Newspaper Page Text
el)f Wccklg (Constitutionalist
BY JAMES GARDNER.
Special Bispatch to the Memphis Appeal.
BRILLIANT EXPLOIT IN THE WEST.
Fort Smith, March B.—A scon ting party of 60v.
under Cols. Greer and Simms, bare just returned
to their camps.
The expedition moved to the rear of the enemy,
and got in between their main body and their
pickets. They captured and burnt 280 of the
enemy's wagons, taking between 250 and 300 mules
and horses.
They killed twenty-five of the enemy and took
ten prisoners.
They also captured a large amount of commis -
sary and quartermaster’s stoies.
The attack on the Federal train was made at
Keitsville, Mo. It is looked upon as one of the
most brilliant achievements of the war. Such
daring and calmness were never before known.
The prisoners taken, ten m number, have arrU
ved here and are now in jail. Not one of our men
injured. Osceola.
The Ladies Responding —The ladies, God bless
them, are responding to the call made in behalf of
the wounded and sick soldiers now' in our city.
We mean ladies non-resident of our city, and at a
distance.therefrom. Two instances have come with
in our own observation. One is that of Mrs. Major
JS. Rowland, of Cass County, whose contribu
tions heretofore to the cause of the South havo
been most liberal and patriotic, and who seems
never.to “be weary of well doing.’’ This estimable
lady,on yesterday, contributed to the Hospitals in
this city, a large number of beadsteads, matrass
es, sheets, pi'low-slips, and feathers, bed quilts,
towels, chatrs, pants, drawers, shirts, socks, bot
tles of catsup, pepper, sage, &c.—most valuable,
indeed, because such articles w’ere most needed.
And another lady, Miss Caroline Culver, from the
same County, contributed also other articles much
needed, such as socks, towels, &c. We make a
record of this, as a duty. It should stimulate others
to do likewise.. Never came donations in better
time, and we shall long cherish the memories of
such timely relief to the men who have shoulders
ed their muskets for the defence of their country,
and shall long bless the women, who,far from our
city, have so nobly responded to the call for aid.
Atlanta Intelligencer.
The Slaughter of the Yankees at FortDon
elson —The Sad Side of the Picture.—The
following private letter, written by a former
attache of the New York Postoflice, presents
another side of the victory gained at Fort Don
elson that from which is generally comtem*
plated:
Fort Donelson, Tenn., Feb. 11th, 1862.
Mt Dear Father : Sad, lonely and down
hearted, I attempt to write a few lines, to let you
know lam alive and unhurt. We have had a
most bloody fight; there must have been from
five to seven thousand men killed and wounded,
on both sides. But the enemy surrendered on
Saturday evening, «e taking about thirteen
thousand prisoners. But, dear father, the hardest
part of the story is that out of eighty men in ruy
company only seven came out—the most whole
sale slaughter ever heard of.
My company was the color company, at which
the rebels took particular aim ; as fast as one
man who carried it would be shot, anotherhvould
take his place, but the flag was brought through.
Only one hundred and sixteen remain in the
Eleventh Regiment uninjured.
Do not wonder, dear father, that lam down -
hearted. My boys all loved me, and need I say
that, in looking at the poor remnant of my com
pany—the men that I have taken so much pains
to drill, the men that 1 thought so much of—now
nearly all in their.'graves—l feel melancholy.
But I do not complain; God spared my life, and for
what, the future must tell. I will write you soon
again. The Eleventh will, I think, (what is
remaining,) be left to guard the prisoners at Cairo
or Alton, whilst they recruit. Whether I shall
attempt to raise another eompany, I do not know
at present. Good bye. Let the folks at home
know 1 am safe.
Yours, affectionately,
L. D. Waddell,
Captain Company E,
Eleventh Regiment 111. Volunteers,
(What is left of it,)
Wm. Coventry H. Waddell, Esq., New York.
FROM THE RIO GRANDE-MORE TROUBLES
Tbe New Orleans Picayune has information
from the Rio Grande, received through a meri
chant from Brownsville, from which we learn
that the condition of affairs in that quarter indi
cates that another trouble is about to come ups
on our enemies. The intelligence is that the
British and French Consuls at Matamoras bad
presented to the captain of the United States
frigate Portsmouth, a formal protest agaist the
blockade of the Rio Grande, and that on tbe 6th,
tbe British consul dispatches a schooner to Tam
pico, with orders for a British war vessel to
the Rio Grande and prevent, even to the extent
of hostilities, the blockade of tbe river by the
Portsmouth. The [Consul’s orders were that the
should engage the Portsmouth ims
mediately upon her arrival. The French consul
had also sent a request to Tampico for tbe for
warding of a French war ship.
The Picayune adds:
A large number of vessels arrived from Europe,
are in durance under the guns of the Portsmouth.
The captain of the latter will not allow these ves
sels to discharge their cargoes, unless it is guar
anteed that the goods will be delivered in
Matamoras, and not at Brownville. Now this
condition, even if legal, is impossible, as the
steamboats plying on the Rio Grande are all
owned in Brownsville, and as such, being tbe
property of rebels, tbe dare not undertake £to
lighten these European vessels at the mouth of
the river, for in doing so they would run the
risk of being seized by the United States frigate.
Thus iffwill be seen that the damage from the de
tention of these neutral merchantmen must
amount to a very round sum against the by no
means plethoric purse of old Abe.
The Portsmouth continues to fly the French
flag as a decoy to all traders approaching her
station. She frequently takes a short cruise un
der the same colors, but when no merchantman
Is in sight she hoists the old “gridiron,”
Change of Schedule. —On and after to-morrow,
passenger trains on the Macon and Western-
Road, will run as follows:
Leave Macon 10,00 A. M.
Arrive in Atlanta 4,00 P. M.
Leave Atlanta 11,00 A. M.
Arrive at Macon 4,55 P. M.
Macon Telegraph March 5.
A Sample of Mississippi Spirit.—A Mississippi
employee on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad writes
as follows to the headquarters of the company :
Verona, Feb. 18, 1862.— Dear Sir: lam com
pelled to go to the war and devote my best ener
gies to tbe slaying 100,000 Yankees—as that
must be done before we have peace. My second
son was in that bloody fight with Pillow, and not
heard from yet. 1 will be compelled to resign
the Ist of March next, as I want to be off by the
middle of March, and this is to bring your atten
tion to the matter. I am going to devote my
whole time te the war.
The Occupation of Fernandina by the Enemy.
Savannah. March'^.— On Sunday last, as the last
train of cars was leaving Fernandina, a gunboat
appeared between tbe Island and main land, and
fired several shells at tbe town and departing
train. One shell fell in a passenger car, killing
two persons instantly, ana wounding a third.—
The town of Fernandina bad been evacuated, and
is now, no doubt, in the possession of the enemy.
CharUston Mercury, March 7.
ht We clip the following paragiaptis from
the Memphis (Tenn.) Avalanche, of March 6th :
Columbus A’cticuu^tZ.—The announcement of the
evacuation of Columbus'has beeu made. It was
dually completed < n Sunday afternoon. All our
guna with only a tew trifling exceptions, were res
moved, as well as our provisions, ammunition,
and other valuables. All houses used lor the
army, and a large number that were not, were
burned. The last flag of iruce came down on .Sat
urday. They bad reasou to suspect our intentions.
The "fleet Grampus was very accommodating, und
met them a good distance off. The smoke seen
rising from the burnt buildings was explained to
be old straw and rubbish troui cleaning out our
tents. So that when the enemy discovers that
Columbus is evacuated they will have occasion to
rage at their own discomfiture.
Latest From Now Madrid.--We have udvtces
from above lead to belief that there ha.- ... . u or
may now be, warm work tn progress at ><■»
rid" On Sunday afternoon our scouts repoimi
the'enemy within a mile and a quarter ot New
Madrid, und advancing in large iorce. Immedi
ately Col. Marsh Walker ordered out several
Companies of infantry to protect the light and
left; but just as they weie getting within conve
nient range of the enemy, and about .o pour a
deadly tire upon them, Capt. Bankberd threw a
shell from his battery into the midst ot the Feder
al* who dispersed in great contusion, leaving u
few arms and equipments in their retreat.
On Monday afternoon, about 2 o’clock, the Fed
erate approached to within three quarters of a
mile of the river, and formed a tine of battle
around the town. Com. Hollins immediately
opened a brisk tire upon them from the gunboats,
and drove them back to a skirt of woods, where
their arms were occasionnlly seen, and in which
direction our gunboats were constantly firing.
Up to 4 o’clock Monday afternoon, the enemy
had made no response. Only one brigade and a
cavalry force had been seen, and probably the
Federate were awaiting reinforcements. It is
supposed the advance column ot the enemy are
in command of Gen. Hamilton, who will proba
bly be succeeded by Gen. Pope, when the whole
Federal force—estimated as high as 10,000 in
fantry and 3,000 cavalry and artillery—arrives
at New Madrid.
Later. —Since the above was written, we learn
from a gentleman who left New Madrid at 7 o’clock
Monday night, that the Federate were still about
three quarters of a mile off, concealed in a piece
of woods and a cornfield, but distinctly seen from
the pilot house of the gunboats, which still con
tinued to shell the enemy. Up to 7 o’clock some
thirty or forty rounds had been fired from the
gungoat Lizzie Simmons, and from Fort Thomp
son. The enemy bad made no response. Their
line was about a mile long, and nearly encircled
the town. Our troops were busy digging rifle
pits and preparing for a vigorous defense, an at
tack being anticipated yesterdiy (Tuesday) mor
ning.
Tbe Federate were taken by surprise. They
had not heard of our immense fleet of gunboats,
and imagined that there were only one or two regi
ments ot infantry protecting the town. There
were a few who believed that the Federals would
not make the attack on Madrid until their gunboats
came down and made a stitnultaneous attack on
our other river defenses.
We have a very considerable force at New Ma
drid, and our troops are confident of their ability
to drive back the foe. Let our people rest well as
sured that our Generals will do all in their power
to make the defences of the Mississipi Valley en
tirely successful.
Northern Citizenship in Florida.—The Leg
islature of Florida has added the following
amendments to their constitution ;
Be it Ordained,&c., That an citizen of any of
the States or Territories of the United States;
which are now at war with the Confederate
States shall ever be admitted to the rights of
citizenship in this state; no such person shall
vote at elections, be eligible to office, hold real
estate, exercise any profession or trade, be en<
gaged in mechanical, manufacturing, commercial,
banking, insurance or other business, under pain
of confiscation, to the use of tbe State, of all
such person as shall violate this clause of this
constitution.
Coxgrebssional.—The Senate, yesterday, res
mained in open session but a short time. Mr.
Hill, of Ga., from the Judiciary Committee, pre*
sented a report adverse to the petition of J. Ami
na for an amendment to tbe Sequestration law,
and the doors were closed.
The proceedings in the House yesterday, were
interesting, the doors for nearly half the day
being open to the public. After some minor
business, Mr. Conrad, of La., obtained leave of the
House to make a personal explanation. He sai 1
the House would.recollect that he called its atten
tion as Chairman of the Committee on Naval Af
fairs, to a passage in the >ate communication of
the President to Congress. The effect of that
passage was to intimate that any failure on the
part of the Navy Department, any delay in mak*
ing preperations for the defence of the country,
had been owing to the failure of Congress to make
tbe requsite appropriations. He had stated that
the President did not intend to convey the mean
ing his language was calculated to impart by ex
plaining he supposed to be the meaning of
the President. From a communication he had
since received from the Secretary of the Navy, it
seemed tbe President did intend to convey the
idea his language imported. The President did
mean to say the Provisional Congress ’ had failed
to make the appropriations required by the
Navy Department. He asked for reading of the
Secretary’s letter; which being done, Mr. G. went
on to say, the Secretary writes this letter in order
to sustain the position that Congress had failed
to make appropriation, while the facts were that
Congress had appropriated for naval purposes
three millions of dollars, which the Secretary of
the Treasury, from some misconception, had'res
fused at first to pay. This money had been ap
propriations by Congress for naval purposes, in
accordancejwitb an estimate submitted by the
Navy Department, and it was no fault of Congress
if the Secretary of the Treasury failed to pay it.
Mr. Conrad said he felt it incumbent on him to
state if there had been any unnecessary delay or
want of efficiency in the Navy Department, the
blame rest with the head of that department. He
thought tbe Secretary of the Navy had not that
energy and activity necessary in the circumstances
of the country.
An active discussion took place upon a resolu
tion requiring the vote of one-fifth of the mem
bers present io resolve the Congress into secret
session. The resolution was lost.
Mr. Smith, of Virginia submitted resolutions
amending, for one Week, the rules of the House,
so as to provide for the limitation of debate and
the exculsion of personalities.
Mr. Conrad, of Louisiana, called for a division
of the proposion. Ordered.
The vote on the part which limits debate to
speeches of fifteen minutes, wss adopted by yeas
48, nays 37.
Mr Foote, of Tennessee, asked for a secret ses
sion to consider the remaining portion. This was
agreed to, but the doors were soon opened, and
again closed for a short time, after which Mr.
Miles, from the Military Committee, reported* a
a bill for the destruction of cotton, tobacco, &c.,
when necessary to keep it from tbe enemy.
There was considerable debate to the rival mer«
its of this and Mr. Foote’s proposion on the same
subject before the House.
Adjourned— Richmond Dispatch March b.
-
Gfn. Henry Heth arrived at Lewisburg, Va., on
the 22d inst. He has taken command of our
forces in the Kanawha.
forces in
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 12, 1862.
News Direct from Havana. —A fine steamer
(nan e unmentionable,) which left Havana on tbe
Ist mst., has arrived at a Southern port in safety.
She has brought a valuable cargo of dry goods,
medicines, soap, candles, and numerous articles
which will be very useful at the present time.
She experienced a heavy blow from the south on
the 3d, and a severe gale from the north west on
the sth instant. She -aw no Lincoln cruisers on
tbe passage. The Yankee war steamer Harriet
Lane arrived at Havana on the Ist instant, and had
up steam ready io come out when this steamer
left. The bark Gambia, Capt. Keau, had reached
Havana, from Rio de Junerm, with a cargo of cof
fee. The schooners Sam’l Adams und Joanna
Ward had arrived at Mantanzas, and the latter had
sailed for a Southern harbor. Tbe schooner Alert,
formerly pilot boat Charleston, had left Havana.
Some twelve or fifteen sail of Confederate vessels
were at Havana and Matanzas, among them the
steamers Vanderbilt and Florida, fpm New Or 8
leans. Maty wild rumors, from Yankee] sources,
v<-re circulating in Havana which stated that Sa
v..unab, New Orleans, etc., had been captured
uu<l t nese reports had affected tbeprice of cotton.
New York papers, as lute as the 20th Feberary,
have come by this arrival, which were procured
from the steamship Columbia, while she was in
Havana. From them we gather a few items,
The Ninth Rhode Island Battery, numbering
275 men, and companies F and H, of Col. Ser
bell’s Engineer Regiment, had sailed from New
York in the ship Charter Oik, for Port Royal.
They mention the departure of the Thirteenth
Maine Regiment for tbe seat of war; commanded
by Neal Dow—lhe Apostle of Temperance—looo
strong, and armed with English rities. In five
months of camp life there has been but twelve
cases of intoxication.
It was repcrted in Havana that the Hon. W. L.
Yancey had reached that city.
Charleston Mercury, March Ith-
Nashville.— The citizens of Nashville are re
presented as very sullen, treating the Lincolnites,
who are mostly Dutch, with marked coolness.—
The Federal soldiers as feeling very insecure on
account of the want of cordialhty of the people,
some ot them having been killed. It is said the
Federal commander has called for 20,000 addition
al men to make himself more secure.
Memphis Tenn. Appeal, March 6.
A manufactory is at work in Richmond, making
pikes with which to arm a portion of our army.
The weapen is eight feet long and costs $5. The
staffis made of ash.
THE REQUISITION.
The following extract is from a private let
ter from Morgan county, Ga., received at this
office :
We had an exciting day on yeeterday, the
4th. The militia were all out. After the read
ing of the Governor’s proclamation, a call was
made for volunteers. The quota for Morgan,
50 men, was promptly made up. There is an
effort making to make out a full company.
Three companies have already gone from this
county. W. W.
The Atlanta (Ga.) Southern ■ Confederacy of
March sth, says :
No Draft. —At the closing of our short report
of the proceedings on Tuesday, we stated that
there were about eight men lading to -make up
tlie complement. Before leaving the ground,
nearly twenty more than the required number
came forward and enrolled their names, and more
than the quota are now ready to go into camp
trom this county.
Since Gov. Brown’s call was made, two full
companies, making not less than 190 men, have
been mustered into the Confederate service, and
near 100 rectuits have gone in to fill up the ranks
of old companies from this county, besides the
two companies raised here on Tuesday—making
in all not less than 450 men that have been raised
in this county within three weeks.
Fulton county has furnished twenty-seven corn-,
panies, besides near 300 recruits to the ranks of
decimated companies. We have done well, and
are ready to do more if need be.
THE EVACUATION OF COLUMBUS.
As the evacuation of Columbus by our army is
now completed, and is known to both our citizens
and to the enemy, we see no impropriety in its
publication. It was successfully effected, and the
last shipment of guns and troops made on Satur
day evening last, to Island No. 10, and other
points below, where a much stronger position has
been assumed,, and properly fortified. Thecabins
used for winter quarters, and other public pro*
perty not portable, were burned before tbe exit of
the rear guard from the place.
On the 19th ult., more than two weeks ago, in
alluding to the rumor that this movement was to
be executed, we gave credence to it, and used the
following language on the subject, which was re
garded as evidence of profound “ strategical”
ignorance by many of our subordinate army offi
cers :
It has long since been perfectly palpable to us
that Columbus must eventually be evacuated,and
our lines drawn in, so soon as the central column
of our army under Gen. Johnston at Bowling
Green gave way, or Forts Henry and Donelson
fell into the enemy’s hands. The capture of these
positions was tantamount to a successful flanking
of both Bowling Green and Columbus, and hence
it required no experienced military eye to foretell
one of its more immediate consequences. These
reasons strengthen our conviction of the authen
ticity of the rumor
When this paragraph was perused by Gen.
Beauregard the following day at Jackson, he au
thorized us to deny the truth of the rumor that
any such order had been given, which we did in
our issue of tbe 21st. We say this much in jus
tice to ourselves.
This movement has been executed in a manner
that reflects great credit upon the commander
who planned and supervised it. It was one of
those military necessities which cannot be appre
ciated so readily by those unacquainted with the
situation. We are advised that the new position
is considered by Gan. Beauregard as much more
impregnable, comparatively, than Columbus, in
asmuch as a flank movement cannot be made
against it with such facility. We look on Memphis
and tbe Mississippi valley as safer to-day than
they were tv. o weeks ago.
Memphis (Tenn.) Appeal, March 4.
Tbe New Orleans DeUa learns from Dr. Chap
pin, who had arrived in that city as bearer of diss
patches from Gen. Beauregard to Gen. Lovell,
that Gen. Beauregard has nearly recovered from
his slight indisposition, and is actively and ear
nestly engaged in organizing a campaign against
the enemy. He is in good spirits and full of ener
gy and determination. Dr. C. also stated that the
whole region of country through which he passed
is thoroughly aroused, and hundreds of soldiers
are flocking towards the various rendezvous.
Johnson has a splendid body of troops at Murfrees
boro, 16,000 strong. The public stores have all
been removed from Nashville.
The Fire iu BosTON.*The fire in Boston on
the night of tbe 24th ult. is represented to have
been the most disastrous that occured in that
city. Two firemen were killed and one badly
injured. The entire range of buildings on Sar-
f ent’s wharf, the buildings on the North side of
astern avenue, from Commercial street to the
water, including the East Boston old ferry slip,
and the large six story building known as‘the
Eastern Exchange Hotel, are among the property
destroyed. Tbe total loss will reach three quar
ters of a million dollars
Latest from Gkn. Price.— Fart Smith, Feb. 23,
via Clarksville, feb. 24. -The enemy are near
50,000 strong, and are still being reinforced. —
They are moving slowly, for reinforcements to
come up. It will take time for them to be ready,
when we will also be better off. A desperate
campaign is before us, Tbe whole State must
take the field, because we do not know t> what
extent the Federal preparations are.
(Signed) G. W. Clarke.
Fort Smith, Feb. 24.—Generals McCulloch and
Price have taken position on Boston Mountain.
Nothing heard of the enemy for several days.
Said to have ten thousand men in Bentonvil'e.
Gen. Pike has ordered the Indian regiments to
our assistance. Fayetteville evacuated and sup
plies destroyed that could not be taken with the
army. excitement in Van Buren, and con"
siderable in this place. Many persons are pre
paring to move. N. B. Pearce.
Clarksville, Ark-, Feb. 26.—C01. J. P. Major,
who left Gen. Price’s army Monday last on the
south side of Boston Mountain, confirms the res
port that Gen. Price has the supreme command of
all the forces.— Memphis Avalanche, 4cth inst.
From New Madrid—We learn that Col. Jeff.
Thompson, who left New Madrid Saturday on a
scouting expedition with about a hundred caval*
ry, had a sharp skirmish with the enemy’s cavalry
iu considerable force, about five miles above that
place. He was hemmed in by them and forced to
cut his way through as best he could. He is said
to have sustained a loss of six men captured, and
reported that he killed and wounded from twenty
five to thirty of the enemy. The “Swamp Fox’’
also lost his hat, which is alleged to have been
shot off'by a well directed Minnie ball. Upon
reaching New Madrid he was immediately reinx;
forced, and in company with two regiments of
infantry under Col. Gautt, went out to harrass the
advance guard of the Hessians upon their ap
proach .
The federal forces is supposed to be from 15,-
000 to 20,000 strong, and was stated to be only
ten miles distant from New Madrid last Saurday
evening. A fight was thought probable there
either yesterday or to-day.
Memphis (Tenn.) Appeal, March. 4.
A Good Example.—The Macon Manufacturing
Company have reduced the price of their Sheet
ings to 18c., and will sell by the single bale only
to dealers who will agree to retail them at 20c.;
and the Flint River Factor}' has reduced the price
of its osnaburgs to 18c.
If the manufacturers, artisans and mechanics
of the South generally would follow this example,
the reform would be worth more to us and to our
cause than a great victory won upon the battle
field.— Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer, March‘lnd.
Beauregard’s Sagacity.—A Richmond corres*
pondent of the New Orleans Crescent relates the
following singular instance of the sagacity of the
brave Beauregard :
As for Columbus, I repeat my confidence in the
genius of Beauregard. If the place can be held
by human pluck and skill, be will hold it. To
show his military intuition, 1 will tell you a fact
which came to me lately from the Chief of his
Staff. Do you remember a story in the Yankee
papers about an interview between McClellan,
Lincoln, and a third person, whose name was not
given. McClellan told Lincoln of the trap he had
laid to catch oiir forces at Mason’s and Munson’s
Hills, and said that it must inevitably have suc
ceeded, but for the treachery of some person who
threw up rockets to give therebels warning in time
to get out of the way. “Only two persons,” ad
ded McClellan, “knew of this plan ; one is myself,
the other is now in this room.” This other per
son is believed to have been Adjutant-General
Thomas, who, about that time, lost his high po
sition in the United States army. In truth,
though, poor Thomas was as innocent of treason
as an unborn babe. When the Yankee advance
upon Munson’s Hill began, rockets were thrown
up by the various divisions to notify each other
that they were in motion. Os course this was at
night. Gen. Beauregard, seeing the rockets,
suspected something was in the wind. He there
fore caused bis Chief of Ordinance, Capt. Alexant
der, to be waked up, and told him that, while he
was entirley ignorant of the meaning of these
rockets, he was satisfied that we ought to throw
up rockets too. Alexander threw up the rockets,
the Yankees suspected foul play, became alarmed,
and took the back track. Hence the mysterious
story concocted by the Chinese imagination of the
Yankees.
[From the Itichmond Dispatch, 3d last.]
THE STEAMER NASHVILLE. „
Decidedly an improvement in the condition of
the public mind was manifested Saturday by the
report that the C. S. steamer Nashville had ar
rived in a Uonfedei ate port, and that her coms
mander, Capt. Pegram, was in this city. Tbe
extensive and mischievous rumors which for
some days have been busily circulated for the
especial benefit of timid men and alarmists,
caused this statement to be received with dis
trust, but when it was proven true beyond the
possibility of a doubt the news was hailed with
general pleasure. Tbe news published but a few
days ago was, that the Nashville had left the
port ot Southampton, and that twenty-four hours
after the Tuscarora had started in pursuit. The
next information concerning her is that she lies
safely moored under the guns of Fort Maccn,
Beaufort harbor, and that tho gallant Pegram is
in the Confederate capital. It seems that the
Nashville, after leaving Southampton, steamed
directly across the Atlantic. After passing Ber
muda she fell in with a U. S. merchant vessel,
which she captured, taking on board tbe stores
and the crew as prisoners. On approaching the
coast of Carolina the blockading ships came in
sight, and then came the most serious moment of
the whole trip. Raising the U. S. flag and also a
signal of distress, he steamed up to the block
ading ship, seemingly preparing to run alongside.
After coming within musket shot the Nashville
changed her course, raised the Confederate flag,
and soon ran out of the reach of danger. That
night she lay safely under the guns of Fort Ma
con.
It is generally understood that the Nashville
brought over several million dollars’ worth cf
Post-office stamps, bank-note paper, dyes, etc.
The report that fifteen thousand stand ot arms
were on board is undoubtedly untrue. The Nash
ville was admitted into the English ports on an
equality with the ships of any nation, and her
officers were treated with great consideration on
shore. Arms and munitions of war must have
been smuggled on board in violation of the Eng
lish law. To have received them would have
been a breach of courtesy on the part of Captain
Pegram. Besides, she is a national vessel, and
would be used for fighting purposes, instead of a
transport.
Captain Pegram and Paymaster Taylor arrived
in Richmond on Saturday, and have delivered
the invoices and ship papers to the Treasury De
partment. Capt. Pegram speaks in high terms of
the hospitality of the English people, and thinks
the general feeling of the people is decidedly in
favor of the Confederate States.
He thinks Belgium will be the first Government
to recognize the South, where her interests chiefly
De.
Tbe Sumter was at Gibraltar, and had been
very active in her operations among the Federal
shipping. At last accounts she bad captured and
destroyed twenty-one Yankee vessels.
Running out of a Confederate port, making a
voyage to Europe and returning safely, Captain
Pegram has demonstrated the fact that the block
ade is simply of no account, and decidedly in
effective.
VOL. 41,—N0. 11.
From East Tennessee.—A private letter to us
from Knoxville, dated the 21st inst., says : The
Lincoln army is within ten miles of Cumberland
Gap. Tbe mountains, it is thought, will be pene
tratsd at otl er points and the gap attacked on
both sides. The present approach is probably a
mere feint, while the great force of Eastern Ken*
tucky will penetrate into East Tennessee at other
places. Our scouts tell us that General Thomas,
at (Beech Grove) Fishing Creek, has 8000 pack
mules with which to transport supplies over the
mountains’. We are sending forward reinforce
ments with the greatest possible dispatch, but we
have no tents, and the loss at Nashville, I presume
to be irreparable.— Memphis (Tenn.,) Appeal.
We learn that the Rev. James H. Cuthbert,
formerly of this city, has accepted a call to the
Second Baptist Church of the City of Augusta.
We hope he may be instrumental in building up
Zion in the new field to which he has been called
by his self-sacrjficing labors, his zealous devotion
to the cause, his simplicity and purity of charac
ter in private, together with his able teachings
from the pulpit. We congratulate our sister city
in having him amongst them.
Charleston Courier, March 5.
The Van Houton Gun.—This breach loading
cannon was tested by the Ordnance Deparment.
Friday last, at Causton’s Bluff. We learn jhe
trial proved a perfet success. Several shots were
fired at various degrees of elevation, and were
thrown to an astonishing distance with perfect
precision. As stated to us, there is no gun yet
invented that can excel the range of this Georgia
gun. It was manufactured in Rome, Ga., about
a year ago, and was the first patent granted by
the Confederacy. Had it been tested soon after
it was cast there is no doubt we would have many
batteries of this really valuable gun ere this.
We prefer that the Yankees will find out to their
amazement the range, and therefore omit details
in that particular. .
Mr. Van Houton is a worthy mechanic of ba*
vannah, and so convinced was he of the success
of his invention, that he expended all his means
in getting it up. We trust that, now that it has
been tested, he will reap the reward of perse
verence.—Savannah Republican, March. 3.
Important from Mexico.—The British war
steamer Phaeton arrived at Havana on the 12th
inst. from Vera C’uz. The Diairo, of Havana,
has the following intelligence as to the demand
of the allies upon President Juarez and the reply
of tbe latter: . , .
The private correspondence received by the
frigate Phaeton gives a pretty clear idea of the
reply of Juarez’ Government to the reclamations
of tbe plenipotentiaries. The minister of for
eign affairs considers that the presence’ O s
allied forces in the Mexican territory to contnb
ute to the regeneration of the country is rendered
groundless, seeing that it has entered on the true
path to its regeneration with its own force, and
continues and will continue to advance. byit un
til the work is terminated a day not far distant.
All the Mexican States have recognize as sole
governor of the one who rules at present, and all
are laboring together to strengthen still more the
foundation on which it rests.
The minister of foreign affairs believes, th re
fore, that the presence of the allied troops in
Mexico, far from contributing to the regeneration
of the country, would bring ibout ne
citions prejudicial to it and the intervening
powers. An other respects, they may rest assured
that the Government of Mexico has the will and
tbe necessary means, not only to fulfill the en
gagements that it has pending with them and
frankly acknowledges, confessing besides thatit
has committed errors in the fulfillment of what
was agreed upon, but also to recover its credit
abroad. He asks that preliminary negotiations
be entered upon at Orizaba, whither he will
send commissioners fully authorized to treat
with the plenipotentiaries, who can keep tnere a
guaid of honor of 2,000 men, previously re-em
barking the remainder cf the forces.
It is said that the reply of Juarez s minister ot
foreign affairs is very clever and well written,
but not superior to that of the allied plenipoten
tiaries. Their note is very brief, ana they de
clare in it that, a mission of civilization having
brought them to Mexico, they consider it e' r
duty to fulfill to the end the wishes of the GO -
ernments thet have intrusted it to them; bu
it is by no means their intention to shed Mexican
blood. A duty of humanity obliges them, more
over, not to leave exposed to the. unhealthy
mate of Vera Cruz and its neighborhood, itne
allied forces which are there, and they give
ang that in February they will advance to uti
The march of tbe allied expedition toward
Orizaba and Jalapa was to begin about the 13th
of February. Opinions were diverse as to whether
the Mexicans would resist the
Cerro Gordo, where the first serious opposition
was made to Scott’s advance resistance would be
offered, if anywhere.
From the Columbia Guardian, March 9th.
HIGHLY IMPORAANT FROM NEWPORT
NEWS.
Norfolk, March 8. —Our friend (the Merrimac)
grounded at half-past 11 A. M., at our barricades
and cleared the obstructions at 12.15 p. m., she
passed Craney Island in sight of the enemy. At
two P. M., she sailed in be.tweenthe two frigates
blockading tbe river and received their broad-i
sides. She immediately sunk one of them and
disabled the other, so that she had to run a.-hore
to keep from sinking. The Merrimac then com*
menced bombarding the fort at Newport News,
and at half-past four o’clock was furiously bom
barding it, assisted by two of our gun-boats. The
enemy’s gun-boats ran up from Fortress Monroe
to aid Newport News, but they kept at a respect
ful distance. We believe, bus do not certainly
know, that Gen. Magrudder is attacking Newport
News in the rear.
Norfolk, March B—7 P. M.—The fight is still
raging furiously. The frigate Congress hoisted
two white flags at SP. M. The Minnesota, when
coming from Fortress Monroe,[at SP. M., to attack
the Merrimac, ran aground and is still in that
condition, and the Merrirn ic has ever since been
pouring shot and shell into her—the Minnesota
fighting manfully. We think the Merrimac will
bag her too.
Three Confederate war steamers came from up
the James River and are alongside the Mer
rimac. The Merrimac’s smoke stack and flag-staff
are untouched, and she appears to be unhurt.
Gen. Huger thinks Gen. Magruder is not attack
ing Newport News to-day.
An enemy’s schooner, a prize, has just come up
to our wharf.
Half-past 9, P. M.—No messenger has arrived
from the Roads since my last. Tbe firing ceased
at half-past 7. The Congress was set on fire at
half-past 8, and now, half-past 9, she is nearly
destroyed. It is supposed that she was ignited
by the Confederates to give light for the Meiri
mac to attack the Minnesota, as very heavy firing
has been going on for the past hour.
The Defences of Mobile.—Noticing the ex
travagant reports prevailing in thefintenor respect
ing Mobile, the Advertiser and Register says:
Now we beg leave to say to our friends in the
country that, thanks to the energy, judgment and
skill of Gen. Bragg, our defenses are now in such
a condition as to defy the attacks of the enemy by
any force that he will be apt to marshal against
us, and that it is by no means likely that we shall
destroy our homes and property before the saga*
cious and prudent General in command shall ad
vise or request the sacrifice.