The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-12-21
335599
CONDENSED NEWS ITEMS.

j. w. Marshall, the discoverer of gold in
California, still lives in Coloma, poor but re-
spectacle citizen.
The Chinese Language has no regular gram
mar. The tone of the voice indicates the verb
half the time, it is said.
The city of Nankin China once populated
with 900 900 of people, has dwindled down till
it's inhabitants now number only 100000
We have the comforting assurance from an
officer high i'm command, that effective meas
ures have been taken to rid the Shenandoah and
Loudon Valley of guerrillas.
In Paris the fashionable ladies have their
poodle dogs dyed red, blue, green, Or any de-
sired color to correspond with the color of their
dresses.
We learn that the Sanitary Commission sent
four relief agents and two four-horse wagons
loaded with hospital supplies with the late ex-
petition to the Weldon railroad, under General
Warren.
General Sherman's youngest child, about six
months old, died last week, at the residence of
Speaker Colfax, South Bend, Indiana, where
Mrs. Sherman is sojourning.
Two hundred and fifty women and children
not a man among them-refugees from Georz
gla, recently arrived at Indianapolis, Indiana.
They are pitiable objects, and enlist the sympa-
thy of the kind-hearted.
During an investigation, in London intoth
death of Mr.. Stephens, rigger, it transpired
that his wife had stripped the dead body of all
the clothes which he wore, and had pawned
them for drinks
The Cleveland (Ohio) papers announce inn
portant discoveries of rock oil in the vicinity of
that city Spectators rapidly buying up
the oil lands. Some of the owners hold back
for higher bids
The petroleum produced in the State of
Pennsylvania was sold at the wells for $5O,OOO,-
600 during the last tweve months, and the iron
and coal of Pennsylvania only produced $51, 900.
Mr.. Evans, an engineer, testified the other
day in the investigation of the railroad disaster
on the New Haven Railroad, that on the Har-
lem track . sleepers were put down that were
so green that they grew after they. We're laid
down.
Coy. Gilmore of New-H Hampshire has issued
proclamation awarding One two, and three
hundred dollars bounty to all veterans from
that State enlisting in Hancock's new corps--
The Governor expresses himself highly encour-
aged With the evidences of rapid enlistments.
"A confectioner in Paris had the curious ma
MIA OF collecting portraits of Napoleon l. not one
of which was to resemble the other completely
He has succeeded in getting together 5000 por-
traits. He thought the fact so curious that bs3
offered the prints to Government, who, however
snubbed him. and declined to purchase.
The telegraphed from the Shenan-
doah Valley that information had been received
by Gen. Sheridan that EARLY and Breckenridge
had received instructions from Richmond to de-
monstrate against his lines is dscredited at Last
accounts breckenridge was still in East Ten
nessee. The last trustworthy intelligence is
that Early had depleted his army to the extent
of three divisions, which were sent to Lees ae-
sstance at Petersburg
Arrangements are rapidly being made TO
put the new First Corps of Gen. Hancock into
the field at the earliest moment. Many old and
tried officers will be placed in command, and
their names will be announced in few days.
Steps are being taken which will induce each
State to forward veterans to join this Corps
Arrangements are, it is said, in progress by
which State and other local bounties may be
paid here to a veteran recruit, who may have
himself credited to any particular locality he
may prefer For any veteran sent to Washing
ton to be accredited to any locality, certificate
will be given,