The Portland daily press., 1862-12-31
BY TELEGRAPH.
TO THE
Portland Daily Press.
FROM WASHINGTON.
No further issue of Certificates 10
be Ixsadc.
nal Revenue.
FROM WASHINGTON.
Assignments in the Navy.
The Porter and Mcdowell Court
MartialS.
WASHINGTON. Dec, 80.

NAsHlNGlON, DeC ~.
1t is ascertained authoritatively that there
is no foundation for the rumor that the Com
mittee of Ways and Means has entertained
any proposition to change the existing law in
receiving old Demand Treasury Notes for
customs.
The Secretary of the Treasury has decided
not to make any further issue of certificates of
Indebtedness beyond the limited amount al
ready to the credit of the disbursing officers.
1t is understood that holders will have the
privilege, as soon practicable, of funding
them into 20 years per cent. bonds.
Fords' theatre was destroyed by fire at six
o'clock this evening.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue is
now prepared to supply all variety of stamps
required by the excise law, in quantities sutfi-
cient for the use of the people of the District
of Columbia and the States east OF the Rocky
Mountains. All persons within the District
and States above specified, who are guilty of
wilfully neglecting to use said stamps hereat-
ter, will be subject to the penalty provided in
the law.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has
decided that whenever lumber is cut, planed,
matched, tongued, grooved and beveled and
thus or otherwise prepared for dimension
boxes or other packages, whether il is used
on the premises where prepared or sold in the
market, it shall be considered manufacture,
and used as such.
Lieut. Commander Paul Shirley has been
detached from the st. Marys and ordered to
the command of the sloop-of-war Cyane, now
in the Pacific. Lieut.. r. Ii. Lanebrow has
been ordered to the steam sloop-of-war Lam
caster. Lieut.. Commander G. G. Carpenter
has been ordered to the steamer Catskjll. As
sistant Surgeon Abbott has been detached
from the Chelsea Hospital and ordered to the
iron clad steamer Catskil. Assistant Surgeon
J. G.. Means has been ordered to the iron clad
steamer Lehigh.
In Porter's court martial case. to-day Gen.
Griffin was continued as witness, but dismis-
sed after a short examination. Brig. General
Reynolds was next sworn. His evidence had
reference TO the enemys movements on the
10th and Both of August, by which they had
outflanked our army and came between his
forces and those of Gen. Porter. He knew
their progress was for long while unopposed,
but testified to the uniavorable nature of the
ground in Gen. Porter's vicinity which would
have prevented the free manouvering of his
troops. Maj. Gen. Hyland of the 18th New
York was examined He said his regiment
was attached in August last to the first Brig
ade of Morrell's division. He was questioned
as to the march from kesly's Ford to Warren
ton Junction He stated that on the route
the portion of the army to which he belonged
was much fatigued and in need of provisions.
He related as far as he knew the incidents of
the battle OF the 18th OF August, giving the
various dispositions of his own and other
regiments of the first brigade of Morrelfs
division which was in the 'front.' and estimated
the attacking force of the enemy at 10000.
Brig. Gen. Sykes, commanding division in
Gen. Porter's corps, was sworn. He deposed
to having been called to a consultation on the
evening of Aug. 9th, with Gems. Porter Nor
rell and Butteriied, to consider an order from
Gen. Pope to Gen. Porter, directing him to
advance with his command At one o'clock
the following morning he had declared himself
opposed. as they, the other Generals, had done
also, to such a movement before daylight. He
stated by favor OF the court the reasons which
influenced his opinion, namely: the extreme
darkness of the night, the roads encountered
with wagons and the possibility of reaching
Gen. Pope in time even should they start by
daybreak, and Gen. Porter, he said, moved by
these opinions of his principal officers had ac-
ceded to remain.
In the Mcdowell Court of Inquiry, the
cross-examinaton of Gen. Sigel was conclud-
ed. At its close an opportunity was afforded
him to make any explanation of the testimony
there. but he desired time to consider, and
would transmit it in the morning TO the court.
Capt. Dahlgren, of Sigel's staff, was examined
concerning remark which Gen. Mcdowell is
said to have made to him whilst bearer of
message from Gen. Sigel TO Gen. Mcdowell.
He confirmed the testimony of his Chief. He
was also highly questioned about the move
ments of the enemy on the road from Gains
vile to Manassas during this time.