From Washington

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, March 23.

The States this evening says it is the impression in naval and military circles, that New Orleans is ours, the mortar fleet having probably attacked the rebel fort Rigolette on the 11^th inst.

Letters from Ship Island confirm the statements.  The fort referred to is Fort Pike commanding one entrance to Lake Ponchartrain.

Gen. Brown has been out in command of the forts in New York harbor.

Gen. Arnold takes his place at Fort Pickens, which illness obliged is abandoning.  He leaves his staff, mustered out of service by recent General Order.

The Roanoke and Vanderbilt are being iron-clad as rapidly as possible.  Ericsson is preparing specifications for a vessel over three hundred feet long.  The smoke stacks on the new vessels will be higher.

Capt. Buchanan’s family still believe him alive.

In spite of a belief in their uselessness the seven millions voted by congress for stone forts are being appropriated for that purpose.

Dr. John Evans of Chicago, Ill., is nominated Governor of Colorado Territory, and Hardin of Indiana, nominated Governor of Utah.

Van Cleve and Asboth were also confirmed Brigadier Generals.  Fremont, at the last moment, concluded not to leave Washington yesterday, his staff not being fully determined upon.

Advices from the Gulf state that the Sickles cut off on the Pensacola is a failure; as a consequence the Pensacola is a failure.

Gen. Wadsworth is authorized to issue passes to the loyal North Carolinians, of whom many desire to reclaim their property from which they have been driven by the rebellion.

For the first time, the President yesterday visited Alexandria.

The Arlington House, hitherto occupied as headquarters, has been converted into a hospital.  The Freedman’s Aid Association, for the assistance of fugitives, has been organized here, with Mr. Hamlin as President.

Lieut. Morris, who fought the Cumberland so gallantly against the Merrimac, has received thanks of Secretary Wells, in a letter which does justice to his heroism.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1

From Fort Pickens

NEW YORK, March 11.

The Steamer Philadelphia arrived to-night from Fort Pickens 1^st, Tortugas 4^th and Key West 6^th.  Gen. Arnold was in command at Ft. Pickens, Col. Brown having sailed for New York.  Troops at Fort Pickens all well.  Contrabands from Pensacola report that a rebel regiment had left, and two unarmed regiments had arrived.

Anderson was to be court-martialed for commencing the bombardment of January 1^st.

Com. Porter’s Mortar fleet was awaiting favorable wind to sail from Key West for Ship Island.

The steamer Magnolia arrived at Key West, a prize to the steamer South Carolina.  She had 1,000 bales of cotton.  The steamers Mississippi and Mantauzas were at Port Royal with Gen. Butler and his troops.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1

Gen. Hunter has divided his department into three districts . . .

. . . and has designated their commanders as follows: Gen Benham, headquarters and Beaufort; Gen Brannan, at or near Key West; Gen. Arnold, at Fort Pickens.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2