Newspaper Page Text
Vi 'r.^^r* t _*fc
XV &
ATHENS, CEORCIA:
WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL 30.
Latest Circulation of any Paper ever published in
‘ _ ° •* power, for article 1, HCCtOJl 9, expressly,tier , Notwithstan.iing earn is verv iibuuflatit. wo bad to pay
Mount Sinai, Aaron, the _ c | a |. os that “ The riuht HV the people to $i,40 per bushel for moul iho other daji Should the
^*SEE FOURTH PAGE.-«h
Paper.
Wo have again got a lot of paper, but
oh! what a price!—$7.50 per ream! Good
paper only cost ns $3.25 twelve months
ago. With such prices for paper, and
every thing else proportionally high, how
are wo to furnish our sheet at $2 a year?
And yet, strango to say, many persons
who are indebted to us one, two, throe,
four, five, six, seven eight, ten, and even
twelve years, refuse or fail to pay that!!
Is there justice in such treatment?
A Pair of Hams at $‘2.i.OO!
To give our readers some idea of tho
manner in which we are “skinned,” we
may mention Hie,fact that we paid last
week twenty-‘five dollars for a pair of ba
con hams! ’In 1849, with $24.00 webonght
enough pork to do our family all the next
year—indeed, wo sold some bacon. In
1843 we bought a pretty good horse for
one-half the amount those hams cost us !!
Let those who withhold what they are
justly owing us think of these things!
Tableaux.
We learn that the tableaux were well
attended at tho Town Hall last week, and
netted a considerable sum for the benefit
of sick soldiers, &c.
Another old.Citizen Gone!
Dr. Cuaui.es Al. Reuse died «t> hie resi
dence in this town on Wednesday evening
last. The deceased had been a citizen of
the place many years—“-wo believe he was
one of our oldest citizens. He had, we
believe, passed the period allotted for hu
man life by the Psalmist. Unusually ro
bust and active, his health had been very
good until within the last year or two.
Universally respected, he has gone to his
reward, and will be long remembered by
O ir people.
Domestic Manufactures.
.We are pleased to record the fact, that
Mr. R. Sehevonell has succeeded in mak
ing machinery for tho manufacture of cot
ton cards—an article so much needed
throughout the' Southern Confederacy at
this time.
We are now using printing ink of our
own manufacture, which is much
in quality than wo have bought for several
years past. Owing to the high price of
materials, however, it is quito expensive.
Double-barrelled Cannon.—M r. (fi lee-
land has invented a double barrelled can
non for throwing chain shot, which has
been tested and found to work satisfacto
rily. Two shots are confined to tho ond
of a chain and one placed in each barrel
of tho gun. tho bores of which diverge
•lightly, and causo tho balls to separate
the full length of the chain—cutting down
everything in their path. Of course, the
barrels are tired simultaneously.
Fort Jackson.
Tho enemy utterly faded to reduce this
noble stronghoid at, or near the mouth of
the Mississippi. They passed it, however,
with their gunboats and ascended the riv
er to New Orleans. How every heart in
the Confederacy thrilled as, from day to
day, the news was borne by telegraph that
the brave garrison still bold out! But, it
seems that their valor and the strongth of
the works were nob sufficient to save tho
oity—which, doubtless, is now in the hands
of the enemy.
Promotion.
Wo are pleased to learn that Robert
Flournoy, son ofH. C. Flourxoy, Fsq.,
of this place, has been promoted to a first
lieutemmtoy in the Confederate Navy.
The News.
We regret that we have no better news
to offer our readers this week. It is our
duty to give them such as comes into our
possession, whether good or bad. We hope
to have something better next time.
Attention^ Militia!
Gov. Brown has given notico that he
will require such of tho militia as are not
subject to conscription to continue their
drills, &c. as heretofore.
*. W-'i, IDOLATRY.
One of the strongest passions of the hu
man soul is idolatry, and hence it is the
first thing mentioned in the decalogue, and
the Old Tostaraent Scriptures are full of
warnings against it. Nor aj’e these warn
ings unnecessary.
After God had miraculously delivered
his peculiar people from thqjr enemies, by
taking them dry-shod through the Red
Sea, and when, in the midst of thunderings
and lightnings, and earthquakes, and fire
and smoko, he was conversing audibly
with Moses iu
priest, was calling upon the peoplo to
join him in tho worship of the golden calf'
he had qmdo!
Our people are shocked at this picture
of human,depravity, and yet they are daily
practising tho same species of idolatry.
Wo are threatened with utter destruction
• —War desolates our land—lean, lank and
hungry Famine is following in tho blood
stained footsteps of War—and yet, some
of our priests are calling upon tho people
to worship—not literally a golden calf
which they havo made—but to bow down
to the host of “calves” who happen to
possess gold! In other words, instead ol
denouncing tho extortion so rife in the
land, as God requires them to do, they en
deavor to excuse it!" more especially wheri
practised by the rich men of their congre
gations !
Nor do they stop here. They arrogant- j
ly assume tho right to assign to the Al- j
mighty a position in the present conflict!
It is not for us to say what His position
is, but we think we are warranted by our
reading of the Scriptures to say that so
long as our priests and peoplo practise
such open, down-right idolatry as is now
so prevalent in the land, we need not ex
pect the Divine blessing.
. “ Military Necessity,” Constitutions, <fcc.
Heretofore it 1ms been the prevalent
idea of tho world that, written constitutions,
rigidly adhered to, could alone preserve j
the public liberties. These old-fashioned j
notiort*, wo ara eory to aee, are about to J
give way to the doctrine of “ military neces- j
war by railroad,” and in justification" of
the same, to lay before tho House and
the country the following as our reasons,
viz:
“ l.oWo believe that-there is" no power
granted by the Constitution, either ex
pressed or implied, that authorizes Con
gress in appropriating or seizing the pro
perty of States or persons, and placing the
same, oitlior for temporary or permanent
purposes, in the hands of the executive, or
any* wise disposing of snmo without
the consent of the owners thereof, Ou
the contrary, wo believe that the Consti
tution expressly prohibits mid denies such
peopl
be securo in their persons, houses, papers
and effects against unreasonable searches
arid seizures shall not be violated.”
“ 2. Wo believe that this act, did it be
come alaw, would bo subversive of and in
direct contravention to, the great and fun
damental principles of Stale sovereignty ;
tho right to regulate their own domestic
institutions being one of those unalienablo
sacred rights reserved by-tho States com
posing our Confederacy, and. the destruc
tion of which would inevitably tend to
the speedy- destruction of our liberties.
“3. We believe tho act to be altogether
inexpedient and uucalled for, and that the
several railroads in tho Confederate States
—all of which have been prompt and will
ing to aid the government to tne very ut
most of their capacity and atredued char
ges—havo been, and will contiuue to be,
far better managed by their presidents aud
directors, chosen by the stockholders,
who aro more conversant with all the min
ute and complicated details of their roads,
and the proper and economical manage
ment of»heir means of transportation than
the executive or hip military subordinates
could possibly do.
“ For these and other equally cogent
reasons which must occur to every intelli
gent mind not unreasonably depressed by
tho exergencies and vicissitudes, through
which Providence has decreed that we
should pass in our progress to national in
dependence, and which we hope and be
lieve are but the preeurso s of victory
and success, wo protest against said act,
and respectfully request that this our pro
test bo entered on the journal.
[Signed] “ Augustus R. Wright.
“ Tuomas J. Foster.” '
A Reminiscence of the!/fast. i
All will recollect witli what internt-tilio whole conn try
looked to the action of Congress in roferenc'.! to Critten
den’s plan of settlement iu the latter part of 18G0 ami
Counterfeit Shinplasfers.
Wo are informed that counterfeit shin-
plastors of the Augusta Savings Bunk are
in circulation in this pitied! Well, tho man
Mho wou.ld counterfeit shinplastcrs is ca
pable of any thing low and mean.
Slty. If the people quietly acquiesce in j JgGJ. Many persons believed Crittenden was then
tho usurpations pratised upon their rights
and tolerate tho violations of the Constitu
tion lately perpetrated, this doctrine of
“ military’ necessary” will soon convert this
land of liberty into a militity despotism
or something worse. Are the people rea
dy’ for this ?
Read in connection with this subject the
following article which we exhact from
a late number ofthu Chronicle & Sentinel:
A Protest.—:Wo are glad to see,' from
the protest of Messrs. Wright, of Georgia,
and Foster, of Alabama, against the seiz
ure of the Railroads by tho Government,
that there are some members of Congress
that arc willing to recognize the fact that
there is such a thing as the Constitution
of tho Confederate States. So ln»»# *» time
had elapsed since that document has been
mentioned, and so continually had its pro
visions been ignored and violated, that
thcro existed some doubt if it had not been
totally annulled by’ Congress in some of
its secrctscssions.
In spite of the plain provisions of the
Constitution against internal improve,
meats by the General Government which
formed such valid ground' of complaint
against tho old Government, we find the
constitutional objection against, build
ing lines of Railroads in Louisiana and
Texas and the Danville connection, in
North Carolina very feebly' urged, and wo
believe it has been enacted that these
roads shall he built in direct violation of
the Constitution. Thus the latitudinarkin
principles of the old government are per
petuated.
Tho same pica of military necessity
which was used by* the Federal Govern-
.. ment to justify tho building of the Pacific
Railroad, which was so bitterly opposed
by the strict-constructionists of the South,
is used to excuse these violations of the
plain provisions of the Confederate Consti
tution. This plea of military necessity,
has become to be the excuse for
of usurpations—not only for
Railroads, for taking private property for
public uses without compensation, for
abridging the liberty* of the citizen, for in
terfering with trade, but even for repeal
ing tbe laws of the State, and taking the
command of its militia out of the hands
of its Governor, or for his willingly arijl
illegally yiolding up his. prerogatives. If
military necessity is always to excuse eve
ry* arbitrary' act of the General Govern
ment, and every' infringement of private
rights, it is test no longer to deceive the
poople with tho idea that they* live under
a government controlled by constitution
and laws. No people in any ago of the
world have been more ready than ours to
give up everything for the cause in which
they are struggling, but they cannot see
The Fall of New Orleans.
Wo fear thcro can be no longer any
doubt as to the fate of the great commer
cial emporium of tho South. The iutelli-
gencothat,(fee cotton and public stores
were destroyed affords some gratification j
but the suspiciGs^that this groat calamity
io result of ttjfin system of « masterly
•first session of
Congress, bog
‘“thus
tween their liberties and military despo
tism broken down, and they' will therefore
admire the manliness of those public men
who have the courage to protest against
any arbitrary’assumption of power.
We copy from tbe proceedings of Con
gress on Monday the following protest:
Mr. Foster, of Alabama, offered tho fbl-
. - | lowing protest, and asked that it be on
| ed on the mi nates:
rly J “We, the undaligned, members
Francos E Finch 50o; Mis Naaoy Nichols 1; Mrs Win
Seymour 1; Mrs Susan Tate ales Mrs A J Seymour 1;
Confederate Lady 1; Mrs H H Write 25c; Miss Mary Car
rol 25c.
Tfeo Growing Wheat drop.
A friond, writing from Hull, informs us that tho
wheat crop is an entiro failure In that oounty. He says
mildew first appeared on the blades near tho prouod—
tiion rust—and . now wliolo fluids are dry aud dead!—
Hundreds of acres have boon ploughed up and planted
with corn,. end hundreds more would he, if there were
laborers to do it.
Wo havo licitrd of rust on tbs blade for some week or
two past, in this section, but had hoped that no seiious
damage would ensue. If a general blight shall come
upon wheat, tho consequences will be traly disastrous.
true to the South, while others thought he wus prepar
ing t« desert her aud go over to the cueiay.
Tho f (lowing is a copy of a letter written to Mr.
Crittenden about tbut time by our highly esteemed
friend, Hon. N. L. Hutchins, of Lawreneeville, and
which a friend sent to us the other day. As what the
Judge then predicted, has since become history, wo
trust be will pardon tho liberty wo take in laying this
letter before the public.
Lawrhncevill, Ga., Jan. 10, ISfil.
Hon. John J. Crittenden, (J. S. S.: Allow incus acitizen
of Georgia, to express to you iny thanks fur your pat
riotic exertions in laboring to save our common coun
try from groat injury, if not from min—but while I do
this, 1 am quite sure that your efforts to save the Uniou
ns it is, must fail. The antagonism of tho North and
South is radical and incurable ; there is no hopo that
both can lire in pea.u under the same general system :
neither one will yield to the other except by fi.rco.
When that is resorted to, tho Union is gone of eourso,
and what kind of governments may follow, it is vain to
guess.
I cannot doubt, that the time has come, or is closo
at hand, when tho North aud South, the free amksisvc
States, must sen ,r *te. Cun t.lii* l>o done aud save the
lights of all ? I do not doubt it, unless the Xorth hag
determined t-i subjnyate the South—to carry -out in or
ganized force tejt-tt isos betjnn irreyularly by Join, prawn.
Tho only plan suggested to my mirnt, is to take your
proposition, in part—that is, as to tho division of the
Territory, and let the North aud South peaceably sepa
rate, agreeing that, although they will iu the future
form distinct organizations, commerce, friuudskip and
postal arrangements between tbeui shall ho unrestrict
ed, and that an alliance, offensive and defensive, shall
eonfiaue to exist. In making this separation, the pub-
lie property—besides tho Territory, which can bo divi
ded by tho lino you suggest—shall bo divided equally
according to population, and that tho public debt shall
be rate ably paid on the same basis. This would ic-
liece the consciences of our N ortLcrn friends, who feel
it a religious duty to abolish slavery, because, they say,
it is iu their government, and all would go on in peace
hereafter, while no branch of public or private busi
ness of either section would bo injured. Then, each
section could enjoy their religious opinions, and wor
ship their God in their own way, without offento to
others. This would avoid tear, and all the hot fort that
are Just ahead of us. Separation it {Heritable! : The
only question is, how is this to bo effected witl the
least injury to all concerned? It seems to me, mad as
both sections of the country are at present, a plait such
as I suggest, might bo acceptable to all; it wolld, ut
least, bo just to all, while it would avoid that greatest of
all calamities—>icor between the sections, which mustend '
in eterual estrangement, after the'greatest injury has!'
i all sections of the country'.'
r troubling you with this, and believe
wheat crop tail, will tho Shylunh* be satisfied with less
than $5 per bushel for corn?
Cheap Living I
Tw'euty-fivo dollars a pair lor bacon bmps—sixteen
dollars per bushel for salt—$1.40 for inoai—$11 for
flour—35 cents for lartyLlo. for butter—do. for chick
ens—and 20 cents for oggs!! Cheap living in Athens!
Bat who cares ? Don’t wo all know that “ Cotton «•
King1” »
The Third Georgia at South JrfHls.
We aro indebted to a friond for the following extract
of a letter from an officer of tho Athens Guards, giving
an account of tho late light at South Mills:
Bank ok Dismal Swamp Camai.. N.C.)
April 2I*r, 18G2. J
Justnfter sunrise on Saturday morning last, tho men
who had not awaked were aroassd by the keen report of
cannon. This was continued fur 20 or 30 minutes, when
tho companies in advance of us passed by tho church at
which we were stationed, and mo received orders to fall
back with them 4 milos to an intrench ment. Ilaiting
them for a moment, Col. Wright sent an order from
South Mills to fall back there instautly, that was five
miles further. We had insufficient transportation even
for our sick, and had to lug our baggage or lose it.'
We were ordered, with the Young Guards, to remain
at a bridge, under command of Col. Lob, and burn it, and
thus protect tho approach from E. City, while the bal
ance of our forces were to engage tho enemy then ad
vancing up the other side of tho river from Cuuulen C.H.
The firing soon commenced ai d we could hear it dis
tinctly. You cannot imagine tbe impatience our boys
felt to leave their posts and pitch in, for there was no
appearance of an enemy where we were. But wo had
positive orders, and therefore dure not leave.
After several hours artillery fighting, and about one
hour musket firoing tho noise suddenly ceased just as
the sound died away, a shout ensued, und all noise died
away. Then it was that we were ordered up to join
the other companies. We mot ihe fulling back in good
order, but the Yankees did not follow. We took .a
stand while the other companion fell back still to the
rear, and seeing a detachment of Captain Hendon’s
company out skeruiisbing in front of us, we mistook
them for Yankees, and Major Lee ordered Hie cannon
which wo had kept with our two companies, to open
upon them. Our boys were so anxious to shoot that
they also fired upon them with their Enjtelds, and wo
had almost destroyed them before they could get out of
tho way, We did not, however, (thank God) hurt auy
of them. But this firoing and the sight of our two com
panies strewn out as wo were when we brought up our
reinforcements together with the tremendous resistance
our men had m.ado in the fight, determined the Yankees
to fall back also; this they did nt night, but knowing
they bad five thousand men and could be largely reiu-
forcod before day, and not knowing they bad any idea
of retreating. Colonel Wright culled a counsel of war,
and finding that we had loss than one thousad men, and
but little more ammunition, none for one oi'uur cannon,
the counsel desired him to fall back in a safer place and
await rcidfurccmcnts iu us much as our position could
there be turned with ease by so large a force of the
. aukeus had.
Wo fell back several miles *in: night and received a
force yesterday so large as to w.akc us eager to return
to the contest. But just as we were about to move for
ward, a dispatch was reeeived by flag of truce from the
Yankees, asking permission to t ury their dead, Ac.—
Wo do not know certainly how mnny Yankees were kill
ed. But it is thought by those who were in tho fight
that at least5011 were made to “bite tho dust." I sus
pect this is a large estimate; but our men did certainly
fight like devils. We lost only about 10 or 12 killed
and us many more wounded. Lieut. Wilson, from
Bairdstown, wus wounded and ttiken prisoner; a Mr.
Jeruigan, who refused'to lovo him, was also taken.
Dock Elder, of Cupt. llondon’s company, was, wo foar,
taken prisoner, lie bus not come iu. None of bis men
killed, unless Elder was. All Cast. Billups’ boys are
safe, of course, ns none of them were engaged but Buck
Vincent. He fought with-Cupt. JIcndou’s men. Cupt.
Beall and Oapt. Griffin’s men were -not in tho light,
but iu reserve. We did tot havo more than three hun
dred men iu the fight, besides Cupt. Comas’ Artillery
company. We had threo pieces of artillery engaged and
the Yankees three. Capt Comas was killed. I have
lost all my clothes. Many of onr boys bad to throw
away kuansacks in tho rapid march ; hut we are ull ea
ger to moot tho Yankees in anythingliko equal combat.
Con. Bluuebard, Col. Wright and a thousand troops
have gone to the battle field—we it last night.- Major
been inflictuQ on all si
Pardon mo for troul
me, J Very
"f^Ladlcs*
truly, yours,
N.L. HUTCHINS.
Gunboat Fund.
The patriotic ladies of our laaJ, with a zeal ami de
votion exceeding that of their Revolutionary grand
mothers, are foromost in every good work. Judging
by tho amounts wo have received for the gunboat fund,
we are'satisfied they will soon make tbat .enterprise a
splendid success. Since our last issue tho following
will bo seen that at
contributed to the good
necessity/ amounts have been received. It wil
L* all sorts Clarksville the servants have contribi
building • wor i c ’
„ Christy : Enclosed we send $:
Christy: Enclosed we send $35 00 contributed
by ihe following ladies of Clarkesville, for the “ Geor
gia Gunbout Fund.’’. Also, $2 10, from servants.'
Respectfully, '
MATTIE A. HOUSTON,
MOLLIEJ. FULLER.
Clarkesville, Ga., April 20, 18G2.
Mrs. A. J. Nichols $5; Mrs. M. A. Houston $5 ; Mrs.
U. E. McMillan $5 ; Miss Mollie Wyly $1; Mrs. James
M. llughos $1; Mrs. Dr. Neely $1; Mrs. R. C. Ketchuin
SI: Mrs. C. Callier$l; Mrs. Wm. Berry $1 f Miss II.
C. Lambert $1 ; Mrs. John Wyly $5; Miss Jennie Wyly
■ SI; Mrs. J. C. Addisiu $2 ; Mrs. Wm. S Erwin $2 60 ;
Mrs. A. Erwin $2; Miss Julia Erwin $1 : Mrs. Mattie
Bird $1; Mrs. Susan Bird $1; Mrs. J. W. Fuller $2 50 ;
Mrs. H. A. Fuller SI; Mrs. L. K. Fuller SI; Miss Mol-
lie J. Fuller $1; Mrs. H. L. Smith $1; Mrs. Dr. Moore $1;
Miss Minnie Wooldrige 50 etc; Mrs. E. S. Barclay $2;
• Mrs. J. Van Buren SI ; Miss Zoo Stanford $1; Mrs. N.
P. Alley $1; Mrs. L. M. Hughes SI; Mrs. Silas Addi
son oOcts; Mrs. John Porter $1;-Mrs. J. E. Griggs $2;
Mrs. Wyly Thompson $1 ; Mrs. C.H. Sutton $2 50;
Mrs.'John Redd 50ut*;AIrs. Mary Showers $3; Mrs.
Dr. Phillips $5 ; Miss Lizzie Phillips $1; Mrs. E. Star-
rltt S5 ; Mrs. D. Seitz $2 ; Miss A. Uortbaw $1; Mrs.
J. Hackett SI; a lady $1; Miss Saitie Griggs
$1; Miss Mattie Griggs$1; Miss Lou Gaily $1; Miss
Harriet Gaily $1.
Collected from Servants.—Nelson Jackson 50 etc;
without a murmur all tho barriors beA -Koriak Wright 25 cts: Litttle Lula lOcts; Charles
j if:. ’ l>»y* af™oman,$l;SteeveBird U lI2-
■JMIPI 25 cts.
Collected by Miss Martha Matthews, at Hatcobel,
Jackson County.—Sirs. Milton Matthews $2; Mrs. E.
J. Bcstick $2 Miss Martha Matthews $1; Miss N. C.
Matthews $2 ; Mrs, E. Creighton $2; Miss M. aud J.
Creighton $t; Mrs M. A Barnett $5; Mrs. C. S. Butler
$1; Miss M. J. Butler $1; Mrs. S. E. Cash 25 cts; Nicy
Moon$6; Miss C. A. Brooks 80cts; Mr*>. Milton Han
cock $1; Mrs. M. A. Adair Si; Mrs. Anna Sharp-.$1;
Mrs. Sns-nf Larupkki $2; Miss Josephine Carter .$3;
Misses Eugenia and Mattie Barnett 50 cts.
Miss E. J. Hancock’* List of Contributions to the Gunboat
Fund, collected in Ebenezr.r vicinity, Jackson co.
Miss E J Hancock $1; Mrs J R Hancock 2; MrsEliz-
Lyle, son. 1; Mrs M A Patman 4; Miss Qctavia
Lee and the balance of tho forces are awaiting here
above South Mills for orders.
Alter the foregoing was received, and too late for this
issue, two Icttersa from tho ‘•Clarke County Rifles”
were received. This company nat only participated
but boro a distinguished part iu the engagement. Wo
regret that we have no room for these letters. The
following extract from the Captain’s letter gives a list
of tho casualties in that conipt oy i “Wm. Loving
killed; Wm. (’."Wright, severely wounded in the face;
James M. Lecroy, slightly woundod in tho spine by
concussion; Walden Wise, slightly, in the hand; Wm.
C. Nannally was grazed on the fa>:o; Lieut. Crenshaw
had his cap knocked off and his sword bent by a ball
—ho took bis place iu the ditch and fifed 27 rounds.
Dr. E. Elder is missing.” Wo learn by another letter
that Mr. Elder is a prisoner in the hands of tho enemy.
Vjjioeafiano doubt but that our C larke boys acquitted
themselves with great credit.
‘•Samuel.” •
Wo welcome back to our columns our
old friend “Samuel,” who will be remem
bered by our readers of former years.
Like a true patriot, he is satisfied with tbe
jiosition of a private iu the ranks. As will
be seen, he has lost none of bis ancient
vigor as a writer :
Savannah, Ga., April 2<5th, 1802.
John H. Christy, Esq.—It hasbe-m a long time since
I penued a sentence for the Watchman, with the read
ers of which I used to hold volumiuous couverse on
various subjects of public policy, over the signature of
“ Samuel” and other cognomens. You aud year patrons
have not forgotten my scribblings, I am sure; and, with
yonr aud their permission, I ndw iroposo a renewal of
.old acquaintance for old acquaintance’ sake.
I havo b&on in the ur.ny, stationed at, and near this
•oity, for tbe defence of Savannah and the coast, near
four months. I sought, aud have attained, tho position
I desired—that of a high private in the ranks of tho
Boidier. The Battalion of which I am a member reached
Savannah on the first day of January last, and pitched
their tents about one mile from the City, in its western
suburbs. Here, we have remained sver siuee, iu astato
of iuaction, at least so far as fighting is concerned. Our
time, however, has not been unemployed, or spent in
-inglorious ease. The men have been engaged pretty
constantly in fatigue duty—iho hardest kind of lubor
—in throwing up breastworks, and field fortificatious,
for tho detenue of the City, at ever/ point, where the
enemy might attomptau approach by land—in felling
tinkers, aud sinking them iii the channels leading up
t^VfSCity, so as to obstruct tho passage up tho river
1 of tho enemy’s gunboats—in loading old hulks with
saud aud sinking them—iu building; rafts, to bo scut
down the river to impede or provor t navigation, and
other labors incident to military operations iu tbo field.
The drill, iu the moan time, has not been neglected, and
if opportunity offer, I kui of the opinion that tho boys,
allf.f wlni'Ai aro from Cherokee Georgia, accustomed to
the use of tho rifle from infancy, will cause many a
Yankee thief to get peaceable' possession of what ‘
came after—a plantation—at tho dimensions of three by
six feet! Thom is much ' **
bars,
early aitack on ^vannah, believing thMghfYanltces
ore now satisfied, having re-possessed the Fort, thus
enabling tho Lincoln Government effectually to block
ade thoriver, and prevent all Ingress and egress to this
port. I am of this opinion. T‘> land any oon.slderahlo
force below tho City would be to them a dangerous un
dertaking. and to march a hoavy column against tho
City by land against the twonty-five thousand rifles and
shot guns, lances aud bayonets, in tho hands of sharp
shooters aud bravo men, fighting on tboir own soil, for
their homos and altars,. I oonceivo utterly impossible.
There are but two or threo ways for the enemy to roach
tho City by land, and those aro studdod with strong de
fences, in tbeshupo of breastworks, mounted with heavy
ordnance. We have, in tho coast defence, and station
ed within calliug distance of any point wh»re a conflict
can be expected to come off, several well appointed Ar
tillery and Cavaliy companies, who would claim tho
honor iif a place in the picture, should such an encoun
ter happeu. But, I apprehend no attempt will be made
in this direction, tho business being too hazardous for
the quiet of the nerves of Maine, Connecticut and Mi
chigan cut-thToats, thieves, chicken stealers, house-
burners and marauders. Thoy may attack the City by
tho river, but iu doing so thoy may expect rough treat
ment from Fort Jackson, ami the batteries below; and
in passing up, every inch of their progress will be con
tested by the Sharp Shooters of our army from its banks.
As fast as the villains would show themsolvcs, so fast,
aud surely, would a min Dio or musket ball, be sent with
unerring aim through their carcasses. My opinion, up
on tho whole, is, that the redaction of Savannah forms
no port of tho Lincoln programme at 1the present time.
Their demonstrations agoinst Fort Pulaski, and on tho
coast, are intended and designed to retain here a large
army of Confederates, and thus prevent them from be
ing sent to rciu'A-rce Beauregard iu the West and John
ston in Virgin!.,. Time, and a few short weeks, per
haps days, will determine this question, and to this
uovcr-failiug arbiter I submit its solution.
In regard to the fall of Pulaski, but littlu is definite
ly known here. Tbat the Fort is iu the possessiuu of
a the onciny, and tbo disgraced stars and stripes of tbe
old aud now happily defunct Uniou are floating from
its ramparts, is undeniably true; but, of tho extent of
injury done to tbe fort, or the casualties within, during
the awful bombardment through which it aud its gar
rison passed, nothing is known. From the correspond
ence of the N. Y. Herald, as I learn this morning, (I _
have notread it,) the walls of the fort did not suffer
auy material injury, not being perforated by the heavy
balls of the enemy’s guns iu a single instance. The
same authority says that three of the companies com
posing the garrison, mutinied, aud tho fighting devolv
ed wholly upon two companies, to-wit: tho Oglethorpo
Light Infantry and German Volunteers, both from this
City. Two Irish companies, aud one company from
the interior of the State, utterly refused to take part
iu the action, und from this cause, the lire of the enemy
in front aftd the mutinous conduct of the companies
mentioned within its walls, the Commandant, Ctl. Olm-
stead, was forced to yield and surrender into tbo hands
of the enemy tho fort, garrison, cannon, munitions and
all, unconditionally. This information, coming as it
docs from the filthiest of all the lying Liucoln news
papers, published iu Yankeeioodle lom, should be re
ceived with doubt and misgiving by tho Southern pub
lic. It is as natural for tho Herald to tell lies, und
whopping lies, us it is to find piglrack$ round a hog’s
bed, or for water to run down grade. But, if the state
ments from that paper are based on truth, then, ail I
have to say is, these mutineers, who refused to assist
their comrades, iu the hot ordeal through which they
were passing, when they returu back to their homes,
ought, every rascal of them, to be treated to a magnifi
cent rcccptiou, iu tho shape of a coat of tar aud feath
ers, a ride upon a sharp edged rail, and forty minutes
suspeusiou from strong limbs in the forest, at tbe cud
of swamp grape vines. Such cowards and ingrates
should never bo permitted to take up their habitatious
again, alive, in any portion of tbo Confederate Statos,
but should bo consigned to the doom of tho felon, and
be made to fill a felon’s grave, without benefit of clergy,
their memories remaining for all time to couio “ un
wept, unhonorod and unsung.”
The State troops, by reason of tho passago of the Con
script Act, by tho Congress at Bichmoud, havo all been
transferred, bag and baggage, to tho Confederate Go
vernment, aud are now amenable to Confederate au
thority. Considerable excitement followed tho an
nouncement in these parts, among both officers and
men; hat all this will subside, and our “machine” go
ou, in (ho performance of its work, as tho provisions
of the bill come to be understood and applied, practi
cally, to tho military operations and movements of the
country. At present, much dr-ibt and uncertainty ex
ists as to tho provisions of tho bill, or, rather, as to
their oorrect interpretation and meaning, and what ef
fect the new order of thiugs will have upon tho multi
farious corps now composing our armies In the field.
Not having read the Act, and withal, not being a mili
tary genius, I am unable to assist those that aro so
much puzzled and troubled about the meaniug of cer
tain clauses in the provisions of tbo law, out of thei r
difficulty. All must patiently await the action of the
President in executing tho law, and the orders to bo
issued from tbo War Department, at Richmond, for cor
rect information on all the points now forming the sub
ject mattor of the general disputation.
One fact is certain, every man in tho Confederate
States, between the ages of IS aud 35 years, is now a
soldier, Bubject to bo called into active servicu
in tho field, any day that President Davis may
see proper to call for him. There >s no room
for cavil upon this point, and all men, falling
within this category, may content themselves’ accor
dingly. Then, let all go to rubbing np his shooting-
iron, be it shot gun, musket, or rifle, for you know not
what oven au hour may briug forth. Our country is beiug
invaded, and our cities bcleauguerod, at every point, ap
proachable by the enemy, and all tho brains, all tho
nerve, ail tho muscle, courage, bravery, cndurauce,
patience, aud determiuution of every man and womnu,
in tbe coniines of the sunny South, will be called iutnj
requisition to meet, and successfully overcome, the
hordes of Northern Goths, Huns, Vandals, and Lom
bards, who aro warring against us, and forging chains
to enslave our posterity, for all time to come, in a bond
age, u thousand times worse than the Israelites suffered
at Pharoah’8 hands in Egypt.
In view of the possibility of an occupation of the city
by Lincoln’s forces, many families have loft, and sought
shelter in the interior towns and villages, and in tho
country. Tho streets everywhere present a denuded
appearance, so far as population is concerned, and busi
ness of every description presents tho same lifeless,
unhealthy aspect. The business of measuring tape, the
.dry goods part, is in the hands, and conducted
principally, by cadaverous looking, cushion-footed
Jews,- that infest and hare cursed every hamlet,
village, town, and oity in the laud. They utterly re
fuse to shoulder their muskets aud fight in defence of
the invuded South; and as to making donations to
our various hospitals, or furnishing our soldiers,
or their sufforiDg wives and cbildrcu, with needful sup
plies, without two prices for every article, they are as
clear of it as is a dog of a soul, ft is characteristic of
a J«w to be engaged in the clothing trade, always hav
ing old “garments” on their shelves for salo. They
started this business, at Jerusalem, about 1302 years
ago, -upon the occasion of the crucifixion of one Jesus
of Nazareth, “ casting lots for his gruments,” and they
have been persistently following up tbe vocation of their
“ illustrious predecessors” in the clothing business
over since! And as elothing is an item uuivcrsally
wanted by the so* ” " - -r"SW ■
would not only have endorsed his conduct in
but checrftilly acquieaeod in it, and honored bl ^*
It is not too Into for him to act yet in th«>
and In view of the fact that many articles
necessity will, in a short time, by reason of e
prioos, be utterly boyond tho roaoh of a i M , a .
of families iu this 3Ute, I hopo he will aet j
promptly and efficiently, to put a stop to the sv t V * |
pillage now everywhere affiictingand curring ou I
Tho times demand this course on the part of tbs ^ I
emor. It Is nonsense to leave this matter to bo ia ^ I
e l by “ public sentiment,” Publii sentiment, i Q /^ I
Who, what class, controls public sentiment in Oco ^ I
Every body, with a thimble full of braius, kno*. " 4 ' I
it is the wealthy capitalist, and the man we 1 to do : '
world, who manufactures public opinion, and .jj, *
aid contiolspublic sentiment. Aud is it Lmnau xu” 1
for a man, or class of men, to do wbnt it is miufi^
their pecuniary interest and supremacy )0 d«» tv*
idea is ridiculous—tho very acme of absurdity, r ^
taiists, and money hucksters, and money
those very men who’originate, and, by uid ^
funds, govern public sentiment, in this country I
very men who are forestalling the market , ana *
ningup and demanding two, threo, and four price ?
every article of necessity demanded by their net'-bbt?
who are less fortunate iu the possession t f the
danco of this world’s pelf, but who must live, Uf , t . Ur
they aud their offspring, unless a speedy terrain r
is put to the disgraceful impositions daily, hourly
momentarily practised upon them, by the greedy g^-e
everywhere infesting tho community. Prices l Jtre J
Savannah, for everything drank, or masticated by^
aro exorbitant beyond any thing boforo cxperionccdk’
the oldest iuhabita -t—and if the city has tho t,su;|
proportion of poor peoplo withiu its limits, vbu Jri
dependent ou thejr daily labor for meat aud brcjfi ^
trades and callings and all business being ia a state of |
almost perfect stagnation, Loanuot for tho life 0 f Iaj
conjecture how, or whereupon, thoy manage to su,^
life, and keep soul aud body together. That thereof :
at this writing, be actuai suffering, and much of it j
among the more indigent families, does not, i n ^
opinion, admit of a doubt. Iu Savannah, the eouter
tho rice culture aud trade iu tho South, this article tf
prime necessity has advanced in price, and wfl| coc _
tinuo to advance, at a time too, when tho heavy cr ,.p
of 186i is still uow on hand, unsold, and impossible of
exportation to foreign markets by reason of Liaeolu’j
blockade of our ports. Why this advance in the prica
of this article ? There is uo reason for it—ncincr jug.
tice uor common sense—and those who are run.iinj up
the price ought not only to he denounced and lrowuei]
down, but unceremoniously ejected from an outrage!
community. ■ So, of every other article in the culinaiy
department, consumed by a family. Bacon coeiuim,’! I
from 40 to AO cents; meal $2.25 and $2.50; fli ur \
and $15; chickens 75 cents; eggs CO cents; pork 2j
and mutton 20 cents, etc., etc.; all kinds of vo-ttables
of which there seems to bo groat abundance on the
market, maintaining correspondingly high figuies. If
tho free air of heaven could be appropriated by -ertaia
Lincoluito speculators anil laud sharks that' infest this
and all other cities and communities iu the Confederate
States, tho monopoly would be consummated, aud what
our beneficent Creator designed for tho freo mo and
fruition of all, would have to bo bought and paid fur it
so muoh for every imbibition of breath into tho lungs.
The water itself, and fire, with which the lend of oar
people is mp.de savory for tbe palate, would he appro
priated by these patriotic gentry that sro doing so much
for our country iu this her hour of sore distress aud
greatest noed. These Shy locks ought to bo branded with
au infamy so indelibly imprinted, that neither time nor
circumstances shall be sufficient to wipe out the stain.
The people's detestation should follow them as ioDgu
they live, aud bo visited ou their posterity to the fif
tieth generation. The tory of 1770 was of angelic
character, compared with the men of tho present day
who are seeking to enrich themselves from this war of
independence, in which all true sons f tho soil are now
engaged, an J accumulate property from the Lcart'i
blood of our bravo defenders in the field of carnage and
death, aud the shrieks, lamentations, and piteous peti
tions of their famishing wires and little ones for bread.
I havo reached the bottom of my twelfth page of
foolscap, and will close, fearing that I am wearying you
and tho reador. I have written this hurriedly, disre
garding stylo, and the phraseology employed to cxpr.'.-i
the thoughts presented to my mind in the rapidity of
composition. I have written, too, on both sides of my
puper—this your compositor wil! not like. The paper
is, however, thick, the manuscript legible, and I hope
tbo Pointer will not bo sorely puzzled to decipher ay
chirography. The grammar, orthography, and punctu
ation, I warrant to be A No. 1.
Should you print this, (do as you please with it,) I
may trouble yon with another letter after awhile, de
tailing such facts and incidents, occurring in this local
ity, os I may thiik will be interesting to yon anil your
patrons.
With best wishes for you personally,^and in the hope
that tho farmers of Georgia may plant uo cotton—that
thoy may be visited with propitious seasons, and gather,
in the Summer and Autumn, a superabundant yield of
oats, rye, wheat, peas, potatoes, beans, and corn, I re
main, as always, so now, year aud their obedient ser
vant, W. A. LEWIS.
For tho Southern Watchman.
TUB DURATION OF THE WAR.
There no doubt exists a deep solicituilo
in the minds of many of our people to know
when the troubles of this fraternal w;ir,
now ho frightfully raging, will subside.
As a matter of course great care.und anx
iety. linger deeply in the bosoms of many
a kina father,'mother, wifo arid sister for
those beloved ones who have left a com
fortable home surrounded by all tne on-
- dearing smiles of the family circle—expos
ing themselves to the privations and hard
ships incident to a camp life, in defence ot
their country, upon the dreary battle fields.
To this end there have no doubt bccinnany
opinions formed and fond hopes cherished
at times of a speedy* termination, which
have been utterly blunted and drifted lienee
like chaff before the wind.
We cannot ra.se the curtain of the future
and look into its deep recesses, what it him
in -store for ns. This alone remains to God,
(xod is an unchangeable Being, “ the sains
yesterday*, to-day and forever.” His divino
laws, by which He governs the Universe,
are equally unchangeable; therefore, tho
only way we can judge the future is by
the past; and if we judge the future by
the past, we may*, by the blessings of God 3
Word, arrivo* at some reasonable conclu
sion.
The history of nations shows conclusive
ly that pride, vanity and luxury* have bceu
the vacillating pillars from which many
have drifted into irretrievable ruin and de
struction. .There is scarcely* ever a war
that occurs, but tbe primeval cause muY
be traced to pride, fur “ only by pride,
.say*s the Scriptures, “ eonioth contention-’
Then again : “ Pride g«ieth before destiuC’
lion, &c.,” Piw, 10—18. It was to de
stroy the spirit of pride that our blessed
Saviour was manifested in so much meck-
^ re, is i®
and
all
