Newspaper Page Text
Irom the Sivannah Republican,
FROM CHARLESTON
Cbahlzstos, July 13,1363. j
Anathor day bas passed without an event j
wor’by of note. Tbe bombardment of Bittery
•Wagner was again kept up throughout the day,
but with far less rigor than characterized their
work of yesterday. The iron-clads took little or
no tart at least they were not risible from eligible
points in the city. The fire on their side came
cbiefir from wooden gunboats and a new battery
which they erected Friday and Saturday nights
in front of Battery Wagner and a little more ihaa
a mile distant. 1 presume iittle or no damage
bas been sustained on our side, as up to dark the
flags had made no report. One or two may hare
been killed and double that number wounded, a
circumstance not considered now as worth tele,
graphing. How accustomed we are getting to
the shedding of human blood.
Nor is ibete any change in the situation, so far
as appears on the surlace, except the new battery
already referred to. The Yankees still occupy
the lower hall of Morris’lsland, and their gun»
boats and iron clads continue to lie off and shell
ns. We still hold our position, and will continue
to do so, provided the enemy tries no new tack
upon ns. There’s the rub, and the consciousness
that they may have it in their power, is a source
of no -.rifling uneasiness to the friends of Char
leston. A word here on the posture of affairs,
and I give it the more freely from the fact that
the real points of danger have never been given
to the public through the press.
Morris’ Island—the great prize for which the
enemy is struggling, under the belief that it is
tbe key to Chariesron—as the reader is aware, is
an oarer strip of land lying directly on the ocean.
It is some miles in length, anil the northern
end, crowned wnn Cnmming’s Point Battery, is
the goal eo devoutly aimed at by the enemy, as
it bears directly on Fort Sumter and the chan
nel leading by it to the city. At the southern
extremity of the island is another battery point
ing out towards the north end of Folly Island,
where the Yankees have been encamped'for many
months end constructing heavy works, This
lower battery was captured on Friday last, thus
giving tbe enemy possession ol the iower end of
the islaad. Then comes the new Yankee battery
Hist erected higher up on the ißiand. Battery
Wegner is a strong earthwork near midway of
the .eland, which is very narrow, and extending
nearly across it. Its gins point southward, and
it has :o be reduced before they can reach Cam*
ming’s Point, which could be readily taken in
the rear. I doubt if Battery Wagner can be
taken either by assault of infantry or the bom*
bardmeut ot their fleet.
Immediately west of Morris’ Island lies James’
Island, which the enemy have wisely concluded
is too hard a nut for them to crack.
It is strongly fortified from Stono to Ashley, and
being some eight miles across tbe march would be
bloody and wasting beyond degree, even did they
succeed in landing.
i>ut—and here come 3 the real trouble o! the
case—between Morns’ and James’ Islands, lies
Black Island, n small but densely wooded track
of land, where almost any species ci dia*
b'dical plot might be preparing against us with*
out our knowledge, unless we went ever at all
buzzards to see. A battery of long range gun 3
erected on this island would effectually command
our works at Secesstonville on James’ Islam! and
also our channel of communication with Morris’
Island. This done, Sumter is doomed. Alorris’
Island could be starved out and the strong posi
tion at its northern point gained witthut dithcuU
ty.
I have good authority for saying that the euet
my sent over a force to lllack Island several days
ago. What they are doing there no body knows,
but up to this time it is understood no effort has
been made to find out or to dislodge them. I
cannot believe that so sagacious a man as Beau
regard could overlook or oe indifferent to so
threatening a condition of things.
Thu more we know of the fight of Saturday
morning, tho more lustre does it shed on our
brave ijouthern troops. I omitted to say mmy
last letter that the first Georgia regiment, ■savan
nah Guards Battalion and Capers’ Battalion of
Georgians, rll under command of Col. Oluisteud,
were in the thickest of the fight and bore them,
selves with distinguished gallantry. Their prais
es are on every longue. The remainder of the
garrison cons.sted of the twenty-firs: Carolina,
und two artillery battalions under command of
Col. Graham. These were all the troops that
weteon the Island at the time, but other; wore
in readiness, had their services been needed.—
Indeed, from what I s e, it appears that Beaure
gard is well supplied with men, und will hardly
need to he reinforced in any probable emergency.
1 have spent a portion of tosday in looking alter
ouv wounded and sick Georgians in too various
hospitals of the city, and would make the follows
mg report for the information of the friends of
the sufferers:
Lieut. Tapper was quite comfortable thiH afters
noon, though, us before stated,his wound is severe,
anti it wilt be many weeks before tie wifi have
fully recovered.
Private Frank J. Iluut, of the Guards, who was
shut through the right lung, died about an hour
ago.
A G. Lane, S2d Georgia,shot through the thigh
whilst on picket duty, doing well and will soon
recover.
W J. Horton, ISih Battalion, died yesterday.
D. McLzwren, Ist Ga., badly bruised in the
face and eyes with splinters, doing well and will
soon bo oat.
All the rest who were reported as being in the
hospital were very slightly wounded, and huvo,
received furloughs, or have slight attacks of fever
rheumatism, &c.
1 met yesterdav John Dillon and Thomas Ed
. monson, of the Pluenix Regiment, whom some
people were unkind enough as to suspect ot de
sertion. They were overpowered, when unarmed
by three comrades, Watkins, Demere and Moodie,
and rowed into the enemy’s lines. They were
regularly exchanged at Richmond some days
ago, and hearing on their arrival here yesterday
that their regiment was on James’ Island, they
forthwith rejoined it without waiting to go home.
Buch men are made of the right sort ot metal,
aod never desert a good cause.
Private Dillon informs me that the Atlanta ne
groes who declined being exchanged with the
crew at Fortress Monroe, reconsidered the matter
and came up on the next tlag ot truce boat, and
are now on tbeir way to Savannah. They doubt
less got a foretaste of Yankee friendship and were
satisfied.
I see some signs of the right sort of fighting,
so look out for something desperate and dashing
m the course of a day or two. J. R. S.
FBOM THE ' SITED i-T ATl>.
The Richmond papers contain the usual sur
feit of what is called Northern news, being a
compendium of the various and contradictory
fabrications communicated to the Northern press
by army correspondents, with the declarations of
the lying bureau at home.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is responsible for the
following ;
Washington, July 9.—From letters recently re
ceived here it appears, on Friday last, it was as
certained by Gen. Meade that Stuart was prepar
ing to make one of his custemary raids on our
rear, to out off our trains, and prevent communi
cation wtlh Westminster, Baltimore and Wash
ington. Gen. Gregg, with his cavalry division,
was ordered to advance from our extreme r.ght
and intercept him. Taking two brigades and a
buttery, Le proceeded to accomplish his mission,
and met Stuart about Iwo miles from onr lines,
already on the wry to execute his desigu. Gregg
charged on the rebels, and wa3 at first repulsed,
but rallied; charged again and routed Stuart’s •
force, who left the dead and on the wounded i
ground in their hasty retreat.
Two rebel spies were lately attested, but their
execution has been delayed in consequence ■ i one
(a negro having promised to oiaKe sniper taut
disclosures. A third is now iu one of our camps
under strict surveillance.
Early on the morning of the 6th instant Jwo
gentlemen Irom Pleaßaut Valiev, near ll.ruer’s
letry, arrived at Frederick, reporting that the
rebels had been busily employed in carrying over
the river the grain and other articles left there m
the hasty evacuation of that point a few days ago
Washington, July 10.-At the last accounts 1
from the front the two armies were not over ten j
miles apart. Lee’s army stretches from Hagers, j
town to Williamsport, and General Meade~was I
moving from Boonsboro’ on two roads towards
Lee. Our advance was six miles beyond Boons
boro’.
It is thought probable that Gen. Hooker will be
assigned to tbe command of the Peninsula force.
LATKB.
Appearances indicate a battle near Antietam to
morrow or 8' nday, as all accounts represent Lee
at or near Hagerstown, with a large force, pre
pared to give battle. Our army is m good con •
dition and fine spirits.
Other reports from Gen. Smith’s advance state
that there is no material change in the position
of Lee’s troops from yesterday. It is not believed
that Lee will attempt to defend the line of Antie
tam Creek, but that he has concentrated his
army near Hagerstown, where he will, without
doubt, await an attack.
Last Monday the rebels undertook to drive
about seven hundred cattle and one thousand
sheep across tbe Poiomac, and the high water
swept neuriy all of them down stream and
drowned them.
Lee cannot cross the river, even if he had the
means and a clear way bifore him ; he is too
hard pressed by Mead-, and must keep every man
on this side to resist an attack.
The rebel General Jenkins was captured this
morning, by our cavalrv under Kilpatrick.
On Saturday, July 4th, Gen. Kilpatrick’s Divi
sion left the right of our line at Gettysburg, and
went through Emmettsburg to Wavnesburg, to
harms the rebel rear and out off their supply
trains.
On the same night the division encountered a
large rebel train at Monterey, on the top of South
Mountain, which was attacked and captured with
eighteen hundred and seventy-six prisoners, one
hundred and seventy-nine of them commissioned
officers. Many of the latter had become worn
out on the march, and tad got into tbe wagons to
ride.
About three hundred wagons weTe captured,
many of which were burned, and the remainder
brought along.
On Sunday night they continued their march
to Boonsboro’, where they arrived and cn-
camped.
On Motiday they went to Hagerstown, and had
a severe fight with a large force ct the rebel ar
my stationed there.
In this action, the seventh Michigan Cavalry
Colonel Wm. D. Mann, was severely handled,
losing forty men and two commissioned otlicere,
Captain Willetts and Lieut. Gray, who were ta»
ken prisoners.
Finding the enemy two strong for him, Gen.
Kilpatrick, after a desperate fight, fell back from
Hagerstown towards Williamsport, fighting all
the way with the rebels, who pursued him nearly
the whole distance.
Near Williamsport Gen. Kilpatrick formed a
junction with General Buford, who had advanced
previously iu that direction from Boonsboro’,
The combined forces then made an attack on the
rebels at Williamsport, but ihe rebels weie louau
in heavy force there, and, after a severe fight, the
rebels bringing into action cavalry, artillery and
infantry, while only cavalry was engaged on our
side, our forces withdrew towards Boonsboro’.
At Williamsport the rebels had some three
thousand wagons packed ready for crossing the
river, protected by heavy batteries posted in
communuiug positions.
The dratt is progressing in all the New England
States, and in Pennsylvania und New York. As
the enrollment is complete in each of the various
districts, a certain proportion of men is designa
ted. It is certain that the entire number to be
called out in all of the States has not been desig
nated.
FBOM GEE’S AItMY.
The Richmond papers begin to give ns some
reliable account of the late battle, aud the condi
tion of Lee’s army, all of which are of the most
cheering character. Lee’s letter to the Preeiden
to which, lrom the Enquirer we publish
this morning) clears up the clouds and leaves us
expectant of other grand achievements. Allud
ing to ibis letter the Exauiiuer says:
We understand that General Lee says he beat
the enemy in each day’s fight, aud toes their tn
irenchmentb on Friday, but abandoned them on
finding they were commanded by more elevated
positions in the rear; that the enemy's loss was
immense aud his own “not alight; ’ that ae had
lnliicted on the Army of the Potomac the most
tremendous blow It had erer received, uud that
h;s own army was in good conduit n, ready lor
any movement offensive or defensive. Ha gives
as the reason for ms immediate tetirtmert the
desire to secure the vast wagon ttams captured
by Stuart.
it seems that whilst oar infantry and artillery
were fighting the battle of Gettysburg, .Stuart
was scouring the whole lace of ihe earin' ,u search
] ot horses, omits and wagon trams, and so pro
j eminently successful y. as lie, that helute Friday
night be mid collected in tne rear of our army a
mammotu tram over fifteen mdes in length. To
secure this plunder, which is, ot course, to he
counted as part of the spoils of Gettysburg, our
army made this retrograde movement.
From the time tbis tram started Irom Gettys
burg, nil it reached Hagerstown, it was beset by
the enemy’s cavalry, regular and guerrilla.
Os Ihe loss ou either side we hem in U.chmoua
know übsolute.y nothing. We have heard ours
estimated at eleven aau ihe enemy’s at forty thou
sand men ; how fur either or bou may be of the
mark we have to means ol knowing. We lost
between fifteen hundred and iwo thousand pris
oners, and captured not leas than six, and perhaps
as many as sixteen thousand.
ESTiii»i\sri( melting of the people
DO HUDfcTY V, ' V ~* iVltllV M " ItLADs TO
Mabutta, Ga., June 7, 1863.
At a meeting of the citizens of Cobb county,
held in the Court House, in compliance with the
Governor’s Proclamation of the 22d ult., on mo«
tion of Uen. A J. Hansell, Judge G. D. Rice was
called to the chair, and J. Al. Ricuardson requested
to act as Secretary.
The meeting being organized, Judge Rice ex
plained the object to be to raise Cobo’s quota of
volunteers (200) under the recent cail tor more
troops, for Lome defence, by the President. In
the course of his remarks he read the patriotic
Proclamation of the Governor, which set forth
the object of the call by the President, its neces
sity, and the means of raising and organizing the
troops called for, alee General Orders No. 15
from the Adjutaut General of the State.
General Hansell then addressed the meeting in
a short aud spirited speech, calling attention te
the atrocities committed by tue enemy upon our
fellow-citizens, without regard to sex, ageer con
dition, and pointed out the imperative necessity
Jor organization.
Cap:. G. N. Lester then moved the following ;
I EtMletd, That the county of Cobb will proceed
1 forthwith to raise for local defense and special
| service, not only the quota of men called for by
; the Executive, but will alec enroll for that pur
| pose all her able bodied male citizens of everv
age and occupation.
: "The motion being seconded, Capt. Lester ad
i dressed the meeting in its advocacy. Tne motion
| was then put and carried unanimously.
I Arrangements were theu made fer organizing
i companies, and iu a short time it was reported
! that five companies were organized in part or in
j whole.
Oa motion, it was resolved that the Captains cf
j the several companies be requested to report their
; muster rolls on or before Tuesday next, the 14th
mst , to Judge Kice, tied that it companies
enough are formed to organize a battalion, then
I he (Judge Rice) shall call a meeting of the bat
talion on Saturday, the ISth inst., for the pur*
pose ot electing field officers.
The meeting thenvAtijourned, subject to the call
of the Chairman.
The utmost harmony and unanimity prevailed,
and every man was anxious to enroll himself a
member of some company. Whilst there were
many present whose heads wflre silvered over by
the frosts of sixty winters, not one said I am too '•
old. All were ready—the old as well as the
young. Cobb will, doubtless, double her quota,
ana u proper steps are taken to carry out the 1
resolution of the meeting, .she wii'J report 800 1
men for duty. t
The battalion of Cadets, about 160 strong, was j
nut under the command of the Superintendent, j
Gen. F. W. Capers. Though consisting chiefly i
of mere boys, yet, when the trumpet sounds, they I
will be found in their places, ready and anxious
to respond to the call. As a portion of the regu
iarly organised force of the State, the Cadets are
already in the service, and are subject to the
Governor’s call at any time. They have already
been in the field and are pravicg for another
call. G. D. Rice, Chairman,
J. U. Richardson, Secretary.
THE RETREAT FROM TENNESSEE
The corresponaeat of the Mobile Tribune ar
gues that the retreat of Gen. Bragg from his late
position in Tennessee was wisely made, and says
that had he at this most eminently critical situa
tion ol our country risked a battle and suffered
defeat, he would have lost East Tennessee, the
grand gateway to the heart of the Confederacy,
with an open road not only to Richmond, bat to
Atlanta, Augusta, Mississippi and Alabama. Be
adds:
Sow as to the facts which led to this movement
it cannot be denied that onr . forces were mos'
shamefully and disgracefully surprised at Liberty
and Hoover's Gap, where we lost over two hun«
dred infantry in killed and wounded, and a con- j
siderable number of cavalry taken prisoners.— i
But for this surprise, and the enemy Banking us
on our right with a crushing force, we might have
held our position long enough at ieast to have
secured the crops. That there was not proper;
vigilance used—that there was gross negligence, j
and laxity of discipline among the officers com
mandlng'the outposts must be admitted, and this
I have before stated.
» * » * /p(j e retreat from Shelbvville was i
not at all anticipated by the people, and was very
precipitate, ffe were forced to abandon a large
quantity of stores at that place. Un '.be ap
proach of the enemy, who was coming down the ,
Murfreesboro' pike. Gen. ilartla’s brigade of
cavalry, of General Wheeler’s command, were
drawn up in the public square. As soon as the
order was given to the artillery to fall back over
the bridge crossing Duck river, a: the edge of
the town, the cavalry also stampeded. The con
sequence was the bridge was immediately
crowded, and the artillery was run over oy the
cavalry, which stopped up the bridge, and sev
eral were knocked over into ihe river, who, it is
said, were drowned. Generals Wheeler and Mar
tin were both obliged to swim the river to make
their escape. Three pieces of artillery were thus
lost, with two 32-pounders, spiked and abandoned
in the fortifications at Tullahoma, making five
altogether.
As our cavalry retreated through the streets
.from the square, several Abolition citizens, who
bad concealed tbemselves bes re, came out into
the streets corsmg our men and dec.ariDg they
were now free: a number also shot at our cavalry
from the windows of houses of dear loyal shel
byviile.
Alter this our cavairy covered our retreat with
great spirit, and Gen. Slartin’s brigade redeemed
itself at the fight at Sew Church, this side of
Elk river. The retreat was conducted with gen
eral good order. Our loss in killed and wounded
on the retreat, and including that at the gaps, is
about 2,000, and in stragglers, principally Ten
nesseeuns, the moat ot whom will return, is some
3,000. The safety of General Iragg's army, at
such a time, is a source ot congratulation to the
whole country.
[Correspondente of 1..€ Mercury. j
LETTER FROM RICH-MOM).
Richmond, Friday, July 10.
Yesterday it was stated o-i the authority of
Gen. Winder that the President had received a
di-patch from Gen. Lee, representing the army
site at Hagerstown ; this was hei.eved.and gloom
subsided.
The battles at Gettysburg, like all that have
succeeded the first Manassas, leaves the Yankee
army nndestroyed and nothing decided. Always
there is some fatality, miscalculation or inadver
tence, which chouses us out of a complete victory.
This time, the trouble arises from interrupted
communications, pontoons destroyed, trains left
unguarded and captured, and other concomitants
of venturing too far from the base of operations.
The papers this morniDg say Generai Lee has
no intention of leaving Maryland. One hundred
sailors, a number of pontoon boats, and some
j brigades of tnlamry went up yesterday. Other
reinforcements I hear are to follow byway o!
Lrucnburg. Ammunition and commissary sup
plies have also been sen:. I' rhe Potomac fails in
good time, and aii the men and munitions go by
way of Staunton, to avoid dauger from Yankre
cavalry on the nearer Culpeper route, w.- -bail
periu-ps hear of another great battie eex week.
On the other hand, you need no! be surprised to
Lear ihat Lee is again on the south side of the
Potomac. The triub is, we have no correct idea
of ihe situation, fur not one .me from Lee has
been received, and we sl ow thai neither the tele
graph nor wounded officers, who are of Course
ignorant of what happens after they leave ihe
scene of operations, can oe ' listed. All we can
say is that the great batile of Gettysburg hu.=i not
destroyed Meade's army, as we bad hoped. This
is perhaps underrating results; but in view of the
monstrous expectations conjured up by the tele
graph, it is but the part ot reason to moderate
hope, m order that there may be no disappoint
ment.
THE SITI ATIOV IX MART LAME
The President received a letter from Gen. Lee.
on Saturday, which puis to rest ail anxieties in
relation to the situation of onr army in Mary
land, and confirms ihe statements which have
been made, that our army has been uniformly
victorious in its encounters with the enemy in
Pennsylvania. The letter slates, in effect, that
the engagement at Gettysburg resulted in defeat
ing the enemy completely, kilting and wounding
a number far exceeding our own, and in ihe cap
ture of a large number of pr soDers ; that the
falling back of our army to Hagerstown was a
prudential move, not occasioned py any success
on the part of the enemy, and not through any
apprehension of contingencies arisng which
might ensure his success a; that point. The gist
of the letter, in a lew words, is that the enemy
was even more thoroughly cut up and whipped
than he has ever been upon Southern soil,
that ifce occupation of Hagerstown was a move
ment dictated by strategy and prudence, as es
sential to the success of the campaign. The se
cret involved in this movement may as well be
left to Gen. Lee to develope in his own good time.
The prisoners :n our hands and on the way here
are, we understand, estimated at between 16,000
and 18,000. The army is in fine spirits and ex
cellent condition.
Gbn. Leu's Abut.—The only intelligence we
have from Gen. Lee’s army, is from a dispatch
received at the office of the Enquirer yesterday,
which states that there was a severe' infantry
fight at Boonsboro', Md., on the 3th, which result
ed in the repulse of the enemy after three hours'
severe fighting. No other particulars are given.
A cavalry fight is also reported to have taken
place near Hagerstown, on the same day. The
same dispatch states that the forces of the enemy
had been withdrawn from Gettysburg twelve
hours before our army retired. This would not
indicate that we suffered so serious a reverse as is i
alleged by the Yankee journals.
The Central train from Staunton—by which it
was hoped some news would reach ua—had not
arrived ap to the hour of going to press, in con
sequence of the breaking ot an axle between
Charlottesville and Gordousville.
Disra'xh, Utt.
Affairs in Arkansas —A private letter received
in Macon, Ga., from Little Keck, dated June 24,
says: “ General Cooper had an eoaagement with
Philips, commanding Fedenls, and routed him
with great loss. Stanwat;, a Cherokee Colonel,
captured a negro regiment, comprising some 800
or 900. They were commanded by a negro be
longing to a Mr. Bright, whc ran away from Fort
Smith.
Mr. James Thompson, Discount Clerk in the
Bank of the State o's Georgia, in Savannah, died
on Tuesday night from the effects of a kick from
a horse received on Sunday last.
From the Richmond Sentinel.
Important Offici .1 Correspondence.
Richmond, 2d July, 1683.
Hon. Alix. B. Stephens, Ricasioxn, Va. ;
sri* — Having accepted your patriot. c offer to
proceed, as a military commissioner, under flag
of truce, to Wascington, you will receive here
with your letter of authority to the Commander
m-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United
States.
This ier.er is signed by me, as Commander-in-
Chief of the Confederate land and nav-i forces.
Yon will perceive from the terms of the letter
that it is worded as to avoid any political diffi
culties in its reception. Intended extlcsively as
one of those communications between belliger
ents which public law recognixe as necessary
and proper between hostile throes, care has been
taken to give no pretext for refusing to receive
it, on the ground that it would involve a tacit
recognition of the independence of the Confede
racy.
Tour mission is simply one of humanity, ana
has no political aspect.
If objection is made to receiving year tetter,on
the ground ihat it i> not addressed to Abraham
Lincoln, as President, instead of Commander-in-
Chief, Ac., then yon will present the duplicate let
ter, which is addressed to him, as President, and
signed by me, as President. To this latter, ob
-1 iection may oe made,on the ground that lam not
j recognized" to be the President ot the Confeaera
icy. In this event, you wul dec'ice any farther
attempt to conler on "the subject of your mission.
I as such conference is admissabie only on the foot
j ing of perfect couaiuy.
! My recent interv.ews w.th yen haTe pot you so
i fully in possession of my views that it is neoesaa-
I ry to give you any detai.ed inßtructioce, ev c n
| were I, at this moa ent, well enough to attempt it.
My whole puroose is, in one word, io place tais
war on the footing of such as are waged by civil
ized people ;n modern times, and :o divest it of
the savage character which has been impressed
on it Dy onr enemies, m spile of til onr efforts
and protests. War is fail enough of unavoidable
horrors, under all its aspects, to justify, and even
to demand, of any Christian rmer- who may be
unhanpiiy engaged in carrying i. on, to seek to
restrict its calamities, and to diveatit of all unue
cesaary severities. Y'ou wili endeavor to establish
the cartel for the exchange of prissners on such a
basis as to avoid the constant difficulties and
complaints which arise, and to prevent, for the
future, what we deem the unfair conduct of onr
enemies in evading the delivery o; the prisoners
who tall into their hands; in retarding it by send
ing them on circuitous routes, and oy detaining
them sometimes for months in camps and prisons;
and in peisisting in t.king captives non-combat-
ante. . , ... , .
Toar attention is a.so caned to tie unheard
of conduct of Federal officer? in driving irom
their hemes eat.re cotr.muniu-s of women and
children, as well a? of men, whom they find in
districts occupied by their troops, for no other
reason than because”these unfortunates are faith
ful to the allegiance tine to their .States, and re
fuse to use an oath of fidelity to their enemies.
The putting to deatn of unarmed prisoners has
been a ground of juat complaint in more than one
instance, and the recent execution of officers of
our army in Kentucky, for the s-ie cause that
they were engaged ,n recruiting service in a
Stale which is claimed as still one of the United
States, but is also claimed oy us a? one of the
Confederate States, must be repressed oy retalia
tion if not unconditionally abandoned, Because it
would justify the like execution in every other
State of the Confederacy, and the practice is
! barbarous, uselessly cruel, and can only lead to
slaughter of prisoners on both sides, a result too
horribleto contemplate without making every
effort to avoid it.
On these and all kindred subjects you will j
consider your authority full and ample”to make ■
such arrangements as will temper the present i
cruel character of the contest, and full confi
dence is placed in your judgment, patriotism and
d.scretion, that while carrying out the objects of
your mission, you will taxe care that the equal
rightsof the Confederacy be always preserved.
Very respectfully,
(S gned) JxFvtnso.v Davis.
Bichhwd, Bth July, 1?63.
His Excsllexct Jbtkkhson Davis:
Sik—Under the authority and instructions of
your ieaer to me of the 2d instcat, i proceeded
on the mission therein uss'gned, without delay.
The steamer Torpedo, commanded by Lieutenant
Hunter Davidson, ot the uavy, was put in resdt
neis as soon as possible, by order of the .Secre
tary ot the Navy, ar.i tendered for the soivice.
|At"noou, on the IJ, she started down James
1 river, hoisting and nearing a 9«g ot truce after
i raising City Point. The next day (the ith) at
‘ about oce o’clock P. M., when within a tew miles i
|of Newport News, we were met by a ‘tea", boat i
of the enemy, carry.ug two guns, wuah aiso j
j raised a white flag before approaching as.
The i Oiler tu commandinformed L.eui. David- 1
! son that be had orders front Admiral Lee, on
! board the United States flag ship Minnesota, iy« 1
j ing oeiow and then in view, not to allow any I
i ooat or vesstl to pass the point near which he
j was stationed, without his permission. By this
odicer, 1 sent to Admiral Lre a note stating my
j obj-cts and wishes, a copy ot which is hereto
! annexed, marked A. I aiso sent to the Admiral,
I to be forwarded, another note in the same ian
j guuge, addressed to the officer in command of
| the United Stutes forces at Fort Motroe. The
gunboat proceeded immediately to the Minnesota
with these c-spaicLes. while the torpedo re
mained at anchor. Between three and four o'clock
P. M., another boat came up to ns, nearing the
Admiral's answer, which is hereunto annexed,
marked B.
We remained at, or abont this point in the
river, until the 6th mat., when having heard no
thing further from the Admiral at 12 o’clock, M.,
on that day I directed Lteut. Davidson, again to
speak the gunboat on guard, and to hand to the
officer in command another note to the Admiral.
This was done. A copy of this cots is appended,
marked C. At halfspast two o’clock, P. M., two
boats approached ns from below, one bearing an
answer from the Admiral to my note of the 4th.
This answer is annexed, marked D. The other
boat bore the answer of Ltent. Coi. Woi, H. Lad
low, to my note of the 4th, addressed fotbe officer
in command at Fort Monroe. A copy of this is
annexed, marked K. Ltent. Col. Ludlow also
came np in person in the boat that brongbt his
answer to me, and conferred with Col. Ould, on
board the Torpedo, upon some mailers he desired
to see him about in connection with the exchange
of prisoners. From the papers appended, em
bracing the correspondence referred to, it will be
seen that the mission failed from the refusal of
the enemy to receive or entertain it, holding the
proposition for such a conference ‘ ioadmissable.”
The influences and views that led to this deter
mination, after so long a consideration of the sub- j
ject, must be left to conjecture. The reason |
assigned for the refusal by the United States ■
Secretary of War, to wit: ihst'Hhe customary
agents and channels are considered adequate lor
all needtul military comniun.cations and con
ference,’* to one acquainted with the fuels, seems
not only unsatisfactory, bat very singular and un
accountable, for it is certainly known to him that
these very agents, to whom he evidently alludes,
heretofore agreed upon in a former conference in
reference to the exchange of prisoners, (one of
I the subjects embraced in your teller to me) are j
now, and have been for some time, distinctly at
issue on several important points. The existing
cartel, owing to three disagreements, is virtually
suspended, go far as the exchange is concerned.
Xotiees of retaliation have been given on both
sides,
The effort, therefore, for the very many and
cogent reasons set lorth in your letter of instruc
tions to me, to see if those differences could not
be removed, and if a clearer understanding be
tween the parties as to the general conduct of the
war could not be arrived at before this extreme
measure should be resorted to by either party,
was no less in accordance with the dictates ot
humility then in strict conformity with the
usagei of belligerents in modern times. Deeply
impressed as I was with these views and feelings,
m undertaking the mission, and asking the cec
ference, I can but express my profound regret at
the result of the effort made to obtain it; and I
ean but entertain the belief, that if the confer
ence sought had been granted, mutual good could
have been effected by it; and if this war, so un
natural, so unjust, so unchristian, and so incon
sistent with every fundamental principle of
American constitutional liberty, “must needs”
continue to be waged against us, that at least
some of its severer horrors, which now so emi«
nently threaten, might have been avoided.
Very respectfully,
Alexander H. Stephens.
_ [A - J
COXEEDERaTE STATES StBAHEB “ToEPEDO,” I
On James River, July 4th, IS6S. j ■*
Sib—As Military Commissioner Xam the bearer
of a communication in writing from Jefferson
aJetis, Commander-in-Chief of the land and na
val forces of the Confederate States, to Abraham
Lincoln, Commander-in-Chief of the land and
naral forces of the Cnitwi States. Eon. Robert
Onld, Con.ederate Stateß Agent of Efcbange, ac
companies nee, as Secretary.
For the purpose of delivering the commumoea
P er f CD » od conferring upon the subject
JO which it rentes, I desire to proceed directly
*® BAtJ.nßi°n 8 A t J. nß i° n Ci,y ia *^ e Ble>m " Torpedo, com
manded by Lieutenant F.unter Davidson, if the
Contedtr&ie Slates Navy.no person ««
board, but the Hon. Mr. Ould, myself
boet s officers ani crew. oe
Tours, most respectfully, .
- „ . AlbxaxdbbH. Stephens.
To Rbab Adxieal S. P. Lee, 0. S. Flag bhit>
Micnesoia. s y
Taj
U. S. Flag Ship Minxescta, \
Off Newport's News, Va., v
July 4id. 1863—2:30 P. M. )
Sib: Year communication of this date ib re»
ceived. I wiii ieport by telegraph your arrival
and object, and iniortn you of the result without
deiay. f
Very respectfully, yonrp,
S. P. Lek.
-A-. R. Admiral,
B,mmand:ng .North Atlantic Biockading Squads
ron.
Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, Miiitarv Commis
sioaer.
Tc.i
C. S. Stkaher Torpedo, i
Oft .Newport's Xews, Va., V
12 o'clock M., July 6:b, 1863. j
Acting Rear Admiral S. P. Lee,
U. S. Flag-Ship Minnesota :
Sib ; Will Admiral Lee inform me, if he can
how long it will probably be before an answer
will be made lo my note ot the4th instant?
Wi.l he please, also, forward the accompanying
letter from Hon. Mr. Onid. Confederate Apent nf
Exchange, to Lieut. Col. Wm. H. Lunlow, United
Stales Agent of Exchange?
~ Most respectfully,
Alexander H. Stephens.
raj"
U. 3. i lag Ship Minnesota, )
Off Newport’s Xews. Va., L
July 6th, 1868. j
Sib : The request contained in your communis
catioa of the 4’.L ms’., is considered iuadmiasa*
ble the enstomarr ag-nts and channels are ade
q«'e for all needful military communications and
conference between the United Slates forces and
the insurgents.
Very respectfully, yours,
S. P. Lee, A. R. Admiral,
Com’g N.A. Block’g Sq.
Eon. Alex e H. Stephens.
fE.i
iiEAoytv.RTEEi DspunTMEXT or Va., I
Seventh Army Corps, >
Fun Monroe, July 6th, 136*. )
Hon. Alex li. Stephens :
Sib: In the temporary absence of Major
General John A. Dix, commanding this departs
uitnt, I have the honoi :o acknowledge the receipt
of your communication of the 4th inst., addressed
to the officer commanding U. S. forces, Fort Mon.
roe, and ;c the execntion of instruct ons from the
Secretary of War, to inform yon that the request
therein contused is deemed inadmissible.
The customary agents and channels are consid
, ered adequate for all needful military communi
cations and conferences. *
I »a:, verv respectfully,
lour obed.eat servant,
V*. H. Ludlow,
Lieut. Col. and A*B’t Insp’r General,
Seventh Army Corps,
Agent for Exchange of Prisoners
The Defence of Missolonghi.
I ft was the 17la ot April, 1825, when Recschid
; P-sciia cumtiiencrd the memorable siege of M:s
--j soiougbi, which lasted 12 mouths; and rltheugh
| it ended in the fall of toe town, the heroic resis.t
! tiiLce of the guilant band who held it, their ex
t treme suff'rings front hitcgsr, thirst, uud ihe
j constant assaults of the entire force of the Otto
| inuu Empire, laid the foundation ot Greek inde
pendence. “By cl awing the wt ole force of the
j oneuij upon themselves, its heroic garrison allow
ed the nation to remain undisturbed in othe:
I quarters. By holing out so long and with such
1 res'.uie t.-re.-everance they not oniy inflicted on
1 the enemy greater than they themselves expert
jenced, but superior to the whole garrison of the
, j place put together,” The western nations watch
jed the struggle with breathless interest, and
; when at last it ternunited in the daring sally, and
1 j the cutting through of the enemy’s hues by a
body oi intrepid men, flgbting’for themselves,
Ibeir wives and children, the public enthusiasm
knew no bounds. The night of the 22d of April,
1826, was fixed upon for that dariag sortie winch
has scarcely a parallel in the annals of war. They
: had been disappointed in their hope of being re
lieved by ihe Greek fleet.
Since the 17th ot April no rations had been
distributed. The people subsisted on cats, rats,
raw-Lide uud Sfa-weea. But even these deplor
able resources were ere long exhausted; absolute
famine stared the wretched inhabitants, with their
wives aid children, in the face; the earth was
strewed with toe wounded, the sick, the famish*
ed, and the dying, fer whom there was neither
food nor beds! nor medicines, nor assistance.
Three days more and not a living sonl would re
main within the walla from absolute famine.
Ye: even in tbesi desperate circumstances,
they again refused to oapitulate on the same
terms which Anatoiican had accepted, and deter
mined if they were forced to abandon the plaoe,
it should be with arms m their hands. It was
found that there were 8,000 men oapable of bears
mg arms, 1.600 un.it to wield them, and 5,000
women and children. The fighting men were to
threw themselves headlong on the besiegers
I'nes, force a wav though, end open n pnssnge for
the nen-cumbaltiiis, women and children. “This
extraordinary and neroic attempt,” says Allison,
"met with u success which coaid hardly have
been anticipated.”
From the Richmond Hussars-
We are permuted to make the following ex
tract from a letter received from Captain Archer :
Gettvsbcrg, Pa., July 3.
We have bad an awful time of it since we left
Virginia, We have been marching all the time,
having been round ihe Yankee army. We had a
fight yesterday, tiie 2d. Our regiment, Cobb’a
■ old legion, charged ihe Yankees and drove them
back. Our Ll. Col. Dcloney, was wounded in the
head, but not dangerously. Lt. Cbeeseboro, of
the Richmond Hussars, was wounded in the hip
slightly. Lt. Pugh, Company B, was killed. The
rest of Richmond Hussars are safe.
Look oct foe Sthahcbes.—Two strange men
pretty strongly marked with Yankee aspects and
dialect, and apparently w th nothing to do, made
their appearance in ibis city a few days ago.—
They soon fell into the hands of our vigilant En
rolling Officers, but protested that they were re
fugees from Maryland, certificates of which they
held in their possession. There being ground of
suspicion they were taken before the civil author
ities, where, after being hard pressed, they cony
fessed they ivAe genuine Yankees, They were
sent to the barracks guard house and subsequent
ly forwarded to General Beauregard at Charleston.
They are doubtless spies, and will swing at aa
early dav. We did not learn their names.
Sivanntb KepnHictn*