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WEEKLY BEPDBLIUAN Oar Peninsula Correspondence. We are pleased to announce to our readers that we have succeeded in securing the services of an intelligent and discreet correspondent in the Army of the Peninsula. He will report regularly, and exclusively, for this journal, and keep our readers thoroughly posted in the pro gress of a flairs in that Interesting section of the Confederacy. His Urst letter will he found on this page, and, though written under great dis advantages, will not fail to interest the reader. The Reynolds Street Murder.— The jury of inquest on the body of John Murphy, found that he was murdered by John Martin, a brother member of the Savannah Volunteer Guards, and that Pierce Butler is an accessory in the crime Both parties are in jail. An Unsolicited Present. —A gentleman of this city, on rising Thursday morning, found a new-born infant deposited on his stoop, with out note or instructions. The little stranger was taken in and properly cared for. To the credit of our city, this is a case ot rare occur rence. The Enemy Ballooning —The movements of the enemy below, Thursday, seemed lo in dicate a desire to break the long quiet that has reigned in our river since the capture of Fort Pulaski. Early in the forenoon, a gunboat set out, apparently, from their battery at Venus’ Point, on a reconnoitering expedition up the river. To the gunboat was attached a very large balloon, for the purpose of examining our batteries on the river and mainland. When near the mouth of Augustine creek the balloon was inflated and. sent up to the height of two or three hundred feet. The boat progressed no further in this direction, and, after the Yankees had satisfied their curiosity, she tacked about and retired. We hope they were edified, and compensated for their trouble. No doubt they fouud matters fully as formidable as they had anticipated. If still in doubt, though, on this point, they have only to test our works by bringing their gunboats within range of our guns. The Williamsburg Fight.— This affair seems to grow in magnitude, as the facts be come known to the public. It appears, trom the despatches, that the enemy took advantage of our evacuation of the Yorktown batteries and sent a considerable fleet up the river, load ed with troops, which they landed in the vicini ty of West Point, at the head of navigation on York River. These troops—we infer, amount ing to seven or eight thousand—marched down the Peninsula, probably, to attack our army in the rtar. The ever-vigilant Johnston, how ever, was wide awake and with an eye on all their movements. Despatching a considerable force of infantry and cavalry to meet them, a battle ensued, which resulted iu a defeat of the invaders, with tremendous loss. The second despatch seems to indicate that another fierce battle was fought, between the same forces, on Wednesday, but thus far noth ing definite is known. This result adds another to the many evi dences of skill and judgment on the part of our commander in Virginia. It shows the wisdom of his retirement from Yorktown, where, in all probability he would have been shelled for weeks without ever getting a fair chance at the enemy. As it has turned out, they went under his trap and mounted the trigger as soon as it was fairly set. Johnston has ordered three great retreats, for which the ignorant abused him, but in every instance they have resulted disastrously to the foe. Critics would do well always to wait for results. The New Orleans People Conquered bat not Subdued. The Crescent, referring to the lauding of the Yankees and the hanling down of our State flag, gives the following eloquent and graphic description of the circumstances attending the memorable event: • A parley was held in tbe Mayor’s apart ments, the tenor or result of which we did not learn, but in the course of fifteen minutes, an officer and marines were seen on the topmost height of the building to rapidly approach the flag—the emblem of the State, which has flut tered amid sunshine and storm, through victo ry and defeat, almost from the time our troubles began. In a minute tbe flag was lowered and fell to the roof—in a secoud the eyes of the Southern multitude dropped to the ground, and the mind, heart, and souL of the mighty concourse there assembled • tilled with sensati n which no pen,A v o\ portray. Old gray haired anguish ; Afi'airt* lu Washington—Abolition un masking itself - Corruption Kuntpant. [Correspondence of the Cincinnati Ktquirer] ! Washington, April 7 —The telegraph may j advise you of military r< i-u Us. I doubt it, how ever, as every uieatis is taken to prevent uews getting out, and so successful tuat here little is known ot army opeiations, except what comes through southern papers, which seem to he ! early and well posted as to our military move ments. Indeed the Confederates know more ; of the military affairs ot the people of the North ; than they do themselves. I have learned through it source that I can rely on that the two sections of the Republi cans have struck hands and sealed friendship j on this basis : the radicals are to g > tor gradual ! emancipation—compensation for slaves liberat j ed, confiscation by judicial sentence—for the I present. In tbe meantime military operations | are to go on. If the military operations sue ! need, these constitutional (!) measures are to he , made sufficient to the end—the utter abolish- I inent of slavery. If the military operations flag I or fail, then Mr. Lincoln is to proclaim general j emancipation as a military necessity. The Secretary of War says that the increased transportation required by the advance into the enemy’s territory has increased the war ex pense to five million dollars per day —more than the printing machine has the power to supply. The tax bill is an awful affair. It will raise an enormous amount of money or destroy a vast amount of business—one or the other. It will pass Congress. The publie debt by the first of July will reach $ 1,500,000.000. That is the calculation of theCiiief Auditor of the Treasury. I think it is short of tbe reality. The public really know little of what is the true condition of tbe finances. They will find it out hereafter, when they are called upon to pay the interest of the public debt. The principal no person ex pects will ever be paid. As I have seldom failed iu my predictions of the future, as I think your readers will boar me witness, I will now make another, that this war will end in a proclamation of the freedom ot tbe slaves, and in the separation of the cotton States from the Union ; or, in their subjuga tion, with a change of our constitutional form ofgovernment. I need not write you about the present Con gress, Senate and House. Nothing marks the decline of the republic more than the degener acy ot these bodies. There is hardly a first class intellect in either ; certainly no acknowl edged distinguished statesman, except Mr. Crittenden, aud his age ha3 placed him on the lowest benches. The republic has, from the highest, sunk to the lowest depth. God grant that we raay now rise again. Mrs. Lincoln has felt the blow of the death of her youngest son. Sorrow is sacred, aud I hope every mother will lorget and forgive whatever might have appeared thoughtlessness at the White House,’ and sympathize with the real afflictions of a mother. Sue has been sufficient ly punished for that ball in the midst of publie calamities. Shall I say a word of public corruption ? The torrent caunoi now be stayed. -It is overwhelm ing. Fortunes on fortunes are being made aud will be made by favorites, and mere seems to be no help for it, except in general repudiation. It I were to tell you the one-huudredth of what I know, you and I would be in Fort Warren or Lafayette in a tortnigbt. I don’t mean to say that the secretaries connive at or profit by these speculations; on the contrary, I am confi dent they set their faces against them, but they are powerless, under the vast amount of busi ness under their hands aud the pressing ne cessities of their departments. Operation* of tlie Abolition Army In the South. At Fort Pulaski, the day after the surrende , Gen. Hunter issued the following order : Headquarters Dei-’t ok the South, i Fort Pulaski, Georgia, April lfflli, 1862. ) All persons of color lately held in involuntary service by the euernes of the Uuited Suites, in Fort Pulaski and on Cockspur Island. Ga., are hereby confiscated and declared free, in con formity with law, aud shall hereafter receive the lruits of their own labor Such of said persons of color as are able-bodied, aud may be required, shall be employed in the Quarter nflaster’s Department, at the late heretofore established by Brigadier General W. T. Sher man. By command of David Hunter, Major Gen. Ciias. G. Haj pine, Assistant Adjutant General. General Hunter has also addressed to Mr. Pierce, the Treasury agent in charge of the Sea Isluud plantations, a letter, asking for “ the names of the former owners, and the number of persons formerly held to involnntaiy ser vice,” now in charge of the government agents On receiving this information, we understand it to be the intention of Gen. Hunter to afford said owners a reasonable time to prove their fealty to the government, and then, in case of their lailure to do so, and upon sufficient proof ot their treason, he will at once restore these ‘slaves to freedom. He has also requested to know of Mr. Pierce “ ilie proportions in which food and cotton arc being planted” on the lands in his charge. It is an article of commerce, aud subject to great risks of damage and destruction. The General, taking a common sense vievV of this matter— as, indeed, he seems to have done of all points connected with his command—thinks it better that crops which can be used lor the direct support of our troops should be raised instead ot cotton, and that the go vernment has erred in its exclusive iuterest in cotton culture. He .jus, therefore, determined to set the negroes to and other articles of pbw ami tb.a the tl.ii-. - - Bfeh. From the Array of the Peninsula. [-pi vial Corie ponder ce Savannah Republican.] Near Yorktown, April 25th. Editor Sav' Republican :—l am so blecpy at present, my letter can be worth but little, I fear, to you. Our Brigade—Gen. Toombs’— together with Gen. Jones’, have been “the outer trenches guarding," now, for ten day’s without any aid—one night.ou, and the next night off, but on our arm!?, expecting the onset continually. By this incessant watching, oft times in the rain and mud, we have become fairly worn out. Our lines and the enemy’s only lie a few hundred yards apart, separated by a small river which the maps do not uarne, but is here known as Warwick river. It scarcely supports a volume of water worthy of this name. Along either shore the forces occupying them have raised strong entrenchments. Our breastworks consist of parrallel lines of earth works oniy a few hundred yards apart, from which overpowered forces can fall back and meet reinforcements. Occasional batteries along tbe rearmost line are raised, into which our artillery is placed, raking every direction to the front. So scam y was the body of water be tween us and the enemy, Gen. MeGruder deemed it advisable to increase It, that the crossing might be rendered more difficult to tbe foe. Accordingly, large dams have been erected across, and now the back water is,<>n an average, 200 yards wide. This may be called the division between our forces. Our sharp shooters lie down by the water edge on this side, and the enemy’s to the water edge on his side. From their post a death messenger is hurled at every head or body that shows itself above the rifle pits, which skirt the ponds. Not unfrequeutiy a careless “rebel” gets a hole in his corporeal substance from these hidden rifles. These dams above mentioned are suc cessively called Dam No. 1, No. 2 &c!, as they go on down. On the 16th lilt, a sharp fight occurred at Dam No. 1, of which, uo doubt, you have lieard al ready. It lasted perhaps three hours, and is call ed by the victorious “rebels,” “a dam A r o. 1 fight." The sth North Carolina Volunteers were surprised by the enemy, who drove in our pick ets from the water’s edge, and whose firing was mistaken for the usual popping of the sharp shooters. The North Carolinians were at work on some breastworks a short distance from the place where their guns were stacked, but so complete was their surprise they fled in much confusion and were not rallied until several were killed and wounded. However, the ene my were kept at bay until the Seventh Georgia, supported by the glorious old Eighth—our la mented Bartow’s command —formed and charg ed with fixed bayonets. Tbe enemy, then strongly posied, saw the impetuous charge in its beginning, heard the 'terrific shouts of the rebels plunging down upon them, but such a strange lusus naturae took possession of their legs, at the moment they could not await the denouement, and fled most precipitously to their own lines. Such a dividing ol the waters has hardly occurred since the flight of the Israelites from bondage. Our Georgia forces formed in their rifle pit sand awaited the enemy’s further aggression. They were reinforced by the Ist Kentucky, aud, I think, the 10th Louis iana, at this juncture. On the opposite side, being supported by a brigade held in reserve, the “Yanks” again formed and were persuaded to make a second assault. Now all this occurred jnst below Dam No. 1, in a body of wood. They advanced in tolerably good order, but tbe moment our fire from the pits was opened on them they fled to the oppo site shore. They could not be persuaded to come again. Oar battery from this end of the dam, which did not bear at all on the enemy, received a most tremendous cannonading from a clearing opposite The noise ot their guns and of ours replying was deafening. The Ist Georgia Regulars, and tbe 2d Georgia Volunteers, were formed as reserves, immedi ately in the rear ol onr battery, to support it in ease of an assault, and I can testify, the flight ot sllells in that region was most terrific. The trees were torn to pieces and crashed about us, aud the bursting shells scattering fragments, it would seem, everywhere, rendered the effort to feel comfortable aud brave very laborious.— There it seemed fit for the General to keep us the longest hour I ever timed. The close of it was near sundown. The roll of musketry died away, and the bellowing cannon hushed —the battle had ended. All that the enemy gained was a thrashing. They left dead on our side the river, thirty two, and tw'o or three wounded. Four or five prisoners were also taken; but how many sleep beneath the waters between, is not known to us, nor to them, nor how many wounded they bore away. They acknowledge a whip ping and a heavy loss. We had killed, sixteen, and six ty will cover the number of our wounded. The Colonel of the North Carolina troops was killed. The next day our Regiment—2d Georgia— was detailed to guard the trenches exactly where the battle was fought. The dead still lay about the ground, just outside the trench es, and the enemy’s sharp shooters, from the opposite shore, forbade any ineddliDg with ttiem ; accordingly, they were left unburied. One poor wounded wretch, shot through the loiu, had lain there over twelve hours, in the most excruciating agony. I gave him some water from my canteen, for which he had suffered very greatly, and talked with him a little. He belonged to the 3d Vermont Reg iment, and said he enlisted because it was most profitable to be in the army, where he was paid S2O per month. He also stated that the forces that assailed that point were paid extra to lead the attack. We kept our watch all night, most diligently, find a more ghastly sight than the pale laces oi *he dead lying there silently in the moonlight, been seen. aro ready, but one awaits the Vl '“*rjv the difficulty lies. If we attack AjH^advantage ; it lie .itmrks Wiil ' BraK 1 ■ wwßwitk, jgm lusr from New Orleans. Correspondence between the Mayor and Federal Commander Protest or the French Commandant. L's. Flag Suit*, Hartford, j At anchor off the City of New Orleans, - April 28, 1862. j To His Honor the Mayor a,id City Council of the ('•ty of A T rtn Orleans : Your comuinnicatiou of the 28th inst., has been received, together with that oi the City Council I deeply regret to see both by their contents, and tbe continued display of the flig ot Louis iana on the t'ouril'ouse, a determination on the part of the City authorities not to haul it down, Moreover, when ray officers and men were sent on shore to communicate with the authorities, aud to hoist the United States Hag on t.hc Cus tomhouse, with the strictest orders not to use their arms unless assailed, they were Insulted in the grossest manner, and the flag which had been hoisted by my orders on the Mint was pulled down and dragged through the streets. All of which go to show that the fire of this fleet may be drawn upon the City at any mo ment, and in such an event the levee would in all probability be cut by the shells, aud an amount of distress ensue to the innocent pop ulation which I have heretofore endeavored to ass ire you that I desired by all means to avoid. The election is therefore with you. But it becomes my duty to notify you to remove the women and children from the city within forty eight hours, if 1 have rightly understood your determination. Verv respectullv, your obedient servant. '[Signed] ' I). G. Fauragut. Flag Officer Western Gulf Bioekading Squadron. The Mayor convened the City Council, and we learn that it was decided by them not to recede from their position, and the Louisiana flag still floats proudly to the bretze Bravo ! lor New Orleans. The following further correspondence be tween Mayor Monroe and Commodore Farragut we find in the New Orleans Delta of Tuesday evening. City Hall, Anril 28, 7862. To Flag Ofiiqer D. G. Farragut, U. S. Flag Ship j Hartford: Your communication of this morning is the first intimation I ever had that it was by your strict orders that the United States flag was at tempted to be hoisted upon certain of onr public edifices by officers sent on shore to com municate with tbe authorities. The officers who approached me in your name disclosed no such orders and intimated no such design on you part, nor would I have fora moment en- ' tertained the remotest suspicion that they could have b- t-u invested witfi power to enter on j such an errand while the negotiations tor a sur j render between you and the city authorities ; were pending. The interference of any force ; under your command, as long as those negoti ations \vere not brought to a close, could not be viewed by us otherwise than as a flagrant vio lation of those courtesies, if not of the absolute rights, which prevail between billigererns under such circumstances. My views and sentiments with reference to such couduct remain unchang ed. You now review the demands made in your loimer communication, and you insist on their being complied with unconditionally, under a threat of bombardment within fortv eight hours ; and you notify me to remove the women and children from tue city that they may be protected from your shells. Sir, you cau bnt know that there is no possi ble exit from this city for a population which still exceeds in number one hundred aud forty thousand,'and you must therefore be aware of the utter inanity of such a notification. Our women and children cannot escape from your shells, if it be your pleasure to murder them on a question of etiquette. But if they could, there are few among them who would consent to desert their families aand their homes, and the graves of their relatives iu so awful a mo mout. They would bravely stand t'ue sight of your shells tearing up the graves of those who are so dear to them, and would deem that they died not ingioriouslv by the side of the tombs erected by their piety to the memory of depart ed relatives. You are not satisfied with the peaceble pos session of an undefended city, opposing no re sistance to your guns, because of its bearing its haad fate with something of manliness and dignity, and you wish to humble aud disgrace us by the performance of an act against which our nature rebels. This satisfaction you cannot expect to obtain at our hands. We will stand your bombardment, unarmed and undefended as we are. The civilized world will consign to indelible infamy the heart that will conceive the deed aud the hand that wiil nare to consummate it. Respectfully, John T. Monroe, Mayor of the City of New Orleans. U. S. Flag Ship Hartford, i At anchor off the City of New Orleans, April 29, 1862. j To his Honor the Mayor of the City of New Orleans : Sir—-The Forts of St. Philip arid Jackson hav ing surrendered, and all the military defences ot the city being either captured or abandoned you are required as the sole representative of any supposed authority in the city, to haul down aud suppress every ensign and symbol ot government, whether State or Confederate, except that of the United States. I am now abput to raise the flag of the U nited States upon the Customhouse, and you wilt see that it is respected with all the civil power of the city. I have the honor to be very respectfully, Your obedient servant, D. G Farragut, Flag Officer Western Gulf Blockading Sq’d. The Delta publishes the following, purport ing to be a priMest of tbe Commandant of tbe French’sloop Milan, now in the port of New Orleans : •, Commander of the United Stales Squadron, now in the Port ol New Orleans: '■ ' i • 11 i ' Tim Capture of New Orleans. [From ihe Char. Mercury May 5 ] We have been layered by an interview with an intelligent gentleman of character, who has just cotmi front New Orleans, where he was at the time of its fall. From him we obtain the following particulars of the capture of the city : The Yankee fleet consisted of seventy boats ¥ various descriptions—-gunboats, mortar boats, steam frigates, die. The defence of New Or leans rested upon two forts, Jackson and St. Philip, a few inferior batteries above the forts, and the fleet of twenty boats, the strongest of which were the Mcßae (carrying seven 33 pouu ders arid one 9 inch gun), and the Mamma* Mam. The Louisiana (carrying eight large guns) was a complete failure. She had to be towed down the river and used as a floating battery, lor the two large wheels workiDg in the middle of the boat interfered with one another and rendered her unmanageable. She was an old hulk roofed with iron. The enemy’s lire was concentrated chiefly on Fort .Jackson, until the work was only a battered shell. The officers and garrison were said to have behaved with great spirit and fortitude. Three of the enemy’s boats are said to have passed by without Hie knowledge of the lorts. Toe river is about a mile wide, and covered with heavy fog at night. The naval engagement extended for some miles up the river. Exchanges ot broadsides and collisions were continuous, until but one of the Confede rate boats—a steam hulk with one gun—return ed to the city, and was burned and turned adrift. A Galveston steam r sunk one of the best of the Yankee gunboats alter runnigg int > her three times. She was soon sunk herself. The 3lcßae was seen gallantly exchanging broadside lor broadside with two double bank frigates. She was commanded by Capt Tom Huger, of Charleston, and was stink. Her com mander is said to be in New Orleans, wounded, having saved his life in one of the small boats, it is supposed. The Manassas, commanded by Lieut. Warley, of South Carolina, disappeared, but it was not known whether she betook her self to one of the bayous, was captured or sunk. The conduct ot the Confederate Navy was des perate in the gallantry and devotion displayed. But their tight was hopeless from the beginning. The great Mississippi steam ram had just been launched a tew days, aud would not have been ready to operate for fortv days more. She was a propeller, with three screws and sixteen en gines, to carry twenty guns ot the largest calibre. Her projection, or ram, was twenty feet of solid timber, to be shod with an addi tional steel point. She was three times as large and powerful as the Virginia, floated beauti fully, and was sea going. All the naval officers who saw her sav .hat she was the finest ship in the world, and it is eontidenliy asserted by officers of high rank, that without a gun she could have destroyed the whole Y'a' kee fleet. She was to have been ready by the Ist ot Feb ruary. The contractor was a Mr. Tift, a brother-in law of Mr. Mallory. The wooa-worlt was finished long ago, and mere has been great anxiety aud impatience about the dilatory man ner of completing the iron work and machinery. The people of New Orleans and the surround ing country, offered the Government and its agents all their mechanical resources ana work men. They were declined until three days beloie the attack. Up to that time night work had not been put upon the boat. £IOO,OOO bounty some time since, ottered to the contractor to get it ready in time. Howards were ottered to others. Lovell said, to the re monstrances ot citijfcnis, that his hands were tied, ana that he could do no more than he was doing. Governor Moore said that matters were going on well, and that the city was sale. He could do nothing. The citizens ottered money arid labor to fortify the levee between the city and the forts, but their offers were declined as unnecessary. Three da.,s before the appear ance of the Yankee ships at New Orleans, Gov ernor Moore quietly departed with his chief counsellors by way of the Carrollton Railroad, about dark, having a steamboat and picket of soldiers at that point. Anonymous letters probably caused ii. Two days before the sur re der of the city au excited crowd, prepared with a rope, appeared at the ship yard in search of the contractor of the Mississippi. He was gone. The Mississippi was burned and sunk by the authorities. Our informant states that tfiere is a feeling of profound exaspera ion against the Adminis tration and its agents. The people feel tual they have been system ttically trifled With and sacrificed. When the Yankee officers landed, live Sicilians, who cheered them, were shot down by the crowd. All who showed any signs of favor were knocked down as traitors. The feeling was intense. All the cotton was burned, and all the tobacco, except that claim ed by the French G >vernment. The sugar aud molasses remains In the city, as private prop erty, in immense quantities. Much however, is ou the plantations still; the crop being very large. Gen. Lovell carried otf, by railroad, the machinery of the work shops aud iron mills, and all the rolling stock oi the railroad. TUe machinery is important, and entitles him to credit. In preparations for the deienc of the city he has either been permitted to do little, or has done little of his own accord. His lorees are at a camp of instruction at Jackson, Mississ ippi, protecting the railr ad wnere it crosses Pearl liiver. He is not expected to reinforce Beauregard, except as a reserve corps. His forces are said to be about twenty thousand. Twtlve thousnud foreign denizens iu New Orleans had organized to fight in defence of New Orleans, but declined going off to tight in the Confederate cause. Recruits have been pouring in to General Beauregard, who fully possesses the hearts and the confidence of the Western people. To the extent ©thiscapacity ot arming them, it is sup posed he will have men. It is believed iu New Orleans that his army numbers one hundred and twenty thousand, but many are sick from limestone water. There is a feeling of perfect certainty Of defeating Buell and llilleck in a signal manner Corinth is far enough from the guuboats to give opportunity for capturing or destroying them. Hence it has been selected as the battle field. General aud troops are alike confident. TUB PALI, OF N7.IV OIit.EANS— FULL AND INTEIt- BSTINtr PAHTICCLAKS. further accounts of the cap <''<J( VC \'’/r 4 **‘Wer .Tim gunboats ot the attempt to pass ' (f i* l ' Cohtederate lie el ; HMfet Was be such or uot, drew upon the parties who were suspected of giving them, some dozen or so ot pistol shots, by which several persons were wounded The squadron being advanced, the foremost ship as far as the Fourth District, came to au author—the ships to the number of thir teen taking up positions in front of the city bo as to command the several streets. After re maiuiiig in this position for a half hour, a boat came ashore with two officers ; one containing Captain Bayleis, second in command of the squadron, Capt. Farragut being flag officer, ant! a Lieutenant. These officers were greeted on touching the shore with the most uproarious huzzas lor “Jeff. Davis aud the South,” and with the most threatening demonstrations. — They had neglected to bring a flag of truce, and it was a proof of the good sense of even an in luriated multitude that they Were allowed to land. They, however, proceeded under the protection of aotne gentlemen, who undertook to conduct them to the Mayor’s office, in a drenching rain, followed by a furious and ex cited mob. Though no violence was offered to the officers, certain persons, who were sus pected of favoring their flag aud cause, were set upon with great f urv aud very roughly handled. On arriving at the 'City Hall, it required the interven ion of several citizens to jtrevent vio ience being offered to the rash ambassador oi an execrated dynasty aud government. The Mayor received the federal officers iu his office, with proper dignity. Capt. Bayleis stated the purport of his mission. He had been sent by Capt. Farragut to demand the sur render of tue city, aud the elevation ot the flag of the United States over the Custom House, the Pustoffiee, the Mint and the City Hall. The Mayor replied that he was not the military commander of the city, that he had no authori ty to suit, eder it, and would not do so, but that there was a military commander now in the city, and he would send for him, to receive and reply to the demand. A messenger was despatched to Gen. Lovell. In the interval a number of citizens who were present, got into conversation with the U. S. naval officers. The Lieutenant seemed to be a courteous, well behaved gentleman, who bore testimony with apparent earnestness to tne vigor and valor of the defense of our forts, and was quite commuuicative. The senior officer was more reserved, but still more large in his profee-i >us of peaceful intent. It was difficult., iiowt vi. r. tor hira to conceal the bitter section al hate oi a Massachusetts man against a true Southern community, in the course of the conversation, however, this officer remarked that Capt. Farragut deeply regretted to see the spirit o incendiarism which prevailed in the city in the destruction ot cotton and other things. The Mayor remarked that he differed with him; That the destruction was of our own property, and did not concern outsiders. Cap.. Bayleis repled ihat it looked like biting off one’s nose to spite his face. The Mayor replied that we had judged differently. Alter a while Gen. Lovell arrived in front of the City Hat), and was greeted with loud cheers by the crowd outside. On entering the Mayor’s office, Cayl. Bayleis introduced himself as sec ond in command ot the United States squadron iu front ot the city. Gen. Lovell replied : “I am Gen. Lovell, ol the army of the Con ederate States, commanding this Department.” The officers iMfcn shook hands, and Cpt. Bayleis slated his mission to demand the surrender of the city, and the elevation of the United Slates flag over the Cu tom House, Mint and Post office—adding that he was instructed by Capt. Farragut to state that tie came to protect pri vate property and personal rights, aud espe cially not to interfere with the negro property. Gen. Lovell replied that he would not sur render the city, nor allow it to be surrendered ; that be was overpowered on the water by their superior squadron, but tout he intended to tight them on laud as long as be could muster a sol dier; that he had marched all his armed men out of the city ; that he had evacuated it; and if they desired to shelf the town, destroying women and ehildr. n, they could do so. Tba it was to avoid this he had marched his tru ps beyond the city limits, but that a large number even of the women ot the city had begged him to remain, and defend the city against shelling. He did not think he would be justified in doiug so. He would, therefore, retire and leave the city authorities to pursue what course they should think proper. Capt. Bayleis said that no such purpose was entertained by Capt. Farragut, reiterating the expression ot his regret at the destruction oi cotton. Gen. Lovett interrupted him by saying that it was done by his authority Capt. Bayleis said that he had no doub; that Genera! Lovell had done his duty, and they were doing theirs. It was then concluded that Capt. Bayleis and the other officers would return Mo their ships, that tke Mayor would call the Council, aud lay before it the demand of Capt. Farragut. The officers requested to be protected iu their re turn to their ships, and Gen. Lovell directed Col. Lovell and Major James to accompany them. The officers accordingly proceedeh to the rear of the City Hall, wnere they look a Cab, and proceeded to the wharf. During the interview an immense and excited crowd of people had congregated about the City Hall, who alternately hurrahed for Jeff Davis, for General Lovell, and most vigorously groaned for “Lincoln and his squadron.” To calm this multitude, Pierre Soule address ed them in a few eloqu nt and effective words, counseling moderation, self-possession, forti tude and confidence in their cause, declaring that the honor ol the government and city was iu safe hands, and that Gen. Lovell’s answer to the demand to surrender was worthy of the commander ot the brave people. Gen. Lovell, on appearing on the steps, was also loudly cheered. He addressed the multi tude iu a short speech, declaring his purpose not l o surrender the city, hut to retire with his army and tight the Lincolnitea, whom they conld always whip ou h.nd. lie briefly sketched his course in the preparation of the defence of the city. Had done all he could do with the means at his disposal. That he eamo here six months too late, and it was beyond his resources to contend successfully against the enemy’s pow er on water. lie advised the citizens to bear themselves manfully, never to stoop or submit to the Lin coln domination, and to wail with patient lor titude for the deliverance from bondage which must soon come to them. The General theu mounted bis horse, aud accompanied by his stall', rode to the Jackson Railroad, where he took the last car, having already sent his army ahead of him Fbom North Alabama. —The Federal force in North Alabama is estimated by those best advised at from ten to eleven thousand men, of which about eight thousand are said to be at Tuscnmbia, and the rest between that point along the Memphis A. Charles- FBOM ( Oi I.MH. ENEMY STILL IIESITATE—PROBABLE CHANGE OF POUCY—THE CONFED ERATES READY—CAPT. AVERY HAS A SKIRMISH WITH THE ENEMY. [From onr Army Correspondent ] Ooeinth May I—T ee *m Btili hesitates. It is possible he will seek o turn our right, and eg in it is thought be may or tclide to l eri< ge us. Beisreporied to bo bringing-up hea y siege guns. Tbe Coniedeiatee aie ro dy. and prep red to meet him in any p.uns he may adopt. t apt. I. W. Aveiy, oftavannah, who eoinmai ds the Georgia Dragoons, hud a slurp skirmish wi h the ene my in front of onr lines, yetWiday, killing and wound ing a considerable number. He lost nothing in the fight. R. W. A. LATEST FROM NEW ORLEANS. ALL BUSINESS SUSPENDED—CAUSE OF MUTINY AT FORT JACKSON-POKTER LEFT THE RIVER TO ATTACK MOB.LE —FARRAGUT CLOSES COM M UNICATION WITH THE CITY AUTHORITIES-PICA YUNE BUTLER TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE CiiY. Richmond, M ay 7 —The Mobile Tribune of the 4lb, has despatches from Jackson, Miss., of the 2d. The Delta of ThUisday, says that business in New Orleans was generally suspended, mest of the bank closed, and the city everywhem looking sad. The Delta thinks that the Federal troops wou’d be landed that day, 2d. The Post Office remains open, guarded by marines. The Telegraph offices are closed, and railroad travel st ipped. The mutiny at the fort was ciused by tbe falsa nows that the city bad sur end* r. and. Th • Delta says3So men u utnied and marched off to the enemy irom the fort One company stood Arm. The Mobile Tribune has an official despatch from Camp Moore, which' says: “A sec md deader irom the Yankee fleet has reached hem, who sa\s that Por ter has left the river for tne purpose o 1 attacking Mo bile. We have faith in hi i staiem nts.” In answer to foreign consuls, Commander F rngut said he would allow erovisi >ns to reach the city in flat boats and Bkiffs, but no st, amboas would be al owed. Farragut notified tne Mayor of N<w Orleans thithe would hold no further communication wits the city authorities, as he had been misr p es- nted. He staled that Gen. Butler was soon expected, and that he would turn the command of the city i-ver to him. A Distinguished Virginian Killed. Richmond, May 7. —Hon. Robert Or. Scott of Fau quier oounjy, one of the most distinguished ju ists of Virginia, and a prominent Bnmbar of th -■ late SUti Convention, was killed in Fauquipr C>\, Saturday last, by a marauding party of Yankee deser era. HIE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. LETTER FROM GENERAL JOHNSTON— THE BATTLE ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE WAR—HEAVY LOSS OF THE ENEMY—GEN. EARLY BADLY WOUND ED—GEN. ANDERSON REPORTED KILL ED—ANOTHER GREAT BATTLE AND REPULSE OF THE ENEMY REPOR ED. Richmond, May S. —An official letter from General Johnston, dated at Birhamville, 11 A. M.. yes erd-iy, states that the enemy having come np York river, landed under cover of their gunboats near We t Po nt. No mention Is made about the imminency of an ther engagement, but on the contrary the tenor of the le tor Indicates that General Johnston did potexpec a con flict with the enemy. He states that the repulse o' the enemy near Williamsbu g stems to have stopped their advance in that direction, altogether. The prisoners taken on Monday are principally o Heintzeiman’s division, and a part of Sumnei’s. Nothing is said of extent ol the casualties on either side. LATER. The battle near Wil iamsburg on Monday, is aid to to have been one of the finest of the war, while it listed. The eharge of Stewart’s cavaliy is represented to have been fearful, mowing down the Hessians by scores The loss of the enemy iff killed and wounded Is very heavy. Oa our side, General Early, of Virginia, was btdly wounded, and General Anderson, of South Carolina, reported killed. No official detailed account of lb battle has yet been received. The city is greatly excited today with an unauiben tic report of another terrific battle ye te.'day near Bahamville The confederates are raid to hav been again victorious, whilst tne Yankees were defeated with immense salughter. The Enemy Moving .on Mobile. Mobile, May ‘The advance of Porter’s fleet, con sisting of seven vessels, are now off Port Morgan. Ten moro are off Horn Is'and moving eastward and fl-iog occasionally, apparently feeling for masked batteries, Our forces at the forts Rre,confldent of their abil.ty to hold the enemy In check. Late European News, From the Baltimore American, of May 3d, we extract the following : Halifax, May I.—The steamer America has arrived with advices to the 20th ult. The London Times editorially expatiates on the importance of the struggle for New Orleans, and says that the occupation of that place by the Federals would be like a tourniquet tigh tened over the great artery oi the Seceded States. The London Morning Herald has a sarcastic editorial on the protracted continuant e of the American struggle. It sees no signs of exhaus tion in the North or discouragement in the South, and believes that a speedy peace is hope less. The editor further says that the Govern ment at Washington should be permitted to have one more chance, and if it tail the Great Powers should peremptorily interfere on behalf of tbe general well being of mankind. That >-n .h<>-n.riono before is owing to the 3