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VOLUME XXXV.] MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1864. SUMBEJi 2. BOIKJHTON,N t ISBET,BARNES&^OKE Publishers and Pror^ etors - 9 . If. BOl’fiHTO.'Vj Edit.ro joa. ii. iiiasK T. S q'ty, <£<mfebcriitc Pinion T t r J>h*hed Weekly, in Milled’gerUle, Ga., Corner of Hancock and Wilkinson Sts., (opposite Court House.) At $10 a year in Advance. Ol’B NEW TERMS. On and after March 2d,1864, the Terns of Snh- aaription to the Confederate Union, nre Ten Dol urj, inraribly in advance. All indebtedness for subscription to this paper, previous to June 1st, 1863, is at the rate of Three Dollars per year. ed by the Government when the Navy Department was organized, ajtd the number and kind now r owned by it; the naval defences of* the Mississippi river, and especially of New Orleans, of the Cumberland, Tennessee and James rivers, and of the city of Nor- Tu^k the circumstances connected wun* the destruction of the Virginia, the Louisiana, the Mississippi, the Ar kansas and other gunboats ; the caus es of our naval disasters' and of the failure of our Navy to meet the pub lic expectations. The Committee do not deem it nec essary to review all the facts relating to thes topics, or to express their con clusion upon each of them, as the tes- Legal Adv ertising. j p mi0ll y j s herewith presented and may Sheriff a gales, per levy of ten lines, or less, !|io U« ■ , • , , ,, , , • ,, • p a sales, y ; be read by all who desire the tnforma- Tax Collector’s Sales, per square, « oo j tion it furnishes. % 1 hey think they Citations for Letters of Administration, 5 00 j will discharge their duty by express- ** “ “ Guardianship, 5 00 iug the general result of their investi- Letters of application for dism’n. from Adm’n 8 00 ’ .. » *• " “ Guard'n 8 00 to obtain ordnance stores ; the num ber and kind of vessels purchased or built, of whom purchased or by whom built; the contracts for them and bow complied with ; the contracts for new i Texas that I should so soon have to re vessels now pending ; the vessels own- cord two of the most bloody batles which f sisters Surrounded by all the horrors of . war, tire daughters of Louisiana prove tniu I istering angels in the cause of suffering hu- Mar.sfield, La., April loth, 1864.- Little ■ m auitj% and, like the good Samaritan, did I think when 1 hid you farewell in they never tire in watching at tho couch From the Houston Telegraph, April 21. Battles of flansfield and Pleasant Hill. ADVERTISING* Transient.—Two Dollars per square of ten lines for each insertion. , Tribute, of respect. Resolutions by Societies, (Obit •arie. exceeding six lines.) Nominations for office, Ca-n-nunications or E litorial notices for individual beaeftt,charged as trantient advertising. have been fought during this eventful war, and while the shouts of victory are ring ing and a thankful people are praising the Almighty fur the success of our arms in bearing back the tide of invasion, still many once happy homes in Texas, Ar kansas, Missouri and Louisiana are mourn ing for some loved and lost relatives or friends. The battle of Mansfield was fought two and a half miles from the little city of the same name. The battle had been pre ceded by some heavy skirmishing, but the general battle commenced on the 8th of April, about 10 a. m., Maj.-Gen. Taylor in command. Maj.-Geu. Green command- ded the left wing, Brig.-Gen. Mouton the corps had never before met such a numbei of Texans, and they all sav they now be- j. lieve the stories they have so often heard | of the Texans’ lighting qualities. The prisoners all lay the defeat on Gen. Banks —say he is no general, etc. We fought the flower of the United States army, and our hands; they are attended by their own I I must say that the Western men acted surgeons, and our authorities give them ! bravely, but they could not stand the Tex every facility to assist them, and they re- an yell and fearful charge. The loss of ceive as kind treatment as those of our! the enemy in officers is very large, many of suffering. God bless them. The ma jority of the wounded of the enemy aie in own army. This is a sad night in camp. A few rods from where I am writing lies the body pse of Major-Gen. Thos. Green, the Na-! poleon of the West. Many a heart in Tex- 1 being among the wounded. I visited the battle-fields of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill a few days ago. The field of Mansfield was a plantation skirted with woods and composed of small as will mourn the loss of our hero. Just 1 hill* and valleys. It contains some 300 or promoted, having never known defeat j 400 acres of land, but much of the hardest when he commanded, enjoying the confi, dence of his troops to a degree uusurpassed- and very rarely equaled, with a constitu tion of iron, and a will like adamant. Gen eral Green leaves a void in the armies of the Confederacy which will ret: ain unfilled, right, Gen. Walker’s division on the right and future generations of Texas will tell ! cord a harder contested field of Mouton, and two cavalry regiments on 0 f the heroic deeds, and the no less heroic of dead horses are strewn - Appl'n for leave to sell land and negroes, Hotic9 to Debtors and Creditor. Buies ot land or negroes, per square, “ perishable property, 10 days, per sq. Estray Notices. 30 days, Foreclosure of Mortgage, per square. LEGAL advertisements. 8 00 ) 6 00 8 no 2 00 r> oo 2 00 gations. They are gratified that they can state that after long, patient and careful investigation, they have found nothing in the administration of the Navy Department that justifies any censure of Mr. Mallory. The testi mony shows that he has been vigilant, j industrious and energetic in employ- Sales of Land and Negroes, by Administrators, Ex- j i°g the means with his power to pui- or Guardians, are required bylaw to be held , C’llUSe and build H Davy. • n the first Tuesday in the month -. between the hours \ T , * , _ . , •f 19 in tho forenoon and three in tlie afternoon, at the i Inasmuch 3S there has bectl tltUcll Court house in tiiecounty iu wnich the property is | misrepresentation and crimination of ** Notice of these sates must be given in a public ga-1 the Secretary of the Navy and ot the ■ette to days previous to the day of sale. MeSSrS. Tift beCHUSC of their failure Notices for the sale of personal property must be . j -- giveninlike manner 10 days ^previous to sale day. ^ j to Complete and to SUVC the MlSSlSSip- j here, too, that the lamented Cbancey B. the extreme right of Walker. Gen. Green commenced the attack with a portion of his dismounted cavalry. The enemy pres sing the left wing heavily, Gen. Green then ordered Moutou’s division to advance, and the fighting was terrible along the lines of both combatants. The battle regard fiercely for five hours, when the enemy broke and fled, having been forced back two miles, where com menced a general rout. Gen. Churchill’s division did not arrive in time to participate iu this action, but were in the battle of the following day.— Gen. Mouton fell early in the action, while receiving the surrender of a large body of the enemy. He fell but a few feet from the muzzle of their guns. He is reprted to have acted gallantly, and his noble di vision lost heavily in both officers and men, 1 and covered themselves with glory. Col. i Phil Herbert was here wounded, and Col. Buchel mortally—since dead. It was fighting took place in the timber where the enemy were. The fence had been levied by the enemy upon hearing of Gen. Tay lor's advance,expecting to tako us by sur prise and slaughter our troops on the open plain. The annuals of history do not re- Thousands over the field, ° fan C8tate ! Pb is if but sheer justice to say Not ice that application will be made to the Court of Ordinary for leave to sell Land or Negroes, mnai.be published for two month*. that these gentlemen are not related by blood or marriage to Mr. Mallory ; that Citation* for letters of Administration Guardianship, {hev undertook to COMStl’UCt their VeS- c., must be published 30 day*—for dismission from • J . , iministration, monthly nix months—fur ditfHiiBwion SGi Without p<?CUniciry fGW»Y F U ? cUlU prosecuted the work on it with rare industry and energy and with extraor- fcc Administration, monthly from Guardianship, 40 days Rules for foreclosure of Mortgage must be published monthly for four month*—for establishing lost papers, ftr the full apace of 'hrecmonth*— forcompellingtitles from Executors or administrators, where bond lias been given by the deceased, the full space of three months. Publications will always be continued according to these, the legal requirements, unlessotherwiseordered. fy When a subscriber finds a cross mark on his paper be will know that bis subscription has expired, or is about to expire, and must be renew ed if he.wishes the paper continued. iy We do not send receipts to new subscri bers. If they receive the paper they may know that we have received the money, ty Subscribers wishing their papers changed from one post-office to another must state the name of the post-office Irora which they wish it changed. To Tax Rcccivrra. Tlie Comptroller General famishes each Receiver •f Tax Returns with three Books. If any Receiver wishes an Extra book, or sheets for a blotter, we will furnish him at the rate of 50 cents a sheet. One dollar extra if the sheets are bound. Interesting reading matter will be found on the 4th page. dinary despatch ; that their loyalty, patriotism and integrity are unques tionable, and that neither they nor tlie Secretary are censurable for tlie iucompleteuess of that vessel when theenemy reached New Orleans, or for its destruction.’ HOME \EWS II KITTLE TIME. D-VING! Along the trodden, bloody field,' Along the hills where still tlie tide of battle ran. The night came down with flaming spear and shield— Came down with starry legions marching in her van— Came down and touched the rows of mangled dead. Across the knolls and by the little ridges ly ing, With loving smile, and, silent, bowed her head. Like some pale mourner, o'er other brave ones d> ing. | Just on the edges of the stormy fight, As the soft night came down, a group of sol diers knelt, Around <. comrade, lying calm and white, A stain of flowing blood updh his bayonet- belt ; ! Closs by him on the trampled meadow-grass, ! Beside his musket au unopened letter lay— ' A message from the home which now, alas ! Must be forever dark because of this sad day. ' ‘‘Read to me, Corporal,” he said-at last— j “Kend me what Mary says; I shall die happier so;" ! Then, while across his face a spasm passed, He sadly moaned ; "It only came to-day, yon know ; Just as I came afield *twas given me— I couid not pause to read it then; but, comrades, hark ! I’m going now—the long, dim way I see— Read me what Mary says; 'twill cheer mein the dark.” Read Was CF*By the request of friends, we publish the following from the Albany Patriot. It will probably be remem bered that when the New Orleans was : captured some of the officers in the army endeavored to throw censure j upon Col. N. Tift of Albany, and his t brother, for the destruction of the gun- : boat Mississippi, then building at New j Orleans. It will be seen by reading ■ the extract below, that the Naval ; Committee, after fully investigating j the affair, completely exhonerate the j Messrs. Tift from all blame in the 1 premises. Hon. S. II. Mallory, Secretary of State \ —Messrs. Tift—Report of the Joint Select Committee of Congress. We find in the Richmond papers an ; interesting report from the Joint jSe-j lect Committee of the Senate and j House of Represenatives, “appointed j to investigate the administration of! the Navy Department under its pres- ' ent head, with power to send for per- The dying soldier. sobbed •, sons and papers,” which we hope to j „ 0 publish in full, if we can find space,; by. 1 ” hereafter. In the mean time we think j iiis v0 ^® t grew faint ’ then it will be gratifying to our readeiS to Close to tlie fading lips heard this: "Goodnight, publish the extracts containing the! my dears.” conclusions of the Committee which 1 A ’ if w ‘ th t,eath .' s co ‘ , ! i clliil j nd rains f ™ er , e J 1 ?"*- v Sweet memories of home-dreams of life s brigh ter years. And still the battle throbbed along the hills. Abd still th^ dying and the dead in billows lay. Along the slopes and by the crimson rills— The night shades folding all in mantles dun and gray, There, where he fell, they scooped a shallow grave. And with her letter on bis heart, so cold and calm, They read him, as he wished, the precious lines— The words of love, of brave encouragement and cheer— liiin how Mary, ’mid her household shrines, hopeful and content; how Llaby, “little dea'r,” learned to walk; how Tom had won the Had At prize. school last term ; how he, the dear one far for' nightly ; how with straining day* away. Was prayed eyes, They waited his return, as for a festal They ceased. Upon the pallid, vacant face A deeper shadow fell, and with a weary cry, Give them Thy I-'ather ; shield till the etorm goes ceased—but one who vindicate both the Secretary of the Navy and the. Messrs Tift from all charges of improper couduct relative i to the steamer Mississippi or other wise. It will be remembered that int- Dufctliately after the fall of New Or- 1. au *, this community, in public meet- P n S> upon their knowledge of the char ter of these gentlemen, was the first Left him to wait the roll call of the brave, re P fc l the charges —* ; The summons to receive t _ - v**—j,-'- made against ! * , un <l it will be seen that the re sult justifies their action : [Extracts front the Report of the Committee of Cougress.] Ja. will appear \ n the printed tes timony herewith submitted, that the Committee have inquired into every thing relating to the materials and the operation of the "^avy within the Con federate States; •he means and re sources for building a navy ; the ef forts to purchase or build vessels and Balm- the victor’s crown and About to Marry Old Men and Shin plasters.—An Alabama “girl” writing to her sweetbart in the army says: “Jack the gurls is all about to di about yon and ‘bey are about to marey old men and shinplasters an if you don’t hurey an com horn you wont get narry wone but old refused woues Jane b—sends herlov and best respects to you an *as you must send ber a ring 6he sas sbe wonts ti» see you very bad sbe ses you are the piMest thing she ever saw.” Sheppard, of Gen. Green’s staff', fell, and the gallant Major J. D. Sayres wounded. The fruits of the victory consisted in capturing 2,500 prisoners, 200 wagons loaded with stores, 1,400 mules, thirty-six ambulances, with immense medical and other stores. In this battle the enemy fought three army corps, viz : the I3tb, 19tli and famous 16th, formerly command ed by Gen. Sherman, and which had so often boasted that it had never known de feat. The loss of the enemy in the two engagements will not be less than 6,000 killed, wounded and prisoners. The enemy commenced their retreat as soon as routed, in the direction of Pleasant Hill, some eighteen miles from the battle field of Mansfield. Our army having pursued, the line of battle was formed about 4 P M. of the 9th of April, and was more bloody than on the preceding day. Gen. Green’s division under his command, was posted on the ex treme left ; Mcuton’s division, under com mand of Brig.-Gen. Polignac, on Green’s right ; Gen. Walker, ou Polignac's right; Gen. Churchill’s division of Arkansians and Missourians, having arrived on the extreme right; the Yalverde battery open- iug the battle and losiug the majority of their horses, but few xnen injured. Gen. Churchill, with bis division of infantry, then moved forward, and the battle com menced furiously along the whole line.— The enemy pressing Churchill in over whelming numbers, he was compelled to fall back. Gens. Walker and Polignac then moved forward and broke the entire line of theenemy, and threw thsm into a gen eral rout, and night put a stop to the car nage. They fell back to Roubiere bayou, some twenty miles. Green’s cavalry in hot pursuit, who followed them to the river. Gen. Walker was slightly wounded. So was Gen. Scurry. (Gen. Polignac was not wounded, as first reported ) Gen. Waul was iu command of a brig ade, and every man, both officer and pri vate acted like heroes. Col. Debray (since promoted to Brigadier General) is reported to have behaved very gallantly. He had his horse killed under him here. Our loss was very heavy. Gen. Scurry took 1200 men iuto the fight and lost 400 killed and wounded. Our loss in the two battles is estimated to be 1400 killed, wounded and 150 prisoners. We captured in the two battles 32 pieces of artillery, and small arms beyond compu tation, and about 4000 prisoners, many officers among them. These are the great est battles fought west of the Mississippi and of all the battles the most fruitful.— The invasion of Texes is no longer to be thought of, and probably the complete evacuation of Western Louisiana by the enemy, besides relieving the pressure on Arkansas, which General Price may be enable to regain. I should here state that General Taylor fought these battles con trary to the opinion of others, and he has eclipsed the fame of Lis father, old “Rough and Ready. I yesterday visited the different hospit als in this vicinity, seeking some of our Texas boys. I found but a few. I found Major Sayers and Capt. T. J. Hare, of company K DeBray’s regiment; they are not dangerously wounded; also Lieut. Fisher, of the same regiment, slightly wounded. I shall proceed to Pleasant Hill in a day or two, and seek others.— Hardened as my heart is to scenes of suf fering and mi-ery, the silent tear started nnbidden from eyes unused to weeping, as 1 passed among the maimed and wounded. Here-1 found a noble youth who a few weeks ago left home so full of hope for the future, upon the couch ol the sufferer. His fond mother’s and sister’s kiss, as he part ed from them, came to my mind, and I found that war was a reality and a sad thing. May God comfort the mourners. The streets of this city are daily throng ed with the ladies carrying food and com fort to the sufferers They watch over them with all the affection of mothers and death ol the man who first led our cow boys to board and capture vessels of war. Major-Gen. Green was killed instantly, about 5 o’clock on the evening of the J'St h inst., at Blair’s landing, on Red river, about thirty-five miles from this place, while directing an attack with one thous and men on five gunboats and five trans ports, the latter loaded with troops, the former iron-clads. He was standing near j the edge of the bank, which at-that place is about thirty feet high. While encourag- | ing his men under a terrific lire Irom the ! gunboats, ho was struck over the right eje by a charge of grape-shot—the whole j top of his head was carried away, and j death of course, instantaneous. His body was brought to this camp the next day, and \ will be sent to Texas by Major J. H.l Beck, quartermaster of the cavalry corps, j The tent is lighted up and guarded by a j detachment of Texas cavalry. The sen-1 sation caused by his death it is impossible to describe. Geiis. Polignac, Waul and Scurry shed burning tears when they heard of it. Every one seemed to have lost a near and dear relative and friend. Gen Taylor was overwhelmed with grief, for Green had always been his true and staunch friend. 1 am told that when his and the stench is horrible. I was forced to run my pony at the height of his speed over many portions. The majority ot our troops who fell were buried in the city cemetery, while those of the enemy are buried upon the field. They were buried in treuclies side by side as decently as possible. When our cavalry pursued, after their rout, hundreds were cut down, and all along the road to Pleasant hill, twenty miles is strewu with the carcasses of dead horses, and occasionally a new-made grave is seen by the roadside. The battle-field of Pleasant hill extends lor the distance of a mile from the town. The enemy bad madeastand on the top of a high hill, one mile from the town. Planting their bat teries, they awaited the approach of our pursuing forces. As soon as their scouts gave warning that our cavalry were in range, they opened a brisk fire in every di rection. Our batteries got into position, the old Yalverde opened and soon silenced their main battery, killing nearly all their horses, while DeBray, at the head of his regiment, charged up the hill followed by Buchell—the enemy turning and retreat ing. The Arkansians and Missourians, under Gen. Churchill, tho Louisitnians, officers remonstrated against his going into i under Polignac, and the cavalry of Green, the fight, he said that he wouldn’t if he. i threw them into a complete rout. had his old brigade with him, but some of! I was misinformed when I stated in my his troops were new and he must go. The troops engaged were Wood’s and Gould’s regiments., and Parson's brigade. We lost seventy-five men killed and wounded. The slaughter of the enemy on board the transports was fearful, as our men were last letter that Col. Buchell fell on the field of Mansfield—it was here that he fell. But when 1 see the regimental reports, I shall do justice to the humblest private.— Many of our killed were buried on the field in separate graves. Our loss in kill- only thirty or forty yards from them, and ! ed was not near as large as that of the en- one of the gunboats was completely si-1 emy. The enemys line of battle extended lenced and about to surrender, when three i several regiments deep along the whole others came to her assistance ; none were , line of battle and when our bateries open- captured. Had Gen. Green lived, no one ; ed the slaughter was horrible. Tho battle doubts but wbat ho would have captured j was fought on ground much like that of all the transports—the engagement lasted j Mansfield, but they had many advantages; about half an hour after the general fell', : ditches had been cut by the owner of the when the officer who took command with- plantation for the purpose of drainage, and drew the troops. Such is the statement ■ the enemy used them as rifle pits ; but of officers who were there. J they were soon driven from them by the Texas also mourns the loss of Chancy j desperate assaults of the infantry. The B. Sheppard. I knew' him well. He j last of the series of these hills and ditches was a true friend, and a braver man did not ! extended up to and was part of the town, fall on these bloody fields. The hero of a ! But few horses, comparatively, were killed dozen fights, he now sleeps with his old ' here, but the slaughter of the enemy was chief in a soldier’s grave. Peace to his j fearful. The dead are buried together in ashes ! But his memory will forever le- ; scores, and it was an awful sight to view main green in the heart of every Texan, thescene. I could .trace with my eyes j I shall proceed to the vicinity of the bat- the spots wffiera the most desperate carnage I tie fields in a few r days, and I dread to I had taken place. meet our suffering friends. I shall keep | The enemy are fortifying at Grand your readers posted as often as possible. ; Ecore, and no one knows tbeir plans. We 15 ' possibly may have another battle ere long, Sioux In the Saddle (three miles from the extreme front), Near Grand Ecore, April 17.—After a hard ride of fifteen miles, 1 find myself facing the enemy again, hav ing been declared released from the parole given by me on my release from New Or leans as a prisoner of war. ’ I have many interesting incidents rela ting to the recent battles which will be sent as soon as I can get reliable informa tion concerning them. I have received many courtesies from Gen. Taylor and his acting adjutant-gen eral, Major^urget. Major-General Prince Polignac, second in command to General Taylor, also treat ed me very courteously, as also bis A. A. G., Major J. C. Mencuxe. I had a con versation with him yesterday, and be re grets the error of his being mortally wound ed should gain such wide circulation. He J is not injured in the least and now com- i tnands in tho field. Brigadier General Bee being second to him, is in command of all the cavalry in West Louisiana. As tor our troops are anxious for the fray.— TMie boys are'enjoying remarkable good health. Sioux. In the Saddle, Near Grand Ecore, La., April IS.—The public are still anx ious to hear further of the great battles, and I proceed. All is still bustle and ex citement at the front. Slight skirmishing going on daily. A flag of truce, borne by Col. G. W. Chilton and Major G. W. McNeel, of Gen. Bee’s staff, held commu nication with the enemy a short time ago. The Federals desired to send supplies and surgeons to their wounded, and we agreed to receive and receipt for the stores, but not let tbeir surgeons pass into our lines. The Federal truce officer, who was a col onel, paid a high compliment to the brave ry of our troops on the field and acknowl edge the defeat. He was courteous and gentlemanly towards our officers. A reconnoitering party, composed of two companies of DeBray’s regiment com manded by Lieut. Story and Peck, of com pany’s B and F. mafip n daring dasli into the fact, of my bolng with a majority ot 1 tlm city at Natchitocfiee on the evening of .1. _ m i i :n 1 , Jr. i J* rr<> i , the Texas troops at the present will not be considered contraband to publish in 1 your paper, it being so far distant, I will j men who were in the State that I have i met with • many of the late bat tles and never have I seen them j in better: spirits, despite tbeir late hard- tile 15th 'inst. They passed through a portion of the town, driving in the pickets of the enemy. The main body of the enemy are stationed betwen the upper por tion of the town and the town of Grand Ecore. This feat is considered a brilliant one. A portion of Col. Madison’s regi- sbips. The loss among the Texan troops | merit, of Gen. Major’s brigade, have also is not as severe as at first reported. Our made many daring recounoissances of late boys, when they went into the fight, did ! The Texas cavalry have all covered them- their workup quick. It was charge and! selves with glory. I have conversed with chase, from first to Jast. Company K. t mauy officers high in rank and position DeBray’s regiment, commanded by Capt. 1 u f late to give me the names of a few of Hare, suffered the most of any—twenty-! tbeir privates and non-commissioned offi- one horses being killed. Only three men I csrs who distinguished themselves the killed, but some ten or twelve wounded.— | most. But all make the same reply to Many reported as among the wounded are j my inquiries, “All are equally deserving only slightly so, and are iu the saddle again j of praise.” Every man seemed to endea- ready for. another fight. The wounded! vor to outdo his comrades in deeds of valor, are ail doing well and receive every at-! Aud while I give proper credit to our tention from the ladies of the country. i brave Texans, I must not overlook the It would be contraband in me to state j gallant Louisianians under the in'repid the force of the army of Louisiana, and! Mouton, or the Arkansians and Missouri- I have seen large armies before, but this 1 ans under Churchill. surpasses all I have yet seen. Bkirmish- ing is going on daily, and a few prisoners are brought in. They all admit that they were badly whipped the other day, and say the “Texas fellers” fought like tigeis. A number of tbeir officers told me that Side by side did they advance to the terrible charges and now fill the same graves. The Louisianians under Mouton covered themselves with glory, the far fam ed Crescent regiment of New Orleans leading in the charges. This noble band they bad never seen such bravery as dis- ! of meu have passed through many severe played by the Texans; tbe 16th army j fights. I saw them on the field of Shiloh, ^ and even there they held in check an en tire brigade of the enemy on Monday morning after the enemy had been rein- ! forced by General Buell. Their loss on the field of Mansfield was terrible; entire i plattoons fell at every discharge of the | enemy’s guns, they advanced across an i open field without firing a gun, until they ; had reached a few yards of the enemy, i when they opened and soon drove the j enemy in a pet feet rout from their posi- i tion. The division of Gen. Churchill marched forty-five miles in fifteen hours, to be in time for the fight at Pleasant Hill. Nobly did they stand side by side with their comrades through that bloody struggle, and their graves on the battle-field tell plainly how tb§y suffered. As I said be fore, 1 cannot get tbe officers to name any of their meu who distinguished themslves more than others, consequently all must receive equal credit. I shall only speak of conspicuous brigades and divisions with their chief commanders. , 1 stated in my first letter lhat General Taylor made the attack without orderjj from Gen. Smith and contrary to the ad vice of many officers. But the general knew the spirit of his troops and knowing the topography of the country so well, risked a battle and has thereby saved Texas from the perils of an invasion.— While we extol our own heroes of* tbe bat tles, Texans must not forget Taylor, Mou ton, Polignac or Churchill. One of tho greatest heroes on those-fields was Brtga- dier-General Bee, commanding a brigade of cavalry on the extreme left, at Pleasant Hill. He had two horses shot under him. and himself slightly wounded. Major G' \ W. McNeel. inspector-general on his staff, had two horses shot under him, and Order ly L. Schneider had two shot wdiile carry ing Gen-Bee’s orders on tbe field. .Major .W. T. Mecbling, A. A. G, and Col. G. W. Chilton, are reported to have acted nobly in the terrible charge where tbe gallant Col. Buchel fell mortally wounded. Nor must I forget the interpid Brig. Gen. C. P. Major. He was with the la mented Green throughout, and it would be useless for me to go into details of his acts. Suffice it to say that he won fresh laurels here. His staff, Major Magoffin, Captains ^acharie, Winston and Ogden are highly praised for their gallantry. Of Colonel (now Brigadier General) Dabry, I must do the justice to say, that he acted the hero throughout tbe battles, never faltering when ordered to charge, and placing him self at the head of uis noble regiment bold- lvled them against the enemy’s walls of glittering bayonets. Loud are the praises I bear of tbe gal- antry displayed by Capt. McMahan's bat tery of light artillery. At Mansfield, tho the battery was in position on the summit ofa hill, and poured a deadly volley into the ranks of. the enemy. Gen. Taylor presented two rifled captured pieces to the battery on the field, they laying aside their smooth-bore gnus. Lieut. Sam Hous ton, Jr. commanded one section of the bat tery, and is reported to have acted the hero, directing the guns with his own hands. Capt. W. G. Moseley, of Brazoria county Texas, commanded his battery on one of the wings, and did-fearful execution every discharge. I have heard officers high in" rank extol tbe Texas batteries, especially the old Valverde. Of the Louisiana and. Arkansas batteries, Gen. Taylor’s official report will do them justice. They are ful ly equal to the Texans. The slaughter of the enemy at Pleasant Hill is described by old soldiers to have been the greatest they ever saw. Whole regiments fell like chaff before the wind, and the piles of buri ed dead on the field show plainly tbe ex tent of the carnage’ I must do Col. Gould’s regiment of cavalry justice.— Many people in Texas have been loud in defaming these men. They are from Northern Texas, but they have put tho blush of shame upon their slanders. They never faltered; won laurels in the fight at Blair's landing where the lamented Gen. Green lost his lifr. Cf Col. Buchel’s regi ment too much praise cannot be given.— 1 have always considered this regiment the flower of tbe Texas cavalry. I have noticed that those regiments which are well drilled and disciplined, do far better service in action. Brig- Gen. JIee and Cols, Buchel and Debray handled th^r. men as though they were playing a game of chess with them. Nor must I omit the well drilled body of men under Col. Wood’s command: all were heroes, which is sayiDg a great deal. The road after leaving Mansfield ^ to this place is strewn with dead horses which fell by the pursuit of cavalry. Many of the stately residences along the route are blackened ruins, the fences destroyed by fire, and a scene of desolation and devas tation is 6een on every side. I wondered wbat tbe object was for an army aud peo ple professed to belong to a Christian na tion, to thuB devastate tbe land they pro fess to come to save—oh shame! where is thy blnsb/ I had formerly believed that many of the stories of the burning of dwel lings. robberies of churches, fete." were ex- aggerated. but after seeing these things with my own eyes I am now satisfied they are true. A Catholic church in tbe Span ish settlement near Double bayou bridge was sacked and the church ornaments were taken. 'This cannot be denied. In the knapsack of one of the 10th army corps was found the jewelry of a young lady,. Ear-ringg, breastpins, and even her underclothing was there. I will do the enemy the justice to say that the or ders of tLeir generals severely punish out rages of this kind, but many of the inferior officers encourage their men to do these acts, and even share witb them in the spoils. These incidents are no bombast or misrepresentation. I can vonch for their truth. Well may we say. “Oh, Union, what atrocities are committed in thy name!” I never saw so much sorrow as I see