Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-02-13
From Vvashimgton,

The fact that the British man f-war has
touched at Charleston and taken off the British
Consul, as well as that residents of the city were
deserving in large numbers serves to show that
they already begin to have realizing sense Of
what is awaiting them.
Senator Wilson reported from the Committee
on Military Affairs to-day. one of the most inn
portant bills ever considered in Congress. AZ
Ter setting forth, in preamble, the objects Of
the war, and the necessity of military force to
attain them it enacts that every able bodied
male citizen OF the United States, between lS
and As, shall constitute a part of the National
forces, and shall be liable to perform military
services when called on by the President.
A long list follows of the classes of persons
exempt from this requirement. including, in ad-
dition to ordinary exenpts, those who are the
sole support OF infirIn, aged, or helpless, only
brother Of young orphan children, and like ca
ses, under the French CONSUMPTION law.
The third section divides the National forces
not now in service into two classes, viz:
First, Those between eighteen ard thirty, and
the unmarried above that age
| Second, All others. The second class not to
be called into the service till the first is exhaus-
ted.
| For the convenience Of enrolment and the
apprehension of deserters, the United States is
divided into districts in States and Territories,
the President to designate the districts where
! Provost Marshals areto be appointed for each
district with the rank Of Captain of cavalry,
subject to the orders of the Provost Marshal
General A Board of ENROLMENT for each dis
trict consisting of the Provost Marshal and two
Others one Of whom is to be surgeon, is TO divide
it into subdistrics of convenient size, to appoint
enrolling officers for each before the 10Th of
March, who shall, by April, report all persons
50 enrolled, to be subject to call for two years
after July le, to serve during three years or the
war, and to be OR the same footing with the vol
| unteers with the same period.
When it shall be necessary to call out the ma
tional forces, the President is to assign to each
district the number required, who with sixty
per cent. additional shall thereupon be drafted
The President is to assign drafted men to such
corps regiments, de-, as the exigencies of the
service may require.
The bill goes at length into the details, touch
| ing the duties and penalties connected with en-
rolment and desertion.
This bill has been for long time the subject
of consultation and discussion among Republic
ans, and viii doubtless be put through by near
ly strict party vote. Ahamendment will per-
haps be moved, providing for the Government
procuring substitutes, after the French fashion,
when drafted men willing to pay for them,
Another important bill introd uced by Sum
ner to-day, provides for the enrolment of able
bodied blacks between eighteen and forty five
who have been freed by act of Congress or proc
lamati0n of the President by the commanding
officer of the department within which they
shall be found.
They are to be organized, armed, equipped,
and mustered into the service for the war, their
pay TO be seven dollars per month"; one half at
the end of the term of service.
! Privates are also to be entitled ON their dis
charge to ten acres of coniscated land, and COM
missoned officers to twenty # We acres such land
/ IN ha ooeunia1 "a bnfnaafaaA hv
and his family.
| Another section authorizes voluntary enlist
ments of free blacks between the ages Of eight
cen and thirty five, on the same pay as white
volunteers. The aggregate enrolled under the
act not to exceed 300,000. A bill will shortly
be introduced in the House empowering the
President, Secretary Of War and Surgeon Gem
eral, to establish homes for INDECENT and disab-
led soldiers at some central locality.
Washington, Feb 9.-Oficial reports have
been received from Admiral Dupont regarding
the affair off Charleston. Also enclosing the
account of Commander Stellwagon, of the Mer-
cedta. The accounts do not differ from those
recently telegraphed, and present no new fea-
lures. The Mercedita and Keystone State were
the only two boats injured. though other vessels
of the squadron We're struck by the enemy's
shot. The officers aud crew Of the Mcrced,a
were paroled but nothing was said about the
vessel, which, together with the Key ystone State,
are repairing at Port Royal
The rams -cane on the fleet dur ing a thick
fog and were not seen until close alongside the
Mercedita. The ram was so low in the water
the Mercedita was unable to bring gun to bear
on her, aud was disabled by the first shot ofthe
ram, which passed clear through her, exploding
her steam drum and depriving her of the power
Of motion, killing gunner aud scaldng NUNS
Der of the crew.
The ram after being detained half an hour by
the Mercedita started for the Keystone State
and soon disabled her by shot through both
steam chests. Ten rifle shell struck her, and
two burst on her quarter deck.
The Housntonic gave chase and a shot from
her struck the pilot house Of the ram, doing it
is thought, some damage, aud carrying away
her flag. The rebel vessels then passed north
ward and took refuge in the Swash channel.