August 8.—To secure and preserve discipline, provide against disaster from the elements or attack by the enemy, an order was issued from the “War Department, compelling the organization of troops on board government transports, and regulating their transportation.—Governor Horatio Seymour, of New-York, replied to the letter of President Lincoln, relative to the draft.
—This morning, the rebel steamer Robert Habersham, which had been occupied in watching the Union advance movement up the Savannah River, was entirely destroyed by an explosion of her boiler, while lying off Scrieven’s Ferry. The entire crew were either killed or mortally injured.
—A special order was issued by Brigadier General Mercer, in command at Savannah, Ga., impressing into the rebel service, one fifth of the able-bodied male slaves in Eastern, Southern, and South-western Georgia, for the purpose of erecting additional fortifications for the defence of Savannah. “Transportation will be furnished them and wages paid at the rate of twenty-five dollars per month. The Government will be responsible for the value of such negroes as may be killed by the enemy or may in any manner fall into his hands.”
—The gunboat Sagamore captured the sloop Clara Louisa, and schooners Southern Rights, Shot, and Ann, while endeavoring to evade the blockade of Key West, Florida.
