The New York herald., 1864-08-23

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHlNOIoNs august ~, Aoo&
RETURN OF SECRETARY YEssMDEN.
Secretary Fessenden has returned from bis Eastern
visit.
SPEECH or THE PBRsTDENr TO oBr0 s0LDIERs.
Tho time OF tho one Hundred and Sixty sixth Ohio
regiment one hundred days men, having expired, they
this afternoon paid their respects TO the President Who
made them spcccn in front Of the Executive Mansion
He said
suppose you going home see your families and
friends Tor the service you have ne in this Rreas
struggle in which We are engaged present yon sincere
thanks for myself and the country. almost always
fes inclined, when happen 70 say any hiog 70 soldiers,
to impress upon them 10 few orief remarks the I'M
portanco Of success n this contest II 10 not more
We should psrps.uste for our children's children
this great and free government, which We have
enjoyed all our lives. beg you 70 remember this, mot
merely for my sake. but for yours happen tempora-
riiy to occupy this big White House. living wit.
that any your children may look to come here
~ my fathere ohd has 10 10 order that each of you
may have through this free government which have
enjyed open and chance your Industry,
enter and inslgenoe that you may all have equal
aspirations. Il for this the struggle should be
ained that may not lose birbrghtnot only for
sighting for, to secure such an ines.mable jewel.
Three cheers were then given for the President.
THH cMcA AGO CONVENTION.
Quite number Of politicians have loft this city for
Chicago already. and there win be large delegation In
attendance on the convention from Washington.
Lx.sURaEoN GENERAL HAMMoNDs DEFENoE.
Fx Surgeon General Hammond has prepared a card in
reply to the report OF Judge Advocate General Holt and
the sentence OF the court martial 10 which he desires
suspension Of judgment OF the public and says that
be furnished with the finding sentence
he will present brief history Of facts leading TO his
arrest and trial, and some commentaries on the
port the Judge Advooae General, which he will sub
NIT 10 show how far he has been guilty Of the offences
charged and how far he has been the victim Of con.
spiracy false swearing and malignant abuse Of Official
honor.
COLONEL THOMAS O. DHvfss m wAsHrNeroS.l
Colonel T. C. Devins, OF the Sixth New York cavalry
who for eighteen months has been acting brgadier, and
was wounded In the foot the action Of the 10Th at Front
Royal the valley OF Virginia. called TO day upon the
sscretar Of War TO deliver two battle nass captured
from rebels that engagement The gallant Colonel
was most oourtsousy received bv the Secretary, who
compimented him for the many brave deeds performed
By hm command during the war, and for the personal
bvavery and udcious soiderly qualities which had dis
tugushed his military services. The veteran horse
thanked tho Secretary for the kind appreciation Of bis
services remarkng that he bad been very frequently
suggested, By hts superior oGloers, 40 entitled 70
and qualified for q higher rang than that
In which he had participated In forty bat
sles and never been absent frsm his command, 70
which Secretary immediately Responded 'You shall
10 day breveed brsadsr general for meriterious
vice the field and regret that vacancy TO
admit Of your full appsnsmsut. The orderly and two
prvaes who bore the ags the OF their bravery
were then introduced and received the thanks cf the
Secretary who directed medals 10 prepared and pre-
seuted each with record of tAsr names Of service
General Devrs received h oommissisa before leaving
the department.
FINANCIAL MATTERS.
reported in the newspapers that the Secretary d
the Treasury soutempates loan the Of which
have not been decided. On Inquiry a the department
10 ascsrtained there II no truth 10 the statsment
The subscriptions 70 the ssvss.ssrty lean reported
70 the Treasury Department 10 day. amount 70 nearly one
million OF dollars.
The total subscriptions 10 the ssvsuthrty reported
70 the Treasury Department to date Is "a e55 500.
ADMIRAL DAHLaRsN NOT RELIEVED.
The report that Admiral Dshsren has been relieved.
and s to be succeeded at Charleston by Commodore
Rowan Is not true.
ARRIVAL or PRISONERS.
The mail toht which arrived to day brought up from
twenty nve 10 thirty rebel officers captured recent
engagement with the Army or the Potomac, ip~odog
three caDts US aud eta&s Of e~ar Grade,