xxx Num.
WILMINGTON PRESBYTERY.
This body met at Glasgow, Del., on
Tuesday evening, April sth, and remain
ed in session until Thursday. Rey. John
W. Mears was chosen Moderator. Re
vivals were reported in four of the
churches, three of them being of unusual
power, and resulting in the material
strengthening of the several churches.
Probably one hundred and twenty mem
bers have been added to their numbers.
A spirit of enlarged liberality prevails;
even the feeble churches showing a very
great advance in contributions. A new
Mission chapel has been built in Wil
mington, at a cost of nearly $4OOO. In
one of the churches a systematic attempt
is making, on the part of disloyal sym
pathizers, to obtain control of the pulpit
and property. Votes have been manu
factured by the "packing" of vacant
pews to such an extent as to render the
result doubtful. The stated supply, a
member of the Philadelphia Fourth
Presbytery, in good and regular stand
ing, has been working with this faction,
much to the surprise and regret of the
loyal people. Is not this a case 'war
ranting, if not demanding, Presbyterial
investigation ?
The following questions were over
tnred to the next Assembly :
1. Who are voters in an election for
trustees of a church ?
2. Who have power to call a meeting
for the election of trustees of a church?
3. Who have power to close and hold
possession of a church, the trustees or
Session?
Rev. J. Garland Hamner and Elder
E. T. Taylor were chosen commissioners
to the General Assembly. Milford, Del.,
was chosen as the next place of meeting,
September 28th.
RECOGNITION OF CHAPLAINS.
Every one interested in the moral
welfare of the army will rejoice at the
intelligence, that Congress has at length
legislated, so as to place chaplains on
the same footing, as other commission
ed officers. The late enactment fa
videl that their names shall be placed
near the surgeons, on the regimental
rolls ; that they have quarters at hos
pitals and posts ; that their widows and
mothers shall be entitled to the same
pension received by the relatives of
captains . ; and for similar causes ; and
also that there shall be a burial service
at the funeral of a soldier, and shall be
at least one religious service on the.
Sabbath.
By theso provisions, a chaplain is pro
tected from the neglect or insolence of
those armed with a little brief authority,
and he is made to feel that hie profession
is recognized as much as the medical by
the Government.
Senator Foster in the debate, which
took place on the Bill, with much force
and practical effect, exhibited the "lit
tleness" that had been pracVed upon
chaplains, simply because they were
unrecognized by the Army Regulations.
Under the new law, every faithful
chaplain will thank God and \ take
courage.
AN INTERESTING DISCIUSSION.
At the monthly meeting of the Young
Men's Christian Association, on Monday
evening the 28th ult., Rev. Mr. Moore,
of the Presbyterian Church, Redwood
Street, read •an excellent essay on Theo
dore Parker, which was followed by an
animated discussion of his character and
influence as a reformer; which is to be
continued in another form of treatment,
at the next meeting. It will be an oc
casion of marked interest we think.
The question of a semi-monthly relig
ious meeting, with direct reference to
more spiritual results, is "agitated. The
churches should second and sustain such
/amiable efforts, and pastors of the city.,
.liould • more frequently drop into these
(ratherings, and shed the light of en
ouragement on the enterprise.
Stir WE CALL ATTENTION to the adver
isement of Orittenden's Commercial
ollege in another column. This long
stablished institution has never been in
zo flourishing .a condition as under its
'resent management. It had, during the
last year, probably a larger number of
ztudents in attendance than any other
:duOittional establishment in the State—
early five hundred from different see
ions of the country, including many
rein .our best business houses, having
eon entered on its register. For thor
, ughness of instruction and complete
ess of its course for business life, it has
o superior.
The expenses are light and eompara
'rely insignifteant, in view of the ad_
antages it offers to those having a
siness course in view. Nre can speak
om actual experience, having employed
the office of this paper two of the
ndents of Crittenden's Commercial
°lege, who gave great satisfaction and
fleeted the highest credit on theft' in
rnetors.
AMENDMENT TO THE OONSTITETION.
Mt important Amendment to the Con
stitution, the text of which will be found
in our news columns, abolishing and ex
chiding slavery in and from the United
States and Territories forever, has been
passed by the Senate. The measure
must also pass the House by a two-thirds
vote; and be submitted to the Legisla
tures of the several States, the assent of
three-fourths of whom is necessary to its
incorporation into the Constitution.—
The prospect of this result is most cheer
ing to the friends of human rights, to
those longing and waiting for signs of
real progress as a result of the convul
sions of the times, and to those who wish
our national enactments to correspond
with those of the Great Ruler of the
Universe.
The scenes which lately transpired in
the House of Representatives, show that
the friends of oppression and of the over
throw of Republican Government, feel
that their time is short. They see that
in the passage of such an enactment
their career as public men would be for
ever at an end. So may it be.
KEEPERS OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Marvellous, but not deceiving in the
eyes of all true men, is
. the attitude
taken by the faction, who, in the pre
sent Congress, oppose and embarrass
the Government. We are to believe,
from the speeches of these traitors,
whom cowardice and the hope of plun
der alone keep from open and armed
league with the rebellion, that they are
the true supporters of the Constitution
and the real friends of human liberty !
And that those who are directing their
energies to the suppression of the rebel
lion in the speediest and surest manner,
are the only 'anarchists I Shall we not
summon Jeff. Davis at once from Rich
mond, to give us a true rendering of
that instrument? Or shall we not re
sign our very existence as a nation, so
that we may meet *the quibbles of these
precious specimens of loyalty, these piti
ful remnants and dregs of a ruined
party ?
1 , : !,1 1 13BATH RAILROAD PROFANATION,
On the sth of this month the Commit
tee on City Passenger Railroads agreed
to report favorably on a bill allowing
the City P assenger Cars to run on the
Sabbath. We do not know what efforts
are contemplated to meet and counter
act this movement, but we greatly fear
from the unenviable character our State
Legislature has gained by previous
railroad action the past winter, that
little hope can be tieriShed of prevent- -
ting the passage of a measure so plainly
detrimental to the best interests, spiri
tual and temporal, of the community.
REV. D. G. MALLERY, formerly chap
lain of the 51st. Regt. P. V., but having
some months ago resigned, has just
been re-elected to the same position, and
is now on duty with the 51st, at Annap
olis, Md.
A supply of the AMERICAN PRESBYTE
RIAN will be thankfully received by Mr.
Mallery, for the regiment. Will some
friend place the necessary funds in our
hands for this object ?
REV. R. PATTERSON, D. D., sailed on
Monday, April 4th, from New York for
San Francisco, by the steamer Champi
on, and Rev. George J. Mingins on Wed- ,
nesday, April 13th. Both of these
brethren are engaged in the service of:
the Christian Commission, and expect
to labor for it in California. They are
warmly recommended for this object by
a large number of clergymen.
CIRCULAR,
OF THE PASTORAL ASSOCIATION ON THE
DEBTS OF FEEBLE CHURCHES.
DEAR SIR :—The undersigned were
appointed a Committee to make inquiry
in relation to the debts on feeble
Churches within the bounds of the.
Third and Fourth Presbyteries, and to
report to the Pastoral Association of
Philadelphia the result. They found
the following, viz. :
Indebted. Will raise. Needed
Logan Square Church, $3,000 $l,OOO $2,000
Darby, Second " 3,300 2,425 875
East Whiteland " 1,600 1,000 600
Southwestern " 5,035 " 780 4 305
Kenderton ~ 4,000 1,000 3,000
Lombard Street " 3,306 1,906 1,900
Marple 1,200 600 600
According to the foregoing statement,
the whole amount of indebtedness on
these Churches is $21,991. These
Churches will raise of this amount
$8,711, leaving $18,280 to be raised by
the other Churches.
When the Committee made their Re
port, the followincr 6 Resolutions were
unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the Committee
ap
pointed by the Association, address a
:Circular to the Laymen of our churches,
in the City, respectfully requesting them
to take into consideration the importance
of a united and vigorous effort for the
relief of the above named churches.
And that the same Circular be sent to
our City Pastors, that they may notify
their congregations of a meeting to be
held in ie First Presbyterian Church,
Washington Square, on Tuesday, the
19th of April, at a quarter before 8
o'clock, P. M., for "this purpose, and
urge heir attendance.
PHIL a&I .
• ; ; "11 ' A ODIN
•
• OA. •
Resolved, That a Committee be ap
pointed by the contemplated meeting,
consisting only of Laymen, to take
charge of the money subscribed, and
that no distribution of money to the
cburches interested be made until the
whole sum required is obtained. But,
that when any of these churches shall
furnish satisfactory evidence to said
Committee that they have raised the
amount pledged, and that this, with the
sum asked, will cancel every claim on
their building and lot, the Committee
,shall pay said sums to such churches.
The present time seems peculiarly
propitious for such a united and vigor
ous effort. The unwonted liberality of
some of our wealthy members, and
the deep necessities of some of our
feeble churches, give promise of success
in this effort, and urge its importance.
Most of our churches are now free from
pecuniary pressure. May we not hope
that ere long every church of our denom
ination, in this City, will be relieved
from tke burdens that have long inter
fered with their prosperity and growth,
and embarrassed their Pastors. This
can be done. It will be done, if our
people have a mind to work for it, ac
cording to the ability God has given
them. Perhaps this is the only time
when such an effort can be successfully
made. It will be a joyful day when it
is reported that all our struggling
churches are released from these bur
dens. We look forward to the near ap
proach of that day with hope.
Your presence is most earnestly and
respectfully requested at the meeting,
to take into consideration this matter.
This meeting will be held in _First Pres
byterian Church, Washington Square,
on Tuesday, the 19th of April, at a
quarter before 8 P. M.
ROBERT ADAIR,
JOHN PATTON,
Committee of Association.
N. B.—At a meeting of the Pastoral
Association, of this City, held Decem
ber 21, 1863, it was
Resolved, unanimously, -" That this
Pastoral Association will not be respon
sible, morally or pecuniarily, to aid in
paying the debt of any church, unless
they have been consulted relative to the
incurring of the liability."
finvo of iitf tirk.
SENATE, April s.—The Judiciary Commit
tee reported. with amendments, the bill for
the collection of taxes in insurrectionary
States. The resolution calling on the Sec
retary of War for information in regard to
church property seized was tabled. The
joint resolution to amend the Constitution
so as to prohibit slavery was then taken up.
Mr. Davis' amendment, that no negro, or
person whose mother or grandmother is- or
was a negrii, shall be a citizen of the United
States was rejected, .49.4 SeMetichAilat that
to slave slialT be emancipated unless the
owntve, is first• paid the , vain.* of said lime;
was also voted •down. r;
House.—ln the House of Representatives
the Committee on Post Roads and Canals
reported a bill authorizing the construction
of two bridges over the Ohio river, which,
after some discussion, was re-committed.
The Committee on Ways and Means were
instructed to inquire into the expediency of
increasing the duty on foreign wool. A re
solution directing the Committee on Mili
tary Affairs to report the bill increasing the
pay of soldiers was referred to that com
mittee. Mr. Rice asked leave of absence
for ten days for the Committee on Naval
Affairs, in order to visit the West to exam
ine sites for a navy-yard on the Mississippi,
but objection was made by several gentle
men, and the request was laid on the table.
The National Banking bill was taken up in
Committee of the Whole, and was reported
with the amendments.
SENATE, April 6.—The bill providing for an
an Amendment to the Constitution, passed
to a third reading.
HOUSE.—the National Bank bill was on
motion of Mr. Stevens, laid on the table, 89
to 44.
SENATE, April 7.—On motion , of Mr. Doo
little, the bill to aid Indian refugees
to return to their homes was taken up.
The bill appropriates about $200,000 for
the benefit of the Indians who fled into the
frontier States a year ago,frotn Indian Terri
tory, on account of the rebellious position
taken by some of the tribes.. The Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the joint
resolution amending the Constitution.
Speeches were made by Mr. Hendricks and
Mr. Henderson. After Executive session,
adjourned.
HOUSE.—The Secretary of War was direct
ed to inform the House how many com
missioned officers, with their names and
rank, have been dismissed from the military
service by authority ofthe President, with
out trial by Court-Martial, since the begin
ning of the present war, and how many such
dismissals have been revoked. The House
resumed the consideration of the Raritan
and Delaware Bay Railroad bill. Mr. Wood
bridge argued in favor of the constitution
ality and expediency of declaring the roads
and boats of that company to be military
and post routes. The subject went over.
The House then proceeded to the considera
tion of business relating to the District of
Columbia. Several local bills were passed,
and one appropriating $250,000 for the erec
tion of a Penitentary, Jail, and House of
Correction, in the District of Columbia, was
discussed. Pending a motion to lay the bill
on the table, the House adjourned.
SENArs, April B.—Mr Sherman introduced
a bill to provide for a icational currency, se
cured by the pledge of United States stocks,
and to provide for the circulation and re
demption thereof. The bill is that proposed
by - Mr. Hooper in the House, without ma
terial change. Referred. Mr. Harlan intro
duced a for the relief of certain friendly
Indians of the Sioux nation in Minnesota.
Referred to the Committee of Indian Affairs.
It appropriates $lO,OOO to make provision
for the welfare of such Indians as periled
life in saving from the masaere many whites
in 1862. By ,unanimous consent, Mr. Hale
called up the bill to repeal the first session
of the joint resolution of Feb, 24, 1864, re
lating to the transfer of persons from the
military to the naval service, which was
passed. The Senate then proceeded to the
consideration of the, joint resolution amend
ing the Constitution. Mr. Sumner addressed
the Senate at length. Some other speeches
were made, and the final question was then
taken. The proposed Constitutional amend
ments, which was finally adopted by thirty-
eight to six. nays, is as follows: "ART. Xlll.,
$6,711 $13,280
CONGRESS.
Sec. I.—Neither Slavery nor involuntary ser
vitude, except as a punishment for crime, of
which the party shall have been duly con
victed, shall exist within the United States
or any place !subject to their jurisdiction.
Sec. 2.—Congress shall have power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation." This
must be passed by the House, signed,by the
President, and ratified by the Legislatures
of three-fourths of the States, when will it
become a part of the Constitution. Ad
journed.
HOUSE.—TI y bill providing for a peniten
tiary in the District was recommitted. The
Senate billixtending the time in which
States may a ail themselves of grants of land
for agricultural and mechanical colleges,
was passed Nitta a clause admitting West
Virginia to s provision. The President's
t
annual mes age was taken up, and Mr.
Long of Obi,, made a vehement speech on
the rebel side. In this speech, as reported,
Mr. Long said : " there were only two ques
tions—first, the recognition of the Confede
racy, and, second, the continuation of the
war for the subjugation of the South. Of
the two he preferred the former."
April 0.--The Senate was not in session.
1 HOUSE.—TIie speaker, Mr. Colfax, called
Mr. Rollins,i6f N. H., to the chair, and as a
question of/privilege, proposed a preamble
and resolutions, calling for the expulsion of
1 3
Mr. Long Ur treasonable language. During
the course f debate which arose, all the
long supra ssed venom of the snaky faction
found vent Mr. Harris, of Md., having de
clared full agreement with Long, it was
moved th 4 he be expelled and a majority
(but not *O-thirds) voted for it; he was
severely ctjusured by a resolution, only eigh- '
teen votiri in the negative. Mr. Long's '
case was plstponed on plea that his language
had been )iisrepresented. I
SENATE, April 11.—A memorial for a suit- I
able pier t Lewes, Del., was presented. A i
Report o the battle of Olusted, Fla., was
made. T e House Naval Bill was consider
ed, and t e appropriation for building float
ing dry- ocks at Philadelphia and New
ri
York, foe t 'monitors, was struck out.
Housx.-- esolved, When it adjourns, to
adjourn u i t Thursday to attend the fune.
1 (
rat of M John C. Rives, late editor of
the Glob . A preamble and resolution to
the effec that the South should not be sub
jugated, as laid on the table. The case of
.
Mr. Lon was then resumed. The following
is the re ution offered by Mr. Colfax:
Resolv ;"- That Alexander Long, a Repro
sentatiV , from the Second District of Ohio,
I
having on the Bth of April, 1864, declared
himself i favor of recognizing the inde
pendenc and nationality of the so-called
Confede cy, now in arms against the Union,
and the by given aid, countenance and en
courage ent to persons engaged in armed
hostilit to the United States, is hereby ex
pelled. 1
i
Durin the debate, the prominent organs
of the ,mocracy declared that .party to be
for pea . Stirring speeches were made by
Gen. henck and Henry W. Davis. Mr.
Orth s d of Mr. Harris, censured by vote of
the H use, that "if old General Jackson
i
had b in power, instead of censure only,
the tr tor would be now in Old Capitol
Prison. Adjourned at 11.30 P. M., with
out ac on.
THE WAR.
Ken'neky.—The rebels are showing an
exceedpitgly bold front in the western part
of Kentucky. Paducah, on the Ohio at the
mouth f the Tennessee river, once a town
of 10,0 inhabitants, and intensely disloyal
when rst occupied by Gen. Grant, in Sept.
35 (
1861, as the object of a desperate attack
by th rebels under Gen. Forrest, late last
aroht. . It was guarded by a fort, held by
Col. cks with a force of 685 men, 250 of
whom were colored. The approach of the
t r
exam yariously-estimated at 250 Q to '1.0,000
stroti ivas known inAiity.e to !permit the
f
trans tation of the ir*ltants to the other
side f the river. The - gunboats Paw Paw
and eosta_ were moored in a good position,
awaited ..
and he rebel advance was aw by the
Unio, forces. They appeared at one o'clock
Marc , 26th. A correspondent of the Tribune
says f "There was no delay in the advance.
He ushedhis line forward rapidly and
_
- -
steactly, and while at the same time a de
tachflibt from the right flank, several hun
dred's o
}
ng, dashed into the now deserted
city, an down Market street, and the other
street I ck of it, until, coming within range
of the rt, they opened a galling fire from
the hoses upon the garrison. On they
camei. ' ith loud cheers that sounded dis
tinctljr hrough the now increasing roar of
battleand which were defiantly answered
i l v
by au/men, who now, reeking with perspi
ratio plied their rammers with accelerated
rapidi and hurled destruction through the
acivan ing lines. As soon as they came
withi good rifle range a terribly destructive
fire w opened upon them, and men top
pled, heeled, and fell to the ground by
scores. Although the overwhelming force
continued to close upon the fort it was now
evidtat that there was much disorder among
therroxnd presently a portion of the line
gave hi-ay, When the whole force broke in
conluiion and retreated precipitately, leav
ing theground strewn with not less than 200
killed(ind wounded. The discomfited reb
els we e then reformed upon their original
line. t
As t se smoke began to clear up it was
'discov red that the city was on fire in several
places The railroad depot was already
eompl .tely wraepped in flames, having been
fired lly the rebels. The shelling of the
gunbo is had dislodged the sharpshooters
from the buildings nearest the fort, and
their tire was just being directed toward
other portions of the town, when a flag of
truce%as observed coming from the enemy's
lines. , '-
The fag covered a demand for the uncoil-.
ditionalsurrender of the fort, with a threat
that no;,-quarter would be granted in the
eventa forbible capture. Col. Hicks
promptly replied thatle was sent there to
defend; the post, and intended to obey, as
any hotiorable officer should. An hour was
consumed during this parley, immediate/7
after which the enemy advanced and made
a second charge, which only resulted in
strewing, a couple of hundred more of dead
and wounded rebels on the earth, and a dis
astrouskrePulse. This by no means satisfied
the desperate Rebel 'band. The Rebels
swarmed thicker and thicker in the-build
ings, ark(' an unintermitting storm of lead
-was poured from roofs and windows, not
withstanding the houses were being perfora-•
ted by shot and shell from all our guns.
Every gun in the fort was now turned'
upon thertown, while' the gunboats . took an
active part inrsweeping the streets and shell
ing the houses. The enemy finding that
our force was not strong enough to risk
leaving the works did not re-form his whole
line again, but sent his mernby detachments
several_ hundred strong into the city, some
to burn and pillage and otham to reenforce
those who were yet firing upon the garrison.
Now was the hardest trial our brave fellows
had to bear. In spite of the shells that
were sent crashing through the buildings,
the sharpshooters, who by this time must
have numbered nearly 1,000, held their po
sitions or else falling back for,a few minutes
again came forward and delivered their fire.
At length, at nightfall, when the garrison
Was nearly exhausted, and the ammunition
so nearly-gone that further resistance would
have necessarily been chiefly with the bayo
net, the rebels drew offi keeping up a lighter
fire, however, until midnight. The next
day the rebels were still in the immediate
vicinity and threatening another attack.
Col. Hicks burned a number of buildings in
his immediate front and having received
aid from Cairo, prepared to resist them.
But the rebels after some further vain at
tempts at conference withdrew, having suf
fered, according to the correspondent, a loss
of 1000 killed and wounded. Union loss 14
killed and 42 wounded. The movements
of Forrest, since this bold but disastrous at
tack, are not clear. Much praise should
be awarded to the brave Colonel Hicks and
his garrison, the colored soldiers of which
bore themselves with their usual bravery.
Captain Patrick, with but fifteen men, last,
week surprised sixty rebels, near Quicksand
Creek, Ky., killing ten and wounding eleven
of the enemy, and capturing all their arms
and equipments.
Virginia.—Army Changes.—Major-General
P. H. Sheridan is assigned to the Cavalry
Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The
11th and 12th Corps are to be consolidated
and called the Ist Army Corps, and Major-
General Joseph Hooker is assigned to the
command. Major-General G. Granger is re
lieved from the command of the 4th Army
Corps, and Major-General 0. 0. Howard is
assigned to it in his stead. Major-General
Schofield is assigned to the command of the
3d Army Corps. Major-General Slocum is
ordered to report to Major-General Sher
man, commanding the Division of the Mis
sissippi, and Major-General Stoneman to
Major General Schofield, commanding the.
Department of the Ohio, for assignment.
Major-General Granger is ordered to report
to the Adjutant-General of the Army.
About forty rebels recently made an at
tempt to blow up the Light-house at Cape
Lookout.. Having placed the keeper and
his wife under a guard, they proceeded to
carry their plan into execution, but ran
away at the approach of a United States
transport, which they thought to be a Union
gun-boat.
Arkansas.--Dates from Fort Smith to
April 6th, say that Gen. Steele's army has
driven the Rebels from Arkadelphia, and is
now advancing on Price in the direction of
Camden and Washington. Several hun
dred Rebels, under Cabell and other com
manders, have come in behind our advancing
forces, on raiding expeditions. Clarksville,
65 miles from here, was attacked day before
yesterday. The enemy was repulsed, with
a loss of three killed, 10 prisoners, 20 hor
ses, and all their camp equipage.
A large amount of cotton is reported cap
tured on the Red river, amounting to about
three thousand bales. Col. Clayton, com
manding ,at Pine Bluff, advanced with a
small force to Mount Elba, on Salem river,
where, by stratagem, he captured 326 pris
oners, and afterward fought a battle, defeat
ing 1200 of the enemy, with a loss of 100 in
killed and wounded. He captured small
arms, stores, &c. in great quantity. Loss 15,
all told. Gen. Steele was at Arkadelphia on
the 28th of March, on his way South.
Louisiana.—The main body of General
Franklin's force reached Alexandria, Loui
siana, on the 28th ult., without opposition.
The country is almost entirely deserted by
the whites and the male negroes. Some I
seventeen cannon have been captured since
the expedition reached Red river.
Dates from New Orleans to March the
29th, state that the election for delegates to
the Louisiana State Convention resulted in
favor of the Free State party by a large ma
jority. The steamer J. H. Russell, with 700
bales of cotton, and a quantity of cattle and
hogs, was consumed by fire at night at Pla
quemine. The Rebel ram Tennessee was
struck by a squall April 1, while lying near
Grant's Pass, near Mobile, causing it to keel
over and sink. But two feet of here-smoke
stack now remains visible. Her armament
will prove a heavy loss to the Rebels. It
consisted of six 100-pounder rifled Parrotts,
and nearly as many small pieces.
[This account needs confirmation.]
The officers of steamers from Red river
report a considerable fight on Cane river, 35
miles above Alexandria, on the 28th ult.,
between Gen. Smith's forces, consisting of
8,000 infantry under Gen. Mower, and Dud
ley's brigade of Lee's Cavalry Corps, and
Dick Taylor's army, estimated to be 12,000
strong, posted in an advantageous position.
The fight lasted about three hours.:Our loss
is reported to be eighteen killed and about
sixty wounded ; that of the rebels was much
greater, some , placing it at two hundred in
killed and wounded. We captured five
hundred prisoners, and others are still being
brought in. Our troops did not halt on the
battle-ground, but pushed on in pursuit of
the retreating foe.
- Tennessee.—The inquirer's Nashville cor
respondent, April 11th, says : It is certain
at last that East Tennessee has been aban
doned by the rebel troops, and that they
have destroyed all the bridges in their hasty
evacuation. Seven of Longstreets'sGenerals
have been court-martialed in regard to the
failure of the campaign in East Tennessee.
On last Thursday evening there was con
siderable excitement in Memphis, owing to
an attack made by the rebels upon our outer
pickets. The Memphis militia were imme
diately 'sent to the front. The "attack was
thought, however, to be a feint made by
Forrest to enable him to get safely South
with his trains containing the plunder taken
at Paducah.
Sduth Carolina.—A party of refugees
picked up in a small skiff off Charles harbor
say that the rebel rams, which can be plainly
discerned on the stocks, on a fair day, from
Gregg and our batteries near Cummings'
Point, are suffering considerably from our
fire, which is directed against them when
ever the weather is favorable for practice.
Our shells have driven the rebel workmen
away so frequently that they cannot be in
duced to - work regularly upon them. Sev
eral of the ship carpenters have been wound
ed and the balance are almost panic stricken.
The rams themselves have been repeatedly
hulled and badly shattered. In fact, at one
time it was found impossible to repair dam
ages as 'fast as injuries were sustained by
them. The range has been obtained, and
our shells strike and explode, every time, in
the immediate neighborhood of the ship
yards or •in the yards themselves. The fire
has had the effect of postponing the launch
ing of the•rams, and may effectually prevent
it altogether. It will be maintained here
after.
Recently, our batteries have thrown a few
shell daily ;into the city—just enough to let
the rebels know that we are alive on Morris
island, and propose to hold that point. The
thirty-pounder Parrott, which has been firing
for some time past, finally gave out the other
day, at about4he four thousand six hundred
and some odd round. As it was fired at a
high elevation, which is considered the most
trying on any gun, the fact that it endured
so long proves the value of the invention.
The Wiard gun 43 to be tested in the same
severe way, and 'from the experiments some
very valuable results will be obtained of in
terest to ordnance •eilicers and to the world.
Naval.—Early on the morning of the 9th,
a torpedo waa brought alongside of the fri
gate Minnesota, lying -off Newport News, by
the rebels and exploded. The frigate was
considerably shaken and damaged, but not,
as was designed, blown up with all on board.
The annual Navy Register for 1864, which
is just published at Washington, contains
some very interesting information concern
ing the present condition and strength of
our navy. It appears - that we have now 622
vessels of all classes inthe navy, 432 of which
are war steamers, and 74 iron-clads and
rams.
The number of guns of the iron-clad fleet
is put down at 325, and the tonnage of the
same at 86,474. In March, 1861, there were
but 42 naval vessels in commission, and now
we have nearly double this number of iron
clads alone. This exhibit shows that the
increase of our Navy has been the most re
markable of any nation on record, and when
we consider that it has been created in time
of war, the interest is enhanced. Of the
iron-clad fleet 27 vessels are afloat and 47
building, nearly all of which will be speedily
launched. From the official . reports up to
February Ist, 1863, we find that England
had 5 iron-plated vessels afloat and 6 build
ing, and France had 4 afloat.
The present naval force is divided into
nine squadrons, as follpyrs —The North At
lantic, the South Atlafltic, the East Gulf, the
West Gulf, the Mississippi, the Special West
India, the Pacific, the East India and Medi
terranean, and the Potomac Flotilla. Seven
vessels of the Navy are detached and as
signed to special service.
GENERAL NEWS.
A decision in the District Court in this
city was rendered on Saturday, which sus
tains the validity of the legal tender of
" greenbacks." This is a very interesting
question, and it has, from time to time, been
before the Courts, not only this State but in
New York and other States. Various de
cisions have been rendered. Sometimes we
find the law making the Treasury notes legal
tenders, as expressed on their face, sustained,
and then again a contrary view is enter
tained, and, perhaps, in no case has the ac
tion of the courts, that is, the opinion of all
the Judges, been entirely harmonious in the
cases brought before them. Those who op
pose the legal tender quality of the Treasury
notes appear to base their opposition on the
ground that the law making them a legal
tender is unconstitutional, as impairing the
obligation of contracts previously made.
This is a question of deep national concern,
as we now have almost exclusively the Gov
ernment paper issues as the circulating
currency of the country. It would appear
in this view, that to sustain this currency is
to sustain the Government. All the loyal
people of the North are mutually interested
in the success of the Government, and its
present financial system is a necessary part
of the means to accomplish that object-
Treasury notes have been made a legal ten.
der by law to meet the present situation of
our national affairs among our own people,
and the refusal to receive them as such is
only to that extent a disposition to disavow
the authority of Congress to make laws for
the support of the Government.
Secretary Stanton has transmitted to tla
Senate a report from A. A. General Town
send relating to the nine months' men,
militia and volunteers, called out in 1862,
which says that the number raised and re
ceived into service, under the act of Juty 17,
1862, was 18,884 nine months' volunteers,
61,205 nine months' militia. $25,000 in
bounty has been paid to all volunteers ac
cepted under said act.
A terrible storm raged in Baltimore during
Saturday. The tide rose from three to five
feet higher than usual. The "Seaman's
Bethel" was sunken during the storm.
President Lincoln has commuted to im
prisonment in Fort Delaware during- the
war, three rebel spies who had been
9pn
deurned to be hung.
A spurious ten dollar note was circulated
on Saturday. It was neatly executed and
well calculated to decieve. It was on the
Citizene Bank of Massaehusetts.
The iron-clad frigate Ironsides has fired
since she has been in service four thousand
three hundred and sixty-one rounds ; has
been hit two hundred and forty-one times;
has had only one man killed ; has not been
seriously injured, and is probably the best
iron-clad vessel in the world.
An expedition recently sent up the Chick
ahominy river by Gen. Butler, was successful
in penetrating to within fifteen miles of the
rebel capital.
John C. Rives, proprietor of the Washing
ton Globe, died in that city on Sabbath
morning, at the age of sixty-nine. Re was
for a while clerk in the Fourth Auditor's
office of the Treasury Department, and sub
sequently a clerk in Duff Green's Telegraph
establishment ; but early in General Jack
son's administration he founded, with Mr.
Blair, the Globe. Soon after the sale of that
paper to Mr. Ritchie in 1845, he re-estab
lished the Globe as a journal of Congressional
proceedings, and it is now considered the
official record of debates.
Five of the Brigadier-Generals Smith were
at the siege of Vicksburg :—John E., Third
Division, Fifteenth Corps; Andrew J., of
the Thirteenth Corps, now up the Red
River ; William Sooy, Fourth Division, Fif
teenth Corps; Thomas Xilby, now at Nat
chez, and Morgan L., Second Division, Fif
teenth Corps.
A private letter states that the people of
California are suffering at present from
drought. Eight thousand sheep and eight
thousand beeves have died, and the farmers
are killing the cattle for their hides and fat.
This drought will prove most disastrous to
the farming and hydraulic mining interests
of that State.
A patriotic lady in New York bought the
one dollar "greenback" which had been
pierced by bullets and afterwards taken
from the dead body' of a Union soldier. The
mother of the soldier sent it to the Fair,
and the purchaser paid the handsome sum
of one hundred dollars for it.
A large bridge over the Northern Central
Railroad, near York, Pa.,• Ras _ swept away
by the flood of Saturday. The freshet has
been very severe '•in many places; , but the
damage is not so severe as at . first appre
hended.
Admiral Farragut reports the capture of
the schooner Marion, bound to Havana.
with an assorted cargo.
Gold closed on Monday at 172.
It is thought that the bill to remove the
seat of Government from Harrisburg to
Philadelphia which has passed the State -
Senate by a
Philadelphia,
majority, will also pass the
House, when the subject comes up on:
Thursday.
Maryland has just voted, April 6th, for a ,
Convention, to consider the question of
of emancipation. A majority of the dele
gates' elected are said to favor immediate
and unconditional emancipation. '
The subscription to the 10-40 loan
amounts, April Bth, to ten millions. New
York subscriptions on April 9th were $l,-
044,000.
The Rhode Island Gubernatorial election,
held April 6th, resulted in the re-election of
James G. Smith, Union national candidate,
over the combined Democrat and Indepen
dent Union votes. The Connecticut Guber
natorial and Ohio local elections, held last
week, resulted in decided Union victories ,
and gains.
A terrible boiler explosion occurred in the
foundry and machine shop of Merrick &
Sons, on Washington street, in this city, on
Wednesday, April Bth. Seven persons were
killed or died soon after. The engineer
was killed outright: The boiler was new.
The Hartford City Election, April 11, re
suited in a decisive Union victory.
117