Newspaper Page Text
DAILY LIMES,
J, W. WARREN & 10., Proprietors.
abiii'aed l)a ;, y (Sundays excepted) at the rate o
$6.00 per mouth, or $lB tor three months.
So subscription received for a longer term than
t , •«« months.
rates of advertising.
CASUAL DAILY ADVERTISING BATHS.
Advertisements inserted once —$4 per square.
BEOULAB DAILY ADVERTISING BATES,
first Week— s3 00 per square for each insertion.
Second Week— s 200 per square for each insertion.
Third Week—sl 50 por square for each insertion
Fourth Week—sl 00 per square for each insertion
Second Month— s3o per square.
Third Month—s2s per square.
SPECIAL N OTiCES
Notice!
Qkfj. l MiJPWAL pijtgcTQß or Hospitals, f
Columbus, (la., Feb. 15, 1865, )
The following named soldiers detailed tor Hospi
tal service having boon appointed to act as Fora
gers by Surgeons in charge of Hospitals, and their
appointment approved at this Office, are duly au
thorn ■>! > act in th.it cap »**ity for the Ho-pitals and
in the 1 ounties set opposite choir respective names.
All persons claiming to be such agents, and who
cannot show written authority as above set forth
will he subject to arrest.
W. 11. 11. Phelps, Enrolled Conscript,‘Sumter Hos
pital, Andersonville, Qa, Counties, Muscogee, Oa.
G. H. Perdue, private Cos. C, 37th Ga. Keg., Flew
ellen Hospital Opelika, Ala., Pike, Upson, Monroe,
Burts and Crawford, Ga.
M. T. Lloyd, Enrolled Conscript, Walker Hospi
tal. Columbus, Ga„ Counties, Muscogee, Ga.
W. N. Reid, Enrolled Conscript, Cairns Hospital,
Oolumbus, Ga,, Counties, Coweta, Troup .and Meri
wether, Ga.
B. N. Grehan, Enrolled Cbnscript, Lee Hospital,
Columbus, O t., Counties, Chattahoochee, Ga.
VV. C. Jamison, Private Cos. I, 46th Ga. Regiment,
Catoosa Hospital, Geneva, Ga., counties, Talbot,
Chattahoochee and Marion, Gi.
S. U. STOUT,
febl7-7t Medical Director.
Headquarters, Gov. Works, (Ord.) 1
Columbus, Ga., Feb. 17,1865. j
Special Orders, No. 12.
****** #
11. Mr. J. H. McLean, is hereby appointed
Special Agent for the collection of small arms and
accoutrements, belonging to the Government in this
District.
He will call at every house and mako inquiries,
and the citizens are most earnestly and respectfully
called upon to give him all the assistance in their
power, and to give up all public arms, Ac., they
may have in their possession.
They are needed in the field. It cannot be neces
sary to add more to get the aid of all interested in
the success of our cause.
* * *****
By command
M. H. WRIGHT,
febjß_l w Col. Commanding.
To Retired Soldiers !
Headquarters Post, 1
Columbus, Ga-, Feb. 13th, 1865. j
special Orders, 1
No. 36. /
******
V. All Retired Soldiers who have reported and
filed their descriptive lists in this office, are ordered
to report on Tuesday the 28th inst., at 9 o’clock, a.
m., to these Headquarters, for muster.
* *****
By command,
LEON VON ZINKEN,
Col. Commanding Post.
Wm. Q. Moses,
Lieut, and Asst. Post Inspector.
febl4-td
•9“ Country papers near this Post please copy
to the 25th inst., and send bill to these Headquar
ters.
Marshall Hospital, )
Columbus, Ga., Feb. 13, 1865. j
Books Wanted !
I respectfully solicit additional contributions of
Books, Periodicals, Jfcc., to the Library of this Hos
pital.
The importance of such an appeal will be at once
seen and appreciated by all interested in the welfare
of the soldiers of our army.
Any donation, however small, left either at the
office of the Sen. Surgeon of Post, Pease’s Book
Store or at this Hopital, will be most thankfully
received and properly accounted for.
T. A. MEANS,
feb 13 2w Surg. in Charge.
Owing to the increased price of Provisions, La
bor and other expenses, tho Steamboats on the
Chattahoochee River Lava boon compelled to ad
vance their prices for freight and passage to the fol
lowing rates :
Passage from Columbus to Chattahoochee $75 00
From Chattahoochee to Columbus SIOO 00
Intermediate landings in proportion.
Freights to any point on Chattahoochee River $4 00
per hundred. Measurement Freight $1 25 per cubic
foot.
Capt. 11. WINGATE, Shamrock.
Capt. DAN FRY, Jackson.
Capt. ABE FRY, Indian.
Capt. JOHN COUCH, Mist.
Capt. A. O.BLACKMAR.MunnerIyn.
feb7--tf
CITY FOUNDRY!
SHUAR MILLS AND KETTLES!
WE HAVE OF HAND
Sugar Hill* and Kettles,
holding 20, 35. 40. 60, 80 and 130 gallons, which w«
will exchange for Provisions or any kind of country
Produce or money on very liberal terms. Orders
oheited. PORTER, McILUENNY & CO.
Columbus, Jan. 20, ts
WAITED!
' AAA LBS. of TALLOW, for Avhich a liberal price
JjUI’U will be paid. Apply to
F. W. DILLARD,
jsp7 ts Major and Q. M,
FOR SALE 2
WAGON HARNESS, COLLARS, IIAMES, &C.
VV Also a few setts of BUGG\ HARNESS.
Apply to SHERMAN & G 0..,
feb 4 lin Masonic Hall, upstairs.
Wanted.
DOR the State of Louisiana TEN MOULDERS.—
P Wages liberal. Transportation lurnished. Ap
pi, to Mai. R. S. Ilarda-a,. of
feb 12 ts Comissioner for Louisiana.
Headquarters Enrolling Office, "1
Muscogee County, Georgia, _ r
Columbus, Feb. 15, 1865. J
Government contractor in this county arehereby
notified that many details so ouie forward at
once and® get safd details renewed or said hands
will be sent to Camp Cooper. COBB,
feb 16 Iw Capt. & Enr’olling.Officor.
Xeffroes to Hire.
rpo HIRE, ten young Negro MEN, also a good
1 Cook and Waeiier. to W00LF0LI ;,
j.n 17 ts
Dr. R- MOB LE,
JDBITTXST,
A T sK^
all hours, , —•
NOTICE.
Office }
i LL persons having demands against the estate of
A. Darnel Grant, deceased, are hereby requested to
resent them to the Grant j GRAN T.
Sm y and send bill to office GrantFagtory^__
To Printers !
and about
1,000 Pounds of Type Metal.
nov2l-tf
URIIS and OSWABIJR^
TO EXCHANGE FOR
GROUND PEAS,
At the GRANT FACTORY.
in 17 ts
I#
VOL. XII.}
DIRECTORY
For Government Officers in this City.
COL. LEIN VON ZINKEN, Commanding
Post—Headquarters in the “Wiute Bailding,”
East side Broad Str. et, nearly opposite Express
Office -Sr fi; Lieut. S. ISIDORE GUILLET,
Post A j ; —O-tp*. T. S. FRY , P »st Inspector.
■ Ordnance Department .‘
>l. M H. W HIGH TANARUS, Command!ng Govern*
men W-rks—Office corner Og ethorpe and Sr.
(Jib i ree's, ov r Post Office.
Maj ir K. <). il U’vlP il REYS. Executive Officer,
C • timbtis Arst ual—Office over F*ost Office.
Maj JAMEB HAKDING, in charge of Anno
ry—Office a P:s f oi Factory on Oglethorpe Street,
bo’ween Franklin and Hrtdge.
Li u J. M. MULDEN, Jr„ M. S. K —Office
at Ordnance Store House, uear City Oe u stery.
Quartermaster’s Department.*
M <j. F. W. DlbL VRD, Q. Al.—Cnief Qiarter
mast- r’s Office, East side of Broad Street, oppo»
eite Uni m Bank.
Maj. \ B. RAGAN, Army Paymaster—Office
in «ame builuing with Post Commandan'.
Capt. B F. BOMAR, A. Q. M. Post Paymas
ter —Ofli ce West sido of Broad Streei, Onposito
Walker Hospital.
Cape. C. A. REDD, A. Q. M., Post Quarter'
master —Office No. 82, East side Broad Street.
Capt. H. D. CO CMRA N, A. Q. M. in oharge of
Transportation aud Forage—Office West sido of
Broad Stree', opposite Walter Hospital.
Cap'. J. T. PEYTON, A. Q. M., Depot Q
M—Office on Randolph Street, one door East ol
Daily Times offiv.
Capt. J. F. COOPER, A. Q. M., Tax in Kind
Q. M. Bth Cong, ol Georgia—Office West side of
Broad Street, 3d door below Agency Marine Bank.
Commissary iDenartment - * ** '^3
Maj. A M ALLEN, C S, District Commissa
ry—Office at Alabama Warehouse, on Front St.
Capt. J H GRAYBILL, ACS, Post Commis
sary—Office corner Broad and St: Clair Streets.
Capt. G H FULKERSON, Provost Marshal-
Office one door North of Post Comm»ndant’fl sfol
fioe, "Zi—ZZ
Department .Hi
"Surgeon S H STOUT, Medical Director of
Hospitals—Office West side of Forsyth Street,
between Bryan aud Franklin.
Surgeon S M BEMIS, Assistant Medical Di*
rector of Hospitals.
Surgeon G B DOUGLAS, Senior Surgeon of
Post—Office on Randolph Street, between Broad
and Front.
Surgeon C. TERRY, Surgeon in charge of
Walker Hospital, corner of Broad »nd Bryan
Streets.
Surgeon R P HUNT, Surgeon in charge of
Lee Hospital, corner of Broad and Randolph
Streets;
Surgeon T A MEANS, Surgeon in charge of
Marshall Hospital, Court House Buildings on
Oglethorpe Street.
Surgeon R L BUTT, Surgeon in charge Cairns
Hospital, at Camp Montgomery, just North of
:he City,
Rev. G, W. STICKNEY, Chaplain Post, Resi
denoe corner Forsythe and Thomas streets ;“cau
usually be found at offioe Commandant Post,
mi * Conscript Department.
Capt. W S DAVIS, Inspector for 3d Cong.
Dist.—Offioe at Lowell Warehouse, on Randolph
Street,
Capt. W A COBB, Enrolling Offioer, Musco*
geo County.—Offioe at Lowell Warehouse.
Examining Board for 3d Cong. Dist.—Surgeon
P B MINOR, ROBT. W PARK and W T ABRA
HAMS—Offioe at Lowell Warehouse.
Chief Engineer—J H WARNER, C S Nin
eharge ot Naval Iron Works—Office opposite
Lower Bridge.
Capt. G H HAZLEHURST, Engineer's De
partment—Offioe on Mclntosh Street, between
Bryan and Randolph.
Change of Schedule.
ON and after Friday, Jan. 20th, the Trains on
the Muscogee Railroad will run as follows:
PASSENGER TRAIN :
heave Columbus 30 A. M.
Arrive at Macon 2 50 P. M.
Leave Macon 6 50 A. M,
Arrive at Columbus 3 0b P. Bu.
FREIGHT TRAIN:
Leave Columbus .5 CK) A. M.
Arrive at Columbtis .....4 55 A. M.
W. L. CXiARK.,
mar 19 ts Supt. Muscogee R* R.
Tlirougli to Montgomery.
NEW SCHEDULE.
MONTGOMERY & WEST POINT
RAILROAD COMPANY.
COLUMBUS, August 27,1864.
t \N and after August 27th. tho Passenger Train on j
/ the Montgomery and West Point Railroad will ;
Leave Montgomery at 8:00 a. m. j
Leave West Point at 7:10 a. m.
Arrive at Columbus at 5:32 p. m.
Leave Columbus at 5:50 a. m.
Arrive at Montgomery at 3:00 p. m.
Arrive at West Potnt at 4130 p. m.
Freight Train leaves Columbus at 8:40 a in.
Arrives at 8:27 p m
D. 11. CRAM, Sup't & Eng.
ag27lß64—tf
MOBILE & GIRARD RAIL ROAD.
CHANGE OF SCHEDULE.
Girard, Ala., Oct 7, 1864.
i\N and after 10th inst. Trains on this Road will
v./ Run Daily (Sunday excepted,) as follows:
Passenger Train.
Leave Girard at ... 130 p.m.
Arrive in Union Springs 6 00
Leave Union Springs 5 35 a.m.
Arrive in Girard at 10 00
Freight Train.
Leave Girard at 4 00 a. in.
Arrive in Girard at 6 00 p. m.
B. E. WELLS,
ag lß ts Eng. A Sup’t. !
Regular Line of Steamers on the
Chattahoochee River.
Columbus, Ga., Jan. 9th.
THE SteamerIJACKSON, Daniel Fry. Master, wil
leave Columbus, until further notice, every bun- .
dayat!9A.M. Returning leaves Chattahoochee every
Tuesday at 2 p. m.
The Steamer Indian, 0. D. Fry Master, leaves
Columbus every Tuesday morning at 9 a. m. Re
turning, leaves Chattahoochee every Thursday at
2 A. M.
The Steamer Mist, A- Fry Master, leaves Colum
bus every Friday at9A. M. Returning leavesChat
tahooche every Sunday at 12 m.
jan 10 2m .—.—— !
For Exchange or Sale.
A T the office of the "Southern Iron'7 or^!\xil^ r
A the bridge, the foUowing articles of .Hard
ware which we will exchange for PorK, -bacon.
Lard, Wheat, Flour. Fodder, or any other articles
of or Confederate currency* vii. .
Bar Ind Hoop Iron, of all sizes, suitable for plan
ta Sugar S Mills and Kettles, of all sizes, from 30 to
120 gallons,
Pots, Ovens and Skillets,
Fry Pans and Andirons,
Club and Broad Axes,
Shovels and Spades,
Trace Chaines and Plough Moulds.
*3- Orders for Castings and Machine Worlr
executed - JOHN D- GRAY A CO._
Lost or Mislaid.
POUR SHARES of the G. A A. S. S. Cos., No
b 160, in favor oi Afrs. J. L. W} u T on j ftR a
dov 30 ts A J. J. GRAj^
House for Sale in Wynton.
THE residence adjoining Mr. Winter. The
lot contains 20 acres, and ts one of the
Sun copy seven timae. ® —
Notice to Debtors anil Creditors
P B r K h S ?l% h ®‘^“«^ U “^S
within*th7 time prescribodW k* w &n . taoM indebt«d
will make immediate FRY.
_. Aim’r.
feb 21 w4od
COLUMBUS* GA., WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22. 1865.
DAILY TIMES.
EVENING EDITION.
TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 21, 1865.
[Correspondence of the Columbus Times.]
Bknnino’s Brigade, near Richmond, )
February 10th, 1865. /
Mr Editor : The repose and quiet incident
upon freezing weather and bad roads, is still
unbroken upon the line. Os late, the tedium
and monotony of winter quarters have been
relieved by the meeting of companies, regi
ments and brigades, along the line, to pass
resolutions of devotion to the cause, and by
speeches of soul-stirring and patriotic char
acter, from prominent men of the country.—
One of the last by Rev. Dr. Styles, of Georgia,
delivered on the Darbytown road, in the cen
tra of our brigade, a few days ago, well de
serves notice. Such patriotic and well-timed
sentiments should have a wider ciroulatien
than a single audience.
He opened, by reviewing the circumstances
of the original formation of the Union, after
the Revolution ; of the great difficulties expe
rienced by the Southern and Northern delega
tions to the Convention, in establishing this
(so called) Union ; how that the former had
frankly and manfully said to the latter on that
occasion, “ Friends and countrymen, we admit
your good qualities. You have stood shoul
der to shoulder with us in the great war just
past, and we feel sincere friendship for you,
but allow us to say to you, that our interests
are too distinct for us to live together. Trade
and shipping will be your interests as soon
as they can be built up, aud you will want
navigation laws to protect them. This, breth
ren, will not suit us. Our occupation is ag
riculture, and our property consists in land
and negroes. We can’t live with you.”
Upon this the Northern delegation was much
nonplussed and troubled, and, after much con
sultation, finally persuaded the Southern dele
gates to accept this compromise : that if we
would give them their navigation laws, they
would be the best friends to us. Our property
should be aruply protected. Did our slaves
ever run away and come into their States, the
officers of the law should promptly give them
up to their owners. Should they ever revolt,
the United States troops should shoot them
down. All of these facts were fully, plainly,
and originally substantiated by the most reli
able authorities in American history, such as
the Madison papers, etc. And now, my coun
trymen, (said he,) bow has this compact been
kept? In front, and hard by us, are they not
drilling those very slaves to shoot us down ?
He did not think there was the slightest sanc
tity of obligation on our part in respect to the
so called Union —no more than he would feel
if he engaged to sell a horse to a man for
$500; the man would not give him the SSOO,
and he would not pay the man the horse.—
Bargains were reciprocal.
Our Confederacy was just the model, in ex
tent, for a separate Government; small enough
for good Government, and large enough for
mutual protection aud defense. It was as
clearly marked out for an independent nation
as was England, Austria, or any other coun
try.
He believed our cause, in the light of the
reason given us by God, to be entirely ju3t.
He knew that the misfortunes and hardships
we had sustained, hard and grievous though
they had been, were not due to this cause, but
to our own sins. Providence was using the
Yankees, as He had often used nations in the
Bible, as a rod for our correction, and He
would help us iu time; that, as a nation, we
should pray more, and commit our cause de
voutly to our Master. There was no instance
in the Bible where His people had ever called
upon Him fervently without His help, and
there was no instance in history where any
people had ever made a determined effort for
freedom without getting it. He would cite
an instance iu history :
/ The Dutch republic, comprising a few little
frontier States, withstood, a few centuries ago,
one of the most terrible, oppressive and ex
terminating wars, ever waged. The Spanish
nation, then the most powerful one on earth, j
and supported by half of Europe, invaded
these little States, and the armies of these |
States were one by one defeated. The war
continued, and the population was reduced to
3,000,000. The Spanish, finding them so de
termined, proclaimed that they would exter- [
minate the whole race. They slew them by
thousands, and tortured them in every con
ceivable way; even flayed them aliye, and
stretched their skins upon drumheads, to drum
up more victims te torture. The population
were driven into their towns, and the enemy j
besieged them closely. Around the town of
Leyden the besiegers railed at these patriots,
most contemptuously. These latter replied, i
from their environed walls, “You call us
rateaters, cateaters and dogeater3, and so in
deed we are; out now know you, that so long
as you hear cats mew and dogs bark, within
these walls, so long will they be defended !
Moreover, when these resources are exhausted
we will eat the flesh off our left arms, that we
may have strength enough to fight you with
with our right arms ! And finally, when these
means of support fail us, we will apply the
torch to these our houses and homes, and
perish with our wives and children, sooner
than yield to you !”
And now, fellow-countrymen, continued tne
speaker, hear me— one and all hear me—
these people endured these terrible trials the
enormous space of eighty years !
Oh ! the “ four years' men " of the Confede
raev, who were willing now to give up the
cause and go home, here was a heroic defence
for them. He would like to see all such
j “ four vears'men ” mustered in single rank^
| and he* would like to play schoolmaster. He*
! would put slate and pencil into each one 3
hand, and he would propound to them this
problem, “ How mcavj four years' men are equal
to one Dutchman ” ?
At the battle of Lodi, said be, Napoleon
stood Hpon an emenence, and saw his troops
assault the Austrian line and be repulsed, and
then in turn, the Austrians assault his line
and be repulsed. Knowing that soon one
side or the other must give way, and fearing
that the day would go against him, he de
scended to his front line, and catching up a
stand ot colors, ordered an immediate ad
vance. Upon the renowned bridge of Lodi,
where the battle was hottest and his line fal
tered. he threw down these colors and cried
out, “Frenchmen, defend your colors !” Im
mediately the enthusiastic French made a
rush and the day was won. So, in this mighty
struggle, he thought he could hear the great
men and nations of former times, now over
looking us, as they catch up our colors and
throw them down before ns in this tiying
hour, callout, “Frenchmen! Frenchmen, de
fend your colors !”
Liberty, he asserted, had often fought
against despotism, and had always triumphed
—3he would triumph again.
He knows of but one character in history
that came up to his idea of the endurance and
fortitude which a Confederate soldier should
display—that of the Roman soldier, whose
remains were recently evacuated after sleeping
nearly 20 centuries in the ruins of Pompei.—
In digging into those ancient ruins, there
Btood that stern warrior at his post near the
gate of the ci’y, spear in hand, and with his
helmet on. The convulsions of nature and
the mutterings of the mountains, until finally,
after terrifying the city she had belched up
her bowels upon him, were all unable to
move this man of iron. At his post, in grim
devotion to his duty, this ancient warrior
perished, as lasting honor to the nation in
whose service he was enlisted.
Such, Mr. Editor, is a brief outline of the
3peoch referred to, and pronounced in the
matchless oratory of the distinguished speak
er, it was an appeal of great power.
We have had many officers and soldiers to
go home and return lately, and I am sorry to
say they do not give a good account of Geor
gia’s public sentiment in this trying stage of
the war. Several States have suffered more
than Georgiy has in the war, and we really
think it is melaneholly that she should be
considered by her sisters as the leading State
now in favor of peace. We trust that the re
cent rebuff given by Lincoln to our three
commissioners, will do away with this vis
ionary idea. Peace with the enemy necessitates
a deep humiliation.
There is no news of especial interest in the
brigade. Very respectfully,
Grey Jacket.
The Great Fire in Savannah.
The New York Herald of Feb. 3d, contains
a long account of the late disastrous fire in
Savannah. More than two hundred buildings
were burned. Several persons were killed
and wounded. From the Herald we make the
annexed extracts:
COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIRE.
About eleven o’clock the fire commenced on
the north side of Tubby street, between Ann
and St. Gall streets. It broke out in the sta
ble of Mrs. Ann Morrell. Whether this fire
was the wprk of an incendiary or purely acci
dental has not yet been demonstrated. Some
assert that it was rebel hands which applied
the torch, and it may be well here to remark
that strong evidence has been adduced to car
ry out this idea. There are also many other
circumstances brought forward to prove that
the fire was simply the result of accident.
EXTENSION OF THE FIRE.
Half an hour from the commencement found
the flames leaping furiously from building 10
building. The firemen came within a few
hundred yards of the fire, but hearing that
one of the buildings contained a large amount
of ammunition and shell, they did not deem
it prudent to remain long in the vicinity. Then
it was that the flames not meeting with any
impediment, careered wildly on their mission
of destruction and death.
THE ARSENAL —EXPLOSION OF TUB SHELLS.
At twelve o’clock ; midnight, the flames had
reached Granite Hill, corner of West Broad
and Broughton streets. This had been used
by the rebels as an arsenal for shells and am
munition, and it was known that a large quan
tity of the former was then stored in the build
ing.
About ten minutes after twelve the first
shell exploded on the startled ears of the in
habitants of Savannah. The explosion was
followed immediately by several others, which
continued banging away at a thundering rate
for a period of at least two hours. With the
exception of the military on duty and a few
citizens all the city had retired to rest. When
aroused by the explosion the people did not or
could not understand the cause of such a tu
mult. The noise bore a strong resemblance to
the movements of a fierce battle. While the
fire gained headway the explosions became
more rapid and continuous, leaving ground
for the suspicion that the combatants were
drawing nearer and nearer. But on donning
their clothes and running into the open air
the truth burst upon them.
OPERATIONS OF THE SHELLS —ACCIDENTS AND
INCIDENTS.
It is a providential fact that some deaths
hare not occurred from the explosion of the
shells. From accounts which I gleaned amid
the ruins of the fire, it would appear that
some fifteen or twenty persons had been either
burned to death or killed outright. Reports
are current that large numbers have been
buried under the falling walls : but no fact3
had yet transpired to substantiate the asser
tion.* It is true, however, that quite a num
ber of persons have been wounded by pieces
of shell. A few of these I have seen, but
none whose injuries will prove of a fatal char
acter.
Pieces of shell were found in some instances
two miles from the arsenal. The streets lead
ing to the locality were strewn with fragments
of those dangerous missiles. Several houses
and a number of tree3 bore undoubted marks
of the visitation, while iron railings and pave
ments were torn from their repositories and
piled in every direction. Hundreds of people
were in the streets, and some had the daring
to go within a short distance of the fire : but
several paid dearly for their carelessness. One
young man had his arm shattered dangerous
ly, while another received a severe fracture of
the leg. Some others were troubUd with
scratches and narrow escape?. Through West
Broad street, leading to the river, the shells
fell thick and fast, and the streets became wejl
sprinkled with the fragmeuts.
THE SCENE AT NIGHT —THE CITY AROUSED.
When the fire first burst into its full tnagni
tude the seene presented was one of fierce and
thrilling grandeur. No pen can fully describe,
nor any artist properly delineate the awful ma
jesty of the picture. The nigHt was calm and
clear. Fortunately there was no strong wind
blowing at the time. By stan tiug on an elevated
position (which was somewhat dangerous) you
had an excellent view of the whole scene.—
Some of the shells burst high in the air, carrying
destruction, and in some cases, death with them.
The lurid flatues lit up the horizon for miles
around. The sparks of tire flew through the air
over the entire city, and in several instances tired
buildings at its extreme end; but lo great injury
is roportea as having resulted from these missiles.
Throughout tha city all was confusion and alarm.
The citizens rushed hither and thither in every
direction; the military were entered under arms
and patrolled the streets, guards were platted on
each corner, half dressed men and women stood
in the thoroughfares and house emrances, while
terror was depicted on the countenance of each
citizen. The belief that the arsenal contained a
large quantity of gunpowder strengthened this
terror, and every moment the terrible explosion
was expected to shake the city to atoms. Some
simple individuals who were far removed from the
scene of the fire ventured the assertion that Gen.
Hardee had came back to the city and was thun
dering at the gates for admission.
NARROW ESCAPE OF GEN. GROVER.
Gen. Grover, now post commander of tho city
of Savannah, had a narrow escape from receiving
serious injuries. Ho was standing on the stoop of
hi 6 headquarters, when a heavy piece of shell
whizzed past his head. It couid not have been
more than two inches from him, and had a pro
polling force of ne mean strength. Had the Gen'
eral been standing in a different attitude, the
probability is that he would have been stricken
dead.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO OAUSR AN EXPLOSION.
A keg of powder, with the head off, was found
stationed on the sidewalk, opposite the arsenal on
Whitaker street, on the night of the fire. There
were thirty tons of gunpowder in this building.
SUFFERERS BT THE FIRE.
It was indeed a pitiful sight to see the hundreds
of unfortunate women and children who have been
cast upon the cold charities of the world by thia
conflagration. On the night which I write about
the air was bitingly oold, and the ground damp.
Those people who for the past two years have been
sufferers by the war, were, in a few short hours,
bereft of their roofs, their furniture and their
clothing—thrown out into the streets of Savannah,
without a place to lay their heads, or a blanket to
protect them from the chilling blasts of a South
ern climate. Huddled on street corners and in
doorways, they looked the very pictures of dis
tress. Their pale faces and tattered garments
would move a hoart of stone. Women carried
young infants at their breasts. The plaintive
cries of those innocent babes as they nestled close
to their mother’s breast, spoke but too plainly of
the misery and wretchedness of the times.
A few had carried their bedclothes into the street,
and, wrapping them around their bodies lay on
the sidewalks. Others had brought out some little
household luxuries, such as paintings or other or
naments (some of those probably held in memory
of a deceased relative), over which they carefully
stood guard. There was little noise made by
those people. The women stood motionless in
groups, scarcely speaking a word. It was a grief
and a wretchedness toe powerful for expression.
The damp wind played mercilessly around them,
while a number seemed totally unconscious of
what was going on. It was a sad sight and one
long to be remembered.
The locality of the fire was considered one of
the most respectable in Savannah. Nearly all
the places consumed were private residences, so
that there must have been a large number of suf
ferers.
Had the weather been of a milder character,
their sufferings would not have been of so griev'
ous a character. But Savannah has not seen such
a cold snap for thirty years. During a period of
eight days the weather has been extremely cold
and damp.
[Correspondence of the Constitutionalist.]
The Fight at Aiken.
The fight at Aiken on Saturday last, was a
most brilliant affair. On Friday evening Gen.
Wheeler having disposed of his forces, was do
termined if the enemy did not attack, te force the
fight himself. With the exception of slight skir
mishing on Friday night, some four miles from
the town, all was quiet. On Saturday morning
our scouts reported the enemy’s cavalry as ad
vancing in strong column. They were allowed to
enter the outposts of the town without hindrance
or molestation, otherwise were deliberately toled
in by our gallant young general. About three
quarters of a mile below the depot, they formed in
charging squadrons, and came in heavy force,
pell-mell, up the streets, a small column taking a
street to the right, the main body having with it
a battery of 3 inch Parrot guns. When the head
of the column got as far as the court house, tho
middle of it being about the hotel, our men who
had bees ceneealed_in the streets at right angles,
charged them on the right aud left, and, like
scared dogs they wheeled and turned, and never
stopped until they got to Johnston's turnout,
when pretty heavy works with an infantry sup
port, prevented further pursuit. Too much praise
cannot be given to the gallant men whothus saved
Aiken from the enemy.
It would be invidious to mention any particu
lar command, as every one did equally well.
As usual, General Wheeler exposed himself—be
ing in the thickest es the melee. Capt. Percival
was provost marshal of the town, and with his
gallant boys behaved with signal bravery and
coolness. Aiken is unharmed, a few dead horses,
a Parrott shell through one es the railroad bridges
and a minnie ball here and there through the
henses, are the only traces ot the fight. How |
different would have been the occupation of but a
half hour by our vandal foe, with Alaric Kilpat- j
rick. The old saying of many a slip between the
cup and the lip is often relevant in war. We are ;
most pleased to say that the men whilst in Aiken
behaved in the most creditable way, whilst in
line es battle and about the town for several days.
Nothing was disturbed, and we have not heard of
a single case of eomplaint. The men express
themselves mest gratified for the kindness received
by them from the citizens of Aiken.
On Sunday a Yankee provost marshal and ad- I
jutant having wandered a stone's throw from the
infantry column, were gobbled np by our indefati
gable Texan scouts, and the pleasure of walking
to Augusta on Monday.
Our loss was exceedingly light. The loss of the j
enemy quite heavy. Many of the men got j
new horses, and side arms were to be had for the ;
asking.
A Good Law. —An act to provide commis
sioned officers of the army and navy and ma
rine corps with clothing.
The Congre33 of the Confederate States of
America do enact, That all officers of the
army, navy and marine corps, on duty in the
field* afloat, or in batter*-, and all officers on
other duty who are disabled for service in
the field, by reason of wounds or disease con
tracted in the service, aud officers of the in
valid oorp3. on duty below the rank of briga
dier general in the army, and below the rank
of captain in the navy, 3hall be furnished,.
once in every year, with one complete suit of
uniform clothing : Provided, That the quan
tity and quality of clothing to be delivered to
non commissioned officers and privates, sea
men and marines, under existing or future
laws, shall in no wise be interfered with by
reason of anything contained in this act; and
in the distribution of clothing, officers on
duty in the field shall, in all cases, have a pre
ference over those on post, or detailed or
office, so that wben there is not a sufficiency
of clothing for all. the non commissioned
officers and privates shall be first served, and
next to them the offi ers actually on duty in
the field.
f SIX DOLLARS
1 PER MONTH
[Bettered'for the APant* lute 1 " • .?* ]
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
Macon, Ga., Feb. 17. 1364
Neither house held a session this morning on
account of the lock of a quorum. The Senate
could uot proceed to the transaction of business in
the afternoon for the same rea-on.
In the House in the afternoon the following
bills and resolutions were introduced :
Mr. Adams, of Clark, a resolution for the Gen
eral Assembly to adjourn to meet in Milledgevijiß
on Monday next at 10 o’clock, A. M. Mr. Adams
Suid he would not ptess the resolution then, his «b
--jact being simple to allow an expression of opin
ion by he members on the subject.
Mr. Gue, of Chatham, a bill to alter and amend
the charter of the Central Railroad and Banking
Company.
Mr. Russt 11, of Muscogee, a bill instructing the
Judiciary Committee of both houses to report a
bill abolishing the Penitentiary system in Geor
gia.
Mr. Hawkins, of Baldwin, a resolution expres
sive of the unabated confidence of the people of
Georgia in the patriotism snd ability of Gen. Jo
seph E. Johnston, and requestsng the President to
assign him to some command in tho field.
Mr. Dumas, of Monroe, a resolution providing
for the assembling of tho people of Georgia in
convention.
Mr. Hill, of Dougherty, a bill to punish wi r l»
death persons convicted of the crime of aorse
stealing.
Mr. Burt, of Chattahoochee, a bill to pro
vide tor the payment of nou commissioned
officers of the militia.
Mr. Johnson, of Spalding, a bill allowing
the people of Georgia to express their wish
in relation to a convention of the people of
the State.
Mr. Mathews, of Oglethorpe, a bill repeal
ing the acts requiring Judges of the Superior
Courts to give certain matter id special charge
to grand juries. Also, a bill to allow parol
testimony in relation to contracts entered into
since the beginning of the war.
Mr. Long, of Troup, a resolution expressive
of the unalterable determination of Georgia
to prosecute with vigor the present war.
Mr. ROper, of Bartow, a bill to relieve the
•county of Bartow from taxation the past year.
Mr. Dever, ot Polk, a resolution tendering
the use of the Hall to Gen. Howell Cobb, to
night, and to Hon. B. H. Hill, to-morrow night,
for the purpose of addressing the public.
The House decided that the present was not
a continuation es the Inst session, and that
all business must be begun de novo.
House adjourned till 10 o’clock to-morrow
morning.
From tub Front.— Our items of informa
tion, says the Columbia Guardian, from below
are meagre and unsatisfactory to-day.
After a pretty stubborn fight the enemy
took possession ®f Orangeburg Courthouse
last Sunday at 10 o’clock p. m. Persons who
live near report that a large fire was seen in
that direction Sunday night. We have not
definitely heard whether the place has been
burnt or not.
From Charleston we learn that the enemy
were repulsed in an.attack made on battery
Simkins, on James’ Island, Sunday.
We look for better results in our neighbor
hood in a day or two. There has evidently
been a great lack of judgment and foresight in
the handling of the forces so far. We have
thrown away great advantages of position.
There is no more defensible country in the
world than that which stretches between the
Savannah river and Saltketchie, across which
the enemy’s advance has been made. Swamps,
causeways and narrow defiles on every hand
invite to vigorous defence and attack. A
Yankee officer, who was captured at Rivers’
bridge over the Saltketchie, has said that they
did not intend anything serious at that point.
They designed merely to make a feint, but
they were emboldened by their unexpected
succes, and pushed on.
But we look now for better things General
Hampton has been placed in command of Col
umbia and the vicinity as far south as the
line of our forces extends. We expect him to
bring order out of chaos, and to teach the
enemy some of those lessons which Sheridan
learned to his cost in Virginia.
\_Constitutibnakst, 17 th.
Sperch of Gen. Henry A. Wise.—At the
request of the members of the Legislature.
General Henry A. Wise delivered, on Satur
day night, in the Hall of the House of Dele
gates, an address to about five hnndred out
of five thousand that sought to hear him.—
Never, says the Enquirer of the 6th, have we
seen such a rush, struggle and press to ob
tain a standing place (sitting being utterly
impossible.) It was a high compliment, this
immense outturning ©f all classes to hear once
again “the Tribune of the People,” and well
was the fortunate hearer repaid, and much
did these who failed lose. The address wa3
on the war and its prospects and our duties.
Gen. Wise is for fighting on until our com
plete independence is acknowledged by the
enemy. He approved no compromise, no re
construction, no armistice—independence on-«
ly could stop the war. His argument upon
the constitutien and its violations, as evidence
of the faithlessness and utterly unreliable
ness of the enemy, was new, striking, and. to
the doubtful, convincing. We shall not at
tempt any analysis of the address. As the
General has been requested to repeat it. it
may again be delivered in this city We hope
that a larger audience may be permitted to
hear the address.
A correspondent of the Meridian Clarion de
scribing a horrid scene at the battle of Franklin,
says, “that was a horrible scene on the night of
the battle at Fraklin, portrayed by an artillery
man, who says that about ten o’clock his battery
came upon the field and was ordered to a point
near the enemy’s works. With horses at full
speed, the twelve pounder Napoleons, with their
heavy carriages, we're hurried over the bodies of
the wounded and slain. Skulls and bones were
crushed, and horses hoofs planted in the breasts and
faces of the fallen and dead. Agonizing shrieks
came up on every hand. The peor wretches shrieked
in vain ; and then, when the trenches were reach
ed, what a scene ! The dead and wounded filled
the ditch, and wounded the bottom,
were strangled and drowned in'the blood of those
who had fallen upon them.
The Spirit of the Armt. —No tongue or pea
can do justice to the heroic spirit which animates
our troops in the field—no dangers daunt them,
no reverses cast them down. They stand, the
heart and hope of the cause, like some lofty beacon
light which burns with a steady radiance to cheer
on the mariner battling with storm and darkness,
and give him new courage to save his bark stag
gering under adverse gales. It is the heroism of
the army that will save this people—save them
from themselves —that shames their despondency
and faint-heartedness,and bids them fight on,fight
ever, until the blood they have shed shall have
become fruitful in national independence. Wo
conceive that wo cannot do a better servica to oar
great cause than to giro up our space to the cheer
ing voices of these gallant men. We have before
us the resolves of three brigades aud regiment*
fromthfee different States—Georgia, Alabama aad
Mississippi. The two last have not been publish
ed, and the first we copy from the Richmond Ex
aminer. Pender them, all who feel tba' the
cause is lost, aud catch some of the warm glow of
the magnificent spirit that breathes in them. They
are pure fountain.- es patriotic inspiration
X' Ad*.