Newspaper Page Text
I m/j/T »i I ’ AU .!»•%! -t »> l' I'IUAK
** •> tit U- *>- CO-D iLAURfeMS '
xCt. u.NO O B»IO*.
Acrs, so , oitioiAA ri ui> rut n,c s E of repke
fcf,.VJ A 1 i \ £<}.
Jjiut renoiuiitii in regard to the cotton
Bureau iu the tiaas-Mississippi Department.
Joint resoiulious ior the relief ot postmas
ter* in certain cases.
Joint resolution tor tbe relief of Alex. F.
Kinney, (Jonie leiate States Depositary, at
Staunton, Va.
An act to provide for the BeUlfciu&nt of cer
tain matteu of account growing out of pur
chares oi property, as ai Igetd by the pure tow
ers, tor the use of the government, Oy Fayue
& Vo., in the totato of Texas.
An act to amend the act of Feb. 7, 1863, so
as to allow . coiumuation to soldiers tot the
war, who have received no turiough.
An act authorizing the promotion of officers
and privates ior disunguislied valor and ski(l
or for peculiar competency and general merit.
An act to secure to sick and wouuded offi
t ers the same rights and privileges, iu obtaiu
taiuing leaves ol absence, as are now provider?
l>y law for soldiers obtaining furloughs. *
Au act authorizing hospital accommodation,
ior treatment, including subsistence, to cei
tain officers and goidiers resigned, retired or
discharged.
An act authorizing the Secretary of the Treas
ury to borrow specie, to be applied to the re
deruptiou and reduction oi the currency.
Au act to change the mode of lining vacan
cies among conimii,sinned officers oi compa
nies, battalions and regiments.
An act to authorize the appointment of cer
tain lax officers ior the tram- Miseueippi de
partment.
Au act providing for the auditing and pay
ment ol properly authenticated claims.
Au act providing ior the auditing and pay
ment ot properly authenticated claims against
tbe cotton Bureau iu the trans-Mibaissippi de
partment.
Au act to lay additional taxes for the year
1303, tor the support of the Government.
Au act for tfle relief oi bonded agricultur
ists in certain cases.
Au act making additional appropriations fJi
the support ol the government of the Confed
erate btates ol America, from January 1 to
June 3U, 1805.
Au act to amend an actentitled an act to es
tablish and organize two bureaux in connection
with the agency of tiro treasury, &c., and to
provide for the more efficient organization of
the agency of the treasury ior the trans-Miss
issippi department,
An'act tor the relief of tux payers in cer
ium cases.
An act to provide for paying in cotton the
anuities of the Seminoie, Creek, Choctaw and
Chickasaw nations of Indians
Au act to authorize the Bn sident to appoint
commissioners to take nroot us to expenditures
made by the State of Tennessee ms ihe bene
fit of the Confederacy p.eviy us to the transfer
of her troops to the Coulederato states Gov
ernment.
Au act to amend and extend the provisions
of au act entitled aa act liXing thu salaries of
eertaiu civil officers in the trans-Mississippi De
partment, approyed February 18ih, 1865,
An act to make rules concerning captures on
land.
An act further to amend an act to provide
an Invalid corps,' approved February 17th,
18(54, to aides de camp whose Commission by
the death of their Generals, and officers who.
at the reorganization of the army declined
re-election on account of disability.
An act to establish certain post routes there
in named.
An act to amend the acts to regulate the
assessment and col lection of taxes in kind.
An act to construe and declare more expli
citly the meaning of an act to increase the
compensation of the heads o! tlft several Ex
ecutive Departments, and of the Assistant
Secretary of War and or tW Treasury and
other officeis therein nameo, approved Juno
14th, 18(54.
An act regulating the compensation of gen
eral officers, clerks md employees iu the.city
of Petersburg.
Au act making an appropriation for the
construction and repair or railroads for milita
ry purposes for the year 1865,
An act makingan appropriation to supply
a deficiency in the War Department during
the fisoal period ending-December 18, 1864.
An act to increase the compensation of the
tax collectors and assessors in the cities of
Richmond and I’eteftburg.
An act to authorize the furnishing of bag
ging and rope for the packing of the tithe
cotton.
An act to prevent improper communication
of intelligence to the enemy.
An act to authorize the settlement of the
claims of thetState of North Carolina, for ex
penses incurred iu executing the acts of Con
gress, ‘ to further provide for the public de
fence,” and “to organize 1 orces to serve dur
ing the war.”
Joint resolution expressing the sense of
Congress on the subject of the late Peace Com*
mission.
Joint resolution respecting a census,' (de
claring it impracticable to take a census.)
An aot making au additional appropriation
for the redemption of a temporary ioan, inoth
in the year 1861, of sundry banksnn the con
federate States, to supply funds to the
ry.
Au act to authorize the Postmaster Gener
al to purchase United 'Stales postage stamps
for certain purposes.
Joint resolution for the relief of Stephen
B. Marshall, Jr., tax collector of l’utuam coun
ty, Georgia.
Joint resolution for the relief of Willi .in C.
Hagan.
Ah act i8 relation to the impressment of
slaves. (Allowing tiie Secretary War |p
suspend impressments, when, iu his opinion, u
will lead to escape of large numbers of slaves.)
Au act requiring suit to be h; ought against
persons connected with the cotton bun au and
•-cotton office iu the trans-Mis;issippi Depart
ment.
Au act to amend an act providing for the
establishment and payment of claims fora
•ertain description ot property, taken or in
formally impressed for the use of the army.
Act for the relief ot the Exchange L ank of
Virginia at Norfolk. _
Act to amend the act entitled an act to di
minish the number of exempt ions aiul 6 tails.
Act to establish certain p.st loutes herein
named.
House resolution relative to the death of
Hon. Simpson H. Morgan, «..ue of its me iibers,
from the state of Texas.
Concurrent resolution relative to (he assign
ment of General Joseph E. Johnston to the
command of the a of n-unessee.
Joint resolution ot thanks to General X. I>.
Forrest and the officers and men of his com
mand.
Joint resolution construing the act of Jan
uary 80, 1864, increas eg she compensation
of certain officers and employees ot ihe Gov
ernment. .
Joint resolution of thanks to Brig Gen.
John 8. R grains and the c-ffi r .s ana men un
der his command tor rin-ir \ v C v--r the
.oma . iJ.y of Oe-
Act to require noa-conmcloned officers
•od privates, neid as- of war Flbe
P*«d upon their individual , . f u'--' sun
ported by oath. fcU P'
Joint resolution tor the . .
Mechanics Institute. ' oi lli "
Joint, resolution of tbsn--- x. .. ...
and men of the 9th, 11 iV .-!- lV , u ’° ofil?era
vOf Virginia infantry. ' 0i ' 1: umiont.-;
Joint resolution tor the relief ol l,
Biown. 01 Ja£ aes L.
jfent resolution for the relic* of the i
representatives of John R. Caidwvil. gal
Joint resolution authorizing the traus r nf
fuuds iu the Quartermaster uenend's n
ment. t
Act concerning the emoluments and pay of
the clerk of the District Court of the Confcder
ate btates of America for tire Eastern District
Os I irginia.
to Refine Rial punish conspiracy against
the Confederate Slot-
Art to punish cert tin f: ;■ ,ri in the Confed
erate Govennne.ii, i-... , r . lv un j em _
bezzlement of property c i t'r Government
Act to increase ‘the s *\ the Judgi of
ihe District Cv-ur tor t . L ( ,ieru District of
Virginia lor a buii;- . :•>.
Act to piovide fi.-i t-tq •< iag ihe proper
ty of person* jiabie to unliuaty service, who
i au and, parted or thall deport fiom the Cun
federate stales without permission.
Act ior toe r. 1e s ot airffi A Heioked, wit°
ol ibe Hou. Jufeepn B. Heisked, a lepitseum
uve lrotu the stale oi l'eunessee
Act to provide lor ihe printing ordered by
eilUei liusos ol Congress
Aci to amend au act entitled an act proviu
ing lor trie establishment and payment ol
c.aimo ior a ceitam ue.-criptiou ot property,
taken oi in ormauy impressed fur the use ol
the army, apprevea June 14, 1564
Act to pi ovide lor the conceiting of tour
per cent bonds and certificates received in
payment of t .xes and other r übnc dues.
Act to amend au ac>, approved August 21,
Ifebl, tntit ed au act to provide for the local
defence and oprciat seivtce, and an act, ap
proved OotoDi i 13, IBeZ, entitled an act to au
thorize the lormatiuu ol volunteer compania
for local deleucc.
Act making appropriations for the support
of the i*uvtrmueoi oi tbe Couicderate htatos
ot America, troiu January 1 to June 30, 1864.
Act appropnauug 8-,000 009 ior the re
demption ol mutilated treasury notes.
Act to provide commissioned cifficeis of the
army and navy aud marine corps with ciotL
iug.
Act Jo provide more effectually for carrying
out certain stipulations in the treaty made
with the Cherokee Nation of Indians
Act amendatory of the act entitled an act to
provide for the organization of the Arkansas
and lied river superintendence of ludian ai
fairs, to regulate trade and intercourse with
the ludians therein named, and to preserve
peace on the frontiers, approved April 8, 1862
Act more effectually to prevent and punisu
absenteeism and desertion in the army.
Act to authorize the establishment of an
office of deposit in connection with the Treas
ury.
Act to increase the compensation of mar -
shals, criers, jurors, and witnesses.
Act to provide for certain claims due the
State of North Carolina.
Act to provide for certain claims due the
State of Louisiana.
Act appropriating ten thousand dollars to
pay claims in the recruiting service of the Con
federate States.
Act to relieve agricultuisla exempted and
detailed tppder the act of February, 18G4, iu
certain cases.
Act to provide for the more efficient trans
portation of troops, supplies aud munitions
of war upon the railroads, steamboats and
canals in tlfe Confederate States aud to con
trol telegraph lines employed by the govern
ment.
Act authorizing proof to be received of the
ltjj-s or destruction of vouchers necessary in
tne settlement of accounts.
Act to establish an arsenal and foundry in
the valley of Deep river in the State of North
Carolina. *
Act to provide for the redemption of the old
issue of Inasury notes held by certain ludiau
tribes.
Act to amend the 18th section of an act en
titled “an act to reduce the currency and £o
authorize anew issue of notes and bonds. ’ ’
Act for the relief of Major Reid, of Mis
souri.
Act supplemental to an act to diminish the
number ot exemptions and details.
An act to authorize the consolidation of com
panies, battalions and regiments.
An act to increase the efficiency of the cav
alry of the Confederate States.
An act to provide officers of the army and
marine corps with clothing ’
An act amendatory of the act entitled “an
act to regulate trade and intertrade with 'the
Indian Nations.”*
An act to provide for the re-issue of bonds
and certificates of indebtedness of the Confed
erate States in certain cases.
An act making an appropriation for the
purchase of a percussion cap machine.
An act to authorize the President of the Con
federate States to organize in the city of Rich
mond and county of Henrico a volunteer
force for temporary service.
An act for the relief of the officers and em
ployees of the Treasury Note Bureau.
An act to increase the pay and milfeage of
officers traveling under orders.
An act requiring suit to be brought against
persons connected with the cotton bureau and
cotton office in tbe trans-Misßissippi Depart
ment.
act to amend an act providing for the es
tablishment and payment of claims for a eer
tain description of property taken or inform
ally impressed for the use of the army ap
proved June’4, 1864. ’ 1
An act to amend am act entitled an act to
diminish the number of exemptions aud de
tails.
An act to grant transportation to discharg
ed aud disabled soldiers.
ACTS AC , ORIGINATING THK SENATE.
Joint resolution elative to the manufac
ture ot railroad iron and to new lines of rail
road.
Joint reso’ution of thanks to Brig, Gen.
Stand Watie. Col. Gauo, and the officers and
memumier their commands.
Joint resolutions exempting maple sugar
from the tithe tax.
Joint resolution of thanks to Jno. Lancas
ter, of Eug'and, for his friendly conduct to
wards the commander, officers and crew of the
Alabama.
Joint iesolut'on. of thanks to Capt Raphael
Semtnes, of the Confederate States war steam
er Al main i, and the officers and crew under
his command
Joint resolution of thanks to the officers and
soldiers ot Gen Bushrod Jonnson’s old brigade
ot Tennessee troops, and the brigade of the
late Gen. Archer, composed of Tennessee anti
Maryland troops now in the army of Northern
Virginia.
Joint resolution to ally sick and wound
ed officers of the army transportation to their
homes aud hospital accomodations.
Joint resolution construing the act oi
May 81, 1864, to provide for the appoint
ment of a disbursing clerk in the War Depart
ment.
Au act for the relief of Mrs. Margaret A.
Rice,
An act to regulate, for a limited period, the
compensation of the officers, clerks and em
pioyees of the civil departments of the gov
ernment in the city of Richmond.
An act to repeal a part of the 26th section
of an act approved Feb. loth, 1862, entitled
an act to alter and amend an act for ihe se
questration of the estates, property and et
leets of alien enemies, and for the idemnity
of citizens of the Confederate States and per
sons aiding the same in the existing war with
the United States, approvodAugust 30, 1861.
Ad act to amend the third section oi an act
entitled an act to organize forces to seive du
ing the war, approved Februry 17, 1861.
Au act to amend an act entitled an act to
provide for the safe custody,. printing, publi
cation and distribution ot the laws aud to
provide for the appointment of an aduition
nl clerk in the Deparsmeut ot Justice.
An act to amend the law in relation to the
receipt of counterfeit Treasury notes Dy pub
lic officers.
Au act to extend the time within which
holders of Treasury notes of the old issue may
‘exchange the same for notes of the new issue.
Act to authorize the exchange of registered
bonds, issued under the act of February 28,
1861. lor coupon bonds ot like amounts aud
times for pay ment
Au act to amend an act to organize forces
to serve during the war. approved February
17, 1864.
Aa act to extencf the provisions of an act
entitled art act in relation to the receipt of
counterfeit Treasury notes by public officers,
approved May 1, 1863, aud the provisions ot
lu:: UOt approved Febuary 17, 1564, entuied
au a C t to amend the act for assessment aud
collection of taxes, approved May 1, 1863.
ar 7 ' J a - ct , t( ? ameiJ fi the tenth section oi the
during th^ Wa r a " aCt t 0 ° rgaQiz ° forc ** t 0 serve
a— 10 the issue of forage,
rebate act to
1863, ns h nt3 ,’ a PP roved Match 26,
ry 16, 1864. by llle act approved Februa
uiatc the and amend “au act to rea
tery necessity Sta ° f pr °P ert y under mm.
ty thereof. 1 and ° provide for the ludemni-
March 4th, 1 disentitled * &U &Ct a PP rovrtd
the commanders of reserves t 0», aa lDoiize
order general courts-m ar lS InTm SUte , to
cuunnu. ana to revise the
pi.ioc«diugs oieoui ( B martial and military ,
Coin ts
Au act in re atmn to printing and binding
in plmplnet fim me acts, resolutions and
treaties adopted at e«rca session ot Googiees.
Au ac. t..f uiu react ot Dtvid Moore, Daniel
if ore, and Mis Mary K Alexander.
An act to app. update money to pay the Mis
souri State Guard.
Au act to change the time of the assembling
oi Congress for its next tegular session.
Joint resolution providing for donations to
ttia ueasary of tuo Confederate States
Joint resolution of thanks to Lieut. Gen.
Wads Hampton.
Aa net to modify a&u amend “an act to re
gulate tile destruction ot property under mili
tary necessity an ‘to provideJbr the indem
nity thereof. approved March 1., 1362.
An act iu autnoi ize the commanders of re
erves iu eaou State to order general courts
itiartia: —id military courts.
An u: regulating the compensation of post
mastci . sptci.il agents and route agents.
An ;-.t to amend an act entitled “an act for
tne er-i ibiishmeat and organization of the
I Confederate State* army, approved March 6th,
1861
An act to provide for the employment of
free negroes au 1 slaves to work upon the for
tificatn ns and to perform other labor copuect
ed with .the defences of the country.
An act tu reguUt the pay of lieutenants in
the navy commanding batteries on shore.
An act to regulate the supplies of clothing
to iniu -ilipaien of the navy
Au sc to increase the maximum rates of
cutupc-i satiou allowed to railroad companies
lor the transport aiua ot the mails of the Con
■ federate otates.
Au act to provide tor the remission of the
penalty for the non delivery of tithes of bacon
and ie in the year 1864.
Ana f, t to astabiibh ttie flag of the Confede
rate states.
Au act to provide funds to meet a deficien
cy iu the appropriation to pay Jhe officers and
employ its ot the War Department.
Au act to increase the pay of non commis
sioned ufficcrs, privates, aud musicians of the
marine corps.
An act to authorize the employment of in
btiuctois for the acting midshipmen of the na
vy -and regulate their pay.
Anaot to au'horiza the appointment of na
val constructors iu tne provisional navy and
to fix their p ry.
An act making an appropriation for the re-,
tnovai and treciiou oi the naval rope
wa'k.
Au act io provide for the transfer of certain
appropriations.
Aa act in relation relation to the accounts
to be kept at the treasury of sequestrated es
tates.
Au act to ameud an act entitled an act to
provide lor the payment of the interest on the
removal and subsistence found due the Chero
kee Indians in North Carolina, approved May
1, 1863.
An act to provide for tne cancelling of four
per cent, bonds aud certificates received in
payment ot taxes and other public dues.
Au act appropriating, for the use of the Post
ollice Department, certain moneys deposited
by postmasters with the depositaries of the
government, creted uuder the act approved
Feb. 17, 1864
Au act u» provide for the appointment of u
General-in-Chief of the Armies of the Confed
erate States.
An act to secure more effectually the pre
servation aud distribution of the effects of de
ceased officers .and soldiers.
An act to allow missionaries in the army m
tions.
Au aot to increase for a limited period tbe
salary ot the Vice-President.
An act to authorize the appointment of ad
ditional officers iu the engineer Corps.
Au act to extend the jurisdiction of the
State tax collector of Mississippi over East
Louisiana. %
''An act to authorize the appointment of a
commissary general with the rank of a briga
dier genera!.
Ad act to increase the number of acting mid
shipmen in the navy and to prescribe the
mode ol appointment.
Au ai-t to amend an act “to piovide for
noiding elections for representatives in the
Congress of tho Confederate States from the
State oi Missouri, approved January 19, 1864.
An act to regulate the business ot conscrip
tion
Au act to increase the pay of assistant pay
masters in the provisional army.
Au act to authorize the Secretary of War to
negot.ate with the Governors of the several
States for slave labor.
Au act declaring certain persons liable to
duty in the reserve forces of the respective
IS bites.
Au act to provide for returned prisoners of
war.
An act to continue iu force and to extend
aa act entitled “an act to increase the compen
sation of the non-cum missioned officers and
privates Os the army of the Confederate
btates,” approved June 9, 1864.
Au act to authorize the Secretary of the
treasury to receive specie from the several
utates of the Confederacy and use the same lor
the benefit o! said States.
An act to amend tho act to regulate the busi
ness of conscription. .
Au act to amend the law in relation to im
pressments.
Au act tu amend an act entitled “an act to
reguiate impressments,” approved March 26,
1863, as amended by the aot approved Feb
ruary .16, 1864. «
A LETTER FROM It IK CHIEF COMMIg
. bAllt.
Office Chief Commissary, I
Augusta, Ga., April 3, 1865. j
Editors ComUtuttonalii t:
I having breu applied to for permits to al
low shipaients of lamsly supplies on railroads
leading to lh * point, these permit! 1 have re
fused tor tiie simple reason that 1 have no pow
er to permit it thing over which 1 have no
pirtiole of authority, to grant the permit
wouid imply a right to ptohibit. I know of
no law wnien gives to the Chief Commissary
or auy of his subordinate officers any right to
control the railroad transportation unless pri
vate Height is being carried in preference to
Government freight, and then it is a question
to be settled with railroad officers, and not with
private citizens ihe oniy right which 1 have*not
common to every citizen is to impress when I
cannot purchase at-majket rates the supplies
try for the army, aud Irorn this power
“family supplies” are expressly excepted.
It is my a. sire that officers under me shall
exercise the powers granted by iaw to enable
ihem feed the army, aud at the same time
careiuiiy to avoid auy interference with the
rights ot the cirizans not essentially necessary
to the discharge ot their duties, and clearly
delegated to them by the laws of the land.—
While I shall endearor to avoid impressment
whevever it can be avoided, it»is proper that I
shodld state to the people of Georgia that
there is at this time a distressing pressure upon
our armks ior tne tood necessary to sustain
lue, and I earnestly appeal to all good citizens
to bring forward thbir surplus ami sell it to
the Commissaries throughout the State.—
These supplies will be paid for in certificates
of indebtedness receivable for taxes. This is
all that we have to pay with. W ithout food
an organized army cannot be kept together-*-
without an organ zed army our sountry must
be overrun by the enemy and plundered by
guerillas. To avoid this, self interest (ignor
ing patriotism altogether) ought to induce the
people to feed an army sacrificing so much for
the maintenance of public liberty. My officers
are instructed to collect supplies as rapidly as
possible, that I may have them forwarded to
the aimies of Tennessee and North Virginia.—
Should of the people fail to sell their
surplus voluntarily, impressmfnts will have to
be made. I make no appeal beyond a plain
statement of the facts, which to all good citi
zens are eloquent enough. Would that they
were less so. Respectfully,
R. J. Moses, Major,
Chief State of Georgia.
On Saturday, the 4tu 01 March, the follow
ing Senator® of the United States Congress, re
tired fFom their seats iu that body :—Nathan
iel A. Farweli, of Maine; John P. Hale, of
New Hampshire; John C. Ten Eyck, of New
Jersey ; luha S. Cariiie, of (the so called State
of) Virginia ; Wm. A. Ricaardson, of Illinois ;
Lazarus W. Powell, of Kentucky; Benjamin
F. Harding, of Oregon, aud Morton S. Wilkin
son, of Minnesota.
TKADINfi WITH THE ENEMY
THE LAIE SEIZURE Os THE STEAMER
COMEI AI HA WKWS VJLL E.
Why tho eteainer and Cargo were oilathed auil
. .... Farr.on k rreaied. -r „. _ ... ,
FULL OFFICIAL GORKESPONDENCE.
Hu.wk.insvh.le, March 31,-1865. -
Wm. &. Barnet. Esq.
Dxas Six:—l am in receipt of your note of
the 29th, making inquiry of me in relation to
the cirt um.-tanoes connected with the late
seizure and detention ot tne steamer “(Jornet’ ’
at this place, with a cargo ot cotton designed
for the Yankees. There are many erroneous
impressions aud false statements through the
♦ouutry in regard to the conduct of those at
this place who made tbe seizure. We have
beeu denounced as a mob, aud charged with
interrupting the dispatch of important public
business. Our course his beeu severely criti
cised, and the motives ot some of us impugned.
We are entirely willing that the matter should
be thoroughly ventilated by the press aud all
the facts known. Whether ail others inter
ested iu the transaction feel as we do, it is not
our business, desire or purpose to enquire.
The simple, unvarnished truth about the
whole matter is, that the steamer “Cdmet” was
stopped at this place, having a cargo of Cotton
on board, which the parties ink rested in it
avowed was intended for the enemy A por
tion of the party having papers from Maj. Gen.
Howell Cobb, ordering them to proceed to Sa
vannah, were released. Mr. Asher Ayres, ot
Macon, having no papers, was sent under ar
rest to Macou to General Ccbb who avowed
having given Mr. Ayres permission to put
cotton on the steamer, had him released, aud
ordered the release of the boat and cargo, rep
rimanding me foi the course pursued by us in
the matter. The conduct ot of Gen. (Jobb is
the legitimate subjei tof criticism as well as
that of the citizens of this count /.
In order that the public may have a full un
derstanding of this affair, I furnish you a copy
of the correspondence between Gen. Uobb and
myself upon the subject, which you are at lib
erty to pubiish with this note.
I am very respectfully yours,
NOKM4N McDiifThe.
Hawkinsville, March 22, 1865.
Mqjor &en. Howell Cobb, Macon:
General—l have* the honor to report that on
Monday last the citizens of Hawkinsvi’le
learned that Col. C. A. L Lamar Lieut. Col. Jos.
S.Claghorn, Mr Lloyd Bowers and Mr. Asher
Ayres had purchased over two tmndred bales
of cotton, for the purpose of selling tho same
to the enemy at Savannah, Ga.f and that the
boat “Comet,” under commaud of Capt. O.
C. Horne, was about leaving for Savannah (or
for some point where a lweral -transport
would meet it and receive the cotton,) with the
same on board I therefore seized the cotton,
aud hold the same subject to your order. I ar
rested also all the parties above named; but
Col. Lamar, Lieut. Col. Ciaghorn and Mr
Bowers having autho ity from you to go to
Savannah on import ant official business, I felt
that I haduo authority to detain them. I con
sequently released them, but hold Mr. Ayres,
an 1 have ordered him to report to you under
avrest at Maoorr
Pzcase g ve me direction what disposition to
make of the cot ton, by Dr. Pate.
I am, Geueral,
Very respactiuliy,
Your obedient servant,
N. McDuffie, Capt. etc.
Headquarters Georgia Reserves and j
Military District of Georgia, [-
Maoon, March 22, 1865. )
Gapt. N. McDuffie, Dawkinsvill# : *
a
Captain—l have received your letter, giving
an account of your stopping the steamboat
which had been employed to carry Col. Lamar,
with official dispatches, to SavanDah. By the
same messenger, I received a letter from Col.
Lamar on the same subject. I regret this in
terference with an officer who was acting under
my orders, and more particularly as it is likely
to result, in serious injury to the public service.
When informed that Col. Lamar was an officer,
acting undei my orders, you had n» right to
interfere with his movements. His offer to
become responsible lor the return of the boat,
with the cotton, was unnecessary, but exhibit
ed, on his part, an earnest desire to carry out
* what he knew to be important business, which
admitted of no delay ; and your refusal to
accept the offer is inexplicable, even admit
ting your right to interfere at all with an offi
cer who had orders to have every facility
afforded him to expedite his trip. If, under
these circumstances, officers charged with im
portant dutifs are thus to be interfered with,
it will be impossible to execute t h&public bu
siness.
It is proper that I should state that Col. La
mar was fully authorized by me to take entire
control of the boat 5 and further, that ft was
with my permission 1 hat the cotton was put oa
board by Mr. Ayres. The propriety and poli
cy of my action I do not propose to discuss in
this letter.
1 have released Mr. Ayiea from arrest, and
direct that any other parties, who may be
held in arrest on this account, be also released
and the the steamboat be released and allow
ed to go to Buzzard Roost, and to be returned,
with the cargo, to the custody of the owners
and agents.
I am, Captain, very respectfully,
Howell Cobb, Major General,
Hawkinsvilue, Ga,, March 25, 1865.
Major Qtnerul Harwell Oobb.
General — l have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 22d inst, by
Dr. Pate, in relation to my seizure of the steam
er Comet, with a cargo of cotton designed for
traffic with the enemy, and have released the
boat, officers and cotton, to go up the river to
Buzzard Roost, Capt. Horne, the commander,
having pledged mu his honor not to carry Ilia
boat below with a load of cotton for the Ya n
kees.
I deem it but justice to myself and my fel
low citizess. who acted with mo in this matlier
that the facts should be laid before you. tbjat
you, and the Government, and the coun
try may understand that we were
not te violate law, hut to sustain the laws -of
the State of Georgia, aad the Confederate
States; that, as friends of our country, we
were essaying to nip in the bud an illegal truf
fle with our enemies—one which, if permitted
to go on, will render utterly worthless onr
currency, stimulate a desire, already suffi
ciently strong, for greenbacks aud gold, ren
der dissatisfied the firm and steadfast 0/ our
people, and demoralize the whole country.
When it was made apparent that Col * La
mar was acting under your orders, and hi
charge of official business, no farther effort
was made to detain him, and he was offered
the boat to take him to Doctortovvq. on condi
tion that it should not take a cargo of cotton
to*sell to the Yam ees. He declined to ac
cede to this proposition, and went on to Sa
vannah in his private conveyance, a mode of
traveling certainly less expensive to the Gov
ernment, and very nearly as expeditious.—
Col. Lamar had no written orders from yon,
which were produced, authorizing hJm to take
a boat load of cotton to the enem y ; and if
he had, no law is known to us in this section
of the country empowering you to grant him
or any one else such author ty. He stated
that he had verbal orders from you to take
with him sufficient cotton to pa/the expen
ses of the trip when wnhin the enemy’s lines,
whereas, there were over two hundred balus
on board the boat, with still more tb be put
on ; and it was well understood that part «if
the cotton at least belonged to other parties*
than Gel. Lamar,* as the agent of the Govern
ment. . When the detention aud seizuie of tb e
boat and caigo were made, propositions weie
made to one or more citizens ot this county,
that they should put cotton on board for
traffio with the enemy, and use their influence
to have the boat released.
Mr. Asher Ayres did not claim the cotton
on board the boat, nor did he say that he had
permission from you to carry it down tu the
Yankees If he bad so stated, without written
indubitable evidence to have sustained his
assertion, I gh< uld have disbelieved him, and
regarded his statement a slander and calumny
on your character. It was incredible to me, I
until iu your let'er to urn von distinctly say,
that it was bv your permission he placed ihe
cotton on board ihe steatnei when you could
but have known if was intended ior the one
- Col. Lamar's party was comp sed of
gentUmen woil known as speculators and
ruuoers. wliog-ve the whole affair,
by their connection with it. mom ot la-., col
oring of a sin Utly whitewashed effort to trade
wi h the enemy for private advantage, th m to
negotiate with them tor the public good.—
Taking all this into considerafioa, with ibe
iacc that no concealment was made, but an
open avowal that the cotton was designed ior
the enemy, I assumed the responsibility of the
seizure ; and you wiil permit me to say, gene
ral, with protou'id respect tor vou personally
and officially, I still think the course pursued
emintutiy proper, and fully justified by all
the circumstances of«the ca«e,
The true men of this section aro determined
ibat the Ocinuigee River shall not be used lor
an illegal tiaffio with the enemies of our coun
try; and they care very little whether the
effort is made by high officials or the lowest
characters of the land. We wish to do light,
to abide by and enforce our iaws, to sustain
our Government and its nans,*; and if wrong
in our conception ot our rights arid obligations
in the premises, to be corrected. You will
greatly oblige us by letting me know—
-Ist. Is not tho trade in cotton or other ar
ticles with the Yankees u palpable violation
of .law?
2d. If so, is it not the duty of all good citi
zens to prevent, it, if possible?
3d, To prevent it, is ic not their dutv to
seize and detain sti mboats, their commanders
and cargoes, when engaged iu this business,
and all persons conueotssd with aud engaged
in it?
4th. Is there any law giving you or any
other Major General the power to grant per
mits to engage in such traffic?
We are anxious to be correctly informed 011
these points; tor unless convinced that we are
wrong, overruled by the judicary, or overpow
ered by superior force ot arms, we ate de
termined To pievent this traffic on tills .iver.
Permit me in conclusion, General, to say,
the record you have made iu* this war is a
bright and honorable one.- Your conuection
with this affidr is your first objectionable posi
tion. It is injuring you seriously, and through
you, the cause you represent.
In your letter to me, you, at that time, de
cline to discuss tbe propriety ot your coureo
I hope for your own good name’s sake, you
will find time to clear up this matter in a man
ner that will be satisfactory to the public and
vindicatory of yourself.-
I am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
N. McDuffie.
>loitU OP S Hifi ‘tvOMKT” CASE.
We have pub ished in our olumns, eones
respondence number one in the of the
“Comet.” Those whose acts were Drought„to
light in the matter, it seems to us, go the
worst of the case. In order to dispel suspi
cious thoughts in the putilio mind, another
letter his been wiitien Wa think a great
many more yet will have to be written before
the people can be made to believe that there
were not parties besides the sGuvemm-nt inter
ested in the salo of the cotton., and that .some
of tbe proceeds would not have louud their
way mto private pockets instead of into the
Government funds.
As the tacts deve op themselves, wo m;y
comment furtuer on the transaction. Yie wing
matters in the light we already have, things
look mighty queer to say the least. This is
the opinion 01 ail we have heard remark any
thing abtmt. the affair.
Here is the ". ontarnation of the “correspond
ence,’’ or “clearing up” letter—intended
probably as a cooler to quiet the public mind.
With it we publish the introductory letter of
Capt. McDuffie :
GERKRAL Cobb’s REPLY TO CAPT. MCDUFFIE.
I
Hawkinsville, Ga,, April 1, 186.5.
Wm. 11. Barnes, Esq. :
1)e ut Sir — l enclose to you a letter accom
panying this from Maj. G*m. Cobb to uiyse f,
and hope in justice to ts and stinguished author,
you will give immediate publication It
came to hand too late to be sent with the pie
vtoiis portions of the corrspomience between
him aud myself in relat .ori lo the "Comet’ ’ al
fair, which were forwarded to you on yester
day.
The letter of Gen. Cobb seems to me to give
an entire, though somewhat ungracious, sup
port to the course pursued by the citizens of
Pulaski county iu seizing the steamer, upon
the real points at issue, iiis argument as to
the policy and power of the Government to
trade in cotton for necessary supplies and war
materials I agree to. The question oa which
this case turns, ia entirely different, uame'y,
the legal right of private parties to trade cot
ton to the enemy, and the legality of the "ex-»
press authority’’ of a Major General to grant
such parties permits to engage in such traffic ;
and the right and duty of good cit'ser.s to ea
deavor to prevent a violation of the law on
this or any other point. Upon this question
the General, if we uuaerstauu imu, agrees with
us. I join him in the “regret” that he 'was*in
adverteudy led into the commission ol an
error, (and who does not sometimes do wrong?)
and assure him aud our Government, that
whenever it becomes the wish aud policy of
the Government to use the Ocmulgee River ior
trade tor the supplies it needs, tuat the men
It-ho stepped the steamer “Comet’’ when ihe
gaily carrying cotton for private parties, will -
cheerfully assist iu that, as tliey have every
enterprise of our authorities • ">e.e the begin
ning of the war. *
Your readers are invited to consider how
“freely and* frankly” ami clearly Gen. Cobb
answers the four questions, plainly, but re
spectfully put to him in my tetter, to which
his is a response. Permit nfe iu conclusion,,
to call the attention of those having sufficient
interest in it to read the correspondence, to
the frequent use in his letter of *the phrase,
“The Policy of the Government,” or some of
similar signification, as if it meant the same
Ihing as the law of the land. On thU seems to
turn his whole effort at the palliation of his
eougge. Observance of this makes his posi
tion,"when aitemtiimg to excuse himself, dis
close its own weakness, and will force Lhu
eouviction upon every unpreju4iced mind
that a straight* forward and snupie admission
of the indefensibility of his course, and ac
knowledgment of his unintentional error, in
stead of the labored and strained effort at
semi—justification, disclosing a very apparent
and unhappy consciousness of the predica
ment he is in, would hawe been both more in
genuous and more graceful.
Very respentuily, eto.,
Norman McDuffie.
Maoon, March 30, 1865.
Capt. N. McDuffie, Hawlcinsuilk, Ga.:
Captain-I reply to your letter', notwith
standing the objectionable character of a por
tion of it. I shall no* discuss or inquire into
the charges you make, that tne owners of the
cotton on board the steamer Ht_ught to purchase
the consent of yourself and associates or the
boat to pass by, offering ihe privilege of put
ting some of their cotton on board; nor the
charge made oa the other hand by Mr. Ayres
that iyich consent could have been obtained it
such permission had been granted, when ap -
plied-ior. I confine myselt to . uch inarter? as
are necessary to be uncListood in view of the
public iircro&t
It may become decs* ’dry props? thft* I
cotton should be ’sent down the Ocmuigee
river. And lam not oniy willing, but desi
rous tntf.t you<fchott!d know my opinions upon
Subject, as it may become my official duty
to enforce them. 1 am decidedly of the opinion
that it is the true policy or tne Government to
exchange cotton with the enemy or anybody
else, wkeaevdV we can obtain in exchange tor
the ootten such things as our Government or
p opie need more than we want cotton. I
save fi r months urged this policy on our Gov
eruim. t, aud have tue gratification ot knowing
that our nave goidiers i® tue field have
indebted to it for many of the necessaries and
comiorta witii which they have been lurmshed.
I cannot be too emphatic in my announcement
of my well known views on this subject. It
Lincoln himself wou,’d exchange arms, aru ma
nition. clothing, sbpmb meat, salt, medicines,
aud many other articles too tedious to mention,
for tbe cotton o' our Government and people,
T avow, without hesitation, I would make the
exchai ge with them. Whilst tnese are my
deckled opinions upon the question oftbe true
policy in such matters, it is a question for the
(tension of the Governmeut ; aud whatever
that decision mav be, it is the duty ol all ofli
ciats and.good citizens to abide by. I, there
fore, hold that all trading with the enemy in
violation of the policy aud rule adopted by
the Government is *wron.r, and that it is the
duty of good citizens to prevent it aa they
would Ihe violation of any other law or policy
of the Government.
Tne injury and demoralization which results
f om trading with the enemy is limited, in my
judgment, to the cases in which it is done iu
violation of the law of the land and again-t
the established policy of the Governmeut
Alt of this is avoided when it is conducted
under the proper authority aud with proper
restiictious.
t h :\e thus given you, in response to your
request, freely and frankly, my views on this
subject I will add a single word in refer
ence tu the case which has led to this corres
pondence—as tho only vindication I seek of
my conduct, in any matter, is that the facta
may be known:
When Col. Lamar was ordered to Savannah
with a dag of truce, the route by the Oernul
geo River was selected as the most certain and
expeiitious. Neither Col. Lamar not any of
his party contemplated, at the time, the tak
iug of cotton along. After the arrangement
was completed, Mr. Ayres, the agent of the
boat, asked my permission to take some cot
ton down, to be exchanged for salt and other
necessaries. Kaowing that the Government
had permitted such things to be done at other
points, and entertaining the views I have ex
pressed above, I consented, with the under
standing that the boat was not to be delayed
an hour on account of it, either going or re
iiu’niug. The same authority was subsequent
ly given to Col. Lamar; and the authority to
take some Government cotton, to defiay ex
penses, was also given to him. This short,
statement is a history of the case up to the time
Col. Lamar left Macou.
In redacting more lully* upon the subject,
l regretted, and so said to various persons,
with whom I conversed, previous to your in
terior nee, that 1 had given the permission to
•Mr. Ayres, because it would have the appear
ance ot counteuaucinir the practice if trading
with the enemy without proper authority.—
Whilst I teit, that what 1 permitted, would
not, iu point of fact, be a violation of the
Government’s policy, as it would have that
appearance, and I have no express authority
to grant it,-I regretted that it had beeu given.
When, therefore, it was reported to me, that
Col. Lamar had proceded to Savannah by
private conveyance, and it was no longer ne
cessary for the boat to go on that business, I
declined to give authority for the beat to
make the trip. From this statement you will
understand why it wa3 that I took no further
action in tbe matter, when informed that tho
boat baa been stopped.
I am, Captain,
Very respectfully yours, etc.
Howell Cobb,
Major General.
MORE IK REG -H» Tu tHIS “COMET" CASE
STATEMENT FROM THE OTHER SIDE.
* LETTER FROM CoL. LAMAR.
Mu. Editor : In your issue of Tuesday
morning, you published a communication from
Captain Norinan McDuffie, which professes
to give "the circumstances connected with the
seizure and detention of the steamer “Comet”
at this place (Hawkinsville,) with a car o of
cotton designed for the Yankees, As there are
uiauy misrepresentations of fact in said com
munication, I beg a place in your columns, to
give a statement of facts as they occurred.
i was ordered by Maj. Gen. Cobb to pro
ceed with flag of truce to Savannah, tq nego
tiate for the exchange of prisoners. I was
instructed lo take the steamer “Comet” at
Hawkinsville, and proceed to Doctortown, and
there get an escort of cavalry and go overland
to Savannah. I. was instructed by Gen. Cobb,
to permit Mr. Asher Ayres to take down two
hundred bales of cotton, he having agreed to
exchange the same for bacon, salt and iron foi
the use of the Government. I was authorized
to put such number of bales on board 8s I
deemed necessary, to defray expenses to and
trom .Savannah, of self aud escort.
When the steamer arrived at Hawkinsville
on Monday night, she commenced to take on
bum and the cotton necessary to complete her
complement of uales. About 11 o’clock that
nignt 1 was awaked by my servant, who stated
that Capt. McDuffie desired to see me. Capt.
McDuffie entered, accompanied by Captain
Mitchell, the enrolling officer for tnat oounty.
Capt. McDuffie said, Capt Mitcheli had con
troi of all tue transportation on the river, and
desired to know by what authority I was act
ing. I expressed my willingness to show my
authority, and was in the act of taking the pa
per onto! my satchel, when my attention was
attracted to a number of boisterous citizens
who had entered my apartment. I then told
Capt. McDuffie thut I declined to
Capt. Mucheii’s demand, backed as it was by
a mob. They ail then withdrew, and as I
tiubsequeiiriy ascertained, went to the boat and
took possession of her.
Capt. McDuffie afterwards turned to explain
his position ; said he was my friend; that he
had nothing to do with the.mob ; that he was
at home asieep, when oalled upon by Capt.
miichuil to accompany him-to my apartment,
etc I then exhibited my papers to him, and
he expressed himself perfectly satisfied. He
farther stated that he was anxious to get some
cotton through, and had been a long time try
ing to make some arrangements to that end;
that he would like veiy much to ship ten or
twenty bales on the boat. I replied I had no
authority to grant any such permit. He said
he thought alt opposition would be withdrawn
on the part of the citizens; and that he would
advise my leaving early in the morning
Wnen I went to the boat at about 6 o’clock, I
found all the guards had been removed. I
ornered steam to be raised. About the time I
was leaving, Citpt. McDuffie came on board and
said I would be bushwhacked if I attempted to
go without satisfying the people, and begged
me to accompany him up town for that pur
pose. lat first declined, but subsequently
yielded, he assuring me that I would have no
difficuliy ; that he would aid me in every way.
At.the first grocery he came to, he put his
head-in the half closed door-, and in a whisper
loud enough to be heard by myself and others,
said. "Bos, get your guns, steam is up.”
I then told him of hi3 duplicity, in the pres -
ance-of his crew. He ordered them to the
boat, I returned aud ordered Capt Horne to
cast off and proceed down the riv**r, but he de
clined, savi g he had pledged his word not to
go until McDuffie withdrew all opposition, and
that, he was tearful the mob would burn his
nutH* and other property.
About tbi» t ; iD6 number of citizens camo to
m-* and begged I would remain quietly on
board ana tu.y would go and arrange matters
with McDuffie and others. About nuon, they
returned, and said alt had been arranged,'
and I was iu the act of leave.g.
when McDuffie appeared, with his company,
having he said changed his mind, and swore
the boat should not leave He subsequently
sent Captain Mitchell to arrest Col. Claghorn
and Mr. Bowers. I told Capt. M I should re
sist any attempt to arrest, aud he retired. I
then, with tny party, went to the hotel to spend
the n ght, determining to start the next morning
by private conveyance, lor Savannah.
Vv hue awaiting at the Ferry the next morn
ing, Capt. McDuffie, with his company, ap -
preached me, and told me he had come to ar
iest ore, Col. Claghorn and Mr. Bojrem. He
rrzß accompanied by Col. Goode. I told him
I wou.d act be arrested, nor should he arrest
eithe, A the two gentlemen named ; that I
would repel force with force. This brought
about a parley. Col. Goode, upon looking at
the papers I had, advised him to abandon any
further action, which advice he followed, and I
proceeded on my "way.
Capt McDuffie says when it was made ap
parent that I was acting under orders from
Gen Cobb, no effort was made to detain me,
and I was told I could take the boat and pro
eeeo. to Doct inown on condition that I would
not take the cotton to sell to the Yankees. —
The reverse of this is the truth. He knew
from the first inception of his interference that
I was acting under orders. Instead of offer
ing the boat to me upon the terms above
stated, I made that proposition to him in
writing, pledging myself- that every bale
should be returned when the boat bwao baok j
that if it wen-pi »w? to uigeharge the cot
ton Vm’vi. u-< ■: .bis time, I would do so ;
but ■ ■ a s-age of tile river, it was iw
potsi'.. snl it stun: of forty-eight hours,
ami thu mist-ion i " is on was one ot such im
portune.. 1 was willing touiAke any concession
to pieveut deiay. [ tarther invited him, if he
had any doubts ot my sincerity, to send a
committee down with me, to se« that inyebli
' gations were complited with—all of which he
positively declined.
lie says in his communications, that Mr.
Ashei Ay re did not claim ihe cotton, nor did
tie a ; eeu i:uK he had Gun. Cobb’s psnnissioo
to t-ade tho cotton down. 1 posititely assert
that Mr Ayres did, time and again, memicu
both facts to him. Mr. Ayres proposed in rot
ditiou to my proposition, to give a bond of
$500,000, coiiiiii ioued that every bale of cot.on
hlioui i return iu the boat. If Capt. McDclli*
means to Lsiuuate that 1 offered him the op
poiiuuity to ship coiton, he simply asserts a
falsehood. I felt confident at the time, that a
proposition ut t..af kind Irom me would re
move ail objections ; indeed, I was so inform
ed by his friends. Mr Ayres being approached
iu like maii«er, to and his friends that no more
cotton could go on board, but that he wou and
loan him ten or twenty bales ot his cotton it Lu
would yield tho point. Capt. McDuffiw dm
agree to tins, aud sent him word to that efftci,
which w*as the occasion ot our raising steam, a*
before referred to ; but he subsequently
changed bis mind when i.e found some oi tee
citiziym lrotu he country had come iu and op
posed it. lie iUeusbtcaine again very patriot
ic, and swoie She boat should never leav#until
the couou was £ll ken off.
Iu conclusion, 1 would advise tho gentleman
who wroie ihe communication for Captain
McDuffie, to be certain of bill tacts iu the fu
ture, aud not itiy upon statements which!
have shown to be groundless.
Very respectfully, etc.,
* C. A. L. Lamar.
»■ liu.Vi ALABAMA,
THE CAPTURE OF SELMA.
The Columbus Sun of April 5, contaiusa let
ter iroin Moutgouieiy dated, Aptil 3:
Selma was taken on Sunday afternoon about
dusk. There had been some lighting at Plati
tersville, on the Alabama and Tennessee raii
n ad, twenty-two miles from Selma on Satur
day. It is said that Gen. Adams, with Gen.
Buford’s brigade, attacked with two thousand
men a column of 6090 Yankees, and was badly
whipped. There w»is alsy a fight between For
reet and this, same column near Selma on
Subday. Our left, commanded by Gen. Red
dy, was turned and the enemy fore id our meu
back to wauls Demopolis and occupied Selma.
Gen. Forrest is said to have fought, most
brilliantly, and to have been wounded three
times -so slightly, however, as not to leave
the field, where he is yet. It is stated that
the General shot one of his assailants, amt
nearly sevc ed the head irom the shoulders ot
another by a stroke of h s swuid. Hid own
waueds are sabre cuts across the arm and fore •
head. No losses given,
gis fho force of the enemy that occupied Selma
is estimated at from 7,000 r» 9,000 men, fol
lowed .by atioilu-r ioica of 11,000. They are
mounted infantry. I boiiove the estimate id
entirely too high
On the Alabama and Florid t railroad there
la nothing doing The enemy have retired
from Pollard and Blakely. On Saturday it
was reported bv scouts-that Geq. Maury had
gotten into the rear ol the enemy by moving
on tho stage road from BUtkeiy to Pensacola.
Firing was heard at Tensas on the SOlh and
musketry on the 3lst.
is known of tbe loss at Selma. Sev
eral boats were there, and many stores may
have been removed -It is not thought many
of our men were captured or that they are de -
moralized. The press telegrams tell the sit
uation at Mobile. We are now cut, off from
that point by river, railroad and telegraph. The
enemy also commands the Alabama river at
Montgomery Hdi near Claiborne. No boats
have been captured thus far. .
Stores—Government and State—are being
rapidly removed from Montgomery.
The whiskey shops within a region of ton
miles in and around Montgomery have been
closed by older of Gov. Watts.
The Appeal goes to Macon, the Advertiser to
Eufftiila, and the Mail to Columbus. Both the
Mail and Advertiser wnl issue quarter sheets
until compelled to depart. The Appeal breaks
up entirely—an office has been secured in Ma
con . This journal has skedaddled so much that
their early departure > H significant. ,
You in Columdus had better look out for a
raid. The enemy may attempt a visit. It is
not at all improbable that he may try to cut
the Montgomery and West Point railroad to
prevent the evacuation of Montgomery. The
general impre-sian is that be will first take
Mobile before undertaking other movements.
Brig Gun .Buford is in command here. Gen.
Withers being, at last accounts, at Meridian to
take care of his family. The forces here can
make a stiff fight. I anticipate no immediate
danger to the city, though, as a matter of pre
uaution, the stores sh >uid bo removed. The
banks have already scut away their effects.
Gentlemen who left Selma early Monday
morning, report that the Yankees are prepar
ing to cross the river. The general impression
is that they will march on Montgomery; though
they mav intend to attack Spanish Fort in the
rear. Their force is an army corps mounted
and not a mere raid.
In Seim a it is understood that all the cotton
was burned, and- that but little government
property, of which mere ware millions, was
saved. The liebei got away—the other papers
went up.
Geti Forrest telegraphed Guv. Watts Mon -
day afternoon, that he was on the Montgome
of the river, un-i if any assistance was
afforded, lie would wi,;p the JTankees—that
Montgomery must be defended. All hands are <
going to work to effect this end. It is spe- *
cialiy pleasing to tho Governor and many
citizens who wish to strike au honest blow for
their homes.
Details have been made to burn the cotton,
if the placephould be captured. Much has been
removed, but many persons, mostly Jews, un
der pretence of bearing it away, have hidden
it in private houses. It is to be burned, no
matter where found, and no matter what hou
sen are consumed. '1 he orders are imperative
aud will be obeyed.
The Mail has a report that n small squad of
Yankees were nine milcs ’trom Greenville late
Saturday aft. rnoon. It mav be so, but it is
regarded as ot no moment.
Late arrivals say the Yankees got drunk and
burned nearly the whole of Selma. Large
quanitios of liquor were in the city, hence the
result.
Iu the baltle befor® Selma all of Forrest's men
did not take a part, as they had not arrived.
Roddy's men, who had been driven back the
previous day, were not present. Gen. Forrest
estimated the enemy’s force at 11,000 infantry
ours, cavalry and miliiia, not halt that.
On Sunday afternoon when the assault was
first made, the musketry firing is represented
to have been heavy and steady for the space
of nearly an hour; but suddenly the enemy
made a desperate charge on our left, west of
Selma, where the line was weakest,and throw
ing a tew shells am mg the horse- holders, who
stampeded, our foiceß retreated in considera
ble confusioft on Selma. Gens. Forrest, Ad
ams and Roddy cut their way out in this direc
tion with some difficulty Gen. Taylor had
left.for Dsmopolis previously the same even
ing.
Gen. Adams and staff are now in Montgom
eiy, Gea. Adams being the ranking officer ia
command.
The loss of the Selma fight is attributed to a
disgraceful stampede. Chaim or’e men behav
ed badly,
A column of 10,000 is said to be advancing
from Montevallo to cut the At. and W. P. Rail
road.
The Sun of the sth in its remarks on the sit
uation says :
The train from Montgomery did not arrive
until 8 o’clock last night its detention, as we
learn, having been caused by the numerous
trains lunning out of Montgomery loaded with
GovernmeuUstores, we presume, and property
of those who anticipate that that city will be
visited by .he enemy.
The train last night brought many refugees
from'Selina and Montgomery, principally wo
mi mm gn”-*—-
Ther Montgomery post office has sent off their
letter mails to this city, where they arrived
last night.
-