The New York herald., 1862-01-28

Baker crossed the river and that 800 e that number
either killed, wounded taken prisoners. After standing
their ground like old regulars fer eight hours The rsg
mont driven 70 the river BY the svsrpowerng nqm
bsrs Of the enemy and many Of the men drowned
N attempting 70 regain the Maryland shore csnera
Dsvsns himself aeress the river after doing all he
could 70 secure safe retreat for his men, that being bis
last resort next 10 surrsndsring suffering instant
death from the sword the bayonet Colonel Dsvens
testimony considered highly important In its bearing
upon the battle Of Balls Blum but cannot be published
u present.
DEFNcEs OF TIE NoRrHERN yIoNrIER.
mo Committee on Lake Dcfsness Of which Representa-
tive Arnold is chairman have been delayed In their &C.
ton by the sickness Of General Mcclellan bu since his
recovery they have been placed possession Of views
and opinions. They awaiting detailed estimate
from General Tottsn but will before long make full 70
port with regard to the deeness OF the Northern frontier
GENERAL BurLER's EXPEDITION.
The supposition in quarters that the dispute BE-
tween Governor Andrew Of and The gone
raj government relative General Butler has caused
the delay Of the Constitution, with portion Of Genera
Buffers expedition, is entire mistake The Constitu
tion has been delayed by order Of General Mcclellan
military reasons having reference whatever to the
political personal objections raised by the Governor
against General Butler.
THE CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL BENHAN.
not true, repeatedly announced in the press Of
the country that the charges against General Benham
have been laid aside by tho Goneraln Chief and that
General Bcnham has bsen ordered to return duty A
before stated in this correspondence, the was
only suspended because the witnesses on both sides
embraced . long list, all Of whom are important
ocsrs and cannot be spared from the ned Of active OPS
rations. In the meantime General Benham was ordered
TO be released from arrest but not return to duty
learn that Misrepresentation have appeared in many
Of the newspapers OF the country relative TO the case Of
General Benham and investigation has been going on
TO the authority upon which they were based. The
result Of this investigation will learn, sauss an addi
tiona charge to be brought against General Bsnham
whose win BE- tried speedily the public interest
will permit.
INSPECTION AND PAYMENT OF THE TROOPS.
An inspection Of arms aud equipments in the Massachu.
sets Ninth regiment took place yesterday prizes
blankets, coversts and stockngs contributed by tho
workmsn Of the charlsstown (Aass) Navy Yard, were
awarded prizes 70 ths nine ceanest each CON-
pany Of the regiment. The payment Of this regiment
commenced on Saturday noon, and lasted until Sunday
night Tho complained loudly Of the stoppages for
clothing, having been compelled TO pay thirty dollars
for their Massachusetts shoddy OUTFIT seventeen dol
lars each for the government uniform, together with
extra clothing in instances the whole allowance
Of clothing for the year had been squared at this pay
msnt, each soldier would have been brought in deb.
eleven dollars 10 expected that the Massachusetts,
Legislature will refund the price Of the uniforms rrnsh
cd To the regiment last April.
SPLENDID TARGET PRACTICE.
Ayres battery Of the Fifth United States artillery did
splendid target shooting to-day from smoots HILL
The target which feet long by twelve feet wde
eighteen hundred yards distant. Thirty eight shots
fred with shells, all OF which exploded and only
three falling short This battery Of six pieces
four tenpoundsr PARROTS and Napo
Icons
FETE AT GENERAL SMITHS HEADQUARTERS.
There gay and brilliant party TO day at General
Smiths headquarters. The tickets Of invitation were
given out by the Generals lady Some half dozen car
rase loads Of ladies and gentlemen besides several on
horseback went from this city Generals Porter Han
Geek, Aorel and Brooks were present. The old smoot
mansion was resplendent with glHterins buttons and
bright female faces This afternoon Of the division
regiments paraded, also the Cameron dragons
On tho way to General Smiths the party partook Of
lunch at Minors Hill, the headquarters Of General More
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL PEARD.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Pcard Of tho Ninth Massa.
shusetts regiment, died to-day in tho Brigade Hospital
at vandcrwerkns, Of structural disease OF the brain
He had attack Of paralysis Friday and was inssnsi
bic most Of the time until he died His remains will be
smbsmsd and conveyed to his late residence in Milford
hass HIS loss is deeply regretted BY the regiment.
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The Committee on the District Of Columbia have do.
eded to report adversely in the matter Of aboshng
slavery In the District Of Columbia The two main fsa
lures Of the adverse report will be and un
consttutionalty The report has been, and will bs do
laysd little longer in order to allow Mr. Franchott
Of the committee, and the who has the subject
especially under invsstgaonto prepare and introduce
into the report information Of valuable
character.
THE BUSINESS FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION OF TIE
SENATE.
Tho executive session Of the Senate to-day was occu.
pied chiefly debate upon the law in relation to the ap
pontmsnt Of the ocers attached General McCleans
stan.
The only confirmation was that Of B. d. French, as
Commissioner OF Public Buildings, which was done
unanimously
NATIONAL ARNoRY.
said that the number Of petitioners ID the matter o,
the establishment Of national armery west Of the Ale.
ghany Mountains nearly reached The number OF one huD
dred thousand.
AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
Thors Is bill before tho House to establish what is
known agricultural bureau. AS this bill proposes
radical change in the connection OF certain agricultural
interests with the Patent Once and likely to give rise
great deal Of debate FOR the questions involved in IL
great extent Of national interest affecting as they
do, and commanding they ought to- ters OF or opera
tors on the soil, propose 10 give few fscs-rsabls
ones gloaned from fountain head sourcesn relation to
the subject. II is well known fact that hitherto Con
gsssmen have mailed to their constituents varos Of
seed, furnished them accordance with the proyi.
sions Of certain existing laws which they have made
in measure subscrven to their eectonceing purposes
interests And in instances II stated that the
circulation OF these seeds has gained for representatives
. reelection, operating a. advertising medium,
or friendly calling mind Of distant const
tuent q remembrance OF tour representative In Con-
gress Again. the circulation OF seeds in this way has
been, In vast majority Of cases, failure principally
from want Of knowledge the part Of those receiving
them a. to the proper mode Of planting planting
too deep and others rice There Is now on hand
large quantity Of thistle seed, brought TO this country
from Russia for distribution In accordance with the law
The difference between this seed and our own is extreme
y slight, the former producing only little more fra
grant flower blossom. II ID held that had this seed