14 44(44 #tmo. INTIMATIONS OF UNREALIZED GOOD. We know of no question of more ~,iemn practical interest, than the fol ,wing Why is it that so often there :Ire intimations of a revival in a church, or in several adjacent churches in a city, with a few drops only of a shower which lrifted by, when its fullness was sadly needed?' We have known whole con gregations affected by the Spirit's gentle breath—many weeping with unwonted tenderness—and then return to the for mer indifference. There is something inexpressibly precious and awful in these crises of feeling. God cannot trifle, and must mean all that is offered in the unmerited benedic tion. Is this not a theme for the most prayerful consideration by „Christians, who discern the tokens of mercy, how ever small the cloud and gentle the wind? What consequences to the church and to individuals out of itapale, depend on the issue If we mistake not there have existed, and still continue among us in this city, such signals 'of the Divine willingness to display his loving-power. COMMISSIONERS TO GENERAL AS- BEMBIIY. The Fourth Presbytery of this city; elected Rev. Dr. Brainerd and Mr. Ri chard principals, and Rev. Messis. Mitchell and Boggs alternates. Elders, Messrs. Saml. H. Perkins and John B. Stevenson principals, arid Sohn Clouds and -- alternates. This Presby tery licensed Mr. Alfred Bryant, of Princeton Seminary. From the Third Presbytery, Minis ters, Rev. J. G. Butler and Rev. W. E. Moore; alternates l R@V, D. Xgrell and liev. E, E. Elders, G. W. Simons and S. W. :Butler, M. D.; A. McElroy and A. Whilldin, Alternates. AMERICAN BOARD. MBSIONART HOUSE, BOSTON, April 13, 1864. EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN PRESBYTE RIA.N—.DEAR BRO. : I send herewith the statement of our financial condition, which is to appear in the .Herald for May. The editor has "put" the case in as favorable a light as it will bear. We all feel that we have great reasons for solicitude; and our deliverance, it is quite clear, must come from the churches. Will you, dear sir, have tilt goodness to call the attention of the of your paper to this subject, in your own way, to the end that the work which our missionaries are doing, in our behalf, may 4 ( suffer no detriment ?" Let .us give a vigorous support to our Govern ment 1,11 putting down the southern re bellion; but let us also turn a bold front to the kingdom of darkness. Very Fraternally Yours, S. B. TREAT, Home Secretary. THE PROSPECTS OF THE TREASURY The Christian public will wish to know the facts in the case, and should be given to understand, that as the year advan ces, the financial prospects of the Board are becoming less encouraging. For the first seven months of the year, (to April 1,) the reeeipts have been $210,334 ; but little more than $6,000 in advance of those for the same time last year. Yet to give promise of an advance for the whole year necessary to meet only the approprtations, the increase for these seven months should have been 823,000; and to promise the whole sum called for by the Board, it should have been $53.- 000. That only the sum appropriated may be raised, the income for the re maining five months must be $241,000, while to secure the amount desired, and so important with reference to progress in this work, ($500,000,) it must be about $290,000. Yet for the same months last ) year, it was less than $193,000. There is also another fact of serious import to be considered. The rate of exchange—the cost of transmitting funds to the missions abroad continuesto be, increasingly, higher than we expected, and is likely to necessitate an expendi ture for the year of not less than $40,- 000 beyond what was estimated; carry ing the amount appropriated, really, to about $491,000, and rendering it need ful that the income for the remaining five months should be $281,000, only to prevent a debt, without the desired pro gress. It is therefore obvious that the time for serious consideration and ear nest effort has fully come. When this number of the Herald shall have reached most of its readers, there will remain but four months for action. May not the Prudential Committee look for prompt, generous, vigorous action; not for them, but for the missions; for Christ and his cause? OVER 15,000 white refugees have been Buocoured at Cairo, by Rev. E. P. Poison, Hospital Chaplain, acting as the agent of the benevolent contributors. Mr. Folsom is now in thit,4 city. Dona, - Lions in money and clothing for this ob ject, may be left at the Tract House, 929 Chestnut Street. HANOVER STREET CHURCH, WILIIIING II:IN.—At the annual meeting of this church, last Monday week, the, congee gation added $3OO to the 'salary of the pastor ; Rev. William Aiknian. RESIGNATION OF REV. SOS. M'OOOL. At a meeting of the members of the First Presbyterian Church and congre gation of Pottsville, held on the 27th of March last, called to receive and act upon the resignation of the pastor, the secretary was directed to send a copy of the resolutions, accepting the resignation of the pastor, to the editor of the American Presbpterian, which I accordingly extract from the minutes, as follows: " The following resalutions were then offered and unanimously adopted: " Whereas, We, the members of the First Presbyterian Church and congre gation of Pottsville have been called to-night to receive and act upon the res ignation of our pastor, Rev. Joseph M'Cool ; therefore be it Resolved, Thai we deeply sympathize with our beloved pastor in his present bodily afflictions, and do most reluctantly accept his resignation, at his own urgent request. Resolved, That we do unanimously record our high appreciation of his Christiau and ministerial character, and do hereby testify to the zeal and fideli ty with which he has discharged the duties of his pastoral office tp us for nearly thirty years. Resolved, That we cherish, with the fondest recollections, the numerous vir tues and excellencies of our beloved pastor; which he has so fully exempli fied in his daily deportment during his long and useful ministry among us. Tees_pectfully, BENJAMIN B. 111 7 CooL, Say. THE OHILDREN Or THE BATTLE-FIELD This beautiful song, based upon the affecting incident, of the discovery of the dead soldier Huniiston, with the picture of his three children in his hand, has been set to suitable music by the author, James G. Clark of Danville N. Y. and is now published and for sale by Messrs. Lee and Walker of this city. The title page is ornamented by a lithograph copy of the picture. The net proceeds from the sales go towards a fund for the support of the orphans of soldiers who have fallen in this war. Mr. Clark sang the song with great applause at the rooms of the Union League, on Monday night last. REV. DR'S. ADAMS and Prentiss and Rev. R R. Booth, of New York, and Rev. Mr. Ellenwood, of Rochester, have recently gone to labor temporarily in the army under the auspices of the Christian Commission. THE PLAN, SYSTEM, EXTENT, AND WANTS-OF -TEM -wORK- qi_74-- CHRISTIAN COMMISSION IN THE FIELD. The United States Christian Com mission is in present pressing want of means for its work in the Army and Navy. Encouraged by generous con tributions at home, and urged by earnest demands from the field, its beneficent operations have been greatly extended, and large sums are required to main tain the scale it has reached. Signal success has induced still molprgent calls from the field for yet wider exten sion. Experience has been gained. System has been perfected. Methods have been tested. Relations have been adjusted. Position have been achieved. All necessary facilities secured. We are, therefore, prepared safely to en large, if the means to do it are supplied. We, however, are merely almoners of the people to the men who are a fighting our battles. What is placea in our hands we place in theirs. That is all we can do. If you give us more we can do more. If less, we must reduce the work. Already you have intrusted to us a large amount. We refer you to our Annual Report now ready for gratui tous distribution for the account of our stewardship. You will find therein, ac counts of our' work in all the great fields of the war. You will find:also accurate and full statements of all our receipts and disbursements. Your special at tention is invited to them. They ex- Ifibit a work unparalleled in its economy and efficiency. Compared with the amount expended, the amount achieved is wonderful in the grandeur of its ex tent and vastness of its beneficent re sults. This, under God, is not so much due to any wisdom of ours, as to the deep interest felt in our brave men. This has enabled us to obtain extraordi nary facilities from the Government, commanders in the fields, Railroad and Telegraph Companies, an also the gra tuitous services of about 1600 ministers and others. Thus, a great work has been done at comparatively small cost. THE PLAN The Christian Commission embraces in its plan both spiritual and temporal benefits, by means of men, stores, and publications. Some suppose our work to be exclu sively religious. So it is, in the true idea of religion. Our Lord regarded men as both mortal and immortal. He healed the body and saved the soul. The Christian Commission seeks the same end. It is both the Good Samaritan and the Good Shepherd. It binds up wounds, pours in the oil and wine, and pays all the expenses. It also leaves the ninety-and-nine at home to seek the one lost in the field. This plan requires money and stores as well as men and publications. The plan of distribution is directly from the bands of the delegate to. the F e t, DEMMEU., URMSDAY, APRIL 21, 1864. hand of the soldier. No room for fail ure between. It sends delegates to seek out the needy, the suffering, the despon dent, and Bu.pply, relieve, and cheer them. Experience has taught us that this is the only plan upon which the wants of our brave men in the field can be met. Of the United States Christian Com mission is this 1. It has a small permanent paid field agency, employed to superintend, direct, and report the work in the field. 2. A large voluntary unpaid delega tion of clergymen and others to do the work. 3. It has stations at principal centres, front and rear, with out-stations around them. A chapel-tent, store-tent, and subsistence-tent, with stores and publi cations to distribute, and two or three delegates to distribute them ; a free writing-table furnished, and daily, or twice, or thrice daily, religious services by the delegates are the chief features of a centre station. An out-station is a point in some camp, post, or battery, for stated services and distribution. 4. Reports to the stations are requir ed every week of all work and distribu tion by delegates, and every month from the field agents to the Central Office. 5. Teams, wagons, and supplies are provided to enable the agents and delegates to move with the armies when they move, and be on the field in time of battle with their stores. Thus, the station delegates in the army at rest, become the minute men for the march and the battle. 6. Diet kitchens in the hospitals southwest, in charge, of competent la dies, under the field agents, to prepare food and delicacies for the sick and con- I valescmg. The economy of this system is red= markable. For example, in the Army of the Potomac, one good field agent ; two assistants at the front ; one at the NUR of supply, and one master of trans portation—five, in all, under pay, are sufficient to superintend and report the work of sixty lielegates, who receive no pay but the soldier's blessing and God's. Sixteen agents under pay in all the ar mies—except those in the field assigned to the New York branch—serve to give orderly direction to the labors of 165 unpaid delegates. The services of a pastor for six weeks in this way cost the Commission often no more than two, three, or five dollars for incidental exi penses. Indeed, sometimes not even that. They pay their own' expenses, and thank God'for -the privilege in such a work. The efficiency secured is still more re markable. The permanent agents se cure stability, order, and the, benefits of expeifence. -- The - six - weeke - '-'-delegaters' , are coming fresh from home, with hearts full, to give and sustain impulse, inter est, and power, and returning fresh from the field, full of its feelings and facts, to move the hearts of the - people at home. • The organized work of the United States Christian Commission extends, besides all done for the Navy, into every Military Department. True; it by no means meets all their wants, or half of them. But all are reached. In all, we have now 55 centre stations, 150 or more out-stations, supplied by the dele gates and 56 chapels, under the control et chaplains, roofed with canvas by the Commission and furnished with stoves, in all, not less than 265 different points from which the influence of the Commis sion for good radiates through the ar mies. To, the 16 agents and 165 dele gates in the field must be added 25 sec retaries and assistants in the various offices at home, making 206 men con stantly engaged in the work, besides all the chief executive officers who give to it their invaluable services. Of results, it becomes us to speak modestly. We cannot estimate the good done. No man can tell the number of lives saved, souls converted, men rescued from vice, or of, joy in the home and in heaven resulting. On one battle-field, as estimated by surgeons, more than a thousand lives were saved. How many on all ? Nearly two thousand pledged to - abstain from intoxicating drinks in one permanent camp. The Hdly Spirit graciously vouch safe& on nearly every station of the Commission in the army, and at some of them large numbers turned to righ teousness. Homes cheered by news of salvation from the camp, or consoled by intelli gence of convalescence from the hospital, or by tokens saved and assurance given of happy death from beside the grave. Who will attempt to sum up the vari ous benefits ! . From every military department ur gent calls come to us for the',extension of our work. The appeals for more teams, wagons, tents, and battle-field agents to move with the armies, are painfully pressing. To refuse them is cruel; it is- to refuse relief from suffer ings and death to the brave men who fight and fall for us : yet to supply them without means is impossible. Diet Kitchens are called for also, to save our men in the hospitals of the field from suffering and dying for want of suitably prepared nourishment to sustain and build them up. For all ordinary cases the. Govern ment supplies all the stores that are needed. Never did, the authorities of any nation meet the wants of soldieri more fully. THE SYSTEM EXTENT THE WANTS. Special csses and extraordinary emer gencies only require to be met by any other agency. These, however, are many and great, requiring the purchase of a largfi amount, besides all that are sent in. The cap. for religious reading matter increases floy the very increase of supply. The wid4Sr we circulate, the more ear nest and oi.tensive the demand from those still un4ched beyond. We distribute three hundred thousand religious papers every month. Fifty thousand a week of thesee the weekl.y favorite family papers of the'various denominations.— But this i not half enough. Hundreds of thou ds of library and knapsack books, In t of them prepared specially I for tio. pose, we supply. But the wants' o ' the Army and Navy are only begiti gto be met. One pall which we c of in justice to other suffering intere s supply at present, comes to us for ft y libraries for the gunboats on the Miss' sippi alone. T e American Bible Society nobly res n p i ds to the calls for Bibles and Tes tamints. Its presses and binderies, howiver, though issuing seven.thousand Tes iments a day, cannot keep up with the • errand. he greatest want of the army, how ev—, is, when at rest, men to preach the. G 1 tpel and do them good, and when fight in it is men to relieve theiswounded, sa ~e life, comfort the dying, console the ling at home by letters and mementos. M re men—double the number at least 'hould be kept in the field. - he great want of the United .States C iistian Commission , to meet these w,nts of the field is MONEY. Heretotre the people have always p omptiy and.generously supplied means , fo the.. Wok whenever its wants have b:•n fairfrpresented, and our. confidence is that they will do so now and onward as, long as- the necessity for the work hall remain.- - , . GEO. H. STUART, Philadelphia, JOHN P. CROZER, " JAY-COOKE, C. DEMOND, Boston, E. S. JANES, Hew York, Executive Conimittee. W. E. BOARDMAN, Secretary. ADVICE— "Direct not him whose way himself will choose ; 'Tis breath thou, lackest, and that breath thou'lt lose." The bard of Avon was a philosopher, and we shall follow his advice by advising thOSe who wine advised of us to procure their clothing at Granville Stokes' Metropolitan Hall of Fashion, NO. 009 Chestnutstreet. Alit of Hut *legit. CONGRESS SENATE, April 12.—The House bill to enable the people of Nebraska to form a constitution preparatory to admission into the Union, was called up, but after some discussion the subject was laid over. The bill granting lands to lowa, to aid in the construction of a certain railroad, was passed. The Naval Appropriation bill was taken up in Committee of the Whole. The amendment making an ap propriation, to purchase land to extend the Charlestown Navy-yard was adopt ed. Also an amendment returning the Naval Academy to Annapolis. Housz.—The Committee on Ways and Means reported a bill providing that every person, bank, association or corporation issuing notes to circulate as money, shall pay a duty of one-fourth one per centum per month on the amount issued. After one year it shall be unlawful to issue such notes unless authorized by act of Congress. The bill was postponed. The consideration of the resolution to expel Mr. Long, of Olaio was resumed, and the debate con tinued until a late hour, but no vote was taken., April 13.—Congress was not in session to-day havipg adjourned to allow the members to.attend the funeral of the Hon. Tohn. C. Rivers. SENATE, Ap.l4.—The bill to enable the people of Nebraska to form a Constitu tion and State Government was passed without amendment. Mr.„ Powell re newed his amendment to the Naval Appropriation bill repealing the fishing bountie,s, hut afterwards withdrew it. The bill was then passed, the amend .ments agreed to in Committee of the Whole on Tuesday being retained. Air. Chandler introduced a bill, in addition to the several acts in relation to com- mercial intercourse between the loyal and insurrectionary States, providing for the colletion of abandoned property, &c. Refered to the Committee on Com merce. The House bill fixing the date of the loss of the brig Bainbridge, and for the relief ofthe officers, seamen, and ma rines of the same, passed. The joint resolution of thanks to Admiral Porter w as passed. The House bill amending the act equalizing,the grade of line offi cers in the Navy was passed. Mr. Sher man reported a substitute for bill' No. 106. It provides that it shall be unlaw ful to make any contracts for the pur chase or sale or loan or delivery of any gold coin or bullion, or of foreign ex change,_ at any time subsequent, by making of contracts or for the payment of any sum, fixed or contingent, in de fault of the delivery of said coin, &c. It provides, also, that none but be a-fide owners, in actual possession, shalt make a contract for the sale of gold, and for bids, any banker or broker or other person to make sale of gold coin or bullion or foreign exchange, or to make contract for any such purchase or sale at other than their ordinary places of business. All contracts in violation of the act are void.. The penalties for such violation are a fine of not more than $lO,OOO nor less than $l,OOO, or impri f3onment for not less than three months nor more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the Court. HOUSE.-Mr. Wilson asked leave to offer a resolution that unless otherwise order ed, this House will each day take a recess from 43- until 7 o'clock, for the purpose of holding night sessions for the transaction of business. Objection was made from the Oppositon side. The House resumed the consideration of the resolution to expel Mr. Long. Several members addressed the House. The debate was continued by Mr. Long and Mr. Colfax until a late hour, when a vote was taken upon the first resolution, viz : " That the said Alexander Long be and he:is hereby declared to be an unwor thy member of this House." This was adopted—Yeas 80. Nays 70. One Democrat voted "Yea"—Mr. Bailey of Pennsylvania; nine Border-State men voted "Nay. SENATE,ApriII.S.—The bill prohibiting speculative transactions in gold, &c., was called up by Mr. Sherman. A de bate ensued between Messrs. Sherman, Fessenden, Cowan, Chandler, and John son of Maryland. Several amendments were offered, but were rejected. No final action was taken on the bill. A message was received from the House relative to the Montana territory bill, and the proposition of the House was referred. Housz.—The House of- Representa tives rejected the report of the Commit tee of Conference on the bill providing a territorial government for Montana. Another committee was appointed, with instructions to agree to no report which authorizes any other than free white male citizens to vote. A bill authorizing the establishment ofan ocean mail steam ship service between the United States and Brazil was passed. Also a bill com pelling all railroad corporations to carry the mails for such compensation as may be provided bylaw. Also the bill to es tablish a postal money order system. Also a resolution for the relief of post masters who have been robbed ofstamps, money, &c., by rebel forces or bands of guerillas. SENATE, April 16.—The bill for collec tion of taxes in the insurrectionary districts, after debate and amendments, was informally laid over. Mr. Howard offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the. Committee on the Conduct of the War inquire into the late massacre. of Union troops at Fort Pillow, and re port as soon as possible. The x9enate took up the bill prohibiting speculative trans actions in gold and foreign exchange, the question being the motion to strike out foreign exchange fromits provisions. Rejected by Yeas 13, Nays 24. An amendment was adopted, making an uniform fine of $l,OOO, instead of that heretofore of from $l,OOO to $lO,OOO. Mr. Henderson thought the Secretary of the Treasury was very much mistaken if he thought the bill would accomplish the end - designed. The bill passed by Yeas 23, Nays 17. HOUSE.-A report and bill to facilitate immigration were presented by the se lect committee on,that subject and or dered to be printed. It is estimated that a million and a quarter of men have been withdrawn from industrial pursuits since the war began, and the object of the bill referred to is to fill the vaccum. A joint resolution was unani mously adopted that the Joint Commit tee on the Conduct of the War, or such members thereof as the Committee may designate, proceed at once to Fort Pil low and examine into the facts and cir cumstances attending the recent attack and capture of the fort by Rebels, and that they report with as little delay as possible. The bill - amendatory of the National Bank act was ordered to a third reading. SENATE, April 18.—The Finance Com mittee reported the Army Appropriation bill, the total amount being 168,987,640. The Legislative Executive and Judicial Appropriation bill from the House was considered in Committee of. the Whole, and several amendments, increasing pay, were adopted. HOUSE.-A resolution to hold night sessions was agreed to. Resolutions declaring that in the present condition of the country and its finances it is the imperative duty of Congress to raise the taxes so as to largely increase the revenue of the government, and for this purpose a much higher rate of duties should be imposed on all luxuries im ported from abroad, and on all luxuries produced in the United States, and that the issue of State banks should taxed, were adopted. Mr. Holman, of Indiana, offered a resolution that "the present deranged condition of the public finan ces can only be effectually remedied by reducing the amount of paper currency in the country," which was laid over. Dlr. Stevens submitted a resolution that for sixty days after its passage all duties on imported goods, wares and merchandise, now provided by law, shall be increased by the addition of fifty per cent. Referred to the Commit tee of the Whole on the state of the Un ion. The National Bank bill was passed —Yeas 78, Nays 63. THE WAR. The Attack on Fort Pillow.—On Tuesday morning, the 12th inst., the rebel General Forrest attacked Fort Pillow. Soon after the attack Forrest sent a flag of •truce de mending the surrender of the fort and gar rison, meanwhile disposing his force so as to gain the advantage. Our forces were under command of Major Booth, of the 13th Ten nessee (U. S.) Heavy Artillery, formerly of the Ist Alabama Cavalry. The flag of truce was refused, and fight ing resumed. Afterward arsecond flag came in, which was also refused. Both flags gave the rebels the advantage of gaining new positions. The battle was kept up until 3 p. m., when Major Booth was killed and Major ltradford took command. The rebels now came in swarms over our troops, compelling them to surrender. Im mediately upon the surrender ensued a scene which utterly baffles description. Up to that time comparatively few of our men had been killed ; but insatiate as fiends, bloodthirsty as devils incarnate, the Confed : erates commenced an indiscriminate butch ery cf whites and blacks, including those, of both colors who had been previously wounded. The black soldiers, becoming demoralized, rushed to the rear, the white officers having thrown down their arms. Both white and black *ere bayoneted, shot or sabered. Even dead bodies were horribly mutilated, and children of 7 and 8 years and several negro women killed in cold blood. Soldiers unable to speak from wounds were shot dead, and their bodies• rolled down the banks into the river. The dead and wounded negroes were piled in heaps and burned, and several citizens who had joined our forces for protection were killed or wounded. Out of the garrison of 600, but 200 re mained alive. Among our dead officers are Capt. Brad ford, Lieuts. Barr, Ackersbrout, Wilson, Revel, and Major Booth, all of the 13th Tennessee Cavalry. Capt. Poston and Lieut. Lyon, 13th Ten nessee Cavalry, and Capt. Young, 24th Mis souri, Acting Provost-Marshal, were taken prisoners. Major Bradford was also captured, but is said to haVe escaped ; it is feared, however, that he has been killed. The steamer Platte Valley came up at about 3,1 o'clock, and was hailed by the rebels under a flag of truce. Men were sent ashore to bury the dead and take aboard such of the wounded as the enemy had al •lowed to live. Fifty-seven were taken aboard, including seven or eight colored. Eight died on the way up. Among our wounded officers of colored troops are Capt. Porter, Lieut. Libberts, and Adjt. Lemming. Six guns were captured by the rebels and carried off, including two 10-pouind Parrotts and two 12-pound howitzers. A large amount of stores were destroyed or carried away. The intention of the rebels seemed to be to evacuate the place and move on toward Memphis. Two negro soldiers, wounded at Fort Pil low, were buried by the rebels, but after ward worked themselves out of their graves. They were among those brought up in the Platte Valley, and are now in hospital at Mound City. Dispatches from Gen. Sherman confirm the stories of rebel barbarity at Fort Pillow. There were:five negro soldiers 'buried alive ; one, althougy wounded, was compelled to assist in digging the pit and was thrown in and covered up. Gen. Sherman says our loss was 53 white soldiers killed and 100 wounded, and 300 black soldiers butchered after they had surrendered. Chalmers, the rebel commander, told a Union officer that there was to be no mercy for " home-made Yankees," or Southern Unionists. Virgbia.—On Friday, 15th inst., a body of rebel cavalry made an attack on our pick ets at Bristow Station, killing one man and wounding two others of the 13th Pennsyl vania regiment. They were driven off, after a few shots had been exchanged, but carried their wounded with them. Lieut-Gen. Grant had passed the spot in the car only a few moments before the attack, and the suppo sition is that, the rebels designed to make him prisoner. A letter from the front says that Gen. Kilpatrick has been relieved from the command of his cavalry division, and assigned to the command of a brigade in Gen. Gregg's division r 7, Tennessee.--A. Chattanooga dispatch says that a rebel lieutenant and fifty-twp non commissioned officers and privates came into our lines on the 15th inst. They say that Hardie's corpshas been sent away from Dalton, and it is believed has gone to Vir- Cinia. Major-General Newton has gone to leveland to take command of the Fourth corps under Gen. Sherman. The notorious rebel guerrilla Reynolds and his command were surprised, on Fri day, somewhere near Knoxville; ten were killed and fifteen others, including Rey nolds, were captured. Kentucky.—A dispatch from St. Louis, says that the steamer Baker, from Paducah, reports that at 3 o'clock on Friday after noon the rebels, 800 strong, appeared before that place, sent in another flag of truce, and again demanded the surrender of the fort. Col. Mitchell, with the 54th Illinois Regi ment and other troops, was marching out of the fort to meet the rebels, as the steamer left; but no fighting had taken place up to that time. Alabama.—At Huntsville, Ala., on the 11th inst., a caisson of Croswell's Illinois Battery exploded, killing instantly privates Jacob Englehart, John Oisin, Wm. Humph rey, David Roach, Wm. Mattison and Horace Allen, and wounding George Barnes and Wzn. Regan. Several of the bodies of the killed were blown to atoms, and portions were found five hundred feet distant. The horses attached to the caisson were killed. The railroad depot was badly shattered. One citizen had his' thigh broken, and seve ral others were slightly injured. South Carolina.—By the , arrival of the steamship West Metropolis, we have dates from Hilton Head to the 19th inst. There is nothing new from South Carolina, but from Florida we learn that the steamer Ma ple Leaf, stern-wheeler, was blown up by a. torpedo in St. John's River on the Ist inst. Four negroes were drowned by the sudden sinking of the vessel. There was a very general report that the rebels had with drawn 5,000 troops from Florida for opera tions elsewhere. FOREIGN ITEMS. We have news from Europe to April 3d Great Britain.—The Queen of England has officially announced her intention to hold a court at Buckingham Palace on April 6. France.—The negotiations between the Archduke Maximilian and the Emperor of Austria have been brought to a successful close, and the Archduke's formal acceptance was shortly expected. The Danish War.—lt is reported that a portion of the Prussian division of the Guards has gone to Fredericia to co-operate with the Austrians in continuing the siege of that place. A Vienna correspondent of The London _Mates states that the strength of the Prussian army at Duppel is 40,00' men; the Austro-Prussian Corps, which hae invested Fredericia, consists of 16,000 men ; and about 8,000 men are in the northern part of Jutland. On March 28, the Prussians attempted to carry Duppel by storm, but were repulsed, after a five hours' engagement, along their whole line. The Conference for settling the Schleswig-Plolstein question was to com mence on April 12, at London. • Japan.—The Japanese Embassadors, with a suit of 50 persons, are telegraphed from: Suez. Beside Paris, where they ate to apolo gize to the Emperor for the misdeeds of the Tycoon, they are to visit London. Vienna, and also Switzerland, whither they are going to see an existing republic. Mexico.—We have interesting news from Mexico as late as the 22d of March. The treason of Vidaurri is confirmed ; he had. 2,000 men in Monterey; Doblado was march ing from Saltillo to give him battle, and an other force was coming up from Durango-. The report that the latter place had fallen into the hands of the French is not true.. The French had been driven from Chiapas, Tabasto, and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers