, 1863-02-19

to be posted.
The N. Y. HerGlfs special dispatch says there
is good reason for stating that General Butler
has not accepted, and probably will not accept,
the command Of the Union forces in Louisiana
and Texas, rendered him by the President
Gen. Candy, Of the regular army, has been
ordered to duty here, and now performs the
functions Of the two late Assistant Secretaries Of
War, Tucker and Wolcott
Feb. "a New Orleans letter SAYS that on
the 9Th the gunboat Esser made reconnaissance
to Port Hudson, going within range of the enc.
my's batteries, but failing to draw their fire.
The Esser picked up torpedo on the river con.
tanning at'least bushel Of powder.
CHARLESTON, s. G., Feb. Q,
Scouts report that Pinckney and Balls Island
have been evacuated by the enemy.
Forty seven sail Of vessels are reported at
Hilton Head.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.
The Navy Department has dispatches which
say that the irOn.clad MOntaRL lay under the re.
bel fire at Fort McAllster for four hours to try
the vessel The FIRE had no more effect upon
her than so many hailstones.
The Negro Soldier bill passed the House yester.
day by vote Of 85 to 90. All the Republicans
voted for it except three. Its provisions are as
follows: That the President be and is hereby
authorized to enroll, arm, equip, and receive into
the land or naval service Of the United States
such number Of volunteers Of African descent
as he may deem equal to suppress the present
rebellion, for such term Of service as be may
prescribe, not exceeding five years; the said
volunteers to be organized according to the regu.
atiOns Of the branch Of the service into which
they may be enlisted; to receive the same ra.
tons, clothing and equipments as volunteers,
and monthly pay not to exceed that Of vOlun.
teers to be Oficered by white or black persons,
appointed and commissioned by the President
aud to be governed by the rules OF the Articles
Of War, aud such other rules and regulations as
may be prescribed BY the Pres dent: Provided,
that nothing contained IN the rules Of the Arti-
cles Of War shall be so construed as to author.
ize or permit any officer Of African descent to be
appointed to a rank, or to exercise military or
naval authority over white officers, soldiers or
men, in the military or naval service Of the
United States nor shall they have any greater
pay than $40 per month, with their usual SllOt-
ment Of clothing. Rations are to be allowed or
paid to privates and laborers Of African descent
who are or may be in the military or naval ser
vice Of the United States: Provided, further,
that slaves Of loyal citizins, In States exempt by
the Presidents Proclamation Of January /, 1868,
shall not be received into the armed service Of
the United States; nor shall there be recruiting
offices opened in either Of the States Of Dela.
ware, Maryland, Western Virginia, Kentucky or
Tennessee, without the consent Of the Governors
Of the said States having been first obtained.
The British steamer ST. Thomas, at Aspinwall
reported that the privateer Retri6UtiOn had
burned four American vessels near St Thomas
Advces from New Orleans to the 9th ult.,
state that the last transports Of the Banks expe-
dtiOn left for up the river. on the 26th. Gen.
Banks went up on the 24th, and only sufficient
troops are left to defend New Orleans, with four
or five gunboats II is believed that the destina-
ton Of the expedition is Port Hudson.
The barque Restless, from Port Royal, reports
that she passed on the 8lst q portion Of Fosters
expedition from Beaufort for Port Royal, 8. c.,
consisting Of six steamers.
NEw YoRK, Feb. 4th.
The following Is from the Richmond Dispatch! !!
Charleston, Jan. 8lst.-The iron-clad gunbOats
ChicOrd and Palmetto State, with three steamers
as tenders, went out beyond the bar this morning
to attack the blOckadng fleet Firing began soon
after o'clock, and for q time was very rapid.
It afterwards slackened, but continued at inter-
walls until this evening. Owing to fog, the
result is not yet ascertained. Commodore lngra
ham is on board the Palmetto State, and COM
mander Of the expedition
This morning the gunboats Palmetto State and
ChieOTG, accompanied by three small steamers,
under Commodore lngraham, made an attack on
the blockaders, and succeeded in sinking two
vessels and crippling third. The engagement
commenced at o'clock. The Palmetto State,
with Commodore Ingraham on board, opened fire
upon the Federal gdnbOat WsrceCiitd, carrying II
guns and 1853 men, which was soon sunk in i've
iathoms water Her commander, Capt Stelwa-
gOn, with I boats crew, came on board and sur
rendered. One shot pierced her boiler, going
clear through. Capt. Tucker, Of the Chieora,
reports sinking another Federal gunboat and dis
abling the steamship Quaker City. The latter
was set on FIRE by the ChieOrd, and hauled down
her flag and surrendered, but afterwards managed
to escape with one wheel. She was very seriously
damaged. The number Of the blOckadng squad
ron outside al tue tune OF the attack was 18, with
two first class frigates- the SusquehdnnG and the
CdndnddiguG. The Federal loss was very severe.
II was . complete success on our part, with not
man hurt. Our gunboats wero not even struck.
AL the blockadels have disappeared; there is
not one to be seen within Ave miles, with the
strongest kind Of glasses Our boats are now
returning to Charleston.
Our gunbOats Palmetto STATE and ChicorG were
enthusiastically Cheered by an immense cOncOurse
Of citizens assembled to greet them. Salutes were
fired from the forts aud batteries. Not q man was
hurt on our side. Our attack on the fieOt was
complete surprise to the blockaders, each one Of
them running away without caring for the others.
II is supposed that nearly ell the crew Of the
MercSditG perished The Palmetto State, which
engaged the Merceditd, having no boats, and fight
ing At the time, could render her no assistance.
The Quaker City was struck twice on the side,
and her wheels were almost torn of.
Feb. 1.--Yesterday afternoon Gen. Beauregard
placed steamer at the disposal Of the foreign
eonsuls, to see for thems, Ives that no blockade
existed The French aud Spanish consuis, accom-
panied BY Gen. Ripley, accepted the invitation.
The British consul, with the commander Of the
British war steamer Petrel, had previously gone
Hve miles beyond the usual anchorage Of the