The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-02-25

them. it would be tnanifcstly improper 70
us to make or alude to them.
-s'a News of the Week.
Gen. Meade was in Washington on ths
18th, consulting with the Secretary of War
and Gen. Halleck. a g .
$4,000 colorcd troops will be ready fol
service in the southwest by May LIST. ~
The army Of the Potomac is 20 be consol.
idated into three grand Corps at an early
day with Genls. Sedgwick, Hancock and
Couch as commanders.
Gen. Price has gone to Texas and Mcxi'
co on 80 days furlough. Iii believed ir
the rebel army that he will never return.
Scouting parties in Western Va, had
captured % prisoners incluins the notorious
guerilla Chief Van Duskey and Maj. Adam
Of the AID rebel infantry. '@,.' '.'s+ "
Gen. Curtis has returned to Kansas from
Fort Smith. He was fired upon from am
bush at Prairie Grove Battle ground while
separated from his escort, but not injured.
1t is proposed to extent the Presidents
amnesty to Colonels. Rebel deserters say
it would cause whole Regiments t. desert.
A New York clerk was robbed the other
day at the Custom House Of a bag Of colo
containing $4,000, other accounts, say $50.
900. r-...... .s. H. .s.
There will be no change in the Command
of the Army of the Potomac. Gen. Meade,
is to command through the next campaign.
The rebels have obtained possession of a
number of British vessels in Chinese Wa
ters, probably by collusion OF the partie:
and information has been received of their
sailing for the West coast Of America.
Danger to San Francisco is apprehended.
The Florida expedition has been com.
plete success. Several points besides Jack
sonvie have been taken, and the column is
pushing on through the State.
The war in Europe, sometime threatened
has at last broken out in Denmark. Two
battles have been fought, one between the
Danes and Prusslans at Mussurda, in which
the former were repulsed with loss of 100
and another between the Danes and Austri.
ans at Bistere resulting also in the success
of the Danes. These places are near
Schleswig. Large masses of troops are
moving forward to the seat of war from
Prussia and Austria. The position Of
other European powers in reference to these
bellegerents is not yet defined, England
sympath,zes with the Danes, France and
RUSSIA incline to neutrality. ~
1.-THE whiskey question has been settled in
Congress by committee of conference
The tax on spirits on hand is not imposed.
On spirits distilled, sold and removed after
the passage of the act a sliding scale of du-
ties has been agreed upon, ranging from 60
to IS cents per gallon. The sudden change
of mind of so large . number of members
on this question has given rise to = good
deal of speculation as to the cause. The
presence of lobby influence representing
millions of interest in liquor. is naturally
associated in the public mind, With the 70
suit reached, whether justly or not.
"A Sanitary Fair promising to be very sue
cessfni, is in progress at Burlington. Grimes
Hall is reported full of valuable presents. -
The railroads carry at half fare. - .7e
Washington's Birthday was celebrated
generally throughout the country.
A Sanitary Fair is in progress at Buffalo
NY
Miss Dickinson lectured ia st. Louis or
Saturday night, eiiciting apturohs applause
Clarke, who stole $4,000 in gold frpi,
the Denver Mint, the other day. was nabbet
at Arkansas River, and the money mostly
recovered. eg.s.,fs
Sherman is marching on. He has reach
ed Quitmann, on the Ohio and Mobile rail
road without serious opposition, but will no
be allowed to take Mobile without despe
rate battle. He has. 10000 men, marche
in close order, and tears up railroads an
bridges in the rear. Lees cavalry are hang
ing on the TANKS of the column, picking oil
stragglers. The advance is the boldest o
the war. Itmeditates no step backward.
Farragut with,his fleet is at Mobile, Blu
the weather has not admitted Of action
Maj. Gen. Scammon is prisoner in the Lib
hey at Richmond Several deserters from
the rebels have been re captured and hung
So yankee officers have been re-captured an
returned to Libbey Prison. The abov
comes through rebel sources. asa at