Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-03-27

WASniko1ox, March 70.
Gen. Shields has received . dispatch
from Major General Banks, dated Eve
miles beyond Strasburg.
The enemy are still in retreat, and
our forces are in hot pursuit.
The lots of the rebels must have been
enoi nous.
They have abandoned wagons along
the road, filed with dead and dying.
The houses on the route are found
crowded with the wounded and dead.
The dwellings in the towns adjacent
to the battlefield OF Sunday are also
found filed with the wounded.
Tho inhabitants aided the rebels in
carrying of their wounded during the
day, and burying them a. quick as dead.
Our artillery makes terrible havoc
among the enemy in their fight, and the
rout bids fair to be one Of the most
dreadful Of the war.
The commission appointed by Gen.
Wool to enquire into the condition Of
vagrants or contrabands, say in their
official report, that they started with
the general proposition that the military
power have not only the right, but 1t is
among i,s highest duties to await itself
of any and all means within its control,
to perfect it's discipline, render its posi-
ton secure, or make it effective for 40
advance against an enemy, and for these
ends, it has the right to compel service
or use from anytl ing animate or inani-
mate which military necessity may de-
mand. At the same time, they consider
that necessity is the only proper measure
BY which this power can b exercissd.
The number Of contrabands is given
IS 1908, thus distributed: At Fort
Monroe COL, at Camp Hamill 743, at
camp Butler and Newport News "A.
Little inclination is manifested by them
TO 60 north. Comparatively few con-
trabands came to our camps. The
navy is decidedly popular with them, as
therein they are treated - boys and re-
ceive SO per month.
| The commission point out various
abuses and suggest remedies. 1t tur-
Their appears from the report that Gene
raj " DOL has issued an order that here
after all wages earned by them will be
paid the contrabands for their own use
aud support, under the regulations as
may be deemed proper.
Representative Steel, of New jersey,
one Of the members of the Government
contract investigation committee, re-
turned to-day from Cairo, whittier he
was accompanied BY colleague Of the
committee, Mr.. Washburne. Their bus.
mess was to look into the quartcr-mas.
ter's and other departments. The dis.
coverics and sugges,ions Of this com.
mittee have been the means Of saving
large ameu is Of money to the. GoverL-
ment.
Petitions in favor Of a general uniform
bankrupt law are to DO received.
Until forther orders no boats or yes
sells will be allowed to visit Vernon.
Several State prisoners we're released
to-day on taking the oath OF allegiance.
McDowell's corps was reviewed to-
day by Gen. Mcclellan.
Especial to the Chicago Times.l
TIE Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations reported bill to-day requir-
ing the oath Of allegiance Of all Ameri.
cans in Europe who may solicit pass
ports from our Corsuls or Minister.
The debate on the slavery question in
the Senate and House was very bitter
to-day. Radicals generally voted agains,
taxing slaves.
Blenker was to-day restored to his
position. This is a victory over Schurz,
who desired his place.