Newspaper Page Text
MAIIIIVriYE OF'AM EMCAI’KD CO.AKKOKU
ATE IMU»O\KK
The following It tier give* interes. ing detail
of the first escape, re-capture, and -econd and
final escape from Yankee durance of a member
of the Richmond Hussars, lroin this city, be
longing to Cobb's Legion :
Camp neap Fbederii Ksnrno,)
Dec. 26th, 1863. f
I have succeeded, after' the second attempt,
in making my escape fioui the enemy. The
1 news has probably reached you of the death
of Lieuts. Pugh and Cheesborough. 1 remain
<».l with them until they both died, when I had
them decently buried. Cobb’s Legion has lost
two gallant and brave officers by their dece -.■■
After their burial. I went to Gettysburg and re
ported to Gen. Patrick, provost marshal; told
him I had a parole and wished to be sent on
for exchange, lie told me that my parole did
not amount to anything; that there had been
orders issued against it. He then sent me
around to an old barn in Gettysburg where
there were about fotir hundred of our men.—
We remained there some time and then set out
on our march.
We bad for .an escort Gen. Patrick and staff,
and the 6th U. S. Regulars—l cannot call them
soldiers or men, for they were more like brutes
than either, 'ihey were certainly the meanest
men that ever disgraced a uniform. I cannot
go into a detail of the horrible treatment we re
ceived at their hand)—it would take more time
and paper than 1 etreto waste on them. In
passing through towns especially they would
manifest their brutality by hitting the prison
ers with the butt of their guns—those who were
se k and wounded, were forced in this manner
to keep up with them, who had plenty to eat
and plenty of rations in their haversacks. We
had not eaten anything but six hard crackers
lor six days. Oh, how iny blood did l>oil with
in me to see our men treated in this manner!
lint we were in their power and had to take it.
We at length reached Frederick City, Md.,
where wc wen* to take the cars, and it was for
tunate for me, for J do believe it would have
|pik^u»w,Uirlirio -t»r nwr tftr-trf. liattvu ■ .--•m
The next day my iect were sore and I could
hardly touch them to the ground. But I could
not grumble at that, for the majority weie in a
worse fix than myself.
Nothing of interest occurred on our arriving
at liaitimore. A lady was arrested for speaking
to her husband, who was a prisoner, and she
was taken off to some Yankee fort. \\ o were
then put on board a transport and sent to Fort
Delaware, which is certainly one of the dirtiest
places on the globe. There were a large num
ber of prisoners there, and they were dying at
the rate of thirty per day. The guard there
was very little better than the Bth Regulars
above mentioned, in firing at the men for dis
obeying orders. They have killed three Or four
men who were lying asleep in their bunks.
i will pass over the many acts of savage
cruelty they have perpetrated, and try to tell
you ol my escape from there on the night oi
the Pith of August. I had four canteens tied
to my breast to act as life-preservers and
plunged into the Delaware River, throe and a
half miles wide at this point, with my clothes on;
but 1 soon found that 1 could not swim with my
• oat and pants on, so I disencumbered myself of
them, and alter much exertion succeeded in
reaching the opposite shore, in a state ot com
plete exhaustion. After lying there about two
hours 1 set out with a companion who escaped
with me. 1 could not travel by daylight with
out coat or pants, so 1 had to take darkness tor
it. We traveled seven nights and at the end
of that time 1 found myself exactly where 1
at vi ted from, 'lids was somewhat discouraging.
1 told my companion (whose name was Ale
Caltliern) that I was going up to the first house
1 came to and tell them just who wo were and
ask for assistance. I accosted the farmer and
Told him my story, asking him if he would not
give me a pair of pants. Alter some hesit itiou,
he said he would, and gave mo a pair. He
gave us directions how to travel to resell Mary
land. Wc set out in the day time, and reached
Maryland without much difficulty, only iliat
our toot were very sore from going barefoot so
long. We lived oil fruit., which was very abun
dant at that time. 1 will not mention any
names, but I fell into good hands soon aftei
reaching Maryland, where 1 got plenty of good
clothing and plenty of Yankee money.
1 found the people of Maryland us willing to
assist a ‘•lteb” as though he was one of their
own children ; and after I found friends once
1 ussuio you I did not want for anything.
After staying on the other side of the Chesa
penko as long as 1 wished, I got on a boat aud
went to Baltimore where I tarried two weeks,
and then took the cars on the Haiti more & Ohio
Railroad, with the intention of getting off at
the first station the other side of Jlaipers’ Ferry.
When the cus stopped we jumped off, and to
our misfortune were halted by the A ankee
guard. Wc could not give a very correct ac
,count ot ourselves and the men wore goinsrto
t Jlat us a* spies. We told thorn wo woi-ofis
* aped prisoners, but they would not believe it
until they telegraphed to Fort Delaware and
found out the facta. After they found out who
we were, they sent us back to Fort Delaware,
when we were carried before Gun. Schoepft.
Wo were clad in citizens attire, aud I suppose
the general took a fancy to our clothes—any
how, he ordered the Sergeant who had us in
charge to take us down to the “dead house”
and give us some dead “Hell’s clothes, aud
lining those good clothes to him.
The sergeant obeyed the order and we were
Ik,tli soon rigged out in old worn out uniforms
•which wo were compelled to take or do with
out. lie then ordered the sergeant to put mo
in the dungeon, where t was kept tor a day or
two, and then sent me back to the barracks.
We had orders to go to Point Lookout. We
were crowded on the transport with nearly two
thousand more prisoners and all sent down in
to the hold. 1 know there was not half so
much cruelty shown in the African slave trade
in crowding slaves on vessels as the Yankees
displayed here. Several men died from suffoca
tion. One half had to sit down and the other
half stand up, and relieve each other that way,
for three days. They would not let ns stay on
duck for fear we would capture the boat.
V* r e at length reached Point Lookout, where
xvo fared a little better in the eating line. In
the forenoon wo got live hard crackers, and
water called coffee; in the afternoon we had
five crackers, u small piece ot bacon or beet,
and it cup of soup. I can say for the 2d and
Pith New Hampshire Volunteers; who were on
guard there, that they treated us as prisoners
should be treated: l»nt. wo dreaded (lie 1-th N.
11. om guard. They never let the prisoners
knot* their orders, and of course we were ig
maunt of doing wrong. They would soon let
you know, however, by sending a hall after
you. This regiment I think never came on
guard but what some of them tired in the camp
—ami tiring into a camp of nine thousand, they
were very apt to kill someone. Ask some of
the more civil ot the men why they are so fond
of firing at the prisoners, and they will tell
•you that they do it that they may have it to
say after the war that they have killed a rebel.
If 1 was to attempt to give you an account
of ali the ill treatment received by the prison
ers, 1 should certainly weary your patience.
The Yankees have not given out 200 blankets
to the men. who are almost starving with cold,
and who have to carry their wood three miles
on their backs. Only live out of a company
of 100 men are allowed to carry wood—for the
balance, 25 men are detailed for wood chop
lung for the Yankees, and sent out three miles
beyond the picket every morning. There are
always plenty of volunteers from the prisoners
to go on this duty for the sake of the extra
rations.
I thought I saw a very good chance to es
cape by out cm Hits detail, so I benight a
fellow’s place on it, dressed myself in Yankee
uniform, threw a blanket around me to bide
it, and was marching along with the rest of the
prisoners, part of the guard being at the head
of the squad and part in the rear After going
.two and a half miles beyond the picket.|l
handed a friend my blanket and turned right
round and made out like 1 was a \ankeo going
baek to the camp. The guard did not halt me;
they were marching one way and I the other.
After passing the guard 1 ran through a field
send got into the woods, and soon found the
Yankee cavalry after me. 1 put as many fences
us possible between us, reached a small creek
and swam that, and then 1 was perfectly safe.
1 saw the Yanks on the other side of the crook,
but they did not know 1 had swam it. There
is no difficulty in finding good rebels when you
■get over there, and 1 soon found friends to put
me across the I'otomae. After traveling
through Virginia for three or tour days. I ap
peared in our camp, taking the boys completely
by surprise.
1 have written you a longer letter than I ex
pected. but 1 have shown you how the enemy
treat their prisoners -but have only given you
a few instances of their ciuelty. Our prison
ers I believe are treated well; all that 1 have
over seen were treated as well as we could
Gboros C. Taxnek.
UacKtrr for M iking Bi.acking.— A gentle
man residing in Covin-ton, Oa.. sends us the
annexed receipt for making shoe blacking, lie
tsays he knows it to bi» good for he has given it
a thorough trial:
One cupful of vinegar, one cupful of lamp
"black : half cupful of sugar; one egg beat up i u
strong soapsuds. Mix thoroughly, and the
blacking is ready for use. Spirits of turpen
tine will answer os well if not latter than vine
gar, and the ordinary soot from chimneys will
jmswer for lamp black, if obtained free trom
£rl or grit.
.Si kecii or James K. ‘•'pence, Esq.— Annexed
*•“ att extract from the speech of James E. Spence
Esff., delivered at Glasgow, Nov. 26 :
The speaker affirmed, not only that secession
wa- a just right of every State, but that the in
genuity of man could not combine these sover
eign States into a federal republic without the
right of so emion. He did not advocate this
principle of secession; he was no believer in
republics in any form. Dut right was right;
and if the American people thought proper to
adopt certain principles or forms of government,
it was their duty now to accept the consequen
ces. The Southern States had not only a right
of secession inherent in the federal compacts,
but they had the same right from a still higher
source—the Declaration of Independence, the
fountainhead of American political principle.—
He then quoted Abraham Lincoln's justifica
tion of Wt -tern Virginia, seceding from the rest
of that State, and asserted that any one who
sought would find an authority for the very
grossest form, either of rebellion or secession,
in Mr. Lincoln. T hus the Southern States had
right upon their side, they simply do what the
Northern slaveowners did before them and
have taught them to admire ever since. Dut it
might be asked whether, admitting the right,
there was sufficient ground to exercise it ? He
then recited the causes which had led to seces
sion, laying stress on the fact that the people
of the North and South are distinct from and
antagonistic to each other. The North preach
ed religious liberty, anil practiced it by perse
cuting and slaying all who differed from them
selves. In like manner they were the first to
threaten secession—they wero the first to take
measures to secede—but now that others follow
tb'-ir example, and they lose by it, they deem
it the deadliest of sins. This was not an at
tempt to cut oue nation into two, but to com
pel two nations to be one. It was this fact that
the Southerners are another people, and the
natural desire which it created to have an ex
istence and government of their own, that was
the cause of this convulsion. But there was
mother in the fhatJim IJong pervm.
'thifprotitV.fThe North and their own loss.
Somu might be surprised that he did not
mention slavery as one of the causes ot seces
sion. The very smallest reflection ought to
show any one who took the trouble to reflect
that slavery, so far from being a cause, was
the strongest of all possible reasons against se
cession. He then went on to show that in all
the other cases of war or threatened war in
America, slavery had ‘no part, and asserted
that, it slavery had been the lir.-t object of
Southern thought, they would have clung to
the Union with the most desperate tenacity.
But some might ask, was not slavery declared
to be the corner stone of the Southern Confed
eracy ? That was the popular and parrot, cry
of the Northern advocates. It was true that a
Southern orator stated that the differences of
race and the superity of oue nice to another was
the corner stone ol the system ; but did they
ever before hear of such a thing as taking a
metaphorical expression of an orator, and fix
ing it on eight millions of people ■ Leaving
metaphor for fact, every man knew where to
find the corner stone of any confederacy. There
was but one thing to which that epithet would
apply, and that was its constitution. Now, in
the Constitution of the Southern States there
was not a single principle in support of slavery
which was not in the old one. Strange to say,
the only new principl ewas opposed to slavery,
and that was the absolute prohibition ot the
slave trade. There was not one word in it to
prevent any Sate freeing its slaves, and re
maining a member ol tlie Confederacy as here
tofore. What did they think, then, of theca
paeity of men who took up the sound of the
phrase, aud lunl not penetration enough to dis
cern the sense of it and the limits of its appli
cation?
The Russian and Lincoln Despotism.— The
London Times in a very able editorial compares
the position of Russia and the United States.
The article concludes with the annexed icmarks:
If there be a science of government the two
most modern powers of the world are the most
deficient in it. Russia and the great Western
republic seem t o have no principle or expedient
at command except the savage process of exter
minating all opposed to their The operation
is not so easy as the exterminators imagine.—
The attempt to Russianize Poland has now been
carried on for thirty years, and lr's ended, so
far, by leaving Russia with nothing in Poland
but its army, which the national Government
defies.
Tn tlie midst of the Russian Guards the Ho
tel (le Ville, of Warsaw, has been set ou fire
though the troops have full command of the
Polish capital. The Federalshave, they assort,
gained possession of the Mississippi, yet four
teen steamers have been burnt
and no vessel can pass up on thu.wW'T-t.H'ain
without running the risk ol
the banks. The cases are -
The war is continued by
try in the untiring spirit of hatred^.ln what
Russia has to do,-to keep her unprfintahlp and
useless hold on Poland, the Fcderals may see
the task they will have in future.
The most unfortunate thing that could hap
pen for the North would be a conquest of the
South. The difficulties would really begin with
tlie fatal acquisition. It would have live or six
Polands to deal with, very much, we four, in
the Russian manner. 11l both cases, the imme
diate appeal to force indicates a want of the
higher qualities of statesmanship. Governments
were made for men. that they might live under
them with a fair measure of prosperity and well
being. The Russian and American idea is that
man was made for the Gove.nn cut, and that
the human race must bo exterminated rather
tlu n their peculiar systems shov'd be modified
or abandoned. The present state of Warsaw
will be that of the cities of the South if those
which are selected for sacrifice eaimot avert the
catastrophe. There is very little difference be
tween the fanatics of despotism, whether they
rule from Washington or St. Petersburg.
A Northern’ Opinion of Lincoln’s Procla
mation. —The New York World, common ing
on Lincoln’s proclamation requiring the citi
zens ol the Confederate States to take an oath
supporting his emancipation proclamation,
says :
President Lincoln lias shown himself utterly
destitute of llie statesmanlike tact requisite for
dealing with a great people iu revolt; he is as
blind as was Lord North; he is as blind as was
Philip II of Spain, when he lost the Nether
lands. - “ ° If Mr. Lincoln were a states
man, if he were even a man of ordinary pru
dence and sagacity, he would see the necessity
of touching the peculiar wound of Ihe South
with as light a hand as possible. Instead of
this, lie chafes and inflames it. Not strong
enough himself, though wielding the whole
power of the Government, to resist the revo
lutionary exaltation and fanatic fervor of the
Abolitionists, how can he expect private citi
zens of the South to brave an exaltation and
fervor which in that section is all but unani
mous' If he bad stood firm against the Abo
lition current, lie would have had a great ma
jority of the Northern people to keep him in
countenance; but who in the South would not
scorn the man who could so degrade and hu
miliate himself as to take the Abolition oath?
We might ask and in due time we shall ask. by
what right Mr. Lincoln assumes to propose
such an oath.' We, of course, know that he
pretends to derive it from the pardoning power;
but this whimsical deduction is a litter topic
for derision than for serious argument. As he
can oiler a conditional paidon, he claims that
he can impose any conditions he pleases.
The Light SriniT. —The editor of the Mil
ton N. C., Chronicle has recently returned
from a visit to Gen. Lee's army, and publish
es some incidents and observations of the trip
from which we lake the following, which shows
that some of the North Carolina ivonitn are
possessed of the right spirit :
A# we went on. we travelled on the cars be
tween Gordonsville and Orange with a very
loquacious looking woman, who hailed from
Raleigh. She was evidently one of the ‘blue
lien’s chickens.’’ and had lost her husband in
the Gettysburg battle, and probably a brother,
also, but she was enroute to Hill’s corps
accompanied by another woman, to see a
brother Without letting her know where we
hailed from we ventured to ask ‘-what she
thought of Holden.” and the reply was. “1
think a power ot him sir.” Were you a Tur
ner ‘man.’ madam, we inquired. “I was that,
said she, ‘-and would have given him fifty votes
if 1 dated to co it.”—-Madam.' we again asked
•are you for stopping the light and begging
for peace?" “No, sir." she answered' with an
eye flashing with indignation, *Td fight Abe
Lincoln to the last gasp, and if my brother gets
killed in battle, I’m willing to take his place—
I despise the Yankees' and just wish I had Old
Lincoln by the throat.”
A squad of five men from Keyser's company.
Colvin's sixth Alabama cavalry, captured last
week a Yankee schooner of foity tons burthen,
in Escambia Bay. Sergeant Whitmire, with
four men, watched their opport unity, and while
the crew were ashore, rowed up, captured the
guard, with but slight resistance, beached the
vessel, and after appropriating the cargo burn
ed her.
Sane ~f our exchanges think that matters
look us it the Federal* intend to attack Savan
nah soon,
Income Tax Law.—The following is the In
come Tax Law parsed at the recent session of
the State Legislature :
An Ac.t to levy aud collect a tax on the net
income and profits of all persons and corporate
bodies, and net profits of all persons making in
comes by purchase or sale of any property, real
or personal: upon the net income of all Express
Companies, Railroad, Companies not exempt by
their charters from taxation, Insurance Compa
nies, Brokers. Auctioneers, all persons engaged
in the manufacture of iron and salt, and cotton
dealers, an 1 upon all profits arising from the
sale of goods, wares and merchandize, groceries
and provisions; also bn the income or profits of
all persons and corporate bodies engaged in the
manufacture of cotton and woolen goods; in the
tanning and sale of ieather. and manufacture
and sale of any articles made thereof; and in
the distillation and sale of alcohol or spirituous
liquors from grain of any kind, or from any
other article; and to appropriate the same, and
to punish all persons as may fail to give in their
income or net profits, and for other purposes.
Section I. The General Assembly of Georgia
do enact. That all persons and bodies corpor
ate in tli s State, all persons making income
by purchase or sale of any property real or per
sonal, all keepers of hotels, inns and liverytsa
bles, express companies, rail road companies
not exempt by their charter from taxation, in
surance companies, brokers, auctioneers; all
persons engaged in the manufacture of salt, all
persons engaged in the sale of goods, wares
and merchandize, groceries and provisions; all
persons and bodies corporate engaged in the
manufacture and sale of cotton and woolen
goods, in the tanning and sale of leather, and
in the manufacture and sale of any article made
thereof, and all persons engaged in the distil
lation or sale of alcohol or spirituous liquors
from grain of any kind, or from any other arti
cle when they make a return under oath of the
net income or profits which he, slv or they
may have made respectively in the sale or man
ufacture and sale of any of the articles above
ibcsevTated, and in the cunductingrfof any of
April? lHi::;. to Yne istViaj* or-«pm,T''n4. over
and above 6 per cent, on tho capital employed
in his business.
bee. 11. Be it further enacted, That in all
cases when the net incomes and profits oxer
and above the eight per cent on the capital
stock so excepted as aforesaid are tea. thousand
dollars or less, the tax shall be five dollars lor
every hundred dollars; upon all sums not less
than SIO,OOO nor more than 15,000, 7J dollars
upon every $100; upon all sums not less than
$15,000 nor more than 20,000, $lO on every 10(1:
upon all sums not less than $20,000 nor more
than $60,000, $12.50 upon every $100; upon
all sums not less than $30,000 nor mo e than
$50,000, sls upon every $100; upon all sums
not less than $50,000 nor move than $75,000
$17,500 upon every $100; upon all sums not
less than $75,000 nor more than SIOO,OOO S2O
upon every $100; upon alt sums of SIOO,OOO
and over, $25 upon every SIOO.
Sec. HI. That if any person (or bodies cor
porate) embraced in the first section of this
act shall tail or refuse to make a return list ol
his, her, or their profits made or realized as
aforesaid, he, sfie or they shall be held to ! o
guilty of a high misdemeanor, and on convic
tion thereof shall bo confined at hard labor to
the Penitentiary for any time not less than one
year, nor more than live years; and the Re
ceiver of Tax Returns assess a double tax on
all taxable income of such delinquent as far as
he may be able to ascertain upon stringent en
quiry.
Sec. IV. That if the officers of any body cor
porate, whose duty it is to make the proper re
turns required by the provisions of tills Act,
shall fail or refuse to make just and proper re
turns of all profits or net incomes made by said
corporation, or shall enter and change the
profits in the extension of stock and not as
profits or otherwise, so as to defeat the object
of this act, such officer or officers so offending
shall be guilty of a high misdemeanor, and
upon conviction thereof, shall he eon fined at
hard labor in the Penitentiary for any time not
less than two nor more than six years, and that
the said Receiver of Tax Ret., '"s shall assess
a double tax on all taxable incomes of such de
linquent, as far as lie may be able to ascertain
the an aunt upon diligent enquiry.
Sec. V. That it shall he the duty of the sev
eral Tax Receivers of this State, to prosecute
all parties who shall fail upon or neglect to
give in their tax as required by the provisions
of this Act, or who they may have good reason
to believe have not done the same in good
faith.
Sec. VI. Repeals conflicting laws.
The Bible and Science.- LI. Maury, at tli, lay
ing®?! tbocorner stone of the University of the
South, said :
1 have been blamed by the men of science,
both ui this country, anti i«\ • nglamt 2or
quoting the lJiblein confirmation ol liu-do. .-trine
ofphyscal geography. The Bible, they say, was
not written for scientific purposes, and is there
fore of no authority. I beg pardon; tlie Bible
is authority for everything it teaches. What
would you think of the historian who should
reluse to consult the historical facts of the Bible
because the Bible was not. written for the purpose
of history? The Bible is true and science is true;
and when your men of science, with vain and
hasty conceit, announce the discovery of a dis
agieementbetween them, rely upon it, the fault
is not with the Witness of his records, but with
the “worm” who essays to interpret evidence
which lie does not understand.
When 1, as pioneer in one department of this
beautiful science, discovered the truths of rev
elations and science rejecting light upon each
other, and each sustaining the other, le w can
1 as a truth loving,knowledge-seeking man, fail
to point out the beauty, and rejoice in its dis
covery' and were 1 to suppress the emotion
with which such discoveries ought to stir the
soul, the waves ol the sea would lilt np their
voice, and the very stones of tlie earth would
cry out against me.
Asa student of physical geography. I regard
the earth, sea, air and water pieces of mechan
ism, not made with hands, but to which never
theless, certain offices have been assigned in
the terrestial economy. It is good and profit
aide to seek to find out these offices, and point
them to our fellows ! And when after patient
research, I am led to the discovery of any one
of them, I feel with the astronomer of old,
as though I had “thought one of God’s
thoughts and D cmblp.”
A Worm for Gen. Johnston - The Savannah
Republican speaks the following ‘‘word for
Gen. Johnston
It. being a settled fact that General Johnston
is to take command of the Army of Tennessee,
we unite most cordially in the general con
gratulation of the army and the country. We
would, however, caution the Cress and the
public against expecting too much of him in
the present condition of his command. He has
taken the lead of almost a forlorn hope—an
army just defeated, driven back from ils strong
holds and greatly reduced in strength by ab
senteeism and deficient quartermasters’ stores.
It will take a long time, perhaps until spring,
to supply these deficiencies, and we must be
satisfied if the Army of Tennessee shall contin
ue to maintain its present position, which wc
regard it as abundantly able to do. It has been
Johnston’s misfortune to be called to desperate
cases, so far as offensive operations are con
cerned, and this act will account for his having
done no more in the war to illustrate his name
as a commander. Let the government give
him an army and the means to support and
move it, and we shall soon see the cams at
Dalton broken up and Tennessee and Kentucky
redeemed.
The Kindness op tiik Yankees to tiieiii Pris
oners.—Tlie papers of the North are filled with
lying and hypocritical remarks as to their
kiudness to our wounded. Tlie follow ing is a
sample of that kindness, from the note book
of a lately exchanged surgeon:
An order had been given to the sentinels at
Fort Delaware to fire into any room oa npied
by Confederates, when a light or lire would be
burning after nine o’clock, P. M. One of the
men, ignorant of tins order—for it had never
been published to the prisoners—raked up the
coals in the fire-place, after the hour named,
and placed a piece of bacon on them to btoil.
The sentinel hearing the noise of the bacon
frittering on the fire, levelled his musket and
shot the poor fellow through the head, driving
his brains out against the sides of the room.
All the surgeons and men imprisoned at Fort
Delink are at the time can testily to the truth
of the facts of this murder. But it is just the
•‘kind of kiudness” we might expect from a
nation whose rulers encourage barbarity of
every description.
General Beauregard has issued ail order re
quiring ali Stall', Engineer or Line Officers. l’io
\ost Marshals, Commanders of Camps. Arse
nals or Pasts, Contractors, Superintendents of
Railroads. Manutactureis, or any parties what
ever requiring dt tails for any period during the
coming r ear, to file at ills headquarters, on or
before tlie.lst January, application for such de
tails, stating the company and regiment ot e u h
one: ] eriod for which the detail is needed; for
wliat purpose it is asked. Ail details prior to
Ist of September, except under authority of
the War Department, are revoked, and Dis
trict Commanders are required to .-ee that all
such promptly leturn to their commands.
(uvnrnox or 4|-:aies i.v Sussex.—The
Federal are pursuing * most b ‘iron- and in
human course in those section*, Tennessee
under their tyrannical rule. . .gentleman
just from Smith (Jounty repo things in a
very deplorable Condition in tli -eclion. Ac
cording to a correspondent of TLifcianta Ap
peal he says that a villiun by je name of
Blackburn,— formerly a stage 3K<*r. now a
captain in Stoke'j cavalry, leaaabout two
bum.red cui tlircat*. who tangj though Dav
idson. \\ ilson. Summer and Delvfc counties,
robbing, pillaging and murdering® a manner
t.iat. would disgrace the 'Ulughs "India, or in
.mb i tanks ot Durbary. In st-vest instances
tlmy have rode up to houses whig" m -n were
simply suspected of having f- 11 atm procli
' Hies, called them out aud s ‘o.them down
in cold blood, in Ric pioseme “the horror
stricken wile and screaming li«te- ones, al
leging that a!i deserve death \®p have not
tan.cn the oath aud secured pivtclion papers
from the Federal authorities.
Ihe negroes are pretty generdy free, and
IV,”' 1 J 5/ 'hem are being forced in* the army,
the t-literals first inveigle theniiwav from
home under promise of freedom, uj then force
ik- ,n to take arms and go into ea.ijtof insiruc-
Lum. those that refuse to take dp arms are
p( ! m prison on bread and wait, until they
oeeonie willing to tight their f.tner masters
md protectors, as a last alternative. Many of
those who go to the Fcderals vjlliugly, take
tm-ir families to camp. These uiut be supplied
wi;h tlie necessaries of life. In a Ter to supply
themselves, they are permittedJmplunder the
citizens’ houses, which they do u ->»y extent
tuat suits them, taking bedsJEed-clolhing,
dresses, furniture, etc., etc.—iikffey every thing
besides insulting In. the help
less worn. u and The au
thorities take the positjustifies
the menus, and tin. t put down
the rebellion, tin- w/'&MHjHkf k' <'/''}? »
a**
TITOI term err (Me xis ten ce.
Jim Triuihle, of Gallatin, commands a regi
ment. of blacks. There is a large camp of in
struction for contrabands at Columbia, Maury
county, Tennessee. Tims the work of subjuga
tion goes on in Tennessee.
Swiss Reply to Napoleon. —The following
s the Swi-s Reply to Napoleon's invitation to
the European Congress :
hiire :We have received with lively interest
the letter in which your Majesty invites the
Swiss Confederation with the sovereigns and
governments of other States, to a great inter
national Congress.
Your Majesty calls attention to the condi
tion of various countries, and points out the
dangers to general peace visible upon nearly
all sides. You propose to regulate the pres
ent and secure the future before irresistible
events hurry governments away in opposite
directions.
The .Swiss Confederation, to which nature
as well as history and treaties, has assigned a
neutral position in the midst of Europe, knows
how to appreciate all the benefits of peace. It
understands the inestimable value of a free and
reciprocal consecration of the rights and duths
of each, the true base of a sincere aud cordial
understanding between the nations. Wo can
only, therefore, accept with eagerness the over
turn your Majesty has deigned to make.
Existing treaties proclaim the inviolability,
lh<- neutrality and independence of our terri
tory. The clauses referring thereto have not
been affected, and the people—scrupulously
..Inerting Us international obligations—have
maintained and Tea- Hied at the price oi the
greatest sacrifices the guarantees which have
been secured. These guarantees thus form
part of the true interests of Europe, and the
Great Rowers cannot but recognize, nowj as
formerly, their permanence ami their necessity.
Read y to participate in the name of the Swiss
(Vmft-dcration in the solemn deliberations which
are announced, we consider if our duty to ex
press to your .Majesty our gratitude for your
loyal appeal, ami cherish the hope that we may
have your Majesty’s efficacious support in ques
tions touching our country.
We are glad of the opportunityy furnished to
us bv your Majesty of being able to defend our
l ights and interest at the international meeting.
We express our desire that tlie Congress of
.Sovereigns and Governments of Europe may
attain tho object proposed by your Majesty,
and that the questions which agitate and occu
py men's mind may receive a solution in con
sonance with the legitimate aspirations of the
peoples.
While gladly availing itself of tibia opportu
nity of renewing to your JuipcrirU Majesty the
assurance:' of its profound respeef the Eedeial
Council pray ; God to have your.au
post Onuilvitili fffc* *M>l#r'n.-.-|*NjBU r '“'‘ *
[Signed] 7 ' (I.Wuixkrod,
President, of the Swiss CoMederation.
Tut? Uxst c<‘kssfit. Pursuit ok the Confeder
ate Steamer ll ansi.— lt appears by an account
in the Nassau paper, that the Confederate stea
mer Ilansa was rinsed by a Federal cruiser on
lier last voyage out. We are glad to learn that
she was so fortunate in making her escape.—
Here is wliat is said of the id,fair :
The Fannie anil the llans-.t left'a Confederate
port within an hour of each other, both unmo
lested. They gained the sea, and, as lias been
ascertained, t-ho Fannie, after a short chase by
the Rhode Island, was abandoned by her purxu
er for the llnnsa. The approach of the Yankee
ivas so rapid, having already a full head of
steam on, that she was rapidly looming up be
fore any preparations for escape could be made.
I nder tiie experienced directions of the chief
engineer, the Ilansa was abje to show that the
Clyde still maintains her well earned reputa
tution for fast boats and line engines. In a
couple of hours, tlie distance began to diminish,
and all wore delighted to see the Rhode Island
“getting small by degrees and beautifully
less.” At nine o’clock, she had entirely dis
appeared in the haze, and preparations were
made to “double.”
This was successfully done, and at eight
o’clock the next morning the Ilansa occupied
the same position she did when the chase De
gun . But. the tremendous speed at which she
was forced to go had exhausted her coal hunk
ers, and after benches, decks, coops, stools,
lockers, ,kc., had been committed to the flames,
she was nearly ready to lie picked up. by the
iirst cruiser that passed. About mid day, land
was seen from the mast head; no cast away
mariners, not even Columbus, were more de
lighted with the sight than were the officers and
crew of the Ilansa.
The bar was passed and Hie Ilansa once more
swung to the tide. Not a pound of lid' valua
ble cargo was tn any way destroyed, and the
good ship is once wore ready to lest the efficacy
of the blockade.
The Feeding Between the U. States and
Canada. The New York Times has the follow
ing about the reciprocity of feeling between
Canada and the Yankees :
A correspondent of lire National Witness
denounces in very sharp and decided terms the
conduct of certain public men in Canada, in
openly sympathising with the Southern rebel
lion. He slates tint on one occasion a tele
gram was read in Parliament, announcing (lie
defeat of the national force and that a dozen
members greeted it with loud applause, lion.
G K Cartel. late P.iemiey, lieiug among. Many
of these member* have nrain taiidm •*
correspondence with the leading rebels, have
furnished them munitions of war from Cana
dian ports, and acted as tne medium of coin
munication between them and the Europe. 'The
Grand Trunk Railway gave Mr. Vallandigham
an extra train on his visit t.o Montreal. In the
fin e of all these demonstrations, mainly led
on by the Opposition porty. the course of the
Canadian Government has been moderate,
friendly and conservative. We observe, by
the way, that notice has already been given in
Congress by Mr Morrill, of Vermont, of a bill
to abolKh the Reciprocity Treaty with Can
ada.
Gen. Johnston s Farewell Order. — Annex
ed is Gen. Johnston’s farewell order to his ar
my in Mississippi :
in obedience to the order of 11 is Excellency
the President, the command of (his pepat Uncut
is transferred to Lieutenant General Polk.
Having felt great pride in I his army, the uu
detsigned leaves it with much regret. lie as
sures hi brave comrades of his full apprecia
tion of the high soldierly qualities they have
exhibited. Harmony of opinion and purpose
have existed in all ranks. Amid events tend
ing l o produce gloom and despondence, they
have presented the rare spectacle of the con
stant improvement, of all arms in efficiency and
discipline. He offers them his best wishes for
their future success.
In leaving this command if U avowee of
great satisfaction tq him. that it devolves upon
iite distinguished General chosen for it by the
President; one who, on each of so many bloody
fields, has proved’him -' If worthy ol such troops
as constitute this army.
A letter from Richmond says information has
reached there, that a steamer every way super
ior to the Florida or Alabama, in point of ar
mament and construction, has sailed from a
European port.
AX ACT,
To further provide for the suppression of un
lawful distillation of Grain, and other com
modities in Gris State.'
Section Ist. The General Assembly of Geor
gia do enact, that each and every distillery
which may be run or worked in this State con
trary to any or either of the provisions of the
laws heretofore passed to prevent unlawful dis
tillation, is hereby declared to be a public nui
sance, and in addition to the remedies hereto
fore provided may be abat.nl as follows :
Section 2d. It shall be the duty ol each and
every Justice of the Peace iuthe several Militia
districts of this State, and Justices of the Inte
rior Courts, to diligently enquire about every
such still as may be either publicly or clan-
destinely run in his District or county, and
u-ion being informed, on oath, or being other
wise induced to the opinion that such still or
stills are running unlawfully, or that unlawful
sales of spirituous liquors are made from the
proceeds of such stills by the owner of said
stills or his agert, he shall issue his warrant
against the party or parties owning and opera
ting said still, and the still itself including
Kith, which said warrant shall forthwith be
delivered to the Sheriff of the county, who,
thereupon shall arrest the parly and seize the
still.
The writ shall be returnable twenty days
after it shall thus lie issued, and at that time
the magistrate shall summarily try the ques
tion, with the assistance of twelve freeholders
of the county, and one or more magistrates, as
to whether or not such still so seized is a public
nuisance. The effect of a verdict ol ‘no nui-
sance” shall be to discharge the parly or par
ties, and release the still. The effect ot a ver
dict, of "nuisance” shall be to retain both in
custody, but the party or parties shall have the
right of appeal, or “certiorari,” to the Supe
rior Court of the county, pending which, how
ever, the still or stills shall be retained in the
custody of the officers of the law and
giving bond with good'and sufficient?.security,'
in a sum to be judged by the Court. This,
however, shall iu no wise exempt such party
or parties irom indictment under other provi
sions of law, to prevent unlawful distillation,
and it shall be the duty of the presiding magis
trates to investigate fully, whether or not such
party or parties have violated any of the pro
visions of the law, and in each ease, ami for
each day, to bind such party or parties over in
bonds for their appearance to the next Superior
Court for trial, or else commit them to jail.
The magistrates shall return their proceedings
to the next term of the Superior Court.
Section 3d. For non-compliance with the
provisions of this act. each officer, failing
promptly and fully to do his duty, shall be
guilty of mal-practice in office, and it shall be
the duty of the Grand Jury to make present
ments thereof.
Section -4 th. In all cases when in the dis
cretion of the Magistrate or Magistrates it
shall be deemed best, the w irrant shu'l in the
first instance be transmitted to His Excellency
the Governor, who is hereby empowered to
have the same executed by any officer ot the
State, civil or military, he may deem the pecu
liar exigences of the case require. In which
event tho subsequent procee tings shall be as
hereinbefore provided.
Section sth. In all cases when the Governor
shall be informed, that any still or stills are
run in any county of this State in violation of
law. or that any unlawful sale or sales are
made from any such still or stills, and the
Justices and othet County officers have failed
tc act, he shall forthwith send an officer or
person to be designated by him to the vicinage
who shall investigate the facts, and upon be
i- g satisfied that there exists probable cause
for the charge against any one or more persons
in the country, such officer or person shall
make complaint thereof on oath to any Justice
of the Peace, or Justice of the Inferior Court
of the County, or to the Judge of the Superior
Court of the circuit of which such Count y is a
part, or in case of his absence, to any Judge
of the Superior Courts of this State. The offi
cers thus applied to shall thereupon issue a
warrant for tho seizure of the still or stills as a
nuisance, and the arrest of the person or per
sons owning or engaged in running the same,
including all who either own or are encaged
in running the same so far as they may be set
forth in the affidavit, or can be ascertained,
which said \yarrant shall be directed to any
lawful officer to execute and return; the Gov
ernor shall thereupon cause the same forth
with to be executed, by any officer of the State
civil or military, he may deem the exigencies
of the case require, and further proceedings
shall he as provided in tho preceding sections,
only that in the event the warrant shall be is
sued by any Judge of the Superior Court shall
be made returnable before him on a day to be
named therein, at the Court House of the
-tJounfy in which it is ell irged that the nuisance
exists, audit shall be the duty of the Judge
to attend on the day mentioned, and assisted
by a Jury of twelve freeholders make the sum
mary investigation in the preceding sections,
provided,
Sec. 6th. The Parties owning such distilleries
.as may be so taken and held by the Govern
ment, shall be entitled to payment for the same;
tho value to be fixed by the Inferior Court iu
accordance with the Statutes now in force, pro
viding compensation to owners for stills seized
by the Government.
Thos. Hardeman, Jr.,
Speaker of llousc.
L. CAIUIINQ'fOS,
Clerk of House.
A. It. Weight,
President of Senate.
L, U. Kenan,
Sec. of Senate.
Assented to Dec. 3d, 1863.
Joseph E. Brown,
Governor.
Exfx'Cttve Department, I
Milledgeville, Dec. 4th, 1863. )
1 hereby order the immediate publication of
the foregoing act and command all officers
mentioned therein, to bo vigilant in the dis
charge of the duties imposed upon them lor the
suppression of illegal distillation, under the
pains and penalties prescribed by said act. 1
also request all good citizens to render the pub
lic officers all the asnstance in their power by
furnishing them information, or other necessary
aid, and to report to ine all officers guilty of
neglect of duty, and all distilleries which are
now or hereafter may be found in operation
contrary to law.
Each officer in the execution of a warrant for
that purpose, will not only Hrrest the owner
and distiller, hut will take the still out of the
furnace and carry it away, and keep it in bis
possession till the final adjudication of the case.
Joseph E. Brown.
AN ACT
Te punish any person who may hereafter con
ceal or assist any deserter in resisting a legal
arrest in this State.
Section Ist. The General Assembly of the
State of Georgia do enact. That any person who
shall hereafter conceal a deserter from the Ar
my or Navy of the Confederate States, or from
the Militia or State forces of this Slate, while in
active service, knowing him to be a deserter,
shall ho guilty of a misdemeanor, and on con
viction thereof shall he punished by fine or im
prisonment in the common jail of the county,
or both, in the discretion of the Court. The
tine not to exceed five hundred dollars nor the
imprisonment to exceed six months.
Sec. 2d. BeH further enacted, That any per
son who shall 1 assist any deserter in Ibis State
in resisting,a legal arrest, knowing him to Jje
a deserter *he Army or Navy of the Con
federate SlatttjJfe from the Militia or State
forces of the ijufcm shall be guilty of a misde
meanor, and thereof shall be pun
ished by fine of*sprisonment in the common
jail of the count}', or both, in the discretion of
the Court, the line not to exceed two thousand
dollars nor the imprisonment to exceed six
mon<hs.
Sec. 3d. Be it further enacted, That the at
tention of Grand Juries shall be specially call
ed to this act,
Sec. 4th. Be it further enacted, That this act
shall immediately after its passage Ire proclaim
ed by the Governor, and shall take effect ten
days after such proclamation.
A PROCLAMATION BY JOSEPH E. BROWN, GOVERNOR
OF GEORGIA.
In accordance with the requirements of this
act, herewith publisher}, 1 hereby proclaim its
passage, and enjoin upon all persons in this
State strict obedience to all its requirements.
Given under ray hand and the great seal of this
State, at the capital in Milledgeville, tbjs22d
day of December in the year of our Lord eigh
teen hundred and sixty-tbree.
Joseph E. Brown.
By the Governor :
N. C'. Barnett,
Secretary of State.
The physicians of Columbia, S. G'., on ac
count of enormous expenses,; have added one
hundred per cent, to the amount of their med
ical accounts for the year 1863, except to those
of their patrons who pay their bills in country
produce at old prices.
Two hundred and fifty hales of cotton stored
on a plantation in Grei n county, Ala., were
cold at auction in Petersburg, Va., a few days
ago at forty-two and a hai} - cents pep pound.
W. B. Kyle, of Wilkinson county, Ga.. a few
days ago, slaughtered a hog which weighed in
gross, eleven hundred and twenty-nine pounds.
me EXCHAXHK UIESTIOX.
The following is a copy ol lion. Robert
Ould's letter declining to recognize Butler in
the capacity of \ankee Commissioner of Ex
change :
Confederate States or America, }
War Department, -
Richmond, Va., Dec. 27th, 1863. )
J {ajor-Gm. E. A. Hitchcock, Commissioner of
Exchange: ... „ .
Sir—l have this day recc.vcd from Major-
Gen 1? F Duller a cupv of a communication
to bin, signed by yourself as Commissioner
for the Exchange of Prisoners, in which it is
stated that by the authority and orders of the
United States Secretary of War, Major-Gen. !>•
F. Butler was appointed “Special Agent lor the
exchange of prisoners of war at City 1 oint.
Ton are doubtless aware that by proclama
tion of the President of the Confederate States,
Major-Gen. l’>. F. Butler is under the ban of
outlawry. Although we do not pretend to
prescribe what agents your Government shall
employ in connection with the cartel, yet when
one who lias been proclaimed to be so obnox
ious as Gen. Butler is selected, self-respect re
quires that the Confederate authorities refuse
to treat with him. or establish such relations
with him as properly pertain to an Agent ot
Exchange. The proclamation ot President Da
vis forbids that Gen. Butler should be admit
ted to the protection of the Confederate Gov
ernment, anil he cannot, therefore. Vie received
under a tlag of truce. Accordingly, I am di
rected bv the Confederate authorities to intorm
you that Maj. Geu. B. F. Butler will not be re
cognized by them as an Agent of Exchange.
Respectfully, your ob't serv’t,
Ro. Oru>, Agent of Exchauge.
The following is a copy of a letter from
Judge Onld to Major Mulf'ord relative to the
exchange of prisoners :
Richmond. Dec. 2tri». * uW "- —■
JUnior /; MuliWit, Assistant Agent ol
*■ Sir 1 have re«-<n*ed v yonH-.. . *H!fhounr
ing your arrival with Confederate prisoners, t
have tills day forwarded to you an equal, or
greater, number of Federal prisoners.
•I received with your letter several communi
cations from Major-General B. F. Butler. In
no one ot them is it stated that the IT. S. Gov
ernment is willing to resume the cartel and
deliver all of our prisoners now in captivity,
the excess on either side to lie on parole. 1
have more than once expressed theentire readi
ness ot the Confederate Government to deliver
the Federal prisoners now in our hands, provi
ded the IT. hi. authorities will deliver tho Con-
federate prisoners in their hands. This is the
provision o Hhe cartel, and wo can accept noth
ing less. Unless this is the distinct understand
ing, no equivalent will be delivered to yon for
aiiy Confederate officers and soldiers you may
hereafter bring to City Point. In the hope
that such is I lie understanding, I luvvo directed
that a number greater than the total of your
delivery should be sent to you. In no event
can we consent that the general release of pris
oners so distinctly required by the cartel shall
he evaded by partial deliveries. Accepting
the present delivery as a step towards a gene
ral exchange on the principles of the cartel, I
trust 1 may be permitted to express the hope
that deliveries on the basis above indicated will
be continued until all the troops in confine
ment on botli sides are released.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
Ro. Oi<u>,
Agent of Exchange.
A Specimen Abolitionist. —A New York cor
respondent of the Hartford Times narrates an
incident which well illustrates the contempti
ble spirit of most of the Not them Abolitionists
—a spirit that would prompt a man to rob a
friend, white professing to do him a favor.—
Here is the affair the Times’ correspondent
speaks of:
Many years ago, thoroughly imbued with the
doctrines of Abolitionism, an individual grad
uated from Yale College, and studied for the
ministry, into which he was in time admitted.
During the first year of bis priestly life he offi
ciated as a candidate at various churches in
Connecticut and New York, but received no
call from any source till lie introduced his anti
slavery Bible doctrine to a small society in tho
eastern part of Massachusetts. Here be was
appreciated; here ho settled and preat lied the
doctrine of Calvin and Abolition for nearly
four years. At. length, finding Ids sheep were
scattering, lie was suddenly taken with South
ern (instead of European) fever, resigned his
charge and went South to the eliimuo of the
plantations of Georgia. While hero lie became
acquainted with the daughter of a wealthy plan
ter, and iu the course ol a lew months married
her. i
The noble hearted Georgian gave his daugh
ter, as her marriage portion, a line plantation
on the Savannah river, and 400 slaves, where the
happy couple lived, surrounded by fruits, flow
ers, willing and affectionate servants, and every
enjoyment that heart could wish, for three
years. At the end of that time, they mutually
agreed to dispose of their property, and remove
to New York. The slaves were accordingly
sold at the highest market prices, anil the plan
tation itself wis bought by a South Carolinian,
at a high figure, and the couple,with theirgold,
were soon on their way to Ibis city. On their
arrival here, the money was invested in city
and bank stocks (and is still paying handsome
dividends.) After a time, our young slavehold
er received and accepted a call from one of our
up town churches, where be, may he heard eve
ry Sabbath denouncing the sin of slavery as
the greatest qf sins, and the traffic in human
fiesh as a sin which “hell alone can blot out.”
Oh, the times, &c.
Unionists Concerted to Secession. —The
outrageous conduct of the federal army in
Tennessee, has converted, it is said, many of
the Unionists in that section into seoessionists,
The Marietta Confederate speaks thus on the
subject:
A friend who has conversed recently with
several late refugees torn East Tennessee,
learns from them tli it Federal outrages on
Unionists and Disunionists, indiscriminately,
have had a happy effect on the political senti
ments of the former and numbers have been
purged ol their Unionism and hopefully con
verted to the Southern cause.
A Presbyterian elder at Cleveland, noted for
his disloyally to the South, anticipating pro
tection to his person and property Irom his
Yankee friends, hailed their advent witli joy,
but it was of short duration. In spite of his
protestations of loyalty, and remonstrances
against such treatment to a Union man, the
Yankee robbers stripped bis dwelling, barns,
&e., of nearly everything valuable, lie was
well to do in the world and comfortably pro
vided. The Yankees laughed at his professions
of Unionism and his remonstrances, continued
their plundering, and boasted that they were
making a good thing of it. lie was so outraged
that it is said ho forgot his religion and, in the
bitterness of his soul, heaped curses upon them,
and became a pretty fair Southern man.
Another Union man and his wife had been
long remonstrating with a “Rebel" son for
joining the Confederate Army, and persuading
him to leave it, hut without effect. Their houses
were likewise pillaged, and they were cured of
their devotion to “the glorious Union and the
old flag,” and the old woman told her Yankee
friends that she had been trying to get her son
out of the “Rebel Army,” lull now she intend
ed to persuade him to stay iu it and kbl as
many Yankees as he could. These are hut il
lustrations of a very general feeling amongst
former tories.
The Present Appearance of Vicksburg.—
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer,
writing from Vicksburg, gives the annexed ac
count of the present appearance of that city:
Situated as an amphitheatre, Vicksburg ri
ses gracefully from the water, the tall spire of
its Court House looking majestically down upon
the minor edifices below it, while on the bluffs
hack of it, to the north and south of it, are for
tifications bristling with artillery. To look at
the city from the deck, a stranger not knowing
of the famed siege, would not at first see that
any harm had been done, hut, by the aid of a
good glass, the marks of shot and shell are
visible on nearly every building, notwithstand
ing the efforts being made to patch them. A
shell hole, ma le by a fifteen inch projectile,
may he seen on the roof of the Court House,
which crushed entirely through the building,
and was found on tbe floor below in fragments.
The windows of many houses have not an entire
sash in them. The eaves and corners of houses
are knocked out, door steps are broken by
shells, doors are minus panels, limbs of trees
are scattered about in reckless confusion. The
marks of street barricades yet remain; the caves
where tbe women and children hid themselves
during the terrible storm of battle, which
waged furiously for six weeks, stiil remain,
some of them, alasl having fallen iu, burying
in tbeii ruins tbe aged ami helpless. Mourning
habiliments meet one at every coiner, telling
of the death of near relatives and loved ones.
Back of tbe fortifications lines of graves of
friend and foe cover the remains of brave men
who sleep the sleep which knows no waking.
Such are tire remembrances ot the siege of
Vicksburg.
The potato crop of Maine this year amouuts
to 6.793,348 bushels—which is exceeded only
by the States of New York and Pennsylvania.
LETTER FROM NORTH GEORGIA.
SI’ECIAI. CORRESPONDENCE CHRONICLE & SENTINEI.
Position of the tico Annies—Xo Prospect oj a
1-ijht—The H'eofAer —Condition of our '1 coops
—Good Effects of Gen. Bragg's Recruiting Or
der—Advantages of being a “Sharp Shooter ,”
l£ c., d'C.
Dalton, Dec. 2Jth, 1803.
I shall commence this letter with that stere
otyped phrase. “all is quiet along the lines.”
One could hardly imagine that there was an en
emy anywhere this side the Tennessee, judging
from the great quiet that reigns in eaiup. Asl
intimated in my last letter. I think it highly
improbable that Grant will make any move
ment in this direction before Spring. The weath
er lias been very inclement for several weeks,
and the roads are in a horrid condition. Iu
fact we might say that we are “mud bound.”
1 he spirits and strength of the army are im
proving every day. The order which was pro
mulgated by Gen. Bragg, at the instance of
Gen. Jenkings. I believe, granting to each man
who furnishes a recruit to his company a forty
days' furlough, is having a good effect, it has
made parents and friends recruiting officers,
and those who are anxious to have tiie long ab
sent ones spend a few days with thc-m at home,
are always on the qui rive —seeking out those
who are about to enter the service. Besides it
affords our friends, who have not yet entered
the service an opportunity, by doing so now, of
conferring a great favor upon some friend in
the army. It opens to generous hear t'd
youths a wide field for the exercise of their
good intentions. Furthermore, it gives a test
by which declarations of amity, Ac., are tried,
and their truthfulness established or refuted
just in proportion as our good home iolks make
jheoider advantageous i*> »*.»•.» m* wartiing
re) r Vn vw -7..VjiiiY to which their rela
i;.m;i»|*,l;- ~-l- .
—i— _> ,
out here, and are very pleasantly located: lust
the place for the uninitiated in thejarts of Mars.
Are m an excellent battalion of sharp shooters,
and have no duty to do, save a little guard
about once in three weeks, and then only for
the night. In camp, sharp shooters have a de
cided advantage over tho rest of the troops.—-
Never have any fatigue duty to perform, whilst
in a tight they always have “a place in the pic
ture near the dashing of the aims,” atul then
every man is entitled to fight behind the first
tree lie can get to, thereby shielding himself
from tne shell and minie halls that are poured
like hail upon the supporting column.
We are getting tolerably fair rations st the
present time. Fresh beef, flour or hard bread,
meal, lard, sweet potatoes, riee, salt, sugar,
occasionally molasses, and soap, and then
“what pleases us so well’’ is, that we are re
membered by those at home—tangible evi
dence of which truth we have in the arrival of
divers boxes, tilled with the good tilings of this
life.
In a few days eighteen sixty three will have
been numbered with the past. The new year
makes its advent, and with it we must make
new and more vigorous efforts to win the prize
for which we have been so long contending.
Let us commence the new year with a firmer
trust in God, and with a determination to do
our duty laithfully and tally, each in his
sphere.
The Inaugural op Tire Governor or Texan—
The Meridian Clarion is in receipt of Texas pa
pers containing the inaugural address of Gov.
I*. Hurrah to the Tenth Texas Legislature. It
is an interesting paper, is marked by great
ability and patriotism and gives assurance of
a wise, mild and judicious administration of
affairs. As our people feel much interest in
everything pertaining to the trans-Mississippi
and particularly to the great State of Texas,
we will give a brief review of the message, lie
says that while he distrusts his ability and ex
perience in public affairs, lie can promise,
without reservation, a will and determination
to discharge the duties of this high trust with a
firm hand, and as nearly as he can with tho
wants of the State. Texas, he continues, in
allying herself to the other Stales of the Sou Hi
for general purposes and for the common weal,
surrendered not her sovereignty or her com
plete control over all matters of a local con
cern ; and it follows, as a matter of course,
that a wise and judicious administration of the
affairs pertaining to the local can be of no less
importance to tiie welfare of the people than
the proper administration of the affairs per
taining to tips general authority. A full ap
predation of this simple fact, and a rigid ob
servance of it in practice, we have no little in
fluence in producing sober and correct views
as to the scope anil objects of the Confederate
authority, and in modifyingtemlences to parti
sail strife, founded alone upon diffeteneo of
opinion as to the extent and ob ject oft Hat, au
thority.
lie warns the people to study well tho con -
ditions and means by which they are not only
to maintain hut perpetute the institutions inher
ited from a glorious ancestry, and he warns
them ot the danger of holding to differences of
opinion, vital in their character, as to (he true
nature of the Government of their own forma
tion, and yielding themselves up blindly to
party organizations and partisan strifes for the
purpose of building up theories at variance
witli tho Government, as written or ordained.
A strict observance of the Constitution is as
sured and lie says the strength and >beauty of a
Federal system of government, its value anil
completeness as a, Government, its harmonious
ami energetic action, absolutely requires in
both the general and local authorities a rigid
observance of the boundaries of power lying
between them, and making out their appropri
ate sphere of action,
lie does not apprehend that the Confederate
Government will either inaugurate or perse
veroin a line of policy that will touch the sov
ereignty of the States, impugn upon the rights
and privileges of the citizens, violate the com
pact between these States, or fail to rebuke
and punish usurpation of authority upon the
part of officials when properly brought to its
attention. Its disposition is conceived to be
the reverse of this, and it is believed that the
Confederate State authorities not only may,
hut should, in the appropriate spheres and
moved by the agencies appropriate to their
own organism, work harmoniously together in
uniting and directing the energies of the coun
try in this deadly conflict for freedom and hu
manity. lie guarantees that Texas appreciates
her grave responsibilities, and rising with the
occasion that demands still greater effort, will
make full preparation to putfoith her strength
to the best advantage when the occasion shall
present itself.
The glories of San Jacinto, the horrors of the
Alamo, and the tyiannies of Mexico, are too
fresh in her memory; her sacrifices in this war
are too great, and her experience too bitter for
her lo fail or falter in this, perhaps the darkest
hour of this daili contest. A young giantess
as she is, almost of the forest, with iimh unfet
tered and spirit erect and free, that never
stooped to disgrace or tyranny, Texas has not
forgotten or forsaken Uie faith involved in the
issue of secession. A strict observance of the
civil law is urged—and, says Gov. Murrah, in
the midst of the embarrassments and dangers
of war, we should not forget that the essential
end of government and all struggles for gov
ernment, is the protection of society and the
securing its weltare, physically, morally, anil
mentally. The neglect of educating the rising
generation is alluded to, and the necessity ot
increasing our manufactories made clear. As
we before remarked, the message is an able
one and breathes a spirit of hopefulness and
detei ruination. Indeed it does honor to the
land of McCulloch, Lubbock and Terry.
Ordinaries, (fee.—ln view_6f the election of
Ordinaries for the respective counties of this
State on the Ist Wednesday in January next,
we are reminded to invite the calm considera
tion of every one to the importance of then
placing in office men of known capacity arid
integrity. In common times this election
ought to lie esteemed a matter of no little mo
ment. All are, or likely to become at any
time, deeply and directly interested in the
manner in which Courts of Ordinary discharge
tbeir fnnetions —for. as was once remarked by
an eminent jurist, when commenting upon
tbeir importance, “assure as we descend into
our graves '; so sure into these courts we must
come.” But in these times, when representa
tions of decedent's estates and the guardian
ships of orphans are so fearfully frequent;
when, owing to the drain l>y our armies on our
men, Uie administrations on such estates and
guardianships of such orphans have devolved
almost exclusively upon females, whose want
of knowledge in d.scharge of their duties
makes them wholly dependent upon the courts
for counsel and assistance —lt would set m that
at said election all voters would, for the once,
disregard all other motives in their selections
save that of getting the most efficient men who
eau be found willing to All such offices.—Co
lumbtts Enquirer.
Ex-Gov. Shorter has returned to bis residence
in Eufaula, Ala. lie has made an able and
efficient State Executive and retires with the
esteem and gratitude of aft who know him.
Tfie annual meeting of the stockholders of
the Castle Itock Coal Company of Georgia for
election of directors for the year 1864, will be
held in Atlanta on tbe 28th of January next.
Mr.T. P. Jarrett. of Habersham, has present
ed each soldiers’ family in his district—Toe -
coa—with five bushels of corn and * peck of
7?,
COVtKDEUVTK STATES COMiItE
SENATE—DEC. 21. k’|
Resolutions of the Legislature of Virgil
were presented relative to the compensate"?
owners of cavalry horses lost in the sew
The committee of the JudiQi(urf; < .J. rt T|
back tho bill to protect Senators ainfclL’
tati vos in Congress, from annoyance vHNHmJ
veiling in the Confederate States, with a verm
amendment which was agreed to. The bill w
then passed. 1
HOUSE—DEO. 21.
The bill to repeat the potutoe clause of
tax act was taken u , amended so as to audio
i-.o the producer to commute the value of thd-l
potatoes iu money, and passed. 1
The following were relerred : joint resolu
tion to correct the recor-l of the War Depart
ment, whenever thelHh regiment ol Kentucky
iufantry is incut ened as the 6th Kentucky;
suggestions of financial relief; an act to con
tinue iu service all troops now in the service of
the Confederate States; resolution that when
ever soldiers nro re-conscripted they shall l>o
allowed to re-elect their officers : letters in
regard to iho abuse of of th<- conscript
law, the exemption of surgeons, the duty of
Congress, to piov de ar'.lficial legs for soldiers
who liaJ lost them in battle: to amend the act'
lor the sequestration of the pioperty of alien '
euemies : b; i authorizing soldiers to purchase!
subsistence for tin r families at cost pi ices.
A resolution was submitted instructing tlia
Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into
expediency of enacting that notes of all bauj«
in the Confederate Suites held bvalien eneralM
be confiscated. Also, inr ll
Committee to inquire y»o tho oxNn n( V|
furnishing ,*»•■*•» ami soldiers with rntWjM|
Tim mil ;• i . m- to ie> ;
‘"V!';', ' - iu, m
stiluses, as a.I ipted by the Military
was ordered to be prints 1.
sc:.«wncjir <
The following were referred A
petition for relief for Government officials nM
duty in Richmond ; House bill in relation toj
the removal of the tax ui kind on sweet pota-1
oes; for the relief of Captain Walker Ander
son.
A bill was reported to repeal the act regulat
ing furloughs and discharges lrom the hospit
als. Placed on the calendar.
The bill to aid Kentucky troops was taken
up and passed.
IIOT3F, —dec. 22.
The Judiciary Committee reported a bill in
prevent procuring and assisting persons to de
sert from tho army.
A bill was received from the Senate protect
ing Senators and Representatives lrom annoy
ance while traveling.
The bill prohibiting dealing in the paper cur
rency of tho enemy, elicited a warm discussion.
Pending its consideration the substitute ques
tion was taken up and debated to the hour of
adjournment.
SENATE—DEO. 23.
Amotion prevailed to take from the tabla
and place on ihe calendar the House bill, pas
sed last session, providing for an increase ot
the pay of the non-commissioned cffiecers and
privates of tho army.
The following were referred : A financial
scheme ; message from the President, covering
reports of certain military operations ; also,
communication from the Secretary of War his
response to resolutions of the Senate relative to
the office of Quartermaster General.
The House bill to repeal so much of section
II of the tax bill as provides for the collection
in kind one-tenth of the sweet, potatoes made
in the year 1803, was taken up and passed.
nocsß— dec. 23.
The Hill from theSeuab ‘‘toprotect Senators
and Representatives from annoyance while tra
velling ’ was taken up. The • annoyance” was
the constant demand of getting passports for
themselves when called upon to travel, and the
bill proposed to obviate this little “annoyance'’
by their getting certificates from the Secretary
of Stale, upon which they should be permitted
to travel, without im lining the inconvenience
of getting a passport. The bill was lost.
The substitute question—putting all men
who have substiutes in the army—was taken
up, and debated, and passed with some amend
ments. The bill was sent forthwith to the tien*
ate.
A resolution was offered that the Military
Committee report some plan of lilting vacancies
in the army occurring from c qffure by Ihe ene
my.
SENATE—dec. 24.
A bill was report-, and to amend an art to lap
taxes for the common defence and carry on the
Government of the Confederate States—which
was referred.
A resolution was passed that tho I’resident
be requested to communicate to the Senate tho
charges and specifications, together w ith the ac
companying papers prepared by Gen. Beaure
gagd against Major Guerin, Chief Commissary
for the State of south Carolina.
The House bill providing that no person
shall be exempt from military service by rea
son of having furnished a substitute, Ac., waa
taken up and discussed. Further consideration
of the bill was postponed till Monday.
A resolution to place every white mule per
son residing in the Confederate States, and ca
pable ot bearing arms, in the military service,
was debated. On motion, further considera
tion Wes postponed till Monday next.
Senate adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE —DEO. 24.
A communication was received from tho
President, covering a list of officers of artillery
appointed in the Provisional Army cf the Con
federate States since September 16, 1862, and
the roll of merit from the board of examin
ers. Also, a communication from the Secre
tary of War, enclosing tiie report of General
Lee of military operations from the time of
his assuming command of the army of Nor
thern Virginia up to the battle of Fredericks
burg, which was ordered to be printed.
The bill to prohibit dealing iu the paper cur
rency of the enemy was taken up, and, after
various amendments, was filially passed—not
one voting against it.
A bill was submitted to prohibit blockado
running, except on Government account.
A bill was passed providing that the tax in
kind on baci n be commuted for its equivalent
in pork.
The bill continuing in pay all discharged
soldiers by reafton of wounds received in the
service was taken up. Various amendments
were offered, but the House, finding itself
without a quorum, suspended its further con
sideration.
The llousc subsequently adjourned over fill
Monday next.
SENATE—DEC. 28.
Resolutions were presented of the Logislaluro
of Alabama to exempt from the tax in kind tha
families whose support is drawn flora white la
bor alone; recommending a tax for the reduc
tion of the currency, and disapproving of tbe
scheme of the Bank Convention at Augusta; in
relation to the exemption Irom tho Lx iu kind
of families whose homes have been overrun by
the public enemy; respecting the execution of
the conscript law and recommending the en
largement of the area of Gen. Pillow's depart
ment as conscript officer. Read and ordered
printed.
A bill to amend the act to provide a mode of
authenticatin'; claim.- for money against the'
Confederate Mates. Referred.
Hon. Robert Jamison, appointed by the Gov
ernor of Alabama to fill the unexpired term of
Hon. W. L. Yancey, appeared, wasyqualified,
and took his seat
The Committee on Finance reported a bill Vs
he entitled an act to provide lor anew issue
of Treasury notes, and for funding all such
notes now outstanding—ordered printed. Also,
a bill to repeal the act supplementary to an act
to provide for funding and the further issue of
Treasury notes—transferred to tho secret leg
islative calendar. This hill provides lor stop
ping the issue of cotton bonds.
The 11 on ne bill to put an end to the exemp
tion of all persons heretofore exempt by reason
of having furnished substitutes, was taken up
and further discussed. Pending the debate,
Senate went into secret executive session.
house—dec. 28.
A hill was introduced to receive into th ’ mil
itary service all that portion of population in
Alabama, Missis ippi, Louisiana and Florida,
known as Creoles.
A resolution was submitted in reference to
abuses in commutation in the War Department.
A scries of resolutions wiis presented from
the Alabama Legislature— one praying that the
citizens of a county overrun by the enemy may
be exempted from taxation; also one praying
that the families of soldiers may lie exempted
from taxation; and others about sundry other
matters. The resolutions were appropriately
referred.
A resolution was submitted, that theJudU
ciary Committee enquire if the copyright law
extends the right oi copyright to lelegraphig
dispatches.
A resolution was offered providing that all
products raised exclusively by white labor bo
exempt from taxation in kind, and that tho
families of soldiers now in the service, or who
have been killed, be allowed to have* and hold,
free from taxation iu kind, two cows to
family.
The following bills, resolutions, memorials*
&c., were introduced and referred: A bill
m; *■ t