Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-02-07
A Vessel Carries Salt from RaIti-
more to the Rebels.
INTERESTING WASHINGTON
NEWS.
ANOTHER SEIZURE OF SECESSION
PROPERTY AT ST. LOUIS. .-sp,
A VOLUNTEER FOR THE MlSSIS.
SIPPI FLEET.
Arrival Of More Troops and Active
Operations mt Cairo.
WASHINGTON, j


The President handed to night to Cham
pion Vaughan commissions for himself and
the following gentlemen, who are to constitute
the staff of James II. Lane: Col. Wm H.
Merritt, Lieut. COL j. Fitzpatrick, Maj. Yer
plank Van AntN erp, Maj. John Richie, Maj
7. J. Weed, Capt. VIM. A. Phillips, Capt.
Wm O'Donnell, Captains j. R. Mcclure, A.
P. Russell, VIM. Kyle, Volney Hlcox.-
Col Vaughan also had social interview
with Secretary Stanton. The above named
staff officers are ordered to report to Major
General Hunter, to be by him detailed to Gen.
Lane. They leave for the West tomorrow to
enter active service. .... sail
New York, Jan. 80.
Advces from Fort Pickens by the Philalel-
phia states that the rebels have Withdrawn a
portion of their forces to Mobile, which they
consider in special danger 1t Is understood
that the rebel force opposite Fort Pickens is
not over 5000, exclusive of that at Live Oak
Plantation, which is held by from 1000 to
5000 and fortified. Contrabands are con-
stanlly coming in to Col. Brown.
special to Tribune
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
The special committee on defences and for
tificat,ons of lakes and rivers had an impor
tant meeting this morning. Gen. Mcclellan
laid before the committee many fa-t IS showing
the Importance of immediate attention. He
favors the fertilization of few commanding
points, such as Mackinaw, Fort Gratiot, and
some place On the Saut St. Marie canal, and
the reliance elsewhere upon naval defeEces, to
supply which he recommends the establish
ment of one or more depo;s of arms on the
lakes.
1t is unders God the committee concurs in
the Generals views and will make report in
accordance Herewith at an early day.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 90.
The statement IL at the House Committee
on the District of Columbia has decided to
report against the abolition of slavery in the
district is untrue Whatever are the senti-
ments of the Committee, they have not yet
been expressed by vote. Mr.. Upton, of Va,
to whom the question was referred, reported
orally that in his Judgment it was inexpedi-
ent at pres mt. No action, was, however,
taken upon his report, but Mr.. Ashley gave
notice that if majority Of the Committee
espoused Mr.. Upham's views he should sub
nit a minority report to the House, accompa-
MED by bill providing for the immediate
abolition of slavery witt in the D strict.
Gen. Stoneman, chief Of cavalry, has rec
ommendcd the consolidation of the II regi-
| ments volunteer cavalry, now on the rolls,
into SO regiments. He advises that the ficlu
and line officers already mustered in be ex-
amiEed by board Of officers who shall s.ft
out at least a third, and recommends the men
also be sifted and those not fit for horscmen
mustered as infantry or mustered out alto
gether.
Mr.. Tucker was confirmed as Assistant
Secretary of War, and Col. Fred Steele, Of
Missouri, as a Brigader General.
Secretary Seward has issued an order tt
Ward H. Lamon, Marshal of the District, in
structng him not to receive or retain in hi.
custody any person claimed to be held t.
labor or service, unless they arc charged witt
crimes or held as fugitive slaves uLder th'
law of Congress, and to retain none claimed
as fugitives more than 80 days, unless il
compliance with special order emanatins
from some competent tribunal.
Especial to Times.]
Secretary Stanton has been shown privat
letters, to-day, from Kentucky, containing
important and extraordinary statements re
garding the battle at Somerset-viz., tina
an entire rebel regiment threw down thei
arms in the conflict and declared their pur
pose no longer to fight against the govern
ment. This example was followed by indi
viduals and companies of other regiments
; and accounts for the complete failure an
, small slaughter attending a deliberate Con
federate attack. Gen Thomas is not pursu
ing Zollicoffer's defeated army, the roads an
: inadequate tran sportaton not permitting Fl
: is building a road of 80 miles in length
r render his advance into Tennessee easy an
, permanent d-F be. a+ .H 70
Il A deserter from Stewards Virginia cavalr
came into our lines, this morning. and Wa
= brought to Secretary Stanton. He repor
:. Beauregard gone to Kentucky, with 15,0C
Y men. Gee. Smith succeeds in command
Centerville. This deserer reports sufferir
among the rebels from lack of suitable clot
: ing, salt, coff ,e, &c. They have plenty
e meat and bread. @ .....r
% -As Fl. MONROE, Jan. 20.
Ii Some negro deserters arrived here tn
d morning from the opposite shore. They we
cooks in the Sd Alabama regiment, which
/" encamped in the vicinity. They report tn
the last of the iron plates for the Merrinl
were put on yesterday, and that she was
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