The Portland daily press., 1862-12-04
Report Of Commander Parker.
Official visit to the Convalesent Campt at
Alexandria.


The Senate, In executive session to-day, re-
ferred TO the appropriate committee large
number of appointments made by the Presi-
dent during the recess, including that of AS
sociate Justice of thesUnited States Supreme
Court, Davis.
Acting Rear Admiral Lee has forwarded to
the Navy Department the report of Com
mander Foxhall A. Parker OF the particulars
of his recent expedition into the waters of
Mather county, Va, in connection with the
land forces under Brig. Gen. Ingles. On the
night of the 22d he received on board of his
steamer, the Nebraska, 300 infantry, under
Major Cunningham of the Sd Penn. Volun-
teers, and accompanied by the Gen. Putnam
and small brig, the May Queen, on which
latter vessel he mounted 4 rfTieu frowir1rT, ard
sailed for Mobjack Bay. On arriving at East
River, the land forces were disembarked at a
pine wharf two miles from Mather Court
House. To land the forces, twenty seamen
with a twelve pounder Dalhgreen were added,
and this expedition secured the surrounding
country, destroying vessels, DC. The Gen.
Putnam, with howitzer boat and detach-
ment of seamen from the Nebraska, continued
on up the river on a similar expedition. Be-
fore returning the two together destroyed
twelve salt works and between 800 and 400
bushels of salt, burned five schooners, two
sloops, number of scows and boats, and cap
some of them capable of carrying thirty-four
men each. They also destroyed a staunch
vessel on the stocks, said TO have been de-
signed for a privateer.
The Navy Department has information of
the capture of the schooner Annie Dees by
the U. S. gunboat Seneca on the 18th ult.,
while trying to run the blockade off Charles
ton Harbor. Her cargo consisted of 125 bar
res turpentine and IS barrels rosin. Among
those on board of her were four persons be-
lieve TO be pilots for vessels trying to run the
blockade there.
The Court Martial trying Fitz john Porter
met again to-day when the charges and spec
ifcatons were exhibited against him by Brig.
Gen. Roberts, Inspector General of Popes
army, and read. In connection with the vio-
lation of the ninth article of War, he is charged
with disobeying several important orders of
his superior in front of the enemy, failing to
push forward his forces into action on the en-
emy's flank or rear, and permitting one of the
brigades of his command TO march TO Centre
vile out of the way of the field of battle, and
there to remain during the entire day of the
30th of August. He is also charged with a
violation OF the sd Article of War in reius-
ing to attack the enemy while within sight of
the field and in full hearing of the artillery OF
the battle there, and then shamefully disobey-
ing and retreating from the advancing forces
of the enemy without any attempt to engage
them or aid the troops who were already
fighting greatly superior numbers, and were
relying on the flank attack he was ordered to
make to secure decisive victory, and to these
charges Gen. Porter pleaded not guilty.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has
made the following decision Publishers OF
printed books, magazines, pamphlets, news
papers, reviews, and all other similar publica-
tions are liable to assessments as dealers. Ii
the sales of publisher are to those who buy
to sell again, or if this part of his business is
considerable, so that he procures stock and ar
ranges his business with reference TO such
sales, he should be classed as wholesale deal
er, even though a portion of his sales is to
those who buy for their own use. The Com
missioner also decided that the article pro-
duced by job printers, photographers and en-
gineers which are made upon specified orders
not known as articles of commerce, ARE exempt
from duties as manufactures. Job printers
engravers and photographers, whose business is
confined TO the production of articles covered
by the foregoing rule Of exception, are not liza
BILE to assessment as manufacturers.
Representatives Covode and Gooeh, mem
bers of the joint committee on the conduct o.
the war, having heard unfavorable accounts
respecting convaescents in camp near Alex.
andria, visited it this afternoon for the person
al inspection. They found that a large num-
ber of soldiers there are totally incapacitatet
| for active service, and should be promptly dis
charged, while they discovered abuses which
they will make an early effort to have removed
| They attach no blame whatever to Col. Bel
knap, the officer in charge, being satisfied ht
has done the best he could under the circum
stances. There are over 10000 convalescen
recruits at the camp, OF whom 2000 are from
| PENNSYLVANIA.