dozenregiments of regulars boiied down and I quiotescenced iDto one man, tbe rebels took to J tbewc beels and left for the next line of en trenchments as through the devil or soma oth er justice of the peace was after them with a warrant for treason. Our boys fired one volley after them as they retreated, then planted the stars and stripes upou the walls, gave three times three ohceis, when it swelled to the breeze, and settled down for further orders. This was bo turn ing point of the fight. When it was discov ered that the national ensign had been planted within the enemy's eotreuchments, Captains Hillyer and Rawliags rode along the lines, and, waving their swords, announced it to the despondent troops of MoClernaud's and Wal lace's division, who gained new courage and rallied to the assault upon the right. Then a charge was made all along the enemy's front. Fie was forced back to his earthworks, lcaviog the open field to our troops, and securing to us an easy victory on the morrow. BEDFORD INQUIRER? BEDFORD, Fa. Friday Horning, March 7, 1562. "FEARLESS AND FREE." D. OVER—Editor aiid Proprietor. ! To all whom it may Concern We have a good deal of money te pay the com ing spring, and judging the future by the past, we do not consider it worth while to send out accounts. — We will therefore from this time forth place our ac counts that are over two years old, in the hands of a Justice, in Bedford, for collection. So look out, take warning, and don't get mad for we intend to commenne this week. We inteud, also, to stiike off our list all worthless subscribers; they are the drones that keep printers down. GEN. McCLELLAN. The last Gnetto has several articles filled with fulsome adulation of Gen. McGlellan, which comes with a bad grace ffom a paper that baa never left an opportunity pass to in jure the cause that that General is engaged in. We have no doubt that GPD. McGlellan considers that praise coming from such a souree is not worth having. But BD idea is entertained that Gen. McGlellan way make a strong Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 1804, and those presses that were willing to forsake their -country for the cause of party, like our neighbor around the corner, now sing hozanuahs to Gen. McGlel lan. Gen. McGlellan has bis reputation as a groat General, principally, yet to make, and when Le does make it, it will not be necessary to resort to forgery. The Gazette copies in one of its articles, a quotation from the speech of Seoretary of War, Stanton, at the Rail Road Convention, in Washington, on the 20th ult. Seoretary Stanton did not make use of this language, and a Breckinridge lawyer in New York, Mr. Sam'l L. M. Barlow, was the person who sent the forged paragraph through the Telegraph. We trust that Gen. McGlel lan will never need to be bolstered up in tbis disreputable manner. - The following is the interpolated para graph, in Seoretary Stanton's address to the Railroad Convention, and published in the Gazette of last week: "Seoretary Stanton paid a high compliment to the young and gallant friend at his side, Major-General MoClellan, in whom he had the utmotft oonfideDoe, and the result oj whose military schemes, gigantic and well matured, wtn now exhibited to a rejoicing country." The officers of the Convention baviog been applied to in various quarters to say whether this language was used by Secretary Stauton, feel bound to state that such was not tbe case, and these words above quoted were added af ter the report had been furnished to the agent x>f the Associated Press. V THE TREASURY NOTE BILL PASSED.— This bill, providing for the issue of about two hundred millions of dollars, passed both houses of Congress, on the 25th ult., and having re ceived the signature of the President, is now a law, and will afford immediate relief to the Government and tbe country at large. Tbe fifty millions of notes heretofore issued arc made a legal tender, and there is a provision in the hw, that tbe issue notes, redeemable in five years, or payable in twenty years, is at the ploasure of the Government. The duties on import are made payable in coin. Governor Morton bae appointed Ex-Gover nor Joseph A. Wright, United States Senator, to fill tbe plaoe of Jesse D. Bright. The Governor of Indiana is a Repnblioan—the Senator he has appointed is a democrat. What a contrast this is to the narrow-minded eourse of those persons iu tbe Democratic party who are willing to place their party above tbeir country. Ex-Governor Wright has always been a-ieading Democrat, but he is a whole soul Union man, and Gov. Mortoo has done right in appointing him. It putß t b e lie to tbe assertion, also, that tbe traitor Bright was on ly expelled on account of his polities. We publish to-day, a message of Jtff Davis to the Rebel Corig.ess. lie begius by the frank announcement, "events Lave d.monstrat "ed that tbo Government has attempted uiorc "than it has power to achieve," and talks about the capture of Roanoke Island, the fall of Fort DooeUoo, and tunny other things in a desponding manner. The message canuot fail to be of beoefit to the Uniou cause in the South. Hon. Win. H. Seward has written a letter to a Club ia Philadelphia, declining a nomi nation for the Presidency in 1864. He de clares his intention to devote his atteufion to the cause of his oountry iu her time of need, aud to accept no reward. The last Gazette appeared in a new suit, and looked as bright as a silver dollar—uiaoy of which, no doubt, that is, dollars without the silver, it took to buy the new rig. We are pleased to see this evidence of the financial prosperity of our neighbor. The troops who have been 90 long at Camp Curtin have left for the Potomac. Brig. Gen. Shields is to take command of the Brigade lately under command of Brig. Gen. Ltnder, dee'd. Wc intend to print next week the spae-ch of Senator Wharton in the Sena'e, on the reso lution instructing our Senators to vote for the expulsion of Bright. As soon as convenient we will also publish the speech of Hon. E. MeFhersoo, in the Houaa of Representatives at Washington, on the natures and ohje ts of the lebellien. DEATH OF BUIG.-GEN. LANDER, BrigadierGeneral Frederick \V. Lander died at his camp iu Hampshirejoounty , Va., at 1 four o'clock, on Saturday afternoon. His dis ease was congestion of the brain. It is known that his health has been bad. Indeed, since t he was wounded in the gallant'skirmish at Ed ward's Ferry, after the battle of Ball's Bluff, he has never been well. Gen. Lander La* lately rendered most excellent service to the Union cause, iu spite of his bad health. Af ter General Kelly was obliged to give up his command on, account of bad bealth, Lander was assigned to the command of the army on the upper Potomac, beyond the district under Gen. Banks. He had a large force under him and he had succeeded in clearing the rebels effectually out of Hampshire aud Morgan coun ties! His brilliaDt exploit was on the night of February 13tb, when he made a forced inarch ! Gap, completely routing the reb el oarap there, oapturing many prisoners and a large amount of tupplies. For tbis important piece of work, accomplished ouly a fortnight before his death, he received the thanks of the President in a special order Lsuad by the Seo retcry-of War. Genera! Lander was a native of Massachu setts. He was a mau of liberal education and cultivated tastes; a good writer, iu verso as well a3 in piose; and a chivalrous, high-toned gentleman. He was brought prominently be fore the public, a few years ag>, by his ener getic conduct in the work of constructing a wagon-road aeross the plains and the Rocky Mountains. At the time of the Potter aud Pryor threatened duel, Le acted as Mr. Pot ter's second, end was quite ready to take a principal part, if the representative of the "chivalry" bad desired it. A few years ago he married the distinguished actress, Miss Jane M. Davenport. Gee. Lander was a high fa vour ite with Gen. McClellaD. He was in the j Vfostern Virginia campaign with him, with the ; raDk of Colonel, sud it was at McClcllan's re ! quest that be was commissioned as a Brigadier- General of Volunteers. His commission dates from May 17th, 1861. LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS FORT WELLS, S. C., Jan. 26, 1862. MR. : DEAR Slß: —After waitiug i some time to see how things would go, 1 thought I would send you a short letter. We are uow eucamped 6 mileß from where I last j wrote to you, but still on the same island.— j Our camp derives its uame from the number of wells that are in the camp—every company j has its well, and four tnen can dig one in a half day. The water is right good—it come 6 through the sand from the swamps that sur round the camps, and they ore furnished out of the ocean and the water is purified by pas sing through the sand. Our company are all well, aud in high excitement, as yesterday we got orders to to be ready at a moments warn-, iog to march, but don't know whero we aro I going —but have some idea that it is to Savau uah, as a fleet Las gone in that direction. The boys are discussing the matter, and 1 am di verted td hear them talk, how they will enjoy themselves when they take that city—they don't use the phrase "if 1 live," hut every one seems to think it will be some one else that may be killed. So you see that we don't let what is to couio tiouble us tuuob. We arc getting our brigade drilled quite as much as it is able to bear. Tbe other day one of our boys foand a shell in a swamp that had not exploded, and brought it to camp, a thing which ought not to have been done. A good putt of the powder was taken and a drum mer belonging to Gapt. Madaia's company thinking that ail the powder that eould explode the borub was takeo out, throw it on some coles of firo near Capt. Mullin's boys, and to tbe great astonisbmeut of all, it exploded, and a piece of the bomb knocked the cap of one jof oar boys into the fire. The matter caused : great excitement in camp. Our Colonel and ! Major are woll liked. Our Butler's store is one of <he best here, and he sells as low as | could be expected, i referred to him iu one 1 of my former letters, and 1 ooafess 1 was | smarting under tbe use of eomu awful bad to • baeeo, that bad been sent biuo. Since I have bibfoEß immmm. become acquaiueed with bim 1 believe him to bo a gentleman and an honest man in every sense of tbe word. In a former letter 1 said that young Ilite should never have been brought to Camp Hamilton, 1 say so yet, but 1 don't mean that Captain Filler was in fault, as there is aueh a routine to perform that there was no time to attend to everything before leaving Camp Curtin. Yours, as ever, H. BRIDENTHAL. CAMP PATTERSON, NEAR PUILA. 7 Feb. 27, 1862. j FRIEND OVER:—Doubtless you and the good ladies of Bedfurd from whom we havo received so many kind tokens of regard, mut have considered ma almost criminally remiss in not baviug long ere this sent our kind so knowletigements for your many favors.— Though I, on part of the noble young fellows who left home and kindred with me, to share the fortunes of the republic have been silent, yet bear iu mind that 1 am Dot uograteful or hopeless, that tbe sacred charge committed to me by these 1 love shall suffer any loss in my keepiog or in that of (base wbo joined me in our, country's enterprise. Trust to us, and when in tbe day to come you shall bear of the sons of the mountuiu doing battle for our country you may risk the honor of our county, and hope for the freshest lauiels of the field iu the brave valor of Bedford's stalwart sons, Com pany "E" of the second Pennsylvania Cavalry. We fear nothing, the Lold tempest that has played with the oak of our childhood has kin dled our souls and nerved our arms. We have been trained to war and cjugbt the divinity of our calling in tbe young storms that rocked our cradle. Our regiment will make its way to tbe sunny ioouib, the land ut laurels and evergreens. We are led by au accomplished gentleman, a trained soldier, a brave companion iu arms. Sweet in manners, strict iu discipline, unerring in judgment, he will ootniuand as a Ilauuibai, and bear to his men a soldier's heart. You have heard of him. Colonel li Butler Price, glory to his arms, sureess to his steei. My Captain is Gabriel Middletou, a quiet Quaker in peace, but when the glory of our country, tbe memory of its past, the hopo of its future, are all at stoke, as duriug end unflinching a Sou of Mars, as ever luletl e camp or graced a battle liuc. My second Lieutenant is Butler D. Price, sou of our Colonel. All 1 shall say of him, is that the hope of the father, shall cot be blasted in the future of the son. A thooaand times 1 wished that Bedford, with its fair women aud bright eyes, could have been transplanted bore, to witness our turn out on the 22d. The mother's heart of the quiet valiej would have throbbed witb joy to see her son pass the crowded thoroughfare, atmdst the half stiffled prayers "God bless him,'' "may he return safe." The city of Philadel phia gave little Bedford the palui for generous mothers, and noble looking sons, and from the •very depth of soul I pray, that when the bat tle shall have ended, and tbe Union safe, our whole ccuotry shall second this kind feeling, and lay beside the hearths we have left, and at the feet of the mothers we love, a tribute befitting the laurels we may win. W. W. ANDERSON, First Lieut. Comp. E, 2d Pa. Cavalry. For il ie Inquirer. MARIETTA, March 3, 1862. Mr. D. OVER:— Sir: Following the road north from Bodford 30 miles to Paucanaville, tbeoce by the Railroad west to Johnstown 35 miles, thence south to Stoystowu twenty-odd miles, thence east by tbe Turnpike to Bedford 30 miles, wo bound a territory conttiiniag about 900 square miles, with a population of ■ about 18,000, with but ono Post Office inside of said boundary. The people of this district and their friends, and the business men wish wboui they deal- outside of it have lung felt the want of better mail facilities. A few days ago I received a letter from H. A. Caldwell of Hollidaysburg, informing me that tho peo ple of Blair County wero petitioning the Post Master General for a route through tha above i named district. Starting at Newry, running | west by the Fraukstown road 3 miles, to Ma [ rioDsville, thence to Butket's Mill on Bobb's ; Creek 6 miles, thence down Bobb : s Creek | south 5 inilos, to the town of Marietta, tbenec t 4 miles to Mowry's .Mill, theuce to St. Clairs | ville 5 miles, making the whole distance from j Newry to St. Clairsville 23 miles by said route, with tbe establishment of a Post Office at each of the above named points. Mr. Caldwell re quests me to circulate petitions in our County, get them signed, and then forward them to him. Other engagements will, however, pre vent me from complying with his request, but 1 trust somebody else will attond to the mat ter. The approaohiDg election will afford a favorable opportunity to get a uumber of sign ers without much trouble. If you will plcaso call attention to the subject, through the col umns of your paper, you will much oblige, Yours, &0., W. G. THE NATIONAL FLAG now waves trium phantly in all the States of the Union, except Louisiana. The Government has indisputed control of all the free States, and of four of the si ave States—Delawsro, Maryland, Ken lucky, and Missouri. This leaves eleven of the thirty.four States under tho partial of tbe rebels, but our armies hoH the Western, northern, aDd eastern portions of Virginia; H&tteras Inlet, Roanoke Island. Edenton, Elizabeth City, and other poiuts in North Carolina; Hi't.an Head. Port Royal and Kdisto in South Carolina; Tybee 1-land, and several advanced posts, in Ueorgia; Kev West, Cedar Keys, Fort Pickens, and Santa Rota, in Flor ida, and Ship Island in Mississippi. Tho city of Galvestuu, in Texas, is virtually in our pos session. The army under command of Gen. Curtis, holds Fayetteville, in Arkansas. Fort Henry, Fort. Donelsoo, Clarksvillo, and Nash ville, in Tennessee, are oocupisd by our troops. Our gunboats OD tbo Cumberland lately pen etrated to Florence, Alabami, where the old flag was joyfully hailed. That it will soon wave in Louisiana, too, cannot be doubted.— The expedition under command of Gen. But ler, and our war vessels cruising near the mouth of the Mia-usippi, have ainplo power to plant Gur glorious emblem of Republican Lib erty upon the soil of that State, and will soon make it overshadow the Pelican banner; and the reported evaouation of Columbus increas es the probabilities of a successful journey of our gun-boats, at no distant day, down the Mississippi, to New Orleans The circle ot loyal emblems which enshrouds tbe rebellion is daily advancing in every direc'ion towards tbe centre of the Secession dominions.— The Press. THE Will lIIIfESSEE. The Rebels Surrounded at Murfreesboro' — (Jen. Buell Demands Their Unconditional surr en deader. CAIRO, Feb. 28—[Special despatch to the Chicago Tribune.] —Aiftiees from the neigh borhood of Murfreesborongh' state tbat tbe Rebels concentrated at that place have been surrounded by Gen. Buell's forces, so that DODG could escape. Tbo Rebels offered to surrender tbe position to the Federal troops if tbey wonld bo allow ed to niaroh out with the honors of war. Gen. Buell refused to allow them these con ditions, and demanded tbeir unconditional sur render. He notified them that be would allow two days for consideration, and, if the place was not surrendered at tbe expiration of that period, he would open tire upon them. The time expired this morning. SRetcls of Murfreesboroug-li. Murfreenborougb, where the telegraph in forms us the Rebels havo been surrounded by Gen. Buell, is the capital of Rutherford couu ty, Teunessee. It it a handaome post-village situated in a beautiful plain, and surrounded by a healthy and fertilo country. Tbe Union University at this place is a flourishing institu tion, and was founded by the Baptists in 1841. Thcro ere also a female institution, one bank and five ohur-bes. Several newspapers are pub lixbed here. Murfreasborough was tbe Capital of Tennessee from 1817 to 1827, wbeu the State House was consumed by fire. CAIRO, Feb. 28.—[Special to tbe Chicago Tribuuo.] —The Rebel arm; in their retreat ft out Nashville left behind 1,000 of their sick and wounded. Tbey destroyed the bridges and burned all the steamboats lying there but one, ( whi h escaped. The Texas soldiers fired tbe city iu many places, but the oit zens extinguish ed the flames. A great majority of tbe property owners re mained at Nasi.villa to receive the protection of the Unite ] States troops. The excitement among them was intense. Before leaving Nashville Governor Harris made a speech, iu which he said he had done all he could, and was going to leave for Mem phis, to which place he advised the citizens to follow him. Another Account Wo hold Nashville. The citizens sent down a boat, asking the guuboats to go up, and the gunboats have gone. The Rebels evacuated io tbe greatest haste, leaving guus, transportation, gunboats aud eve rything. Governor Harris left with them, tak ing away the State records. The Rebels are reported egncentrating at Murfreesborough. A poison junt from Nashville describes the Rebels' stampede as a perfect panic. The Mayor made a speech, saying be was still Se cession to the back-bone. "But," said he, "you see how it is; the gerne is up, and wo must either surrender tbo town, or havo it burned." Wbeu be left they were trying to get away their pork, of which they hid large quantities stored there. Tbe Texan Rangers committed all manner of excesses, on their own friends even, then left in wild confusion. Evacuation of Columbus. CAIRO, FEB. 28. Wo learn from a geotls mau wbo is thorougly conversant with Keutucky affairs that the Rebels aro dismounting tbeir large guns an 1 columbiads, and the work of evacuation is DC>W going on. Several transports are lying at Columbus to carry off the troops. Every man coming into Columbus is impress ed— even farmers with their teams. Several hundred negroes were sent to the interior yesterday. This is from a reliable source. The Rebel War Department Las called on Tennessee lor thirty-two more regiments. Au official despatch received from Knoxville says an ample force will advance from Rioh mond to protect East Tennessee. Harris has taken the field in per son. The story of Gen. Beaurogard'a illness is unfounded. Ho left Corinth for Columbus on tbe 19th inst. The Memphis Avalanche of tho 24th inst. says tbat persons reputed to have left General Johnston's command saya be entertains no doubt of his ability to reenter Nashville when ever be wishes to do so. THE WAR iN AKRASSBS. GEX. H.ILLECK'S RETALI AT 10 JV OX THE PRISOAER. ST. Louis, Feb. 28.— Gen. Halleob, in a general order which be has just issued; slates that official information has been received that the Rebels, in evacuating.Mudto'wn, A.rkansns, poisoned tbe provisions they were obliged to abandon, and that forty-two officers aud men were poisuued by eating tbo same. We oannot be says, retaliate by adopting tbe samejbarbar ous mode of warfare, nor can we retaliate by punishing the innocent for ibe guilty. Tbe laws of war forbid this. But tbe same code authorizes us to retaliate upon the guilty par ties. Persona guilty of such acts, when oup tured, will not be troated as ordinary prisoners of war, nor will they be shot, but suffer the tgnomioious punishment of being hung as fel ons. Officers aro in a measure responsible for tbo aotp of their troops. Officers of troops guilty of such acts, although uot themselves tho ad visors or abettors of this crime, will, when cap tured, be put io irons and conveyed as crimi nals to these headquarters. The laws of war make it their duty to prevent such barbarities. If tbey neglect that duty they must suffer the consequences. BUCKXER AX D TILGHMA X~ AT AL RAXY. ALBANY, Feb. 28.—The Rebel Gens. Buck nrr and Tilghm&n arrived at Congress Hall this morning, on their way to Fort Warren.— As soon as tbeir arrival was known a great number of citizens throngud the passage of tbe hotel anxious to obtain a sight of the prisoners, but they were kepi close in their apartment, and the curiosity of tho anxious assembly te mained ungratified. OCCUPATION OK HARPER'S FERRY AND CHARLESTON HARPER'S FERRY, V*., Feb. 27.—A pon toon bridge arrived here by tram front Balti more yesterday morning in charge of Capt. Duaae aud a corps of Engineers who bad it j thrown across the river at half past 3 o'clock, ready for 3crvioe. Gen. B-ittks w is about the first to cross, fod lowed by Hamiltou'r brigado, the Third Wit cousin being on the right of the advance. Col. Geary's command bad been in posses sion of Harper's Ferry for several days, Lav ing crossed over by a rope ferry on Aiouday.— Knopp's Battery accaeded Humilten's corn maun, apd Geo. Gorman's brigade and squad ron of Michigan cavalry, under Major Atwood, aud Captain Fisber followed, and reached the "sacred soil" at dusk. The inhabitants of Harper's Ferry, Camp town and Bolivar received our t:oops with ev ery demonstration of rejoicing and joy.— "Yankee Doodle" and "Dixie" ware perform ed by ibe regimental bauds respectively as they reached the land. Col. Geary, who was in Harper's Ferry, J learning during the forenoon that Secession scouta were ou Loudon Heights, aGd within * rifle shot of the bridge, crossed the Shcoan- I dnah with four compautes, who ascended the ' mountain on three sides and routed two com- I panics of tbeir cavalry; who ware evidently observing our operations. The Colonel held tbe mnuntaio until our positiou on the Virgin- 1 la side was safe from attack. Captain Hampton's battery .also prosed over . the bridge and took position on Bolivar Heights • last night. This Littery is now attached to j Gen. Hirailtou's Brigade, which al-o occupied the same position iu advance of other com- • mands. Tbe signal corps, a division which wis sta- ; tiuned in Bolivar duriug the trausit of the ar- i tuy, tendered important service. Tbe river was quite high, and consequently j a strong current was running, but uot the least apprehension was flt for the safety ot ' man or bea-t, and no accident occurred. liiteliigenoe from Poolcsvtllc states that on Tuesdsy night tbe Kebel batteries opposite j Edward's Ferry opened ou tbe Canal stoic- \ houses ihcre, and also direoied several shots at the locks of tbe Canal, with the evident in tentiou of destroying them and draining the Canal above. It is also stated that they have strengthened tbeir earthworks in front of Lees burjf to a formidable extent. A high wind prevails to-day whinb will test tbe permauency of the bridge. At the hour of writing, 11 A. M., uo accident has trans pired. A few rebel scouta from Cbarletowu have been observed beyond Bolivar Heigb's, re conuoitvricg. but no large bodies have heeu seen. Hundreds of refugees are thronging Sandy Hook, anxious to return to their deserted homes. LATER FBOM HARPER'S FERRY. HARPER'S FERRY, Feb. 28.—Yesterday ! morning ihe First equidron of Michigan Cav- - airy, Major Atwood, approached near Cbiri-s --towo. They discovered no large body of Reb- t els tuere, but captured three cavalrymen and '< three fine horses. It is rumored here that Winchester has been I largely reinforced by troeps from Mana-a-IS. , As a train was passiug Beiliu this moruing \ a Rebel battery opposite threw twelve shells ut it, teD fell short, and two pasvod over. The pontoon bridge withstood the gale of last night without moving. Wagons with for- j age, provisions, and oauip equipage are cross . | ing this morning. Evacuation and Laming of Colum bus Keuiucky. WASHINGTON, March 2.—The following despatch was received today from Commodore Foote, dated Cairo, March Ist: "Lieut. Commanding Phelps,* sent with a flg of truce to-day to Columbus, ha* this mo rneut roturued, and reports that Columbus is being evacuated. He saw tho rebels burning their winter quarters *nd removing their heavy guns on the bluffs, but the guns tu the water batteries remained intact. "lie also saw a large force of cavalry drawn up ostentatiously on the bluffs, but no infantry was to be seen as heretofore. The encamp ment seen in our armed reoonnoisaoces a few days since, has been removed. Large fires were viaable in the town of Columbus aud up on the river bank below, indicating the dostruc- : tion of the town, the military stores and equip ments. , (Signed) ; A. H. Foote, Flag Officer." j it is believed here that our army has by this j time occupied Columbus. CHICAGO, March 2.-- A*special despatch da ted Cairo, March Ist, reports that the unani mous disloyality of the citizens in and around Nashville is confirmed by every arrival frotu the Cumberland. The difference in senti ment between the people along the Tennes see and Cumberland river is very marked.— On the former there wsre many Unionists, hut ou the laitsr none having yet made tbeir ap pearance. Reports are current and crodited here that Columbus has been evacuated aud destroyed. The town was in flames last night. Gieat quietness and inaction reiga at Cairo. WASHINGTON, March 2.—Official icforma* tion to the War .Department, from Nashville, represents that the military work in that Slats is about completed, aud that it only remains to effect a civil reorganization of the State Goveromeut. It is believed that the Uui ted States forces will occupy Columbus to day. The rebel foroes under Albert S. Johnson, are being steadily pressed backwards by Gen. Buell. Cotton of the value of SIOO,OOO has fallen into our hands at Nashville, aud the Treasury Department has ukeu measures to have it brought to Nan York. The President has designated the lion. An drew Johnson to be a Brigadier General, and he proceeds to Tennessee to-morrow, to open a Military Provisional Government of Tennessee uutil the civil Government shall be re-oon strnoted. OFFICIAL NEWS FROM TENNESSEE WASHINGTON, March 3. —The Secretary of the Navy to-day received a letter dated Cai ro, thu 27th alt., from Flag-officer Foote, who says: '♦l have the bahor to forward a oouitimoica tion from Lieut. Owmauding Bryant, the sub ject of which i have just telegraphed. The captain of the steamer who brings 'he despatch says that six milts below Nashville there was H batteij on a high bluff, which had mounted fifteen gun, but evcral of tbvm were thrown into the rivtr bifure the Cairo arrived. lie , also reports that a strong Union feeling was maoitested iu and near Nashville, and that governor Harris, aft.-r vainly attempting to rally the cit.z oi and others, left on Tuesday morning for Memphis." He also rays vhe gun-boats are the terror of liie people at Nashville and at points ou the . Cntuberiaud river, and that oo heariug of my arrival, arid supposing that the gunboats would proceed immediately to Nashville, j the enemy retreated pauio-stricken. The unusually high water of trie river enabling j the gunboats to ascend the river was providen i lial." The followtug is the enclosure ia Optnmo dore Foote's letter: "Gun BOAT CAIRO, NASHVILL* Feb. 25. "Flag Officer A. H. Foole, Commanding the Flotilla in Ike Western voders: "Sir: Uuoerfain that nay letter of the 23d, reached you, 1 repeat that I departed from Clarkeville for this point, by the request of Brigadier General Stniib, outnmaudtcg .at Oiarksvtile, and arrived here this morning, ptocetiiug seven steamboats conveying an army commtadel by Bugadier-Gooaral Nelson. "The troops landed without opposition. Tlx* btuks. of the river ate fret) from hostile forces. The rail ft, d aaJ suspension bridges here are destroyed. "Very respectfully, "Your obedient servant, "A. C. Bryant, i.ieur.-Commanding." From 3&shviilc Telegraph. 'A' A.sfiINOTOS, March 2. Assistrnt Fost ujistct-Gauerai Kasson received the foilowing despatch from Nashville on Saturday. Is shows that the hue is in operation from thero here: "NASHVILLE, March I.—The Federal flag is firating over the Post Office here. 1 uiu in charge of the office, and 1 will retain it un til relieved. A. H. MABKLANP." JEFF. DAVIS'S ANNUAL MESSAGE. DOLEFUL STATEMENT OF MISHAPS. BALTIMORB, Friday, Feb. 28, 1862. Too following is a copy of Jeff. Davis's .Message to the Kebel Congress : To the Senate and House of Representatives of it, e Confederate States • In obedience to the constitutional provision requiring the President from lime to time to give to Congress information of the state of the Oiiifederacy; and recommend for their ccr sidrat'.on such measures as be shall jadge ne cessary and expedient, I have to communicate ih.t sinee the message at the last session of •he Provisional Congress, events have demon strated that the Government bad attempted more than it had power successfully to achieve. Hence in the effort ta protect, by our arms, the whole territory of the Confederate Si&tes, seaboard and inland, wo have been so exposed as reocutly to cncuuQter serious disasters. — When the Confederacy was formed the States comprising it were in the peculiar character of their pursuits, rod a misplaced confidence in thvir former associates, to o great extent, des titute of the tue.ius for the prosecution of the war on so giguutio a scale as that to which it has attained. The workshops and artists were mainly to bo foond ia the Northern States, and one of the first duties which devolved upon this Government was to establish the necessa ry manufactories, aud,_in tbo mean time, to obtain, by purchase troui abroad, ts far as practicable, whatever required for the public defease. No effort has been spared in effect Loth these ends, and though the results Lave uot equalled cur Lopes, it is believed that an impartial judgment will, upon full investi gation, award to the various departments of tbo Government' credit for having dona all which bumau power and foresight enabled them to accomplish. The valor and devotion of the people have not only sustained the efforts cf the Govern ment, but have gone far to supply its deficien cies. The uotive state of military preparations among the uations of Europe in April last, the date waan our agents first want abroad, interposed unavoidable delays in the procure ment of arms, and the want of a navy has greatly impeded our efforts to import military supplies of all aor's. 1 have hoped for several days to receive the official reports in relation to our discomfiture at liownoke Island SDU the fall of Fort Don elson. They have not yet reached tno, and I am therefore unable to communieato to you such information of past events, and consequences resulting from them, as would enable me to make recommendations founded upon the changed oondition which tbey have produced. Enough i known of the surrender of Roan oke island to make us foe! that it was deeply humiliating, however imperfect may have baeu the preparation for defense. The hope is still entertained that our reported losses at Fort Dooelson have been greatly exaggerated, inas much as I am not only ut;willing but unable to believe that a large eimy of our peopla have surrendered without a desperate effort to cut t hair way through ths investing forces, whatever m.y Lave beeu their numbeis, and" to endeavor to make a junction with other di visions or the army. But in the #hoce of that exact information, which can only be af forded by official reports, it would be prema ture to pass judgment, and my own is resetv , ed, as 1 trust yours will be, Until that infor mation is received, in tbo meantime strenu- I uus efforts have been made to throw forward ' reenforcements to the armies at positions threatened; and I doubt the bitter dis ' appointments we have borne, by nerving the people to still greater exertions, will speedily seouro results mors accordant with our just . expectations, and as favorable to our cause as , those which marked tho earlier period of the war. The reports of the Secretaries of War and Navy will exhibit the njass of resources for tho couduot of the war, which we have been ena bled to accumulate notwithstanding the very serious difficulties against which we have con -
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