August 16.–Colonel Hecker, with his regiment, surprised a body of rebels-, four hundred strong, near Fredericktown, Mo., early this morning. He captured all their camp equipage, and his men ate the breakfast which had just been prepared by the rebels. Twelve prisoners were also taken.–General Prentiss took command of all the forces at Ironton, Mo.–N. Y. World, August 20.
–A New battery, erected by the rebels at a point a mile or two below Aquia Creek, Va., opened fire on the steamer Pocahontas, but inflicted no damage. This is the fourth battery which has been erected at that point. Officers report that, unless the Government takes immediate action to expel the rebels from these positions on the bank of the river, navigation will be completely closed. The enemy’s batteries already command a large part of the Potomac.–Louisville Journal, August 19.
–In the United States Circuit Court, sitting in the city of New York, the Grand Jury brought in a presentment against the Journal of Commerce, Daily News, Day Book, Freeman’s Journal, and Brooklyn Eagle, as aiders and abettors of treason, and recommended that the Court, in its judicial capacity, take cognizance of them. The Judge said he would turn over the presentment to Judge Wilson, at the October term.–(Doc. 189.)
–A Serious affray occurred at Saybrook, Conn., this afternoon. A number of prominent secessionists of the State had called a “peace meeting,” to commence at three o’clock, when a peace, or secession flag was to be raised, and several speeches were to be made. Among the speakers who were announced, and on hand, was W. W. Eaton, of Hartford. The fact becoming known in New Haven, about ninety residents of that city came up on the train this morning. On reaching Saybrook the New Haven boys marched in procession to the flag-staff, upon which it was rumored that a secession flag was to be raised, surrounded it, and immediately proceeded to hoist the Stars and Stripes, when Judge Colyer of Hartford, and a noted secessionist of Saybrook, with others, undertook to prevent the Stars and Stripes from being raised, and cut the halyards, and it is said also made an attempt to use the knife upon some of the New Haven boys, when a desperate affray commenced between the secessionists and Unionists, which resulted in Judge Colyer having one of his cheeks dreadfully cut, and the great peace advocate of Saybrook faring little better. Mr. Eaton was deterred from making his prepared speech; and quiet being restored, Capt. Joseph R. Hawley, of the returned First Regiment, whoso bravery at Bull Run has been frequently alluded to, made a capital Union speech, which was enthusiastically received by the assemblage. About forty of the New Haven boys returned home this evening, while fifty remained to watch movements for the night, and probably take care of the flag-staff so that no secession flag should be raised upon it. The flag which the secessionists intended to hoist was a white one with the word “Peace” inscribed thereon.– N. Y. World, August 17.
–The President declared by proclamation that, as their rebellious populations had failed to disperse and return to their duty as bidden in his proclamation of Feb. 28, the States of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas were in a state of insurrection, and that all commercial intercourse with them “is unlawful, and will remain unlawful until such insurrection shall cease, or has been suppressed.”–(Doc. 190.)
–Fifty-eight Thousand Dollars were seized by U. S. troops at Genevieve, Missouri, and taken to St. Louis.–N. Y. Herald, August 18.
–All safe-conducts, passes, etc., hitherto granted to enter or go beyond the U. S. army lines in Virginia, were revoked by general order.–Army Order, No. 4.