New York Daily Tribune

FROM GEN. PATTERSON'S COLUMN.

From Our Special Correspondent.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa., June 13, 1861.

The news of the disaster at Great Bethel reached us only in the afternoon of yesterday, by the New-York papers, although we afterward learned that it was known to the military authorities the evening before. Yet not a word transpired for the benefit of the poor civilians, who are carefully excluded from all information from that source, however interesting or important, whether affecting past, present, or future events. The effect of the news was distressing, while it was mitigated by the benefit conferred as a lesson, and the conviction of all minds and hearts that the campaign against the Rebels must be made overwhelming by an irresistible force being poured in upon them from the indignant North. Last night, too, all hearts were revived and rejoiced by the report, which I suppose accidentally did reach us in advance of printed publications, hundreds of miles away from us and the scene of conflict, filling our breasts with pride at the prompt action of our troops, which has retrieved their assailed honor and established the prestige of invincible bravery.

Nothing of moment occurred here yesterday. The guard was busy all day picking up straggling soldiers and returning them to camp. The soldiers who were so unruly the day before are likely to suffer severely for their escapade, as they are all under arrest, to be court-martialed, when the notorious outlaws and leaders will probably be drummed out of their regiments.

The Wisconsin Regiment presents an appearance highly creditable to that young and patriotic State, both in the muscle and discipline of the men, and their comparatively perfect equipment. The superiority of their dress and equipment to that of the poor, defrauded Pennsylvania volunteers may be gathered from a little colloquy I overheard between the soldiers yesterday. One of them says, 'I say, Gus, did you see them Wisconsin fellows this morning down at the depot?' 'Yes, I did; ain't they fixed up well though, and got good clothes on.' 'That's a fact; they are not like the old things our fellows have to wear, that ain't fit for no decent man.' 'There's Tom Brown, now, round the corner, drunk as blazes; and I don't wonder at it. He was a respectable man that wore good clothes at home as anybody, but seein' how he's treated, he don't care a d--n for himself; he's only a common soldier anyhow, and he takes what fun he can get.'

Yes, gentlemen in authority, that's the way it works; degrade a man among his fellows and to himself, and you demoralize him.

The Wisconsin boys are armed with the Minié rifle, and they are sharp-shooters who know how to use that effective weapon.

It is said there are five lawyers, three doctors, and two preachers in the ranks. The clarion voice of their martial-looking colonel, Starkweather, will ring the knell of the traitors who get within rifle distance. The complete discipline of the regiment is evinced by the fact that, though the camp is in the suburbs of the town, not one soldier has been seen out of it, and all communication outside is strictly prohibited.

At 2 o'clock this morning another brigade, composed of the 9th, 13th, and 16th Regiments of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and a battalion of regulars, Brevet Brig.-Gen. Miles commanding, struck their tents and took up the line of march to Greencastle. Fortunately the roads are in good condition, and the oppressive heat of the last few days has abated.

This morning the third company raised in this little town, numbering nearly 100 men, Capt. Wilson Riley, a leading lawyer here, goes to Harrisburg to muster into the service for the war. This speaks well for its patriotism; but I am told there are a few Secessionists left who discreetly keep very shady just now, and that Bedford County is infested with some blatant specimens.

Last night there was quite a large accession of troops. Another company of U. S. infantry from Fort Ripley arrived. The 11th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Jarrett, direct from Havre de Grace, where it has been on duty several weeks, reached in good order.

They are the best dressed Pennsylvania men I have seen, though their very heavy woolens are too warm for the season and the tough work on the road before them.

I was delighted too this morning to meet a party of live Yankees strolling through the town, seeking breakfast and admiring the beautiful yards here filled with a variety of flowers and shrubbery, especially roses in great profusion. They were of the 4th Connecticut Regiment, Col. Woodhouse, direct from home, and Jersey City, via Philadelphia. They had the misfortune to lose one of their men at Columbia. George Barrett, private in company H, was run over by the cars and instantly killed.

Gen. Patterson's command already numbers over 20,000 men and has a good look for 30,000. The regiments have been re-brigaded, an account of which I hope to furnish to-morrow. We can learn nothing official, and have to use our wits as well as our eyes to get reliable information, but without official aid I venture a guess, as there are Yankees about, that we shall move our headquarters from here by Sunday.
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GEN. PATTERSON MOVING.

PHILADELPHIA, June 15, 1861.

A special dispatch from Hagerstown says that the Advance Guard, General Patterson's Division, about 10,000 strong, arrived there this morning, and the whole column is rapidly moving southward.