Middletown 150 Yrs. Ago: Great Riot in New York!

War News.

Vicksburg was surrendered on the 4th. Preliminary arrangements had been made through the three days preceding.

It was arranged that the Federal forces should enter at 10 A. M., July 4th. The rebels were all to be paroled. The officers allowed to retain their horses and four days rations to be taken from the rebel stores, and to be considered as prisoners liable to exchange. The enemy, numbering from 25,000 to 30,000, by this arrangement fell into Grant’s hands, along with small arms, forts, defences, &c.—Cannon are plenty, and in quality equal to the best in the Confederacy.

At 10 A. M. of the 4th, Gen. Steele’s division marched into and garrisoned the city, the bands playing the national airs of the contending forces. The scene was witnessed by thousands of national and rebel soldiers, who for the first time in weeks showed themselves with impunity above the rifle-pits, and during these weeks they had been within five yards of each other.

Not long after formal possession had been taken of the city, Col. Markland made his entrance to take charge of his office, and agreed to establish National mail routes with the rest of the world.

The news from Tennessee continues to be favorable. Gen. Rosecrans’ army retains its position on the line of the Elk river. The campaign is virtually ended. Thousands of Tennessee troops have deserted Bragg’s army.

From Port Hudson we have advices to the 2d inst. The third assault had not then been made, but was soon to take place. The storming party was under the command of Colonel Birge, of the 13th Conn. Gen. Neal Dow and staff were captured by a band of guerillas. Gen. Dow was wounded in the action of the 14th, and had received leave of absence.

The rebels under Morgan, now on a raid in Indiana, reached Vienna, on the Jeffersonville Railroad, at 10 o’clock, Saturday morning, and burned the depot and railroad bridge there. He then moved in the direction of Madison. He is said to be in much haste.

From the reports of fishermen who have arrived in Boston, it appears certain that one of the rebel pirate steamers is on our coast committing depredations. The whaling schooner Rienzi, from Princeton, was destroyed by her on the 8th of July. Other vessels are also reported captured and destroyed.

Affairs on the Potomac.

After his defeat at Gettysburg, Gen. Lee retreated to the banks of the Potomac. His bridges had been destroyed and the water had risen so that it was impossible to ford the river. His army is at Williamsport and in the neighborhood of Hagerstown. In the meantime Gen. Meade has been drawing his forces around him, and preparing for another great battle. It was expected that the two armies would come into conflict on Saturday. But Saturday and Sunday both passed without a general engagement. It seems impossible long to delay the impending battle, and the public is momentarily in expectation of exciting news from the army.

The position of Gen. Lee is not to be envied. With broken ranks, an army dispirited by defeat, unable to fly and compelled to fight, with his communications with Richmond destroyed, and pressed on flank and rear by the victorious army of the Union, his situation is anything but encouraging. Gen. Meade has acted with energy and skill, and we hope will speedily report to the country that Gen. Lee’s whole army has fallen into his hands.

On Sunday our army advanced steadily in line of battle, and on Sunday evening was on an average distance of six miles from Williamsport. The enemy was believed to have thrown up strong entrenchments about a mile and a half from Hagerstown, on the road to Williamsport.

LATEST.

Great Riot in New York.

By the papers this morning, Tuesday, we have accounts of a great riot in New York city. The excitement commenced on Monday morning. The building where the drafting was taking place was burnt and the papers scattered in the street. Towards night the mob numbered 12,000. About 7 o’clock the Tribune office was attacked, and reported to be completely gutted. Super’t Kennedy was attacked and believed to be killed. The Deputy Provost Marshal was killed. A postscript dated 4 1/2 this morning says the Tribune and Times buildings are in flames.

We have important news from the Potomac. The rebel army is completely surrounded. They are reduced to a space of six miles by nine in which to maneuver, and it is believed they cannot possibly escape capture.

The Draft.

An official order for a draft in this Congressional District was issued on the 8th, and the draft for both counties was commenced in New Haven on Monday, and is to be continued from time to time until the required number is obtained. The number required from this District (Middlesex and New Haven Counties,) is 1,939, and 969 additional men are to be drafted to make up deficiencies. The enrollment of this district is between 16,000 and 17,000, so that in all about one in six will be drafted, and as the draft will be made from the first class first, the number will be about one in four.

Local News.

Running Away.—During the past week quite a number have left town on account of the draft and gone to parts unknown, and that there has been a scattering among the “foreign born fellow citizens” in Portland. It is altogether too late to run now. They should have gone before the enrollment. If drafted and they do not make their appearance they will be considered deserters and treated as such, and liable to arrest in any part of the United States.

Wesleyan University Commencement.

Commencement Week.—Many visitors are already in town to attend the Commencement exercises this week. This afternoon, Tuesday, is held the meeting of Joint Board of Trustees and Visitors, when important business is to come up, among which is the election of two Professors. This evening, George Wm. Curtiss addresses the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. Wednesday is Alumni day. In the afternoon Dr. Cooke gives an oration and Rev. Nelson Stutson a poem. In the evening at the McDonough House will be the Alumni Festival. Commencement Concert, by Dodworth’s Bank, is at McDonough Hall on Wednesday evening. Thursday is Commencement Day. The procession will be formed at the chapel at 9 o’clock, and proceed to the Methodist church. In the evening will be the President’s levee.

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The Graduating Class numbers twenty-six. Appointments are given to all the members, of whom five are excused from speaking. The Salutatory address is by Wm. P. Hubbard, of Wheeling, W. Va. The Valedictory is by Charles A. Barnard, South Paris, Me.

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Turnpike Opened.—The Rocky Hill, Middletown, and Haddam Turnpike has been thrown open to public travel by order of the Commissioners.

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The Weather.—Average temperature at 6 o’clock, A. M. for the week has been 64 degrees, which shows genuine July weather. The long drought was ended by a copious rain on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Last night and this morning much rain has fallen.

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Elijah Garfield, for more than twenty years a teacher in this city, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Robert Duncan, in Newark, N. J., on the 18th ult. The mention of the name of Mr. Garfield will bring up juvenile recollections in the minds of many of our citizens who were his pupils. He had reached the ripe age of 86 years.

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