Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-02-20
FROM WASHINGTON.


Information from the Army of the
james, on the 18th, states that desertera
quarters say that that morning, betT7ssh
twelve and one o'clock, q company from
each of the regiments of Stewards brigade
of Pittock's division were sent out to ad-
vance their picket lines about one hundred
yards, in order to strengthen ss well as
straighten their line on the Bermuda Hun
dred front, opposite the position held by
the I'd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. Be-
ing discovered, they were fred upon by our
pickets, and after about twenty shots, they
retired to their own lines. The party max
ing the attempt we're reported as having
been supplied with intrenching tools to
throw up works for defense, and when fred
upon they retreAted in the utmost disorder.
Their loss is unknown.
Nine hundred and eighty-three Union
prisoners, including ten officers, mostly
from Danville, came down from Richmond
on the rebel steamer Albion to Cox's Land
ing. They were received and cared for by
Lieut. II. S. Merrill, Acting Assistant Quar-
termsster at headquarters.
About five o'clock, as the steamer was
on her return trip to Richmond, and when
short distance above Fort Brady, she
struck torpedo, which, exploding, com.
pletely wrecked her. She had on board
2I3 packages Of blankets and number of
other articles, intended for our prisoners
The loss Of life is unknown.
There is no change in the weather.
The roads are very bad, owing to con-
tinued rains.
Richmond papers of the 18th have been
received.
The Dispatch OF that date says: On
Wednesday morning there was some NOR
tar firing on the Petersburg lines, near the
Appomattox. This wAs something of q
novelty, as for months past mortar firing
has been discontinued. With this excep-
tioh, nothing of interest has occurred.
No dispatches were received at the War
Department here yesterday from South
Carolina. We are consequently unin-
formed of Sherman's last movement. He
was at Orsngeburg, forty miles south of
Columbia, on Tuesday last, and our troops
were falling back before him toward Co
lumbia. Where heis now We do not know.
It was said on Wednesday that dis
patch had been received, saying that a
skirmish was going on within few miles
of Columbia. We stated this yesterday
morning as an on dit, and as yet have not
the means of either confirming or contra
dieting it.
Sherman may be at KingsVille, the juno
ton of the Wilmington and Columbia
Railroad, thirty miles southeast Of Angus
IA, or he may be even nearer the city.
The following is s copy of General Lees
general order on assuming command of
TIE land forces of the Confederate States
HEADQUARTERS CoEFEDERATE /
ARMY, February 9th.
GENERAL ORDER, NO. l.
In obediance to General Order, No. 3,
Feb. 9th, assume command Of the mill
tary forces of the Confederate States.
Deeply impressed with the difficulties of
the position, and humbly invoking the
guidance of Almighty God, / rely for sue
cess upon the courage and fOrtitude of the
army, sustained by the patriotism and firm
ness of the people, trusting that their uni
ted efforts, under the blessing Of Heaven,
will secure peace and Independence.
The Headquarters of the Army, to which
all special reports and communications will
be addressed, will, for the present, be with
the Army of Northern Virginia.
The stated and regular returne and re-
ports of each army and department will be
forwarded as heretofore, 10 the Office of the
Adjutant and Inspector General.
[Signed, R. E. LEE, General.
Colonel st. John, appointed by the Pres
ident Oommisssry General Of the Confede.
rate States. was yesterday confirmed by
| the Confederate Senate. The new Com.
nisssry General will enter at once upon
the discharge Of his duties.
In the Confederate Congress the bill o.
the House to abolish the negro clause; t.
take from the President and Secretary O
War the power to make details and ex