Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-03-11
News Items.

have been exchanged. H
The Richmond Dispatch says Gen. Joe.
Johnston, on Thursday last assumed com
mand of the army in Sherman's front, lately
commanded by Gen. Beouregard.
Advices from New Orleans state that Kirby
Smiths army still refuses to cross to the east
side of the Mississippi Two attempts to re-
| move the men were made, and it is thought
a third attempt viii result in open mutiny.
The Navy Department has information that
the sde-wheel steamer acadia is laying
wreck, riddled by shot and she'll from the U.
S. steamer Virginia, six miles from Velasco,
where she run on shore after several attempts
to get into that port.
The Times Washington special says Mr.
Washburne, NJ G. from Illinois, received
lately letter from Gen. Grant, in which he
comments upon Gen. Sherman's movements
in confident vein. He says few days more
of success will place the rebels in position
from which they cannot escape.
On the receipt Of the news of the capture
of Wilmington, Gov Fenton sent dispatch
TO the Secretary of War, Offering ten Iegi-
ments of the State National Guard for one
hundred days service for garris0ning the forts
at Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington AID
other posts. The offer was referred to Gen.
Grant, who declined to accept the regiments
The Secretary of War sent dispatch to Gov.
Fenton this morning, concurring in the de-
cision of Gen. Grant.
The 7fibupe's Washington special says Gen.
10. Johnston assumed command of the forces
in front aud rear OF Sherman on Thursday
Gen. Lee will remain at Richmond aud direct
movements from that point, as well as han3le
his own army for the defence of Richmond.
Richmond papers of Monday are quiet as to
Sherman's exact location, and it is matter
of doubt whether they really know where his
main army is, except that he has crossed into
North Carolina.
The Hera'ds st. Louis dispatches represent
the democrat cation in Kirby Smiths Trans
Mississippi army to be equal to that of the
other rebel armies in various portions of the
country. Large numbers of deserters from
it are constantly coming into the Union lines
at Little Rock. Two-thirds of his men are
said to be conscripts who are satisfied that
the Contederacy is a failure, disguised with
the service and only DESTROYS of making their
escape and getting back 70 their homes.
The Times vicksburg correspondence of
the 10th gives details of the great movement
in the Southwest. An expedition has started
to 90 to New Orleans, and from thence to
Pascagoula, where it would join Thomas
force in the investment of Mobile The first
object will be the capture of Cahawba, Selma,
and Columbia, Ga. and then to destroy Hoods
old army and if everything works well Kirby
Smiths Trans Mississippi army will be at
tended to next summer.
By advices from Wilmington it appears
that warm welcome was extended to Gen.
Terry's troops when they marched into the
city. Old flags, which had long been hidden
away were brought out and given to the
breeze; handkerchief waved, crowds lined
the route of march, and shouts filled the air.
The entire Union losses, i'll both killed and
wounded, in all the operations in Cape Fear
River, succeeding the occupation of Fort
Fisher, up to, and including, the occupation
of Wilmington, did not exceed 200 men.
At special meeting of the New Orleans
Chamber of Commerce, a committee was ap-
pointed and instructed to memorabilia Con-
gress for an appropriation for removing OBJ
structions in the Passes of the Mississippi
river, as mud and other matter accumulated
there have become SO great as to prove a
source of considerable risk, delay and incon-
venience to underwriters, ship owners &C.;
also TO represent to the Postmaster General
the delays and Irregularities of the mails by
these distinctions, and the great injury re-
sulting therefrom TO the business of the city,
and secure if possible, correction of the
evil. -..,,.
Richmond papers are more frantic than
ever. The Enquirer calls upon JEFF Davis to
arm slaves, without authority of law. 1t
says "These states and this cause stand, to-
/ day, in need of man who will take che pow
er of the people and use it for their preser-
vation." Further on it says: Sherman is
rushing through the Carolinas like an ava
lanche, and is reported to have captured one
hundred thousand bales of cotton at Column
| bia. Grant is gradually and perhaps surely
extending his lines around Petersburg and
Richmond, and threatens every moment to
burst over the lines that. intervene, and the
Senate are doing the conservative. History
furnishes no paralleLto this. - [Nef
The President has signed and approved the
act to prevent officers of the army and navy
and other persons engaged in military and
naval service of the United States, from in
terfering in elections in states. No troops
or armed men are to be brought to the polls
unless it shall be necessary to repel armed
enemies or to keep the peace; nor shall it
be lawful for an officer to prescribe, or fix by
proclamation, order or otherwise, the qualih-
| cations of voters, or in any manner interfere
with the free right Of suffrage. Officers so
offending, are liable TO indictment for INSIDE
meanor, and on conviction to be fined not
! exceeding $4,000, and suffer imprisonment in
i penitentiary for a term not less than
three months, nor more than six years, and
any person SO convicted, shall moreover, be
dis qualified from holding any Office of honor,
profit or trust under the Government Of the
United States.-
The Times Washington special claims to
have accurate information as to what rebel
force can be brought against Sherman
Beauregard superseded Hardee when that
General left Savannah, and took his force,
amounting to 5000 effective men, while Har-
dee went TO Charleston, where there were
not over two brigades. These have since
probably joined Beauregard. At Wilmington
Bragg had not exceeding 6,000 men, prin-
cipaily Hoke's division. These have fallen
back towards Goldsboro. Between Whining
ton and Weldon Gen. Baker had brigade
not over 1000 strong. At Salisbury about
two regiments were stationed guarding prison
ers. The entire force, therefore, that Beaure-
gard could concentrate, does not exceed
Y, 1000. He has cavalry sufficient to swell
his force, perhaps, to $4,000. If Sherman
! forms a junction with Schofeld, as he I'M
doubtedly will, it is safe to say his force will