Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-01
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
How TO DO II.

We were accidentally present this forenoon
when committee Of members Of Representatives
called on the Secretary Of War In behalf Of large
number Of the House, TO urge upon that ofaesr the
propriety Of adding the Hon. Alfred Ely 10 the
commission Of two-the Hon. Hamilton Fish and
Bishop Ames, Of Ohio-tecently charged with
the duty Of going into secessia 70 zee sftef ths
comfort Of the Union soldiers now prisoner Of
war there. The Hon. Schuyler Collar, their
spokesman, urged the proprietv Of the proposed
addition TO the commission with force; but Sec
rotary Stanton In two minutes satisfed him and
those with him Of the Improperly Of Including
upon the commission any gentleman who forms
portion OF other branch Of Government: the
mission being wholly one Of religion and philsn.
thropy. He freely offered 10 include Mr.. bly, II
that gentleman would divest himself OF his pub
lie character as a member Of the Congress Of the
United States, recognizing he did that his late
experience In Richmond prisons would make him
Of valuable assistance indeed In the work Of be-
nevolence.
Mr.. Stanton disposed Of the GUINNESS In hand In
less time than IL usually takes public function
airy to begin to get some idea Of the matter being
presented for his consideration.
NOTEWORTHY FACT.
Tothe infinite credit Of the Navy Departmentit
should be known, that nota single one Of the ves-
sells sent by II upon the Burnside expedition han
failed to answer all that was expected Of her
drsught, seaworthiness and general ehciency-
not one. AL the trouble and delay from using
improper ships occurred with those In the service
Of the War Department
The Navy Department having been much Longer
making its selections Of ships transports and
others to be improvised into men ofwar) Of courss
had the choice Of the market, and Were thus en-
abled to secure better vessels than fell b the Lot
Of the War Department, buying and chartering
subsequently. That Department h,s, however,
been taught a lesson on this occasion concerning
the necessity Of greater care In procuring trans
ports, which will be duly improved by the new
Secretary, doubtless.
THE PoToHAc TLoTILA-ATTAIRs DOWN KIvKH.
Correspondence Of The Star.l
u. 8. SHIP STEPPING STONES, Potomac Flotilla
Jan. %, 166l.-We left the Navy Yard last even.
ing al eight O'Clock and arrived al the fotlla At
quarter psst ten, making the trip In two hours
and h:teen minutes, distance Of TWENTY-FIVE
miles.
After supplying the different vessels with their
respective malls, &c, came TO anchor al eleven
O'Clock, near the flagship, to wait for further
orders.
The Evansport Battery to-day opened with Der.
rife fury on some unseen object probably the
Pensacola passing before their imaginations or
perh9ps the ghost OF the brig Perry.
The Island BelieS me up night before last past
the batteries. The engineer tells me that one shell
exploded directly over the smoke-stack and
dropped in the water about ten feet from the
steamer. TNH cher shots were. usual, Of no
account. She goes up 20 the yard, understand
to get her guGs on board and Prepare for winter
service.
Acting Master PIsrson, formerly Of the Harriet
Lane, has been ordered 10 the WyandAnk. Act
ing Master a. +. Foster, formerly OF the VIVIAN.
dank, has been ordered to the Satellite.
Everything is quiet here, except q few rebel
powder. They can be distinctly seen with the
aid Of a good glass at pit Point at work with
their guns, but with no form Of order II il like
boys training-they appear to be all oficeu.
Jan. 3O.-The Island Belle pissed down last
night, to join the lower otilla. The rebel bate
ries blszed away, usual, at her; but 10 she
sounded no alarm, she probably passed by safe.
Yesterday, schooner came out)f Msitawomsn
creek, with the Intention Of passing the batteries;
when opposite Stump Neck, the fog, which had
been thick, cleared away, and, there being no
wind, left her helpless target for the rebel guns
on Cock-p pit Point.
Lieut.. Commanding Badger, on board the Ana
costa, sent a boats crew under the command Of
Masters mate John Williams, 10 the relief OF the
Of range. The Anacostia weighed anchor and
proceeded Ia the direction OF the battery pre-
senting her starboard broadside to 10. The bat
terry, however, did not open on the Anacosta,
consequently she did not fire.
Between twenty and thirty shots were fred In
all, with the usual results-that 10, 10 one was
hurt