The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-03-18
NEWS ITEMS.
Presidents Proclamation.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 10.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 10.
Tn pursuance of the 26th section of the
act of Congress entitled "An act for en-
rolling and calling out the National forces
aud for other purposes" approved on the
Sd Of March, in the year 1868. /, Abra-
ham Lincoln, President and Commander
n-Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States, do hereby ordain and CON-
mand that all soldiers enlisted or drafted
into the service of the United States, now
absent from their regiments without leave,
who shall, on or before the first day of
April, 1868, report themselves at any rem
devious designated by the general orders
of the War Department No. SO, hereto
annexed, may be restored to their respec-
regiments without punishment, except
the forfeiture of pay and allowance dur
ing their absence and all who do not re-
turn within the time above specified shall
be arrested as deserters, and punished as
the law provides and
Whereas, Evil disposed and dlsloyal
persons, at sundry places, have enticed
and procured soldiers to desert and alb
sent themselves from their regiments,
thereby weakening the strength of the
armies and prolonging the war, giving aid
and comfort to the enemy and cruelty ex.
posing the gallant aud faithful soldiers
remaining in the ranks to increased hard
ships and dangers:
[ do therefore call upon all patriotic
and faithful citizens to oppose and resist
the aforementioned dangerous and treas
enable crimes, aud aid IN restoring to
their regiments all soldiers absent without
leave, and to assist in the execution OF
the act Of Congress for "enlisting and
calling out the national forces and fol-
other purposes" and to support the proper
authorities in the prosecution and punish
ment of offenders against said act and in
suppre6sing tue insurrection and rebel
lion.
In testimony whereof l have hersunto
set my hand. A. LINCOLN.
A correspondent of The Times, who
says he at first doubted that negroes
would be good soldiers, now writes: 81
have now been with the various armies
of the South West nearly year. | have
had good opportunities for observation,
and have endeavored to form an opinion
of the average intelligence of the slave
population, unprejudieed by the color OF
their skin, and [ think that DO man whose
perception is not obscured by prejudice
would fail to arrive at the conclusion that
at least vo-thirds Of the men slaves would
make brave and effective soldiers"
More CON plete accounts Of the late bat
tic at Spring HILL Tenn, put better
face upon the matter. A correspondent
of The Philadelphia Press sums up the
result as follows: The Rebels were badly
whipped; the Union loss was very small;
$50 Rebels were killed and wounded and
left upon the field ; we captured So Reb-
els, considerable number of smal-arms,
one spiked brass 6-poundsr howitzer, and
a quantity of stores.
We have New Orleans news to the 1st
inst. The most interesting intelligence
is that Of meeting to reorganize the
Louisiana State Government. A plan is
to be prepared, and the people in every
parish will be asked TO send delegates to
State Convention. John Slidell's prop
erty has been seized by Gen. Banks for
conGscation.
/ Our Norfolk correspondent says that
the Court of Inquiry, established by order
Of the Military Governor at that place,
has, since its organization, collected some
100000 for Northern creditors. The
decisions Of the Court have given very
general satisfaction to all parties having
business before it.
Gen. Rosecrans has ordered that all
persons whose natural supporters are in
the Rebel service, and whose sympathies
and connections are such that they can
not give assurance of their loyalty, will
hold themselves in readiness to 60 south
of our lines within ten days.
The Supreme Court of the United
States has decided that the stocks and
bonds of the General Government cannot
be taxed by the States. The case was
that of the State of New York against
the Bank Of Commerce All the State
courts had decided that the stocks held
by the bank should be taxed, and tho
bank appealed to the United States Su-
preme Court. Of course the decision is
final, and settles the principle.
CINCINNATI, March 16.
The Ga@ett's Vicksburg dispatch says
the Yazoo Pass expedition has captured
twenty-six steamboats,, eighteen of which
were destroyed. The gunboats have ar
rived above Haine's Bluff, and would soon
, commence the attack