Newspaper Page Text
PAKI.IAMK.IrTAItV MJTKS.
fly Low of •* «f »he Tiuralo.'Ma
[From the London Index.]
On Tuesday, in the House of Lirdf, this sub
ject 'whs brought forward, by Lord Chelmsford
in a very able and exhaustive speech. After
a few prefatory remarks ids lordsb p recited
the history of the case. The Tuscaloosa was
originally a Federal vessel, named thu Con
rad, and on the 21st ofJuue last, she was eff the
coast of Brazil with a cargo of wool, and was
there captured by tire Alabama, lire captors
put some guns onboard, a lieutenant of the
Confederate navy, and ten men, and changed
her name to the Tuscalooosa, and employed her
as a tender ot the Alabama. The two vesse's
were in tompany at the Cape of Good Hope in
the beginning of August, and Captain Femmes
ordered the Tuscaloosa to Simon s bay for the
purpose of obtaining provisions and undergo
ing some slight repairs. She arrived otf Si
mon's bay on tbe 7th of August.
The Admiral upon the station, Sir Baldwin
"Walker doubted whetner she could properly
be consideied as the tender of the Alabama,
whether slie did not retain her previous char
neuter of an uncondo ned prize, and tiicrefore
whether she could be admitted under tbe terms
of her Majesty's proclamation forbidding the
armed-ships of l>oih belligerents from coming
into British ports with tiieir prizes, 110 wrote to
Gov. Wodehouse, who consulted the attorney
peaeral at the. Cairo. The attorney-general gave
it a- his opinion that, hv tea on of the vessel
having been armed by the captors, and having
had a lieutenant audvrew put ou board, the'i'us
erloosa wa» a vessel of war. and might cuter the
bay; and accordingly tiio Tuscaloosa anchored
in aimou s bay ou the Mb of August, and re
mained tbete till the 15th. While nil* was ly
ing ut anchor there, the Culled Btatea
consul claimed that she abus'd be retained on
lx halt of the original owners. Having men
tioued that the Yusual .• as true uau:.- was the
Conrad and that she hail never been condemn
ed as a priz-»l by any lawfully constituted ad
miralty court, he proceeded to say:
Tam well itw e that your Government has
•onceabd to me sc called Comedeiate states
ths rights of belligerents, and is thereby bottud
to respect Capt. Femmes’ commission; but hav
ing leiused to recogn /a the - l uctederaoy' as a
nation, and having excluded his captures from
all l -e ports of the British Empire, tho cap
tures necessarily retort to their owners, and
ate forfeited by Capt. Femmes as soon as they
enter a British port.” *
In reply the governor wrote the United
Btates consul:
••The governor is not aware, nor do you refer
him to the provisions of international law by
which captured vessels, as soon as they enter
our neutral ports, revert to their real owners,
iind are forfeited by their captors. But his
Excellency believes that tbe claims of conten
ding parties to vessels captured can only be
determined in the first instance by the courts
of the captor's country.”
The United .States Consul rejoined that by
Hie terms of the Qeen's proclamation the
Tuscaloosa was forbidden to enter Simon's
bay, that she was there as a prize, having on
board tier original cargo of skins and wool,
and as Capt. Summes could not hold prizes in
Simon's bay, “who else could litrld them ex
cept those whose light to hold them was ante
cedent tr his—that is, the owners - '” That
claim was extravagant and illogical, but it
has been sanctioned by Her Majesty’s .govern
ment. In reply to a dispatch from Governor
Wodehouse, an answer was sent by Her Majes
ty’s government, and ho (Lord Chelmsford)
“could not help thinking that the instructions
conveyed in it were the result of Federal
pret.sure.” After “rather a menacing corres-.
iiondenco on the part of the United States
iinister,” the following instructions were sent
to Governor Wodehouse on the 4til November
from the Colonial office:
“With regard to the vessel called the Tus
aalousa, -1 am advised that this vessel did not
Jose the character of a prize captured by the
Alabama merely because she was at the time
of be* being brought within British waters,
afmed with iwo small rilled guns, in charge of
an ofiicer. and manned with a crew of ten men
from the Alabama, and used as a tender to that
ve;-sel under the authority of Capt. Femmes. It
would appear that the Tuscaloosa is a bark
of 500 tons, captured by the Alabama oil tho
coast of Brazil on the first of June last, and
brought into Simon’s biy on or before the 7th
ot August with her original cargo of wool
(itself, as well as the vessel, prize,) still on
board, and with nothing to give her a warlike
4,re me) except the circumstances already no
ticed. Whether, in the case of a vessel duly
commissioned as a bkip of war after being
made prize by a belligerent government with
out being first brought, infra presidia or con
demned by a court of prize, the character of
prize, within the meaning of her Majesty’s or
flmv, would or would not be merged in that of
n national bilip of war’, I era not called upon
So exp'sin. it is enough to say that the cita
tion from Iff. Wheaton’s book by your attor
ney general dots not appear to me to have any
direct bearing upoS tbe question. And then
Dio Duke of Newcastle concluded as follows:
‘!jlhe question remains iviiut course ought
to have been taken by the authorities of the
Cape: Ist, in order to ascertain whether this
vessel was, as alleged by the United States con
sul. an uncoiulemucd prize brought within Brit
ish waters in violation of hcr.Majesty’s neutrali
ty; and 2d, what ought to have beeu doneitsuch
lntd appeared to be really the fact. I think
that the allegations of the United States con
sul ought to have been brought to the kuow
lede of Captain Sctumes while tho Tuscaloosa
was still within British waters, and that he
should have been requested to state whether
fie did or did not admit the facts to be as al
leged. lie should also have been tailed upon
(unless the facts were admitted) to produce
the Tuscaloosa's papers. If the result of these
inquiries had been to prove that the vessel
was really an uncoudemned prize brought in
to British waters in violation of her Majesty’s
orders, made for the purpose of maintaining
lier neutrality, I consider that the mode of pro
seeding in such circumstances most consistent
with her Majesty's dignity, and most proper
finr ;he vindication ot her territorial rights,
would rls-ve beeu to prohibit the exorcise of
nny further control over the Tuscaloosa by her
Euptois, and to retain that vessel under her
Majesty’s control and jurisdiction until prop
erly reclaimed by her original owners. ’’
The Tioveinineut replied that hs was in a
state of uncertainty, but he was relieved of
responsibility by an extraordinary i.eparture
from the ordinary course of procedure. On
December 26, after au absence of four months,
the TuscalC' -ta returned to pinion's bay, and
Admiral Bir B. Walker wrote to the governor :
“As it appears that this vessel, the Tusca
loosa, lute federal ship Conrad, is an uncou
deruned prize, brought into British waters in
violation of Her Majesty s orders, made for the
purpose of muintiauiug her neutrality, I there
fore consider that she ought to be detained,
with the view of her being reclaimed by her
original owners, iu accordance with the opinion
of the iaw officers of the Crown, forwarded for
my guidance, the copy of which I have already
transmitted to you."
The Tuseoloosa was seized, and the Govern
ment ottered to give her up to the United States
consul, but, fortunately for this country, that
official had some scruples about receiving her.
Lieut. Lowe, in command of the Tuscaloosa,
put in a protest again?' the seizure.
On March 4th, the Duke of Newcastle wrote
to the Governor to deliver the Tuscaloosa back
to the Confederate officers. Her Majesty's
Government could not assert they were right
and did not like to admit they were wrong,
and. therefore, “in the dispatch commurdca-
J.ffig the reasons why the Tuscaloosa was to bo
rescued, they took a course which was always
an indication of weakness—they made the Tus
caloosa a .special case."
Lord Chelmsford then pointed out the error
end illegality of the instructions sent out by
her Majesty’s Government. He challenged his
noble and learned friends to point out in any
svriter on international law a passage declaring
that where a neutral had prohibited fcelliger
cuts from bringing prizes into its waters, that
neutral, on the prohibition being disregarded,
had any right whatever to seize the prize and
to restore it to the original owners. The pow
er of the neutral was confined to ordering the
vessel away, and it she refused to go force
might be used to expedite her deparfsre.
By the rules of international law the moment
a capture took place the property. as between
belligerent*, was vested in the captor*, and
theretore a neutral dealing with the property
iu the way attempted by Her Majesty's Gov
ernment was iu effect to take it from oue of
the belligerents and give it to the other. Far
ther the neutral had no right whatever to enter
upon the consideration of the validity of prizes
brought into its waters. The capture might
have been invalid or illegal, but the neutral
Lad no power to inquire. Tnere were only
certain cnees in which the neutral might and
onalit to inquire, and these were exceptions
very strongly establishing the rule. Where a
vessel wfcfseixeo hv a belligerent within neu
tral waters, a vioUf.cn of neutrality took
place, a. and it was not only the right, but the
duty, ot the neutral to r« store the tesee. o it*
original owners, because there never was a
moment nt which th* vessel was y a
prize. Bat that rule certain iy cuum not B c
made to applv to the case of the 1 uscarCosa,
which, aiier a lapse of Six montho from tuc
time es her capture, catne into neutral water? j
-.,i wi -'.--zed for the purpose of being de-
JLivered back. ,
It was also said that a neutral might exerc.se I
the authority of seizing prizes brought into i f s
wat.e and of returning them when the pro
perty of its subjects bad been illegally captured
and was afterwards brought into its ports; the
very extraordinary reason given being that
this was intended as a compensation for tbe
asylum afforded. But that no authority was
to be found for the proposition that neutrals
were entittled to deal with'priz- s brought into
waters in the man/Tbr in which her Majesty’s
Government ha 1 sought to dea! with tho Tus
caloosa. It would, no donbt be urged by the
Government that the bringing ot a prize into
neutral water-, contrary to the prohibition con
tained in the proclamation, was a violation of
neutrality. But with this view, taking the
plain meaning of the words “violation of neu
trality,” he could not agree.
lit - contended that the instreutions issued by
her Majsety’sGoverntuent were wholly illegal,
void ami improper; and there w.ts also this
disadvantage, that he presumed they had npt
been confined to the Governor of the Cape of
Good Hope, but had been sent to all our col
onial possessions. At that very moment it
might be that prizes had been seized in some
of those quarters and delivered up by the
different local governors either to the Coufed
crate* or Federals. If the prize imptoperly
seized under the instructions of the Govern
ment belonged to tbe Federals ho could antici
pate fully well what would happen : strong
remonstrant., sand high-toned menaces ou one
side, submission, apology, restorat'ou, and,
perhaps, compensation ou the other. Fhoutd
the prize taken be from tiio Confederates, the
remonstrance* might be equally loud, bat they
would not be as much regarded, lies.oration,
as »ho"vu by the present case, might be unnec
essary, but it Would be restoration unaccom
panied by an apology ; it would be mere res
toration, and nothing more. Whichever alter
native happened, tbe position of tho British
naiiou would not l>e very dignified.
Karl Kassell (who was evidently wry an
gry.) said : “it must be recolccted that all
these applications of international law to con
test between the Federals and so called Con
federate Ftates have to bo made under very
exceptional circumstances. It has been usu
al tor a [lower carrying on war upon tbo seas
to possess ports of its own in which vessels are
built, equipped and fitted, and from which
«iey issue, to which they bring their prizes,
aud in which those prizes, when brought be
fore a court are either condemned or acquit
ted. Bat it so happens that in this cosfiicl
the Confederates have no ports except those
of the Alersey and tho Clyde, from which they
send out ships to cruise against the Federals;
mid having no ports to which to bring their
prizes, they are onliged to burn them upon the
high seas. It is natural, under the circuin
stances, that the Coalederate officers and Con
f-derate authorities should somewhat resent
the orders of her Majesty, of which the noble
and learned lotd was pleased to approve, ,and
should endeavor to evade their operation.
These orders, as your lordships are aware, were
not to bring prizes made by either belligereut
into the ports of the United Kingdom of her
Majesty’s possessions abroad.”
[lt is untrue that tbe Confederate officers and
“the Confederate authorities” have resented
the orders of her Majesty, or have endeavored
to evade their operation.]
His lordship contended that Sir B. Walker
had a resonabio ground for the seizure of the
Tuscaloosa, because if the Confederates were
allowed to send in all their prizes or cruizers,
they might set at defiance the (J teen’s procla
mation. It was, however, he admitted, diffi
cult to decide whether the Tuscaloosa ought
to have been moved eff. or whether she should
be seized and taken possession of, and restored
to her owners. The Duke of Newcastle had
gone a little beyond the opinion of the law
officers of the Crown, and he (Earl Russell)
should have done the same. The point was
still open to the consideration whether the
proper treatment of such vessels as the Tusca
loosa would not be to move them off. He
thought that “to say that the question can be
decided in the courts of the captors is altogeth
er an error.” He denied that there had been
any truckling to the United States, and, in
proof ot his assertion, cited tho cases of the
Trent, the Saxon and the Chesapeake, in all
of v liich the Federal government had granted
satisfaction and justice.
Lord Kingedown said that the question in
volved in the present discussion was one of
the most important that had arisen out of.
tbe application of the principle of interna
*'•••• ’ ’ “ 8 ” n ..V-’-'Drer ti»d .rested liia
case upon the supposition that a prize remain
ed the property of the original owner until it
had beeu condemed by a court of legal adju
dication. That also was the principle on which
so far as he understood, tho Government and
the Duke of >iew Ca’tle, in his dispatch,
acted, but he confessed it was a great
relief to him to find that in writing
that dispatch the noble dukfe had gono
beyond tho opinions of the law officers of
the crown, on whose judgment and learning
the utmost reliar ce was to be placed. The
question of capture as between belligerents
was conclusive when the capture was made—
it required no adjudication. The moment one
belligerent obtained possession of the goods of
another, they were as much bis property a? if
they ha i been condemned by all the prize
courts ot Europe.
In that view of the subject he was supported
by Wheaton, who said : ‘-The obligation of a
captor to bring his captures into port lor inquiry
and adjudication depends on tne insLuctioas
which he has received from his own Govern
ment But this obligation under the law of
nations ex sts oniy with respect to vessels'nav
igated under the neutral flag, the object being
to ascertain whether the property belongs to a
ueutral or an enemy. Enemies cannot claim a
right that their property, upon capture by a
belligerent cruisor, should be taken into the
port of fiio belligerent, or his ally, for inquiry
or adjudication. Capture alone divests an •n
--emy of bis property. Upon tbe surrender of a
vessel under an enemy's fl ig on the high seas
a belligerent may destroy her under the gener
al laws of nations, and if the captor is unable
to bring her into port, he will bo justified to
wards liis own Government in dost: oying her.
In the present case Her Majesty had iorbid ien
armed vessels, with their prizes, to come into
her port.
Accoiding to law, if a ship of war with her
prize enterd a British port, she could be order
ed away, but he was at a ios* to understand
how our Government obtained a right to take
posession of the Tuscaloosa. That vessel bad
violated the proclamation of her )I jesty, and
might have been sent away, but how could she
become confiscated and liable to seizure by
onr Government? Even supposing it could be
said that the violation of the laws of neutrality
of which she had been guiliy entitled the Brit
ish Government to seize her and confiscate her
to the Crown, their lordships would observd
the conduct pursued by our authorities was
based upon entirely ditfereut grounds. The
argument was, that the Tuscaloosa having
come under their control, they were entitled
to seize her and restore her to tho original
owner, forgetting that tho original owner was
Capt. Semtnes, she never having been recaptur
ed. It was highly imporlautthat there sbouh.l
be no mistake on this point, because tbe Con
federate States could not obtain adjudication
in their own ports, to which access was hared
by blockade recognized by Europe ; and under
any circumstances the enforcement of the laws
of neutrality must operate with very different
force upon oue belligerent than upon the other.
What, then, was the opinion of Lord Stoweil
upon tho want of adjndication? Lord Stoweil
was reported to have held, when a captor could
bring in his prize, that, “Nothing is left to
the belligerent vessel but to destroy the ves
sel which she has taken, for she cannot con
sistently with her general duty to her own
country, or indeed, under its express injunc
tions. permit enemy's property to sail away
unmolested. If it should be impossible to
bring her in, her next duty is to destroy ene
my’s property.’’
It was laid down everywhere in the same way
that adjudication had nothing to do with the
matter except as between neutrals, and that
the moment an enemy’s ship had struck her
tiag. and was taken possession of by an officer
of the other belligerent, she became the prop
erty of her captor, and remained so until she
was recaptured. There was no gfound for say
ing, as it had been said in the present case,
that the Tuscaloosa, having innocently come
into the power of our govsinmeat, she was lia
ble to seizure and that the effect was to revest
the property in the original owner because
there had been no adjudication. The law was so
C n*i F it could not be misunderstood.
The Lord Chancellor denied that there was
an indisputable law that the property iu a
prize was transiered by mere capture. That
was as between belligerents. He wished to
show that this matter was one which iu the
language of the Jaw (.timers of the Crown, de
served "very serious consideration.” That se
rious consideratin it had received ; and the re
sult would be embodied in clear and definite
instructions, which would be generally circu
lated throughout our colonial harbors.
Lord Chelmsford said as they were now told
there wits te be a modification of the instruc
tions, he thought their lordships' were entitled
to know what the modification was.
The Lord Chancellor said what he stated was
that the new and definite instructions were un
der consideration.
* A negro colony has been established on
Gey-lW: Arlington estate*.
LETTER FROM JLD'JE BOBISSOX, OF ILLI
» \O!F.
To my Constituents: ,
You will very soon be calked upon to dis
charge the d'rtv of electing a representative to
the ensuing Congress, from the 1 itt> district est
the State of Illinois- Preliminary to this,how 1
ever, that politic and party with whose confidence
I have long been honored will no doubt, iu
convention, d(H{ji%te a chosen standard-bear
er. I desire to to you that lam not a can
didate for
make thus early aud publicly injustice to the
people of the district on wh. m will devolve
the choice of my successor, and especially to
those distinguished gentlemen whose names
have been mentioned in connection with the.
place, whose confidence I have so long shared
and whose eminent fitness for high public sta
tion the people arc too prompt to perceive and
to appreciate. Next to my estimation of that
popular confidence which has been manifested
in repeated elections, by regular majorities,
do I regard that earnest and unselfish counsel
which 1 have received from those eminent men
of the district to whom the people instinctively
turn in times of public peril.
And here I might close this communication,
but I will not do so without.* few words of
counsel to those whose good opinion I prize
second only to the preservation of the country.
Soon to become a private citizen, the evilmiud
ed w ill have fewer pretexts to impute to me a
motive to advance my own preferment, or grat
ify tue cravincs of a moan ambition.
VV hat I have ever believ and are the motives
of your rulers, in tbe conduct of the war, of
the inevitable tendency of the civil and mili
tary policy of the government, and the final
results which that policy would certaiuly pro
duce l need not now repeat. My opinions are
well known to you, to whom they have been
often and fully expressed, and they are' still
unchanged. Time, and these great events
which are now p; sslug into history, are fast
indicating my judgment and confirming my
fears. 1, therefore, dismiss the . past. It is of
the future - that immediate future in which is
involved the life of our country, aud the pre
servation of public liberty, that I would speak.
The Administration lias resulted iu much
more than a lailure. To denouuc it as infa
mous. might.be regarded as' the language of
meru passion; to characterize it as imbecile is
only repealing the animadversions of its par
tisan fr onds; to stigmatize it os corrupt is but
reiterating the sworn statements of unwilling
witnesses who have, deposed to the truth only
lh.it they slight escape the pains of perjury.—
History cannot render it more-odious than it is
now, among honorable men who are cognizant
ot its crimes; but time will leave it neither
apologists wot defenders. Its guilt will be con
fessed by posterity, and should it he retained
in power, the evidences of its criminality will
be manifest in.the broken fragments ol a dis
membered Union. I frankly tell you, there is
but one hope for our country—a feeble hope, it
i* true-still a hope. It is expressed in these brief
word*—a change of administration. Re elect
Mr. Lincoln, or fill his place with any man,
I care not how eminent be may be, who in
dorses the policy of the Administration, and a
restoration of tbe Union of the Ftates becomes
that instant impossible. I repeat, a change
of.rulers, and a total change of policy, civil aud
military, mu3t precede tiro remotest possi
bility of saving the ceantry.
Eveiy dollar now being expended by the
President is treasure thrown away; every sol
dier who falls beneath our country’s flag, from
this time forward, dies in vain. Every step
which the Government Las taken for nearly
two years past, has hut increased the obstacles
be Union and peace. And why? Because the
eivil and military policy of the’ Administration
is now directed, not to the suppression of the
rebellion and the restoration of tho Union, but
to its subversion and overthrow. This is not
the language of mere inference. I but repeat
the avowals of the dominant party in Congress'
and the official and other declarations of the
President. Your rulers are tending to disun
ion with as much certainty as the leaders ot the
rebellion. The only difference is, that ono par
ty has drawn the sword of open rebellion, and
marches straight forward to the unholy work of
overthi owing the Constitution—tho other,
falsely pretending to be the defenders of the
Constitution, are now in eaniy intent upon sub
verting its plainest and most fundamental pro
visions. and erecdug, by military power, a to
tally different government upon the ruins of the
old. What signifies the passage of congress
ional laws for dividing the lands of the people
of the ■nuth among their own slaves, or the
_» tu Px-uoldornt ’ What, is
the effect, in the rebellious States, of presiden
tial edicts, abolishing slavery, arming tho
staves, aad placing them as guards over terri
fied women and children?
What, I ask, is the significance of these
things to the thoughtful student of'history?
YTbao the effect .upon the great body of the peo
ple of the Southern States? Let our recent
disasters in the South give an answer. Or,-if
you prefer it, inquire of those who fought at
Murfreesboro , at Chickamauga and Olustee.
And, i( the voice which comes up from the en
sanguined battle fields leaves you still in doubt,
act for a while rhe part of the good Samaritan
at someone of on l- over-crowded hospitals, and
ink our sick, wounded and dying to account
the murderous conflict of the last few days. These
terrible bf tiles have left a defiant foe in our front
—a ioe yet unconquered, in my judgment, un
conquerable, while foily, fanaticism and cu
pidity rule.our eouucils. I repeat the war is
no_ longer waged to put down rebellion and
restore the authorities of the Federal Govern
ment over the rebellious States. Had this
been continuously the sole purpose of the Ad
ministration, and means justly commensurate
with such au end been adopted and continued,
the war would long since have been over.
But a directly opposite course has been pur
sued—a course calculated, if not designed, to
unite th# great body ot the Southern people in
resisting a policy in which they beheld tkeir to
tal subjugation and enslavement. By this
means thousands of the Union-men of the South
have been driven into rebellion, while those
who are still out of the rebel armies execrate
the very names of those by whose orders and
epnnivance they are robbed and degraded un
der their country’B flag. All classes are united
in resisting what they regard as degradation and
enslavement. Every heart is stirred by ve.u
f)g#auce and bate. The old and the young have
rushed indiscriminately into the front ranks
of rebellion. Within tbe last few days I have
seen among the prisoners we have captured
mere striplings and eged, gray haired men
walking side by side to the prison house. I
read ; n their features none of that suffering of
despondency which we have heard so much. Min
gled scornand defiance obscured the trace of those
privations and sufferings which would appal the
hearts of men less brave and sincere than they.
They believe themselves right, and in this is
the secret of their power. In numbers they are
a mighty na'ion : in area they are an empire.
They are united as no revolutionary or rebel
lious people have ever been united before. Tbe
President and liis friends, his policy and theirs,
have thus united them. And now I ask you to
point me to a page in all history which records
the subjugation of a people thus numerous,
thus siucere, thus united and brave.
Again, I say, it is not now, as in the begin
ning, a question of subdurag a rebellious fac
tion—that was first rendered impossible, and
then the purpose abandoned. It is now a war
of subjugation, in which the Southern States
are to be subverted, overthrown, and, if need
r e, ernsed from the map of this world ; a war in
whiclu if one-tenth of the people 1 in particular
localities —the meanest tenth —will swear totally
to the President or some ot his satraps, like
Andy Johnson, of Tennessee, falsely swear that
they “ardently desire" the freedom of their
own slaves, then, and in that event, this “one
tenth,” (though her etofore the worst of rebels),
are to govern the remainder of the people. And
those who advocate such arr insane policy, and re
quire our soldiers to fight and die for its en
forcement, tell us they desire peace. The peo
ple of the South, I repeat, will suffer extermi
nation before they submit to such degrading
term's. They will fight with-more than human
courage before they quietly submit to the oo
cup»ition of their home* by their own slaves, or
the hungry jackals who arc pt«po»ing to migrate
iroin the North. ’But suppose we so lar succeed
as to disperse their armies, occupy their chief
cities, apportion their land* and people their
habitations, will these things bring peace 1
Will we then have a restoration of that Union
who»e firmest and indispensable support rested
in mutual memories, forbearance and respect?
The voice of all history, the lesson of all experi
ence, the plainest dictates of common senes, an
swer with an emphatic no. In every mountain
gorge, on every hill-top. in every valley, in
every city and hamlet, the Arts of hate will
burn ever, while a badge of social or political
inequality remains. Each and every neighbor
hood will teem with invisible clansmen, who
wiil teach their descendants the religion < f un
dying hate for these they will regard as oppres
sors and foe*. Every roadside will be the thea
ter of murders and assassination ; ev?ry cavern
will echo the bloody tradition of the past, and
every occupant of an abandoned farm or se
questered home will die the moment a Federal
guard is no longer at the door. Bat I will not
further enlarge upon a theme so suggestive of
crijneand blood. It show.:, however , that when
?ueh terrible scenes are so distinctly visible in
rhe inmirdicate future we should not disregard
the warnings whiph precede such calamities to
public liberty, to civilization, humanity and
religion throughout the world.
The danger, I repeat, i* imminent. The
clouds which precede the tempests of destruc
tion are visible to us ail—their thunders are
t nct.y audible to ail those who are willing
to hear. We all admit that safety is above
B»rty, the preservation of our country above aii
Pyfc e ' Gur only reliance Is upon tue people ;
aui when such momentous issues are involved,
surely we cannot appeal to them in vain. Do
not delude yourself with the belief that the
taking of Richmond will end the war or faci i
tate peace. There was a time when such a re
sult was of the first importonoe, but that time
ha* passed. Onr occupation of New Orleans
Newborn, Norfolk, Nashville, Memphis, Vicks
burg, ar.d Little Rock, has demonstrated the
little importance of such surrenders in a war of
such gigantic proportions. Ido not fuHv share
genera l confidence so loudly expressed in the
“s ‘ i* en - Graiit t 0 uk « Richmond, but
should he do so, the beginning of the end will.
f t b l aS u ilr . off a *, before - should he
fart to take Richmond, and be driven north of
the Rappahannock, what then? I repeat, what
iheu . I have put the question, and will not
shrink from tbo responsibility of essaying an
answer. I doubt not. iu that event, the Presi
dent and the great body of his partisan suppor
ters will become, instantly, the loud-mouthed
advocates of peace.
Their party cry will then be ‘ P*ace and
•reparation.” liven “miscegenation” wili lose
tor the timo its signifioroce ; aud throughout
the entire army of Abolitionists, contractors
and loyal leaguers the cry of peace and sepa
ration wili be heard. The whole power of
Government, I doubt not, will be exerted to
this end, upon the idea that having failed to
subjugate or exterminate tbe barbarous slave
holders of the South, it will be aoti-puritan
lcal and sinlul longer to live with theta a*
equals and friends. You may believe me ex
travagant in my views. I assure you I but
speak what I believe—they are the words of
soberness and truth—opinions deliberately
formed, and expressed with all the serio iraess
Vlncli so grave • subject cannot failMp inspire.
Nor is the military situation the mily* thing
which arousss my apprehensions and fears. Fi
naucially, we are on the verge of ruia. Our
public debt has reached a figure which almost
bmiles our powers of calenlation. Four thou
sand millions!!! History ia vain attempts to
unfold a page on which to trace its parallel.
Ann it is increasing at tho rate of three millions
per day ! The hour of settlement must com*.
Io think of payment presupposes an impover
ished people inailcomiDg time. Repudiation,
though sustained by nnmeroas precedent#,
will leave a blot upon our national escutcheon
which no n&ceesity can justify, which tho roll
of years can never erase. Bankrnptcy! repu
diation ! terrible words, aad of what fearful
import, when, as alternatives, they are present
ed to tho honest child of toil. Before him lies
the dim domain of poverty; behind, the foot
steps of tho tax gatherer is heard.- But I for
bear the attempt further to lilt the veil of that
future which lies beyond.
Again I say, our last earthly reliance is up
on you—upon the people. Let good men of
all parties join in one united effort to rescue
our country from impending ruin. Believe not
that because I gladly return to that private life
which, vice prevails arm impious men
bear sway,” is the post of honor, I shall be In
different or inactive in the approaching ooafiict.
In becoming again a private, in the ranks of
the party of the Constitution, l have lost none
of my former ardor or zeal. The magnitude
of the pr;ztpfor which we struggle—-the preser
vation of constitutional liberty—is enough to
inspire us all with renewed energy, and with
that courage which increases with the dangers
to be encountered. Let us all be true to the
Constitution of our country. Let its entire
preservation bo our sole motto. We will then
deserve success, and to deserve is to be assured
of victory. Your fellow-citizen,
J. C. Robinson.
Washington, June 1, I*o4.
MAJOR GRIM. H. B. FORRRST’B ADDRESS TO
HIS COMM AND.
Headquarters Forrest’s Cavalry, i
Tupelo, Miss , June 28, 1864. j
Soldiers; After a long and laborious cam
paign, the Major General commanding, deems
it an appropriate occasion to address you a few
words of recapitulation, acknowledgment and
congratulation.
About tho Isth of February last, the c*n
paign which so gloriously terminated at“Tish
itmiugo Creek,”jwas inaugurated. Major. Gen.
Sherman, with a large and well appointed
army, undertook to penetrate the central coun
ties of Alabama and Mississippi. His object
was nvmvadly to capture Selma and Mobile,
and to desolate that productive region of coun
try, from which the granaries of a large s c
tion of the Confederacy were supplied. Gens.
Smith and Grierson had their duty assigned
them and were to act a conspicuous part in the
work of spoliation and piracy.
With a large co-operating cavalry forea thor
oughly armed ami equipped, they were to de
scend through Northern Mississippi, carrying
fire and sword with them. Gn they came, like
a lightning sirocco. 'At West Point you met
them. There you threw yourselves across the
rich prairies, a living bulwark, to stay the des
olating tide. Compared with the enemy you
were but few in numbers, but every man be
came a hero, lor all seemed impressed with
the importance of the momentous struggle.—
You proved yourselves equal to the expecta
tions of the country. You met the proud and
exultant enemy. The result is known-to the
world ; you drove him howling back in igno
miny and shame ; broken and demoralized.—
Sherman’s campaign was thus brought to an
abrupt conclusion, and Mississippi and Alabama
saved.
The victory was a glorious one and with
heartfelt pride the General commanding ac
knowledges your unexampled gallantry. This
great work was accomplished by Col. Bell’s
brigade, commanded by 001. Barteau, Col.
Mir ulloch’s and Col. Forrest’s brigades. But
great as was this victory, it is not without its
alloy. The laurel is closely entwined with the
-cypress, and the lustre of a brilliant triumph is
darkened by the blood with which it was pur
chased. it was here that Colonel Barkesdale
gave up his life a willing sacrifice upon the
altar of his country. He felliin front of the
battle, gallantly discharging his duty. He
sleeps, but his name is imperishable. Hero,
too, fell the noble brother of the General com
manding—Col. Jeffry E. Forrest. He was a
brave and chivalrous s|>irit —ever foremast in
the fight. He fell in the flower of his yeuth
and usefulness. But bis hying gaze was proud
ly turned upon the victorious field, which his
own valor had aided in winning. Peace to the
ashes of these gallant young heroes.
After a short repose you were called to a
new theatre of action. By long and rapid
marches, which you endured without murmur
or complaint, you found yourselves upon tbe
waters of the Ohio, sweeping the enemy be
fore you wherever you met him, capturing
hundreds of prisoners, valuable and needed
stores in the quartermaster’s and ordnance de
partment", while securing for yourselves a
character for endurance, valor and efficiency
which might well excite the envy of the msst
famous legions in military history.
At Tort Pillow you exhibited the same con
spicuous gallantry. Iu the face of a mur
derous fire from two gunboats and six pieces
of artillery on the fort, you stormed the works
and either killed or captured the entire.garri
son, a motely herd of negroes, traitors and Yan
kees. This noble whrk was accomplished by
parts of Chalmers’ and Buford s divisions,
composed of Bell’s and McCulloch’s brigades,
commanded by Brigadier General Chalmers,
and for his gallantry on this-and other occa
sions, General Chalmers deserves the enduring
gratitude of his countrymen.
I‘or the exhibitions of high soldierly bear
ing on these fields, you have earned from your
country and its government the most grateful
and well deserved plaudits. Congress has
Toted you’eomplimentary resolutions of thanks
and tenders you a nation’s homage.
But the crowning glory of your great deeds
has yet to be named. Tishamingo creek is the
brightest leaf in your chaplet of laurels. Gen.
Grierßon not satisfied with his test of your
prowess, united with Gen. Sturgis, at the head
of one oi Uie best appointed forces ever equip
ped by the 1 ankee nation—complete in infant
ry, cavalry, artillery and supply trains. They
came forth with threats of vengeance towards
you and your commander, for the' bloody vic
tory of I ort Pillow—made a massacre only by
dastardly Yankee reporters. Again you re
sponded bravely to your General’s call. Vic
tory was never more glorious—disaster never
more crushing and signal. From a proud and
defiant foe, en route for th§? heart of your
country, with declarations, both by negro and
and white troops, of “no quarters to Forrest or
his men, he became an enemy beaten, defeat
ed, routed, destroyed.
You drove the boasted minions of despotism
in confused flight from the battlefield. Seven
teen guns, two hundred and fifty wagons, three
thousand stand of arms, two thousand priso
ners, and killed and wounded two thousand
more, are the proud trophies which adorn your
triumphant banners. The remainder is still wan
dering in the boshes and bottoms, forever lost
to the enemy. There were not over three
thousand of you that achieved this victory over
-ten thousand of the enemy. Had you never
before raised an arm in your country’s cause,
th s terrible overthrow ot ber brutal foe, would
entitle you to her deepest gratiiude. Again
your General expresses his pride and admira
tion of your gallantry and wonderful achieve
ments. You stand before the world an un
conquerable band of heroes. Whether die
mounted and Ugh ing shoulder to shoulder,
like infantry veterans, or hurling your irresis
tible squadrons on Hying foes, you evince the
same CiU.-sgeoas bravery.
Foldiers ! ami 1 your rejoicing. do not forget
the gallant dead upon these fields of glory.—
Many a noble comrade has fallen a costly sa
crifice to his country's independence. The
most you can do is cherish their memory and
to strive to make the luture as glorious as they
have made the past.
To Brig. Gen. Buford, commanding divjsion,
my obligations are especially due. His gal
lantry and activity on the field was aver con
spicuous, and for the energy displayed in pur
suing the enemy, he deserves much of his Gov
ernment.
He has abundant cause to be proud of his
brigade oommanders, Cols. Lyons and Bell,
who displayed great gallantry during the day.
Col. Col. E. W. Rucker was prompt in the dis
charge of every duty. His brigade displayed
conspicuous steadiness during tho fight. Col.
Johnston, commanding brigade from Gen.
Roddy's command, merits notice for his cool
ne.-8 and his bravery on this occasion, and for
the valuable services rendered by his troops
Nor can the General commanding forget to
mention the efficient aid rendered by the artil
lery, commanded by Capt. John W. Merton.—
He moved rapidty over the roughest ground
and was always inaction at the right-time, and
his-well directed fire dealt destruction in the
masses of the enemy.
The General commanding also lakes plea
sure in noticing the intelligent alacrity with
which Major C. W. Anderson, Captain W. B.
Brand, Lieut*. Otey, Donaldson, Titne and Gal
laway, of my staff, conveyed orders to all parts
of the field. They were ever near my person,
and were prompt in the discharge ol every
duty.
FoldierS I You have done much, but there
is still work for you to do. By prompt obe
dience to orders, and patient endurance, you.
will be enabled to repeat these great achieve
ments. The enemy is agaiC preparimg to
break through the living wall erected by your
noble bosoms and big hearts. In the name
and recollection of ruined home*, desolated
fields, and the bleaching bones of your martyred
comrades, you are appealed, to again.
The smeke of your burning homesteads, the
screams of your insulted women and the cries
of starving children will again nerve your
strong arms with strength. Your father* of
’7,6 had much to fight for, but how little and
unimportant was their cause compared with
yours. They fought not against annihilation,
but simply to be independent of a foreign yet
a constitutional and free government. You
are struggling—for existence itself, for your
property, your homes, your wives and children
—against you* own enslavement, against eman
cipation, confiscation and subjugation with all
their attendant horrors*.
Iu conclusion, your commanding General
congratulates you on the brilliant prospects
which everywhere pervade pur cause. The In
dependence of the Confederate Ftates is a fixed
accomplished, immutable fact. The ray of
jjeace is glimmering like bright sunshine
around the dark clouds. Be true to yourself
and your couutry a little while longer, and
you will soon be enabled to return to your
desolated homes, there to collect together once
more your scattered household gods.
By order of
Maj-Gen. N. B. Foansss.
C. W. Ahdsrsox, A. A. G.
PROM YIRtiIRIA.
BXAfNTON XIVIA BIJIC9.
»Hi«ufc9H River Bridge, upon which tha Dxm
ville Railroad aruue* Staunton Rivsr, ia ninety
miles frem this eity. Stafinten River, at tbit
point, flow* between the coantiss of ffharlott*
and Halifax, the latter being on its west bank.
Proceeding from this city, tho railroad, a mile
and a half before reachiag this bridge, erosses
the Little Roamoko bridge. The Little Roan
oke ia a deep creek, wkich flow* into the
Staunton Rir*r a mile and a half, or ther*-
abonts, below tbe railroad. Little Roanoke
bridgo was ferurarly a ’ kaadsome atructur*,
which was carried away by.a flood *ome time
since; iti place waa supplied by a simple tres
tle, f After crossing this trestle the railroad
aseends a steep grade to Roanoke station,
half a mil# distant. The half mile between
Roanoke station and Staunton River bridge is
down grade, tho road rumaing across wide and
open bottom land, th# low ground of Staun
ton River. The bridge is a long, aabatantial
structure, with weather-boarded, side*. A coun
ty read crosses the Little Roanoke a mile
above the railroad, aad run* aoatk to Roanoke
station.
On each lids of (She railroad, twenty yards
this side of the bridge, we have strong earth
works. Oa the hills beyond tke river, on
either side of the railroad, and from two to
three hundred yards from the eastern end of
the bridge, we have ether eerthworlu, moun
ting a namber of cannon.
FIGHg WITS JLANTZ’S RAIDERS AM MAEJWEE RIVER
BRI1>« E.
About 4 •’clock Saturday evening Jana 25th
the enemy ieach*d Little Roanoke bridge, and,
having destrayed it, crossed th# Little Roanoke
by the county road and proceeded ta Roanoke
station. A battery of the enemy, having got
into position on the high grouud’near Roanoke
station, shelled our position at the Staunton
bridge. During this shelling, which lasted for
’over aa hoar, the enemy deployed their forces
as infantry in the fields north*and soath of the
railroad. Our batteries replied to the enemy’s
fire, and shelled their infantry. It was evidtut
a deterrniaed attack was abeat t« be made on
the bridge, and our troops Were put in posi
tion. Our earthwerk* in the valley, near and
an this side of the bridge, were held by a por
tion of *>ar men. The reserves previously
mentioned were in the trenches on tho hills
beyond the river.
At half past 5 p. m., the enemy, under cover
ot a heavy fire of shell and solid shot from
several differently located batteries, sent for
ward a strong body of sharpshooters. Between
these and our men at this end of the bridge
there was fierce exchange of shot. The sharp
shooters at length reached a ditch some hun
dred yards in front of the bridge, aad, covering
themselve» with it, kept up their lire.
At 6 o’clock tho enemy's main force moving
in two columns, one on each side of the rail
road, rapidly towards our position, eur batte
ries opened upon them with grape. Still they
advanced briskly, firing rapidly as they came
on, and at the same time their sharpshooters,
from their position in the ditch, keeping up an
annoying fire with their Stevens’ carbines. The
reserves were ordered to croee the bridge and
reinforce our men-i* the earthwork.
It was a hot place, and our men lost no
tirna in getting through it and into the earth
works, from which they immediately opened
<*i rhe enemy, who, by tkis time, were so close
at hand that the canister fired at them from
our batteries beyond the river pawed within a
few feet of the heads of oar men. Our batte
ries being better service than ia the begin
ning of the actwn, and our fire from the earth
works steady asd well directed, the enemy
dispirited by our reinforcement jest seatover,
at length wavered, halted and then fled to
cover. Three time* again were they bronght
np, but onr fire both frera tbe batterioe and
earthworks, having rather improved than
slackened, they at length, about S o’clock,
p. dr., withdraw from omr immediate front.
We threw forward some pickten between
whom and tbe enemy there was seme dcealiory
firing ter an hour or two.
RITRIAT OS Ml RAMSV.
During tbi night the enemy was heard mot
iij their wagon*. Th* «ext morning, Sunday,
*bih, they threw a deaen or more shell* at ug,
but it was plain that thi* wa» a parting salute.
Their troop* were meviig ofl, retracing their
steps to the for 1 over th* Little Roanoke, and
then** following th* road running south to
ward* Mecklenbnrg eointy. At 0 o’clock
their rear guard disappeared. Two hour* af
terward* some of Gen. W. H. F. Lee’* men
made their appearance on the ground lately
left by the eaumy ; bat very soon these also
went off, apparently following th* track of the
raiders. In thi* affair we had eight men killed
and 21 wounded, two of whom have since died.
The Yankee* were sorely punished in thi* en
gagement. It i* reported by persons who came
from the field since the battle, that they buried
86 of their dead, and threw several more into
the river. Os the lumber of their wounded we
can form n* estimate; though it must have been
large. They carried off their wounded with
them.
roues or vii raikx* Rart r.
From a diary es one of the Yankees found
ipon the battle field, it appears that Kautz star
ted out from the army near Petersburg, on
June 21st, with eight thousand mounted infan
try and twelve pieces of light artillery. He
reached the Junction on the 2*d, where his
force was divided, a portion going towards tho
high bridge, on the Bouthside railroad, and a
portion towards Danville. The party who
came up the Danville road were, commanded
by a Colonel Wilson.
DAMASS WOKS ST TXS TAXXISS.
At the Junction the raides burned the de
pot and all the pabli* property. They then
took np their line of march along the railroad,
tearing up the track burniug the depot and
destroying public and private property 03 they
went. Every railroad depot from the Junction
to Staunton river has been laid in ashes: and
every saw mill, and grist ifiill; within , reach,
is reported to have been destroyed. The des
truflfcu of private property is said to b« great.
Barns, granaries aud stab'es were frequently
given to the torch. It it estimated that about
(>B* half of J?fhe railroad track between the
Junction aid FtauntoQ —a .distance of twenty
eigbvmiies—has been destroyed.
Tbe raiders tore up the rads at intervals, to
suit their convenience. . Whenever they found
a fence near the railroad, they piled the fen’e
rails across the track, aud set them ou tire, thus
burning th* srois-ties asd damaging the iron
so as to render it worthless. It is reported
they robed some citizens of-their money,
jewelry and ether valuables, and carried of a
number of slaves, who either rau away or were
forced te leave their wasters. Thus th* van
dals advauced along the line of the railroad,
robbing and stealing, leaving behind them a
track marked with ashes.
CAYAI.RT TIGHT AT TREVILLUSS.
Our two division!, under General Fitz Lee
and Wade Hampton, achieved a victory June
12th, over Sheridan's cavalry corps, which, tor
its results and extent, has no superior in the
history of this war. On the evening of the
9th iulormatioc was received that a large liody
ot their cavalry aud twenty-four pieces of
artillery had passed around our left aud were
moving up the South Anna in the direction ol
Gordonsville, with the evident intention of
destroy ing onr stores at Charlottesville and tap
the railroad from that place to Lynchburg.
General Hampton, with two divisions of cavalry
and Major Breathead’s artillery, set out during
night, and by a rapid march, got ahead of
them at Trevilliau’s depot, four or five miles
above Louisa C. H. Early ,on the morning ol
the 11th. their advance coming up, a sirnul
taneous attac k on their front and left flank was
commenced by Gens. Hampton .and Fitz Lee,
which lasted, with terrible fury during the
entire day, with a deeided success on our side.
During the engagement Oustar's brigade
charged through Rosser's line, but were cut
off and scattered through the weods in every
direction, with a loss of live hundred and forty
prisoners, one piece of artillery and a great
many horses. The remainder of the party, In
attempting their escape, passed out of the
wosds near Gen. Hampton’s trains, capturing
several ordnance wagons, ambulances and a
portion ot Butler’*! lead horses. This having
been reported to Gen. Lee, h i immediately
ordered the second and fifteenth Virginia regi
menta to charge them mounted, which they
did, recapturing Hampton's train, four cais
son-, one hundred prisoners, and fifty horses
and mules. They also captured four pieces of
artillery, bnt the Yankees ran off with the
limbers and they had no means of bringing,
them out, as they already had ns much ua they
could guard safely into our lines.
The main bodies on both sides being dis
mounted and in regular infantry line of battle,
kept up a-continuous fire regardless of these
mounted dashes until night closed the
game. During the hottest of the battle Fit*
Lee’s right was forced back by an overwhelm
ing force, and Lieut. Col. W. R. Carter, com
manding the Third Virginia, was severely
wounded in the !eg and band, and while two
men of his regiment was carrying .him off they
too were wounded and had to leave Carter on
the field, where lie was captured. Everything
remained quiet during the night; next morning
Gen. Hampton having sent out scouting par
ties, found the enemy in his same position and
commenced a heavy skirmish, which lasted un
til about 4 o’clock, p. ui., at which time Gen.
Lee having moved around irom the enemy’s
flank to his front vrith Hampton, both divisions
were- dismounted and a general and almost
desperate engagement ever witnessed was made
along the whole line, and lasted until about
eight o'clock at night.
The Yankees fought with a courage and de
termination worthy of a better cause. They
charged our line agaib and again, but were re
pulsed every time, leaving their killed and.
wounded in a few steps of our line.
Alter making desperate assaults upon our
flanks without success, they abandoned their
intended raid, made a hurried retreat during
the night, leaving over a hundred badly wound
ed, together with Col. Carter and the rest of
our wounded, whichf theyj had captured the
evening before, besides a number of Sharpe’s
rifles, Colt’s pistols, two caissons, and every
thing in the way of equipments. Their dead
covered the entire battlefield, and In their re
treat they admitted .to the citizens they were
badly “used up.”
" The marched rapidly down the river the way
they came, and their wounded left at citterns’
houses on the road, their unburied dead, brok
en down ambulances) ami wagons and dead
horsss which strew the road upon which they
retreated, all mark the extent of our victory.
Our loss was very heavy in wounded, but mod
erate in killed. From the best estimates, the
Yaukees must have lost more killed than we
didin killed and wounded together. We left
the battle field in pursuit of them, bringing
over 700 prisoners, a number of horses and
mules, and a piece of artillery, lour caisson?,
several wagons, including Custar’s headquar
ters wagon aud his Adjutant General. Our
wounded have been all well attended to pud
lelt in the Green Spring neighborhood, where
there is plenty of everything, baddes the pat
riotic attention of the ladies, who had already
crowded our hospitals with good things before
we left.
A CAVALRY TIGHT NEAR SAMANA CHURCH.
A severe engagement occurred near Forge
Bridge on Wednesday June 23, in which one
of our brigades drove back a brighde of the
enemy Sheridan’s main body, who were
at the time crossing the Chickahominy. After
this affair,- our men withdrew in the direction
of and rejoined the rest of Hamp
ton’s force at Samaua church, near Nance’s
shop, it seems.that Sheridan was completely
deceived by this manoeuvre. Believing that
this brigade was the entire force we hud in
this neighborhood, he determined to cut them
off. With thi3 design he halted with two div
isions at Charles City Court House, and des
patched Gregg and Custar with their divisions
to get in our rear.
During Thursday night these Yankees, by
following the direct road from tire Court Hoaso
to Long bridge, put themselves in Hampton’s
rear at a point between Hawes’ shop and
Santana church, and no doubt congratulated
themselves exceedingly upon the success of their
plans ior our certain capture. To make assurance
doubly sure, and to provide against the possi
bility of our escape, they spent most of the
day in throwing up heavy double lines of earth
works in front ot themzeives and between us
and Richmond.
General Hampton also threw up intrsnch
meate. At tnree o’clock Fridzy evening the
hostile forces were half a mile apart, a thick
wood and a narrow field being between them,
the enemy fronting southeast, our forces north
west. Chambliss was on the left of our line,
then Yeung, Wickham and Lomax, and But
ler on our extreme right. Each side had a
skirmish line thrown out some two hundred
and fifty or three hundred yards in front, be
tween whom skirmishing began about noon.
About four o'clock, F. M., all of our men be
ing dismounted, General Hampton sent Cham
bliss to turn the enemy’s-right flank and t.ke
him in the rear, and soon after ordered the
rest of our force to leave their breastworks and
charge the enemy. When our troops reach
ed our skirmish line they were opened on bv
the enemy’s cannon with canister and -nape"
at a distance of three hundred yard3.° Not
wavering for an instant, our men pushed for
ward, firing volley alter volley, their tire be
ing mostly directed against the artillerists.—
\\ hen we got into the field before mentioned
just Ineyond which were the enemy’H intrcnch
mentsand cannon, a large body of the enemy’s
cavalry charged upon us. Our men were or
dered to halt aud receive their onslaught. They
dashed up to us in handsome style, but on re
ceiving two steady volleys broke and fell back
in confusion. Again being rallied they were
brought to the charge, but this time with much
less steadiness at and impetuosity. A volley or
wo sc altered them, and they tame back no
more, but scampered away to our right.
Our men resumed their charge upon the ene
my’s works, but observed, with regret, that bis
cannon had disappeared. It had been with
drawn during the diversion created by the cav
alry charge, and was at that moment clatter
ing away towards Charles City Court House.—
But the enemy s dismounted men kept up a hot
fire from his brea-twores upon our advancing
line, a fire which we returned with good effect.
On our getting near the enemy's first line cf
lntrenchments his men deserted thc-m and fled,
leaping and running over the men in tho sec
ond line. Our men scaled the outer works and
dashed up to the second, from which not a
shot was fired upon them, and where they
found the Yankees seeking safety by .crouch
ing behind the intrenchments. As we scaled
this lino its occupants fled, and joined pell-mell
in a regular race for Charles City Court House.
Simultaneously with our advance Chamblisst
had struck them in rear.
Our men pressed them closely, pouring into
them a galling fire. The pursuit was kept up
till we arrived within two miles of the Court
House, when, night having come on, we hal
ted.
Immediately on the arrival of his beaten
div sions, Sheridan made a hasty .change in his
plans. Instead of .attempting to reach Harri
son’s landing, as he had proposed, he immedi
ately started, for Wyanoke, a point on James
river, five or six miles below Charles City
Court House. At this place, on Saturday, he
crossed on pontoons for the Soathai le of James
river.
In this battle the enemy lost not less than
five hundred killed and wounded, two hundred
prisoners, and a large number of horses. One
hundred will cover our casualties. Mast of
trie enemy were killed niter they had been
and. iven from their works aud were iu retreat,
when we tired into them from rear and flank
Among the enemy’s killed who were led on
the Held, were two lieutenaut colonels, a major
aud several captains.
AN ATTACK ON HBNTBJt VRAU SAIKJI.
On Sunday, June 2t, our troopj attacked
Hunter’s line of march as they passed through
the Gap at Hanging Rock nsar Faiem. Thu
onset was so unexpected and vigorous that the
troops soon fled and their train was cut iu two,
a great number of wagona and about 2»i) hor’
ses, a fine park of artillery—with a large idle
force fell into our hantia, together with lot)
prisoners, including one Captaiu of artillery.
Our casualties only about half a dozen. Tbe
enemy are still pursued with little project of
capture. Thev are fleeing rapidly towards Lew
isburg and Kauawha.
TUB TANKS! fLKKT IN JAMS RIVSE.
ThoT ankee Admiral Lee has at Trent’s reach,
which extends all aroand the hors* sboo mead
ow land, which terminates in the narrow I use
known »s Dutch Gap, four Yankee iron clsd
monitors, flanked by forntibable land batteries
of Parrott guns on both sides of the river. In
his rear are any number of war vessels, to say
nothing of the heavy and UDmaniger.bie trans
ports which supply Grant with reinforcements.
All down the James to its mouth are similar
unwieltlly crafts held by Grant 1b reserve lor
various useful purposes.
rROfl THH rOTOMA*.
A gentleman arrived iu Petersburg on Thurs
day trom the Potomac, from whom tho Express
learned that transports are constantly passing
down the rivor to Grant with new troops, and
returning to Washington loaded with the ve
teran regiments whose term of sorvica have
expired. He is of the Impression that the
number leaving Grant is sally equal to the
number sent te him. Soveu or eight days ago,
a tloet of transports sailed up the river filled
with returning volunteers. Tho number wes'
so groat that many persons thought Grant was
moving an army corps to Washington for the.
pretsetioa of the city.
grant's armt.
On his passage through Lunenburg, General
Wilson went to the house of a citteen, aud hav
ing imbibed whiskey pretty freely, became
very communicative. He told a lady of tie
family that it was not Grant’s purpose to do
any moro hard fighting, but to remain in front
of Petersburg aad operate upyfti our lines of
comniuuication through Uia raiding parties.
Another officer, in reply to a question, stated
that Grant's army, when it crossed -the Rapi
dam, numbered something over 149,000 men.
Many thousands of these now lie ou the sod of
Spotsyivauia and Cold Harbor, and the future
will tail ,\ similar atory of ih« -reinforced rem
nant at proeeut in Prince George.
from- LmcniVKa.
‘from '. piivate letter from a Confederate offi
cer, dated Lynchburg, June 29, we extract the
following puregraph : “ Nothing now remziffs
of the late Yankee raid on Lynchburg, at least
nothing visible to the ‘ looker on,' save the
breastworks and the dilapidated plantations
to tbo south and west of the city, that experi
enced the cruel mercy of the invader.”,
nrxcout's tax Oollsctsb.
About the 25th es June bogas Governor
Pierpoint’s tax collectsr mad* his appearance
at Centrevilie, F’airfax county, with a body
guard of fifty Yankee cavalry. On tbiwsame
day he was attacked by Mosby’s meD, and
himself and all of big guard but rtiur or five
killed or captured. The Lynchburg papers
announce the arrival there of thirty-eight of
the prisoners.
The Yankees have one brigade'of cavalry
at Fall Church, Alexandria county.
raou rrrERHEURo axd vioirity.
Tbe Petersburg Express of July S confirms
the rumored stir and commotion in Grant s
army, and reports that considerable clmage has
been made in Grant’s front. It says :
It is positively known that Grant has greatly
contracted his lines around the' city, having
withdrawn an army corys or more from his
extreme left, which, until Saturday, extended
to Dr. Gurley’s farm, within four miles of Reams
station, and about two miles to the east of the
Petersburg and Wei non road. His reasons for
this contraction are not known, but two or throe
causes suggest themselvie. His idea of circuru
vailatiug the city, so as to include the Weldon.
Southside and Danville railroads, has beon
complete) v exploded by the recent disastrous
termination of his grand Wilson raid.
Again, the point to which lie had extended
his left offered such a templing bait to Mahone
that it had been twice flanked and a large
number of prisoners captured. It is said, too
by persons who know the country, that in that
particular section there is always a great scarci
ty of water, but since the present piotracte i
drought it hes been next to .an impossibility to
procure it. Prisoners taken confirm this, and
say that there has been great suffering in camp
for water. During one of the late engage
ments iu that section a General barely escaped
capture while endeavoring to Make his thirst
over a little mud puddle in the woods. Two
of his Aids were not so fortunate, a_d our sol
diers captured them on the spot.
Our cavalry have also contribpfed somewhat
to this recent contraction of Gaunt’s lines. A
day or IwjWhore will fully develop the inten
tion of Grant.
It was also rumoured in Petersburg that tha
enemy bad embarked a Urge nurnbet of troops
at City Point on Thursday last. The men
occupied five large transports and the boats
'appe ared to be crowded to overflowing.—
whether these were men whose terms of serv
ice has expired, or whoso removal from Grant’s
army have been rendered necessary for opera
tions elsewhere, was not known.
Tremendous cannonading commenced Sunday
night, about ten o’clock, on our left. One of
the guns used waa a whopper, and each explo
sion shook the city.
mosbt’s raid on tub Baltimore abb ohio rail
road.
On the 27th ult., Colonel Mosby, with a por
tion of kis battalion—the 43d Virginia—sur
prised a Yankee camp at Duffle’s Depot, a sta
tion on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, eight
or ten mHes above Harper's l’erry, and cap
tured the whole command, consisting of thirty
nine iufautry, including two Lieu'eaanis. On
coming in range of the camp, Colonel Mo»by
sent iu a flag demanding a surrender, In reply
to which the Yankee Lieutenant in coaiuiand,
to whem the whole business was a novolty,
said he was unable to make up his mind
whether or not to comply, ho would take tire
matter under advisement, and see what his
mnn thought about it.
He wan taken before Col. Mosby, and after a
moment’s interview, concluded to give up un
conditionally. The captors pro .ceded to pos
session of tho depot, filled with army supplies,
as also of some sutler’s stores in the vicinity,
which they disposed of in their usually expe
ditoue stylo. The booty was plenty and valua
ble. Whilst engaged in biuiging off the spoils
a force of forty or fifty cavalry come up and
charged a detachment of Col. Mosby’* com
mand, aud sueceeeded in leaving twenty-iix
of their number, including a lieutenant, pri
soners is onr bands, besides several of their
dead on the field.
REMOVAL OS TSOOM.
We hear from a source entirely reliable,
that the enemy embarked a large number of
troop* ac City Foist en Thursday last. The
men occupied live large transports, and the
boats appeared to be crowded to overflowing
Whether these ware rata whose term? of ser
vice has expired, or whoso removal from
Grant’s array have been rendered necessary
for operatioss elsewhere, we arc unable to say.
HUJITan’S T/OSSM.
Hunter is estimated thus far to have had
3,000 men put hors du combat, exclusive of his
losses near Staunton. In addition he Isas lost
nearly, if not quite, all of his artillery and his
entire wagon train, numbering some *OO or
1,000 wagons Our cavalry at last accounts
were still harraaing him, audfthe drain upon his
force* was constant. Before he reaches a place
ot* assured safety he will be made to suffer
still more severely.
XABTZ’g RAI&ERS.
The latest news from these brigands is that
the remnant of them were inakteg their way in
a scattered and disorganized condition towards
Grant’s rear. Their expedition, begun so
gaily aad conducted so haughtily till they
reached Staunton river bridge, ended in diaas
ter. At Sapponi church, Kearns’ station and
Stony creek they Ipst the ensire -fruits of tbeir
campaign, alt their artillery, and more than
one-third of their men.
Besides th* negroes, wagons, ambnl&nces
and other stolen property. w<; are said to have
taken frost them upwards of three thousand
horsea.
MORGANS* RAID IKTO KESTCCICT.
A gentleman from the Southwest, who ar
rived in Lynchburg, June 29th, informs the
Lynchburg Republican that Gen. Morgan had
returned to Yirgiaia from his raid into Ken
tucky. bringing out with him many substantial
ovidenc-* of the success of his expedition. The
grt-at defeat which Burbridge reported that he
inflicted upon Morgan on the-12th, at Cyn
thiana, turns ont, as we suspected it would; on
the contrary, he whipped vverv Yankee
lores brought against him, and retired from
tho State at his U-sgnrc, aud only when the pur
pose of his expedition were fu'ty a'eomplished.
During his iaid Oca. Morgan captured eight
towns, viz : Cynthiaua, Mount Sterling, Paris,
Flemingsburg, Lexington, Maysville, Franff
fort and Varsailles, besides a number of villa
ges too tedious to mention. He captured 2„
500 prisoners, between S,OOO aud 4,000 horse*,
and destroyed government stores nnd other
property to the amount of many millions es
dollars, and in addition he so completely amd
effectually destroyed the Kentucky Central
railroad teat it will fake several months of th*
most pntiriug labor to put it in running order
again.
In the various fight* and skirmish#* with the
Yaukees he killed and wounded between 4Off
and 500. losing himself only about-2»0 In kill
ed, wounded and raising, of having
his command aira'st annihilated as claimed by
the lying Yankee General.
The expedition wax a complete success in
aU (ts details and results, and adds enoiher
wiesthto ihe bright cbaplet that already ea
oircie* the brow of the gallant Kentuckian.
bobbins nstkom.
It is a fact worthy to be put ou reeord, that
in the recent advance upoa Lynchburg tha
Yankees were not content to rob and plunder
white people only, but absolutely pillaged
from the negroes tho httlo money and ihattles
vhlch they accumulated by years ot labor aaet
frugality ! The negroes wote robbed by Hun
ter’s troops of every thing tney had la the way
of money and clothing. This is not idle inraor
or exaggeration, but a serious fact, vouched f&t.
aazKin.cN’s brutautt.
A gentleman who has seen the Yankee raid
er Sheridan, say. he is a low, ill bred ruffian,
suited to bis command, and most acceptable to
his employers. A ladv sft whose house be
made bis headquarters, heard him same per
sons on his line of march who kad beee piun
dred by his troops. A highly respectable lady,
in whore yard he made his headquarters, states
that niter she had been robbed ot every mouth
ful, and her house tharoughly sacked, she,
with her hungry ohildrea crying atoned her,
approached Shoridan with her tale of privation, >
when the unfeeling hrnte angrily said to hej
“Shut up, shut cp; I want to hear no more
that; I hear enough of that wherever I
TIIS BATTLB AT XANCH’* SHOP.
From prisoners we ascertained that lbe eee
rny a few days slaoe under Generals Gregg
and C*sUr, having o»e division of Sheridan’s
forces, supposing that but a small portion of
sur force was near them, determined to capture
the whole qt that forte. The truth was, onr *
whole force wss within supporting distance es 4
our pickev. Colonels Gary and Wilght com
manding brigade*, and Generals Chambliss,
Butler and Wickham In positien, with Lomax
held ia reserve. The pickets of Gary and But
ler were attacked near Nance’s shop. Sending
fsrwatd onr skirmishers, we noon found th*
enemy in our front aad to our right. Tbo
First was then ordered into position
on our right. Bt’foro wo had keen leng in-po
sition we heard heavy skirmishing on onr test,
and soon ascertained that our force* were at
tsek ng the enemy, when we had ordett te
move forward Our cavalry were dismounted,
and wit* Colonel Mustord ou toot with us, wv
advanced rapidly acrow h.r open field aud at
tacked the enemy, finding hiss strongly potted
in tho woods behind two lines of breastworks
and heavily supported by artillery. We drove
the enemy from bis two line* of works, and
got to wiu.in less than one hundred yards qf
his artillery, which we charged and would have
captured if the support on our right bad been
in place. In this galling fire of grape and can
ister from the enemy’s artillery, the gallant
Captain W. VT Tibbs, commanding company
K, was instantly killed by a grape shot, and
Lieutenants Wade and Comer severely wouud
ed. Bergen t Lowry, and private* Menifee,
Ward and Wright wete killed, and fifteen oth
ers woundod We pursued the enemy about
four miles, throch the bioiiiug hot sun, kllliag
many in the pursuit.
A US AN YAXKBB TBICC.
At er near Buchanan, V»., the magnificent
dwelling of Mr. John T. Anderson, tbe dels
gatajrom Botetourt, wu burnt Mis. Ander
son? says that a squadron of Hunter’s raiders
sourvounded the house, when an officer rode
up and called for her; when she made her ap
pearance he told hor that he had been sent by
Gen. Hunter to burn the house of Mr. Ander
son, a member of the Legislators of Virgiaia,
that he had no discretion in the matter,
only had to obey orders. He further said to
her that he would givs her an hour to move
*uch valuables as she thought pfeper. This
was a sharp Yankee trick Mr. Auderson own
ed the most princely mansion in that section
of country, it was reasonable to suppose
liad a largo quantity of plate,and Mrs. A. would
attempt to secure it. This she did, but tha
(lemons relieved her of the greater portion of"
it, and carried it off with them after burning
tlie stately mansion to the ground. •
It is said that the Yankee* actually robbed
the Poor lldu.-c of Augusta county Va. We
car. readily believe it of them, for they robbed
wherever they want iu the Valley, the poor
widows and orphans of the gallant dead.
Sloaewuß Jackson at Lexington, Vn. They
also btoka up tbe head stone and carried it oflf.
VAUIOBS ITEM*.
The citizens of Petersburg are gettiug to be
very cool under tk“ Yankee fire.
Baldy Smith with his Entire fore* joined
Grant, June 22.
Graut apparently has a very large ferae be
tween the defences ot Petersburg and City
Point. 7
Prince George. Cos.. Va., has been completely
stripped of everything In the eating line, and
all the growing crops destroyed.
The Yqnkete are loilifyiag at Deep Bottom'
on the North side of James River, jait abeve
Carl’s Neck.
A navul skirmish took place near Chaffin’*
Bluff, Jim# 21. None of our Seel was streak.
Capt. Johf. Marshall, of ttuigaux com need' l
and ton ct the Mob. Humphrey Marshall, k&s
been captured, and is new in tbe hands of th#
enemy.
It ia reported that the Yankees have repair
ed the Norfolk railroad, and are new operattag
it within two cr thih* mile# of Petersburg.
The Yankees are at work removing eur ob
structions in James river and tbe obstructions
recently sunk by tbemeelvos at Trent Reach.
Th* Richmond Sentiual July 2 says, ore of
Grant’s array corps bur left onr front, for parti
unknown. It may be to Washingten or to
Sherman.
According to tks best inforuatioß the Yan
kee loss in the fights at Pappeny Chnroh and
Ream’s Station was over 1,000 in kilJfd, wound
ed aud prisoners. We have also taken four
teen piece* of cannon, 600 hoisofl, and many
wagons »nd umbulatios, brsiden 700 negro**
recaptured, who will be rcityred to their own
ers. Our loss, frota all causes, is very steal I.
Over a thousand broken dewn hwsee wens
shot by the Yankee raiders during their late
trip through Virginia.
It is the impression that Grant will make an
attack on Petersburg and Richmond at the
same time. At last accounts be wan buy
shifting tbe position ol bis forces.
Destirtci* say that Grant ha# informed bin
men in a General Order that unless surrender
ed ha would lay Petersburg in ashes. They
also report that a number of heavy guns have
been put into position to shell tke place.
Burnside wits reported a week ago to have
left" Petersburg and gone to Washington.
It Is cot known yet what bos beoome of
fcautz and bis defeated raiders. They succeed
ed in doing a great deal of damage and dee
treyirig much property before they were de
fcated.
These who are well acquainted with th*
country aronnd Pctersourg say the scarcity of
water will compel Grant to move his army. 4
In a late fight near Petersburg we capture*™
several hundred small arms and 60,000 roundel
of ammunition.
About three thousand horets have been eep
fcired from the various Yankee raiding parties.
The onvalescnt soldiers in the hospitals at
Lynchburg, on Hunters recent appzoach to tke
place, tamed ont and assisted in driving hire
off. Our cavulry have succeeded in finding two
more cannon in the Nattoway river, betwen
•Stony Creek and Jarrat’s Depot—this make*,
fifteen pieces taker, which prisoners say is alii
they had. J
.Wilson's raiders not only stole jewelry from!
the hands of ladies, but also stole their dreeeeel
under clothing Ac. |
A captured officer states that both Wtleea’l
and Hunters raiding parti** were composed ofl
picked men, and fuliy equipped In everj
1 articular. They numbered about eight tborjß
sand men. Groat things were ex
them by Grant, but he hae been
ted.
According to Northern accounts Honter hi*
arrived at Wheeling. West Yirginia, from which
secure point he sends Stanton an efHoial repoth
of his operations, claiming a “great victory®
lie accomplished everything he. was sent to afl
coroplish. He didn't capture Lynchburg ffl
reasons, he states, that would be obvious ; hH
from “prudential motives he withholds a stafl
meat of those reasons for ike present.”
claims, moreover, to havb destroyed ten ml
lions of dollars worth cf rel*l property,
torn up ever so many miles of railroad. iH
gives no iirvantory ot the number or
the silver plate, spoons, dresses and baby
kete stolen on the roarch, which is a bed
sion on Hunter’s part.
The New York Herald says the new
of light draught irun cUds ate failaiw.