable TO entertain the mistaken notion that these the
most important officers of tho army II should bc horne
in mind however that those who remain camp. attend
ing closely tho duties OF their commands in person.
quito efficient those who keep up constant dress
parade in town.
TRADE RESUMED WITH LOUDON COUNTY, VA.
Trade has been resumed between Loudon county. vir
ginia, and Washington The farmers arc beginning 70
bring butter, eggs, Sc. 10 market.
meeting of the farmers the uppcr part Of Farfax
county hold yesterday. for the purpose Of mutual
aid in building fonces and for protection o thr
ARREST OF DIsUNIONIsrs.
Two mon, one from Alexandria the other from Phi's.
depha arrested yesterday at Csatrevils and
held in custody upon tho charge Of dtsloyal praccss
THE NAVY.
Tho Secretary OF tho Navy has made the following sp
pointments, promotions. &c.
Henry Thompson, of Rockland, Ne. Acting Master.
CIV. Cassidy, in the Gulf squadron, promoted 70 Act
,ng Master on board the steamer National Guard
Q. B. Warren and A. Blanchard. promoted V Acting
Masters board the steamer J. 8. C. Chambers.
Lieutenant A. A. ssmmes ordered 70 report Phiia
dslpha for command OF the steamer wsmsussa.
ExcuRsIOs OF rHs NAVAL coMxrrrsEs TO roxrRssa
MONROE.
Senator Haie, and most Of the mcmbers Of shs Navs
Comnsces Of tho Sonata and House. raads
to Fortress Monroe to-day. Thoy accompanied By
their ladies, and will spend the Sabbath Al 0id Point
Comfort.
zxAxINATIoN OF FEMALE STATE eRfsexxxs.
TeAAy Mrs. Greenhow and Mrs. Augusta Morris, alas
Mrs. Masen appeared before the commission
prisoners Of state and after long and Interesting
aniusson they recommittod Some iatosesama
facts, not proper to bs published ~ ptesea., wore
elected.
THE BANKRUPT LAW.
Tho committee the bankrupt law held prosractss
last evening" and agreed finally 10 Mr. CcaklngI
bill, with slight amendments. The bill wiil pro
bably become law substantially II reported -
Mr.. Coukling.
THH MASSACHUSETTS ALLOTMENT COMMISSIONS.
The Massachusetts, Legislature having recently passod
an allotment law and appointed commission, consist
ing Of Mossrs Harry Edwards, Of Boston; Mayor F.B
Fay, Of Chelsea, and David wilder, Jr, OF Newton. u
visit tho various camps and explain the Of ths
law, those gentlemen sagaged in tho discharge
Of their duties Mr. Fay has been with the First anl
Eleventh regiments few days and met with exoeissns
success. These regiments have allotted over ssvss
thousand dollars each OF their mouthly pay Company
H. First regiment, from Chelsea Massachusetts,, Mayor
Fay's city, slots nine hundred and sixty-dve dOllArs
monthly. This differs from that Of any other stsss
in allowing to aIos directly 70 the State Treasurer
who holds il In trust for hem and on which the Ssah
pays nvc per cent interest per annum.
sALvR owNERs AND THE EXCELSIOR BRIGADa.
A day or two since Marylsnder into Of the
Excelsior rsgimonts seeking arunaway negro, who.
ing his master, attempted to away whcroupon the
master fred upon him. Gen. Sicklss, considering IN
lives OF his jeopardzed by the firing, ordered
tho master out OF camp. In snothsr camp master Ia
enforce obedience beaborng his slave when
tho negro seized the cudgel and forced him to boat
hasty The slaveowners In tho vicinity OF Bddi
Forty having suspicious that many Of their slaves
secfeted the various camps, have organized band,
and intend making grand sweep whonever ths troops
move and leavo the contrabands behind.
Snow STORM IN WASHINGTON.
Tho dust which has blinded the Washngtonians fol
several days was aaysd this afternoon by smart
storm. .-.
PASSES TO MARYLAND REsCrNDED.
The Military Governor OF this district has today issu
cd AN order resembling all passes 70 porsons going into
Maryland.
THE CoNrRABAND QUESTION.
The contraband question begins to puzzle and deprem
tho minds Of tho wisest aboioniss horo When Messrs
Sumner, Wilson, Hale, Lovejoy aud others are asked
how negroes who havo already escaped and those who
are expected shall be disposed Of they give prao
tcaI instructions ho matter The darkoys may hcs
themselves to a large amount Of freedom but nobodp
seems inclined to pay their current expenses.
THE PASSAGE OF TROOPS THROUGH NEW YORK CITY.
No troops in the United States service will hereafter
pass through the city Of New York without rsportngto 10
tho United states military authorities entrusted with the
duty Of providing and transportation In tha.
city Reports must be made and Information obtsinea
a. the ONCE, No. 70 white street.
pMcE OF SOLDIERS CLOTHING.
His Exceency the Governor OF New York has decided
a. tha rolnxng nricea 90 be CHARGED 10 the