Newspaper Page Text
for the early county news.
Office P. Q. M. 2d Dist., G a., > ]
Albany, April 25, 1864. j
Messrs. S. S. Stafford & S. J. Dickin
son. Committee, dec., — Gentlemen: I have
the honor of acknowledging the receipt of
your lavo'r of the 21st inst., calling my at
tention to certain Resolutions passed at a
meeting of a portion of the people of Early
and Miller counties, held at Blakely, Ga.,
upon the subject of the Tithes.
I am certain that those persons who act
ed in that meeting would at once“ See the
impropriety of my arguing with them in
their strictures upon Commissioner
the head of the Tax department. Subor
dinate as I am to Congress, Commissioner
Allen, the Assistant Quarter-Master Gen
eral, and controlling Quarter-Mastenof the
State, I assure you and your citizens that
l have little left but to obey orders—l or
iginate nothing—execute everything. The
able mea at the head of this department
are every way qualified to conduct it.
I cannot but feel that it is impossible to
please all, or even be just to all in a Dis
trict like this. 1 have 21 counties, 24
.agents* many sub. agents, as many assess
prs to receipt to and correspond with, and
dozens of daily applications for exchanges',
commutations, &o.—the most intricate busi
ness.to conduct, embracing hundreds of
different accounts, no*wagons, no facilities
furnished, all able-bodied men taken from
rue, and yet the army clamoring for bread
and meat, and it compelled to go forward,
let it cost what it will. Pew have any idea
of the magnitude and mtrieacv of the Tith
ing business. To those who have never
thought of it, let me honestly say, I am
astonished myself at how ably and success
fully rnv agents have accomplished what
they have. Silently but effectually the
work has been done, in face of difficulties,
abuse aud misrepresentation. Within a
fraction of live millions of pounds of corn,
at April schedule prices worth 8450,000,
was collected and shipped from my District
Within the month of January, and last
month alone nearly six hundred thousand
pounds of liacon, worth 81,800,000, was
received and sent to the army in the field,
and yet the aggregate expense of my de
partment for services is but a*raction over
83,000 per month. The potatoe money
received some months is five times all ex
penses (.if every kind. Certainly my agents
have beetles prompt, active and efficient as
any could be. I am under many obliga
tions to them, especially when the depots
were separated by considerable distauee,
rts on your river, for the efficient aid they
have rendered the Government, and the
kind and attentive consideration the people
have ever met with at their hands.
I also am under the pleasant duty' of say
.ing that the people of Early and
many from Miller, like the balance of my
District without exception, have done their
fall duty. Quietly they acquiesced in the
only practical arrangement <}f my depots,
.(on the river,) and hauled, some of them,
over 20 miles without a murmur. Such
men are an honor to their country, and I
regret no adequate return canibe made by
the Government to express its obligations
to them. If the names of parties who have
thus nobly sacrificed their own interests,
and delivered their Tithes, was published,
it would show what a small number was
left who seem active in making it. appear
that there was some dissatisfaction in.the
county. I know, from the names and
amounts reported, Early .has done as well
as could have been anticipated under the
difficult problem of transportation before
her.
If it should be found out that parties in
Miller and Early had bought Tithing corn
from uuwary planters, for 82 to 82,25, and
could not now replace it at less than Ss—
—a selfish man, who had his corn assessed ‘
at $1,50 in October or November, and had
expecied to sell it for $5 per bushel in
March, and after paying the 50 per-cent.,
clear $2,75 per bushel—by his want of
patriotism in keeping rather than deliver
ing his Tithes —you can well imagine he
is dissatisfied with somebody, when tho
five-fold forfeiture penalty comes across
his astouished gaze, and shows him how
uncertain are all efforts to speculate upon
the property of others. Now Congress has
been effectually abused, with many of our
noblest men in it. The last CongveSs may
have overlooked many things, but this it
did not overlook. It cured parties of im
proper interference with the Tithes.
If it was found by your Inferior Court
that a portion of the Tithe corn of your
counties was needed to supply poor fami
lies, or the families of those noble men, our
Soldiers, whose absence in the field pre
vented their attending properly to them,
it needed only an official requisition on me
to have procured it at Government prices.
The much abused “Tax in Kind" has al
ready sold to Inferior Courts in Georgia
alone nearly seven thousand dollars worth
of corn for the Soldiers’ families. I will
try, late as it is, to turn over oue, two or
three thousand bushels of corn for this no
ble purpose, if your Inferior Court deem
it hest to officially request it.
But let me assure you, before I nlose,
that the “meat and bread" question is the
great quostiou just now. Have you count
ed up wliere the eight thousand bushels of
corn we daily have to ship beyond Atlanta,
and the fifteen to tweuty thousand bushels
that will have to cross the Roanoke daily,
. when our troops all get in position, are to
come from ? Virginia and North Carolina
are. totally without grain. IJere the Tax
in Kind-is becoming exhausted.' ‘The plan
ters hesitate to sell. Where is tho bread
to come from ? Your resolutions are en
tirely mistaken as to * depots crowded on
S. W. R. R.” Would that it were so.
There is not ten days' supplies collected at
all the depots on the S. IF. R. R. for our
armies. It must be had, and at once.
With this fact before me, am I not right
to press everything, refuse all commuta
tions, and secure food, if it can be done,
for our noble-Soldiers.in the field?
I am, gentlemen,
Your ob’t. serv’t.,
R. lv Hines,
Capt. & P. Q. M,
Telegraphic News.
Mobile, May 7. —A special dispatch
from Summit, of the 7th, says a gentleman
who crossed Bayou. Saria on the 24, re
ports that our Louisiana farces pursued the
enemy down Red River, recapturing Fort
Deßussey and Cheneyville on the 25th
uit.
The enemy tnade a stand at Marsville,
where they were attacked aud repulsed with
heavy loss, estimated at teu thousand.
The transports going up Red River with
’reinforcements were whipped back at Fort
Deßussey.
The Yankee wounded have been sent to
Vicksburg.
Gen. Walker’s division crossed North of
the Red River, in pursuit of the retreating
enemy.
The Yankees burned four more gunboats
above the Falls.
Dalton, May 7. —The enemy advanced
in front of Tunnel Hill this morning, shell
ed oureavalrv on the ridge this side of that
place fer two hours, aDd then fell back.
They are reported as moving around to our
left.
Demopous, May 6.—lnformation from
Mississippi states the enemy, with ten thou
sand infantry and two batteries of artillery
'and two hundred and fifty cavalry, all un*
dor Gen. Me Arthur, were advancing to
ward Yazoo City, and encamped night be
fore last eight miles below Mechanicsburg.
Orange C. H., May 6—The following
are the additional particulars of the fight
ing yesterday:
Ileth and Wilcox’s divisions, in yester
day’s' fight, checked and drove back two
divisions of the enemy.
Lane's North Carolina brigade last night
surprised and captured three hundred pris
oners.
Gen. Pegram was painfully wounded in
the knee.
From 3 'o’clock until night there was
very heavy musketry fighting. But little
artillery was engaged. Cook’s Brigade
iought well and lost heavily. Thomas’
and Brigade also suffered con
siderable. Rosser fought Wilcox’s whole
Division of Yankee cavalry yesterday with
a single Brigade, driving them back at all
points. Fighting again this morning—.
mostly musketry. It is reported and be
lieved that we are driving them. Gen.
Benning is slightly wounded in the arm
in the fight this morning. The battle field
is twenty-five miles below here. About
300 more prisoners have been received here
and more are on the way. The Richmond
Ambulance Committee arrived this morn
ing.
Orange C. 11, May 6. —The attack of
the enemy this morning was very violent,
but was repulsed in every instance. A
strong effort was made to turn our right,
but we drove them back. On tho left he
was more stubborn than on the right, but
Long Street finally forced him to give way.
Gen. Longatreet received a severe wouud
in the shoulder. Gen. Paul Jennings was
mortally wounded. The fighting was prin
cipally with musketry, the ground being
uusuitable for artillery.' Col. Brown of
Georgia, of the V irginia Artillery, was
killed. Ihe battle was fought near the.
Wilderness. The enemy has been pushed
back near to Chancellorsville. Everything
looks well—fuller accounts to-ruorruw.
Richmond, May 7.—The following offi
cial dispatch from Gen. Lee was received
this morning;
Head-Qu’s. Army Northern Va., )
May 6, 1864. )
Hon. J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War :
Early this morning as the Divisions of
Gen. Hill’ s Corps engaged yesterday were
beiug relieved, the enemy i&vauced aud
s created some confusion.
The ground lost was recovered as soon
as fresh troops got into position, and the
enemy were driven back to their original
line. Afterwards we turned the left of
his fresh line and drove it from the field,
leaving a large number of dead aud wound
ed on our hands—among theist Maj. Gen.
’Wadsworth. A subsequent -attack forced
the enemy into his entrenched lines on the
Brook road, extending from the Wilder
ness- tavern on the right to Trigg’s mill.
Every* advance on his part, thanks to a
merciful God, has been repulsed. Our
loss in killed is not large, but we have ma
ny wouuded—most of them slight—the
artillery beiug little used on either side.
I grieve to announce that Lt. Gen. Long- I
street is severely wounded., Gen. Jenkins
killed—Gen.' Pegram wounded yesterday.
Gen. Stafford, it is hoped, will recover.
(Signed,) R. E. Lee.
Mobile, May 7. — A special dUpatch to
the Mobile Tribune, dated Jackson, 6th,
says that an officer, who left Taylor’s camp,
twelve miles from Alexandria, confirms
Banks’ retreat to Alexandria. The gun
boat Eastport was blown up—two trans
ports captured. The remainder of the
fleet, above the Rapids, has no chance to
escape. Taylor has captured 4,000 pris
oners. Price’s success consists in Manna
duke’s capture of .Steele’s wagon train.
Steele was surrounded. Price demauded
his surrender. .Steele agreed on condition
that*his negro troops should he treated as
prisoners of war. Price refused. The
terms were *e4«rro<l •to !4»*r>iK. wW
that the-negroes should be sent to their
owners. Steele refused to surrender on
these terms, and the further action is un
known. 11 is believed Steele’s whole force
would capitulate. Smith was reinforcing
Price.
Orange C. 11., May 6.—A considera
ble engagement occurred qbout twenty
miles below here, near Parker's Store,
Spottsylvania county, on the Plank Road,
between a, part of Ewell's Corps and the
t Fifth Corps of Yankee Infantry, including
Hyke’s Regulars. The engagement lasted
from twelve o’clock until night. Our
troops repulsed the enemy most handsome-
capturing 981 prisoners and 49 com-,
missioned officers, who have arrived here.
Geo. J. M. Jones and Cdl. Warren, 10th
Va., killed. Gen.' Stafford mortally wound
ed
OFFICIAL DISPATCH FROM GEN, LEE.
Richmond, April 6.—The following
was received this morning :
Head Qk’s. Army Northern Va., )
' May sth. 1864. j
Ron. Secretary of War : T?te enemy
crossed the Rapidan at Ely’s and Germa
nia Fords. Two corps of this army moved
to oppose him —Ewell by the old Turnpike,
Hill by the Plank Road. They arrived
this morning in close proximity to the en
emy’s lines of march. A strong attack was
made on Ewell, who repulsed it, capturing
many prisoners and four pieces of artillery.
The enemy subsequently concentrated up
on Hill, who, with Heth’s and Wilcox’s
Division, successfully resisted repeated des
perate assaults.
A large force of cavalry and artillery on
our right flank*was driven back by Rosser’s
Brigade.
By the blessing of God we maintained
our position against every effort until night,
when (he contest closed.
We -have to mourn the loss of many
bravo officers and men. The gallant Gen.
J. M. Jones was killed; Bng. Gen. (Staf
ford mortally wounded while leading his
commaud with conspicuous valor.
(Signed,) R E. Lee.
(SECOND DISPATCH-.)
• Richmond, May 6. —The fighting be
tween Lee and Grant was resumed this
morning.
Several telegrams received represent
news from the front cheering. About two
thousand prisoners were captured yester
day.
The train on the York River Railroad
returned this morning alter proceeding to
Meadow Station in •consequence «ol arc-
port that our troops had fallen bark, the
Yankees having crossed the Cliickithomiuy
south of Bottom’s Bridge.
The steamer Schultz, with Yankee pias
ouers for City Point, was turned back Tjy
the enemy this moruiug.
It is imported that; additional transports
with troops came up the river to-day in
quite large force and landed on the south
side of the river, opposite City Point.
No uneasiness felt in official circles at
the aspect of affairs.
One Y mkee gunboat in James llivcr .
was blown up this afternoon.
Meridian, Mav 6.—lnformation from
the Tra os-Mississippi confirms former ru
mors ot a battle between Price and Steele,
in which the Confederates gained a com
plete victory. Steele is said to have lost
his entire wagon trail!.
Dalton, May o.—The enemy have been
almost at a stand-still to-day. They are
repairing bo.th railroads us they advance,
and have a chain of pickets in l;on.t, which
renders it impossible to learn what is going
on inside.
The enemy’s pickets were one and a half
miles in front of Tunnel Hill at 2 o’clock
lien. Johftstou has issued au order grant
ing a pardon to all persons under arrest
except those for plundering and pilfering.
IaVNCHBURO, May f).—The \ in/iuian
has information that Averill has concentia
ted 8,000 cavalry and infantry in Kana
wha Valley, with the intention of making a
raid on the salt works in Washington eouu
ty
------- - ' : . .■".TfLT". ".- I —'J? 1
Lost,
IN* Fort. Gaines, Ga., on the nth inst.. a line
, Gold King. Any one finding it, will bu
liberally rewarded Jby sending the sumo tu
the Nows office in Ujakejjv.
May 11. 1804. 30-ts
Osnaburgs for La/d
I\\ ILL exchange a lot of eight ounce
Osnaburgs for bard, at my store in Blake
ly, for the next thirty days.
‘ May 11, 1804. 30-2 t ' B. M. FRY HR.
Confederate Tax Notice.
IV ILL be at Blakely, positively for the;
last time, on Tuesday, the 17th inst,, t<>
assess the Meat and Income Tax. I have
tlie names oi all those that have not given
| in. and it they fail to give in this time, they
will be dealt with the law directs.
S. .1. picKixsox
May 11. 18l?t. 30-It T. A.
Notice.
1 JOB the benefit of Tax payers of Farlv
JL county. I will be at Blakely on Tuesday ,
1 1 th ; at bsqr. I rquhart’s on Wedimsdny
at. IF W.Sheffield’s on Friday. Situ, and at
Damascus on Tuesday, 24th May, to reeeivo
their Tax returns. J. M. WADE.
* May 11, 1804. 3<>-2t T. I!,
NOTICE,
ALL persons who have made application
for exemption or detail are notified to
be at my office on Thursday, 19th inst,, for
the purpose of allowing it resin? estigation
of their petitions by the Temporary Board,
most of said applications having been disap
proved and returned to those head-quarters.
A. C. WEST.
bocal Et|. Officer. Earlv Co., Ga
May 11, f 804. 30-2 t • '
Early Inferior Court—ln Chambers,
May 7th 1804.
• Present their. Honors, W. W. Fleming, 31.
T. Alexander and B. M. Fryer, Justices.
There being 13 pair Cotton Cards on hand
for distribution among Soldiers families, it
is ordered that a notice be published in the
Jtariff County Ktuos, culling on all Soldiers'
families, wlv) are wUhqut Cards, to report
to some member of the Inferior Court by ihe
first Tuesday in June next.
A true extract from the Minutes.
30-3 t JAMES N. EVAN’S, O. I. C.
* : J
Stolen,'
OUT of my Woodspasture at my Plantn
tion, on Sunday night, 24th ult., three
Sows, twentysfour Pigs, two year old’s, and
one Shoat. The pigs Were all marked, with
the exception of some four or five. Thu hogs
arc all marked with swallow-fork and v inder
bit in the right ear, and crop and nit in the
left. Two of them red, the other black and
white spotted. The shoat red listed —one of
the others on the white order —the other black
Any information will he thankfully reepi v
ciL a tiff a liberal reward given for the perpe
trator. . PETER HOW A KIP
Blakely, 3lay*l 1, 18G4. 30-ts
Notic#to Planters.
Office Post Quakter-Mastefi. i
Albanx, Ga., May 5, 1864. j
Extract from a Circular of Col. Larkin
Smfth, April 2f, 1864:
* a* * * Congress was asked
to pass a law making the penalty in default
of delivery of Tax in Kind five times the as
sessed value. It was supposed the act wm,
intended to embrace the crop of 1863, but it
has been decided that it does not. except as
relates to Tobacco and Bacon, which were
not ready lor market until January, 1864.
Thus Tobacco and Bacon ars subject to live
.fold penalty, and other crops of 1863 to 6<>
per cent. The five-fold penalty applies tu .
the crops of 1863 ar.d following.
Under above, persons in Early and .Miller
can retain their Corn, when it is desired, and
settle with the Collector, up matter how near
my depots. - . , /
The time given in my firmer order i> re- •
voked, as it is unnecessary. i
B K. HIVES
30 ot Cupt, AP. Q M. (