Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-02-13
From Washington.


Mcclellan we're notified to be in readi-
ness for movement across the river.
They made every preparation for so
doing. In consequence of the state
Of the roads they have not yet been
ordered over, but they are ready to
go, and when they go Gen Mcclellan
will turn over to the temporary charge
Of Mr.. Stanton the control of the en-
the army, with the exception of the
Army of the Potomac.
Gen. Burnside's fleet left its anchor
age on Wednesday morning. The
gunboats started at sunrise, and the
troops and ships followed soon after
Their destination was Roanoke Island.
News of the arrival Of the fleet at the
Island was expected. Most of the
rifles and q considerable quantity Of
ammunition, from the wrecked steam
er City of New York, one of tn e Burn
side expedition, have been rec overed,
uninjured.
A gentleman from Norfolk says that
the rebels are under the impression
that the Burnside expedition has be en-
completely wrecked.
The rebel troops at Norfolk are be-
ing rapidly sent South as far as
Mobile, Alabama.
Drafting will commence in the reb-
ell States on the first of March
Bishop Ames and Hon Hamilton
Fish will not be received by the rebel
Government.
1t is reported that the Government
has determined to place the rebel pri-
vateers, now in New York and Phila-
delphia, on footing with prisoners of
war. An order has bccen issued, re-
moving them to military prisons with
view to exchanging them for pris-
oncrs held by the rebels. 1t is thought
this will result in the release of Coils.
Corcoran, Lee, Cogswell, Woodruff,
Wilcox, Wedges, aud other officers
now held as hostages. An exchange
of all prisoners, it is thought will soon
follow.
Tim Committee of Ways and Means
are perfecting the details of the new
tax BILL The bill proposes moderate
taxation on most articles of necessary
consumption, with higher rates on dis,
titled liquors and articles of luxury
also on railroad passengers, newspa-
pers, kilograms, &c. The committee
are also considering the subject of
National Banking law, requiring de-
post of United States stocks as secu-
rity for Bank Notes circulated as cur
rcncy.
The President stated, in converse
ton with Mr. Conway of Kansas, that
he appointed Lane Brigadier General
with the express understanding that
he should serve under Hunter. Lane
expressed his willingness to do SO. 1t
was never contemplated that his ex-
petition would be independent of, or
offensive to, Hunter. Lane must re-
ceive his orders from Hunter. The
President will be glad il Hunter, act
ing within orders and sense of du-
ty, can give such orders as will be sat
isfactory to Lane.
The select committee on the de-
fences and Notifications of the great
lakes and rivers, are prepared to
make report. They will recon.
mend the erection of such fortifica-
tions at Mackinaw as will make it the
Gibraltar, as it is really the key of
our Northwestern frontier. Their re-
port will also provide for the estab-
lishment Of naval depot and militia
ry armory upon Lake Michigan, and
that preparations be Immediately
made for the accumulation of arms
and munitions to arm all the Amcri.
can vessels engaged in the commerce
of the Northern Lakes. 1t is cstima-
ted that there are in this trade 1900
American vessels to 800 British, and
$1,000 American sailors to 5000
British. 1t is represented by the COM
mittee that the majority of the popu-
lation of the loyal States is west of
the Allegheny mountains, and that
the line of lake coast exceeds the en-
tire length of our Atlantic coast, also
that our commerce on the lakes is
greater than our whole foreign trade.
To complete the defcnces and render
communication with all ports of the
Northwest secure from interruption
by a foreign foe it will be recommen-
ded that military road be immedi-
ately constructed from the mouth of
the Menominee river, on Lake Michi-
gan, to Marquette on Lake Superior,
aud that ship canal shall be built
from Chicago to the Mississippi river.
1t is said that these recommendation
have the approval of Gen. Mcclellan.
A rumor is given and names of par
ties distinctly stated that orders have
gone forward to Marshal Murray and
District Attorney Smith, Of New York,
to compel parties who sold or charter
ed improper vessels to the War De-
partment for the Burnside expedition