Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-01-15
News Items.


If petticoat government is not more
oppressive now than formerly. it is certain
ly double in extent.
The COMMITTEES on the District Of Co
lumbia, in the House, will soon report a
bill abolishing slavery in that District.
Five hundred and seyenty-six houses,
instead of seyenty-six. as the telegraph
stated, were destroyed by the great conla-
grafton in Charleston.
It is rumoFed at Washington that Ben
jamin F. Wade, of Ohio, is likely 10 be
made Major General Of volunteers. Such
men are needed in the field.
Gen. ]. Fl. Lane, is to have an acting
Major Generals command, in the depart
mont comprising Kansas, Arkansas, and
the Indian Territory.
News from Rolla states that SigeI's res
ignation has created great excitement
among the troops. Many other German
officers have resigned.
The Richmond papers of the 28th say
Charleston was fired in several places on
Sunday eve last. Several wooden build
ings of but small value were destroyed.
A muskrat threw the whole community
of Winstead Conn, into commoton lately
by getting into the main gas-pipe Of that
village, and obstructing the flow of the
gas.
Gen Lane ofKansas is making prepare
tons for the active campaign on which
he will soon enter. The Government has
been prompt in giving directions for fur
nishing all the necessary supplies.
Congress has ordered the construction
of twenty iron-clad ships which, it is sup
posed, can be butt in six months, with the
exception Of the iron plates, which may re
quire more time.
The annual report of the Milwaukee jail
for the past year shows that during the
year there have been 754 males and 229
females committed to the Jail. OF these
100 were / 6 years of age and under, and
$50 could not read or write.
It is almost certain that the English
will, if they have not already occupied
Matamoras, with the design, it is feared
of opening commerce with the rebel states
getting cotton and importing contraband
goods.
The Buffalo Courier is informed that
the employees of the Great Western Rail-
way, in Canada, have lately been compel
led to take the oath Of allegiance or submit
to lose heir places. Other reports show &
warlike feeling on the part Of our Canadi
an neighbors,
It seems that a definite, but Informal
mode for an exchange of prisoners has beer
inaugurated. The prompt rcciprocation il
regard to this matter by the Southern au-
thorities viii soon be followed by the Gov.
eminent in forwarding another large party
for corresponding return.
Gen. Stevens has come to within SIX
miles Of Charleston, it is said, with bis
brigade Of 1900 men. The rebels sur
rounded him with eleven or twelve thousand
In preliminary skirmish Gen. Stevens
drove them back and gained elbow-room
on the main land, where he awaits rein
forcements.
1t is rumored at Washington the several
Ministers from Continental States have
said that Great Britain shall not, with the
consent Of her neighbors seek a quarrel
with America without substantial reason,
They think that the United States have
shown too much willingness to do those
things which make for peace to De drawn
into hostilities against their will.
Green county, Nebraska, (named IN
honor Of the notorious traitor, Jim Green
of Missouri), was summary 'wiped out
by legislative enactment last week. A
bill was introduced in the morning chan
ged to "Seward county," and before u
o'clock it had gone through all the forms
of legislation in both branches, and become
a law.
The Senate manifested a wholesome re-
luctance in admitting Benjamin Stark Of
Oregon, to the seat Of the deceased Gen.
E. b. Baker. His credentials, together
with well attested papers showing bis SYM
pathy with rebels in arms, were referred TO
the Committee. Mr.. Bright, Of Indiana
was on hand to mourn over. this depar-
ture from precedent.
The Richmond Enquirer of the 30th
saws that the Hon. Vim. III. Brown, an
Englishman, formerly editor of the New
York Journal of Commerce had been
commissioned as acting Secretary Of State
during the temporary absence from Rich
mond Of Ron. Il. w. L. Hunter This
confirms the report that Hunter with
Breckenridge had sailed from Halifax fol
Europe.
Rev. Wilmer, Of Philadelphia, arrived a
few DAYS since at Fortress Monroe, on his
way to Richmond, with twenty trunks,
which, on examination, were found full Of
cloth, sewing and writing materials, coffee,
and other contraband articles, and in the
lining OF his clothes were numerous maps
and letters. In bis white crayat weTelllus-
trated weeklies and a full account OF Burn
sides expedition with speculations as to its