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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.