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ROBERT J. HARR* Rditor.
MACON, GA-, MARCH 16, 1865.
Hates of Advertising.
Twenty-five cents per line, or SI per square
of teu lines, each insertion.
BATES OK SUBSCRIPTION.
Twenty Dollars a year. Ihn Dollars for
six months. Invariably in advance.
The Weekly llkrald will be furnished free
of charge to Chaplains and Missionaries or to
other persons duly authorised to distribute in
commands whicji have no Chaplains, for gratui
tous circulation amongst the Soldiers, Marines
and Sailors of the C. S. Army and Navy.
Subscribers outsido of the Army and Navy
will be charged Ten Dollars for Six Months,
invariably in advance. All Profits Arising
from Sub script ions (if ant accrue) wu.i us
FAITHFULLY EXPENDED TO INCREASE TIIH SUP
PLY to the Soldiers.
Directions for Obtaining the Herald.
Give us the number of messes in the command
which you think it. will be profitable to supply
and be very explicit in giving the directions
how tc scud.
Business Department.
All communications connected with the Edi
torial or Business department, should be ad
dressed to Rev. Robert J. Harp, Editor and Pub
lisher, Macon, Ga., and all subscriptions should
be sent to him.
Donations.
All contributions of money for circulating the
paper in the Army and supplying the soldiers
with Bibles, Testaments, Ilymn Books and
Tracts, should bo sent to Rev. J. W. Burke,
Treasurer Soldiers’ Tract Association,
Macon, Ga., who will publish in the Herald
once each month an acknowledgment thereof.
Rev. W. A. Parks.—The friends and
correspondents of the above, can address him,
in care of the office of the Herald, Macon, Ga.
Flowers-
How gentle and refining are the influences
of flowers ! They shed around our pathway a
'sweet and balmly fragrance, that imparts to us
a fresh life and irrepressible pleasure. Bright,
beautiful flowers, how blessed is their mission
to man! What would it be without flowers?
Flowers are the bright and resplendent stars
in the green firmament of earth! They are
the joyous adorning of a finished creation.
The great hand that framed the universe has
made the lovely flowers, and made them, too,
for our pleasure, profit aud instruction. What
heart so callous as not to cherish the lovely
flowers? They have a language that is full of
poetry and. music, life, and pleasure, and re
lined enjoyment! Who does not love the
flowers ?
“ Flowers ! beautiful flowers !
How sweet in this dim world ol ours.”
A Bequest.
Brother Hard—l hand to Rev. J. IV. Burke,
Treasurer, ninety-five dollars; a part es a be
quest from Wm. E. Howard, deceased. Mr. 11.
was a Texan Soldier in the Army of Tennessee,
brave and patriotic. He belonged to Douglass’
batterv. Was converted during our revivals
in the Army. Mortally wounded and left a re
quest that his effects should be appropriated
to the cause of Christianity in the Army of
Tennessee ; especially in the distribution of re
ligious reading. 1 have received from Lieut.
Ben Hardin, a portion of his bequest and hand
over the above mentioned sum to the Soldiers
Tract Association. Here is work of genuine
conversion to Christ. When realized the
bequest will amount to some SBOO or SI,OOO.
This I shall divide among the Benevolent In
stitutions, working for the Salvation of the
soldiers. Respectfully,
J. B. M. Fknn.
Rf.v. C. S. Dodd, Chaplain of Polk Hospital,
will open a “ Soldiers School ” at the Asylum
for the Blind next Monday. The hours oT in
struction will be from two to five o’clock, p. m.
The course of study will be exclusively ele
mentary, embracing reading, writing, aril lime
tic, and vocal music. The instruction will be
entirely gratuitous, and the necessary books
and stationery have been furnished by tho
liberality of citizens of Mobile. All soldiers
desiring sued instruction are invited to attend.
Profanity Rebuked. — Howard, the philan
thropist, was seen significantly to button his
coat in the neighborhood of a printing office
where he heard coarse profanity. “ I always
do this.” he remarked, “when I hear swearing.
One who can take God’s name in vain, can also
Steal or do anything else bad.”
[For th# Army and Navy Herald.]
Sketches and Incidents.
bt w. A. p.
80. 1.
Tho siege of Vicksburg was being pressed
with the most relentless fury. The enemy’s
line and ours formed each a semi-circle, extend
.ing to the river above and below the city.
Some distance in the rear of our right wing,
on an elevation, stood a board shanty, the
quarters of Captain A , where the afflicted
occupant was confined to his bunk.
•The missiles from the mortar fleet, the gun
boats, the field pieces around the line, and a
thousand sharp-shooters, all converged on the
point alluded to. The mammoth shells ploughed
the ground on every side, and the minie balls
clipped the twigs from the branches of sur
rounding trees, which were continuously fall
ing. Capt. A.’s illness, solitude, and danger,
brought him to serious reflection—to a know
ledge of his moral danger. He was an humble
penitent.
llis life hitherto had been marked with moral
rebellion, and with excessive profanity. Through
many dangers and liair-breadtli escapes had
God spared his life in a tour to California; but
no Providence brought him to penitence, till
suffering and alone, while the missiles of death
were rending the surrounding air, he became
so deeply concerned for the salvation of his
soul that he appeared almost unconscious of
the increasing rage of the war-storm. His
chaplain observing the state of his mind, pre
sented him with tv Tract which contained a true
exposition of genuine repentance. As he read
it he saw at once that liis was a true repent
ance, a-Godly sorrow for sin.
lie began to believe he would be pardoned;
and, finally, that he was pardoned, and now the
clear and unmistakable witness of the Spirit
filled his soul with joy. He was a child of
God!
The next morning as his chaplain entered
the low door of his shanty, Capt. A ex
tended his hand, while the largo crystal tears
of joy rolled down his thin face, and the image
of God stamped on his soul shone through his
countenance. For a time not a word was
spoken ; but while without was the roar and
crash of cannon and tho whizzing of balls, in
that little “ Bethel” there was a sweet silence.
Fipqlly Capt. A said: “Parson, I’m all
right now.'-' Ho then fold of the peace that
filled his soul, cxni'esscd a desire to live to
reach home to join tho church, rear the family
altar, and counteract the evil influence of his
former life. Said he had ne fear of remain
ing in his quarters, though the missiles of death
were falling close about him. He believed
God would protect him: and though there was
a perpetual rain of lead and iron around that
cabin for forty-seven days, not a ball or frag
ment ever struck it.
Through all the recent, campaigns of she
Tennessee army, Capt. A has been a faith
ful, exemplary Christian, never failing to re
prove his comrades for using profane language,
which of all crimes he seeins'most to abh»r.
May God spare his life through the struggle.
reflections.
1. Afflictions, temporal adversities, are oft
times the greatest blessings. They bring us to
God ; are agencies for our present and eternal
salvation.
2. The word of life in tracts, religious papers
and the Holy Scriptures, lead- many a war
worn soldier to Jesus Christ. Whatever else
the soldiers may be deprived of, the people at
home ought to send them the bread of life.
!i. The exercise ol faitli is not‘difficult when
once the sinner lias sincerely repented.
4. What the sinner most loves and practices
while in his sins, he most abhors and shuns
when he is made a child of God.
5. God will protect those that fear him. “Tlijs
angel of the Lord encampeth round about them
that fear him.” They fall not, except when it
is bettor for them t# depart and b# with Christ.
Tub Family, a Divinb Institution.—God
established it in Paradise. The sweetest, the
happiest, and the most hallowed spot on earth
is the home of a Christian family. It is the
nursery of affection, of friendship, and of
virtue; the place where those ties of mutual
dependence aud help are first formed, which,
in their expanded state, unite human society ;
and according to the manner in which the'
rights of (he family are enjoyed, its duties dis
charged, and its true benefits realized, are the
moral character, the stability, and. the grandeur
of a country.
Returned Prisoners. lwo thousand ex
changed prisoners reached Richmond on the
lfith ult. The Whig says : The Confederates
were jubilant when they got on board the little
Confederate steamer flying the Confederate flag,
and sang with a will “Farewell to the Star
Spangled Banner.”
[For the Army aud Navy Herald.]
The Voice of the Faithful Missionary.
During the great army revival in 1863, young
*\. C. W.” of an Alabama regiment, was hap-
and became zealous in the
Cliriet. He was very young, having
enlisted ,jj etl a little more than sixteen. His
example good and his influence felt among
'his fellow-sonj ers jj e n.t the side of the
penitent as he in prayer, and his voice
was heard in ear. es t supplication for the sal
vation of souls for vfcom the Saviour died. On
the battle-field he w aa brave, never shrinking
from duty. In one ,f t he fights near Atlanta
he was wounded and sen t back to the hospital.
Here he met with congenial spirits among the
citizens of the town wh-., e the hespital was
located. He made the acqua‘ a t an ce of the
pious and virtuous, who sympathized tHth him
in his sufferings, and helped in his life of god
liness. Having partially recoYcre*), he was
assigned to “light duty,” and transferred to
the city of M . Unfortunately V? fell
among strangers, and men who had no fear ol
God before their eyes. Little by little sir.
gained an influence upon him, and gradually
he neglected his Christian duties, until finally
he lost interest in the house of God, and like
the prodigal son, wasted his substance. He had
no friend to whom he could reveal the sorrows
of his heart when reason returned, and grief
for “having grieved his God” penetrated his
heart. Time rolled on, and he strayed farther
and farther from his God, till he felt that his
only relief was to plunge himself deeper in the
pleasures of sin.
In the spring of 1865, a well-known Mission
ary Chaplain passed through the city of M ,
and attended the evening prayer-meeting at
the Methodist Church. -He made an address to
the congregation, and while he was speaking
W passed the street in front of the house,
and by his familiar voice was attracted to the
inside of the church, where he seated himself
and listened to the exhortation. His mind run
hack to former scenes, conviction seized on his
mind, and he determined to return to his
Father's house. The next mornimg he called
to seo the Missionary, told him all, and pledged
himself to a renewal of his covenant. He
thanked God for that voice by which he was
brought into the church, and for the word that
reached his heart. And how encouraging to
the minister to he in the line of duty and al
ways to lift up his voic» in the cause of Christ.
J. B. M.
News Items.
A NEW COMMISSION OBJECT UNKNOWN.
Mr. Singleton from Washington city arrived
in Richmond on the 28th ult,., and took up lodg
ings at the Spottswood.
Advices from Fayetteville, N. C. say, Hon.
Thomas Conelly, n member of the British Par
liament, lias arrived here, and leaves for Rich
mond to-morrow. Much speculation is indulg
ed in as the object of his visit,, but nothing re
liable is known.
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
Northern papers of the 28th ult., contain ru
mers that the Mexican Government has forbid
den the clearance of United States vessels from
Mexican ports. The United States Consul has
been sent out of Matamoras. Also a report that
six thousand mounted rebels are in the vicinity
of Mount Sterling, (we suppose in Kentucky.)
Gold was quoted at 203.
EXCHANGE NOTICE.
An official order dated Richmond, 6th, gives
notice that all Confede ate officers and men de
livered at Savannah or Charleston during No
vember and December last, and all delivered on
James river up to the Ist hist.., are declared du
ly exchanged. The exchange is progressing as
rapidly as circumstances will permit.
COMMISSIONER FROM MAXIMILIAN.
Northern papers say, an emissary of Maxi
millian’s is reported to be at City Point, endeav
oring to get through the Yankee lines for the
purpose of visiting the Coafederate Capitol.
TAX BILL.
On the 7th inst., the Confederate Congress
passed a bill, levying a tax of eight per cent,
on all property not exempted, and an additional
tax of one per cent, to raise pay for soldiers.
The current expenses es tho Government to be
paid, one half in treasury notes and the other
half in certificates es indebtedness.
ORB AT ENTHUSIASM IN AIIOBSTA.
Advices from Augusta the 11th inst., says,
by order of Gen. Fry, Gen. Johnson’s appeal to
his soldiers, and Gen. Lee’s amnesty proclama
tion, iiave been printed and circulated broad
cast over the country where a paper does not.
reach. In this department, the effect is visible
already in the hundreds who are arriving at the
camp of direction daily. Their shonts of en
thusiasm are heard at all hours, as tho crow
ded trains pass through the city.
MOBILE.
Advices to the Bth inst., represent that the
enemy had assembled at Pensacola 20,0u0 strong
under Generals Ashboth, Andrews, Davie and
Steel. Orders had been issued en the 6th for
the troops to respect private property unless
otherwise ordeied. They were reported advan
cing on the 12tli inst. Fourteen boats were
added to the Yankee fleet in front of the city
on the 11th inst., but a large portion cf them
disappeared on the 12th.
sbhrman’s MOVEMENTS.
Press advices from Charlotte, dated on the
1 ltli inst., state that Sherman was at Fayette
ville at last accounts, and Schofield at Goldsbo
ro’. There is no doubt but that the two Yan
kee Genernls have formed a junction by this
time. There is no doubt but that Sherman has
got into a desperate strait, and»every effort pos
sible is being made to relieve him.
The latest news at Fayetteville, N. C. up to
the 11th inst., placed Sbeerman at Lynch’s
Creek, about 22 miles from Cheraw, when he
was striking for the coast. It was reported at
the lame time, that a portion of his army had
been met near Cheraw and defe;wed, and was
retreating in the direction of Charleston. This
is not official.
Advices at Augusta up to the 11th inst., au
thorise the statement that Hardee has effected
a junction with the main body of our army at or
near VVadesboro, N. C. Our troops are operating
on the north side of the enemy skirmishing
daily, and exhausting Sherman's strength and
forces by a series of annoyances, and avoiding
battle as much as possible. The eliemy has
been progressing very slowly in his movements
since he left Chester. ,
RECOGNITION ‘RUMORS.
A gentleman arrived at Augusta on the 12th.
who reported that on the 6th inst., before leav
ing the Head Quarters ofGen. Hardee, he heard
a document read, which represented, on official
authority, that France had promised its recog
nition #f the Southern Confederacy, and asser
ted its intention of not accrediting a Minister
to Court at Washington, until the United States
had declared its recognition of the Austro-Mex
can Empire.
THE NEGRO SOLDIER BILL,
As previously passed by the House, was.;
passed by the Senate on the Bth inst., with the?
proviso that not more than 25 per cent, of"
male slaves, between 18 and 45, in any State*,
shall be called for under the provisions of that
act. Yeas: Brown, Barnett, Caperton, Henry,.
Hunter, Oldham, Semmes, Sims, Watson —£•-
Nays: Barnwell, Graham, Johnson, of G».„
<jrr, Hays, Vest, Wigfall—B.
The Senate passed the House bill authorizing;
the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow spec©,,
to be applied to the redemption and reduction
of the currency.
The House resolution fixing the day of ad
journment was amended by the insertion of
Saturday the 11th, and then adopted—yeas 10,.
nays 8.
REBEL HAMS.
Northern papers speak of an expected attack
on their iiaet by the rebel rams, about, the Ist
instant.
Greeley's f.stimate.
The New York Tribune, of the 20th ult., says
it has information that, the entire rebel force
which can be concentrated in Sherman’s front
is 35,000, consisting of the Wilmington garri
son, 4,000; Hardee’s forces, swelled by the
various detachments that, have been called in
since Savannah fell, 16,000 ; and five divisions
sent from Lee’s army, 15,000. This force can
not be increased from Hood’s army, since the
movements of that army eastward began too
late. Sherman’s strength is so overwhelming
that the only chaqee of rebel success is in sur
prising his column in detail.
EXPIRATION OF THE AMNESTY.
Augusta, March 13.—1 tis very neeessary,
for the safety of all persons who come within
th# limit* of General Lee’s amnesty order, that
they take notice that they should report imme
diately to the nearsst commanding officer in
this Department. The limitation of twenty
days will expire on the Ist of April, it having
been published on the 10th of Mareh.
Hbadquarters, Feb. 24, 1165.
n*n. J. C. Breckinridge , Secretary of War :
General Early reports that Lieut.
with thirty men, on the morning of the 21st,
entered Cumberland, captured and brought out
Generals Crook and Kelley, the Adjutant Gen
eral, tw# privates and the headquarter’s flag,
without firing a gun, though considerable force
is stationed in the vicinity. McNeil and his
party deservs much credit for this bold ex
ploit. Their prisoners will reach Staunton to
day. R. E. Les., General.
Headquarters, Feb. 29, 1865.
Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War :
General Echols reports that a detachment of
Vaughn’s Cavalry struck the railroad beyond
Knoxville, at Sweetwater and Athens, captur-