The Daily Dispatch: February 17, 1865., [Electronic resource]

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The news.

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Petersburg.

Between 2 and 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning there was some mortar firing on the Petersburg lines near the Appomattox. This was somewhat of a novelty, as, for months past, mortar firing has been discontinued. With this exception, nothing of interest has occurred.

Scouts from Grant's rear report all quiet within the enemy's lines.

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From the far South.

No dispatches were received at the War Office on yesterday from South Carolina. We are consequently, uninformed of Sherman's latest movements. He was at Orangeburg, forty-eight miles south of Columbia, on last Tuesday, and our troops were falling back before him towards Columbia. Where he is now we do not know.

It was said on Wednesday that a dispatch had been received, saying that skirmishing was going on within a few miles of Columbia. We stated this yesterday as an on dit, and, as yet, have not the means of either confirming or contradicting it. Sherman may be at Kingsville, the junction of the Wilmington and Columbia railroads, thirty miles southeast of Augusta; or he may be even nearer the city.

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General Lee's Order assuming the command of the armies of the Confederate States.

The following is a copy of General Lee's General Order on assuming command of the land forces of the Confederate States:

"Headquarters Confederate army,

"In obedience to General Order No. 3, Adjutant and Inspector-General's office, 6th February, 1865, I assume command of the military forces of the Confederate States. Deeply impressed with the difficulties and responsibility of the position, and humbly invoking the guidance of Almighty God, I rely for success upon the courage and fortitude of the army, sustained by the patriotism and firmness of the people, confident that their united 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 be, for the present, with the Army of Northern Virginia. The stated and regular returns and reports of each army and department will be forwarded, as heretofore to the office of the Adjutant and Inspector-General.

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The Commissary-General.

The appointment, by the President, of Colonel Isaac M. St. John Commissary-General of the Confederate States was, on yesterday, confirmed by the Confederate Senate. The new Commissary- General will enter at once upon the discharge of his duties.

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Negro soldiers — exemptions and details.

In the Confederate Senate, yesterday, Mr. Brown's bill, reported back with an amendment and the recommendation that it be passed by the Military Committee, was transferred to the secret calendar, and is being considered in secret session.

The bill of the House of Representatives to abolish the fifteen-negro clause; to take from the President and Secretary of War the power to make details and exemptions, except of mechanics and artizans in the employment of the Government; to revoke all exemptions and details heretofore granted by the President and Secretary of War; and to revoke the exemptions of mail contractors not personally engaged in performing the contracts; was recommitted to the Military Committee, with instructions to inquire into the expediency of bringing in a more liberal bill. There is a strong disposition on the part of the Senate to preserve, untouched, the present exemption law.