D aring the fi*ht at Wilson's Greek 1 was
stationed with a part of our company on the
right of Totton's battery, while tits balance
of our company, with a part of the Illinois
regiment, wis orders i down in a deep ravine
upon our let, in which it was known a por
tion of the enemy was concealed, with whom
they were soon engaged. The contest in the
ravine continuing some hours, Totton sud
denly wheeled his battery upon the enemy in
thit quarter, when they soon retreated to the
high ground behind their lines. In less than
twenty minutes after, Totton had driven the
c;kb>7 from the ravine, the word passed from
rem to man throughout the army, "Lyon is
killed," and soon after, hostilities having eeas
ed upon both sides, the order came for our ■
rmtn forces to fall b3ck upon Springfield,
while a prt of the lowa Frst and two compa
nies of tbs Missouri regiment were to camp
upon the ground and cover tho retreat next
mrning.
That night I was detailed for guard duty,
my turn of guard closing with Mac morning i
call. When I went out with theoffirer as a I
relief, I found that toy post was upon a high
eminence that overlooked the deep ravine in
which our men bad engaged the enemy until
T'otten's battery csmati their assistance. It
wis a dreary, lonesome beat. The moon bad |
gone down in the early part of the night,
while the stars twinkled dimly through a hazy
atmosphere, lighting up imperfectly the sur
rounding objects. Occasionally I would place
u>y car near the ground and listen for the sound
of footsteps, but all w\s silent save the far-off
howling of i!ie wolf, thst seemed to scent upon
the evening air the banquet that we had been
preparing for Mm. Tito hours passed slowly
away, when at length the morning light began
to streak a! ng the E istern sky, miking sur
rounding objectj more plainly visible. Pres
ently I heard a drum beat up the morning call.
At first I thought it came from tire camp of
the ouesuy across the creek,but as I listened I
found that it came up from the deep ravine;
for a few m.iuienti it wis silent, and then as it
becaim more light I beard it again. 1 listen
ed—the sound cf the drum was familiar to
ma—and I knew that it was
Oar drumoior boy from Tonnesseo
Beat in; for help tbe^rcvdlle.
1 was about ta desert my po ; t to go (o his
a c sistanee when I discovered the officer of tho
guard approaching with two men. Wo all iis
t.ned to tho 6)und, and were satisfied that it
was Eddie's drum. T ask-d permission to go
to his assistance. The cficer hesitated, say
ing that the orders were to march in twenty
annate#. I promised to be hack in that time,
and bo consented. I immediately started
down the hill through the thick undergrowth
and upon reaching the valley I followed the
sound of tho drum, and saon found him seated
upon the ground, bis back leaning against the
trunk ot a fallen tree, while his dium hung
upon a hush is front of "him, reaching nearly
to 'h; ground. As soon as he discovered rue
he dropped his drumsticks and exclaimed: "O,
Corporal, lam so glad to see you! Give me
a drink, " reaching out his band for my ean
tcen, which wis empty. I immediately turned
to bring him soin? water from the brook that
1 could hear rinpltng through the buthes near
by, wbefi, thinking thst 1 was about to leave
him ho commenced crying saytngt "Don't
kava me, Corporal—l can't walk."
I was soon back with tho water, when I dis
covered that both of his feet bai been shot
away by a cannon bill. After satisfying his
th:rst, he looked up into my face and said:—
"\ou don't think i will die. Corporal, do you?
This man said 1 would not—ho said the sur
geoo cruld cuie my feet." I now discovered
a man lying in tho grass near him. By his
dress I reeogu'zad bun as belonging to the
enemy. It appeared that be had been shot
through tho bowels, acd had fallen near where
Eidle lay. Knowing that he could not live,
and seeing the condition of tho boy, he had
crawled to him, taking off his buckskia sus
pender*, and coided the little fellow's legs be
low the knee, and then lay down und died.
While ha was tilling me these particulars, 1
heard tho tramp of cavalry coining down the
ravine, and in a moment a scout of the enemy
was upon us, and I was taken prisoner. 1 re
quested tLe officer to take Eddy up in front of
him, and he did so, carrying him with great
tenderness and care. When wo reached
the camp of the eueuij the little fellow wis
dead.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THUUSDAY, Jan. IG, 1562.
The House was called to order at 11 o'clock
A. M.
BEDFOHD COUNTY CONTESTED ELECTION OASE.
--MIL CESSNA DECLARED ELECTED.
Mr. RHOACS, chairman, of the select com*
niitfee to try the contested election in the case
of Cessna vs. Householder, submitted a major
ity report in favor of the contestant, Mr. Cess
na.
Mr. STRANG, from tho minority of tho
committee, submitted the following:
To the Honorable, the Speaker and House of
RtpresepJativts of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania:
The undersigned, member? of the committee
appointed to try the matter of the contested
election of Geo. W. Householder, beg leave
respectfully to report:--That considering the
gravity of the constitutional questions invol
ved, the brief period which has elapsed since
the argument before them, and tho multiplicity
of authorities, bosh judicial and histonoa],
which require an invesiigition at their bands
in order to a correct ua lerstauding and prop,
cr disposition of tlia same, they are as vet un
able to prepare a report, which weald satisfac
torily embody their views.
They, therefore, rsspeetfullly, ask leave to
file each rep >ri, os ihey may conclude upon, as
Bona as the sam: can reasonably be prepared.
B B. STRANG.
JOSEPH MOORE,
J.NO. A. HARDER.
FAY UF MR. HOUSEHOLDER.
Mr. CESSNA introduced a resolution, which
war agreed to, allowing the sum of twenty-moo
dollars p-r day and ui leigi; from the meeting
of the Legislature to the prevent day inclusive,
to GEORGE W. HOUSEHOLDER, late a sitting
member of the House from Bedford county.
NEW TORE, Jitr. Id. The bank Gazelle,
whion arrived at this part to-uigh;, from Dj
mirarj, reports that when aha wis going into
Barbados.* "as was fired at by the British cer
vet:e Cadmus, first with a bleak aud than two
... tb'jtn She c >atiugfd on hfr course.
BKDEORP INQUIRER.
BEDFORD. Pa.
Friday Morning. Jan- 24, 1562.
"FEARLESS AND FREE."
E>. OTER-Edltor and Proprietor.
PRINTING OFFIEE FOR SAFE.
As Hie editor and proprietor of this paper is
anxious to settle up Lis business, running over a
period of twelve years, he will sell the presses,
types, good will, Sec., of the establishment, on
ream noble term*.
The BEDFORD INQUIRER PRINTING OFFICE is one
of the best paying country establishments in tho
State, as there are only two papers published in
the County, and all official and orphans' court ad
vertising, is published by aet of assembly, in both
papers. The rates for advertising and job work,
are as high as in any part of the State. There are
a large quantity of news lypo, nearly enough for
two papers the size of this, and a splendid lot of
job type, ne.iily now.
This is a rare chance for one or two persons who
wish to engaue in a good, profitable business.—
Apply immediately.
MR. CESSNA'S CARD.
Wc publish io our advertising columns "A
Card" from John Cessna, Etq., in which he
attempts to justify bis action in contesting slid
ousting Mr. Householder from the scat to
which he was /airly clccfeJ. Tho people of
Bedford County will tail to ha convinced by
auy arguments ho makes in this "Card."
Tho fact that Mr. Cessna states that he "of >
ftrcd to the friends of the late sitting member
sod to himself, that if he would aid in the pas
sage of a Jaw to separate the two counties in
the future" he "would withdraw from the
contest and permit him to occupy the place
during tho present session," and that Mr.
Householder refused, gives us a higher opin
ion of Iba latter gentleman, and the people of
Bedford County will sustain him io it. Mr.
H. ibis day cculd carry this county egiinst
Mr. C. Tho people of Bedford county be
lieve the present law to be con->4tu'ionil, and
they would not Lave agreed with Mr. House
holder bid he accepted Mr. Cessna's propoi
tiou. In 1850 Cambria was ai lacked to Bod
ford, Fulton not yet beiog erected iuto a coun
ty. If the preset district was unconstitu
tional, so was that. Mr. Cessoi was a can
didate the following fa!!, bad his tickets pnut
ed with the name of the Cambria Deinocratio
candidate upon tfiem, in both counties, they
were voted so, and he electioneered in both.—
Ha wis elected, and, oocupied his seat. It
will not do for him now to say that he had
than a majority in Bedford. If the district
was unconstitutional he was not entitled to a
seat, and he had better refund to the Sla'e
the salary he received. But it was not neces
sary for hiai then to have tho district divided,
as it was a good democratic one! But Mr.
Cessna says "ihe District of 1850 was based
upon a different principal and was not liable to
the constitutional objection." How is this?
According to tho table published by the com
mittee and Mr. Cessna, Cambria hud years
before attained the constitutional number to
entitle her to a member. Then why was the
district "not liablo to the constitutional ob
jection?" Probably Mr. Cessna can explain,
for plain unsophisticated persons cannot see
the difference.
Granting for tho argument-sake, tho present
District to be unconstitutional. Did Mr.
Cessna act as a fair and candid man should
in the last campaign? No. He then expect
ed to have a clear majority io the D.strict, and
the contest for tho seat was, no doubt, decided
upon afterwards. .Had Mr. Cessna refused
' to accept the nomination from tlio two coun
ties which met in Democratic Conference in
this place, end procured the nomination from
the cfunty ot Bedford only—had ho then
proclaimed that ho believed the District to be
unconstitutional, and that ho would only run
in B.dturJ oouuty, and would contest the seat
of whoever might be returned as elected from
the two counties—people would now say, all
right! But instead of this ho was Dominated
by tbc two counties—electioneered in the two
couuties—had his tickets printed in the two
counties with his own name and that of Mr.
Lavan, the Somerset County Democratic can
didate upon—and they were so voted. We
think that persons bivj reason after Mr. Cess
na s conduct in this matter and from expres
sions of his own oa this subject, to chirge th at
bis actions havo some "ulterior p urposea" in
them.
Mr. Cessna intends paying tho expo nses of
tbo contest ont of his own funds; ha deserves
credit also for offering and 1 aving passed a
bill allowing Mr. Householder s2l a day for
the tiaia hercuriiDed in his seat and mileage,
hut soma say be can w 11 afford to be thus
magnanimous, a# he occupies the seat to wbic'u
tbo other was honestly elected.
In eouciusion, Mr. Cessna states that he
will occupy the same grounds on our present
national affairs that he has heretofore. We
are ghd of that and exported nothing else from
hioa—his conduct has been #ll that every lover
of hisweountry could desire, iu regard to our
prcssut difficulties, aul we sbii! always bo
prepared to do Lim justice.
BEDFORD maumßß.
7 Our The manner in which the Legislature of
Pennsylvania decides a centrst for n seat in
seid body is by committee, drawn by lot—the
action of the committee being final— the- House
not even.having a Tote on the subject. The
committee to try the contested election between
Messrs, Cessna and Householder. very unfor
tunately happened to be six Democrats, to
three Republicans. The six Democrats, con
trary to justice and precedent, decided that
Cessna was entitled to the seat, whilst the
three Republicans differed from them. As
soon as wo procure their report wo will pub
lish it. Cessna is not representing the major
ity of the voters of Bedford County. If the
election was now to come off, knowtag what
they do of his action, and his extreme anxiety
to occupy a seat to which he was not elected,
be would be defeated in the county by a large
majority. Not ouly those Republicans who
voted for him, from patriotic motive.is, now con
demn bis course, but many Democrats vrou Id
opposo him. His influence for good is des
troyed in this county, and for his own political
reputation he had better have left the matter
alone.
Does the action of one Legislature bind
another ? We contend that the present dis
trict of Bedford and Somerset is const! tut ton
al. Tlcn what should be dope? Why, just
let the Republicans of the two counties go
ahead and nominate candidates cs heretofore,
Hid return them, sod it will be very queer if
another Legislature can be found so ready to
do a gieat act of injustice as the present one.
The ction of the present Legislature does
not bind the next. We are in favor of nomi
nating and eloctiug Mr. Householder in the
two counties next fail, and we will wage a new
hat lie will get his scat.
JOHN CESSNA, Esq.
By the proceedings of the Legislature, which
wo publish to day, it will be seen that John
Cessna, Eq , his succeeded in ousting from
his seat George W. Householder, Eq. Wo
have no hesitation in saying that this is one
of the greatest, outrages that has ever been
perpetrated by the Legislature of Pennsylva
nia. The grounds upon which Mr. Househol
der has been cheated out of his seat, would
have applied to nearly every Apportionment
bill passed since the adoption of tbo const itu- ;
tion of 1790.
Death of an Old Citizen.
Mr. NICHOLAS LYONS, an old and valued
citizen of this place, died, on Tuesday morn
ing lust, after a brief illness. Mr. Lyons was
iha oldest merchant io town, and has been very
extensively engaged in other pursuits. He
bas contributed largely to the improvement of
this Borough. His loss will be seriously felt
by t'oo community.
Read the arguments of Ross Forward, Esq.,
on tbe contested seat of Mr. Householder,
which we publish on the first page of this
week's paper. They will convince every man
that George W. Hooseholdar, Esq.—and net
John Cessna, Esq., was entitled to the seat.
We call attentioo to the able address of Hon.
Louis W. Hall, on taking tho chair as Speaker
of the Seo/ite.
If our correspondent will give us his or her
real name wo will bo pleased to publish the ar
ticles of "Spero."
Messrs. Wharton and Hall of the Senate,
and Messrs. Cessna, Schrock and Sellers ofthe
House, have our thanks for legislative docu
ments.
We publish this week the news of one of the
most glorious battles of the war. It will make
tho heart of every patriot glad.
John Tyler, ex-Presideut, and doable trait
or, died at Richmond on last Friday night.
It is reported that the rebels havo left Mi
nuses for some point further South. Tha re
port needs confirmation.
LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS, j
HILTON HEAD, S. C. Jan. 2,1562.
MR. :
In the midst of the roar of;
cannon and the excitement of battle, 1 sit
down to write to you. Our troops commenced
firing on the rebels yesterday at tbe dawn of j
day, and since that time it has been nothing
but one continued roar of cannon. There are
reports hero that our boys took Bluff oo yes- i
terday, and then proceeded to attack a place !
three miles above Beaufort, and news just now
comes in that our troops have taken one bat
tery and are taking another. Ninety prisoners
havo arrived and a lot of slaves, that were ta- ;
ken by our boys. Al! of the night before j
New Year was taken up in sending up rogi
nients from the Fort. It is said that reioforec
metits arc going up all tho time. It is a terri
ble thing to be close to a big fight, an 1 hoar
tho thunder poar and the earth "shako. This j
has bean a hard fight and God knows how long
it will last- This is the second day at li
o'elo-'k. Oao of our Majors is killed, but we
can't tell his name.
This being the 4'b, I will give yon the par
ticular!', as far as I believe them to be tru6.— i
The battle that is spoken of above, bis come
iff and victory has oiowned our troops, aud
tbe Star Spangled Banner floats over tho tuaiu
land. In this S ate main lnd is that part
that is on the other side of the islands, waere
our flg did not wave until the rairu-og of the
first, or New Years D >y. Our ti ;<-l sueoeeded
in landing all tho troops before daylight, ud
hauled down the rebel fl'gs, and rua up tha
Sta?a atig Strip's, before the rebels discovered
there was a Government fleet there. 3 'mi of
them were eo frighten ad that they flsd iuifMf
liiat-dy—tie rest shewed figiii, but they sooa
got their fill of the yankees. The fight is
represented as a desperate one. Oar Iftss is
eleven killed nml six wounded. Tbe place
where tbay .fought is at a landing that they
bad fortified; and no little did they expect uu
attack that they did not gnard tbe place. Our
troops are said to have acted very bravely,
and did credit to themselves and our flag. There
vta great exeitetneht all over the islands here
on account of there being so many reinforce
ments sent up to the battle, but soma of them
did not get there, until the fleet was return
ing from the scene of action. The great shoot
ing that we heard the second day was our men
shelling a largo-piece of timber land to drive
out tbe rebels if there were any there. They
cut tbe trees off perfectly—mowed them down
so (hat they could not hide in the woods at all.
At this time tbuy aro bombarding Fort Pulaa
ka on the Savannah river. That is tbo Key to
Savannah city. The next pitch will be made
thero. There is no doubt tbere wiil be great
slaughter of tho rebels if they stand fire, ns
there are a great many at that place, but it is
said thev have bad ail their thincs packed for
some time, ready to leave at sny time. So
yon can see that they have but little confidence
in their arum to stand before us. Our boys
were very anxious m participate in the fun, us
they call it, but tbe bloody 551b could not be
spired from Hilton Head Island, as tbey hove
the guarding of this Uhn/1 to do themselves,
and a bad job it "m for so small a regiment.—
Our sick ihat wo left behind loaves our com
pany sm.ll. I thiak they should come after
us as soou as possible. The health of our reg- i
imeot is good, but nine sick in tho hospital.—
Our company ure all improving itifltsh. There
is plenty to live on here —sweet potatoes, tur
nip-, oysters aud ti-h aro plenty.
Ail our lamentation is that we can get no
mail, tobacco nor money. If our families don't
get relief 1 can't see what will be the result.—
New Year Day was pay day, but uot a cent
yet, and no sign of any. We cant get. a stamp
for love nor money, and we do not like to write
to our families unless wa can stamp ur letters
to out poor wives and children when we art
sure they are not able to lift them. Send us
papers and letters. Don't discard us altogeth
er. *lf D Over has not room for our letters,
let us know, aud we will not trouble him any
more. No more at prusent but r3 main yours
as ever.
11. BRIDENTUAL.
*\Ve are always pleased to find room for the
letters of our soldiers, and especially those of
our friend Bridontb*!, all of which wa have
published. We are sorry that our soldiers do
net get the p pers, for wo are suro we have
sent qnite u number to them every week.—
EDITOR.
CCMBETTLAND, Jan 13th, 18C2.
Mr. OVER, Dear Sir:
Some tinjo bas
elspaed since I last wrote to you. Siaoa then
vrq have had soma gay times aud some that
were pretty rough. I'll try and give yon a
short skctoii of them, but before telliog you of
our travels 1 mist say something more about
what occurred at Otuip Ourtin. Our good
friends at Yellow Greek were determined not
to be exceeded by the hospitable citizens of
Woodbetry, therefore they scut us a new years
present, in the shape of a bountiful supply of
edibles and iuxurirs; such as we know bow to
appreciate in Hollidsy times. Ou tbo second
of Jau., wo left Harris burg t eight in the
evening, cn route for H jggerstown, wo arrived
there about 2 o'clock iu tha morning, wore
qinrti red in tbe cars till daylight and then
in.relied into the i oi:y. w Wo were detained
there until nooc, from some ovuse unknown to
me, aud then marched out about a half mile
from town on (he road loading to Hancock,
and there halted again where we had consid
erable diffi.-ulty in consequence of some of
our "liiih" friends hiving imbibed too freely
of that beverage eommoniy known as "eyo opea
er" in that section of country. However that
wis all satisfactorily arranged and we pitched
our tents in a field close i>y, and with the fro
z n groUu-J for a bed wo passed the night, not
in sleeping much, but iu shivering. Iu the
morning we struck tents, strapped ou our knap
sacks aud started on our march to II mcock,
distance 26 miles. We marched in about II
o'clock that night. Our boys stood tho march
much trotter than could have been expected of
uion that had been lying iD camp so long do
iug nothing. Wo were quartered for tba bal
ance of the night j" the Gnbolio church, the
Priest did not like ic very well. I suppose he
considered it desecration but we were too tired
to leave. The next morning stiff en i sore as
wa were, we were unrobed out oh u MB back
of town, waiting anxiously for the enemy to
cross tho river (they gave ui our guns early on
Sunday morning, tucy are the Belgium llifi d
musket;) wo could see them on a hill opp isite
us across tbe river where they hid planted their
Battery, Our r.fi d cannon opened on theiu
and they repltod very briskly, but their shells
did not reach us as their guns were not of long
ranga or their gunners very indifferent though
they did throw soma very close to u, hut it
was only occasionally. It wis very different
with ihe ui, for every shot our men raide we
could see tbeoi scatter. Saver at titn *s I siw
sheti bursting right amoDgst them. About dark
the firiug oeasej and wo were quartered in a
dwelling house, that had been vacated by its
ocoupruts. who word iu fear that tho rebels
would burn the towu. Nearly ail tho citiz ns
had moved out from the same cause., Tito
next day (Monday,) our cannon pi lyiidoa them
nearly all day, but they did not respond from
tha fact that 1 suppose they found their guns
would not reach us. I walked down along the
river and fired u few rounds at t ism, (mora to
try aiy new guu than anything els ) nut wish
no oilier iffiut than to make tfcfcm iu.-reasa the
distance between u-. Ou Tuesday every thing
was quiet and ou Tuesday night tbo enemy
tell back attar burning a house across the riv
er, ju-t opposite our quarters oontlining q n""
tity of baggage and cqutipui mts b-*l o pgiug to
tbe Illinois 39 a Regt. who had quartered
thero, bat were forced to retreat with the 84th
P. V. after a skirmish with them across the
river, to towu. Their lurea ws from about
15 to 21,000. I have understood that they
are maiohiug to It >muey. Ou Fi id iy thclOih,
three Regiments, viz: tie 84:b P. V. 110 th,
P. V. &39 u Illinois., atsrfed oa tho march
for Oumoeilsud. Wo left Hancock at 8 o'clock
in the evening, aa i marched nearly ill night,
baited for a tew hours iu tha Uirai ig. Soma
of the regiment arivedat Cumberland the next
eveuing, but tha most of UJ did not yet iu till
the next day, an i I think it wis not rojuk
wondcr, as it was 40 miles of a march. How
ever we are all pretty well over the effects of
it and feci "gay and happy' * again, Our {that
is Gapt. Brtsbin's) company are quartered in a
dwelling house in town, and are getting along
! veiy comfortably. In the regiment we are
! known by the name of the Shyster oouipauy
• and that is tbfrreason I signed tuyself Shyster
iin my Lst I" yon I suppose there are between
\ teven and eight thousand troops quartered
here. The town is literally filled with them.
Wo expect to leave in a short time, perhaps
tomorrow. Our destination is yet unknown.
I suppose you will not again hear from one of
your correspondents, as he took French leave
from us at Hagerstown and bus not been heard
from since, and with him five or six more of
cur boys who were not brave enough to smell
powder. 1 tu afraid they will get into trou
ble in consequence if tbey do not return and
report themselves soon. Although our boys
have seen a little of the e-ff 'Ots of war they
are more eager then ever for a fight. More
anon.
J. VV.-S. Jr.
Address of Hon. Loui3 W. Hall,
On taking the chair as Speaker Meet of the
! Senate of Pennsylvania, for the session of
1862:
SENATORS—I thank you for the kind parti
ality which has raised mo to the d gnity of
your presiding officer. I accept the honor
with diffidence in my ability to fulfil your ex
pectations, tut with the determination, so far
as in me lie®, to give to the duties of the posi
ttcn my ludu.-trious and impartial efforts, uud
I claim, as I have no doubt I -hail receive, at
your hands, indulgence toward myself, whilst
you exerei-e forbearance and couitesy towards
each other. 1 cannot but be impressed with
the liveliest etnotiofn of pleasure at this gen
erous confidence oa your part, animating uie
anew in the discharge of public duty. I yot
feel how idly I would employ your time in fe--
licitsting myself upon the attainment of civic
honors, in this "awful 3tid rugged crisis," when
above all personal consider it ions th* salvation
of the republic should engage all our thoughts.
We meet in stirring times. An epoch iu
our national life is upon u®. Even's of vat
import .oca in quick succession cluster fas',
decisive, perhaps of our destiuy, perhaps of the
destiny of maukiud. For let tin® govervni'Qt
te overthrown from within itself, and who can
say bat that its great underlying principle, the
capacity of man for seU-goveromenMs shall be
thrown aside for the future, by the people of
the world, as a failure.
Oar State is itiseperahly linked with all toe
others. Wo share a common fate, either of
disgrace and ruin or "permanent power and
glory. All other questions of political eootTj
uiy, of g vermcntal policy, are merged in the
one great issue of national life or death. For
what are all other interests worth without a
Government that can maintain itself? What
ether public calamity cm be coropired to the
national overthrow ? Wars have visited our
country in times past, waged by the savages of
the forest and the self-styled "mistress of the
sauS." Pestilence has at various tow wasted
us; public erudit has gone dowo, while sue
ceeditig waves of financial revulsion swept the
social State. Yet, blessed by a benign Gov
ernment, our couo'ty has ou lived them all.
But where is the hope of resurrection from
tho grave of National dssiut-gration ? We
cannot be too deeply, anxiously impressed with
the conviction that unless we oouquor in this
struggle ail is lost. There can be no peace
unless wo conq-r poaoe. If we should even
tender the olive branch—a thought which can
uot be entertained for a single moment—the
rebellious Stales would disdaiufully reject it.
All the sacrifice that tiny be made in this war,
all the treasure that tiny bo expended, all the
evils that are inseparable from it, and whiub
ijie human croakers fc p.iace are oon®tatly
aggravating, are light in comparison with the
untold evils which would follow a tiiumphant
rebellion. v „
Sat if we could even agree upon a peaceable
separation, how long wcutd peac> continue ?
fiia disloyal Southern Snites, intoxicated witii
suceoss, woul I bo in >ro aggressive, domineer
ing and unscrupulous than ever before. An i
eternal conflict of jarring interests would en
tail interminable internal ware upon all our
posterity, whilst our weakened, divided, do®
moralized coudition woul i Constantly invite the
'i-rgressions of tie grasping potentates of
Europe. If thin-Government has not the pow
er of subduing a robtdiiou, it his not the pow
er oi preserving itself. 1c is now on its groat
uul. Now is the timj for the solu'ion of the
grand problem. E tropoaa monarchists point
to this country as the last great exemplifica
tion of the impossibility of a permanent re
public.
T>o tbey predicate the failure of our country
oa the mere fact that civil war exiti 1 What
uition iu U history has been exempt from it?
Is it peculiar to repubJcs ? Then, whence the
civil wars that from her erlict history until
ro.-eut reigus, have lima and agiiu ravaged aud
scourged the British Eoipit'J? Why is it that
Eogland, safely mooied in that quiet cove of
blest tranq tiltty, a limited mmarchy, his been
frequently toru from her moorings and tossed
madly iu the seu3 of revolution ? If a miaar
cby Oa th) symbol of strength and perpetui'y,
whence the War of the Rosas? Why has the
blood of uiousrohs ia Frantia so often glutted
toe savage vengeance of internal faonous ?
Civil ot-ar indeed exists—a war ou our part
to put down an unnatural, ungrateful, matri*
oilal, helUborn rebellion. Long plotted, it
has been hatched at last into wicked life, aud
seeks, tvich treachery, falsehood, theft, rob
bery, arson, and murder as its allies, to uis
solve the blood-bought Onion, our priceless
heritage from our forefathers. The magnitude
of the contest, the ifeaiendom consequences of
discomfiture, can hardly be exaggerated. But
who doubts the result 1 Superiority of etreagib
uumbers and resources, anal the inviuoible will
of a united N arth must triumph. As eertaia
as truth and justice sit enthroned in Heaven,
there Cio be one issue from this conflict. The
North may bavo to spend profusely ber treas
ures, and her pitriotio sons pour out their ]i'o
blood like wuer, but the Government must and
will oo BUS ainad. Tha omens are auspicious.
Hitherto th; rebels, immensely iutariot t>
th; loyalists in numbers and aggreg&ta wealth,
have tar ex?died us in etiergy and vigor.
Wo are slow to appreciate the true state of
the case. Nor is it surprising. True to the
Union a i l the Cjnsl titiou, oursoWas—Uared
iurily and proudly loving fh> one HQI religi
ously venerating th: other—we were loth to
I believe it possible that men were so lost to the
l glorious memories of the past, and bright hopes
| of the future, as to recklessly and diabolical.
[Jy conspire to overthow both. Sis hundred
1 thousand free citizens—volunteers—tnarsball-
I ed on the battle-field In defence of the Govern
ment, affords an evidence of strength which the
i world has stiver before witnessed. Let mon
i archies cinfemplate "he incredible short time
in which this immense army has been raised,
the discipline to which it has attained, the
spirit of undying devotion which animates all,
and learn the lesson of our Republic's strength.
The noble State which honors us with seats
in this Chamber has been iruo to ber tradition
al renown. More than 100,000 Pennsylvania n*
are now in the field, and wherever "they have
had an opportunity of facing the foe, their ac
tions have shown them as martial in spirit as
they are distinguished for discipline. Of such
gallant spirits, roady to die for their country's
flag, Pennsylvania may well be proud. We
1 know that their and dd* willillus
irate the brightest reoorus of I* l ' 3 OOhapp*
war, and they will never desert the pos",
of duty until victory wreathes its laurels
around their brows, anu the restored hood of
union shall be
"Unbroken as tiie sacred chain of nature
That binds the jarring elements in peace."
The present session will doubtless bo ooe of
I great importance. Whatever pubiio affairs
may demand our attention, is needless for
me to surmise what tbey may be,) it becomes us
to lift ourselves above all personal and party
interests, and to act in that gravs, dispassion
ate, and dignified manner which should ever
characterize a legislative bady. From mv
knowledge of the Senate, I confidently antici®
pita that the peculiar duties of my position
will be rendered light and easy, by jour cor
dial co-operation in the maintenance of strict
order and the careful observance of parliamen
tary rules.
Again I tbsnk you, Senators, for the honor
you hive conferred upon me, and doubt not
that mutual prudence aDd patience will enable
us to transact the business of the aessioa p!;a
| satitly to ourselves sod to the welfare ef cur
; constituents.
ADDRESS OF HON. JOHN ROWE,
On taking the chair as speaker elect of the
Hou*e of Representatives of Pennsylvania :
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA
TIVES:— With leeiings of deep sensibility and
sincere gratitude 1 receive this disiinguiseti mark
of your regard and confidence. I accept the
office your kind partiality has conferred upon
1 me with the difference and apprehension which
a knowledge ot the arduousuess of its clutie
generally, and of the present peculiar delicacv
and responsibility of the trust, unavoidably pro
duce?.
In the endeavor to meet the requirements of
this station, and lo fulfil the reasonable expecta
tions of the House, I shall depend alone on the
zeal, attention and fidelity which 1 shall bring
, to the discharge of my duties. Shrinking from
no responsibility, however grave, from no dutv.
i however painful, I snail endeavor to be equal
i to the labor and burden, at least, of this post
i tion.
Without zea'oos co-operation, and a generous
confidence onour part, 1 am well aware that this
Chair will be wanting in authority, and the pro
ceedings of the House be without that order and
decorum which it is ihe peculiar province of the
| Chair to preserve and enforce. This co-opera
tion and confidence, with the large indulgence,
i f beg at your hands.
1 seize this occasion to offer you my hearty
I congratulations upon 'be proud position oir ru
ble old Commonwealth holds to day among her
sisters ol the 17aion. She has been true to the
memory oi her earlier days. Her people, her
! legislator®, her Executive, have risen to the mag
nitude oi the demands of this crisis in the af
fairs of our beloved country, She has known
no divided duty. Her sons were not the last
among.the freemen of the North to take down
the mn-kets of their patriotic "fathers for the
preservation of the liberties which they at so
dear a cost aided to win.
Her place so far in this great contest has been
in the van, and whoever, grasping the standard
of :hc Constitution, shali march foremost and
farthest to vindicote the supremacy of the na
lion's laws and to maintain the integrity of the
Union, will, 1 am persuaded, find (he represen
tatives of Pennsylvania close by tiis side. "
Again I thank you cordially for the honor you
have conferred upon me.
GLOBIIsIEWS.
Great Federal Victory in Kentucky.
Engag'mtnl Jor an enhre Hay— Gen. Schapff
Dejeits ihe Rebel Gen. Zolhcoffer — LOST
heavy on both sides— Gen. Zolhcoffer and
Bathe Peyton killed-—The Rebels in full re*
treat.
A 15 AT tOi AT SOMERSET, h\.
CINCINNATI, .Tan. 20—A battle was fought
at Somerset, Ivy., on Saturday, between the
Federal troops under Gon. Solcepff, and the
rebels under Gen. Z iJJieoffer.
The engagement was commenced in the
morning, no i listed till nightfall.
Gen. Zdlicotfer was killed, aßd his aruty
entirely defeated.
Tne loss is heavy on both sides.
[SECOND DESPATCH ]
The Feiiera! Victory Confirmed.
LOUISVILLE, Jin. 20.—General Thomas
telegraph? to headquarters tint on Friday
uig'at Gun. Z lliooff-reams up to his encamp
ment, aud attacked him at six o'clock oa Sat
urday morning, near Webb's Gross roads, iu
the vioiuity of Somerset.
At half-past three o'clock on Saturday af
ternoon, Zdliouffur and Biiiie Peyton had
baea kdio i, and tha rebais ware ia fall retreat
to their entreaebm.'Uts, at Mill Spriugs.
Tne Federal troops wore in hot pursuit.
No further particulars itive been received
nor any account of the losses ou cither side.
PARTICULARS OF THE BATTLE IN
KEN i'UGKY.
CINCINNATI, Jon. 21. A speaial Louisville
despatch, to the Comn'.rcitl, says that de
pute tics received at headquarters ana sail '
that tb hittlo took p'ucu on Son lay morning,
and tat Geo. Tootrns continued the puivJit
until utght.
Our forces followed the rebels, wbo ran be
fore bem like a flock of frightened sbesp,
olosu up to their entrenchments ou the norm
biuk of the rivor. I i fruit of tir-se thoy Li t
alt Uig.at, expecting tj blorui thorn in the m r -
iog, but wait th.i )j of iho b . s v. ■■ " ■
; gs, the enemy m aaigii ia gr • uoas tu. ; tv
! or before day light.
j They lift behind all their artillery, au. ,, ,0!-