The Portland daily press., 1862-07-14
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Late War Items of Interest.

Several towns in Massachusetts, have already
raised their full quota of300,000 men called for
by the President, and made their returns to
the proper officials.
Mr.. Forney, of the Philadelphia Press, says
the object of President Lincolns visit to the
army of the Potomac was to ascertain wheth-
er the charges made against Gen. Mcclellan
are true or false, by personal conference with
the principal actors in the late battles.
@Perley" telegraphs from Washington to the
Journal, that the Major of Massachusetts
regiment, noted for its troubles, has been
placed under arrest, and is ordered before a
general court martial under serious charges.
Thurlow Weed has written brief letter to
the New York Commercial Advertiser, on
'Contrabands," in which he says:
The public mind is now taking the right d-
rection with regard TO "contrabands." Our
army needs the aid and comfort which can be
obtained from "contrabands," and In accepting
1t we deprive the enemy of an element Of
strength.
was with Gen. Butler at Annapolis when
he inaugurated policy in reference to es-
capped slaves. / felt then, as i do now that he
"hit the nail on the head" went directly to
Washington, and urged the government to in
struct all the officers of the army to receive.
and not to repei fugtives, proclaiming simul-
taneously, that the stares Of loyal ouners
srouid be paid for, and those of traitors con-
fiscated; and that all should be employed as
unafmed auxiliaries to the army Had Gen.
Buffers policy been adopted year ago at
least half a million of slaves, who have been at
work In the rebel armies, would have been re-
lieying our own worn out troops from exhaust
ing drudgery-thus sredkeRiag the enemy. and
strengthening ourselves in a corresponding de-
gree.
And this line of policy would have raised no
embarrassing issues. 1t was simple, and so
just both to loyal men and traitors that all
would have acquiesced. While it protected
loyal citizens, it gave us the advantage we are
entitled to, in war, over our enemy.
But for reasons which were deemed sufi-
cient, the question of "contrabands' has been
left to drift along until public sentiment de-
mands policy. In that demand | perceive
the dawning Of a brighter day.
Late New Orleans papers contains long
general order by Gen. Butler, that DEGREES that
all persons who have been citizens of the Uni
ted States, before asking any favor except pro-
lection from personal violence, must take the
oath of allegiance.
Gov. Curtin of Pennsylvania, now ON a visit
to Washington city, Is said to advise that the
term of enlistment be reduced to one year.
Gen. Pope has announced that his headquar-
tiers will be in his saddle.
II is thought in New York that the quota of
troops required of that State may be obtained
without resorting to draft. The indications
are very favorable for prompt enlistments.
Seven hundred cases of soldiers equipments
were shipped from n. York on Friday evening
per steamer Chesapeake, for this city, for the
volunteers now enlisting in this State.
On Monday evening the secessionists of
Norfolk and Portsmouth were thrown into
ecstacies of joy over the leader in the Norfolk
Union Of that day, headed "McClellan's De
feat Some of the females of Norfolk actual
ly walked the streets with the articles cut
from the Union pinned to their bosoms.
All the cities and large towns in Massachn-
sets are holding public meeting, and offering
bounties, to stimulate enlistments.
The great meeting in Faneuil Hall, on Sat
urday, was a perfect success. The Mayor
presided. Speeches were made by Mayor
Wightman, and Messrs. Geo. b. Loring, Ed
ward Everett, Gen. Deyens and others. Great
enthusiasm prevailed