The New York herald., 1862-01-28
nEW2 FROM WASHINGTON.
~-s'--
KAp0rtant Order from the
Secretary OF War.
Practical Measures for tho Relief Of
Prisoners Of War.
Mh)p Ames and Ex-Gov. Fish Appointed COM
nissionels to the Rebel States.
The Aspect Of Our Relations with
Mexico,
o, &C., 20.

Mexico,
q, &C., 20.
WASHINGTON, jan 27, 1862.
IMPORTANT ORDER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT
REBELS.
Ths following excellent order has been issued to-day
BY Secretary Stanton and will be carried into mmsd
aAe execution n the rebel authorities do not object
Whether the Same courtesy will bs extended 10 the
rebels remains 10 be There 10 arrangement to
that effect yet Ths exchange Of prisoners far has
besn altogether informal;-
oRpm APPOINTING REV. BsHoP Axns AND HAMILTON YrsH
connsnoNus 10 vlsr AND RELIEVE cnxns or THs UNITED
STATES NOW PHlsoN1ks OF wAR N TIE HnBnL STATES.
Wan D.rARnnn, WASHINGTON, Jan. q, 1852
Ordered, that the Rev. Bishop Amss Of the Methodist
Episcopal church. and the Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Of New York, Be and they are hereby ap
pointed Commissioners 70 visit the prisoners be-
longing 70 the army Of the United States now
In captivity at Richmond, in Virginia. and elsewhere and
under such regulations may be prescribed by the
authorities having custody Of such prisoners relieve
their necessities. and provide for their comfort the
expense Of the United Ia pursuance Of the order
hsvstofors made this subject and that said Commits
soasrs be requested Immediately TO signify by telegraph
TO the department their acceptance Or ssal Of this ap
pointment, and report in person Washington without
delay. EDWIN N. STANTON, Secretary Of War.
Governor Fish, being notified by telegraph Of his ap
pointmsnt, has promptly accepted. Bishop Amos has
also accsptsd. The Commissioners will accompany
another quotaof rebel prisoners and will proceed under
dag Of truce from Fortress Monroe and make known 70
the rebel authorities tho object Of their mission when
refused, they win return allowed TO remain they will
proceed to execute the duties assigned TO them the
above order.
THE BURNSIDE RxrEDrrIoN--AYFA AIRS IN KENTUCKY.
No ofncial information has yet besn received from
General Burnsdes expedition, nor have any further ad
Woes been received to-day reference 70 the movements
Of our troops In Kentucky.
GEN. x'cLELLAN's STAFF APPOINTMENTS.
The subject Of the confirmation OF General McCsllans
stan up in the Senate executive session to-day
he officers nominated BY the President 10 the saG
bsrng between fty and sixty have passed the Military
Committee favoraby, but the whole matter was very
suddenly and summary disposed Of to-day by the expo
stion Of tho fact that the law regulating such appoint
msns gives the President full to act in the matter
aad does require the advice consent Of the Senate
ne san 10, therefore, complete and fully authorized.
GENERAL sIGEL RETAINED ~ THE SERVICE.
The resignation Of General sigel not having
esptsd his military abilities being highly appreciated hs
win not renew IL. As strong friend OF the Union hs
will continue in the service where he can be Of mos
use, either In Missouri the Potomac. series Of
prompted him retire from the army but the
recent cause Of complaint IL Is believed, will b
rsmedied. .
AFFAIRS ON THE LOWER POTOMAC.
me United States brig Perry which for some months
past has been anchored just below Alexandria fitting out
Tor sea- put in readiness in the early part Of last
week. and Thursday night down past the Confsde
rate batteries in tow OF the Pusey She fred a
The repairs to the Island Belle completed At the
ard nm I'd md AL hosr
and officers Of his brigade she down past tho
srsbel batteries Saturday night without being fred a
and after landing her passengers at Liverpool Point laid
by until Sunday night when she returned to Indian cad
On her up trip shots nrsd s her by the rebels
none taking effect.
The rebels appear to be enlarging and srengthenn
their works at Cockpit Point make the Occoquan
the main line Of defence on their right wing.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
The condition Of Affairs in Mexico is regarded with
much interest by our government The Senate Com.
mttss on Foreign Relations have deferred action the
late Message Of the President submitting project Of
treaty Of the subsequent material changes in
the aspect of the Mexican question 1t was expected
that another communication on the subject suggesting
alterations in the progd to correspond with the altered
position or affairs In Mexico would be the Senate
to-day, but the programme is not yet completed and
will not be presented until after tho the secrc
tary OF State from his visit to New York When the
Of the occupation Of Vera Cruz by the allies was
nrst received 1t believed that tho opportunity for
treaty negotiations ended but advices revive
Inducements to make efforts in that direction.
Tho allies have, II appears found than they bar
gained for. They expected easy prey and popular
welcome Their attack has accomplished what nothing
else couldths reunion Of the Mexican people All Of the
opposition leaders except two have avaed themselves OF
the amnesty offered by the government and now aot
ing cononty in its defence Only Harqucz other
both stained with Infamous crimes to render their
adherence to the government undesirable havo ac
cepted the amnesty The allies themselves blockaded
the land side, denied any fresh provisions and COM
PEELED TO look to Europe for the most ordinary supplies
The reinforcement OF the three thousand Spanish
troops at Havana will hardly compensate for
losses by death and disease from the original
force and they will be compelled 10 wait until the scky
shall have commenced before sucicnt number Of
troops can be brought together the attempt
further invasion Of country susceptible Of defence by
. united people,
The belief prevails here that II, has been hinted in
certain quarters the expedition merely blind for
preparations ultimately be directed against the United
States the allies in seizing upon Vera Cruz have DOS
sessed themselves OF elephant Of which they would
gladly be rid. and would welcome such negotiations
between our government and that OF Mexico AZ would
enable them 70 retire honorably from the dilemma The
seizure Of Vera Cruz has greatly obsructsd tho commu
uicstion between the Mexican Minister here and hIs
government. Dispatches now recsiysd ch,eov bv
way Of Acapulco and Panama
General Don Domingo do Goicouria from New York mr..
rived here to-day important business for the Mexican
government.
7HE war COMMITTEE AND THE BATTLE OF BULL
RUN.
Lieutensnts G. r. Hszlett and H. b. Reed, Of orinins
battery, were subpnnasd to-day 70 appear before the
Congressional Committee the Conduct Of the war.
The testimony Of these oicers supposed, will have
refsrence solely 10 the battle at Bull run which both
pore active and gallant part.
1HE CONGRESSIONAL WAR coxxrrTEE AND THE BAT