The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-10-16

RANGES could be conveyed to them, that
they woald not be harshly dealt with,
he thinks that the greater part of the
State Guards would lay. down, their arms
and return. to-. their. homes; they are
tired of the war, and are only prevented
from deserving in large bodies, by the
assurance Of their officers, that if they
are caught they will be. hung asetraitors,
and by the stories of.herrible Union out
ragss which. rs,.industriously circulated
among them.
The most exaggerated accounts OF
atrocities committed by our army, the
destruction OF property, burning Of
towns and ravishment of women, are
circulated and believed, among them
Eight or.ten. other citizens of his coun
ty WHO belonged to his company desert.
ed along with him and are ready to give
themselves up.
News Of the New York Papers.
The army of the Potomac will probably
soon be divided into several corps u armee,
according to the practice Of European COM
manders This plan has met with strong
opposition iron military men Of the old
school bat Mcclellan has insisted upon it,
and it will probably be adopted Should it
be done, Generals Mcdowell, Franklin and
Porter will be among the commanders of
these divisions, which will be from 80 900 to
$4,000 strong
Mr. MUIR, British Consul at New Ooleans,
is now in Washington, having been d hours
en- route His journey was much INSTRUCTED
by the transportation of Rebel troops over
railways. lie states that the same deter
mination andenthnsiasm continued through
out the South The Rebels are subjected to
serious deprivations. All Injuries have DIS
appeared and many Of the necessares of life
were becoming scarce Mr.. Muir will prob
ably soon return to England.
A squad of the Van Allen cavalry, under
Max, captured Rebel captain from Rich.
mond, Yesterday, above Poo,svlle.
John Ponder, of PHILADELPHIA delivered
to-day 10000 Mimic rifles, which arrived
from Belgium on the Bavaria.
Early this morning the steamer Union
sent two launches into creek about miles
from Aqua Greek, to burn a Rebel schooner
The expedition succeeded. They were fred
upon from afield battery, but not injured.
The Postmaster. Gerosa rctu ned to day.
Gov. Ramsey, of Minnesota, who has been
here for some weeks attending to the affairs
matters, has appointed Napoleon j. Daha,
a graduate of West Point, Colonel of the LIST
Minnesota Regiment, in the place of Col.
Willis A. German, promoted to Brigadier
General
Gov. Yates and Hon. VIM Kellogg, oflu.,
have obtained from the Government for the
armament of that State one million of dol
lars. Fourteen batteries Of James rihed
cannon, 5000 muskets and 500 rifles
The last news from the Gulf Squadron
left Com. McKeon, who succeeded Com. Mar
vine, on board the Niagara, which is now
the flag ship, off Pas Loutre. He was making
active preparations for the complete closing
up of the Mississippi. He would then move
from that position to Pensacola.
Commodore Marvine, whose departure
was much regretted by the whole fleet, in.
tended to ask a court Of inquiry, bat there
was no disposition on the part Of the Gov.
ernment to censure him.
The whole coast from Galveston to Florida
reefs was completely blackaded.
Fort Pickens is prepared to stack Pensa-
cola and Fort McRay and Barancas, and
hold them. There is no doubt, in the
opinion Of the best officers there, that the
place can be taken without serious difficulty.
The Richmond papers are trying to con.
ceal not only their losses in he recent skir-
mishes, but also the forces that retired before
our advance on Lewinsvle But their. de-
serted camps there betray the fact that they
had been recently occupied by 10000 to-
200. 900 men,
Government has caused the arrest Of Ger.
tain parties West, who had large quantities
ofgoods, intended to be taken out on the
plains and through the Indian Territory into
the Rebel States. Conraband trade Of an
extensive character is thus prevented
1t is the opinion in high military quarters
that unless the enemy attack our lines within
two days no battle is imminent. The traces
Of their camp, found by oar forces as they
advance show conclusively that the enemy,
until recently, had a force Of at least 10000
men in direct line from Munson's Hill to
LewnsviNe
Brig. Gen. Stonenan, Chief of Cavalry in
Gen. Mccleiian's Staff. has been appointed
a Major General Of Volunteers, that he may
personally superintend and control tho large
cavalry forces now in the field.
The Maryland postmaster who was arrest
ed for sending bags Of letters to the Rebel
States, has been brought here together with
his packages The Government has obtain.
ed much valuable information from them
lie is in Jail.
Gov. Morgan arrived in Washington this
morning. lie brings the assurance that
New York will have 100000 men in the
field before The close of this month, and that
the Empire State is prepared to furnish
quarter OF o million of men and material aid
necessary to equip and maintain them.
Several stampedes OF slaves have occurred
: