Special to New York Papers

( Herald Correspondence. )

WASHINGTON, May 7. – A dispatch from New York with information brought by the Columbia of the capture of New Orleans, was received this morning in the Senate to-day, during the debate on the City Railroad bill. It was well received and Senator McDougal immediately moved a vote of thanks to Com. Farragut, and Gen. Butler saying to the senators that their recognition of such important services should be as prompt as their gratitude was hearty. – Parliamentary rules required the unanimous consent to entertain the motion, and the honorable Senators objected, so that Mr. McDougal’s generous purpose was deliberately defeated.

About thirty contrabands arrived here to-day mostly from Virginia. They are quartered in Duff Green’s row, which was once a fashionable block of residences.

People from all parts of the country, prefer contraband help. The free negroes and other laborers of the District are somewhat disturbed by this influx, which can be hired for almost nothing, but the Government having the article thrown upon its hands, must dispose of it in the readiest manner possible.


(Special to Times)

Gen. [Franklin] went up to Yorktown with his Division yesterday, and I hear this morning that Gen. Sedgwick had also embarked at Yorktown and will join Franklin this morning. They are expected to march from the York river to a place called New Kent, on the road between Williamsburgh [sic] and Richmond, and thus to cut off the rebel retreat.

We hear no firing this morning. It is now 9 o’clock, from which we infer that the rebels withdrew during the night, or else that our forces are awaiting the arrival of Franklin and Sedgwick in the rear. If the rebels stand where they are they will find themselves between two formidable armies and compelled to cut their way through one of them or surrender at discretion. I am inclined to think they will cross the Chickahomminy river and destroy the ferry and bridges so as to prevent pursuit. This is the only way in which they can save any portion of their army. It is hardly possible that we may have hard fighting yet, but the general opinion is that the enemy will escape in the way indicated, and that Gen. McClellan can advance upon Richmond without any very formidable opposition.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3