, 1862-04-21
FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, April 1a, 1862.
Col Morrow, of Gen. Hunters staff, bearer
Of dispatches, says the fire On Fort Pulaski
was terrible. The James and Parrott projee-
tiles bored holes through one wall and passed
through the surroundings of the magazine,
lodging in the opposite wall.
Colonel Morrow brought the sword Of Capt.
Simmons, late editor Of the Savannah Repub-
lica7s, captured in Pulaski, which he presented
to Congressman Gurley.
Capt. Dupont, in his dispatch to the Sec
rotary Of Navy, eays the fall Of Pulaski was
purely military operation, the result of Ia
borious and scientific preparations and con-
summate skill and bravery in execution, and
thanks Gen. Hunter for having, with gen
erous spirit long to be remembered, permit
ted the navy to be represented by allowing
eeamen and officers from the Wabash to
serve preaching batteries.
Gen. Wright, In abandoning Jacksonville,
Florida, carried away with him twelve hundred
Of the inhabitants, Who were afraid to be found
there by returning rebels.
Some Cnionists who ventured to remain
we're hung By the rebels after the abandon
ment, eeveral Of them to lamp,posts.
There are eight Thousand loyal blacks with
in Gen. Huntcr's lines. Ex-Mayor Berzct has
declined to accept the Conlmissionership
under the bill for emancipation in the
District Of Columbia, to which he was ap-
pointed without Lis knowledge BY the Presi-
dent In letter giving his reasons he says,
d:sbelieving in the law he canuot conscieu-
tious]y undertake to carry it into effect, but
thanks the President for the confidence re-
posed and for the recognition of loyalty i'll
piitd.
Lieut. Guest, commanding division Of
Com. Portcr's mortar tlotilla, planned to run
| by forts Jackson and st. Philip aud deliver
fire from points between them and New Or
leans It is conjectured that the rebel report
| of the passage Of feet by the fort grew out
Of his carrying out this plan
Three-quarters Of million free letters
passed through the Washington Post Office
during last quarter. Seventy thousand dol
lars worth Of stamps were sold, and fifty
thousand paid over to the Department.
| WASHINGTON, april l9~-The condition Of
the Treasury now enables the Secretary to d.
rect the payment in cash Of all claims Of dates
lied By the St. Louis Commission, and It Is
expected that the November Claims will also
be paid in full within Il few days AL other
claims, without regard to date, viii be psid on
presentation, if desired, Us heretofore, 50 per
cent, In cash.
The prospect Of the passage of the Pacific
4 promising.
The act authorizing the Postmaster General
to establish branch Post Offices in the cities
| prescribes the charge Of one cent In addition
to the regular postage, for every letter depos-
tied in any branch Post Office, to be forward
ed by mail from the principal Office, aud which
shall be prepaid By stump, and one cent for
every letter delivered ut such branch Post-OC
fee. to be paid on delivery.
The Naval appropriation bill contains an
Item Of nearly $500, 600 to pay for and finish
Stevens oattery-the money not to be ex-
pended unless the Secretary Of the Navy is OF
the opinion that the same will secure an efici-
s1s,ooo, coo merely says ITO enable ths seer.
war"
AGeneral Order from the Adjutant Generals
office directs paymastcrs to recognize agents
stances, appoint to receive soldiers nav.
A rumor which the War Department. has not
had opportunity to disproye Or verify, asserts
that Gen. BfeDker has been seriously injured
By fall from his horse. It Is not true that
Ills command has been assigned to Gen Rose
crans.
The Post Office Appropriation bin pro-
vides 81 GOO eco for the service Of the Cllilor-
mia Central route, and repeals the acts requir-
ing the Postmaster General in .causipg the
transportation Of the mails bE steamships be-
tween our OWL and foreign ports, and between
any Of our own ports touching at foreign
ports to give the preference to American over
foreign steamships when departing from the
P155 foF tae eaeh ohe, he wa
General Is authorized to establish coast mai
not less than seui-monthly between San
Francisco and Crescent City, Cal, including
service at the intermediate points, provided
- ner l1r SuSn hs aoes not
has approved and signed the ahoye~named
| bi11E.