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OiUTffAEf Not;<>, iy- for one insertion In
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\«x* \ I HU> an : Weekly nlxfv eonUj.i-r fir *.
Tut: I ■ < K’.rivhji 1•» lv\:.i:iioa on our |aitiir«
manifold and 1 Ticerbig. Tin* i■!.>• »v 1<»I: in tie
(1 lil thlrt spring will) thinned ranks --with men
who are he trtily tired of tiie cause 11.( y have
espoused, ami without lieait or hope in thecon
f will have no energy or and! ,po-;i:on to fi jit.
TIIO uiora’f. of the Yankee army is decidedly at
a low obit. Vi 1 y low of tho “nynl-u ’’ an* ic
enlisting, arid v.hal sow raw recruits arc jmt in
thaflnlil.aroma.il! n. from foreign immigra
tion, and are not much to be feared. What :i
striking contrast i pierfonti il by the condition
of ||,o !«?(, ivrmli s I Ours is full of enthusiasm
ami ardor; the ) ton arc re enlisting with alac
rity; and there in a general feeling of confidence
that will go far towards our success. The Fed
eral soldiers hang back ; they hesitate to jmt
themselves again in tango of our guns or where
they can see the Hashing of our bayonets. The
Northern people are inert and lukewarm, while
the Government is .-training every nerve, and
bringing on the country a monstrous debt, in
order to kei'p up a show of light. Lincoln and
hi* advisers knock their heads together, and
.there is a now levy a sure sign of weakness;
they cogitate, and some loved general is deiap
Hated and another put in bis place, to “follow
In the footsteps of his illu-tiiims predecessor;”
iliey ruminate, and Secretory Chase proposes
route scheme to the unl'ortuhato batiks bv
which they are to he fleeced of (heir money In
pay tho expenses of the war, .to. All the flur
ry, agitation, vacillation, hesitation and trepi
dation of our adversary, redounds to our ad
vantage. In the pa fiance of the turf, we have
tho in itlo track. In tbo vernacular of the ring,
onr antagonist is much ■‘blown,’ •' and comes up
heavily ty and unsteadily for tbo last round. Let
us strike him powerfully, knock what little
t*jnd Im has out of his body, and be lies pros
trate ajd powerless for further mi-chief. Se
tlously, however, all the incentives to redoub
led energy on the put of oiir army and people
are encouraging. Let those who stay at
home, aid, by all the means in their power,
the soldiers In the field. Let the bitter do tiieii
duly when the hour of trial comes, and tin*
banner of peace will wave over our land before
the leaves are touched l>y Hie next autumnal
IV oglu.
flxcmiiuiiixo Skins.- -The enthusiasm with
which our troop* have re onlisted for the war.
The rosotiitiimS’of iho ptiihti'rs in many sections
of onr country to noli tin ir produce lo consum
er* at reasonable prico* Tim hreuking away
of the cloud of gloom which lately o’erspivad
onr land. Tho letuiV ol stragglers and absent
oob to tho ranks. The awakening of the spirit
of patriotism and doloriui union every where
among our people. Tiie.se truly are encourag
ing signs for our cause.
In Federaldom. many things have happened
lately which should lyiim.ilo us. Tlie growing
opporition to Lincoln. The ilierouse of the
ponce party. The mustering out of the Ninth
Federal Army Corps. Tho general indispose
tien manifested by the Federal soldiers to lc
enlist . The depreciation of Lincoln’s promi. es
to pay. Tho careful manner in which Lincoln's
adherents treat their opponents in the Federal
Congress. The dissatisfaction which has begun
to show itself in ,»U sections. The reluctance
with which the people enlist notwithstanding ti c
groat bounties offered. The advance of tvdd
in Now York. These, truly are encouraging
sign* for our cause.
There are pleasant notes also wafted across
the ocean from Europe. A British court of jus
tice refuses to ratify and endorse the eontemp
tible meauno-s and cowardice of theliritiili
Cabinet. Anew trial is refused in the case of
the ship AlexaudV i, and that vessel will ho ic
-1 eased from tho clutches of Mr. Seward’s lit i
- the “so called" Karl Russell. Th6sud
den advance of the t \>nf. derate loan in F.aglatul
from forty to titty cents. Ihe growing dtsld e
ill the French Court of Seward and his acts.
These, truly are encouraging signs for onr came.
LUtle affairs oftentimes foreshadow the com
ing of great events, l ire little incidents which
have lately transpired both at home and abroad
have been of a very promising nature. I ndei
their inllonee, the people have, as it were, taken
fresh courage nud ltope. The desponde :ie>
which pervaded our land Si giving way. The
people look more cheerful. They talk more
hopeful, t'n tho whole, the future smiles pro
pitiously on our cause. One grand, patriotic,
aud successful struggle in the coining campaign
and the crisis will be passed and the victory
ours.
Soldiers’ Families. At this time, wlien tilt
[jifti' necessaries of lifo are up at starving rates
ami daily advancing, those at home should
*,„y moro attention than ever, if possible, to
the families o. f soldiers. Could those in the
field be fully satisfied that their dear ones at
heme were abundantly provided tor, and not
allowed to suffer for the common necessaries
o: lifo, tho efficiency of our armies would be
greatly increased. The spirits of the melt
■would be more buoyant, and much more en
thusiasm would hj manifested. Not only
■would this be so, but wo would have less o.
desertion. Let those at home then, not dis
honor themselves or tho cause by forgetting
soldier's families, or allowing them to want.
Thb timk roll G.vbuexi.no is now at hand, and
we urge it upon all good folks to plough oi
spftde (ip their gardens at once, and utter hav
iug pulverized and otherwise prepared the soil,
to sow all manner of seeds, taking care to have
plenty of vegetables rather than a sparse crop
for the supply of home wants. The products
of a garden are never a drug, and they arc not
only conducive to health at an .article ol food
Jmt positively preventive of sickness.
Ora Cause and oi k Out ntky require that ev
ery man »hould do his utmost. We all have
one country and one desti ly. Those who have
wealth must pour it forth, those who have
strong arms must use them, and those who
hats both wealth aud strength must exert
them. Let every man do h:s best, either as a
or soldier. as a civil pffieer or a leader
pf our armies, in the workshop, on the farm,
V« She office, aud in the pulpit, for a mighty foe
it striving to overthrow the liberties of out
country and to destroy us from among the peo.
pie of the earth.
I ivreniua uiktora ok the fall of
Vlt KSUUW.
In re p use to a resolution of the House on
the lib ol January, oopies of the correspond
j cnee between the President and Gen. Joseph
L. Johnston, together with that of the Secreta
ry of War and the Adjutant and Inspector Gen
. ‘*ral, during the months of May, June and July,
I 1803, have been distributed among the lnem
! bers. The correspondence is quite voluminous,
embracing as it does over sixty pages, and eov- j
eringail the letters and telegrams which pass- •
ed between the executive aud Gen. Johnston,
from the time the latter was assigned to the ;
command of the army in Mississippi until the
31-t of July, nearly one month after the fa'*l of
Vicksburg.
fn the early part of the correspondence tbo
(’resident urged upon Gen. Johnston the neces
sity of making an efT.rrt for the relief of the
garrison in Vicksburg, anil on May 2 Lb he sent
Gen. .L a dispatch in response to one from the
latter, in which he expresses confidence in Gen.
iVmbeiton's tenacity. Again, on the 28th of
May, tiie I’resident telegraphed that he had
withheld nothing from him which it was prac
ticable to give; that numerical equality was
not to be hoped for, and that time would prob-
ably increase the disparity. On the same date
Gen. J. telegraphed, t.iat with the reinforce
ments reported coming he would have 23,000
men; that “Pemberton could be saved only by
beating Grant;” that if the President oould
not procure more troops lie must try with that
number, but that “the odds against us will bo
j very great.” In a subsequent dispatch, ho
. states that his whole available force against
! Grant was 24,100 men. He asked for the ap
pointment of a Major General for tin* Missis
sippi, and stated bis preference for Gen. Cad
mus Wilcox, and the Department responded by
sending Got). French. Tblsappervs to have
been the first point of difference, as Gen J.
suggested to the President that his troops were
hostile to officers of Northern birth, and
thought that on that account Maj. Gen. French's
arrival would weaken iustogd of strengthen the
army. The President ip* reply §a}4 tijat Gen. |
Fiein h was a eitis-n of Mississippi, and was a J
wealthy planter until the Yankees robbed
him, .fcc.
J lie next point of difference seems to have
been with reference to tho geographical limits
oi Gen. Johnston’s Military Department, that
officer conceiving that his transfer to Mississip
pi relieved him from the command of the Con
federate forces in Tennessee. President Davis
stated that his order to go lo Mississippi did not
diminish Gen. Johnston’s authority in Tennes
see. *
On tho 15th of June, General Johnston tele
graphed from Jackson, Mississippi, to the Sec
retary of War, that he could not advise In re
gard to the points Irom which troops could be
taken, having no means of knowing; that it
was lor the Government to determine which it
was best to yield, Tennesseo or Mississippi;
that without some great blunder of tho enemy,
both could not bo held.
The President finally wiote a letter to Gen.
Johnston, in which lie reviewed at length all
tT. points of difference between them. He al
ludes to the latter’s assignment to a di fined ge
ographical command, by Special Order No.
275. which order described the command asin
eliKliog a portion of Western North Carolina
and Northern ocorgi i, the States of Tennessee,
Alabama, and Mississippi, and that portion of
the tate of Louisiana east of the Mississippi.
Wo make the following extract from this letter;
When I learned that prejudice and malignity
had so undermined tho confidence of tho troops
at Vicksburg in their commander ns to threaten
disaster, i deemed the circumstances such as to
present tiio case iorcseeu in Special Order No.
'75, that you should repair, in person, to any
part of said command whenever your presence
might bo for tho time necessary or desirable.
\ on were therefore ordered, oil the fit i May,
to “proceed at once to Mississippi and take
chief command of the forces, giving to those in
tho field, as far ac practicable, the encourage
ment and benefit of your personal direction.”
Somo details were added about reinforce
ments, but not a word affecting, in the remot
est degree, your authority to command your
geographical district.
Ou tin* -Itli Juno you telegiaphed to the Sec
retary of War in response to his inquiry, say
ing "mv only plan is lo relieve Vicksburg. My
force is far too small for tlie purpose. Tell me
it you can increase it, and how much. To
which lie answered, outlie sth, “I regret ina
bility to promise more troops, as wo have
drained resources even to the danger of seve
ral points. You know best concerning Gen.
Bragg's army ; but 1 fear to withdraw more.
We are too far outnumbered in Virginia to
spate any.” &e., Ac.
On the bth of June the Secretary was more
explicit, if possible. lie said : “Do you ad
vise more reinforcements fiorn Gen llragg?
Von, ns commandant of tho department,
have power so to order, if-you, iu view of the
whole ease, so determine.
On the 10th June, you answered that it was
for the Government to dete iuine what depart
ment could furnish the reinforcements ; that
you could not know how Gen. Bragg’s wants
compared with your ; and that the Government
coma make the comparison. Your statements
that the Government in Richmond was better
able to judge of the relative necessities of the
vrmies under your command than you were,
itui the further statement, that you could not
know how Gen. Bragg's wants compared with
yours, wore considered extraordinary ; but. as
t icy were accompanied by the remark that
die Secretary's dispatcli had been imperfectly
deciphered, no observation was made on them
tilt the receipt of your telegram to the Secre
tary of the 12th inst., stating “I have not con
sidered myself commanding in Tennessee
since assignment hero, and should not have
felt authorized to take troops from that de
partment. utter having been informed by the
Executive that no more could bo spared."
My surprise at these two statements was ex
treme. You had never been ••assigned’’ to the
Mississippi command. You went there under
the circumstances and, orders already quoted,
and no justification whatever is perceived for
your abandonment of your duties as command
ing General of the geographical district to
which you were assigned.
Orders as explicit as those under which you
were sent to the west, and under which you
continued to act up to the 9th May, when you
were directed to repair in person to Mississippi,
van only be impaired or set aside by subsequent
orders equally explicit 1 and your announce
ment that you had ceased to consider yoursell
changed with the control of affairs in Tennes
see, Uvause ordered to repair in person to Mis
sissippi. both places being within theeommand
io which you were assigned, was too grave to
be overlooked ; and when to this was added
the assertion that you should not have felt au
thorized to dra.v troops from that department.
(Tennessee) “ after being informed by the Ex
ecutive that uo more could he spared," I was
unable to account for your language, being en
tirely confident that i had never given you
anv such information.
1 shall now proceed to separate your two
>tatements, and begin will that which relates
to your " not considering” yourself command
ing in Tennessee since assignment “here” —i.
e., in Mississippi.
When you received my telegram of the 15th
os June, informing you that - the orders to
go to Mississippi did not diminish your au
thority iu Tennessee, both being in the coun
try placed under your command in original as
signment," accompanied by an inquiry about
the information, said to have been derived
from me. restricting your authotity to transier
troops, vour answer on the 16th June, was .
•■ I meant to tell the Secretary of War that I
considered the order directing me to command
here as limiting my authority to this depart
ment, especially when that order was accom^a-
AUGUSTA, GA., “WEDNESDAY HOMING, FEBRUARY 24, 1864.
j nied by War Department orders transferring
j troops from Tennessee to Mississippi.”
i This is, in substance, a'repetitiou of the pie-
I vious statement, without any reason bciuggiven
for it. The fact of orders being sent to you to
transfer some of the troops in your department
from ont jioint to another, to which von were*
proceed! ig in person, could give no possible
ground Ur your “considering” that special or
der No 2M was rescinded or modified.
_ Your command of your geogrephical district
did not make you independent of my orders as
your superior officer, and when you were di
r* cted by me to take troops with you so Miss
issippi, your control over tbe district to which
you were assigned wins in no way involved.—
But the statement that troops were transferred
from Tennessee to Mississippi by ordeis of the
War Department, when you were directed to
repair to the latter State, gives but half the
fact ; for, although you were ordered to take
with you three thousand good troops, you were
tolil to ii place them by a greater number, then
j on their way to Mississippi, nn I whom yoU were
! requested to divert to Tennessee. Tin* purpose
being to hasten reinforcements to Pemberton,
without weakening Bragg. This was in defer
ence to your own opinion that llragg could not
be safely weakened—nay.* that lie ought even
to be reinforced at Pemberton’s expense, for
you had j tisl ordered troops from Pemberton’s
command to reinforce Bragg. I differed in
opinion from you, and thought Vicksburg far
more exposed to danger titan Bragg, and was
urging forward reinforcements to that point
both from Carolina and Virginia, bi fore you
were directed to assume command in person in
Mississippi.
I find rotbing, then, either in your dispatch
of the 16lb June, nor in any subsequent com
munication from you, giving a justification tor
your sayi ig that you “had not considered your
self commanding in Tennessee since assignment
here.” (i. e., in Mississippi.) Y’our dispatch ot
the sth it st , is again a substantial repetition
of the sane statement, without a word of rea
son to justify it. You say, “I considered my
assignment to the immediate command in Mis
sissippi as giving me anew position, and limit
ing my authority to this department.” I have
character zed this as a grave error, aud, in
view of all Lie (acts, cannot otherwise regard
it. I mult add that a review of your corres
pondence: shows a constant desire on your part,
beginning early in January, that 1 should
change the order, placing Tennessee and Mis
sissippi in| one command, under your direction,
and a constant indication on my part, w henev
er 4 wrote on the subject, that, in my judgment,
the public service required that the two armies
should be subject to your contro'.
In the cloticittsiou of this letter tho President
says: j
Iff ho nj inner, l>v no act, by no language, ei
ther of myself or of the Secretary of War, lias
your authority to draw troops from on? portion
of your department to another been withdrawn,
restricted, or modified.
Now, that Vicksburg, lias disastrously fallen,
this subject would present no pressing demand
for attention, and its examination would have
been postponed to a future period had not your
dispatch ot the sth instant, with its persistent
repetition of statements which I had informed
you were erroneous, and without adducing a
single fact/to su-tain them, induced me to ter
minate the matter at once by a review of all
the facts, ihe original mistake in your tele
gram of the 12th Jain! would gladly have been
overlooked, as accidental, if acknowledged when
pointed out.
Tiie perseverance with which they have been
insisted oil has not permitted me to pass them
by a;; ;*. rr.ei’O oversight, or by refraining from
an answer to seem to admit the justice of the
siatement.
Tiie remainder of the correspondence lias re
ference to the operations of our own and tbo
enenjy s forces subsequent to the fall of Vicks
burg.
11KLIEF OF M HUM H'M.OUtUH-U fUTIAU
OF DIIIECTOItS.
Richmond, Feb. 8, 18(14.
A meeting of the Board of the “Association
for the Relief of Maimed Soldiers,” was held
tins cvon.Dig, ill the oljiec of Dr. Minnegeroile,
St. Paul’s Church.
Dr. C. K. Marshall, (President,) called the
board to order.
The following resolutions were offered by
ltev. Dr. Minnegeroile, and adopted :
Ist. Resolved, That general agents he ap
pointed in jthe different States of this Confed
eracy, to j solicit and co lect the necessary
funds for this association, with power to nom
inate sub {agents to canvass tho countes of
their respective States. These sub-agents to
receive their appointment from the Board of
Directors ; no agent or sub agent being per
mitted to act without such appointment, signed
by the President or Vice Presidents of this
Association.
2d. Ri.sot.vep, That all general agents are
to make monthly reports to the Treasurer of
this Association, and report to the Board of
Directors at their stated meetings.
3d. li.Kspi.VKß, That all clergymen, acting
under the resolution of the parent society, re
questing them to present the claims of this As
sociation, and receive collections from their
congregations, may report to the general agent,
or iransmit by draft the tuuds so received, to
the Treasurer, Win. 11. Mcfarland, Richmond
Virginia.
On motion of Dr. J. B. McCaw, it was
Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary
be instructed to offer to persons willing to act
as agents, suitable compensation tor their ser
vices, which compensation shall be determined
upon by the Bo ird of Directors.
Ou motion ot Dr. J. B. McCaw, it was
Resolved, That the manufacturers if artifi
cial limbs throughout the Confederacy are in
vited to send into tlie Board of Directors, as
soon as practicable specimens of their work,
with proposals, stating the number they can
furnish, and itiue.and place of delivery, with
cost of same.
On motion of Dr. C. 801 l Gibson, it was
Resolved, That Surgeons Cabell and Davis,
of Charlottesville, be requested to serve, this
Association as inspectors of artificial limbs,
made bv Messrs, Wells & Cos., for persons au
thorized by the Association to receive them,
and that they be empowered to draw upon, or
to endorse the draft Jof the manufacturers, on
the Treasurer, for the respective amounts, after
satisfactory inspection.
On motion of Dr. S. T. Moore, it was
Resot[ved, That disabled so diers, desirous
of obtaining artificial limbs, may make appli
cation to Dr. W. C. Carrington, Corresponding
Secretary, and, on furnishing a statement iu
writing,of their residence, regiment and com
pany, With time ami place of losing their limbs,
shall receive au order for such limbs as
may need.
On motion of Rev. Dr. Minnegerode, it was
Rksollvkd, That the President be appointed
a couiukutee to report, at the next meeting, a
system of rules foe the government of this
Board.
On motion, it was Resolved, That Messrs.
Jas. I). Apperson. Thomas W. McCance, An
drew Johnson, and John Enders be requested
to act as a committee to wait upon the citizens
of Richmond, aud receive such donations as
they may wish to bestow upon this enterprise,
tin motion of Mr. John Euders, it was
Resolved, That the Board of Directors meet
montl ly, on the first Monday night of each
month, iu the office of Rev. Dr. Minnegerode,
St. Pa tl’s Church.
On motion of Dr. Mooie, the meeting ad
j journitd to meet next Monday night at 8 o’clock.
C. K. Marshall, President.
0, F. Wkisigeb, Secretary.
The New York Commercial states that there
are 2 ),000 Southern people sojonrning in that
city and its environs. Brooklyn, Hoboken and
Jersey City—mostly refugees—divided into
three classes, the Secessionists, the No-»idere,
and the Unionists.
Thomas J. Durant, formerly U. S. District
Attorney for Louisiana, has joined Lincoln and
become’prominent in negro meetings in New
Orleans to organize an Abolition State Gov
ernment —he is spoken of for Governor.
A correspondent writing North from Port
| Royal m relation to the confiscated land sales.
! save : •• I tear the colored man would not be
| mm h beuefitted by the change ; that there is
Ino chance tor any one but Government officials
an 1 military officers, and a few Northern sharp
ers. to become acquiantedjwitbjthel sands or to
attend’ the sale
; j What toe Citizens of tub Sobt: may Ex
| tect —The supporters of L'ucoin believing
j I that the South is already conquerjl and in
t their relentless grasp, have lately spike n out
more boldly in regard to their plain and de
signs. They do not now endeavor ti conceal
their foul intentions as they did at first, but
openly show that this war is carried on by
them for the purpose of depriving the residents
ol the South not only of their slavis but ol
their landed property, also. The ucctUof the
Federal armies has induced the Lineiln gov
ernment to drop the mask with which it has
heretofoie covered up its movements. The
people of the South cau now read, witiiut any
mistake, the fate in store for them it C; al
low themselves to lie subjugated. Tlu“ ki 1
mend Dispatch remarks llins on “the “ punish
ment designed for Southern traitors” by the
Abolition dynasty of the North ;
The lion. Win. Whiting, Solicitor of the Fed
eral War Department, whose letter in favor of
the entire confiscation of the property of per
sons within the Confederate lines, without dis
criminating as to loyalty and disloyalty, has
been published, has published a work of more
durable form on the “ War Powers of tbe
President.” This work derives its importance
chiefly from the fact that its author is a high
official of the Federal Government, and that
his first letter on the subject has been endorsed
and acted upon by that Government. The ch
i' ct, end and aim of the work may be found in
the following pithy and far seeing sentence :
“ The circumstances which the rebellion has
forced on the Government are making great
and important changes, and among the most
import uit of these is the salo of the lands of
the absconding rebel-’, and the effect which
tho guilt of treason will have upon the rights
of their descendants after the rebellion shall
have been suppressed and the Union restored.”
Solicitor Whiting, discussing the subject and
effect of “bills oi attainder,” says there are
essential characteristics which distinguish them
from ali oilier penal statutes. First. “They
always inflict the penalty of death upon the of
fender, or of outlawry, which is equivalent to
death.” Second. “They are always ex postfac
to laws, being passed after the crime was com
mitted which they are to punish.” Third
“They never allo.v the guilt or innocence of
the persons attainted to be ascertained by trial,
but the guilt is attributed to them by act ot
Parliament.” Fourth. “They always inflict
certain penalties, among which were corruption
of blood and lot feiture of estate.” The essence
of attainder was in corruption of blood. Mr.
Whiting says : a*.
•■Unless a law of Congress shall contain these
four characteristics, penalty of death or out
lawry, corruption of blood, and the legislative,
not judicial, condemnation, embodied in a law,
it is not a bill of attainder under the sense of
the Constitution.” ’the Constitution provides
that no bill of attainder or ex post facto law
shall be passed liy Congress; and that r.o State
shall pass any bill of attainder, ex pout facto
law. or law impairing the obligation of con
tracts.” There is, therefore, says Mr. Whiting,
•‘no power in this country to pass any bill of
attainder.” He says ; “In the technical law
statutes were called bills of attainder only when
. tile y inflicted the penalty of death or outlawiy;
while statutes which inflicted only forfeiture,
lines, imprisonment, and similar punishments,
were called l>ills of pains and penalties.” The
United States statutes of 17DO isas follows: “If
any person or persons owing allegiance to the
Unitt and States of America shall levy war against
them, or shall adhere to their enemies, giving
them aid and comfort, within the United States
or clsewheie, and shall be thereof convicted.
on I'r.l)or i;, COU.t. OI Oil b..„ 'Oil -
mony of two witnesses to tho said overt act. of j
the treason whereof lie shall stand indicted,
such person or persons shall be adjudged guilty
of treason against the United States, and shall
suffer death.’’
The law passed at the last session of Con
gress July, 1802, to meet tlie case of the pre
sent “rebellion,’’ says in section Ist : ‘ Per
sons committing treason shall buffer one of two
punishments ; 1. Either deatli and freedom to
his slaves; or 2. Imprisonment not less than
live years, line not less than ten thousand dol
lavs, and freedom of slaves ; the fine to be
collected out of any personal or real-estate ex
cept slaves.” The second section says : ‘'ln
dicating rebel'ion or engaging in it, or aiding
those who do so, is punishable by imprisonment
not more than ten years, line not more than
ten thousand dollars, and liberation of slaves.”
Section fifth makes it the duty of the Presi
dent to cause the seizure of all the property
real and personal, of several classes named,
and apply the same to tho support of the army.
First. Rebel army and navy officers. Second.
GovcrnmentolKcersof Confederate State in their
national capaciy. Third. Confederate State olfi
cers. Fourth. United States officers turned trai
tors. Fifth. Anyone holding any office agency,
national, State, or municipal, under the rebel
Government, &c. Sixth. Persons who own
property in loyal States, iti Territ >r es, or
in the District of Columbia, who shall
hereafter assist, aid, or comfoit such rebel
lion.
faction sixth is the most important portion of
tlie law. and is as follows :—“Any persons
within tlie United Statesnotabove named, who
are engaged iu armed rebellion, or aiding or
or al>filing it, who shall not, within six
ty days after proclamation by the President,
cease to aid, countenance and abei said rebellion,
shall be liable to have all their property, person
al and rea ! , seized by (he President, whose duty
it shall he to seize and use it or the proceeds
thereof. All transfers <~f such property made
moie than sixty days after tlie proclamation are
declared null. The Presidents’.* proclamation,
in accordance with and founded on the above
act, issued July 25, 1862, makes it, as Mr.
Whiting says :—“One of the most, important
acts ever passed by the Congress of the United
States.”
There is to be a “ loyal” religion, or uo re
ligion at all, in the subjugated territory, and
the people subjugated are not to be free to
worship the Almighty as tiiey please. Tho
New York Examiner announces that the Sec
retary of War has given full and lot null au
thority to tho American Baptist Home Mission
Society to take possession of every abandoned
Baptist meeting house within the limits of tho
insurrectionary district, and of every other
Baptist edifice now in the hands of the rebels.
The Examiner adds : “ This great authority was
obtained through the agency of the Home Mis
sion Secretary and Senator Harris, and the
Home Mi-sion Board will need pre-eminent
wisdom and energy, besides many men and
much means, adequately to meet their new re
sponsibilities. The Baptist population of the
seceding States is probably larger than that of
any other denomination, and hundreds of
abandoned Baptist pulpits will be open to loy
al Baptist ministers of the North. This is an
important movement, and it is to be hoped
that every rebel Baptist, (if there are any such,)
as well as every abandoned Baptist meeting
house, will speedily be restored to loyalty. ’
Lincoln's Claims to Re-Election. —The New
York World says Lincoln is a proper candidate
lor the Presidency on tho part of the Black
Republicans, for the following reasons :
•■l. He proclaimed as a necessity of P ar ’l
action an “irrepressible conflict" between the
interest of one section and the fanaticism o
the others.
2. He has announced that there is no jaw 1
the United Stages bnt the will of a majori >_•
3. He writes worse English than any 1 resi
dent we have ever had. _ .
4. He is as great a strategist as he is a states
mah, and has distinguished himself equally m
war and in jurisprudence.
5. Since Archy, the king’sjester, no man has
used such an abnndance of stores, from in
bioad smuttv to the diluted Joe Miller.
“Bhu.ll parts so various ai.u at nothing new :
He’ll shme a joker aud a ruler too.
6. He is used to all the violations ol tne
Constitution that are possible to any President,
and bv a frequent practiice does easily unu
which may come awkwardly to any oilier mao.
7. There never has been an official so true to
his party, and it will be proof of the in = ra V
tude of shoddy and abolitionism if they do not
re nominate him - ”
It is reported that a list of fifteen Major
Generals, among whom are Generals Bueb Dew
Wallace. Stahl and Sigel, has been haaaed to
Lincoln for dismissal from the service. Bm ne
so far has declined to issue the necessary.or
dtrs.
Decision* under the Conscript Act.—We
find in the Savannah News the decision of
Judge E. J. Harden in the Distiict Court of the
Confederate States for the Southern District of
Georgia. November term. 1863, on the hearing
of the petition of Robert Stunt, who had been
enrolled as a conscript. Stunt, in bis petition
for discharge claimed that he is a subject of the
Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, having his
domicil in Great. Futtaim and that his deten
tion as a conscript by the military officer is il
legal. It appears that Stunt landed in Boston
in LS-37 ; that in about a year afterwards he
n moved to Savannah, where be lias ever since
remained, following the trade ol house carpen
ter . that iu IS6I he inatrie.l a Jady s «
of ».•*..1-*ia : that’ in -C'v i rlugfafid
its his home and of his intention (o return ; that
in 1862,' lie liud his affidavit, under the law of
Georgia, that he tvas, and intended to continue
an alien, tic. lie made three several attempts
to leave the country, hut failed in each. Tho
War Department in General orders No. 82,
datidNovember, 1862, says: “Foreigners not
doiveiled in the Confederate States are not lia
bh to enrollment. Domicil in the Confederate
Stitos consists in residence with intention per
myiently to remain in those States, and to
nlatulon domicil elsewhere.” The case turned
oi the meaning of the word “domicil’’—the
petitioner contending that his domicil was in
Etgland. The Judge gave as the best defmi
tim of the word, “a residence at a particular
phee, with intention to remain there for an
urlimited time.” We quote from the decision :
In Stunt’s case, I believe it likely lie made at
hast one honest effort to return to England. I
an doubtful whether at that time, March, 1801,
lm domicil was here or in England. 1 incline
to think it was here. His object in coining
hire is presum. and to have been to better his l’or
ttne. No satisfactory proof appears, to show
that he was not doing well here. Soon after
hit first attempt to leave, the troubles, which
before bad been threatening, resulted in open
war ; but, for some time afterwards, there was
nc’diffienlly in his getting a passport to return,
though the Northern States to Europe. HL
wiiit ot means has been relied ou ; but this
argument operates both ways. If he came
line to make money, the object was not, of ne
ce-sity, a temporary one. In the before men
tioned case of Bruce v. Bruce, Lord Thurlow
said : “ A Brjtir.li man settles as a merchant
abroad —be enjoys tiie privileges of the place
—ife may mean to return when lie lias made
hi* fortune ; but if he die in the interval, will
it to maintained that he had its domicil at
homo?” Judging him by all nis declarations
and all his acts happening before it was his in
terest to make and do them, for the purpose of
avoiding service in the army, where is the
proof of intention to return by a definite time ?
If there was no definite time fixed, or no tem
porary business detaining him, then, according
to the definition o; domicil, be was domiciled
here, it L said he had money due him, which
ho could not collect; but this, I understand,
was after the war ; and it is a contingency to
which residence in auy place would have sub
ject’d him. 11 does not appear that he invested
motley here, nor does it appear that he had
any to invest. It was a risk which ho must
have foreseen when lie came ; and I cannot re
gard his want ot means as that sort of con
straint which ought to have prevented domicil
attaching to him here.
The Judge fuitlier remarks :
So iul 1 tl.l*. *!'.•■ *. .ion ot
tits in winch *- the most’ signuisant in
| the case. It is one of the tests of domicil. It
is true, if his domicil hud then been iu England,
tiie marriage would have transferred Die dom
icil of the wile to tbo same place. But, in a
rase of doubt, lnartiage is one of the indicia by
wh ch to fix t‘ e husband’s intention to remain
where lie marries, it would lie hard to visit
upon an undoiniciled pmson, unable to get
away, (lie inconvenience of celibacy, and to say
be must not marry, on pain of losing nis nation
ality of origin; but it cannot oi cape observa
tion, that, in so important a relation as marri
age, Mr. Stout rinds evidence of an understand
ing between himself and his wife soon after the’
marriage, mil none before it, that she was to
go with him to England. If he had intended,
before the nuptials, to return to England, he
ought to have told her so; and if he did so tell
her, wiiy is the evidence of it not to bo had ?
It was said, again, that the refusal of Stunt
to exercise political rights here raised a pre
sumption that lie never intended to become a
eitiy.cn. Admit it. and what ilocs that prove in
regard to domicil in the sense in which I have
been considering it? The question is where is
his home? —not where Ids paranumut allegiance
may he due. If a war were to arise between
this country and Great Britain, 1 suppose he
would be p rmitled to return at once to the
country from which he has never thrown off
allegiance in its highest sense; but choosing to
make his home here, he is, for tbe purpose of
obedience to onr laws, treated as a citizen of
the Confederate States.
Again, it was said that the existence of war
threw obstacles in tlie way of Stunt’s intended
departure ; and it was argued that this imped
iment of the war ought not to he visited upon
him ; and it was further argued that this state
of war was calculated to prevent thcprocuie
incut of evidence which might otherwise have
been had. These tilings may all he true ; and
ret, there is a counter consideration ol no little
weight, which is this : Stunt’s first attempt to
vet away was alter the secession of Georgia and
some others of the seceding Sttaes. If his de
s:re to get away hdd no respect to threatened
troubles in the country, still, tho events which
soon alter followed wore well calculated to warn
a prudent alien residing hero lo excersise great
caution in respect not only to the fixing of his
true position iu the Confederacy, hut to the
evidence by which that position might bo shown.
Stunt’s marriage under the circumstances was
not a measure of that sort, it heflid not con
template a domicil here. The country in which
he was and now is, needed tlie services of all
persons resident in it. That country owed
them protection, and in return claimed their
obedience. The difficulty of rendering protec
tion increased with the increasing ferocity of
the struggle. That was the time, when a for
eigner contracting marriage here, and carrying
on his usual pur suits, should have given such
evidence of his true status towards the Confed
erate States as to leave no doubt of his posi
tion. Ido not pretend that the case is free
man difficulty ; but tho result of my investiga
tion is that the petitioner must be remanded.
Murder by the Y ankees. —A correspondent
of the Wilmington Journal follow
ing particulars of the hanging of a citizen of
Chowan country by the Yankees:
Some time last year the Yankees went to Dr.
Leavy’s house and carried off all his negroes
and liis provissions. This year, with the help
of his children, he managed to raise a sufficient
crop for the maintenance of himself and family.
About five or six weeks ago, the Buffalos being
on a raid in Chowan, went to tho Dr.'s house
and demanded his com. He refused to give his
consent for them to take it, and so they told
Him they would break down the door and take
it any how. Whereupon, the Doctor being a
li-tie excited with passion, told them that he
would shoot the first man that at tempted to en
ter bis barn. Being a little intimidated by the
Doctor's spirited manner, iliey went off without
going into his barn. Shortly, however, they
catne back again, accompanied by au armed
body of United States marines, whom they had
seen down to one of the gunboats and brought
with them, probably as a show of wore ituthori
ty, or it may be they thotght to iutiw'.date the
Doctor in their turn. At any rate, he was no
inoteuidafed in the least, and when they at
tempted to go into his barn he, very unwisely,
let his passion get the masteyy, and fired at
them, i did not learn whether the shot took
effect. Immediately upon discharging his gun,
h; was seized and hanged with a rope which
they had brought for the purpose, in all proba
bility suspecting from w hat they knew ot his
character, that he would prove as good as his
word, and wishing for an opportunity to hany
him. The worst feature of tne whole case w as,
that they hung him in front of his own door,
and in the presence of his family. They have
endeavored to keep this affair very secret, for
what cause 1 am not aware, for they can mur
i der our citizens with impunity at any liras.—
These murders at eof frequent aco irrence, .
VOL. LXXVIII. —NEW SERIES VCL. XXVIII. O. if
Restrictions upon Foreign Commerce. —The
Cougress of tiie Confederate Slates has passed,
in secret session, and the I’resident approved,
a series of measures regulating the foreign
commerce of the Confederate States, The in
junction of secrecy having been removed from
the several acts, we are enabled this morning
to ptesent a synopsis of their several provis
ions :
An Act to Prohibit the Importation of Luxuries,
or of Articles no! Necessaries or of Common
. Use.
1. That from ntul after the Ist March next it
shall not he lawful to import into the Confed
erate States any brandy, wines or other spirits,
or any other article specified in schedule A ol
, the "Tariff Act,” app- oved May 21st, IStilua.
nv article enumerated In schedule 1! of said
act, oxc pt: All tilings for medicinal purposes;
camphor, refined; pickles; molasses; spices of
all kinds; toilet soaps; sugar; syrup; trimmings
of gold and silver, or imitations thereof, intend
ed for uniforms of officers in military service or
naval service.
The prominent articles of commerce rendered
contraband by the foregoing sections are as fol
lows :
Anchovies, sardines, and all other fish pre
served in oil.
Brandy, wines or other spirits. Confection
ery, comfits, preserved fruits, and cordials of
every description.
Glass, cut. Manufactures of fine wood. .Se
ga rs, snuff, and all other manufactures of to
bacco.
All dried or preserved fruits. Argentine, al
ahata or German silver, manufactured or un
manufactured.
Cosmetics, perfumes, etc., (not used for med
icinal purposes.) Bracelets, curls, etc., com
posed of hair, or of which hair is a component,
brooms and brushes of all kinds.
Canes and sticks. Tickles and sauces of all
kinds. Card eases, pocket books, and all simi
lar articles. Compositions of glass. Feathers
and flowers—artificial or ornamental. Fans and
fire screens.
Manufactures of gold, piatina, or silver not
otherwise provided for. Manufactures of pa
per mache.
Plated and gilt ware of all kinds. Playing
cards. Prepared vegetables, etc., in cans or
otherwise.
The 2d section prohibits the importation of
various articles enumerated in schedule C of
said act, viz: Beer, ale and porter; all manu
factures of lur, except caps and hats; carpets,
carpeting, hearth rugs; carriages and parts of
carriages; cider aud other beverages not con
taining alcohol; clocks and parts of clocks;
cotton laces, colton insortings, cotton trim
mings, or laces of thread or other material;
dolls aud toys of all kinds; fireworks; furni
ture, eabiuet and household; glass, colored,
stained or painted; matting of all sorts; jet
and jewelry, or imitations thereof; marble pa
per hangings; paving and roofing tiles and
bricks; fire bricks; thread lacings and insert
ing; velvets of ail kinds.
Among the articles of iuxun’es, etc., in sched
ule C, not declared contraband, arc Bologna
sausages; chocolate; delaines; fish, fiesli,
smoked, salted, dried, or pickled; ginger, in
all styles; green turtle; honey; maccaroni;
vermacelli, gelatine and jellies; manufactures
of silk, wool, cotton and flax, not otherwise
provided for; musical instruments; mustard;
olives; parasols and umbrellas.
Tiie 2d section prohibits tiie importation of
various articles enumerated on schedule D and
E. viz : Goats’ hair, or mohair, unmanufactur
ed ; bannanas, coacoanuts, plantains and oran
ges, cabinets of coins, etc ; diamonds and
other precious stones, and imitations there if
set or not set in gold or silver, or other metal ;
engravings, raiait**, and rce.is, paintings and
statuary, tobacco and sugars.
The 4th section provides that none of tho
manufactures of metal designed as either
household or personal ornaments, shall bo ad
mitted, and in order to confine importations to
articles of necessity and of common use, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe the
maximum prices at which and within which
importations ot goods, manufactured wholly or
partially ot cottou, flax, wool, or of silk, and
designed for wearing apparel, and not herein
prohibited, may he made, and beyond which
importations thereof shall not be made ; pro
vided, that nothing herein contained shall he
construed to prohibit any importation for the
use or account of tlie Confederate Stales, or
either of them ; and provided further, that this
act shall not apply to any article or articles
which have been or shall be shipped, without
knowledge of the passage of the act before the
Ist of March next, but which shall arrive in a
Confederate port after that date. The sth sec
tion provides for the forfeiture of double the
value of all articles imported contrary to the
meaning ot this act, after Ist March next , also
tlie forfeiture of tlie vessel, boat, raft or car
riage, and all m tides on board the same belong
ing" to the owner of such prohibited|articles.
The Gth section provides the penalties for
the omission in the manifest or entry of any of
said articles on board of any vessel or carriage
arriving in the Confederate States.
The 7th, Bili and Dili sections presetibe the
duties of custom house officers; the penalties
f.u' concealing or buying contraband articles ;
and the additional oaths to be taken liy mas
ters or persons having command of any vessel
arriving at a Confederate port.
The lilth section provides the mode of recov
ering penalties and forfeitures.
Tlie 11th section declares that the act shall
expire on the jjay of the ratification of a treaty
of peace with the United States.
An Act to Impose Regulations upon the Foreign
Commerce of the Confederate States, and to Pro
vide for the Public Defence.
The Ist section of the act prohibits the expor
tation of cotton, tobacco, military and naval
stoves, sugar, molasses and rice from the Con
federate States, and from all places in tlie oc
cupation of their troops, except under such re
gulations as shall he made by tho President of
the Confederate States.
The 2d section provides that if any person
shall put on hoard of any ve.-sel, or vehicle, or
collect, for conveyance beyond the Confederate
States, or into the enemy’s lines, any of the
said articles, they with tlie vessel or vehicle,
with the slaves and animats employed for the
purpose of aiding therein, shall he forfeited,
and tho offending party, aiders and abettors,
shall on conviction, be deemed guilty of a high
misdeameanor. and punishable by such fine and
imprisonment as the court may impose.
The 3d section makes it lawful to put any of
said articles on any vessel or veh-cle for trans
portation tis aforesaid, if a permit he previous
ly obtained from an officer of the Confederate
States authorized to grant tlie same.
The 4th section provides for the enforcement
of the provisions of the foregoing sections.
The otli section authorizes the President to
impose conditions to the destination and sale
of articles allowed to be exported, or seized un
der this act, and the investment of the proceeds
in military or other supplies for tho public ser
vice. It also prescribes the mode of redress of
any person aggrieved by the execution of tiie
law; and provides that the Confederate States,
or either of them, may export any of the arti
cles herein enumerated, on their own account.
The sixth section confers exclusive jurisdic
tion upon the district courts of the Confederate
States of all suits or actions that may arise un
der this act.
The 7th section authorizes the President, or
such officers as he in ay designate, to employ
any portion of the military or naval forces of
the Confederacy, or of the militia, to enforce
the provisions of tho act.
The Bth section provides that this act shall
expire on the day of the ratification of a trea
ty of peace with the United States.
A Stirring Appeal —Gen. Beauregard has
issued to the soldiers in his department tho an
nexed Stirling appeal:
Soldiers of the Department of South Caro
lina. Georgia and Florida:—The term of ser
vice of some of you is about to expire. You
must have observed from the newspapers ot
your country that your brothers iu arms of the
veteran aimies of Northern Virginia and of
Tennessee have ie enlisted, as was expected of
such men, by entire companies, battalions, reg
iments and brigades, proudly retaining the
organization intact under which they have won
renown. Will the men who have defended
Forts Sumter and Moultrie, aud Battery Wag
ner, fait to follow these examples of soldierly
patriotism ?
Gen. Fester has issued an order prohibiting
the distillation of grain in Kentucky.
FltOM MISSISisIFPI.
I The Seirna Dispatch of Thursday gives the
1 annexed news:
Passengers by cars report the advance guard
I of the enemy to have been on Wednesday with
in thirty miles of Meridian, aud that our foiees
were preparing to evacuate that place, ihe
baegage of troops, subsistence etc.,
were being rapidly removed in the direction ot
Demopolis.
There are exciting statements in relation to
a simultaneous advance of the enemy on Mo
bile, by Gen. Banks, which we believe to be
without foundation.
The Mobile Advertiser of Thursday remarks
thus :
The more we reflect upon it tie* less we are
disposed to bclb ui* T.uti’ General Sherman Is
marching from Mo.’ton upon this city, aud we
should not be surprised to learn that having
cleared his front of Confedeiates by the ruse.
he lias turned his face eastward and pounced
upon Meridian. It is at least one hundred and
sixty miles from Morton to Mobile. It he
comes in a straight line he must open new rotuls
for a large part of the way. ,The country is des
titute of supplies, and he must haul all his sub
sistence. To do this would require a train of
3,000 wagons—one heavy ram would stop his
artillery and baggage trains.
If lie should succeed in getting here, and plant
himself in front of our fortifications, what is he
to live on? lie cannot be supplied from a
base 200 miles distant. When we hear that
the enemy has established a base on the coast
tend opened a water communication for his sup
pliers, wo shall begin to think that Gen. Sher
man is serious in the enormous Hank movement
he is now supposed to be making. At present
.we do not credit it.
Tho enemy’s force is ascertained to consist
of thirty thousand iufantiy, twelve thousand
cavalry and two pieces of artillery. Its desti
nation is, undoubtedly. Moßilc, while a part,
may, it not checked, attempt to break up our
railroad communication, which, if successful,
will aid them materially in their advance ou
that city.
The Yankees are committing all sorts of
atrocities—sparing neither age, nor sex, nor
condition. They have nearly destroyed Jack
son by fire. Every house on State street Ins
been given to the torch, leaving, indeed of the
whole, only the State House and the City Hall,
which they preserved they said, for their own
uses. It was also so at Brandon and Clinton,
both of which towns are said to be iu ruins.
Other infamous outrages have also been com
mittod by them. It is evident that they in
tend to leave nothitiS but a track of ruins he-
hind them.
Some of the Federal prisoners captured front
the enemy have on their hats the profane mot
to, “Mobile or Hell.”
No reports confirm the statement that the
enemy were east of Morton station, on the
Southern road.
The report that a large number of Missis
sippi troops have deserted their colors is said
to he without foundation.
Gen. Lee is harrassing the enemy. He de
stroyed one train of forty wagons, near Deca
tur, killing the mules and drivets. Our loss
was six. His brigades are becoming encum
bered with prisoneis.
We learn that the enemy l as moved out a
column, thirty thousand strong, east of Pearl
river. Indeed we have a good reason for be
lieving that they have advanced some thirty or
.forty miles from Pearl river on the line of the
Southern road. Our infantry force is retiring
in perteot order in the direction of Meridian. —
Our cavalry is in the rear of the enemy. We un
derstand that the enemy are now supplied with
only thirty days rations. So far all work well.
There was a repott in the citv last night,
which came by the train from the West, that
Gen. Polk had had a severe fight with Slier
man’s troops and defeated them badly. We
know Hot iiow much reliance should be placed
in the report, bill are of opinion, from circum
stances, that lighting iias been going on for tiie
last two days. An order was received here
yesterday to ptepare hospital accommodations
for three hundred wounded. This proves that
there lias been lighting.
We hear also that Gen. Forrest, with ali his
available force had gone in the direction of
Memphis, having ascertained that all of the
white troops had been withdrawn from the
place to strengthen Sherman in his movements
on Meridian. This comes to us in sucli a
shape that we cannot doubt it.
The editor of the Mobile advertiser says,
that when tho enemy has established a base
on the coast and opened a water communica
tion lot* his supplies, we shall begin to think
Gen. Sherman is serious in the enormous flank
movement he is now supposed to be making on
Mobile.
The large amount of rolling stock on the
railroads north of Jackson is again endaDgeri <1
by the Federal movements and success in Mis
sissippi.
The military authorities at Mobile are col
lecting a large supply of provisions to subsist
upon in case of a siege by tlie enemy. The
fate of Vicksburg is remembered.
All the ordnance and other stores at Merid
ian are being moved to Demopolis. Such pub
lic property as could not probably bo removed
was made ready to lie destroyed at any mo
ment. All the railroad slock above Meridian
was taken South.
A gentleman who was with i’oik's command
when it fell back from Morton, and left Merid
ian on Feb. 11th, brings us sorrowful intelli
gence of the ravages committed by Sherman in
ids inarch through Mississippi. He is carrying
out the threat, in las late Memphis speech, that
lie would make the people feel his power.——
Raymond, Clinton, ail of Jackson except the
public buildings, Brandon, and even the little
village of Morton, were given over to the
flames. On the route, many dwellings and all
the outbuildings and fanning utensils were de
stroyed. He desires to make the people de
pendent, with a view to make submission to the
military government ho proposes to establish a
necessity.
The archives of the Stale Government of
Mississippi have been removed from Macon and
Columbus to Selma, Ala. It is thought by
gentlemen who reached this city last night, that
the Federal forces were at or near Meridian.
FROM I’iTiCit EAST TK.WKSSKK.
It B impossible for tlie two armies to remain
much longer inactive.
® The Federal army, under the immediate
command of Gen. Cox, of Western Virginia no
toriety, is massed beiow Knoxville, aud num
bers about forty thousand men.
The Federals in and around Knoxville have
generally been on half rations. They bring
their supplies from Chattanooga, by steamer to
Loudon 1 and thence by rail to Knoxville.
A Federal force is stationed at Loudon and
a small outpost kept up at Sweetwater to
cover forage and pillaging parties.
The Federals are building a bridge across
the Holstein river at Knoxville and are forti
fying the heights east of the river. These
heights command the city and its principal de
fences, and were occupied in part Ly Longstreet
in his siege, last fall.
The Federal savages of the small pox it is
said caused the Federals to change their po
setion at Knoxville.
Our advance is still near Knoxville and our
troops in a position to maintain it.
The whole of East Tennessee, South of
French Broad, and West and south of Knox
ville, has been pillaged, plundered and laid
waste. The utmost efforts on the part of Cox’s
quartermaster and commissary agents could
not now glean enough of bread or meat to
supply his army for ten days.
There was never a moie unprincipled set
of robbers in possession of any country than
those who now hold Knoxville. The ward
robes of ladies, their jewelry, household fur
niture, stock, grain, everything, is taken, not
for tiie use of the army, but for private gain.
Even infants are robbed of their clothing, and
the ai tides borne off to be sold for the benefit
of the plunderers. Ladies have been violated,
and, iu number less instances, old and infirm
men have been ebjMown in their o\yn ySrds,
for the crime ol hamig sons in our army.
A disease called by our Physicians, Spiro
meningetis has appeared among the negroes in
some parts of Abbeville District, S. C. It
proves to be very unmanageable, and iu nearly
every instance fatal.
There are several cases of small pox in
Greenville, Merriwether County. It also exists
in LaGrange and Columbus.
ro* federate STATES COXURKSi
SENATE—FF.B. 10.
The House bill to increase the compensation
of certain officers of the Treasury passed; a)*,
with amendments, House bill for the relief of
tax payers in certain cases, passed; to promote
t iie efficiency of the cavalry ol the Provisional
Army, Xe., passed.
HOUSE.
1 lie Speaker submitted a communication from
the President, covering another from tiie Sec
eretury of War, in response to tesoiulion of the
12th of January, relating to the passport sys
tem and citizens traveling, out of the lines of
the army.
The Speaker submitted anoth.-r cr. .uiunie*-
tlnn from tin: I’lesnienl with nnoi! from IT'*.
Secretary of \V ar, r. q.onrthig to a resolution of
tiie 12lli uit., showing that the records of the
War Department give no authority for the rais
ing ot battalions, &e., of persons iiable to con
scription, save in districts where tiie operation
of the law has been suspended.
i lie Speaker submitted another communica
tion with the Report of the operations of Gen.
John S. Williams, in Tennessee; and another
responding to a resolution of the 15th uit., in
. relation to the prohibition by Gen’s Sam. Joueß
and Iniboden of the transportation of supplies
from their military districts to Richmond.
The several Executive communications were
ordered to be printed.
Tho Committee on Elections, reported a bill
to provide for filling vacancies in Congress from
the State of Arkansas. The bill was considered
and passed.
A bill was reported to authorize the publi
cation of a digest of the laws of the Confed
erate Stales—discussed till the House went in
to secret session.
At the night session of the House on Wed
nesday the Committee of Ways and Means, re
ported back the appropriat on bill for the fiscal
year, ending June 30th, 1864, with the amend
ments of the Senate, which were concurred in.
Some additional amendments were made by
the House.
SENATE—FEB. 11.
The Military Committee, reported back,
with the recommendation that it pass, House
joint resolution declaratory of the meaning of
the act allowing hospital accommodation to
sick and wounded officers. The resolution de
elated that subsistence is included under the
terms, “hospitals accommodations. The reso
lution was agreed to.
The same committee, reported back favoura
bly the bill to amend an act entitled “An act
to provide and organize Engineer troops to
serve during the war. The bill was placed on
tbe calendar.
The same committee, reported back adver
sely the bill to preserve tbe efficiency ano or
ganization of the old tire companies.
The same committee reported back with tho
recommendation that it do not pass, the bill to
abolish the office of third lieutenant in the ar
my.
Resolutions of thanks to re-enlisting troopa
were passed.
HOUSE—FEB. 11.
Resolutions of thanks to various brigades,
reghneuts, Ac,, who have re-enlisted for tho
war, were passed, also, thanks to Gens. For
rest and Stuart and men for gallantry ia tho
service.
A letter was read frr m a lady in Macon,
Ga., who sends by express a piece of silver to
Mr. Memmingcr to be coined into money to
help to strengthen the currency.
Senate bill to promote, efficiency of the cav
alry of the provisional army, &c., referred;
hill to authorize the publication of a digest of
the laws of the Confederate States, amended
and passed ; to provide and organize a general
staff for the armies in the field, amended and
passed; to provide for tee payment of horsea
t illed captured, lost or disabled in the Confed
erate service, passed.
A motion was entered to reconsider the vote
by which the House concurred iu the last
amendment of the Senate to tlie prosent ap
propriation bill.
The House took up the bill reported from the
special committee, to authorize the impress
ment of meat for tlie use ot the army, under
ceitain cirri urn. lances. The bill was debated
and passed. [A synopsis of this bill has beeu
given by telegraph.]
The Speaker laid before the House a commu
nication from the President, transmitting ail
estimate from the Secretary of the Treasury, of
the additional nun needed for the support of
the Government, and recommending an appro
priation of the amount. Referred to the Coin
in'Ueo on Ways and Means.
Also, a communication from the President in
response to a resolution of tlie House, adopted
on the "Ist of December, transmitting a com
munication from the Secretary of War con
cerning tlie corrospor dence with General Whit
ing. relative to the defences of Wilmington.—■
Withdrawn, to be presented iu secret session.
The Senate joint resolutions of thanks to
certain Virginia troops re-enlisting for tfio war
were taken up and passed.
Senate amendments to House bill to estab
lish certain post routes were concurred in.
The House refused to agree to the Senate
amendments to House bill to increase the com
pensation of certain officers in tho Treasury
Depavtinen t.
Senate amendments to House bill for tho re
lief of tax payers i:i certain cases wore con
curred in.
A resolution was offered to authorize tha
printing of one bundled thousand copies of tho
President’s address, of the (fill February, 1854,
to the soldiers of the army, under the direction
of tlie Secretary of War. Agreed to.
A resolution was introduced calling on tho
President for a copy of tlie report of General
Pemberton, relating to the siege, defence and
fall of Vicksburg. Agreed to.
On motion the House went into secret ses
sion.
On Wednesday the House passed the follow
ing bills : Senate bill relating to tlie allowances
to officers of the navy of theConfoderateStates
under certain circumstances; bill to provide
for the increased price of rations for sick and
wounded soldiers iu hospitals, also! joint reso
lutions declaring the meaning of tlie act al
lowing hospital accommodations to officers.
SENATE—I-’kß. 12.
The Military Committee reported a bill to
provide (or the retiring officers of the army.—■
It authorizes the President, upon the recom
mendation of any General commanding a de
partment or array, to discharge from service
any officer of the Confederate States army, or
of the provisional army, who has no assigned
commaui or duty, or who is incompetent or in
efficient, or who may be absent from his com
mand or duty without leave. The 2d section
declares that the provisions of the Ist section
shall not be held lo apply to officers who have
become disabled by wounds or disease con
tracted in the line of duty, but the 1 resident
may retire such officers upon full pay during
the war, or may assign them to such post or
other duty as they may be able to perform.
The bill passed.
The “Appropriation Bill ’ having been re
turned from tho House with amendments to
tho amendments proposed by the Senate, tho
bill was taken up and referred to the Commit
tee on Finance.
The House bill to increase the compensation
of certain officers of the Treasury was returned
from the House, with a notification of the dis
agreement of that body to the Senate amend
ment .
The Senate insisted upon its amendment.
The amendments of the House to the Senate
bill to provide a general staff' for armies in tho
field, were read and concurred in.
The House bill to authorize the purchase and
publication of a digest of the laws of the Con
federate States, was considered and passed.
The llou3e joint resolution of thanks to tha
Virginia troops at Diewry’a Bluff, for re enlist
ing for the war, was considered and unani
mously agreed to.
Similar resolutions of thanks tojbe 28th and
13th regiments of Nor.h Carolina troops; 3d
Georgia regiment; 22nd Virginia regiment;
Hart’s Battery, Hampton's Legion, south Car
olina Volunteers; 16th {Mississippi, regiment,
40th and 55th regiments of Tennessee \ olun
teers, at Mobile, were severally considered and
unanimously agreed to.
i fW fiolonei J. B. Gordon, of Alabama,
llrcly confirmed as Brigadier General to com-
Jnaud Lawton’S brigade, was not, on or boffir*