August 10.
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, issued the following order at Washington, D. C.: “The temporary restrictions upon travelling, deemed necessary to prevent evasions of liability to be drafted into the militia, were not intended to apply to couriers with despatches to and from the legations of friendly Powers in the United States. All authorities, civil and military, are consequently requited to allow such couriers to pass freely, without let or investigation.”
The national steamer Freeborn arrived at Washington, D. C., bringing twenty-five prisoners, five sail-boats, a number of canoes, and a lot of merchandise, which were captured on Friday and Saturday nights last near Blackiston Islands. The prisoners had been engaged in regular commerce between Maryland and Virginia, taking over salt, etc., and bringing back wheat.--Commander Richard Wainwright, U. S.N., died at New Orleans, La.
A rebel steamer was this day captured at the mouth of the Savannah River, Ga., by a Union tug-boat, and towed under the guns of Fort Pulaski.--The town of Donaldsonville, La., was this day partially destroyed by a party of men from the United States sloop-of-war Brooklyn.--(Doc. 177.)
