Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-09-18

WASHINGTON. Sept l3-The President and
Secretary Of State havt been in receipt of a mum
Der of petitions from New York and Philadelphia
calling for the expulsion of W. H. Russell, the
Times correspondent, on the ground that he is a
public enemy who should not be tolerated in this
crisis of our affairs.
WAsHISGToS, Sept. IA special dispatch to
the Post says:
The skirmish of pickets which took place yes
terday near Balls cross roads in Virginia was
not serious affair. The accounts Of it have
been greatly exaggerated.
Mr.. Sickles Yesterday arrested two rebel Off
GERS at n point twenty miles down the Potomac.
The militia of the District of Columbia is pre-
pairing foe active service. A full regiment is
now organized and will soon be sworn in.
The Baltimore South. the rabid secession jour
nal whose editor was arrested yesterday, has
stopped publication.
The Baltimore Exchange, the leading seces-
sion paper in that city. is more violent than
This morning its principle editor was arrested
Prominent citizens of Baltimore now in this
city declare that the effect of the arrests will be
salutary. EhefE e
The secession fever in Baltimore is likely to
be checked by such summary proceedings as
those which the Government felt compelled to
adopt.
The Commercials dispatch says:
There was heavy firing at Chain Bridge this
morning, supposed to have been artillery prac
tice.
Another dispatch to the Post says:
At ten o'clock this morning the rebels moved
in force to Balls Cross Roads, burning the houses
there used By our pickets, who fell back, unable
to resist overwhelming numbers. Four of our
pickets were captured There were few dis
charges of musketry on each side, and two of
the Massachusetts 9th were wounded
The President transmitted letter N General
Fremont on the 18th inst on the subject of FIRE.
mont's recent proclamation. He says: Assuming
that you being on the ground could better judge
of the necessities of your position than could
at this distance, on seeing your proclamation of
3Oth August perceive there is general objection
10 1.-THE particular objection being the clause
relative to the confscation of property and liber
alton of slaves-objectionable for its non-con-
formity to act of Congress passed 9Th of last
August l wrote to you expressing my views
with reference to that clause, and that your proc
lamation should be modified. Your answer ex-
presses preference l should make an open order
for this modification, which cheerful do. 1t
is therefore ordered that said clause be modified,
held and construed to conform with and not
transcend the provisions in an act of Congress en-
titled, "An act to confscate property used for
nsurrectonary purposes and that said act be
published at length with this order.
(Signed) A. LINCOLN
A dispatch has been received at the Navy De
partment from commander Ravan, of steamer
Pawnee, at Hatteras Inlet, giving particulars of
the capture of prize schooner Susan Jane with
valuable cargo. She entered Hatterss Inlet sup
posing it still in the possession of Confederates.
She has been sent to Philadelphia in charge of
Lieut.. Crosby. This is the third vessel captured
since taking forts there