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WEEKLY REPUBLICAN T.he GrE'T Fight Commence .—A tierce en gagement. took place yesterday afternoon, lie. tweed the enemy and the left wine: of our army, near Richmond, which our correspondent interprets into the commencement ol the great battle that is to decide the late of the Confed erate Capitol. It is more thau probable. The pressure on McClellan, both from bis troops and people*, is tremendous, ned he can no longer delay without demoralizing the former and losing ay eontidei ce with the latter. We have every confidence in a favorable re mit to the Confederates, and should Stonewall Jackson succeed in getting in the rear of the Federal army—which we believe to be his real Intention—the Yankees will not only be de feated, lint utterly blotted out as an army. We shall probably hear startling news to day. RacoNNwissAhoa on Wilmington. —We are requested to state, that Capt. J. G. Owen, of Compauy B. 29th Georgia, with nine men, aud not Lieut. Hooper, of the Berry Infantry, recon noitered Wilmington Island Thursday last.— There were no Yankees on the Island. .The cattle, hogs, fowls, &c., on the Island, together with the furniture, crockery ware, &c., in the houses, were untouched. Movement op the Enemy towards Wel don. —The Petersburg Express learns, from a source entitled to the fullest credit, that Yan kee troops, to the number of s'x tbouimd, have advanced from Norfolk and Suffolk to a point Id the seaboard railroad, known as Frank lin Depot, fifty miles from Portsmouth, ud thirty from Weldon. The aim of this force is. beyond doubt, to advance to Weldon, and cut eff railroad connection at that place with Pe tersburg and Richmond. At Weldon the roads fioin Wilmington, aud Raleigh, and Petersburg converge. It Is an important position, and, ot course, will be held by our forces at all hazards. We have no information as to the preparations to receive <hem, but believe that our authori ties will will sea to it that they are ample. From Virginia id-uters are wearing a:i an gry aspect near Richmond, and the general im pression there is that a general engagement — the fiercest of modern times—will be brought on in the course of a very few days, perhaps before ihe close of the wees. The two armies are in battle a ray, almost in sight of each oth er, and sleep on their arms night. . When it does come, we may look for a terrible slaughter ou both sides, such as wiil spread mourning throughout the lrud and drench the soil ot Vir ginia with blood. To both it will be a vital struggle, dud perhaps determine the war. We feel a firm faith in the triumph oi our arms at the close of the fight, and our generals will have only to correct past errors and follow up the victory, to silence effectually and forever all opposition to the Confederate Slates as an independent member of the great family of na tions. J3OP“ The following from a merchant of this city to his partner in busiuers, corroborates a statement heretofore published by a number ol sufferers, and exhibits a stiteof things which the government should take Immediate steps to correct.—[Etm. “Meridian, Miss., June 20, 1802 1 bear : I arrived here last night from Jackson; have found all but six Ifhds. sugar, which I oxpect are lost; the Government has seized It aud scattered it to the tour winds of Heaven, and It is doubtful if wo will ever gel anything for it, as the officials are (In not only my opinion, but every other person who owns freight here,) a sot of thieves. Words are not adequate to express the extent of swindling that they carry on. Our sugar was seut out of Vicksburg, and thrown down by the road side, allowed to remain there in the sun and rain for a month, at tbo owners, risk and expense ol watchiug, coopering Ate.; then they come along aud siege it, reweigh it, and, I understand, will pay us about 7 cts. for it, when they can’t buy It from any one for less than 12! .J, and then make us wait until they get ready to pay for it Aud, mind you, it Is only unit-residents, fir that is to he acted upon in tills way ; any Mis sDMpp'an who has freight, can get his, while we cannot. Aud wlmt do you suppose they in tend to do with It ? Trade it loresldt ntsol this State for bacon, who allow them 25 cts. All for their meat, virtually stealing from us and enriching them “I saw a piece in the Augusta Constitutionalist of the 12th lust., which will also give you an Idea ot their schemes, except it did uot men tion that the Government had opened a retail grocery shop. "I wish you to show this letter to Mr. Sneed, and call Ins attention to the article In the Au gusta paper I spoke of. I wish the people of our section to know how they are treated by Mississippi officials." *#. Tho Hanging; uf Km, H. Muintord t New Orleuua. A painful bat plain duty awaits performance at the bauds ol the authorities here. It is to select Irom the enemy’s prisoners in our hands a subject for retllaauon for the Illegal, barbar ous anil inluiuous hanging ol Win. U. Muintord in Now Orleans for the “crime” ol tearing the Yankee ensign Irom the Mint in that city, on tbe 24th oi April last, Ttie lads of the case arc, tflat tho Yankees, having passed tho forts below New Orleans, made their appearance off the city ou the 24th of April, aud demanded its buirender. Tho Mayor replied that tho city was at the mercy of the Yankees, but that it would never bo surrendered. Under such circum stances the Yankee commander sent a parly on shore to hoist their fi.ig on the public build ings. They wore not forcibly resisted, and ex ecuted their orders unmolested, but no sooner had they gouo ou bourd of their boats thau Muuiford went to the lop of tbe Mint and tore the haled banner down. The crowd assisted him. and, in a few minutes, the “stars and stripes” so defiantly tlung to tho breeze were trampled beneath the feet of the indignant people of the city and dragged through the streets. This act of Mutnford wa* committed before the city of New Orleans had surrendered. The flag was planted upon the homo ot the public budding by force, aud, while there was no act ol the ttuthoritle* t > bind him, Mumtord was perfectly justifiable in leariug it down. Indeed, the tl tg was placed there while nego tiations were being c relucted between th eomuiander of the Yankee fleet and tbe author ities, and, under the-e circumstances, the rais ing of the enemy's ttig was a plain vioiatlouof the rules and amenities of war, and an outrage on the authorities and people of tho city. But eveu under ihe harshest rule of construc tion. the act ol Muuiford having been com mitted before the city ot Now Orleans had sur rendered, aud while she was steadily reiustng to do so, was nothing more than an act of war, for which he was no wore responsible than as a prisoner of war. It was an act, too, to which no 1 le was sacrificed or blood shed, and which amt umed to nothing more than a show of re sentment to the tl igof the enemy. For this simple manifestation of hostility to an enemy who had neither occupied the city with his forces, nor received its surrender Irom the authorities, the unhappy man, Mumtord, has been hung in open (ty by the order ol But ler, tbe tyrant of N w Ornuus. From sui h accounts of the affair as we have been able to gather, ft appears that the brutal sentence of death, ou the gallows, was'carried into effect in the presence of thousands of spec tators. The victim was surrounded by a cor don of armed men, ready to prevent any at tempt at a rescue. The crowd looked ou, scarcely bdUffiog their senses, nuwiliing to think that even such a tyrant as Bailer could n ally have the heart to murder a citizen of the (Jonietieralc States thus openly, and hoping every moment for a reprieve or a pardon ; but none came, and the soul ot the martyr was ushered, by viofeut bauds, into the presence of Its God. For this horrible and ghastly outrage there comes a cry lor vengeance. A sharp and dire vengeance must be executed, ihe law of re taliation Is a -ev.rv, but tnercitm ue; tt is a part ot the civil.zed code ol war; It 1- Intended to chick and chastise Its excesses ; and the spirit that constantly threatens tl* application, but Shrieks from tt from weakness or maudhu tenderness, is alike Ch!tJl. h ttt Its na tire aud cruet iu Us cons, queues*. —(Rich. Examiner. Butlsr’s Doctors Wont Do —lt Is rumored that Picayune Bailer, the veritable butler ol ihe Bt. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, seut for Dr. Warren 3:ou-, when the following c uversatton Is said to bave occurred : Buiier—l require your services with my officers. My army surgeons are well enough— but they are not acquainted with the diseases of this climate. B:one—Then, what did you bring them to S • Orleans for ? Butier—SsviT wind that quest on—l want you to prescribe tor them Stone—l’ll so you d—d first * Tue Doctor ten', but was oou arrested, and permitted to depart again ou the “uccve&arv eil” IHffl SA-V'-A-NTST.A-H 'WEEICL'Y- IttlfcP'UlßLiaA.lf, S JATTTE/D-A. Y, iXTT3ST3±! 28, x S 63. Speech of BeH Woyd, of Nett' York, ON TUB STATTK OF THI3 <*TVXTttVv The Richmond Dispatch lias obtained a copy Ofa speech of the Hon. li n Wood, former pro prietor of the New York News, (a paper which was suspended on account ot Its hol'd stand in favor ol the South,) in tlie Federal House of Representatives, 0,1 the state of the country.— Believing that a majority of our readers would be gratified to iindeistand the position now oc cupied hy Mr. Wood towards the Abolition party of the North we. publish it entire. Mr. Wood obtained the tin udinous consent of the House to have printed the following remarks: Mr Wood.—Mr. Chairman, I have hitherto avoided troubling this House. Content to be a listener, without any other participation in its proceedings than to oppose my solemn in •dividuil negative against measures which rat conscience and my principles would approve, I have said nothing. Indeed, sir, 1 have not had the heart to rise here and speak. A glance at this Hall, of itself, has been enough to prevent. When I look around and see one third of the Union unrepresented here, and find myself in a bodv. though purpotiug to be one branch ot the Congress of the United States, really in fact, but a fragmentary part ot it, my heart sinks withiu me. It appears to be a sectional body—a gath ering of the representatives ot a sectional party. With these feelings, agd with this spirit, I have until now avoided participating in debate. Bssiles, sir, during the earlier period of this session, disaster had accompanied the ttforts of the Federal-arms. I felt that the hour of defeat was not a fit one in which to strive to awaken the great soul of the North to thoughts of peace ; I felt.ahat something was due to the Reuse of mortification, something to the natural desire to retrieve the shame of discomfiture. I hoped, too, that when victory should perch upou our banners, others than myself would seize the occasion to urge a plea in behalf ot' p acetal measures; and that this government itself, feel ing secure and strong enough to be magnani m us, would take the lead and be the pioneer in opening a path lor tub settlement of our dif lienities without further reourse to bloodshed. I even hoped the leaders of the uow dominant party, moved by the sore distress which lias vis ited our country, would relent from the stern vigor of heir doctrine of sirtyaguiou, and, in the flush ol triumph, would lean a tittle towards a gentler policy than that which they have hith eitochauiuioned with so much Zealand with so little forbearance. I hoped in vaio. Tbe triumph cam ■; a loug train of successes has relieved the North irom its humiliation. The government claims now to stind as a rock against which the tempest of opposition must waste itself in futile eff>rts. lire partizmsof the ultra war parly laugh to scorn the idea that apy effectual resistance can be offered to the onward march of our triumph ant armies, and yet no single effort has been made ia these Congressional halls to stay the ef in-ion of blood. It has been left for me, pow erless as I am, to speak the fiist conciliatory word in behalf of my suffering countrymen. And I do it, sir, in the hope that others more capable, will uot be too much engrossed with the lust of conquest and the pride of victory to follow minexample. Sir, it * an ineffaceable reproach to those either deluded or wicked men who, in the North, by their unwearied agitation of abolition schemes, have stirred the embers ol this strife'; it is ati eternal reproach to them tnat, through defeat and victory, throughout every phase of this unhappy struggle, with tbe groans of their distressed and tortured country smiting upon their ears, they have clung, aftd still cling, wiih uupitlying pertinacity, and even with ferocity, to the doctrine which has been the germ of ail the mischief. With the first exulting shouts of Federal victories they set up the echoing cry of emancipation. With all the energy of fanati cism, with all the subtle arts and intrigues of scheming demagogues, with ail the appliances of cunning intellect, aud patronage at their command, even at this eventful crisis, when every American brain should be at work to bring about a fair and honorable pence, they have no thought, no hope, no duty but to pro pagate their creed, extending its influence into every nook and corner of tile laud, and puisou mg liie atmosphere ol these sacred balls with its interminable discussion. Openly and in se cret, by the agency of the pr.ss, the pulpit, and the political rostrum, in the camp, in the city, and in the open field, they are spreading tbe contagion; the are innoeulating the c -uuiry with this moral pestilence, which has already brought us where we are, at the very brink of the grave of our nationality. Sir, to these apostles of Abolitionism will be traeed herealter whatever of evil has befallen or may befall our country. They are tmildiug its sepulchre with the bones of their slaughtered countrymen. Ido believe there arc gentlemen withiu my vision uow whose sworn purpose, whose first desire, paramount even to the pre servation of Republicanism, is emancipation. They and their disciples first threw the apple ol disco and. They first applied the torch, and are now more busy thau ever with throwing fresh fuel to the flame. history ever trace, which God forbid, the record of this country’s rum, that page will seem the strang est to those that read whieh shall tell of liie madness aud wickedness ot the arch fanatics of abolitionism. Iu the dark recesses of the tem ple of infamy the gloomiest niches will boar the Inscription of former times. Sir, I counsel ouly a moral Interference with the work of these mischief makers. I would uot have eveu fanaticism deprived of the right ol tree speech, nor would I, in any emer gency, advocate the slightest infringement by the Government upon the liberty ol the press. Let them sow the seeds of their infamous doc trine broadcast Over the land. Whatever may be the danger, I will not countenance the great er danger ot establishing a dictatorship over the thoughts of my lellow-cnunlrymeti. Bui it the abominable theme must be brought into the council chambers ot the uati m, for the sake ot decency, if not of justice, let it be ut a more seasonable time. It there remains one Union man at the South, let us remember that bo is unrepresented here ; that the subject of slavery particularly concerns him, and that it is uugrnerous aud unjust, If not cowardly, to take advantage ot his absence of representation to push forward measures in regard to the local institutions of his section—measures against which were ho present, ho would give his earnest opposition. It will quench whatever remains of Union feeling in me South, if it has not already done o. ft w"‘ destroy the last hope of reconstruction o> tie. Uutou a friend ly basis. It will ptov wii i. uas been -> often intimated, that the first idea ot tiie dominant party in the Norlfi is active and unwavering an tagonlsm to slavery, and a fixed purpose to legislate it out of the laud at all hazards Is it with that theory advanced that wearetocou quer a peace ? Sir, we are flinging away the last chances of reconciliation as recklessly as mad men cast I'ueir treasure into the sea. The agitation ol the subject has b.-cu the country’s bane at every period ot its history ; its discus sion at this crisis is desperate self-destruction. Is it while the magazine is beneath us aud about ns, buistiug with the agencies ot ruin, that we must choose to sport with the flaming torch of the incendiary ? Sir, until our beloved country shall be saved, the word “emancipa tion” should, by common couscut, be bauisneif ro:n the language of debate in this assemblage. I> Is a spell winch has wrought enough already of desolation It is a hellish formula of incan tation, which has cot jo red up the floods ot dis cord and civil w.r ; ad it never was so potent in its evil tendencies as now, when It is being passed, like the breath of the plague, from mouth to mouth, In the council chambers ol the country it has ruiued. It should be spoken iu a whisper, aud with a prayer liuked to it, as a thing th.it briugs a curse and spreads a pesti lence. I despair of my country. I despair of ever living once more in a blessed Uuion of fraternal States, when I lie.tr all around me the utterance of that ruin-breeding word “emanci pation," mingliug with the shouts of battle, the fierce hurrahs of triumph over ullea broth ere, and the groans ot our dying countrymen. Str, if in place ot making ihe vegro question a subject matter ol debate, ibis Cotigrecs would take into earnest, sole mu eocsab-ration some expedient for securing peace, 1 do believe that success would crown our efforts. It they would enter upon that task, not with hearts embittered and intellect swayed by sectional antipathies and untimely mock philanthropies, but with ah their souls devoted to that one sacred pur pose—tbe reconstruction of the Uuion and our redemption from civil war—it they would da this, iu the spirit of conciliation, of forgive ness, of tolerance, of brotherhood aud kindly } leeliug, it is my conviction that before the close of this eventful session the preliminaries of a peace would be arranged. But white, with the obstinacy ot a blind t malic, and the tustinct ot a brunt gladiator, the first object is to pro i luuig.ue a party creed, and the second to crush [au oppvneut and wear the badge of victory, 1 i see no fairer prospect tha ,at some distant ■ period, reached through seas Of blood and | heaps of carnage, the. torced submission of a I crushed aud devastated section, aud ihe q tally ! unhappy spectacle of a government trlnuipU j aut, but examined by Us triumph, detested by j a moiety ol those sovereignties that gave it j birth, aud gas ag with horror and remorse upon i the desolation it has wrought. Sir, it is not my purpose to vent reproaches, ! evt n where I believe them to bj deserved. I j have riseu to enter my protest against the dis | passion, in this chamber, of any anti-slavery I scheme whatever at this crisis, atid to offer an i earnest appeal to this Congress ton Us legista ; Uen shall embrace every moans ot securing an immediate peace. It, a> the goverumeut claims, j the Oontedera e cau-e is hopeless, the leaders of the secession movement cannot be ignorant of the fact; aud knowing It, they will be nat urally inclined to lend a willing ear to whatever I proper overtures this government may present. ‘ At some period of tfiis struggle there must be negotiation; it mast be resorted to sooner or later; why nof uow ? I Is it because pruie forbids that we should be the first to outstretch the hand of coneilhui- n ? I Heuvou iorfend that thousands of human lit. s ! and a country’s welfare should dep. ud upon so j false a principle. Is it been use the South has i ! been sufficiently punlsiud, humbled and subdued? TUeu let ns confess that ehastieo tne it, and vcngeuuce are the objects of this war. ! Js it becauue the anti slavery movement bus not yet received a sufficient impetus ? If so, lull it to tiie armies that have won your vic tories. Make abolition the war cry. Place a banner with that. d< vice in the vanguard, and hire those artui.-s on to conquest with it—if you can. Your soldiers would rend the treacherous ensign into shreds, and would march to their homes wl.h the same alacrity that they pushed ou with it to tiie battle field. What, then, is the cause that withholds ne gotiation? V'ou wiil not parley with armed treason. But you have parleyed with armed treason, if that be the word ; parleyed for the mete eouvouieuee of an exchange of prisoners, aud other purposes to mitigate the grievances ef war. It was your duty to do so. Aud shall you uot do so to accomplish ail lint your troops are fighting for —the reconstruction of the Uuiriu ? Let us suppose that the South is anxious to embrace an opportunity ot return, and is with held from making advances by doubts as to the intentions of the North. Is it not right that we should confer with them, that those doubts may he removed ? What do the people care for such miserable punctilios in the hour of a nation’s agony V Bir, au honorable peace is wit hi: the grasp of this Congress without further bloodshed. This Congress knows that if is so, aud when the people shall realize that it. is ouly the infamous design to strengthen the anti slavery move ment that prevents au effort to obtain peace, woe to the Chiefs of the Aoolition party ot the land. But enough of them. Words are thrown away upon tueir stubborn fanaticism. I appeal with better hope to the loftier feelings that should pervade humanity, and especially per vade this august assemblage, that should by the uature of its sac cd functions, ne far removed from the miserable ambition of reducing a sec tion of our common country to the extreme, and therefore dangerous, condition of despair. Sr, there may be a fascination iu the gory niaguifie nee ol war Taero may be a craving tor martial glories in the hearts of men, aud au instinct of contention which we shat|e in com mon with the bruurcreiuiou. But if ever there can be a time when a more Christian impulse should pcs ess our souls, it it uow ; now, when the triumph and conciousaess ot strength give us the noble privilage of extending the hand oi reconciliation without fear of rlegrodatioa, or of self reproach fur cowardice. Ii adversity has becu our excuse tor sternoe-s, let success be our pica for magnanimity. Providence has placed within the reach of tiie North a greater triumph than countless armed legious couid conquer; the triumph ot subduing a brave eu my with a generous and merciful policy, that wifi disarm resentment aud rekindle the old brotherly flume that perhaps is uot yet totally extinct. For, after all, they are our brothers, sir; and some softening ot the stern Roman vigor wnieh our rulers assumed is due to that brotherhood; winch bjfcuntimely severity, may be cancelled now torever. There are gentle men who will say that the South must lie sub dued ; that every ai med Soutueine must throw down his weapon aud sue lor mercy. Should a freeman ask so much ol his brother freeman ? Would they be worthy of compan ionship ia our fraternity, being reclaimed at such a sacrifice oi tnauiy iceling ? Wliat would you have them do? Would you have them crouch and cringe, and strew their heads with ashes, and Kneel at your gates for re-admission ? They are Americans, sir, and wiil not do it! No, though K >ajioakeaud Fort Henry, aud Fort Donelson suould be re enacted from day to day, through the lapse of bloody years, they w,U not do it! Give them some chance ror an houorable return, or you will wipeout every chance, and the two sections will be twain for ever. Yes, Rir, you may link them to each other With chains, aud pin their destinies to gether wi.b bayonets, but at heart they will be twain forever. They are the children of the same heroic stock, the joint inheritors with ourselves of the precious legacy of freedom; and it seems a sacrilege and an insult to the memories of the past, that so many, sir, should sit in your presence here to day to goad them on to desperate resistance, aud so few—alas ! so very few—to mediate and reu*utn. Ot those few, I thank my God that I am one. lam proud to proclaim it here be tath the dome of the Capitol. I shall proclaim it, here and everywhere, until the wings oi peace shall be once more folded over tbe bleeding bosom of my country. I shall proclaim it alond and honestly, although to do so .would make'me the next victim ol this cruel strife. Sir, it may be said that-1 speak of peace, while its attainment, without further recourse to arms, remains impossible. But Ido not believe it impossible. What effort has been made ? What door has been opened through which the passions aud ill-feelings ol the con testants might pass out and reason enter? None. The single idea has been forced upon tbe people that the sword, and the sword alone, must decide the issue. It has been pronounced treason to hold an opposite opinion. Str, it to have but little laith iu the efficacy of thesword for joining severed friendships, it to earne tly desire peace and to deprecate the horrors of war, be treason, then I am a traitor; and l am prouder of such treison than others h ive the right to be of their vindictive, flaming and pre tentious patriotism. ’ 1 conjure this Congress, in the name of our suffering country—in the name of vvivesMhut may be willows, of children that may be or phans, in the names of gallant men, now strong in health, and who to morrow may be stretch ed in death upon the gory ground, or writhing, maimed and disttgiked, with tormenting wouuds—in the name of humanity, that sick ens at the daily record of this terrible strife— I conjure this Congress to seize at the merest chance that may exist of a present termination of this tragedy. Let something bo attempted in the spirit of mediation. Sir, the people will respond to it. They will thank this Congress for it. They will bless this Congress for any measure that breathes of the spirit of reconcil iation. They are weary of this war—weary in despite of the excitement of present victory. They will awakeu soon to the consciousness that such victories are being purchased at a sacrifice that is terrible to contemplate; that a national debt is being created which, in its rapid accumulation, is apt ailing—a debt which, if ever paid, will press like an incubus upon luture generations, stunting the growth and paralyzing the vigor of our young Republic, or, if repudiated, resting a blot upon our annafs. And while at home we are groaning with dis tress and standing ou the verge of bankruptcy, if we look abroad the spectacle tends only to oursbarue. We see the sc ptred hands ot Eu rope planting their royal banners upon ihe soil jol this western hemisphere, which it is. our natural duty to consecrate to Republicanism, nnd which we might at least have guarded from the greed of foreign despots. The 11 ig of Ara gon and Castile flaunts in the air of San Do mingo, and, uuited with the blazonries of France and England; is unfurled upou the walls of San Juand’Utloa. Where uiay they not float twelve months hence, if we, the uaiural guardians of tnis continent from foreign inter iereuce, should still be busy with dabbling in each i ther’s gore ? Sir, If there must be war, let it be against the natural enemies of Repub licanism, and as we have already humbled our national pride to conciliate the Biitisn lion, let u make some sacrifice to win back in amity, and not to subjugate, the Sooth, that we may stand once again as comrades in arms, to scourge these foreign interloper back again within their proper limits. 1 am no advocate of bloodshed, but if a for eign war should be the alternative of submis sion to foreign insolence, I trust that I should be among the last to tall prostrate, that the hurricane might sweep harmlessly by. To sub serve the schemes of a party we have already humiliated, the American people in the eyes of scoffing Europe, aud It will be a task hereafter to regaiu the caste we have 1 st in the family ot nations. No much greater evil could befall us than to be forred from the position we have h.tberto assumed towards foreign Powers. IJ would not have my country swerve one inch from any vital principle of her foreign policy in auy emergency whatever. Above all things. I hold dear that national honor which we have j ever, till of late, preserved untarnished. How ever gloomy may be the aspect of things at home, I would have our flag float as proudly as ever ibroad, not even deigning to make domes tic aftt etion a plea for humility, an excuse for cowardice, or a of national shame. Whenever occasion demands that a stand j should be made against foreign aggression, or ; a rebuke administered to ioreigu pride, or a ! chastisement inflicted upon foreign insolence, I would have the gaum let throw n down upou 1 the impulse of the national sentiment, without i reference to domestic exigencies, or pausing to | measure the strong proportions of the toe. | In the heal of our private discord, we seem to have forgotten that our great mission a- a people is to republ canizs the world, to advance . the principle that men are capable of *elf-g >v ernment, and to cheek the progress ot monar chy. Sir, we are losing ground in the tallill— j merit ol that sacred mission, and monarchy has gained anew loolhoid while we have been [ weakening our sinews with intestine strife.— ! And to what purpose ? Is it possible that gentle men can hope to reconstruct the Union by pur i suing a poiiey of unrelenting severity ? Can i thev expect to re-esuvnlish concord and broth i erlv love by pusbiug hostilities to the, extreme verge ? What is the Union worth without rnu tuai respect and reciprocaiedVmity to bind the sections? What! a Union of unwilling Status, i driven into comi*auioush‘p at the p unt ot the rbayonet, and held there hereafter by military i power! Snch a Union would not b worth the shedaiocof one brave Blau’s bbwxi. We want j their hearts or we want them not at all. And we cannot conquer hearts ith bayonets, al ; though they should out number the spears of j Xerxes. If not brought back by negotiation, ‘in the spirit they are gone from us lorerer. To I ( ’u 'v ’*•* possible. To slay.it, dr k r.i, i'iy waste Ms-.-it* lands, and burn ’.eir citf'S, may be within our p iwer. But to h >ld them in subjection, h.viug conquered tin.'in, Would, in itself, v a dual repudiation of the first p.-’ncipid or republicanism. Prosecute this war until you have accomplished the necessity of holding a subdued section in subjection, and tbo world 'ii! look iu ' -in fr a Republic on tin- We* tern immisplt [ i v > to entertain tire hope that our Un ion a p -tored up-an the foundation laid down by one tiers ; -anti I desire u<> change in the plan of that glorious superstruel arc. But, I :iu; u.i; s i ii'ni.t' tint’ a worshipper of llic Union ns to reek io- r<(<>>!'lon with tiie destruction of those for win- wi-lfir 1 it was coric-ivtd ; to build it upon the bead bodies of my cou itiy liion, wh oi other menu* are at.hand for its re- , construction. 1 would purchase its redeinp- j lion otherwise than by anarchy and ruin. I would not fling away the substance to perpeiu ; ate the name. Every drop of blood that is shed j in this struggle will weaken the keystone of the fabric for whose sake the blood is pretend- I ,ed to be shed. One word of conciliation at ■ this crisis will do more to save the country J than all the achievements, past and to come, of j your victorious soldiery. Why should not that word go forth, even ■ now, in tiie hour of the triumph of the Federal arms? If there has ever been a period iu ttie j history of Republics when prolonged civil ; strife has failed to curtail the liberty of the ! masses. I have not read that history aright.— j Already, with one year’s b tter experience, wo I have beheld some of the do ,rest privileges of j American citizenship wrested from our grasp, j And how long, at the same rate, before, upon j the convenient p'ea of necessity, we shall be j stripped of other rights which heretofore have | made us deem ourselves freemen ? liow ioeg, | while persona! liberty cow depends ou the c-ai j of an official ? How long, while Irce-bom j American citizins can ’Deleft to languish iu ] B.istilcs, beyond Lite reach ot the cou'touted : tribunals of the land and at the mercy of tfi Executive for their liberation ? How long, j while the press, the guardian of liberty, tbo ' friend of the masses, is shackled, gigged,c Wed down to sullen silence, or, worse yet, become the minion of a part.- ? How long, wh voters are arrested at the polls by tniliiary pro- j ce-s, and legisiatois are hurried off to pr s before they can assume their sacred function- ? ; How long, while the parti zing of the liurff-ftfU tate Abolition party are coining money out of; the blood of their countrymen, parading their j showy patriotism and shunting “Union',” with I their arms u;> to the elbows in the public i Treasury? llow long, sir, will tbe people oil the North, taxed beyond endurance, robbed j and cheated by an ever-craving b-rde ot po- ( litical hyenas, ho* long will they have a choice- j between freedom and anarchy, between a Re public and a despotism ? Ala- ! we vviii cling j to the name ol a Republic, l-ut have we the re- j alitj ? it is entirely at tiie option ot one man ! or of a council of men, whether tl><- citizen I hall breathe in freedom the air of II -jvi.— I At the ‘‘'open nemme" of the Executive, the | gloomy portals of the Bastilcs xafat* tie and j Warren will gape to receive him. And this i j the R-pnbl c I was taught to love ! Sir, it is only a s gn and forerunner of, what must inevitably be, should ihe South be crushed into Uie Union. You mty bring the South to teuriiS with your bayonets, but when you have done so, you will have a bond of air; a covenant to enforce which will necessitate this Government to assume the functions of a military despotism, and to break which at tbe first opportunity will bean aim and tgptinio.se on the part of the subdued section.. What they have attempted once, they will not fail to attempt hereafter, when smarting under the re membrance of defeat, while cherishing the deadly hate that a war to the utterance will tu gender. For the sake of union now and of union here after—not enforced union, but the strong uuion of willing hearts—let the word of peace go forth ; let the band of reconciliation he extrud ed. Why, sir, I have heard such words o! bit ter hatred expressed towards the Southerners by Northern lips, that I fear it may be already too late ever to renew the bonds of fraternity. Such sentiments I have heard of implacable, of i hireling vengeance, of sectional antipathy, as Hannibal was taught to nurture against Rome ; as Home in her quenchless jealousy conceived towards Carthage to the end. And the doom of Carthage may be accepted by the Soutb, rather than re-uuioti at the bayonet’s point. I appeal to this Congress to avert that late as inglorious to the victor as -to the vanquished. Let the door to negotiation he flung wide open, flung open now while we cau make advances with good grace and with laurels upon our brow. To tbe winds with the doctrine that >uu will uot treat with armed traitors It is a sen timent titter for the epoch of a purpled Roman than for the Christian age in which wo live. It is the sentiment of one who rules with a rod of iron, not of a great and generous people who assume to rule themselves. Enough has been done in proof of the valor of the North aud tiie resources of the government. Let something be now done for the sake of the past, for the sake of the memories of the Revolution, of the struggle of 1812, of the battle field of Mexico ; for the sake of a Union whose cement shall be forgiveness for tiie past, aud friendship and foi beurance for the future. * In place of exulting over victories, and long ing for new triumphs, how much more pleasant and more holy to draw a picture of the joy ibut, will pervade many a now gloomy household when the glad tidings ot peace shall be borne from city to village, from village to homestead, Irom lip to lip, and heart to heart. A nation’s jubilee would well repay you for some little yielding of your stern policy. How mauy arms would be outstretched, how many hearts would bound to give a “welcome home again” to tho war stained volunteer. Oh, sir, those meoilngs at the cottage threshold, those clasping* at the farm house porch, those cleavings of ihe throb bing bosoms ot women to scarred and m -.niy breasts, were worth all the laurels that were ever snatched from blood stained fields. The news of our victories has been bailed with pie ms and illuminations, but, with the first tidings ol peace, there is not a hovel in the land Uiat would not have a candle at its w in dow, not a palace that would n t blaze with splendors in token- of the advent of a blessing priceless beyond all eartbly triumphs. Then, sir, let us lower the points of our vic torious swords, and parley with the foe while the bngle blasts of victory are yet ringing in our ears. II we are free in anticipation from the peril of future reverses; if we are sanguine that the Federal arms are henceforward giited with invincibility, that is the noblest reason why we should say to our opponents, “pause if you will; reflect.” Let us yield them one chance ol reconcilement before we drive them to the resistance of despair. There can be no victory where kith and Kin, where brothers and lellow counirymen, where men who are bound to each other by the holiest of past associa tions, ire struggling lor supremacy. All is de feat; ail is disaster; all is misfortune, tears aud mourning. Do not let us tlUce with blood every sacred memory that may yet bind these men to us as brothers. Give one sign of invi tation before the death struggle be renewed. Let the spirit of forgiveness pass between the Hues of those opposing hosts, and with the blessings of Providence, those armed legions will take a lesson from Sabinia and early Rome, whase Soldiers, unit dby domestic ties, threw down their weapons Up m the battle’s Verge, and sprang to each other’s embrace. Sir, 1 have sp iken freely, studying only to tuakwmy word* an index to my thought.- My opinions have brought upon me the censure, often most discourteously expressed, of many who differ with me; but for that 1 care but little. lam content to bide the boar that shall set me right before my countrjmen. As I have believed the prosecution of >bis war to be a widening of the gulf lhat separates the sec tions, 1 have earnestly opposed it. 1 '.lave always looked upon the subjugation of the South as n project whose fuitilimeut would strike a heavy, perhaps a latal blow to true re publicanism, and although I will yield to no man In devotion to the Union—although I would make any and every personal saenfie.; to restore its glory and integrity—l a ill never con sent, even for the sake of that Un.oo, to yield up my birthright as a freeman; to sacri'Jce those principles of sell government, those rights of free thought, and personal liberty, without which Uuiou is bat a mockery and"a naate. It is not grandeur and extent of territory that I covet as the chief attributes of the govern ment under which I arflPto live. Were I one of out a single community, insigniffcant in num bers, hot secure in a guarantee of pure Repub licaa ministration of affairs, I would be proud of my citizenship. But the onion of a thou-and States, each one as great and populous as the noble one among whose representatives 1 have the honor to be. I would detest—yes, sir, in my most inmost heart detest, if the holding to gether of component parts should create a ne cessity for the assumption of despotic power. Self-government is the god of my political idolatry, and the Union is but a tempi in which 1 have worshipped it. Shonld that temp’e be destroyed, I would not forsake the creed, nor would the mighty principle be buned iu the ruins. I love and would preserve the temple, for beneath its roof are gathered the treasures of holy past associations; upon its hallowed walls are inscribed the names of patriots, from the North and from the South, whose blood has been Us cement. But rather would I have the glorious fabric crumble to the dust, than see the spirit of despotism enshrined within its sa cred precincts. I have seen already the silent but lengthening shadow of absolutism creeping into the spot. Aud when the Executive hand, for the Urst time in our history, was interposed between the citizen and his rights, the germ was pfiated of a danger mightier than rebellion in it, tnos . efgnntic phase, for I believe encroachments bv wri Executive to be in itself rebellion a'aiast the only sovereignty I acknowledge—the ma jesty of the people. I believe each s*ep to wards absolu ism to be more fatal :o the welfare ot the Republic than any possible act within power of the citizen to conceive and execute. I will resist every grasp that may be made upon j'm attrlb .tc ot sovereignty not heretofore ae- I kit wvledced to the Chief .Vfagi3tracy, for reason l and instinct, no less than the fearful example ! that history lias furnished from, the ashes of j Republics, teach mo that the first step nn j checked, will uot be the last, but only the i precursor of those giant strides by which, over the uoeks of betrayed ireeueu, ambitious men have mounted to a throne. Wo want a Union, sir, of sovereigns, not of subjects ; and that our Government shall cx teud over a vast area to tr.o is of less moment than that, it should be purely, sirnsiy, and tin i equivocally republican, at all times aud under all conditions. | Sir, I have done. I have only to reiterate my ! hope and my entreaty that this Congress,which j has in Altered charge the welfare of our conn try, will adopt some measure which may bring about a cessation ot hostilities, with a view to negotiation. That done, lam firm in my be lief that hostilities will not i e resumed. N -Itliera Accounts of Southern Fit* Statements. Our attentive correspondent in the Army of Virginia sends ns the Philadelphia Inquirer of tiie 17th instant, from which wo make some in teresting extracts concerning recent skirmishes in South Carolina. They will amuse the friends on our side who engaged in the affairs de scribed : the skirmish near pocotaligo. On Thursday morning last a skirmish oc curred at Pocotaligo, a point near the Charles ton & Savant) ih Railroad, between Salcahatchie and Ooosnbatebie, in which our forces, under the command of Colonel B. C. Christ, of the Fifiielh Pennsylvania Volunteers, routed about 800 of the rebels. The engagement was con ducted entirely with infantry on our side, and was prolonged for about two hours before the enemy was finally dislodged. The details of the affair, which was, in military parlance, a rceon uoisauce, arc as follows : On the evening of the 28th ult., the Fiftieth Pennsylvania ri giment, together with one com p t y oi the E!gu.th Michigan Volunteers, Capt. ‘b yle, and one company of the Seventy-ninth Il’ghj •'decs, left Beaufort, arriving at Port Royal Ferry, and crossing over to the main land tu daylight. There the line of march lor PocoUtligo, via Gardner’s Corners,was instantly taken up, Colonel Christ driving ia the enemy’s pickets three times before tbe latter point was reached. At Gardner’s Corners Company E, wider the command o! Lieutenant. Lautz, was left, and Major Higgiusou, of the First Massa chusetts Cavalry, came up with a force of eighty men and horses. After a brief halt, at litis point, wa again suirud for Pocotaligo. via the Sheldon road, and, with the exception of occasionally driving in the enetn:’ pickets, which delayed our ruereh to a considerable degree,we reached our cie-tiua'ion without interruption. Here we wine met by the enemy, about eight hundred strong, his force consisting, as near as we could juege, of six companies ol mounted riflemen and four companies of iulantry. Among the latter, was a considerable number of colored men, who fought, apparently, with ail the zeal ol their masters. The enemy’s position was exceedingly well chosen, and was a most for midable one; but he was dislodged and com pelled to retreat. Pocotaligo, from our point of attack, is reach ed by a causeway about one fourth of a mile in leugth, flicked on either side by a marsh, through which a sluggish stream winds its way. Over this stream, and not more than eighty or a hundred yards from the end ot the causeway, was a bridge, some fifteen feet in width, which t tie Rebels had so far destroyed as to make it impassable, save by crossing on the string pieces. Oa the opposite side of the marsh is a narrow’ strip of woods, which we skirmished, some smart firing ensuing on both sides, with, however, but iliUe t fF.-et At this juncture it became evident that the enemy was posted under cover ol the trees and ditches, within good rifle range, cn either side of the causeway, and that in order to dislodge them we mast have a near range lor our mms Captain Charles Parker, of Company 11, accord ingly volunteered to take his men ever the nar r.<w string-pieces, and let them drop into a ditch on our right, when they would be able to operate under partial cover and at shorter range. The movement was successful, and about three hundred ot tbe troops were g t over. Under command of Lieut Colonel Bren holts, th y gradually approached the opposite side of the mar.-h, and drove back the enemy on our rigiit, when a charge was made on our left, and the enemy commenced a rapid retreat to tbe woods. As sooti as it couid be done, the bridge was replanked, and the cavalry were ordered in pur suit; buvthe enemy took refuge in a wood, where cavalry could not operate with advan tage, and recourse was again had to the infant ry. fha ioug march of twenty-four miles, however, together with the fight, had so jaded and fatigued them that they were unable to pursue tiie traitors as fast as they retreated. At tms moment Lieut. Cannon, ia charge of a sectioo of the First Connecticut battery, re ported himself. Tbe action had lasted nearly two .hours, and by the time Colonel Christ confd recall tho companies iu pursuit and again get ready to meve, more than three hours had elapsed. Negroes escaping to our lines brought, us information that the enemy were being re int reed from MePhersanville and Grahamville, and in view ol this tact, as well as the scarcity of ammunition, it was deemed prudent to re tire, and we accordingly returned to Port Royal Ferry, where we arrived at eleven P. M. Small detachments of cavalry followed ns as tar as Gardner’s Corners, where they were repulsed and driven back by tiie pickets oi Compauy E, who unhorsed one of their number. Our loss during the engagement was two kill ed and nine wounded. The Rebel loss it is im possible forme exactly to state, but it must have been s.-vere, as seven dead bodies of their men wore found upon the field. We also cap tured two prisoners, one of whom has been sent to headquarters, and the other, who was wounded, was taken to the hospital. Tho following are the cieaiiics on our side, all the killed and wounded belonging to the Fiftieth Pennsylvania Regiment: KILLED. Captain Charles Parker, Cos. li. Private M. Stevens, Cos. K. wounded. R. McCI llun, Cos. A, shot through the lung, dangerous. U. Wenrich, Cos. A, shot in the right lung, dangerous. D. Shearer, Cos. A, three buckshot in head, breast aud arm. Corporal G. C. Flafmeisher, Cos. B, shot in Hie risiht lung, dangerous. . J. lslo, Col B, accidently wouuded by a bayo net. C. M. Sheriing, Cos. D, shot in the loin, dan gerous. E. S. Wood, Cos. G, shot in the arm. J. Denishon, Cos. G, shot iiuthe thigh. A. Chrisier, Cos. I, shot through the shoulder. Tiie name of the wounded prisoner in our hands is N. Hughes, of the Rutledge Mounted Rifles, shot through the arm and wounded in the back. The loss of Captain Parker is universally la mented throughout the brigade. He was in the three mouths service, but re-enlisted, to gether with his entire company, at the expira tion of his term of service. Modest ana unas suming in bis deportment, he was yet a brave and accomplished officer. llis gallantry iu crossing the frail bridge at Pocotaligo cort him his life. He wa-pierced by three rifle balls, and fell while cheering his men on the perilous p.i-'sagc. Our troops returned in excellent condition, having ail reerossed the ferry before 4 o’clock on the morning of tbe GO.h— thus performing a march of thirty-two miles, fighting two hours, and making two difficult river crossin.s, in twenty-seven hours Their endurance, con sidering the beat, and tbe fact tnat t1,.-. opera tion was undertaken at .the eio.>c o vhe day, was remarkable. THE FIB ST FIGHT ON JAMES’ ISLAND. On board the United Sta” s Transprut Dela ware, Stono River, S. C., Jane 3.1862. This morning our pickets opposite Legate- j villa were pushed inland about three miles, when they were attacked by tbe pickets of the enemy and a sharp skirmish ensued. The fight continued for half an hour, when a sudden shower interposed to prevent further buEtili tie. Our forces engaged were three companies of the Seventy ninth Regiment, under Major Elliott, and Companies A, D, F, and I. of vhe Pennsylvania Roundheads or One liundreth Volunteer'. They withstood the attack, maq fuiiy, and drove the enemy back, about a mile befoietbe engagement was interrupted by the storm. i Yfe have lost one man killed, namely, pri j rate V7m. Me Knight, ot Company , One Han-1 ; dredih Pennsylvania, shot through the stomach. I Oar wounded are a foliasa:— Private Bell, Company I, One Hundredth | I Pennsylvania, shot through the head; mortal- 1 i ly- Private McKekver, Company A, One ; Hundredth Pennsylvania, shot in the neck. Private Solomon Fisher Company F, One j Hundredth Pennsylvania, wounded in the ab- : | donum. j Private 81 unlow, of the Seventy-ninth Regi i metst, was taken prisoner by the rebels, but I subsequently escaped. While making his way j from the woods back to our forces, a stray bul let from one of onr muskets found its way to his leg He is not seriously injured. In addition to the losses above given, Capt. J. H. Ciine, of the RouudLeads, and six of his men were taken prisoners. The enemy’s tored was much larger than ours, but we now occupF the ground they I foogbt on. Henry Walker, Adjutant of the Charleston • attai ion, is a prisoner. He is severely, though t ot dangerously wounded in the leg. He fell •■ally in the fight, aud 1b unable to give anv in fornmtlorl as to the loss of tue enemy. Our officers, however, opucrt that several of tiie mb els were seen to fall. They were promptly conveyed to the rear. J While the skirmish was In progress, word was brought to Capt,. Drayton, ol the Pawnee of the em-ray’s location. Hesont several shells among them, and was mainly Instrumental in putting them to flight, ihe Otuwa, which is further up Mie river, has also Ured some shells with good effect. Our troops are in good spirits, and anxious to ! advance. Among the trophies captured this morning are twenty-five fat beeves, Ivbich were taken by one party of contrabands from another. One negro was killed jn the transaction. I write hurriedly, in order to get my letter to Hilton Head by the steamer about to sail When it will leave that point no one here knows. THE OPERATIONS OF TIIE GUNBOAT J—GUNS CAP TURED—REBEL LO>B HEAVY, ETC. Old Battery, Opposite Legareville, Stono Kiveh, N. C\, June 3.—Evening.—The opera tions ot iur advance were resumed at three o clock, and in. .vy firing from the Ottawa and Pembina above, and to Uuadilla below us, has been heard up to the present moment. We have captured a battery of three forty-two pound carronades, mounted on heavy siege carriages. The enemy fought bravely. Our loss to day is three killed, ten wounded and seven taken prisoners. That of the enemy it is impossible to state with any degree ot ac curacy, though as our gunboats bave crossed their fire pretty thoroughly through the woods where the Rebels had taken refuge, and as their ambulances have been busily employed, it is supposed to be quite heavy. lii.ercstii'jg News From tiie West. We clip from the JJemphi* Appeal of the 20th (uow published at Grenada, Miss.,) the follow, iug summary of affairs in that section of the Confederacy : FROM ARKANSAS—DEFEAT OF CURTIS. Intelligence has reachs i this place through Memphis, by gentlemen direct from Aikansas, to the effect that some short time since the Federal General Curtis, met with a signal defeat twelve miles from Little Rock, at the bands of Generals Roane and Hindman. The facts, as -We ( - ;.r them arc, that bearing of the advance ■d Cur. ir_ upon Little Rock, Gen. Roane at tacked him in front while Hindman succeeded in gelling in his rear. In this situation he was completely routed, losing his trains, stores, camp equsppage, etc., together with many pris oners. Those of his forces that made their es cape, scampered through the country in every direction, Hindman following in pursuit ol them. Tna intelligence is said to have produced considerable commotion among tbe Federal* in Memphis, and some two or three regiments have been sent up White river to the relief of Curtis. We shall await with some solicitude the particulars ot this engagement, and hope soou to chronicle the fact that Aikansas has been cleared of the Federal forces. Hindman, we predict, wiil give them no peace or rest as long as they remain outside of St. Louis. Skirmish at the Tallahatchie.— The ad vance of ihe Fcdcrals from Holly Springs was, wc arc pleased to learn, signally checked at the Tallahatchie at an early hour yesterday morn ing. The advance of the Federals, as they neared the river, encountered the Confederate pickets when a sharp skirmish ensued, result ing iu the repulse of the enemy. Our loss was one man killed ; that of the enemy seven killed and wounded. The force's engaged, were a company of Federal cavalry and one of Con federate infantry. When the former retreated, our men crossed the river to the main body, when the bridge was destroyed. Vicksburg. —We have enjoyed opportunities of conversing with several gentlemen to-day, who have just arrived from Vicksburg, ail of whom represent the preparations made at that point to meet the enemy and give him battle as being atnpie. All non eombattants have with drawn from the city-no one is to be seen ex cept those who have determined to defend it to the utmost—even to the total destruction of the place. The utmost enthusiasm and determina tion is represented as prevailing, and we predict that Mi sissippi, even if she should lose her fairest pity, wiil not be called upon to witness any flinching on the part of her sons who have rallied to delend it Holly Spri gs Evacuated —lnformation of a perfectly reliable nature has been received here announcing that the Federal troops bave evacuated Holly Springs. What could have been their motive tor so sudden a visit, so brief a stay, and so hasty a retreat, we cannot tell. It is probable their purpose was, as much as anything else, to capture the regiment of Col Shelby, stationed at that place. The colonel, however, was a little too quick for them, as he made his escape a few hours before their en trance into the place. The.little check wliicu they met with at Tallahatchie bridge, will no doubt induce them to advance southward more cautiously, and in larger force the next time they take up the line of march. The Army of the Mississippi.—We con tiune to fccive the most favorable accounts from the army, in its new location, and the people ot the South wilt rejoice to learn that all the benefit anticipated lias resulted from the change. Tue strength of the army is being greally increased, not only by the return of these who temporarily absented themselves on the aban donment ol Corinth, butals > by new reinforce ments. Two of the corps are increasing at an almost incredible rate, and Gen. Polk’s co'-ps is said to be particularly fortunate in this respect. All are conlldtSht of success, whenever an op portunity uuv offer, and the benefits of the re organiz ition that has tak< n place, and the strict discipline now enforced, are felt by the whole force. The health of the army is certainly much im proved, and the spirit of our men, iu spite of the events of the last thirty days, is as high aud defiant as could be desired. They but feel in spirited at seeing the advance of the enemy, and only ask to be kept active when hard light ing is to be done. As has been stated the new camp is, so fir as sanitary advantages arc concerned, decidedly preferable to the situation at Corinth. The supply of water is much greater, and purer. In ibis respect a great advantage has been gained by the change. CKhrr features of a gratifying character might, were it not imprudent, be no ticed ; but our readers may rest assured that affairs generally, connected with the late army at Corinth, are'in as prosperous a condition as the most sanguine could expect. Offerings to Freedom. —Wo have glorious news from the river counties, of the voluntary proceedings of the planters in burning their cotton. In most cases the offering, is one ot free will—the torch being applied bv those who must sustain the loss temporarily. In bat few instances have the authorities been compelled to interfere, and the work is being thoroughly done. It is also said that the of the Yan kees, at this summary manner of disappointing their cupidity, is great. When they expected a prize they find only a blank, and they cannot conceal their disappointment. Neither can they unders: and the spirit that prompts the sacrifice. Having no idea of patriothm them selves, they cannot conceive ttie existence of the principle in others. But they are fast being taught a lesson they will uot soon forget, viz : that a people determined to be free will submit to any sacrifice, and cannot be conquered. A Valliant Georgian.—The Ric-'umcera Ex aminer re’ates the following: W T e are credibly informed that a Yankee cap tain who was severely wounded and taken pris oner in tbe skirmish of Wednesday, and who died near the battle field yesterday, made the following statement just before he breathed his last: He said that neither he or his companions now thought that McClellan could get to Rich mond by that route; that he expected to see hard fighting, and knew tbe rebels were brave, but that their valor exeeeded anything he had ever s-en or heard of ; and mentioned in proof of his opinion that he was the fifth man that had fallen at the hands of a Georgian. He said one ot hit company attempted to take the Geor gian prisoner, hut he was killed in the attempt to do so; that then three others went up to take him, these, too, were soon dispatched by the Georgian ; that then he approached, aud al though be killed the Georgian, “he wounded me,” said tho dying Yankee, “so severely that I, too, will soou be another victign that fell by his ui,flagging valor.” A tew minutes after saying this the Yankee died. tv ho wa* this noble Georgian? Let ns have his name, and let it live in immortal fame as an example of the highest courage and a holy stimulus for others to go and do likewise. With such soldiers surely sunjagation is impossible. [From the Jackson Mi-s setppian, Jane IS.] Nor til Mbilwlppi-The Lactny Advanc ing. We received a Visit this morning from Pro fessor Stearns, of Oxford, who reposts that General Bradford Was not killed at Holly Springs, but captured and paroled by the ene my. That the enemy on Wednesday morning arrived in force at the Tallahatchie river only? 13 milts from Oxford and were there met by Col. tihelby with 600 infantry, when a sharp engagement took place across the river, tee enemy’s cavalry dismounting and joining the r infantry in the battle. The enemy were held in check till 2 P. M. yesterday, when our in formant left. * , • . It is thought onr re-inforcemepts, which are en route for the scene of action, will drive them back. A correspondent mentions a rather interest in'* incident of General Sibley’s campaign In New Mexico. The Confederate flag raised by him over the enemy’s capitol was made ot a captured United States flz ; it was rised upon a Federal staff; a salute was tired by batteries of captured United Slates guns, and “Dixie” played by a captured United States band Hurrah for Sibley! *P -EjX-iEOlt£,_a_ JPIBELXCy IJUPOKTANT FltOltl Hl(:||.noD. The Great Figbt Commenced. [Special Correspondence to tho Savannah Republican. | Ricrmosu, June 26 —The battle which is to decide tbe fate of Richmond wa commenced this afternoon on the left wing of the Confederate army. For three hours the firing has been rapid and continuous In tbe dlrcctt .n of Moohaufcsville. The cannonading was .card dUtli oily In the city, ud Crowds have repaired to ,he Mllinorth of the city, from which the bursting of the cbsll* Is occasionally visible. At eight o’clock p. m. the firing was still p ogress ng furiously. It is not probable that any particulars will bo received Irom the battle field until morning. Thero was no fighting oi any Importance ou the centre or right of our lines to-day. A general engagement to morrow is considered in evitable. News from the North and from our Cap. tured Cities. [Special to the Bavannah Republican.) Richmond, June 28 — v cw York, Phllade'phia and Norfolk papers of tbe 21tb instant bare bee received in this city. The following are tue most important items of nows: Tbe National Direct Tax bill pissed tho Federal Congrefs on Monday. It taxes everything—even to glue, candles, screws, molasses, wine, coal, <ko , Ac. Advices from Cori th to the 21*t report all quiet “Contrabands” informed Haltoek that Beauregard had gone to Rithmond to explain tho cause of his evacuating Corinth. The wembor then was awfully hot the mercury standing at 80 in the shade. Po'iicsulanews to the 28d reports the wealher warm and d-y and the heat oppressive. The Federal troops were enthusiastic at the near approach of a battle. Aif was quiet. The Sixteenth Massachusetts had a skirmish with the Reads at Fair Oaks on the 18 h and lost 17 killed, 26 wounded and 14 missing. The Rebels were driven back one mile with double the loss of the Massachu setts bo) s. The Sixteenth Massachusetts is the largest regiment in the Peninsula. Memphis advices to the 2'st slate that tho report of the capture Ot Fort Morgan by the Federals iocontra dieted by advices from Mobile. News f-om Vicksburg totki 17th, vl Grenada, states that no active demonstration by tho Union fleet had been made since the relirement of ihe runboa s. Sev eral gun boa's appeared on the 15. h from below. Report says that 5.000 Union troops, with gunboats and transporis, were.to have left BatOD Rouge on Fri. day for Vicksburg. The Vicksburg Whig of the 17th, received at Mem phis, says that the Federal advance divisi n arrived at their old po ition on Friday evening, and flreJ a half and zen thot at the lower battery on Sunday. The next day alt was quiet General Stark still commands at Memphis. He has issued an order requiring tha Mayor, Board of Alder men, Recorder, and nil oilier oily oflicerf to take ihe oalh of ail (glance to Linoo’n within three days, rr on their failure to do so, they will be arrested and treated as traitors. The Federals are repairing the road from Memphis , to Cairo. A telegram from Cairo to Chicago says G°cera4 Hindman was among tho prisoners captured at White Eiv r, Arkansas. The New York Herald, relying s lelyupon the Reh4 accounts, claims tbe fight near Charleston as a sob stantial victory fo- the FederaU. It also says Pea re gard has gone to Richmond, and strange rumors are afloat, the most important of which is that another re •nlorcemeot of atonewall Tackson is going on, sutfl o ent to enable him to sweep out again ihe Shenandoah va'ley and cross the Potomac this time, and descend like an avalanche upen Washington, through Mary land. McDowell was badly iojarednt M nasses by a fall from his horse. Steamers reached New York on Monday with 684 additional sl k and wounded Federal’. Foreign Exchange In New York was firmer: Ster ling 1 SallSX; American gold advanced to C%a7K • Government Stocks heavy. No city election was allowed in Norfolk on Tuesday, The military Governor says: In consequence of late disorders and corflic s between the civil authorities and citizens, the fnnetions of all civil oUcers are sus pended until fur her orders, lu Norfolk and Ports mouth ; all compltints to he reported to tho Provost Marshal. British Steamer at Charleston —News from Nassau—The Ovieto Seized and Sent to Halifax. [Special Despatch to the Savannah Republican.) Chableston, June 20 —The Bri iah war steamer Racer arrived off our bar this morning and communi cated with the British Consul, Nassau date 9 to the 18th lus'ant were receive I by her. Tbe Bahama Herald, of the 17lh sa>s: The Ovioio, aiJ to bo intruded ior'ji Confederate war steamer, while lying at Nassau, awaiting her arma ment, was seized ty order of he commander of the British s earner Greyho-md, for some alleged breach of neutrality and sent in charge of Britiih marines to Halifax, to await the decision of * drnt-al Mi’no. Lieu. Huckster o he Tried aud Hanged for Treason, The Yankee Congress is debating the pro pi iety of hanging Gen. Buckner for treason! We give a sketch of the debate on this very extraordinary proposition : Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, introduced a resolu tion relative to Gen. Buckner, that he had se duced the State Guard of Kentucky, and com mitted treason, and was under indictment for treason against the United States in the Dis trict Court of Ki nucky ; therefore. Resolved, That the said Simon Boliver Buck ner ought to be transferred to the civil authori ties of the United Stales to be tried for treason wtureof he stands indicted. Mr. Grimes, ot low t ~.n<rVo the resolution ought not to pass. There were three Federal officers here now, who had been capvureu oy tbe rebels at Pittsburg uauuiug, mgoi.iui.iiig tor a general exchange ot prisoners, including. Gen. Buckner. He thought we ought not to keep so mauy of our owu men prisoners for the sake ol sending back Buckner to be tried in Kentucky. The exchauge of Gen. Preutiss was looked to by the rebels in this transaction. He did not see why prisoners from lowa, Illi nois and other States should be sacrificed, as they would be, to punish in the way proposed one citizen of Kentucky. Mr. Trumbull Wanted to know if the Senator from lowa had any reason for supposing tbe rebels would keep faith and exchange prison ers. After the battle of Belomut this Govern ment surrendered prisoners on the promise of exchange, but the rebels, alter receiving their men, refused to give up ours, and it is well known they refused to deliver Col. Corcoran the other day, after the privateersmen were sent down to them. He was wiling to make exchanges, but wanted to know what assurance there was that the Rebel Government would keep faith in the matter. Mr. Grimes said that the government had continued to make exchanges, notwithstanding the alleged bad iatih of the rebel government, aud General Buckner nor any one else ought to be given up till we had a like number delivered to us. Mr. Davis earnestly urged the adoption of his resolution, contending that General Buckuer was the most infamous ol traitors, having or ganized the Slate Guard under the auspices of the State and the United States Government, come to Washington and conferred with tho President, and then gone home and corrupted the very flower of the youth of that State, and led them away into the rebel army. Ii any one of the leading traitors should be bung, it was the wretch Buckner, who uow stauds in dicted for treason, uulike other similarly cir cumstanced. Tbe government should not yield to the arrogant terms of the rebellionists, as we bad far more prisoners than they had. Mr. Browning, of Illinois, opposed the reso lution as entirely improper, contending that the rules of war admitted ot no such, action in regard'to prisoners taken in war. This matter ol the exchauge or treatment of prisoners. Congress bad nothing to do with, aud if eneh course was pursued as suggested, the rebels would, ot course, retaliate; and if buck it was hung, Gen. Prentiss, or perhaps half a oz en others, might sha-o tho same Mr. Latham thought the subject should be well considered, and op his motion the subject was postponed till next daj. . News from Sooth Amekica.— We have news from Bueno°s Ayres to the 14m of April. It is said that the South Auiertc m Republic were crpatlv alarmed at the reports of the allied operations against Mexico, fearing tnat Sprin would endeavor to apply the new principle of European invasion to themselves. Uruguay especially felt uneasy concerning the rumor of an Italian fleet beiug depatched to her water*. France was steadily urging her many claims against Buenos Ayres. Manuel Rosas, ex- Dietator of the Argentine Confederation, had been condemned to death, after a ten years’ trial His property is declared confiscated; but, as Rosas resides iu Southampton, England, the death penalty cannot be enforced, and no per son seemed inclined to purchase his estate. Major John C. Whitner, late of the Confed erate States Army, but compelled to leave on account of bad health, has been appointed to write up the proceedings of the Provisional Congress—a work which J. J Hooper, R=q-, by bis death, left unfinished. It is estimated mat at least Uvi- thousand contrabands accompanied Gen- Banko “''“l' on ts return. So says the New York Tribune. 3