From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 5.

Complaints having been made by commanders of military posts that movements are impeded and discipline relaxed by the presence of male and female visitors, the Secretary of War has ordered that no passes be granted to visit Fort Monroe or other military posts, to any person not engaged in the military service, and has authorized commanders of military posts to remove all persons not engaged in the service.  Passes for the purpose of trade and business are also refused.

The arrival here of Lord Edward Cavendish, son of the late Duke of Devonshire, Lord Cecil, of the Rifle Brigade, stationed in Canada, and col. Percy, of the Northumberland Prairies, now also stationed in Canada, is regarded in official circles as an event which claims for them a cordial reception, they being considered as types of a more friendly and generous class in England than the members of Parliament.  Correspondents of the press and others, who after visiting the South, return to Great Britain sympathizing with the rebels.

The Secretary of War directs that hereafter no persons not belonging to the U. S. service, shall be permitted to take passage in any public transport without the special permission of the War Department.

A telegraph cable, to reconnect Ft. Monroe with Cape Charles, will soon be in working order, as materials are already there.  One hour’s uninterrupted work with favorable weather will be sufficient for the enterprise.

Postal operations have been resumed with Martinsburg, Va., and the office at Harper’s Ferry will be opened next week under the direction of the P. O. Department.

Many of the contrabands, who have been temporarily subsisted by the government until employment could be provided, are now usefully employed in the hospitals and as servants in private families.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 7, 1862, p. 1