The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-02-17
THE WAR NEWS

the existence OF plot N that CITY 70 Oeiasc s"o
Yankee prisoners and assassinate JEFF. Davis
A number of persons we're arrested, and roll Of
the members Of the conspiracy discovered.
Fortress Monroe, Feb s.
On Saturday morning Gen. Buffers forces,
under command Of Brig. Gen. Wistar, marched
from Yorktown by the way of New Kent Court
House. The cavalry arrived at half past two
o'clock Yesterday morning at Bottoms Bridge
across the Chickahominy, ten miles from Rich
mond, for the purpose Of making raid isto
Richmond and endeavoring, by surprise 10 hbe'
crate our prisoners there. The cavalry reached
the bridge at the time appointed, marching II
sixteen and one-half.hours AZ miles. A force oil
infantry followed in their rear for the purpose o.
supporting them. IL was expected 70 surprise
the enemy at Bottoms Bridge, who had ioI
some time only small picket there. The sur
prise failed. because, as the Richmond Era'a-
liner to-day says a, Yankee deserter gave inior-
nation in Richmond Of the intended movement
and the enemy had feIed large amount Of tim
Der so as to block up and obstruct the ford anu
make it impossible for our cavalry to pass AT
ter remaining at the bridge from o'clock unit
IL, Gen. Wistar joined them with his infantry
and the whole object OF the surprise having beer
defeated, Gen. Wistar returned to Williams
burg.
The march by our Infantry, three regiments
Of whom were coIored, Of more than 50 miles,
was made in Sc hours.
The new enrolment bill has passed the House
and its main features have been acceded to by
the Senate The bill provides for the earollment
Of all citizens Of African descent between the
ages of 20 and IS years. as a portion Of the IA
tional forces, aud exempts from active military
service all members OF religious denominations
Who have conscientious scrupes against bearing
arms
Richmond papers have Official statments show
ing that the number of troops enlisted into the
Confederate service since October, was 100. 900
A Herald correspondent, who was captured by
the rebels in Louisiana aud recently exchanged
writes that the entire rebel force west Of the
Mississippi on January lst was 5000.
Cairo, February Il.
TIE steamer Platte Valley returned from San
Iatia, on the Yazoo River, where she with othel
transports, gunboats and with portions Of shcr
mans expedition, were attacked by a force o
some 5000 Texan troops, who, with artillery
and musketry fred into the Transports, wound
ing six soldiers A fight ensned in which pOr.
ton Of our infantry and gunbOats participated
resulting in the disodgement of aud driving the
enemy, with what loss unknown. Fight Of GU
men were killed and 80 wounded The LII
Illinois, with negro cavalry and infantry, were
engaged in the affair.
Gen. Banks has issued lengthy general regu
lation on the subject of compensated plantation
labor, fixing the rates thereof, interdcting fog
ging and the sale of intoxicating liquor 10 plan
tation hands, and stating that the enlistment o
soldiers from plantations will not be resume,
without an order Of the Government.
Laborers will be permitted to choose thei
employers, but when the agreement is mad
they will be held to it for one year LabOrer
will be permitted on limited scale to cultyat
l60u on private account. n Tree idDOf btlh VII
be established as a safe deposit TOT earnings.
A dispatch from ST. Louis states that the ut
most activity prevails in all the ship and nav.
yards at that place, and that upon the opening
of navigation, will be seen one Of the arges
fleets ever concentrated on the Mississippi. Tn
feet will rendezvous at Cairo and Memphis, un
der command of Admiral Porter
A rebel clerk complains, through the column
Of the Richmond Wig that his salary OF 81,
500 from the government will only furnish hi
family of eve persons with bread and water. II
should be in better business than serving tn
rebel junts.
Gen. Butler has commenced the establishment
of common tchoOl system at Norfolk and For
tress Monroe, precisely like that in Massrchu
sets. IL will insure the education OF hundred
of children
Deserters from Prices army state taht n
knowledge Of the Amnesty Proclamation eviste
among Pieces men. They expressed the opin
ion that as soon as they know its condition
there will soon he little left of his army.
Cleveland, Feb H.
| Treadwell the Peoples Bank defaulter, @
Hudson, Michigan, was arrested to-day in Mans
field. His fatherin.law is said to have escape
with the money.
The Wilmington Journal says that powerful
effort will doubtless be made 70 drive the encm
from Eastern \. &C. Should our army fail il
this effort, the State will be lost to the Confede
racy. The opposition press are still outspoke
in their sentiments.
Washington, Feb II.
A'geutleman who to night arrived from tn
army Of the Potomac, saw before be lett there
Richmond paper OF Thursday. found on the per
son OF a deserter who came into our lines, il
which appears an article stating that log officer
have escaped from Libby Prison, by digging
tunnel under the street for that purpose Il i
supposed the prisoners have been cJgaged upoi
the work for at least month
OF Charleston, Feb 90
Very early this morning some daring English
man made bold attempt, just before daybreal
during fog, to run the blockade. He succeede,
in getting in az far az the mouth Of the harbor
when he was run ashore by trying to avoid tn
shells from our batteries, which were fying il
every direction. The fog soon cleared up an,
there was the blockade runner, hard and fast Of
the beach. She was n splendid looking side
wheel steamer, with two smoke-stacks aud rak
ish masts Forts Wagner and Gregg, aided b.