Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-01-31
I, From, yEashinaron.

WAsHiEdToN, Jan. 90 The President hand.
ed tonight TO Champion Waugh commissions for
himself and the following gentlemen, who are
to constitute tho Staff Of Jas. H. Lane: Col.
VIM. II, Merritt, Lieut. Col J. Fitzpatrick, MAJ
Verplanck Van Antwerp; Maj. John Ritchie
Mai. T9'J. Weed Capt. VIM. A. Phillips, Capt
Wm. .o' 'Donnelt, Capt. ]. r. Mcclure. Capt A.
P. Russell, Capt. VIM. Kyle, Capt Volney, and
Col. Vaughn. He Rlso had social interview
with Secretary Stanton. Tho above staff of
officers are ordered to report to Maj. General
Hunter, to be by him detailed to Gen. Lane.
They leave for the West tomorrow to enter &C.
tive service.
A dispatch to the Tribune says: The special
committee on the deienses and Notifications OF
Lakes and Rivers, had an important meeting
this morning. Gen. Mcclellan laid before the
committee many facts showing the importance
OF immediate action. He fayors the fortihca-
tion of o few commanding points, such as
Mackinac, Fort Grati0t, and come place on the
! Sault st. Marie canal, and the reliance else.
| where upon naval defenses; to supply which he
recommends the establishments of one or more
depots oil arms on the Lakes. IL is understood
the committee concur In these general views,
and will make report IN accordance there.
with at an early day.
The etatement that the House committee on
the District OF Columbia has decided to report
against theaboltion OF slavery In the District,
Is untrue. Whatever the sentiments of the
committee, they have not yet been expressed by
vote. Mr.. Upton OF Virginia. to whom the
question was referred, reported orally that in
his opinion II was inexpedient at present. No
action was however taken upon the report, but
MIR. Ashley gave notice that If majority of
the committee espoused Mr.. Upton's views, he
should submit o minority report to the House.
accompanied with bill providing for the i'm
mediate abolition of slavery within the Dis
trict -. ss.4i1 ssE.s GU 5a8s on teIs5 =
General Stonemsn, chief of cavalry, has REQ.
omnended the consolidation of the seventy.
seven regiments Of volunteer cavalry, now on
the rolls, into fly regiments. He advises that
the field and line officers already mustered In
be examined by board of officers, who shall
eitt out at leasta third; and recommends that
the men also be sifted, aud that those not ct
for horsemen be mustered as infantry or muster.
ed out altogether. 1..sts
Mr.. TUCKER was confirmed to-day as assistant
Secretary Of War, and Fred Steele of Missouri,
as a Bfigsdier General. 1872 ac
Secretary Seward has issued ON order to Ward
II. Lamcn, marshal Of the District, insttucting
him not TO receive or retain In his custody any
persons claimed to be held to labor or service,
.uDless they are charged with crimes, or are held
as fugitive slaves under the iawof Congress,
and to retain none claimed as fugitiyes longer
than thirty days, unless in compliance with a
special order essesa.s::trE: from some competent
tribunal. - aspss w
The Times dispatch says: Secretary Stanton
was shown private letters to-day from Kentucky,
containing important and extraordinary state
ments regarding the battle at Somerset, To- wit;
That an entire Rebel regiment threw down their
arms in the conflict, and declared their purpose
M longer to fight against the Government.
This example was followed by Companies and
individuals of other regiments and accounts
for the complete failure and small slaughter
attending deliberate confederate attack. Gen,
Thomas is not pursuing 2ollicoffer's defeated
army, the roads and inadequate transportation
not permitting. He Is building road of thirty
miles in length to render hls advance into Ten
nessee easy and permanent
A deserter of Stuart's Virginia cavalry came
into our lines this morning. and was brought to
Secretary Stanton he reporta BeaureRard
Gen, Smith succeeds him in command at Cen.
treville. This deserter reports suffering among
the rebels from lack Of clothing, salt, coffee,
etc, They have plenty of meat and bread.
The Herald special saye: About dozen YES.
sells ran the blockade Of the Potomac yesterday
--spme up and some down the river; none were
fired at. Last night the Reliance vent down
TO convoy two transports. Sixty or seventy
shots were fred at them, with what effect IL not
known. Ass Fsk
The confirmation Of Gen. Stoneman chief Of
cavalry, and Gen. Barry chief Of artillery, have
been delayed by an opposltion arising from
charges brought by personal enemies Of the
gentlemen. They will probably be confirmed
in spite Of such influence, on account Of some
malicious representations. Fl
T denomination Of Gen. Sturgls will not be
sent 10 the Senste with the list Of other nomis
nations as Brigadiers. Gen. Sturgis had an In
terview with the President to-day, and bis nom.
ination was Immediately sent to the Senate, to
date from his original appointments sui
There Is no doubt that Gen. Stone viii lhe de-
posed, and another General, not now named
wlIlbe detailed to the command Of the-divlsion
at Poolesyille. @AaG A449TG,
: WAsHINeToN, Jan. 30--0flcisl dispat atchbs
from Con. Z. GoldsboTo, dated Jan. 26. arrived
this morning. Seventeen OF the naval vessels
were. a. that time In, the Sound over and be-
yond the Bulkhead, under immediate command
Of Com Rowan, in full readiness for opera.
tiope Gen. Burnside Was preparing bis forces
to move in connection with Che feet
Com. GoIdaboro says things now look hops.
ful, and sinceFeIy trust We shall be soon "a the
enemy. Any decided approach now q this
quarter on tho part of tho rebels, with all the
force they can muster, would certainly result In