Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-08-12

New York and Brooklyn. The average
demand made in these is for 1857 men
each, while in Massachusetts, the aver
age demand made on such districts is for
2,167 men. The census returns show
that the proportion of aliens and females
in large towns should make the quota
less (nOt greater) than in other sections.
These returns are confirmed by the char
acter of their respective population. Not
only are aliens numerous in Brooklyn
and New York, but females make a larger
proportional number than elsewhere, as
they find more employment in work
shops or as domestics, and if comparison
is made between cities of the different
States the disposition of men demanded
from New York and Brooklyn is still
more startling. While in these cities 26
per cent. of the population is enrolled,
in Boston only 123 per cent. of the popu-
lation, or less than one-half that ratio,
are made liable to the draft.
The ten Congressional districts of Mas
sachusetts are required to furnish under
the last call only 1910 men, the first
ten Congressional districts in this State
are called on for IS 1854, making an excess
of IA, ,284.
1t is clear that great injustice is done
under these enrOllments. [ do nOtmean
to find fault with those who made them
that what they state is true: That it is
impossible to avoid enrolment of per-
sons who are not liable to be drafted
because they are aliens or non-residents.
Those whose names are thus erroneous
ly put down have no interest in correct
ing the lists, while the fact that they
swell the enrollments, being burthens
upon districts to which they are charg-
ed, makes heavy drain upon all parts
OF our country. In our cities it is ter
rible aff1iction. A great proportion of
their inhabitants live upon daily wages,
which they must receive with regularity
to enable them to give food, fuel and
shelter to their families. These can
only be obtained by cash payments
The pay of soldiers, which is made at
irregular times and perhaps at compare
lively long periods, will not provide nee
essary support to their families in cities
like New York and Brooklyn, and they
are frequently broken up and ruined
Every consideration of justice and hui
manity demand that unequal burthens
should not be thrown upon them.
1t is proper l should say that during
this cruel war these cities have not only
furnished their full quotas, but are to-
day entitled to a credit Of about 8, 1000
three years men. 1t would be an act of
justice to count each of these men equal
to men under the present call for SER
vice for year. But these cities have
done more. They have, on repeated
occasions, promptly answered the call of
the Department in times Of peril.
Governor Seymour requests that the
department. appoint commissioners, as
was done under similar circumstances
last year, to correct an erroneous enroll
ment.
HARRISBURG, August 5.-The occupa-
ton OF Hagerstown is confirmed by Otti-
cial dispatches. Two regiments of cav
airy and one of infantry are strongly
posted in and around the town.
The fact that the rebel expedition is
accompanied by infantry is strong in
dlcatlon that this force is the advance
OF large body, as such troops are not
used for manouvering purposes only
after crushing.
1t appears that the enemy passed
through Sharpsburg and Turkstown.
SO sudden was their decent upon Ha
gerstown that the telegraph operator
was compelled to leave on hand-car
closely pursued by cavalry force. He
was in range of their revolvers for con-
siderable time and only escaped by hard
work at the wheel.
We are still in communication with
State Line, a telegraph station on the
Franklin Railroad, seven miles north
of Hagerstown. The operator there
states that the rebels in Hagerstown
have thrown out pickets, but as yet
have made no further advance.
NEW YORK, August 5.-A Washing
ton special to the Post says:
An order has been issued directing
that there shall be no drafting under
previous calls for troops, all deficiencies
now outstanding, shall be carried over
to the draft to take place in September.
FIT. MONROE, Augugt. 4-Advices
from the front report all quiet since the
late battle.
The extreme hot weather prevents
anything like active movements.
Nearly all the wounded have been re-
moved from the battle field to the hos
pitals at Old Point, and many have been
sent to different hospitals in the north.
WASHINGTON, August .5.-The Solicitor
of the War Department in lengthy
circular decides that each man furnished
under the present call for troops, whether
for one, two or three years, shall count
only one in the quota now required, but
in making up quotas under new call
districts having furnished three years
Or two years men shall be credited with
three times or twice the amount Of SER
vices of those furnishing one year men,
and the quotas will be arranged accord
ingly on the new call.
HARRISBURG, August 5.-A dispatch
received from Somerset at 10 P. NJ. states
that the Federal loss in the fight at New
Creek yesterday was % killed and so
wounded. Gen. Kelly defeated the rebels.
A dispatch from Greencastle at s p. NJ.
states that gentleman had just ar
rived there who says he saw the rebels
crossing at Williamsport, between and
II O'Clock this morning, 5000 or 5000
strong, infantry and cavalry.
We had communication from this
point by telegraph with State Line Sta
ton at s o'clock this evening. The COM
munication does not extend beyond
Greencastle, the rebels having entered
Middleburg, IL miles north of Hagers-
town, in what force is not known. 1t is
presumed that they have more than the
four regiments which entered Hagers-
town this morning. The movements of
the enemy arc utterly inexplicable.-
They seem determined to invest their
operations with as much mystery as
possible, both as to numbers and points
of attack. At the same time that the
five regiments were advancing towards
Chambersburg another was reported
moving up the Potomac, in the direction
of Cumberland, the strength of which
column none of our officials are able to
learn.
A telegraph report has just reached
these headquarters, from Bedford, to the
effect that passengers by the stage, who
had reached that place, represent that
fight took place at Cumberland on