The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-06
FROM GEN. BANKS COLUMN.
COfitrabano- o--sikirmishing--WOn't Take th
Oath,
cath.
DEPARTMENT OF THE SHENANDOAH,

Oath
DEPARTMENT OF THE SHENANDOAH,
SANDY Hook, MD, August 5th, 1861.
This morning James McGodrick. of company |,
Colonel Geary's Pennsylvania (2Sth) volunteer
regiment, was accidentally shot dead.
Fugitive contrabands from the surrounding
country in Maryland frequently come into camp,
declaring their be secessiOpists. No
restraint has hitherto been placed upon them, and
it is not vet known what course will be pursued in
regard to them. 1t has been suggest ed by of
the officers that iudIcous course would be to
ty their of their presence here, and restore
them when the latter shall appear and take the oath
of fidelity to the United States renouncing all
other allegiance, particularly in relation to the
called Southern Coniederacy, prov ded their fidelity
is corroborated by general reputation.
Movements of a suspicious character were dis
covered By some of our pickets last night dis.
tauce up Pleasant Valley, indicating activity and
concert among the secessionists there, many of
whom are wealthy and Of high respectability.
About eighty,of Col. Mann's recreant members
returned to camp yesterday, and proessedly
willing to take the military oath, but when brought
this morning to be sworn in all but forty-two de-
clined. Those refusing were Immediately stripped
of their uniforms aud sent forward to Harrisburg,
under guard, where it is believed they will be
dealt with according to law. 1t is probable that
this regiment will he filled up by other companies
already organizing in Pennsylvania.
strong cavalry company which went into Vir-
ginia on Saturday had not returned to quarters
this morning. Forage was sent them yesterday.
About halfpast ten this morning some excite
ment was caused by continued and rapid firing,
apparently from the summit and Southern side of
Maryland Heights, as if from two considerable
bodies of skrmishers. The long roll was beat and
every regiment within hearing under arms in
a few moments. The sequel proved that the Mas
sachusetts II b. having obtaned permission to skir-
msh, proceeded to the wooded slope near the lease
of the Heights without notice. and the echoes from
the cliffs reverberatng, gave idea of a rebel re-
sponse from the heights above.
CORPORAL A. AlODZO of Nav OTk
died yesterday Of typhoid fever. His body, from
scarcity Of ice here, will be inferred here. He
was a resident of Yonkers.
A paymaster arrived here to-day with funds for
the payment OF the New York 9ih.
Washington Items.
WASHINGTON, August 5 The representatives of
the newspaper press at Washington recently held
a consultation with hiajo General Mcclellan at his
special invitation, when a committee was unani-
m0uSiy direct ed to be appointed, in view of the
suggestions fr ON him on that occasion, and to
transmit them to the editors Of all the newsp apers
in the loyal States and the District of Columbia
First, That all editors be requested to refrain
from, publishing either editorial or cores
pondence, any description, from any point, any
matter that may furnish ''aid and comfort to the
necJnu, ,uaC Lney 0e arsY regpBssea ana earn
estly solicited to signify to rneit u",tusp"uurnte
here and elsewhere, their approval of the forego
ing suggestions, and to comply with them in spirit
and in letter.
The Committee resolved that the Government be
respectfully requested 20 afford the represen atves
of the press facilities for obtaining and Immediately
Transmitting all information suitable for publica-
tion, particularly touching engagements with the
enemy.
Gen. Mcclellan has signed his approval of these
requests.
A hi | has been passed by both Houses, providing
for the punishment of crimes against the United
States hich visits with Imprisonment and fine an
one who enlists persons, white black, to aid e
vel pDtI stp6. lp her
kindred bill debaTs the owner of slave, who EN-
ploys him in similar service, from any claim for
his recovery, thus freeing the slave from his dis
loyal master.
Through the efforts of General Sickes an i'm
plrtant provision has bseu adopted by Congress:-
All volunteers accepted by the President and mus
tered into service tor one, two or three years,
for and during the war, to be paid from that
time without waiting until they reach the rem
d Zvous.
The increased pay of 81 per month to volunteers
involves an additional yearly expenditure from
the Treasury of about $50 600 600. This provision
has been embodied in the form of q law.
Affairs Across the Potomac.
WAsHINGToN, Aug. Sit now appears certain
that the rebels have only fifteen cannon belonging
to our army. Several nights ago they were great
ly alarmed fearing that attack to be made
upon them in the Deighborhood of Fairfax Court
House. Accordingly about l. 500 men were seat to
that vicinity. Strong parties OF their cavalry are
con ntipuay securing the country this side OF Fair
fax. 1t is not known what number OF troops they
have there, but they making preparations by
means of the railroad to reinforce Vienna, Cen
treville and Fairfax Court House whenever they
may deem it necessary. Late events have embOld-
! ened them in their operations
Prince Napoleon at Washington.
WASHINGTON, August 5.-Prince Napoleon visited
| the Navy Yard to-day accompanied by the French
| Minister. He was received with national salute
and the tri color was up in his honor. He was
| conducted through the yard by Captain Dab gren
| and officers, by whom be was Hospitality enter
tanned.
| Army Appointments.
WAsHlNGToN, August 5.-The Senate at an early
hour this afternoon went into Executive session on
the army appoint nents, including those for the
| new regular regiments. Many of them were warm
| ly debated. No adjournment had taken place at
| half past ten o'clock night.
! From NIissOuri--Plans for the Campaign.
! MEXICO, Mo-, Aug 3.-General Pope has estab
lished his headquarters here for the present. Col
Grants and portion of Col. Turner's regiments
and four panes of Col. Marshall's cavalry, are
quartered here.
| The water is both inconvepient and impure
| and change of rendezvous will be made sOoI
| as arrangements be perfected for encamp
ment.
| Brigadier General Hurlbut was detached from
here to-day to select camping ground near Jefer
son City, where some thirty thousand troops will
! be copgregated under Gen. Pope's command. Gen
P is assigned to all The forces north of st. Louis
| These troops will consist principally of Illinois re
giments, together bv themselves and thus form ont
| grand arm of the Western army.
This division will be ready, after thorough drill
ing and vigorous discipline in camp, for advanc,
movement through Arkansas and Texas toward
New Orleans, soon as the excessive hot weathe
abates sufficiently to warrant the health of thu
troops in that climate A part of these troops arr
to be made up of the regiments lately accepted
from Illinois,
Gen. Pope hereafter designs to permit no NOR,
scouting, deeming it an injury to the efficiency
the troops for service.
The people will be held strictly responsible fo
| depredations committed. If bnstiIities occur ant
our troops called to the relief, they will be sen
in sufficient numbers to take possession of th
village or villages that may be making trouble.
Soldiers may be quartered in the houses anc
draw rations of the citizens. This it is the belief
is the only means of making and keeping the peop
duly vigilant to their own and the United State
| interest.