The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-19
THE NEWS OF THE WEEK

tdE NEWS OF Tile w GGh
The express train which left Baltimore on
Thursday night for Wheeling, was captured
by company Of Confederates about eight
miles west of Harpers Ferry. A switch was
changed and the waving of lighted lamp
caused the engineer to stop the engine. The
train was Immediately surrounded, and
number of armed men entered the cars. The
passengers were more or less multched in
shape of ransom. Some produced green
backs, others watches, while several reluc-
family gave diamond rings and breast-pins.
No one was injured, nor was there the slight
est disposition on the part of the raiders to
take any prisoners. One Of the sufferers es-
Inmates that the aggregate amount of money
taken from passengers was not less than
three hundred thousand dollars, while the
value of the jewelry was also considered
large. Ten of the robbers were captured a
few hours after the robbery. The party con-
sisted of some of the chivalrous aud rebel
sympathizing Baltimor;ans and constituted a
portion of Gilmore's band.
The Richmond papers have dispatch dated
Lake City, Feb. s, to the effect that "eight-
cen Federal vessels-gunboats and trans
ports-had arrived at Jackson. The enemy,
sup posed to be in large force, have landed
and are advancing"
A blockade runner with a valuable cargo
of iron plates and other metal, for the con-
struction of iron-clads was sunk off Charles
ton few days ago. The rebels have been
unable to remove any of the cargo on &C.
count of the heavy fire from our guns.
On Monday week the rebels made an at
tack upon Newport Barracks, North Carroll.
ma, and drove our forces short distance
They soon however retired. Deserters say
the rebels are waiting for reinforcements
also that large numbers want to come in but
are so guarded that they cannot escape. A
letter dated Newbern, Feb. II, say, "rlmol
come from the front that the enemy are com.
ing in again upon US. All is ready fol-
them"
One hundred and nine Union officers es-
capped from prison in Richmond last week
by digging tunnel. OF this number l
were Coils, 5 Majors,32 Capt's and 50 Leut's.
Twenty-one of the officers arrived safely
at Williamsburg on the 10Th. The Richmond
Examiner gives the names of 20 who have
been retaken up to that date. Gen. Butler
telegraphs that "our cavalry are securing
the country to the Chickahominy river
Gunboats have gone up the James and Chick
ahominy rivers to give protection to such a.
can be found"
Refugees from Savannah report that Gen
Beauregard has removed his headquarters
there in anticipation of an attack on tina
place.
Through the Intervention of Gen. Butler
the officers ard men of Col. Straits commant
have been released from close confnmen,
and their irons removed
In the Admiralty Court, at Halifax, n. S.
on the 18th inst, Judge Stewart gave fna
decision in the Chesapeake case. The vesse
and cargo are to be restored to the orisina
owners.
The provost marshal general has decide
that the towns in each state shall each con
stitute sub-district. A draft therefore wi
only be ordered in such towns in the yariou
states as shall show deficiency under tn
various calls, while those towns that have a
excess of quota will be credited, the same t
De applied to any future emergency.
Richmond papers of the 10Th contain Jet
Davis address to the soldiers of the reb
armies. He praises their bravery, endurant
and patriotism thanks them for re-enlistin
anu preoIcls the coming spring campaig
will be less favorable on our part and resu
In the continual success and final triumph t
the Confederacy.
Gen. Banks has issued an order relating I
plantation labor in Louisiana. The Provo.
Marshal General is instructed to provide fc
the division Of parishes into police and schot
districts, and to organize from invalid soldie,
competent police force for the preservatio
of order. Schools are to be established fc
the instruction Of colored children under |
years of age. Soldiers will not be Above
to visit plantations except by written perm
Of the commanding officer. Flogging {
other cruel and unusual punishments are il
terdicted. All questions between the en-