From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 9.

About two weeks ago Com. Foote, in telegraphing the Navy Department, said Gen. Pope intended to make a transverse movement which would astonish the secesh on Island No. 10.  Fulfillment of this prediction is already known to the country.

Times’ Dispatch.

WASHINGTON April 9.

Gen. T. W. Sherman, just relieved by Gen. Hunter, arrived here to-day from Port Royal, and reported himself to the War department.  He expresses the opinion that before this Fort Pulaski has been attacked, and has no doubt of its final capture.

A gentleman, who arrived here from Port Royal yesterday, says several contrabands, who came within our lines a few days since reported that they were direct from Charleston, and that the people of that city were dreading an attack from our forces, and complained bitterly that nearly all their troops are in Virginia and the West.

Maj. S. W. Crawford was nominated by the President to-day to the Senate as Brigadier General of volunteers.

The Times correspondent writes from Liverpool Point, April 8, that several Virginians belonging to Falmouth, Fredericksburg and Stafford have come over to Liverpool Point.  The say that the reconnoisance made to Stafford Court House created the most intense excitement at Fredericksburg. – Every vehicle capable for transporting goods was brought into requisition.  Whole families left fro Richmond, leaving everything behind them.

Orders were given by Gen. Walker, commandant at Fredericksburg, for all his available force to leave for Brooks’ Station immediately, to defend the line of RR. and repel the advance of the invaders.  It also has a report of a battle fought between 500 Texas cavalry and Sickles’ entire forces, just before entering Stafford.  They put down Sickles’ loss at 350, and their own as only 13.

The effective force of the rebels between Fredericksburg and Aquia Creek is less than 4,000; beyond Fredericksburg to Richmond, probably 10,000, including a few batteries of artillery.

There was no scarcity of provisions. – Confederate bonds can be bought for five cents on a dollar.  Shinplasters issued by banks and private parties are of more value commanding $100 in specie for ever $1,000.

It is said to be the intention of the Confederate government to abandon Virginia unless the people of the State render more aid of men and money.

Gen. Wigfall commands a brigade five miles from Fredericksburg.  He has had a serious misunderstanding with the general commanding, Holmes, and has accordingly forwarded to Richmond his resignation.

All men suspected to be for the Union are robbed of property with impunity, and no redress can be had.  In consequence of this most Union men are very quiet.

During the embarkation of our troops from Liverpool Point, a large number of Maryland slaveholders lined the shore on horseback, said to be looking for lost slaves.  No slaves from Maryland or Virginia were allowed to go aboard our transports.  Some free negroes were taken as servants.  There were about 800 fugitive slaves left at Liverpool Point and Mattawoman Creek, without any protection.  Slave owners threaten to make trouble.

WASHINGTON, April 9.

Mr. Johnson recommends the passage of Senator Morrill’s bill, and the adoption of the policy of placing in the hands of the President the necessary power to accept loans of money from the several States for the public defence, as therein proposed.

Among the modes of defense contemplated is the use of railway and floating ball-proof batteries, in addition to the ordinary system of fortification.  His report is the result of careful examination of the matters in question, including a long list of documents based on a thorough acquaintance with the physical geography and topographical features of the country.

Jas. S. Pike, minister to the Netherlands, in transmitting to the State Department a copy of the tariff and revenue system of that country, concludes his dispatch as follows:  It will be observed that there is no direct tax on personal property or on incomes, as such taxes are believed to stand in the way of industrial and commercial development, and to operate to expel capital.  The decisive successes of the Federal Government in Tennessee have produced their natural effect on this side of the water.  When Charleston and Savannah shall have fallen, and our gunboats traversed the Mississippi, all interest in the affairs of the Confederates will cease in Europe.

The Senate was several hours in executive session to-day.  It confirmed several military appointments of low grade and Saml. E. Brown, of Ohio, to be attorney of the territory of Colorado.

World’s Dispatch.

The World’s correspondent at Warrenton brings the following to-day:  The advanced forces are now resting on the Rappahannock, our pickets are extending to that stream.  The railroad is now in running order to Cedar Run, within two miles of Warrenton, thirteen miles from the Rappahannock.  It will take several days to complete the bridge over Cedar Run, inasmuch as the recent storm has swollen, all the streams very much.  Neither Bull nor Cedar Runs can be forded at present, and no troops can move except by railroad.

The cavalry pickets extend some distance southeast of Brentsville, and skirmishes with the rebel scouts are of daily occurrence.

As the army proceeds south the country presents fewer of the ravages of the enemy, though in no locality has there yet been covered sufficient supplies to support men or horses for more than one day.

The reports of the enemy’s position are indefinite and uncertain.

Contrabands and refugees from Fauquier and Culpepper say that the rebel army has dwindled greatly in its proportions, and that it is retreating upon Richmond as rapidly as possible, leaving nothing but scouts and guerillas in its rear to watch our movements.  It would seem from this that the rebels are not reinforcing Magruder and intend to make a stand this side of Richmond.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

It is understood the Department of the South, of which Gen. Hunter has been put in command, will be thoroughly reorganized.

Gen. Sherman will be followed North by his Brigadier Generals, Wright and Viele, but it is unknown who will fill the places they vacate.  It is also believed Gen. Hunter will rightfully treat South Carolina and Georgia as rebel and not as sovereign States.

The Senate to-day ratified two treaties; the commercial treaty with the Ottoman Ports, and the Mexican extradition treaty, negotiated by Minister Corwin – the former, which is extremely liberal in its provisions, provides for its continuance for fifty years.  One stipulation of the latter, to the effect that local authorities of the frontier States and respective parties, shall deliver up persons for whose surrender application is made without delay and expense of an appeal to Washington or the City of Mexico, elicited much discussion, and finally passed by barely one more than the constitutional majority – 27 to 13.

The latest news received from Cherry Stone, reports everything quiet in the vicinity of Fort Monroe.  A strong wind was blowing, and the sea running very high.

The Freeman’s Journal is, by order of the P. O. Department, readmitted to the mails, dating from this week.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 1