Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-20

Richmond papers OF the 18th are at hand.
The Examiner fears that Wilmington will be
taken and urges the burning up of the cotton
stored there.
The Despatch editorially berates Congress for
its idleness, and calls upon it to inspire the peo
pie with something of the spirit that animated
the Continental Congress, and to put an end to
the croaking of some OF its members
In the Confederate Congress on Monday, in
the House of Representatives, Mr.. Orr, of south
Carolina, rising to question of privilege, de
nounced the Richmond Sentinel's article charg
ing some of the members of the House win
treacherous conduct.
From the Richmond Dispatch, Jan III
The fall Of Fort Fisher we presume closes
the port of WILMINGTON. 1t commands the
main entrance to the Cape Fear river, and
will, we fear, enable the enemy to blockade the
river completely. giving them, as it does, a
secure lodgment On the left bank.
Fort Caswell and several other works still
guard the southern channel Of the river. Fort
Fisher is thirty miles below Wilmington. Some
regard the tall of Fort Fisher as a disaste :,
while many are disposed TO consider it a
blessing in disguise. The latter, who are, 1t
must be said, numerous and sensible class,
contend that Wilmington, as seaport, has,
from the beginning, done us more harm than
good
They say that the goods imported through it
have been of little good TO US, while millions of
dollars worth Of our cotton has thence found
its way into the hands OF our enemies 1t is
proper to add that, possibly, our force which,
according to Gen. Lees dispatch, was making
heavy demonstration against their rear, may
retake the fort.
1t was reported yesterday that John G.
Breckinridge was made secretary OF War of
the Confederate States. We could oktain no
confirmation of the report in official circles,
but there are reasons tor believing it. General
Breckinridge was expected to arrive in the
city last night. 1t was also reported that Col.
Northrup, Commissary General, had been
displaced.
Judge Halliburton, of the Confederate Court
for the Eastern District of Virginia, yesterday
issued q writ Of habeas corpus on the petition
of Hon. Henry s. Foote, member OF the Con-
federate House OF Representatives from
Tennessee, commanding Capt Hugh S. Dag
gett, Provost Marshal of Fredericksburg, to
bring before the Judge the body Of Henry S.
Foote on Thursday next and to show cause
why he should not be set at liberty. Mr.. Foote,
in his petition, states that he had been arrested
and held in custody by order Of Oapt. Dag
gett, who professed to be acting under the
order of one James Sedden, Secretary Of
War, &c.
Happily this matter had been settled by the
House of Representa- yes, to whom IL was
referred by the President, declaring that they
are OF opinion that the good Of the country
would not be eubserved by the forced at
tendance Of said member upon the sessions OF
the House, but that, under all the circum-
stances OF tine case, it is expedient that the mil
itary authorities discharge him from custody.
We presume MI Foot has already been set at
liberty.
Mr.. J. W. Singleton, OF Illinois, Yankee
fedce DeHOcrA- ana feace commissioner,
is still at the SpottswOod Hotel. His pres.
ence in this city has not produced great SEN
sation
The Fortress Monroe correspondent Of the
Norfolk Old Dominion gives the following i'm l.
portant reports:
The Raleigh Whig of the 18th instant
LIS may 81 n fXPr
States and an armistiee are recommended
"The intestine difficulties of the Confedera.
cy are becoming positively alarming. Property
OF no kind is secure, and guerrillas and bin dts
roam at will throughout the whole interior
The deserters who formerly sought refnge ia
the mountains in the western part OF North
Carolina have become emboldened at their
great increase in numbers, and attack and over.
power the guards left to protect the people
Business OF all kinds Is suspended, and the in
habltants are 1astresolving themselves into the
primitive condition OF savages.
1.-The North Carolina militia have mostly
laid down their arms, and are scattering them
selves throughout the State.
'sOn the 10th instant, resolutions were int o.
duced into the North Carolina Legis stature res-
ommendiGg that a delegation be appointed
from that body, which should represent all
parts Of the State, for the purpose of proceeding
20 Washington to secure terms of peace. The
resolutions were ordered TO be laid over for
further hearing"