retreat, with a detachment of one hundred and -THIS day company I, of the Seventeenth Masfifty of the Fifth New-York cavalry, attacked a large body of Ashby's cavalry near Strasburgh, Va., killed six, captured the same number, and "drove the remainder before them several miles at a full gallop, without the loss of a man." -GENERAL MCCLELLAN sent the following despatch to the Secretary of War: "I have just returned from Bottom's Bridge. Have examined the country on the other side, and made a reconnoissance on the heels of the enemy, who probably did not like the skirmish of yesterday. The bridge will be repaired by to-morrow, and others built. All the camps have advanced to-day." May 22.-An enthusiastic meeting was held at Portsmouth, Va., at which resolutions were adopted expressive of devotion to the cause of the Union, and condemnatory of the heresy of secession. Johannes Watson was elected President and R. S. Staples, Secretary.-(Doc. 101.) -THIS morning while the Seventy-sixth NewYork regiment was marching through the city of Washington a number of civil officers provided with judicial papers, seized two negroes and soon placed them beyond the possibility of rescue. An effort was made to arrest six or eight other alleged fugitive slaves, when many of the soldiers interposed, pointing their muskets at the police and warning them of the danger of persistence. They therefore retired the negroes departing under the protection of their military friends. - -THE foreign consuls at Galveston, Texas, in view of an expected attack upon that place by the United States forces, communicated with Captain Eagle of the Santee, with a purpose of fixing upon some point that might be respected in the bombardment, as a point of refuge for foreign subjects; when Captain Eagle replied: sachusetts, left Newbern, N. C., on a scouting party to seize a quantity of cotton which the rebels were reported to have stored near Pollocksville, for the purpose of burning or carrying off as opportunity favored them. The party had proceeded but a few miles beyond the Union outposts, when, at the fork of the roads leading to Trenton and Pollocksville, they were suddenly met with a brisk discharge of musketry from every side. The woods all round suddenly became brilliant with the flashing of the pieces, and the party, deeming it probable that the rebels were too numerous and strongly posted to hazard any thing like a determined resistance, withdrew after firing a few rounds. The loss of the Nationals was three killed and eight wounded.— N. Y. Herald, May 30. -THE Court of Impeachment for the purpose of trying West H. Humphreys, late District Judge of the United States for the second district of Tennessee, on charges of treason presented by the House of Representatives, was organized in the Senate Chamber at Washington, D. C., this day. -Six rebel pickets were captured near Battery Island, on the Stono River, S. C., by a small reconnoitring party from the United States coast survey steamer Bibb. May 23.-Colonel Kenly's command of infan try and cavalry, in General Banks's department, was driven from Front Royal, with considerable loss, by a large body of rebels.—(Doc. 43.) -CAPTAIN TILFORD, stationed with forty men on the east side of the Rio Grande, seven miles below Fort Craig, N. M., received a summons to surrender from a band of two hundred Texans. He refused; but after fighting for three hours, was obliged to retreat to Fort Craig with the loss of three wounded.-Denver Herald. "Let me assure you, gentlemen, that no person -PORTIONS of the army of the Potomac crosscan deplore more than myself the misery that ed the Chickahominy River in two places, at the would result from the bombardment of the town | Railroad Bridge and at Bottom's Bridge. of Galveston, and its fortifications, yet it is a duty that will become necessary to enforce its surrender. It is not in my power to give you any assurance of security during the bombardment, for it is impossible to tell what direction the shot and shell will take."-Houston Telegraph, May 23. -GENERAL PRENTISS's troops, captured at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, Tenn., were paroled by the rebels at Montgomery, Alabama.-Mobile Register, May 27. -THE battle of Lewisburgh, Va., was fought this day. The rebel Colonel Heath attacked Col. Crook with three thousand infantry and cavalry, and six cannon. After a spirited fight of an hour, the rebels were put to flight in utter confusion, and their flight soon became a rout. Col. Crook captured four rifled cannon his position that it was loaded with canister-and caissons, and eight rounds of ammunition. The rebels, in the early part of the fight, car -one so near ried off their killed and wounded, but left on the field thirty-eight dead, including several officers, and sixty-six wounded. A hundred prisoners were captured, among them Lieutenant-Colonel Finney, Major Edgar, and others. Three hundred stand of arms were taken. In the evening, to secure their retreat, they burned Greenbrier bridge, beyond which they could not be pursued. Crook's victory was won only by hard fighting against greatly superior forces. The Nationals lost fourteen killed, sixty wounded, and five pickets captured. Some of the wounded were shot in the streets of Lewisburgh, as they were returning to the hospital, by the citizens of the town.-(Doc. 44.) -THE town of Grand Gulf, Miss., was shelled by the Union gunboats Richmond and Hartford. Considerable damage was done to the town, but no person was injured. The reason assigned for the shelling was, that two United States transports loaded with soldiers were fired into by a masked battery of four guns in the vicinity of the town.-Jackson Mississippian, June 4. May 24.-A skirmish took place at Craighead Point, near Fort Pillow, Tennessee, between a party of Federal pickets and a large body of rebel infantry. After the two parties had exchanged a few shots, the Union gunboat Benton opened fire upon the rebels and brought on an engagement with the batteries at Fort Pillow, which was closed by the Benton retiring to her position with the Union fleet.-New-York World. -Five companies of the Fourth Michigan regiment, under Bowen, of the Topographical Engineers, and Lieutenant Cusher, of the Fifth cavalry, acting with the Topographical corps, crossed the Chickahominy a short distance above New-Bridge. At Cold Harbor a small command of thirty men, of the Fourth Michigan, succeeded in getting between four companies of the Fifth Louisania regiment, who were out on picket-duty at the bridge, and a brigade of rebels who were supporting them. YESTERDAY General Stoneman's brigade and the brigade of General Davidson, of Smith's division, advanced from New-Bridge up the Chickahominy to Ellison's Mills, on Bell's Creek. Here they encountered four regiments of the enemy's infantry, with nine pieces of artillery and a command of cavalry. Of these, two regiments of infantry and three pieces of artillery were on the opposite side of the creek. The rest of the infantry, composed of the Eighth and Ninth Geor gia regiments, under General Howell Cobb, were posted in a favorable position to resist McClellan's advance to Mechanicsville. Fitlar's and Robertson's batteries of the Second artillery, were quickly brought into action, and after firing some one hundred and fifty rounds the rebels withdrew, with their guns - not however, until one of them had been dismountedto the village, covered by their infantry and cavalry. Four regiments of General Davidson's brigade, with Wheeler's battery, were then sent around, but night coming on, they went into camp, within six hundred yards of the enemy. This morning at daylight, the batteries on both sides opened, Wheeler confining his guns to shelling the houses behind which the enemy's infantry were concealed. The fire was too hot for the rebels, and they left the village, a portion retiring across the Chickahominy, the remainder falling back to the railroad. The Thirty-third NewYork regiment were the first to enter the village. The houses showed unmistakable evidences of the accuracy of the artillery, some of them being riddled in a dozen places. The rebels carried off their killed and wounded, one man excepted. The Union casualties were two killed and four wound slightly injured by the explosion of a shell. General Stoneman then sent two squadrons of In the mean time, the rest of the regiment and the squadrons of cavalry approached the bridge, thus attracting the attention of the four Louisi-ed. Colonel Mason, of the Seventh Maine, was ana companies. The first knowledge the rebels had of the near presence of an enemy, was the firing from thirty muskets at pistol-shot range, making havoc in the ranks and causing a serious panic, while the main body advanced in front and opened a deadly fire. * A despatch to the War Department from General McClellan mentions this affair as follows: "Three skirmishes to-day. We drove the rebels from Mechanicsville, seven miles from New-Bridge. The Fourth Michigan about finished the Louisiana Tigers. Fifty prisoners and fifty killed; our loss ten killed and wounded." the Eighth Illinois cavalry under Major Clendennin, three miles further up the river, and caused to be destroyed the bridge of the Richmond and Fredericksburgh Railroad. -THE British steamer Stettin was captured this morning while attempting to run the blockade of Charleston, S. C.-Charleston Mercury, May 27. -A RECONNOITRING party from Pope's command had a skirmish near Corinth, Miss., resulting in a complete rout of three rebel regiments, with loss of knapsacks, blankets, and haversacks. Several were killed and wounded, and six prisoners were taken. The regiments fled in confusion across the creek. The national loss was four wounded. A PARTY of National troops from the Fifth Virginia regiment, and Captain Fish's company of Connecticut cavalry, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Latham, surprised a guerrilla band on Sheff's Mountain, Randolph County, Va., and put them to flight, capturing most of their arms and equipments, and without any loss on the National side. Wheeling Intelligencer, May 27. THE steamer Swan, laden with one thousand bales of cotton, and eight hundred barrels of rosin, was captured off the coast of Cuba by the United States brig Bainbridge, and bark Amanda, and sent to Key West, Florida, for adjudication.-National Intelligencer, June 3. -A RECONNOISSANCE in force was this day made from General Keyes's headquarters, for the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the rebels in the neighborhood of "the Pines," some eight and a half miles from Richmond, Va.-(Doc. 115.) May 25.- General Banks at Winchester, Va., with about four thousand men, was attacked and A RECONNOISSANCE of the rebel works at Vicksburgh, Miss., was this day made by the United States gunboat Kennebec, under the command of Captain Russell. The Kennebec approached within about two miles of the works, when a battery of four guns opened on her, killing one man and wounding another.-New-York Evening Post. - GENERAL MCCLELLAN issued an order to the effect that upon the passage of the Chickahominy River, the troops of the army of the Potomac were to be "prepared for battle at a moment's notice."-(Doc. 117.) and Thirty-seventh regiments New-York State May 26.-The Eighth, Eleventh, Seventy-first, Militia were ordered by the Governor of the State of New-York to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to Washington. -THE Seventh regiment, New-York State Mili compelled to retreat by Gen. (Stonewall) Jack-tia, left New-York for Washington in response to son and Ewell with fifteen thousand men.-(Docs. 15 and 102.) -THE Government of the United States called for additional troops, and issued the following order: Ordered-By virtue of the authority vested by an act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States from and after this date until further orders, and directs that the respective railroad companies, their officers and servants, shall hold themselves in readiness for the transportation of troops and munitions of war, as may be ordered by the military authorities, to the exclusion of all other business. VOL. V.-DIARY 2 the call for troops to defend the capital.-The Twenty-fifth regiment, New-York State Militia, met at Albany and resolved to volunteer their chusetts volunteers, under the command of Col. services.-The Thirty-second regiment of MassaF. I. Parker, left Boston for Washington this evening. -GENERAL BANKS's command crossed the Potomac safely at Williamsport, Md.—(Doc. 15.) -THIS day, by order of Gen. Dix, commanding the Department of Maryland, Judge Richard Carmichael and James Powell, Prosecuting Attorney, of Talbot County, Md., were arrested at Easton, in that county, by the United States Marshal, upon a charge of treason. Some resist ance was apprehended, and a body of military party coming up, succeeded in killing four of the proceeded from Baltimore to insure the arrest, rebels and taking some prisoners.-St. Louis Dewhich was made in the court-room. mocrat. were lodged in Fort McHenry. The accused - INTELLIGENCE was received at Washington that the United States steamer Shawsheen, with one company of the Ninth New-York regiment, on the ninth instant, proceeded up the Chowan River, N. C., to Gates County, and destroyed fifty thousand dollars' worth of bacon, corn, lard, fish, etc., belonging to the confederate government. The warehouse containing it was burned, and as the party were returning to the boat they were fired upon by thirty rebel cavalry, but succeeded in driving them off, and killing the leader. -GENERAL D. E. SICKLES resumed the command of the Excelsior brigade, N. Y. S. volunteers -The Confiscation Bill passed the United States House of Representatives. -THE British steamer Patras was captured, twenty-two miles off Charleston bar, by the United States gunboat Bienville, Commander Mullaney, while attempting to run the blockade. Her cargo consisted of gunpowder, rifles, coffee, and a large quantity of quinine. She had no papers showing her nationality or port of destination. -A SKIRMISH took place near Grand Gulf, Miss., between a small party of Union troops, commanded by Lieut. De Kay, which landed from the gunboat Kennebec and a body of rebel cavalry, resulting in the retreat of the Unionists, and the loss of their leader, Lieut. De Kay, who was killed at the first fire. -LIEUTENANT FRANK C. DAVIS, of the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, returned to Fair Oak Station, after successfully delivering a message from Gen. McClellan to Captain Rodgers, in command of the Union gunboats on the James River.(Doc. 118.) May 27. The schooner Andromeda, from Sabine Pass, was captured off Mariel, Cuba, this day. A portion of Gen. Fitz-John Porter's corps engaged and defeated the rebels at Hanover Court-House, on the Pamunkey River. Five hundred rebels were made prisoners and a hundred dead were left on the field.—(Doc. 16.) THE steamer Gordon, (Nassau,) whilst attempting to run the blockade of Wilmington, N. C., was captured by the gunboats State of The bombardment of Georgia and Victoria. Fort Pillow on the Mississippi was resumed after nearly a week of quiet on the part of the Union troops.-Baltimore American, June 3. -A FIGHT took place near Corinth, Miss., between a force of Union troops under the command of Col. Purcell of the Tenth Iowa regiment and a brigade of rebel infantry, resulting in the defeat of the rebels with considerable loss. -THE Speaker of the House of Representatives at Washington laid before the House a message from the President, referring to the history of the commencement of hostilities, and his exercise of the broad powers of the Constitution to preserve the capital of the country during the absence of Congress. Incidentally with this, he referred to the arrangements with Gov. Morgan, Alexander Cummings and others, with a view to speedy and efficient protective measures. By these means he believed the Government was prevented from overthrow. He had no knowledge that even a dollar was lost or wasted. The President quoted the House resolution censuring Mr. Cameron, and said that not only himself, but all the heads of departments, were responsible with Mr. Cameron for whatever error, wrong or fault had been committed.—(Doc. 47.) -IN New-York City the military excitement, occasioned by the calling out of the State Militia, continued, and the greatest bustle prevailed at the different armories-recruits applying to be admitted as members of the regiments, officers despatching the necessary business connected with their departure, and orders hourly arriving containing the instructions from headquarters. -THE schooner Lucy C. Holmes was captured by the United States gunboat Santiago de Cuba, on the coast of Georgia, having run the blockade of Charleston, S. C., the night previous. -GENERAL MCCLELLAN sent the following despatch to the War Department: -SIX men of the First Missouri cavalry, under command of Lieut. Pruette, in advance of a forag- I find some of the newspapers publish letters ing party on the northern road from Searcy, Ar- from their correspondents with this army, giving kansas, were fired upon by about forty rebels, important information concerning our movements, concealed in the adjoining bush, mortally wound-position of troops, etc., in positive violation of ing two or three of their number. The foraging your orders. As it is impossible for me to ascer |