The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-01-01
THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Gen. Averll with his cavalry force pene-
trated on the 10th inst, to Salem, an ;mpor.
tant town 60 miles west of Lynchburg, on
the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, DIES.
troyed the telegraph and railroad track, burn
ed the depots and great quantity of stores
broke up some bridges, and-for a time at
least ftctually cut off Longstree,'s COM
mnnicAtion with Virginia. Rereating his
steps northward, he found four divisions of
rebels in his path, determined to finish him
but by forced N ght march, and rushing by
the rebels without stopping to fight he came
off with the loss of lew sick aud less than
100 effective soldiers. Considering the
mountainous and barren nature of the coun-
try, Gen Averill's men have done wonders.
1t is stated in Washington that instructions
have been sent from Secretary Wells to the
commanding officers of the different Navy
Yards to have fleet OF vessels ready to take
their positions at New York, Boston, Phil
adelphia Baltimore, and other important
ports, fer the purpose of carrying out the
new regulations relative to passports of yes
sels and passengers.
The Russian Admiral paid visit to Gen.
Butler at Fortress Monroe, SATURDAY., and
was formally received by the General and his
Staff
The Russian Minister at Washington wait
ed on the President, Saturday. for the pur-
pose of expressing the thanks of the In
perlal Government for the kind reception of
the vessels Of the Russian navy and their
officers and crews in the United States; and
also for the assistance extended at San Fan
cisco to a Russian corvette, the Norwick.-
III" communication was cordially received
and courleously acknowledged b, the Presi-
dent.
The Speaker of the House has appointed
Representative Patterson OF New Hampshire
a Regent OF the Smithsonian Institution.
The news from Texas is cheering and
shows that the whole Of Western Texas will
soon be IN our possession.
The Sth New Hampshire regiment has
been changed into cavalry and is now known
as the lst New Hampshire cavalry.
The Rebel Congress has abroga,ed the
substitute bill. There are to be no substitutes
In Dixie. Everybody is to be conscripted
and he is to 60
The funeral Of Gen. Corcoran took place
in New York Sunday. His old regiment.
the 81 h, We're present, also the ODD regi-
ment, 4th artillery, the Common Council of
the city and many military officers. Gen.
Corcoran was but SO years old. He was
born IN County Sligo, Ireland and came to
this county in 1919.
A Washington espondent of the World
says that 1t is reported on good authority
that Major General Smith, recently pronot-
ed for his good conduct in the campaign OF
East Tennessee, has been or will be shortly
appointed to command the Army of the
Potomac, in the stead of Gen. Meade.
The Philadelphia Bulletin says coal has
declined fifty cents Per ton at the mines the
last week, Notwithstanding scarcity of labor
ers and strike and suspension of work al,
some of the most important colier;es. We
hope to hear Of still further decline.
On Saturday evening the newspaper men
OF Washington gave Speaker Coltax a COM
pllmentary dinner, at which many of the re-
porters OF the city papers were present Mr..
Colfax, we believe, is not printer but has
occupied the editorial chairs some years.
Down-Easters are very much exercised
IN their minds, just now, on account Of tho
escaped Chesapeake pirates, who they fear
Will come over the New Brunswick border
INTO Maine and rob the banks and run off the
women. Home guards have been organized
night patrols established and other necsn
uons taken, to give the raiders warm re.
ceptjon should they come.
Chief Justice fancy was very i'll at Wash.
ington, Monday night, and was not expected
to recover. He is 81 years old, and has
been chief justice since 1886
his ExcelleDcy Governor Andrew has Or.
dered that national salute be fired from
the Boston Common on the first of January
next IN honor of the Amnesty Procla nation
OF the President. VI