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rtItTUKV ur (IIICiPtUBOr FKvMOVfil,
*OttTH CAROMS A.
A correspondent of the Kaleigh, N. C., Con
federate sends that paj«.r the cap
ture of Plymouth, which is very .interesting.—
The land forces inarched from Tarboro' on Fri
day. April loth, having been quietly and rap
idly collected at that place during the night of
the 14th. He says :
On Sunday, the 17th. at 4 P. M.. we were
within two miles of Plymouth, having marched
through swamps and across swollen creeks a
distance of seventy-five miles without the
knowledge of the enemy. His picket on the
Washington road was taken—our infantry
thrown into line and the batteries into position.
Kemper's brigade, with a battery of ten poun
der Napoleons and three twenty pounder Par
rots, was detached to attack Warren Neck, a
strong position on the river a mile above the
town, which the enemy thought,and we feartd,
would effectually stop the passage ot the Albe
marie, and so deprive us of her valuable aid,
and by leaving the gunboats in the river near
the town, seriously increased the difficulty of
DEFENCES OK I'LVMOLTII.
Plymouth is situated on the south bank of
the Roanaxe. which here flows in an easterly
direction. The town is approached by four
roads, the Washington on the west, the Colum
hi* on the east, ami between these two the Bath
and Lee's Mill roads, The defences of the town
consisted ol the following works : On the west
of the Washington road, about 800 yards from
the town, a strong earthwork, Fort Wessell,
surrounded by a deep moat and mounting three
guns, one 32-pounder and two C-pouuders. On
the east of the Columbia road, a work with a
moat in front and stockades in the rear, mount
ing two 32-pounders and two 12-pounders. On
ttie we»t of the same road, a well constructed
work with-a moat in front, but open in the rear,
mounting three guns. In the rear of this and
within thetown was another work, partly earth,
neatly turfed, and partly stockade, facing to
the southeast and open towards the river,
mounting two guns, the stockades being pier
ced for musketry.
The Lee’s Mill, Bath and Washington roads
were covered by a line ot heavy entrenchments,
mounting nine guns, and terminating at the
latter road in a strong fort, surrounded by a
very wide and deep moat, and mounting six
heavy guns. This was Fort Williams, as strong
to resist bombardment or assault as the skill of
engineering could make it. On the river face
of the town was a camp, entrenched to resist
any attack from flic water, aud a little lower
down an earthwork for the same purpose. The
force in the town and at Warren Neck consist
ed of tlip llitli Connecticut, 85th New Fork,
101st and 103d Pennsylvania, two companies
of Massachusetts heavy artillery, one battery
ot light a. tillery, and two squadron of cavalry,
the whole commanded by Brig. Gen. Wessel.of
the old United States auny.
FEINT ON WARREN NECK.
On the night of the 17th, an attack was made
upon Warren Neck under the direction of Col.
Leering ; aud the gunboat of the enemy com
ing to the assistance of the garrison, was sunk,
and a force of imantry sent from the town was
repulsed; hut the enemy successfully resisted
all attempts to take this stronghold. On Mon
day our artillery opened vigorously upon the
town ; and during the day btth pounded away
at each other incessantly ; but beyond a little
skirmishing with the enemy, and inanreuver
ing for position, our infantry did nothing. To
ward evening, however, it became evident
that something was on foot; and Ransom's
brigade, with the Brh N- C., was drawn up in
the woods facing the works on the Washing
ington, Lee’s Mill and Bath Roads. A heavy
line of skirmishers was thrown out under the
command of Capt. John C. Pegram, A. A. G.;
and advancing rapidly with the peculiar gai!
pf the sharpshooters and the yell with which
o\jr boys so to the charge, (frove the enemy
back to his works, and uppioacbed within two
hundred and fifty yards of the fort earnestly
demanding to he Jed into the p'ace.
Meanwhile Pegram’s battery dashed forward
at a run, supported by the infantry, and un
limbering delivered a furious fire upon the de
voted place. Three times we advanced, each
time nearer, until within good charging dis
tance ; but the artillery had it all to thern-
The movement was merely a demon-
Station to call off the enemy’s attentiou from
Hoke’s attack upon fort Wessell, which, after
a short but t harp resjtance, fell before the su
perior poweis ol' Hoke's brigade; and that
flight's work was done.
Leaving ft line of pickets on tlic field, the
main body of the troops withdrew to prepare,
by u few hoar's rest, for the attack, which we
all felt would he made on the morrow, and as
we lay down by our liras, every ouu wonder
ed ftt the Albermarle’s delay, end prayed for
her speedy arrival.
At thieein the morning we were all awaken
eil by the thunder of her Blakely guns as she
defiantly saluted Warren Neck, en passant,
and sailed sa'ely by over the obstructions
which the enemy had placed in the river. She
went to work at once among the enemy’s gun
boats, sinking ono ami driving the vest to Hat
toms, and then turning her attention to the
fortifications she kept up a steady lire during
the morning, silencing the euemy s guns and
driving him Into his bomb-proofs. But still
the “stars and stripes” Jloateu over iiis works
and as he refused when summoned to strike
his colors, it became necessary for us to do it
ourselves, and the evening and night of the
l!)th were devoted to prep ning for the assault
on the morning ol the 2<>th. Kemper’s brigade
had lought gallantly at Warren Neck—Hoke’s
men lmdtaltin Fort Wessell with three guns
nud sixty prisoners. It was now Ransom’s
turn.
The Columbia road, which enters the town at
its eastern extremity, running parallel with
the River and near it, crosses Conabay creek
about a mile from town. To this point Ran
som's brigade, the Stb North Carolina and 1 e
giam's battery marched late in the evening of
the 19th behind a screen of woods, which hid
the movement fr< m the enemy, and leached
the creek about sunset. The bridge was de
stroyed. and the creek too deep to be forded, a
strong picket of tho enemy on tho opposite
bank behind ent enchraents, and about three
quarters of a miio off two 32-pounders and five
12-pounders bearing on the spot. The pontoons
must be laid tor the infantry and artillery to
cross, and that quickly, or the movement would
Me a failure. The nmon was shiuing brightly,
turning night almost into day, and not a breath
of air was storing, so that every movement we
made could be distinctly seen or heard by the
enemy.
Lieut. Marshall Lee, "Ith twenty men of
comp, ny E, 24th, was advanced to the water’s
edge, supported by the rest of the company,
and co A. of the 35th, the whole under the
command of Capt. Barna Lane. Die pontoon
train, under Lieut. Pool, 10th N. C. TANARUS., dash
ed down at a gallop, slid one boat int > the
creek and quickly and rapidly the two compa
uies crossed and were immediately engaged
with the enemy. The 24th followed at once,
the men coming into line as fast as they got
over, and tho enemy tell back otoooljr pursued
by Capt. Lane’s command, deployed as skir
iui.-hers. The pontoons were now laid, and by
8 o'clock the infantry was over and formed in
line of battle, the left resting on the road and
the right on the river, in the following order :
First on the light the 35th, second the 25th,
the 1 tho Bth, fourth the 3Gth, tilth the 24th,
with 'wo companies on the south of the road
Iu this position we lay during the night, shel
tering outdrives as well as we could from the
enemy’s two >, prks on the road, whicli kept up
a constant fire nmi! nearly day-break. Just
before day a strong I'm? of skirmishers was
thrown out before the brigade under command
of Capt. Durham, Q. M., 2i»lh N. C. T. but
acting temporarily on Gen. Ransom's start’.
THE ASSAULT.
At just 3J iu tlm morning of the 20th our
line began to move forward, slowly at first,
dressing on the centre, and halting occasion
ally for that purpose.
From the start the fire from the enemy's bat
teries was rapid and severe, striking’ down
many a brave fellow; but. closing up the gaps,
the long line moved silently on, the left still
resting on the road.till Fegram's battery, dash
ing forward at a run, unlimbered in front and
(owned fire on the enemy’s works. Then tor
the tlic't time that morning our l>oys gave a
loud yell 01 .defiance, ami quickening their pace
to a double quick, pressed with a determina
tion not to be resisted right upon the enemy's
two wotks. wh ch were taken with scarcely a
moment’s delay, the one on the south of the
road tv the left of the 21th. lev! by 001. Clarke,
and the oil the light by the right of the 24th.
assisted by the 25th. The enemy iled in terror
to'the houses. Fort William, and any other
place which offered them protection from the
fierce fire of pursuing ranks.
We were now in the towu. and the head of
every street running east and west was held by
one or more of our regiments: but tkejr post
tion in line was somewhat changed, .lie -4th
•was still on the Columbia rofd, now street,
w tth the ofith and 25th to the right, and the
and Sth to the left. Halting a moment
Tn freathe the men and dress the lines, we
ed slowly and carefully forward, clearing
f ;, ra ev e rv street, yard, and house,
the «f t c, ”- r .. of which and from behind the
jromtnew.m, inceisaat fire . fiat noth
f«Boes tbey pourea -and in an hour
lag could check out picgiv
tip) eu&Mt won &U Into Pu»«
or the entrenched oatap. The fort was ou our
left and the camp In front.
Leaving the 35th, the “th, and a portion of
the 24th to contend with the fort, the rest
pushed on for the camp, which the 24th, being
on the direct road, soon reached, and opened
fire, exposed still to a severe musketry fire
from the fort on the flank and the camp in
front. In a few minutes the 56th came up on
the right by another street and by their arrival
decided the contest, for immediately on the ap
pearance of this additional force the enemy
threw down his arms and ra’sed the white flag.
Capt Lockhart, of the 56th, ran in to receive
the surrender, and instantly both regiments,
poured into the camp, and throwing down their
own foul guns and empty cartridge boxes, took
the elean. well filled ones which were lying
about, and pressed on throughthe tents to the
western side of the camp, where they could
see the United States flag floating over Fort
William, evidence that the lighting wa- not yet
done.
Here we were shortly joined by the 43d
North Carolina, of Hoke's brigade, who came
in fiom the west, having been delayed by a
morass, which they had great difficulty iu
crossing.
THE TOWN IN OUR HANDS.
The town was ouis. Every house and street
in it was swept of the enemy, who, shut up in
his stronghold, still refused to surrender.—
This was a case for the artillerist, and the
gung of the captured forts were soon turned
upon their stronger brother, fighting, as the re
sult shows, better for us than they had against
us. Capt. Cooke, too, of the Albemarle, drop
lied some of his 90 pound shell among them. —
Still they resisted stoutly, showing a disposition
to (fie rather thun yield.
At last, however, some of our boys, cropping
forward through the entrenchments, got an
enfilading fire upon them, which soon brought
them to terms, and hundreds of them rushe 1
out of the fort without arms and nurrend red
ust at thi3 time a shell burst directly on the
magazine, and when the smoke cleared away
the hated flag was flutterihg rapidly down to
the ground. Without waiting for orders the
brigade swarmed into the fort, company 13, of
the 24th, leading, and the color of everything
was quickly changed from blue to grey.
THB'CAPTARE OF FOHT PILLOW .
A correspondent of the Atlanta Appeal gives
the annexed interesting account of the capture
of Fort Pillow :
The capture of Fort Pillow is one of the most
brilliant achievements ot the war. It has been
regarded as a Gibraltar. Our own people spent
much money and labor in fortifying it. Since
occupied by the Yankees they have added
much to its strength. Nature has made it al
most impregnable. But General Forrest, strong
as it was known to be, conceived the idea of
storming aud taking it.
For this purpose he left Jackson on the 12th
of April with 1,200 picked men, composed
principally of Gen. Chalmers’ division. Ho
went across the country rapidly. He reached
Fort Pillow the next morning, having traveled
seventy two miles in twenty four hours. lie
found the enemy’s pickets posted upon the out
er works and rushed upon them, capturing five
out of seven. He then reached the second for
tifications erected by the Confederates while
Fort Pillow was held by them. Here the
enemy made a stubborn resistance for a few
minutes, but our troops rushed upon them and
drove them rapidly into the main fortification,
from which they poured into our ranks a terri
ble fire of ball and shell and grape and canister.
In order to protect his men, Gen. Forrest or
dered them to make a rapid advace, about half
way to the fort, were they would be protected
by the brow of the hill. From this place he
sent a flag of truce to the enemy, demanding an
immediate aud unconditional surrender. The
enemy asked for an hour’s consideration. The
object of the delay was evidently to bring in
reinforcements, and Gen. Forrest refused the
request, demanding an immediate reply, in
about severs minutes the enemy announced
their determination not to surrender, and were
exceedingly defiant and -insolent in their de
meanor. They ridiculed the idea of taking the
fort, and intimated that (he last man would die
before surrendering. Gen. Forrest told them
that in order to prevent the effusion of blood he
had demanded the surrender, but now the con
sequences were upon their own heads.
He immediately commenced arranging his
men for the assault. The fort has only two sides,
the other two being protected by the Mississip
pi river and Coldwater. Between the liver and
the fort there is a space of about eight feet left
for the purpose of passing out down the river.
Coldwater is a narrow stream, and not, there
fore, difficult to swim across. In order to pre
vent any escape across Coldwater, or through
the passage between the fort and the river, Gen.
Forrest stationed a part of his command to
guard these points. Evirything being ready,
he gave the sign to sound the charge. The
bugle was music to the eager Confederates. The
first bugle caused a shout to burst from every
ihroat, and the impetuous bravos went to the
fort screaming like so many demons. The
enemy poured a murderous fire into our ranks,
and several fell.
The walls of the fort are about eight feet
thick*and were of no advantage to the en; my
after reached it, as they could not fire without
getting upon top of the works, an experiment
they did not attempt. When our troops reach
ed the fort, they found, what General Forrest
knew before, a ditch about seven feet deep;
each man tumbled pell-mell into this yawning
chasm, and by assisting each other they were
soon lound scaling the inner walls. In an in
stant a crop of armed men sprung from the waPs
of the fort. They jumped down the inner walls
screaming and yelling like unearthly mon
sters.
Then the work of slaughter and death com
menced. The moment our men were seen up
on the wall, the foe, which a few minutes ago
was so defiant anil insolent, turned to cowards.
Still they would not surrender. Those that
were hid or protected still kept firing upon arid
killing our brave hoys ; but our froops still
rushed upon them, all the time fighting and
killing The sight was terrific—the slaughter
sickening. Wearied with the slow process of
shooting with guns, our tioops commenced
with their repeaters, and every fire brought
down a foe, and so close was the fight, that ibe
dead would frequently fall upon the soldier
that killed. Still the enemy would not or knew
not how to surrender. The Federal fiag. that
hated emblem of tyranny, was still proudly
waving over the scene.
Seeing that nothing could be g lined by fur
ther fight the enemy rushed to the Coldwater
lor *.h° purpose of swimming across ; but the
troops stationed here by Gen. Foriest opened
upon them, and hundreds were killed in the
water endeavoring to escape. Others rushed
to the passage between the fort and the river
for the purpose of passing down the liver to
wards Memphis- But the troops stationed here
by Gen. Forrest to guard this very contigency,
opened fire upon them, and the enemy then
rushed upon a coal barge and endeavored to
push it off; but a concentrated fire from out
whole column, soon put an end to this exneri
meut. Several hundred were shot in this boat
and in Coldwater, while endeavoring to es
cape- Tho number in the water was gr#at. But
not a man escaped in this way. ') he head
above the water was a beautiful mark for the
trusty rifle of our unerring markmen. The
Mississippi liver was crimsoned witli the red
blood of the flying foe. Our soldiers grew sick
and weary in the work of slaughter, and were
glad when the work was done.
General Forrest begged them to surrender,
hut lie was told with an air of insulting defi
ance that he could not take the place, and that
thev asked for no quarter. Not the first sign
of surrender was ever given. Gen. Forrest ex
pected a surrender after entering the fort, and
anxiously looked for it, as he witnessed the
carnage ; but no token was given.
In order to divert the. attention of the enemy
General Forrest ordered a simultaneous feint
upon Memphis. Columbus and Paducah. This
swage tic movement was eminently successful,
accomplished the very object he desired. But
the feint upon Paducah was more ol a victory.
General Buford in obedience to orders from
General Forrest attacked Paducah. He sent
in a flag of truce, demanding a surrender of the
town or an immediate removal of the women
and children. The enemy would not make
the surrender, hut sent out the women, chil
dren aud non-combatants. General Buford
then rushed upon the town killing and captur
ing several of the enemy. They poured upon
him a terrible fire from the forts and gunboats,
but he did not lose a man. He captured sev
eral hundred horses, wagons, harness, etc., and
after loading the wagons with such articles as
he needed, he entered and conscribed all the
non-combatants liable to military duty. Sev
eral of the enemy's pickets were killed at Co
lumbus, aud the enemy expected a general as
sault. The same thing was expected at Mem
phis. But the real design as betoie stated was
to divert their attentions from Fort Pillow.
Our loss at Fort Pillow will reach near one
hundred in kilted aud wounded. I regret to
anuoume that Col. \Y. B Reed, of Tennessee,
was mortally wounded. "While gallantly lead
ing his regiment and planting his standard in
front of the enemy, he received three wounds,
one of which it is thought will prove mortal.
He is a gallant officer, and has won upon all
hearts during his short connection with his
command. He is known for his piety and in
tegrity. and is beloved by a'l. He won imper
ishabis renown in the late fight,
#»v suifeSkOf on file
UTt% dt K**TOR.
(•AKI-U.MBr.TAHV CROCESPiNQS--fHS REMOVAL at
THE BRITISH I'OKtfCLS IN’THE SOUTH.
In the House of .Lords, Arpil 5, Lord Clan
ricarde in moving for correspondence relating
to the removal of British Consuls from the
Confederate States of America, described and
defended the proceedings for which these offi
cers bad been dismissed by the foreign Ssec
retary. lue Consuls were accredited to the
Federal Government arm the charge against
ihem. in one case, was forwarding, un lei an
official certificate, letters to the Northern
States containing bills of exchange for the pa\-
niea' of debts due in England : in another,
that the Consul had been instrumental m snip
ping specie on board aa English vessel-of-war,
for transmiss on to England, to pay tne 1
(lends on the public debt. He contended that
these acts were not illegal, as the state of war
did not cancel private or Dublin obligations.
Earl Russell said—lt is rather difficult to
make out the exact object which my noble
triend has in view : but 1 will detain your
Lordships a short time by a fe w remarks on
the various circumstances to which he has ab
laded. In the first place, he said it was not
right to sav that the Confederate G iverntncnt
had sent away our consuls, no; that many
British subjects had been compelled to serve
iu the Confederate armies. I cafit only’ speaa
of the tacts reported tome, aud ass thought
quite notorious. There had been complaints
over and over again from difierent parts of ih»
Confederate States that British subjects.were
obliged to serve in their militia and armies
We have had to consult the law officers, who
have said that it was not lair to make British
subjects, not being ■‘meiican citizens, serve
in the armies of either heliiger ;nt, without
givin. them time to leave the country if they
thought fit. I have acted on tuat opinion,
and it seems t. me not only law, but lair an i
equitable. My noble friend may r think they
ought to be compelled ; 1 believe they ought
not to be.
Then my noble friend enters into lhe question
of the withdrawal of Mr Bunch's exequatur,
which was taken away, 1 think, very unfairly
by the United States Government, on the
ground that he had communicated with the
eur-mv Then he enters into the case ot Mr.
Magee, who sent specie in a British flliip ot war,
and" he blames Lord Lyons for what he did in
that matter. I believe Lord Lyons has taken
the utmost pains, in his most responsible posi
tion, to behave fairly aud impartially between
both parties. Permission war obtained from
the American Government that British ships of
war should be allowed from time to time to go
10 blockaded ports; out Lord Lyons thought it
an ahum of the privilege that specie should be
sent to a Confederate port in a British ship of
war, inasmuch as such specie might afford
means of carrying on war against a Stale friend
ly to Great Britain.
He accordingly slated that opinion, and if
lie had not done so die American Government
might have withdrawn the pii vilege. and I
think there is nothing in tjje law of na
tions that would have deprived them of the
power to do so. I thought I,nat Lord Lyons
was right; and I sent out an order that the
consul who had sent the specie should not be
continued in his functions. But my. noble
friend gave a rather detailed account of the
conduct oi Mr. Cridland. Now, while that gen
tleman was acting as Consul at Richmond, I
believe he enjoyed the confidence and respect
of every one for the manner in which he per
formed bis duties, ile was desired to go to
Mobile not as Consol, but to act as Consul—to
defend and protect British property and in
terests. It was Certainly a very unjustifiable
act on the part of our Consuls, or of any one
acting for a British Consul, to tell British sub
jects that they were not, to resist their enlist
ment in the Confederate army, but to desert
desert their colors iu the moment of action.
1 think that very improper advice on ihe
part of a Consul ; and I do not think there was
any instruction given to our Consular agents
which could justify any of them in giving
that advice. Ido not find either iu the opin
ion of the law officers of the Crown, or In any
directions that I gave myself, anything that
would justify that course ; and if the Secre
tary of the Oonlederate States had written to
this country to complain of that conduct, I
should have thought it right to reprimand and
even to dismiss the Consul who had acted in so
improper a manner. Instead of that the Pres
ident of tho so-called Confederate Govern
ment sent away our Consuls, though these are
the persons to whom British suljects would
naturally have recourse, in order to obtain re
dress for grievances.
The uulv remedy they would have when the
Consuls were removed was that suggested by
Mr. Ber.jamin—namely, that soldiers iu the
field might apply to the tribunals of the toun-
Irv. A man might easily write to his Consul
to claim redress, hut that a man mai citing
about should go to a court of law—that was a
thing that couid not be done. 1 therefore
thought that was a very harsh and unfriendly
proceeding on the part of the Confederate Gov
ernment. At the same time, it ought 1o be
remembered, likewise, that the Confederate
Government had god»l reason to complain of
our Consul ; aud our Consul saying that he had
been so instructed, the Confederate Govern
ment might at first have believed, him. There
fore, I did not -enter into any complairt or
angry remonstrance ; hut. I asked Mr. Mason
whether, if Consular agents, or persons under
any other name, were sent to the Conluderate
Stales, intercourse might not be carried on
and negotiations opened, hy which we might
1 e abie to obtain redress where redress ought
>o be given, or have reasons stated for its re
fusal.
noble friend does not complain of that.
There has r.o doubt been a-delny in carrying
that arrangement into effect It was thought
necessary to seed a letter to Richmond to know
whether such persons would be teceived ; an
the letter the Federal Government would not
allow >obe sent. But I think it is quite lieht
of the British Government to endeavor to open
communications with the so-called Confede
rate States, without recognizing them, yet, as
being States of considerable extent, in which
civil war is carried on, and in which there is a
considerable number of Briti.-h subjects, I say
there can be nothing wrong iu endeavoring to
enter into communication with those States.
My noble friend has addressed your Lordships
on various other subjects. 1 desired Mr. Cran
ford, when be arrived at Richmond, to cat! the
attention of the Government to the intercep
ted correspondence, a correspondence which I
believed at the tim to be genuine, and which
showed that a party in the country had oeen
employed by the Confederate Government to
pr> cure means of ca vying on war against a
State in amity with us.
My nob! friend is aware that Her Majesty
declared at the beginning of this war her de
termination to preserve a strict neutrality, and
prohibit her subjects from taking part ou one
side or the other. lam sorry to say the in
junction of Her Majesty has not been obeyed.
I have thought it right on every occasion,
when it appeared to me that there was ground
of cotupl tint against the United States, to re
monstrate with the Federal Government.—
With regard to the doct men's to which mv no
ble friend alluded, it has been the subject of a
great ckai of inquiry. It was said to hav t been
pnbli-hed in a New York paper as genuine;
but Mr. Seward states that, having made further
inquiry, he finds it to have been altogether a
forgery. It was supposed to have been issued
by the Secretary cf the Confederate Navy, hut
it was, in fact, nn invention of some gentle
man in New York. Certainly. 1 should not
think of making any complaint on that subject
to the so-called Confederate Government.
There was a question with regard to which
my noble friend made inquiries before the hol
idays—l mean the case ol the Saxon. That is
before the courts, a ,and the ship and cargo have
been released. It is alleged that a British sub
ject was murdered ; and the American Gov
ernment have ordered that a court-martial
shall try the officer accused of the murd.r.
With regard to the motion of my noble fiitnd,
I suppose he will not depart from the usual
form, and object to the introduction of the
words or extracts after the word “copies ' and
also he will r.ot object to the insertion of t£e
words “so called” before government of the
Confederate States, otherwise it might seem as
if the house recognized the Confederate States,
although her Majesty has not done so.
The Marquis of C'tarnicarde said he had no
objection to the amendments proposed by his
noble friend.
The motion as amended was then agreed to.
Drtin»u Vegetables —Nearly all oursummer
vegetables, as well as fruits, can be pteserved
by drying, or iu some other way, so as to be a
very palatable addition to the winter supply of
our tables, and most grateful to our friends in
the army. A subscriber suites that his family
are using Snap Beans which were preserved by
cufting up takiug out the strings, and thus pre
pared as if for the table; then scalded in salt
and water, and dried on a scaffold like fruits.
Others preserve them iu salt, like pickles, the
bea* making its own brine. In either case the
beans are soaked in water before cooking.—
Cultivator.—
The General Synod of the Evangelical Lu
theran Church. Confederate States, will hold
its tecond annual Convention at Organ Church.
Rockville. Powan county North Carolina,
on Thursday. May 12th, 1564. before the third
Sunday in iloy.
Tu the Senate and thane of tUprtHniatfot* of
the Confederate Slates of America ■
Aou are assembled under circumstances of
deep interest to your country ; and it is fortunate
that, coining as you do newly elected by the
people, and familiar with the condition of the
various localities, you will he the better able to
devise measures adapted to meet the wants of
the public service, without imposing unnecessa
ry burthens on the citizen. The brief period
which has elapsed since the last adjournment of
Congress has not afforded sufficient opportunity
to test the efficacy of the most important laws
then enacted, nor have the events occurring in
the interval been such as materiallv to change
the state of the country.
The unjust war commenced against us, ir.
violation of the rights of the States, and in usur
pation of power not delegated to the Govern
ment of the United States, is still characterized
by tiie barliarism with which it has heretofore
been conducted by the enemy. Aged men,
helpless women and children, appeal in vain to
the humanity- which should bo inspired by their
condition, for immunity from arrest, incarcera
tion or banishment from their homes. Plunder
and devastation ot the property of non-combat
ants, destruction of private dwellings, and even
of edifices devoted to the worship of flod, expe
ditions organized for the sole purpose of sacking
cities, consigning them to the flames,
unarmed inhabitants, and inflicting horrible out
rages on women and children, are some of the
constantly recurring atrocities of the invader.—
It cannot reasonably be pretended that such acts
conduce to any end which their authors dare
avo»v before the civilized world, and sooner or
later Christendom must mete out to them the
condemnation which such brutality deserves.
The suffering thus ruthlessly inflicted upon
the people of the invaded districts, served but
.to illustrate their patriotism, lslrtire unanimity
and zi'al for their country’s cause have been pre
eminently conspicuous among those whose sac
rifices have been greatest. Mo the army which
has borne the trials and dangers of the war,
which has been subjected to privations and dis
appointments, (tests of manly fortitude far more
severe than tile brief fatigues and perils of actual
combat) has' been the centre of cheerfulness anu
hope. From the camp comes the voice of the
soldier patriots, invoking each who is at home,
in the sphere he- best may fill, to devote his
whole energies to t.he support of a cause, in the
success of which their confidence has never fal
tered. They, the v.eterans of many a hard
fought field, tender to tlTeir country, without
limit of time, a service i>f priceless value to us,
one which posterity will hold in grateful remem
brance.
In considering the state of the country, the
reflection is naturally suggested, that this is the
third Congress of the Confederate States of
America. The Provisional Government was
formed, its Congress held lour sessions, lived its
appointed term, and passed away. The perma
nent Government was then organized, its differ
ent Departments established, a Congress elected
which also held four seseions, served its full con
stitutional term and expired. You, the second
Congress under the permanent Government,
are now assembled at the time and place ap
pointed by law for commencing your session,
All these events have passed into history, not
withstanding the threat of our prompjt subjuga
tion, made three years ago, by r a people that
presume to assert a title to govern States whose
separate and independent sovereignty was re
cognized by treaty with France and Great
Britain in the last century, asid remained un
questioned for nearly throe generations.
Yet these very governments, in disregard of
duty and treaty obligations which bind them to
recognise as independent Virginia and other
Confederate States, persist in countenancing by
moral influence, if not in aiding bp unfair and
partial action the claim sot up by the Executive
of a foreign Government to exercise despotic
sway over the States thus recognised, and treat
the invader of them by their farmer lir.’iited and
special agent, as though it were the attempt iff a
sovereign to suppress a rebellion against lawful
authority. Ungenerous advantage has been tak
en of our present condition, and our rights ihave
been violated, our vessels of war detained ill
ports to which they had been invited by procla
mations oi neutrality, and in one instance our
flag also insulted where the sacred right ol'asy
lum was supposed to be secure ; vrhile one off
these Governments lias contented itself with
simply deprecating by deferential representations
the conduct of ourjenemy’in the constantly re
curring instances of his contemptuous disregard
of neutral rights and flagrant violations of pub
lic law. It may be that foreign Governments,
like our enemies, have mistaken our desire for
peace, unreservedly expressed, for evidence of
exhaustion, and have thence inferred the proba
bility of success in the ell'ort to subjugate or ex
terminate the millions of human beings who, in
these States prefer any fate to submission to
their savage assailants.
I see no prospect of an early change in the
course heretofore pursued by these Govern
ments ; hut when this delusion shall have beAn
dispelled, and when our independence, by line
valor and fortitude of our people, shall have been
won against all the hostile influences combined
against us, and can no longer be ignored by
open foes or professed neutrals, this war will
have left with its proud memories a record of
many wrongs, which it may not misbecome us
to forgive—some of whicl. we may not properly
forbear from demanding redress. In the mean
time it is enough for us to know that every
avenue of negotiation is closed against us; that
our enemy is making renewed and strenuous
efforts for our destruction, and that the sole re
sources for us, as a people secure in the justice
of our cause, and holding our liberties to be
more precious than all other earthly possessions,
is to combine and apply every available element
of power for their defence and preservation.
“On the subject of the exchange of prisoners
I greatly regret to be unable to give you satis
factory information. The Government ot the
United Sta es, while peraisting in failure to ex
ecute the terms of the our tel, make occasion*!
deliveries of prisoners, and then ac
tion T ’ithour apparent cause, i confess mv
inability to comprehend their policy or pur
pose. The prisoners held by ns, in spile of tin
mane care, are perishing from the inevitable
effects of imprisonment and the home sickness
produced by the hopeleusnes- of release from
confinement. The spectacle of their suffering
augments our longing desire to relieve from
similar trials our *t>wn brave men, who have
spent so many weary menti s in a cruel and
useless imprisonment, endured with heroic con
stancy. The delivery, afier a suspension oi
seme weeks, has just been resumed by the ent
ntv; but as they give no assurance of intent to
carry out the cartel, an interruption of the ex
change may recur at any moment.
“The reports of the Depailments, herewith
submitted, are referred to for full information
in relation to the matters appetaining to each.
There are two of them ou which I deem it
necessary to make special remark.
••The report of the Secretary of tho Trea
sury states facts justifying the conclusion that
the law passed at the last session lor the pur
pose oi withdrawing from circulation the large
excess of Treasury notes heretofore, issued, has
had the desired effect; and that by the Ist
July the amount in circulation will have been
reduced to a sum not exceeding two hundred
and thirty million of dollars. It is believed to
be ot primary importance that no further issue
ot notes should take place, and that the use of
the credit of the Government should be re
stricted to the two other modes provided by
Congress, viz; the sale of bonds and the issue
ot certificates bearing interest, for the twice of
supp.ies purchased within our limits. Tho law
as it now stands, authorizes the issue by the
t reasnry of new notes to the extent ot two
thirds ot the amount received under its pro
visions.- 1
The estimate of the amount funded under
the law, is shown to be three hundred millions
of dollars, and if two-thirds ot this sum be re
issued, we shall have an addition of two lmn
dred millions of dollars to our circulation, be
lieved to be already ample for the buisness
of the country. The addition of this large sum
to the volume of the currency would be at
tended by disastrous effects, and would produce
ine speedy recurrence of the evils from which
tne funding law has rescued the country. If
our at ms are crowned with the success which
we have so much reason to hope, we may well
expect that this war cannot be prolonged be
yond the current year, and nothing so
much retard the beneficent influence of peacp
on all tne interests of our country, as the ex
tstence of a great mass of currency not redeetn
ub.c in coin. IV ith our vast resources the cir
culation t! restricted to its present volume,
would be easily manageable, and by gradual ab
sorption m payment of public dues would give
place to the precious metals, the only basis of
a currency adapted to commerce with foreign
eonntnes. In our present circumstances I
know ot no mode of providing for the public
wants which entail sacrifices so great as a fresh
issue of Treasury notes, and I trust that you
will concur m the propriety cf absolutely for- i
bidding any increase of those now in circula- i
tion.
•‘Officers have heen appointed and despatch- ;
ed to the Trans-MDsissippi States, and the nec- ;
essarv measures taken for the execution of the 1
laws, enacted to obviate delays In administer- j
ing the Treasury and other Executive Depart- 1
ttoae { tot stitaa tos
liU 6:»p«mS to fcKwtaw. tbtf ?c*aiU. ,
’’ln jlutloii to the most Important of all
mU sat the present time, the efficiency of
our a lies iu the field, it is gratifying to’ as
i are p ou that the discipline and instruction of
the tr >ops have kept pace with the improve-,
menu, material and equipment. We have
rea, to congratulate ourselves on the re
sults f the legislation on this subject aud on
the increased administrative ene r gy in the dis
ferent bureaux of the War Department, aud
mn} t unreasonably indulge anticipations of
commensurate success in the ensuing cam
paicn
“T-® organization of reserves is in progress,
at,d i' is hoped they will be valuable in afford
ing . _ul protection without requiring details
and detachments from active f^ne.
*'- mug the recommendatiofls contained in
the report of the Secretary of War, your atten
tion n -peeially invited to those in which legis
lwi'a is suggested on the following subjects,
viz :
.)0 tenure of office of the general officers
) •• provisional .army; and a proper discrim
in i- ;n in the compensation of the different
gn. e3 :
“ihe provision required in aid of invalid of
fice.' who have resigned in consequence of
w..units or sickness contracted while in service:
" 1 lie amendment of the law which deprives
officers in the field of the privilege of purcha
sing rations and thus adds to their embarrass
ment, instead of conferring the benefit intend
ed .
“The organization of the general staff of the
army in relation to which a special message
will shortly be addressed to you, containiug
the reasons which compelled me so withhold
my approval of the bill passed by your prede
ocssivg at too late a period of the session to
a'low time for returning it for their reconsid
eration :
“The necessity for an Increase in the allow
ance now made for the transportation of offi
cer traveling under orders :
‘•Thomode of providing officers for the exe
cution of the conscript law :
‘■’The means of securing greater dispatch and
more regular aministration of justice in exara
ing aud disposing of the rocords of cases re
ported from the courts martial and military
oourts in the army.
‘•The recent events of the war are highly
creditable to our troops, exhibiting energy and
vigilance combined with the habitual gallantry
wbich they have taught us to expect on all ac
castons. We have been cheered by important
anu valublo successes in Florida, Northern
Mississippi, Western Tennessee and Kentucky,
Vve.' -rn Louisiana and Eastern North Caro
lina, reflecting the highest honour on the skill
and conduct of our commanders, and on the
incomparable soldiers whom it is their privilege
to lead.
Tne naval attack on Mobile was so successful
ly repulsed at the outer works that the at
tempt was abandoned, and the nine months'
siege of Charleston has been practically sus
pended, leaving that noble city and its for
tresses imperishable monuments to the skill
and fortitude of its defenders. The armies in
Northern Georgia and in Northern Virginia
still ofipose, with unshaken tiont, a formida
ble barrier to the progress of the invader ; and
our generals, armies and people, are animated
by cheeriul confidence.
•‘Let us, then, while resolute in devotiDg all
our energies’ to securing the realization of the
bright auspices which encourage us, not forget
that our humble and most grateful thanks are
due to Him, without whose gttidance’and pro
jecting care all human efforts are of no avail,
and to whose interposition are due the mani
f ’,,1 successes with which we have been cheer
ed. “Jefferson Davis.
“Rkhmond, May 2, 1864.’’
NEWS SUMMARY.
If a gold dollar is worth sls in Confederate
Treasury notes, surely a copper or nickel cent
is w,.rth live cents. There must be any quan
tity of them stowed away. Let them now be
brought from their hiding places and put into
circulation, at the rate of five cents for one.
Bring out the cents.
Miss Eliza Pope, of Midway, died a few days
since from injuries received by being thrown
ir< a buggy.
The “Shamrock” was launched at Columbus,
Ga..y>n Saturday. She is designed for river
service, and is 150 feet long, 28 feet beam, and
ss, set deep. The, boat was built by a stock
cotv lany.
The city authorities of Montgomery, Ala ,
1 have donated $15,000 towards supplying poor
* ;-ijs. In view of the high price* of bread,
t and the destitute condition of many of the
families of our brave men in the army, Judge
VcKendree made application, in the proper
nuuner for leave to turn over to tho Inferior
Gortrt of Muecogee county, for distribution to
the needy families of soldiers, at Government
price- 2,500 bushels of the tithing corn. The
..ppluiatioff has been granted and in a short
time -lie corn or meal, will be ready for dis
tiibuti ou.
The Government ager.t informs the Mobile
Advertiser that up to the present time Govern
ment hu3 lost by the, acts of the enemy, by
miß'ary burnings, accidents of various sorts,
and unavoidable wear and tear, about one
fourth of its purchase in Mississippi. This will
ye regarded as unimportant when it is consider
ed that almost the only losseß which hate so
Tar oeeu met with are in Mississippi, growing
o at of the advance and proximity of the ene
ir. v The cotton in that State coßts on an
to age aboutfifty dollars per bale, and could
uo\ v be readily parted with for two hundred
and fifty dollars, payab e in the new issue,
whUif goes to show that the cotton remaining
or h Mfa will not only indemnify all the losses,
' il !. aw a margin of profit, if disposed of to
day, iit about twenty-five millions of dollars.
Colonel James Cltesnut, Jr., has been ap
pointed! brigadier-general of reserves, in South
Caroline,
It is a. soutve of annoyance to the soldiets in
th ■ nrtny to receive corn meal coarse and near
ly -one-half bean. The facilities is camp for
. dfiing meal atm not sufficient. The govern
ment might remedy the evil by having seives
attached to the mills, thus separating the bran
there. Tho bran could be used to feed hogs
t ad cattle.
A wealthy farmer who lives not many miles
-twity from Ooi'mnbus was continually missing
-ns shoe i, until about thirty were gone. In
passing through, a field he was attracted by his
' <<ogs'scratching Into the ground. Curiosity led
vim to have the tparth to some depth opened.
wt:;>n i e discovered the bodies of his sheep de
void of tbeir wool—some rogue, either white
man or negro, had’ sheared the wool off them,
buried the bodies— -not thinking that the meat
was worth more th an the wool.
Nathan White wh o had a small distillery, in
some sly nook, away up in the mountairts, in
the extreme part of Floyd county, somewhere
below Coosaville. was irraigned a few days
since before the Inferior Court charged with
unlawfully distilling spirituous liquors, The
Gauge was sustained, aud The court ordered
that the still was forfeited under the law, that
the meta'ic parts be turned over to the State,
she wooden parts burned, and that Mr. IV Idle
be held in custody until he short Id give a bond
of $5,000 for his appearance at the Superior
Court to the charge.
A letter from Beaufort says a fine English
steamer has been captured, off the Xybee river,
Ga.
Major G. M. Cunningham, of Atlanta has
been assigned to the duty, by Q. M, General,
of contracting, on the part of the Government,
with she factories in the-’ oites of South Caro
lina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Missis
sippi.
Not less, than 4 000 soldiers in Gen. Lee’s
command have professed conversion within
two inout Oh.
Nearly $100,0i70 has been subscribed in
Montgomery, Ala., to provide education for the
children of soldiers killed in the wr.
Wilmington, N. C. was visited by a hail
si-ai m Sunday afternoon.
Confedei ate money in M emphis is worth twen
ty-five cents on the dollar iin greenbacks.
FROM t HAH.LEBTO.Y.
On Sunday the enemy again opened heavily
rm the fort with morters, which was kept up
1 till '.Ark. During the day the Yankees were
observed hauling fresh supplies of ammunition
v 0 the morter batteries.
Fort Moultrie and our batteries on James’
Island opened fire for a slhort time on the
parties, compelling them to go under cover.
Saven shots were fired at the city Thursday,
ad eighteen at Fort Sumter. The enemy
vvtte busy during the day hauling sand to their
middle battery, supposed for the purpose of
repairing damages done by the late high tides
’•'ir.ty-one mortar shells were fired at Fort
Sue‘or Tuesday,of which twenty-four struck,
alia thirty-one Tuesday night, of which eleven
struck. One negro was severely wounded.
The enemy fired three volleys from eight
ri '.rtarK, sinmltanemusly. on Sumter Wednes
day evening. Daring the day twenty shells
were thrown at the fort and eight at the city.
There has been no change in fleet.
Two Yankee deserters belonging to the 41st
New York Regiment came into our lines Tues
day from Kiawah Island. They arrived in the
ci*y Tuesday evening and represent that they
had been forced in the army as conscripts.
Several more also started at the same time, but
it i* believed have been caught,
fUOH Tim Pfco.VT,
BtoFpsUcmr* su a separate coauaaud are '
? ow being orgaulasd in ail the amv brigades \
to act a* SKiimtshers iu action, tr 'be thrown '
forward instead of details from the regiments
Each corps of sharpshooter is to comprise a
battalhon of five companies. One lias just
been organized in Gen. Mahone's brigade :
Gen. Wheeler has selected Oxford” Ala., for
a reserve depot, and has concentrated tliere a
considerable cavalry force. Good judgment
was displayed in its selection, it being near the
present terminus of the Alabama and Tennes
see Rivers railroad, within twelve hour’s reach
of Gadsden, ou the Coosa river ; withiu twen
ty-four hour’s reach of Rome and the left wing
of Gen. Johnston's army, and within forty
eight heur’s run of Selma, Ala,
Seme three hundred Yankees on a raiding
party, p ssed through Lafayette on Sunday.
Raiding parties o. Yankees frequently come
into Walker county and commit brutal outra
ges.
The Rome Courier states that W. B Jones
who now lives on Col. Fouche’s piace in lex
as T alley, had quite an affray lately with a
man who stayed at his house the night before.
Jones suspected that he was not “all right”
and about daylight went into his room with
his pistol in his hand and approached the bed
where the man was lying. As he came up to
him the man sprung up and snatched irorn his
hand the pistol, drew another from under the
cover and commenced shooting at him. Jones
ri treated out of the room, but not until the
man bad shot twice, neither of which however
hit him. Jones then got his gun and stationed
hims*‘if outside the house, and the man slipped
out the i ack door and made his escape leaving
a horse, saddle &c., valued at $3 000 If the
man is 'all right” he will soon report some
where, hut the probability is that he is either
a spy or a desert, r.
The Dalton correspondent of the Columbus
Enquirer says he is informed that it is the in
tention of Gen. Johusteu to order a rigid in
quiry as to skulkers at home, whether or not
they paid some superintendent of Government
shop a fee to obtain them exemption papers
It is well known that there are a number of
young men iu Augusta, Macon and Columbus,
who bought their posiliou that exempts them
from service.
A correspondent of the Marietta Rebel says
that while the soldiers of Maney's Brigade
were engaged in religions exercise near Dal
ton ou the nieht of April 30. a tree which had
been burning unperceived, came crashing
down in the midst of the congregation Six
were killed dead ou the spot, and some two or
three mortally wounded; and ten or twelve
more or less hurt.
The rumor that a large Federal force was iu
Chattooga County ou Sunday, is without
foundation. There were no Yankees, in cKher
Walker or Chattooga at latest accounts.
Most of the slaves in and around Rome have
been moved to safe localities
A correspondent of the Columbus Sun says
the Federals are making every show of an ad
vance.
Gen. Cleburne has issued an order against
the abominable practice which exists iu tlm
aimyof making sport of passers-by, and it is
hoped others will follow him in this laudable
reform. It is the result of thoughtlessness in
most cases, and no harm is meant, but no man
likes to be made a “butt,’’ and such conduct is
not only insulting, but shows badly for the
discipline of commanders and the breeding o
the men. Any stranger may ride for miles
through the cauip of Gen. Lee, and be treated
with the utmost courtesy and politeness by
every soldier he meets. Any breach of this
decorum would be severely punished if brought
to the notice of the officers. Let it be so eve
rywhere, and our army ol' heroes be also an
army of gentlemen.
.. A correspondent of the Atlanta Confederacy
writes from Dalton thus :
There has long been a just cause of com
plaint on the part of the officers ol this army,
in regard to the manner they have been treat
ed by the War Department. I understand that
not one tenth of them have either received
commissions or eveti a cert ficate of appoint
ment.
. I learn that the Department has, at last con
cluded to remedy this evil, and aiso that of
retaining the hundreds of supeifluous officers
who ate loafing around sporting their bars and
stars, and drawing their pay. And Maj. Hays,
A. A G-, has arrived here, and is now engaged
iu preparing a roster of tho army, sating
what duty they are on, date of commission aud
the standing of each officer, which will result
in a general weeding out of the incompetent,
superfluous or unassigned, as well as that of
keeping a list of the officers who have donif
their duty and are entitled to the credit of the
samo, where future generations can find them
recognize.! ns officers.
FROM NORTH C AROLINA.
It is reported that our troops are in posses
sion of Washington, N. C.
Alex. Ridings, of Forsyth co, N. C., commmit
ted suicide last week by hanging himself, to keep
from going to the war. lie certainly adopted
a very effective way cf accomplishing his pur
pose.
Twenty-three sacks of meal deposited at
Centre Depot, Charlotte, N. C ,to be sent to a
distillery iu Iredell county to be convened into
whiskey, were seized by some females A'n that
neighborhood, a few days ago, and distributed
to those in want of bread. This meal it is said,
was to he turned into whiskey in violation of
law and without legat'd to the present urgent
demand for bread; hence the decisive action of
the women in this matter.
The Plymouth prisoners are to be sent to An
’ ~a>t, Ga.
The capture of Plymouth, lelievcsa large
section of country from which a great amount
of supplies can be gathered. Valuable fish
eries are also now within our lines. At last
accounts there was not a Yankee craft in Albe
marle Sound.
The army stores captured at Plymouth, N.C.,
have been forwarded to Gen L-e’s army
A desperate negro, named Jim, who has
been committing innumerable depredations
near Wilmington. N. C., was captured last
week, afier a desperate resistance. He bit one
es his captor’s fingers off, between the first a> and
second joint. He had in ltiscamp a fine double
barrelled gun, with powder and shot, a blade
from a sword-cane fitted wiih a scabbard, two
hatchets, an axe, a set of shoe-maker’s tools,
leather, dried hides, bacon, a spade an i ot .er
implements, and in fact a general assortment
of al! soits of thing* Ji n was bound and
carried to Wilmington jail. It is reported that
there is quite a number of runaways in the
swamps near Wilmington, headed by a deserter
named Jeremiah Collins
Dr. Leach has been elected to Congress from
the Seventh North Carolina Distinct lie is ~
conservative
In the Third District in North Carolina, the
amount o' tax in kind is as follows. Sweet po
tatoes, 25,33(i bushels; Irish potatoes, 122 bush
els; corn, .07,410 bushels; wheat, 1.970 bush
els ; oats. 2,094 bushels ; iye, 1,130 bushels;
rice, 23,647 pounds; hay 27,316 pounds; (od
der, 2,387,552 pounds; cotton, 35,573 pounds;
wool, 4,207 pounds; tobacco, 237 pounds; peas,
900 bushels; ground peas, 319 bushels- As
sessor’s estimate for bacon not in. Os this ar
ticle, our agents report 293,665 pounds, and 9,
606 pou”ds salt pork, making an Aggregate of
303,271 pounds collected in the month of
March alone.
A lot of new counterfeits have arrived at
Wilmington from Nassau. They are a one
hundred dollar interesting-hearing note ; a
one hundred dollar and a twenty dollar non
interest bearing note. The interest-bearing
note is dated Dec. 1, 1862. It is stamped on
the back vith a circular stamp “Issued at Mont
gomery, Alabama, 10 Jan. ’63 T. Sandford De
positary.’’ The non-interesting bearing noUs
are of the old Iloyer & Ludwig stamp, dated
September 2d, 1861. Persons had better be
careful in taking any bills of the old issue of
the above characters or denominations. They
are well calculated to deceive.
Chief Justice Ruffin, of N. C. is seriously ill.
Charlotte, N. C., was visited with a slight
sprinkling of hail Sunday afternoon. The fail
was of short duration, and the hail very small.
No damage done.
FROM FLORID\.
Affairs in the direction of Jacksonville re
main in statu r/uo. There is no indication upon
the part of the enemy to warrant a probability
of an attempted advance into the interior.
General Anderson is vigilant and is prepared
to meet the enemy, and repel him, it matters
not by what route he may attempt an “on” to
Tallahassee.
The prospects of a large crop in Florida are
very cheering.
t-everal deserters and tories have been cap
tured near New Boston and hung.
The number of the enemy’s forces in Jack
sonville. they represent to be about 3,600, a
large majority are negroes. The troops are
under the immediate command of Col. Burney
of the Sixth U. S. polored troops, a Eative of
New York, and son of the notorious abolition
ist by that name.
Gens. Gilmore, Seymour and Hatch werejill
on board the steamer “Maple Leaf” at the
time she exploded a torpedo in the St John’s,
and barely escaped with their lives. Since the
explosion of the above steamer and the Hunter,
they are not much Inclined to ascend the St.
John's.
J’here are a large number of cases of small
pox and other diseases in Jacksonville, and
their troops are likewise upon very short ra
tions.
FiWHV !&*»*>*,
Not to* than four soUient ia Gen
eral Leo’s oommaiid have professed conversion
wit jiu twelve months. There are now thirty
seven chapels, in which almost every day, the
chaplains and missionaries are preaching to
large and soloemu congregations.
The following leports have lately been {Tub.
ltshed in pamphlet form by order of Congress:
Gen. R. s. Ripley,s of Operations from Au
gust 21 to September 10, 1863, with Sup. re
!, >or i o' 0 ?' I,ee B °f Operations at Rappahan
nrx-k Budge: Kit . by Smith's of Op-
Jone*'of B>i"p Wer I ‘ olllsiauß . and Gen. Sam
ncssee " g ,? nent at RogersviHe, Ten
the Battle nf’n 6 \? ort of Gen. Echols of
the Battle of Droop Mountains. The Sub Re
ports appended to that of Gen Lm in re
gard to the disastrous affair at Rappahannock
Bridge explain very readily th e c l a P Use of
disaster. Gen. Early say, the works were so
constructed as to form no obstacles in them
selves to aa attacking enemy. a> donly furnish
ed a temporary protection to our troops An
attacking force could walkover tne rifletrenches
without difficulty and even the works in
whgm the guns were posted, could be teadily
passed over when once reached Here we see
what loss an army incurs from negligence and
a defective cotps of engineers—in fact, no en
srineer corps tit all. or next to none. No won
der 25,000 Yankees over {>owired 1600 Con
federates in such works.
The country about ten or twelve miles North
west of Woodstock, iu Shoitandoah aud Frede
rick counties, is infest n d with robbers and de
serters from both 11m Federal and Confederate
States armies. J hese robbers and deserters
are the terror ol the region in which thoy
circulate.
'lhe chain of Yankee pickets along the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad have been with
drawn.
It is now thought that no troops have been
sent to Giaut’s army from Chattanooga.
The tobacco damaged by the late freshet at
Richmond brought from forty to sixty dollars
per hundred at auction.
It is stated, by one who has investigated the
subject, that failure invariably follows every
pet administration appointment. The cases of
Bragg, Holmes, Ileth, Hindman and many
others are ci ed in proof.
It is now said that the folly of removing the
female clerks from Richmond to Columbia can
be laid to Gen. Bragg’s door.
The Rict.moud Examiner says an order trans
ferring the bulk of the idle and surplus pobula
lion of Richmond south of the James, sleeps iu
the War Department, awaitiug Gen. Bragg's
signature.
Iu Febuary and March the ladies knifing so
ciety of Lynchburg, Va.,distribited 1,005 pair
of socks to the army.
Among the horses impressed by the Gov
ernment iu virgittia was the celebrated race
mare “Fanny,'’ belonging to Major Thos. W.
Doswell, of Richmond. The nag was at the
farm of Maj. Doswell s farther, a few miles from
Richmond, and would have been forthwith
taken oil but lor the representation of the value
of the animal, and the entering into heavy
bonds by Mr. Doswell, that another animal
.should be furnished in her place. The owner
of “Fanny" had refused $20,000 for her be,ore
the war.
Rev Dr. S. K. Cox., formerly President of
Lynchburg College, has discovered a method
tor the manufacture of Keros ne Oil. A patent
has been issued for it.
Conscription in Virginia is enforced with
great rigor. Iu the county of Amherst only
two men were discharged outright, as physical
ly unfit tor sei vice. Many were assigned to
“iigljt duty” who arc wholly uufit for any duty
whatever. These meu draw rations and pay,
thus adding to the but then of tho public debt,
without any corresponding benefit to the coun
try in a military wav.
In a long article, the official organ advocates
a war debt tax of twenty-five per cent, on the
assessid va ye in 1861, or proportioned thereto,
of all the real and personal estate—except per
ishable property—in the Confederacy. The
tax to be in the nature of a lien, adhering to
property bought or sold, until discharged.—
Does this “skeain” emanate from Mr. Mem
minger?
A few days since the mill of Mr. David Parks,
about five miles south of Abingdon, Va.,was
consumed. It was fired in several places,
therefore the work of sn incendiary.
Major Goodwyn lias been appointed Superin
tendent of the Virginia and Tennessee Rail
road, vice Thomas Dodamead, resigned.
Iron is being laid upon the Piedmont Rail
raid with a good deal of dispatch, and great
exertions are being made to complete the work
It is said that an average of a mile and a half
of iron rail is laid daily. At t .is rate tho gap
will soon be closed, and the trains be running
through from Danville to Greensboro.
A beautiful banner is being made in Char
lotteville, Va., designed as a present to Gen.
John 11. Morgan. One side of this rich gifi
represented the seal of the Confederate States
bearing the motto, Deo Viatlice. The obverse
repr "sented a masonic charter, with the cross
and Constantine, beautifully lettered In gold
words, In hoc s ! gne vinces. The silk was of a
superior quality, decked with tasty ornaments
of gold.
A considerable force of Fodcrals hove ap
peared at Barnhamsvilie, thirty miles from
Richmond.
It is thought that a force of Federals at Ran
dolph in Beverly county, will soon make an
advance movement.
It is reported that four thousand Federals
are marching through the Kanawha valley,
upon Lewisburg. Woen last heard from they
were at Sewall's mountain.
Gen. Imboden is orgmizing reserved forcer
in all the counties in the valley of Virginia
within our lines.
Gen. Elzey h s established bis head quarters
at Staunton. Va., for the organization of th<
Maryland line. The Richmond Examiner state,-
that those Marylanders who refuse to join this
command will be sent'out of the Confederacy
as alien enemies.
Ttie hospitals at Richmond have all been
cleared out, and the sick sent elsewhere. This
looks as if something was to be done soon.
Between five and six hundred horses have
been impressed in Richmond.
The Abingdon Virginian says that three Yan
kee regiments—one white and two black—at
tucked General Jackson at Capter’s station,
twenty n ne miles below Bristol, on Monday
lest. General Jackson, with a force of not more
than three or four hundred men, repulsed
them in gallant style, killing eight, wounding
fifteen, and capturing four. Our loss was two
killed and three captured. A note from an of
ficer who was in the fight says that the enemy
had not more than tlnee hundred men engaged
at any one time. T tey commenced the attack
on th*- morning of the 25th, were hansomely re
pulsed, remaind in sight till the next morniDg,
since which they have not been seen, It is said
that they are at Jonesboro’, about fifteen httn
bundred strong, consisting of cavalry and ar
tillery. The enemy's loss was about thirty in
killed and won tded, including a major and
captain of the Tenth Michigan. Our loss was
three woun ed, one dangerously and two
slightly, and five captured.
All Confederate officers and men delivered
at City Point, Virginia at any time previous
to the 20tfi of April, 1804, are declared to be
duly exchanged
The Richmond Sentinel says there is a fair
prospect ot a good fruit ceop in that section.
Gen. Law’s brigade lias been transferred to
Major. Gen. Field's division.
A photgrapbtc copy of the Dahlgren paperß
has been sent to Gen. Lee by command of
President Davis, with instructions to forward
it to Gen. Meade with a letter from himself in
quiring whether the orders and plans found on
Up!. Dahlgren were authorized by himself or
his Government. No answer has yet been
mrde to this communication..
FROM EAST TENNESSEE.
The people of East Tennessee are undergoing
more cruel treatment than at any period of the
war. Ihe Yankees are enrolling negro men,
as well as women, for >he different branches of
the service. Their owners are held responsible
for their delivery when called fir.
Most of the Federal garrisons in Middle Te
nnessee have been sent to the main army.
Andy Johnson is trying to raise home-gtiard
companies all over the State to do his little
dirty work for him.
Accounts heretofore published, in regard to
the destruction of private property in Tennes
see, and the abuse of citizen* at e fully con
firmed. In some places houses have been burn
ed and citizens murdered in cold blood, with
out offense, except that their sympathies were
with the South. Most of the citizens have
been left no alternative but to take the oath
of ailegiance to the Government they so nfuch
hate, or see their houses and worldly effects
consumed by tne devouring flames and fheir
families ieduced to starvation.
Moie can be procured for one dollar in Con
federate money in Tennessee, than can be pro
cured for three dollars of the same currency
in the Confederacy.
FROM MEXICO.
Manatilan and Tobasco have been abandoned
by the French on account of their unhealthi
ness •
I he fortunes of the Juarez party are looking
spa little.
Northern papers say that the Confederate
guerillas on the banks of the Mississippi are in
creasing in numbers,
FiiiOM KURiDHINiMSTI,
The Mobile Registers obtains Boat Mr, Wsgi
nsr, who has arrived inroute for Richmond wilh
dispatches for the Govermeut,' the Annexed
interesting information :
Three Yankee columns were to advance from
distant points ou Shreveport: Morgan Smith
from Vicksburg up Red River. Steele from Ar
kansas. and Banks and Franklin from N*ew
Orleans and Berwick’s Bay.
Smith's was the first to reach the scene. He
went up Red River with 12.000 men. flanked
Fort Deßussey, capturing tho garrison, and oc
cupied Alexandria.
At this town lie was joined, about the Ist of
April, by Banks and Franklin with about 20,-
000 more.
The combined fordo then marched upon Nat
chitoches, a fleet of forty gunboats and trans
ports moving simultaneously up the Red Riv
er. They also occupied this town without op
p sitiun ; and with little delay kept on to
wards Shreveport, our forces slowly falling
I'Ac It before them.
Ihe plan oi Gen. c mith was to draw *hem
as tar into the interior as possible, aud the field
of battle, as selected by him. was about 20
miles trom Shrevepon.
But when the centre under Taylor had reach
ed some spungs of water four or five miles
Irom ihe town of Mansthld, (about sixty miles
southeast ot Shreveport,) the Louisianians
swore they hadonough ot retreating, and should
tight there. Ibis declaration suited “a- impet
uous temper of Dick I’avlor, who Jf-tmed his
line of battle, and met the advancing cnemv
driving them back The straggle was terrible!
but the lauites, though outnumbering Taylor
? A » wtre routed *n<l Mi back to Pleasant
liiii, also tbc> were driven back oh the
next day. the .Util of April.
At l h a-ant Hill. Mourtou’sdivision charged
over nu-immense ploughed field upon the Yan
kee artillery which was supported by three
limes their number It was here the heroic
Mourton and neatly every field officer of his
division were killed or wounded But when our
men reached the guus of the enemy, the Yan
kees threw down their guns, declaring il was
useless to fight i-uch demons.
From that moment it. was a flight on one side
and a pursuit on tho other—a race lor the gun
boats, which lay about 27 miles oil'.
'1 he Yankees reached the cover of theic gun
boats at Grand Ecore, and at last accounts had
boarded up their steamers to protect them
from our at tillery and sharpshooters on the ri\ -
er batik.
Iu attempting to cross the river to the nor.h
bank, where the roa i to Alexandria and to
Natchez also, is better than on the Alexandria
side, our troops renewed the attack upon them.
This was Sunday, the 17th.
The only parlicu-ura we have are that the
Yankees fought with great but unavailing des
peration ; that the losses were very heavy on
both sides, and the result more terrible, if pos
sible, and more decisive than in the, previous
battles
Our cavalry and artillery are above and be
low on both sides of the river. As fast as
their gunboats got hard aground, our field
pieces are p aced so as to annoy them without
being endangered by a return fire. The Yan
kees burn their transports and blow up their
guuboasts as soon as they see them immovably
aground. The river is falling fast, and the
country in Northern Louis ana and ’Texas is so
parched, that :io matter how heavy the, rains,
the moisture would ail be absotbed before
reaching Shreveport, far less the Fails,
Banks was within a hair’s breadth of being
captured cm the 9tli.
Un the 7th a Confederate Major, who sub
sequently made bis escape, was taken and
brought belore Banks. When did you leave
Shrevcpoi’i ?’’ queried the ex Commissary of
Stonewall. “Yesterday motniug, sir.” “Was
Gen. iSteelo in possession ot the place?’’ “No.
sir.” “Beware how yon trifle with me, sir; \
want the iruth—was not Geu Steele in possess
ion of Shreveport when you left,?’’
“Well, General, when I left Shreveport, if
Gen. Steele was a hundred miles from t iere,
Gen. Kirby Smith didn't know a word about
it.” The Major sai Ihe never saw a man wilt
so in his life.
Two Couriers from Bank's to Steele were
caught one at Marshall, Texas, the other at
Shreveport, with orders to fall back as rapidly
as possible ; that lie (Batiks) had advanced on
Shreveport, expecting to meet six ex eight
thousand men, aud had met ninety thousand.
Before the writer left Shreveport (18th April)
the order sending ruinforc' meuts to Price had
been countermanded - it being understood that
a courier had arrived from Gen. Price stating
he could manage the force of Steele with the
troops he had already.
Result i/f the battles of the 6lh and 9th : 85
pieces artillery, 1,200 mules, 300 wagons, ma
ny of them loaded ; and, a loss to the euemy
of 8,000 men by our report, and 15,000 by their
own.
Brig. Gen. C. J. Polignac during February
last, marched with three regiments, forty-five
miles, crossing three rivers in flat boats, in
thirty-six hours; then drove the Yankees in
\ idaliu, La., to the protection of their gun
boats, and held them at bay, while lie remov
ed all that was valuable iu the tow n and on
the neighboring plantations, and leisurely re
tired. e rrying off all the hoists, mules and
beeves that he could fiud to his camps at Har
risonburg, La. The attack on Vidal ia was
made in view of thousands of spectators who
thronged the bluffs and houses of Natchez,
which place was directly opposite. Our forces
remained in I idiiiaa whole day, the gunboats
harmlessly firing at them all the while. The
Confederates numbered 700, the Federals over
G.-n. Price is reported to have attacked Lit
tle Rock and capt-i red it. He then fell back
and at at'»ed Steele's forces, and routed them
with terrible loss.
The troops under Quantrell are said to have
committed sad havoc on the leased plantations
—harm god oil the overseers that he caught
and all the negroes dressed in Federal uniform
lie had also captured some 800 negroes who
were at work on the plantations.
Gen Price bad issued orders against this
conduct, but very little attention was paid to
them.
The spring in Texas is very backward. Tba
prospect of a good crop is anything hut fiat
teritig. No apprehension of a good yield
however i* felt
001. Jack Hays, tho old Texas hero, is now
fit Guy a wee, Mexico, in mining
* Grand Ecore, the point of so Dutch interest
at preset t is the landing of Natchitoches
which town is a few miles from Ki.d River.
FROM MISSISSIPPI.
Lieut. J. C. Smith, of Capt. Evans’ scouts
Gen. Ross command, states that if the owners
of slaves in the counties of Washington Issa
quena and Bolivar, will apply to his coh mand
they will be ssisted in finding and removing
their Servants. The poor contrabands in these
counties have suffered untold miseries since
they have been suhjec'ed to the
oi the ‘ best government the world ever saw, 1 '
and are extremely anxious to return to their
old masters, and in mercy lo the poor delu
ded creatures, whose ranks have been terribly
thinned by pestilence aud death, it is to he
hoped their owners will make some effort lor
their relief.
Jones county, Miss., has been cleaned of de
serters. Some ten have heen shot, and a largo
number captured. _
Ihe citizens o£ Meridian, Miss., are rebuild
ing the burnt portion of the place.
The Brandon Republican gives the particu
lars of a great commotion got np by the Yan
kees among themselves, at Big Black Bridge,
a few days since. It appears that Gen. Den
nis tiie commander of ihe post, had put his
soldiers on short rations, and was sellin" pro
visions to the citizens on this ride the river, at
which tho soidiera took offense, and dwvrmin.-
ed to tai and leather their commander, ©no
party surrounded the headquarteis of General
Dennis, for the purpose of taking him o U t and
applying the tar and feathers, whilst another
party went to the commissary store, broke
open the doors, and helped themselves to such
Hi tides as they wanted, and threw a largo
quantity ot provisions into the river. General
Dennis escaped the coat of tar and feathers by
y ielding to their demands, and promising them
that they should not be punished for tbeir ol
tenss, and that the rebels sl ouldnot be furn
ished with any more provisions.
The Meridian Clarion says the withdrawal of
the Yankee forces from Big Biack shows the
enemy’s weakness at Vicksburg. There aie
not troops enough to hold the point alluded
to, and the city from our cavalry. So General
Dennjs has gone behind Ihe Ratifications
around the city.
According to late advices from Vicksburg the
the mortality ther e is unnaturally great for
this season.
The following officers are elected in Arkan
sas under the Yankee regime : Isaac Murphy,
Governor ; C. C. Bliss, Lieutenant Governor ;
R. J. White, Secretary of State ; J. P. Berry,
Auditor ; E. D. sayres, Treasurer ; C. T. Jor
don, Attorney General ; T. D. W. C.
A. Harper, E. fiaxte., Judges of the Supreme
Court ; D. M. Jacks, Helena Distr ct, and J. M.
Johnson, Johnson county, members of Con
gress.
The Washington Chronicle says Lincoln will-' - '
investigate the Fort Pillow affair carefryßy
the statements are found to be correct he will
demand the participants, if they areWused
he will take measures of Revenge, • ‘ 1