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