The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-18
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, May II, 1862
KEPORTs FROM GENERALS HALLECK AND MCIELLAN's
ARMIES.
Advices from General Hallscks army, dated yesterday
and from General McClelans army, dated today have
becn received at the War Department The former was
in close proximity tethe enemy bit engagement had
taken place. Tho latter concentrating and bringing
up supplies preparatory'toa mo vsment.
MEETING OF THE CABINET-REpoRTs RELATIVE TO
THE RgCALL OF GENERAL HUNTER, ErC.
A special meeting Of the Cabinet held this morn
ing but nothing definite regard to the Hunter imbrog
lilo done Secretary Seward and Secretary Wellss
arc si absent Secretary Chase went to Philadelphia
this afternoon.
It is stated upon reliable authority that General Hun
ter has express instructions TO proclamat
Tho Secretary OF War hss since the Fremont Phelps
bundsrs the Of by
commanders OF military departments as hazardous in
udicious and assumption Of the prerogativs Of the
President.
Rumors Of tho rocal OF General Hunter are rre but
have other foundation than the prevailing impression
that his presumption will be summarly dealt with by
the President As the government has received on
cal notification that General Hunter has issued pro-
camat.on published official action in the premises
yet be taken.
No doubt Is entertained that the President will
act promptly and firmly and consistently with his ex-
pressed opinion and purposes in reference this quss
OF emancipation in the statcs The iron sernnsss
OF his composition will be manifested In his vndcaion
OF the policy snuncatsd at the beginning OF the war
and has maintained since, however besct by those
who have tried every in thoir power him
from the line OF conduct he prescribed for the admins
tration.
EXECUTION OF THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Since yesterday eight ten fugitive slaves havebeen
returned TO their caimants II 10 estimated that there
in Washington recently about . thousand
slaves, principally from Prince Georges, Mary
land adjoining tho District AT least forty Shareholders
from that county at the Court House to-day ling
their petitions for rscamations The runawaysn some
cases many twenty -one-are claimed by single
person. In several instances after the Coar had issued
the necessary wrs the Marshal aud his deputies were
unable to find the fugitivcs who, having BY
been informed Of tho judicial process, removed beyond
the reach OF arrest.
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL M'DowELL.
Major General Mcdowell in Washington to-day.
INTERESTING STATEMENTS OF REBEL PRISONERS.
The rebel prisoners who areherc express asionshmsnt
at the treatment they receive. Tboy say that Lhey
them solves heartily tired Of the They enlisted for
year and at tho expiration Of ther term Of service
they expected TO be discharged but this was refused
They not permitted change tho arm Of SER
vice they had adopted. and compelled TO return
10 duty undor menace OF being shot without
being allowed . conrt martial. They have
q poor opinion Of tho North Carolina regiments,
which said 10 have been always ready to shun the
post OF Danger and TO accept special duty the rear
whenever . battle was regarded imminent These
regiments esteemed the pets Of the rebel leaders 10
the cost Of tho Of tho rebel army. While in tho rebel
service thoy were permitted to read from the
North. They told that the Yankees would give no
quarter In battle and taught that they would suffer less
dc the cd than TO fall into the hands or the fsdcra
Some Of them contrast their comfsblc quarters hse az
prisoners with those assigned 20 the federal prisoners 10
Richmond and draw from this fact alone conclusions far
from favorable 10 the rebel leaders Many OF these pri
have sgnined their willingness to take the oath
Of allegiance. II is probable they will DO released on
this condition.
She REFUGEES FROM FLoRrDA--A PROVISIONAL
GOVERNMENT FOR FLORIDA RECOMMENDED.
large number Of refugees from Florida are here In
cladHe some OF tho wcahest property owners IN the
state Having no Senator or representative IN Con
sress, toy applied to senators Wright Of Indiana and
Browning, cf Illinois, 20 represent them. qhov
ASA the ereejIcp Of Florida INTO a separate mill.