The Portland daily press., 1862-08-05
(STILL LATER.)
(sTILL LATER.)
DRAFTING DECIDED UPON.
Three Hundred Thousand More Troops
Called for.

Gunboats and Mortar Boats under orders
Gen. Pope Morinq-13h Virginia Cdcai,y
Routed-Neac Merrimdc not ready.
WASHINGTON, August 4.
The following order calling for militia from
the several States, has just been issued:
Var Department, Washington, August 4th.
Ordered, first, that draft of 100000 militia be
Immediately called for under the service of
the United States to serve nine months, I'M
less sooner discharged. The Secretary OF War
will assign the quotas to the States and estab-
fish regulations for the draft.
Second, that if any State shall not, by the
18th of August, furnish its quota of the addi-
tional three hundred thousand volunteers au-
thorized by law the deficiency of volunteers
for that State will be made up by special draft
from the militia The Secretary of War will
establish the regulations for this purpose.
Third, the regulations will be prepared by
the War Department, and presented to the
President with the object of securing the pro-
motion Of officers Of the army and volunteers
for meritorious and distinguished services, and
of preventing the nomination and appoint
ment in the military service of incompetent
or unworthy officers. The regulations will al
so provide for Kidding the service of such in
competent persons as now hold commissions.
By order of the President.
(Signed) EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretory of War.
Headquarters Army of Potomac, Aug 4th
Ever since the firing upon our shipping at
the mail boat landing by the enemy's batteries,
our troops have occupied the opposite Shore
Yesterday reconnaissance was made from
that point back into the country, to within IA
miles Of Petersburg 1t was conducted by
Col. Ayereli, and was composed Of $50 of the
U. 5. 9Th and $50 of the Sd Pa. cavalry with
companies Of the LIST Mich. infantry.
Capts. Castor and Bowen of Gen. McClel-
lan's staff accompanied them. At Cox's Mills,
miles from the river, they encountered the
18th Va. cavalry drawn up in line. Our men
charged on them, when they broke and ram
We drove them to their encampment in Syca-
more Church, and 2 1-2 miles further, when
they again formed, but were ingloriously put
to flight. leaving behind all their tents, camp
equipage and commissary stores which our
troops gathered together and burned.
The rebels had 2 killed, 6 wouneed and
taken prisoners. Our lors was one horse kill
ed. After securing the country short dis
lance further they returnedto the river. There
is no further evidence of rebel gunboats on the
river this side of Fort Darling.
Information received here goes to show that
the new Merrimac will not be ready to operate
for three weeks yet Two of the gunboats
were yesterday afternoon engaged in shellng
the opposite shore above City Point.
The health of troops has improved ever since
they began to receive fresh vegetables, which
were ordered to be issued them by Gen. Nc
Clellan.
New YORK, August 4.
A Fortress Monroe letter to the Post says
Gen. Burnside's corps have embarked and are
moving of.
The gunboats and mortar boats are Under
orders, and when they strike the splinters will
hy.