The New York herald., 1862-04-02
ApFAIRs ON THE LOWER poromAc.

Yesterday the Jacob Bell and Stepping stones visited
kvansport boats crew from each vessel was sent
ON shore The HERALD correspondent accompanied the
reconnoiterng party They visited nearly all the bat
teries in that vicinity including high hill about
hah mile back of Evansport where found the gun
that Captain Eastman had attempted unsuccessfuly TO
burst 1t is thirty FOUNDER. One of the trunnons
was broken off, the carriage burnt and the gun over
thrown. This battery, aided by field pieces, in
tended to the retreat of the rebels through the
woods in the rear, in the event of their being
driven from the lower batteries It was well defended
by rife pits. picturesque view OF the river was OBJ
tanned from the battery, disclosing small island the
mouth OF Chapawamsic creek, which is not discernabe
from the river Several OF the went cons iderabe
distance into the country. but there signs Of
reoe troops nor Inhabitants all Of whom TO have
deserted their houses. quantity Of shovels pickaxes
and other implements the construction OF earth
works, were found. Both parties of subse-
ouentiy returned shore, command of Lieut.. Com
manding Mccrea, of the Jacob Bell.
Proceeding inland, they crossed Chapawamsic creek,
where they found five rebel storehouses containing hay
cutting machines, platform scales ard other useful appa
ratus and implements They set fire to the buildings
which were entirely consumed.
General Hooker has been awarded the credit or
moving the guns from the rebel batteries well for
having effected the first landing these strongholds.
The guns were removed by Lieutenant Commanding
Eastman, Of the Yankee, on whom a seaman, the
task properly devoved.
WHO SAVED THE CAPITAL?
The attempt of the Philadelphia press claim for the
small band of troops who arrived at Wash
ngton the 18th of April the credit of having saved
the capital from by the rebels has excited much
ridcue here IT is well known that this squad of four
hundred and fifty without arms, clothes,
equipments discipline, and here for before
they At for any service. The Sixth Massachusetts
was the first armed regiment to enter Washington when
it beleaguered, and. with the exception of a
regulars and the District militia, the sole reliance
for its protection until the blockade broken by the
advance by way Of Annapolis.
THE REBEL GHoULs AT MANASSAS.
citizen Of Cambridge Mass, who went to Bull run
to the remains OF his brother who belonged
Boston company gives melancholy account Of the
sacrege committed upon the graves Of soldiers by
the rebels About twenty of the Boston company and
Chelsea company had been buried each other but
every skull had been taken away, and nearly all the
principal bones Of the bodies gone Some of the
bodies had been dug out aud others pred out of the
graves with levers and in the sleeves Of uniforms
slit to obtain the bones Of the 1t de-
scrbed as q sickening spectacle.
NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE.
The Senate held long session this afternoon
No combinations made, but large batch Of nomi
nations received and referred. Among them were
some fifteen Brigadier Generals. Baysrd Taylor was
nominated for Secretary Of Legation at st. Petersburg
and the committee reported favoraby The nomination
was not acted upon.
THE PAY DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY.
The Secretary Of War transmitted the House to-day
the reply Of tho Paymaster General to resolution re-
spectng the number of officers connected with the Pay
Department Of the army, the disbursements made by
each the compensation allowed them &c. He says the
resolution has not been answered from the inability
the Department with its present clerical force make
the report requested. Various embraced
the resolution have been answered replies three
lutious The clerical force the Paymasters Office is
inadequate business accounts Of the
Paymssters constantly accumuating and remain un
examined for this reason.
THE BANKRUPT LAW.
A induential delegation Of New York merchants is
here, TO urge the passage of bankrupt lew There is
now a prospect Of some movement in this direction.
There has hitherto been very little progress regard
this measure but the of commercial com.
munties suddenly Frustrated by the outbreak the
bellion, forcing themselves upon the attention Of
Congress- and steady and energetic action part
the friends OF the measure may yet its passage
RETURN OF THE CONGRESSIONAL EXCURSION PARTY
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
The naval committees and other members of Con-
gess and their friends returned to-day from Fortress
Monroe. where they had pleasant and interesting visit
They report that the preparations for taking care of the
Merrimac should she venture out Of the COM
plete and formidable character.
THE GREAT WESTERN MAIL.
The Great Western mails left this in the seven
O'Clock Of from Washington for all the local
stations between Baltimore and Wheeling Parkers-
burg and will connect at Bearwood Parkersburg with
the Western railroads and rivers, formerly.
SERIOUS ILLNESS OF Mr.. CONWAY, OF KANSAS.
The sickness Of representative Conway of Kansas is
much serious than first supposed. His dis
ease has assumed the form of peurisy.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT oP THE BATTLE BETWEEN
THE MONITOR AND MERRIMAC.
In reply 70 the Senates resolution calling for General
Mansbed's report concerning tho rebel steamer Merri
mac that body has been respectfully informed Is deem.
inconsistent with the public present to fur
nish copy Of the document
THE ARMY.
lie understood that Gen. Cadwaadsr has been nomi-
natod as MAJOR General Of Volunteers.