The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-07-26
FROM WASHINGTON.
General Lees Indictment.
The Reduction of the Navy.

Capt Wertz' Trial Postponed-The
Indictments against Gen. Lee and
Others-Pardon of Gov. Perry and
duff GGreen-Father Walter Proposes
TO Refute Gen. Hardie's Statements
| Naval Matters-Posial-Eed ion
OfCavalry Forces.
Press Dispatch.
NEW YORK, July 25-The Times
Washington special has the following:
The trial of Capt. Henry Wertz, late reb-
ell commander Of the Andersonville pris-
on, which was set for tomorrow, before
| military commission, has been indefi-
nitely postponed, and the Secretary of
| War has his case under advisement. The
charge preferred against him, and for
which it was intended to put him on
trial tomorrow, is violating the customs
of war, the specification being that he
refused the prisoners under his charge
sufficient food, fed them on spoiled and
putrid meat, compelled them to drink
water in which had been thrown the
slops from camp and outhouses, claiming
prisoners together, and other inhuman
practices from which they died.
The next term of the Z. S. Circuit
Court to be holden at Norfolk, meets in
October, when the treason indictments
against Gen. Lee and other noted rebels
will be called up. 1t is understood here
that these cases will not be presented,
but the President will direct nolle prose
quies to be entered, and dispose of each
defendant as he proposes to dispose of
other leading rebels, who have been ac
tive participants in the war, namely, by
putting them on long probation. and
then as a condition precedent TO pardon
imposing such penalties and restrictions
as may be justified by the circumstances.
Among the persons pardoned by the
the President to-day was Gov. Perry, of
South Carolina and Duff Green.
The South Carolina delegation has
gone home. Gov. Perry leaves here to-
morrow, direct for his State, to assume
his official duties as Governor.
1t is announced by the few friends of
Father Walter that he has prepared for
publication paper intended to retute
the statements contained in Gen. Haf-
dies communication of the Goth instant.
Father Walter was known throughout
the war as one of the most uncomprOms
ing, malicious rebels in this community,
and from what his acquaintances say of
him his animosity towards the Govern
ment has increased rather than dimin-
ished in virulence. 1t is from the rebel
stand point that he views the acts of
Mrs. Surratt and determines her inno-
cence. The Archbishop of Baltimore has
requested Father Walter to desist from
further discussion upon the subject of
Mrs. Surratt's guilt or innocence. The
refutation paper may therefore never APP
pear in print.
The Navy Department has directed the
reduction of the Mississippi Squadron to
five vessels, including those at Mound
City, and Admiral Lee has given direc-
tions for carrying the order into effect
The ordnance material of the squadron
will be collected at the new Naval Ord
nance Depot, at Jefferson Barracks. A
large number of enlisted men will Mt
once be discharged from the squadron
The Admiral returns them his thanks
and bid them farewell in handsome terms.
Admiral Radford has sailed from Hamp-
ton Roads to take command of the At
lantic squadron. The Malvern is his flag
ship.
Hon. J. Meigs, of Tennessee, is named
to-day as probable successor of Judge
CatrOn on the United States Supreme
bench. The President rendered the po-
sition to Mr.. Meigs, but the latter has
thus far intimated that he does not de-
sire the office
The Tribune's Washington special says:
A private letter from MatamOras states
that large numbers of rebel officers and
men, lately belonging to the commands
of Dick TAYLOR and Kirby Smith are
Joining the force of Maximihan in Mexi-
co. This action seems to be induced BY
the high gold bounties altered by the I'M
perial Government.
During the week ending July ~ the
Government reopened forty three post
offices in the South, twenty-tu.,e of them
in Virginia, eight in Mississippi, six in
Tennessee and three each in Kentucky
and North Carolina
1t is reported on good authority that
John Minor Boots will soon issue an adj
dress to the people of Virginia, urging
them to vote for negro suffrage as the
only hope of the State for its readmission
| into the Union on terms of equality with
| the other States
All of the troops in this department.,
| numbering about 10000, will be paid off
next week, About S6,000,000 is required
| to liquidate their claims on the Govern
ment
The Government has forwarded in
structions to the commander of the De
partment of Virginia to reduce the vol
unteer cavalry under his command to
two regiments. Similar order have been
sent to the commanding generals OF the
Middle and North Carolina Departments,
directing them to discharge, with the en-
ception Of one, all volunteer cavalry reg
iments attached to their respective con-
mands.