The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-03-06
THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.


week is flom Nicksburg. Union advlces TT
por, that the rebels are evacuating the city,
while the rebel papers state that great bat
tie has been fought the result OF which is
undecisve. Evidently "things are working
in that vicinity, and we cannot but believe
for the glory of the Union cause.
Some people have been needlessly excited
within day Or two respecting another draft
of soldiers. The rumor became extensive
that the President had already called for
three-fourths of million more of men,
Nothing has been definitely determined up
on, bat it is the general impression that an
other levy Will be called for soon. At the
way in which our armies are being decimated
by discharges NOW at the rate of two regi-
ments a week it is evident that recruiting
from, some source is inevitable. We do not
believe, however, in the justice Of draft in
the several states until those states that have
not already, make up their quota under the
last cll!. 1t is said New York is 10000 be-
hind on her quota while Vermont has more
than made up hers.
Congress adjourned Wednesday. Much
legislation was crowded into the last few days.
The copperheads were not able however, to
clog the wheels so but what the government
has ample authority and means to carry on
the war. A bill passed the House, at tie
last minute, reducing the duty on newspaper
from 80 to 20 per cent-just one half what
was asked for and should have been.
The Boston Journal says that there are
only oinefy,fte Of the original members in the
N. II. Second regiment which has just re-
turned from Virginia.
A dispatch from Beaufort says that Feb
u the .i7th New York, with the assistance
of the boats, took Fort McAllister and about
one and half miles of rifle pits. The 18th
lost 100 in killed, wounded and missing
Two regiments have gone to reinforce them.
1t is expected that Savannah will be attacked
Immediately, and Charleston soon. Look out
for news from the southern coast "about
these days"
Another disaster reported from the rebel
pirate Florida. Ga the 18th of Feb she
captured ana burned the Jacob Bell, from
China to New York, with 1900 tons Of tea.
Loss, nearly million OF dollars. The du-
ties to the government you'd have been
$4,000. Have We a navy
Mayor Opdyke of New York has vetoed
the Fitz John Porter reception rendered by
the common council. All right.
Rather disgraceful affair occurred near
Strasburg on the 18th. a force Of Union
troops attacked and captured number of
rebel pickets, but pressing on careessly were
themselves in turn killed and captured to
the number of 200 1t is said our forces out
numbered the enemy, which report we can
hardly credit. The sufferers belonged to
the 18th Penn. and n . Y. cavalry.
The soldier BOYS in Virginia had tough
time of it last week. Two severe storms oil
snow and rain made it as uncomfortable fol
them as possible. A writer from Washing
ton says: The soldier cares little for dr.,
cold, but cold storm is his especial aversion
Snow accompanied by wind finds it way into
camp and hut, and indeed cannot by any in
genuity be kept out. The rain, if cold, is
worse than snow, for it will penetrate where
even SHOW cannot, when it is propelled by
fierce Io:theast wind.
1t was undoubtedly Gen Hooker's inten
ton when he took command of the army
to lnausu:ate m active campaign immediate
~: but the heavy storms and the horrid
mud have put veto upon all movements fol
the present, and if the horses and mules are
able to draw ratioHs for the men and forage
tor themselves they do well. The mud ma,
dry up by the first Of April, but until tina
time our readers may consider it "all quie,
on the fOtOmac
BY fire in Boston last week Messrs Ranl
4 Avery lost their very ingenious type-set
ting machine on which they had expended
some $4,000.
There has been an attempt at New Orleans
TO assassinate Gen Banks by pisto! shot
The north side of Hooker & Nickles
warehouse, a Milwaukee, gave way on Sat
urday from the great pressure on it, and 20,
600 bushels of wheat were precipi,ated into
the river.
Dispatches from Cincinnati say that thu
late scare in kentucky was quite unwarrant
ed by the facts. In the fight near Richmond
on Wednesday We took 200 prisoners and
recaptured all the wagons.
The withdrawal of the Union member
from the Indiana House of Representative
on Wednesday last, has probably put an emf
to further legislation this season. But tv,
of the minority remained in the hail. and al
have now gone home. The cause was an at
tempt to pass an unconstitutional measure T,
strip the government Of all military power
We have met with another disaster belo,
|icksburg. The.federal war vessel Indianol
has fallen into the hands of the rebels, GU
former Queen Of the West being used il
her capture. No particulars.