Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-17
VOL. mo. 46.
7 II f JOU r n AL
SUMMARY OF WAR NEWS


who came hither under flag of truce on the
Sth, says that bis business was disposed of at
the White house IN q very few minutes, for in
that time he was sent back to Gen. Scott with
one letter less than he bore on his person on
entering the Union lines, the President not
deeming the commune alton he brought such
as required him to enter into any correspon-
dence whatever with Mr.. Jefferson Davis. Mr..
Taylor was next Immediately faced in the di-
rection from which he came, and marched
back to Gen. McDowelPs headquarters, where
though courteously and kindly treated, he was
kept under strict guard until an early hour
next morning, when he was escorted back to
the confederate lines and turned loose to find
his way back to Beaurega-d, without having
accomplished what was evidently a main
point TO be attained by his mission, namely, to
communicate with traitors in our midst. who
had doubtless been prepared to send 10 Bean
reguard, through him, immportant imforma-
tion concerning tie alleged contemplated
movement OF Gen. M'Dowell's army upon the
Confederate lines. The Star futher says, that
although the President has communicated the
contents Of the letter from Davis brought by
Taylor to none besides his constitutional ad-
visers and Gen. Scott, from certain signs we
are able to assure the public that it amounted
TO nothing of any earthly Importance on the
present crisis. On the 10th, the dispatches
brought by Major Taylor continued to excite
inquiry and comment. The administration is
evidently trying the experiment of keeping
their purport a profound secret. This much,
however, is profeSSed to be discovered, name
ly, that if the contents of them were officially
regard, Washington would virtually be sur
rendered TO the Confcderates.
On the 9Th, Lieutenant Carmichael, of Pro-
vost Marshal Kenly's police, went down the
river from Baltimore in tug and boarded the
steamer Mary Washington, TO arrest man
named Neill Green, who was charged with be-
inn raI in fnar riot, ff,.. Oh
and who it was thought, would come on board
at the Patuxent. On coming up the river he
aScertained that Captain Thomas, of st. Ma
ry's county, who took command of the St.
Nicholas and headed the pirates on the occa-
i'm OF the capture, was also on board with
seven of his contederates, their supposed OBJ
Ject being to seize another steamer IN tho
same manner. Carmichael, on arriving a.
breast of Fort McHenry, ordered the captain
to stop at the wharf, where he made known
the facts to Gen. Banks, who ordered a COM
pany OF Massachusetts troops 10 arrest all on
board. Seven of the pirates were found, but
Capt. Thomas had concealed himself After
an hours search he was found in large bu-
reau drawer in the ladies' cabin. 1t will be
remembered that he went aboard the St. Mich
olas disguised a French lady. All these
parties were detained at the fort, with several
witnesses who were on board the steamer at
the time of her seizure, inclu ding her captain
and engineer.
despatch from Martinsburg on the night
of the 9th says: Two deserters from Johnson's
camp came in yesterday, and estimate John
sons force at that point at $4,000 men, with
twenty-five pieces of cannon. Reliable infor-
nation has since been received that Johnson
has since been reinforced from Manassas juno
tion with five regiments and one piece of can
non. The Fifteenth Pennsylvania pickets
took five horses and three rebel troopers this
afternoon. Four of our own pickets have been
captured yesterday and to-day, whilst march
ing beyond the lines for water and Virginia
hot corn bread. We have a rumor here this
evening, and it was received with great enthu-
siasm, that Gen. Mcclellan has routed x-Gov-
ernor Wise at Buckhannon and Laurel Hill.
ReinforcementS are now approaching up from
Williamsp which will give us an available
force of 10000 fighting men to move forward
with, and forward movement may be eXpec-
ted within twenty-four hours. Our men are
all grumbling with impatience and eager to
move on but it is believed that Johnson win
fall back to Winchester. and il is there tho
battle will be fought.
AS the right section of the Second Rhode
Island battery was drilling on the grounds near
the encampment of the Mozart Regiment, of
New York, on the 9th, the cartridges in the
timber chest of gun No. 2 exploded, killing
Corporal n. j. Morse, Jr., and private l.. X.
Freeman. and slightly wounding priyaies Rich
mains of the dead will be sent to Providence
this afternoon. The cause of the igniting of
the cartridges is unknown. report prevails
that it was in consequence of the explosion of
a shell, but this is disproved by the examina-
tion of several gentlemen acquainted with py-
rotechnics, and fragments being found.
Their theory is that the explosion was caused
by the agency of friction matches, thrown into
the timber chest by some enemy, or dropped
into or near it by carelessness.
q. W. Coffin, Superintendent of Indian AT
fairs in the Indian Territory west of Arkansas,
arrived at Leavt nworth, on the 9th from that
section. He was not able to penetrate the
country but about Il5 miles, being threatened
with capture by the secessionsts. His pre-
decessor, Col. Rector, claims to hold the Of
fee by virtue of commission from. the Con-
federate States. Since the evacuation of the
forts by the federal troops, the Secessionists
have gained control of affairs in the Territory,
and have contscated the money and provis-
ions intended for the Indians. The Conyen-
ton of Indians called by Governor Hayes, of
the Chchasaw Nation, was held on the oath Of
June, but broke up in row.
Last night two men deserted from the Con-
Iederates. They belonged to the gunboat Tea
ser, which guards James river from Richmond
to the vicinity of Newport News. While she
was at anchor last night, the men escaped with
the yawl and this morning were picked up by
the Monticello. A small boat pursued them
from the shore, but put back on the appear
ance of the Monticello. The men belong in
New York and Baltimore and report that they
we're impressed into the Confederate service,
They say there are only 20OO troops IN Rich
mond, and the same number posted below.
On James river, the situation they say, of the
rebels is desperate.
1t asserted on good authority that General
Scott positively proposes to cross over into
Virginia, and be present at the thrashing a