July 25.
At St. Louis, Mo., great excitement existed on account of the order of Governor Gamble, authorizing the enrolment of the State militia.--An engagement took place on the Hatchie River, near Brownsville, Tenn., between a body of rebels, under the command of Capt. Faulkner, and a party of National cavalry, led by Major Wallace.
Major-Gen. Pope, at Washington, issued the following order:
Hereafter no guards will be placed over private houses or private property of any description whatever. Commanding officers are responsible for the conduct of the troops under their command, and the articles of war and regulations of the army provide ample means for restraining them to the full extent required for discipline and efficiency. Soldiers were called into the field to do battle against the enemy, and it is not expected that their force and energy shall be wasted in the protection of the private property of those most hostile to the government. No soldier serving in this army shall hereafter be employed in such service.
The Philadelphia and Reading, Pa., Railroad Company, subscribed twenty-five thousand dollars to aid in raising volunteers.--The rebel steamer Cuba arrived at Mobile, Ala., “from Havana, after an exciting chase by the blockaders.” --Richmond Examiner, July 26.
President Lincoln, in accordance with the sixth section of the act of Congress entitled, “An act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the property of rebels, and for other purposes,” issued a proclamation warning all persons to cease participating in aiding, countenancing or abetting the existing rebellion, or any rebellion, against the [48] government of the United States, and to return to their proper allegiance to the United States, on pain of the forfeitures and seizures as by said sixth section provided.--(Doc. 158.)
Two companies of Union troops, under the command of Captain Davidson, while guarding the bridge at Courtland, Ala., were completely surprised and captured by a force of rebel cavalry.--(Doc. 159.)
A meeting of Irish citizens and residents of St. Louis, Mo., was held in that city for the purpose of denouncing the conduct of such of their countrymen as had attempted to avoid the operation of the Governor's proclamation for troops to serve the State, by appealing to the British Consul for protection, as cowardly, base, and infamous.
A skirmish took place near Orange Court-House, Va., between a reconnoitring party of Union troops under the command of General Gibson, and a body of rebels, resulting in the retreat of the latter with a loss of five men killed, several wounded and some prisoners.--Large meetings were held at Corning and Ithaca, N. Y., to promote enlistments into the army under the call of the President for additional troops.
