Newspaper Page Text
el)c Wcckln
BY JAMES GARDNER.
LETTER FROM REV. MR. CRUMLEY.
Richmond, Jin., 1862.
Mr. J. M. Newry: Dear Sir: The snow has
been falling thick and fast for many hours,
spreading heaven’s pure mantle of charily over a
guilty and sorrow-stricken land. We rent the
white veil to lay away several of our brave sol
diers, who sleep cold and dark to-night, beneath
a fresh covering of snow.
The boys are in full glee with their little
sleighs, coasting down the steep pavements.
Gentlemen and ladies, wrapped in furs and robes,
are dashing along the streets with sleighs and
tinkling bells, reminding one of that strange
poem of the immortal Poe.
To-*iay, we sent home the corpse of Scott Har
den, son of Col. Harden, of Rome, Ga. He was
me of the most promising boys ot my acquaint
ance, having once been a Sabbath school scholar
of mine. 1 felt a deep interest in him. 1 tins! that
he was a Christian, lor he met the last enemy as
a true soldier of the cross. He threw his loving
arms around my neck, saying, “As I love you
next to my father, I give you a father’s farewell
embrace.”
We could linger around this scene for the bal
ance of the evening, but scene after scene that
has been laid away in the memory, like choice
pictures to be studied and reviewed at leisure, or
afce panoramic views, is crowding upon my mind
faster than my clumsy pen can record them. A
few of these I will snatch, as drift wood, from the
stream of oblivion.
Here comes one of Scott Harden’s meu for a
place in the picture. He is a convalescent soldier,
small of stature, quick in motion. with hair and
whiskers tinged with grey. He is sixty-five years
old, has forty grandchildren, and a comfortable
home in Georgia. In view of his age and intirm*
ities, the Surgeon offered him a discharge, which
he promptly declined, saying : “I have enlisted
for the war, unless discharged by death.” How
this should shame many young men whose
patriotism has already wavered, and who have
conjured up all sorts of ailments and aches to get
discharged from their country’s service ! I am
not opposed to discharges when properly and
wisely granted. How many will find themselves
condemned both by conscience and public
opinion when the war is ended!
This heroic old man of our story is Mr. Pace, of
Paulding county. Mr. Pool, of about equal age,
was sent home a corpse not long since. He was a
hero of three wars, the Florida, .Mexican, and the
present war. Honor to his name, and peace to his
ashes !
A fine looking young man, D. L. York, about
seventeen years old, was brought into one of the
hospitals in a state of stupor, from which he never
recovered. Death soon stilled the struggles
of that heart which seemed to labor like a mighty
engine. When we shrouded him in the dead
room with garments furnished by the Georgia
Relief and Hospital Association, on the bosom of
his linen was found tacked a beautiful note,
written in a delicate band. Here is what was
written in that note :
“Poor Confederate soldier, whether sick or
wounaed, when you wear this garment, remem
ber there is one who laves and prays for you for
the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. I wish I knew
you, but that is denied me, but I hope you may
be preserved from all harm, and be saved in Ilea
ven. If it shall shroud the dead, may it be one
who is robed in the beautiful garments of salva
tion. There, I shall hope to meet you, where we
will walk the golden streets above.”
Tnere was no name to the note. How 1 would
like to know the fair hand that penned that note,
and the noble heart that breathed such an ear nest
prayey. Yours truly, W. M. Crumley.
Special Correspondence of the Constitutionaliet.
LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.
Camp Young's Mills. Ya., )
February 20th, 1862' >
Ma. Editor . For want of an item of news, for
which you sometimes look, 1 have delayed writ<
ing thus long in the hope that something might
“turn up,” but up to this time the tendency has
been downward, for the rain has descended al
most without intermission, since the date of my
last, interspersed with sleet and snow, until we
are mow completely mud and water bound.
Considerable speculation has been indulged in
for the past few days in reference to the probable
movement of troops on this Peninsula, both of the
Confederates and Federals, but 1 am at a loss to
understand how either can move while the whole
face of the earth is submerged, if not with water,
with mud and water, so beautifully intermixed
that transportation is entirely out of the question,
even for subsistence, to say nothing of artillery.
It appears to be evident, however, that there is
something in the wind, but what it is, I am at a
loss to conjecture. A few days of sunshine, thou d
kt be our fortune to be blessed with the genial
face of “Old Sol” this winter, would, no doubt,
develope something that we know not of, or
knowingwhicb.it might be imprudent to speak
at present. However, have patience, and you
may soon hear from the b’boys again.
McClellan’s hopes of the weakness of our forces
daring the apuroachixg spring, in consequence of
the expiration of the term of service of our
twelve months’ volunteers, are becoming blighted
day by dav. I am credibly informed that num
bers of them re-enhst immediately upon their ar
rival in Richmond, joining such companies as
may suit them. I noticed in the Richmond
Kra miner, of the 15th inst., the fact that a com
pany of Marylanders, Captain Edeline, who had
re»enlisted for the war, and had obtained a fur
lough, have gene to North Carolina to take charge
of a battery during tEe number of days granted
them, at the expiration of which time they will
return to Manassa. It is generally admitted that
tbe twelve months’ men on this Peninsula will do
likewise, and disappoint the Federal General’s
most sanguine expectations. Looking to our fu
ture weakness from the above cause, they have
let their “vigorous winter campaign” pass quiet
ly by, hoping to crush our little army, as they
fondly hoped, by overwhelming numbers. Their
grand army is destined to meet the same reverses,
and by the same Spartan band, in their next on
ward movement to Richmond.
In consequence of anticipated changes in tbe
disposition of some of the General officers, and
the probable appointment of others, the name of
Col. Alfred Camming, of the 10th Georgia Regis
ment, is mentioned in that connection. While the
writer, in common with the entire regiment,
would regret to lose his services, they would
readily acquiesce in yielding birn to a position
where his services would do tbe greatest good to
the greatest number. His acknowledged military,
ability by all who know him, would be a sure guar
antee that the “right man was in tbe right place.”
I do not know who will be the recipient of tins dis
tinguished honor, or whether it is the intention
of the Government at Richmond to make such
appointment, nor would 1 be understood as say
•ng a word in disparagement to tbe claims of
25 ,8> >f» as it is rumored, Col. Camming
Should be the favorite, a duty will devolve upon
one well fitted, by education and years of ex
perience, for the responsible position, and who
will, should an opportunity present itself, reflect
credit to himse.f and honor upon our young Con
.ederacy. As the time has arrived when there
. P lac * for e L e . r y ® an . ’et every man be in his
T ? e Ro,d,er > the statesman, the physician,
ik* nd J? h ?' e tbeir duties to
t« A“ Btrugg, *> and eith *r best suited
?,^ Bch tbe,r duties taught them
from youth to manhood. *
Notwithstanding tb> very .•nfuv<wabt« wcb-Ibt.
the health of the regiment cannot be said to be
impaired, to any great extent, though we have a
few sick tn camp, in Williamsburg, and in Rich
mond, but the convalescent are daily returning
from the latter places, and to duty.
Should anything of intelest transpire, as ' am
inclined to think will in a few days, you sht-.U
bear from me again, if all should “turn right side
up, with care.” Richmond.
[VjK THE CONSTITUTIONALIST. j
Extract from a sermon, preached on the occa
sion of the’ first Fubi. proclaimed by President
Davis. iTini. 11,16.
Let us now take up tin- answer to the question,
May we, having tnumpheu over our enemies, I
expect a speedy return of peace? We may, if Wl I
pray aright, humble our hearts before the Lord, :
and look io Him alone for i-niaigement. Dor '
only hope is in Him, whois faittiiui that has ;
promised. We have seen that He has co.oiii ind- '
ed us to pray for. Kings, and for all in auiiiuiity, j
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable lite, m ■
all godliness and honesty. Now, the coinmad to 1
pray for rulers implies a promise that we shall be i
heard. There is a sovereign God who controls I
the destinies of nations ; who settleth up one and I
pulleth down airothvr; who doetli, according to ’
His will, in the army of Heaven and among tbe '
inhabitants of the earth. In His hands, are the !
hearts of all—as well the hearts of rulers, as '
the hearts of subjects. He can make the wrath
of man to praise Him ; and the remainder of
wrath He will restrain. In answer to prayer, He
can dispose the hearts of rulers to peace. But
if not in this, enlargement will come to us in some
other way. He can remove those who prevent
the return of peace, and raise up others, utter His
own heart, to take their places. “Behold, He
taketh away, who can hinder Him ? who will say
unto Him, what doest thou ?’’ Nor is this all.
He can conquer a peace. “The Lord of hosts is
with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge,” shall
be our song. With the Lord of hosts Himself
sauc'ified in our hearts, and with Jehovah.-ntsst
inscribed upon our banners, we shall compel the
acknowledgment of our independence, a one of
the sovereignties of the earth.
Our weapon, my friends, the very best weapon |
we can use, is prayer; what John Bunyan calls
allsprayer. It alone is invincible against tbe
wrath and power of our enemies. We do not un.
derrate the courage and prowess of our people,
when we assure you that these are not to decide
the present contest. Nor does the issue of this
fight depend on mortars, and Armstrong guns,
and rifled cannon. He was a skeptic who, pro
fessing to believe in an overruling Providence,
charged God with always being on the side of the
heaviest guns. The. charge is monstrous, false,
and blasphemous, as the facts of history, and the
dealings" of God with His people, abundantly
prove. We proclaim tbe Lord God omnipotent
reigneth ! Let the people tremble. Let lhe whole
wotid stand in awe of Him! We tell yon, He
that sitteth upon the Throne will decide this
contest. All-prayer will bring His mighty power
to our aid. And if the Lord be with us, who
shall be against us?
Let us call to mind the tune when Israel was
in bondage in Babylon. By its livers, they sat
down and wept when they remembered Zion; and
upon the willows which grew upon their banks,
they hung their silent harps, refusing to sing the
songs of Zion in a strange land. But when, out
of the depths, they cried to God for deliverance, |
Jehovah put it into the heart of Cyrns to grant j
redemption to His people, and turned again the ,
captivity of Zion as the streams in this Sotrth. j
Let us remember the hour when Israel groaned ;
under the oppression oi cruel taskmasters. When ■
they cried to God for enlargement, Jehovah con- !
founded Egypt’s infidel King, and led His people ■
out with a high hand, and with an outstretched j
arm. Let us remember that, when the infidel and ;
proud Philistine defied the armies of the God of
Israel, and came up to lhe battle with sword, and
spear, and shield, the humble shepherd boy, with
I sling, and pebble, and staff, met him, and slew
him. I remember, likewise, in good King Heze
kiah’s time, when Sennacherib came down upon
Judah, “like a wolf on the fold,” and wrote blas
phemous things of the God of Heaven, that the
Lord God of hosts, which dwelleth between tbe
Cherubims, sent forth His angel on that night,
who went and smote, in the camp of the Assy®
rians,an hundred and four score and five thousand.
And I remember that, when the King of Syria
sent up a great multitude, with horses and with
chariots, to arrest Elisha at Dothan, the mountains
were full of horses and chariots of Sre round
about the man of God to protect and defend him.
Now, who can credit these facts of history, this
record of God's signal wonderful Providences,
and not confess that, in His hands, are lhe issues
of the present struggle? Thank God, the people
of these Confederate States generally, almost
universally, recognize the Sovereignty of Almigh
ty God in providence and in grace. It is seen in
our Permanent Constitution; it is owned by the
people; it is recognized by our ruleis in church
and state : 0! that it may be written upon our
hearts! God grant that it may not be a more out
ward recognition, a mere form, an unmeaning
ceremony, a sacrifice of tbe lips, while our hearts
are far from Him. And God grant that the bless
ed fruits of it may bo seen in the future of these
Confederate States. May God, in His infinite mer
cy,give to us that righteousness which exaltoth a
nation.
But while tbeie is, on toe part of our rulers and
people, this general recognition of God’s Severs
eiguty in providence and grace, lam afraid that
we have fallen into what is inconsistent with this
profession, and into what may cause Him, in an
ger, to withdraw from us His helping hand. I am
afraid, my friends, of one thing; I tremble when
I think of it, a thing that is utterly inconsistent
with tbe acknowledgment of Jehovah’s Sover
eignty. Is there not idolatry in the laud? Hava
we not, thoughtlessly, no doubt ignorant of what
we were doing, made a King for ourselves? Have
we not set him up, and crowned him? And do
not thousands bow down to him, and offer sacri
fices upon his altar? And is not universal empire
claimed for this King of our own making* Do
not thousands say that Cotten is King? And do
not thousands expect cotton to deliver us? Cotton
is not King; Goa alone is King. Cotton is not our
deliverer, God alone can deliver us. Now, by the
help of God, I will uncrown this false King. I
will try to smite the image of this idol-god," and
break down his altars.
It stands before me like tbe great image which
Nebucbadanezzer saw in a vision of the night. Its
brightness is excellent, and the fame thereof ter
rible; its bead is of fine gold, and its breasts and
its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass,
and its legs of iron, but its feet are part of iron
and part of clay. With tbe stone cut out without
bands, 1 will smite this image upon its feet of iron
and clay, and break them in pieces. They shall
become like the chaff of lhe summer threshing
floors; the wind shall carry them away, and no
place shall be found for them.
Again, the image of this false and idol god
stands before me, as stood tbe huge colossal
statue of Serapis in the streets of Alexandria.
The Christian emperor, Theodosius, had decreed
that this statue should be destroyed. This idol,
as Mr. Gibbon informs us, had a powerful hold
on lhe superstitions of the pagans, against w hich
not even the soldiers of Theophilus, tbe Bishop
of Alexandria, were proof. It had been said
that, if any violence were done to the idol, the
heavens and the earth would instantly return to
their original chaos. While the soldiers of
Theophilus stand hesitating and fearing to offer
any violence to the statue, an intrepid soldier
from the ranks of the Christians advances, with
battle-axe in hand, ascends by a ladder the huge
idol, and smites it upon the cheek. The multi
| tilde link <>n in wonderment ard awe, <*rpec*ing
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 5, 1b62.
! the god instantly to punish t lie folly of thesol
i dier, snd bring upon tbe world the calamities
i predicted. But the soldier stands unharmed ; the
i heavens and earth remain as they had been ;
• blow succeeds to blow from that stalwart arm;
the false god totters to his base ; the idol is
overthrown, broken in pieces, and bis dishonor
ed limbs are dragged in triumph through the
streets ot Alexandria. So may God do to King
Cotton!
If our help is in cotton, and not ia God, we will
Ibe sadly disappointed. For God may blast our
! cotton fields with blight and mildew; He may send
|f'e army worm and tbe caterpillar; He may
i block up our bar oi s, so that not a single bale shall
reach a foreign m..iket ; and as so many are de-
I pendent upon ir for bread, He may open up other
lands and other climes 10 itssuccessfnl cultivation.
God is a jealous God, and will not share His
glory with another. In the days of Eli, when
Israel went up against the Philistines, thev took
with them tbe ark of lhe covenant; with Jlophni
and Phineas, the priests, expecting the ark to
deliver them. But God punished their idolatry,
ev-n when their confidence was placed upon the
saai'.-d ark of the covenant. Israel vhis defeated
wub gr .-t slaughter; Hophni and Phineas were
slain; the ark itself was taken captive, and was led
away, and placed in the temple of a heathen god.
And" thus did God teach His people, and thiis may
He teach ns, to put our trust in Him, and tn Him
alone.
May God spare us such a lesson of abasement!
Let q.B, therefore, away with our idolatry. From
all out- idols, 0 God, cleanse us ! Then shall out
independence be achieved; and then shallow
Confederate States of America have a pLSfI
among the free and independent nations ot tire]
earth. “Then shall the earth yield her increase]
and God, even our own God. shall bless us.” J
TAKE SPECIAL NOTICE I
Tue ?' deral Union is authorized to state the
members of ail tbe Volunteer companies which
are organized, or which will be organized for the
war before lhe 4th of March, must appear on the
parade ground and volunteer regularly in com
pliance with the call; and if absent will be drafted.
Their having joined a volunteer company before
that lime,will not exempt them appea ring on that
day.
Also, that no deductions will be made from the
quota required of each county, lor those who may
join regiments uow in service as recruits.
Further: That all persons liable to do military
duty, who have gone to the coast since the order
of the Governor was issued to stop recruiting for
companies there, without a special order to go as
recruits, and who remain there under pretence of
being in service till after the 4th of March, will be
drafted at home as absentees, and compelled to >
enter the service for the war. No special orders !
have been given to authorize recruiting for State i
service, except to two or three companies, which !
had tendered and been accepted a few days before !
the Governor’s Proclamation issued.
An ereneous impression is on the minds of!
many, that volunteers who have been m tbe ser- !
vice and have been discharged on account of sick- '
ness, ot having been commissioned officers, have j
resigned are not now liable to draft. This is not j
so. All such persons between the ages of eigh- |
teen and forty-five, who are now capable of doing !
duty, are as liable to draft as though they had 1
never been in service. If they are not able to do ;
duty, the examining Surgeons on tbe day oi the
mnster, will so determine, and thev will be ex
empt. ’ R
From the Mew Orleans Prices Curr>.at, 1 et>. 2J.
LIVERPOOL COTTON TRADE EXPORT FOR
186 L
We have received, via Havana, Mai; ice Wil
liam’s (cotton broker, of Liverpool,) statistical
report of the English cotton trade for tbe past
year, from which we find that the total import of
the past year, of all kinds, amounts to 2,036,930
bales, against 2,366,686 bales in IB6o—being a
falling off in the year of 329,756 bales. The ex
port has been very large, showing an increase
over last year, and including the cotton exported
to the Northern States of America. Tbe report
thus proceeds:
The stock of cottrtL actually on hand at Liver
pool on the last day of the old year was 622,560
bales, consist ng of 279,310 American, 9,460 Egypt
ian, 27,250 Brazil, 370 West India, &e., and
306,140 East India, which, compared with the
previous estimates, shows an increase of 71,800
m American, 210 in Brazil, and 21,450 in Surats,
and a decrease of 3,680 in Egyptians, and 40 in
West India—making a total increase of 89,790
bales.
The speculations in eotton during the year was
greater "than ever before, amounting to purchases
of 1,242,440 bales, the largest amount ever known.
The stock held in London is 72,260 bales, con
sisting of 20 American, 72,100 East India, and 140
West India. The stock in Glasgow and ether
ports is 8,010, consisting o|’ 7,500 American, 100
Egyptian, and 410 East India—these, added to tbe
stock held in this port, viz, 622,500 bales, will
make a total this day of 702,880 bales, which,
added to the estimated amount in the hands of
spinners, about 80,010 bales, will give about
seventeen weeks’ supply, at the average consump
tion of lhe past year. The consumption of cotton,
owing to its dear price, and the consequent re
duction of working looms in tbe factories shows
a decrease during the year, with that of the pre»
vious one, of 111,411 bales, being only 2,391",290
bales, or 45,986 bales per week, against 2,502,701
bales, or 48,136 bales per week in 1860. The stock
of cotton held by spinners is estimated at only
80,000 bales, or fully 140,000 below the amount
held at the same period last year, whilst there is
no American cotton ar sea on its way. and but
89,000 bales from the East Indies to arrive the
next two months. So far no cotton of the last
crop has reached lhe shipping ports, nor has any ,
cotton being shipped to any country, or been ob- j
lainablc for consumption.
Tbe writer of the circular proceeds to argue
that if there should be war between the Federal
Government and England cotton could quickly be
obtained by breaking tbe Southern blockade; but
if peace continues there is no early prospect of
England's obtaining cotton, and concludes as fol
lows :
All; therefore, being so uncertain, no correct
estimate can now be formed as to what may be the
future course of consumption or prices. Enu
merating the vanous manufacturing countries,we
find tbe coneumplioujof Great Britain the past
year has been 2,390,000 bales, of France 680,000,
of Prussia4s9,ooo, ot Germany 500,000, of the re
maindar of the continent 4<W,000, and that of the
Northern States oi America 650,000 bales, making
a total consumption during this year of about
5,070,000 bales.
With a f urther sut>pension or even a serious cur
tailment or delay in the coming forward of a
crop which supplies foursfifths oi this consump
tion, wbat mischief may not be inflicted upon the
manufacturers of this and other countries, and al
ready is there not evidence of this fact when mid*,
tiling bowed quoted here to day at per
pound, were selling at New York at 3b cents per
pound at tbe latest dates. The supply this year
(1860) of East India cotton, as usual with high
prices current here, has been large, but a deal of
this has been diverted from China, and should
prices i ule even much higher than at present, it
is scarcely possible that any important increase
in tbe imports thence can tuke place next year
(1562) over and above tbe 987,530 bales, which we
have this vear received.
* - -
An extensive gun tuctory has been set m opera
tion at Holv Springs, Miss. A considerable num
ber of gun-barrels are rolled out every day, and
contracts hare beim catered into to supply the
government with rai.M'O guns iu a short time.
TO THE CIIIZENS OF AUGUSTA.
The time has at length arrived when it is the
imperative duty of every citizen to devote his best
energies to the’defence ot his country. Tbe ene
my is thundering at our gates —his long threats
eued invasion is at hand. His fqot is upon our
soil, and his sword is whetted for our destruction.
Under these circumstances, there is a sacred ob
ligation resting upon everyman who is deserving
ot a treeman’s destiny, to put aside, for a time,
all thoughts of ease., and all ’desires of individual
advantage, and to prepare himself for the proper
discharge of any demand which may be made
upon him by his country. Every man belongs to
his_cr>untry. No claim is paramount to hers;
no work should be undertaken with greater
cheerfulness than the work of her preservation.
The slumbering spirit of our people is every
where aroused. The late disasters which our
friends have sustained, in various quarters of the
Confederate States, instead of depressing tbeir
energies and weakening their faith, have nerved
them as with the blast of a trumpet, amid the
echoes of the hills. The sublime spectacle will be
speedily presented of a whole people in arms, for
the defence of their hearthstones from the tread
of the aggressor, who, in the over-confidence of
his strength, is launching his legions upon our
soil.
I call upon every male inhabitant of the city of
Augusta who is capable of bearing arms, to pre
pare for a struggle which may not be far distant.
Some service can be performed by every one,
whatever his position or condition may be. The
eyes of our enemies are fixed with covetous long*
our .cijy, audit cannot be doubted that
Rjffil is*an object dear to their hearts, at al)
PBWp, it is our duty to neglect no of
resistance, should an attack" upon us be
PaSw Having done all that we can, our cbnsci
encsswillbe satisfied let lhe event be what it
may.
1 call upon the merchants and other business
men of the city who are not*engaged in the pub
lic service, to close their stores and other places
of business each day at 3 o'clock, in order that
they and their employees and clerks may unite
with their fellow citizens and drill. Let compa«
nies composed of all classes be formed and prop
erly officered and the day after the hour named be
devoted to the acquisition of that knowledge of
discipline without which any organization is ut«
terly inefficient. Let those able to purchase arms
procure them at their] own expense. Every effort
will be made to assist those who are unable.
The danger is imminent, and it behooves us to
act in the emergency like men. Our fellows-citi.*
zens absent in our armies look to us to deliver
their farriilies and habitations from the presence
of the foe, or to die in their defence. Let us all
resolve to do this and success will crown our pa
triotism with its brightest wraths.
Robt. H. May,
Mayor.
C’TIZENS ? *MEEIINGr
Augusta, Ga., Feb. 27,1562.
In pursuance of a call to the citizens of Rich
mond county, made through the newspapers, a
meeting was held this day at the Masonic Hall,
to provide means for the support of th'e families
of our brave volunteers who have gone into the
service of the Confederate States, and who may
enter tbe service hereafter, when, upon motion
of Hon. Wtn. Schley, Gen. Geo. W. Evans was
called to the Chair, and W. S. Royal appointed
Secretary.
The Chairman, fyfth a few appropriate re
marks, staled the object oi the meeting ; where
upon, Hon. Wm. Gibson offered the following
resolutions, which were supported by Hon. Wm.
Schley, in a few pertinent and eloquent remarks,
and then unanimously passed:
That the Chairman of this meeting
do appoint a committie of three from each dis
trict in the country and ward in the city, whose
duty it shall be immediately to visit the families
of each soldier now enlisted for the war, or who
may hereafter enlist for the war, and to fully
ascertain their wants and necessities, and the sum
necessary to be raised by taxation for their com
fortable support and maintenance, and report the
same to the Inferior Court, who are hereby most
respectfully requested to levy a sufficient tax,
under the recent act of the Legislature to meet
the demands on said committee for the comfort*
able support end maintenance of all soldiers’
families, who may be in the service, or who may
hereafter enter for the war.
’ titsolved furtktr, That said Committee so aps
■ pointed, be -requested to organize themselves in
i such manner, as to effect fully the object of the
j appointment, to-wit : the relief, support, and
i maintenance i r al! soldiers families, who have
I volunteered oi m.:y hereafter volunteer for the
war, and that m imtkinir their estimates for ne
cessaries and support, the; present high prices
l of provisions be fully considered, as well as any
increase in prices, or enlistments, and that they
make their estimates and demands on tbe Inferior
Court, for a sufficient amount to meet all a..d
every contingency.
In conformity with these resolutions, the
Chairman appointed the Committee as follows :
IN THE COUNTRY. -<
Bridge District—Hon. A. C. Walker, R. A.
Allen, Esq., Middleton Seago, Esq.
Branhams District—Sam’l. P. Davis, Esq., John
A. Rhodes, Esq., James Braham, Esq.
Poor House District—Wm. Schley, Esq., Adam
Johnson, Esq., E- A. Tabb, Esq.
r District—Hon. George W. Crawford,
T. H. Wiids, Esq., Williairi Skinner, Esq.
IN "TOWN.
First Ward—H. T. Russell, Esq., W. C. Derry,
Esq., John U. Myer, Esq.
Second Ward—J. M. Newby, Esq., James Mil
ler, Esq., J. C. Snead, Esc.
Third Ward—Z. McCord, Esc., D. B. Plumb,
Esq., Henry Moore, Esq.
Fourth Ward—William Gibson, Esq., Alfred
Baker, Esq., Jesse A. Ansley, Esq.
Geo. W. Evans, Chairman.
Wm. S. PvOyal, Secretary.
A Federal Battery at Oakley Point.—The
steamer Ida, Capt. Cercopely, left tbe city yester
day morning, at 10 o’clock, and went to Canston’s
Blnff, Thunderbolt, and Skidaway. When enter
ing St. Augustine Creek, the Ida was fired on by
a new Federal battery, which had been recently
erected at Oakley’s Point, about two miles from
St. Augustine Creek. It was not ascertained
whether ‘.he fire proceeded from a floating battery
or a battery erected at that point. Tbe Ida was
about two miles off when the enemy opened fire
on her, but all their shot fell short from two to
three hundred yards. The battery is on the South
channel, and commands the passage going to
Fort Pulassi. In returning last evening about 7
o’clock, Capt. C. discovered two large, bright
lights at Oakley battery.
There are twenty-two Federal vessels at War
saw Sound— Sdo. Morning News, Feb. 27.
How ot r Men Fought at Fort Henry.—The
St. Louis Evening Sews, of the Bth instant, in
giving an account of the capture of Fort Henry,
pays the following tribute to the bravery of our
' troops:
Tbe enemy, that is the garrison proper, conduct
-1 ed itself in a style in the highest degree creditable,
and we cannot withhold from it the honor qfl|
resistance that, in a better cause, would make us
proud of it. Flag-officer Foote, who is no mere
compliment payer, says “the fort was defended
wit i the most determined gaLantry.” That the
artillerists at lhe fort served their guns with sin
gular accuracy, it is proved by the fact that three
‘ ot the annboats received fiftv-one shots.
41,—N0. 10.
The Crop Question. —It is a decided point that
the people of South Carolina must cultivate the
means of subsistence almost exclusively this yea*’
if they are in earnest about living through this
war. It is not improbable that We shall have to
subsist both ourselves and a large portion of the
army of lhe South, and perhaps thousands of refu
gees from other States. The enemy is making a
tremendous effort to invade North Carolina and to
cut his way down the Mississippi. The aim of
this effort would seem to be to circumscribe Geor
gia, South Carolina, and perhaps Alabama, and
cut them oft - from the rest of the Confederacy.
Should he succeed, these three States will have a
people and an army of large numbers io sustain.
They can only do ft by pressing all their agricul
tural efforts to the increas eof food for man and
beast. It is nearly planting time for corn. Set
about the work with a view to the common cause
first and las', ‘and set about it in earnest as you
value your political, social and personal safety.
Edgefield (.S’. 6’.) Adveriiser.
DESERTERS FROM SHIP ISLAND.
Tbe New Orleans Delta, of the 22d, f ays:
A few days ago Captain Ward, of the small
schooner, the Wilder, of Mobile, in attempting
to escape through the blockading fleet in lhe
Sound, was captured and detained as a prisoner
on board one of tbe enemy’s ships. He succeed
ed, however, in escaping in a small boat, and got
ashore at Pass Christian. Capt. Ward's accounts
of the enemy confirms that of the three prisoners
or deserters’ who were sent over from Pass Chris
tian yesterday, in charge of a detachment under
Sergeant Poindexter, lormerlyof this city. The
deserters’ names are Van Benthuyscm, a young
man formerly of this city, and very respectably
connected here, who spates that he enlisted in a
regiment as the only means by which he could
escape from the North; Horton, a Yankee, and
Clifford an Englishman. These men represent
that they were members of the corps known as
the Mounted Rangers, who were enlisted as a
body guard for Gen. Butler. This is the corps
about which Gen. Butler and Andrew, Governor
of Massachusetts, had a quarrel, the merits of
which becoming known to the men, they do not
consider themselves as legally enlisted, and are
verv much dissatisfied. The Mounted Rangers
came out in the last trip of tbe Constitution, and
are one hundred and eighteen in number. They
brought their horses with them, but they have
all died except five .
The following are the troops now on the island
12th Maine, Col. Shipley; 26th Massachusetts
Col. Jones, of Connecticut; Manning’s Battery,
200 men and eight pieces.
To these were added by the last arrival of the
Constitution, the Eastern Bay State Regiment,
Lieut. Col. French, and the Mounted Rangers be
fore. referred to.
These are all the land forces on the island; they
are all under the command of Gen. Phelps,who is
known on the island as Asa, as on the mainland
as Proclamation Phelps.
There are in the Sound three gunboats of light
draft, to wit: the Kanawha five guns, the Scioto
five, and the Santiago 6. The Niagara, the New
London, and several smaller vessels are also ofi
tbe island. There are many sick on the island,and
the Constitution, on her return trip, took 800 dis
abled or invalid soldleis.
The long delay of Butler in reaching his com
mand, and tbe discomforts of their camp, render
ed the soldiers on Ship Island quite dissatisfied.
WHAT A PEOPLE CAN DO-
We invite attention to the following extracts
from Thiers’ French Revolution, kindly furnished
' by an intelligent friend :
“As there was a want ot saltpetre, an idea oc-
; cwred to extract it from the mould of cellars.
Directions were given to examine them all, to
ascertain whether the soil in which they were
' sank contained any portion of that substance or
not. In consequence, every person was obliged
1 to suffer bis cellar to be inspected and dug up,
‘ that the mould might be hixiviated when it con*
1 tamed saltpetre.” (Page 115, vel. 3d.)
“The manu’acture ot arms established in Paris
’ and in the provinces, bad soon attained the de
gree of activity which was intended to be g ven
1 to them, and produced great quantities of cannon,
; swords and muskets. The Committee »f Public
! Welfare, skilfully turning the French character
‘ to account, had contrived to bring into vogue the
’ manufacture of saltpetre.
“In the preceding year it had already ordered
an examination of all cellars for the purpose of
extracting from them the mould impregnated
with saltpetre. It soon adopted a still better
method. It drew up directions—a model of sim«
plicity and clearness—to teach the citizens how
to hixivitiate the mould of cellars, ft also took
into its pay a number of operative chemists, to
instruct them in the manipulation. The practice
soon became generally introduced. People im
parted to others the instruction they .had re*
cetved, and each house furnished ;some pounds of
this useful salt. Some of the quarters of Paris
assembled for the purpose of carrying with pomp
to the Convention the saltpetre they had fabri
cated. A festival was instituted, on which each
came to deposit his offering on the altar of his
country. Emblematic forms were given to this
salt; all sorts of epithets were lavished upon it.
Some called it the Avenging Salt, others the
Nitrating Sait. The people amused tnemselves
with it, but produced considerable quantities,
and the Government had attained its object.
Saline matter ran short; the Committee ordered
that all tbe herbage, not employed as food for
cattle, or for domestic be imme
diately burned, in order to be employed in the
making of saltpetre, or converted into sa'line
substances.” (Page 425, volume 3d,)
Charleston. Courier, Feb. 27.
Our Position and our Defences.—We are grati
tied to learn, from high military . authority, that
there is no so mdatlon for the alarming rumors
which have been afloat in this city for several days;
and that there is no just cause, at present, for ap
prehension. Our brave, wise-headed and wise
hearted General, Robert E. Lee. we are author
ized to say, feels every assurance of his ability to
defend Charleston against any force, now at the
disposal of the enemy, if our people will but rally,
with proper spirit, to the standard of their invaded
country. A confidence is also entertained that the
enemy do not mediate any immediate assault on
our city—they must be largely reinforced before
they dare attack us.
Let us not, however, relax our vigilance or pre
parations for a Saragossa defence, if necessary;
and in the mean time, let every able bodied citizen
who can be at all spared from civil duties or home
cares, not only play the soldier, but volunteer for
the war. Asseonasthe military organization,
now in progress, shall have been completed, five
thousand additional troops will be raised for the
war, and we invoke every true hearted son of
Charleston and South Carolina, fit for military
duty, to enrol himself under the glorious banner of
the Stars and Bars, and strike the stalwart and
victorious blow for liberty and Southern independ
ence. South Carolina expects every man to do
i his duty—and that expectation fulfiled, the Vandal
[ foe will be driven discomfitted from her shores,
now polluted by tbe toot of foul and cruel invasion.
We are further gratified to be able to say, on ,
authority, that onr cherished and generous sister
. city Savannah, enjoys a prospect, every whit as
favorable as our own, and that she is able to repe’.
three times tbe hostile force, now arrayed against
i her, but too politic to strike without a certainty of
» victory.
1 Let our people then be of good, cheer but still
> let them gird on and burnish tbeir armor for bat
_ tie —above all let them trust in God, and keep our
s arms ready and our powder dry.
Charleston Courier Ftb. 28.