Southern federal union. (Milledgeville, Ga.) 1861-1862, April 22, 1862, Image 1

Previous Issue Next Issue

Clip Visible Area View Page Text View PDF

Newspaper Page TextHOlMUTofr N1SBET A BARNES, Publishers aad Proprietors. Editor!. jj,!. II. .MSBKT. , fjjf Iwiijjern Jtforal Simon . pushed Weekly, in MilledgerHU, Ga., , '.inter of Hancock and H dkinson Sts., ,„posift Court House.) It $2 a year in Advance, Unless in Advance, $3 Per Annum.) KATES OF ADVERTISING. I'rr f/uarc of tlecivt lintt. •nertionjl UU, and fifty cent* for each subsequent witliont the specification of tlisnumberoi ',’J rt ;„nx will be published till forbid and charged ■ordinffiy. ’ ... ,ir Professional Card*, per year, where they ^not exceed Six Links - - |10 00 i/ contract kM he made with Ihote toko wish to ' grilse by the year, occupying a specified spaee. legal, advertisements S j>i of Lind and Negroes, by Adroinistratpra, Er- /-•o'.or Guardians, arerequired by law to be held ';,l, ^ r „t Tuesday in the month; between the hours of • in the mreuoon and three in the afternoon, .at the ’.rthuBse in the county in which the property is sit- : V>tiee °f thesesales must be gives in a public ga- tii.Iiys previous to the day of sale, rice* fertile sale ef personal property must begiv- ■• !^ e manlier 10 days previous to sale day. !3 n V : ,..-j.to the debtors and creditors of an estate must be published 40 days. *' y ,tier that application will be made to the Conrtof ; 3l rT for leare to sell Land or Negroes, must be . ;,hrd for two months. V .,.(i)»«ferletterSof Administration Guardianship, . r must bo published 30 days—for dismission from ,1 j nidration, monthly si.e months—for dismission * Guardianship, 40 days. i j vTfor foreolosare of Mortgage must be published •t. it for four months—for es'ablisbing lost papers, **V, full spire of three months—fer compelling titles ' e Executors or administrators, where bond has been by the deceased, the full space ef three publications will always be continued aceording.to , thr Irja! requirements, unless otherwise ordered .,l. following “® RATES: r-ationn, on letters of administration, &e. fS 75 ' “ d.smissory from Admr’a. 4 50 o “ “ Guardianship. • 3 00 , , re to sell Land or Negroes 4 00 y. ire to debtors and creditors. 8 00 j ,j ,,f personal property, tea days, 1 sqr. 1 50 , . of land ornejrroos by Executors, &e. pr sqr. 5 00 r.-rars, two weelcs 1 50 - a : nan advertising his wife (in advance,) 5 00 VOLUME XXXII,] MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1S62. [NUMBER 48. COUNTING HOUSE CALENDAR, 1862. o. gj a i a.; 5 g- = " *5 i i “ ^ GENERAL advertisements. ^ johmt aT^Bownbisr, attorney at law, EUIOSTOS, GA. fatonton. Ga., Feb. 14, 1840. 38 tf. BOOK-BINDING The Subscriber is now pre pared to do Book'Bind- in?, in all its branches. Old Books rebound. Zee. MUSIC bound in the best style. Blank Books -mutactiired to order. Prompt attention will'be rren to all work entrusted to me. 1 S. J. KIDD. Bindery is Hsslhrra Fsdrrsl I'alss Office. Milledgeville, March 19th„1861. 43 (01RT CALLENDER FOR 1862. SUPERIOR COURTS. JANUARY. Monday, tlliatham. 'Floyd FEBRUARY. Is: Monday, Clark t Lumpkin id Monday. Campbell Dawson ii Monday, Forsyth Polk Glascock Merriwether Walton 4tli Monday, Baldwin Jackson Monroe Paulding Taliaferro Walker MARCH. Thursday. Pierce Monday, Appling Chuttooga Cherokee Coweta Columbia Ci awford Gwinnett Madison Marion Morgan id Monday, Butts Bartow Coffee Elbert F ayett Greene Pickens Washington Webster 3d Monday, Cobbt Calhoun Hall Hart Heard Macon Newton Talbot Tattnal Ware Thursday after While Friday alter, Bulloch 4th Monday, Clinch Putnam Rabun Chattahoochee Lee Twiggs Wilkes Johnson , Milton Thursday after Habersham tthTliursday, Montgomery Monday «f- i P , , dav ) Effingham APRIL. bt.V 2d Mon. Carroll 1st Jlonday, l)oolv Franklin Emanuel Early Fulton Gordon Pike Taylor Warren Wilkinson i nrsd'y after Banks id Monday, Hancock Richmond Harris Laurens Miller Sumter Tuesday after. McIntosh 3d .Monday, Glynn Haralson Henry Jones Liberty Murray Oglethorpe Pulaski Stewai t Worth •Bryan Monday,Wayne Decatur DeKalb Houston Jasper Lincoln Schley Whitfield Wilcox Friday after, Telfair Camden Thursday after, Irwin Monday “ Berrien Charlton MAY 1st Monday, Clayton Scnvon Gilmer • Randolph Upson •^.Monday, Catoosa Jefferson Chatham Fannin Mitchell Muscogee 3d Monday, Bibb Burke * Quittmau Spalding Troup Union Baker Thursday after Towns fib Monday, Dade , Terrell last Mondnv, Colquitt nivr Monday after 4 JULY. 1st Monday. Floyd* AUGUST. 1st Monday Lumpkint 3d M inday. Campbell Clark Dawson 3d Monday, Forsyth PoIk Glascock Merriwether Walton 4th Monday, Baldwin J ackson Monroe Paulding Taliaferro Walker Thusday after, Pierce SEPTEMBER. 1st Monday, Appling Chattooga Cherokee Columbia ‘ Coweta Crawford Madison Marion Morgan 2d Monday, Butts Bartow Coffee Elbert Fayette Greene Gwinnett Pickens Washingtoa Webster 3d Monday, Cobbt Calhoun Hall Hart Heard Macon Newton Talbot W T are Bulloch Thursday after White 4th Monday, Clinch Putnam Chattahoochee Lee Twiggs Wilkes Johnson Milton Rabun Thursday after Habersham Monday af-) ter the 4th / Echols Monday ) OCTOBER. 1st A 2d Mon. Cat roll 1st Monday, Dooly Emanuel Franklin Early Fulton Gilmer Gordon Taylor Warren W ilkinson Ptke Thursday after Banks 2d Monday, Fannin Richmond Hancock Harris ' Laurens Miller Sumter 3d Monday, Glynn Haralson Henry Jones Murray Oglethorpe Pulaski , Stewart Union Worth Thursday a/ter Towns j Thursday ) Montgomery I after * 4th Monday, Wayne Decatur DeKalb Houston Jasper Lincoln Schley * Tattnall Whitfield Wilcox 'Friday after, Telfair 1 Camden Thursday after, Irwin Monday after Charlton NOVEMBER. 1st Monday, Berrien So riven Clayton Effingham Randolph Upson 2d Monday, Catoosa Jefferson Mitchell M useogoe 3d Monday, Bibb Burke Qnittman Spalding Troup Baker 4th Monday, Dade Terrell Thursday after, McIntosh Monday “ Colquitt *• “ Lioerty Mon. dfter Liberty, Bryan DECEMBER. Ijgtf onday, Dougherty Lowndes 2d MondayJBrooks Clay ..., 3d Monday Thomas ‘May holds three weeks, if necessary, at each term. •Judge not required to draw Jurors for two w eska; and not obliged to hold two weeks' Court •^countiesof Cobb and Lumpkin. Thomas Hardeman, jr. J.W. Griff** BAasSMAH A GHPnif, "UOLVLSALE. GROCERS. jV-ALERS IN WINE8, LIQUORS, TOBAC tf C() . SEGARS and Groceries of every do- ,cri ?tion. Corner of Cherry and Third Sts., 0 1IAVM «*• 2,1859. 14 tf. JUNE. l8t Monday, Lowndes , Dougherty <d Monday, Brooks w Clay "> Monday, Thomas JAn r ! i 1 2 3 4 July. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11, '12 13 14 15 16 17 18 • i 9 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 2 . 28 29 30 31 1 A cist ‘2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 '232125 26 27,28 Mar. l SzrTn ! 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 *2 1314 15 ■16 17 18,192021 22 '23 24 25 26 2728 29 |30 31 J | i | AratL j j j! 2 3 4 SOctob'r j .1 J J 1 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 113 14 15 16 17 18 19 5 6 7 8 9 10 il |20 21 22 23 24 25 26 *3 14 15 16 17 18 27 28 29 30 ,1920 21 22 2324.25 Mat.' i i | i 1 2 3 Novjcu 26 27 28 29 30,31; ' J 2 3 4 5 ! 6 7 8 9 10 li 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 2526 '27 28 29 30 31 ► Hi .12 34 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 ■24.25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2, 3 4 5, 6 7 « 910 11 12 13 14 15 16 1“ 18 1920 2122 2324 2526-27 28 29 30, , June. i 4 5! 6 7 8 9 10 11 1213 14 15 16 17 'I8J9 20 21 22 23 24 [25 26 27 2829 30 31 j I 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 ! 8 9 10 i 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 122 23 24,25 26 27 28 29 30, - Decbm 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20.21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2f»,-29 30 1 2 3 4i 5l'fi 7 8 9 40 11 12,13 ’14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2t ^7 88 29 30 31 i I Drparluient of the .Vlililnry ». C. Columbia, March 20, 1862. To the Editor of the Guardian : Sir : I send you for publication a paper on the manufacture of saltpetre. It lias been prepared at my request by Dr. Joseph LeConte, of the South Carolina College. The clearness, simplicity, con- densalion and fullness of the paper are so striking, that I feel assured it cannot fail to produce the results we have in view— a prompt and adequate supply of saltpe tre, which is fast becoming a prime neces sity. With the powder we have on hand we can continue the war until we can manufacture all we need, provided we 6et to work at onco to produce saltpe tre. The Governor and Council have author ized me to establish saltpetre plantations. Steps have already been taken to that end. Planters can, under the’instructions of Dr. LeConte, materially aid in the amount of production. If we are true to ourselves we need not fear the result, but to be true to ourselves we must promptly develop all the resources within our reach. I call up on every citizen to put forth all his capac ity in every department for the mainte nance of the State. We- must not fear or falter, for, at every sacrifice required, we can and will triumph. Respectfully, &c., JAMES CHESNUT, Chief of Department of Military. On the yianulaclnre of Naltpetre. By the request of the Chief of the De partment of the Military, under authority of the Executive Council, I have been in duced to publish, for the instruction of planters and manufacturers, a very suc cinct account of the most approved meth ods of manufacturing saltpetre. In do ing so I shall aim only at brevity and clearness. The general conditions necessary to the formation of saltpetre are : 1st, the pres ence of decaying organic matter, animal or vegetable, especially the former; 2d, an alkaline or earthy base, as potash or lime; 3d, sufficient moisture; 4tb, free exposure to the oxygen of the air; and 5th, shelter from sun and rain. These conditions are often found in na ture, as in the soil of all caves, bnt partic ularly those in limestone countries; and still more frequently under a concurrence o¥ circumstances which, though not strict ly natural, is at least accidental so far as the formation of nitre is concerned, as in cellars, stables, manure heaps, &c. In crowded cities, with narrow, dirty streets and lanes, the decomposing organic matter with which the soil is impregnated becomes gradually nitrified, oozes through and dries on the walls and floors of the cellars as a whitish crust, easily detectible as saltpe tre by the taste. The same salt may be found in the soil beneath stables of sever al years’standing, particularly if lime or ashes have been used to hasten the decom position of the manure; also in the earth of sheep and cattle pens, if th*se have re mained several years in the same position , also in the soil beneath manure-heaps, par ticularly if lime or ashes have been added to them, as is common among farmers in making compost. It is very important, then, that the soil of such caves, cellars, stables, pens and mauure-ljeaps as descri bed above, should be tested for saltpetre. If the sail exists itt considerable quanti ties it may be defected by the taste ; it not, a small quantity of the earth may be leached and the ley boiled down to dry ness, and then tested by the taste. If there he still any doubt, any chemist or educated physician may test it. If the earth contains*saltpctre in sufficient quan tities, it must be leached, and the salt crystalized by methods which we have de scribed below. By these means, if diligently used in all parts of the State, it is hoped that an immediate and' not inconsiderable amount of saltpetre may be obtained. It is not be lieved, however, that the supply thus ob tained will be sufficient for the exigencies of the war. It is very important, there fore, that steps should he taken to insure a sufficient and permanent supply of this invaluable article. This can only be done by means of nitre-beds. I proceed then to give a very brief account of the method of making these : fiitre-beds—The most important prere quisite in the construction of nitre-beds in such manner as to yield nitre in the short est possible time, is a good supply of thor oughly rotted, manure of the richest kind, in the condition usually called mould or black earth. It is believed that in every vicinity a considerable supply of such ma nure may be found, either ready prepared by nature, or by the farmer and gardener for agricultural and horticultural purposes. To make the .bed, a floor is prepared of clay, well rammed, so as to be impervious to water. An intimate mixture is then made of rotted manure, old mortar coarse ly ground, or wood ashes (leached ashes will do,) together with leaves, straw, small twigs, branches, &c., to give porosity to the mass, and a considerable quantity ot common earth, if this has not been suffi ciently added in the original manure heap. The mixture is thrown somewhat lightly on the clay floor, so as to form a porous heap four or five feet high, six or seven wide, and fifteen feet long. The whole is then covered by a rough shed to protect from weather, and perhaps protected on the sides in some degree from winds. The heap is watered every week with the rich est kinds of liquid manure, such as urine, dung water, water of privies, cess-pools, drains, &c. The quantity of liquid should be such as to keep the heap always moist, but not wet. Drains also should be so constructed as to conduct any superfluous liquid to a tank, where it is preserved and used in wateiing the heaps. The materi als are turned over to a depth of five or six inches every week, and the whole heap turned every mouth. This is not always done, but it hastens very muclr the process of nitrification. During the last few months of the process, no more urine, nor liquid manure of any kind, must be used, but the heaps must be kept moist .by water only. The reason of this is that ui decom posed organic matter interferes with the separation of. the nitre from the ley. As the heap ripens, the nitre is brought to the surface by evaporation, and appears as a whitish efflorescence, detectible by the taste. When this efflorescence appears, the surface of the heap is removed to a depth of two or three inches, and put aside under shelter and kept moist with water—* the nitre contained is thus considerably increased. When the whitish crust ap pears again, it is again removed, until a quantity sufficient for leaqhing is obtained. The small mound which is thus left, is usually used as the nucleus of a new heap. By this method it is believed that an abun dant supply of nitrified earth, in a condi tion fit for leaching, may be obtained by autumn or early winter. 1 have spoken thus far of the method of preparing a single heap or nitre-bed, such as any farmer or gardener may prepare with little trouble. But where saltpetre is manufactured on a large scale, as in the saltpetre plantations, many such beds are made and symmetrically arranged, so as to economize space, all under the same roof, with regularly arranged drains, all leading to a large cistern. In such plan tations everything may be carried on with more economy, and with correspondingly increased profits. Preparation of Mould.—I have sup posed that there is already a considerable supply of rotted manure, prepared for oth er purposes, in a condition fitted for ma king nitre-beds ; hut after the present year this precarious supply must not te relied 011. Systematic preparation of mould or black earth must be undertaken. The process of preparation ip so precisely simi lar to that of compost manure that little need be said, the chief difference being the greater richness in nitrogenous matter in in the case of compost intended for nitre- beds. First prepare a floor of well ram med clay ; on tills place a layer of com mon soil, mixed with broken old mortar or ashes, six or eight inches thick ; then a layer of vegetable matter ; straw, leaves, rank weeds, &c.; then a layer of animal matter, dung, flesh, skin, scrapings of drains, sinks, &c.; then another layer of mixed earth and mortar or ashes, and so on until a heap six feet high is made. Brush and sticks are often introduced, also, to increase the porosity of the mass. The whole is protected from the w'eather, and watered every week or two with urine or dung-water, until the organic matter is en tirely decomposed into a black mass.— This will take place in about a year, or perhaps less, in our climate. The whole ■is thoroughly mixed, and is then fit for making nitre-beds, as already explain ed. Thus it is hoped that the preparation of saltpetre may be set on foot at once in three different stages of advance, viz : by the collection of already nitrified earth ; the making of nitre-beas from already formed black earth ; and by the prepara tion of black earth. By leaching, the first would yield immediate results, the second in 6ix or eight months, and the last in about eighteen months or two years. The method I have given above is that of the French. Other methods are precise ly the ssme in principle, and differ only slightly it some of the details. Tl^ best of these is the Prussian Method.—Five parts of black earth and one of spent ashes or broken mortar are mixed with barley straw, to make the mass porous. The mixture is then made into heaps six feet high and fifteen feet long, with one side perpendicu lar, (and hence called walls,) the op posite sides sloping regularly By a series of terraces or steps. Straight sticks are generally introduced, and withdrawn when the mass is sufficiently firm. By this means air and water are introduced into the interior of the mass. The heap is lightly thatched with straw, to protect from sun and rain. The whole is frequent ly watered with nrine and dung-water. The perpendicular side being turned in the direction of the prevailing winds, the evaporation is most rapid on that side. The liquid with which the heap is water ed is drawn by capillarity and evapora tion to this 6ide, carrying the nitre with it, and the latter effloresces there as a whitish crust. The perpendicular wall is shaved off two or three inches deep as often as the whitish incrustation appears, and the material thus removed is kept for leaching. The leached earth, mixed with a little fresh mould, is thrown back on the sloping side of the heap, and distributed so as to retain the original form of the heap. Thus the heaps slowly change their position, but retain their forms. This method yields results in about a year— probably in our climate in 8 months. Swedish Method.—Every Swede pays a portion of his tax in nitre. This salt is therefore prepared by almost every one on a small scale. The Swedish method does not differ in any essential respect from those I have already described.-— First a clay floor ; upon this is placed a mixture of earth, mould, spent ashes, an imal and vegetable refuse of all kinds.— Small twig branches, straw and leaves are added to make the mass porous; a light covering to protect from weather, froqnent watering witli urine or dung-wa- ter, and turning over every week or two. The process is precisely the same as the French, except that the process of prepar ation and nitrification are not separated. I only mention it to show that nitre may be made by every one on a small scale.— By this method the beds are ripe in two j ears—perhaps in less time in this coun try. Leaching.—When the process of nitrifi cation is complete, the earth of the heaps must be leached. Manufacturers are ac customed to judge roughly of the amount of nitre in any earth by the taste. A more accurate method is by leaching a small quantity of the earth and boiling to dry ness and weighing the salt. There is much diversity of opinion as to the per eentage of nitre necessary to render its ex traction profitable. The best writers on this shbject vary in their estimates from 15 lbs. to 60 lhs. of salt per cubic yard of nitrified earth. The high price of nitre with us at present would make a smaller per eentage profitable. This point, how ever, will soon be determined by the en terprising manufacturer. In the process of leaching, in order to save fuel, we must strive to get as strong a so lution as possible, and at the same time to extract all or nearly all the nitre. These two objects can only be attained by re peated leachings of the same earth, the ley thus obtained being used on fresh earth until the strength of the ley is suffi cient. A quantity of nitrified earth is thrown into a vat, or ash tub, or barrel, or hogshead, with an aperture below, closely stopped and covered lightly with straw Water is added about half as much in vol ume as the earth. After stirring, this is allowed to remain twelve hours. Upon opening the hung about half the water runs through, containing of course one-half of nitre. Pure water, in quantity half as much as first used, is again poured on, and after a few moments run through. This will contain one-half the remaining nitre, and therefore one fourth of the original quantity. Thus the leys of successive leachings become weaker and weaker, un til after the sixth leaching the earth considered as sufficiently exhausted. The exhausted earth is thrown back oh the ni tre-beds or else mixed with black earth to form new beds. The leys thus obtained are used upon fresh earth until the solu tion is of sufficient density to bear an egg. It then contains about a pound of salt to a gallon of liquid. Conversion.—The lye thus obtained con tains, besides nitre of potash (nitre,) also nitrate of lime and magnesia and chlorides of sodium and potassium. The object of the next process is to convert all the other nitrates into nitrate of potash. This is done by adding wood ashes. The potash of the ashes takes all the uitric acid of tlig other nitrates forming nitrate of potash (nitre,) and the lime and magnesia is puk cipitated asan insoluble sediment. Sor^P times the ashes is mixed with the nitrified earth and leached together, sometimes the saltpetre lye is filtered through wood ash es, sometimes the lye of ashes is added to the saltpetre lye. In either case the re sult is precisely the same. Crystali^ation.— The lye thus convert ed is then poured off from the precipitate into copper or iron boilers. It still con tains common 6alt (chloride of sodium,) in considerable, and some other impurities in smaller quantities. It is a peculiarity of nitre that it is much more soluble than common salt in boiling water, but much less soluble in cold water. As the boiling pro ceeds therefore, and the solution becomes more concentrated, the common salt is, most of it, precipitated in small crystals as a sandy sediment, and may be raked out. Much organic matter rises as scum and must also he removed. When the concen tration has reached almost the point of saturation the boiler must he allowed to cool. This is known by letting fall a drop of the boiling liquid upon a cold metalic surface; if it quickly crystalizes it is time to stop the boiling. It is now poured into large receivers and left to cool. As the lye cools nearly the whole of the nitre sep arates in the form of crystals, which sink to the bottom. These are then removed, drained by throwing them in baskets, and dried by gentle beat. The mother liquor is either thrown back into the boilers or else used in watering the heaps. The product thus obtained is .the crude saltpe tre of commerce. It still contains 15 to 25 per cent, of impurities, principally common salt, (chloride of sodium,) chloride of potassium and organic matter. In this impure form it is usually brought to mar ket. There is still another process, viz : that of refining, by which'the whole of the im purities is removed. This is seldom done by the manufacturer, but by a separate class called the refiners. Refining.—One hundred gallons of wa ter is poured into a boiler, and crude salt petre added from time to time while-tlie- liquid is heating, until 4.000 lbs are iutro duced. This will make a satiated solu tion of nitre. The scum l^jught. up by boiling must he removed, and the undis- solved common salt.scraped out; 60 gal lons cold water is now added gradually, so as not .to .cool the. liquid too suddenly. From 'l4o I.j lbs of glue, dissolved in hot water, is aclded with stirring. Blood is sometimes used instead of glue. The glue seizes upon the organic matter, and they rise together as scum, which is removed. Continue the boiling until ‘ the liquid is clear. The liquid is then suffefed to coolto 194°, and then carefully ladled out into the. crystallizers. These are large •hallow vats, with the bottom sloping gen tly to the middle. In these the cooling is completed with constant stirring. In the process of cooling nearly the whole of the nitre is deposited in vety fine needle like crystals, which, as they deposit, are moved and drained. In this condition it is called saltpetre flour. The object of the constant stirring is to prevent the aggre gation of the crystals into masses, from which it is difficult to remove the adher ing mother liquor. The saltpetre flour is then washed of all adhering mother-liquor. For this purpose it is thrown iuto a box with a double bottom, the lower bottom with an aperture closely plugged and the false bottom finely perforated. * By means of a watering pot a saturated solution of pure nitre is added, in quantity sufficient to moisten thoroughly the whole mass. Af ter remaining two or three bouts to •drain the plug is removed, and the solution run out. This is sometimes repeated several times. The saturated solution of nitre cannot, of course, dissolve any more ni tre, but dissolves freely the impurities pre sent in the adhering mother liquor. Last of all a small quantity of pure water—only about 1 lb to 53 lbs of the nitre to be wash ed—is added in the same manner, and run off at the end of two hours. The nitre is now dried by gentle heat and constant stir ring and may be considered quite pure and fit for manufacture of gunpowder. Analysis—As the value of crude salt petre depends upon the quantity of pure nitre which it contains, it is important to give some simple methods of estimating its purity: 1. The first method is founded upon the fact already alluded to that a satmated so lution of any salt will not dissolve any more of that salt but will freely dissolve other salts' Twelve oz. of crude saltpe tre is well ground, and 12 oz. of a satura ted solution of pure nitre added. The mixture is stirred fifteen minutes, allowed to settle and the liquid carefully poured off. Six to nine oz. more,of the saturated solution of nitre is again poured on the mixture stirred ten minutes,, and the whole throwi^on a filter, and allowed to re main until thoroughly drained. The filter with its contents is then pressed upon blot ting paper or slab of plaster, or other ab sorbent substance—the nitre carfully je- movedand dried, and carefully weighed. The loss of weight indicate the impurity originally present in the crude saltpetre. Abont 2 percent, should be deducted from the estimate of impurity, or added to the estimate of pure nitre; since alftfcugh a saturated solution of nitre will not dissolve any mhrepure nitre, still if any common salt be present a small additional quantity of nitre is taken up. 2. Another method of estimating salt* petre is founded upon the fact that nitre mixed with charcoal and heated is entire ly converted into carbonate of potash, while common salt is net affected. If the saltpetre be mixed with charcoal alone the reaction is apt to he violent and ex plosive. To moderate the violence of the action the saltpetre must be largely mixed with common salt, which does not interfere with the reaction. One part crude salt petre, four parts common salt, and one-half part charcoal, are mixed and thrown grad ually in a red-hot crucible, or else heated in an iron spoon, until reaction ceases. The whole of the nitre is now changed into carbonate of potash, which may be dis solved in water and filtered. The solution thus obtained beingalkalinemay be estima ted by the quantity of sulphuric or other acid of known strength necessary to com pletely neutralize it. This is done by means of the instrument called the alkali- metre. One part of pure potassa corres ponds to 2 14 parts of nitre; or one part carbonate potassa corresponds to 1 46 parts nitre. The objection to this meth od is, that it requires the use of the aklali- metre and therefore a degree of care and an amount of accuracy which can hardly he expected in practical men. 3. The third method of estimation de pends upon the fact that a strong hot solution of nitre cystallizes on cooling, and that the temperature at which crys tals begin to deposit (or point of satu r a- tion) depends upon the amount of nitre present in the solution irrespective of the presence of impurities. In one hundred parts of hot water is dissol- 40 parts of erfade saltpetre. A very del icate thermometer is introduced, the liq uid allowed to cool slowly, and the tem perature at which crystal begin to deposit is accurately observed. r I he higher the temperature the larger quantity of nitre present in the solution and therefore the purer the saltpetre. Tables have been constructed giving the saturating point for solution containing different quantities of nitre! By simple inspection of such tables we learn the amount of nitre in the slou- tion under experiment. Thus if the crys- f77° the nitre=39. 5 | 68° “ “ =32. 5 talization commences at ■{ 59° “ “ =26. 9G | 52° “ “ =23. 36 L50° “ “ =22. 27 At 68° the quantity is 32 5, which com pared with the original 40 parts, gives 81, 6 per cent. This method lias the ad vantage of great accuracy and of great ease and rapidity in its application. In conclusion a word by way of encour agement to manufacturers in undertaking this work. It will be seen that under the most fa vorable circumstances saltpetre cannot be made in any considerable quantity in loss than six or eight months, and that if we commence now the preliminary process of preparing black earth so as to insure a suffi cient and permanent supply, results can not he expected under eighteen months or two j’ears. Let no one be discouraged by this fact under the idea that the war may not last so long, and all their work may be thrown away. There - is every prospect uow of the war continuing at least several years, and of our being thrown entirely on our own resources for war materials. Besides even if the war should be discontinued, the work is by no means lost. The method of preparing and making salteptre-beds is precisely the most approved method of making the best manure, and all the labor and pain necessary for the preparation of black earth, and the construction of saltpetre beds, and which I hope to induce my fel low-countrymen to undertake under the noble impulse of patriotism, ought to be annually undertaken by every planter un der the lower impulse of a wise self inter est, and would be amply rewarded in the increased production of field crops. JOSEPH LhCONTE, Prof. Chem. and Geol. S. C. College. Results of Ifae Battle. Our latest advices by mail from the great battle near Corinth are from the Memphis Appeal of the Sth containing a partial list of the killed and wounded, in the battle of Sunday. The Appeal says the Federal loss is estimated, ou the very best official authority, at 12,000 to 15,000 in killed and wounded; two to tlireee thou sand prisoners, about one hundred pieces of artillery, and twenty thousand small a/ms, with tents, wagons. &c. The same authority states the Confederate loss in killed, wounded and missing, at 5,000. We append the following list of casual ties among the officers, as reported by a correspondent of the Appeal. It is mere ly'such as the writer saw in passing over the field : Killed.—Col. Kitt Williams, Lieut. Col- Tyler, 4th La., Col. Crews of Mem phis, Col. Blythe of Miss., Major Dokes, 1st Tenn., Capt. Johns 6th Tenn. Wounded.—Gen. Clark, Col. Rich, Col. Bates. Col. Bowen, Major Loury, Lieut. Col. Stewart, of Mississippi; Lieut. Abbott, Adg’t Howell, Capt. Fowler, Capt. Pitman, Lieut. Deabott, Capt. Tye, Major Henry, Capt. Southerland, Lieut. Rice, Lieut Dyer, the Adjutant of the 13th Tenn. Capt. Wilkins, Capt. Morgan, Lieut. Bell and Capt. Crawford of Tennes see regiments; Lieut. Miller and Lieut. Holmes. Saufords Mississippi battery was captured by the enemy except one gun. — From the Atlanta Intelligencer. Lincoln Spin, Thieves, and Bridge Burn ers. On Saturday morning last, we were startled by intelligence telegraphed here from Marietta, that the engine, with three cars attached to the mail train, from this place to Chattanooga, had detached there from, while the conductor, engineer, and train hads were breakfasting at Big Shan ty, and had been steamed up the road by unknown parties. Prompt measures were at once taken to pursue the robbers. Mr. L. Kendrick who, as soon as it was ascer tained that the engine was in possession of thieves, rode with 6peed to Marietta, and from there telegraphe.d the fact to this place. Major Rowland, the Superiu- tendant, being absent up the road, Mr. Walker the master of Transportation, im mediately directed Mr. Kendrick to take an engine and such armed force as lie could get, and proceed at once in pursuit. This was done. But as our readers will he interested in a detailed account of this extraordinary and most audacious attempt of LINCOLN’6 SPIES to rob, burn, aud destroy the State Road, we give below the statement of Mr. Fuller, the conductor of the train from which theeugine and three ears were detatched by the Lincoln hire lings : Mr. IV. A. Fuller's Statement. On Saturday morning I left at 4 o’clock with the train, and reached “Camp Mc Donald” (“Big Shanty”) at regular train time. While at breakfast, I heard the engine “exhaust” very rapidly aud sudden ly, I immediately rose np and stated to Mr. A. Morphy, who is boss of the State Road Shop, but who happened to be a pas senger that morning, and Mr. Jeff Cain, my engineer, that something was wrong with the engine. We three hastened out; and, much to our surprise, discovered that the engine with three cars were out of sight. I at once suggested to Messrs. Murphy and Cain the propriety of follow ing the engine to Chattanooga, if no other way on foot, and pursue till we overtook and captured the unknown thieves. But when I first got oat, I enquired of a guard who was on the platform, “who had ta ken the engine off ?” He replied that be did not know him,” but tint “lie was a tall, black bearded man wearing a military black oveicoat, with a large cape.” On foot, then, in double\quick time, we started in pursuit. I was the first to rearii Moon’s Station, some two and a half miles from “Big Shan ty.” There I found a hand car and re turned a short distance to take in my com panions, Messrs. Murphy and Cain we then, with a few men, whom we got at Moon’s Station to push the car along, pursued on to within a half mile of Ac- worth. At tliis point, we found some forty’ or fifty cross ties laid on the track of the road to obstruct pursuit, and.the telegraphic wires torn down some quarter of a mile. It took us sometime to remove these obstructions. When we got to Ack- worth we took another hand car and some ten men, all armed as well as ourselves, and pursued on till within a mile of Etow ah, where we we were again impeded by the track being torn up in a short curve, by which we were thrown into the ditch. Having extricated ourselves from this dif ficulty, we proceeded on to Etowah, where wo took Major Cooper’s engine, which was cheerfully delivered to, and run by its engineer for us, to Kingston. We also took on at Etowah a coal car for 4lte purpose of carrying our men, who then had increased to about twenty, mostly citizens- When we arrived at Kingston, we found that the thieves had passed some twenty-five minutes ahead of us. We were there told that they stated that they had been pressed by the government to carry powder and ammunition to Beaure- gard—that Nuller and the regular mail train was behind, and would he on directly. This, they did, to get the switch keys; and so plausible were their statements, that they completely deceived the agent at Kingston. At Kingston we changed engines—taking the Rome engine which was already fired up, and which was kind ly offered to us by* Mr. Smith, the con ductor. We pursued on then till within four miles of Adairsville, where the track was again torn up, and cross ties placed upou it Mr. Murphy and myselt then took it afoot, at double quick, till we met the down Express train one and a half miles this side of Adairsville. This train we stopped and turned back to Adairsville, where we switched off the cars and took the engine alone, Mr. Bracken, its engi neer, running it.—In this way, we still continued the pursuit, after having to stop to remove the obstructions of cross ties, &c.. that the thieves had put at intervals, on the shortest curves in our way. We reached Calhoun, where they had left about five minutes before our arrival there, and when about a mile and a half from that station we came in sight of them, where they had detached their hindmost car, and left it as an obstruction to our pursuit, till we came to within a mile of Resaca, where they had detached another car. This we also coupled on ahead, and continued thus in pursuit till we reached llesaca, where we switched the two cars off, and without delay still continued the pur suit. In the meantime, it seems that they had loaded the third car which they had with cross-ties, and punching out the hind most end of it; they dropped at intervals, as before, the cross-ties upon the track, These obstructions delayed us a little, hut was soon removed.—Beyond Dalton, abont three miles, opposite Col. Glenn’s camp, the obstructions of these cross-ties were greater, the thieves having stopped there and piled upon the track. There we were detained some three minuteS re moving them. Reaching this end of the Tunnel, we again came in sight of them, as they passed the village on the other side. About two and a half miles on the other side of Ringgold we saw the engine we were pursuing apparently fagging. We soon came within half a mile of them and apprehensive they might turn their en gine back to come into collision with us, we approached cautiously satisfied that they could not then escape us. This they did, but their steam being exhausted almost the scheme did not suc ceed. Here the rascals jumped off and took to the woods. We all got off, took after them, and pursued them to the Chi- camauga about two miles off, where they crossed a ferry. Our party here divided, to capture them, should they take to the mountains, or take up the river. In the meantime we had the railroad bridges and the railroad guarded, so that they could not escape that way. Mr. Fuller here states that being ex hausted he could pursue uo further. The pursuing party it is reported have captured eight of the rascals. From big Shanty, we learn', Mr. Ken drick and Col. Charles Phillips took the engine ordered up from this place to pursue the thieves. The Colonel took with him twenty men well armed. The last heard cf the Colonel and hi; men, lie was on the track of five of the thieves who had order ed their breakfast at % house about five miles from Ringgold in the mountains.— A runner on a mule gave this information to the Colonel, who immediately took horses and went in hot pursuit after them. Major Rowland informs us that he saw three of the men captured at Ringgold-— They confess to having .belonged to Lin coln’s army, and ware attached to an Ohio Regiment—that they had been sent to spy oat the land, and to burn our bridges. These three are lodged in the Dalton jail, which is guarded. Major Rowland and Dr. Phillips, also took an engine at Dalton, and pursued the fleeing scouttdels—the last named gentle man, though in feeble health, we learn, displayed great energy in pursuit of the robbers. Mr Fuller also states that he is satisfied the leader of this audacious band got on the train in Atlanta. That when he reach ed Marietta, the same fellow paid the fare of four others to Big Shanty. Doubtless these fellows have been up and down the road often, and had acquired an intimate kn twledge here aud elsewhere of all its operations. Just before going to press we learn that four of the rascals were captured beyond the Tennessee lino, by Gol. Phillips and bis partv, and have been bronght to Mari etta, and are now lodged in the jail there. Two more were arrested at Camp Mc Donald ; and it is reported that two others have also been caught. The captured scoundrels have made “a clean breast of it.” Twenty three in num ber compose the band. The leader, or captain, as they term their chief, has not yet been caught Their mission, as we : - r' v - ^5 gasgagsr. nw >»■•■ stated above, was to spy ont tMu^to', bnrn and destroy, especially the bridges of . the State Road. 1 ’’ A more daring act than this, we ! never been called upon to record. Ttiflt • the parties who committed it, were res and spies * of Lincoln, is admitted! those who have been captured. We liave all along believed that Atlanta had been, '■ and is still being visited by disloyal men, ' spies, and emissaries of our foes. We bav6 warued our people of this, we have appeal- • ed to the authorities to look into this mat- df ter; we have advocated Martial La W Mv - 1 ensure our safety, and detect the rascaWjf as well as to rid cur community of othe'd^, . evils. We have been taunted in our ef- forts, with a desire to interfere with the w' priviliges of our merchants, as though x Martial Law would necessarily do Thls.^a We now again repeat, that in our jodg-* ment, Martial Law is necessary for the security of both person and property in At- >- lanta. We confidently believe that our ^ city has been and is daily deing visited by spies and emissaries ot the Lincoln govern- fC ment—that the public property here is ^ endangered—aud as a consequence private 3 property will share its fate. But to this subject we shall again refer. LINES TO A SKELETON. The following poem exquisite in thought and feeling, not less than in versification, was pub lished anonymously in Loudon abont fifty yean ago, and the reward of fifty guineas failed to dis cover the author, who still remains nameless but eloquent, like tho skeleton which he apostro phized : Behold this ruin! ’Twas a skull, One of ethereal spirit full; This narrow cell was Life’s retreat, This cell was Thought's mysterious seat. What beauteous visions tilled this spot! What dreams of pleasure long forgot! Nor Hope, nor Love, nor Joy nor Fear, Have left one trace of record here. Beneath this mouldering canopy Once shown the bright and busy eye ; But start not at »he dismal void. If social love that eye employed; If with no lawless fire it gleamed, But through the dew of kindness beamed, The eye shall be forever bright, When stars and suns are sunk in flight. Within this hollow cavern hung, The ready, swift and tuneful tongue. If Falsehood’s honey it disdained, And where it conld not praise was chained ; If bold in Virtue's cause it spoke, Yet gentle Concord never broke, The silent tongue shall plead for thee When Time unveils eternity. Say, did these fingers delve the mine 1 Or with its envied rubies shine ! To hew the rock or wear the gem, Can little now avail to them ; But if the page of Truth they sought, Or comfort to the mourner bronght, These hands a richer meed shall claim Than all that wait on Wealth or Fame. Avails it whether hare or shod These feet the paths of duty trod 7 - If from the bowers of Ease they fled. To seek affliction’s humble shed ; Jf grandeur’s guilty bribe they spurned, And home to virtue’s cot returned. These feet with angel’s wings shall vie, And tread the palace ot the sky. A Speech from Parson Brownlow. The following speech of Parson Brownlow, says the Richmond Examiner, was delivered in in front of the St.Cloud Hotel, Nashville, on the evening of the 17th: Gentlemen:—I am in a sad plight to say mnch of interest; too thoroughly incapacitated to do jus tice to you or myself. My throat has been disor dered for the past three years, and I have been compelled to almost abandon public speaking. Last December I was thrust into an uncomforta ble and disagreeable jail—for what? Treason! to the bogus Confederacy, and the proofs of that treason were articles which apeared in the Knox ville Whig in May last, when tbe State of Ten- nesssee was a member of the imperishable Union. At the expiration of four weeks 1 became a victim of tho typhoid fever, and was removed to a room in a decent dwelling, and a guard of seven men kept me company. I subsequently became so weak that I could not turn over in bed, aud tho guard was increased twelve men, for fear I should suddenly recover and run away to Kentucky. Becoming convalescent, in a measure, I was re moved to my former place of confinement. One day I was visited by some Confederate officers who remarked, “Brownlow, you should not be hero. Take the oath of allegiance to the Confed erate Government, which will not only ensure yon a speedy release, but insure your protection ” “Sir,’’said I. “before I would take the oath to support such a hell forsaken instityJion, I would suffer myself to rot or die ot old age ” Why, my friends, these demagogues actually boast that the Lord is on their side? and declare that the. Lord is assisting them in the furtherance of their nefarious project. In Knoxville and sur rounding localities, a short time since, daily pray er meetings-were held wherein the Almighty was beseeched to raise Lincoln’s blockade, and to hurl destruction against the Burnside expedition.— Tneir prayers were partly answered--the blockade at Roanoke Island was most effectually raised a reciprocal of their sacrilege divinely tender ed. Gentlemen, 4 am no Abolitionist; I applaud no sectional doctrines; I am a Southern man, and all my relatives and interests are thoroughly identi fied with the South, and Sonthern institutions. I was born in the Old Dominion, my paieuts were bom in Virgiuia, and their antecedents were all slaveholders. Let me assure you that the South has suffered no infringement upou her institutions, the slavery question was no pretext for this uuhoiy unrihteous war. Twelve Senators from the cotton States who had sworn to preserve inviolate the Consti- stitution framed by our forefathers, plotted trea son at night--a fit time lor such a crime—-aDd telegraphed to their States despatches advising them to.pass Ordinances of sceession. Yes gen tlemen, twelve Senators swore allegiance in tho daytime and unswore them at night. A short time since. I was called upon by a little Jew. who, I believe, is the Secretary of War of the bogus. Confederacy. He threatened to hang me, and I expected no mercy (rom him than was shown by his illustrious predecessors towards Jesus Christ. I entered into a long correspondence with this specimin of expiring humanity, but fro m_ mercy or forgetfulness on their part., I was permitted to depart with all my documents in my little valise, which I hope to publish at no distant day. Gentlemen, when I started on my perilous jour ney, I was sore distressed in mind and exceed ingly so in body; but the moment my eyes encoun tered the pickets of the Federal army my depres sion decreased and returning health seemed suddenly to invigorate my physical constitu tion. Gentlemen, Secession is played out; ihe dog is dead; the child is born, and his name is Jeff. Davis, Jr. . „ My throat distresses me to such an extent that I must decline further remarks this evening, but shall make myself heard upon the next convenient occasion which will probably be ere the termi nation of the present week. Insects generally must lead a jovial life. Think what it must be to lodge in a lilly. Imagine a palace of ivory or pearl, with capitals of gold all exhaling such a perfume as never rose flora hu man censer. Fancy again the fun of tucking yourselves up for the night in the folds of arose, rocked to sleep by the gentle sigh of the air, noth ing to do when you awake but wash yourselves in a dew drop, and fall to and eat your bedclothes! Power of Prayer. The Bible account of tho power of prayer is the best we have, or can have: Abraham’s servant prays—Rebekah appears. Jacob prays—the angel is conquered; Esau’s revenge is changed to fraternal love. Joseph pray s—he is delivered from the prison ot Egypt. Moses prays—Anialek is discomfited: Iseral triumphs. Joshua prays—the son stands still; victory is gained. ■ Hannah prays—the prophet Samuel is born; David piays— Ahithophel goes ont and hangs himself Asa prays—Israel gains a glorious victory. Jehosaphat prays—God turns away His anger and smiles. Elijah prays—the little cloud appears—the rain decends upon the earth. Elisha prays—tbe waters of the Jordan are di vided a toilets is restored to life. Isaiah prays- -one hnndred, eighty and four thou sand Assyrians are dead. Hezekiah prays—the sun dial is turned back; his life is prolonged. Mordecai prays—Hamaa ia hanged; Israel is free. Nehemiah prays—the King’s heart is softened in a minute. Ezra prays—tbe walls of Jerusalem begin to rise. * The Church prays—the Holy Ghost is poured The Church prays again—Peter is delivered by “aid Silas pray—the prison shakes the door opens, every man’s bands sro loosed. 3* Jr- ' V* I

Georgia Historic Newspapers

Southern federal union. (Milledgeville, Ga.) 1861-1862, April 22, 1862, Image 1