Washington Items.
--The
Washington papers furnish but little news of interest.
We copy the following :
‘
The Government would fain to see all three months men changed into volunteers for the duration of the war. It is satisfied that the call for three months service is more likely to impede than to benefit the intended operations.
A great pressure is brought to bear on
Gen. Scott, to induce him to order an advance of troops into
Virginia.
Even members of the
Cabinet have been exerting themselves to the same effect, but he will not move on
Richmond until he is quite ready.
Chevalier Wikoff and
Major Williamson, of the United States Engineer Corps, have arrived here with dispatches from
Gen.Sickles to the
Secretary of War tendering the
Excelsior Brigade to the
Government.
The commanders of the several regiments are anticipating an early movement, but in what direction they do not know.
They have all been notified to hold themselves in readiness for instant orders.
It is now arranged that the usual communication of four trains of care a day between
Washington and
Baltimore will be opened, commencing Thursday.
The road is still under military control, but through tickets to
Philadelphia and New York can be had, as formerly.
The Government has accepted the services of two regiments for three months, and one for three years, from
Kansas.
The
Postmaster General has annulled the contract for carrying the mails between
St. Louis and
Memphis, owing to the forcible stoppage of the steamers by which they were conveyed.
This is the first case under the law of last Congress which authorized mail discontinuances in cases of illegal obstructions.
’
