would be so certain that they would not venture to embark on such a course. We learn from the synopsis of President Davis' message* that he has taken steps already to bring the case of the prisoners to the notice of the United States Government. This morning the newspapers are filled with exultant accounts of the defeat of General Beauregard at Bull Run yesterday. We are yet in doubt about the correctness of the version. The truth is our newspapers do not give us reliable news when it is unfavorable to their side. Yours, truly, ALGERNON S. SULLIVAN. P. S.-The news has just come that the U. S. troops were repulsed and are in retreat on Washington. Excitement immense here. [Inclosure.] The privateer Sumter-Arrest of five of her crew. This morning two of the crew of the privateer Sumter arrived at this port by the Costa Rica, Captain Peel, from Aspinwall. Their names are Henry Spencer and John Davison. The former is an Englishman aged thirty-eight years, and the latter a Scotchman aged twenty-five. They state that they embarked on board the Sumter to avoid starvation in New Orleans and that they intended to run away whenever an opportunity presented. The Sumter left New Orleans on June 30. The U. S. S. Brooklyn was heading in and gave the Sumter chase, but the latter being a very fast sailer escaped her. The The captain of the Sumter is named Semms [Semmes]; the first lieutenant Carl [Kell]. They had a crew o 120 men, a portion of whom, some fifteen or twenty in number, were Northern men who desired to escape when the chance offered. The crew was composed of all nationalities but the men were not enthusiastic in the Southern cause. officers are desperate characters. The Sumter carried five guns, one 68-pounder and four 32-pounders, medium. She also had a large number of shells. On the 3d of July last she took her first prize, the Golden Rocket, of Bangor, which was subsequently burned. On the 4th of July she captured the brigs Machias and Cuba off Cienfuegos. A prize crew consisting of two marines and Spencer and Davison, the prisoners, were put on board, Lieutenant Hudgins acting as prize master. They had orders to lay off and on Cienfuegos while the Sumter towed the Machias. The midshipman did not seem to understand his position and the men having little heart for the work they were engaged in allowed the captain of the Cuba to recapture his vessel. While Spencer and Davison were asleep their arms were taken from them and they were placed in irons. Shortly afterwards the Cuba fell in with the Costa Rica and the captain of the former vessel not deeming it prudent to have so many of the privateersmen on board transferred Spencer and Davison to the Costa Rica and they were brought here as above stated. The midshipman and the two marines were kept on board the Cuba which was laden with a cargo of sugar and originally bound for London, but is now shaping her course for this port and is hourly expected to arrive. Spencer and Davison were brought to the U. S. marshal's office this morning where they made statements substantially as above narrated. The necessary affidavit was made and upon application to one of the U. S. commissioners the prisoners were committed to await an examination. See extract from message, p. 692. [JULY 27, 1861.-For reports, correspondence, &c., relating to the surrender of Union troops in New Mexico, see Vol. IV, Series I, p. 1, et seq.] Terms of surrender of U. S. troops to C. S. troops, July 27, 1861, San Augustine Springs, N. Mex. The undersigned, Maj. I. Lynde, Seventh Infantry, U. S. Army, agrees to surrender his command on condition that they receive the treatment of prisoners of war, families secure from insult, private property to be respected. Officers after giving their parole can elect which route they prefer in leaving the Department of New Mexico to go to any part of the United States. The enlisted men of the command will be disarmed and given the liberty of the post of Fort Bliss until instructions can be received from General Van Dorn, C. S. Army, as to their future disposition. To all which the commanding officer, J. R. Baylor, lieutenant-colonel, C. S. Army, agrees. I. LYNDE, Major, Seventh Infantry. JOHN R. BAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel, Mounted Rifles, C. S. Army. Recapitulation of troops surrendered at San Augustine Springs, N. Mex., July 27, 1861. Released on parole: 1 major, 2 assistant surgeons, 2 captains, 5 first lieutenants, 1 second lieutenant; total commissioned, 11: 1 sergeantmajor, 1 quartermaster-sergeant, 1 principal musician, 23 sergeants, 22 corporals, 7 musicians, 344 privates; total enlisted, 399; aggregate, 410. In confinement as prisoners of war: 1 sergeant, 15 privates; total, 16. Deserted to the enemy: 1 hospital steward, 1 sergeant, 24 privates; total, 26. Available for service not paroled: 2 sergeants, 3 corporals, 35 privates; total, 40. J. H. POTTER, Captain, Seventh Infantry, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS OF CAVALRY, ARMY OF YORKTOWN, ASST. ADJT. GEN. FOR GEN. B. F. BUTLER, July 27, 1861. Commanding Fortress Monroe. SIR: By direction of the general commanding I send by the bearer, Captain Bryan, letters from officers of your command, prisoners of war. The object of these letters is to procure clothing and other necessaries for their comfort. If these articles are sent by Captain Bryan they will be at once forwarded to their owners. I have understood from the public prints that Lieut. Col. John Pegram, C. S. Army, was a prisoner in confinement at Fortress Monroe. If this is true I will be much obliged if the general commanding will forward any letters Colonel Pegram may desire to send to his family in Richmond by the bearer. Captain Jenkins was considered out of danger by my surgeon when he was sent to Yorktown. Mr. Shurtleff's wounds were very slight. I suppose it unnecessary to state that every care and attention was offered these gentlemen. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, RO. JOHNSTON EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 30, 1861. To the SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES: In answer to the resolution of the Senate* of the 23d instant requesting information concerning the imprisonment of Lieut. John J. Worden [John L. Worden], of the U. S. Navy, I transmit a report from the Secretary of the Navy. [Inclosure.] ABRAHAM LINCOLN. NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 29, 1861. The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Secretary of the Navy, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate of the 23d instant requesting the President of the United States to inform the Senate "under what circumstances Lieut. John J. Worden [John L. Worden], of the U. S. Navy, has been imprisoned at Montgomery, Ala.; whether he is still in prison, and whether any and if any what measures have been taken by the Government of the United States for his release," has the honor to report that it is believed the communication of the information called for would not at this time comport with the public interest. Respectfully submitted. GIDEON WELLES. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Brig. Gen. IRVIN MCDOWELL, Commanding Department of Alexandria. SIR: Information has been given me that two soldiers of the Army of the Confederate States whilst upon picket duty were hung near Centerville on the night of the 17th instant. The object of this communication is to ascertain the nature of the offense which required this ignominious punishment and upon what evidence the decision was based. If not done by your authority I must demand that the perpetrators of this violation of the usages of civilized warfare be delivered to me for such punishment as the nature of their offense demands, or be punished by yourself. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, J. E. JOHNSTON, General, Commanding C. S. Forces. *Resolution omitted; substance stated in inclosure following. Lieutenant Worden had been detained in April, 1861, by the Confederate authorities at Montgomery on his return from Pensacola, to which point he had made a journey as a bearer of dispatches to Captain Adams, of the U S. ship Sabine. U. S. S. ALBATROSS, Hampton Roads, July 31, 1861. Flag-Officer SILAS H. STRINGHAM, Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Hampton Roads. SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders I proceeded on my cruise the 20th instant. * * * On the 22d while off Hatteras Inlet I fell in with and recaptured the schooner Enchantress, of Newburyport, having on board a prize crew from the pirate vessel Jefferson Davis, which I have brought into port to be disposed of as you may think proper. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. A. PRENTISS, Commander. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Army. COLONEL: Capt. Henry Wellmore, of the Confederate Army, was sent here by Major-General Banks, arriving the morning after the state prisoners were sent to Fort Lafayette. He is desirous of being released on his parole of honor not to serve against the United States during the war unless sooner exchanged. He mentioned to me in a conversation I have just had with him the reason why he did not wish to be discharged on parole while he was with General Banks. He has never been in the Army of the United States and I recommend his release on the usual conditions. In that case I should be glad to receive the form of parole to be used. I find two or three here all varying from each other, and none administered to military prisoners. I am, very respectfully, yours, JOHN A. DIX, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTHEAST VIRGINIA, Arlington, August 1, 1861. General J. E. JOHNSTON, Commanding at Manassas, Va. GENERAL: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo by flag of truce. You state information has been given you that two of your soldiers whilst upon picket duty were hung near Centerville on the night of the 17th of July. This is certainly utterly without foundation, and should be classed with those rumors and accusations made against you as well as against me by people with overheated imaginations. It has as little truth as the charge generally believed here that you fired on our hospital knowing it to be such, and that your troops bayoneted all our wounded who fell into their hands, a charge I have not hesitated even against most positive direct evidence to put down as false. I have never heard of the hanging of any man by the troops under my command and am confident not one has been hung. At the time you state, the evening of the 17th, we were not in possession of Centerville. All of your men who have fallen into my hands have been treated with every consideration of which their position admitted. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, IRVIN MCDOWELL, Brigadier-General, Commanding. AUGUST 7, 1861. By the fifty-seventh article of the act of Congress entitled "An act for establishing rules and articles for the government of the Armies of the United States," approved April 10, 1806 holding correspondence with or giving intelligence to the enemy either directly or indirectly is made punishable by death or such other punishment as shall be ordered by the sentence of a court-martial. Public safety requires strict enforcement of this article. It is therefore Ordered, That all correspondence and communication verbally or by writing, printing or telegraphing respecting operations of the Army or military movements on land or water or respecting the troops, camps, arsenals, intrenchments or military affairs within the several military districts, by which intelligence shall be directly or indirectly given to the enemy without the authority and sanction of the major-general in command, be and the same are absolutely prohibited, and from and after the date of this order persons violating the same will be proceeded against under the fifty-seventh article of war. Approved: A. LINCOLN. CHEAT MOUNTAIN PASS, August 7, 1861. General ROSECRANS, Clarksburg: This p. m. an officer bearing a flag of truce presented himself at the picket beyond Wagner's camp. Not wishing him to come nearer than two miles even to see the valley I rode out and with several officers met him. He proved to be Major Lee and delivered the following: HEADQUARTERS FORCES IN VIRGINIA, August 6, 1861. GENERAL COMMANDING U. S. TROOPS, Huttonsville. SIR: With a view of alleviating individual distress I have the honor to propose an exchange of prisoners. If you will cause to be forwarded a list of those in your hands including those placed on parole an equal number of U. S. troops, man for man of similar grade, will be sent to the point most convenient to their present abode. An exchange in this manner can be conveniently effected. Very respectfully, To which I replied as follows: R. E. LEE, General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. R. E. LEE. HEADQUARTERS NEAR HUTTONSVILLE, August 7, 1861. SIR: Your proposition inviting an exchange of prisoners is cheerfully acceded to. A list of prisoners in our possession including those paroled will be delivered at the house in Tygart's Valley where this note is written on the 9th instant. Very respectfully, J. J. REYNOLDS, Brigadier-General, Commanding. And Major Lee was then conducted beyond our pickets without having been nearer our camp than two miles and a half. They propose to exchange Manassas prisoners for Rich Mountain paroled men. Now, first, is this action on my part approved; and secondly, can it be effected here? I have sent to Colonel Bosley for his list which I think is very defective. Shall our prisoners from Manassas be brought to us, |