Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-02-04
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
News Items.

Gen. wilson, OF zen. Grants staff, has
been appointed Chief of the Cavalry Bureau
The small pox is subsiding in Washington
and promises soon to disappear.
Generals Hitchcock and Candy, and Major
Halpine, are appointed a board to revise rules
and articles of war.
The troops at Fort Gibson are reported on
half rations, owing to the defective supply
system. Forage is also very scarce.
The Kansas Legislature have welcomed
Gen. Curtis, by unanimous vote, as Gen
eral of military renown and tried loyalty.
The Patent Office has accumulated fund
of $4,000 since the lst day Of July last, af-
ter paying all expenses.
II. Winter Davis has drawn up a series of
resolutions condemning Gen. Banks for his
course in ordering an election in Louisiana.
1t is said that Gen. Augur will go into the
field, and Gen. Sickles be commander Of the
defences Of Washington.
The ship Contest from Japan, with cargo
of teas for New York was burned by the pi-
rate Ala5anaa in the Indian ocean.
An important bill will soon be reported
from the House Post Office committee, ma
king the Post Office Department responsible
for monies sent by mail.
Twenty-Five Illinois regiments and two bat
teries have already reported as veteran re-
cruits, and re-enlistments are rapidly pro-
crossing.
The Charleston Courier of Tuesday SAYS
the bombardment Of the city continues, but
the damage is very small considering the
number and weight Of shots fired.
The Emigration Committee will probably
recommend the sending Of commissioners to
Northern Europe, to facilitate the enormous
emigration expected this year
A Washington special says it is now certain
that a serious mutiny occurred in the rebel
camp near Stevensburg, Va, on Saturday.
Deserters say regi ment attempted to desert,
and a serious atfray occurred.
A special to the Times says that Gen. Grant
will issue an address to the people Of Arkan-
sas, urging them to return to their allegiance,
and declaring, as slavery is dead, there is
nothing left for the South to fight for.
A special to the Tribune says Gen. Halleck
expresses the belief that the last desperate
effort will be made by the rebels in the
spring to transfer the real fighting to North
ern soil.
The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher has written
IL lCIIci W Tie blLSIccS VI lllOuGH OuuICl
declining to receive the additional compensa-
ton of s. 900 voted to him at their annual
meeting
The HnalPs Washington dispatch says
1t isanderstood that California and Oregon
will soon be formed into military depart
ment, the forces there raised to be at least
ten full regiments. 1t is expected a Major
General will be sent there from the Atlantic
Staaes.
A special to the Commercial from Chatta-
nooga, Jan. 81, says: The rebel orders re-
quiring soldiers to serve years more, are
causing hundreds to desert Fifty-six came
in to-day in one squad. One division left the
rebel lines yesterday to reinforce Mobile.
The Senate, in Executive session, has con-
irmed the nomination Of Charles A. Dana as
second assistant Secretary of War, and Ad-
olson r. Flint to be Receiver of public mon
eys for the district Of land subject to sale at
Roseburg, Oregon, vice Briggs, removed.
The Worlds special says: The President
to-day notified the Arkansas delegation that
he had instructed Gen. Steele to order an
election for Governor of that State at once.
The regular election of State officers and
Congressman will follow. Over 1000 citi
zens of the State have taken the oath of al
legiance
The Petersburg Express Of the 22d says
seven hospital buildings at Camp Winder,
near Richmond were burned yesterday. A
large quantity of stores and clothing were
DESTROYED. An unsuccessful attempt was
made to burn the Presidential Mansion in
Richmond on Tuesday last.
The Commercial says private advices from
well informed quarters in Europe, state posi-
lively that the Scheswig Halstien question
is about to be settled peacefully by an agree
ment between the great powers in which Den
mark has Already promised to acquiesce and
which will be imposed by Austria and Prussia
upon the lesser German States, if necessary
by force.
Deserters say Lees army is widely scatter
ed but they do not believe any portion of it
has been sent off-they are certain no troops
have been sent from their immediate COM
mand. They represent forage as difficult to
obtain and that the forces are reduced in
number and efficiency, also that no supplies
are received by Lees army in advance of it's
actual necessities.
Capt Samuel Black Quartermaster, is SEN
fenced by a court martial at Louisville to be
dismissed from the service, with a loss Of paw
o
$4,000 and be imprisoned two years The
charges were neglect and violation of duty,
conduct unbecoming an officer, making false
reports, &c.
Gen. Halleck having replied in the mega
tive to Secretary Chase's inquiry as to whether
there would be danger of supplies reaching
the rebels if trade restrictions were removed
from the States of Kentucky and Missouri,
Mr. Chase has prescribed and the President
has sanctioned regulations opening those
States to unrestricted commercial intercourse.
The same policy will soon be followed in
Delaware and Maryland.
Gen. Pleasanton of the cavalry has issued
an order to the effect that no excuse will
hereafter be accepted for surprise or capture
under plea that the enemy is in our uniform,
as no person will be allowed to approach
within rife shot until their character is as
certained Officers surprised will be recon-
mended for dismissal and privates be tried
by court martial should they prove response
bic. Rebels wearing our uniform caught in
the act of making war against our forces are
ordered to be shot on the spot.
The statement copied from European pa
pers that Marshal Forey had an extraordinary
mission to Washington, and obtained pledge
thai the c. S. would not disturb the new
Mexican monarchy, in return for promises |
from France with regard to her attitude to- |
wards the South, is in every shape and form
without foundation. Marshal Forey has not |
been at Washington; has made no communi-
cation, directly or indirectly to Government,
and no such pledges have been made. The
State papers sent to Congress with the Pres
ident's message, contain all that has passed |
between the United States, Mexico, Spain and |
Austria, on the subject of the war between |
France and Mexico.