The Portland daily press., 1862-11-27
FROM WASHINGTON.
Cen. Mcdowell before the Court
Of Inquiry.
Raid on Poolsvile by Marylanders.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.
The Court of Inquiry, in the case of Gen.
Mcdowell, reassembled to-day, when he, hav-
ing been called upon, read paper, submitting
plan OF investigation, in the course of which
he says the details of the disaster of the first
battle OF Bull Run having been investigated
by joint committee OF Congress, and lie hay-
ing since been appointedby the President and
confirmed by the Senate as Major General
he has not thought it necessary to ask the
Court TO take up that campaign, but only to
investigate his conduct since he was thus COM
missioned. The question which stands forth
prominently in this ease, and which NAV be
assumed, is the charge to which all the other
points can be regarded as specifications, is that
OF treason, knowing OF no specific charge
None having been charged he has the difficult
part OF proving negative by direct proof
This is impossible, and the only way he knows
of doing so is by such evidence as shall cause
his innocence to be Inferred 1t was with
this view he wrote to the President asking an
investigation on such points as would, il the
result should prove favorable, leave no doubts
to his prejudice. In addition to this question
OF his general conduct as an executive and
administrative officer, he asks inquiry to be
made on those points which he supposes may
have had in the minds of Others direct bear
ing on the main question as follows:
ISL. MI liltCstl1dlibl Oi HIS COTfcspOnuenCe
with the enemy's commanders or with any one
within the enemy's lines.
I'd. An investigation OF bis conduct and the
policy pursued by him towards the inhabitants
oil the country occupied by our troops, with
reference to themselves or their properly This
matter he says has been severely commented
upon throughout the country and in both
Houses OF Congress,and may possibly have had
much to do with the charge of treason, as to
a ..xl.-t
reference TO themselves he wishes 10 offer his
general orders concerning rape, robbery aud
piilage, aud those with reference TO interier-
ence with the railroad telegraph, &C.
Sd. As to whether he has been faithful to
those placed over him.
4th. As Ia whether he has failed through
any unworthy personal motives to go to the
aid or to send reinforcenents TO his brother
commanders.
9Th. He asks an investigation into the charge
very generally made against him, and which
affects seriously his character, viz, that OF
drunkenness.
On all these points Gen. Mcdowell makes
suggestions to certain witnesses, including
Gen. Scott, Gen. Mcclellan, and others.
The parties making the raid on PoolesvilIe,
Md, yesterday morning, consisted of about
fifty Marylanders, principally belonging in
Montgomery county, in which that village is
located. They crossed the Potomac not long
ago to avoid the draft, and took temporary
service with the rebels, joining Whites guer-
rillas. They doubtless designed to capture
valuable government military property recent
ly stored in that city, and of the removal of
which they were ignorant. They watched the
ford at which they crossed for an hour after
our patrols passed up beyond it, and then
dashed over and into their village. They spent
five or six hours with their families and friends
Information from the front is uninterestins.
The enemy were to-day known to be lowering
in Foquier County, at Upperyille, Salem and
Warrenton. A small rebel force is also as GER
tained to be at Aldie, in Louden County