, 1862-05-31

ericksburg have been arrested for treason and
sent to Washington for confinement.
CHICAGO, May 16.-New York advices state
that Gen. Hunter has issued proclamation free
ing the slaves in his Department. He was organ
izing negro brigade and had directed officers 10
train the oontrabands in the use of arms
A dispatch from Washington of the 18th, says
that Mcclellan telegraphed the War Department
that Commander Rogers with the gunboais on
the James River, passed Little Brandon on the
lth, and two batteries of ten guns each were dis
covered on the south side of the river one oppo-
site the mouth of Warwick Creek, and the other
southwest from Mulberry Point. Between the
batteries the rebel gunboats jamestown and York
tol0n lay. Commodore Rogers offered battle, but
the gunboa,s moved off He senced one battery
and ran past the other.
A dispatch from Washington states that on
Tuesday, 18th inst, the President issued Procla-
nation, declaring that the blockade Of the ports
of Beaufort, Port Royal and New Orleans shall so
far cease, from the ls OF June next, that CONNER
cial intercourse, except as to that contraband of
war, may from that time be carried on, subject to
the laws of the United States Postal arrange
ments with Norfolk will soon be re-estahlished.
In the Senate on the 18th, Gen. McDougal,
from the Special Committee, reported back the
Pacific Railroad BILL and moved it be made the
special order for Thursday. The motion was re-
jected by II 20 10.
The Indian Appropriation bill was taken up,
and an amendment was adopted 20 make one In
dian Reservation in California instead of two, and
otherwise reducing expenses.
NEW YORK, May. 16.-Gen Hunters procla-
nation is as follows: That the three State S of
Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, comprising
the Military Department of the South, having de-
clared themselves no longer under the protection
of the United States, it becomes a military duty
to proclaim martial law. This was accordingly
done on the 24Ih of April Persons in Georgia,
Florida and South Carolina heretofore held as
slaves, are, therefore, declared forever free
Capt. Rufus Saxton, of the regular army, has
been appointed Military Governor of the Depart
ment OF the South which includes the whole dis
trict of Gen. Hunter command He left for Port
Royal on the 10th.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Speca dispatches to
the New York papers state that few days since
thousand slaves, as if by preconcerted move
ment, sin ultaneously left their homes in Prince
George county, Maryland and came to the Dis
trct of Columbia, where they now are.
The provisions of the Homestead Bill agreed
upon by the Committee of Conference, are ex-
tended to all the military naval service of the
United States whether naturalized or not. Set
tiers on tracts of forty acres bordered Govern
ment land can take enough land TO complete
their sections.
The impression is gaining ground that Simmons
Schedule Tax bill will be substituted by the Sen
ate for the House bill 1t proposes to raise
S1O0,000000 from tax en- all sales, and $66000,-
600 on spirits malt liquors. tobacco, &c.
The large foundry at Fredericksburg, Va, which
until the occupation of that place by the federals,
was used in casting shot, shell and rfed cannon
for the rebels, has been put in operation again by
mechanics for the national service
Orders have been issued by Gen. Wool pro-
hihting the distribution of newspapers in Norfolk.
Orders prohibiting the transportation of sup
plies of merchandise of any kind, and also pro-
hibting officers, soldiers or citizens visiting the
city, except on business connected with the troops
of the department, have been issued.
ST. LOUIS, May l6-The Herald, publishes an
article from the Charleston Courier admitting the
hop lessness of the rebel cause and ecknowl-
edging that the misforlunes which have hefaen
the rebel States not more than their iniquiti
deserve.
Since the departure of Gen. Curtis army from
Southwest Missouri, the rebels in Northwestern
Arkansas have become emboldened to renew their
Expectations. Letters of recent date, from Cass-
vile, state that an attack was hourly expected
The federal force was not stated, but they have
six field pieces and confident of their ability
to defend the place.
1t is reported that 1000 Texans, ard 500 In
dians, near Bentonville, Ark, are preparing to
march into Missouri, and also that rowing bands
all along the border are committing depredalions.