The weekly union record., 1864-04-02
News of the Week.

being rapidly made by Lieut. General Grant
for successful march Ion to Richmond He
visited the Army of the Potomac on the 24tb
of March, and Was enthusiastically received.
An order has just been issued by the War
Department, which is in substance as follows:
The namber OF army corps composing the army
OF the Potomac will be reduced 10 three
namely. the Second, Fifth and Sixth. The
troops of other corps viii be temporarily dis
tribu,ed among these by the commanding
General. Major General Warren is assigned
to the command of the Fifth Army Corps
Part of Admiral Porter's feet had appeared
off Alexandria, Louisiana, aud demanded its
surrender which was complied with without,
opposition. The prisoners captured at Fort
De Russy have arrived at New Orleans. Gen.
Banks would leave for The field on Saturday
3lst instant
The gunboat Octoraro, one of the partici-
pants in the attack on For. Powell, near Mo
| bile. had arrived at New Orleans for repairs
The army of Western Louisiana is moving
| Gen. Lees cavalry advance had occupied New
Iberia. Two of our gunboats crossed Berwick
bay and Grand lake, and ascended Grand river
| nearly TO Butte Ia Rose. Before reaching Butte
Ia Rose they came upon rebel camp and
opened fire. The rebels ran. The gunboats
landed men, who burned the tents and camp
equipage and captured the arms and ammuui-
ton of the entire force.
The Wisconsin Mounted Infantry, had sew
eral skirmishes with guerrilas near Baton
Rouge, routing them.
Particulars have been received Of the cap
ture of Guadalajara by the liberal Mexican
forces under Uraga on February 25th. Some
cannon and 500 prisoners French and rene
gade Mexicans-were captured. Puebla is
said TO be besieged by the Liberals, and must
fall, the invaders having no reinforcementsth that
can reach there in time 10 save the garrison
The Liberal cause is spreading.
From New Orleans we learn that deserters
and refugees continue TO arrive at Brownsville
Texas Two thousand in all had reached that
place.
A large number of troops from the West are
en- route TO the Army of the Potomac
Eastern Arkansas has lately been the scene
of most revolving outragcs. Rowing bands of
guerrillas go about the country from house to
house, pundering the citizens Of money and
clothing and anything else of value. Efforts
are being made by the 18th Illinois cavalry to
rid the country of these villains.
Forrest with about 5000 men, made m
attack upon Paducah at two O'Clock on March
25lh, capturing the city and completely cutting
and the steamer Arizona Colonel Hicks with
force of between seven and eight hundred
men, occupied the Fort while Forrest held the
town, Three gunboats played on the city for
some time. The enemy made four assault,
upon the fort, but were repulsed each time. At
one time some Of them gained The top of the
breastworks, and a few fell inside of the fort
The wharf boat and about three thousand peo
pie were moved across the river on Forests
approach. These people were IN an exposed
and destitute condition. Later reports state
that Forrest had left Paducah, and the fire in
the back part of the city was dying out and
the people are returning. During the fight a
large number OF rebe,s occupied large brew
cry on Front street on which the gunboats
opened heavily, bate ring down the walls of
the building and killing many rebels 1t is not
known how many were killed in the city. 1t is
said some women and children were killed.
1t is reported that Secretary Seward is in
favor of an immediate demonstration against
France
Owen Lovejoy, member of Congress from
Illinois, died at Brooklyn on the Goth ult.
The New York Herald reports that Gen
Blair is about resigning his scat in Congress
to return to the army.
Grant desires Mcclellan and Fremont to
have commands.
Advices from Richmond state that rebel
plans have been formed for the reclamation of
Tennessee and Kentucky TO the rebels. JEFF
Davis believes that Richmond is almost i'm
pregnable, and the great bulk of the rebel
forces will be concentrated at the West, where
they intend recapturng Chattanooga, to reach
Ohio, and again close the Mississippi.
The President has issued Proclamation
declaring the benefits of his amnesty
proclamation only 10 those persons yet free
from arrest. Prisoners excluded from the am
nesty offered in the Proclamation OF the Sth Of
December may apply 10 the President for
clemency, like all other offenders, and their
application will receive due consideration. 1t
is further proclaimed that the oath prescribed
in the Sth of December proclamation may be
taken before any commissioned officer, civil or
military or naval, of any State or Territory
not in insurreclion.