The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-02-06
SUMMARY OF NEWS.

Senator Bayard, of Delaware, re-
signed his seat in the United States SEN
ate On Monday last, and the Hon. 6. X.
Biddle has been elected to Eli the va
cancy.
4 resolution declaring the opinion Of
the House that more vigorous effort
should be made TO secure the enlistment
of persons of African descent was pass
ed The bill reviving the grade of
Lieutenant General was amended so as
to recommend to the President the APP
pointment of General Grant, and passed,
yeas Ill, nays II.
An expedition composed of 90 men
and one howitzcr, under Capt. Lee, was
sent up James aud Pagan Creek to
Smlthlield, when severe engagement
ensued. The Union forces beng en-
trenched, repulsed several attacks. On
the arrival of the armed transport, which
accompanied the expedition, the forces
retreated on board of her. The Rebels
who had four pieces of ar illery, opened
fire on the vessel, disabling her ma
chinery. Capt. Lee and portion of the
command escaped by swimming; the
Others we're cap ured. Loss sta ed at
50 in killed, wounded and missing, that
of the Rebels at $50. The Smith
Briggs was cap ured by the enemy, and
immediately afterwards blown up.
Governor Andrew johnson of Tennes-
see, has, by proclamation, ordered an
election of State officers, to take place
on the first Saturday (5th) of March,
He prescribes the manner of holding the
election, gives the form of oath to be
taken, and forbids enemies of the Uni
ted States vo ing or holding office. This
makes three Sta es that were under Reb-
ell rule in which Union elections are to
take placc-ini Louisiana on February
%, Tennessee, March 5, and Arkansas
March l4-,hus res ,oring three seeded
States to the Union.
A Hilton Head letter of the 18th
inst, says the expedition from that
point is one Of vast magnitude. As
many of the vessels are of light draft,
1t is thought by some that it will 60 up
the Savannah river others expect a
movement to the rear of Charleston,
willie others S i'll believe that Mobile is
to be is destination. a large negro
force accompanies the expedition, which
will be landed in various local. les to
gather in slaves.
The Baltimore American published,
on Tuesday last, a letter from "relia-
bic gentleman just from Richmond,
stating that the Rebel authorities were
taking steps to propose to the Federal
Government to lay down their arms pro-
vided the Presidents Amnesty be ex-
tended to their leaders.
The Rebels refuse to exchange prison.
erss under regulations adop,ed by Gen.
Butler, not because they dislike the
rules, buhb because Butler they have ruled
an "ou;sider." The General proposes
to make them accede to his terms. The
remedy will DO unpleasant, but Pelssier
per ormed more barbarous acts in Algiers
Some Rebels under General Rosser,
on Monday, made raid towards the
Potomac. The Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad was cut al Pattcrson's Creek:
ana bridges burned, property destroyed,
&c. After considerable desultory fight
ing, the Rebels retreated towards the
New Creek Wiley.
War in Europe is imminent. The
latest adviees from there report that the
Austrian and Prussian troops were al
ready on their way to occupy Scheswlg
and Ilolstein.
Reports brought by dcserters and
through other sources from the South,
confirm the extreme restitution of the
Rebel army, and people of the South
generally.
Four hundred Rebel prisoners, who
have taken the oa.h of allegiance, ar
rived in New York on Sunday afternoon,
under the escort of the Ellsworth Zou-
ayes, Of Chicago.