Georgia journal and messenger. (Macon, Ga.) 1847-1869, March 18, 1863, Image 2

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Journnl & Messenger. J. KNOWLES and S. HOSE, EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS Destruction of Bopeficld, Ark. THE TOWN BURNED TO THE GROUND. The following account of the destruction of the flourishing village of Hopefied is from u Federal paper, and is among the most won tan outrages in the records of warfare, even cf the darkest ages. It has been reserved fur a people boasting of the greatest degree of moral and religious sentiments and civi lization to perpetrate outrages and brutal aet9 on a Christian people, such as would have shamed the Goths and Vandals in the day of barbarism. And this, iu a war, pro fessedly to restore the Union! Can there «?er be a union with such a people ? [From the Memphii Bulletin.] Our readers have been kept fully informed of the facts connected with the burning of the steamboat Hercules, on the opposite side of the river, where she landed during a fog. We have also given a statement of the man lier in which Captain McCluskey, comman der of the Hercules, and his crew and pas sengers, were treated by the guerillas in burning the Hercules, reminding the reader that this is the third boat destroyed by the same body of guerillas, the Mussulman and the Giampus No. 2 having previously been plundered and destroyed by them. At eleven o’clock last (Wednesday) night, the shelling of the woods opposite the city, which had been continued at intervals during the afternoon by the mortar boats in Wolf river, was briefly resumed by the gun-boat Cricket, iu consequence of information that the guerillas were interfering with the coal barges brought down by the Hercules, that remained on the other side Os the seven barges, laden with coal for Mr. Bigley, coal niei chant of this city, one caught lire from tie Hercules and sunk; three were safely brought over to this side yesterday by the •t eamboat Wisconsin, and three remained ■till at the spot where the Hercules was plundered and lived, ft was an alarm rcs pecing these three boats that caused the tiring at eleven o’clock last night. The little steam tug Thistle went over to inako observations, but the guerillas had managed to scuttle and sink two of tho three boats, and about two o’clock this morning they served the third and last boat in the game way. Os the seven barges of coal brought in by tho Hercules, only the three that were brought on this side by the Wis cousin yesterday were saved from the des tructive proceedings of the guerillas. The repeated aggressions of tho guerillas on the opposite side of the river appeared to the authorities on this side, deserving of publishment. It was known that some of them wero harbored in Hopefield— the village imm mediately opposite this city. It was alleged, and believed, that although the residents in llopefleld had taken the oath of fealty to the United States, that they were not loyal in heart or conduct. This was deemed to be especially evident in the fact that the rebel guerillas had freo access there at all times, and re ceived tho hospitable attentions of the in habitants. The* names of some of the guer illas were known who were constantly iu the place aud generally spent their nights there. It was therefore deemed proper to condemn the village of Hopefield to the fate that has befallen other places on the river b uks where the guerillas have committed their depredations. About noon the gunboat Cricket, convoy ing the transport Mill Boy, left its moorings at the mouth of Wolf river, and started on the mission of vengeance. As the Crickot crossed the Mississippi, she opened the com ing tragedy by throwing shells into the woods beyond Hopefield. The hoarse roar ing of the guns brought the citizens on this side to the river side, aud & multitude of persons watched from the hight of the bluff in front of Memphis the progress of events, which all who witnessed will never forget. The first resuls of the shelling was the hurried galloping, for the woods, of varioui horseman. The citizens were then seen marching from their dwellings. (Os course we describe the events as seen, with assis tance of glasses, from this side of the river.) The Mill Boy in the meantime lauded at the upper part of the village, and toward it the residents were seen running on foot aud galloping on horse-back. The business of the Mill Boy was to bring to this side the women aud children who might wish to come, and others who might have claim to the privilege. Men. were landed, and proceeded with work of destruction. A house immediate ly opposite the foot of Court street iu this city, and in the rear of Hopefield, just at the edge of the woods, was first fired. A strong, steady south wind—the precursor of the coming spring—was blowing. Under its influence the flames spread rapidly.— Leaping from doors and windows ; spring ing from front, rear and gables ; enveloping the roof with thoir rod and terrible tougues. (surmounted by the black smoke that had hid from the blue heavens the sacrifice to the dread genius of war, the fire went on its devouring way. Soon other fires added their terrible flames—other censors their gloomy smoke of destruction. House after house was fired ; flame after flame added its lurid horrors' to the scene ; and the black, dark, heavy column of smoke rolled before the southern breeze up the Mississippi, car rying toward the north the tidings of des truction. Aa we are writing these lines the work of aa-.ibilation is proceeding. The white houses with their green shutters and little tenoed yards around that looked so peaceful as we gazed upon them from our bluffs yes terday are at this moment smoking cinders, or red pillars of vengeance fire. LATER We last night conversed with some of the t,mllea who participated iu the expedition. l\Uai'Q were but few men seen at Hopefield Gn the Occasion. Those who were there Were tulles and indignant. The women, on learning that their hornet were to be burned, their hearths made desolate, and (he place clustering with all tbc thousand pleasant recollections of home, generally hurst into tears; and in grief, sometimes too deep for expression, lided in removing their furniture and provisions. Iu two cases only did those whom we conversed with see any departure from this course of conduct. One was a ease of a woman who soundly rated those who told her what had to be done, and declared that she would not move a peg, nor no one else until her old man carne home, and that would not be for a day or two. She found the matter wa3 too serious to be trifled with, however, and in the end gladly accepted the assistance of the marines, which was kindly tendered her, to clear her house. Another woman, a very pretty young widow, received the intelligence laughingly, accepted the proffered assistance of the men to remove her furniture readily, and furnished the offi cer—whose bland courtesy she appeared to consider very consoling—with the matches by which her home was set fire to. The first place tired was the railroad de pot ; the second was the church, then fol lowed the private residfenaes. The two com panies of soldiers, an 1 the marines from the gunboats, that were taken over, very readi ly afforded their assistance, where there were no men, in removing the goods. The order about, plunder were strict; not a pin or tobacco pipe was one of the men engaged al lowed to carry off. The war was one of re prisal, not of plunder. The Mill Boy steamboat lay by the shore to bring over to this city such loyal persons as preferred to stay and take care of their goods. Pickets were placed by the military around the whole village during the time the work of destruction proceeded. One place was visited with extreme se verity—it was the residence of two brothers, gorillas, named Hills. Two shells wore sent through the place a couple of days ago, aud on this occasion it was burned to the ground. An old man lay sick in the house, at the point of death. He was put on the Mill Boy to bring to this side, though it was doubtful whether he would survive the transit. While proceeding with the work a gang of six men were seen ridiug and rapidly walking along the neighborhood to make good their escape. A shell or two was sent iu their direction, aud they were s*en no more. The village at sunsct"was a heap of smo kiug ruins ; hero aud there a column of flames still liugered in its work of devasta tion, but generally only blackened chimnies and smoking ruins told where the work of devastation waspeformed. Poor Hopefield ! Tlie day of Battle A|*j»roadie#. The day lengthens; is full of clear sunlight; and tlie high, dry wind of March rapidly dries the saturated earth. It will soon thirst for more blood, and will be satisfied with ample draughts, The last considerable bat tle was that of Murfreesboro’ fought on the last days of the year. For two months and a half the armies have stood agaze. This has been the longest lull in the storm of war. It has been a truce proclaimed and enforced by the god of mist and snow, whose divinity is now dethroned But the rest of this month will probably pass undistingu ished by an operation of great, armies. The inuds of Tennessee and the Rappahannock do not dry in a day, nor will the road to Richmond become firm beneath the tread in a week’s time. Early iu the month of April it may be expected that the great campaign of the East and the West will re-open with unexampled activity. Certainly ifc has not from the want of the means, or motives, or strength to fight, that the powerful armies of Lee and Hooker, Bragg and Rosoncranz, have camped four months in close proximity a cannonade and almost without a skirmish. Now that the condition of the ground per mits the passage of cannon and the march of columns what both parties regret as jhe trial of the war, will be speedly witnessed. The next two months will be signalized by the most terrible battles of modern times. We have no fear of the general result of the approrching campaign. The Confeder ate armies have never been equalled to what they now are. The preludes of the coming collision which have already been witnessed are most encouraging. Whereever they have touched, the Southern troops have made their mark. Every affair indicates the high spirit which animated the Confed erate army; and the weakness or demorali zed condition of the enemy, is equally evi dent.—Richmond Examiner Leaving their Encumbrances behind* —We understand from very good authoity that mauy of the head* and supporters of families ia this Cow in on wealth, who forme ly resided in the North are abolitionists in sentiment, are departing for the North on pasports obtained from the Government au thorities in Richmond, ou various pretences, and leaving their families without, support, in these hard times, to become eventually a tax upon the Government. Whether their delay in returning is the result of circum stances over which they have no control, or whether they intended to return, makes no •difference, the Commonwealth should be protected against such impositions by & far more rigid system of granting passports than is at preasent, when every spy, thief ami imposter arrested on this side or beyond the Potomac, is found with a passport in his pocket signed by the proper Richmond official.— Richmond Examiner. A Battle Incident.—A friend writing ! from the arui J says : When Stanford’s bat ; tery on the occasion at Murfreesboro’, was | preparing to open fire on the onemy, wc saw just in front ot our pieces, some thirty yards distant a Confederate soldier who seamed to | be buß y picking up some guns. We hal looed and stormed at him to get out of the way, but he paid no attention to us and continued to pick up guns, until he bad six or eight in his arms. One of our men now went up to him to lead him away, when it was discovered that the poor fellow had been struck on the head with a bullet, which had partially deranged him. As he was led be hind our pieces, still carrying his guns, he said with asort of quizzical wink, “You don’t t*k« m« for a Yankee prisoner, do you ?” €#rr«»pwin!cnc« of the Chronicle and Stnllßcli Vicksburg, Marob G, 1863. Since the occupation of the peninsula op posite this place by the enemy, the progress of the rising river has been watched with a good deal of interest; and as the waters are making their way over the banks, hopes are expressed that the miserable \ ankees may be entirely dashed out. But they were wise in selecting the highest ground in the vicinity for their encampment, and being protected by a good levee alone, they may be able to keep a lodgment until the river attains unusual dimensions. Notwithstand ing theii prospect* of keeping dry ground for the present, the locality must be very un congenial-and unpleasant. The transport fleet is mainly and contin ually employed in bringing down troops and supplies, and carrying away the sick and con valescent. An immense army must be in the neighborhood, judging from the vast amount of transportation it requires to keep it sup plied in provisions, forage, &o. Aud thej sickly locality in which it is situated, requir ing many of the troops to bo steadily em ployed in burying the dead, must render a I speedy attack either necessary or impossible j —two entirely opposite alternatives, but nevertheless, the only ones which present themselves. An early assault must become necessary by the force of outside pressure, and to pre serve his reputation as a military leader, and a remnant of his army, Gen. Grant will be compelled to make a strike, if it is only to get whipped and to afford him an excuse to abandon the siege and retire to the land of Yankeedom. On the other hand, if he de- ; lays much longer any offensive demonstra- ! tion will become impossible, by reason of the depletion of his army from sickness, and ho will become so reduced that not a suffi cient force can be brought to operate against, much less reduce the place. „ The eueuiy has been very guarded against j sending down any more gunboats since we have captured all those that have made the j run by the batteries. We arc in need of sonic more of these boats, aud it is time that be should supply us with another. The last one we took, it is said has been foolish ly destroyed by our own men, who were afraid the Yankees would take her from us again. If our battaries cannot destroy a boat in her passage down, it is now clearly demonstrated that our own crews can blow them to atoms, when they get pretty well frightened at a scarecrow, and without wait ing to learn the nature of the object which terrifies them, they apply the torch, when no necessity calls for it. To give you an idea of the state of the market in this place, the following item will ; illustrate. Yesterday there was an auction, at which Government offered gome damaged flour for sale. Os course damaged flour was expected to bring a price in proportion to all other articles at present market prices.— When it was put up for sale the first bid was $75 dollars per barrel. From this fig ure it kept on going up until it was knocked i off at $100.50. This was in proportion to the price of every article that can be obtained in this market, and the dearth of supplies is more dreaded than the prices which they bring. How the poor manage to live through these times, with everything at famine prices is a mystery that has not yet been expkim U But the simple fact is that we have the poor among us and they must .be provided for, and without any further ado about it means must be adopted which will suply their wants. I am gratified to say that there is no suffering here among that class, and all seem to be their privatii ns, and perfect ly willing to endure the hardships of the siege, that the integrity of our soil may Le preserved from the polluting tread olinvader; the and the poor are moie willing to endure than the rich are to provide for them No new movements of any kind were no ticed yesterday in the fleet or among the camps of the enemy. Oue of the boats had made a short trip up the Yazoo river yester | day, but returned to the company of her 1 consorts at their old quarters. Every day i a number of guns are fired both from the euemy and from our batteries, but it n rely comes to light what the object of this fifing is. Though, whenever any one of the pil laging Yankees show themselves in the woods opposite they are generally welcomed by a j shell or two from our guns, and this is suffi cient excuse for them to skedaddle. The effort of going through Yazoo Pas* into the Yazoo river is not progressing with sufficient vigor to give the enemy much hopes j of success; and we feel more inclined to wish them good speed than otherwise m this route, as the further they get away from the Mississippi the easier it will be for us to gobble them up, and no one dream* that any of his boats would over get back again if they venture too far through the Pass. Certain preparations have been made which will regulate anything like a Yankee ship coming down tbe Yazoo. Amnoo. Death from Vaccination Most dis tressing consequence* have arisen frot r -ecent vaccinations in Eldorado, Arkansas" The virus was brought from Richmond with which in the first instance but one person was vaccinated. No bad result followed in this case but the scab was secured, and with it several families were vaccinated, and at once the most alarming symptoms The arms became swollen, turned black and gangrene engued. The Louisiana Baptist learns that three gentlemen of Eldorado had died from the effects of this vaccination, and no hope was entertained of manv others.— The scab is said to have been taken from the arm of a bealtby subject, and the physicians were unable to explain the mysteriou* prob lem presented by the strange yet distressing effect that ensued. tfcssri' V\ lieu Mr.\ allindigham was advertis ed to lecture iu Baltimore, the Administra tion papers contained the following adver- Lnion men of Baltimore ! will you per mit that rebel, Vallandigham, to desecrate our city by lecturing on any subject ? No ! No! Never! These manifestations of violence preven ted Mr. \ allindigham from lecturing in the Monumental City. C*ei». Toombs’ larouell to his Brigade. Richmond, Va., March 5, 1803. Tv the Officers and Men of Coomb*' Brigade : Soldiers: —To-day I cease to eoaunaud you. 1 have resigned fnv commission as Brigadier <tcu eral in the Provisional Army of the Confederate [ States. The separation from you is deeply painful to me. ido unt deem it proper on this occasion to enter Into a detail of the causes which imposes this duty upon me. It is only necessary now for me to say, that, under existing circumstance®, iu ray judgment, I could no longer hold my coimnia siou under President Davis with advantage to my country, or to you, or wi h honor to myself. I cannot separate from you without the expression of my warmest attachment to you, and admiration of your coble and heroic conduct from the begin nieg of this great stiugcle to the present time. Ycu left your wives and children, kindred, friends, home, property and pursuits at the very first call of your country and entered her military service as soon as she was ready to accept you—and from that day to this vou have stood, with but & few brief intervals, iQ sight of the public enemy, or within heaiicg of bis guns. Upon your arrival in Virginia, in the summer of 1861, you were inoor porated in the army of the Potomac ; you have shared with that arm? in all its toils, its sufferings, its hardships and perils, and contributed at lea»i your full share to its glorious career. You have been in the ftont, the post of danger and o! honor, on the great battle fields of Northern Virginia and Marvland, from Yorfctown to Sbarpsburg ; neither disheartened by the death of comrades aud friends, or disease or toil, or privations, or sufferings, or neglect, nor intimidated by the greatly superior numbers of the enemy whom you have been often called upon to meet and to vanquish ; you have on all occasions displayed that heroic courage which has shed undying lustre upon yourselves, your State, your country, and her just and holy cause. Nearly one thousand of the brave men who originally composed your four regiments, have fallen, killed or wounded, in battle; your dead you buried on the battle field, shed a manly tear over them, left “glory to keep eternal watch” over their graves, and passed on to new fields of duty and danger. Though it may seem to be the language of ex travagant eulogy, it is the truilr, and fit, on this occasion, to be spoken. You have fairly won the right to inscribe upon your tattered war flags the proudest boast of Napoleon’s old guard, “This brigade kuowg how to die, but not to yield to the foe.” Courage in the field is not your only claim to proud distinction. Sine# 1 took command over yon, I have not preferred a single charge against, or arraigned one of you before a court martial. Your conduct never demanded of me such a duty. You can well appreciate the feelings with which I part from such a command. Nothing less potent than the requirement of a soldier’s honor could, with my consent, wrench us asunder, while a sin gte banner of the enemy floated over one foot of our country. Soldiers! comrades! friends! fare well ! R. Toombs. The Federate havo been committing more inhu man atrocities in Rutherford co., Va. A few nights since the) set fire to, and burnt to ashes the splendid residence of Judge Ridley, situated near old Jefferson, together with his furniture, library and everything which the house contained. When they applied the torch they notified Mrs. Ridley and her daughter, Mrs. Blackuiore who was confined to her bed from protracted sickness and not able to sit up in bed, to save what they could of their goods. Mrs. B. was couveyed out by servants, but as fast as furniture or other goods from the house was brought out into the yard, the Yankees stole and ruu off with them. From Europe—Great Distress—Recognition Rumors. —The correspondence represents the distress incident upon the civil war in America a3 indescribable and pervades all departments; that private subscriptions are as a drop in the ocean ; and that it is not at all clear that the Gov ernment subsidy will meet the exigencies of the occasion. In Paris trade is completely paralyzed. Accounts from Paris contradict the report that Napoleon had decided upon recognizing the Con federacy ; and on the contrary, state that he fully expects that his late proposals to the Federal Cabi net will be accepted. The Lowest Stage or Human Degradation and Dishonor. —One at least of the Yankee papers has a just appreciation of the infamy of the law to enlist 150,000 negroes into Lincoln’s army. Dear the Boston Courier: “We say the project is a degrading one—which will make our latest, posterity blush for U9 —that we had so little manhood in us as to call to our aid on ibe field of mortal strife, for the defence of ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave ’ a race of inferiors to do for us what we, confess edly, by adopting such a measure, have not the spirit, energy and wisdom to effect for ourselves. Truly, the man who concocted and voted for such a bill can only be taken to have reached the lowest stage of human degradation and dishonor.” The Federal Outrages in Mississippi.—a cor respondent of the Chicago Times, writing from Mississippi speaks thus of outrages committed lately in that section by the Federal army : “There is one kind of evidence of demoralization in the army—the legitimate consequence of a weak administration aud of an army improperly disciplined. Who does not know how the fire and sword were used to satiate the morbid appe tite for plunder and destruction, and cruel thirst for blood, by some portions of Gen. Sherman’s army while moving down on Vicksburg ? Legiti mate warefare is bad enough ; but a well discip lined army will never be guilty of such outrages as have lately been committed against non-com batants. Decency forbids the mentioning the most revolting result of disorder and lack of dis cipline. The writer goes on to state that men and boys were shot down by Federal soldiers, without mer cy. No cause is assigned for their 90 doing. It is supposed that they committed the outrages mere ly to satisfy their savage passions. A Brutal Ordep..— We invite the attention of our authorities to the following synopsis of the brutal order of Gen. Loan, one of the abolition commanders in Missouri: (ten. Loan, commanding the central department of Missouri, has issued an order that all bush whackers, guerillas, robbers, Confederate recruit ing officers, and einmissaries assuming to act un der rebel authority, found in that military district, shall be promptly executed by the first' commis sioned otficer into whose hands thev may be de livered; and all persons kuowinglv harboriug or in any wav aiding and abetting such parties, shall suffer like punishment, and their houses be de stroyed, appropriated for the indemnification of Lnton citizens. Any officer failing to promptly execute this order will be court martialed Tor diso bedience of orders. Brutal orders like these call for retaliation on our side. The only way to light savages, is to adopt their mode of warfare. Fuom Port Hudson. —A friend writes us from Camp Wheat, La., under date of February 28th; “As there is much interest as to whether the enemy have advanced from Baton Rouge by land, I can inform you that up to yesterday they had not. The cavalry outride of Port Hudson is divided into two divisions—-one under Lieut. Col. Graut, and the other uuder Major Garland. Their du ty is to watch the advance of the enemy. | You may therefore know that the above in formation is correct. It is the general im pression that they will shortly advanee.— VV hen they do they will be properly received ■ by the army at Port Hudson under its able I leader General Gardner The enemy’s force is variously estimated at from twenty-eight 10 forty thousand. Be it what it may, its reception will be worthy of our people and tawrcftu»i<— /acAwn Mississippian. Qth. MACON, GEORGIA: Wednesday, Mareh 18, 1843. GEORGIA CARD FACTORY, ) Salesman’s Office, March 7, 1863. J Notice is hereby given that no person willl be permitted, in future, to par part for card 9 in money, but all must pay the full value of the cardg in skin* or leather, under the rules, and at the prices men tioned in rov published notice of lith February last. THOMAS T. WINDSOR, mar 18- It Salesman. THE JOURNAL AND MESSENGER. The pre«ent number completes the fortieth year of Its publication. It now stands < vcond only in antiquity among the Journals of the State, that have existed that length of time without an entire change of name and proprietor®. The Southern Recorder ranks as its senior by a few years. It commenced March 21st, 1828, under the shadow of the walls of Fort Hawkin?, when the site of the now city of Macon was a forest, and the foot-prints of the 9avages sot effaced from the sail. Hun dreds of papers have arisen in the State since that time, floatiahed for a while on some political phan tasy or bubble, and passed away—yet we “still live"—and if the staid habits aud even tenor of our course through polical strifes of many years did not please all, it secured it position and existence. We shall not enlarge on the subject, but will only remark that the fortieth year terminates moie gloomily to our feelings —and the prospects of the future more despondent and overshadowed than any that have come over us during the long period of our labors. For himself the Senior would say, that during forty years, the paper has never failed to appear on its regular day of publication, and that he has never been absent from his duties more than a month but one time, and that before the existence of Railroads. Two only of the original number of subscribers who have taken the paper from the commencement now continued. These are Dr. Nathan Tucker, of Laurens, and David Flanders, of East Macon. Small Pox.—The Mayor of this city gives notice that no case of small pox now exists in this city or vicinity, and the last patient discharged from the hospital. ANOTHER FIRE. Between two and three o’clock on Thursday morning the dwelling house of Mr. Hardin John son was discovered to be on lire, which entire ly consumed, with nearly every article of furniture, clothing, &c., and the family had barely time to escape with their lives after being aroused by the flames The out buildings were also consumed. The dwelling was a neat cottage building of one story, situated on pillars two or three feet high, and three fires appeared to have been kiudled un der it, showing undoubtedly that it was the act of an incendiary. It is but a few days since that the stable of Mr. Johnson was also burnt. Still another Fire.—On Saturday, about elev en o'clock in the forenoon, the stable of A. R. Freeman, (in the same square) was also set on fire and partially consumed. On Friday the smoke house ol Dr. M. S. Thomson, (on the same square) was set on tire, but being timely discovered was extinguished. But a few days since the stable of Mr. Augustin, near the same place, was consumed about day light in the morning, and three or four other fires have been set but fortunately discovered In time to be extinguished without damage. These facts show that a bold iaeendiary is at work, and it becomes our police and others to be specially watchful in that vicinity. No possible object can be imagined that could be attained by these fire 9, unless to gratify a spirit of revenge or of wanton mischief. And another.—Ou Sunday morning about sun rise the flames burst from the store house on the corner of Cotton Avenue and Poplar street, diag onally opposite the City Hall, and soon communi cated to the one story brick store house adjoining, also to a two story brick store house on the Ave nue, and to the office on the corner of Mrs. Gor man’s lot, on Poplar street—these were entirely consumed, with most of their contents. The two first named buildings belonged to the estate of Tbos. L. Ross, dec’d—the two story brick build ing to John Hollingsworth. This building was principally occupied as a tin shop. In the one story brick building, about one hundred bales of cotton were consumed, and about fifty removed. In the other building afetut one thousand bushels of corn were burnt, with a large quantity of fod der, belonging to Mr. Hollingsworth. A considera ble portion of the kitchen and another out build ing on Mrs. Gorman’s lot were destroyed to pre vent the fire from *preading. Some of our fire men had a severe and scorching position on the roof of a dwelling in close proximity to the fire, and when it was deemed hopeless by all others to save it, they succeeded, much to tlieir credit. This fire was also, Undoubtedly the work of an in cendiary, and was set immediately after our police and city watch were off their duty. Our city seems to be doomed to conflagration. There is an enemy among us who should be sought out and made to pull hemp or cotton. And another.— About 6 o’clock on Sunday ave ing, the alarm was again sounded, which was oc casioned by the firing of the dwelling of Mr. J. DeLoacbe, under the basement. The family had been absent but a few moments, and the fire was timely discovered to extinguish it by a servant entering the lot. The boldness of the incendiary is truly surprising and must lead to detection. FAMINE IN CHEROKEE. By the following aotice it will be seen that great distress prevails in the Cherokee counties for want of bread. The efforts for Major Rowland to fur nish the needful supply for the suffering, are grea,- ly to be commended. We trust that there is plen ty of corn yet in the Southwestern part of Geor gia to supply every demand that will be made for it. This is another admonition to our planters to again plant an abundant crop of corn. The past season, they have been abundantly rewarded for it pecuniarily, and the country incalculably bene fitted. Corn ! Corn !! Corn !!! OFFICE OF SCP T \V. AA.R. R, 1 Atlanta, March 12, 1863. ’ ( The soldiers’ families, and the poor of Cherokee Georgia, are suffering for bread. Owing to the inability of the roads below, to sup ply the demand for transportation, an engine with 20 cars from this Road will be started about the 16th mst., to bring corn from Macon and the dif ieient stations on the Southwestern Road. * *•?'“ l * e m , t f nded t 0 ruD until the wants of the families of so diers, and destitute, are relieved and the corn will be delivered to them free of transportation on this Road and the various su ous between Atlauta and Tennessee. Agents of Counties, who have made purchases of corn below aUhGoffl U m<lylor *bfpraent, and give notice at this office. JOHN S. ROW LAND. Superintendent. THE WEEKLY PRESS Ike Thomasville Times, which D r vention of proprietors of Weeklyp o'^ 0 '^ * Co-. that there is no time for delay, and ** " r *> ali unite on the proposition tu’hold th*. ted meeting at Macon, Thursday, 26th Ma The “Journal and Messenger" ch?» r ful - to this proposition, and will see that % \ provided for the assemblage, should i; rr 1 city. ‘ We have heard nothing from tbn Mii Press on the subject. »i * AN IMPORTANT WEIR This is the week that Charleston or ? 4T is to t>e taken—that is. In the city of VV 13 and the New Y*ork Herald. We that locality, Fort McAlister wat taken on tb, ’ February, and there is great rejoicing fi * 1 EXTRA SESSION OF THE LEGISLATE It will be recollected that the adjourned to meet in April. Gov. Bro*- * thaught proper to convene it at an earlier will be seen by the following prodamatior, c * reasons are no douht good for so doing H ' alluded to in the first paragraph. If a Sen'-. ‘ - ‘Of) *|| to be held, as it must be, the earlier the better A Proclamation by Joseph E. Itrou Governor of Georgia. To the Officers and Members of the (Jentr sembly. I am satisfied that developments c shown necessity for further legislation at an day, to secure the use of all our productive this year in the cultivation of our lands in r . and other articles necessary to sustain not cotton, tobacco, or like productions, ,« prevent the destruction of articles offoodhtV* dilation. As the public exigencies do therefore, i n , opinion, require that the General Assembly * vene at an earlier day than that fixed for your tut ing when you last adjourned, 1 issue this m? p clamation requiring you and each of you, toiiu ble in your respective Halls in the Capitol, in u , city, on Wednesday the 25th day of this prrs" month, at 10 o’clock, A. M. Given under my hand and the Great Seal of th* State, at the Capitol in the city of this 11th day of March, in the year of our L or j eighteen hundred aud sixty-three. By the Governor : JOSEf H E. BROWN. N. C. Barnett, Secretary of State. Connecticut. —The Washington t of the New York Tribune says: “The rebels that State must be looked after. The revolution and treasonable attitude assumed by the eop> heads of Connecticut, in their recent Conventir* is attracting, as it should, the special considerate of the Government. There is a limit to the for bearance of the Administration." Board in Rchmond.— The Examiner of tbo Cdt says : “Not less than fourteen of the largest hoard ing houses in Richmond hare closed their doori the present week to table boarders, on account of the scarcity and unprecedented high prices of all the necessaries of life, and more will follow their example soon. “At the large hotels the price of board and lodging per diem is six dollars, and if prices con tinue to advance in the same ratio in the future es they have in the past, boarding will advance to ten dollars per day.” Invasion of Sonora by the French.— The gate from New Mexico in the Yankee Congress has received advices from El Paso, in Chihuahua, that the French, 8000 strong, had captured Guy mas, and were marching on Heimosilla, the eapito/ of the Mexican State of Sonora. The reason ii signed for this invasion is said to be in conacquanc* of Governor Pequira confiscating the goodi ol Frenchmen and banishing them liom Sonora. A gentleman just from the cooit, s;j! the Jackson Mississippian, informs us that a Massaci. setts regiment stationed at Fort Pike, near the mouth of Pearl river, were notified a short tlm* since that a negro regiment would be sent up to help them to garrison the place. The Massachu setts men refused to serve with the negroes, and when they attempted to land, two or three of the negroes were knocked down with sticks. After wards the regiment loaded their pieces and threat aoed to kill the last wooly-head among tbtm il they were left there. Worth Considering. —Suppose, says the Talla hassee Floridian, the planters plant largely of cot ton, and the corn crop should prove insufficient to feed the army and the people, who will starve first, the men in the army, or the planter and V.» slaves ? Iu plainer words, will not the govern ment seize the corn in the planter’s crib, and the pork in his smoke house, rather than see the soldier’s starve ? LEGIBLATUTE TO BE CONVENED. From the special telegram from Miiledgevillo to the “Intelligencer,” published on Thursday, it was seen that Gov. Brown has convened the Legisla ture of Georgia on the 25th of this month. It ii stated in the dispatch, that the Governor will re commend the passage of stringent laws prohibiting cultivation, the present year, of any more cotton than is actually necessary to save seed ; and that he will also recommend that the laws against the distillation of liquors be extended to embrace all articles of provisions that will sustain life. By this action on the part of Gov. Brown, the Legis lature will assemble five weeks earlier than the time appointed by the Legislature at its Session in November and December last for the meeting of the adjourned Session, to wit: the 22d of April. We presume our readers have already seen the ueoessity of some remedy for the evils to which it is said the attention of the Legislature will be di rected. The demand for food grows more and more imperious. It is not certain that a good wheat crop will be made. It is true that the snows of the winter augur well for the crop; but the pro valence of so much rainy weather at this season of the year, with the prospect of the continuance ol such weather, augurs bad. Still, should the most favorable wheat crop be made it is to calculate on, such is the smallness of the breadth of laud lor the crop, from inroads of the enemy, that the necessity for laying under contribution ait the available land, in our possession, for 3 cultivation of corn, is not in the slightest degro* abated. The Legislature, at its session last year, it i* true, restricted the number of acres of cotton to be planted to the band, to three; but it is Q uei ‘ tionable whether the act, if left in force, would not be productive of more harm than good; srnce it is not only a license for every farmer in the country to plant three acres in cotton, and tbeee the best on bi 9 farm if be so chooses, but it a-* 0 amounts to a deliberate expression of opinion oa the part of the Legislature that such a quantity land may, with safety to the interests of tht • and to the people outside of tbs ar»/t b# P* 5 cotton.