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4 [From the Charlotte Bulletin.] Correspondence between Gen. Sher man and Gen. Hampton. lljsadq’us Mil’y Div. or the Miss., 1 In the Field, Feb. 24, 185"). ( Litut. Gen. W- dr Hampton, Commanding Cav alry Forces, C. S. A. : , General : It is officially reported to me that our foraging parties are murdered after cap ture, and labelled “Death to all Ftragers.” ©ne instance es a Lieutenant and seven men near ChesUrville, and another of twenty near a ravine, eighty rods from the main road, about three miles fr<u:i Feasterville. 1 have ordered a similar number of prisoners in our hands to be disposed of in like manner. I hold about 1.0 m) prisoners captured in various ways, and can stand it as long as you, but l hardly think these murders are comnlitted with your knowledge ; and would suggest that you give notice to the people at !a%e that every life taken by them simply results in the death of one of your Confederates. •f course you cannot question my right to forage on the country. It is a war right as old as history. The manner of exercising it varies with circumstances, and if the civil authorities will supply my requisition*, I will forbid all foraging. But 1 find no civil authorities who can respond to calls for forage or provisions, and therefore must collect of the people. 1 have no doubt this is the occasion of much misbehavior on the part, of our men, but I can not permit an enemy to judge or punish with wholesale murder. Personally, I regret iho bitter feelings en gendered by this war ; but they were'to be ex pected, and I simply allege that, those who ■ truck the first blow, and made war inevitable, ought, not in fairness to reproach us 4>r the natural consequences. 1 mtrely assert our war right to forage, and ri.y resolve to protect my forager, to the extent of life soy life. I am, with respect, Your obedient servant, [Signad] W. T. Sueimian, Major General U. 8. A. Headquarters in tub Firm, 1 February 27, 1865. j Maj. Gen. Sherman, U. S. Army: Gehbiial: Your communication of the 24th inst. reached me to-day. In it- you state that it has been officially reported that yarn- foraging parties were “murdered” after capture, and you- go on to say that you had “ordered a similar number of prisoners in our hands to be disposed of in like manner.” That is to say, you have ordered a number of Confederate soldiers.to be “murdered.” You your order in proper terms, /or the public voice, ‘even in your own country, where it seldom dares to expres* itself in vin dication of truth, hon»r or justice, will surely agree with you in pronouncing you guilty of murder, if carried out. Before dismissing this portion of your letter, 1 beg to assure you that for every soldier of mine “murdered” by you, I shall have execu ted at once two of yours, giving, in all cases, preference to any officer# who* ay he in my bands. In reference to the statement you make re garding the death of your foragers, 1 have only to say that 1 know nothing of it; that no orders given by me authorizes the killing of prisoners after capiuro, and that 1 do not bo lieve that my men killed any of yours except under circumstances in which ii was perfectly legitimate and proper they should kill them. It is a part of the system of the thievos whom you designate as your foragers, to fire the dwellings of those citizens whom they have robbed. To check this inhuman system, which is justly execrated by every civilized nation, I have directed my men to shoot down all your men who are caught burning houses. This order shall remain in force ns long as you dis grace the profession of arms by allowing your men to destroy private dwellings. You say that I cannot, of course, question your right to forage on the country. “It is a right as old as history.” Ido not, sir, ques tion this right. But there is a right older even than this, and one more inalienable—the right that every man has to defend liis home, and to protect those who are dependent upon him. And from my heart I wish that every old man *.nd,b°y in my country, who can fire a gun, would shoot down, as he would a wild beast, the men who are desolating their land, burn ing their houses, and insulting their women. You are particular in defining and claiming “war rights.” May I ask if you enumerate among them the right to fire upon a defenceless city without notice ; burn that city to the ground after it had been surrendered by the authori ties, win claimed, though in vain, that protec tion tfliieli is always accorded in civilized war fare to uon-conibiftants ; to fire the dwelling houses of citizens, after robbing them, and THE ARMY & NAVY HERALD. to perpetrate even darker crimes than these— crimes teo black to be mentioned? You have permitted, if you have not ordered, the commission of those offences against hu manity and the rules of war. You fired inte the city of Columbia without a word of warn ing. After its surrender by the Mayor, who demanded protection to private property, you laid the whole city in ashes, leaving amid its ruins thousands of old men and helpless women and children, who are likely to perish of star vation and exposure. Your line of march can be traced by tbe lurid light of burning houses, and in more than one household there is an agony far more bitter than that, of death. The Indian scalped his victim regardless of sex or age, but with all his barbarity, he al ways respected the persons of his female cap tives. Your soldiers, more savage than the Indian, insult those whose natural protectors are absent. In conclusion, I have only to request that whenever you have any of my men “disposed of,” or “murdered,” for the terms appear to be synonomons with you, you will let hie hear of it, in order that I may know what action to take in the matter. In the meantime I shall hold fifty-six of your men as hostages for those whom you have ordered to he executed. 1 am yours, etc., [Signed] Wade Hampton, Lieutenant General. Official: John M (Hey, A. A. G. “ G. VV. A. ” writes to the Columbus Sun that General Forrest called up twenty-six of his negroes (lie other night, and gave, them their choice to go at. once to the Yankees, or join the army and fight by his side, and have their free dom at the end of the war. 'Twenty-five who said they were willing to take up arms, stepped out. One said lie did not want a gun, but he “ would drive a wagon to h—ll for Mnssa Bu ford, if he would tell him to.” The negroes make first-rate soldiers, and whenever you hear a man say he will quit if (he negroes are put in, if you will dig down around his heart, he wants to quit, anyhow. The Appeal, of the 21st, says Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, arrived in our city yesterday evening, and is stopping at the- Exchange Ho tel. The Governor i» jo** l - ir om Riolnncud, and we are gratified to state bears with him a commission for General Forrest, promoting him to (he rank of Lieutenant-General of cav alry. The country will be rejo'iced at the wel com e intelligence. For the present, Governor Harris lias severed his long connection with the army of Tennes see, and for the future will probably become a member of Gen. Forrest’s military family. Raising Cotton on Abandoned Planta tions. —The Vicksburg Herald contains a state ment relative to the cultivation of cotton and oilier products at Davis Bend, which is very unsatisfactory to the Yankees. The cater pillars overturned the golden prospects of the blue coats ; they devoured as the locusts of Egypt, and before the first, of September tne cotton fields were brown and scorched and bare as if the fire bad swept over them. More than five-sixths of the crop was destroyed. The lessees’ purses were drained, and the negroes who worked on short rations, and shorter clothing, labored in vain. So much for en deavoring to till the lands of our exiled free men. The Almighty will not allow such people to prosper on our soil.— Clarion. Gun.' Forrest and Deserters. — The Regis ter learns from a gentleman just from Missis sippi, that this true General is getting in de setters and stay-at-home soldiers - by hundreds and thousands. He has adopted anew and decisive method. The house of a known de serter is visited, and its occupants are informed that, “your father, husband, brother or son, is skulking from his duty while the country is invaded—l give you one week to send them to the ranks—failing in that, your houses will be burned, and you will be sent to the enemy’s lines, for you are helping the enemy, and you must go where you belong.” The effect of the speech is said t o be marvellous, and only in a few in Vances has it been ueccssary to execute the threat. Drowned. —We regret to learn that., a few days since, in attempting to stretch a rope across the Congaree river, for the purpose of erecting a ferry for the benefit of the citizens of Columbia, two members of the 2d Kentucky Mounted Infantry were drowned. These brave soldiers, who met so untimely an end, were John Bridges, Cos. 8., who leaves a wife in Co lumbus, Ga., and Conrad Billips, Cos. H. ' Constitutionalist, 22 d. Paroohial Visiting.—A house-going minis ter makes a church-going people. — Dr. Chal mers. Richard Baxter. During Mr. B.ixfer’s residence in Coventry, he, in company with several of the ejected ministers who resided there, commenced preach ing in a house, by' the side of a common, not many miles from the city. The time of service being rather early in the morning, Mr. Baxter set out for the place the preceding evening. The night being very dark he missed his way, and after wandering about for a considerable time he espied a light, on a rising ground, at a considerable distance, to which ho immediately bent his steps. On hi3 arrival he found that it emanated from the window of a gentleman’s house. He called and begged te be allowed to remain until morning ; at the same time stating that he had lost his w^y. The "servant informed his master that a per son of very respectable appearance was at the door, and wished to be accommodated for the night.. The gentleman ordered the servant to invite him in. The invitation was accepted ; and Mr. Baxter met with the greatest hospitali iv. At supper, the gentleman inquired what was the profession or employment of his guest. Mr. Baxter, from several things spoke* by his host, saw it necessary to he upert his gunrd, and replied, “I am a man-catcher, sir.” “A man-catclier,” said the gentleman, “ are you ? You are the very person I want. I am justice of the peace, and am determined to seize upon one Dick Baxter, who is expected to preach at a neighboring cottage to-morrow morning, and you shall go with me, and I doubt not we shall easily apprehend the rogue.” Mr. Baxter no longer remained ignorant of the quality of Ids host, and consented to accompany him. After breakfast the next morning, they accordingly set out. in the magistrate’s carriage for the place. When they arrived, the people were be ginning to assemble outside of th« house ; but no Dick Baxter made his appearance to preach. The justice seemed'to be considerably disap pointed; and said to his companion, he sup posed Mr. Baxter had been apprised of his design, and would not fulfil his engagement. After wailing for some time in arflent expecta tion for the approach of the non-conformist, but. without effect, Mr. Baxter told the magis trate that it.was a pity for so Many people to be collected together on the Sabbath morning, without something being said t* them respect ing religion; ani hoped lie would deliver a short address to them on the subject. He re plied, that as as all religious services sh*uld begin with prayer, he could not perform that duty, not having his prayer-book in his pocket. “However,” said the. gentleman, “ I am per suaded that a gentleman of your appearance and respectability would 'be able to pray with them, as well as to talk to them. I beg, there fore, that you will be so good as to begin with prayer.” After a few modest refusals, Mr. Baxter commeneed the service with a prayer at once selemn and fervid, for which he was so remarkable. The magistrate soon melted into tears. The man of God then delivered a most impressive sermon ; after which, the magistrate stepped up to him and said, that he felt truly thankful that Baxter had not come, for he had nevet; heard anything, that 10 much affected him iu the whole course of his life. Baxter turning round to him with a pathos not to be imitated, said: “I am the very Dick Baxter of whom you are ia pursuit; lam at your dispo sal.” But the justice having felt so during the service, entirely laid aside all his enmity ; and ever afterwards became one of the most decided friends of the nonconformist, and died, it is believed, a decided Christian. •*-*-*• [From the Telegraph and Confederate.] Hood Hospital, j Cuthbevt, Ga., March, 1865. j Mr. Editor: It has been the misforlune qf the writer of this to have been in many hos pitals since the war, but in none of them has he noticed such plenty and variety, or so well prepared for the table. The fare here is as much more abundant and palatable, compared with other hospitals, as that of a first-class hotel compared with this. Now, Mr. Editor, there must be something wrong at the other hospitals, else why so marked a difference, in every respect? On inquiry, I learn that the Steward of the Ilood Hospital has no more allowed him iu rations or money than other hospitals ; yet I know that it is far superior to others—so much superior that the difference is worthy the at tention of the Medical Director, under whose eye the writer hopes this brief article will pass, with the hope that any wrong existing may be corrected, that full justice may be done the gallant soldier worn down by wounds or dis ease, and receive the benefit of the provision the country has made for his sustenance and comfort. Ho.spital Patient. The Use ov Means. —God never promised to save by miracles those that would not save them selves by means.— Henry. THE LIFE-CLOCK. FROM THE GERMAN. There is a little mystic clock, No human eye hath seen. That beateth on—and beateth on, From morning until e’en. And when the soul is wrapped in sleep, Aud heareth not. a sound,. It ticks and ticks the livelong night, And never runneth down. O wondrous is that work of art Which knells the passing hour, But art ne'etYormed, nor mind conceived, The life-clock s magic power. N#r set in gold, nor decked with gems ; By wealth and pride possessed ; But rich or poor, or high or low, Each bears it in his breast. hen life s deep stream, ’mid bed and flowers, All still and softly glides, Like ihe wavelet s step, with a gentle beat, It warns of passing tides. When threat’ning darkness gathers o’er, And hope's bright visions flee. Like th# sullen strokes of the muffled oar, It beateth heavily. When passion nerves the warrior’s arm For deeds of hate and wrong, Though heeded not the fearful sound, The knell is.deep and strong. When eyes to eyes are gazing soft, And tender words are spoken, Then fast and wild it rattles on. As if with love ’twere broken. v Such is the clock that measures life, Os flesh and spirit blended; And thus ’twill run within the breast Till that strange life is ended. A Thrilling Exordium. In a sea-port town, on the west coast of Eng land, some years ago, there was notice given of a sermon to' be preached one Sunday eve ning, in a dissenting chapel. The preacher was a man of great celebrity in his calling, and that circumstance, together with the picus ob ject of the discourse—to enforce the duty of the strict observance of the Sabbath—attracted an overflowing audience. After the usual prefatory prayer and hymn of praise, the preacher gave out the text, and was about to proceed wiih his sermen, when he suddenly paused, leaned his head cn the pulpit, and r«- nV.ired silent for a few moments. It was imagined that ire had become indisposed ; but he soon recovered himself, and addressing the congregation, said, that, before entering upon his discourse, he begged to narrate to them a , short anecdote. “It is now exactly fifteen years,” said he, “since I was last in this place of wersljp; and the occasiou was, as many here may . probably remember, the very same wkieli has now brought us together. Among those who came thither that evening were three dissolute young men, who came not only with the intent of insulting and mocking the vene rable pastor, but even with stones in their pockets to throw at him, as he stood in his pulpit. Accordingly they had not listened long to the discourse, when »ne of them said impa tiently, ‘ Why need we listen any longer to the blockhead? throw!’ but the second stopped him, saying, ‘Let us first see what he makes of this point.’ The curiosity of the latter was no sooner satisfied, than he .said, ‘Ay, it is only as I expected, .throw, now!” But here th# third interposed, and said, ‘it would be better altogether to give up the design which had brought them there.’ At this remark, his two associates took offence, and left the church, while he himself remained to the end. Now, mark, my brethren, continued the preacher, with much etnotion, what were afterwards th# several fates of these young men. The first was hanged many yearsllgo at Tyburn, for the crime of forgery ; ihe second is now lying under sentence of death, for murder, in the jail of this city. The third, my brethren,” — and the speaker’s agitation here became exces sive, while he paused and wiped the large drops from his brow—“ the third, my brethren, is he who is now about to address you. Listen to him." The number of hogs packed in Cincinnati is estimated, upon packers’ returns at 333,000, being a deficiency, as compared with last sea son, of 32,000 head. At Chicago the packing foots up 750,000, against 904,060 lust year, being a falling off of about 150,000. The fall ing off in the whole West will fall little short, of 700,000 head. In the number shipped East' there is also a large deficiency. Horrible. — We learn that a letter has been received by a lady in this city, from one of the nuns in the Convent at Columbia, stating that the Yankees fired the Convent, and that twenty five children, placed there to be educated, were ■ burned to death. Two of the nuns were car ried off by the brutal soldiery. Their fate can only be surmised. The conduct of our foes in this war proves that all the devils are not in hell. — Exchange.