The Portland daily press., 1862-07-16
From Washington.

WASHINGTON. July Is.
The Confiscaton bill has not yet been re-
turned TO Congress with the Presidents ap-
proval. 1t is generally thought that his re-
quest for prolongation of the session has refer
ence to that measure. There Is some hes-
fancy in signing the act. There is report
circulating to-day that the President is prepar-
ing Il veto message. while another ruInor
among politicians is. that he will suggest mod
ifications of the bill. In either case, there is
no doubt, judging from the large majorities by
which ii passed by two thirds vote in the
Senate and nearly so in the House, that Con-
gress will not adjourn without securing a
measure of that character.
The border States Representatives to-day
finally agreed upon their reply TO the Pres-
dents emancipation proposition. 1t is repre-
sented as temperate and respectful. They
cannot, for reasons stated, endorse his policy,
and differ from his belief that the declinaton
of those States to act upon and adopt it, may
or will prolong the war. They join in the re-
commentator that the border States give it
respectful consideration, but in no way
commit themselves to its support Probably
twenty members of Congress have been in
consultation upon the subject. Some of those
from the border slave States were not present
at the meeting, while others have left the
city. Several will prepare a reply of their
own, the tenor of which has not transpired
From Arkansas--The Union Army encounter
5000 Rebels and Scatter them in all direc-
tions.
CoRINTH, July Ii.
Official information has been received at
head quarters Of the arrival of Gen. Curtis
army at Clarendon on the 10th.
After almost daily skirmishing, wherein the
rebels were worsted, six thousand made a
stand on the It'll, on the Cooch river, near
Round Hill. Col. Harvey of the SD Illinois,
commanding the advance of Gen. Stecles
division, afterwards reinforced by two COM
panies, attacked and routed the rebel forces,
scattering them in all directions--Inostly all
going towards Little Rock. The rebels have
evacuated Duval's Bluff.
The Latest advices represent that Curtis
advance has reached Helena. His army is in
good condition and spirits. Provisions scarce,
but supplies are coming from Memphis.
War News.
LOUISVILLE. July Is.
The Bulletin says that Morgan's band last
night destroyed the long bridge on the Ken
lucky Central Railroad, between Cynethana
and Paris. A gentleman residing near Cyne-
thiana, says Morgan's move on Frankfort and
Lexington was a feint, his real object being
to strike the railroad at Paris and destroy the
Townsend viaduct, which it would take six
weeks TO reconstruct, then destroy property in
Bourbon county and retire to Harrisonburg
or Mount Sterling.
Advices from Lexington last night to Mayor
Hatch of Cincinnati, render part of the above
improbable.
There are reports this evening of the rail-
road track between Lexington and Frankfort
having been torn up to-day by guerrilas.
Dispatches to military authorities, received
to-day, say that Gen. Curtis command, about
140oo strong, has reached Helena, Ark. where
they are resting at present.
CAIRO, July Is.
Water has been let into the canal at Vicks-
burg, but the anticipation that it would soon
cut channel through, are not yet realized
The work of deepening it three feet has COM
menced
The guerrllas near Memphis are becoming
very bold, burning cotton almost in sight of
the city. Disgusting themselves as cotton
buyers they find where il is secreted, and then
come in force and burn ii.
Seven scouts of the 1lth Illinois cavalry
when near fernando, Friday, were attacked.
Two were wounded and captured, but the bal
ance escaped.