The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-10-11
Washillgioa News.

Washington News.
WAsuISGToN, Oct. 9.--Rumors Of Cabinet
changes are from time to time revived, but
gentlemen in official positions seem alto
gether ignorant Of such arrangements. =
Post Master General Blair has returned to
Washington from the North.
Secretary Smiths absense in Indiana will
continue several weeks -
A more cheerful and hopeful feeling as to
the entire discontinue of the rebels exists
here now among our loyal classes than at
any, former time during the. present year.
go. "a New YORK, Oct 9.
The New York Times Washington dis
patch has the following
/" President Li.ooin's Emancipation pro-
clamation has inspired the most lively terror
throughout the South. The rebels do not
laugh at the decree, but quake with appre-
hension. Yhey express fears shat it will be
the means Of producing counter revolution
in the Slave States, and the soldiers desire
to return to their homes to protect their fam
lilies. they believe the negroes to be or
gained in secret associations, and only wait
ing an suspicious opportunity to rise in in
surrection en- masse. They have heard al
ready Of the proclamation and are becoming
very FESTIVE under their yoke. The women
and children of the rural districts are re-
mvng to the cities for safety, and con>tern-
alton seems to be unive, sal.
+" Advices to the Government from, EuT
rope show no change in the purposes of
England and France These Governments
continue to indicate settled purpose to adj
here to the oft-declared policy of non inter-
vention.
The statement that Lees army is failing
back on Staunton is confirmed, and it is ex-.
pected, in case he shall be pressed by the
Union forces, that he will retreat to Cor
louisville.
Ehe. condition of the rebel army is one of
great destitution. In addition 10 their want
Of clothing, they are now living on half ra-
tons. Chas. Faulkner is visiting the camps
and making speeches to sustain their cour-
age. ~
A strong effort is being made, by certain
citizens Of Minnesota. for the appointment
of Senator Rice as Major General of vol,in-
teers with an assignment to the Depart
ment now occupied by General Pope. 1t is
urged th't his knowledge of th.t country
and the habits of the Indians will enable
him to act with great efficiency in putting
an end to the existing troubles. |. is also
said that General Pope is acting with more
vigor than prudence. and likely to n AXE the
subjugation Of a few hundred savages, as in
the case of Florida, war productive of i'm
mense cost to the nation.
The correspondent of tho New York
Times, under date of. "Antietam, October
6th," says:
"There is nothing the soldiers desire
so much as to have the war brought to
close. With them, time is everything
They are tired of tho business, and want to
go home. This as true of the rebel soldiers
as of our own, and with certain class, (not
| hope, by any means the best or largest,)
they care not how it ends so that it ends
Remove the legal restraint which holds the
army together, and half of them would go
homo tomorrow the Other half weuld vote
to send commissioners to Richmond or wei.
come propositions from the. rebels for wind
ing mp the struggle, rather than drag through
another winter. campaign in the .swamps Of
the Ghickahominy, or in any other part of
Virginia. But giys them the word ,"for.
ward, "and with the neeiful leaders and re-
Inducements. they will not stop until they
have chased the rebels into the Gulf. There
is nothing the soldiers 50 much dread as the
eternal delay and the prospect of an indefi.
mite prolongation ofthe war;, Let us whip
or get whipped. AMI have an end of it." is
the language of evary man meet and talk
with on the subject. The officers who are
worth copper would say the same thing If
they possessed the independence Of those in
the ranks and would speak their mini. I
mention these things not willingly, but for
the purpose of showing the, temper of.the
army, and the absolute necessity of keeping
their energies employed and their minds
EASY"
The same correspondent says.
The rebels made their appearance in small
force opposite this place for the evident pur-
pose Of showing themselves. Thsy, were
mounted, and numbered two hundred or
less. As they seemed anxious to attract
attention, a section Of Parrot battery was
brought up, and a few shells sent after them
across the river. OF course they made
tracks. + =
The best information that can be received
from Virginia confirms the idea that the
body Of tn, rebel army xhich fingered for
time on the south bank, Of the Potomac,
retreated up the valley in the direction Of
of Martinsburg, over a week ago. They
succeeded, however, in keeping up sem
blance Of Q force along the Potomac, for their
own purposes. ,,. ia, ~. ~. -.
$3.50. u. New York, October 0.
A special dispatch states that after a re.
view of Gen Sigers cOrns yestcrdav Inv