paii g Erlegrap4
HARRISBURG, PA. T
WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEIBER 21, 1864.
The New Draft.
The announcement of a now draft has elic
ted a cry of indignation from every traitor
sympathizer in the land, for the reason that
the additional strength which will thereby be
imparted to our armies in the field, banishes
all hope of rebel success. It is now well
understood by those who have watched the
attitude of European powers, that the Govern
ment of the United States may want troops
to engage other enemies than those arrayed
against it in the slave States. We have al
ways believed that the aristocracies of the Old
World would interpose to save the aristocracy
of slavery the moment they were convinced
that the slave-holders needed such inter
position to secure their triumph. That
moment has now arrived. The rebellion is
within the grasp of our arms. We have men
in sufficient numbers to destroy every army
that Jeff. Davis has in the field, but suppose
England or France should interpose? What
then? We would need an army of at least
one hundred thousand men to meet such in
terposition. Hence the call for three hun
dred thousand: But whether we are correct
or not in our inferience, we still believe that
the Government needs the• men, and that
every good man in the land will do all in his
power to piit these troops immediately in the
field. There must be no halting now or quib
bling. The hour is propitious for victory.
The War Department intends that the new
call for men shall produce the number called
for. The last call produced but forty per
cent. of the amount. The balance was lost
in credits and other contrivances and acci
dents to which this new draft will not be lia
ble. Cutting and running to Canada and
elsewhere was a very large leak in the last
endeavor to recruit the army. Plenty of time
to do this was allowed the unwarlike and
knavish. The drafted will be fetched up
with a short turn this time. It is understood
that a system of passports, to be rigidly en
forced at Detroit, Buffalo, Suspension Bridge
and Sackett's Harbor, will be invoked to hold
men to the sacred duty of fighting for their
country.
The Falliluient of Republican Prophe
oies.
While the gallant men of the country are
engaged with the enemy in a death struggle,
meeting traitors face to face on the field of
battle, they are fulfilling the prophecies of
the• Republican leaders, by their blows for
the safety of the Republic. Of course the
traitor sympathizers at the North cannot and
will not see or admit the truth of this asser
tion. But it will be remembered that one of
the main arguments made use of to secure
the re-election of Abraham Lincoln, was that
such a vindication of the policy of his adminis
tration, would hasten the end of the rebellion.
His re-election was claimed as being only ne
cessary to impress doubting men in all the
with the streughA our caga In;
helplessness of the rebellion. Well, only a
little more than a month has elapsed since
the re-election of Mr. Lincoln. What has
been the result? The first effect of the news
of Mr. Lincoln's election in Europe, depressed
"Confederate securities" to a degree render
ing them entirely worthless. There is not a
Petroleum Company in Pennsylvania, whose
stock is as worthless at home as are the Con
federate securities in Europe. And while this
is so in reference to Jeff Davis' "due bills,"
United States securities are more sought after
in Europe than any loan in the markets of the
old world. Such are the effects in Europe
of a Republican triumph at the ballot box in
America, and such, too, on the other hand,
are the fulfilments of Republican prophecies!
But there is a still more cheering and invig
orating fulfillment of these prophecies nearer
home, within the range of our own contem
plation, where we can feel and observe its
glorious and peace inspiring influence. While
we were contending for the re-election of Mr.
Lincoln, it was confidently predicted by the
friends of the Government, that his triumph
at the ballot box, would hasten the triumph
of our armies on the battle field. These pre
dictions were ridiculed by traitor sympathiz
era in the North, and scouted by armed trai
tors in the South. But mark the result.
Look over the field of action—run along the
entire line of our armies, and from one end
to the other, nothing but victory, solid, terri
tory-wresting and traitor-exterminating vic
tory greets the eyes and the hearts of the
loyal men of the land. We have the armies of
treason surrounded in fire. There is no hope*:
for the rebel capital but capitulation or de
struction. The traitor government is literally
on the rack, awaiting only a signal to be torn
to pieces.
Such are the fulfillments of Republican
prophecies. In a little over a month from the
time of Mr. Lincoln's re-election, the influ
ence of that result has revolutionized Europe
in our favor—has destroyed the false credit of
the insurgents abroad—has given victory to
our armies and navy, and strength to our
Government. Nor will this influence stop
here. We believe that before Mr. Lincoln has
served a year of his-second term, the rebellion
will be entirely crushed out, our brave soldiers
and sailors returned to their homes, and the
whole land restored fo peace ! Mark the pre
diction!
TEX PRESIDENT'S litEsssoE, as printed in
the Congressional Globe,contains this sentence
in reference to the leader of the rebellion:
"He would Accept nothing short of the sever
ance of the Union, precisely what we will not
and cannot give." The message, as printed in
the New York and Western papers, omits the
italicised portion.
No military appointraints have yet gone to
the U. S. Senate, and will not now until after
the holidays.
'i r 3ie4lX - teenthCongressional District.
We print, to-day, the opinion of Attorney
General Meredith, elicited by the facts in
volved in the contest for the certificate of
election in the XVlth Congressional District.
L WO returns were made to the Governor, by
we setts of Return Judges, from this District,
ono claiming to elect den. Koontz and the
other claiming to elect Mr. Coffroth. We
have heretofore discussed the merits of these
returns, and it is therefore not necessa for
as to do so again. It appears, however, by
the opinion of the Attorney General, that the
returns on which Mr. Coffroth bases his claim
of election, were incomplete, as the vote Of
Somerset county, (which is a portion of the
XVlth. Congressional District) was not in
cluded in the same. The Attorney General
condemns this omission as a high-handed out
rage, one which a just trial by a jury
would consign the perpetrators to the
penitentiary. On the other hand, the
returns on which Gen. Koontz bases his
claim to an election, are regarded as inadmis
sible, because it appears that some of those
who participated in the Board of Return
Judges making this return, acted without due
authority. From these facts, Attorney General
Meredith argues that the Governor has no
room to discriminate as to which of the con
testants has the right to a certificate of elec
tion at his hands. The case properly belongs
to Congress for adjudication. While there is
no doubt that the full return of the vote in the
XVlth Confessional District will elect Gen.
Koontz, it is unfortunate that those making
that return are clearly without authority.
This lack of authority, while it does
not vitiate the return, sternly con
strains the Executive from recognizing
its legality. It becomes his duty rcherely to
mention these facts in his proclamation,
which record will be accepted as evidence by
the House of Representatives, and that body,
on its meeting at the opening of the next
Congress, will undoubtedly recognize and
admit Gen. Koontz to a seat
There can be no doubt that the opinion of
Attorney General Meredith was elicited
alone by the highest appreciation of the law
and the clearest understanding of the facts
involved in the case. However strongly our
desire to see the name of Gen. Koontz inclu
ded in the Proclamation of the Governor, de
claring those elected to Congress from this
State, we cannot afford to disregard the
principle at stake, or close our eyes to the
danger which such a precedent would become
to the integrity of the elective franchise.—
There will be nothing lost by the delay in this
case; While for justice and fair dealing every
thing will be gained. Congress at the proper
time will apply the corrective. The clerk of
the House of Representatives will recognize
the election of Gen. Koontz by placing his
name on the roll of the House, and when that
body is organized it will confirm General
Koontz's title to his seat. Indeed, we doubt
now, with the unoontrovertible fact of fraud
against Coffroth, whether 'he will exhibit the
unblushing audacity of asking a seat to which
he has no title in fact or law.
Gold vs. Greenbacks.
The following is a very useful table at this
surance company. New York. It shows at a
glance how much currency may be had for a
certain amount of gold, and vice versa:
C o I OD
ti p•
81-5
gan
g 651
4
r 5 iz
$9523 210 40.
90 90 215 0 0
86 95 229 00
83 331 225 00,
80 001 230 001
76 92' 240 001
74 07' 250 00 ,
71 42 260 00
68 96 270 00
66 66 280 00
64 51 290 00
62 50 300 00
60 69i 400 00
58 821 500 001
57 14 , 600 - 00
55 551 700 001
54 051 800 001
52 651 900 001
51.281 1,000 001
50 001 2000 991
48 781 10,000 001
477 glct
970 5 c
13.0511 ct
16 67 .e c
22.00 111 ct
23 08 ct
25.93 la ct
28.18 ct
31.94 s ct
33.34 - $1 c
35 49 11 ct
87.50 V ct
39.40 V ct
41.18 V ct
45.86 V ct
44.45 13 ct
45.95 V of
47.37 'l6
47.72 134 ct
50.00 V et'
51.22 V ct
The Seventh Congressional Distr
In our published returns of the vote cast in
the several Congressional Districts of the
State, at the October election, we were only
able to give the aggregate poll in the two
counties composing this distrot. We are now
in possession of the vote as cast in these
counties. It is as follows:
Chester ..
Delaware
Total
Broomall's majority
—The returns of the vote of the Congres
sional Districts, as they will appear in the
WFSKLY TELEGRAPH, will be complete with
the above correction.
THE "law AND THE GOSPEL."—Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher having nominated Gen. But
ler for the next President, the Falls River
News proposes the pastor of the Plymouth
church himself as Vice President, on the
ground of the natural strength of combina
tion of the law and the gospel.
CHIEF JUSTICE Cease is the author of the
Phrase, "Congress has no more power to make
a slave than a king." The sentence is contain
ed in one of the resolutions adopted by the
National Liberty (Free Soil) Convention held
at Buffalo, in 1856. Mr. Chase wrote most of
the resolutions of this Convention.
Tax St. Louis Democrat says that the radi
cal press of that State universally expresses it
self against Senator Gratz Brown's proposi
tion in favor of immediate negro suffrage in
that State. •
Tzrz NEWSPAEIMS or Daimon; are agitating .
the question of removing the State Capital of
that State from its present location, Spring
field, to a more central aud eligible place.
. -
The Sixteenth Congressional District
Contest for 4he Certifical e of Eleotiofi.
Opinion of the Attorney General,
Defining the Power of the GOTCHIOT in the
Two papers, purporting to be returns of the
recent election in the 16th Congressional Dis
trict, hat% been sent to the Secretary of the
Commonwealth. The District is composed
of the five counties of. Adams, Franklin, Ful
ton, Bedford and Somerset. One of these
papers is signed by four• persons, viz: Messrs.
Mann, of Bedford county; Laker, of Frank
lin; Winter, of Fulton, and Diehl, of Adams,
styling 'themselves a majority , of: the return
judges elected by the_ several bomb of the
return judges of the above named counties;
and the paper goes on to state that they exam
ined andcounted the votes cast for Congress
in the district, and that Messrs. Coffroth . and
Koontz had each a specified number of votes
in the respective counties of Adams, Bedford,
Franklin, and Fulton,- and that gr. Coffroth,
having a majority of all the votes cast as
counted before the board, is declared duly and
legally elected. It is further stated in the
paper that Somerset was not represented by a
judge, or otherwise, in the board, mai that
notice of the time and place of meeting
given to the return judge elected from Som
erset, who was in the borough of Chambers
burg (where the meeting Was held) on the
day of meeting.
The other paper is signed by five persons,
viz: Messrs. Will, of Somerset county; Cart,
of Adams; Wilhelm, of Franklin; Winter, of
Fulton, and Peck, of BedfOrd, styling them
selves as being appointed return judges of the
election held in the several counties compos-
ing the 16th Congressional District, viz: Ad
ams, Bedford, Franklin, Fulton and Somerset.
The paper goes on to state that having care
fully examined the returns of the said several
districts, and added together the votes therein
contained, according to law, they certify that
Messrs. Koontz and Coffroth had each a speci
fied number of votes in the respective coun
ties of Adams, Bedford, Franklin, Fulton and
Somerset, and declare that Mr. Koontz, having
received the greatest number of legal votes, is
duly elected. Both the bodies claiming to be
district return judges met on the day and at
the placed fixed by law.
The respective candidates having reques
ted a hearing, were heard by themselves and
counsel, and evidence was received on the
question, Who were the return udges of the
district? This evidence left no material
question of feet in doubt, and .the result may
be briefly stated thus: Mr. Wills was the
regularly selected district return judge
for Somerset, and Mr. Winter for Fulton.
All the signers of the respective papers
were among the county return judges of
their respective counties. Messrs. Diehl, of
Adams, and Mann, of Bedford, were selected
as district return judges, by the majority of
the return judges of their respective counties,
after the minority had withdrawn in conse
quence of dissatisfaction with the proceed
ings of the majority. Messrs. Cart, of Adams,
and Peck, of Bedford, were selected as dis
trict return judges, by the minority of the re
turn judges of their respective counties, after
the withdrawal above stated. Mr. Wilhelm,
of Franklin, was selected as district return
judge by the return judges of that county, at
their first meeting, and of course before the sol
diers' vote had been counted. Mr. Laker, of
the same county was selected by the return
judges of the county, at their last meetingg,.
and after the soldiers' vote had been counted.
At that meeting, upon the suggestion of one
of the clerks, Mr. Wilhelm, who was presi
dent of the board, • stated that he had been in
formed that the seleCtion of a district return
judge, before all u. tiv i mteefi a lT, i h-siiviarrfiV e
jARK-5 4 1.tA0 proceed to a selection. The
vote was taken and Mr. Laker had a majority,
and the returns were accordingly placed in
his charge. Mr. Wilhelm was nominated,
but had riot a majority. He never: resigned
the appointment which had already been
made, but, no doubt, under the impression
that such appointment was illegal—he put the
question on proceeding to a new selection,
announced the result, and as president signed
a certificate, under seal, of Mr. Laker's selec
tion as district return judge.
On this state of facts the Governor has re
quested my opinion on the question, Which of
the two candidates ought to be proclaimed 4ay
him as having been returned as elected ?
In a recent opinion I have stated my rea
sons, which need not be here recapitulated,
for arriving at the conclusion that the Gover
nor has no right to go behind the returns for
the purpose of enquiring into their correct
ness—that his functions in regard to them are
strictly ministerial.
In the present instance it happens (it is be
lieved for the first time) that two different
bodies of men, each claiming to be the board
of district return judges, present papers which
they style returns of the election The Gov
ernor is of course compelled to endeavor to
ascertain, by such evidence as can be had,
which of these papers is signed by the law
ful district return judges, just as every minis
terial officer is bound to satin -himself of the
authenticiti Of an official paper, onWhich he
is required to apt.
It is well established that (unless otherwise
expressly provided) an authority of a public
nature, conferred on three or more persons
jointly, may be executed by a majority at a
meeting lawfully held, and of which all have
had legal notice, and that the meeting and
proceedings of such a body are presumed to
be regular, in the absence of proof to the con
trary. But a minority of such a body-cannot,
by withdrawing (for whatever reason) from
the majority and proceeding to act independ
ently, vest in themselves the authority which
the law has conferred on the whole, and per
mits to be exercised by a majority as above
stated.
The general election law of 1839 provides
that when two or more counties shall com
pose a district for the choice of a member of I
Congress, the judges of the election in each
county, having met, the clerks shall make
out a fair statement of - all the votes which
shall have been given at such election, which
shall be signed by said judges and'attested by
the clerks, and that one of the said judges
shall take charge of such certificate, and shall
produce the same at a meeting of one judge
from each county.
Keeping in view the principles above stated,
which are of universal acceptation, the mi
norities of the judges in Adams and. Bedford
had plainly no authority to appoint clerks
or cause votes to be added up, or returns to
be made out, or in fine to perform any of the
functions of the body of county judges of the
election. The conclusion is inevitable that
Messrs. Cart, of. Adams, and Peck, of Bed
ford, who claimed to act as judges from these
counties at the meeting of one judge from
each county, and present returns made and
signed by such minorities, were not entitled
so to act, nor could the returns which they
presented be legally received.
The law, as has' been seen, requires that
the ceitifleate hiring been. made out by the
clerks, shall be signed by the county judgeS
of the election. It is, of course, in the pos
session and tinder, the eontrol of the body of.
- such judges '.*ten assentibled• according to
law. Of course. that body must direct it to."
be placed m the charge of the member whom a
majority may designate; tO,attendAe meeting
of one judge from each etanty, mAt pree.eMl
• • -
.=
P 0
E 47.2.2
fno
52.38 V ct
41.39 V ct
51.55 V ct
,56.66 V ct
1 6.62'1 et
158.33 V ct
60 00 11 21 ct
61.54 g 1 ct
62 97 13 ell
64 20 v ct
65.52 V ct
66.67 'f ct
75.00 , 0, ct
180.00-V ct i
8%3 V cti
185 71 "f zti
187.50 V ct
i
88.89 V at
190.00 f at
1 98.00 ef, at
1 99.00 tc at
Broomall. Beatty.
..7,988 5,498
—3,019 1,781
11,007 7,279
7,279
3,728
PremisFs.
it to that meeting, and assist in making up
the returns of the district. I can see no
ground foi: the assumption that a judge can
not be designated for these purposes, just as
lawfully before the certificate has been made
out,.and signed as afterwards; and therefore I
co:
siceive that the selection of Mr. Wilhelm
was entirely legal. But that selectiOn did
not constitute him the holder of an office.'He
was rather IV- committee of one, to perform
certain duties. But, whether he be styled an
officer 'or a.. committee, in my opinion the
subsequent selection of Mr. Laker, and the
actual placing of the certificate in his charge,
completely discharged Mr. Wilhelm and over-
rode his appointment.
The result is that of the five persons who
have signed the papers stating Mr. Koontz to
be elected, three had no legal - authority to act
in the capacity which they assumed, and I
am therefore of opinion that the Governor
ought not to base his proclamation on that
paper 'as a return.
In regard to the other paper, it is signed by
four persons who appear to have been legally
designated by the judges of erection in their
respective counties. The judge from Somer
set, though he had notice, neglected or re
fused to attend the' meeting, or at any rate
failed to attend it. The duty of the four
judges who did attend is clearly pointed out
by, law. It was to "cast up the several county
return and maka_duplictite returns of `ca/ the
votes given," for the office in the district,
"and of the name of the person elected."
COI
Instead of doing this, they omitted to count
the vote of Somerset, apparently by reason of
the non-attendance of the judge from that
county. It has been suggested that as they
had not those returns they could not count
them, which is very true. Bat duplicate
originals were accessible in the office of the
Prothonotary of Somerset county, and it. was
their duty, if necessary, to refer to them.
They could not, of course, have obtained them
on the same day, but though the law fixes the
day of their meeting, it was perfectly legal for
them to adjourn if the business could not be
completed in one clay, and I think it was un
doubtedly their duty to do so. That the non . -
attendance of a judge should be held to infer
the disfranchisement of the county from
which he comes, when duplicate originals
of the returns which he failed to produce were
easily attainable by a short delay,-would be
intolerable.
The act of 1839 provides that the judges
shall make returns of "all the votes given for
such office in said district, and of the
name of the person • or persons elected,"
and further provides that it shall be the duty
of the Governor, on the receipt of the returns
of the election as aforesaid, "to declare by
proclamation the names of the persons so re
turned a elected in the respective district:"
that is to say, returned as elected in a return
which also purports to return all the votes
given for the office in the district.
The paper in question does not purport to
return all the votes given for the office in the
district It shows on its face that the vote of
one county in the district was not counted,
and therefore that the judges had not before
them the means of knowing who was elected
--and indeed the return substantially is, that
Mr. Coffroth had a majority "of all the votes
cast as counted before the board," (that is to
say, of the votes in four out of five counties
which composed the district,) and therefore
is duly elected. This return is so essentially
defective that I conceive it to be no return at
all, and am of opinion that the Governor ought
not to base his proclamation on it as a return.
I regretted to observe on the argument that
it was stated by the 'counsel of Mr. Koontz;
that all the illegality, irregularity and con
fusion which have attended the returns from
this district, arose from' the action of a ma
jority of the judges of election in Adams,
Bedford, and perhaps one other county, in
illegally throwing ou v t o , rth e y
are ca , lle(M i lm e rl i sl y iers' tem
taw to be to cause the
&K dozy i
i s to make out a fair statement of all the
votes which shall have been given at the elec
tion. To usurp the power of throwing out,
at their discretion any votes so given, is to
commit a wilful and grievous offence, for
which, if found guilty by a jury, they can be
adequately punished. Inconvenience from
theirillegal course can also be avoided, as the
House of Representatives has full jurisdiction
over the election and returns; and may apply
a summary remedy if the alleged state of facts
should be properly substantiated. But, as
the Governor cannot, if satisfied that the
offence has been committed, thrust the offend
ers into the Pennitentiary, and thus usurp
the power of the judicial tribunals—so neither
can he constitute himself a judge of the elec
tion, and thus usurp the power of the House of
Representatives, which is the proper tribunal
to adjudicate on it. He has rio more right to
put votes into the county returns than the
county judges of election bad to put them
out, or to treat as valid the acts of a seceding
minority of the county judges of election,
than he would have to treat as the act of the
House a bill emanating from a similar seced
ing minority of that body. His duty is not
to lend himself to revolutionary action of any
kind. He is to preserve order, not to abet
confusion. He is to obey the act of Assembly,
and as no returns have been presented such
as that act authorizes him to base his procla
mation upon, I am of opinion that he has no
legal course but to state that fact as his reason
for not declaring the name of any person to
have been returned as elected in the 16th
Congressional District.
Surrounded by the contagious unrest of
angry and excited passions, and often forced,
amid such surroundings, to act promptly on
questions of the most difficult and delicate
character, it may appear to require some
moral firmness in the Executive Magistrate to
avoid being swept beyond the limits of his
appropriate sphere.
Bat it is to be recollected that we have a
popular government, and in such times as
this°, public confidence, important to every
government, is essential to ours.
It appears to me that he must be the boldest
of men,whO, being at the head of the Govern
ment of any one of our States at this crisis,
should have the courage to be feeble and
vacillating, regardless of law, partial in his
judgments, usurping in his practice, and
guided by merely personal feelings or perso
nal influence, thus loosening the structure of
our political fabric, and exposing its very
foundations to depredation.
On the other hand, I should esteem him to
be fortunate, who, in suoh a position, rising
to the level of the occasion, should leave be
low him all the turns of ordinary politics,
shouldtreServe his own calmness during the
storms that are raging, not as lacking
emotion, but as feeling that upon his calm
ness may depend the public safety ; who
should combine a thoroughly active, ener
getic and loyal administration of affairs, with
open fairness and equity to all, obey himself
the law to which he enforces the obedience of
others, compel the trust of the honest and
tiath loving masses of all parties in his vigor,
justice and integrity, and thus, commanding
the public confidence, cause to strike daily
deeper and deeper the roots of authority, and
make threatened confusion and anarchy im
possible, by rendering irresistible the just
power of government.
I should esteem him to be fortunate, be
eause—thOugh his tat* would not be easy—
when he should have 'fulfilled It he would
have connected for:all time, his own honor
,with, theid , story of the salvation of the Re
public. - M. MEREDITH,
Attorney General.
,ATTozoiny GENERAL'S Oros;
uarriaburg, Dec. 1644'186C
At) tterelirapo.
S B, M N.
Savainnah Securely Invested.
WHEELER FLOGGED ON THE MARCH.
The United States transport Fulton has
arrived, with Port Royal advices of Sunday
last, Dec. 18th.
The Fulton touched at Fortress Monroe to
land Lt. Col. 0. E. Babcock, bearer of dis
patches from Gen. Sherman to the War De
partment. Also, Colonel A. H. Markel, Gen.
Sherman's mail agent.
Savannah is still in the hands of the rebels.
Its surrender had not been demanded by
General Sherman up to the time the Fulton
Among the Fulton's passengers are Colonel
W. Gurney, of the 127th New York volun
teers, and 19 other officers wounded in the
battle of Pocotaligo.
The Palmetto Berard says that only one
fight of any moment occurred on Sherman's
march, and that resulted in the flogging of
Wheeler.
All the railroads out of Savannah are cut,
and the city is entirely and securely invested.
A Proclamation by the Presiden
A CALL FOR 300,000 MEN
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1864
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, By the act approved July 4th
1864, entitled, "An act farther to regulate and
provide for the enrolling and calling out of
the National forces, and for other purposes, "
it is provided that the President of the Uni
ted States may, 'at his discretion, at any time
hereafter, call for any number of men as vol
unteers for the respective terms of one, two,
and three years, for military service, and that
in case the quota, or any part thereof, of any
town, township, ward of a city, precinct or
election district, or of a county not so sub-divi
ded, shall not be filled within the space of fifty
days after such call, then the President shall
immediately order a draft for one year, to fill
such quota or any part thereot which may be
unfilled; and whereas, by the credits
allowed in accordance with the act
of Ccxgress on the call for five hun
dred thousand men, made July 18th 1864,
the number of men to be obtained under that
call was reduced to two hundred and eighty
thousand; and whereas, the operations of the
enemy in certain States have rendered it im
practicable to procure from them their full
quotas of troops under said call; and whereas,
from the foregoing causes but two hundred
and fifty thousand men have been put into the
army, navy and marine corps under the said
call of July 18, 1864. leaving a deficiency of
that call of two hundred and fifty thousand;
now therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President
of the United States of America, in order to
supply the aforesaid deficiency and to provide
for casualties in the military and naval service
of the United States, do issue this my call, for
three hundred thousand volunteers to serve
for one, two, or three years.
The quotas of the States, Districts, and
Sub-districts under this call, will be assigned
by the War Department through the bureau
of the Provost Marshal-General of the United
States, and in ease the quota or any part
tao-o-r of any town_ t0w , .. - "-w,
precinct or election district, or of a county
not so subdivided, shall not be filled before
the 15th day of February, 1865, then a draft
shall be made to fill such quota, or any part
thereof, under this call, which may be unfilled
on the fifteenth day of February, 1865.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
[n. s.] Done at the city of Washington this,
19th 'day of December, in the year of our
Lord.one thousand eight hundred and sixty
four, and of the independence of the United
States of Ametica the eighty-ninth.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
By the Presideat,
Wnr. H. SEmixo, Secretary of State.
Army of the Potomac.
HEAVY YIBING AT DUTCH GAP OANAL-OPENING OF
A NEW ONE HUNDRED POUND GIIN BY THE RE
BELS-NO DAMAGE DONE THUS FAR-SALUTE IN
HONOR OF THOMAS' - VICTORY OVER HOOD.
- HEADQUANTIGES ARMY OP THE POTOMAC,
There is little of interest to report from this
army, our commanders seeming to be waiting
the result of Sllerman's operations, as well as
those of the fleet which lately sailed from
Fortess Monroe.
A good deal of heavy firing has been going
on at Dutch Gap Canal the past two days.
In front of Petersburg the enemy, a day or
two ago, opened a new one hundred pound
gun, and have since been industriously en
gaged in throwing shells at the railroad trains
as they pass a certain point of the road in full
view of their gunners, but as yet they have
done no damage whatever nor are they likely
to do so, unless they show more accuracy than
they have so far.
This morning a salute of one hundred guns
was fired in honor of Thomas' victory over
Hood. The rebel batteries threw a few shells
in reply, but without damage.
Last night the pickets on the right of the
line were very active, keeping up an exchange
of compliments all night.
Total Defeat and Rout of Hoods
• Army.
• NASHVILLE, Dec. 20.
An officer of General Rousseau's staff, just
from General Thomas' headquarters, arrived
last night. Our forces were then at Spring
Hill, near Columbia. Hood's army, or the
remnants of it, was at Duck river, which he
was crossing as fast as possible. All our
wounded left'. at Franklin were recaptured;
also all of the rebels who were severely
wounded, including General Quarles, of Ten
nessee, formerly Supervisor of a bank in this
State. -
Yesterday morning General Hatch captured
three guns from the rebel cavalry force at
Spring Hill. Our total captures of artillery,
from Hood amount to sixty-one pieces. The
loss of Forrest in his attack on Murfreesboro,
on Thursday last, is estimated at 1,500 killed
and wounded.
The rebel army, from all accounts, has be
come utterly demoralized and unable to make
a stand, having scarcely any artillery.
The telegraph is working to Spring Hill,
and trains will run to Franklin this mon:Ling.
General Schofield was in Golninbia yesterday
morning. . -
Our total wounded in the battles of Thurs
day and Friday will reach but few over two
thousand.
Arrival of Releared Prisoners at
- Annapolis.
The steamer Star of the South has just ar
rived from Charleston, S. C., with six hun
dred more returned prisoners, all in better
condition than those arrived last weir,
the exception of about fifty, mho had to be
taken from the boat on stretchers. This makes
about four thousand from Charleston, and,
with five thousand received from Savannah,
leave about one thousand still to complete the
exchange.
NEW YOIIK,Dec. 21
Dtcember 18
ANNAPOLIS, Dec. 19
D EDITION,
Army of the Potomac
An Attaok Upon Our Pickets—the
Rebels Repulsed.
Exploit of a Captured Rebel,
A RUMOR THAT JEFF DAVIS IS DEAD.
HEADQUAZTEBB ABUT OF THE POTOMAC, /
December 19. f
An attack was make last night by the rebels
on the pickets on the extreme left of the line,
held by General Miles' division of the Second
Corps. They captured six or eight men,
killed one, and wounded another, all of the
Fourth New Hampshire regiment.
The attacking party were quickly driven
back and the line re-established.
Two or three days ago two rebel scouts,
named Waterbury and Brown, claiming to
belong to the 2d North Carolina regiment,
were captured and placed in the guard house.
They managed, however, to escape shortly
after by cutting through the board fence
around the prison; but on getting out into
the woods they lost their way. Waterbury
then_went to seek informttion from a camp
near by, and by pretending to belong to a
Pennsylvania cavalry regiment, got a guard
to conduct him toward the lines held by the
cavalry:
After preceding for some distance, Water
bury and his guard became interested in
conversation, and the former pretending great
curiosity to examine the gun that his com
panion was carrying, asked to see it. After
getting it into his possession, he told the sol
dier he was his prisoner, and led him off into
the woods where they camped for the night.
The guard feigning to be asleep, watched
his chance, and when he found the other
sound asleep he grasped the gun from under
neath his enemy and fired, wounding him
badly in the side, and it is doubtful it he
could recover. He was taken to a house near
by, where he was paroled by one of our offi
cers. Brown succeeded in making his escape.
A report is current here, to-day, that Jeff
Davis is dead, having poisoned himself.—
Scouts and deserters say it is true, and the
story is current in Butler's department, but
from what source they got it I cannot say.
The Richmond papers of to-morrow will
undoubtedly inform ns of the truth or falsity
of the story.
DECEMBER 20.--Richmond papers of yes
terday have been recived. They say the re
port of Jeff Davis' death was a canard, and
that he was well and would be in his office
during the day.
Department of the Gulf.
CAPTURE OF BLOCEADE-BUNNEBB ON THE TEXAN
COAST-PRIZE-MONEY GAINED AT MOBILE.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 16, VIA. CAIRO, Dec. 20.
Advices from the blockading squadron, off
Galveston, report that they seized, during the
week ending Dec. 9, six blockade-runners on
the coast of Texas.
Tho report of the capture of a steamship is
disbelieved.
Two large fires recently occurred in Gal
veston
v.t T t h on e , y an ell a ew th f e ev m e o r
r b ta " lit l y 'A lals 'r bet ul v i e u ry l lrea Ga t. "
The prize-money of Mobile Bay amounts to
one year's pay for every man engaged in the
fight.
There have been no transactions in cotton
Sugar 23023 p. Molasses $132R1 33.
MARRIED.
On the 24th, by Rev. John Walker Jackson, a the resi
dence of the bride's father, Wm. HENRY Emma, Esq., to
Miss MARY ZISDT, all of this city.
December 20th, 1864, in Harrisburg. at the house of
Mowry Nicene Eat., by Rev. E. S. Johnston, Mr. Jaw
R. STomeit, of Hummelstown, and Miss Ears S. GEtrrs,
of Harrisburg.
DIED.
On the morning of the 20th inst., Meares J., youngest
daughter of Jonah and the late Phebe Ogelsby.
The friends end relatives are invited to attend her
funeral, from her father's residence, South street, on'
Thursday afternoon, at 2 o clock.
„ On the 20th, ALFAILATA WEMCONA, infant daughter of
James and Maly 801 l Mclntire, aged 2 mantle , and three
weeks.
The funeral will take place from the residence of her
parents on Sixth street, between South and State, at
P. M., Thursday.
We've barred our shutters tight and pest,
We've closed tho craped door;
For death has swept In anger past,
That dear one's now no more
Come clew the little palid lack
Whore sweetness still abides;
Let Rowers in their beauty grace.
What death in silence hides.
Farewell, Nona, thou hast left us,
We thy loss do deeply feel;
though 'Us God that hash reft us,
He can all our sorrows heal
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
WANT' ED,
mwo BARKEEPERS, who•understand the
restaurant business. Good wages paid. Apply at
the National House, Market street, near Fourth.
dec2o.d3t4
FOR SALE,
ASTORE, in one of the most flourishing
towns itt Schuylkill county, doing a very prosper
ous basiliess ; sales averaging about eight (8) tnousani
dolls! s per month, mostly cash. A capital - of from al%
to eight thousand dollars required. Address "STORE,"
deal-Iw* nos 948, Philadelphia P. 0.
CATAWBA GRATES.—A new lot of fine
Catawba Grapes, by the box or pound, just received
at WM. M G , AY & 00.,
(Houser and Lochman's old stand, Market square.)
dec2l
BRANDY PEACHES, Spiced and Pickled
Oysters, jest received at WM. M. GRAY & CO.,
(Houser and Lachman's old stand, Market square.
dec2l.
TITAVANA. ORANGES.—Fine Havana Or
wages, by the down or sines, Just received at
WM. tr. GRAY & CO.,
(Houser and Lochmau'e old stand, Market square.
dec2l.
SHAFFER. & BROTHER,
PAPER HANGER S,
AND DEALEB3 IN
WALL PAPER, WINDOW SHADES, at
Market Square, Harrisburg, Pa.
deon-iy
An Elegant and Varied Assortment
OF
HOLIDAY GOODS I
JEST RECEIVED; consisting in part of
Albums, Writing Desks, Work Ilexes, Ladies'
Portfolios, Dominoes, Juveniles ea dames, Markt=
il
Pens, Transparent Slates, rhotdgraphs, Pocket Book%
Chequer Boards, Alphabet Blocks, and novelties which
must be seen to be appreciated, and to which I reoPea
fully cab the atteotiort of the subtle. All of which wilt.
be sold at small profits, andnallefactidh guaranteed:
GEO. L WALTER,
dedl.-d2t* /le Market amt.