Newspaper Page Text
I
Weekly Constitutionalist.
BY JAMES GARDNER.
Death of a Georgia Volunteer.—Mr. William
D. Lewis, of Washington county, G*., and amenta
ber of Company E. First Georgia Regiment, died
at this place, at the house kept by the Rev. N.
Graham, on Sunday night last. He was attended
by Dr. Whitaker, a member of the same command
who left with his remains on Monday night. The
First Georgia, it will be recollected, participated
ta the fight which took place at Laurel Hill and
Cheat Mountain, and has doubtless seen as much
severe service as any Regiment which has partici
pated in the war.
The unfortunate young man, whose death we
record, was among those who made that long and
fearful passage across the wild mountains of
Western Virginia. He is said to have been a
gaod and true s ddier. The circumstances of his
death are melancholy, (being upon his passage
home to the bosom of loved ones after a long pern
ilous service) but it should be consolation to his
afflicted relatives to know, that, notwithstanding
he was a stranger, he received every attention and
kindness during his last hours, free of charge,
from the family at whose house he died, and from
others of our most respectable citizens. He was
watched by them until dissolving nature had
made its struggle, and was then tenderly and de
cently prepared for the giave.
at
GENERAL PRICE’S OFFICIAL REPORT.
Headquarters, M. 8. G., )
Camp on Cove Creek, Ark., >
February 25, 1862. )
To His Excellency,C. F. Jackson, Gov. of Missouri:
Sir : 1 have the honor to lay before you au ac
count of the circumstances surrounding my com
mand,within the last two weeks, —compelling me
to evacuate Springfield, and retreat beyond the
State line, into the territory of Arkansas ; the in
telligence of which has no doubt reached you. j
About the latter part of December, I left my j
camp on Sac river, St. Clair county, fell back,and I
took up my qu irters at Springfield for the pura
pose of being within reach ot supplies protecting
that portion of the State from home guard depre
dations and Federal invasion,y well as to secure
a most valuable point for military movements. At
Springfield, I received from Grand-Glaze, consid
erable supplies of clothing, camp and garrison
equippage, and having built huts, our soldiers
were as comfortable as circumstances would per
mit. lam pleased to say few complaints were
either made or heard. Missouri having been ad
mitted as an equal member of the Confederate
States, and having mv command much augmented
by recruits, I was enabled to raiseand equip about
4.00 Q men for the Confederate service. A brigade
of these, consisting of two regiments ot infantry,
one regiment of cavalry,and two light batteriesot
artillery,have been tendered the Confederate Gov
ernment.
About the latter part of January,my scouts re
ported that the enemy were concentrating in force
at Rolla and shortly thereafter they occupied
Lebanon. Believing that this movement could
be for no other purpose than to attack me, and
knowing that my command was inadequate for
such successful resistance as the interests of my
army and the cause demanded, I appealed to the
commanders of the Confederate troops in Arkans
sas to come to my assistance. Ibis, from corres
pondence, I was led confidently to expect, and,
relying upon it, I held my position to the very last
m >ment, and, as the sequel proved, almost too :
long h>r on Wednesday, the 12th of February,
my pickets were driven in, and reported the ene (
my advancing upon me in force. No resource
was now left me except retreat, without hazarding
all with greatly unequal numbers upon the result
of one engagement. This I deemed it unwise to
do. 1 commenced retreating at once. I reached
Cassville, vith loss unworthy of mention m any
respect. Here the enemy in my rear commenced
a series of attacks, running through four days.—
Retreating and fighting all the way to the Cross
Hollows, in this State. I am rejoiced to say, my
command, under the most exhausting fatigue, all
that time, with but little rest for either man or
horse, and no sleep, sustained themselves, and
came through, repulsing the enemy upon every
occasion, with great determination and gallantry.
My loss does not exceed four to six killed, ana
some fifteen or eighteen wounded. That ot the
enemy,we know to be ten times as great.
Col. Henry Little, commanding the Ist Brigade,
with Colonels B. A. Rives and J. Q. Burbnnge ot
the infantry, and Col. E. Gates of the cavalry
covered this retreat from beyond Cassville and
acted as the rear guard. The colonel command.,
ing deserves the highest praise for unceasing
watchfulness, and the gqod management of his
entire command. I heartily commend him to
your attention. All these officers merit, and
should receive the thanks of .both Government and
people. To all the officers and men of my army,
lam under obligations. No men or officers were
ever more ready and prompt to meet repel an
enemv Governor, we are confident of the future.
Sterling Price,
Maj-Gen. commanding M. 8. G.
Another Yankee Keeled Over.—Between six
and 7 o’clock Tuesday evening, a Yankee barge
containing some eight or ten men, was discovered
by our pickets, In Augnstine creek, supposed to be
taking soundings or reconnoitering. Two of the
pickets fired at them, and one was seen to tall.—
The enemy returned the tire, but missed then
mark. They then bnrried back. Capt. Kock«
well’s company, stationed at a battery near by,
went to the assistance of the pickets on hearing
the firing. About midnight, the Federate return
ed and commenced an attack. Firing was kept up
on both sides for some time, but with no injury to
our men. How the Yankees fared on this, their
second visit, could not be ascertained ; but it is
presumed they were satisfied to retrace their steps,
wituout waiting to find out what success the/ met
with.— Republican, March 13.
From New Madrid —A private letter dated the
Bth, gives us a few additional particulars from the
UP X e baUte r t>ad been anticipated for several days,
bn< no attack had been made. The enemy con
tinued t occupy a threatening attitude, and the
position ot the two armies was such that a content
could not 1 ng te avoided. Their force was not
esnmated at less than 20,000. A Federal who was
moriullj wounded a few nights since, in a skir»
mi h Ui.b the pickets of the 4th Tennessee so
stated their strength tnen encamped within three
miles of New Madrid. Their tents can be counted
from the Confederate works, and the line was
apparendy ihtee mites long.
The ieuer referred to says: They hesitate to
nake the attack tor some reason not known to
our commander, but pre supposed to be waiting
so." ibeir gunboats to pass Island 10; and it is
try belie’ they will attempt the experiment.
* They’planted two little pieces of artiLery, the
other uav. at Point Pleasant, ten miles below
New Madrid, rod attempted to stop some ol our
steauibo'ais, btit failed, and our gunboats soon
went down and shelled them out. We learned
yesterday that they are trying to plant a battery
ot heavy-guns on the river somewhere below us.
Yesterday we killed two or three or them in a
skirmish, one a field officer. Our loss was slight,
only one -or t.vo being disabled, lhey formed
line ot batlie and marched up in full for:e upon
our works, but retired before the fire of our gun
boats.
From the Tennessee.—We learn that a dispatch
has been received in the city, from I -u-ka, an»
nounci >g the arrival, at Eastport, of fifteen feder
al transports. No intelligence has been received
m to the subsequent movements of the enemy in
thatvicinitv nor of their force.
Memphis {Tenn,) Appeal, March 11th.
Yankees Visiting the Widow of Ex-Presi
dent Polk.—Gen. Grant and his stuff visited
Nashville, and called upon Mrs. James K Polk.
Os the interview a Yankee writer says:
She received her visitors couneousfy, but with
a polished coldness that indicated sufficiently in
which direction her sympathies ran—she was
simply polite and ladylike; in no case patriotic.
While she discreetly forbore to give utterance to
any expresion of sympathy for the South, sheas
i rigidly avoided saying anything that might be
i constructed into a wish tor the success of the
Government. She hoped, she said, that ihe tomb
of her busband would protect her household from
insult and ber property from pillage; further than
this she expected nothing from the United-States
and desired nothing.
The correspondent finds that “the ladies of
Nashville are as full of treason as they ate in oc
casional cases of loveliness. Among the evi*
deuces of their contempt for the Yankees ihe
following is given:
Occasionally I met other specimens ot N.vh
ville ladies, who, in many cases, supposing tueto
be a soldier, from the possession of a blue ov e i -
coat, described, upon meeting, a wtde’semi-citcie
of avoidance, swinging, as they did so, tbetr res
tundant skirts with a contemptuous flirt fair out,
as if the very touch of a blue coat would be con
tamination. And then the angle at which ilie
noses of the naughty darlings went up, and die
extent to which their lips and eyes went down
were not the least interesting portion of these
little by~plays, and assisted materially in showing
the exquisite breeding of these amiable demoisel
les.
• From the Memphis (Teun.) Appeal.
The Situation at New Madrid.— New Madrid
March 9—(via Union City March 10) —The enemy
lat this point is reported to day to be thirty thous-
I and strong.
Gen. McCown’s command continues to hold
them in check.
Skirmish between the pickets is going on all
the time, but only a few have been injured on our
side. The loss of the enemy is reported con
siderably each day.
Our troops are buoyant and hopeful.
A great battle is certain to ensue at this point.
Gen. McCown’s has his battery in fine condu
tion.
Every able-bodied man should at one take the
field. H. 8. B.
Wheat Prospects.—The growing wheat crop
at present is more promising than we recollect
of ever seeing before at this season of the year.
It is well set and the fields showing quite green.
Greenville {Tenn.) Banner, March
Good For Pat.—The correspondent of the Cin
cinnati Commercial, detailing the surrender of
Fort Donelson, says:
When the Tennessee prisoners were in line,
many little incidents of an amusing character
took place ; one of which I will relate. I said lo
them “gentlemen, what could ever have induced
you to fight against that old flag.” A pleaseht
looking old Irishman quickly replied, “please
ver honor, wha* made you tight against the new
flag? Tell me that now.” Well knowing that
Pat would have the last word I passed.
From the Ciirotacle & Sentinel—Extra.
THE COMING CHOP
To the Editor of the Chronicle <& Sentinel".
I am truly rejoiced to see that the press and
the leading public men, are being at last thor*.
oughly aroused to the importance—the vital ne
cessity—of devoting our whole land and labor to the
production of food. I devoutly trust that no en
ergy will be sparred, within the next three weeks,
by the newspapers, by our leaders, by every one
who has any influence, by the Government, if
need be, to awaken the farmers and planters to a
proper sense of the peril which threatens us, and
to prevent our starvation into that most loath*-
some of degredations—submission to a hated
race, the Yankee nation. It must be apparent to
all, except those who habitually take the most
gloomy vie v of things, that we can be subjuga
ted only by starvation, and equally apparent that
we can, if we will, avoid this, and that it can be
done only by planting no cotton, or at least very
little.
I have read with pleasure the letter of Mr. Big
ham, the letter of Gov. Brown to Judge Stephens,
and many articles in the newspapers, all designed
for the purpose, to call the attention of planters
to the absolute necessity of making food and
abandoning cotton culture for the present. Five
months ago, even under the aspect of affairs then
presented, the writer of this was the first to urge
the pohcyof planting no cotton in 1862. What
was then believed to be good policy is now known
by all thoughtful persons to be a matter of the last
necessity. An early peace, an early raising of the
blockade, an early recognition of our iudepen
pendence by European nations, are or may be, all
delusions. It is always best if we err on the safe
side. The planting of every acre we can cultivate
in corn, is the safe side now. And if we should
have peace declared by July next, ata date too
late to admit planting cotton, it would be the
greatest blessing to us that every field was Hilled
with growing corn. For then we should have,
what we have never had within my experience,
our whole southern land over flowing with plenty
of meat and bread, the produce of our own soil.
No one can certainly foretell the duration of the
war.
We shall fight tell we have conquered indepen
dence, or until by our own folly and criminal
apathy we have starved ourselves into submis
sion—and that will occur within sixteen months,
unless we abandon cotton and direct every; energy
to the production of food. The Yankees will
fight as long as they are able, and that will de
pend upon the apparent prospect of our subjuga
tion. Their ability is mwely factitious, (beyond
men and guns and munitions of war, of which
they have an abundance.) The war is very costly
to them, tuliy ten or twelve millions a week, and
their only hope of final payment is in conquering
us. But as ihe war progresses, and subjugation
is postponed, and they reslize that we are making
our own food and clothing, and their debt qil
ing mountains high, they must speedily experi
ence a collapse in monetary affairs that will end
in peace and our independence. Besides abon-?
donment of cotton, and culture of grain, will
influence Europe in our favor, aid will exercise
a wholesome moral effect on our enemies and on
the world.
And now, although 1 highly appreciate and
commend the letters and articles before referred to,
it seems that something more is needed. We all
know that the (aimersand planters are slow to
change their ways, and their accustomed cultiva’
tiou. Letters and speeches and articles of Govern
ors, Legislators and Editors amount, after ail. to
only tho opinions of their authors, and have the
weight only of such opinions. It has occurred to
me that an article on ihe subject, no matter from
what source, giving facts and figures, might have
a wholesome influence, and with that sincere de
sire I write this. I must say, however, that I
doubt if anything short of Government inter
ference- tb‘e strong arm of the law—will stop cot
ton planting; and in the last resort Government
should not hesitate to interfere, and ihe press
ought immediately to urge such interference. In
times of great national danger Constitutions are
but dust in the balance—the public safety is the
Government’s rule of action, responsible of course
to an enlightened public sentiment. We intend
to be forever free of the North if aught of human
power cun avail us, and we must use every means
to that end.
In the estimate I now make of our necessities
and our resources, I regret that 1 have not access
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 19, 1862.
to that exact information which 1 should desire,
but still I hope this article may serve a good pur
pose into wakening the people and their repre
sentatives to the truth ot our situation. The es
timate piesenu nothing to make us doubt, still
less despair; its aspect is all hopetui, it we will
but do our whole duty. I assume that we are
virtually cut oft' from Missouri, Kentucky. and
North Carolina can hold their own, and that the
remaining eight States —Colton States—must
feed and clothe themselves. I shall confine my»
self entirely to Georgia ; and now can we in this
State teed ourselves? I answer yes, if we culti
vate no cotton, or at most u<>t more than one-,
fifth of an acre to the sand.-
Georgia has a population, in round Jnumbers of
1,100,000 —650,000 whites, 4?0,000 blacks. To
give bread to the blacks will require at least
5,000,000 bushels of corn. For seed and bread for
tl;e whites 2,000,000 bushels of corn. To make
meai for the whole population will reqire 1,000,-
000 bogs and 200,000 cattle, and these will con
sume 23,000,000 bushels of corn and peas—counts
ing what is necessary to fatten them and to keep
up the stock for the future. I assume that we have
i million of hogs and three or four hundred thou
sand citt e, and do not count the sheep as meat
pioducets, for they ought all to be saved for their
wool, .<»;clothe the soldiers.
We ce uinly have as many a5125,000 mulesand
horses, wliu h will consume 5,000,000 bushels of
oats, shelled or tn the sheaf. I estimate only one
million of bushels of corn and peas for theshepp;
and we thus see that we must produce 37,000,0u0
bushels of corn and peas in Georgia, allowing
that we feedonly our proportional part of the army
and that the arms consumes as economically as
other people. We must add ou another million
of bushels of peas or seed, and-we have thus 38-
090.000. of bushals to bn broducedjthis year. Can
we do it ? We can ,if w ? will cultivate 4,000,060
of acres in corn, with a hill of peas to every hill
of corn. At an average of 8 bushels per acre—
certainly a fair one—we shall get 32,000,0u0
bushels of corn, and average- of 8 bushels addits
ional for peas * ill give us 12,000,000 bushels of
that fine food —t0ta144,000,090, or 9, 6,000,000
bushels to spare, under favorable oiicumstances
of cvltivation, and with genial seasous.—
Have we 4,000,000 acres of open land m Geor
gia, not now sown in wheat and oats ? I hope so,
but it is certainlj doubtful. Mr. Bigham tells us
that twelve years ago the nine States of North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Flor
ida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas
had of improved land less than 25,000,000 acres—
less than three millions to a State. Georgia, of
course bad largely more than an average then—
perhaps four or five millions—but she has nut
greatly extended her arable land since, for though
much land has been cleared, much also has been
abandoned or “turned out.” 1 estimate that we
will regain five and a half millions of acres of
land in Georgia, cultivated in wheat, oats, corn
and pea in order to feed ourselves—distributed
as follows: pOf',ooo acres in wheat, 1,000,000
acres in oats, 490,000 acres m corn and peas, to
say nothing of barley, rye, potatoes and sugar
cane. (I make no account of rice, which i.- never
intrinsically worth a dollar per hundred weight,
though it usually sells for thieeor four times that
sum, and can never enter largely into the -ood of
a great or a free people.
I believe we can make enough on five millions
—half a million In wheat, on? ri,'.ion in vats, aud
three and a bait million in coin' and peas. The
production would then stand probably 28,000,000
bushels of corn, 10,500,000 bushels of peas : (ex.
cess: of a halt a million,) 10,000,000 bushels of
oats : (no excess, for the horses and mules would
consume 7,500,000, 1,500,000 would be required
for seed, and the balance for calves and soeep.)
wheat 4,000,000 (a deficiency of 550,000 bushels,
allowing seven bushels per head for all the whites,
including seed.)
We have then certainly not more than enough
improved or open land in Georgia to produce our
food and necessary clothing, even if we had a
superabundance of labor. But in really we have
no more labor than is necessary to produce our
food and clothing, bad we ever so much land. I
do not believe ve can put into the fields this year
much if any more than 200,000 farm laborers.
Nearly all the whites who have heretofore labored
in the fields will be soldiers; and deducting the
young negroe and those who wait upon the house
hold, those who lives in the towns and those who
have gone with their masters to the war, we shall
only have about 200,000 blacks to cultivate the
fields. Many estimate of hall a million acres in
wheat is 2% acres to the hand—a liberal, perhaps
an over estimate. One million acres in oats is
five acres to the hand—and certainly we have not
more than that amount sown. Four millions in
corn and peas will be twenty acres to the band
as much as can be cultivated.
In view of these estimates, which are be
lieved to be substantially correct, enough for ail
practical purposes, is there an owner of land
on labor in Georgia who would not fail in his
duty, who would not be criminally remiss,
did he plant one foot of land in cotton, other
than enough to produce fifteen pounds for each
member of his family, for clothing, and who
did not plant the very last acre of land he had,
and could cultivate, in corn, peas, potatoes,
cabbages and other vegetables for food ? And
after the wheat and oat harvest, should he not
plant every acre of wheat and oat land in peas,
or at least every one which would produce
more in peas than in crab grass ?
If all will do their whole duty, I feel no appre
hensions except on one point-clothing for the
feet, shoes. Ou sheep, 1 believe, will abun
dantly clothe a hundred thousand soldiers, aud
perhaps one or two hundred thousand others, and
the remainder of the population, including the
negroes, must be clothed tn cotton. We can make
some shift for hats. Butj.t will lequire the leather
from 200,000 Georgia cattle to give one pair of
shoes to all, white and black. We are, unfortu*
nately, not great consumers of beef, cattle being
mainly slaughtered for the towns, and it is doubt
ed whether we kill 50,000 a year, certainly not
100,000, We prefer bacon, rearing mainly the
hog, which consumes more and Lays worse in this
country than any of our domestic animals, while
we greatly neglect cattle, and especially sheep,
tbe latter of which consumes less and pays better,
than any other animal. But in tbe worst case we
can make shoes with wood bottoms and cotton
upper*. As to tea and coffee, aud perhaps in a
measure, sugar and molasses, we must make up
our minds to dispense with them. Surely we can
if we are undegenerate descendants of the men
and women of '76, and if our pol.fical life for the
last twenty or thirty jears has not wholly cor
rupted and debased us and emasculated us as
well of hardihood, endurance and patience of
privation, as of public virtue; Considering all
these facts, the State Legislature not being in
session, ought not the Confederate Government,
charged as it is with the public safety, at once
enact a law, with the severest penalties, prohibit
ing the planting of cotton beyond one fifth of an
acre to the hand, and granting a bounty of ten
dollars per hand to all those who having hereto
fore cultivated cotton, and having already sold
last year’s crop, would plant none at, all this year ?
Such a bounty would not amount to a million of
dollars, and would enable those who recived it to
buy enough of last crop to clothe their people.
I should be glad to see this communication
copied throughout tbe State, and to have every
one into whose bands it may fall read it to his
neighbors. I have written it only to do good
not for notoriety. Respectfully, V. M. B.
The kingdom of Italy will be recognized by
Prussia
FURTHER ADVICES FROM ARKANSAS.
Memphis, March 12- —A despatch from Fort
i Smith says Capt. Rogers arrived in elarge of the
i ammunition train, and the official account of the
i battle at Elkhorn The fighting was terrible.—
I The Confederates were mostly armed with rifles
and shot guns. They charged the enemy again
and again, clubbing their guns and driving them
back from their first position.
The enemy had taken a second and stronger
position.
When it became known to his troops that Gen.
McCulloch had fallen, they were frantic with
rage—fighting like demons—charging and putting
to flight five times their number.
Feartul that McCulloch’s troops would be dis
organized, Van Dorn deemed it advisable to with
draw. He renewed the attack next day, and
retired in splendid order, under corer of his ar
tillery.
The attack was considered a brilliant mans
oevre.
Mclntosh, at. the head of his command, fell
early, also Hebert.
Prisoners report tbe Federal loss at six thou
sand. •
Uur 1< ss was two thousand.
The Confederates attacked the enemy on all
sides passing around them.
Van Dorn says he is not whipped, and cannot
be. with reinforcements.
We will soon have the Confederate train on
Boston Mountain, out of reach of the enemy.
This news is reliable. P. W, Alexander.
Savannah Republican, March. 13.
We clip the following paragraphs from
the Savannah Morning News, of March 14th :
More Firing.—Yesterday afternoon more heavy
firing was heard below. During the forenoon
Commodore Tattnall went down the river with
several of his little fleet, and as soon as he got
within range of the Federals two of their batteries
and a gunboat opened on bis steamers, throwing
about two hundred,sho 1 aud shell in this direc*
tion, but without effect. The Commodore return
ed the compliment with a few shot and and
shell.
It has been reported fcr some days past, that
the Federals were erecting a battery at Elba Island,
bat this report is unfounded. No such attempt
has been made by them.
Another Arrival. —We have authority for say
ing that there has been another arrival at a Con»
federate port of a valuable cargo of foreign articles.
The captain of the adventurous craft has often
been seen upon our streets, and we congratulate
him again upon his success.
And Still Another.—Since the above has been
in type we learn that an English steamer has also
arrived at a. Confederate port, with arms munitions,
&c., in large quantities.
From Green Island.—We are gratitiad to an
nounce that everything at this point is progress*
tug as well as could be de-ired. Ana we are
further pleased to state that the report m circula
tion leiative to the misfortune which betel Messrs.
Janies K. and John Reilly, was unfounded,.as we
anticipated, and that both these gentlemen are
well and safe, as our informant saw them yester
day.
FROM THE COAST.
We clip the following articles from the Savun
nah Republican, of March 13th:
PARTICULARS OF THE ATTACK ON THE YANKEES NEAR
ST. MARYS.
Capt. Clark, of Col. Davis’ Mounted Regiment,
of Florida, and a number of volunteer citizens,
started from Callahan station on Wednesday
night last to intercept a Federal gunboat, which
had gone in pursuit of the little steamer Hard
Times. After travelling twenty miles to the bluff
in the vicinity of Alberti’s mills they found that
the gunboat had passed up beyond that pp.nt.
They then galloped four miles farther up, to an
other bluff, to await the return of the boat, and
after hitching their horses at a convenient distance,
they scattered about half a mile along the edge ot
the’bluff. each man taking u tree, and With their
Maynard rifles and double-barrel shot guns. As
the enemy’s gunboat got within sixty yards, the
first of the ambuscaded line opened, and the fire
told with terrible effect upon the thickly crowded
decks of the gunboat, causing great contusion and
excitement among the Lincolmtes. Considerable
excitement prevailed on board, as they saw their
comrades failing. Officers cursing men, and men
cursing officers.
The Yankees used their ordnance, but with no
effect, the shot striking the tops of the trees. They
used their navy pistols also, but with no damage
other than slightly wounding a horse that was
hitched about 250 yards from the edge of the
bluff.
Our men fired from one to five shots each. One
of them, a volunteer, a noted hunter and excels
tent mat ksman, fired five times, and each time
selected bis man-the one with the most brass
buttons on, as he expressed it After each shot,
he did not again get a glimpse of his object. An
hour intervented when the boat was attacked
again by Capt. Lang’s (of Camden Co.) company,
who were similarly ambuscaded on a bluff about
eight mites distant.
One ofthe volunteers of Col. Davis’ mounted
regiment shot both barrels of his gun, loaded with
wire cartridges of ‘‘blue whistlers,” or buck shot,
into a group of four of the Federate on deck, about
60 yards from his position, and saw no more of
them after he fired.
One of the Yankees cursed one of our men as
he caught a glimpse of him, “You d d coward-
ly Rebel.” He stepped out and responded,
“You are ad— d liar,” as he pulled trigger
on him, and “settled his hash.”
The Yankees took to the hold of their vessel
when they found it too hot on deck forthem.
A negro, who had been a prisoner of the Yan
kees, and escaped from Amelia Island to the
camp near Fernandina, states that he was
made to assist in burying 47 of the Yankees, and
reports that there were 16 wounded.
We trust that all our troops in the Confederacy
will profit by the example set by this guerilla
movement.
A VISIT TO BRUNSWICK AND ITS RESULTS.
Col. Carey W. Stiles visited Brunswick early
yesterday merning, in command of a battalion, as
follows: the Wiregrass Minute Men, Capt. White;
the Mclntosh Guards, Capt. Cogdell; the Piscola
Volunteers, Capt, Atkinson; and Capt. McDon
ald’s company, (either the Wise Guards or the
Forest Rangers, there being a Capt. McDonald in
command of each of those companies, our inform
ant was unable to tell tbe name of the company
present, as he only learned the names cf the of
ficers tn command.) The enemy were not in the
citv but on board their vessels in the harbor.
Eight Yankee soldiers,, were engaged gathering
oysters within musket range from the bank, and
the temptation induced one of our men, a printer,
belonging to the Jackson Artillery, who had ac
compained the expedition, pulled trigger on them
and killed one of the party. The rest began to
row lustily away when other shots were fired at
them and but two of the eight were left to return
to their ships. The gunboats in the stream then
opened their cannon on the citv. but done no
damage to our troops as they had withdrawn, find
ing no enemy on shore to meet them. About 10
o’clock that night the Yankees again opened on
the city and it is supposed that they were shelling
the town.
Mr. Geo. Cavanagh, who had been employed in
the Oglethorpe Hotel in Brunswick, happened to
be on Blythe Island at the time the Yankees made
their appearance in the harbor, succeeded in efs
fecting bis escape during Tuesday night, and
after walking several miles through the woods
reacheiflhe cars and arrived here last evening.
VOL. 41,—N0. 12.
THE MERRIMAC FIGHT.
Several gentlemen from Norfolk came up yes
terday afternoon who had conversed with parties
who witnessed the naval engagement of Saturn
day and Sunday last in Hampton Roads. From
these gentlemen, we gather a few particulars not
heretotoie mentioned. Tbe Captain, First Lieu
tenant, and Surgeon of the Congress, were among
the killed. We ascertained the name of the Lieu
tenant only. It was Albert N. Smith, a son of
Commodore Joseph Smith, of the Lincoln navy.
The schoouer Reindeer, which was lying at
Newuoi tNews, und compelled to leave in conse
quence of the hot fire from the Merrimac, fell
into our hands without trouble, and was taken up
to Norfolk, The Reindeer had a very remarkable
cargo for this latitude, viz: an immense tank of
live cod fish. These were doubtless for the Cath
olic soldiers at Newport News, this being the
season of Lent.
Not one of our men was killed by a ball from a
cannon, which is somewhat marvelous, when we
take into consideration the tact that the Merri
mac was struck during the two days fighting at
least one thousand times. All the casuulities
were caused by Minnie ballsand escaping steam.
The powers of resistance which trie Merrimac
offers will be made apparent, when it is stated
that the Erricsson carries cannon throwing solid
shot ot 183 pounds, and conical balls weighing
350 pounds. The Erricsson played upon the iron
sides of the Confederate marine monster, during
much of the engagement at a distance of only 40
yards, and yet failed to penetrate through her
iron casing in a single instance; But the Merri
mac did seriously damage the Ericsson. The lat
ter’s revolving turret was so badly injured, that
it became inoperative, and one of the Merrimac’s
balls passed clean through her. She finally at
tempted the colliding game, which wa< accepted
by the Merrimac, and tbe Ericsson forced to retire.
An interesting description of the Ericsson, taken
from a Northern journal, will be found in to-dav’s
express.
It is said that the Minnesota would certamlv
have been captured Saturday afternoon but for
the treachery of the Lincolnites who fired upon
one of our boats after the white flag had been
displayed by them, and thus necesitated a re
newal of hostilities against the Congress.
The Congress was the magazine ship of the
squadron and contained several tons of gunpows
der, which would have been quite acceptable to
the Southern Con ft deracy at this time, but the
beleaguered ship lay too near Newports News for
us to secure the ammunition.
Among the prisoners taken on the Congress
was a negro fellow, who escaped from bisovtners,
Mr. Charles Drummond, of Norfolk last October,
He has been returned to his own master, most un
expectedly to both slave and owner.
The Cumberland sunk in about fifty feet of
water, and only the tops of her masts aie now
v sible. It is thought that sqe will never be rais«
ed.
From the Charleston Mercury, 11th ir.st.
OUR COTTON AND TOBACCO-
The cotton und tobacco questions have consti
tuted an important staple of discussion In Cons
gress, and have come before that body in a
number of Different aspects and relation*. We
from ihe Rich noud Examiner that, besides
toe question which has been lately under debate,
of tne destruction of these euips in military
• emergencies und the subsequent compensation of
the owners, the foilowing measures are under the
consideration oi Congress:
1. Tbe purchase by the Government of the cot
ton and tobacco ot the present crop ; to be paid
foi, one-fourth in treasury-notes, and ihe remains
der in bonds, having twenty years to run, aud
bearing eight per cent, interest.
2. The prohibition, during the blockade, of the
exportation of cotton or tobacco on penalty < f
the owner’s forfeiture of the same unless in ex*
change for munitions of war, iron clad war steam
eis, or other articles of essential use in the war.
3. An export duty of seven cents per pound on
all cotton grown in the Confederate States du
ring th s p.esent year, and of cents on tobac-
co.
The Senate bill for the compensation of owners
of property destroyed for the purpose of avoiding
its seizure by tbe enemy was passed recentlv in
the House of Representatives, after a debate
which very much enlightened tbe whole subject.
We annex the section ol this bill which regulates
the mode and measure of compensation:
“Sec. 2 Be it further enacted, that the owner
of property destroyed tinder the operations of
this act, as well as those persons who shall vol
untarily destroy their properly to prevent the
same from failing into the’ hands of the enemv
are hereby authorized to perpetuate the testimony
of such destruction, in the manner prescribed bv
an act of the Provisional Congress, entitled ‘Au
Act to perpetuate testimony in cases of slaves ab
ducted or harbored by the enemy, and of other
properly seized, wasted or destroyed bv them
approved 3uth August, 1861, and such ’owners
aud persons shall be entitled to indemnity on all
tbe proceeds of property sequestrated and confis
cated under hie laws of the Confederate States,
iu such manner as Congress may hereafter pro
vide.”
It will be seen from the above extract of the
law, that the faith of the Government has not
been pledged further than the application of the
sequestration fund to the payment of losses- and
that the public credit is wholly unaffec ed by the
measure of compensation.
STATE OF GEORGIA-AD JUT ANT AND. IN
SPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE.
Milledgeville, Ga., March 12, 1862.
General orders, I
No. 6. f
I The Governor has received information from
the Secretary of War that he will accept two
regiments of Cavalry—that is to say twenty com
panies—in addition to the twelve regiments al
ready called for, and on the same terms, to-wit:
for three years or during the war • each private
to receive a bounty of fifty dollars, and to vote
for his officers; and to be clothed, equipped and
armed by the Confederate Government. The
arms will be carbines or double*barrelted shot
guns, and sabres; or lancers will be taken and
the lance provided. No pistols can be furnished.
11. By law, Cavalry companies consist of no
less than sixty privates or more than one hundred.
No company will be received and commissioned
therefore, that has not on its roils at least seven
ty»four names including officers,
officeisand musicians, ft being fairly under*
stood that tbe roll deposited in this office and
commissions issued upon it no man has the right
to draw back, and that it any fail to appear when
ordered for muster such will be regarded as De«
serters ano dealt with accordingly, unless valid
excuse shall be offered.
111. Volunteers are to furnish their own horses
and horse equipments; and each non-commtssion*
ed officer, private and musician will be allowed
forty cents per day for the use and risk of his
horse ; and if any volunteer shall not keep him
self provided with a serviceable horse, such
voluntaer shall serve on foot. For horses killed
in action, volunteers shall be a allowed compensa
tion according to their appraised.value at the date
of musttr into service. (Act March 5, 1362 Sec
3 and 7.) .
IV. Nojtender under this call will be considered
that is not accompanied by a correct roll of the
company. Ibe first twenty companies tendering
in strict observance with the specifications ot this
order will be accepted, commissioned, and order*
ed to the camp of instruction.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief.
Henry C. Waynb,
Adj. A Ins. General.