The Portland daily press., 1862-06-27
New Ship Canal.
ATROCITIES OF THE REBELS
Northern Humanity.
REBEL BATTERY sHELLED :
GEN. MCCLELLAN STILL HOLDS THE
NEW PICKET LINE!
REBEL BATTERY sHELLED
FROM WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, June 26.
The rumors from New York of Cabinet chang
es are not believed here in any quarter, and are
generally regarded as mere speculations, arising
from the fBct Of the Presidents visit to Lieut..
Gen. Scott on business, the military bearing Of
which is only conjectured.
The new gunboat Paul Jones, Capt Stead
man, having taken on board her armament and
complement of seamen, left the Navy Yard yes
terday afternoon.
The Select Committee appointed by the Speak
er, to whom all the papers on file in relation to
the construction of ship canal around the falls
of Niagara are referred, consists of Messrs
Van Horn Of New York, Blake of Ohio, Nevries
of Kentucky, Trowbridge of Michigan, Rice of
ILL.,, Davis Of Pennsylvania and Cravens of Indi-
ana.
Hon. Emerson Etheridge will deliver an ora
tion from the steps of the Washington Monu-
ment in Baltimore on the 4th of July. Exten-
sive preparations for celebrating this national
holiday have been made by the union men Of
that city.
Flag Officer Davs in bis official report con-
cerning the expedition up White river, mentions
that after the accident to the Mound City, the
wounded men were shot by the enemy while in
the water, and adds that the Navy Department
and Country will contrast the barbarities Of
savage with the humane efforts made by our
people to rescue the wounded and disabled un-
der similar circumstances in the engagement of
the 9TH inst Several of the poor fellows who
expired shortly after she engagement expressed
their willingness TO die when they were told the
victory was ours.
Flag Officer Farragut communicates to the
Navy Department that an encounter between
our gun boats up the Mississippi and rebel bat
terry in the vicinity Of Gran Gulf between Match
es and Vicksburg, boat sent down to bring up
coal vessels from near that point, discovered
earth-works in the process of erection. The
Wissabuckon and ltasco were sent down to attack
them the found a battery Of rified guns loca-
ted there and force of some FIVE hundred ar
tillerists ready to receive them. A vigorous
fight ensued. The Itasco was struck twenty-five
times, and the Wissabuckon seventeen they
however lost but one man killed and six wound
ed. The fort being too serious an obstacle to
have in the rear of the boats, Commander Palm
er serving at that point, determined to bring
down the remainder of the squadron and break
up the business before it became too formidable.
On the afternoon of the 18th we dropped down
with the squadron and shelled the town fer
an hour, but they deserted their batteries, and
with the exception of few rifle shots, manifest
ed no resistance. Commander Palmer says the
nights are filled with rifemen and if they give
him any more annoyance he shall burn the
town.
A dispatch received at the War Department
this afternoon from Gen. Mcclellan, states that
the affair yesterday was perfectly successful,
that we had the new picket line undisturbed and
tnat all Is very quiet on the banks OF the Chicka-
hominy.
The British Post Office has withdrawn its orig
inal proposition Of 1857, and which was formal
ly accepted last November by Post Master Blair
for reduced rate of internal letter postage,
from "a to ~ cents. The United States Post
Office did not anticipate this withdrawal after
the subject was favorably reported by the Post
Master and upon British basis. This will be
much regretted by commercial and social CORES
pondents Of both countries.
Z. W. Turner and Frank Rauba have been
promoted to Acting Masters at Boston on the
ship Iona.
The consolidation of the forces uner Major
Genetals Fremont, Banks and Mcdowell, to be
called the Army of Virginia with Major General
Pope as the Chief Commander, is hailed with
delight as ar earnest of the determination of the
President to act with reference only to the pub
lie welfare while ii is not doubted that all these
officers will cheerfully cooperate in the perform
ance Of this patriotic duty.