Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-05-23

dCIudl IaCl a matter OF DOUBT.
Washington, May 1.-THE President
decided this morning to modify General
Hunters proclamation emancipating the
slaves.
New York, May 19-The steamer
Blackstone has arrived with the first regi-
ment OF Fire Houaves, formerly Ellsworth's
to be mustered out of service.
Washington, May 20.-The telegraph
cable laid yesterday across Chesapeake
Bay, by the War Department, is now in
direct com nunieation with Fortress Mon
roe and Gen, McClellan's headquarters.
Baltimore, May 20.-The steamer State
of Maine, with 491 sick soldiers, mostly
convalescent and able to travel homeWard.
arrived this morning.
The French steamer Montezuma, from
Vera Cruz, Sth. has arrived, and reports
the French army marching on Mexico,
meeting but little opposition,
Fortress Monroe, May 20.--The United
States dispatch boat Rhode Island, arrived
here this a. M, with mails and dates from
New Orleans to the Sth, Southwest Pass
to the 9th, Ship Island 10th, Key West to
the 18th. and Port Royal to the 18th.
She brings between forty and fifty passen-
gers, and naval officers captured on the
Mississippi, below New Orleans. Among
them are several lieutenants formerly Of
our navy. News from New Orleans is not
of special interest.
Gen. Butler commenced landing on the
LIST of May, established bis headquarters
at the Custom House, took possession of
the City Hall, Mint, &c., and compelled
the St. Charles Hotel, which was closed,
to open for the accommodation of himself
and staff.
A conference had been had between
Gen. Butler and the authorities of the city,
with Pierre Soule. The proclamation was
discussed and modified in some particulars,
as an act of humanity to the suffering in
habltants. The boats and railroads were
allowed to bring supplies to the city.
Negotiations for Confederate scrip is for
hidden, but other species of currency in
circulation is allowed.
The newspapers continued their publ
| cation. The Delta was suppressed for re.
fusing to publish the proclamation but was
subsequently allowed to 60 on.
Algicrs has been occupied by our forces
and Forts Jackson and St. Phillip garris-
oned by our troops from Ship Island.
The Opelousas and jackson Railroad
| was taken possession of, and all the ap-
proaohes to the city cut off
Gen. Phelps had advanced to Carrolton
five miles up the river, and occupied the
place,
There was very little public demonstra-
ton of Union feeling, in consequence Of
the uncertainty in reference to the future.
A great want of confidence was prevail
ing; but under the firm course of Gen.
Butler, business is slowly reviving. The
city is gradually becoming quiet, and af
fairs generally are perfectly satisfactory.
1t is stated that Porter's mortar feet
had been at Mobile, and in the bays,
soundings had been made in the channel,
and on the 7th the feet was fred on while
engaged in this work, by Fort Morgan, but
no reply was given. The feet afterwards
returned to Ship Island.
On the night of the 9th the rebels evac-
uated Pensacola, setting fire to the forts,
navy yard, barracks, hospitals, sc. Fort
McRae, the Marine Hospital and Navy
Yard were destroyed. TIE blacksmith
shops in the Navy Yard were saved. The
rebels had formerly 5000 men, under Gen.
Jones. there.
Gen. Arnold would establish his head
quarters in the city on the 18th.
Kansas City, May 19.-The Santa Fe
mail with dates to the Sd, has arrived
The Texans, while retreating. met body
of 800 of their troops under COL Steel, at
| Adobe Wall, but the whole force eontin-
ued the retreat The first regiment of Col
orado volunteers, with the regulars, are
at Fort Craig, under command of Col
Paul. Gen. Candy and Gov Connolly are
at Santa Fe.
Owing to the scarcity of provisions, large
quantities OF which were destroyed to pre-
vent Its falling into the hands Of the enc