five gdforfl Supim\
BEDFORD PA.. FRIDAY, MAY 27.1884.
LATEST BY TELFJrIIAnf.
LEE REPEATING!
The Rebel Cabinet Fleeing from
Richmond.
WASHINGTON, May 25, 1804.
The Republican says, official dispatches are re.
reived from the army of the Potomac, that Lee is
falling back fram the North Anna, and has com
menced to retreat. He is beyond the South An
ita river, and was pursued by Grant with great vig
or. Grant was in his saddle day and night direct
ing the pursuit. Other reports state that Davis
and his.C abiuet left Richmend some days ago.
DRAFT ORDERED.
Tleadqttakters. Provost Marshal, )
I6th Dist., Ciiambersbcrg, May 23, 1864-7
To* the JhUJor of the Bedford Inquirer : SlR —
You are authorised to say to your readers, this
week, that a draft for the deficiency of each Sub-
District, of its quota of Seven Hundred Thousand
Men. willconmienee at die Masonic Hall, in Chain
lersburg, next Mbndav, the 30th inst,, and be
continued, from dav to day until completed.
" GEO. EYSTER,
Capt. if- provost Marshall, l&th Dist. Pa.
We are. under obligations to Hon. A. H. Cof-
Froth for valuable Public Documents.
We understand the conferees from Somerset and
Fulton, to choose a delegate to the Baltimore Con
vention are invited to meet the conferees of Bed
ford County in this place next Tuesday for tho
purpose of making such choice.
THE SITUATION.
There have been no general engagements be
tween the armies of Grant and Lee since our last.
On Friday last Gen. Grant began a flank move
ment on Lee's left flank. Lee s array has with
drawn from before Spottsylvania to the line of the
Anna river, twelve miles southward. The enemy
is still in great strength before our conquering ar
mies. He has been reinforced by detachments
from Beauregard and Breckinridge. Lee's army
pee JUS to lie well supplied with rations, and will no
doubt give desperate battle to our legions. Grant's
army has been heavily reinforced, and is now, the
Secretary of War says, stronger and in bet ter con
dition than it was at the opening of the campaign.
However obstinate and fool hardy tho enemy may
show himself in the "last ditch," the great- Union
array is not to be broken, or its integrity seriously
threatened. It has a troublesome affair on hand,
and may not readily accomplish it. but in the end
it must prevail. The enemy has concentrated his
whole strength around Richmond, and if he is
beaten here, he is beaten every where. Gen. But
ler has fallen back from before Fort Darling to his
intrenchments. Ho has not been quite successful
in interrupting reinforcements to Jjee. His army
is in a good condition, and ready, when wanted,
to co-operato with Gen. Grant. Sherman contin
ues to drive Johnson, and Johnson is running
away from Sherman as fast as he can. Banks'
nrniy is now safe. The skies are brightening,
A FORGERY, a pretty full account of which is
given on our First page, was palmed on the New
York World and Journal of Commerce on Wednes
day the 18th inst. A document, purporting to be
a proclamation signed by the President calling for
Four hundred thousand more men. written on pa
per similar to that used for dispatches to the as
sociated press, was sent to all the New York mor
ning papers except the Tribune, at about half
past three in the morning. The two papers were
suspended three days, hut have now resumed pub
lication. The author of the bogus proclamation
has since been discovered to be Joseph Howard,
a Reporter for the Brooklyn Ragle, and he has
been arrested and sent to Fort Lafayette. }lc ad
mited bis guilt, and alleges that he was led to it
by losses in stock-gambling, the fact that in was
published on steamer day clearly indicates that he
hud a rebel accomplices who hoped to send the
proclamation to Europe uncontradicted, and secure
the recognition of the Confederacy.
"A gnat raanv sensation rumor* are constantly flying,
and we caution our readers to believe nothing until it is
Weil authenticated.— Bedford Gazette.
The "'sensation rumors" alluded to above, were
the telegraphic reports, (mainly official from the
Secretary of War), of the cheering success of the
armies of our country in the late onslaught against
the Rebels. The Gazette and its party are a good
deal troubled at the hopeful state of things. The
new i all indicated the triumph of the Union, and
the downfall of the slaveholder* re
bellion, hence their alarm. Their cause is totter
ing and ready to fall. If the rebellion falls, they
fid!. The Democratic party in Bedford county, is
hut a craven and abject echo of the most repulsive
doctrines of the slavcocracy. They know right well
that their soulless and heartless life, as a party,
hangs on this hell-horn rebellion. Their hopes
rise and fall with the turn of battle's fortune.—
When patriots nni good men all over the land are
rejoicing over the encouraging prospects of our
country, they hang their heads with baffled rage
and mortification. They prolong and intensify
their miserable dying, with trying to believe "noth
ing until it is well authenticated." Are they not
m a pitiable condition ?
WHO FIItST URGED A DRAFT.
The history of the administration of President
Lincoln, by H. J. Raymond, just published in
New York, contains a letter, which we comaiend
to the admirers of Gen. McCiellan, who have so
violently resisted the draft to fill the armies. It
was written to the President of the United States
about a mont h after the battle of Bull Run. and at
a time when citizens were rushing to arms all over
the country, and when volunteers were pouring
into Washington from every State. Here is the
letter:
"Wisßivr.Tox, August 20, 1881.
"SIB: I Hve just received the enclosed dispatch in
cypher. Col. Marcy knows what ha says, and is of the
eon lest judgement. I recommend that the Secretary of
War ascertain at once by telegram how the enrollment,
proceed* in New York and elsewhere, and that, if It is not
proceeding with great rapidity, drafts be m.ikf j at once.
We must have men without delay.
Respectfully your obedient servant,
GEORGE B. MCCLKLCAXD, Maj. Gen. G. S. A."'
The following is the dispatch of Colonel Marcy
alluded to :
DISPATCH rno* COLOKEL B. B. SFTRCT TO GFNEHAI.
K'CLEI.GA .
•:NEW Yonjc, August 20, 1861.
"'I urge upon yon to make a positive and wc onditivnal
rfmeuci for an immediate draft of the additional troops
vu require. Men will not volunteer now, and drafting is
tM n!y mjeewsfal pianl The ptcpic will uvpUmd trueh a
it o ris, K-ly epcß it* J trill be .a Mfashingtca to-iaomtr.
K. B. lis. RCT.
THE OTHER SIDE.
In order, that our readers may have an idea how
the enemy regard the late battles, we give an ex
tract from the Bedford Gaseette, of hist week.
"Already he (Grant) has lost as many men as composed
MeClellfta's en tire army when that General marched up the
Peninsula. The loss of of the Federal army, according to
telegraphic reports, cannot lull sHui? of men kil
led, wounded and misting. There hare been about thir
teen days fighting, including the small battles fought by
' Gctr. Ilutler, which would average the loss nt about S.OOO
per day. It seems to be the hope of Grant to crush his
adversary rather by brute force than by strategy. As yet
: tb~fighUng hax been in din Wive, the Federal troops, hav
ing gained but one advantage, that of Thursday the 12th,
in whieh they took bctweea three thousand and four thou
sand prisoners and thirty cannon. On the other hand,
Fee's army mode iarge captures of prisoners in the first
si* days lighting and also took a mirabar of guns. Fix
Federal Generals are known to have been killed, via :
Sedgwick, M'adsworth, Hays. Rice, Robinson and Owen.
Seymour and Crawford ant prisoners. With all the losses,
however, Gen. Grant is still able to act ou the repulsive;
nod it seems now to He a mere (question of endurance be
tween the contending parties. A great many sensation
rumors are constantly flying, und wc caution our readers
to believe nothing until it is well authenticated."
The above we consider pretty fair ' 'seoesh. To
be sure it is not so pungent as the Richmond Ilr
aminer, nor so weighty as the Richmond Inquirer,
but the intent and meaning is the same. The
Union loss is stated at more than three times the
actual number. The Richmond papers stated our
loss at only twenty thousand previous to the battle
of Thursday. The telegraphic, dispatches, ie the
'"sensation rumors,'' are "authentic"' enough for
the'purpose of 'fixing'up a grave misstatement, to
he-little and hurt the Union cause; but everything
favorable, every thing inspiring to the patriot, is
to be received with "caution until it is well authen
ticated.''
PATRIOTISM OF TIIE LUTII. CHURCH.
The General Synod of the Lutheran Church of
the United States held its biennial session in York,
Pa., during the last ten days. A committee on
the state of the eonntry, consisting of one mem
ber from each Synod represented, was appointed,
of which Rev. W. A. Passavant, of Pittsburg,
was Chairman. The following patriotic resolu
tions were reported, on a call of the yeas and
nays. It will be seen that they take strong ground
in support of the Government, and most emphat
ically condemn the system of American slavery as
a sin against God, and as the cause of the rebell
ion. They also rebuke the attempt of Bishop
Hopkins, in his celebrated letter, to prove that
slavery is a divine institution. By the adoption
of these resolutions the Lutheran Church of the
United States places itself fairly on the side of
justice and right. We speak for them the careful
perusal of our readers :— Harrinburg Telegraph.
Resolved, That having assembled a second time
during the prevalence of civil war in our land,
this Synod cannot seperatc without solemnly re
affirming the declarations adopted at our last Con
vention in reference to the originating cause of the
rebellion, the necessity of its forcible suppression,
the righteousness of the war which is waged by
the Government of the United States for the
maintenance of the national life, and the conse
quent duty of even' Christian to support it by
the whole weight of his influence, his prayers and
his efforts.
Resolved, That wc acknowledge with profound
gratitude to AlaiigtyGod, the various important
successes which have thus far crowned our arms;
the merciful interposition of Providence in deliv
ering us from the invasion of the enemy, and in
protecting our homes, our churches and our insti
tutions from the desolations of war; and the
cheering progress which has been made by the
Government and the Nation in the recognition of
the laws of God and the rights cf man in the
measures which have been adopted for the sup
pression of the rebellion.
Resolved , That recognizing the sufferings and
calamities of war as the righteous judgment of a
just <bod visited upon us lor our transgressions,
we call npon our pastors and churches to unite
with us in the confession of our many and griev
ous individual and national sins, and in fervent
supplications for the Divine forgiveness, that as a
people we may break off sins by righteouness, and
do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with
God.
Rseolred, That as persistent efforts arc making
among us bv professedly christian writers to prove,
from the Holy Scriptures, the Divine institution
of American slavery—the principal cause of this
wicked rebellion—we, the Delegates of the Gener
al Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in the United States, hereby express our unquali
fied condemnation of such a course, which claims
the sanction of the merciful God and Father of us
all for a system of human oppression which exist s
only by violence under the cover of iniquitous
laws.
[NOTE —The vote on the adoption of the last res
olutions by yeas and nays, was as follows:
Yew-—Clerical 72
" Lay 3!>
Total 11l
Absent on leave and not voting:
Clerical 14
Lay 24
Total 2S]
For the Bedford Inquirer.
PHILADELPHIA AND ERIE RAILROAD.
Mr. EDITOR : —Having recently made a trip over
part of this thoroughfare, for the purpose of visit
ing a son, who is a telegraphic operator, at Drift
wood Station, in Cameron county, on this route,
I thought a few observations would he interesting
to some of your readers.
This lino traverses tho Northern and Northwest
| counties of Pennsylvania from Sunbury to tho city
of Erie, on Lake Erie. It has been leased by tho
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and under their
i auspices is being rapidly opened throughout its
! entire length. It is divided into three divisions
of equal length and each division is under the di
rection of a Division Superintendent, and the
whole line is under the general management of
Joseph D. Potts, Esar,, whose efficiency and en
ergy and gentlemanly deportment must entitle him
to the esteem and confidence of all.
The Eastern Division commences at Sunbury
and terminates at Renovo, and is under the direc
tion of Mr. S. A. Black. Mr. Black is a
thorough railroad-man and has been at this busi
ness from his youth. This gentleman is about go
ing on the main line, for the purpose of occupying
a prominent position and in the event of doing so,
will be suet-ceded by Mr. Frank Thompson.
The length of this division is ninety miles. It
passes through a rich and cultivated section of
country. The towns, near and directly on this
section, after leaving Sunbury, are Lewisburg,
Milton, Muncy, Willlamsport, and Lock Haven,
all beautiful and enterprising towns. The Gen
eral Manager's office is located a Williamsport.—
In passing from Lock Haven, westward, the road
takes a serpei tine course along side the West
Branch, and takes the traveller through a roman
tic section of country. Here and there are culti
vated spot 3 which promise to reward the toil of the
husbandman.
Renovo, Clinton county, is anticipated to be a
second Altoona. The ground is regularly laid out
for the contemplated town, and when built up, it
will present, a beautiful location. Here, the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company is building a round
house, machine-shops, foundry, etc,, which are
expected to be completed by August next.
The Middle Division commences at Renovo and
terminates at Lament, and is under the direction
of Major J. J. Lawrence, formerly Superintendent
of the Huntingdon and Broad Top Railroad. The
distance from Renovo to Lament, is ninetv-five
miles. This Division runs along side the West
Branch to Keating Station, and from thence along
side the Sinnemahoning to Driftwood Station, and
from thence along side of the Driftwood to Empo
rium. It is now open for passengers and freight
business to St. Mary, Elk county. Minds accus
tomed to reflect on romantic scenery can here en
joy a rich and grateful treat-
There are already many improvements in pro
prese and many others will be developed in the fu
ture. The wilderness will socn blossom like the
rose and progress will follow in the train. The la
bor expended here will be amply rewarded. There
will be towns aud villages springing up in the wil
derness, m the course of a few years, which will
| show that the location and completion of this rail
! way will develop resources heretofore dormaat.—
The people residing along the line have beeu shut
out from the world, as it regards' transportation
facilities. They already see the greatness of the
change arid realise the happy effects which this !
thoroughfare has produced. They have now ac
cess to market; and instead of taking two or more
days to go and return from Lock Haven for pro
duce and other things, can now go over the same
distance in a few hours.
The Western Division commences at Lamont
and terminates at the city of Erie. on Lake Erie,
and its under the direction of W. A. Baldwin
Esq. Its length is ninety-five miles, ami is open
from Sheffield to Eric. Having never been over
this Division we cannot sjreak so definitely, as of
tli© Eastern and Middle Divisions. We have
learned that it is doing a prosperous business aud
will contribute very much to develope trade and
stimulate enterprise. The unfinished link between
St. Mary and Sheffield is being rapidly pushed for
ward, so that the completion of the entire line is
expected to be opened for through passengers and
freight business by August next. The road so far,
has already done a greater amount of business than
was anticipated and will also he largely increased.
The iron-horse will revolutionize this whole section
of country. The mineral and lumber resources
will be largely developed. It will make an out-let
to market, which has hitherto been closed to the
people in the wilderness. Already are branches
Being constructed to accommodate the transporta
tion of freight along the way-side, The coal and
lumber trade call for these accommodations.
In concluding these observations of the Phila
delphia and Erie Railroad, leased by the Pennsyl
vania Railroad Company, we would yet add, that
this great thoroughfare, under the efficient man
agement of such railroad officials, as J. Edgar
Thompson. Esq., President; Thomas A. Scott,
Esq., Ist Vice-President; and Joseph D. Potts.
Esq., General, Manager and their coadjutors, will
lie brought to a successful completion at an early
day, which event will be heartily aud gratefully
wished for.
May 11, 1864 N. E. G.
THE iMJEIO!
GRANT'S ARMY ADVANCING.,
LEE FALLS BACK WITHOUT OFFERING
BATTLE.
GRANT LARGELY REINFORCED.
IVroin t lie Sontliwest.
General Sherman Moving Forward.
GENERAL BUTLER'S OPERATIONS.
SUCCESSFUL RAID OF GEN. AVERILL.
OFFICIAL WAR BULLETINS.
SECB.tTABY STANTON TO GEN. MX.
Mneees* of the Union Ttoops under liullcr-
Tlie enemy repulsed at every point.
WAR DEPARTMENT, )
WASHINGTON, May 17—9 P. M. j
To Major Gen. Dix :
Despatches from Gen. Butler, just received, re
port the success of his expedition under Gen.
Kautz to eut. the Danvill road and destroy the iron
bridge across the Appomattox.
On Monday morning the enemy, in force, under
cover of thick fog, made an attack upon Smith's,
line, and forced it back in some confusion and with
considerable loss. But as soon as the foe lifted
Gen, Smith re-established his lines, and tlie ene
my was driven back to his original lines.
At the same time the enemy made an attack
from Petersburg on Gen. Butler's forces guar
ding the rear', hut were handsomely repulsed.,
'1 he troops having been on incessant duty for
five days, tlireo of which were in a rain storm,
Gen. Butler retired leisurely within his own lines.
Wo hold the railroad between Petersburg and
Richmond.
Persons state that Bragg and Davis were pres
ent on the field.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
NEC. STANTON* TO GEN. CADWAEADEK.
Gen. Grant to !<• roinforcod—Ttie National for
re* to Im> kept up until tlie rebellion in over
thrown.
WASHINGTON May 18.
To Major General Cadwalader, J'hilttdelphia :
We have no reports of operations since my last
despatch.
The latest information from Gen. Grant was
that, the roads have been greatly improved.,
Large reinforcements had reached him and he
designed to move against the enemy without de
lay.
It is the design of the Government to keep up
the national forces until the Rebellion is over
-1 thrown ; and. in order to provide against any in
opportune reduction when the service of the hun
dred days' men is out, a draft to fill up their pla
ces and all other reductions, will be ordered to
take place on the Ist of July, by which time the
new enrolments will be completed.
No order is yet issued.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of Warj
SEC. NTAVTOX TO GEN. CADWALAAER,
(<fnorl Crook Hoard I'rniii—llo l)prat tho
ItohclH—A Itcbol Ueuornl and 300 rrlaonrra
Cap tared.
WASHINGTON, May 18—10.40 P. M.
Major General Cadmiladtr, Philadelphia:
We havto no despatches to-day from Generals
Grant, Butler or Sherman,
The report-from Kanawha confirm the destruc
tion of the bridge over the Now River. Several
miles of railroad wore destroyed by General Crook's
command, and he reports that he fought throe bat
tles with Generals Sam-Tones and A. -Tonkin-,
and has defeated them, the rebel loss being over
six hundred killed and three hundred prisoners.
General Jenkins foil into our hands mortally
wounded. All of our wounded that can be re
moved from Fredericksburg have reached Wash
ington.
The rebel prisoners have been removed from
Belle Plain
Visitors from the Amry of the Potemnc repre
sent the troops to bo in excellent condition, and
reinforcements rapidly arriving.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
SEC. STANTON TO GEN. CAOWAEVOEK.
Adrnncn of Nlicruiau to Kingston . Occupation
of Home by our forces.
WASHINGTON, May 19—5 P. M.
To Major Ghntral Cadwalader, Philadelphia :
No official reports of military operations to-day
hava been received by this Department from Gen.
Grant or Gen. Butler.
Reports from Gen. Sherman's command, dated
at Kingston, Georgia, at 2P. M. to-day, announce
that Sherman reached Kingston and encamped
last night. This morning he advanced upon the
enemy, who again retreated. The despatches
states, while being written, Hooker's and How
ard's guns were hammering at Johnston, and the
two armies were in plain sight of each other, two
miles east of Kingston
Davis' division, of the 14th corpß, is in posses
sion of Rome. The weather is fine, the roads
good, and the country more open and less moun
tainous.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
is an important city, capital of Floyd
county, Georgia, at the confluence of the Etowah
end Osteriaula, which streams form the Cossa
River. It is 170 miles from Millidgeville, and is
situated on several hills. A railroad runs from
Rome to Kingston, where it join 3 the Western
and Atlantic Railroad.
From twenty-five to thirty thousand bales of
cotton used to be shipped from this point-. Since
the Rebellion, the Rebels have built extensive
founderies and manufactories of arms at Rome,
and it became, from its natural advantages and
apparent security from the Union armies, a place
of great importance to the Rebels. J
Gen Sherman'* ProgyfM Csffcre of Iron loan,
•tries at in liiulcr's Army, Are.
_„ . „ WASHINGTON., May 21, 1864.
7•> Major- (Jen. Dix :
Dispatches from Geo. Sherman state that our
forces found in Rome a great deal of provisions
and seven fine iron works and machine shops. We
have secured two good bridges aud an excellent
for<] across the Etowah. The ears arc now arriv
ing at Kingston with stores, and two days would
lxi given to Deplenish and fit up.
A dispatch just received from Gen. Banks, dated
at Alexandria, the Bth of May, states that the dam
will be completed to-morrow, (Mav 9,) aud the
gunboats relieved He would then move immedi
ately for the Mississippi. Gen. C'anbv was at the
mouth of the Red River on the 14th of May, col
lecting forces to assist Banks, if necessary.
Dispatches from -Gen. Butler, dated at 10 o'-
clock last night, report that lie luid "been fighting
all day, the enemy endeavoring to close in upon
our lines. We shall hold on. Have captured the
rebel Gen. Walker, of the Texas troops."
EDWIN M. STANTON, Sec. of War.
NoUiKlitinjr Winvo Thursday. Important Nor©
mcut* Going; on.
WASHINGTON, May 21.
No fighting since Hie rebel attack on our com
munications with Fredericksburgh on Thursday.
There is reason to believe, however, that tlie move
ments of yesterday and to-day will be speedily
found productive of important results.
Grant's flunk Movement so far Successful—Ad
vices from Gens. Canity and Sherman.
WASHINGTON, May 22—10 P. M.
To Major-Gen. Dix:
On Friday morning, Gen. Grant commenced a
movement for the purpose ofcompelling Lee to aban
don his position at Spottsylvania (the details of which
for obvious reasons, should not be made public.) It
has thus far progressed successfully.
Longstreet's corps started South at one o'clock on
Fridnv night, an hour and a half after Hancock mov
ed. E well's corps followed Longstreet Inst night.
The indications are that the rebel army has fallen
back bo*ond the North Anna.
Hoke's brigade has joined Lee.
'l'be movement .of Gen. Grant has thus far been
accomplished without auy sever© engagement or ser
ious interruption.
We now occupy Gurny's Station, Mulford Station,
and south of the Muttapony on that line.
A dispatch received this morning from Gen. Can
by, dated May Id, at the mouth of the Red River,
says : " We have rumors, to-day, from rebel sources
that the gunboats, except two, succeeded in getting
over the falls at Alexandria on the day mentioned to
Gen. Bank's dispatch."
No dispatches have been received to-day from Gen.
Butler.
Dispatches from Kingston, Georgia, state that
Gen. Sherman's forces are resting and replenishing
their supplies. EDWIN M. STAN f'ON.
Secretary of War.
FROM THE ARMY Of THE POTOMAC.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMV OK THE POTOMAC, 1
May, 18. j
Yesterday was spent in making preparafioos for j
an attack this morning, aud we expect a battle to- i
clay, provided Gen. Ixio has not disappeared. I
which is not at all probable, the published reports I
to tlie contrary notwithstanding.
His army was in strong intrenchments yester j
day, in front of the Fifth Corps, on the stage
road, fifteen guns being counted in one place, with j
strong lines of earthworks wherever the openness !
of the country permitted a view.
L:ist night a body of stragglers arrived here from
Washington to ihe number of 600, including 17
officers, some of them having surgeon's certifi- I
oates of disability, and others slightly wounded J
Gen. Meade has ordered the latter to be tried by
court-martial. Many resignations have been sent
in within the past two days, and will have to be !
accepted for the good of service, as it is believed
that no officer capable and disposed to do his duty
would resign at this time.
It was reported yesterday %ftenioon that the
enemy were moving columns of troops and wagon
trains toward Bowling Green, under the impress
ion that our army were endeavoring to turn their j
ritrht;
This morning at 4, 10 firing opened briskly on i
our right, and it is believed that Generals Grant
and Meade intend to push the rebels sharply,
A large force of cavalry from the dismounted '
.camp have arrived here with fresh horses, and will
be f great service to the army in tbo absence of i
Sheridan's command.
A SEVERE HGIIT OX WEDNESDAY*.
[Special Dispatch to the N. Y. Tribune.]
WASHINGTON, Thursday, May, 19, 1
12. 10 P. M. j
Your correspondent "Beta" scuds the follow
ing, dated headquarters Armv of the Potomac,
May 18" 1J P. M.:
Since forwarding my first despatch this morning
the desultory skirmish firing which commenced at j
daybreak has grown into a very considerable bat- j
tie. The enemy discovering our change of posi- j
lion last night, and taking advantage of the same,
were found to have massed all their strength on j
our right, designing, no doubt, one more desperate i
assault to break our lines and get torough to our j
supply trains.
fhis movement of the foe of course occasion
ed a re-oecupatioa of our position of yesterday |
morning, and it was here upon our extreme right. ]
and with the Second and Sixth corps, that the j
struggle has been kept up with more or less sever- |
ity up to noon to-day. Our troops were advanced i
within very close range of their earthworks, when
a murderous artillery fire was opened upon us.
occasioning u.s considerable loss; but our own guns
were soon got into position, and. under cover of;
their fire, we charged and took their first line of;
rifle-pits, capturing aconsiderbale number of pria- i
oners and several of their guns.
At the moment of this present writing there is i
a cessation of firing along the. lines, and the indi- I
cations are that there will be no more lighting be- j
fore evening or to-morrow. It is estimated that |
the rebel loss is considerably greater than ours, j
notwithstanding the momentary advantage of ]
their artillery range upon us.
The Vermont heavy artillery, just arrived par- .
tioipntcdin this fight, and is highly complimented.
It is stated that the decisive battle is not unlikely
to He fought tight here, and that within a few days !
at the furthest.
Of the casualties, tho report ootnos in that
Lietft. Bartlett, 10th Massachusetts, is killed;
Capt. Bigelow and l/icrcc and Lieuts. Cohell and
Whitney of tho same regiment, wounded Adjutant
Dean, 7th Massachusetts, wounded. These men
were of Gen, Es tee's 4th Brigade of the 2d divis
ion, Sixth Corps, and tvere in the charge,
A party of guerrilla* got in behind a bam about
four miles out from Fredericksburg, on the road
to the front, this afternoon, and lired on a party
of our men while at the well. One of our men
was killed, and three wounded, when our boys ral
lied, charged upon the murderers, killing two,
wounded three, and then burnt the building.—
Guerrilla warfare is fast becoming an unprofitable
mode of warfare hereabout .
WASHINGTON. May 23 — 1.35 P. M.—To Maj.-Gen.
Ilix, New York.—Despatches from Major-General
CANUY, dated at the mouth of Red River, at midnight,
May 15th, state that Admiral PORTER has just arrived,
and that the remainder of the gun-boats will arrive
to-night. General BANKS will propably reach Sem
mesport, on the Atchafalaya, to-morrow. A des
patch from Admiral PORTER, dated on board his flag
ship Black Hawk, at the mouth of Red River, May
16tn. states that the portion of the squadron above
the Falls at Alexandria have been released from their
unpleasant position, owing to the indefatigable exer
tions of Lieutenant-Colonel BAILEY, Acting Engineer
of the Nineteenth Army Corps, who proposed and
built a dam of six hundred feet across tho river
at the Lowry Falls, which enabled all the vessels to
pass in safety the back water of the Mississippi, reach
ing Alexandria, and allowed them to pass over all the
shoals and tho obstructions planted by the enemy to
a point of safety-
Lieutenant-Colonel BAILEY will be immediately
nominated for promotion for distinguished and me
ritorious service.
An unofficial report from Cairo, dated May 22d.
states that the nrmy and gun-boats were all safe at the
mouth of the Red River and at Semmesport.
Major-Genernl SHERMAN, by a despatch at 8.30 P.
M. last night, reports that he will be ready by morn
ing to resume his operations. Returned veterans and
regiments, he says, have more than replaced all loss
es and detachments.
We have no official reports since my last telegram
from General GRANT or General BUTLER.
Official reports cf this Department show that within
eight days after the great battle at Spwttsylvania
Court House, many thousand veteran troops have
been forwarded to General GRANT. The whole army
Itas been amply supplied with full rations of subsist
enee. I pwards of twenty thousand sick aud wound
<!<t have been transported from the field of battle to
the Washington Hospitals, and placed under surgical*
care. Over eight thousand prisoners have been trans
ported from tlie field to prison depots, and a. large a
mount. of artillery awl other impediments of an active
campaign brought away.
Several trains and iresb cavalry horses have been
forwarded to the army, and the grand Armv of the
Potomac is now fully as strong in numbers, and bet
ter equipped, supplied and furnished, than when the
campaign opened. Several thousand reinforcements
have also been forwarded to other armies in the field,
aud ample supplier to all.
During the same time over thirty thousand volun
teers for one hundred days have been mustered into
the service, clothed, armed, equipped and transport
ed to their respective positions. This statement is
due to the Chiefs of the Army, Staff and Bureau, and
their respective Corps, to whom the credit belongs.
E. M. STANTON, See. of War.
Port Hudson advices to the 7th Inst, state that the
: rebels have been making considerable demonstrations
I in that vicinity, but Gen. Ullman commanding the
I fort, is prepared for any attack. There is also a re
port that the rebels have established a blockade at a
bend in the river, about 25 miles above Fort Deßus
sey, and, in attempting to pass the point we had in
lour days lost throe transports and two of the light
mailed gunboats. The rebel blockading force is said
to number 10,000.
Advices from Red River, via Cairo, state that the
rebels have constructed at least three batteries on Red
river, between its month and Alexandria, as is sup
posed to prevent the passage of stores gunboats or
transports. Admiral Porter WHS at Alexandria with
his iron-clads. The river was heing dammed, so as
to raise the water to allow the gunboats to pass.—
There is no communication by land with the army
at Grand Reore. General MfcClernand was soon to
reinforce General Banks.
The Secretary of War has issued an official order
declaring exchanged all Federal prisoners of war and
all civilians on parole prior to May 7th. The rebels
are said to be indebted to us .'{8,596 men.
BERMUDA HUNDRED, May 18.
All qniet with our army to day. The object of the
demonstatian on Fort Darling was merely to draw off
and entertain as many of Lee\s troops as possible, al
so to attract the attention of an the rebel forces in and
about Richmond, so as to enable Gen. Kautz to de
stroy the communications south of Richmond.
On Monday morning the enemy came oat of their
earthworks in front of Fort Darling at daybreak, hav
ing been heavily reinforced during the night, by Long
street's corp.?, and made three seperate and desperate
charges upon our entrenchments, all of which were
promptly and energetically repulsed by our men.
l ite enemy lost in these three charges from 1000 to
loOObuen while our loss was very slight.
Gen. Butler having learned that Beauregard was
heavily reinforced by Longst rent's corps, and also by
the rebel papers, and by a courier ascertaining that
General Kautz, cavalry had destroyed the bridge over
the Appomattax River, and several miles of the Dan
ville Railroad track, with the dams, locks and em
bankments of the canal leading into Richmond, deci
ded to fall back from before fort Darting, and gave
orders accordingly, and by Monday evening our army
had safely arrived behind our new lines of intrench
meats having retired in perfect order, excepting Gen
eral Heckmiin'3 brigade, which was badly disorgani
zed and the General captured.
This brigade formed the extreme right wing, and
the enemy attacked this point with great desperation,
i following them back nearly two miles with overwhelm*
j ing numbers, and wounding many of them.
Three of our siege guns foil into the enemys hands,
the horses being killed. The guns were spiked.
At present it is impossible to estimate our loss.—
Stragglers are coming in constantly. We have lost
more prisoners, than the enemy, but their loss iB in
killed and wounded is double ours, as our inen wero
protected by intrenchments.
GOOD NEWS FROM GEN. AT Kill EE I
Rebels Defeated Near W j thcv illc, I
— l
CINCINNATI, Mav 19.
Despatches have ]>een received here dated Gaul
-1 ey Bridge, West Virginia, May 18, giving an ac
count of a Brilliant victory of Gen. Averill, (on
the right of our main body of Crook's army,) over
the Rebels. On the 10th instant General Averill
reached a point within four miles of Wytheville,
where he encountered the enemy—four thousand
strong —under Gen. Sam Jones. He fought
them four hours, driving them and wounded many
and capturing some prisoners. Under cover of
darkness the enemy retreated. Our loss was one
hundred killed and wounded—none missing.—
Near Blacksbury Gen. Averill'B command com
menced destroying the railroad, which was most
effectually done to a point four miles east of Chria
tiansburg.—At the fatter place a small force of
the enemy hastly retreated, leaving two three-inch
guns, which we captured.
COIF KB ESS.
TUESDAY, May 17.
SEKATB. —Mr. Henderson submitted resolutions
asking the Secretary of the Treasury to communicate
a statement of the full amount of the public debt of
the United States, and also full reports of bank asso
ciations, corporations and individuals doing linking
business. A memorial from the Chamber of Com
tuerce of New York, complaining of the hardship of
a decision of the Treasury Department requiring hftr
per cent, additional duties to he paid on the day after
the passage of the tariff resolution, was presented.
The report of the Central Pacific Railroad Company
nf California was transmitted by Secretary Chase,
The bill to equalize the pay of soldiers in the U. S,
army was then taken up. After the adoption of sev
eral amendments the bill was passed and sent back
to the House. The bill to expedite the public
printing was considered without final action. Ad
journed.
HOUSE. —The House agreed to the report of the
Committee of Conference upon the amendments to
the Naval Appropriation bill. A resolution calling
upon the Secretary of the Navy for the proceedings
in the case of Commodore Charlos Wilkes was adopt
ed.—The resolutions of the Committee of Elections,
that Joseph Segar and Lueien H. Chandler are not
entitled to seats from the First and Second Districts
of Virginia, after some discussion wore adopted. Ad
journed.
WEDNESDAY, May, 18.
SENATE. —A bill defining the pay of officers* on the
staff of the Lieut. General was passed. A joint reso
lution to encourage and promote enlistments was of
fered by Mr, Wilson and referred to the military
committee, A bill granting lands to Michigan for
railroad purposes was passed. Also a similar hill
relative to lowa, Also a bill to expedite the public
printing.
HOUSE, —The House instructed the Committee on
Military affairs to inquire into the expediency of pro
viding ibr the promotion of Jnon-commissioned offi
cers and privates, distinguished for good conduct
and bravery in the field, as officers of the line, A
bill for the more speedy punishment of guerillas was
objected to. A bill providing for the issue of pat
ents to the bona fide holders of float issued in pursu
ance of an act of 1862, relative to Spanish grants in
Louisiana, was passed—The joint resolution to in
sure more perfect reciprocity of trade between the
United States and the British American provinces
was considered until the expiration of" the morning
hour. The Indian Appropriation bill was taken up
in Committee of the Whole, but was not finally acted
upon.
THURSDAT. May 19.
SESATE. —Mr. Harding introduced a bill to amend
the act of Congress, approved September, 1860, in
relation to donations to settlers on the public lands
in California. It was passed. Mr. Fessenden re
ported from the Committee of Conference on the
disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Army
Appropriation bill. He moved that the motion for
a full conference asked by the House be agreed to.
This was adopted, and another committee authorized
to be appointed by the Chair. The House bill al
lowing tne construcion of the bridge over the Ohio
River, at the falls of that river, tea feet above high
water mark was debated during the morning hour.
Mr. Morril, from the committee of conference on the
disagreeing votes on the bill fo an erectjon of a ter
ritorial government for Montana, made a report
which recommends that the Senate recede from its
amendment, striking out the words "Every free
white inhabitant in the qualification for voters," and
inserting "Allcitizens ol the United States and those
who have declared their intention to become such,"
etc. After considerable debate, in which Messrs.
Morril, Hale, Wade, Horton and Sumner participa
ted the report ofthe committee was adopted, 26 Yeas,
13 Nays. The Pacific Railroad bill was then taken
up as unfinished business, but no vote was taken,
Adjonmed,
riorsE.—itoe House pasi the Senate bill amen
datory ot the set authorizing Nevada to fo-m a
State Government. The House took up the Indian
A bill. AU the amendments of the
Lonyaattoe of the Whole on the State of the Union
were-concurred in, excepting one reducing the ap
propriation for the Sioux Indians of Minnesota from
S DYO.OOO to $50,000. Ihc bill bussed. A long ami
acrimonious personal debate here followed, in which
Messrs Dawes, Loan, Julian, and Maliory participa
ted. It is unimportant. Mr. Pike of Maine advo
cated ami Mr. Arnold of Illinois onposedthe abraga
tion of the Reciprocity Treaty. \V itkout taking the
question the House aajournc-il.
Friday, May 20.
SEXATK. —Mr.. Wilson introduced a joint resolution
to authorize the President to call out men by draft
for one yew. it was refcred to the trout tuft tee on
Military Affairs. Mr. Coliamercalled up the bill to
authorize the estAbiishrueiitof an Ocean Mail Steam
ship Service between the United States and Brazil,
the question pending being on an amendment ofMr.
Y\ ilkinson to carry on the contract between the Gov
ernment of Venezuela and certain citizens of New
u [k f (,r a seini-moutbly line from that to Laguayra
and other Venezuela.ports, touching at St. Thomas,
to P a y per annum for mails,
4c. Th© amendment wai rejected, and, after some
discussion on the gtiaeral merits .of the bill, it
was laid over. Ihe Pacific Railroad hill came up as
unfinished business, and the Souate proceeded to act
on the amendment offered to perfect the bill in its
various details. A message was received from tho
Douse that it had concurred in the report of tho
Committee of Conference on the Montana bill,
which now only requires the signature of the Presi
dent. Adjourned.
Ho.csE.-Hr, Washhurne introduced Mr. E. C. In
gcrsoll as the successor of the late Owen Ixtvejoy.
Mr. was qualified and took his seat. Mr.
W ebstor, from the Committee of Conference on the
disagreeing amendments to the bill establishing a
1 erritorial Government in Montana, made a report
thereon, which, he said, struck out the Senate s a
meudnient giving the right of suffrage to colored per
sons and consigned it to every free white male citi
zen of the Lnited States, and those who have decla
red their intention to become such. The report was
concurred in by a vote of 102 against 20. The Sen
ate had already agreed to the report Mr. Cox asked
leave to denouuee the suppression of The World and
The Journal of Commerce, but objections were made.
The House then adjourned until Montlav.
Bnv
GO
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S STATE PAPERS.
GOV. RAYMOND'S BOOK NOW READT.
HISTORY of the ADMINISTRATION
o?
PRESIDENT LINCOLN,
ixcEi'Dixc nis
Speeches, Addresses, Letters, Messages, and
Proclamations, frith a Preliminary
Sketch or His Life.
SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS OF THE WORK.
Sketch of the Life of Abraham Lincoln —His Political
Career—Llcbato with Douglas—Election to the Presi
dency.
Condition of the Country at the time of tho Election—
(ilosing of Buchanan's Administration —Peace Congress
lncipient Steps of tho ltebeliion.
FromSpringi eld to Washington—Mr.Lineoln'sSpoech
es on the way—Conspiracy to Assassinate him—Arrival
at Washington.
From the Inaugeration to tho Meeting of Congress,
July 4, 1801—Au&or of the Border States.
Extra Session of Congress, and the Military Events of
the Summer of 1861.
Regular Session of Congress, December, 1861 —Mes-
sages and Debates.
The Military Administration of 1862—The President
aud Gen. McClellan, with a critical history of McClellan's
Campaigns.
Military movements in other sections of the Conntry—-
Our Foreign Relations- Letters—The Emancipation l'ro-v
clamations.
The Congressional Sessions of 1562-'C3—Message of
the President aud General Action of the Session.
Military Arrests and the Suspension of Hubcat Curpu*
—The Drift—New York Riots, Ac.
Tito Session of JBt'3—Messages and Debates—The
Elections.
Movements of Reconstruction—The Missouri Question
—Colonization —Employment of Negro Troops—General
Review of the Policy and Character of tho Administra
tion.
Api-exdix. —Containing Interesting Letters and Docu
ments never before published,
a *This volume, prepared from authorized and authen
tic data, and, with the usual care and ability of its weil
! known; author, HENRY J, RAYMOND, Esq., Editor
I of tho New York Timet, will not only prove very ac
ceptable to the American public, but will also take its
place at once as an ,
IMPARTIAL, TRUTHFUL AND STANDARD HIS
TORY OP
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S ADMINISTRATION.
Every Message, Proclamation, Speech, Letter, Ac., of
President Lincoln is given from official copy, each under
its appropriate head. It is believed that everything ho
has said or written during his Administration, which has
been given to the public, is included in this collection,
arid several of them have never before been printed. Tho
w hole forming a collection of
THE MOST REMARKABLE STATE PAPERS OF
MODERN TlMES
[Fr<>m Horace Greeley's articlo in the Tribune.]
'•Mr. Henry J. Raymond has rendered tho American
public a real service by compiling a 'History of the Ad
ministration of President Lincoln, including his Speeches,
Letters, Addresses, Proclamations and Messages, with a
preliminary sketch of his Life'—forming a neat octavo
volume of 496 pages, just issued by Derby A Miller. No. i>
Spruce st. Politiciaus of all classes will Sud the book ex
ceedingly convenient for reference. ■**■**
One Volume, 12mo, with a fine steel Portrait. Prico
SUO.
Book Agents wanted to sell the above, to whom .groat
inducements are given. For further particulars apply to
DERBY & MILLER, EubliwDore,
No. 5 Spruce St., Sew York.
may 27,'C4-3t.
Headquarters of Provost Marshall.
SIXTEENTH DISTRICT, PENN'A.
CnaiißEßSßrno, May 12th, 1864.
rnilE attention of the public ii called to the following
_L Circular from thf officer of the Acting Assistant Pro
vost Marshall General of YVestern Division of Pennsly
vaaia.
Citizens desiring a full and accurate enrollment of per
sons liable to do military duty, are requested to communi
nicatc such information as may be lead to same to their
respective Enrolling officers or to these Headquarters.
Tho several Enrolling officers are informed that tboy
will shortly receive by mail tho requisite printed instruc-'
tions gud blanks.
GEO. EYSTER,
Copt, and Prov. Alar,, 18*A Diet. Pa.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Orrica of tnß Provost-Marsham. General, )
Hjtrrisburg, May jth 1864. j
Circular, Ho. 48.
I. The different Boards of Enrollment, Western Divi
sion, Pa., arc are required to immediately proceed t" ex
ecute tho sixth section- of the Act of Congress, entitled
''An Act to amend an Act for enrolling and calling out the
national forces, and for other purposes," approved Feb.
24, 1864.
11. They will at opes appoint the necessary enrolling
officers for their respective Districts, with instructions
1. To unroll all persona whose names have been omitted
by tho proper enrolling officers, in previous enrollments.
"2. All persons who shall arrive at tho age of 20 years bo
fore tho draft.
3. All aliens who shall have declared their intention to
become citizens.
4. All persons discharged from the military or naval ser
vice of the I'pitod States, who have not been in such ser
vice for two years during the present war.
5. And all persons oxemptedwndortbo provisions of the
2nd section of the onrolling Act, approved Marched 1864,
but not exempted under the provisions of tha Act approved
Feb. 24.1864.
111. The Boards of Enrollment will also at once pro
ceed to strike from tho enrollment, upon satitactory proof
1. The names of all persons who have arrived at the ago.
of forty.fi vo years.
2. The names of ail persons manifestly physically or
mentally unfit for tho service.
3. The names of such persons a* are at this time, actu
ally and legally in the military or naval service of the L -
nitcd .States.
4. The names of such person! as havo served in the mil
itary or naval service, two yeas or more, during the pres
ent war, and been honorably discharged therefrom.
I\ r . To the end that all persons interested may have no
tice and the object in view (aoompleto and accurate revised
enrollment) promoted, Die. Pro. Marshalls are directed to
publish the Ist, 2nd, 3rd, aud 4th paragraphs <4 this order
in the authorized newspapers of their respective districts.
J. V. BOMFORD,
Lt. Col WK U. S. Info., A. 4 P- If. Gen>\
mv20,'04 3t.