–The Second Regiment Missouri Volunteers, Col. Siegel, went up the Pacific Railroad from St. Louis, and occupied the line as far as the Gasconade River in order to prevent further damage by the rebels. They met with no opposition from the traitors in that section.–N. Y. Herald, June 20.
–The steamer City of Alton, with two companies of Col. Oglesby’s Regiment and a squad of artillery-men, with two field-pieces, made an excursion from Cairo, Ill., down the Mississippi, five miles below Columbus, Kentucky, to-day. On returning, when near Columbus, some machinery of the boat broke, and the boat drifted ashore. While the machinery was repairing, the captain of the boat, with three of his crew, went ashore and cut down a secession flag which was flying on the shore, and brought it to Cairo. No attempt was made to prevent their taking the flag. Passengers, who have arrived from Columbus since the City of Alton left, say, that great excitement prevailed among the citizens, and that locomotives and cars were immediately despatched to Union city to convey rebel troops to Columbus. No rebel troops were seen by the excursionists between Cairo and Columbus.– Louisville Courier, June 15.
–Governor Jackson of Missouri issued proclamation rehearsing the so-called grievances inflicted by the Federal Government, which, he said, were designed to reduce Missouri to the same condition as Maryland. He accused the Federal authorities of fostering the inauguration of revolution and civil war for the overthrow of the State Government, and called 50,000 State militia into active service for the protection of the lives, liberty, and property of the citizens.–(Doc. 247)
–A man was discovered in an attempt to poison some of the soldiers of the Second Michigan Regiment at Washington by offering them water to drink, in which strychnine was deposited. He was immediately arrested.–N. Y. World, June 13.
–The state-room of William Trappman, a passenger on board the steamer America, which left Boston for Liverpool to-day, was visited and searched on the suspicion that he was a bearer of despatches from the Confederate Government. He produced papers showing that he was Prussian Consul at Charleston, and also a bearer of despatches from Lord Lyons to the British Government. Nothing of an objectionable character was found in his possession, and he was released. Subsequently a despatch was received from the War Department authorizing his arrest on the charge of treason, but the steamer had in the meantime sailed.–Boston Post, June 13.
–The Western Virginia Convention met yesterday at Wheeling, and after effecting a temporary organization adjourned till ten o’clock this morning. About forty counties were represented on the basis of their representation in the Legislature. Arthur J. Boreman, of Wood county, was chosen permanent chairman, and delivered a patriotic address on taking his seat. He reviewed the ordinance of secession passed by the Richmond convention, and exhorted the delegates to firm, decided, and thorough action. The delegates were then sworn in. The programme of the convention seems to be the formation of a provisional government for the whole State; the deposition of the present State authorities, and the entire reorganization of the municipal Government.
Mr. Carlile offered a resolution, which was unanimously adopted, thanking Gen. McClelland for sending troops to Western Virginia; commending the gallant troops at Philippa, and complimenting the bravery of Col. Kelly of the First Virginia Regiment.–N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, June 12.
–The Louisville Journal of to-day contains the following: “A facetious account has been given of Gov. Rector’s response to President Lincoln’s demand for troops, (‘Nary one–see you d–d first.’) We find the genuine dispatch embodied in his message to the Legislature, as follows:
“Executive Office,…….
Little Rock. Ark., April 22, 1861.
“Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War,
………………..Washington City, D. C.:
“In answer to your requisition for troops from Arkansas, to subjugate the Southern States, I have to say that none will be furnished. The demand is only adding insult to injury.
“The people of this Commonwealth are free men, not slaves, and will defend to the last extremity their honor, lives, and property against northern mendacity and usurpation.
“Henry M. Rector,…………………
Governor of Arkansas.”