—This day the rebel Congress met at Richmond, Va., and received the message of Jefferson Davis, in which he congratulated the Congress upon the accession to the Southern Confederacy since his last message of the States of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Arkansas.—(Doc. 109)
—A Correspondent with the army under General Patterson, at Charlestown, Va., writes under this date as follows: In consequence of complaints from numerous commanders that their men were without shoes, clothing, and other necessaries, and could not be now supplied, as the time for which they had been sworn in was nearly expired, General Patterson visited the different brigades, and plead earnestly with the men to stand by him, for the love of their country and the honor of our flag, for a few days longer, but failed to gain support —The good behavior of the soldiers is having an excellent effect upon the townspeople. Many of the families were prepared to leave on the arrival of the army, but are now going to remain, feeling that their property and persons are secure.—Three members of the New York Ninth Regiment yesterday arrested Lieut. Harlett, of the rebel cavalry force, -while secreted in a house here. This officer is said to have commanded the troops that fired from Harper’s Ferry upon Colonel Stone’s brigade when passing opposite that point,—The jail where John Brown was imprisoned, and the scene of his execution, are constantly visited by our volunteers. Captain McMullen’s Rangers have found numerous secreted arms.—A mail bag belonging to our army, and filled with matter, has been found here. Indications show it to have been stolen, while on the way to Martinsburg, a week since.—Major Ledlie, of the New York Nineteenth Regiment, this morning at 1 o’clock, was fired on, when making the guard rounds, by a rebel named Welch. The latter was arrested, and his arms taken from him. Welch says, in excuse, that he did not see Ledlie, but hearing a noise thought foxes were robbing his roosts.—The Indiana Eleventh Regiment, Col. Wallace, marched to head-quarters to-day, and informed General Patterson of their willingness to serve ten days extra.—Baltimore American, July 23.
