davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1862-01-20
A BAD AND mISCHIEvOES BILL.

'uF washington spec1a1 uSpdlca, o4 tnc
10th inst, contains the following;
Tie bill introduced by Mr. Colfax, from the Post
Office COMMITTEE 10 day prohibits, from the 1st Of
common carrier Of any description. from carrying
printed matter otherwise than in mails. for hire,
sal" or distribution. unless licensed by the Post
naeter-t;cneza!. who may provide suitable labels:
the penalty for eucn carriage, the unauthorized
use Of labels. TO be one hundred dollars for each
offcncc-t2lf to the irfornler and half to the
United States. This is not to apply to any mail
rbutc upon the seas to foreign countries.
The Postmaeter-General may grant licenses to
der proper regulations and may provide suitable
Etanps and labels, sigpnytng the possession Of
tuch Iccnse-an UNAUTHORIZED use Of which shall
expose the offender to the one hundred dollar fine.
Any package carried otherwise than If provided
may bc seized by any officer Of the Post-Of1cc De-
partmc;,t. and disposed Of as the Postmaster
Genera! r,ay direct,
We enter our protest against the enact
mcnt Of tits most nlischievous scheme,
and We express our unfcigned surprise that
Dir. Colfax, himself d publisher, should
give such bill his sanction We will
briefly point out its more Objectionable fca-
lures:
FIRST. We insist that Congress has no
more right 10 force publishers 10 send their
papers through the mails than it has to
compel book makcrsto send books or paper
manufacturers to ship their reams
and bundles by that conveyance. There
would he as mitch propriety in obliginc
bankers and merchants to remit nackagts
Of bank bills through the mails as to obliee
publishers and news-dealcrs to employ thut
mode Of distribution. If the plea of def
cicnt postage and want Of revenue be good
as against the newspapers, we reply that it
holds equally good against the paper
maker and the money sender. But another
answer is, that if the Government cannot
make the Department selfsustainins with
out rcsorting to such extraordinary and
oppressive cxpedients, it had better tur1
the whole business over to the EXPIRES:
Companies, who would be very glad tt
enter into bonds to carry letters at present
rates, and newspapers and other printed
matter at prices satisfactory to publishers
anu readers. We have tried the Express
Companies, and greatly prefer their term:
and mode Of doing business.
SECOND. The greatest boon ever con
terred On The Press was the privilege O
sending then papers outside Of the mails
and by whatever conveyance they saw
proper TO employ The passage of that ac
laid the foundation ofthc present in,mcns,
expansion ofthe circulation ofdaily papers
Pass Tie bill introduced by Mr. uolfax. ant
q rapid, crippling contraction Of circulatio,
is tic inevitable consequence. lfthe Posta
Committee suppose that the enactment Q
, 1862-01-20
GALLANT EXPLOIT OFF WIL-
blINGTON, n. C.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S-Thc Navy Depart
mcnt has received dispatches from Command
er Gleason Of the United States steamer Mt.
Vernon, dated off Wilmington, n c., giving
an interesting account Of the burning Of
light ship.
Having heard that the rebels made use of it
as beacon for guiding vessels in and ont Of
the harbor, and for the purpose Of annoying
our vessels BY hoisting lights at night, he de-
termincd to take advantage OF a hazy night,
with the wind off shore, to effect her destruc~
tion.
He accordingly dispatched a cutter under
command Of acting Master A1eck Allen. with
John P Footcast, pilot, and crew of five
men, and q gig under command of acting
Muster Sturgis and a crew ofsiK men.
The boats proceeded to within short dis
tancc OF the ight-yesscl on the off side of
Fort CaswelL The two officers, q boatsuain's
mate and q quartermaster's sergeant, climed
on board by a lopc which was hanging at the
side.
The light boat WAS quite deserted, but car
penters had been ut work upon her recently,
and the vessel vas being pierced for eight guns.
No attempt was made to molest the expedition
until they had kindIed the fire, which effect
ually destroyed the light ship.
The fort did not open upon our boats until
they were clearly out Of hnrnl's WAY.
, 1862-01-20

We call attention to the letter from our
Springfield correspondent in another col
tim, which develops the beauties Of the
;ivw system Of enlistment By Federal Super
inscndcnts. 7tto recruits from Illinois in
-ftu77ee;. days' work Of one hundred recruit
ing Offices, while III the same period Of
time the State recruiting officers procured
12f'o men TO fill up the new regiments
The order Of the late Secretary Of War
prescribing the mode Of recruiting to be
hereafter pursued, is the most assininc
piece If business On record Il shows an
utter ignorance OF human nature, and
should be abolished by Secretary Stanton
without delay, If he desires 10 obtain men
to fill up the ranks Of the volunteer regi-
mcnts- This laundering order provides
that when recruit offers himself for ser
vice, the Department. may attach him to any
regiment i'll the whole army. lie is not al
lowed 10 name the regiment OF company
which he desires to join, but may be packed
of anywhere. OF course nobody cnlists
The order is equivalent 10 saving that none
but recruits to serve as regulars will be
received.
The only way in which men can lie got
for regiments in the field, is to detail some
Of the officers to visit lie section Of
country from which the regiment was orig
iaally raised, and there among the rela-
tives and friends q tic regiment yolun-
tccrs may be found to fill the places in the
ranks made vacant ty battle or disease.
Men must know beforehand who are to be
their officers, and who their companions in
the ranks. Recruits can be procured in no
other way. Will the new Secretary OF
War give this very important matter q lit
tie attention, and Tcscind the present fool
ISL o-der2 He may be assured that en-
listing for the old regiments is knocked in
the head, and tho SIX thousand fresh men
q month that are needed to keep the Tanks
full, will not be forthcoming. nor six hun
dred. nor sixty, in the whole Cnion, On the
conditions of Camcron's absurd order
, 1862-01-20
The Carriage of Printed Matter Out.
side of the Malls,

side OF the Mails.
The bill reported by Mr. ColGlx, from tile
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads,
to regulate the carriage of printed matter
outside Of the mails, provides as follows
That from and after the LIST day Of april,
1si:. it shall not be lawful for any rail
ruad company, express company, common
Garner, ca or other company or person
to carry for lire, or Tor sale or
or postal route, on which the mails of the
United States are now or shall be transported,
any newspapers or periodicals not contained
IN the mails Of the United States, and on which
if carried in such mails postage would bc
chargeaolc By law; and any person or corpo-
United States for each otfense the sim Of one
hundred dollars, to be recovered by action,
oDc-half for the use qai tam Of the in
former and the other half for the use of the
Post Office Department.; provided that this
prohibition % shall not not apply @ to any company,
written authority from the Post Office Depart
ment to carry such nlatter outside of the
United States mails upon specified routes;
and provided, further, that such license may
be granted by the Postmaster General under
regulations to be BY him prescribed and con-
di1ioncd upon tie due observance thereof,
pro. iuing thereby for the payment Of rates Of
postage thereon not exceeding the rates now
fixed by law; and provided further, that this
prohibition shall not apply to any mail
route upon tie seas to foreign coun-
tries and provided further that any
package carried otherwise than herein
provided, may be seized By any authorized
agent Or officer Of the Post Office Department,
and disposed Of as the Postmaster General
shall direct, and that the Postmaster General
is authorized in his discretion to provide suit
able stamps or labels to be used IN carrying
this law into effect and to regulate the sale
thereof and to pay for the same out Of any
funds to the Post Office Department ANY
person using or aiding in the use Of such
stamps or labels otherwise than shall By such
regulations be provided shall be liable to the
penalties in the first section Of this act pro-
Sided, and to be recovered in like manner;
md it shall be the duty Of postmasters to rc-
cciye, hold and dispose Of such stamps and
labels when aud as required by the Postmaster
General; and that all acts and parts Of acts in
conflict with tue foregoing provisions are here
by repealed But nothing herein contained shall
he construed to interfere with the rights Of
any traveller to have and take with him or
her, for his or her own use, any book, pamph-
let, magazine Or newspaper not intended for
sale, distribution or delivery to others.
, 1862-01-20

WANTED-An Express or Light
" Truck WAGON; one with pole rrcferrel. at
ELISHA ASHLEY MEAES' A1bany Store Ware
house, l Clark street. OF 70 Lake ssEcet i2Q
, 1862-01-20
AND THAT Is WHEN.

We observe that the opponents Of !: Wig
erous var policy are comforting them
selves with a fresh and undcnlablc solu-
ton Of the mystery why our armies have
not l:ecn set at work to crush rebellion.
They ste ii NOW with marvellous clear
ness, and applaud it in advance. 1t will
b.--wlcn the rebel army falls to pieces
by expiration Of the term Of service Of its
recruits, which will he q few weeks hence.
Isn't il excellent. 1t will just be Xcrxcs
over sgain Beaureg4rd and johnson ct
NJ will marshal them at break Of day"
and just about sunset see them leaving by
tyening stages and night trains for home,
fer cf course they are not going 10 re-
c.lIst, those unhappy fellows that for
months past VIC have been hearing were
out Of shoes, anu for efficiency rot
worth their salt, that article being
very high in Dixie And then will
he GUT time, for Of course nobody will stay
i'll tho rebel camps but commissioned Of
flcers and army puryeyors.
Well, it may all be; but we do remem-
Ter how We were told to wait until the
lea1es fell: bringing into laughable aud
riteous state Of exposure and nakedness
The rcf,cl batteries. Then VIC were TO "lay
on, MacGuff." But the "1eayes had their
time 10 fall" and We cannot remember If
even cur scouts went far enough to dis
cover whether the rebel batteries showed
any more plainly than before. Then we
were going to wait until the creeks frozc
Over, and save the trouble Of pontoon
bridges. Balls Bluff taught us that some
means Of crossing rivers was necessary.
But it seems that We are waiting fol
the relcl army TO fall to pieces some tint
Ill February. It may be that that is thu
appointed time, but we shall be skertica
IN the point We are, like largt
share Of the loyal people Of the North, il
the possession Of firm belief tha
tits rebellion will yield to nothing bu
vigorous blows and hard fighting that i
will cost many lives, and the victory viii
be ours when we employ all the advantage
that lie ready to Our hands. We shall sti1
continue 10 believe that IL forward march
will do more for us than the ides Of March
even if that be the utmost limit Of seryic
Of the tools of the rebellion, from Beaure
gard down to the drummer boys.
, 1862-01-20

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.l
TWELVE M11Es FROM coICMBus, January Is.
Gen. Graut and staff, accompanied By Capt.
Oeband's Co. Of 4th Cavalry as a body guard,
made reconnaissance today over circuit of
20 miles, taking in that country in the vicinity
of Louvesscv{1lc and Bhndyil1c.
This has been ono Of the heaviest rconnois-
eances Of the war; no General ever making so
extensive reconnaissance. 1t has resulted in
obtaining information concerning roads,
routes, etc. No enemy was discovered.
Col Cooks column to-day marched from
the head of Gen. McCleruand's column. on
the south side Of Aayhcld Greek, down to it's
mouth.
A gentleman from Lynn, Mass, rho has
, 1862-01-20
Iankeedom in Richmond, Va.

o.
Nc learn that the theatrical company of
Zouaves, lately performing in this city, and
whose great exhibition Of Il Zou Zou'' was so
taking to the patriotic fire Of their Southern
patrons, were lately furnished in this city BY
the Government With passports to proceed
North, and that they hare taken their dcpar-
turc under the inevitable flag Of truce which is
constantly being sent from Norfolk. By the
way. while standing on Main street yesterday,
we observed near one Of the well known
corners Of "thc fancy an exceedingly frisky
lnaisidual l.s sporting the afectation Of a semi
military uniform with the additional attrac-
tlon l OF pantaloons Of the regular Broadway
aanoS color and cut. We were surprised to
learn IN the most positive manner that this
gay and gsudy individual Was ! Yankee pris-
oner, taken In the late battle Of Leesburg, who
had been released on parole, and was making
the most Of his liberty in disportins himself
SO freely On Main street. The honest com
muuity may ask-can such things he possiblcs
YYe answer that VIC can indicate the man aud
prove the charge, if occasion is made for us to
H0 f0
, 1862-01-20

Ro1LA, Mo-, Jan. Indications are that
all the troops at this point will move west
ward, except one OF two regiments to guard
the post
The enemy's pickets extend fourteen miles
from Springfield, and Prices force is estimated
at II 600.
Il was reported that Gen. Mcintosh was
coming up from Arkansas with large reinforce
nAents, but the report is not wholly reliable.
, 1862-01-20
Matters at Cairo Since the Departure
of the EXpedlttpns

Some. Of the dispatches have it that our ad-
vance is in three divisions under Generals
Grant, Paine, and McClcrnud- It is in one
division, starting from Camp Jefferson, under
command Of Gen. Grant. OF. course the col
unln does not all march together, but with an
interval between each for the sake of conyc-
nience. There is one regiment only now hero
to guard Cairo, Fort Holt, Birds Point and
Camp Jefferson. It was designed to have the
three regiments on board Of the Continental,
and stuart's regiment on board Of the January,
here long before this time; but these fullr
regiments are fast in the ice between here and
St. Louis. They will arrive, however, before
Ibis reaches you, together with the Lead Mine
regiment from your city, and one or two rcgi-
ments from Camp Butler.
river fleet, is every inch 4 proper officer to
have charge Of this branch OF the service.
There is hardly port in the world that he has
not visited in the service Of his country, aud
his daring and successful attack on the Chi
nese forts is part Of the record of the Amcri-
can navy. Capt Constable, who has COM
mand Of the mortar boots, has passed his life
in similar service in the British navy, COM
1nanding the mortar boats in India with a Sue
cess that had no drawback. Commander PoE-
ter, also Of the fleet, is a son Of Commodore
Porter. and is fighting man Of the first quail
Majcr General Halleck- In short, the river
fleet is most ably of1icered. It saved our army
from being cut off at Belmont By the forces
sent from Columbus.
The mOrtaT-boats carry one mortar each, Of
15-inch bore, weight 61155 tons, carrying shell
Of 128 pounds, requiring 20 pounds Of powder
at load, with pounds inside Of the she'll.
Just fancy the din of ofPande1nonium when they
are 1T work The range is 311s mi1es-
Col. Buford Of Rock Island has command
Of this post during the absence Of Gen. Grant,
and Senator Kuykendall is Provost MarEhal.
No one can pass out Of the city without pass,
and if a stranger, he must be youched for by
some responsible party. 1t is not supposed
that our army will attack Columbus, Us there
would be but little gained by Its capture. If
the communication Is cut off with the rest Of
seccssia, it must either fa1l or be abandoned.
Our force from Paducah will form junction
with Gen. Grants column at q near Mayfeld,
in force about 25,000 men: The rebels have
probably at Columbus and Fort Beauregard
{near Mayfeld) about the same force, Rein
| forcements probably will be sent Gen Grant
| daily. II is thought he will take 4 position on
| the railroad, and hold it for the present, thus
| cutting off the rebel communication How
| ever, nobody, bat Generals Grant and Hal
leck appear to know anything about the plans
| Of the army
Mississippi is full Of thin floating ice, render
ing navigation Of it impossible.
The appointment Of Stanton Is Secretary Of
War gives general satisfaction
| Tho troops here arc being generally paid of,
| and very large amount Of money it takes to
liquidate their Claims. Ono cavalry regiment
draws $150,o00.
, 1862-01-20
A T4amon Squeezer.

It will be seen By reference to the Congress
sional proceedings that this gentleman was
handled in that body in manner certainly not
very complimentary to him It has been
matter Of great surprise to many Of NJ Lin,
Eo many favors upon this Lamon. Those who
know him say that be is man Of the most dis
solute habits, and from his conduct, while On
his way through this city some months since,
from St. Louis to Springfield, we have good
reason to believe their statements. His whole
course, since he has been occupying an official
position, has been marked by insolence to his
euperiors and 1ecklessness in the expenditure
ofthe Government funds, and We think it high
time that the President should nsodif him It
is strange how there can be any concord be-
tween man Of Lannon's character and that Of
Mr. Lincoln, who is known to be strictly tenn
perate, moral, and Of the most economical
habits. But it is no more strange than true,
that for some reason, he has been the especial
pet Of the President, from the day Of bis cleo
fion up the present time, to the great regret
and mortifcation Of the most Of hi: support
ess. We sincerely hope, for the credit Of the
country, if not for the reputation OF the Pres
idcnt, That be may be instantly removed.
, 1862-01-20
Hill the Iowa Traitor.

Hill, tie Clerk Of Harrison county, was held
for trial on . charge Of treason. before the
United District Court at Dcs Moines. The
Judge failing TO appeor, Hill Was arrested by
Marshal Hoxie, on aorit from Secretary Sew
ard, which assigned him {Hll) quarters In Ft
Warren. Arriving at Davenport, 4 writ Of
ha',cas corpus was issued and Hill was rclcas-
cd, after which the indefatigable Hoxic cap
turcd him aeain last Saturday, and when last
heard Of was rapidly conveying him to Fort
Warren. The Davenport Gezene says the
fair trial could bc had.
, 1862-01-20

ulno1s Consfffufi0nal COnVen ti0n
SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 18,-The Convention has
been occupied all day in considering article
three Of the Constltutinn. No definite changes
were adopted. The pay Of members Of the
tie. It will probably bc left to the Legislature
itself to provide its salary by general law
The Convention adjourned at noon until
Monday. The State officers will triumphantly
yindicate themselves against charges Of mis-
management and abuse Of the war fund in the
equipment Of the troops, which some mem
bers of the Convention arc disposed to
make.
Captain VIM. r. Bailhachc, Z. S. Quarter
master, will take charge Of that department
at Camp Butler, relieving Gov. Wood, State
QuaTtermaster General, Capt. Bailhache is
one Of the proprietors Of the State Journal.
, 1862-01-20

C1SctSsAT1, Jan, ia special to the
Commercial from indianapolis, says four Iu-
diana Regiments, in the Green River column,
have advanced to South Carrolton, and will
soon occupy Rochester. This is directly in
front Of Bowling Green.
Gen Bncu is Concentrating powerful force
at Green River, and it is said, he Is now ready
for 4 forward movement.
The rebels 1t and about Bowling Green are
destroying the railroad, telling trees across the
tracks aud doing everything TO retard the pro-
eress Of our army. It is said they are making
every preparation to cyacuate that place upon
the approach Of our forces
, 1862-01-20

NEW YonK, Jan. 18.-Washington specials
state that Il member Of Congress has 1 letter
from an officer Of high rank in the army to u
younger officer, then in California, advising
him to 60 south; and that the young officer IS
now on Be.urcgard's staff.
Several Nhite-House employees arc before
the Investigating Committee.
Newspaper publishers and dealers strcnu-
ous1r oppose the exclusion Of papers from ez-
press carriage.
Gen. Jackson has disappeared with his whole
force. It is believed that he has retired to
Winchester. There are no rebel forces now
known 10 be in Morgan county. The whole
river iuc is quiet.
, 1862-01-20
NUMBER 1865.
the newly appointed Secretary o

respecting the newly appointed Secretary of
War:
sit turns out that Mr.. Stanton is an Anti
Slavery Democrat, or rather i War Democrat
OF the school Of Dickinson and Coehranc. H
the institution Of slavery as a means to strike
down the great rebellion. He fully approved
in December OF 31r. Camcron's report, and is
more heartily hated to-day by the Pro-Slavery
and white-fcathered Democrats in Congress
there arc but few Of them) than any member
OF the existing Cabinet. He is live man,
and will urge an active and aggressive policy
upon lis colleagues in the Cabinet"
- Orders have been received ut Camp
Dennison, Columbus, for four Ohio regiments
to go to Romncy at once. They will find
Gen Landers column across the Potomac.
, 1862-01-20
The Returned Richmond Prisoners.
FORTRESS MosEoE, Jan. 17.-Among the
$50 exchanged prisoners are the following be-

- "
4. c. Ward. I'd Wisconsin.
A. e. C8skfIl. I'd Wisconsin.
Jno. McNeall. I'd Wisconsin.
". q. Cplia1n, I'd Wisconsin.
Charles Webbcr, eth Ohio.
John Huston. LET California.
David Strong. I'd Wisconsin.
r. Morgan. 1et California.
Henry A. Williams. I'd Wisconsin.
J. L. Mitchell, let Minnesota.
David Jones. I'd Wisconsin.
{. s. Brin1hotf, 1st Michigan.
Geo. Winfield. I'd Ohio.
J. Southard, I'd Wisconsin,
Jas. Cameron, 1et Iinnesota.
J. ?. Eucking, I'd Wisconsin.
Mark I'inney, 1st Minnesota.
M. Holmes. list Michigan.
]. #. Browning. lat California.
Jas. Anderson. ID Wisconsin.
Stephen Mckeiny. 1st California
Levi Emery, 1st Minnesota.
Z. Pratt. 1st California.
". Fl. Cleaycr, 1st California.
J. II. Taylor, I'd Wisconsin
J. s. 1iolcott, 1st Minnesota.
, 1862-01-20
Another Federal Victory In missorI

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19-An official report
from Gen. Ha1leek says: Major Hubbard's s
cavalry attacked rebel force Of 800 at Silver
Greek, Howard county, under Col. Poindex-
ter. on the 18th, and routed them Rebel loss
10 killed and 90 wounded. Our loss was
killed and 10 wounded We also captured 100
horses, 60 wagons, 105 tents, 50 kegs powder,
200 guns and 23 prisoners
The Senate Military Committee are still en-
gagged examining the appointments made by
the President, principally fer the army. The
number of Brigadier Generals is nearly 10.
They will Ill be recommended for confirma-
ton, except Il or a who viii be reserved for
future consideration.
, 1862-01-20

E A Washington dispatch to the New
York Times Of the 18th, eays it is understood
that the contracts let out by Secretary Gamer
on, for over Il million Springfield muskcts,
and over quarter of a million rifles and car
bincs, will be ordered to be annulled by Com
grcss, They will not be available in the pre-
sent war, and as they are to cost an average Of
seven dollars each above manufacturers pri-
ccs, they involve loss Of nearly nine million
dollars to the treasury.
, 1862-01-20
A Rebel Steamer Damaged and a Brit
is1a Schooner Captured.

NEW YoRK, Jan. 1s-A Port Royal letter
states that the rebel steamer Isabel was much
damaged by the shells Of the Mohican, while
running the blockade. One shell knocked Off
1er entire stern, and sue barely got III anoat.
The fog was dense, but she WAS discovered by
the guuboat Roebuck. The Mohican shipped
cable and chased her under the batteries Of
Morris Island. The Isabel returned her fire
but without avail.
Another letter reports tile English schooner
Gipsey, with 200 bales Of cotton, was captured
By the New London in the Gulf, and taken to
Ship Island. The De Soto run into her at the
mouth Of the Mississippi on account Of her
, 1862-01-20

much currency here, that Gov. Gamble has
resigned and gone to Washington, and will
there await his appointment, By acting Gov.
Hall, to fill TFusten Polk's seat in the United
States Senate,
, 1862-01-20

LOUISVILLE, Jan. 19.-The rapid rise Of VA
ter in the Ohio at food height, broke away a
dam last night, on the enlargement Of the ca
nal, drowning one man, and causing consider.
able damage
All quiet below.