The New York herald., 1862-03-10


Page.
1t is evident that the rebels are Withdrawing
from their former lines on the Lower Potomac anu
concentrating their strength at some other point
General Hooker reported to headquarters yester-
day that all the enemy's batteries IN front OF MS
lines, opposite Budd's Ferry, are abandoned en-
tirely and the guns spiked He has taken posses
sion of some of them, and they prove to be very
valuable pieces of ordnance. The evacuation OF
these batteries opens the Potomac, and the block
ade, such as it was is virtually abandoned. We
The evacuation of Leesburg by the rebels, and
its occupation by Colonel Geary, on Saturday, is
officially confirmed. A large amount of property
fell into our hands. The rebels fell back, as we
stated yesterday towards Middlobug, but it is not
certain that they have not gone as far as Winches
ter. We give to-day sketch of Colonel Geary's
eventful life and description of the town of Lees
burg. Up to last night all was quiet on the from
tiers of the Upper Potomac lines. Scouting parties
sent out in the direction of Winchester yesterday
failed to meet with any resistance, except from
small cavalry picket; but on Friday brisk skir-
mish took place between a company of our cavalry
and part of Colonel Ashby's rebel cavalry, be.
tween Bunker Hill and Winchester, in which six
rebels were killed. 1t was thought at Charlestown
that the force at Winchester was greatly reduced
Yesterday morning the plckets Of Colonel Haml-
ton, near Smiths Mills, were attacked by rebel
scouts, and one of the Twenty seventh Indiana re.
giment was killed. The Third Wisconsin regiment
pursued them, and was not heard from at latest
accounts.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The Tennessee Legislature is having hard time
at Memphis. Another meeting was held on the
9th ultimo, when each house resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole, for the purpose of
counting noses, and the following was the re.
suit -
Senate. ..ss...'..'.lO 40
House. ............'...'.'..'.I oV
The terms of the following named members OF
the United States Senate will expire with the pre-
sent Congress, on the 4th of March next:-
James Dixon (rsp.) Connecticut.
Milton s. Latham (opp California
James A. Bayard (opp) Delaware.
Joseph A. Wright (opp. y Indiana.
Lott NJ Morrill, (rep.) Maine.
Charles Sumner (rep.) Massachusetts,.
Anthony Konnsdy (oppl Maryland.
Zach. Chandler (rep.) Michigan.
Henry n. Rice lopp1 Minnesota.
Preston King (rep New York.
John Thomson (opp} New Jersey
David WilInot (rep.) ,Pennsyvan
James Simmons (rsP. }; Rhode Island.
Solomon Foot (rsp), Vermont
watman 7. Wiley (opp.) Virginia.
James r. Doolittls (rep), Wisconsin
The Memphis Aralanche says that General Sam
Houston, of Texas is not dead. A Galveston pa.
per contains letter from him, dated January27.
1t appears that there are some shOddy shoe con.
tractors among the hordes of patriotic citizens
who have taken upon themselves the task Of
keeping our soldiers comfortable. General Hal
leck writes to the Quartermaster General at WASH
ngton that the shoes issued to the troops wear out
in four days. He says change must be effected
if the government hopes to keep the army Of the
West together.
The Hon. Benjamin F. Rexford, appointed in
November last as commissioner on the part of the
United States to adjudicate the claims of citizens
under this government against the government of
Costa Rica, accompanied by his son, arrived at the
Astor House in this city on Saturday last and will
leave for Washington this afternoon The com.
missioner ON the part of Costa Rca is Senor
Molina, Minister, residing near the seat of the
United States government. The claims have their
origin in the recent disputes between the States
of New Granada and Costa Rica, and out of which
grew the seizure of a large amount of property
belonging to American merchants, and adequate in
worth to justify the institution of the commission
which Judge Rexford represents on the part of the
federal government. Judge Rexford is native of
Chenango county, in this State, and graduate of
Union College, in the class of 1880. He
is lawyer by profession and occupies an
honored position at the bar of this State being
chiefly and most favorably known at the West.
The commission will commence its sittings in the
city of Washington, for the reception and fling of
claims, on the 18th instant and will adjourn in the
course of ten days or two weeks following for
period of three months. During the adjournment
the clams,fed will be sent to Costa Rica for final
examination, Immediately subsequent to which
Senior Molina, commissioner on the part of the
Costa Rican government, will receive instructions
touching the determination of his government in
regard to their ultimate disposition. At this Juno.
ture an umpire will be appointed and the claims
will be definitely settled.
General Mcclellan has ordered the following
tariff of exchange Of prisoners of war;
For q General Commander-in Chief, sixty men.
Lieutenant General, forty men.
Major General, thirty men.
Brgadier General twenty men.
Colonel, fifteen men.
lieutenant Colonel, ten men,
Major, eight men.
Captain, six men.
Lieutenant, four men.
sub-Lieutenant or Ensign, three men.
Non-commissioned officers, two men.
Privates, man for man.
Captain VIM. D. Porter, commander Of the Mis-.
sisspp gunboat Essex, is fast recovering from the