The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-08-14
NeWa o1 the w eek.

~ at a house opposite the Point of Rocks. and
killed three. wounded FIVE. and took seven pris-
oners. They also captured the horses and re-
crossed the river without loss.
1t is reported that considerable body OF
rebel cavalry occupies Martinsburg.
Brigadier General Pierce publishes state
ment regarding the Great Bethel fight. DE as
serts that he acted under strict orders, but the
plans of attack betrayed want of knowledge
of the enemy's position and numbers. He
throws blame on Gen. Butler for the regiments
firing into each other, and says he applied for
Court of Inquiry. but received for reply that
such a court would reveal far too much.
Press representatives have held consultation
with Gen. Mcclellan. At his suggestion COM
mittee was appointed to transmit to editors in
all loyal States, as follows:
lst. All editors be requested to refrain from
publishing news of any description, from any
point and on any matter, that may give aid and
comfort to the enemy.
"a. To signify to their correspondents every
where their approval of the foregoing, and to
comply with its spirit and letter.
The committee resolved to request Govern
ment to afford the Press facilities for obtaining
and transmitting all suitable information. par
tcularly touching engagements.
Gen. Mcclellan gave his approval TO this.
Strong parties of rebel cavalry are continually
scouting the country this side of Fairfax.
Beauregard has made preparations to rein
force Fairfax, Centreville and Vienna when
necessary.
A bill passed both Houses of Congress to pun
ish with fine and imprisonment any one who en-
lists persons, white or black, in the rebel SER
vice. Also bill 10 pay all volunteers from the
time they are mustered into the service. with
out waiting until they reach their place Of rem
devious. The pay of volunteers has been
raised to thirteen dollars per month and ra-
lions.
Gen. Butler has written letter to the Secre-
tary Of War, in which he states that at the time
of receiving orders to forward troops to Wash
lngton he was preparing for an advance move
ment on Yorktown, hoping to cripple the re-
sources of the enemy there, especially by seiz,
ing large quantity of negroes who were being
impressed into their service, making entrench.
ments, DC.
Gen. Butler states that he bias now this side
OF Hampton nine hundred negroes, three hun.
dred being able-bOdied men, and desires in
structions from the War Department regarding
them.
After discussing the status upon which the
slaves women and children thus freed from
their masters are to be considered. he was com
PEELED by his own reasoning to look upon them
as men and women. not free born, yet free man.
united, and sent forth from the land that held
them, ser TO be reclaimed. He would have
no doubts how to proceed had he not seen an
order from Gen. Mcdowell forbidding all fugi
tive slaves to be harbored within the lines. Ii
the enforcing that order is the policy OF the
government, as soldier, he is bound to enforce
it, steadfastly if not cheerfully, but should take
widely different course if left to his own dis
erection.
The General concludes is follows: In loy
al State would put down {. serviie insurrec
ton. Ina State of rebellion | would cOniiscatt
that which was used to oppose my arms. and
take all that property which constituted the
wealth of that State and furnished the mean.
by which the war is prosecuted. besides being
the cause of the war, and if in so doing. i,
should lie objected that human beings were
brought to the free enjoyment of life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness, such objection
might not require much consideration"
1t appears by other official advices from the
Cult squadron. that on the 4th of July. off Cal
weston, the L. :. steamer South Carolina cap
tured six schoOners. on the 9TH two. and ran one
ashore, on the 9th one, and on the 9TH one
making in all eleven sail captured or destroyed
The names of the captured vessels are the Shark.
Virus. Ann Ryan, McCane, Field, Louisa, Dart,
Coralla Falcon, Geo. Baker and Sam Houston.
A large portion of them had cargoes. chiefly
lumber
Among the things captured were thirteen
mail bags and thirty-one bags containing ex-
press matter.
On the 9Th of July, off st. Marks, Fla, the
Mohawk captured the sloop George 3. Sloat, at
tempting to run the blockade. There were as
and servants of Adjutant General Holland. of
Florida. Mrs. Holland claimed the Secession
nag to be private property, and secured it to
her person. As the Captain could not obtain
possession of it without using violence to lady
who was in delicate situation, be desisted from
taking the prize.
The Washington correspondent of the Herald
of Aug. 9Th. says: "A report has come here
from our Potomac feet that the rebels have col
lected large force of negroes at Mosquito
Point, at the mouth of the RappahannOck river
and have commenced the erection of fortifca-
tons there.
Capt. Maury, formerly Lieut.. Maury of the
Washington Observatory, is now engaged in
planting submarine batteries in Southern harbors
to destroy Federal ships Of war.
A large quantity of artillery has been des.
patched TO Washington. dispatch of the 9TH
states tina; there is much more artillery here now
than We had before the forward movement was
made.
Ez.Gov. Randall, of Wis, las been confirmed
as minister to Rome, and John P. Lovejov, of
Iowa, brother of Owen Lovejoy a. Consul to
Callao.
Brigader General Rufus King, Jr, of Wis,
left Washington to-day to take command of the
Wisconsin troops, now in the department of
Gen. Dix.
There has been an overwhelming Union victo.