Newspaper Page Text
News Items.
northern news, etc.
The Baltimore American contains official re
ports from Sheridan, which represent one of his
divisions as being at Scottsville on the 6th
inst., destroying the railroad from thence to
Amherst Court-House. Sheridan says he found
great abundance lor men and animal-s in the
country. The center guard 1 cks were de
stroyed on James river canal, and v the banks
wevo swept away to the bottom of the cabal.
He had met with no obstruction up to.date, and
he reports the capture of twelve canal boats
laden with ordnance, commissary and medical
supplies.
Commodore Hollins was shot near Gordons
ville, while attempting to escape.
Newbern telegrams of the 17th mention the
arrival of Schofield at that point.
No news from Sherman.
Tiie Imperial Government of Mexico has
been recognized by Great Britain.
The Canadian Parliament has adopted the
confederation scheme.
. Advices to the I3ih, from Seuatobia, say that
the War Department at Washington has received
information from Halifax that the rebels iu
Canada contemplated a raid on Oswego and
Roclj£ter, N. Y.
A New York telegram -ays that the Imperial
Mexieau Government has ordered the police to
arrest all persons expressing sympathy for the
United Siates.
Nashville and Memphis papers are filled with
accounts of the operations of guerrilla bands,
who are said to be more numerous iu Tennes
see and Southern Kentucky than ever.
Northern papers received at the above place,
on the 15th, represent Sherman Within sixty
miles of Wilmington, trying to form a junction
with Schofield.
The New York Commercial says a letter from
au officer on board the Niagara, dated tit serial,
iu Spain, February 18th, says the rebel ram
Stonewall, alias the Olinde, is lying near that
place. The Spaniards allowed her to make
limited repairs, and her commander asked per
mission to leave her iu povt while he went to
Paris to annul the contract of stile, and throw
her on the hands of her former owners.
■ Sheridan’s victory over Early, which the
Yankees rejoiced over so greatly, turns out to
have been a small affair. Sheridan had 15,000
cavalry, while, according to a dispatch from
Grant, Early had but 1800 men. They fired
one volley and retreated. Early is safe.
The Chattanooga Gazette says that the Cir
cuit Court at Knoxville has awarded Browtilow
$25,000 damages for impressments and perse
cutions by the rebels, to be raised from the
property of Ramsey, Sneed, and others.
A verdict was also rendered for $40,000, in
favor of the heirs of Senator Pickens, who
died in prison, in Tuscaloosa, in 1862.
Tito United States Consul at Halifax informs
his government that the iron-clads built in
France, and said to have passed into rebel
hands, are iu one of the West India islands,
preparing for a cruise. The rumor that these
vessels are going to New Y’ork, is revived.
A New York telegram of the 9th says ten
thousand prisoners are being forwarded t<j
Wilmington for exchange.
Parties from the Mississippi river report that
Gen. Shelby defeated the Yankee forces near
Little Rock, capturing four hundred prisoners
and thirty-two cannon.
The cavalry raid under Grierson has returned
to Memphis, having gone no further than Rip
ley, Tippah county, Miss.
FUNERAL OF YANKEE DOODLE.
A special to the St. Louis Democrat says the
Imperialists celebrated the death of the United
States at Bagdad, Mexico. A dead dog was
carried at the head of the procession, which
marched through town to appropriate music—
Yankee Doodle, we suppese.
PETERSBURG.
The situation on the 14th instant was un
changed ; some slight skirmishing had taken
place, without result. Active hostilities were
looked for on the commencement of good
weather.
Both houses of the Confederate Congress
resolved to adjourn on the 14th inst.
Advices from Augusta say that Foster’s com
mand is treating the ladies of Charleston and
surrounding country outrageously.
VICTORY AT KIgHTON.
Headq’rs Confederate Armies, 1
March 9th, 1865. j
//on. J. C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War :
Gen. Bragg reports that he attacked the ene
myjjesterday, four miles in front of Kinston,
anil drove him from his position. He dispu
ted the ground obstinately, and took up a posi
tion three miles from his first.
Ye captured three pieces of artillery and
fifteen hundred prisoners. The number of the
enemy’s dead and wounded 14ft on the field is
THE ARMY & NAVY HERALD.
large. Our loss is comparatively small. The
troops behaved most haudsomely.
Major Generals Hill and Hoke behaved with
their accustomed gallantry.
(Signed) R. E. Lee.
The Goldsboro Journal, of the 9th. says that
a stubborn fight occurred ai Southwest creek
ou the Bth. A movement «n the riar of the
enemy caused their demoralization, and we cap
tured 1500 of their men, and‘inflicted heavy
; losses otherwise Casualties on our side slight.
Col. Neal, of Georgia, was killed.
On the 9th the enemy was fortifying at Wise’s
fork, a point to which they retreated during
the battle of the Bth.
AU accounts represent the strength of the
enemy to have been very great.
Parties who arrived in Augusta represent the
| Yankee killed and wounded as nearly six tliou
! sanu.
| A terrible battle commenced the 19th, at
Bentonvi’de, sixteen miles south of Smitlifield,
N. C. It raged all day, and the enemy were
driven a mile, and it is supposed with great
slaughter. This morning, the 20th, the battle
was renewed, hut no particulars have reached
| us. [Snmhfield is the county site of Johnson
i county, N. 0., on tire railroad from Goldsboro
l to Raleigh, and about, twenty-seven miles E. 8.
!E. of tiie last named city. Consequently, Ben
j tonsville is about forty miles South-east of
i Raleigh. —En. pi.. A •'unfed.,]
Papers received a‘ Senatobia on the 18tli,
contain a dispatch from Gen. Lee to the Secre
tary of War, which says that Gen. Hampton
attacked Kilpatrick iu his camp and drove liyu
from it, taking his guns, wagons, and several
hundred prisoners, including a number of our
men who tiad been captured,
j Dispatches of the 20th." from Augusta, report
i that the Charlotte (N. C.) Democrat, of (he
j 14th, states positively that Sherman had
j reached Fayetteville the head of navigation of
I Cape Fear river, 120 miles by swater above
| Wilmington, and 60 from Raleigh.
Nearly all the Kentuckians and Missourians
who were prisoners at Camp Douglas, have ar
rived at Richmond.
CONGRESSIONAL.
The House passed, on the 14th, the bill sus
pending the writ of habeas corpus. Yeas-
Speaker Bocoek, Baldwin, Bradley, Bruce,
Carroll, Chrisman, Clarke, Cluskcy. Conrad,
DeJarnette. Dupree, Elliott, Ewing, Funston,
Gholson. Goode, Gray, Ilartvidge, Hatcher
Heiskell, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Lyon,
Macliin, Miller, Moore, Perkins, Reed, Rus
sell, Sexton, Sweeney, Triplett, Villierre and
l Wilkes—37.
Nays—Anderson, Baldwin, Barksdale, Bay
lor, Blanford, Branch, Burnett, Clop ton, Col
lins, Darden, Farrow, Fuller, Gaither, Gilmer,
Henley, Herbert, J. M. Loath, Marshall, Mc-
Collum, Miles, AlcMillcn, Ramsey, Rogers,
Simpson, J. M. Smith, Smith of N. C., Sneed,
Staples, Turner, Welch, Wickham and Wither
spoon—32.
The bill suspends the privilege of the writ
of habeas corpus until otherwise provided by
law, in all cases of arrest or detention by order
of the President or Secretary of War. The
General officer commanding the Trans-Alissis
sippi Department may also suspend said privi
lege for sixty days from the time of an arrest,
or detention by order of any General officer
commanding an army, or military district or
department.
On the 15th, the Senate passed the House
bill; furnishing transportation to discharged
soldiers
On the 16th, the Senate adopted the commit
tee report upon the President’s Special Mi ssage.
The measures recommended by the President
to promote the efficiency of the army, were a
dopted, (except the entire repeal of the exemp
tion,) and some other measures, such as the
creation of the office of General-in-Chief, pas
sed by the House at the suggesiion of the Pres
ident .
In consequence of the abuse of the power to
detail, Congress at its present session passed an
act revoking all details, and limiting the power
to conscript, the ministers of religion, and re
quire them to obtain details to preach the Gos
pel, as a measure that would tie troy all reli
gious sentiments, and inflict an injury upon
the country which cannot be described,
The Confederate Senate met at 5 o’etoek, on
the 18th inst., after executive session.
The bill to provide for the payment of arre nrs
to the army and navy, was lost for want of a quo
rum, yeas il, nays 4.
Mr. Watson, fromjhe joint committee to wait
on the President and inform him of the readi
ness of Congress to adjourn, reported that the
committee had discharged that duly alul that
the President stated he had no further commu
nication to make; that in his recent message
to Congress, lie had fully explained his views
as to the legislation needed by the country, and
as Congress had not acquiesced in his opinion,
he hoped it would turn out that he was mista
ken. He said that to the full extent of the pow
ers and resources placed at Ids disposal, all
might res: asstired of his purpose to fully pro
tect and defend the country.
At 2 o clock P. AT. the President pro tcm ad
journed the Sen :?e sine. die.
(he House passed the Senate bill amending
the
impressment law.
After transacting some other business of no
special interest, the House adjourned sine die.
Richmond. March 18. The President appro vs
ed a bill passed by Congress in secret session,
to raise com for the purpose of furnishing the
necessary supplies for the army.
The first section authorizes the Secretary of
the Treasury to borrow from any bank, corpo
ration or individual. any amount, in coin, not
exceeding $3,000,000 in the aggregate, and se
cure repayment at such time as may be agreed
upon, not exceeding two years after the conclu
sion of a treaty of peace, by the issue of bonds
payable in coin, bearing six per cent, interest,
payab’e semi-annually in specie.
Tiie Secretary of the Treasury is rmpowered
to pledge the cotton and tobacco owned by the
Government to the extent of its value, for the
loan obtained, or to convey the same in pay
ment of such loan with export to London free
of duty, except to tHe extent of one-eighth of
one per cent, as now impo-ed by law.
The second section provides furthermore that
there shall be levied and •ollected a tax of twen
ty-five ,25) per cent, upon all gold and silver
c nn. bullion and foreign exchange in the Con
federate Exchange, payable in kind by the first,
of April, or ns soon thereafter as practicable,
amounts not exceeding three hundred dollars
value excused from the tax; and also all
amounts loaned to the government under the
first section.
Stirring Words.—The subjoined is the con
cluding part of Governor Watts’ late speech at
Montgomery :
“But a few week- ago, when the dark gloom
of impending woe teemed to overshadow our
land, wo sought bv the acts of diplomacy and
negotiation to stop the red stream of blood
which has so long deluged our country. Our
propositions for peace war scornfully rejected.
We were insultingly told that the only terms of
peace for us were to lay down our property,
our wives and our children, our liberties and
our sacred honor, to the tender mercies of a
heartless despot. I am told,' in whispered
words, that we have amongst us men who are
willing so submit to such terms. Great God!
are we the sons of revolutionary fathers, and
have wo fallen so low—are we dogs! that, we
are ready to lick the hand that smites us?
Whoever is so base a coward, is unfit to live iu
a Southern land—is unfit to receive the smiles
of Southern women—unfit to he buried in
Southern soil ! llis real home is amongst our
foes. ‘Heis on the wrong side of the line.’
“Fellow-Citizens, when the report of our
commissioners announcing the ignominious
terms of peace presented to us by Lincoln, was
made iu the capital of the Confederate States,
on the soil of old Virginia, the indignant re
sponse brought a thrill of joy to my heart.
The echoed music of Patrick Henry’s words
grew louder, deeper, stronger, on Virginia's
plains and amid her mountains. Her people
again were thrilled with the prophetic words of
the patriot hero. Tiie people—the men, women
and children—her statesmen, and her war-woihi
heroes, caught up the swelling tones of the,
echo. The army of General Lee, the repre
sentatives of all the States, echoed back the
lofty strain with the sound of mighty waters.
And, now, like the tones of archangel, from
people to armies, and from armies to people,
the words- ‘ Give me liberty or give me death,’
come pealing over our broad land, fill onv
hearts with pride, and mingle in the very air
we breathe, God grant that every heart, niny
catch the inspiration of the heaven-born words,
and that the united voice of a great people may
send back to heaven, in God-like chorus, ‘Give
me liberty or give me death.’ ”
.a,
Do not speculate about Chi istianity, but re
ceive and live it. Do not. demand an analysis
of the medicine, but make up your mind to try
itseffects. No man from a deatli-bed over said
—I have tried the Gospel,l have found that
it neither made me holy now happy.
■ Wa are grieved to see some journals publish
blasphemous articles, and call thefi anecdotes for
children.
“How many deaths?” asked the Hospital
physician. “Nine.” “Why 1 ordered medi
cine for Ten !” ‘ “ Yes, but one would’nt take
it.
“Let the Extortioner catch all that he hath;
and let the Strangers spoil his labour.”
“ As cold water is to a thirsty soul, so is good
news from a far home to the soldier.”
Tranquility of Spirit.
Tranquility of spirit is a very different
thing from indifference. If we cease to
think upon questions of momentous in
terest. and close our eyes to the events that
agitate the country, we may become quiet;
but it is a most unenviable and si ifish still
ness that then reigns within the breast.
We do not obtain moral tranquility by ig
noring facts, but by rising above them.
We do not defeat an enemy by forgetting
hiua, but by rendering him impotent. It is
the Christian's privilege to enter into the
pavilion of the Most High and .-touJ upon
such moral vantage ground that all the
disturbing giants of evil cannot make him
afraid. “Sly heart is fixed, O God, my
heart is fixed,” sung the ancient servant of
Hod. The heart fixed—firm in its trust—
a rock that no waves can shake from iti
deep spiritual foundations.
*,* * * *
We are very prone to the mistake of
seeking a paradise on earth. We forget
this is the battle-ground—the home of rest
is beyond the Hood. Our tranquility is to
bo like that of a soldier—the calmness of
high moral courage. Great faith, high
principles, fidelity in duty’, moderate secular
expectations, resignation to the will of God,
a good conscience, the witness of the Holy
Sprit, frequent and fervent prayer—these,
and not earthly circumstances, are the con
ditions of security of soul.
Sound and scriptural views of life are
indispensable to tranquility. There must
be no superstitious mingling with our con
templation-: of untoward events. 11l in
formed and superstitious minds are rendered
very unhappy by trifling things that excite
their fears. They are "disquieted and de
jected at unimportant coincidences. Thir
teen persons sit down together at table;
one is superstitious, and springs up in hor
ror, exclaiming: “Alas! the fatal number
ot thirteen I One sees horrors at almost
every turn of life when looking through
tiie fiilse glasses of superstition. Some
ladies are so afflicted by such fears and
fancies that hall of their earthly enjoyment
is swallowed up by their morbid imagina
tions.
Dreams are great disturbers of 'the peace
ot others. They go to bed hungry, or too
lull, or out of temper, or with a disordered
stomach—dream all sorts of curious tilings.
Start up alarmed. Ponder on the dream,
’suffer it to take hold of thisr imaginations,
call up the astrologers of superstition to in
terpret if, and torment TtreiTfeefircs most tnr
becomingly with a thousand foolish fears.
Presently something unwelcome happens iu
the ordinary course of events, and instantly
they declare, “ Didn’t 1 tell you so! there’s
my dream ! 1 knew it meant something !”
Alas ! that our poor humanity should add
to its essential trials such mischievous tor
tures of imagination.
Useful and earnest employment will be
found a most excellent expedient to relieve
many people of thei- unhappiness. Luay
Christians—if lazy people can be Christians
at all—are never peaceful. In their indo
lence they maybe still; but the high re
pose of spirit consequent upon aTonscious
ness of having ditto one’s duty they know
nothing of.
A. great man once said: “The three
great enemies to tranquility are Vice, Su
perstition otid idleness.” The most cheer
ful people are the most faithful to God.
* * * * *
The difficulty in the way of the tran
quility ot others, is that nothin': happens
to suit their wishes Everything is man
aged wrong. To such we commend the
words of Hath bras :
“Still falling out with this atui this,
A' (1 finding sometirng still amiss;
Mojp peevish, cross, and splenetic
Than dog distract, or monkey sick.”
It becomes us as Christians, amid all our
trials, to remember the words of our Divine
Master : “ In your patience possess yc your
souls.” We who profess to be disciples of
a Christian philosophy that renders superior
to the ills of life, owe it to the world to be
tranquil in spirit. Men look to ns for il
lustration of a calm and happy faith. We
must not disappo : nt them and dishonor the
religion that, we profess. fn the storm the
wotld should hear us sing: “The Lord is
iny rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
my God. my strength in whom 1 will trust;
my buckler and the' horn of nty salvation
and my high-tower.”
When you sec the refiner cast his gold
into the furmce, do you think be is angry
with the gold, an 1 means to cast it away ?
No. He sits as a refiner. He stands warily
over the tire, and over the gold, and looks
to it, that not ore grain be lost. ,And wheu
the dross is severed, he will out with it pres
ently ; it shall be no longer there.
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