Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-12-18
LATEST NEWS S.
Washington, Dec. 10.

ton vet received Lilat there u q large anu
determined organization Of Unionists in
that State. They are putting themselves
in communication with the Union men of
East Tennessee, and await only the dawn
Of hope for a general uprising. They ex-
pect Brownow to be reinforced by the gov
ernmert, and will accept that movement rs
the signal for their own action.
The question Of the exchange Of prison.
ers SENS to be fairly settled. The New
York Executive Committee had several
lengthy and interesting interviews with the
President, General Mcclellan, ami Sena-
tors and members Of the House, all Of
whom favor it. The Committees inter
view with Gen. Mcclellan was especially
gratifying. He spoke Of the object brief
II but warmly, and from his conversation
had evidently given the subject much
STUDY. The military committees in both
Houses have reported favorably on the
subject, and a joint resolution which pass
ell the House. requesting the President tc
make an exchange, will pass the Senate to-
morrow.
Parson Brownlow publishes card in
the Memphis AOolanche of the 18th, con-
demnina bridge burning by the Unionists,
and saying he with others had pledged
themselves to Zollicoffer to counsel peace
on the part Of the Union men of East
Tennessee.
Trhe card is suspected to be forgery. ]
Washington, Dee. Is.
johnson, the wouId-be deserter, was ex-
ecuted to-day. Johnson's dying speech
was: "Boys ask pardon Of Almighty
| God, and Of all, for what | did, May Al
mighty God pardon me, and keep all of
you from all such sin.
A black man and white man have
each received twenty lashes for selling
liquor to soldiers Of the Forty-sixth Penn
sylvania Regiment, in presence Of the Reg
imept.
Secretary Cameron and Thaddeus Ste
vens, who had not been on speaking terms
for years, buried the Ratchet publicly yes
terday.
DR.. Orestes A. Brownson lectured on
the National Crisis to a crowded house, at
the Smithsonian Institnte, to night. Many
members of Congress and army officers
were present. The speakers declaration
that he welcomed war with all hil heart.
but insisted il be war and not more parade,
and bis demand that slaves be used to the
best advantage Of the Union cause, and
that blows be struck which will not rebound
upon ourselves, were received with yocifer-
GUS applause.
Washington, Dec. Is.
It is regarded as settled tLat Congress
will adjourn on Wednesday next, for two
weeks, to enable the members to pass the
holidays at home.
Washington, Dec. Is.
The Europas dispatches excite a lively
discussion here, but seems not to disturb
the government, which, while desiring no
embarrassment with England, looks with
coinposure and confidence on events as
they occur. The sentiment Of defiance is
universal.
New York, Dee II.
A priyte letter from on board the
steamer RI shmond, which took part IN the
fight at Fort Pickcns, dated Nov. 23d,
states that the vessel commenced bonn
harding Fort McRae at 10 o'c'ock on the
22d. The writer states that he had been
complimenting the captain of one Of the
guns of the accuracy of his aim, when a
shell bounced through our bulwarks, took
off bis head and wounded six more men.
This shell on exploding raised the ship out
of the water and made her stagger like a
drunken man. Another shell broke six
feet below water line, causing bad
leak, but steam pump kept the vessel
free. The firing continued all day, and
was resumed BY the enemy next morning,
when we moved out Of his range. The
frigate Niagara still kept at them, but, be-
ing outside Of the bar she cannot be much
damaged
Folt Pickens had up to date lost but
one killed and seven wounded. Fort Nc.
Rae is much damaged, but we cannyl de-
stroy it with our smooth-bored saHs, as
they are no match for the enemy's nfed
cannon. Tie bombarlment was to be re-
newed the next day, the oad, with the de-
termination to whip or be whipped.
Baltimore, Dec. IA.
The Old Point boat brings the report
Of the discovery and prompt suppression
by the military authorities Of a negro in
surrection at Charleston.
The account states that the plot was
disclosed by the body servant ola militia
~ officer, who said that the negroes of the
city were to b. joined byarge bands from
the country who were to come in armed
at night, He said the sash factory had
been fired BY a free negro, whom he des-
ignated and who had been arrested.
A small quantity Of arms were found
under the floor Of the negroes cabin
They were all new and in good condition
In another Negroes cabin knives and hatch
cts were found secretcd. The greatest
CONSERVATION prevailed Families were
closing and barring their windows. The
fire companies being composed Of men
who are on Hlilitary dpty, The fire engines
was worked BY Negroes, who broke and
rendered useless the twobcst ones.
The Offices of the Coarier and Mercury
are said to be destroyed.