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From tbe Charleston Mercury:
Commercial Independence of tbe Confederate
Stales.
MONEY YS. COTTON.
It is a mistake, made in Europe, the
North, and to some extent amongst our
selves, to say that the Northern States aie
stronger than the Southern in money and
in men, and it is high time that this error
should be corrected, so far as the first is con
cerned. The actual money of the world
is small in comparison with the values rep
resenting motiey, and were all transactions
in our country settled by coin—tbe nomi
nal value of houses, hands, stocks aud pro
visions, would be reduced in tbe ratio.
Coin bears to tbe credits in daily use.
Propcity is valuable as it is productive, and
this productiveness depends entirely upon
labor. There is no possible value, in a
commercial point of view, to any article
outside of labor. Gold in tbe earth, oi ly
ing in the vaults of a treasury, is perfectly
useless, and no value until moved or acted
upon by labor. I be condition of war be
tween the Free aud Slave States has, to a
great extent, stricken down the labor of
the former, but has not as yet reached that
of the South. The commerce, transpor
tation and manufactures of the one are
prostrate, or will be if this war lasts, while
the agriculture of the other is pressed with
greater vigor than evet. Labor in one sec
tion has ceased to produce, while that of
the other is in full operation, and, under
the blessings of a kind Providence, with
the richest results. It is then manifest
that the boasted wealth of the North is
based on labor which is now suspended,
and the natural and necessary consequence
is, property in mills, houses, stores, and
many kind of stocks, has become almost
worthless. Put not so at the South, the
labor of the slave is continued, and the
grand crops of the year will show that the
South is strong in wealth, while the
North is weak. Put now comes the most
important inquiry that can be presented to
the financial agents of tbe Government and
of the South.
How can this wealth, or this glorious re
suit of labor, bo used at once as money, and
yet be held; to a dollar, uuder the control of
the Confederate ’States, until our Govern
mcnl is acknowledged and treaties of peace
are made ? Every one must admit that the
solution of this war lies in cotton ; but if
mistakes are made in the management of
the coming crop, wo may have cause to re
gret that such power is in it. If. on the
contrary, we use this power judiciously we,
shall not only bring the war to an early
end, but shall obtain favorable treaties
with the four foreign nations most interes-
ed in cotton, viz : England, France, Spain
and the United States, and shall also make
them pay us for tbe whole cost of this war,
whether it is Ityig or short. The plan of
loaning the Government the cottou crop,
or a moiety of if; has serious objections.
Tbe crop cannot thus be all disposed
of, and Government would not have the
entire control, as it ought to have, of
this power; and besides cotton paid for in
bonds is virtually locked up—tbe proceeds
of tbe cotton will not go into common use
and circulation.
Tbe people of the Confederate States
must be furiin^adj.with money—they need
it as much as does tbe Government, aud
they must have it. In Cotton, they
furnish a basis better than gold, for an
amount of money, or currency, equal to
tbe value of the whole crop.
TVe urge on the public, and on tbe
Government at Richmond, the considera
tion of tbe following plan of suggestions.
Instead of issuing bonds for cotton, let the
Government purchase, at a given rate, all
the cotton, offered for sale , and, as there can
he no market price, when there are no buy
ers, let a price, say ten cents per pound, be
fixed for middling cotton, aud grade the
prices above and below from that. Let
cotton be sent to market as usual, so that
all branches of business may be benefitted.
Railroads, commission merchants, dray
men—all would have their usual labor to
perform, and all would be paid. Govern
ment, by its proper agents, should buy
the cotton as it came to market, paying
for it in Treasury Noets of small denomina
tion, say $5 to $50 bills ; and to make tbe
work complete. Congress should prevent
the export of a bale to any place on earth
until this war comes to an end. Now,
let us glance at a few of the results which
would foilow this movement. In the first
place, the crop instead of being locked up
in “bonds” or in warehouses, without sale,
would be sold, and the proceeds go at once
into the active circulation of the country.
Next the proceeds of this one coming crop
at 10 cents per pound average, paid lor iu
Treasury Notes, would furnish the best
paper circulation ever used by any nation
on earth, for cotton is gold. Next this cir
culation would be uniform aud good in eve
ry Confederate State from Virginia to
Texas ; thus relieving the people from the
annoyance of a depreciated bank currency,
and furnishing a solution to the question
now befoie the banks of how a “uniform
currency” can be secured. Next, money
being paid for the crop, planters and con
sumers geuerally can pay their last year’s
bills, country merchants and retailers can
pay the jobbers—jobbers can pay their
bank debts, aud thus the whole comniuni
ty can be relieved of the incumbus debt
which is pressing upon it. Aud again
if this is done, as our people cannot
pay away their money to their Northern
creditors, and cannot spend so much
money as usual away from home in travel
ing, money will he abundant, and will
seek at once investment in Confederate
bonds, real estate, &c.,lor all the surplus
of the crop. More than this, on this cotton
basis the Confederate Government could
safely issue for its own use fifty per cent,
more of Treasury notes than the cost of
the cotton. Vve will suppose the whole
crop is worth $200,000,000, at the average
of 10c. Government issues $300,000,000,
upon it thus furnishing itself with funds for
war purposes. After one crop, peace ensues,
and then comes our turn. The world is
bare of cotton—our government holds it
all, and a reasonable price, under such cir
cumstances, would be 15 cents per jtound.
This gives a profit of §100,000,000, aud
pays the war debt. If this could be done
for two years, the Confederate States
would be tbe richest people under heaven.
We should look with alarm upon tbe
evident movement of the North, England
and France to “hocus-pocus” this question
of the shipment of our Cotton. If the U.
States will consent to let English and
French ships, in ballast, enter our ports
and take away our cotton for us, then
England and France will “keep hands ofF,”
and leave us to fight our way up to a re
cognized sovereignty as best we may. No,
no; under no kind of arrangement ought
one bale of cotton to go forward until v:c
are a recognized sovereignty. Another
dangerous scheme, broached in certain
quarters, is, the hypothecation of the crop
to English bankers’ and drafting for tbe
money. Here the “slime of the ser-
pant” is met again. Let us not come un
der obligations to any power; but hold our
own as we are. Let President Davis and
Iving Cotton form an alliance, aud all the
powers of tbe earth cannot overthrow them.
[Correspondence of the Augusta Constitutionalist.]
First Da-y’s Battle al Laurel Hill.
Laurel Hill, 1
Monday, July 8th, 1SG1. )
Friend Gardner :—Thinking an account
of the first day’s battle, at this place, may
be of interest to your readers, and as I
promised to write to more friends than I
possibly can, situated as I am, t. hope you
will give tbe following au early bearing
befoie your readers. Yesterday, Sunday
morning, the scouts on the Phillippa roads
anticipated their relief, and started in be
fore their relief reached the outposts, a'nd
it seems the advance of the enemy just
happened to follow them in to about two
miles of this camp. Being somewhat sur
prised, the scouts, without ascertaining the
real strength of the enemy, reported im
mediately to General Garnett’s headquar
ters the advance of the enemy, who imme
diately ordered Colonel* Clark, with the
Quitman Guards, Walker Light Infantry,
Dalilonega Volunteers, and Baiubridge
Independents, to advance and mee"l them,
which order although many of the men
were at their breakfast, was complied with
so promptly, that in ten minutes the com
panies were on the inarch, fully armed and
equipped, aud I presume two miles was
never made so quickly, or by more anx
ious men ; our men, feeling highly compli
mented by this order from the General, to
first advance and meet the enemy, al
though several crack regiments were on the
ground from Eastern Virginia and around
about Richmond. Tins may have been
done by tbe General, however, upon the
idea of seating invited guests first to the
table, or, inviting them first to drink—Vir
ginians (Gen. Garnett being one) being
always noted for their extreme politeness.
Tbe Gate City Guards, who were on
picket duty—“true as steel"—had halted
about one thousand of the enemy, who just
as Col. Clark came up, were endeavoring
to reach the top of a hill flanking the
Gate Cities, and preparing themselves for
any assistance sent, as the road led imme
diately under tbe side of this hill, and
would give them au advantage of at least
ten to one. Col. Clark witli the quickness
of thought, perceiving the advantage to be
gained by this position, immediately or
dered bis men to the hills, which order
was executed by bis men in double quick
time, driving the enemy from it, although
they were there in double our numbers.
In this charge the Walker Light Infantry,
officers and men, behaved most gallantly,
as did the Dalilonega Volunteers, to whom
this order was given. The Quitman
Guards and Baiubridge Independents be
ing detailed to guard the opposite side of
the road, .an equally daugerous position,
yet the enemy appearing in such numbers
on tbe bill and none appearing on their
side they immediately advanced to the
hill to tbe relief of the Waikersand Dah-
lonegas, anxious to take a hand in the sharp
inusketeering going on between the enemy
and the Dahlonegas and Walkers, yet, to
their great mortification and regret the ene
my had not the courage to stand the gallant
charge of the Walkers and Dahlonegas,
under the lead of the gallant Col. Clark,
but retired in “double quick,” under cover
of six cannon and about 5,000 infantry in
ambush. On this hill our men have taken
their stand, aud have succeeded'in liolil-
it agaiust a superior force of the ene
my around, with long range guns of the
latest and most reperior style. The
strength of the enemy and brisk shooting
in taking the hiil caused Gen. Garnett to
order Col. Ramsay to proceed with the re
maining five companies of his command
(including our gallant Ogletliorpes) to the
assistance of Col. Clark, who with an ea
gerness I never before witnessed, marched
to the scene of battle. After which time
until about half past three o'clock, only an
occasional gun was heard. This suspense
caused our brave anu gallant Col. Ramsay
to desire an advance upon the enemy, which
the General in command would not per
mit. At this time a Virginia regiment,
under Col. Taliaferro, proceeded to tbe re
lief of our brave Georgia regiment,
who had neither eat nor drank in the time,
but bravely and resolutely, without meat
or drink, bad kept seven thousand North
erners at bay, nobly repulsing every effort
to discharge them and so galling and de
structive had been the fire of our brave
boys, that ft seemed the Yankees had en
tirely given it up. It seems, however,
that as soon as our Georgia boys left, the
Yankees found it. out, and tried their
hands on the Virginians, in which attack
they killed one and wounded two; the
Virginians, however, proved true as steel,
aud equal to the emergency, by repulsing
the enemy after killing and wounding ma
ny of them.* About dusk, this Virginia
regiment was relieved by another under
Col. Fulkerson, who held it during the
uight.
This morning whilst I write, Col. Ram
say, with six companies of the Georgia
regiment, including our Ogletliorpes, of
Augusta, aud the Walker Light Infantry,
are in position on the Hill, and occasionally
we hear firing—what the effect is or may
be, we shall probably never know its ex
tent ; but of one thing we are confident,
the advance of the enemy from that direc
tion would prove a good day for killing,
certain.
J ust now 11 o’clock a messenger comes in
with the information that the enemy, this
morning; have been driven hack a consider
able distance, and none <>f our men hurt to
day. Yesterday, private Allen, of theWalk-
er Light Infantry, in the charge received a
wound through his left thigh, not consid
ered dangerous, was all the damage done
to our Georgia boys. Private Savage had
his bayonet scabbard marked by a Minie
ball. Private George Tanner brought
as a trophie from tbe field a new Minie
musket, cartridge box and belt, of the man
lie killed on the hill, tho Yankees not be
ing able to get him off iu their retreat.—
Many more were seen to fall under the
fire of our guns, yet they succeeded in get
ting them off the field. It is believed
here, that in the different engagements,
seventy or one hundred of the enemy arc
killed, and a larger number wounded.—
If General Garnett was only in position
to advance, there is no telling the brillian
cy of the victory that our men could
achieve between this point and Grafton
and the Ohio and Baltimore Railroad.—
I forgot to mention that, during yesterday,
our troops captured several prisoners, and
have them now in the camps. If I can
give you any further information this
evening before the mail closes, I will do it,
otherwise I shall wait until I can inform
you of the result of the battle, commenced
by the pious Sabbath-breaking Yankees,
on tbe Lord’s Day- soon in the morning,
July 7th, 1SG1, at Laurel Hill, Virginia.
“R#Ueinber the Sabbath Day to keep it
holy.” I believe, is the Divine injunction.
From the Richmond Dispatch."
Fight Near Laurel Hill.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
Te continue the intelligence from our
:ial correspondent:
aurel Hill, Barbour co., July 9, 1861.
rote you a short account of tbe -engage-
it, the command of Gen. Garnett and
enemy, had a few days since, and
have since learned additional particulars.
The force of the euemy is estimated at
between 7,000 and 8,000, who advanced
from Phiilippa on Saturday and kept up
a position on a hill about a mile and a
half from our post, which, however, is ob
structed from the view of onr troops by a
still higher hill directly between them and
ourselves. On learning of their advance,
our General checked their advance by tak
ing possession of a hill to the left of them,
and on Sunday morning about daybreak
the two commenced operations, our force
consisting of only one company of Georgi
ans, and their’s, a large number, constitu
ting the advance guard. This company
held their own until about two o’clock,
when they were relieved by the 23d Reg
iment, (Col. Taliaferro.) The Georgians
succeeded in killing five or six of the ene-
mv, but received from them not even a
scratch, although the Yankees kept up a
severe fire upon them.
On the arrival of Col. Taliferro’s com
mand, the Richmond Sharp Shooters, be
ing armed with superior arms, were placed
in advance, and took up a position closer
than that occupied by the Georgia com
pany. The company had no sooner taken
their proper place, when they opened
briskly on the foe, which was returned
as briskly ; but few of the return shots Aid
any execution, save to nerve us to extra
exertion. We continued our fire until re
lieved by Col. Fulkerson’s Washington
county Regiment, at 7 o’clock. The
Sharp-Shooters succeded in killing be
tween 25 and 30 of the enemy. Our loss
was private Charles II. Goff, of Richmond
city, killed instantly, and Captain Har
rison and Sergeant Thad. Bosher, ot the
Goochland Grays, slightly wounded.
In alluding to this company, I do not
wish, nor is it my desire to detract from
the remainder of the regiment, for a braver
set of men can scarcely be found ; but in
the engagement of Sunday, they could not,
with the arms they have, have reached
the enemy, being too far off, nor could
they have gotten a closer position. In
fact, the whole regiment done its duty
faithfully and well, and I believe will ever
continue to do so. It is composed of the
following companies and officers. The
Amelia Grays, Capt. Perkinson ; Brooklyn
(Ilalilax) Grays, Capt. Haines; Louisa
Grays, Capt. Sergeant; Fredrick Hall
Grays, Capt. Coleman ; Goochland Grays,
Captain Harrison ; Central (Prince Ed
ward) Guard, Capt. Hughes ; Keysville
(Charlotte) Guard, Capt. Walton ; Amelia
Rifles, Capt. Scott ; Louisa Rifles, Capt.
Walton, and tbe Richmond Sharp Shoot-
Captain R. A. Tompkins, all under
the command of Col. Wm. B. Taliaferro,
with the following assistants; James It.
Crenshaw, of Richmond, Lieutenant Colo
nel ; Jos. Pendleton, Maj ; W. B. Pendle
ton, of Louisa, Adjutant; Dr. Win. A. Car
rington, of Charlotte, Surgeon ; Dr. Jacob
M. Deems, of the same county, Assistant
Surgeon ; Dr. Winston, of Louisa, Quarter
master, all good and true men, who, have
the confidence and respect of all the com
mand. The Surgeons are attentive and
well skilled, aud do all in their power to
relieve those who suffer from sickness, and
have been fortunate, so far in their restora
tion of a number of patients. The Hospi
tal Steward, Dr. Angle, also deserves cred
it of the manner in which he perforins his
laborious duty.
The firing was continued all night by
the regiment of Col. Fulkerson, with but
little executiou, however, as the night was
very dark. Certainly none of our troops
were injured.
This regiment in turn was relieved by
the gallant Georgians, under Col. Ramsey,
at day break Monday morning ; who, until
a late hour in the day, kept up a continual
fire upon them, and succeeded in kiiliiq
six of the Yankees and taking a Lieuten
ant prisoner. The number ol them woun
ded of course cannot bo ascertained. The
Georgians left the ground in the afternoon,
with not a man killed or even a scratch.
During the latter part of the day the
enemy fired a number of bomb shells,
grape shots and ball in the direction of our
troops, playing havoc with the trees and
shrubbery, not in the least damaging any
ofour.mcu, but with a loss to them of a
iarge amount of powder, In consequence
of the rapid discharge of artillery, our
General'sent out two regiments (the 23d
aud 20lh) to sustain the Georgians, but
they did not succeed in getting a chance at
the enemy, and during tho night retired
from the field, with the hopes of inducing
the foe to follow them, so as to get them
iu range of our artillery. It is supposed
that our infantry and rifles had done such
execution among them that the enemy got
his “bile” up a little and let loose his big
dogs of war, which, however, proved as
harmless as his leaden pups.
.The firing is still going on, (12 o’clock,
Tuesday,) but I have not heard what dam-
age has been done. How long we are to
continue this brush fighting it is hard to
tell, but our troops are getting weary of it
and are exceedingly anxious to get them
in a face to face battle and thus decide
the contest. I should have stated that
the Yankees keep behind fences, brush,
stumps and have taken a log house, from
which they have good shots at us. But for
this, we would give you a larger number
of their dead to recoid,
Tbe Danville Artillery, as fine a body
of men as can be seen anywhere, under the
command of the gallant Captain Shoema
ker, has not, as yet, had an opportunity ot
showing its hand; but when it gets a
chance, the enemy may well look out, as
the men are restless and eager for the fray.
A member of the Washington Rifles
was accidently killed in camp, bv tbe dis
charge of his piece, on Sunday tnornin
His name I could not learn. Hisremains,
and those of private Goff, were interred
yesterday with military honors.
The commander of the Yankee troops,
I have not yet learned. Their troops are
poorly clad, and appear to be of the low
est class of humanity, who, it seems, it
would be doing tho world a blessing to
relieve of.
From the Richmond Examiner, July 17.
Reported Disaster of Gen. Gariiells’s Command.
The battle of Rich Mountain, and the
retreat of Col. Scott to Monterey, appears
to have had an unpleasant sequel.
The general impressiou is that General
Garnett was then left alone and unsupport
ed, with his communications cut off. Mc
Clelland, not caring to pursue Scott in his
march towards Staunton, turned back on
Garnett with overwhelming forces ; and if
hisolficial dispatches are to be credited—
(we have no other accounts of what then
passed)—gave our troops, only 3,500 in
number, au inevitable defeat. Among
those who then fell, according to McClel
land, was General Garnett in person.
Some light begins to dawn on these af
fairs', though it is yet uncertain. It appears
that our niisfortuues were due not more to
the greater force of the enemy thau to the
division of our own troops. The whole
command had been divided into three parts.
1 ho largest of the three under Garnett, is
an entrenched camp fourteen miles from
Rich Mountain, and nearest the enemy;
Scott, with about eight hundred, at Bever-
ly, on the road leading to Staunton; Pe-
gram, with Hilton hundred on Rich Moun
tain, in front of Beverly. Garnett’s com
mand was th'e furtherest North, and faced
McClelland’s army.
It is said that McClelland deceived Gar
nett by having a small number of his men
in his lines, and made a night march down
to Rich Mountain. Here he attacked Pe-
gram, as stated yesterday ; and that offi
cer, being unsupported by Scott, from rea
sons now only know on ex parte statements,
was dislodged from his position and his
troops disordered. It appears, however that
the loss in killed and wounded was not
greater than the enemy and there is much
doubt whether Col. Pcgram was himself
taken, as at first stated. Most of them,
it is said, have since come into Scott’s com
mand.
Tlie latter officer retreated down the
Staunton road to Monterey, burning a
bridge on the route,behind him.
The rest is only known from McClel
land’s dispatches. It would seem that
when Garnett learned the result of the af
fair at Rich Mountain, he left his camp and
attempted a retreat into Hardy county ;
but it was too late. He was compelled to
give battle with greatly unequal numbers,
lost his baggage and a considerable num
ber of prisoners, and fell himself iu the ac
tion. The rest of his command is now sta
ted to be under Colonel Ramsey, of Geor
gia.
Col. Scott has been outflanked at Mon
terey by Gen. Jackson, of Georgia. If it
be the same who commanded the Geor
gia troops in the Mexican war, and who
was afterwards Minister at Vienna, our
affairs have fallen into able hands.
Such at present appears to he the nearest
appioach to accuracy and clearness that
the contradictory nature of the reports
brought to towu permit. There does not
appear to have been a great effusion of
blood. McClelland himself states it only
as a trifle. That General was the superi
or of his opponents in skill and numbers;
hence we have met with a disaster, the
moral effect of which is undoubtedly bad
for our cause, but only temporarily so.—
A few days will change the scene.
McClelland is probably at Beverly.-—
His intention is said to be to establish his
headquarters at Lewisburg, in ten miles
of the White Sulpher Springs.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
We give the following paper, as furnish
ed us by a gentleman in Scott’s command;
I left Monterey Monday morninng.—
There were then at that place the follow
ing troops : The 44th', Cul. W. C. Scott ;
a Regiment from North Carolina, Colonel
Lee ; a Georgia Regiment, under the com
mand of Col. Johnson, and five companies
under command of Major Tyler. The
latter bad reached Monterey at great peril
from Rich Mouutaiu,
Gen. Jackson wasiu command, and had
inspired confidence in the troops. The
44th Regiment had suffered much by this
long inarch, which lasted four days anil
nights; but, with the exception of fatigue,
the men were well. The accident caused
by the overturning of a wagon has been
reported. Another unfortunate affair
had occurred. Some prisoners made
an effort to escape, aud the guard fired,
and by some misapprehension the fire
was continued at random by some of the
companies! by which three or four soldiers
were killed, whose names I do not know,
but some were members of the Richmond
Zouaves.
Col. Scott arrived too late to take part
in the noble fight at Rich Mountain.—
When he got to the scene of action, the
battle was over, anil be could hear the
shouts of the Lincolnites in the late carnp
of our friends.
Col. Scott sent two expresses; both
were killed. He could get no information
as to the position of the enemy, and he or
dered a retreat, which was done in good
order. He carried with him a large tiain
of Government stores which are now at
Monterey.
Col. Scott then fell back as far as Green
brier liver, where he met Col. Johnson, of
a Georgia Regiment, who, being the rank
ing officer, ordered the command to fall
back to Monterey, at which place he met a
North Carolina Regiment, under General
Jackson, who assumed command of all the
forces at the point. When I left, it was
not determined where we would take posi
tion'.
I can but hope that Colonel Pegram is
safe. I have not heard from him since one
o’clock Thursday night. Captain DeLae
nier fell at his guns having fired five times
after his whole detachment iiad been killed.
The Buckingham Lee Guard aud the
Powhatan Rifles suffered severely. They
held their position for three hours at im
mense odds.
I regret to mention that private Evans,
of the Randolph Macon Guards, accident
ly shot himself with his pistol. I convers
ed with him. He was cheerfully. He
was color bearer of the regiment.
The enemy, in full force, are at Hunts
ville, ninety-five miles from Staunton.—
Every man should now rally to the rescue.
Be uot discouraged. Give us half a chance
aud the day is ours.
The Battle of Rich Nlounlaiu—Account of an
eye witness.
Richmond, July 15.
To the editor of the Whig :
It is a sad pleasure to communicate to
you a state of affairs in North-western Vir
ginia, that, at first sight, may appear dis
astrous, but which upon closer examina
tion sheds many a ray of satisfaction
and encouragement to our future career—
satisfaction that our late ill success lias
lost to our State that portion which should
never have been defended, and encorage-
ment from the fact that our gallant boys
fight with so much success against a thou
sand odds.
Camp Garnett is situated in a gorge
just beyond the pass that runs between
Rich and another mountain. The low slope
of this latter mountain retreats from tbe
camp, and consequently does not com-
mamd it; but the more perpendicular slope
of Rich mountain is adjacent to the posi
tion and upon it there is an eminence that
is considered the very key to Camp Gar
nett. On Tuesday last. Colonel Pegram,
knowing the importance of this point, de
tached three companies (Buckingham Lee
Guard, Rockbridge Guard, and Pryor Ri
fles,) and one gun from the Lynchburg
Artillery, to secure the position at all
hazards. They gained the height, and
about teu o’clock had built the breast
work to the height of two logs ; meanwhile,
the enemy guided by Union mountaineers,
had by squads aud companies reached a
point beyond the breastworks and a little
more elevated.
Immediately they commenced an at
tack upou our unfinished breastworks
from the distauce of fifteen hundred yards.
They advanced and fired with Minnie
rifles incessantly. No execution however
was done with these arms. Our loss was
at shorter distances from the deadly fire of
onr brother Virginians. Approaching
within five hundred yards, they began to
feel the fatal shots from oar boys. At
this and shorter distances they were mow
ed down like wheat before the blade. At
every volley from as they fell back in con
fusion, hut their over whelming^ numbers
pressed forward until they discharged their
pieces in onr very faces; then we thought
retreat better than fool hardy dtath, and
each one sought safety in flight down the
mountain.
The whole force of the enemy was said
to have been 8,000. Three thousand ad
vanced to the attack while the rest were
held in reserve. Part of reserve occupied
Rich Mountain, w'hile part descended
that mountain, crossed the pass and oc
cupied the side of the other mountain not
far from the road—thus being on both
sides of the road in order, I suppose, to
cut off Col. Pegram, if he should attempt
a retreat to Beverly. Our whole force in
the engagement was about 250. We
held the enemy in check with this little
handful for an hour and a half. Leonidas
with his 300 Spartans, could have done no
more. Our loss was. considering ’ all the
circumstances, comparatively small, sixty
will cover the whole. The Buckingham
Lee Guard, suffered most severely, hav
ing 30 men, together with Capt, Irving and
Lieut. Boyd, killed. Capt. Curry, of the
Rockbridge Guard, and Capt. Anderson,
of the Lynchburg Artillery, were also
among the killed. Four hundred of the
enemy found a merited doom iu death.
The battle began at half past one and
ended at three. At sunset reports says
that Col. P. led six companies out from
his camp up Rich Mountain to retake his
position, but mistaking his way, he miss
ed his mark, and told his men to save
themselves as best they could, he would
return and bring out the regiment. In
this latter attempt he was taken prisoner.
Many of his men cut through the enemy
and came up with our regiment on its re
treat. This is the last we know of the
affair.
Now for the movements of our (the 44tli)
regiment. That morning (the 11th) we
resumed pur march at Beverly from Staun
ton to Laurel Hill, and bad advanced
five miles, when Col. Scott received a
dispatch from Col. Pegram, urgently Leg
ging for assistance. Col. S. faced about,
marched back to Beverly and took a road
almost at right angles for Rich Mountain.
Within three miles of Rich Mountain
he heard the firing and advanced at quick
time to the scene of action. Arriving
there at three o’clock, when the firing had
almost ceased, he halted in the mountain
path. And upon his six hundred uncon
scious men, the reserve of the enemy were
looking down from each mountain, They
must have mistaken us for friends, or our
destruction would have been certain.
Col. S. was not aware of the proximity,
of the enemy until lie sent forward a scout,
(Lipford, of Fluvanna,) to rcconnointer
This scout being shot, he immediately or
dered a retreat. Sending on the baggage
train be returned to Beverly. Here be
halted an hour, and resumed his march
towards Cheat Mountain. After two
nights and a day’s march, he reached
Greenbrier river, at which place, Satur
day morning, I left camp, on special
detal for Richmond.
During the retreat, a sad accident hap
pened, by the turning over of a loaded
wagon. Lieut. It. H. M’Connel, of tbe
Richmond Zouaves, and Lieut, llobt. T.
BrightwelJ, of the Randolph Guards, and
private Pleasants, of the Zouaves, were
killed, and some others were crippled,
Truly, Le Zouave.
The fights of the 7th, Sth and 9th, took
place on the range of hills set down on the
map as Laurel Mountains, and were be
tween a portion of the Confederate forces
stationed there, and the Federalist under
Gen. Morris.
Laurel Hill is a range of hills or knolls,
between Barbour county on tbe west, and
Randolph and Tucker counties on the
east.
Beverly is the county town of Ran
dolph county, and is 210 miles northwest
from Richmond.
Phillippa is the county town of Bar
bour county, and is some 25 or 30 miles
north of Beverly, the road thence passing
over the hill.
Buckannon is the county town of Up
shur county, and is about 15 miles south
west of Phillippa, aud about 25 miles
north-west of Beverly.
Rich Mountain is in the south-east cor-
uer of Upshur county, and about S or 10
miles south-east of Beverly.
GUBERNATORIAL.
We are glad to perceive, says the Commonwealth,
on tbe part, of the press and the people a determin
ation to frown down and kill off those abominable
corruptions, political conventions. We copied a
short editorial front the “Southern Watchman” the
other day, aud below we give another from that
staunch hepuislican sheet, the “Corner Stone,”
of Columbus, both concurring, and against Con
ventions. When the people can be brought to the
determination announced for himself by the veter
an of the “Corner Stone”—“to vote against any
man nominated by a convention”—THE people
will he heard, will elect their Governor instead of
having him appointed for them, as heretofore.
None hut men of first rate ability, with reputa
tions at least State-wide, will be announced, and
the opportunity will, be afforded of making a selec
tion from a larger number, and they citizens of a
much higher order from natural ability and ac
quired statesmanship. The “Corner Stone” re
marks as follows:
“We are likely to have candidates enough for
Governor to make a very pretty aud interesting
race. The Federal Union hoists tbe name of Gov.
Brown. The Southern Recorder, Judge Thomas.
The LaGrange Reporter, George W. Crawford,
the Rome True Flag, Judge Crawford, and the
Fort Gaines Advertiser, Judge Niabet. A good
many other names have been suggested, but as yet
no champion has appeared iu the held for the
others.
“We are decidedly in favor of that race. A very
good selection may be made from those five gen
tlemen and any of them would do tolerably well—
and besides the field is open to allcomers. Every
■nan can then have a chance to vote for the man of
his choice. If nobody gets a majority of the votes
then the Legislature will elect one of the two high
est. This is infinitely better thau having conven
tions to put ^p candidates. Every body says he
wants party spirit done. away. This is the way to
effect it. We do not know for whom we shall
vote, hut we intend to vote .against any man who
shall be nominated by a convention.”
^flttfjfent gUcorUer.
GEN. GARNETT.
Robert Seldeu Garnett, says the Charleston Mer
cury, entered the West Point Academy as a cadet
from Virginia in September, lt!37. He graduated
in 1841, and received the appointment of Brevet
2d Lieutenant, 4th Artillery. -In July, 1843, he
was detailed as instructor of infantry tactics at
West Point, and continued to occupy that position
until October, 1844, when he was attached to Gen.
Wool’s staff in the capacity of Aid-de-Camp. On
the breaking out of the war with Mexico, he joiued
Gen. Taylor’s column, aud distinguished himself
by his bravery in the battles of Palo Alto and Re-
saca de la Palma. In August, 1846, lie was made
1st Lieutenant, aud called by Gen. Taylor to his
personal staff, on which be served until January,
1849. For his “gallant and meritorious conduct
in the several conflicts at Monterey, Mexico,” he
was breveted Captain; and again, on the despe
rate field of Buenevista, he was brevet Major fur
“gallant conduct.”
Since the close of the Mexican war he has been
attached to the 7th Infantry U. S. army. Upon
the dissolution of the Union he resigned his com
mission aud joined his fortunes with those of his
native State. Iu recognition of his merits he was
appointed by President Davis Brigadier General
iu the Provisional army of the Confederate States,
aud placed in command of one of the corps d'ar-
mes sent to crush oat the Abolition traitors of the
Panhandle. He died nobly iu the performance of
his duty, the first general officer to fall in the cause
of Southern independence.
Agricultural.—A correspondent of the
Richmond Dispatch asks “what makes the
Hessian Fly ?** aud answers it himself
thus ; “Col. Magruder’s masked battery.”
MILLEDGEV ILLE:
TUESDAY, JULY23. 1861.
PRESIDENT DAVIS’ MESSAGE.
We have the satisfaction of furnishing to our
reader the Message of the President of the Confed
erate Slates, transmitted to the Congress at Rich
mond, on Saturday last. It is a forcible paper, and
well reviews the collision of arms between the
Nortli and the South.
RATIFICATION.
Since our last issne, official returns from seven
counties, to wit: Bryan, Bulloch, Clay, Floyd,
Hart, Irwin aud Marion, have been received,
amounting in the aggregate te 766 # for ratification,
and 321 votes against it. The table published last
week shows a majority of 161 for ratification, which
is increased to 606 by the additional returns. It
is quite certain that the Constitution has been rati
fied by a small vote, as the remaining twelve coun
ties will probably increase, rather than overcome
the majority. The counties not yet heard from,
officially are Camden, Cha'tahoochee, Coffee, De
catur, Early, Fulton, Jefferson, Miller, Polk, Tel
fair, Wayne and Wilkinson.
PATRIOTIC SPIRIT OF THE LADIES.
Under the act of the last Legislature, appropri
ating one million of dollars for the defence of
Georgia, two Regiments were organized as regu
lars, aud stationed at Fort Pulaski and on Tybce
Island at an early period. Supposing that provi
sion had been made for them out of the war fund,
the ladies did not include them in their scheme to
furnish clothing to the soldiers. But on being
lately informed that the regulars were destitute,
and that the Government had made no provision
of clothing for them more than for the Volunteers,
the Soldiers Relief Society of Baldwin county, over
which Mrs. Dr. Fort presides, went earnestly to
woik, and made up aud forwarded a quantity of
garments to the regulars to answer their present
necessities. We learn that the generou* donation
was received with grateful hearts, and that this
hitherto neglected class of our soldiers felt like
new men after this token of sympathy aud kind
ness from the fair daughters of Georgia. We are
happy to record this agreeable incident, in proof of
the all pervading charities and energy of the La
dies to sustain the cause of the South. Without
their aid in this form, it woulu be impossible to
keep our armies in the field. Not only is the sol
dier indebted for the comforts of his apparel to the
patriotic zeal of woman; but his arm is nerved
with a new power to stiike down the enemies of
the South who have invaded our homes, and threa
ten to desecrate our altars and our firesides when
he reflects on the generous efforts of his patriotic
country women at home to supply their wants in
camp.
We have no exact information cn the subject,
and in uue time we presume the quantity will be
reported to tlie public; but we are of opinion, from
evidence casually derived, that the Soldiers Relief
Society of Baldwin county, have famished not less
than one thousand garments to the Volunteers from
Georgia now in the army of the Confederate States,
and have made with their own hands about seven-,
ty-five or eighty thousand cartridges. The manu
facture still goes on with unabated zeal. Well
done for the ladies of old Baldwin ! We are proud
to notice that iu other parts of Georgia, and in oth
er States of tbe South the same devotion is mani
fested by the ladies iu behalf of independence.
DELAYS IN WAR.
People at a distance can have no correct idea of
tlie reasons or the difficulties which have retarded
the action of tlid Confederate forces in Virginia.—
It is said that we have more thau 170.000 men un
der arms in Virginia ;—that Generals Beauregard,
Lee aud Johnston have each a large division capa
ble of facing double their number iu battle, and yet
we have had no general engagement. We have
been daily expecting a collision that shall mean
something; but it seems we are doomed to indefi
nite suspense.
This state of things must terminate, or the South
ern people will complain of the Government. We
notice that the presses at the North are comment-
ing upon it in a tone, aud with a seeming propriety
calculated to prejudice our cause in Europe, and to
augment the frenzy of the North which had began
to abate after the conflict at Bethel. The plans
of the Richmond Cabinet have been withheld from
the public, thus far, and we have reposed unlimit
ed confidence iu their wisdom. But we confess
our sympathy with the impatience to which we
have alluded, though our faith in President Davis
and his Generals is still unabated. We believe they
will strike at the proper time, and with the most
decisive effect, to repel the invaders of the South
frorti our borders. There is strength in the very
silence of our Government, and we look for victo
ry just at tlie crisis when it can be achieved at the
least sacrifice of the lives of our soldiers, and with
the greatest destruction of our enemies.
The imperfect rumors we get of late from Wes
tern Virginia, through the telegraph, have excited
the public mind with painful apprehensions one
day to be reversed on the next. We must patient
ly bear these discrepancies. The official reports
will appear soon ou our side, from which we may
expect the truth.
overturned the liberties of his <
countrym en u I
fallen, how tar, how helpless the once fo- j
thrifty United States,—now the wreck and the tej
an Abolition adventurer I
“ SCRUB RACE”—« CONVENTION »
The “ Federal Union” persists in it* ^ ■
Convention as the only rational mode of t h
a Governor, or rather maintains that the
safety for the State but in a Convention
last number it says:
In
‘A scrub race will be our ruin in Geor»;
a scrub race we will have if a Convent; 0 "•
held. A few fossiles, like the 15 ^ I
Chronicle and Sentinel oppose a Convent' '*1
cause they snuff a rat whenever a demoeriti". *[
per makes a suggestion. But let those pa D m«*1
on their own hook. Their support has t-.-” - I
tuc■»•«=>« support nas made a j
men of hundreds who had otherwise been® ii I
hearty. They kill with kisses and crash , c |
pliment.” Co *-l
What our neighbor intends by the catas-,
“our rain,” must be equivalent to saying that •
people of Georgia, the Government of Geot I
every thing in Georgia, will be ruined unless^I
protecting arms of a caucas of politician
stretched forth by way of prevention. ;y e ^ "
to such artful contrivances on the part of a f ew ^|
tutors, and prefer leaving the people to select- *
own Governor in the only way pointed out i a ..
organic law,—at the ballot-box. Well nnv -
snuff a rat” when the Federal Union uemaii,
Convention, and also demands that a parfen.
man shall be nominated. There is no liberal^
this course, no giving up old party mfin, nce j
objects. This is the old tune of Democraev-tv.
old hardshell usage of platforms—tlie old exdiw
ness which can never see merit in another. \, t
so ancient and cunning is too much of a fussib-
be galvanized into life by the wand of any ma»
cian. Scrubs indeed: Has it come to this,in
twilight of our emancipation from party
which for tlie last thirty years have galled the •
pie, that we must obey King Caucus still, an.i
never be de livered from his hateful tyranny ’
When our neighbor can shake off old party)
and set an example of generosity by recoiling
ing for Governor some man who was not a Dei
erat, under tbe old classification, then we shaii-
able to appreciate his disinterested zeal in betil
of a Convention. Unless he can energise him* I
to such an exploit, the public will see no force wi* I
ever in his appeal to bury all party strife, and i
be sure to suspect the sincerity of his advice.
We evinced a yielding, cordial consent to fan
old party distinctions, by proposing for Gove"-
a gentleman who was a Democrat, whom wedttj
ed worthy of the station. Onr neighbor made lip
of us, however, and let fly his destructicc
cheapen onr advances upon a new level. Jj£|
Thomas being withdrawn, we have no name
offer as a substitute, lest vve again provoke the el
of the Federal Union in its sparkling display on
silts, even to exhausting itself by fir me statist
LINCOLN'S DESPOTISM.
When Napoleon, the first Emperor of France, at
tempted to sul/jugatc all Europe, he declared that
only* one code of laws, one standard of weights
and measures, and one sett of coins with the Impe
rial stamp, should be received, and all should be
under the Government of Paris, His invasion of
Russia was to consumate the plan. The disasters
which followed are historical, preventing the exe
cution of the ambitious projet.
Probably Mr. Lincoln will find some barrier to
his princely scheme, his ideas of the one man pow
er,—the one nation,—the rubbing out of all
State boundaries, as hinted by his Secretary of
War. The South will never experience the bless
ings or the curse of such a Government, and the
North, or the States which continue ther loyalty to
the Union, will alone have the experiment made
upon them. In describing a late festival in Wash
ington city, the New York Times says :
In reply to a toast—To the health of the Presi
dent and the Secretary of War—Mr. Cameron res
ponded. He said he could scarcely realize that by
the Secretary of War he was meant himself, for it
seemed but a brief period since he was a journey
man iu the office of his friend on tbe right—Col.
Seaton. Speaking of the war, lie said that though
three mouths had uot elapsed since its inception,
a quarter of million of Volunteers were in the field,
and in six months the number will be increased to
half a million. The deluded beings in the Sonth,
whose insolence we have borne for a quarter of a
century must be subdued, and the President will
not let the war end until all the causes which pro
duced it are removed, and when the war termin
ates vve shall hear no more of \ irginians as such
or North Carolinians, or of South Carolinians, but
we shall be Americans, one and indivisible.
We envy not the feelings of Col. Seaton, (the
surviving partner of Gales A Seaton, the well
known Editors of the National Intelligencer) when
he heard snch a despotic sentiment announced by
a member of Mr. Lincoln’s Cabinet 1 It was enough
to make the bones of that noble hearted writer,
Joseph Gales, rattle in his coffin, just as the He
roic dost at the Hermitage would do if conscious
of the infamous connexion of old Blair with the
the base usurper in the White House, who has
“ELEGANT” SOLDIERS!
In that rambling and queer production cal!e:J
message, Mr. Lincoln dwells with great delight*
the moral and scientific qualities of the North,a
says—
So large an army as the Government has now 5
foot, was never before known, without a soldw:
it, but who has taken his place there with hison.
free choice. But more than this; there arema;!
single regiments whose members one and anota
possess full practical knowledge of all the «
sciences, professions, and whatever else, when?
useful or elegant, is known in the world. At
there is scarcely one from which could not he*
lected a President, a Cabinet, a Congress,
perhaps, a Court, abundantly competent toada.|
ister the Government itself.
Without denying the honesty of Mr. T.inn'-I
opinion as to the kind of men who rally :ot|
standard to conquer the South, we must be peri
ted to say that he is a poor judge in that depir|
nient, from the evidence he has given in his a
sage of his own deficiences in whatever is "tus.l
or elegant.” For in his administrative career.Ji.1
the arguments by which he seeks to justify him'''I
he proves that he has no “ useful” knowlKj
whatever of the topics on which he write? wd
official clearness. He mystifies the snpii
truths, and shapes out a score of ridiculous uis -J
eries in the theory of the Union, of which noc>-;
a babbling fanatic would be willing to acknowie.;]
the authorship.
As to the capacity of his regiments, to fniiisj
each a President, a Cabinet, a Congress, and.p
haps, a Court, “abundantly competent to admit
the Government itself,” vve think it quite proba:J
that a selection might be made fully equal in istefl
lect and learning to the author of the mesis.T
whose political science, and whose estimate of sal
for the highest functions Government, appears
be very humble. This is indeed the only f4
siated in the message which is not more or.
conjectural. Such a President as Mr. Lincoln
no great figure, and his Cabinet and Congress rj
worthy of his lead, being themselves a very intej
or commodity. We feel intensely mortified isf
even the wreck of a Government once powrf
among the Nations of the earth, has so much to
ness in its dying struggles, and 30 little of digs'
and honor. The Abolitionists will entirely tai-■
destroy the couth, as they* intended, but veil; tso
effectually destroy themselves, which they did a
intend.
TRUE CHIVALRY.
A long and interesting account is given in':
Richmond Enquirer of the deeds of daring p<
formed by Richard Ashby, and his brother, C*
tain Turner Ashby, iu a late skirmish with a pa"
of the Federalists in Western Virginia. Then
nals of chivalry afford no instance of truer con-ij
than these brothers displayed. Richard A.---1
has since died from his wounds. One of the atm
who shot him, and who is supposed to have pz^l
ed him witii a bayonet after bis fall, was rin.iT
brought dov.n by a bullet from one of the conmsfl
of Ashby. When the avenger came up to ^
bleeding foe, the latter turned on Him an imp^ w
look, and asked for water in his death agiffi**-'
The refreshing draught was given to him tn® 1
branch, by the Confederate soldier, which
gerly drank by the wounded man who iaBseS®
ly expired. Here was a scene which Sterne ;
cording Angel may introduce in his book of
ities on earth!
A PREACHER ARRESTED.
The Tallahassee Floridian gives an accotc 1
the arrest and imprisonment of the Rev. &
Davies, who is in charge of the Key West Cirt 1
under the appointment of the Florida Coife®
This act of despotism on the part of the
Government was committed on a pious, inoff- 1 -' ^
gentleman well known to the Senior Editors-
Recorder, bound to him by ties of blood (M- r -n
vies being a nephew of the Editor, aud ago 5 ’
of the late Judge Davies of Savannah) and
printer in his office. The Floridian says :
The schr. Dudley arrived at Tampi ou
instant, with a volunteer crew, membersf ^
Methodist Church at Key West, and Mr. V&.
the Methodist Preacher stationed there.
wife. It seems that Mr. Davies, on Sundaf
23d nit., made his usual prayer for the 1
rate States. This did not exactly suit the « j
the powers that be; accordingly on ll°nu»y.
noon, while in the Church leading a Class 31 •
a file of soldiers—a sergeant and ten mo 11 ’’ ,l j
snd arrested him by order of Major Frenc i- ^
taken to the Fort, where he demanueo •
“ imauu iv x ui t) v» uuiv “ hn iltn
officer of the day to have the charges J
— . * - to -a 1 —wl he i
against him. This was refused, and
fined in a cell, (about 4 by 6,) and kept ther* ^
9 or 10 o'clock the next morning, when “’ 4
released on condition that he would ,
leave the Island, which he did on Frida.'’'
“It- . ini
The crew of the Dudley had orders not 1
any commnnicatiou with the citizens ot *
and not to carry letters or papers from Tamp
the citizens of Key West. t
The Lincoln authorities on the Island *w _
eniug the reins—military despotism has m -
and it is thought that others of the obstinate n
who will not take the oath, will have to t 1
be imprisoned. So we go.
iy Ex-Gov. Adams, who died at D*U
Sooth Carolina on 13th iust., was a f T **°*j]
Yale College, and had been a Brigadier I
Cavalry.