June 5.—The Twenty-fourth regiment of Massachusetts, while on a scouting expedition on the Pactolus road, near Washington, N. C, were attacked from an ambush by a rebel regiment, and had seven men killed and several wounded.— (Doc. 59.)
—The Twelfth regiment New-York State militia, under the command of Col. William S. Ward, left New-York for Washington, D. C—The volunteer recruiting service in the United States, discontinued by General Orders No. 33, of April third, 1862, was restored, and orders to that effect were published by General Thomas.
—The rebel artillery opened upon the National forces at New-Bridge, on the Chickahominy River, Va., from five different points, attempting to prevent General McClellan’s troops from rebuilding the bridge; their fire was returned, and after an engagement of over two hours, the rebels were compelled to retire.
—A heavy storm, which had lasted two whole days, raised the Chickahominy River, Va., to an unprecedented height—President Lincoln complimented First Lieut. D. C. Constable, commanding the revenue steamer E. A. Stevens, by handing him personally a commission as captain in the revenue cutter service, in recognition of his gallantry in leading with his steamer the attacking forces in their ascent of the James River and bombardment of Fort Darling.—Second Lieutenant J. Wall Wilson was also promoted to a first lieutenancy for gallant bearing during the same action.
—Nathaniel S. Berry was inaugurated Governor of New-Hampshire, at Concord, in the presence of both branches of the Legislature and a large concourse of citizens. In his message, alluding to National affairs, the Governor says there can be but one result to the struggle in which we are engaged — submission to the first principles of the government inaugurated and established by our fathers. The base rebellious spirit which designed to reverse the free and humane policy of our fathers, must fail. The fearful lesson we have had in the conflict with slavery, its disasters to all its promoters, its evident weakness in its death-struggle with freedom, all portend a change in the estimation in which this great evil will be hereafter held, and foretell in legible characters, written in view of all the nations, that its days are numbered. For these reasons the Governor rejoices in the late message of President Lincoln, and in the abolishing of slavery in the District of Columbia, and its prohibition in the territories. But he affirms the principle that each State submitting to the provisions of the Constitution should control its own local institutions; but such submission should be regarded as a pre-requisite to the employment of the benefits of that instrument.
—Judge Birch, who was arrested at Holla, Mo., for expressing disloyal sentiments, was released from arrest and paroled, with the understanding that he was to report himself whenever required.—James Trabue, one of the principal dry-goods merchants of Louisville, Ky., was arrested to-day by the military authorities at that place. He refused to take the oath of allegiance. —Two companies of the Pennsylvania “Roundhead” regiment, on James Island, S. C, were cut off by the rebels, but after a sharp fight were rescued by the Eighth Michigan regiment.— The United States gunboat fleet and mortar fleet arrived before Memphis, Tenn., at nine P.M.
