Major Webster, on the 3d of January. Gen. Kelly dispatched Col. Dunning, of the 5th Ohio, on the 7th of January, to attack the Confederate force, 2,000 strong, at Blue Gap, east of Romney. The enemy were defeated, with the loss of sixty-five killed, twenty prisoners, two cannon and all their camp stores.

The rebels concentrated their forces at Blooming Gap, for a final stand, but were met and routed by Gen. Lander, with thirteen killed and seventy-five prisoners. This cleared the Department of the rebels, which gratifying fact, Gen. Lander reported to his Government.

CHAPTER VIII.

RE-ACTION IN MARYLAND-THE CONGRESSIONAL

BODIES BATTLE OF BALL'S BLUFF.

Marshal Kane-Decided Proceedings-Kane's Arrest-The Conspiracy— Treason in Baltimore-Re-action - The Election-Federal Congress - President's Message-Laws Enacted-Resources of the Government - Rebel Congress-Battle of Ball's Bluff-Battle of Dranesville.

On the memorable 19th day of April, when the blood of the sons of Massachusetts dyed the pavements of Baltimore, Marshal George P. Kane sent a dispatch to a notorious rebel, in active resistance to the Government, in which he said of the northern troops, "We will fight them, and whip them, or die." Yet for more than two months after this open declaration of treason, he was permitted to hold his official position, in which he could, and did, render important aid to the rebellion.

On the 27th of June, however, he was arrested by the order of Major General Banks, and confined in Fort McHenry. His arrest gave great offense to the Police Commissioners, who sought resentment by attempts to disorganize the police force. A Provost-Marshal was appointed, to take the general oversight of municipal affairs, until some loyal citizen should be chosen by the Commissioners to fill the place vacated by Kane. A new police force was organized, composed of loyal and reliable citizens; and the government of the city was then taken out of rebel hands.

These energetic acts, on the part of the Government, toward reckless and lawless traitors, were equally new and surprising; and produced great excitement among the Baltimore rebels. They had, with impunity, so long and so un

MAJ. GEN. NATHANIEL P. BANKS,
Commander of the Gulf Expedition.

blushingly defied and trampled upon all law and authority, that they manifested extreme indignation at this, as they deemed it, presumptuous interference. The old Police Commissioners were especially turbulent, and anxious to excite disorder and violence.

Gen. Banks kept himself fully informed of their movements; and was aware also that they were liable to arrest, for previous treasonable acts. He therefore arranged for their prompt and simultaneous arrest; and, to guard against any resistance which might be attempted, large bodies of troops were stationed in various quarters of the city. The Commissioners, by concerted arrangements, were at the same time quietly arrested and conveyed to Fort McHenry.

These measures defeated the schemes of the rebels, and restored comparative quiet and order to the city, in which trea