Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24
ORDER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT

and Tclcgraphs to be
used. by the Government.
Defeat Of Colfae's Postal Bili.
The ASS ociated Press telegram statement
that the re bells are leaving Manassas is dis
credited At Headquarters. At last accounts
they were in statu quo. When Burnside and
Buel coop. crate, they may be forced out of
.neir entire, ,chments, but hardly before.
Secretary Stanton has already begun to
cut away re- d tape in spite of bureauacy. 10
the men trying to sell muskets he said to-day
be should, before buying, see if those now in
the soldiers hands were going to be used.
Cameron gave . dinner to the diplomatic
corps, to ght. All but the Prussian minister,
whose carols were out previously, and his
guests, were present.
Secretary Stanton has an interview with
the Military Committee of both Houses to-
morrow.
Richard w. Thompson and Robert Dale
Owen arc spoken of as Mr.. Brig GIFTS probable
successor, by Gov. Morton's appointment, in
case Mr.. Bright is expelled by . vote Of two
thirds, or resigns, in Difference to the wishes
of a majority, which is sure. Garrett Davis
and Andy johnson are against him.
Thirty-two clerks were removed from the
Treasury Department to-day.
CAIRO, Jan. 81.
The last of the accommodating expedition
which composed Netherlands brigade, ex-
cept one company of Dickey's, which formed
the rear guarI, returned here to-day.
Some smoke from a steamer was seen be-
low the Point this afternoon, when the gun
boats Essex and st. Louis went down the
river to ascertain its meaning and have not
yet returned.
Should the provisions of Gen. Grants cir
cular be complied with by regimental and COM
pany officers, Flag Officer Foote feels conf
dent he will be ready with his fleet in two
weeks. Everything now depends upon the
manner in which this call is responded to.
Flag Officer Foo,e has labored necessarily
night and day, for the completion of his fleet
and should be supported in this last extrem-
isy.
LEXINGTON, KY, Jan. 81.
Somerset dispatches received state that
two hun dred and forty dead rebels were
left lying on the field. One Indiana repi
ment in the fight lost in killed and wounded
seventy. The rebel force is thought to have
been fully double that of ours, and the con
test was very doubtful until the death o
Zollicoffer being known, when the rebels be
came panic-stricken and fed. Ere they
reached the entertainments opposite Mill'i
Springs the retreat became perfect route.
The present status Of affairs is unknown
here.
Gen. Cxrter's brigade of East Tennessee
participated in the affair Gen. Schoepff's
brigade formed the Federal force attacked.
There is little doubt that Gen. Buell. il in
the rear of the rebels at Monticello.
Special to Tribune.
s. New YORK, Jan. 81.
An inquiry at the War Department, to-day,
moderately aimed at contract for manufac-
turing muskets was met with prompt and
repressive answer. Secretary Stanton means
to find out when, how and where the mus
kets now in the hands of soldiers are going
to be used before he makes new ones, nor
will he consider any inquisition concerning
supplies not needed for the daily support of the
army and its advance to the enemy's lines,
till he has positively provided for using the
force now encamped across the Potomac for
crushing the rebels and relieving the National
Capital of the disgrace of beleagucrment.
Wolld's Dispatch.
1t is understood that thorough re-organ-
ization Of the War Department is rapidly pro-
crossing, and that it will in q few days be
fully up to the demands of the times. Among
other things it is not improbable that the fol-
lowing will occur:
lst In order to leave room for promotions
for gallant actions in the field and other rea.
sons of public policy, no future appointments
to any rank will be made in the army except
of men in the feld until the LIST of March.
I'd. That all nominations which have been
made, and now pending before tine Senate,
will be suspended until after the first Of
March.
Sd. That the disorganization produced by
officers frequenting the city, instead of re-
naming in camp to instruct themselves and
their commands in military science, will be
checked by dropping from the list those who
frequent the city for other reasons than those
to military duty, and by the COM
mand of their superior officers.
4th. In order to transact war business, the
War Department will be closed four days in
every week against all other business except
what appertains to active operations in the
field.
9th. That Saturday of every week will be
devoted to the transaction Of the business Of
Senators and congressman, and that Mon
day of each week will be devoted to the bust
ness of other persons and interviews with the
Secretary. t.
9th. That the Secretary of war will trans
act no business whatever, and will see no per-
sons on business at his private residence.
7th. That the despatch of business by mail,
Or written communications, will have the pref
erence, and will receive the personal attention
If the Secretary on the morning Of each day,
before entering upon other duties.
Herald's Dispatch.
Captain Mott, of Motifs battery, attached
o Gen. Smiths division, in defiance of rain,
and mud, started out, last evening,
NJ q reconnaissance. Coming across none Of
The enemy, they pushed to Fairfax Court
House, where they found a body Of pickets.
Capt. Mott threw up signal light and gave
he command to fire. This bold demonstra-
ion frightened the mounted pickets. Re-
urning the fire they fed at their utmost
peed. Our men did not pursue, and none
we're hit by the exchange Of shots. Captain
lott ascertained the fact that the rebel picket |
ines had been removed considerably inside Of
vhsrs they were short time aee.