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FROM VIHfiIMA.
TIIK ATTACK ON PETKBSBCM
0n Wp«ln«day, June 15, the enemy advancr
The main point of attack
° nH e Ciiv I’oint road, at a distance of
or seven mile* from Petersburg. Here the
enemv advanced with at least seven regiment*
of infantry and one of cavalry upon some
oreastwork* thrown up hastily during Tuee
«lav night at Baylor s farm, by Colonel h. rre
-1 ' of the Fourth North Carolina cavalry
The’v were held in check by Colonel Kerrebee s
men and Graham’s Petersburg battery lor four
hours, who fought bravely but weie finally
compelled to fa 1 back before overwhelming
members Our men retired in good order and
* t , iced but few casualties during the fight.
'JV enemy demonstrated at other points along
r) ur lines, but his attacks were feeble and eaw
lyirnallfS hours ell became comparatively
r J delusion, lor it « f orce 0 u our
S»r rot* -«
\,y r “?-ourt House roads. About sunset the
' ,„ fflc up charging our batteries com
mamifng these roads. The enemy advanced in
line of battle six and seven columns deep.
Three furious assaults were made, the enemy
coming up with a yell, and making the most de
termined effort* to carry the works. Our troops
received them with a terrific volley each time,
sending the column buck broken and discom
fited. The fourth assault was made by such
ovei whelming numbers that out forces found
it irup‘ ssible to resist the pressure, and were
compelled to give way.
The enemy now |*>ured over the works in
streams, captured thiee of our pieces,and turn
ing t 1 e guns on our men, opened upon them
an enfilading t’ro, which caused them to leave
precipitately. The guns captured belonged to
Sturdivant's battery, and it is reported that
Cajit. Sturdivant himself was captured, and
two of his Lieutenant* wounded, botli of whom
fell into the enemy’s ha ,ds. The battery was
fought up to the last moment in the most gal
lant manner. 'The Twenty-sixth and Forty
sixth regiments, of Wise's brigade, also bore a
conspicuous part in the affair.
But at another part of our works the enemy
-was repulsed. On the Baxter road, about three
miles from Petersburg, ths enemy appeared
about twelve o’clock. Immediately in front
of battery number sixteen, was stationed the
Macon (Georgia) Light Artillery, Capt. 0. W.
Slater, supported by a portion of the Tlffrty
fouith Virginia regiment, Wise’s hrigade. The
enemy showed himself at o ice, driving in our
pickets, and planting a battery in front of our
works, with which he opened a furious can
nonade The Macon Artillery quickly respond
ed, and a sharp artillery duel was maintained
for two hours, when the enemy charged oifr
works, but, after arriving within two hundred
yards of the fortifications, was repulsed with
considerable loss.
The artillery continued to throw round after
round of shell and canister into their ranks with
great rapidity and accuracy, and the work be
coming too warm for them, they broke and fled
jn confusion. They were pursued by the Thirty
fourth Virginia regiment for some distance,
who poured several galling volleys into their
ranks. About sundown the enemy entirely
disappeared from this portion of our lines, and
returned to the left. Among (heir dead left
on the field in front of this battery was Colonel
Mix, of New York, who seemed to have been
instantly killed by a canister shot in the breast.
Officers who participated in the operations of
Wednesd iy estimate the number of the enemy
actually engaged in the attack was about twelve
thousand.
Some of the Yankee prisoners say they be
long to Burnside's corps. The prisoners had
three days cooked rations in their haversacks.
<H’KIti'IONS ON TIIURSDAV.
Thursday fternoon, a furious assault was
made upon Gen. Hoke’s front, whose Division
••coiipietl a position lacing batteries from nine to
twelve, inclusive—and constituting a most
Important situation. The enemy came
up in three lines of battle, and made three
charges, but were each time repulsed by a heavy
lire which blazed from along our lines, and sent
the Yankees back in contusion. Our men oc
copied entrenchments, which hud been hastily
thrown up during Wednesday night.
On our right, in the vicinity of Colonel
Avc.j'o linn, there was heavy firing during
the greater portion of tlie tent l«.ta in
the afternoon, it becirne quite severe, ttie
enemy attempting to carry our worksbyassault.
The enemy having succeeded in 'moving
two or three batteries in that direction, com
menced to shell our men furiously, and the
missiles bursted immediately among our troops.
Gallantly they stood their ground, however,
until our batteries could be placed in posi
tion, so as to silence the enemy’s fire, which
they effectually did.
The woik grew quite hot as the day ad
vanced, the enemy having massed certainly
two divisions, il'not more, in our front. Late
iu the afternoon, a charge was made, but the
enemy were most handsomely repulsed, chiefly
by the sixty-fourth Georgia, and Col. W. .1.
Clark’s twenty-lourth North Carolina regiment,
of Geu. Matt Hansom's brigade.
Iu the last charge, the enemy came within
one hundred yards o'our fortifications, hut the
tire was so ten itie that they halted, broke ranks
and retired in great confusion, seeking Shelter
in a ravine about one hundred yards fronv«our
lines. Here a large portion of a Yankee brig
ade numbering about four hundred, being ex
posed to an enfilading artillery tire from our
guns, and not daring, to show their heads, lor
fear of being toppled over by our musketeeis,
isurrendered to the sixty-fourth Georgia regi
ment, Capt. Pritchard commanding.
•Several of the plumpers state that they were
enlisted in the heavy branch of the artillery
service tor local defence around Washington,
but the pressure for men became so great after
Grant’s campaign commenced, that they were
placed in the tanks and armed as infantry.
The most of them were cheerful, and openly
declared tln-ir gratification at the fortune of
war which had made them captives.
The prisoners state that they started for
Richmond, not Petersburg—but since
lliey could not get to the Confederate
capital, they w ill be satisfied with the Cock
ade City. They say that Burnside’s and Han
cock’s Corps are operating immediately around
Petersburg; that Baldy Smith is at
Hundreds, and that Grant, Butler, Warren and
and others, are lying around promiscuously.
Several commissioned officers were captured,
but none of higher rank than Lieut. Colonel.
On Thursday uightan attempt was made by
our troops to re-capture bat'ery number five,
which w..s successiul. The enemy were driven
off at. the point of the bayonet, our men eu
ttfltng the woiks with a yell which scattered
them. Tliis is a iriost important position, as it
commands the high hill at Friend’s Farm, on
the City Point road. It was this position
which the enemy charged and captured from
us at a late hour Wednesday evening.
In Chesterfield ou Thursday morning, the
enemy advanced, drove in our outposts, and
destroyed a portioa of the Petersburg and
Richmond Railroad. In the afternoon they
were repulsed and driven back to their gun
boats.
On Thursday afternoon the enemy's gun
boats came up the Appomattox, and opened
lire on Fort Ctifton. They-, stood off out of
sight and at long range, and inflicted no dam
a e whatever. The lire of the gunboats was
directed by a signal man, who flopped his flag
industriously from the new Observatory on
Oobb s bluff'. It stated also that the enemy
attempted alter the moon went down, to ascend
iwiit Creek in Urges, but the stealthy move
meats ot the toe were d*scovered, and they
wore speedily driven back.
OPERATIONS ON FRIDAY.
On Friday morning operations were again
Stum curated by heavy tiriusj;', au d t^ lc
roar of tlk» cannon and the ratue of musketry,
name from both sides the river. Id Chester
field, the enemy lia i presumed upon a ftnipo
rary evacuation of our breastworks, on Thurs
day, to move up towards the railroad, but Ker
shaw and Pickett opeued briskly, and soon
drove him back to his original position, and
re- occupied all our old lines.
In Prince George, the enemy showed bis same
hankering for the position known as Battery
No. 10 and vicinity, which covers the Baxter
road. About half-past three o'clock, as soon
as the moon h’d suuk below the horizon, he
appeared in great force, and by creeping steal
thily through the thick undergrowth, got with
in twenty or thirty yards of our breastworks,
before he was discovered.
la four linos of battle they rushed forward,
and find ing our men somewhat unprepared,
lea pul over the breastworks, and demanded
surrender. On tbev pou eil but our men gave
them battie, and* desperate band to hand fight
ensued. A atuall gap having been lett on the
right a large number of the emmy quickly
availed the uselves of this advantage, and our
llun finding themselves hanked, retreated in
sotne disorder, (ieo. JJushrod Johnston s old
Brigade sustained tke .chief force of this assaiUv,
nud lost more heavily than gny other. The entire
hiss, however, we hear, (tom ail causes, killed,
wosmded and missiuir, will not agg .'gate over
one hundred. A portion ot our lines id d-is
vicinity was held by the -tfith Virginia. Wise s'
Brigade, but tlio attack here was handsomely
Sfyulstd. Wc regret to hear that Ctrl. P, li.
Pair* 1 , of the 26th commanding Brigade was
mortally wounded in this assault.
Our men tell back to a second line of works
but a short distance in iear of the first, which
bad been hastily constructed.
In this assault, we regret to hear that the
battery of the Macon Ga. Light Artillery was
captured. It consisted of four twelve pounder
Napoleon Howitzers. The men of this battery
fought witli unsurpassed bravery, and only
abandoned their guns alter losing tw.-nty-oue
horses, which rendered the saving of their guns
simply an impossibility.
Along other portions of the lines there was
heavy skirmishing and occasional cannonading
until three p. m. when an effort was made to
ca:ry Battery No. Seventeen, inclose proximity
to sixteen, arid all important to a successful oc
cupation of the Baxter Road. The enemy ap
proached in three lines of battle, but met with
such determined opposition, that after two or
three attempts, they abandoned the effort.
At four o’clock, the enemy charged our works
on the hill near New Market Race Course : but
were signally repulsed. A participant in tliis
fight says that the enemy lost heavily in this
charge, leaving many dead and wounded in
our front.
There was now quite a cessation of hostilities,
until six o’clock, when heavy cannonading
again comtnvneed-
As night approached, the cannon firing grew
more incessant, and the rattle of musketry,
which was continuous was distinctly audible
to every ear.
The light commenced on our right near Bat
teries 17, 18, 19 and 20, at Col. Avery’s farm,
but gradually extended around to our extreme
left, and by dark, the engagement was general
along the whole line, a distance of about five
miles.
As the contestants in the vicinity of the New
Market Race Course became engaged the
moon was high in the heavens and shone with
unusual brilliancy, and the flashes of the big
guns and the blaze of musketry, could be seen
from the Illandford Church and Bulling Hilts
with great distinctness.
For a half hour the battle raged and roared.
All of a sudden there was one universal blaze
of musketry along the entire length of our
line, and then fell upon the ears of the listen
ing multitude, a shout from our brave boys,
which none were slow to interpret. It was the
shout of victory. Couriers soon arrived, an
nouncing the glad tidings that we had repuis
e t the enemy along the entire line, and occu
pied the lines which we held at early dawn
Friday. It was now ten minutes to ten o’clock
and the firing gradually slackened, until eleven
o’clock, when it had almost entirely ceased.—
About eleven o'clock there was a renewal of
the musketry firing, and a tew discharges of
cannon, but it did not last more tiian fifteen
minutes The firing then ceased with the ex
ception of that thirty-two pounder Blakely gun,
which the Yankees fired during all of Thurs
day night at intervals-of five minutes.
During the engagement on Fi iday in front of
Hoke’s Divisions breastworks the slaughter of
Uieen°iny was fearful, and an ordnance officer
who came in for ammunition states that
he has been present at all the great battles of
Lee's array, but that he has never witnessed
greater mortality in the ranks of the enemy.
On the light, occupied by a portion of
Bushrod Johnston’s Division, the enemy came
up in seven lines of battle, and so great was
the pressure-of overwhelming numbers, th it
• there was a temporary wavering among our
! men who upon the first shock gave way.—
They were soon rallied, however, our lines res
tored, and the enemy made to pay fearfully
i for their temporary success.
Blunt’s Battery, foughtjwithjunsurpassed gal
s lantry, mowing the Yankees down, and creat
r ing great gaps in their ranks, as they approaeh
> ed several lines of battle deep. This battery
exhausted every ounce of ammunition, grape,
canister and solid shot, and then the men
1 refused to retire, but remained at the front
and cheered lustily as our infantry would re
pulse the Yankees, and send such as remained
alive reeling back.
> We secured two handsome stand of colors
i one belonging to the seventh New York Ar
i tillery—the other had inscribed upon it the
word “Excelsior.”
OPERATIONS ON SATURDAY.
The enemy made several fierce and deter
mined assaults on our lines, at points extend
ing from our right to our left, on Saturday, all
of which were baudsomely and signally re
pulsed. In each instance, his forces were
advanced against our breastworks in columns
of from four to six deep, but wero met with
such steadiness and severity of lire from our
batteries and infantry, that trefore reaching the
goal of their ambition, they were compelled to
fly precipitately and in great confusion. Time
and again their charge was repeated, and with
like success.
From all sources our information is that the
enemy's loss in these assaults was very severe.
They advanced across fields —some of them
several hundred yard3 in width, in which they
were fully exposed to the play of our artillery,
which was beautifully and most accurately
served, and to the lire of' our infautry, whi'h
is now rendered ever sure. We state it from
officers and men in the fight, and from witnesses
of the battle field—and we may almost say
officially—that the Yankee loss was very hea
vy. The bodies of their slain strew the fields
from side to side, and the nearer our breast
works the assaulting columns came, the thicker
the bodies lie. Within the last few days the
army of Geti. Grant has been depleted by many
thousands—how many, no body but himself
and liis secretive government will ever know.
OPERATIONS ON SUNDAY.
The operations on Sunday were confined
mainly to heavy skirmishing, picket tiring and
sharpshooting. As on Saturday the enemy
attempted once or twice to force our lines on
Taylor's farm, but met with a harsh repulse.
Taylor's farm was the scene of the most active
hostilities both on Saturday and Sunday, and
is the resting place of hundreds of the North
men. It is situated on the Baxter road, near
the right of our lines.
OPERATIONS ON MONDAY.
. On Monday there was nothing but heavy
skirmishing along the lines. The enemy have
learned a lesson, during the past four or five
days, which has not been without its salutary
effects, lie approaches now with great caution,
and the least show of determined opposition on
our part, generally causes him to desist.
There was considerable artillery tiring du
ring the day. Not much damage done.
All day long, about every five minutes shells
were thrown into the city. Over one hundred
and titty shells scattered promiscously around.
No lives were lost, and but little brick and
mortar displaced.
About seven o'clock, the enemy was observ
ed to double his pickets on our extreme left—
a generally sure indication of an attack on his
part.
THE ENEMY’S STRENGTH.
An ordinarily intelligent Teuton, who fell
into our bands Saturday night, gave the brave
Confederate who captured him, a statement of
Grant's forces, which is believed to be in the
main correct. He says Grant’s army now on
the Southside of James River, is composed of
the Second, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eighteenth,
and Twentieth Corps. The Second, command
ed by Hancock ; the Fifth by Warren, and the
Ninth by Burnside, are all operating immedi
ately around Petersburg. The Eighteenth,
commanded by Baldy Smith, is at and near
Bermuda Hundreds. The Tenth and Twenti
eth, have no regular commanders, and are held
near City Point as a reserve. All these army
corps have b:en fearfully reduced since the
commencement of the present , campaign, and
many of the regiments composing them, do not
now muster two hundred men.
The prisoner who furnishes this information,
says he was enlisted in Germany two and a
half years ago, and for the sole purpose of fight
ing in the Yaukee army. He is highly pleased
at the idea of being taken prisoner.
GEN. WISE AND UIS WOUNDED TROOPS.
The Petersburg Express says a short time
since Gen. Wise passed two days in the hos
pitals in that city, visiting the sick and woun
ded of his brigade. He was received by his
men as a kind lather by his affectionate children
At tie General Hospital he approached a
wounded Lieutenant, and sitting down upon
the bed beside him, he pressed between his
pslms the th n, bloodless hand of the brave
tellow. The Lieutenant could hardly speak.
Tears ran down his cheeks, and with tremb
ling lips he said :
••General, I am so glad to see you ; I hope
soon to be well and ready to fight the enemy
again.' Near by was a private with typhoid
fever. He had noticed no one for several days.
As the General beui over him, the poor man's
eyes brightened, a faint *miie played over his
face. ••There he is," he murmured, that’s
Gederal Wise, that's my General.' ’ Tojanoth
er humble private General Wise said :
“If you want anything, let me know it.’’
“We are very welLattended to here," he
replied.
This man was a gallanf soldieer, and badly
wounded. Turning away, the noble com
mander looked compassionately upon him and
said, “May God bless y is and spare your life.’’
As lie passed downward, the brave fellow, tinn
ing his head aftei an effort, followed Lis be
loved leader with his eyes until they became
so full Oi tears that he could see him no long
er abut he continued still to look that way
until the footstept- of his Generals could be j
laiard po more. While many of our superior j
< filerrs rite smoking, drilling, froliciug and j
dancing their time away, never deigning to
notice nor care for the wants of the poor pn- j
vate, this gray-haired old man spends his spare ■
hours in mini-teiiug to his wounded men, ami
speaking to them cheerfully as a kind fatner
to his grateful children.
FIGHTING ALONG THU PETERSBURG RAILROAD.
Oa Thursday there was flighting along the
Petersburg Railroad near Chester. Every
thing shows that the Yankee forces are thick
in that legion. The telegraph wires have been
cut between Petersburg and Richmond.
It is probable this movement is intend
ed by the enemy to get possession of the rail
road. and thus cut off our communication with
Petersburg.
The enemy devastated the country and
burned the hous-s on their line of march on
Petersburg.
OTTAWA INDIANS CAPTURED.
The Y'ankees have drawn upon all the na
tionalities of the world for soldiers to light
their battles. We have captured from their
armies, not only the genuine Yankee, but the
unadulterated African, the Englishman, the
Frenchman, the Scotchman, the Irishman, the
Dutchman, the Italian, the Swiss, and these in
no small numbers, as all who have seen or
conversed with the prisoners can testify to.—
They also have anew source of strength, the
Indians of the Northwest. On Saturday morn
ing a batch of sixteen of these warriors of the
forest, belonging to a Michigan regiment,
were captured while making a charge upon our
lines. They belong to the Ottawa Trite, and
are real gingerbread chaps. Their long,
straight black hair, their dusky countenance
anil stalwart forms, attracte 1 no little attention
from our citizens. They speak English as well
as most of thesoldieis in the Yankee army,
and say they are fighting the battles of the
North because they believe the North to be
right.
THE TIGHT AT LYNCHBURG.
Friday afternoon, June 17, about fo'iro’clock
Crock and Averill’s forces reached a position
near what is known as the ‘-Quaker Church.’’
on the Selma Turnpike, lour miles from Lynch
burg on the left of our lines, where a consider
able skirmish occurred with our cavalry un
der Gen. Imboden. In the fight the enemy
gained some advantages owing to the left or
our lines giving away before a charge. We
lost some eight or ten wounded, and about
twenty missing, supposed to have been cap
tured. We took three prisoners who reported
that they had several killed and wounded.
The Yankees were promptly checked by our
infantry and retired to their original line be
yond the Church. Among our wounded iu this
fight was Major Doles reported mortally.
Saturday morning at daylight the heavy
booming of artillery on our left and centre
told that the fight was begun and many be
lieved a general engagement was progressing.
It was soon ascertained, however, that it was
only an artillery duel and up to oue o’clock no
infantry was brought into action. Shortly af
ter this time ihe rapidity ot the discharges in
creased and the sharp rattle of the musketry
mingled with the hoarse roar of artillery.—
About this time the eDetny advanced in two
lines of battle to capture our outer entrench
ments on the left of the turnpike, but were re
pulsed. Again they were rallied to the charge
and were again driven back with considerable
loss. Forty of their killed were left on the
field, and some twenty prisoners were taken.—
Including the killed and captured their loss
was at least 250, possibly 800. Our loss dur
ing the entire day on this part of the line was
five killed and twenty wounded. On the entire
line it was ascertained Saturday night that the
enemy’s loss was seventy-five killed.
After the second repulse the enemy retired
before the advance of our skirmishers, and at
nightfall our line was about one fourth of a
mile in advance of our original position, the
enemy resisting the advance only by feeble
cannonading.
'file battle ground was on both sides of the
Salem Turnpike between the Quaker Church
and the toll gate, and about two miles south
west of the city.
About 12 o’clock, on Friday, the enemy on
our extreme light centre opened heavily with
artillery, but after a fierce duel of two hours
duration, the enemy’s guns were silenced and
driven from the field. A small portion of in
fantry were brought into action also, but there
was no fighting of consequence *with them. We
hear lot no casualties. This fighting was on
what is known as the “Forrest road,’’ about
two and a half miles from town, the enemy’s
batteries being planted on the farm of Mr.
11. W. H!trksdale, and our position being imme
diately in lront of Tate’s Spring.
A body of the enemy's cavalry made a de
monstration on our extreme right, on the Lex
ington Turnpike, Saturday, about live miles
trom the city, but were promptly met by some
of our cav dry and easily checked.
Among the prisoners captured was a negro
Sergeant, decked out iu all the paraphernalia ol
“glorious war,’’ and about as impudent a
scoundrel as ever saw the light of day. He
was attached to Crook’s command, who fought
us on the left, and says there is in the com
mand an entire regiment of negroes.
The prisoners taken say they have had no reg
ular rations since leaving St mnton, but have
lived by plundering whatever came in their
way. The country through which they passed
has been stripped of everything, and the
amount of suffering caused by this vandal
horde is positively alarming, even in the
anticipation.
One of the prisoners says that his time ex
piled Monday', and lie was forced into tlie tight
against his will. , He expressed much sa.isfac
tiou at being taken, tin nglt he was badly
wounded. He give us also a long account of
the demoralization'of Hunter’s command, but
as we look upon the whole Yankee race as a
nation of liars, we will not repeat his tale
siierloen’s raiders.
Sherman's raiders have been badly whip
ped, up to Sunday night his estimated loss
was one thousand in killed, wounded, aud
prisoners. At last account Hampton was pres
sing Sheridan’s rear as rapidly as his jaded
horses can move, while Fitz Lee is endeav
oring to cut them off. The Yankees have gone
in the direction of Ely's ford, the lowest one
on tlie Rapidan, hoping to placethe llapidan
and Rappahannock between them and their
pursuers.
The Yankee officers captured say it was their
intention to strike Gordonsville and Cha'iottes
ville, aid forth a junction with (hook and
AveriH. They have been most signally de
feated in their vandal intentions.
a complimentary letter from gen. lee.
“Clay’s House, 5£ P. M., 17th June.
‘■.Lieutenant General H. il. Anderson, command
ing Longstreel’s corps:
“General: i take great pleasure in presenting
to you my congratulations upon the conduct
of the men of your corps. I believe that they
will carry anything they are put against.
“We tried very hard to stop Pickett's men
from capturing the breastworks of the enemy,
but could not do it. 1 hope his loss has been
small.
“I am, with respect,
“Y’our obedient servant,
“R. E Lee, General.
“By command of Major-General Pickett.
“C. Pickett, A. A. G.“
JAMES RIVER TOPOGRAPHY.
The course of James river, below Richmond,
describes on the the map the profile of a hu
man face, looking westward, with an aquiline
nose and well defined chin Drewry’s Bluff, or
Fort Drewry, is on the South side of the river,
at the point of tfie nose. The turn under the
nose is the locality of the naval attack on Fort
Drewry in 18G2. Immediately under the chin
of the profile,—to follow up the simile, is a cu.
rious bend in the river of seven miles, forming
-what is called “Farrar’s Island,” the neck or
isthmus cf which is known as “Dutch Gap,’’
and is only a half a mile wide. Trent’s Reach,
alluded to in Gen. Lee’s despatch, is on the
Souih side of the horse shoe turn of the river,
at Farrar’s Island. Howlett’s Hill, in Ches
terfield, is opposite Trent’s Reach, nearly half a
mile from the river, and is considered an im
portant position. Ware Bottom Church is be
tween Hewlett’s Hill and Bermuda Hundred.
A GALLANT PRIVATE.
During a recent severe artillery duel at Pe
• tersburg between portions of Caskie s battalion
and the enemy's batteries, a thirty-two pound
shell, thrown by the euerny, struck the parapet
over one of the guns belonging to Cummiug’i
North Carolina battery, and rolling over, fell
beneath the gun. Scarcely had it touched the
earth in our works when private James P.
Peace, of the detachment, seizing it in both
hands, hurled it over the embankment, thus
sending it where its explosion could do no
harm, and probablv saving the lives of many
.of his comrades. Maj Caskie has forwarded
this gallant soldier’s name to Gen. Beauregard,
who expressed his admiration at the noble
deed.
FORTITUDE AND ENDURANCE.
The following incident exhibiting the forti
tude and endurance of a Confederates oldier. is
vouched for by the chaplain of the regiment,
and is deemed worthy of public notice :
On the 7th June, near Gold Harbor, Gen.
Corse's line of skirmishers was advanced for
the purpose of feeling the enemy’s position.
The line moved promptly, driving the enemy’s
pickets out of their rifle pits and beyond their
first line of entrenchments. But the enemy soon
rallied, strongly reinforced, driving back onr
Hue. William N. Buchannan. company B,
twenty-ninth Virginia regiment, being in ad
var.ee, did not discover the retrogade move
ment until our skirmishers had gotten back to
their rifle pits and himself left in the enemy’s
lims, between their skirmisuers and breast
works. Seeing it impossible to escape, and be
ing determined not to be taken prisoner, he
dropp.-d to the ground under cover of some
bushes, thus escaping detection by the enemy,
though within a lew paces of him, on evsry
side.
With his pocket knife he managed to dig a
pit, which sheltered him from the bullets of
our pickets who were almost constantly en
gaged in efforis to pick off those of the enemy
who were bold enough to show their heads
above tlieir works. Here he awaited an op
portunity to get back to our lines, but none
presented itself until he had remained in this
critical situation for six days, subsisting upon
one half day's ration of corn bread and but oue
drink of water during the whole time. When
the enemy' evacuated his works, he was picked
up by our skirmi-hers all right, but so exhaus
ted as to barely be able to walk when assisted
by his comrades. Being asked why he did not
surrender htmself to the enemy, bis emphatic
rep y was, "I would sooner have died than
been a prisoner in their hands.”
HANGING OF DAVID CRBIGH, ESQ.
David Creigh, an old and prominent citizen
of Greenbrier county, Ya., of high respectabil
ity, was bung last Friday, upon the finding of
a Yankeo drumhead court martial, under the
auspices of the Yankee commander, Gen.
Dufay.
About a year ago Mr. Creigh, who was about
sixty years o!J and a mau of powerful build, en
tered his house and found a Yankee straggler
the; e who was plundering and offering gross
insults to his daughters. Mr. Creigh attacked
the vandal, and alter a dospe ate encounter of
an unarmed man against an armed Yankee one
of Mr. CreiglTs servants brought him an ax,
with which he killed the Yankee. In passing
through the county last Friday, it is supposed
that information was lodged against him with
the Yankee General Dufay, who summoned a
drum head court martial and had the gentle
man hung.
TIIE YANKEES ABANDONED FORTIFICATIONS IN HAN
OVER.
A gentleman who has been over the ground
occupied by the enemy in Hanover, since their
departure informs us that their fortifications
consisted of six parallel lines, intersected in
some places by transverse lines, as if they ex
pected an attack in all directions. These for
tifications were strengthened by legs, and the
timbers, doors, windows, and even furniture of
houses they had sacked an 1 torn to pieces. In
erecting the breastworks the negroes of the
vicinity were pressed into service, their opera
tions being superintended by Yankee officers.
Wherever there was a crest of a hill or a clump
of woods, the circumstance was taken advan
tage of, the fortifications being so constructed
as to wind around for the purpose of protect
ing their front. The fields in advance of the
fortifications are full of pits dug for the pro
tection of sharpshooters. Each of these pits is
of sufficient dimensions for one man to en
sconce htmself in, the front and lDnks being
guarded by breastworks of earth and fence
rails. In the farm ditches numerous excava
tions are to be seen, and these were also used
by the sharpshooters. In fact, everything
shows that it was Grant’s purpose to “fight it
out’’ on that line, relying upon reinforcements
from Butler’s army ; hut the “lion in his path”
and the demoralization of his men compelled
another chango of base, and hence the strong
works were abandoned. This, however, seems
to have been accomplished very leisurely, the
enemy taking away every moveable thing with
them, and barricading the roads in their rear
as they proceeded.
AX UNWILLING PRISONER.
Among the Yankee prisoners taken in their
late advance on Petersburg was a fellow who
rode into our lines at fulL speed, minus his cap.
He was mounted upon a blooded steed, no
doubt stolen from some Virginia gentlemau, in
one of the re< ent raids, and could not rein his
animal up. In fact, the fellow was a poor ri
der, ahd let go the bridle, and hung on to the
pommel of the saddle with as much tenacity as
a drowning man would a drifting log.
VARIOUS ITEMS.
Nothing of interest occurred near Richmond
on Thursday, but some skirmishing near Mai
vein Hill, in which the Yankees were hand
somely repulsed.
Deserters taken on the Snuthside report that
Burnside’s and Baldy Smith’s corps have been
sent over the river and are now co-operuling
with Butler.
It is re;lotted that the enemy have with
drawn all their white Y’ankees from their front
in Chesterfield and substituted negroes in their
stead.
It is reported that Campbell Court House was
burned by the enemy. It was a fine building,
and will be a great loss to the county,
During tlieir visit to Lexington the Y'au
kees stole a fine statue of Washington, belong
to the college in that place. Gov. Letcher’s
ressdence was among the buildings burned.
Our troops have carried our original lines
near Bermuda Hundred and hold them. The
Y’ankees meditated an advance on the railroad
is thus Held in check-. The road will be re
paired in a few days and communication open
ed with Petersburg.
When near Lynchburg the enemy were con
fident they could take the town. At last ac
counts they were on full retreat, and it is con
fidently announced our forces will take them.
Staunton has been reocctipied by our troops.
When the place was in the hands of the Fede
rals all the public buildings were burned,
provisions of a ! l kinds were ferreted out and
seized, and all the dry good store were broken
open and robbed, several private manufactories
werealso destroyed. The railroad bridge over
Christian’s creek, five miles from Staunton,
was burned. An attempt was made with pow
der to destroy the stone bridge, but it was on
ly slightly damaged.
Accounts from Charlotteville say that Sheri
dan was not only beaten a few days .mice,
but completely routed. Nearly five hundred
prisoners were captured. A large number of
slaves were also captured.
Great distress and consternatiso pervades the
whole section of country about Suffolk, now
given up to the ravages of the enemy. Raid
ing parties are going out in every direction
from Suffolk, robbing tae farmers of horses,
provision, etc. Buttler, to carry out the new
policy of the North of starvng us, has issued
orders to have all the horses taken in Nanse
raond, Isle of Wight, and Gates couuty, North
Carolina, so as to prevent the making of err ps.
Prisoners say that all of Grant's army hag
crossed to the’Southside. Ilsjhas 10,000 cavalry
with him.
The woods along Grant’s line of march are
filled with stragglers.
A few days since Grant addressed his army
in imitation of the great Napoleon, and said
“that if with such troop* Lieut. Gen. U. S.
Grant cannot put down the rebellion, thore is
no use for any other General or rmy to try
it.’’
A cavalry skirmish took place in Bedford,
about one mile this side of Forest depot, on
what is known the Forest road, Thursday after
noon. Tlit results ware unimportant
It is now said that Averells, Cooks, and Hun
ters force numbers about eighteen thousand
men—mostly infantry.
Bushrod Johnston, whose Brigade has been
conspicuously engaged in the recent battles
on the Southside, has, on account of distin
guished gallantry been made a Major Generl.
It is reported that Major Batte and ’ Captain
Sturdivarit, of Sturdivant’s battery, who were
captured in a leeent fight by the Yankees,
while beiDg taken to the rear by a negro
guard were murdered. Yankee prisoners cap
tured confirm the story.
By the most reliable estimates, the entire
number of wounded in General Lee’s army
during the sixteen days ending on Saturday
last, which include all the engagements on
the Chickahominy, will not exceed eighteen
hundred. The proportion of killad was unusually
small.
It is stated, upon undoubted authority, that
Hunter shelled the town of Lexington before
he occupied the place, and that, too, without
notice.
The 1 ankees in their advance through Bed
ford binned all the bridges on the Virginia and
Tennessee Railroad. Among others those
across Big and Little Otter Rivers and Elk
Creek. The two former are considerable struc
tures.
The Lynchburg Republican says ; The evi
dent design of Hunter was to capture tha'lcity,
open railroad communication with Washington,
and make that point his base for importanLlope
rations further South. Hia plan will undoubted
ly be a failure.
We have nothing new from General Lees
ai my. All remains quiet. It seems now more
probab.e than ever that most of Grant's army
his crossed to the 60uth side. Operations on
t H SK 0 are consequently at a stand
■’V * M ' c ee officer was captured by negroes,
on luesdy morning near Pendleton, S. C. and
turned over to the proper authority. He was
endeaxonng to make his way to Sherman's
army , anu was one of tbs party who escaped
dunng Lis trau-iit lrom Virginia to Georgia.
The nnm >er of students at present in the
Wesleyan Female college, Macon, is two hun
dreii and forty-four.
The small pox has siade its appearance at
Lafayette, Ala.,
FORREST’S LATE FIGHT.
A correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser,
writing from Tupelo, Mississippi, under date of
June Ip. gives the annexed account of Forrest's
late fight :
On tbe Ist of June Gen. Forrest moved east
ward. He Lad been apprised for some time that
a force of from 6000 to lO.OCTO was being fitted
out in Memphis for an expedition to bherman's
army, in charge of 400 wagon loads of sup
plies, and for the purpose also of furnishing
tms much more transportation, with a large
ambulance train, and twenty four pieces of ar
tillery, with tbe troops that accompanied them
to isinftasan H : s force, consisting only of two
brigades [for Chalmers went somewhere some
time ago ] immediately returned to pounce
upon the enemy. Rucker’s brigade returned
frost Oxford, and Johnson’s command came
down from North Alabama.
Thus this force, though not half as large as
that of the enemy, was at once, and unexpect
edly to the enemy, concentrated on the Mobile
and Ohio road andjust in time to head him at
Brice's crossroads, six miles from Baldwyn.
Skirmishing began about S o'clock in the morn
ing by Col. Rucker ; Col. Johnston soon
came up and assisted to held the enemy in
check ; Col. Lyon, with his Kentucky Brigade,
came in before 12 o'clock, and Col. Bell’s gal
hint brigade—with the exception of the Third
Tennessee, commanded by Col. Bar tea u, who
was sent to the enemy’s rear—reached the field
at 1 o'clock. The enemy seemed frustrated
by this sudden resistance on his front, yet push
ed vigorously forward and endeavored to over
run our forces. The fighting for the next three
hours was severe, and charge after charge
was made, column after column was hurled
with headlong impetuosity by the enemy
ag dnst us, and by us against the enemy. At
4 o'clock the 2d Tennessee bad reached the
rear of thaomemy, and made a furious attack.
The enemy at first sent back a regiment of in
fantry, then 300 cavalry, and becoming still
more alarmed at the obstinacy of the attack
in front the appearance of a force in his
rear, sent back all his cavalry and commenced
a retreat. liis forces in front were diiven in
dismay, and the whole body of his troops de
moralized. Wagons, artillery, cavalry , in
fantry, npgroes, and wounded, went back in
one confused mass, blocking tip the roads aud
running through woods hnd fields. Over two
hundred wagous and fourteen pieces of artille
ry were abandoned in less than one hour after
the retreat began.
Our forces pursued until dark and then
camped for the night. The greatest injury in
dieted upon us during tliis engagement was by
an ambuscade. Wilson’s and Russell's regi
ments, of Bell’s brigade, suffered severely. It
is unfortunate that more caution was not exer
cised to prevent such unnecessary damage.
’i he number of lulled and wounded in this
fight on our side was over three hundred. The
loss of the enemy iu killed and wounded was
near a thousand.
The enemy’s force was four brigades, two
of cavalry, commanded by Grierson, and two
of infantry, all under Brig-Gen. Sturgis; and
the commands being full, numbered not less
than nine thousand. Two negro regiments
served as a train guard. But few negroes have
been captured. They made good their escape.
The pursuit was renewed early in morning,
Gen. Forrest following before daylight with
his escort and 7th Tennessee, fighting the en
emy until the other commands came up. At
Ripley a desperate fight ensued, in which Bell's
brigade and Lyon’sgreatly distinguished them
selves, charging into the town and driving the
Yankees from every stronghold they had tak
en, killing, wounding and capturing five hun
dred or more. The enemy tcok the Salem
react, and were pressed every inch of the way.
A terrible ambuscade was given them by Col.
Barteau, near Salem. Having gained a posi
tion on their flank, in advance of the column,
he dismounted and marched his command
within sixty yards of the road. As the column
came on, the road was crowded with infantry
and cavalry. Oue sheet of fire from his line,
and hundreds lay hors du combat.
Charging immediately upon the road still
further execution was effected until compelled
to give way. The 95th Ohio regiment which
was in the rear of the column,, and hard pres
sed by Col. Lyon, surrendered. The various
troops of Gen. Buford's command in this, the
second day of the pursuit, captured a thous
and prisoners. Having followed the enemy
nearly to LaGra"ge, and put his column to
flight in fragments, the troops commenced
their return on the morning of the 12th, and
scouted the woods to the left of the Salem
road back to Ripley. The result has been that
seven or eight, hundred more straggling Yan
kees were caught Grierson and Sturgis de
serted their commands beyond Ripley, and
fled to LaGrange.
The outrages committed by the enemy in the
expedition exceeded all former example.—
Houses were robbed of every article necessary
to the support of families. Ladies insulted
and outraged ; children robbed of their cloth
ing, and left naked, crying and hungry ; old
men choked and gagged, and in some instan
ces beaten nearly to death; women kicked out
of doors for murmuring at these wroDgs, aud
knocked down by buck negroes in the pres
ence of their husbands. These are some of tbe
injuries that the poor people of North Missis
sippi have had to endute within the last ten
days ; and it is things like these that make
them grateful once more for tlieir deliverance,
and have nerved the arms of Forrest’s sol
dieia-to fight like demons and to perform deeds
of daring unequalled in history. The South
ern man who would not fight now, is unfit for
freedom, aud ought not to enjoy it.
The Mississippi Prairie Newsgives the follow
ing fact derived from Forrest’s chief quarter
master :
Yankees killed 1000 ; wounded 1500 ; cap
tured 2000. Also 200 wagous ;50 ambulances;
17 pieces of artillery with caissons ; 500 mules;
100 horses ; 500,000 rounds small arm am
munition ; 10,000 rounds cannon ammunition:
5,000 stand small arms ; 200,000 pounds pilot
broad ; 50 barrels sugar ; 30 sacks of coffee ;
$200,000 worth of medic’nes : 10 barrel i of
whisky, and shovels, sp ides, axes, carpenters
tools, etc, in large numbers.
FROM MISSISSIPPI.
The jail at Quitman, Clark county, Missis
sippi, was burned a few nights since. There
woie in the jail one white prisoner and six ne
groes. The jail was set on fire by the negroes
in the hope that it wouid enable them to escape.
The prisoners were sent to the jail at Macon.
Maj. J. C. Dennis has moved headquarters of
the conscript bureau of Mississippi to Macon
in that State.
Capt. Swanson, of ninds county Miss., desert
ed and went to the enemy at Vicksburg, some
live or six months ago, was picked up by Capt.
Montgomery’s scouts the other day, while try
ing to communicate with some of his old friends
this side of Vicksburg, and brought to Gen.
Adams’ heauquarters. He had on his person
some six thousand dollars, in greenbacks and
letters of a very treasonable character. He is
to be bung shortly.
Baldwin, the seppe of Gen. Forrest’s recent
fight with the Yankees, is between Corinth and
Tupelo. The object of the Yankee laid was
probably to tear up the Railroad which is now
in operation to Corinth, and to rob the country.
A lady was accidentally kiiled near Carroll
ton, Miss., a few days since. While attending
to some household duty, a pistol which she car
ried in her bosom was accidentally discharged,
shooting her through the heart.
Gen. Turtle, commanding at Natchez, issued
a sanitary order recently, in which he termed
the negroes “lazy and pafligate,” unused to
caring for themselves for the present,
and “recklessly improvident of the future;”
that “the most of them loaf idly about the
streets and alleys, prowling in secret places,
and lounging lazily ia crowded hovels, which
soon become dens of noisome filth, the hot
beds fit to engender and rapidly disseminate
the most loathsome and malignant diseases,’’
and that unless they were employed by some 're
sponible white person they should be sent to
the contraband encampment.
A correspondent of the Mobile Tribune says
that he has seen and conversed with a gen
tleman of high standing, who has just return
ed from the Yazoo valley, and whose word
Gan be relied on, who states that the Yankees,
in their last raid, total'y and most effectually
destroyed everytning that was in their way.
laying waste som.i of the finest plantations in
the Confederacy, and making the rich section
of country which, in the good old times of
yore, was justly ca’led the granary of South
western Mississippi, a barren wilderness.
A gentleman who has been on a trip along
the banks of the Mississippi river says that the
people in that region ;*e yet untainted by
contact with .our enemy. They are quito
loyal to the cause of Freedom, though they
trade to a considerable extent with the Yankees
Cotton is not being.cultivated there any more
than in the interior districts, though the induce
ments are great. There is a surprising number
of negroes there, considering its proximity to
the ecemy. They appear to be as docile as
thev ever were before Lincoln s ukase of eman
cipation was fulminated.
FROM NORTH C AROLINA.
The Raleigh IN. C.) State Journal of the
is:h learns froma private source that a Yankee
force of 2000 or 3OUO cavaluy are advancing on
Weldon. Proper measures have been adopted
to check them.
FREEDOM OF mKtraSSS l.\ SEW YORK
STATE.
an important letter from gov. skymour.
State of New York. Ex ecu ive Department |"
Albany, May 23, 1864. f
To A. Oakey Hall, E-q.. District Attorney of
the county of New Y’ork :
Sir : I am advised that on the 13th inst., the
office of the Journal of Commerce and that,
of the New Y’ork World were entered by arm
ed men, the property of the owners seized and
the premises held by force for several days.
It is charged that these acts of violence were
done without the sanction of the State or na
tional laws.
If this be true, the offenders must be pun
ished.
In the month of July last, when New Y’ork
was a scene of violence, L gave warning that
"the laws of the State must be enforced, its
peace and order maintained, and the property
ot Us citizens protected at every hazard.” The
laws were enter ted at a fearful cost of blood
and life.
The declaration then made was not intended
merely ior that occasion,’or against any class
ot men. It is one of an enduring character, to
be asserted at ail times and against all condi
tions of citizens, without favor or distinction.
Unless all are made to bow to the law, it will
be resp ited by none. Unless all are made
secure in their lights of person and property,
none can be protected. If the owners of the
above named journals have violated State or
national laws, they must be proceeded against
and punished by these laws. Any action against
them, outside of legal procedure, is criminal.
At this time of civil war and disorder the ma
jesty of tiie law must be upheld or society will
sink into anarchy*. Our soldiers in the field
will battle in vain for constitutional liberty, if
persons or property or opinions are trampled
upon at home. We must not give up home
freedom, and thus disgrace the Atuericau char
acter, while our citizens iu the army are pour
ing but their blood to maintain the national
honor. They must not find, when they come
back, that their personal and fireside rights
have been despoiled.
In addition to the general obligation to en
force tire laws of the land, there are local rea
sons why they must be upheld in the city of
New Y'ork. If they are not, its commerce and
greatness will be Itroken down. If this great
center of wealth, business, and enterprise is
thrown into disorder and bankruptcy, the na
tional Government will be paralyzed.. What
makes New York tbe heart of our country ?
Why are its pulsatious felt at the extremities
of cur laud ? Not through its position alone,
but because of the world wide belief that prop
erty is safe within its limits from waste by
mobs and spoliation by government. The la
borers iu the workshop, the mine, and in tin
field, on this continent and in every part of
the globe, send to its mu-chants, for sale or ex
change, the products of their toil. These mer
chants are made the trustees of the wealth of
millions living iu every land, because it is be
lieved that in their hands property is safe un
der the shield of laws administered upon prin
ciple and according to known usages.
This great confidence has grown up in the
course of many years by virture of a painstak
ing, honest performance ol duty by Ihe busi
ness men of your city. In this they have been
aided by the enfoi cement of laws based upon
the solemnly recorded pledges that “the right
of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects against unreasona
ble searches and seizures shall not be violated,
and that no one shall be deprived of liberty or
property wiihout due process of law.’’ For
mote than eight years have we as a people
been building up this universal faith in the
sanctity of our jurisprudence. It is this which
carries our commerce upon every ocean, and
brings back to our merchants the wealth of
every clime. It is now charged that, in utter
disregard of the seustiveness of that faith, at a
moment when the national credit is under
going a fearful trial, the organs of commerce
are seized and held, in violation of constitution
el pledges ; that this act was done in a public
mart of your great city, and was thus forced
upon the notice of the commercial agents of
the world, and they were shown iu an offensive
way, that property is seized by military force
and arbitrary orders.
These things are more hurtful to the nation
al honor and strength than the loss of battles.
The world will confound such acts with the
principles of our Government, and the folly
and crimes of officials willing be looked upon as
the natural results of the spirit of our institu
tions. Onr State and local authorities must
repel this ruinous interference. If the merchants
of New York are not will to have their harbors
sealed up and their commerce paralyzed they
must unite in this demand for the security of
persons and property. If this is not done, the
world will withdraw from their keeping its
treasures and its commerce. History has
taught that all official violation of law in times
of civil war and disorder goes before acts of
spoliation and other measures which destroy
the safeguards of commerce.
I call upoa you to look into the facts con
nected with the seizure of the Journal of Com
merce and of the New Y'ork World. If those
acts were illegal, the offender must be punish
ed. In making your inquiries and in prosecu
ting the parlies implicated, yon will call upon
the sheriff of the county and the heads of the
police department for any needed force or as
sis’ance. The failure to give this by any official
tinder my control will be deemed a sufficient
cause for bis removal.
Very respectfully yours, etc.,
Horatio Seymour.
FROM FLORIDA.
The Mobile Tribune has some late news from
Pensacola, which it thinks may bo relied on.
There was a great deal of sickness among too
troops at the Navy Yard, who were composed
of one white and two negro regiments, ft is
supposed to be the Yellow Fever. The blacks,
it is stated, were very discontented and had
mutinied, but they were controlled by the
white regiment, which is from Vermont.
It is supposed that a cavalry force was
looked for, from the (act that a large quantity
of forage was being stored at Fort Pickens.
The purpose it is imagined, is to make a raid
up towards our railroads.
Col. Maury, of Mobile, as usual, is wide
awake. They will get cold comfort from him.
There had been some additions to the Yan
kee fleet at Pensacola among which were two
mortar boats.
Several salt makers have arrived at Marian
na, from West Bay, Fla., having been driven
from thence by deserters and Yankees. The
works on that Bay have been destroyed, kettles
broken, negroes ran off, wagons burned and
attempt made to kill the mules. The desert
ers are now engaged in killing hogs and
stock generally in that section.
The Yankees have been laying wasle the
beautiful plantation of Col Broward, at Cedar
ville, on Cedar Creek —destroying everything.
The reason assigned for their conduct is that
Mr. B. is one of the leaders of the Confederates
in Florida, and is supposed to have been con
cerned in destroying the Yankee gunboats at
St. John’s river.
FROM NORTH ALABAMA.
A letter from Gadsden, Ala., dated June 13,
states that the Seventeenth Federal army
corp3 passed through that section of the State
a short time since. They left the Tennessee
river at Decatur, passing through Summerville,
Warren ton, G ante rsvi lie; Van Buren, Blue
Pond, Cedar Bluff, to Rome, Ga. In Cherokee
county, Ala., they committed all manner of
depredations. Their force was variously esti
mated at fiom nine to fifteen thousand. They
had a large wagon train, and took off every
thing valuable they could find. They drove
off all the horses, mules and cows, and shot
down sows and pigs too poor to eat. The
poor people in the section through which the
vandals passed are left in a most deplorable
condition. They are without meat or bread,
and without the means of obtaining the neces
saries of life. Their crops and fencing have
been destroyed, th ir beds and furniture thrown
in the wells and weighied down with timber
FROM TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
From men just arrived from Pass Cabello,
Texas, we learn that about two or three weeks
ago the negro garrison revolted and trii and to
make their escape. The garrison numbers
about twenty-five hundred, and of tbre one
third of the number became dissatisfied at the
low wages they received and other indignities,
and threw down' their arms and tied. They
were pursued and brought back ; twenty
seven of them were immediately executed,
and the rest of them placed under a strong
guard. These negroes received six dollars per
month and rations, and they thought they were
entitled to more.
Raid on Petersburg and Weldon Rail
road.—At an early hour yesterday forenoon,
we learn that the Petersburg and Weldon road
was struck by a raiding party at Rheims’ de
pot, ten miles from Petersburg. Up to the
present writing. Wednesday p. m., we have re
ceived no direct telegraphic announcement of
the fact. At about the time when the railroad
is reported to have been struck, the wires be
tween this point and Petersburg ceased work
dug, which seems to confirm the report.
Stirring times woie expected on yesterday
in the vinieitv of Petersbnrg, not depending
upon the option of the enemy. Whether this
expectation was correct or what was the result
of any movements made remains as yet in
doubt.— WUminqton Journal, June 22,
Payment of Claims for Impressed Property.-
The following act of COhgtess providing for
the establishment and payment of claims for a
certain description of property taken or infor
mally impressed for the use of the army, ap
proved June 14th, 1864, with accompanying
instructions, are published for the information
and instruction of ali concerned :
An act providing for the establishment and
payment of claims lor a certain desciiption
ot property taken or informally impressed
for the use of the array.
Ihe Congress of the Confederate States of
America do enact. That it shall be the duty of
the Secretary of War to appoint and assign, iu
each Congressional District and tor each ter
ritory, an agent, not liable to military duty in the
field, who shall, at stated times, in each comity
or parish, under the direction of the post quarter
master nearest to him, receive and take proof,
under oath, in relation to all claims in said dis
trict lor forage, provisions, cattle, sheep, hogs,
horses, mules, teams and wagons heretofore
furnished to the army by the owner, or hereto
fore taken or informally impressed for the use
of the army, and not yec paid for, bv any officer
in the military service, or by his order or di
rection, express or implied from the use of the
property, whether said officer be a line or staff
officer, and whether he be a bonded officer or
otherwise, and report the facts and transmit
the evidence iu each case to the proper ac
counting officers of the treasury, together with
his opinion as to the justice and validity of the
claim ; and the said ac dinting officers are
hereby authorized to audit and control, and
order payment of such claims as appear to
them to he equitable and just. Provided,
That all such claims originating west of the
Mississippi river shall be reported to the ao
oountiog officers of the Treasury Department
established for the Trans-Mississippi Depart
m< nt, who are hereby authorized to audit, con
trol aud direct payment of the same in the
Sf’.me manner as the accounting officers of the
Treasury east of the Mississippi river. And
the said agent is hereby authorized, in taking
testimony in regard to said claims, to admin
ister oaths to witnesses, and, if he
er. to the claimants themselves. The compen
sation allowed to said agent shall be ton dol
lars per day while actually engaged iu the per
tormanee of the duties imposed on him by this
act, and thirty cents for every mile
actually travelled by him ; to be paid
under regulations to be prescribed by the
Secretary of War. Provided, That the
Secretary of War may assign to the duty here
in mentioned any quartermaster or disabled
officer of the army, aud, in that event, said
officer or quartermaster shall, in addition to
the compensation now allowed him by law, be
entitled to mileage at the rate of forly cents
per mile : Provided, further, That the Secre
tary of War mav appoint and assign any non
commissioned officer or private to j>erform the
duties under this act who may be unfit for ac
tive service in the field because of wounds re
ceived or disease contracted in said service,
and the pay and allowances of such non-com
missioned officer or private, when so appoint
ed and assigned, shall bo thesamea* are allow
ed to persons so appointed who may not be
liable to military service.
Section 2. This act shall cease aud deter
mine on the first day of January, eighteen
hundred and sixty-five, east of the Mississippi
river, and ou the first day of May, eighteen
hundred and sixty-five, west of the Mississippi
river ; and all claims of the description afore
said. not presented to the agent aforesaid prior
to raid dates at the respective places mention
ed, shall not bo entitled to the benefits of this
not.
Confbdkrate Stats* of Ambrica, )
Department of Justice. )
Ido hereby certify that the foregoing u a
true copy of an act of the Congress of the Con
federate Stales of America, approved on tlie
14th day of June, 1864, and of which the orig
inal roll is deposited in this office.
In faith whereof I have hereunto signed nty
f —■—) name and affixed the seal of this De-
J l. s. V pamnent at Richmond, this 17 tit day
(. —) of June, 1864.
Gko. Davis, Attorney Gen’l.
1. In every congressional district there will
be appointed an agent to perform the duties
described in the preceding act of Congress,
whose names will be announced in orders, and
wlio, immediately after notice thereof, will
proceed to the fulfillment of the duties imposed
iu the same. He will hold one or more sessions
in each county in hia district, and give notice
of the time and place of holding the same, and
of tlie older of proceeding at, and tlie probable
duration of the session. The operation of the
act is limited to a specific time, and each agent
is required to take measures for the full per
formance of its requirements, and for securing
to evety claimant an opportunity of presenting
and proving his just claim.
2. Every claim under this act shall be pre
sented in writing to the agent for the district
in which the claimant resides, supported by
his oath as to the ju .tice of the same, and by
the affidavit ot one or more witnesses; anil the
claimant shall also state by whom his proper
ty was impressed or taken, and at what time
and lor what purpose and at what price, and
shall produce any written evidence in hi* pos
session relative to the same. Provided, if the
claimant be dead, or be prevented by any
cause from appearing before the agent, proof
shall be submitte i as to the fact and the occa
sion therefor, and other proof of the claim may
be taken. The exact value of trie property
must be proved, aud no speculative Or contin
gent damages or values are to be assessed.
3. Tbe agent shall, whenever it may be
deemed expedient, examine the claimant and
the witnesses or ally upon the subject of tlie
claim, and rec off their testimony.
4. The agents appointed under this act will
take the testimony of the various officers of
the army who may have been concerned in the
impressment or appropriation of any of tlie
property iu reference to which claims shall ho
made, and will ascertain by what authority
tbe same was taken, for what purpose and at
what time, and moreove- will make special in
quiry as to tlie use which was made of the
same, and inquire of all facts pertinent to the
subject.
5. Great care has been taken in the inves
tigations to be made under this act to ascertain
the justice and accuracy of anyclaiin that may
be preferred, and to prevent fraudulent or ex -
aggerated claims from being allowed, and for
that purpose all the circumstances connected
with the impressment or appropriations or
employment of property should be examined,
ihe name, rank and authority of the officer
should be reported, and whatever else that
may throw light upon the transaction.
6. All the powers confured by this act, and
all the duties prescribed by the same, are de
volved upon the agents appointed under it,
and within the time limited in the act they
will make their report to the Second Auditor
of the Treasury.
Horrid Murder by Colored Soldiers.—' Tire
Vicksburg correspondent of the Cincinnati!
Commercial, gives tbe following account of a
cold blooded murder recently committed in
Y’icksburg by negro soldiers:
John Bobb, a peacable unoffending c ; tizen,
has been most brutally murdered by negro
soldiers. Mr. Bobb and a man by the name of
- Mattingly, on going to Bobb’s house for din
ner, found a lot of negro soldiers picking flow
ers on Bobb’s premises. Bobb asked why they
were on his premises. Negroes said they didn’t
know whose house they occupied. Angry
words passed and they applied to him very
course and insulting language, when Bobb be
ing enraged, knocked down a negio sergeant
with a stone. The negro vowed to be revenged
on him and burn his house. Mr. Bobb imme
diately went to see Gen. Slocum, not anticipa
ting anything but his arrest. Gen. Slocum
promised to protect his property and person
against anything unlawful. As Bobb went to
his house, fifteen or twenty negro soldiers, led
by a sergeant, arrested him and Mattingly.—
When leading them off. Bobb asked, “where
is your Lieutenant ? Where are your officers?’ ’
The negro replied, with an oath, we can fix you
without officers!’’ Bobb supposed he was to
be taken belore the colonel of the regiment for
examination. He was, however, taken t.irough
a machine shop, and after getting one hundred
and titty rods down a bayou, ODe negro fired
a gun, the ball passing through Bobb’s back
and coining out of his abdomen. He fell, and
another shot struck him ttno.igb the cheek.—
Mattingly ran arid escaped, the blackssstopping
over Bobb’s body. They followed him, how
ever, until pursuit was useless to their purposes,
as he met Dr. Churchill, who protected him.
One ball was shot through his coat. Mrs.
Bobb and Mr. Ranum went to General Slo
cum’s headquarters, and he sent down an offi
cer—Major Gwinden, ot his staff—to ascertain
the true position of affairs. When he got to
the ground Bobb wa* dead, and the disconso
late and senseless wife over his body, with
seventy five or one hundred black soldiers
standing about the body and along the bayou,
shouting most vociferously. “We’ve got
them’’ “Ware taking them now.’’ The major
immediately ordered the arrest of all the par
ties, but up to this writing the sergeant alone
has been arrested.
The Yankee papers are especially vexed at
seeing the California gold going to Europe.—
The last vessel that arrived at Panama bad
$200,250 for New York and SOOO,OOO for Eu
rope.
Currency anb Tax Acts.—The annexed a
mendmeut to the act to reduce the currency
is one of great importance to the State Govern
ments which have been receiving Confederate
Treasury notes in payment of State due*, and
will relieve them of the necissityof levying
additional taxes on their citizens to meet the
deficiencies which would have been created by
a loss of thirty-three and one third per cent,
upon the Confederate notes in the State Treas
uries :
An act to amend an act entitled “An act t*
reduce the cuirencv and to authorize anew
issue of notes and bonds,” approved Feb. 17
1864.
The Congress of the Confederate Slates o
America do enact. ' That instead of six per cent
bonds, authoriz 'd to be issued to the States,
under the 12th section of the said act, the Sec -
retary of the Treasury is authorized and re
quired to issue to any Stare which may desire
the same, one half of such amount as the said
Slate is entitled to cl lira m Tre usury notes of
ttie new issue and the oilier half in said six per
cent bonds ; or, at the option of the State, th
coupon bonds, payable in twenty years w ith iu
ter-st at the into of four per cent bonds not to
be taxable cither ttpon principal or interest;
and this provis on shall extend to any portion
ot tlie amount which each State may be entitled
to claim.
Ihe following act makes an important ad.
uition to the taxes, as established by other
laws : w
An act to raise money to increase the pay of
soldiers.
Ihe Congress of the Confederate States of
America do enact, That upon ail subjects of
taxation, under existing tax laws, theie shall
be assessed and lei ied a tax equa 1 to one fifth
ot the amount of the present lav ou the same
subjects for tfie year 1861 : which tax shall bo
payable only in Confederate Treasury notea, of
the new issue, and shall be collected at the
same times with other taxes ou the same suha
jects, under laws now in force.
Sec. 2. The money arising from the tax beiV
by imposed, shall be apropriated, first to the
payment of the increased compensation of the
soldiers, under tbe act passed at the present
session.
Sherman's Vandalism in Missis new.— The
Selma Mississippian iu speaking of the outra
geous course pursued by Sherman when iu
Mississippi narrates the annexed :
When .Sherman’s army was in the vicinity o
Meridian,Mississippi, they took np a Mrs. Rush
info at Marion station, and whipped her severe l
iy, in older to make iter tell wire her husband
money was ; but tailed to extract the inforina
tion from her. They afterwards caught Mr
Rushing, her husband, and with a rope mourn
his tuck they swung him to a limb of a tree
swearing that they woul.i hang him until hi
was dead, unless lie would tell
money was, which he finally did to save hi
life.
Ou their retreat from Meridian, they wer
piloted bv deserters from our army to the rest
deuce of Dr. Davis and his brotner, and de(
troyod every thing they possessed, hand cuffei
them, chained them to the tail of their wagon
and took them off witb them, forno other crirn
than that ot having aided our cavalry iu put
ting deserters into the army.
As they passed farms along their route, the
took off negro men, women aud childen; mau
of the childen were dropped by the waysidt
but when they reached Tuscalameter and Beat
rivers, they drowned the ballance of tlie littli
negroes iu those streams.
Orders were given that all the negroes win
wished to go back to their homes to step ou
in front of the army; many hundreds steppe*
out, and wore shot down for wishing to g(
back to their masters.
Mr. Stephens and others along the rout*
went and met the army with smile, and extend
ed the hand of friendship to them, and inform
ed them that they were “great Union men
The Y’ankees replied that, “if they were Unior
men, they could afford to take liberties will
them,“'ami suiting their actions to their words
destroyed ail they possessed.
Grant's Barbarity. —We take the subjoiuet
extract from the Richmond correspondence o:
the Mobile Advertiser:
A friend iu Hill’s corps, who has been in al 1
the late fights, teiis me some incidents connec
ted with Grant s barbarity to his men, wkicl
are almost too revolting for recital. Tbe fieli
at the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania Courthous*
and at Gold Harbor, three or four days aftei
the tights were over, presented a scene of hor
rors which beggars all description. The Yan
kee dead lay thickly strewn at intervals foi
miles ; stark naked, many of them ; swooler
into huge bladders, black as ink ; their ey*
balls burst, teeth grinning, wounds swarming
with vermin, and ali the hair lotted off tlieii
heads, leaving the naked skull hideously ex
posed. Hundreds of the wounded are left tc
linger in torture between the fire of the tw i
lilies, and yet, such is the marvellous vitality
of some of these creatures, that they have been
known to live a week in this condition, with
out food, and with only the water which they
could lap up from tin* ground, or suck from
their saturated sleeves after a fall of rain. A
case ot this sort, in the person ol a huge back
woodsman Irom Maine, Ims attracted the at
tention of many of the ablest surgeons in Lee’s
army, aud if I am not mistaken, the fellow is
now alive in Richmond, and getting well rap
idly.
The Confederate Cruiser Al.uuua— The
following extract from the Singapore Times,
December 9, 1803, gives a graphic and rather
ludicrous picture of the effect of the Alabama’s
cruising on the movements and the nerves ol
the Yankee sea captains :
“From our to day’s shipping list, it will be
seen that there are no fewer than seventeen
American merchantmen at present in onr har
bor and that they include some of the largest
ships at present riding there. Their gross tou-i
nage may be roughly set down at 12,000 tons.
Some of these have been lying here now
upwards of three months, and most of them
at least half that period. And all this at a
time when there is no dullness in the freight
market ; but on the contrary, an active de
mand for tonnage, to ail parts of the world. It
is, indeed, to us a home picture -r-the only one
we trust to have for many years to come—of
the wide spread toils of war in these modern
days. But it is a picture quite unique in its na
ture ; for the nation to which these sixteen
fine ships belong, has a navy perhaps second
only to that of Great Britain, and the enemy
with which she has to cope is but a schism
from herself, possessed of no port lhatis not
blockaded, and owning not more than five or
six vessels in the high seas ; and yet there is
no apathy, and nothing to blame < n the part
of the United States navy. The tic ics with
which the Federals have to combat are without
precedent, and the means to enable them
successfully to’do so have not yet been de
vised.’’
Another Aiiolition Circular.— The Aboli
tion reuniting oeffier at Nashville, Tenn., has
issued the annexed order. It will be seen
that he has, with “one fell blow'’ demolished
the institution of slavery in Alabama, Georgia
and Garolinas. Here is what he says :
All able bodied men desiring to enlist may
be recruited.
Slaves presented by Ldyal owners, residing
in Kentucky or Tennessee, may be enlisted.
Certificates of enlistment are to be jjisMK
only to Loyal owners residing in KeMßcky
and Tennessee. The Recruiting Officer, oi
Agent, will state on the Certificate whether
the Claimant presented the Recruit for Enlist
munt, or, whether he applied for the Certificate
after the Recruit had been enbsttd.
There is no slavery in Alabama, Georgia, or,
the Caroliuas. Consequently no person resid-’
ing in either of those States can receive Certif
icates that their slaves have been enlisted. j
Befoie receiving Certificates of Enlistment
Claimants must .file with the Officer or Agent!
giving the Certificate, an Oath of Allegianca
to the United States and an Affidavit that tbciH
have never in any way, aided the present ReH
beilion. S|
Gen. Gustavus W. Smith’s Staff —Gen. G
W. Smith, upon command of thi
First Division of Georgia Militia appointed thi
following gentlemen upon bis staff :
Ganeial Robert Toombs, Inspector Gen
Major W. R. DeGraffenried, Adjutant
ral. . ,
Col. Joseph S. CJaghorn, Chief of ArtillerJ
and Ordnance.
Coi. Luther H. O. Martin, Chief QuartermaJ
ter. j
Major W. J. Williford, Chief Commissary. I
Dr. Henry R. Casey, Medical Director. I
Dr. Thomas A. Rains, Division Surgeon. *
Col. Linton S ephens, Aid-de-Camp. |
We see from our eschangestbat the la(d
heavy rains extended from the Mississippi rivel
to the Atlantic ocean, as far north as the TeJ
nessee and south to tiro Gulf. a
The Alabama papers continue to complaffl
of tho unlawful impressments in that .State, 8