, 1864-03-19
Eastern News.
News of March Sth.

issued to the Provost Marshal General in
each of the several Atlantic States to be full
ly prepared to commence the draft on the
10th of March, and make it in every sub
district which shall not have raised its quota
before the 1st of March. Volunteers be-
tween the 1st and 10th of March may be
deducted after the draft.
A special dispatch to the Times of the 1st,
says The latest information received from
the Army of the Potomac is to 9 o'clock this
morning. Heavy musketry firing was heard
early this morning to the extreme right, in
the direction of Stannardsville, where it
was supposed Coster's cavalry were engaging
the rebels. Madison Court House, as well as
Spotsylyania Court House, are in our posses
sion.
There is an evident disposition on the part
of Lee to avoid battle by keeping behind
his entrenchments.
New York, March 3.-The Richmond
Examiner of Feb. Oath says an official des-
patch was received at the War Department
last night from Polk, stating that Sherman's
forces had evacuated Meridian and were re-
treating in two columns towards Vicksburg.
1t was supposed that, finding his designs
thwarted by his cavalry reinforcements be-
ing intercepted, and being in distress for
supplies, was forced to abandon his expedi-
tion and take the desperate expedient of re-
treat through a country stripped of supplies
and laid waste W his advance. Whether he
can retreat successfully remains to be seen.
Chicago, March 2.-The Provost Mar
shal Gen, in his instructions to Provost
Marshals, says: If the quota is not filled by
the first draft, the boards shall make fur
ther draft until the entire quota be obtained.
Philadelphia, March 3.-The Richmond
papers announce "with unfeigned regret"
the appointment of Braxton Bragg as Com
mander-in. Chief of the rebel army over the
head of Gen Lee.
Washington, March 2.-The correspon-
dence between Gen. Butler and the rebel
Commissioner Cen Ould, relative to the ex-
change of prisoners resulted in declaration
of ofexchange, in which it is agreed that all
persons delivered at City Point up to the
24th Jan. 1865, are exchanged.
The President has ordered that all punish
ments to deserters now under sentence of
death, be mitigated to imprisonment during
the war, at the Dry Tortugas.
The House passed the bill reported from
the Committee of Ways and Means last week,
authorizing a change in the form of the loan
authorized by the act of March last This
is bill for the issue of $500, 900, 900 of $40
bonds.
Washington, March 6-Gen. Meade APP
peared before the Committee yesterday and
denied emphatically that any orders were
made or delivered to Sickles and Doubleday
regarding the recall of the army at Gettys-
burg. 1t is understood that his explanations
were not entirely satisfactory, and the Com
mittee will pursue its investigations. They
will also examine into the responsibility of
the Florida disaster. Seymour who comman-
ded the expedition, is under arrest and has
been sent for.
Admiral Dupont is in Washington and is
to appear before the Commission for investi-
eating the failure of the attack on Charles
ton.
One or two more ships of war are to go to
the Pacific.
Official intelligence confirms the report
that Jeff. Davis has ordered the immediate
seizure of all points now held by the Fedc-
rails in North Carolina.
All was quiet at Jacksonville Florida. =
Reinforcements were rapidly arriving. Our
position is sufficiently formidable to repel any
attack
Knoxville, March 4.-Scouts report that
Longstreet has shipped his wagon trains to
Richmond and is mounting his men upon
horses and mules, and pressing into service
all the animals that can be found The rebel
cavalry is still securing the country north
and east of us.
Washington, March 8.-The House to-day
retary of the Treasury to anticipate the pay
ment of interest on the public debt from
time to time, with or without date, as may
be deemed expedient. Bill passed by 80 to
"a.
SPECIAL committee of House on bill to al
low officers of Departments to be heard on
the floor of Congress was favorably consider
ed.
All loyal States except Massachusetts,, In
diana, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, have
raised their full quota under the last call for
men. Wisconsin is nearly full.
New York, March at the election
held yesterday IN new haDpSulTej Jne tOtdl
vote was %, ,280 of which 1,640 were ma
jority in favor of an amendment to the
Constitution allowing soldiers to vote
New York, March 10.-Chase wrote let
ter, which is published to-day, declining to
become candidate for President. Referring
to former letter he says: Z" / said should
our friends in Ohio manifest a preference
for another, [ should accept the decision
with ready acquiescence due from one who
has already been trusted beyond his merit
and expectations. Recent action of the
Union members Of the Ohio Legislature in
dicating such preference, l ask no further
consideration be given my name.
Washington, March 10.-Tbe Ratifca-
tion treaty between the United States and
Great Britain for final settlement, of the
claims of Hudson bay and Puget sound ag-
ricutural Cos. has just been exchanged. All
claims between the United States authOri-
ties on the one hand and those of compan-
les on the other, with respect 20 possessory
right, and claims of these companies and
other British subjects in Oregon and Wash