October 16.—The One Hundred and Seventieth regiment New-York volunteers, being the second of the Irish Legion, left Staten Island, New-York, en route for the seat of war.—Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, was to-day authorized by the War Department to permit drafted militia to become volunteers by changing their term of service from nine months to three years.
—The steamer Emilie was boarded by a gang of guerrillas at Portland, Mo., and plundered of all her stores. The passengers were also robbed of their clothing and valuables.— The United States steam sloop-of-war Ticonderoga, was this day successfully launched from the Navy-Yard, Brooklyn, New-York.
—A reconnoissance by part of the army of the Potomac was made from Harper’s Ferry this morning. General Humphrey’s division, supported by that of General Porter, crossed the Potomac River at Blackford’s Ford and advanced on Shepherdstown. He was met by a strong force of the rebels, who opened a heavy fire upon him; and as General Humphrey had no artillery, and the object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, he withdrew his forces across the river.
The steamer John H. Dickey, plying between St Louis, Mo., and Memphis, Tennessee, was this day attacked by a band of rebel guerrillas, in the vicinity of Pemiscot Bayou, Missouri, but escaped without much injury. No one was killed, and only one person slightly wounded.—The rebel Brigadier-General George B. Anderson, who was wounded at Sharpsburgh, Md., died at Raleigh, North-Carolina.
—A reconnoissance under the command of General Hancock, left Bolivar Heights early this morning and proceeded toward Charlestown, Va. When a mile and a half from the town, the rebels opened fire upon the Union troops from a battery of five pieces, which was responded to by Clark’s and Tompkins’s Rhode Island batteries, for about two hours, when the rebels fell back to the hills beyond the town. The rebels’ guns were well served, but only a few of their shells exploded. The Nationals had one man killed and eight wounded; the rebels had nine men wounded and taken prisoners, among whom was Captain Smith, of the Richmond artillery.—The National troops entered Charlestown and occupied it.
—The draft commenced in every county of the State of Pennsylvania, except that of Philadelphia, without any undue excitement.
