Daily National Republican

LOCAL NEWS.

LATE AND IMPORTANT ARRESTS.—For some time past, gangs of suspicious characters have visited this city, from New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, for the purpose of depredating not only upon our own citizens, but even upon the poor soldiers, who have become a too easy prey to villainous experts, who in several cases have drugged and made drunk their unsuspecting victims. A case of this kind occurred yesterday, and was the subject of investigation last night before Justice Thompson, at the Third ward station-house. It appeared, from the evidence then submitted to the examining magistrate, that a soldier, named James Gilchrist, had been robbed while in a state of inebriation, of $26 in Treasury notes. Two men, who gave their names as James Rogan and Daniel Meenin, were suspected of robbing the soldier; and a witness, named Elizabeth Gray, who was employed at the Union eating house, (formerly the watch-house,) in the Centre market, made such a statement of the manner and circumstances of the robbery as led to the prompt arrest of the two prisoners by Patrolman Lusby and Roundsman Greer, of the Sixth precinct.

On the examination, last night, Elizabeth Gray swore that she heard Rogan say, (who was in the eating house when Gilchrist left it in a state of intoxication,) that he, Rogan, would follow him and get his money. This, the witness further testified, she knew he did, for he came back to the eating house and there exhibited several Treasury notes. The prisoner stoutly denied the theft, and charged the female witness with false swearing; but she persisted in her statement, and added, with strong emphasis, addressing Rogan, "You know it is all true, and that I burnt the Confederate money you had about you as you requested." Justice Thompson directed the officers to search the prisoner, and there were found in his pocket $42.15, chiefly Treasury notes, also a new three bladed knife, and two letters, having envelopes of yellow paper, on sight of which the soldier Gilchrist exclaimed, these letters were given to me by comrades, to be delivered to their friends in New York, as they knew I was going to Albany, where my regiment will be mustered out of service.

Before the removal of the envelopes, Justice Thompson requested Gilchrist to give the names of the writers, which he did: and when opened the names of the writers corresponded with the declaration of the soldier, who also said, "I had in my pocket a letter from my sister," and that letter signed "Mary," and also found in the pocket of the prisoner Rogan, the soldier also identified.

At this stage of the examination, Rogan, who had been previously unabashed, appeared completely astounded and "quite chopfallen." It is proper to add, that nothing appeared in this investigation last night to implicate Meenin: he was, however, seen in company with Rogan at or near the time of the robbery. Two other witnesses have yet to testify in relation to the matter, when the prisoners will be brought out of prison for their final examination.