The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-02-11
From washington.
WAsHINeroN, Feb. s


The following is believed to be
about as correct version of the news
from the Potomac army as can yet be
obtained a. ly at# It
The portion of the army recently
engaged in the demonstration on tho
front of the enemy on the south side
of the Rappahannock, returned to
their late quarters between the Rapi-
dan and Rappahannock on Saturday
night last, after having accomplished
what was believed to be the design OF
the movement, viz: ascertaining that
the enemy still remains in his usual
force in the positions in front ofOr-
ange Court House that he has occu-
pied for some time past, and from
which there had been some reason to
believe he had retired. In the course
of the movement, Gen. Hays division
ofour forces engaged the enemy in
Overwhelming force and in /. a.strongly
fortified position, in the vicinity ol
Morton's Ford. o.... ~.
Gen. Hays ordered the works to be
carried by storm, which was found
impracticable without too great loss
The condition of tho roads would not
admit of pushing to its legitimate re-
suit, any advantage heavy sacrifice
of men might secure. He according
ly withdrew the attacking force, with
q loss Of 200 or 300 men, wounded anC
missing. The loss on the part of the
enemy is not known. We lost nc
pontoons, as was rumored this morn
ing. ... .a.,.
LATER.
Later intelligence from the from
states that Gen. Merritt went as fal
as Orange Court House, but found on
| ly inconsiderable bodies of the enemy
Information was received to the effec
that the rebels were replanking thu
road from Charlottesville to OraHg'
Court House, and cutting new roac
through the Wilderness. The ThirC
Army Corps crossed at Raccoon Ford
but found the enemy drawn away by
Walren's movement.
In the skirmish that followed, oul
losses were 250 killed and wounded
while 100 rebel prisoners were taken
Our forces recrossed the river at mid
night. Tho reconnaissance developed
the enemy in strength in the direction
beyond Orange Court House, TOWARD
Gordonsville. Fitzpatrick secured th'
country toward fredericksburg, with
out finding any infantry, and but few
rebel cavalry. The whole army j
again on this side of the Rapidan.
NEWS FROM RICHMOND.
The Richmond Enquirer of the 6tl
says the Confederate Congress has go
in a pet with the newspaper men
and will conscript all below As year
of age, making it necessary to suspend
all papers except such as are necessa
ry to do the public printing. There
J arc ow but 35 papers in the Confed
cracy.
Commissioner Ould declares OK
} changed the prisoners heretofore he'll
by the Union authorities, whether off
GERS, soldiers or civilians, received a
City Point before January 1st, and al
officers and mon of the Vicksburg cap
ture; also those reported for duty a
Enterprise, prior TO November 18, g;
also, all officers and men of the Vicks
burg capture belonging to the lst Ten
! nessec artillery.
In the house to-day an amendmen
to the Senate enrolment was adopte
as o substitute for one of the origins
resolutions, which forever provide
|, that any person drafted into the mil
tary service, may before tho time fxe
for his appearance at the draft ren
devious, furnish an acceptable subst
Q tute, subject to such rules and regulf
t tions as may be prescribed by the SCI
| rotary of War, if such person is nc
I liable to draft. The persons furnish
ing them shall be exempt frol
s draft during the time for which sue
J. substitute is not liable to draft, not Q,
S ceeding the term for which he wt
S drafted and if such substitute
: liable to draft the name of the pei
= son furnishing him shall be liable
draft in filling further quotas.
> sue
From Chattanooga.
n a - a ~