Newspaper Page Text
THE CONSTiWIIONILKT.
publish#) by
STOCKTON <fc CO.
. --•■ -■■■■'
AUGUSTA. GA .
WEDNESDAY MORNING, DEC- 9. 1863-
L".JU LJJBJiaUL” LLL'LJ- I' .
wirus,
DAU* ONE VK4R. «2O OO
- BIX MONTHS IO OU
•• THHKE MONTHS 5 OO
- OWK MONTH .. ‘2 OO
■JUI-WKKKLV <WK kKAK 13 00
- BIX MONTHS <3 OO
WEEKLY SIX MONTHS OO
- thhke Noviiis a oo
THE«KE<?KNT BATIt.kS.
From the accounts received, meagre
and uuatisbiotory os they are, it is clear enougfl
for all to see that our Confederate arm a have
m«t a aad reverse on the border* of Tennessee
and Georgia. How great the disaster is we can
not yet determine, but great or small it is useless,
yes criminal, to shut our eyes to it, or to fold
our arms and endeavor to console ourselves with
the reflection, that the result is just as we ex“
peeled. We must up and at them again—that is
the only way to retrieve losses and-repair disas
ters- We own yet form no estimate o our proba
ble toss in killed and wounded, but we imagine
it cannot ba very great, from the fact that our
men fought behind their works, and were never
driven from them by actual assault. The enemy’s
loss in this respect must be very large, as they
advanced, over open ground, on our entrench
ments. We have probably lost considerably in
prisoners and stragglers.
Bragg certainly defeated Rosecrans in Sep
tember at Chioamauga, and gained a great and
glorious victory, though, on account, as is said,
of tardiness in some of his Generals, it was far
g • from being complete, aad far from what the
country -axpected or hoped. The enemy retreat
ed to Chattanooga,- and could not be dislodged
by direct means. He designed to hold that point
ua base of future-operations, but it was not a
valuable base so long as the Confederate army
lay on Lookout and the Missionary Ridge, inter
fered with his regular .and abundant supplies,
and continually threatened his rear lines of com
munication. Two things were important to us—
the most important was to dislodge that nemy;
the oni of secondary import was to hold our po.
wition immediately surrounding them. It was
vastly important to. Grunt to hold Chattanooga
securely against any demonstration, front or
flank, to keep his communication open, and to
rid the immediate vicinity of the army which
compelled him to wagon his supplies. The ene
my has succeeded entirely, and we have failed
in both points—we could neither force a retreat
by the movement into East Tennessee, nor hold
the immediate surroundings of Chattanooga, and
for the simple and sufficient reason that we oid
not have men enough. What and
Wheeler have accomplished with their iurgd
force we are unable to s»y, except capturing,
some thousand or two prisoners. Their move,
ment has had no perceptible effect on Grttnt, and
if they force their way out, by hard figuring, as
wf believe they will, they may be considered tor
tuflate.
It appears that heavy skirmishing between
Bragg’s and Grant’s forces occurred on Saturday,
Sunday atd Monday, increasing in intensity, and
finally on Tuesday the battle opened in good ear.
nest, by a determined, vigorous and persistent
assault on Lookout. After desperate fighting,
near sundown Bragg’s lell.centre broke, and as
the enemy pushed through the gap. thus made
the extreme left, fearful of being flanked, became
confused and powerless, and a considerable num.
ber were captured. During that night, as we re
tired, Grant’s forces occupied Lookout, and on
Wednesday the fight was renewed along Mis
sionary Ridge, where our men fought all day be
hind their entrenchments, besting back every as
sault, and no part of the whole line having been
stormed. But being sensible that the odds were
overwhelmingly against him, Bragg that night
withdrew his forces thia aide Chioamauga, and
on Friday we hear that Cleburne fought Grant’s
advance at Taylor’s Ridge, this side of Ringgold,
taking prisoners and colors. Gen. Bragg fought
perhaps 80,000 men with oniy two corps—Polk’s,
commanded, we believe, by Hardee,* and Hill’s
formerly Hardee’s, commanded by Breckinridge.
The General Commanding, as also Gens. Hardee,
Breckinridge and Cleburne displayed distin
guished gallantry, as did all the trooos, until a
part became confused and shattered, but the
fight ba? been lost beyond peradventure, and
solely by a lack of men.
What will result? The Abolitionists have se
cured their position, and our arms have suffered
a reverse; but we apprehend no immediate seri
ous disaster beyond what has occurred. We do
not believe a regular advance into Noyth Georgia
will be attempted, or, if attempted, consumma
ted ; but the mishap ought to have been avoided
if possible, and It might have been possible, per
, haps, had Gen. Eizay’s command alone, with the
Virginia militia, been left to guard Richmond,
and the Rappahannock been abandoned by Gen.
Lee. It has been deemed wiser, however, to uns
cover Georgia than Richmond, and hence the ca
tastrophe. Grant’s losses must have been very
great; and as his- supplies were scant at Chat,
lanooga, his army must be greatly shattered and
■worn down, it is not probable he will move yet to
a great distance from his base, and by the time
order can be restored and supplies accumulated,
the weather will probably put an end to active
movements till spring. •
It is unfortunate that the third year’s campaign
, should close, thus, but the past cannot be remea
died. We have only the present and the future
le do with now. If Grant really means to ad
vance bis whole force, then Bragg must bo heavi
ly reinforced, or the Yankees will occupy a'l
north of tht Chattahoochee this winter, for it is
preposterous to suppose that the urnajr which
could not bold its entrenchments can hold the
open country. In any event, whether the Aboli
tionists advance now or next spring, the time has
some for every able bodied man and boy in Geor
gia to prepare tor the death struggle, with a heart
for any fate but subjugation or re-union, holding
property, home and life as lightly as air, counted
against slavery and degradation. Arouse, aud
die freemen, or drive the foe from Georgia,
Oaosa ofGen. W. H.T Walksb —o n resum
ing command of his Division, Gen. Walker issued
the following order ;
HsADQUAsreas Walker’s Brigade, »
November 27, 1888. j
[General Orders No.
In resuming command, the Major General com
manding desires to express his high appreciation -
es the gallant and steady bearing of the division
in the recent engagement*under the gallant Gist-
He will have the proud satisfaction of knowing
that his gallant division did all that brave and
honorable men could do to avert the disaster
which has befallen our arms.
.Recollect tuat freemen are never conquered
and let us, one and all, resolve to choose au bon*
orabla soldier’s grave to submission to an arro
gant, insolent and merciless foe. AU officers are
enjoined to keep up the strictest discipline, and
an appeal la made to the men to stand by their
colors and their country through evil aud good
report. Be not discouraged by this deleft. We
will yet send these robbers howling back to
their cav a. All that is necessary is, th kt we be
true to ourselves. Honor and ((lory and liberty
will crown our success; infamy; dishonor ana
eternal diagram wait upon our defeat. Strike,
then, for your liberty and your homes!
(Signed) W. fl. T. Walksr,
Major Oene/>i Commanding.
(Official:) J. B. Camming,
Captain ana A. A G.
{Official.-] B. Bergh flmtfb.
Major and A. 1. (J. i
Milledgeville Cornspoiideiice
CV THK AUGUSTA CONSTITUTIONALIST.
* HOUSE.
WsKNBtoAV, !’• M. Dec. 2. fl
The House was engaged all the afternoon on
the ut fiutshed busi'-ees of Xhe -morning—the bill
to raise a revenue—known as the "tax Dill.”
The bill proposed that a tax of one and a half ]
per cent be levied on all taxable property in the
State.
Mr. Dußose moved to strike out one half per
ceut, whtcu was agreed to. The finance commit
tee offered an tinieudmeut that 000 worth of I
properly owned by all. soldiers in the service, be
exempt from taxation. Mr Adams of Clark offer-' '
ed u substitute which proposed to raise $7,800,000 '
by taxation, i.uu $2,000,000 or more if necessary, <
by the issue of-six per ceut bonds. The bill and I
substitute were elaborately discussed. Messrs. ■
Moore, Bigham, Shock ley. sustained the report of ’
the Finance Committee. Messrs. Adams, Rambo <
Matthowb and others sustaiued the substitute, Mr. I
Brook ended the previous question, aud on takiug
the vote ou the substitute, ou division, there t
hpas a tie-tbe speaker voted against the subslt- i
' title. i
Mr. Adams called the ayes and nays, and' they ■
weie ayes 57, nays 68. The vole was then taxon 1
on the bill as amended by the finance committee. <
It passed by ayes 72, nays <l2. It is thought that
the bill will raise about $12,000,01)0. Those who 1
favored the substitute thought it just that pos
terity sbjuid pay a portion of the expense in- I
curred in the revolution, and it was feared, also, <
that the energies aud uoutideut hopes of the peos 1
pie would be depressed by putting the whole i
uurd< n upon the people now. Mr. Adams susi <
mined his substitute with ability aud power, but <
this, and the valuable aid afforded him by others, <
’did not suffice, and the policy of paying us you I
go, has been endorsed by the House. i
1 omitted tv note, in uiy yesterday’s report, the <
introilticiion ol a resolution to release the credi«
tors of J. P. Livingston, the Napoleon of default- <
ing finauciers,*lrvm Clinch county. It seema
< that the Assessor of taxes io Clinch county, - <
i Where Livingston resided, assessed his income
tax at ssi),uoo, in default of any returns from Liv
ingtoo, und the tax was doubled on account of
' such delimit, making a cluim of SIOO,OOO on his <
i estate for taxes. He left'considerab.e property
in that county. On thia property there are claims
’ in Savannah, amounting to several hundred
thousand collars. His creditors assert that the i
1 claim ol tne Stale for an income taxis unjust,
• because he never had an income, except the large
I sums he borrowed. These were predicated on
pretended, purchases of cotton, which he never
’ purciused, but used the menus so borrowed to
' ouiid up a credit, aad rope in other victims. He
would nave policies of insurance issued, and use
them us evidence of purchases, and would never
recount ol sales, and divide thousands O' dollais
' of pre fits in these fictitious operations, to allure
his victims into heavier accommodations. In this
. way he duped a large number of the richest and
sharpest capitalists in Savannah, Macon and
elsewhere. His trlends supposed he was opera
tiiig largely in cotton and otner articles of specu
lut.on, and hence the income tax was assessed.
Thete creditors ask that the tax so improperly
laid Oe remitted, in order that his effects may be
applied to their claims. Mr. Lloyd, Senator from
the first district, stated the fa is to the tSeuafe,
ou w inch the abov : is bused, and argued that in
justice to uil concerned, the resolution should
t ust. Tuey were referred to a special committee.
The Senate 'opened with praysr by Rev. Dr.
Reilly. . ■
Mr. Chambers moved to reconsider the bill to
amead the eparter of the City ot Columbus
agreed to
HILLS ON THEIR PASSAGE.
A bll to incorporate Mount Gilead, Camp
t{,„2nd —substituted by a bill to protect such
pi.e s ugaiu-I ‘-“d to suppress im-
proper conduct—passed.
a bill to incorporate Insurance Companies and
their agencies in this State —passed.
a bill to change the rank of the Adjuant and
Inspector General from a Colonel ot Cavalry to
Mbj >r General. General Wright opposed the bill
os leading to contusion as to rank of officers and a
military uuonialy. He moved to recommend the
bill with instructions to report u bill making Geu.
Wavne Maj;>r General of the militia ot thta State.
General Cone thought that we would have no
Inspector Geneyat. He was opposed to the bill
aud to Gen. WtigblS motion.
Col. Ramsey sustaihed the bill. Pending the
utaiutng proceedings I must close my report.
Abjbtioes. •
Thursday, Nov. 8, A- M.
Tue House opfened with prayer by Rev. F. M.
Htwkinr.
Mr. Dsver moved to reconsider the tax bill.
The question was raised whether or not the amend
ment exempting s3,oot> ol soldiers property Irutn
taxapan, as reported by the committee, was
adopted. The speaker stated bis opinion that
the utneudmeut was not adopted, the journal im
plied that it was. Mr. Overstreet ot Pierce had
voted for the bill under the impression that the
amendment was adopted. He favored such taxa
lipa of those not in the service as was necessary,
and as they could bear, but thought the iimouut
stated in ine amendment, owned ay soldiers in
the service, should be exempted. He favored re
cunaideratifcii in order that there might be uo
question about the adoption of this important
provision. The bill was reconsidered.
A till to provide for the support of the Lunatic
Asyl im, was taken up and passed-
,t was received troip the Governor, in
reference to .be Sos Governmeut Iceights on
the >V. &A. Railroad, arid (fie property, under
the circuuistauces of relieving tne .‘■°ad y] respon
sibility tor losses where trains ure in
the mihiury. It was referred to the committee on
finance,
THE COTTON PLANTING BILL.
The special order —the bill to restrict the plant
ing oi chttou—was taken up. Mr. Hill moved
tout the bill be indefiu.tely p<«tpoued, and called
for the previous question. This cut off all dis
cussion on the motion. The ayes and nays were
cuffed, and wejre a^ - es 66, nays 64. 8u the previ
ous question was sustained. On the motion to
postpone indefinitely, the ayes and nays .were
called, and were ayes 66, naya 61. The vote was
then on the passage ot the bill. Mr. Adams called
tor the ayes and nays, which call was sustained,
and be proceeded to address the House m behalf
of the bill.
Tne fell allows the planting of one acre of coU
ton to the hand. Mr. Adams led off m an able
speech in favor of the bill. He was followed by
Cupt. Leonard, on the same side.
Mr. Carswell responded io u close, clear, and
really eloquent speech against the bill.
Messrs. Jones, oi Burke, followed
in bcbull of the bill.
Mr. Lili spoke well against the bill?
Speiker Hardeman took the floor against it—
urging constitutional objects, und offering the
general policy of such restriction.
Sir. Adams responded. He did not think there
was any constitutional objection to the bill, and
if there was he bel eved tne law of seifepreservae
lion would authorize us to disregard it. He felt
that the destiny of Ifee country was involved in
this bill—that every energy should be directed to
the production of food.
Mr. Ezzard referred briefly to the bill.
At.the close of bis speech the House adjourned
to 3 o'clock P. M. •
.SENATjB.
The Senate opened with prayer by Ray. Dr
' Ridley.
I pitta ON THEIR PABSAUE
A biil to amend the distillation act. It allows
contractors, with the Confederate Government to
distil rye, corn, barley and shorts, W'fbout refer*
euce to the distance from railroads. Passed.
A resolution requiring Congress to increase
the pay ot non commissioned officers and privates.
Adopted. ■
A resolution deciaritory of the right of volun
. Pers to elect their own officers. Adopted.
The resolution tiF suspend the tax execution
:«o<>n the property of fl. F. Livingston was adopt
ed.
A House bi. 11 to change the time of advertising
notice for application 'or bonds tor estates of de
ceased persons. The Senate had amended the
House bill, in which the House refused to concur.
1 be senate insisted, and tbs House refused to "*»■•
terenee * Henate a PP o!Ql «d 4 committee of oon-
A bill for tbe relief of O. P. Crawford—lost.
On motion, hx.Gov. Lowe, ot Maryland, was
in v :ted to a seat on the floor of the Senate.
A resolution to adjourn on the 12th was
adopted. •
NEW MATTER.
Mr. Cook, a bill to amend the oath of tax pavers
--■requires them t„ swear whether they have re
luded to take Confederate rpooey.
A l ß ß’ a biU t 0 '■C’pire all who refuse to take
Confederate money to give in his- currency at its
specie valuation. 3
bill to amend the act authorizing
the Inferior Courts to levy an extra t 'X.
» 'a'??!' a bil. to change the Une between Warren
and Glasscock.
Mr Lloyd; a bill to incorporate tbe Okefenokee
Draining and Mining Co.
Mr. Whitaker a bill to increase the fees of coun.
! ty o*r- r »-
HOUSE bills o.” <HSIE rA ’ B *«« : -
A bill to pay the 4th G a Brigau’j ‘ ,tty
| jA bill to amend the 786th section ot the Code—
taxes defaulters double the hrs! year, quadruple
the second, aud so on—passed.
A bill to change the time of boding the Infe
nor Court of Miller county—pasrod.
A bill for the support ot the Georgia Academy
for the blind—passed.
A bill to allow tax payers to pay taxes in Con
fed rate notes —passed.
Tne Senate adjourned to three o’clock, I’. M.
LETTEIi FROM WM. GKEUU, ESQ., ON THE
CUIUIENCY.
Kaluia, Nov. 26th, 1863.
Hou. C. G. Mkmminukr,
Secretary of the Treasurys
Mr Dear Sir: I have no doubt you are much
annoyed with the various suggestions made to
you lor restoring the currency and credit of the
Confederate Government. But, notwithstanding,
1 will presume upon your patience and forbear
ance, that 1 may explain more fully the plan
which I had the honor to submit to your consid
eration some time since, and present u few uddi
tibual thoughts.
It is necessary to the success and efficiency of
any plan that it'be simple, aud so plain that all
may understand it. All efforts to force the cur
rency into bonds by taxing it will add to the al
ready wide spread distrust of ultimate payment.
It should be your policy, as it is uo doubt your
desire, to keep the credit of the Government us
utact us possible, aud let no man find a loop-hole
*0 hung u doubt on.
The difficulties under which you now labor
have origiuated more troiu the distrusted credit
of the Government, than from the redundancy of
the currency. And 1 do not believe that you
would be able to dispose of more than one-fourth
of the one thousand milliaus worth ot bonds un
der the plan recommended by the lute Convention
of Bankers at Augusta. If that scheme should
be adopted and should fail, as 1 apprehend it
must, there would be no remedy. The downfall
of credit won d be complete aud irrt parable.
There are, in my judgment, but two ways of
escape out of the existing embarrassments ; one
is an ad valorem money rax on all wealth, suffi
cient to redeem the present currency and to pros
vide for the future wants of the Government.—
The.other is to effect these objects by credit and
by transferring to posterity the payment of the
debt that may thus accrue. The thousand million
loan proposed by the Bankers’ Convention ap
proaches in its hardships closely to a cash system.
It calls on every 'man of property to raise bis
share in cash ot the thousand millions—a sum
which is twenty times as much as the entire
banking capital of the country. That would
bear heavily on all but bankers and money lend
ers, and issimply an impossible scheme. If you
were to levy a tax of sixty millions to be paid in
coin or coupons, aud should only half the thous
and millions of bonds be taken, where are the
thirty millions of coin to come from?
Yen may as well discard al once the idea of
forcing investments in that way, and come to the
conclusion that the Government has no - credit,
which is the simple and naked tiuth. The only
remedy, in my opinion, is to call on every man
of wealth for his credit to sustain the credit of
the Government.
There are about four thousand millions of taxa
ble property tn the Confederacy and probably a
thousand millions of money and othe? capital not
included in that estimate. Thirty per cent, on
five thousand millions wouli produce fifteen huu-'
dred millions.
1 propose that the Government fifteen
hundred millions of new guaranteed bonds, wheu
they are disposed of they witu the bonds
already issued, will make the National debt upn
wards of eighteen hundred millions to accomplish
that object.
1 propose that a tax of 30 per cent, on eveyy
man’s wealth be levied, for which the tax payer
shall receive seven per Cent, bonds. Men ot large
money means would at once pay cash for the
bonds. But a targe majority ol property holders
would not have the money to pay. From such
persons I would take, in lieu of money, a simple
note, drawn at five years alter date, without inter
est which, when paid, should entitle the owner
to a Government bond ofequul amount. To that
note I would attach a seven per cent, bond of the
same amount as the note. The note would become
at once an endorsement of the bond, which endorse
ment would be considered better security lhanStite
nuaranties, an would guarantee the ho der its
uavment at the end of five years. These guaran
teed bonds may be held by the Treasurer, and
put on the market, from lime to time, whenever it
would be necessary to raise money, care being
taken to place them in the various markets where
the guarantors may be bebt known. In thia way
you would havd complete control over the cur
rency Besides that, the Government would
greatly strengthen its credit by the general distri
bution and ownership of the bonds, thus silencing
the clamor about repudiation. This scheme would
afford,too,a weans by which banks and other moni
ed institutions could pay out on tbo guaranteed
bonds the targe sumsol TreasuryNotes,which they
have from patriotic motives; taken from tfieir
debtors. Men, too, who have been madly seeking
after tended investments Would betake themae:ves
to thia mode sis investment; lor the guaranty of fi
tend holder is a more deniable investment than
land itself. The only thing, thsn. that remains
to be done is to levy un ad valorem tax of two per
ceut. on all wealt i, which, with a heavy tax on
profits and income, would secure the payment oi
the interest on the national debt.
If the -ehetne of guarantied bonds be adopted,
the busis'ougiit to be properly valued at prices
s/hich were prevalent in 1860. It it fie successful
aud I feel fully confident it will be, it adopted—
the fifteen hundred millions woriii„of bonds will
bring the'Government more money in the aggre
gate than the amount of the bonds. Mon, who
nave realizid large sums of money.by trade and
who can bo easily avoid taxation, would not be
induced to take ungsarantied bonds "by the mere
•‘••ct (hat 6 per cent interest in coin is promised,
ii>s -‘"arantted bonds might be regarded as
a dssirabte' and ■-esiment. H the tatter
meet with ready sale, theGovernu]eut may ttoepv
the scheme of raising the means in that wuy lor
•arrying on the v ar.
Adopt this plan, and everybody would see that
be would be under the necessity of purchasing
bonds or lending his note to the Government.
It is presumed tout there are mowed men enough
to decrease, by paying cash tor the bonds, the
outstanding volume of currency in a lew months
so os to bung prices within reasonable bounds,
and that the Secretary of the Treasury would find
no difficulty in keeping down toe currency with
tbo gaamutoud bonds in his hands und would be
able to control it ad libitum.
The plan 1 advocate has another advantage,
while il does not depreciate the bonds already
issued by putting another class—that of specie
paying bonds—above them,-it makes no distinc
tion between Confederate notes, bank bills, or
coin—a fatal error in ths collection of the last tax
bill. Confederate Surrency should be regarded by
the Government ae good as gold or stay other
money, and, if it be contracted within proper
limitswill be so considered in all business trunsuc*
lions, unless the Government in future tax gather
ings for the sake of small gems, imprudemly sat
beiore the people the idea that any and every
other cursrency is better than the Confederate
currency.
1 was a member of the Bankers’ Convention at
Augusta, and with others ruiqpd my voice against
the scheme which that Convention recommended.
' objected to it on the ground ot its impractica
bility, and did not feel willing forthat body to
recommend a sebeiße which 1 thought would
most probably fail, believing that lailure to suc
ceed it any scheme that may now be undertaken
to restore the finances will lead to the most fatal
consequences.
It it fee to tax lauds and tie
groes, how are tbe owners of those species ot
property to be reached? Without their aid the
war cannot be carried on, and the Bunkers" plan
Will be a failure. I presume you will endeavor
to reach them by an income t x. That mode of
taxatiou’js very uncertain in its operation ; for
many large improvident owners make no income,
except by tbe increase of negro l properly, and
men are so unreliable now, that you may expect
many thrifty men to evade tbe Jaw. This eya
sion cannot be prevented except by assessing the
property of every individual and by regarding
•da income as a certain per centum of his capital.
If the C"’“* uta *i? a W>H permit that mode of taxa
tion, thespian 1 <>“ an t( l ual
footing witp the Bankers' plan ; ibr, ‘t fV’ 1 . t!lin ,
ASdess a man's property for one year, you may as
sess it and call on aim for five years’ income.
But why stickle about the Constitution t It is
the opinion of able lawyers that a tax on cotton
is a direct tax. and that the tax on Government
bonds is unconstitutional. Yet no one has re
sisted that tax, simply because all are taxed equal
ly in that way to support the war. Men may
and will make false returns; but there are few,
if any who will openly resist any that bears
equally on alj the property holders of the coun
try, if it is levied from positive necessity to cu.”."7
on the war. *
“Where there is a will, there w a way,’’ and if
constitutional objections arise you must manage
to overep i e thorn, ft would indeed be a singu
lar chapter in the history of the world, should it
be so written that teu milluma o' people in the
midst ofu revolution and bloody war, had filmed
a Constitution that barred them from raising
means necessary to carry on the. war and gum
their independence.
1 remain with great Respect, truly yours,
Wm. Ghkuu.
Jackson, Miss. Dec. 4—The enemy’s cavalry
crossed the Big Black yesterday tn force, ranging
—a» Uautoo.
tow*. __
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE
OV THK SAVANNAH REPUBLICAN.
■ i ■ i .» -—■. .
Aumy of Trnnkshem, )
Dalton, Ga., Nov. 27, 1863. J
It in only with great difficulty that letters can
be written and forwarded fr<un a retreating ucmy r
Postponing for the present,"therefore, some addi
tional particulars aud observations concerning the
late buttle on Missionary Ridge, I resume tie
thread of my narrative, with the remark that I
have telegraphed you regularly, as occasion seem
ed to require it. It may be that the message huve
not reached 'you in due season, as it is I eported
the wires are down at several places between
Dalton and Atlanta..
Bui Major Tilton, the excellent Quartermaster
of Walker’s division, has just informed me that
he hud orders to put his train in motion ou lire
road to Resucu, and us he has been kind enough
to give me transportation for my blankets aud
valise, 1 must stop short with my letter her?, with
the remark thutihis sudden and unexpected ordvt
is an illustration of the difficulties which beset an
army curonicler who remains with the troops,
und sees aud judges for biusSlf. It is now seven
o’clock und night is upon us; so with a mouthful
of halt' cooked beef, I.suddle my hojse for.the
weary march before us.
Ricsaoa, Gordon Co., Ga., Nov. 28.
Returning to the narutive of events alluded to
above, 1 would take the reader with me to the
close of the buttle of Missionary Ridge, which
was fought on Wednesday, the 25th lust. Gen.
Hardee, who commanded .he right wing, had res
pulsea every attack ot the enemy, hud indicted
heavy loss upon him, and he and his men were
congratulating themsaives upon their complete
and Drilliaut victory, when General H., who hud
passed to his left (the centre of the army,) dis
covered that Reynolds’ brigade, of Hindman’s
division, commanded by Gen. Patton Anderson,
hud given way, and thus allowed the enemy to get
a toothoid upon the mountain. - Having Oeleuted
the foe in his trout, he immediately ordered h.s
iett to form into hue uccross, or al right angles
to the ridge, and drive the intruders from his
Hank. This order, like all others he had given,
was carried out to the letter by bis brave <fom
mand, thus repulsing the enemy in trout and on
his leu tiauk. Had the same skill and energy
been displayed at other points on the line further
to the leit, tne Confederates would not have been
.driven trow Missionary Ridgy. Reynold’s brig
ade is composed ot the 54tu and 63d Virginia
regiments, and the 58th and 60lh North Carolina
troops, who have, always done well before.
And here let -me 'add, ai the risk of becoming
.tedious, that Stevenson’s ,divisioa, composed
wholly of Vicksburg troops, behaved with unsur
passed galiiAitry. These troops are Tennesseeans
Alabamians and Georgians. Gen. Cumming’s
Georgia brigade never fought so well. The tacts
here stated should silence forever the thoughtless
tongues that have been ridiculing and maligning
the herods who fought at Vicksburg.
Alter night set in, the whole army was with
drawn to the east side of the Chickamauga, the
trains having proceeded it the night b .tore. The
ro. ds were in bad condition, and there are but
three bridges over which the troops could retire.
But the enbmy was too oadly crippled, to mike
p_ursuit; only a small detachment of cavalry fol
lowed on the road by Bird’s Mills. At Cbickus
inauga station rations of hard bread and bacon
ware served out to the men from tbe depot, and
the trains sent forward. Some'ot tbe stores were
shipped oft’ by the railroad; the remainder was
destroyed. The army was put in motion by two
o’clock at night on the road to Klrggold, aad
Gen. Bragg and Gen. Hardee left at daylight
next morning The road was bud as it could De,
and but for .he friendly light of tile moon on
that and the preceding night, the army could._not
have effected its escape.
* Thursday, the 26th. After a fatiguing march,
the army with its long trams arrived al Kiug
gold during the afternoon and night. The ene
my had thrown lor ward a mixed column of
mounted infantry, artillery and cavalry, which
was harassing our rear guard, under command
of Gen. Gist, considerably. At one time, Gtn.
Bragg ordered the wagons towards the reat-to
be moved out of the road and parked, with a
view, it is said, of having them burnt rather
than let them fall into the hands of our enemies.
Gen. Gist was repeatedly pressed back against
the wugons, Ijuthe managed finally, with the aid
of h s brave command, (Walker’s division) to
save them all. At one time, the enemy got in
between him and the main column, but he look a
neighborhood road and thns escaped destruction.
Unfortunately, Ferguson’s battery of four guns,
belonging to Walker's division, was captured.
Tue horses were in very bad condition, and uu«
able to keep np’ with the column ; hence the
.disaster. Tue greater part of the men aud horses
escaped. You will be astonished to hear that
the horses in tbe artillery service, the most inis
portant in the whole army, are the most neglected
—a fact, however, which Quartermaster's, and
even artillerisis, seem incapable of comprehends
ing. The loss of the battery occurred soon after
dark and not far from Ringgold. I’he trams
were brought outAhree miles this side of Iltnga.
gold and the teams fed, while the army occupied
the pass just outside the town. Three companies
of the Ipth South Carolina, acting as a special
guard to Ferguson’s battery, were dispersed and
many of the tnen taken prisoners.
Nov. 27.—The trains were now put in front aud
directed to take a leit hand road to Dalton, pas
sing near Catoosa Springs. They moved at mid
night—the troops at daylight following the di
rection pf the railroad by Tunnel so as to
coyer the trains. Roads very bad fpr some miles;
the teams overworked, and suffering for forage
aud rest 1 saw a mule lie down wuen the bars
ness was removed and go as soundly to sleep in
two minutes as an infant, ana that while Hun
dreds of wagons and thousands of men were
marching by within a few paces of where it rested.
Cleburne whs intrusted with the command of
the rear to day, Walker’s division having
been The Federal pursuing poiumb,
numbering, it ig pstipiated, about 10,000 men of
all arms, assaulted him before he reached Tunnel
HUI.
This column consisted of picked troops who
moved tapidly and fought gallantly; but Cleburne
succeeded in restraining them whenever he enx
countered them. But they were becoming quite
troublesome; so he ambuscaded them by Conceal
ing his forces, including bin artillery, until tbe
enemy got within a few paces of his gnus, Vneu
they poured grape and canister into them with
tbe most destructive effect. The road was filled
with their dead and wounded. Our infantry then
sprung forward from their covert on either, side
of the road, and literally mowed them down by
their well directed shot. The eneihy fled in con*
fusion, leaving 2t,0 prisoners and three flags (the
latter taken by the artillerists,) in our binds, and
from 1,000 to l.fiOO killed and wounded. The
Federate kept at a respectfol distance from Pat
C eburne after that, and were five hours marching
one mile on our track.
A prisoner taken near Ringgold reports that
OstertuMis, of Sherman’s corps, is in command of
the pursuing column. He says that Osterhaus
crossed the Chickamauga on a hastily constructed
bridge, and that Grunt was building a wide, subs
stantial military bridge at Red House ford, by
which to cross over his whole army, and that he
intended to 'lake a clean sweep of the Confede
rates. This last achievement, the beaten hero of
Shiloh will find more 'difficult than he imagines.
The trains reached Dalton in the afternoon, and
were parked and the teams fed. The troops arrived
soon thereafter and went into camps. It was just
at this point where my frugal meal was being
prepared, and the first paragraph of this rifmbhug
letter was being indited, that an order came tor
the trains to move on to Reoapa, The roads to
this place are pretty good, though almost impasa
sable in places. •
Sever® wagons were lost and a good many
jffules killed on the way, not by the enemy, but
by the great bulea ci* guild and Quagmires in the
road. 1 saw no pioneer corps with the trains', the
teamsters were left to take care of . the wagons as
best they could. lam not certain that it' J would
uui be au eventual benefit if we should some day
lose a train ; perhaps, tbe authontie would then
tee tbe necessity, recognized in all other countries,
of organizing an efficient corps of engineers, ins
eluding pioneers, bridge aud boat builders, &C.
It commenced to rain at 11 o’clock, and by cay
it was pouring down in torrents. The roads,
already heavy enough, now became indescribably
bad. it was a horrid night. But a poor woman,
tbe jnptber of ten children, her husband and
oldest son IS !’’? *WOy, gave me shelter at one
o’clock, a fire to dry mysen L'Jt and a bed to rest
upon, not forgetting a bundle of fodder for my
horse. A d-.*en others, attracted by the cheering
light seen through fi;<r window, applied iof fo 1 -
mittance, and room was found for all ip that hufi;.
bie cabin. God bless that good woman and
sbeild her nusbaud and sou hum the dangers of
tbe battle field I The light in her window was
nofhid under a bushel. Alas! how the poor do
sb by their-cbarjties I
i. !“ ”‘ >w three, o'clock, and the army has not
yet come up. The '*in WfH. probably stop the
pursuit of the enemy, at least ioi‘ !!.“* urvwnt, uti.
lees bis well orgaii>z a d p’oneer corps enuvlc
him to .keep »!• up. liar future line w.ll proba
bly rest on Uu Coos, and .is eastern iributas
ries.
Butin conclusiont The battle of Missionary
Ridge was a great misfortune, not on account of
the loss of men, which w-s inconsiderable, nor
the loss of territory, which ia far more serious;
but chiefly ou account of the loss of the moiai
strength and confidence of Hie army and tbe
country. Let us not, then, add toour calamities
by beginning a war of abuse and condemnation
the Chief of the beaten army or the
of the government. Let us lather strive tores
animate ilw hopes of the people and the army,
biing forward all our Btiength,_ und pray that
Hwtven wilf yet give us the final victory.
In n few days I shall prepare a review of the
whole campaign in Northern Georgia, beginning
with the evacuation of Chattanooga in Beptem ■
ber, and closing with the present retreat; and
while I ahull not gloss over the errors of any one,
1 shall be able to show that General Bragg has
bad a most difficult task to perform—that tie be
haved with unsurpassed courage on the field, and
that if he has also been devoted to the cause.
’ F. W. A.
THE MMJTHKHN CLCB IN LIVERPOOL,
.On the 10th ult. a magnificent banquet, hays
the Liverpool Post, was given by the Southern
Club in that city to a large number of conspicuv
ous gentlemen, among whom were Mr. Beres
ford Hope, M.' P., and Mr. Spence.- It is des
scribed us an elegant affair. The President of
the Club .is Victor I’ou‘x. After the first toasts
to the Queen and members of the Royal family
the mam business of the evening began. Our
readers will be interested in the extracts which
we give below ;
Mr. Beresloid Hope said : 1 am not sentimen
tal. I uin going to give you a feast, not sedti*
ment. [Laughter.] Gentlemen, there is such a
thing as ancient history, and ancient history in
volves records of the Medes, Assyrians, und the
United Blates. [Laughter].
Now, on the leuvea of this ancient history there
was a thing used to come over the ocean, waited
by the zephyrs ou the leaves of the Knickerbocker
aud other journals winch was, that we und the
people on the other Bide bt the ocean were one
and the same people, speaking.the same language,
haviog the same literature, the same traditions,
having the saute Shukespeares, the same Newtons,
the P.tts, und the Washingtons, all of whom
were iell to be the common property of the Eng<.
iishnspeuking people. That thought has deeply
penetrated me ; aud when I can see a man born
in any of the four quarters of the globe whefe
the E iglish language is spoken—where the Eng
lish petigree can be meed—where English iustia
muons reign—when I see such a man as that
Slana out beyond his fellows, I suy, “God speed
our brother and if I can see a man who lives
u so many lines of wisdom—great in many signs
of greatness—great as a eoldier ; too modest to
thrust his greatness forward—great in the coun*
ta debate—great wuh his pen—great*
'est ol all with that calm and supreme wisdom,
th at sublime c intempt ter passing popularity
[cheers] on which greatness depends—which
the hither of the country must put on if he means
to rear his progeny to lasting life—when I see
such a man—when I know such a man is born of
an English race—when 1 see that such a man
speaksan English language—when Isee the sen
timent to which he gives expression, I guy 1 huil
such a man, if such a man there be living on the
face of this earth. | Cheers, j
Aud I say all Englishmen here must hail him
loo; but speaking in a mixed assembly of our
one-eommon people, who are somehow politically
divided into two nations—and I believe that that
man is, as England is, only a fellow-citizen ol
our gteut Anglo-Saxon race, the representative ot
supreme authority—the idea of law aud order, ot
Government, and the centre ot Confederate loyal
ly, I suy, then, that that man is the one whom
we e'.uid all receive with all the love and honor
und respect. I therefore, without further pre
lude, give you the health of one whom, in this
room, we ail recognize; [cheers] one whom we
hope, ere uyuiy months u re over, will exchange
tnos-r active acts of authority and cf diplomacy
which heads ot great States must exchange with
each other. [Cheers.] 1 give you ••The health ot
His Excellency, the President of the Confederate
States of America.” [Loud cheering.]
The toast was drank amid every demonstration
of enthusiasm.
Then followed a toast to the memory of Stone-*
wall Jackson, which was otferW by the President
ot the Club, accompanied bya brief and touching
speech. It was drunk “standing und m solemn
silence.”
The next toast was to the “Army and Navy of
the United Nations of the Southern States and
Great - Britain.” This was responded to for ’.he
army by Cupt. Bullock.
The Chairman proposed “The health of the
guest of the evening, Mr. Beresford Hope,” [loud
cheers,] in whose praise too much could .not be
said for the interest he bad taken in theCoulede*
rate cause when it was not smiled upon by niher
men.
Mr. Beresford Hope, in responding, Baid he
took up the causa ot tbv Confederate Staler be
cause he found among other things,a good, devo
tional, God .tearing, honest people, both meu and
women, while in the North fie saw greed, avarice,
ambition aud unprincipled lust ot empire. (Great
cheering.] He bad made fats choice, and by his
election he would stand. [ Renewed cheering ]
The ca - asß had .often seemeu'a losing one, but fie
had never lest heart, aud be might prophesy, as
tar as mau could be allowed to prophesy, he
would venture to say Qiat the cause of the Boiitb
would be crowned with a glorious success.
(Renewed cheering.]
The Chairman gave "The health of Ute heroes—
the brave defenders of the city of Charleston."
The toast was drunk amid rapturous applause.
- Mr. i’rioieau, of Caarioston, responded, in a fers
vent aml.putriotic speech, in the course of which
he declared that it might be in t!;e designs of Pros
videuee that the loot of the Yankete should pollute
the ci'y ot Chaiiaston; but tbit if it did, it was
withm bis knowledge that never—never —never
would the oiiy yield until every man in it laid
ciowu his IHe blood in the ditch, and every woman
wus driven, from the place at the point of the
bayonet. (Tremendous cheering./
THE SIEGE OF UfIAItLESTON.
The enemy, says the Courier of the 4;h, be
tween three and four o'clock on Thursday morn
ing, opened fire from three one hundred pounder
Parrott guns, and threw thirty-two shells in the
city. Three shells e-anie together, showing that
the guns wv>te tired Bltiluitaueously. Two of the
tiuexploded shells were picked up and the charges
draw’u, and they were found to contain about a
pound aud a half of powder. No Greek fire has
been discovered in any of the missiles lately fired
Our batteries on James* Island agaiu opened eta
festively upon the enemy during the shelling of
the city. The damage in the city was trifling.—
Fortunately no person was injured. ,
la the afternoon the enemy again ipened on
James’ island, eliciting a spirited reply irom our
batteries. The firing was continued until
when both sides ceased. No casualties were re
ported.
The night bombardment of Sumter has been
discontinued altogether. There was uo firing on
the fort 'Wednesday night.
Eleven rifled shots were tired Thursday, cf
winch two missed, aud twenty-seven shots from
the Coin binds ol which one missed. The tact
that the enemy are th mg uponCfumter principally
with Columbiads, after having pounded at it in
vain with two add three hundred pounder Parrptis
an 1 rifled shots, vfould almost make it appear
that be is ready-to give up ine job of taking the
foil, and acknowledge his prodigious efforts a ton
tai failure.
Tao diet has taken no part in the bombardment
for several days, the Irousidua and four monitors
remaining still at their usual anchorage ground.
Several of our batteries were engaged in practic
ing Thursday afternoon, aud did some erect lent
shooting-
, James Fowler, Company fl, 27th S. C t
V., was slightly wounded in the head, at For
Sumter, Wednesday, by a fragment of shell.
FROM MISSISSIPPI.
From.a private letter, dated Port Gibson, Miss.,
received iu this city, we learn the particulars ot
an outrage committed by a party of armed ne
groes, aud, for a wonder, the prompt interference
ot the Yank-.es and punishment or the black of
fenders.
A party of eight or ten negroes, mqun ed and
armed, dashed up to the residence of Mr. James
Douglas, and cried out, “Halt!” to two or three
gentlemen standing on the gallery, at tbe same
time leveling their guns at them. Tbe spokesman
thou exclaimed: “We have been sent by Gen.
Grant to bring Jim Douglas to Vicksburg, dead
or alive.’’ The gentlemen thus approached had
no arms abcut their*persons, nor in .the bouse,
and therefore controlled themselves. The negroes,
tffter Uadipg they were not frighted to death, be-
a uU!? subdued.
Joined by nineteen otbpr ijegroea, who came by
walking le.surely up, they ransacked the house
and insulted the ladies; tbe gentlemen spoken of
being Kept standing on the gallery, a equad of thy
black Yankees pointing their guns at them, and
threatening to shoot them dead if they moved.
After awhile, a messenger, secretly dispatched to
a Yankee gunboat, lying not far distant, returned
~ ; <h a company ot Yankee soldiers, who pursued
and capture* Begfoes »ftV killing one. The
Yankees ordered Mr, Dou^ 1 * 3 to S9lt?ot out four
tout bad been the most insolent and forward iu
the commission of the above outrage, and they
were to be hanged. The others were severely
punished.
The letter further gays squads of Yankees are
perambulating the country whenever they can
with safety to themselves, and are gathering in
all tbe cotton they oau. Some of the planters—
we say it to their u ready disposi
tion ty sell to thegi'ar JScA. Jfawiw-
FROM THK UNITED STATES
From Northern papers of the 25tb, 26th und
27th ult, we glean the following;
FROM CHATTANOOGA.
The following official dispatches have been re
ceived at the‘War Department;
Chattanooga, Nov. 24. 12 P. M_—Yesterday,
at halt past 12 o’clock, General Granger’s and
Palmer’s corps, supported by General Howard’s,
were advanced directly in front of our fortifica
tions, drove in the enemy’s pickets, and carried
bis line ot rifie pits between Chattanooga and
Orlen’s Creek. We captured nine commissioned
officers and about one hundred enlisted mtn.
Our loss was about one hundred and eleven men.
To-day, Get. rul Hooker, in command ot Geaa
ry’s division, ot (he twelith corps, and two bri
gades of the fourteenth corps, carried the north
slope ot Ijcokout Mouutaiu, with small loss on
our side, and u loss to the enemy of five or six
hundred prisoners. The killed.and wounded are
not reported.
There nas been continuous fighting Irorn 12
o’clock until after nightlull, but our troops have
gallantly repulsed every attempt of the enemy to
retake the position.
Gen. kihormau crossed the Tennessee River be
fore daylight this morning, at the mouth of South
Chioamauga, with three divisions of the Ffteenth
Corps, one uivision of the Fourteenth Corps, and
earned the northern extremity of Missionary
Ridge. Our success bo fur life besn com plate, and
the behavior ot our troops admirable.
(Signed) Gkouce H. Tuyuus,
Major General
Chattanooga. N< v. 25, 6, P. M—The fight to»
day has progressed tavorably. General Sherman
carried tne end of Missionary Ridge, und his right
is now at the Tunnel and his left at Chics umauga
Creek. The troops from Lookout Valley carried
the point of the mountain, aud now hold the east
ern slope, and the point high up. 1 cuuuot yet
tell the amount of casualties, but our loss is not
heavy. Geu. Hooker reports two thousand prise
oners taken, besides which a small number have
fallen into our hands, from Missionary Ridge.
(Signed) U.S. Grant, Maj jr General.
Chattanooga, Nov. 25. —Bragg evacuated the
summit of Lookout Mountain last night, and our
troops occupy it. The enemy, however, still hold
the rille pita on the base of Missionary ridge.
THE LATEST. ,
Further despatches from Thomas and Grant
confirm their victory at Lookout Mountain, claim
forty pieces of cannon, but'still mention only
.two thousand prisoners. Press despatcuea speak
of six thousand prisoners; they also say that
the Goverumeut at Washington hears of three
thousand, but the Generals claim only two thou
sand. 'The Washington correspondents declare
that the Government has issued peremptory
orders to Grunt to "pursue Bragg jtnd crush him,
or compel a surrender.”
Chattanooga, Nov. 25—7.14 P. M.
To Major General Halleck, General-in-Chief:
Although the battle lasted trom early dawn till
dark this evening, 1 believe I am not premature
in announcing a complete victory .over- Bragg .
Liookout Mountain top, ail the rifle pita in Chat
tanooga Valley, and Missionary Ridge entire,
have Been curried and are now held’by us.
|Signed] U. 8. Grant,
Major General.
Washington, No". 25. Ofii-ial information,
received irom G,en. Burmsido down to the 23d,
iudaees the belief that he ib safe. H ; will be
-supplied und reinforce ■.
Bragg’a force is on the retreat, and our forces
were pursuing this morning.
ChattanOoga, Nov. 25 —Midnight.
To Major General Halleck, General in Chief:
The operations of I' -day have been more suc
cessful than yesterday. We carried Missionary
Ridge Irom neai* Rossville to tho railroad tunnel,
With a comparatively small loss < n our side, cul -
turing about forty pieces >f artillery, a large
quantity of small'urrns, camp and garrison
equipage, besides the arms in the hands of pris
oners [
We captured two thousand prisoners, of whom
two hundred were officers of all grades Irom Col
one s down.
We will pursue the enemy in the morning. The
conduct of the officers aud troops was everything
that could be expected.
Missionary Ridge was carried simultaneously
at six different points.
(Signed) Gboros H. Thomas,
. Major General.
EXCHANGE OF PKIfION’ERS.'
It is of course satisfactory to us to find thai in
the dispute about the cartel of exchange, the
Confederacy is admitted to be in iSiTrigUt eveu
by Yankee newspapers, and some, too, (like the’
Boston Advertiser,) which support every measure
of Lincoln’s administration. But it signifies lits
tie to prove that our enemy is in the wrong. He
is always in the wrong—fiom the beginning tins
til now, in the first inception and iu every detail
oi bis infamous war. Biit right or wrong, the
Yankees trill deal with cartels, constitutions
promises, oaths—precisely as may suit his inte
rests at the moment. The New York World of
27th has th’s history of the affair:
EXCHANGE OF PRISON'ERS -
Oii the22d ot July 1862, a cartel was signed by
both jtederul and-Co-ntederate iiuthoriiies, to be
of binding obligations during the continuance of
the war—it matters not winch party may have
an excess ot prisoners, the great principle in
volved being;
1. An equilt ble exchange of prisoners.
2. That all prisoners are to be exchanged, or
paroled, iu ten days trom t|ie June of their cap
ture, it it be practicable to transfer them-to their
own lines iu that time; jf not, as soon thereafter
as practicable-
<•3. No officer is ta bo considered as exchanged,
and absolved trom bis parole, until his equiva
lent Inrs actually leached the ime of his friends.
‘4. In case any misunderstanding shall arise
iu regard to any clause, or stipulation, it ra mu
tually agreed that such misunderstanding shall
not interrupt the release oi prisoners orr parole
as herein piovided."
The meumog anq object of this cattel are very
clear, and the laws of civilized warfare are tqual
•ly clear. Shortly alter this cartel was siguqd,
the Confederate author-itms released an exce-jq of
several thousand of prisoners,
Thu very next day, General Pope issued a Gen
eral GrderNo.il, req.diing the officers oi his
army bolding independent commands, to arrest
all disloyal male citizens within their lines, to be
sent South, unless those citizens took the oath ot
allegiance and found security for Its observance
und, by General Order No. 5 directed Lite army to
subsist upon the country. Neither dT these or
ders is justitied by the rules us war, as General
Halleck lays them down, or as General Scott he
lustruted them in Mexico.
General Hallock, the 13th of August, 1863. wrote
to Gcueial Lee that the Government of the United
States has never authorized any extortion of oaths
ot allegiance, aud has forbidden to be
restored to tending to that end.
Therefore, General Pope iu Virginia, Butler in
New Orleans, and every general everywhere has
either violated with impunity the orders of the
Government, or Gen. Halleck wrote to Gon. Lee
u deliberate untruth.
The Con‘ederate.authoritiaß, on the 31st of July
have notice that they would look upon Gen. Popo
and his officers as public enemies, aud, while
claiming that tacts would justify them in
refusing ta execute the cartel, stq ed that the
mere semblance of breaking u promt o preven’e-d
u resort to that extremity. When Pope h 0
prived of command the orders retail - ; 3 so fey o /
tic irs were rescinded. .
Tbe Evening Post says tb A . the rebels misused
the cartel by paroling sick and dying, and by
sending out gvefnias to capture forces Hiey could
not carry gwiy; and that, therefore, our authori
ties varied it by an order or orders which destroy
er, that advantage.
How, under the cartel, a parole could be taken
from a dying man, it is difficult to conceive, or
why wo could not take such pimjies us well is
equally difficult to see. clow we could change
the cartel upon a suggestion of disadvantage
without the consent of luo enemy, is to our no
tions of fair dealing, inooaceiruble.
The Boston Advertiser, an earnest and able ad
ministration paper, in commeatteg upon the ex
change of prisoners imbroglio, is lotted to con
fess that so far as the controversy goes the rebels
have the best of it. The advertiser says,
Tbe multitude of words has darkened counsel
hopelessly, and, from a reading of the whole, we
can shy that pnq thing is clear—that m such a
uiscussion as ihik, General Meredith is no match
for Mr. Ould. tyere not the latter weighed
down with the odium of a causs which bud its
birth aud existence in fraud, it would be strange
if his adroit pleading did not leave the impres
sion that the best of the argument is probably on
his side.
Upon a full discussion of the whole dispute, the
Advertiser comes to the sensible conclusion that
the Government cannot do better tiiau adopt
Gold’s propotjltmu, ‘'that all officers and men, on
both sides, be rel lased, in conformity with’the
provisions of the cartel, the excess du one side or
tbe other to be ou parole.”
Pbiob or Liquor.—The following are tbe quota
tions of liquor at the blockade sale at Wilmington
a few days ago -. whiskey par gallon, brandji
f 170 to <2OO per case, claret SB2 50, champagne
Sfip, SjsQich whiskey $%lO.
(From the 1 aily Savannah Morning News.]
AWAKENED IN HEAVEN-
|lt is relu ed that during a furious bombard
ment of our batteries on Morris Island, last sum
mer, a soldier, overcome by fatigue, ana being
off duty, lay down and slept. The shells were
bursting all around, a piece of shell strpek him,
and he never aw ke on earth.]
Where loudest roared .the cannon,
The gallant st.dier lay,
Oh, nobly had he borne him
Through the battle’s brat that day I
But uow.jvith calm unclouded brow,
He sleeps amid the shell,
That all around his resting place,
In perfect showers fell.
He sleeps—perchance he dreams of home,
Perhaps once more He feels
His mother’s kies upon his brow.
While at her side he kneels.
Once more his father blesses him,
As m the by»goue years,
Before him smiled the future then,
All free from blighting ouroa.
Again he is a liapi y boy, 1
With spirit light and gay,
No clouds obscure bis sup it v sky,*
Nor thorns grow in bis way. ,
He r ives o’er meadow, bill and glen,
He gathers biigbt-hued Howers, _
And there, in childhood’s happy sleep.
He rests mid leafy bowers.
’ Yes, there air-id the battle field,
Where death stalks ever near,
He sleeps and dreams of home ufar,
- And all bis loved ones there; .
Bat while the soldier's dreaming thoughts,
To home aud friends aie given,
A shell bursts o’er his noble brow —
The soldier wakes in Heuveul
O, what awakening I never more,
To list the bugle's call,
Or watch Wlln almost buretiug heart,
Soun much loved comrade tall;
No bitter tears will e’er be shed.
No sad farewell be given,
For ungels bright conveyed him there.
And waked him first in Heaven!
Baur.
GOV. MILTON’S MESSAGE.
The Tullahaesee Journal contains the message
ot Gov. Milton to the Legislative. He recommends
that every man aud boy capable ot bearing arms,
not already in the military service of the Gon fed e«
late States, or liable to consoription therein
embracing, those who have substitutes in tne
Confederate service, those who have resided in
the State five days, those who are or may be in it
one hour lor the purpose of bpeoulation, and not
excluding those who may claim to be aliens—
should be organized as State Troops, armed and
oecabionally drilled, but nut subject to be ordered
into Confederate service, nor trocu their ordinary
pursuits, except to repel invasions ami to main
tain suitable police regulations for the protection
of th j lives and property of the citizens generally
and especially of the Itves and property of the
families of those who are absent m the military
service <id the Conlederate States.
Referring to the subject of fisheries be says:
Upon equitable and reciprocal terms, Florida
should tpure no exertiop to .'urnisli tbs means of
subsistence to our armies and to the people of the
Confederate States generally. Almighty God in
his infinite wisdom bus blessed the patriotism
and industry of our peopW with abundant crops
of corn, potatoes and sugui - cane, und with an
ample supply of bucoa, pork und beef. . Our
coast bai been visited by vast numbers of fish,
unprecedented tn the history of the State; and
upon the waters adjacent thereto, u vast amo>ui
of salt has heed manufaitured, while frotr!. other
putts of the Couiederacy, trow our arwias, and
from fellow c tizjus in peaceful purjeits, we hear
of a scarcity of food. Why sbo’u’td not suitable
efforts be-made to provide fish ta remedy any
want of supplies of meat?
Prompt efforts on the purt of the 8 ates and of
the Confederate Government would secure a large
quautity ol fish t j hid in the support oi citizens
aud soldiers, aid would prepare the way for tu«
tore enbsistenc?, should a future scarcity of pro.,
visions prevail. To attain so desirable uu object,
compumes now scattered throughout the State
might be so disposed as effectually to guard and
defend the fisheries that may be established, 1
recommend this subject to your serious conside
ration, that you may adopt suitable measure rel
ative to it.
Gov. M. recommends the suppression of distil
leries; the prev-niton, by heavy penalties, of
blockade running; the raising ot breadsiufl's, in.«
stead of cotton, Ac.
Write tj the Prisoners.—Our surgeona, late
ly released from Johnson Islam] amt other Yan
kee dungeons, describe the arrival of mails cen>>
taining lettere from home lor the prisoners as af
fecting in the extreme. The eager anxiety of all,
until the mails ure opened, the intense joy of
those who get and the deep dejection of those
who de not get letters cannot be told in words.
We can well understand that, to the poor fellows
cooped up tor weary months in prison, the
“sounds trom home" which letters bring,
hailed with a delight beyoud the power ot' lanx
guage to convey. And, afteix weeks of longing
and waiting, to see others receiving letters while
they receive none, must be bitter indeed, tor it
seems to indicate neglect ut a tiiv,e of all others
when kindness and attention should know- no re.
taxation or cessation. A letter is a great jey to
a prisoner, it costs little to the writer, und uo oe%
caeiou of sending one should ever be permitted
to pass. So far as our experience geos, the Yan
kees huve been very tuuhtul in conveying lettere
both to and trom prisoners. We trust that every
one who turn a-relative or friend in prison, and
can wield a pen, will tfvutl himself of the oppor
tunity afforded by the ttags of truce, and that
hereafter us few us possible of the poor fellows
will be disappointed when the mails trom the
South are opened.— Kick. Wkiy.
the A X T r T d°u;-It T 7
upon and 688 “ v, B ,lttnt e -V e k®P‘
upon and tn6 [ scrutiny exercised at the pusspoit
7. V' 5 ! thut mun y of “hen residents in the
ventederajy, in view of the probability that those
within the conscript age will be token into the
army, will endeavor to leave the country, carry*
ing with tlium-the wealth amow.ed here and such
information as they may choose to impart to tire
enemy. Since those remarks were made we
have bee.n sorry to learn that there are some
among us who are “native and to the manor
born,’’ who intern! to join in this exodus. These
are men within the conscript age, who are uow
represented in the army by substitutes, und who
apprehending (as we hope justly) the repeal oT
tho substitute clause iu the conscript taw at the
next session ot Congress, design to go to foreign
partjs and thus escupe the army.
We call the attention u the Confederate aua
thorities to these tacts. Blockade running h.is
doue harm enough to the country already“n ail
oouscience, and if it is now made the med am tor
escaping military service, the ' o f vel¥
many able bodied men will be lo xi to the countrv
1-it the authorities then be ;, a tfie quivive lnd
put ustopto th e e grese or lheße
patriots.— Petertbii> y lt K
Lonor T j ths Bhave.—We take pleasure in
tW-isferriog the following order from the Charles
ton papers, iu which it is published officially :
Headquastkrs, i
Dept, of 8. 0., Ga. and Fla., (
Charleston, 8. C„ Nov. 29, 1363. j
[General Orders, No, 120.]
Tbe Commanding General is pleased to com
mend to tbe emulation ot their fellow soldiers
tbe conspicuous bravery or privates James Tuo
wro D ‘L C '??- f ° ster . Company f), and Corporals
• C. Buck bolster and A. J. Bluett, Company B
‘A 7lh J Uu ‘ Uttrd “•> tte «imenl, 8. C. Voluuteers at
iforl r»uinter, on the morning of the 27th iaat *
The flag of that work bavmg been shot awav
private 1 upper in bw voluntary effort to replace
it, necessarily remained exposed on tbe parapet to
a heavy tire of the enemy until, with his gallant
comrades, who came to b ls aid, he was able to dud
a suitable piece ot timber, eplice it to tbe sL.il'
stump, and replant the flag, after it had been
again shot from their hands. Garrisoned by such
men, bort humter may be crumbled into the sea
under the instinted ordnance resources of the ene
my, but the memory of its unblenching defence
will reflect imperishable honor ou Southers tnauv
hood, and should inspire all Southern men with
an inextinguishable resolution tw accept it as a
symbol of their late, rather than to live*^they and •
task mas ters? UV * Cb ' ldren ’ 08 lho Berfa Abolition
By command of Gen. Beauregard,
Thomas Jobdan, Chief of Staff.
'UENEHAL BRAGG,
This distinguished officer, Says the Atlanta In
telligencer, of tbe Ab, arrived here yesterday
morning in a special pur from Dalton, aud utter
remaining for about half an hour, took bis de
parture for Newnan, whore bls ffitpily resides-
We tender the gallant veteran a hearty welcome
to Georgia, and trust that be may live to enjoy
the honors and laurels be libs so nobly won dur
i 1 , l S wu,r » a nd which impartial history will
| award to him, in the highest and fullest manner
RPSsible,