Columbus times. (Columbus, Ga.) 1864-1865, February 22, 1865, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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*.