Specials to the New York Papers

(Herald Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, May 20. – All are filled with the expectation of the great battles, at Corinth and Virginia before the week ends.  It is expected that these two battles will practically conclude the campaign, and leave nothing else to be done but put down the guerilla fighting.

The recent proclamation of the President begins to give great satisfaction to all classes. – The conservatives are satisfied and the ultras do not find fault.  It is manifest to all that Mr. Lincoln has taken the bit in his teeth and intends to have his own way.  Cabinet or no Cabinet. – The general impression here is since, the utterance of the proclamation, there is no one can approach Abraham Lincoln in popularity.  It is regarded as an evidence of unalterable firmness and true grit.

(Tribune Dispatch.)

A call is soon to be made upon the states for additional volunteers to the number of at least 100,000.  Careful inquiries have elicited the fact that our army is smaller than has been represented, even in official accounts – numbering not 300,000 effective men.  This fresh force is to be merely used as a reserve to be stationed at convenient point to meet emergencies.

The subject of lake defenses and lake commerce was very forcibly and fully presented this morning at a meeting of the New York delegation in Congress by the Hon. Samuel B. Ruggles, who appeared in behalf of the State. – the Principal topics discussed were the present undefended condition of the lakes and the great extend and rapid growth of the commerce on the waters, also the vital importance of the cereal products of the States surrounding the lakes, in furnishing the elements of foreign commerce, and consequently in swelling the amount of duties on imports to be received in exchange.  The two cardinal measures growing out of these discussions, and which must occupy the attention of congress, will be the opening of adequate channels from the eastern and western extremities of the lakes, the first to be effected by enlarging the locks on the Erie and Oswego Canals, and the other by the enlargement of the Canal from Chicago to the Illinois River.  It is hoped that these two great measures may be united as integral portions of one harmonious system, extending from the Hudson to the Mississippi, permitting the passing throughout the line of mail-clad vessels sufficient for the defense of these great waters.

The following is from the World’s correspondent, under the date of Baltimore Cross Roads, Va., 16 miles from Richmond, May 18:  I make the prophecy that Richmond is abandoned by the enemy without a fight, and that we occupy it within forty-eight hours, if not sooner.  This is the advance division towards Richmond – Cavalry are beyond at Bottom Bridge.  The enemy blew it up yesterday.  Little will it impede our progress, the stream is narrow, the water is but 13 feet deep and an easy ford.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3