Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-01-28
From Rebellion.
The Richmond Dispatch has the following
Lieutenant Gen eral.

Inc hlcuHOHu DtSp0tcN nus fHe lOliOWlnS I.
Francis P. Blair, sen., the Yankee Peace
Commissioner, arrived in this city late Wed
nesday night, attended by servant. Mr.
Blair came into our lines at point in front
of Fort Harrison, held by the city battalion.
He was delayed several hours on our lines
waiting for a permit to come to the city,
which was not procured till late hour of the
night Since his arrival he has been kept, or
has kept himself from the public eye, and his
movements and whereabouts are shrouded in
mystery. He is believed to be lodged at the
Spottswood Hotel. We think there is little
doubt that he is, though his name does not
appear on the register. He has been met ac-
cdentally by several of his old aequaintances,
and their meetings were characterized by the
utmost cordiality on both sides. He is said
to have had interviews with the chief execu-
tive officers Of the Government WHAT pass
ed at these interviews we need not expect to
know until Mr.. Blair returns to the United
States, when everything will be published in
full in the New York Tribune and other New
York papers.
Blair's ostensible business in Richmond, or
rather presumed business here, for there is
nothing ascertainable about him or his bust
ness, or movements, is to ascertain whether
anything can be done to bring about a cessa-
ton of hostilities and an end to the war. We
think his real business is to place the Lincoln
Administration in good position before the
Northern people, who are just called upon to
fill another draft. Lincoln knows that the
propositions he will make, are sach that they
will be spurned by our Government, but our
rejection of them will enable him to go be-
fore his people, and, with Blair's aid, to
prove that the rebels will accept of no terms
of peace, and that nothing is left him but a
vigorous prosecution of the war.
The Richmond Examiner of the 10th says,
the rumors concerning the nature of peace
negotiations old Blair carries back with
him, are very numerous, and we are conf
IDENTIFY assured that the mission has brought
the peace question to the point that it pro-
vides for the appointment of commissioners
from either side, with authority to lay peace
foundation. That is all"
The Wig Of the 10th says: at is under
stood that Blair had private and confden-
tial interview with the President. He came
in no official capacity, and had no official in
teryiew with any member of the government.
The belief in well-infOrmed circles is that
this interview may lead to a conference be-
tween authorized agents or commissioners of
the governments. 1t is known that Presi-
dent Davis will permit no obstacle of form to
stand in the way of sending or receiving
commissioners. Blair was handsomely enter
tanned during his sojourn in Richmond"
eve are assured that the report is true
that President Davis has sent an autograph
letter 10 Mr. Blair expressing his Willingness
to send or receive commissioners authorized
to negotiate peace. 1t is understood that
Blair told the President that he came in no
official character, but simply with the knowl-
edge and consent of Mr.. Lincoln. He ex-
pressed the opinion that Mr.. Lincoln would
certainly appoint commissioners to meet COM
missioners appointed by our President"
The Richmond Wing of Saturday, referring
to the arrest of Mr.. Foote, says: " A few
days after he announced his purpose to with
draw from the deliberations of the House of
Representatives, he went towards the Poto-
mac for the purpose of conveying his family
across, that they might reach their home in
Nashville. He has not been since in this city.
We forbear comment on the arrest until the
facts are better known"
The Danville Register learns that the heavy
rains of yesterday washed down the trestle-
work on the Piedmont railroad between
Riedsville and Benaga, and between Green's
boro and Zpinaw, so that trains cannot pass
over that portion of the road 1t will require
several days to repair the damage done.
The Charleston Mercury of the 18th has an
article which gives most deplorable picture
for the cause of the Confederacy. OF the
condition of the rebel army in South Carolina
it says, " the troops are herd of stragglers
and outlaws, under command of imbeciles y
1t adds, " the path we are now travelling is
straight to destruction. The result of the
next six months will bring it to the ground
or will reinstate it in power. Without re.
form we are doomed nation"
Richmond papers say citizens are fleeing
from that city in gangs, in apprehension OF
being conscripted into the rebel army.