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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.