The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-20
General News.

esettEt.a NEWS,
Mason and Sidell, the rebel Commission
ers" TO England and France, were captured
on the Sth inst, on board British vessel,
near the coast of Cuba, by the U. S. steam.
| err San Jacinto, and have been brought to
Fortress Monroe. All their documents were
also seized. They have entered protes,
against being taken from British ship
There is much contraricty of opinion at
Washington as to the legality of the arrest
but an old diplomatist says that it is strictly
in accordance with international law, ard
that England will do nothing in the matter
The Federal forces have full possession Of
Beaufort, and are fortifying it, From 5000
to 10000 Solth Carolina troops have gath.
e, ed at Port Royal ferry. At Annapolis there
are $4,000 troops ready to embark and it is
rumored that they are to reinforce Gen. Sher-
man. The reported capture ofan immense
quantity Of cotton at Beaufort is pronounced
a canard. The feet is understood to have
gone to Pensacola; $50, speedy intelligence
May be anticipated Of another exploit The
panic at Savannah is reported as very great.
South Carolina will, it is stated, refuse to
obey the orders of the rebel War Depart
ment, that captured Unionists shall be treat
ed as prisoners of war;
The Federal forces in Kentucky are con-
centrating at Danville to oppose Gen. A. S.
Johnston, who is reported marching north
with 40, 900 men, and who has been Joined
by zollicofrr. base snl.d
The rebel forces in Western Virginia were
attacked by the Union troops on tie 10th
inst, and during the night of that day beat
a hasty retreat. They were pursued by Gen.
Benham for twenty five miles. but he found
It impossible to overtake them. 1t IS thought
that Floyd has given up the contest.
Gen. Hunter has arrived at st Louis
lie has repudiated the late treaty between
Fremont and Price. Sedalia and Rolla are
to be strongly garrisoned by Federal forces,
but the bulk of the army will come to St.
Louis, and be held in readiness for operations
in Kentucky, Southeast Missouri, or down
the Mississippi. Price end McCu'loch have
retrcated into Arkansas, it is understood to
Fort Smith. Col, Jennison has taken pos.
session Of Independence, and conficated and
destroyed large amount of property. The
rebels have captured fifty wagons and five
hundred oxen, on the way to Sedalia. ,,.,
Ex-senator Gwin and Calhoun Benham,
of Cal, have been sent to Fort Warren.
No passes to officers or soldiers to cross
the Potomac into Washington will be grant
ed after Tuesday next. .z.rt o. Of qaE
81 The rebels are crowding troops into Win.
chester, Va, to resist an anticipated attack
from Gen. Keily's command.
Gen. Johnston's forces are congregated at
Centrcrille, there being but few men at Ma
nassas. asaas @E anH
Pc The steamship Saxonia has arrived off
Cape Race, with three days later news from
Europe; but it has been found impossible to
obtain it. c"H
la The command Of the cavalry forces OF the
United States has been vested in Gen. Stone
man. 9sut@i# ft~g esq
tits stated that but 90, 900 more enlist.
tnen's are required tomake up tho 500, 900
authorized by Congress. 1t5 .A
Polk, the rebel commander at Columbus,
has violated his agreement 10 release the
Union prisoners, and has sent them to Mem
phis. @ ..
The Union men of Tennessee are reported
to have taken possession Of Bristol.
John Mckinney, republican ex State
Treasurer Of Michigan, has been convicted
Of the cmbezzlement Of $25 900 of the public
moneys, and it is believed that he will re-
eeivc the full punishment inflicted by the
law-fvc years in State prison. "
Topeka has been chosen as the State cap
tai Of Kansas.