The Portland daily press., 1865-01-26
It,n,s from. so,.tnern SOURCES. !.

a ien5, 7,el .~.q WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.
The Richmond Despatch OF the 23d contains
the following There was report yesterday
that Gen. Price had captured Fort Smith,
Arkansas. with garrison OF two thousand men,
The report is not confirmed by official intelli-
gence. W P''ase a# i9 sg5h g
James a. Seldom has resigned thu Portfolio
of War. We have not been able to learn that
his successor has been appointed, though sew
eral prominent gentlemen are spoken of as
likely to be appointed. Among then are Gen.
Braxton Bragg, Breckenridge and Senator
Hill of Geogia. The report is that the place
was offered to Broeleenridge but he declined
unless he was allowed to select his Commissary
General. 1t is understood that Seldom was
induced to resign by the action ofthe Virginia
Congressional delegation. These gentlemen
sent to the President an official announcement
that they had lost confidence in all the mem
bers of his Cabinet except Trenholm, and
asked for a change. Seldom being informed
of this action Immediately sent In his resigna-
ton. st siHfat7l h5s s7slf3a bas s1s4aae 4 .
Two important measures recently passed by
Congress were made public Saturday. One is
bill providing for the appointment of Gen
eral in, chief OF the Confederate armies. This
provides that the General-in chic. shall have
charge of the armies of the Confederacy.--
s Whether this implies power to select Generals
who shall command those armies, Is a matter
Of doubt. 1t also repeats the law providing
staff for Generals assigned to duty at Rich
nond. Gen. Bragg now holds the position
referred to. The other measure is res0iu
ton recommending the assignment of Gen.
Joe Johnston to the command of the army OF
Tennessee. ti4'A s'' ssaA
3 Five hundred returned Confederate prison
ers who arrived at Varina Friday, reached the
city last night on our flag of truce boat. By
the same boat Francis P. Blair, senior, peace
commissioner, returned to this city. Nothing
has transpired as to the object of his mission,
but OF course it has reference to peace nego-
tiations, and this has grown out Of his former
visit. He is the guest of Capt. Hatch. at the
residence Of the latter, corner of Fourth and
Leigh streets. ,tras
res Hon. F..S. Foote of, Tennessee, left the city
yesterday morning By the fredericksburg
train, en- route for Prince George county,
Virginia. .''a faN e fsE s7N n
The Richmond Wing of the 23d has the fol-
lowing: I 4 .rsas
Charleston, Jan. Is The enemy in heavy
force, supposed to be $4,000 strong, under Gen.
Foster, advanced on Pocotaligo yesterday.
Our troops, after an obstinate resistance, fell
back on this side of Salketatchie. Our lines
embrace Salketatchie Bridge. Everything
was brought off safely. Gen.. Hardee is in
command Of our forces assa ssaf aasa8F
Clinton, La, Jan. 14-A large number of
troops from Nashville, estimated at $4,000 to
5000, recently passed down the river to New
Orleans. 1t is believed an expedition is or
ganizing either to attack Mobile or go up Red
River. aasa as1gar afe 5s5.f s-str1t "a txi. :,
Jackson, Mss, Jan. 13.-Priyate advices
from New Orleans 4th, state that preparations
are making for an expedition of fifteen thou
sand men to Pascogoula, ea aisa65
A fair for the benefit of Confederate prison