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VOLUME XIX
Jilt flome Courier.
UBUBIIKD EVERY FRIDAY MORH’O
~By X. DWINELL,
EDITOR ARB PROPRIETOR.
TKRM8 0P BUMCMFTICN.
K for 111 Mntlii. m A<niee.
ROME GA„ FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 11, 1863,
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Editorial Correepoadenoe.
Mit.i.t.inoirti.i.a, Dee. 2, 1063.
D**a CnaaiRK: Yooterday the House
had under consideration the General
fax Bill. The common estimate 1*
dial the expense* of the State, includ
ng the large appropriation* content
lated, will bo ot least thirteen million
ellar*. There a Tory general feeling
furor of raising, by taxation, an
imount sufficiently large, so that it,
with al»* income from the State Road
ad th# Income Tax, shall liquidate
hi* entire debt. The argument in fa.
or of tbi* course is, that money is now
depreciated tbnt it would he great
oily t« oontraet debt* now, and leave
hem to b« paid after the currency
ball hare returned to a specie biwi*.—
t is urged that no sensible man in the
management of hi* private nSuin' would ,
,hink of thi* course. On the other
land, it is very evident that in tome
lections of the State, the enemy and
our own tioop* have *o exhausted the
usual resource* of the people, that it
id he impossible for them to realise
mything like their usual income, and
consequently to pay a tax of ont and
i A*/, or perhaps even one per cent, to
the State, end then a Urge Confederate
tax in addition,' would necessarily pro
duce great distress. The Bill wa# dis-
sused to considerable length, and then
iferred again to the Finance Commit'
ef
The ‘*Dog Law" was defeated, Mr.
Bzzard, of Atlanta, who introduced the
Bill, gave a firm and strong support.—
May it not be that similar Bills have
hitherto been made so much a matter
of jest, that this Bill did not get that
lerious consideration which its merits
on titled!
A BUI passed the Sonale on Monday
for the reorganization of the Militia.—
It provides for the a nrollment of nl
frets white male resident of the State,
from 16 to 60 years ef sgo. The same
Bill will come in the House to day.
The Committee en the Deaf and
Unmb Asylum reported sgalnst rnviv
ing that Institution at present, and
their report was confirmed by the
House. Arrangements are however to
he made, so that it may be revived in'
1865.
The recent disaster to our army near
Chattanooga created considerable ex*
ettemont here, but yet there was very
little .exhibition of despondency. Many
members from the Northern part of
the State were granted leave of absence
to allow them to go home.
The Legislature Will probably adjourn
«n the 8th inst.
The post three nights have been the
coldest of the season, with ioe about 1
of an inch in thickness—the days are
fright and comparatively pleasant.
No news of exciting interest.
M.D.
Miuidoiyilli, Dec. 4, 1863,
Comma—Yesterday was the
most exciting day in the House, we
®»ve had this session. The Bill under
consideration, restrict* the planting of
°«tton, to one acre to the hand, but al.
1°»» all heads of families to pUht at
least three acres. It is impossible to
give even a sketch of the many inter-
ing and spirited speeches, pro and con*
In the main, the division bn this ques
tion wa* rather a sectional one—the
members from the Northern section of
the Mute favoring the Bill, while those
fram the Middle and Southern parts
opposed K— although there were quits
a number of exceptions to this ciaksifi
cation. The arguments in favor of the
Bill were of course based on the ap>
prehension of a scarcity of provisions.
The opponent* of the Bill olaim that in
Lower Georgia as much, or nearly as
much grain can be raised, while plant,
ing three acres to the hand, as if none
whatever were planted.
They further urge that they already
have on haqd more corn than can pos.
eibly be carried away by the present
facilities for transportation—that much
corn hae already been destroyed by
weevils, and that' if they are compelled
to raise only grain it will necessarily be
left on their hands to be eaten by wee
vil» or otherwise destroyed. They fur.
thermore assert that it will be lmpossi|
ble for that section of the State to pay
their taxes unleu they be allowed to
raise a sufficient amount ofrjeotton for
that purpose. The Bill was passed by
a vote of 68 to 07. The Speaker, who
is opposed to the Bill, might have de
feated it under the rules of the Houle,
but he failed to do this for the reason,
probably, that he did not, at the time,
think of his prerogative. This morn
ing the BUI was reconsidered and it is
very probable that it will be finally
lost, anil the present law, that prohibits
the planting of more thau three acres
«f cotton to the hand during th* con.
linuance of the war, will remain in
force. A Bill similar to the House Bill
was this morning defeated in the Sen
ate by a vote of 18 to 21.
A joint resolution to adjourn on 8ai
urday the 12th inst. hoi passed both
Houses.
The Militia Bill is the speeisl order
for to-day, M. .D.
Reports from Knoxville.
Tho reports of the capture of Burn
side by Longstreet,.so current a day or
two since, is not confirmed. The Chat
tanooga Rebel says:
Although it is certain that Knoxville
is closely invested, it is by no rasnn*
certain that the result will be as satis
factory as eould be desired. The indi
cation* now are that Grant is sending
large reinforcements to East Tennessee'
and they raoy be able and probably
will,, rake tho seigo. Whether ony
portion of Hardee’s army can bo use-
fully and salely employed to prevent
Grunt from overwhelming Longatreet’s
army, i* a question we are not prepared
to answer. Tho situation is painfully
interesting. *
Several second hand reports have
reached us. One says that Longstreet
carried the plaoe by assault, Rapturing
7,000 prisoners, and that Burnside be
fore, the surrender, killed all of hi
horses and mules to prevent their fall*
ing into our hands. Another, asserts
tho capture of the place, but puts the
prisioners at 11,000. The sudden fall
ing back of Grant from llinggoid may
have been in consequence of infomio
tion received by him, that Knoxville
had fallen.
gGrTh* Mills House and Charleston
Hotel have been closed, on account of
the pressure of the times.
Mff*The Board of Director* of the
Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, de
sign to aid in the erection of a rolling
mill for railroad and other iron.
MtTStevenson’s Division, Dea’s Brig
ade and Reynold’s Brigade have been
charged with running in the recent
battle and they oil deny it. Now the
question arises, “•ho did run!” or "did
anybody runt”
Mff-God rules both heaven and earth
He is omnipotent. Generals are but
men, and however great their abilities
and undaunted their courage, without
the Divine help, it avails but little. We
are too apt, on the one hand, to cen
sure our leaders, and on the other band,
to bestow praise upon them with a lav
ish hand. We either make them Dev
ils or Gods. Viotory is of God alone,
and He is the one to whom we must,
look.—Knot. Reg,
v, We sen that many of our citizens
or* moving, and preparing to tnoVe
further South, in order to be out of
harm’s way, if possible. The danger of
a raid is now mpre seriously apprehend,
ed than ever, but wo hope tho raiders'
will hay* to pass through a forest ere
they reach here.
Corretpondente of the Savannah Republican.
The Battle of Missionary Ridge.
Aruy or Tinkesser, )
Cbieamauga, Nov. 25, Midnight. J
The Confederates have sustained to
day the most ignominious defeat of
the whole war—a defeat for whioh
there is but little exouse or palliation.
For tho first timo during our strugglo
for national independence, our defeat
s chargeable to tho traops themselves,
and not to the blunders or incompe-
tonoyof their leaders. It<sdifficultfor
one to realize how dofeat so complete
could have occurred on ground so fa
vorable, notwithstanding the great dis
parity in the forces of the two hosttile
armies. Tho ground was tnoro in our
favor tiian it was at Fredericksburg-
whore Gen. Longstreet it Bald to have
estimated that Lee’s army was equal to
300,00U men. And yet wa gamed the
battle of Fredericksburg and lost that
of Missionary Ridge.
But let us take up the painful narra
tive at the beginning, and see how this
great misfortune, if not this grievous
disgrace, has befallen tho Confederate
arms.
Lookout Mountain was evacuated
lost night, it being no longer important
to us after the loss of Lookout or Will's
Valley, and no longer tenable against
such an overwhelming fotee as Gen
Grant has concentrated around Chatta
nooga. Gen. Bragg abandoned also tho
whole of Chattanooga valley, and the
tranches and breastworks running
along the foot of Missionary Ridge and
aoross the valley to the base of Look
out, and moved his troops up to tho
top of th* ridge. It was found neCess
sary to extend his right well up toward
the Cbieamauga near its mouth, in con
sequence of the heavy forces which the
enemy had thrown up the river in that
direction. The Tennessee and Mission,
ary Ridge approaeh nearer to each other
as one goes up, or rather down the
valley, the width of which at some
points does net exceed one-fourth of a
mile. Across the valley, now almost
an open plain, varying from n fourth of
a mile to two miles width, the Federals
advanced to the assault, their ranks
exposed to our artillery fire from the
Ridge while iu the plain, and to the
infantry fire when they attempted the
ascent of the hill or mountain.
The only objection that c»u be urged
aguinst our line was its length und
wuaknesiis, the latter being Ute result
of the former, and the former the re
sult of oireumstances beyond our con
trol. It being necessary Tor us to guard
the passes in the Ridge and to conform
to the length of the line presented by
tho oni-my. The Ridge varies in height
from four to six hundred feet, and is
cros-ed by several road* lending out
from Chattanooga. The western side
next to the eaemy was steep and rug
ged, and in some places almost bare
the timber having been cut away for
firewood. Our pickets occupied the
breastworks below, while tho infantry
and artillery were distributed along the
east of the Ridge from MoFurian’s Gap
almost to the mouth of Chicamnuga, n
distance of six miles or woro. In ad
dition to the natural strength o< the
position, we had thrown up hreustworks
along the Ridjgo wherever the ascent is
easy.
The Federal army was marshalled
under Grunt, Thomas, Hooker and
Sherman, and did not number less
than 85,000 veteran, troops, Tho Con
federate army under Bragg, Hardee
and Breckinridge, did not number
•half so many. Longstreet’s Virginia
division and other troops had keen
sent to East Tennessee. Had these
boen preseat, with their steady leader
at the bead of them, we should have
won a victory quit* as complete os our
defeat has been. As it was we ought
to have won the day, and should havu
done s> if our men had done os well
as usual. Possibly a mistake was com
mitted when Longstreet was seat away,
and possibly it would hare been better
not to have accepted battle to-day, but
have retired last night. General Bragg
thought, however, that there was not
time, after the loss of Lookout, to get
his army safely over the Chieamauga
last night, and'that it would be better,
occupying so strong a position, to fight
it out. But what nould he expeet from
battle where the odds were so much
against him! Not only did Grant have
nearly throe to one in number, hut
the geographical configuration of the
ground; in maneuvering an army, was
os favorable as he could desire. Na
ture had provided an ample- protection
for his flank and rear, and rendered
his front almost impregnable. He pos
sessed the additional advantage of be
ing able to manoeuvre his army upon
the ohord of saml-circlf-, while Bragg
could move only upon the arc.
But let as proceed with tbq battle,
the strangest, most singular and un-
sitisfontory conflict in whioh our arms
have been engaged.
Grant deployed his immense masses
in two heavy lines ef battle, and some
times in three, supported by large re
serve forces. The speotaole was mag
nificent os viewed from the crest of
Missionary Ridge, He advanced first
against our right wing, about 10 o’clook,
where he encountered that superb sol
dier, Lieut. General Hardee, who com
manded on the right, whilst Major
General Breckinridge commanded on
the left. Hardee’s command embraced
Cleburne's, Walker's (commanded by
Gen. Gist, General Walker being ab
sent), Cheatham's and Stevenson’s di
visions. Breckinridge’s embraced his
old division, commanded by Brig.Gen.
Lewis, Stewart’s, part of Buokner’s.and
Hindman’s commanded by Patton An
derson. The enemy’s first assault upon
Hardee was repulsed with great slaugh
ter, as was his -socond, though made
with double lines supported with heavy
reserves. The wove of battle, like the
wave of the sea when it dashes against
a rock bound.coast, beat, and hissed,
and struggled in vain; for the brave
men who guarded our right were re
solved never to yield one foot to the
hated invaders. The odds against which
they-contended were fearful; for vrtille
the enemy advanced in two or even
three massive lines, their own army
consisted of only on# long and weak
line, without supports. Yet they not
only repulsed every attack, but captu
red seven flags, about 300 prisoneis,
and regtained master* of the ground
until night, when they were ordered to
retire, carrying off all their guns, losing
no prisoners, and but a small per oen-
tage of killed and wounded. The
whole command behaved well, and
especially that model soldier, Msj, Oeu.
Cleburne, a true son of the Emerald
Isle, and his beroie division. Gen
Hardee, saved the army from a disas
trous rout, and added fresh laurels to
his brow. -
The attack on the left wing was not
made until about noon. Here, os on
the right, the enemy was repulsed:
but ho was obstlimte, and fought with
great ardor and confidence, returning
to tlie charge again and again in the
handsomest style, until one of our
brigades hear the centre, said to be
Reynold’s, gave way and the Federal
matiy ns thirty or forty. The infantry
supports in some instances fled so pre
cipitately that there was no timo left
to romove the guns. Thera were but
few roads down the mountain by whioh
they could retreat, on.d this occasioned
further loss. AH the artillery behaved
well. The men in Cobb's battery stood
their ground after thoir supports had
fled, and though they lost their guns,
they fought them to th* last; and when
they could use them no longer on ao.
count of th* steepness of the descent,
they hurled hand grenades at the foe
as ho crawled np the mountain beneath
the muzzles of the guns.
The enemy’s loss must haveexceedod
ours ten to one. Our dead and some
of the wounded were left on the field.
P. W. A.
azroRis or tie rstss association.
Entered according to act of Congress In
—l t by<f. 8. - ’ •’
tbe yesr 1803, by g. b. Inatenm, in tho
Clerk’s oflioo of tbo Dlitriot Court of tho
Confedsrate Blstes for th* Northern District
of Georgia. »
flag was plunled on Missionary. Ridge*
The enemy was not slow in availing
himself of the great advantages of bis
new position. Iu a few minutes ho
turned upon our flanks mid poured
into them a terrible enfilading fire,
which soon throw tho Confederates on
his right and left into confusion. Un.
der this confusion, tbo gap in our line#
grew widor and wider, and tho wider it
grew tlie faster tbe multitudinous foe
rushed into the yawning chasm. The
confusion extended until it finally os
sumod the form of n panic. Seeing
the enemy in possession of a portion St
the heights, the men hastily concluded
that tlie day way gone, and that they
bad best save themselves. Just at this
time the alarm was increased by an
artillery battery wnioh rushed down tbe
hill to the river for a fresh supply of
ammunition; tlie men however, sup
posed they were flying from the field
and that all was lost. Nearly the whole
left wing eventually became involved
and gave way—a portion of it retiring
uuder orders, but the greater part in an
unmitigated-rout.
General Bragg did all he could’ to
rally the fugitives and reform the bro
ken line. He exposed himself in the
most unguarded manner, and at one
time it looked as if he would certainly
be killed. His staff officers were also
conspicuous in their efforts to restore
our line. They and their ohief were
tbe last to leavo the Ridge.
The day was lost. Hardee still main
tained his ground ; but no success of
the right wing could restore the felt to
its original position. All men—even
tho bravest—aro subject to error and
confusion; but to-day seme of the Con
federates did not fight with their aseus,
tomed courage. Possibly the oontrast
between the heavy masses pf the Fed
eralaosthey rolled across the valley
and up the mountain ridge, aud their
own long and attenuated line, was not
of a character to encourage them.
Our casualties are small—very small
—too snqall, indeed, to be recorded
along with so complete and humiliating
a defeat. Included among onr losses
are some of ear best gnus—perhaps as
Latest from the Front.
Special to the Atlanta Intelligencer,
Dalton, Deo. 1.—The enetqy after
burning a portion of Ringgp'd to.day
commenced a retreat, destroying the
bridges and railroad traok to Chleka<
mauga.
Tbe enemy holds Cleveland and are
advancing on Charleston. 290
In the retreat on Friday, the heroio
Cleburne ambushed the enemy, killing,
and wounding some 2,000, and captur
prisoners, and two stands of colors
from Onterhouse’s bommand.
Gen. Breokinridge’s son who was U'
ken prisoner, is in th* hand of Gen
Wood.
The Yanks* who took him was him
self eaptured by our foreei.
Dalton, Dee. 2.—Gen. Bragg, at his
own requeit/W been relieved by the
President.
He was serenaded.last night by the
band of the 4th Florida, Bate’s Brigade
On being called out, (i*.said: "Accept
my gratitude and heartfelt thanks for
the compliment. Th* association so
long existing between tu has ceased,
and to*morrow I will leave them all.’*
He alluded to the many bloody battles
fought, and owned his little reputation
to his brave troops. In a most feeling
and touohing manner he took a long
and sad farewell, and assured them
that the memory of hi* associations
with them would be over held fresh in
hit mind.
Gon. Bate being called for, made a
most beautiful allusion to the career of
Gen. Bragg, ending by assurances that
by apion and harmony Tennessee would
by next spring or autumn, be restored.
Gens. Bpiggund Bate were both vocif
erously oheered, and the greatest en'
thusiasm prevailed.
Reds. Brookinridge and Hardee were
also serenaded, and made appropriate
speeches.
A corps of 15,000 men passed through
Cleveland yesterday on thCir way to
Benton. •'
The report in the Savannah Republi
can of the desertion of Col. Hollenquist
of Bragg’s staff, is basely false. He
aoted most gallantly at Chattanooga as
chief of Artillery.
Nothing official as yet from Long
street. 290
On assuming command Lieutenant
General Hardee issued the following
General Order to the soldiers of the
army of Tennessee;
“General Bragg having been relieved
from duty with this army, the com
mand has devolved upon me. The
steady purpose—the unflinching cour
age and unsullied patriotism of the
distinguished leader who has shared
your fortunes for more then two years,
will long be remembered by the army
and the country he served so well.
I desire to say on assuming command
that there is no cause for discourage
ment. Mid overwhelming numbers of
the enemy foroed us back from Mission
ary Ridge, but the army is still intact
and in good heart, our losses were
small and were rapidly replaced. The
oountry is looking to you with painfhl
interest. I feel I can rely upon you.
Tbe weak tide need to be oheered by
the constant successes of tbe vioters of
Sbilob, Perry,ville, Murfreesboro’ and
Cbicamaffga, and requires such stimu
lant to sustain their oourage and reso
lution. Let the past take care of itself
We care meat to secure the future.
Signed W. J. HARDEE,
Lieut. Genes*!.
NUMBER 6
At the, time of Cleburn’s late engage
ment Grant’s headquarters were at
Ringgold, but believing we would at-
tuck bis ni my retreated in grtmt disor
der, crossing Chieamauga atlt burning
tbe bridges after him. -
General Bragg , leaves to-night for
Newnau where his family aro residing.
Richmond, Deo. 3.—Tho following
was received last night:
Dalton. Deo. 2.
Gin. S. Coopeiu
The enemy has folton back aoross tho
Chlokamaugo, destroying everything in
their route, including the railroad
track and bridges.
Their loss was very heavy in the at.
took on cur roar guard under General
Cleburne.
(Signed) Braxton Bbaqo.
Richmond, Dee, 8.
The following was reoelvod lost
night: Osanoe C. H., Deo, 2.
Gin. 8. doom.
Tho enemy retreated during tho
night. Pursuit was mode this morn
ing, but ho had reoiorsed the Rwpidan
before wo reached it. A few prisoners
were captured-
(Signed) R. E. Lit, Gon.
ObanqbC.H., Deo. 3.-The enemy
has reorossed the Rapidan to Culpeper,
at the fords by whioh they came, with
out n fight. One hundred more prism
go to Riohmond to day.
Charliston, Deo. 3.—Between three
and four this morning, the enemy open
ed with three guns and throw twenty
six shells in the city. Several build
ings were struok but no person injured*
Another arlilery duel took place be<
tween the enemy’s batteries and were
over on James Island for about an
hour. Very little firing on Sumter.
Mobile, Dee- 2.—The Adv. k Reg.
has advices from Texas to the 26th.
The 2nd Yankee army corps of Orr
and Franklin have abandoned their
campaign in Louitina, leaving the State
as free from Yankee rule as when
Banks besieged - Port Hudson. Gen.
Walker maintains the blockade of the
Mississippi between the mouth of Red
river and Morgansa. Nothing but iron
olads can pass.
Discouraging accounts are given of
desertions from Price’s army since
Holmes resumed command.
Banks, with 5000 troops, has occu
pied Brownsvillo. He did not capture
moro than 50 bales of cotton.
Corteua, the Mexican guerilla chief,
has pronounced against Juaraz and the
French, and holds Matamoros, creating
the diffisulty of trade by the Rio
Grando.
Gin. Ewill.—We are pained to learn
that this distinguished officer is com
pelled to leave the field for a time at
least, his health being too weak and
feeble to undergo the fatigue. He will
be succeeded in the command of hit
corps by General Jubal A. Early, an old
and experienced soldier, and one of
the best fighters in the army.
BSP Colored graduates of medical
colleges are to be examined for ap
pointments to colored regiments in the
departments of the South, Gulf and
Tennessee.
8®* The Lincoln Govornment is the
most inconsistent of Despotism. It re.
moves Roseorauz for getting drunk on
opium, and in tho next moment makes
tbe soldiers ef its army drunk with
whisky to make them fight.
We are repeatedly told that
gold is “going up.” None of it has got
up this for yet.—Atlanta Confederacy.
J5ffi“The Northern papers declare, in
flaming capitals, that “Charleston Will
be Ours by Christmas." Tho corres*
pondont of the Baltimore American
says thot “Fort Sumter is entirely de»
molished, but it is still held by a party
of rebels concealed in some of theorev-
ices of tbe ruins, who restore tbe rebel
flag whenever it is shot away 1’
8©“A negro who was captured by
Gen. Forrest in Yankee land, and hired
with others to A. K. Beago, Esq., was
hung at Stone Mountain, yesterday, at
3 P.M., for committing a rape upon %
little white girl eleven years of age.
The boy had been engaged hearth*
Mountain in getting out tan bark. He
was followed to his camp and arrested.
A jury wasjirapannel led, evidence hoard,
and the oulprit found guilty and exe
cuted. The negro, we learn, exhibited
great audacity, and gloried that he had
succeeded in accomplishing tho horrid
.deed, He was still hanging to the
trie this iteming.-—At. Rey.