Georgia journal and messenger. (Macon, Ga.) 1847-1869, February 05, 1862, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

journal tic j|lcsscnger. J. KNOWLES and S. ROSE, EDITORS VXD PROPRIETORS. The Battle of taking Creek. vJ ull Particulars I>> ;* Participant. a fFrom the Nashville Banner, Jan. fßth] Near Livingston. Tennessee, ) Friday, .Jan. 24, 180*2. S Intelligence lias doubtless reached you by this time of the battle of Fishing (Took, Kentucky, between the Federals and “Zol lieoffers’a Brigade,” and the repulse of the latter, with tin* death of General Zol lieolfer himself. For days previous Major General Crittenden had information to sa tisfy him that the enemy were concentrating large forces around his position at Mills' Springs, with the evident determination to cut oft his supplies and starve out our little army; and a force supposed to be d,0()0 strong had made its appearance suddenly on this side of Fishing Creek. General <*. concluded it"would be politic to fight the enemy by detachments, to advance upon the force at Fishing Creek, and if possible, drive them back, and then engage after wards with any other forces that might obstruct the navigation of the Cumberland by southern steamers, lie held a consult ation with the different commanders of the post, and nil agreed, with one absent, that to attack the enemy on Fishing Creek was the most feasible plan <4 operations. e wer ■ . 11 ordered to cook two days rations on ! t .iturdny morning, the 19th dan ,v j ; itt ry to a march that night, and towar is evening we received orders to march at 12 o’clock, M.,in the direction of Fishing Creek. It had been raining all day, and the roads were in wretched con dition for the task we had before us, the dust being reduced to the consistency of mush, sometimes knee-deep, and in many J 'laces almost impassable. The following was the order «1 march: First, General /ollieofter’s Brigade—the 15th Mississip pi, Colonel Walthall, in advance; battery of four guns,-Captain Rutledge; 19th Ten nessee, Colonel Cummings; 20th Tennessee, t olonel Battle; and the 2- tii Tennessee, Colonel Stanton. Next, General Carroll's Brigade—-the litii Tennessee, Colonel Mil ler; 28th Tennessee, Colonel Muiray, 29th 1 eunessec, Colonel Powell; and two guns ol Capt. McClui'g’s Battery, in rear of the infantry. Next to (’arrolf’s Brigade, the loth Alabama regiment, Colonel Wood, in reserve. Cavalry Battalions in the rear— Colonel Brunner on the right, and Colonel McClellan on the left. Independent com panies in front ol the advance regiment; ambulances and ammunition in the rear of the whole, and in the order of their regi ments. At midnight we started on the march— the-most cheerless and disagreeable night I ever experienced, t<w attack an enemy eight or nine miles distant. Long before we reached the vicinity of the enemy, our troops were completely fagged out, from the great dilliculty of dragging themselves through the thick, heavy slush, in almost Egyptian darkness. Before daylight a cold drizzling rain commenced falling, which sa turated our clothing and rendered our pro-i gross still more dilHeult and disagreeable. Fk.rly in the morning our van-guard com menced firing on the pickets, and now and j then, the echo of a distant shot would fall j upon the ear, and at intervals a succession ol volleys of musketry and an occasional rifle shot, which told that the bloody work ivas already commenced ahead. \\ e push ed on, in order to surround the enemy's ramp and to take him by surprise betore the day was too far advanced. This in tended surprise proved to lea failure, as will be shown by the sequel. The Missis sippians went down the road towards tin* upper ford of Fishing Creek at a double quick, followed by Cummings' regiment, dust then a couple of riderless horses came galii ping towards us from the woods ahead, which proved that the advance cavalry had encountered the enemy without doubt.— The two preceding regiments were just disappearing in a skirt of woods on ahead of us when our regiment (Col. Hattie's) was ordered to double-quick, and we went forward rapidly, passing a rude hut on the left hand of the road, which had already been eonvettod into a temporary hospital, and where our own regimental Surgeons were at t. t n a; at crossing the wounds ot a cuvalry-man who had been shot bv the pickets. V> o tiled to the left across an open field, and then formed in line of battle, and so far advanced up the field in the di rection oi the enemy s camp, which we had not yet seen. As we passed, 1 saw Gen. Zollieoffer sitting quietly in his saddle and surrounded by his stall*. • A placid smile over his features, and wo went forward with so much eagerness and hurry that it was the last I saw of him; for he fell on the battle-field in an hour afterwards. As we advanced into a copse of woods at the upper end ot the field, the Alississippians opened tire on our left. W e quickened our pace, and coming out of the woods on the rise of another open field, found ourselves in the very lace of the enemy, who opened cm us a terrific volley. Our boys commenced firing without wait ing lor orders, and then the battle commen ced in dead earnest. For three quarters of an hour it was one incessant, deafening rattle of small arms intermingled with the heavy boom of the enemy's cannon and the crash of grape and cannister among the tre > and bushes, dust then it commenced raining, and tire priming in the pans of our muskets became wet and the pieces refused refused tire. In this the enemy had a tear ful advantage with their percussion lock rities. W e retired below the crown of the hill to get the firelocks in order, and then advanced firing again. Our Lieut. Colonel, Carter, riding in front of the line, and w ith less prudence than courage, tiring his re volver at the enemy, in this tire his horse was shot, and it was a miracle that he was not shot himself, in the shower of minnie balls that whizzed savagely over our heads. At this juncture w e were in a fearful strait, with giyjb rendered utterly useless by the rain, and no supporting regiment coming to our assistance, while we knew from the report of their guns, that the enemy were auyancing in front. Then, as a last resort, we were ordered to charge right in among the Yankees, and the ga\)ant twentieth went forward with n yell that made the woods resound. As we rose the first bill, the hissing of the buMets past our cal's, and ■ the dead cluck of the minnie balls in the solid timber, seemed to exceed in shrillness the crash of the rifles that were discharged in our faces. On we went down the slope? across the ravine and np the .next hill, the leaden mes sencofs dealing death and destruction in our ranks. As we charged down its last declivity, we passed over the prostrate form of more than one dead Hessian, who had fallen un der our tire,and we judged from that, that our in petuous c harge had driven them from their first position. 1 hey reserved their fire, until wc had approached quite close upon their fortifications, and then they opened upon us a murderous tire, so constant, so regular, and so deadly, that no troops in the world could withstand it, and we were forced to retire, with Iriavy losses. It was as gallant and daring a charge as was ever made, yet I think it extremely unfortunate that it was made before the nature of the ground, and the number of the troops were better understood. Ihe cut my were covered by the woods all the time; they Were deusely packed behind log breast-works, with artillery in the rear, and still in rear of that, a battullion of cav alry, in line and under cover. Even if we had succeeded in driving them from behind the logs, their field pieces would have swept us like chaff before the wind, at that close range. Besides we were subjected to a cross lire from another regiment, which had begun to flank us on the right, and was firing up the ravine and had nearly surrounded us be | hue wc could fall back. Our charge was all j that saved the MFsissippians, who were | fighting desperately on the left—indeed, that regiment and our own were the chief partici pants and the only sufferers in the action.' I have since heard officers who were in the Mexican campaign,assert that at the charge at Monterey, the enemy’s bullets never came |so fast as they did cm this occasion. It re ally seemed as if one could hold out his open hand, and gather bullets by the hand ful. The firing was so incessant, that it must have been by two or three regiments at least. !Jf there is another regiment in the world (hat woyld have made such a charge, under j similar circumstances, I do not believe it is in the Southern army ; I /enow it is not in ; the armies of the North. In this charge every field-officer in our regiment was wound ed, and had his horse killed under him.— Such another instance is not lecorded in the annals of ancient or modern warfare. Our field officers all, behaved with great gallantry, as did the commissioned officers of the line, ; and it is much to be regretted that victory rewarded not their gallant action. Our vc ! teran Colonel rode up to the centre of the regiment, near the colors, and was exposed to the thickest of the fire. He was slightly wounded in both hands, while holding his bridle, and his horse was shot under him. Lieut. Col. Carter had his horse killed under him, and was himself shot in the thigh, and was carried off the field, and it is believed was taken prisoner at the hospital, together with Surgeons Cliffe, Piukston, and Morton. Major Pulley s horse was killed by a cannon hall, which tore off a portion of the saddle skirt, and the brave veteran cooly and quietly withdrew his holsters and saddle-bags from the dead animal, under a heavy tire, and moved oft the field in the rear of his regi ment, as it retired. Adjutant Battle, a son of the Colonel, also conducted himself with great gallantry, had his horse killed under him, and taking a musket fr.om a wounded soldier, proceeded on the charge. Our stand ard-bearer was just then shot down, and the Adjutant seized the flag and went forward with it, until he himself fell wounded in the shoulder. And was borne from the field. The colors were then rescued and carried off (ho field by Lieutenant Lcvcnder. Our Sargeant Major, Orville Ewing, Jr., of your city, was wounded in the leg, and, it is be lieved, was captured by the enemy. In this charge our company, the Hickory Guards, lost eight men killed and wounded, and among them our gallant and noble Ist lieutenant, Bailie L'ey ton, jr. lie was in command of the company at the time, in the absence of* our captain, (who had just started home on a sick furlough, before the expedition was ordered). Leyton led the company in the charge, and was shot in the forehead, close to the enemy’s ranks, and his comrades were unable to bring him from the field. The regiments in the rear of us were panic struck at the over whelming force of the enemy, and left the field in such haste, that the enemy, taking advantage of it, advanced too rapidly for any of his men to bear him oft' with safety. He was on the right of the company, while I was on the left, and in the dense clouds of smoke, and amidst the general confusion and uproar, I did not observe that he was missing when we fell back, and never learn ed that he was shot until the enemy had driven us back nearly a mile. At that time we were scattered about in squads and endeavoring to overtake the remaining regiments who had fallen back, and were falling back oh our encamped and fortified position at Mills’ Springs. Every body seemed to be retreating, though nobody was running to an alarming ext< nt. I avoided the main road myself, and kept to the woods, with a small party of our men, and after a while we all got lost in the woods. \\ e could still hear the enemy shooting at stragglers in the rear, and oc casionally, boom ! boom! of the cannon, advancing towards Mills’ Springs. I be lieve I have never in my life suffered so much from fatigue as I did on that inarch back to the camp through the woods. Already much fatigued from marching all the night previous, I was little prepared fra precipitate race through the hills for my life, and to “go slow, and trust to luck/’ cvm at the risk of being taken prisoner.— Urn* little party followed a mountain stream between two ridges for about three miles, coining out of the insurmountable barrier at Wishing Creek Ford, below*. Here we got information about the road, aud struck off :n a northerly direction, coming out at the ineutli cf I’isbing Creek, on Cumberland river, about six miles above the camp. Wc got in about five o’clock, almost exhausted, and bad barely foot inside our own breastworks before the esnnon of the enemy commenced boat herding us from outside.— Our cannon returned the fire, and drove the assailants hack. At nightfall the firing ceased, but our men, tired and worn out as they were, stood behind the brt astworks un til midnight, when orders came for us to re treat quietly across the river. The steamer Noble Ellis, with three barges attached, commenced the work of transportation, aud thopgh we abaudoued baggage, aud wagons, ami horses, and cannon, and everything, save what we had on our backs, the whole night was consumed in getting the army over the river, which was very high at the time. I should not forget to mention that the cannon was spiked before they were left. The army retreated towards Monticcl lo. General Crittenden having determined to strike for the Cumberland, at the highest point wheie boats could laud with safety, in order to be in open communication with Nashville. The last party that left Mills Springs set fire to the boat and scuttled the barges, and started off for Monticello just as the enemy marched into our old encamp ment, and commenced throwing shell on this side of the river. We reached Monticello that night, and then we were threatened with starvation— an enemy far more formidable than the one we left beyoud the river. Since Saturday night we had not an hour of sleep, and scarcely a meal of food. Your correspon dent frequently enjoyed the “Howitzer mess,” under the supervision of Lieut. Wheeler, who was not only fortunate enough to save his “gi/ws,” which were on this side of the river, but also to save “some-tiling to eat.” Fora whole week we have been marching under a bare subsistence, and I have at length approached that point in a soldiers’ career, when a handful of parodied coin may be considered a first class diuuer. We marched the first few days through a barren region, where supplies could not be obtained. 1 have more than once seen the men kill a porker with their guns, cut and quarter it, and broil it on coals, aud then eat it with out bread or suit, before it could have possi bly bad time to get cold, ft be suffering of the men from the want of the necessaries t f life, of clothing, and of repose, lias been most intense, aud a more melancholy spec tacle than this solemn, hungry’, and weary procession could scarcely be imagined. We reached this point to-night, about five miles di taut from Liviugston, aud are en route, 1 think, for Gainesboro. ft lie loss of our regi ment in the battle is estimated at thirty five killed ; fifty-one wounded, and sixteen missing. Os this number five were com missioned officers—four being killed and one wounded. 'The ioss of the Mississippi Regiment, I understand, is between 150 and 200 killed and wounded, ft lie force of the enemy was supposed to be from 15,000 to 25,000; and many item to thiuk that they were commanded by It 'Sencranz. I have written you this very hurriedly, and by the uncertain light oi the camp fire : as it has been some time since I have even had a utensil to parch a handful of corn for breakfast, much less a pencil and paper to attempt a history of a battle. Wearily yours, .J. Happy From the Savannah Republican of tlie ‘29 h. Affairs at Savannah. In common will our entire male popula tion, we spent nearly the whole of yesterday in the streets. It was a day of intense iu terest. We saw no panic or undue excite ment, notwithstanding the perils that seemed well calculated to appal a people who are not resolved to defend their homes to the last. The events of Monday we recorded in our last issue. Early yesterday morning it was discovered, by aid of the glass, that the ene my had brought forward aud anchored a fleet of gunboats at the mouth of Wall’s Cut, on the South Carolina side, just back of the obstruction and about two miles from the main channel of river. The fleet at the head of Wilmington Island remained in statu quo, and within a mile and three-quarters of the river. It consists now of seven gun boats, whilst the fleet on the Carolina side numbers six. It will thus be seen that each each commands the channel, and they are also about opposite each other, thus exposing vessels to a double broadside attack. Under this state of facts it became evident that the duty of most pressing importance was to furnish Fort Pulaski, now about to be cut off, with an ample supply of provis ions to subsist the garrison through all prob able future contingencies. Accordingly, everything being made ready, between nine and ten o’clock yesterday morning, the stea mer Ida, steamer Bartow, and a flat, laden with supplies, left the wharf for the fort, with the Confederate steamers Savannah, Com. iatnall; llesolute, Capt. and Sampson, Capt. Kennard, as escort. The fleet proceeded down the river, the transport in the rear. Ou nearing the point in the river commanded by the Federal gunboats,- our fleet confidently expected the enemy to open upon them, but they passed iu silence; not a shot was fired, the Yankees supposing that they would all get below, when they would ruu into the river and so permanently cut them off from the city. In this, however, they were disappointed. Having escorted the transports beyond the reach of barm, the Savannah and Resolute tacked about and made for the city, leaving the Sampson to see the unarmed steamers safe to the fort aud back again. No sooner had the two steamers turned their bows upstream than the Federal fleets, seeing they were about to be cheated, open ed a terrific fire upon them, which was gal lantly returned. A regular battle ensued, and for forty minutes the shot and shell rained around our little fleet, the latter often exploding directly over them, and the solid shot passing within a few feet of the men on deck. The fleet kept up a return fire with its rifled cannon and other guns of long range, but with what effect could aot be as certained over the wide space of marsh that intervened on either side. Many of the enemy’s shot passed some distance over and beyond our vessels. Strange as it may ap pear, not a vessel or a man on our side was damaged. Tlie fleet, rode safely through the fire. * The fort i3 dow fully provisioned for six months. An officer now at the fort writes. u» under date of yesterday : “All we ask is; if we are cut off, de liver us as soon as jxnssible. We will hold out as long as morals can stand hunger. — They CANNOT talcc the. fart by any attack: we can only l>e starved out. Xt rests with our friends in Georgia—on the main to deliver us from the thraldom. This may not reach you, but if it does, tell our friends of Savannah and the interior, that we are here to hold the fort, and as long as there is a morsel left, we will defend it. Georgia never disgraced herself in Virginia aud must not do it at home." The return trip of the Sampson and the two unarmed steamers were as perilous as that of their piedecessors. The Yankee fleets poured 'he irou hail and tire upon the little craft, but with all steam on and hur ling defiant shots at the enemy in return, they passed gallantly for two miles or more under the missiles of the enemy. In good time, they all came up to their wharves and were welcomed by the immense crowds that filled up the dock aud balconies throughout the day. The Sampson pissed through a terrible ordeal, but without serious damage. She was struck by four English r fle shell, two passing through her, a third lodging ou her deck, aud a fourth exploding in her store room, breaking up tilings around generally, but damaging not one. Her machinery was unhurt and she plotted gallantly through. About the time the steamers left the fort, three shots were fired from the Yankee bat tery at TybiC in the direction of Pulaski, but they all fell short. This feat of provisioning Fort Pulaski is one of the most brilliant of the war. It placed a large aud noble garrison above want, and was accomplished under a fire from the enemy as terrific as any on record. All honor to our glorious little navy, its li on hearted commander, and the gallant offi cers and men who sail under his flag! Our friends aboard will feel anxious to know the prospect before us. Our conclu sion, from the present status of affairs is, that notwithstanding the Federal vessels are still beyond the obstructions, the removal of the latter is but a work of time. This done, they can readily come in ou the high tide and take their position it) the main channel of the river. This will place them seine five miles below the city, the passage to which will be disputed desperately by Fort Jack sou, three miles below', a formidable earth work on the opposite* side of the river, and our gallant little navy. Wc hope these will be sufficient to repel the invaders, and if not, we shall be pr- pared to give them a strong fight on their approach to the city.— Arrangements are progressing for this pur pose and will be ready in time. They may shell us for several hours and set the town on fire in a number of places, but we appre hend no serious consequences in these res pects. It is the opinion of able military men, who are entirely familiar with the sit uation, that the city cannot be taken, if its inhabitants will but stand firmly to their posts and do their duty. All depends upon this, and we should make up our mind* to look the danger eternly in the face and pre pare To meet it with all the means God has placed in our power. It is no time for id lers, cavillers or croakers —the sooner such people get out of the city -the better will it be for us. Experience of an Artillerist. A correspondent of the Sumter Republican, an officer in the Sumter Artillery, gives the following narrativo of his experience at the battle of Dranesville. It is told with such unaffected simplicity as shows the writer to possess that modesty which always accom panies genuine courage : On the night previous to the light we left our camp at about b o’clock, A. M , and ar rived at tbe headquarters of (Jen. Stewart, of Cavalry notoriety, who was to command the expedition. On our arrival theie we found four Regiments, and in a few moments the entire body was in motion towards Dranesville, a place 11 miles distant. We traveled pretty rapidly until we reached our destination, arming at 12 o’clock, M. We were preceded by two Regiments, being in the centre, and two followed in the rear. When within half a mile of Dranesville the command halted. Skirmishers were thrown to the right and left, and in a few moments we with four pieces, were ordered to “double-quick” to the place assigned us, and brirg our battery into action. We were not slow by any means, in executing our order. We brought our pieces to “action front,” within 500 yards of the place, and opened lire on tbe Yanks, who we could plainly see, and in a round or two they scampered off. W hile this was going on, our i.itantry was driven back on our left, by superior numbers, through the woods, and it was then that I lost all hope. I thought our battery was gone, and we turned two pieces to play on the Yanks, so soon as our men should uncover us, and two up the road to clear it, and I cried loudly for cauister.— My fears were not realized, for just in the nick of time, and not a moment too soon, (Jen. rallied them and turned them “right about face.” By this time we were the recipients of a heavy cross tire from two batteries. The officers had dismounted some time previous, but I had not, nor did I, until one of my detachment was wounded, and fell on the road side, carrying with him tubes and lan yard. I proceeded to him immediately, ta king the articles from him and assigning someone else to his post. Their shot and shell went over us, but by this time they were getting our range very accurately, and our meu began to fall rapidly. The road being narrow we could man only three pie ces, and by this time two only were mauned. We fired iap liy and accurately. My gun- Der had kit bis gun and steped to gun No. 3—mine was No. 2—so had several of my detachment. We had loaded but a round or so when Luke Harpes, my No. 1, or the person who rams the cartridges, was hit—not wounded —and fell on the road side; when Lieut. Hays stepped up and proposed to act gun ner, and he filled L. 11> post. Many had been wounded and fell near by but the worst sight of all—the most heart* rendering scene was soon to occur. Stand ing within a pace of the unfortunate, but brave boys, I saw the deadly effects of the shot too plaiuly My gunner, Jnbn Me Garrab, acting No. 1, and Williams, acting No. 3 being just in the rear of No. 1, were standing the galling fire like men, when in an instant a solid shot bad severed their heads from their bodies, and the two lifeless corpses lay on the ground —their brains be spattering all who were near. * * * * It devolved on me as chief of the piece to have the posts filled immediately. 1 looked round for men, but saw none. With the staff gory with blood and brains I went to work ramming. Only three men were at the gun. I called on my men to give me shot and shell, when Sergeant Fletcher said he would, and did so until he was wounded. Then came my most critical time. With shot falling thick as hail aud shells bursting, my second and all wounded or rendered in sensible by the great concussion. About the time Sergeant F. was wounded, Mr. Sims, acting No. 4, was noddled by .the 1 bursting of a shell. Two then remained at the gun, Lieut'. Hoys and myself. I asked in the name ot Heaven for someone of my detachment to bring me cartridges, when Burke, a good and brave boy-, fearless of all danger, brought them to me. Two of us loaded sev eral rounds, when after the second order to retire from Gen. S. we ceased. I cannot think of naming all who acted like men, nor those who worked at the gun under (’apt. C. 1 may at some future time. It is enough for uie to know that those who did their full duty saw but little. 1 feel that I did my duty, as l leaded the last gun and could not fire for the want of a fric tion tube, and after the order to retire, at the suggestion of Gapt. 0. I sponged the re maining gun, and found that all the ammu nition was destroyed by the bursting of the caisson. That closed the fight. li From the Knoxville Register, ‘29tb. Tin; Fishing Creek. Defeat. We have conversed with a gentleman who left Gen. CriUeudeu’s forces last Friday mor ning, who gives the following details of the battle and falling back of our forces. His statements may be relied on, as he had every opportunity of knowing the facts. The attack made upon the Federal* at Fishing Creek was determined upon in a couuc.l of war, at which all the regimental commanders were present, and was approved by all. At one time during the fight, we had every ycagon to believe that the day was ours, aud our subsequent defeat may be at tributed to the mistaking a regiment of the enemy for the lath Mississippi, and a eon sequent order from Gen. Zollieoffir to cease firing. Gen. Zollicoffer riding forward to wards the enemy, was shot and fell mortal ly wounded, throwing the regiments immedi ately around him into some confusion, which, as is always the case with imperfectly drilled troops, was difficult to suppress. The gallant Zollicoffer, in the very hour of death, did not forget his duty to his com mand, and he was heard to utter as he fell from his horse, “I was mistaken, they are the enemy, charge them." Had this com mand been heard by bis men and they had charged, ’we probably would have had the victory instead ot u defeat to chronicle.— Our men continue from this time to fall back. '1 he enemy who were in superior force press ing their advantage "until further attempts to rally were useless, and our brave little army was ordered to make their way back to the camp, keeping in the woods as much as pos sible to prevent the artillery from damaging us. The fight raged nearly three hours without any cessation, a continual volley having been kept up by both armies. Gen. Crittenden and staff wore during the greater part of the fight immediately in the rear ot the attacking force and in front of his reserve, aud deported himself as a brave and gallant soldier, lie it was in person who conveyed to Colonel Cummings, of the HLh Teuuessec regiment, in the heat of the fight, tiie news of Gcij. Zollicoffer’sfall, and that as senior Colonel the command of the brigade fell upon him. Our loss in the buttle is about 100 killed and 000 wounded and taken prisones. Drs. Clift, Morton, and Dulaney volunteered to remain in the hospital with the wounded. The enemy appealing in great force in front of our work up to the afternoon, a coun cil of war was again assembled, and it was determined to abandon a position it were madness to attempt to defend. ’I he forces having all crossed during the night, we took up our line of march for Monticello, where the army was halted until Tuesday morning, when order was in a measure again restored, and the march con tinued on in the direction of Carthage on the Cumberland liver. It is but just to say that all the different field and staff offiers conducted themselves with great bravery, and cheerfully suffered all the privations their commands were call ed upou to endure. To mention either in dividual cases or particularize regiments who j are entitled to praise were wrong, for all did what they believed to be their duty. The greatest loss fell upon the 15th Mississippi aud the left wing of Col. Battle’s 20th Ten nessee regiment, they being in a more ex posed position than some of the other rc-£ri rnents. Ihe loss of property is great, but docs not reach the exagerated reports first brought in, and in a few weeks the army will again be ready for the field. “Tn£ \\ a. Ramey. ” —This little steamer is do quite an extensive pioneer service. She runs up the Ostanaula river regularly to its ,head. and thence up the Coosawattee 14 miles, to Fields’ Mil s , and also up to Connasauga, some 12 or 14 miles. On last Saturday, she even *rent over the intervening shoals up tbe Ftowah, as far as Thos. C. Ayer’s. She is almost equal to shad in running up stream. — Jiom « Courier. Au Englishman, reviewing Beauregard's army last summer, observed some of our careless soldiers with white flags in the scat of the breeches and he said to Btauregard, that the \ ankees would laugh, if they 6aw such sights. “O,” said our General, “the \ ankees never see tbe back of our men.” 1 MACON, Wednesday, *’ebruary 5, (s6 , ’ COTTON There was a good dom»nd ye^ter.J, * ranging from 6to 7| cents. As there 7 *’ ** ***» what events of a day may bring f or> , no fixed or steady prices, and * e ’* ?c *&g:v e for the day or hour. 1 ooiy Gen. Burnside, in his officUl some thirty or forty of his vessels *yx probably lost, with several thousand m en ' amount of arms and ammaultlon. So ‘ . , , . ' “‘Qch for ti.- wicked invasion. • « E3T We learn from our Savannah exchan yesterday that all is quiet upon our se&boir ***** Federal forces about the same. We are compelled to omit several cots nications for want of space this week. * THE BATTLE AT SOMERSET Several accounts of this severe engagem---- be found in our paper to day. F.ven th eo „ e , northern sources concede great brarrrv . soldiers. J THE FOREIGN NEWS. Found in our paper to-day, indicates i ll!m tion by some of the European powers in A r - affairs. In what manner and to what e X!e ... merely conjectural. It is highly probable England and France, and possibly other pot--, will become entangled in American difficulties . fore peace is restored on this continent. meantime, let us hopetullv struggle on, trui that day will soon break upon our fortunes. SENSATION RUMORS, Os an intensely startling character, have l> r atloat sinc'i our last issue. First, there had b*. a battle at Bowling Green, with immense sUug .> er to the Federalists, producing great panic 1 • weakness of knees at Washington. A slid more startling rumor from Mad line's opulent btiiWt was ,that St. Louis had fallen into the hands of th Confederates. .Next came a report of a fierce bu tie on James’ Island, near Apalachicola, Fiona where the Federalists were slain in numbers. All the above rumors turn out, uufostunatelv to be sensation. FEINTING lbK We are glad to learn by a circular that an oil friend, Josxru Wai.kkb, of Charleston, has com menced manufacturing printing ink,at what may b« considered reasonable rates,according to thepricri of other articles. His price for news ink, by the hundred pounds, is twenty-fire cents. For smaller quantities, 30 cents. We tAst that all such ar ticles, and especially paper of rations qualities, will soon be manufactured in our own region,equd to the demand. \\ e learn that the paper manufactory of Mr. Chasic, at Athcn*, will ugiin be t:i operation iu a few week*). tsince writing the übove, wc have received tbe caid of B. A. Basham A Cos., of Marietta, who are manufacturing news and other kinds of ink.- Newa ink, per hundred pound-*, thirty cents —smal- ler quantities, forty cents, and of fine quality. THE SOLDIERS' TAX. 11. II Howard, K.-q., has been apfouited by ti e dustiers of the Inferior Court of Bibb com,tv, to collect the tax assessed by that body upon tie people of this county to support the families of in digent soldiers now in the service ot their country. The appointment is a good one, and we hope the people wid promptly respond to bis call. We Inr,- beard of some who have comp! lined of this tax, and perhaps refused to pay it. The number, v<? trust, is Biiitill. Surely it is as little as we can do to take care of the families of the men who are now far from home fighting our battles. Ifthiiii r.ot done, who can blame them for letiring from the service. “He that will not provide for Mi house 1 1 oh I hath denied the faith and is wotsc thin an infidel.” The people all over this at/d other Confederate States must look well to this i>iatr«r or our armies will be weakened and demoralize) 4 , aud our cause and country ruined. PATCH WOIX. The time has arrived when the whole in dust rid system of the South should be changed or greatly modified. War is upon us, with all its fearful con sequences ; requiring the adoption of a rew indus trial policy and the employment of new agencies to meet its pressing exigencies and the r.eceesuits of those our battles. The first aid para mount desire and aim of the agriculturist should be to provide for the soldier and his household. For any one, iu times like the present, to scheme to make arid hoard up wealth, when the smallest incident may imperil our all, appears to us not oil; unpatriotic, but shockingly itihuuian. Unless oar brave and devoted soldiery, who arc sacrificing case and the endearments and comforts of borne, witness such manifestations upon the part of the people as convinces them that their services and sacrifices are appreciated, they iriay wa’ll fee! dis heartened and discouraged, and retire in disgust from the defence of these who are so insensible aud unthankful. To cheapen all the necessaries of life is the pa triotic duty of all classes of our people. To mike bread and meat and comfortable apparel ro abund ant that the poorest shall not suffer should be tbe philanthropic labor of all. Extensive cotton field* should be converted into truck patches.” S*te', potatoes, ground and field pea?, sugar-cane, millet, lucerne, grasses, turnips, barley, rye, fruits of »a.- tiows kinds, in short everything that can be turned into subsistence, should, for a time, iupp/ant Kkg Cotton. “ Patch-work,” in the field and at tbe fire-side, is the appropriate labor for the crisis The opening of the war found us w ith large supplies of goods and merchandize of various kinds, and a fair amount of veettern provisions. Less than tweire months have elapsed and the people have some little knowledge of high prices. This is but a small foretaste of what will be felt if the war continue* & year or two longer. Let us prepare for tbe worst. Capt. W m. T. Wilson, who participated in tbe fight at Manassns on his own hook, has been elect ed Colonel of the Seventh Regiment Georgia Vo lunteers, vice Col. Lucius J. Gartrell, "bo baS resigned. Atlanta Confederacy. —We are pleased to observe that Dr. B. O. Smith has connected bio*' self with tho editorial department of the *b° s’“ 5 ’“ excellent journal. A pleasant time to him, increased prosperity to the Confederacy l The Federal press announces that one ot t. e successful Federal Generals at Somerset, Thom*-, is a Virginian, aud the other, Scbcepff, a fore’g who carne to tbi« country as a porter, and i a* h«d the good luck to rise to his fre. r tut position.