The New York herald., 1862-02-17
GENERAL NEWS.

GEN NERAL NEWS.
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1862.
GENERAL SUMMERS ARRIVAL AND RRsUMING CON.
MAND OF HIS DIVISION.
General Sumner left his late residence in Washington
on Friday morning accompanied by his aids Leutenants
laurence Kip, Third artillery land Samuel Sumner Fifth
cavalry, and took the O'Clock boat for Alexandria
On his arrival at Alexandria he the wharf by
squadron Of the Eighth Illinois cavalry tho band Of
the Eighty eighth New York. and escorted the centre
OF the town where the whole of the Eighth cavalry was
drawn up, Colonel Farnsworth commanding. After in
spectng the regiment the General started for his head
quarters escorted by the entiro regiment In the evsn
ing the bands Of the different regiments in tho division
ssrenadcd the General after which the coonels were
presented to tho General by his STAFF the colonos then
introducing their regimenal officers. The greatest en-
thusasm prevailed the return Of the General an
absence of six weeks. He is very popular with both
officers and men.
SPIRITED Reconnaissance FROM GENERAL P0RTER's
DIVISION.
most important daring and successful
was made on Friday from General Fitzohn Porter's d
vision. Comprising the expedition three infantry
regiments, the Fortyfourth regiment, New York (Els-
worth Avengors), Colonel stryker; Fourth Michigan,
Colonel Woodbury.; Ninth Massachusetts, Colonel Carr;
eight companies Of Colonel Averis cavalry regiment,
and two companies Of tfe Eighth Pennsylvania cavalry,
Colone McGregg They started at daylight and
sent till dark The party sat out from Minors Hill Gea-
erai Morel of the Second Brigade in command Three
objects sought to be accomplished by the recon-
noissarce-first TO obtain possession Of large quantity
Of railroad ties in the vicinity OF Vienna to be used
pstng the railroad in process Of construction from
Alexandria, second, to take thorough survey Of the
rebel territory about Freedom Hill, Hunters and Haak-
hurst mills to sec any force Of the enemy stationed
near of these points, and third engage the rebels
they should ht TO indulge hostile encounter
with our troops The Arst objects wore successfully
accomplished, but our men sadly disappointed in
tho expected rencontre with the myrmidons of JEFF
Davis. The parties set out from Minors Hlr General
Morel, 0! tie Second brigade in command Arriving at
Freedom H company Of rebe cavalry seen in the
direction Of Fairfax Court House, who discovering
troops. displayed signal flags after which
they put spurs their horses and sight
Near Hunters Mills mounted rebel pickcs also
observed, but these disappeared directing their
oward the interior Of secessa Scouting about
the vic,nty troops made crossings Of Difficult
creek. From fresh tracks Of horses and ne smoking
smbsrs Of camp res the late presence Of rebel
troops apparent at various points TIE principal
scouting done BY Company c, Of the Ff-tyfourth
regiment deployed skirmishes and the cavalry com.
panes, the latter being joined at TysoAs Corners by
squadron OF Cameron dragoons under command Of Cap
san Brown. Meanwhile the Fourth Michigan and Ninth
Massachusetts, regiments were stationed ut Vienna, 70
guard the operations the railroad The route aksn
BY the leading skrmshers extended nearly thi ~ M
and yet Notwithstanding tho bad state OF the IDS or
marching, the company of the Forty.four,h regimen
walked the entire distance without any show o. s'igue
Their only regret and that OF oil others engaged Il the
reconnaissance, was the failure 70 engage to enemy
Obtaining possession Of the railroad ties is valuable
quisou to the government, TO say nothing Of tie m
pertant results following the reconnoisence. Our men
were eager to fight, and had the enemy shown til m
selves although in superior numbors vigorous battle
would have been the result.
PROBABLE RETIREMENT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
WAR SCOTT.
There is reason 10 believe that Colonel Thomas A.
Scott, Assistant Secretary Of War; will retire from tho
War Department very after his return from his
Western tour. The duties which formerly assigned
70 him now performed by Assistant Secretary p H.
Watson who devotes night and day to the multitude OF
duties devolved upon him.
MOVEMENTS OF GENERAL FREMONT.
General Fremont will probably leave hore towards the
close OF the week. It is believed by his friends that he
will soon be assigned to important military duties.
TIE ARMY HORSE CONTRACT.
The Quartermasers ,artment has extended till next
Saturday the time for receiving bids to supply =
horses. large number Of dealers still in Wash
ington.
RESIGNATION.
L. G. Baker, IN charge Of the government detective
civil police, resigned his position yesterday BY hs
firing energy and devotion to the government the
raband trade with the rebel States has been almost
piscly broken up. He intends entering the military
vice officer
TEE sUPrLY or roRAGE FOR THE ARMY OF THE
POTOMAC.
Some idea Of the vastness Of the supplies required by
our armies may bo derived from a statement Of the
single Item Of forage used by that portion Of the Union
army Of the Potomac in tho immediate vicinity OF Wash
ngton There daily issued by the Quartr caster
Department to the forces the north and sous banks
ef the Potomac three hundred OF hay and twelve
thousani eight hundred bushels Of gram. The disribu
tion OF this forage affords employment nearly eighteen
hundred wagons and fortyhve hundred men, at an sx-
pss wages about hundred Thousand dollars per
moath There accumulated At the Quartermasters
Department in Alexandria million bushels OF grain and
further delivery there has been suspended The exten.
sion Of tho Baltimore and Washington Railroad across he
L0ng Bridge greatly facilitates the distribution of supplies
10 the troops south Of the Potomac.
CONDITION OF THE PRESIDENTS SONS.
The apprehensiops entertained in regard TO the OF
the President have been removed to-day by the an.
uouncemsnt Of their rapid improvement and expected
recovery from their recent illness.
AFFAIRS IN MEXICO.
The Mexican Minister Ia In receipt of late advces from
Mexico, but thoy convey very ttle Information
than the published news. except that there very m
prospect Of accommodation OF the difficulties b.
tween that government and its allied invaders tho
renewed assurance that the whole Mexican people are
uaitsd in the determination to the last th.
European invasion Of their country.
SUPPLIES ron THE WOUNDED AT ROANOKE ISLAND
Tho Sanitary Commission on Thursday sent from Bal,i
more two inspectors with large amount OF hospits
supplies for the wounded Al Roanoke Island.
DEATH or THE MESSENGER or rnR sEcRErARY on
WAR.
Francis Datcher the old negro who has for nearly hall
century acted messenger to the Secretary OF War
~ the War Department, died suddenly 70 day He was
al his post until the closing Of the Department yesterday
Od Francis 10 well known 10 all who have been in tbt
habit Of visiting the Secretary Of War for the forty