griford faqnim.
BEDFORD PA., FRIDAY, APRIL 7,1865.
RICHMOND IS FALLEN J
The dawn of Monday morning saw the
solution of the mighty question which has
for four years been under the discussion of
the sword by the two greatest armies which
have fought anywhere on the globe for the
last fifty years. In the early hours of the day
the ftag of the Union was borne victoriously
into the rebel capital and citidel which has
so withstood and defied the utmost power of
our arms. The great rebel army had been
driven from its works and trenches in front
of Petersburg, had been forced from the
fortifications around Eichmond, and was fly
ing, in route, and dismay, for the moun
tains and the plains, where it would but
meet new and fresh forces prepared to effect
its utter demolition. We may imagine from
the feelings of the spectators at this dis
tance, and all over the land, what were
those of the actors on the spot —with what
enthusiasm the whole of the veteran Army
of the Potomac saw that the long-sought
prize was gained—that their their struggle J
was crowned with success, and that the hour
of final triumph and peace would soon he
theirs and their country's.
The operation which has thus grandly
terminated the great campaign which open
ed in July, 1861, was commenced on
Wednesday morning the 29th ult., and thus
lasted through just five days. Poring the
last three of these days there was fierce,
bloody, continuous fighting, whose success
is shown not only in the fall of Petersburg
and Richmond, but in the thwarting of the
enemy at every position, and in the vast
captures of prisoners and guns.
If the whole of Lee's force could not with
stand Grant behind the tremendous works
which they had been for four years in con
struction and perfection, how can this mis
erable remnant withstand him even for a
day in the open field ? When they learn of
the fall of their capital, they will give up
the cause as lost and will fight no more,
while such forces at may still attempt to
cohere will be scattered to the winds by the
cavalry of Sheridan. Such is now the
wrecked and hopeless condition of Lee's
army and the Southei n Confederacy.
It only remains now for Sherman to scat
ter the chaff under Johnson, and we will
have an end of this whole rebel military
power.
It has been a long and despefate struggle
for Richmond' and it will be forever memo
rable in the annals of the Union, as well as
in the history of the war. The many offi
cers, who have led the various armies—
McDowell, McClellan, Burnside, Hooker,
Pope, Meade aud, finally, Grant —the differ
ent routes taken to the rebel capital, the va
rious circumstances and vast sacrificees of
the successive efforts —the great number of
gigantic battles —all pass before the mind,
as they have previously sunk deeply into
the hearts and fortunes of the nation.
To the veteran and grand Army of the
Potomac, which has thus crowned its labors
in triumph and covered itself with glory, the
nation gives boundless honor. Its great
heroism, its great character, will make it
and its deeds immortal. To all its comman
ders be honor. And to the great leader and
chief who has directed and secured its tri
umphs, the people and history accord honor
forever. $
THE POOR HOUSE REPORT AGAIN,
In a former issue, attention was called to
the vague and unsatisfactory manner of
making out the Poor House report, and as
it is of interest to most of our readers, we
allude to it again, in the hopes of indu
cing such a scrutiny into the subject, as will
tend to accomplish the reforms so loudly
called for —
We have no doubt that the report of the
treasurer is correct as far as it goes. Its
discrepancies we have already noticed. Per
sonally we have the highest respect for, and
fullest confidence in Mr. Blymyre, and have
only called attention to his part of the re
port, in the hope that improvement might
be suggested. But there is a screw loose
somehow. Not being acquainted with the
business routine of the establishment, we
don't intend to blame any particular person;
but wc do know that some one has come
short of his duty. No one seems to take
cognizance of the outstanding debts of the
Poor House. They are not reported at all.
It must be somebody's duty ; and no com
plete and satisfactory report can be made
without them. It is also absolutely neces
sary that the receipts and expenditures of
each year should le kept separate. Every
cent of delnt and 'credit should be clearly
set forth in its proper year, month and day.
If the auditors, directors and clerks are not
able to make out such a report they had
better resign their position. We do not
pretend to know they are incom
petent or unwilling to make a plain state
ment It must be one or the other. If they
are unwilling to state the whole case, it must
be because there has been such culpable
mismanagement and neglect that they are
afraid to let it be known. We think it most
charitable to suppose that they have done
the best they could, and therefore take the
result of their effort as the best evidence
that the interests of the county require that
they should be relieved, from duties they
arc so palpably unfit to discharge, at the
very earliest opportunity.
The Steward's report seems, at first sight
to balance very nicely, but on a little exami
nation ive find that he sold 151f bushels of
wheat, 4 3J bushels of rye, 4 bushels of corn
and 2bu &hels of buckwheat. These at the
prices for which grain has been selling du
ring the past year should have brought
$439 97; i recording to the report he has
only received for grain Mid flour sold,
$l4B 95 laving $293 02 unaccounted for:
yet the directors under their hands and
seals certify that the report is correct.—
Truly their ideas of correctness must be
rather vague, when such glaring errors can
pass unnoticed. These discrepancies ap
pear in the report as it is. We have not
chosen to discuss what might appear. We
have nothing to do with wood hauling &e.,
discussed by the public: we are fully satis
fied however, that irrespective of these
matters, there is not only plenty of room,
but great need, for improvement and reform
in the management of the Poor House af
fairs.
SUCCESS OF THE 7-30 LOAN.
Our readers will notice that subscriptions
to the popular 7-30 Loan are still continued
in the most liberal manner. To the Old
World the success of these peoples' Loans
is one of the wonders of a Republic. The
Government does not seek to borrow in for
eign markets; it offers no premiums to bank
ers, but appeals directly to the people, and
with what success is sufficiently shown by
the fact that during forty-three day* they
subscribed and paid the cash down for one
hundred and sixty-one million collars of the
7.30L0an. There can be no stronger evi
dence of public confidence in Government
securities. While nearly all other stocks
have gone down from twenty to fifty, and
even a greater per cent, within a few weeks,
all forms of U. S. bonds and stocks have re
mained firm except the slight fluctuations
that are incident to all rapid changes in the
money market. Our readers will remember
that the subscribers to the 7-30 Loan receive
semi-annual interest at the rate of seven
and three-tenths per cent, per annum in
currency, and at the end of three years from
June 15th, 1865, they will have the option
of receiving payment in full, or converting
their notes into a 5-20 six per cent, gold in
terest bond. The late great decline in the
premium on gold makes these notes more
desirable than ever as an investment, and it
should not be forgotten that their exemption
from state or municipal taxation adds largely
to their value. There is no interruption in
the receipt of subscriptions or the delivery
of the notes. All banks, bankers, and others
acting as Loan Agents, will pay subscribers
the interest in advance from the day of sub
scription until June 15th.
HARPER'S MONTHLY*— Harper's Month
ly for April has been received, and contains
as usual a large assortment of fine literary
productions, nearly all of which are illus
trated with fine steel engravings. Among
the productions we find:—"A Dog's Pay
Ended," "Where the Watcree was," "Love
at Sea," The Petroleum Region of Ameri
ca," continuation of "Heroic Deeds of He
roic Men," "Miss Milligan's Sermon,"
"Wall Street in War time," "Armadale"
"Soft Shineth the Moon," "Reccollections
of Sherman," "Hearts and Trees." "Our
Mutual Friend," A Sermon to servants."
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY for April has a
scries of articles of more than ordinary inter
est and value, mixed with a number of ro
mantic and instructive essays, which will
gratify those who do not carc for history or
msthematics. The contributora are Dr.
Holmes, Mrs. Austin, E. P. Whipple, T.
B. Aldrich, 0. W. Holmes, Mrs. Stowc,
J. R. Lowell and others.
[We are gled to leara that the publishers
of the Atlantic, Messrs. Ticknor & Fields,
have become the proprietors of the North
American Review, one of the best of A
merican publications. Under their judi
cious management we doubt not the North
American will become the leading Review of
he kind in this county.]
HARRISBURG CORRESPONDENCE.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 1
March 24, 1865. J
MR. EDITOR :—Both branches of the
Legislature adjourneg sine die, to-day at
noon, after being in session only fifty-five
wooking days. The Legislature which has
just closed its labors may justly be regarded
as having been more important, in all res
pects, than any similar body which preceed
ed it for many years past. It made prece
dents which are worthy of being perpetua
ted in the parliamentary parture of the
state, which throughout all the proceedings
the majorities in both branches manifested
an independent and displayed a noble regard
for the interests of the Commonwealth at
large, which cannot fail to invest the party
with which they are identified with future
prestige, as yell as gratify and benefit the
immediate constituent whom they represent.
When the record comes fairly before the
people it will be seen that the labors of the
session have been herculean. In working
days it occupied less time than any past ses
sion, of a Legislature. . In the work accom
plished, it is impossible to estimate its im
portance, because the magnitude of labor
may be regarded as having been confined as
much to the stupendous sceme of specula
tions and grasping for special privileges
which were signally defeated, and the laws
passed and approved. There were projects
put forward during the session which for a
time defied all opposition, and the friends of
which were sanguine of success. Had these
succeeded, the consequences would have
been frightful. That they did not succeed,
may be attributed to the virtue and inde
pendence of those who controlled legislation.
It is right, therefore, that the people should
know there facts ; and it would be to the
interest of every constituency having a faith
ful representative, to re-elect all men to the
position to which they reflected so much
honor during the past session.
In this connection permit me to suggest
that the people of Bedford county will
make a great mistake if they do not return
Mr. Armstrong. Always in hisseat. watch
ing carefully every thing that is going, on,
of a local or general interest, there has been
no more attentivive, industrious or intelli
gent member here this winter. Added to
this he possesses fine social qualities,
while his pleasant manuers, make
him very popular with his fellow
members, thus enabling him to wield a great
influence. Although he is what might be
called a working, rather than a talking mem
ber, when he desires to explain a point or
make a statement, he can do so in a plain,
srtaightcforward manner, which always
eommends the respectful attention of the
House.
The policy of changing members of the
Legislature every year is a miseraWe one,
and I hope in this case will not he carried
out Mr. Armstrong makes a most excel
lent representative, and I hope to see him
back.
Yours, truly, £.
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
BEFORE PETERSBURG VA., 1
March 25th 1865. J
MR. EDITOR
I write in haste to give you a brief state
'ment of a severe engagement that took place
to-day in front of this Division. About four
o'clock this morning the Rebels made a bold
attempt to break through the Union lines
which they actually accomplished, capturing
one fort and deploying their skirmishers- ia
side of our lines ; the alarm was immediate
ly given, and at daylight the action com
menced terrifically. The first Brigade, com
posed of the 208 th, 209 th and 200th Regi
ments lead the charge on the intruders, a&d
drove them back to their own lines, and
before nine o'clock our forces reoccupied
their lines as before, capturing about twen
ty-five hundred prisoners. The Rebel loss
in killed and wounded is very heavy and that
of the Union forces very small. I can only
give you the casualties of Company K 208 th
Regiment.
KILLED.
Eli Chamberlain. 4
WOUNDED.
IstSergt. Jas. R. O'Neal—flesh Wound
thigh.
Corporal Samuel W. Williams —heel.
Private Phillip Hollar —heel.
Private Daniel Ritehey—flesh wound —
thigh.
Captain Weaverling and Lieut Sparks
are all right. Lieut Bessor was acting on
Brigade officer's staff and is also unharmed.
Very Respectfully,
Yours,
JOHN E. SATTERFIEID.
An Act Concerning the Election of
Jurors.
AN ACT for the better and more impartial
selection of persons to serve as jurors in
the several courts of Somerset. Bedford.
Pulton, Perry, Juniata and Westmore
land counties.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania, in General As
sembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the
authority of the same. That at the general
election to be held on the second Tuesday of
October, Anno Domini one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-five, and tri-annual there
after at such election the qualified electors
of Somerset, Bedford, Pulton, Perry. Juni
atta and Westmoreland counties, of this
Commonwealth shall elect in the manner
now provided by law, for the election of
other county officers; two sober, intelligent
and judicious persons to serve as juiy com
missioners in each, of said counties, for the
period of three years ensuing their election,
but the same person, or persons shall not be
eligible for re-election more than once in any
period of three years. Provided , That each
of said quailified electors shall vote for ooe
person only as jury commissioner, and the
two persons having the greatest number of
votes for jury commissioner shall be duly
elected jury commissioner* 1W ouolx wuuy.
SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of said
jury commissioners to meet at the scat of
justice of the respective counties at least
thirty days before the first term of the court
of common pleas in every year, and there
upon proceed with due diligence to select
alternately from the whole male taxable cit
izens of the respective county at large a suf
ficient number of sober, intelligent and ju
dicious persons, to serve as jurors in the
several courts of such county, during that
year, and as soon as the said election snail be
completed, the said jury commissioners shall,
in the mode and manner directed by law,
place the names of the persons, so selected,
in the proper jury wheel.
SECTION 3. The said jury commissioners
and the sheriff of the respective county or
I any two of the three shall draw from the
proper jury wheel panels of jurors for the
trial of issues in fact which may be taken in
any actipn in any of the courts of the sev
eral counties aforesaid, in the manner now
practiced and allowed, but before the said
jury commissioners and sheriff shall proceed
to select or draw jurors in the manner afore
said, they shall severally take the oath or
affirmation now prescribed by law, to be ta
ken by the sheriff and county commissioners
before selecting and drawing jurors.
SECTION 5. That so much of any act or
acts of Assembly of this Commonwealth as
makes it the duty of the sheriff and county
commissioners of any of said counties to se
lect and draw jurors, shall be repealed and
cease to have any force or effect from and
after the second Tuesday of October next.
Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred
and sixty-five. Provided , That all acts and
parts of acts of Assembly now in force in
relation to the custody, sealing, unsealing,
locking and opening of the jury wheel of
the respective county, and all acts and parts
of acts of Assembly; now in force, imposing
any penalty or punishment on the sheriff
and county commissioners on either of them
for anything done or omitted by Uiem, or
either of them, in relation to the keeping,
locking, opening, sealing or breaking the
seal of any jury wheel, or in relation to the
selecting or drawing of jurors shall be taken,
deemed and held to apply to the said jury
commissioners and sheriff.
SECTION 5. Each of said jury commis
sioners shall be allowed and paid out of the
respective county treasurythe same compen
sation per day as is paid by the respective
counties named in the hill to the county
commissioners.
SECTION 6. It shall be the duty of each of
said jury commissioners to take upon him
self and discharge the duties of his said of
fice under a penalty of one hundred dollars
for each, and every neglect or refusal to at
tend the same to be used for, and recovered
before anyjustice of the peace of the proper
county as debts of like amount are now by
law recoverable ten dollars of which shall
go to the person suing, and the residue to
be paid by the said justice to the treasurer
of the respective county for the use of the
same.
SECTION 7. In case of inability of either
or both of the said jury commissioners by
sickness, death or other unavoidable causes
to discharge the duties of said office, it shall
be the duty of the President Judge in such
counties wherein said vacancy may have oc
curred, to appoint a suitable person or per
sons as the case may be, Possessing the
qualifications aforesaid to perform the duties
of said office during such vacancy, and such
persons after having complied with the re
quirements of the 3a section of_ this act,
shall proceed to discharge the duties of said
office the same as if elected by the people.
Thanksgiving.
HARRISBURG, April 4.
Gov % Curtin has issued a proclamation
fixing Sunday next as a day of thanksgiving
for the success of our arms, and calls upon
the people to assemble in their respective
places of worship and give thanks to Al
mighty God for all His mercies.
VICTORY!
RICHMOND
AND
PETERSBURG
CAPTUPED!!
"BABYLON HAS FALLEN."
Rebellion Bowed Before the Union—The
Rod of her Power Broken.
Thirty Years of Plotting Ended in
Four Years of Blood.
Rebel Coharts Crushed though En
closed. in Triple Walls.
Rebellion"!* Uwt City and Liutt Army at
Ibe Mercy of a Conqueror.
BfGHMOND AND PETERSBURG DIRS!
JLee-H Jirmy a Flying *Mob !
LEE IN FULL RETREAT ON
DANVILLE!
OIIR ARMY IY PURSUIT !
NEGRO TROOPS OCCUPY RICHMOND!
They are Welcomed tcith Joy by the
Inhabitants.
WASHINGTON, April 1, \
11 o'clock, A. M. j"
To Major General Dix, New York :
The following dispatch from the President
received to-night, shows that the desperate
struggle between our forces and the enemy,
continues undecided, although the advantage
appears to be on our side.
CITY POINT, April 1, 1
6—30, I'. M. /
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec. of War :
A dispatch just received, shows that Sheri
dan, aided by Warren, had, at 2 o'clock P. M.
pushed the enemy back so as to retake the
five forts, and bring his own Headquarters up
to B .
The five forts were barricaded by the ene
my and were carried by Diven's division of
Cavalry.
Thi part of the enemy seem now to be try
ing to work along the White Oak road to join
the mtin force in front of General Grant,
while Sheridan and Warren are pressing them
as closely as possible.
A. LINCOLN.
WASHINGTON, April 2, 1
6 o'clock, A. M. I
To Mijor General Dix, New York :
A dispatch just received from General
Grant's Adjutant General, at City Point, an
nounce the triumphant success of our Army
after tlree days of hard fighting, during which
the forces on both sides exhibited unsurpas
sed valor.
CITT POINT, April 2, >
6—30, A. M. /
A dispatch from General Grant states that
Sheridan's Cavalry and Infantry have carried
all before them, having captured a wagon
train tnd several batteries of Artillery.
The prisoners captured in all, amount to
several thousand.
T. S. BOWERS, Adj't. Gen.
WASHINGTON, April 2, II o'clock, A.M.
To General Dix, New York :
Thefollowing telegram from the President
dated at 8:30 this morning, gives the latest
intelligence from the front.
A furious battle was raging with the contin
ued success to the Union arms.
° E. M. STANTON.
CITY POINT, April 2, 8:30 A. M
E. M. Stanton :
Last tight General Grant - telegraphed that
General Sheridan with his Cavalry and the
sth Cons had captured 3 brigades of Infan
try, a tnin of wagons, several batteries, and
several thousand prisoners. This morning
General Grant having ordered an -attack
along tie whole line, telegraphs as follows:
"Both Vright and Hart got through the ene
my's lin:s. The battle now rages fnriously.
Sherid&i with his cavalry and the sth corps,
and Mills' Division of the 2nd corps which
was senlto him since one o'clock this A. M.,
is now sveeping down from the west and all
now loots highly favorable. General Ord is
engaged but I have not yet heard the result
in his frint. A. LINCOLN.
WASHINGTON, April 2, \
12:30 P. M. J
The P-esident subjoins a Telegrgm giving
the lateit news from the front.
CITY POINT, April 2—ll A. M.
Dispatches come in frequently: All is go
ing on Inely. Hart, Wright and Ord, ex
tending hom the Appomattox to Hatcher's
Run havj all broken through the enemy's en
trenchet lines taking some forts, some guns,
and prisoners. Sheridan with his cavalry
and the sth corps and part of the 2nd is
coming it from the west in the enemy's flank
and Wright is already tearing up the South
side RaiWoad.
A. LINCOLN.
The following dispatch is just received from
Philadel>hia, Monday April 3, 11 o'clock,
A. M.
[OFFICIAL FROM GRANT./
Retersburg and Richmond both captured
with all the guns.
CAPTURE OF RICHMOND COXFIRMED.
CAPTURE OF 3IAHY QUIS
THE PRESIDENT AT THE FRONT.
WASHINGTON, April 3.
Maj. Gen. Dix, N. Y. :
The following official confirmation of the
capture of Richmond, and anuounceing
that the city is on fire, has just been receiv
ed by this Department
CITY POINT, VA., April 3 11 A. M.
General Weitzel telegraphs as follows :
We took Richmond at 8:15 this morning;
Captured many guns. The enemy left in
great haste.
The city is on fire in one place. We are
making every effort to put it out.
The people received us with enthusiastic
expressions of joy.
General Grant started early this morning
with the army towards Danville road, to cut
off Lee's retreating army, if possible.
President Lincoln has gone to the front.
(Signed) J. S. BOWERS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
E. M STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Particulars of Saturday's Battle.
HARD nmiTlMi ON ALL SIDES.
A G-reat Viotory.
4,000 PRISONERS CAPTURED.
The Last Railroad with Richmond
Severed.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE
POTOMAC, April 1.
The greater portion of the army has aot
been engaged with enemy to-day, the time
beine occupied in erecting works on the new
line, and repairing the roads connecting the
different Corps. The late rains rendered it
impossible to rttove the wagon train as fast
as the troops advanced.
One train took forty-eight hours to move
five miles, one thousand assisting, but
through the entiring industry and persever
ance of the officers in charge of the Quar
termaster and Commissary Departments,
the army has been almost as well supplied
as while in their old quarters.
When the news of Sheridan's repulse
reached here last evening, a part of the
Ffth Corps was at once dispatched to his aid,
and it is expected that to-night or in the
morning we shall receive good news from
that quarter.
It appears that Sheridan was moving on
the road leading to a place culled the Five
Forks, which is about three miles from the
Southside railroad, when two brigades of
Rieket's division, which had been out in a
great hurry, came down 011 a road which
runs from Sutherland station to the one on
which we were.
Sheridan's cavalry having partly passed
thejunctiou, this movement of the enemy
threatened to cut him off. He, however,
discovered his danger in time to get out his
command with only slight loss, at the same
time taking about 100 prisoners. Both the
Lees were present, hut one of them at a re
spectful distance. Sheridan on being rein
forced this morning by the sth Corps, the
enemy fell back so rapidly that their dead
and many of their wounded fell into our
hands, as well as those of our own unavoid
ably left behind yesterday afternoon.
The attack made on the enemy's line in
front of the 24th Corps was hy Foster's Di
vision, and about 200 prisoners were brought
in, the 48th New York taking most of them.
Some 300 or 400 yards of ground were taken
from them, and our picket lines so much
further advanced. At 4A. M. this position
was assaulted and a few of our men captur
ed, but in a very short time it was retaken
with about 50 prisoners and a stand of col
ors.
Our losses up to the present time will not
exceed 2,500, whilst that of the enemy, on
some parts of the line at least, was greater
than our own, hut of course the total a
mount cannot be given. Major Dickenson,
of the 15th New York heavy artillery, is re
ported wounded and a prisoner.
Three sharpshooters brought in to the
Fifth corps headquarters this morning five
cavalrymen belonging to Mr. Henry Ijee's
command. Thev had been on picket, and
were cut off by the force which went to the
assistance of Sheridan.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY POTOMAC, !-
April 1 —Midnight. ,
A courier from Sneridan has just arrived
with the most cheering news.
The combined forces of cavalry and War
ren's infantry advanced against the enemy
this afternoon, driving them several miles
and capturing about four thousand prisoners
and a number of guns.
They retreated to the Five Forks, where
they were flanked by a part of the Fifth
Corps, which had moved down the White
Oak road.
It was here the large number of prison
ers were taken.
The rebels then retreated south along the
White Oak road, and were vigorously pur
sued by Gen. Sneridan, while McKensie's
cavalry from the army of the James advan
ced west on the Ford road towards the
South Side road, and when the njessenger
left was only three miles from it would un
doubtedly reach it before morning.
Thus the last great line of railroad the
rebels have to supply their capital and Lee's
army is about to be severed, and it is firmly
believed they will immediately leave their
present positions at Petersburg and Rich
mond. Sharp cannonading is now going on
near the centre of the line held by "the left
of the 6th corps.
THE GREAT VICTORY.
28 Locomotives A ISi Cars in Kichmond.
LARGE CAPTURES OF PRISONERS.
WASHINGTON, April 5—11:15 A. 31.
To Gen. Dix. N. Y.
The following particulars, dated at City
Point, April 4th, 8 A. 31., gives the latest
information received from Richmond:
General Weitzel telegraphs from Rich
mond that of the railroad stock he found,
there were 28 locomotives, 44 passenger and
baggage and 106 freight cars.
At 3:30 last evening General Grant tele
graphs from Sutherland station, ten miles
from Petersburg, toward Burkerville, as
follows :
General Sheridan picked up twelve hun
dred prisoners to-day, and from three hun
dred to five hundred more have been gath
ered by other troops.
The majority of the arms that were left in
the hands of the remnant of Lee's army are
now scattered between Richmond and the
place where his troops now are.
The country is full of stragglers, and the
line of retreat marked with artillery, ammu
nition, burned or charred wagons, caissons,
ambulances, &c.
E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
FROM FORTRESS MONROE
Capture of Richmond and Petersburg
PETERSBI RU OCCI'riED OX MONDAY
MOKXINO.
The Rebels Leave in Great Haste.
FORTRESS MONROE, April 3.
Intelligence of the capture of Petersburg
and Richmond reached here to-day at 10
o'clock by dispatch from Gen. Weitzel, da
ted 8:15 A. 31. Riohmond, which announces
theglorious event
The small steamer Dictator arrived from
City Point at 4:80 this afternoon, with addi
tional particular* of this great struggle.
Petersburg was occupied by our troops at
3 o'clock, A. M., on Monday.
The gunboats were all well up the James
river, and it was thought a fight had taken
place with the rebel iron dads.
Large fires were-s Jen up the James river
last night towards Fort Darling and in the
vicinity of other rebel works, from which it
was inferred that Lee was abandoning his
works and retreating from his long cstab
lished line.
Immense numbers of prisones were
captured, estimated at from 15,000 to 18,-
000 and more continually coming in at City
Point.
It was estimated that there were 15,000
this morning, when the Dictator left.
This morning a salute was being fired by
all the war vessels at City Point.
The steamer Cossack also arrived here to
day with a large number of Union prisoners
including General M'Laughlin and men of
his brigade, captured by the rebels in the
assault on Fort Steadman. Such was the
haste of the rebels in hurrying Union pris
oners through Richmond on Sunday that in
many cases they were not even paroled.—
Five hundred out of the number on board
the Cossack neverer received parole. These
prisoners say that in coming through Rich
mond yesterday (Sunday j.tney saw manifest
indications of evacuation of the city. The
hills were alive with people of all classes and
conditions, manifesting intense excitement.
All Union prisoners in Libby had been or
dered to be exchanged by rebel authorities,
and were hurried through the city towards
various landings, in the greatest possible
haste.
THE CONNECTICUT ELECTION.
Ten thousand Republican Majority-
Gain of One Member of Congress~
Neiv England Semis no Democrat
to Washington—A• Fitting Res
ponse to Grant's Victory.
Special Dispatch to the N. Y. Times.
NKW-HAVKN, Monday, April 3, 1865.
We have re-elected Gov. Buckingham, by
about 10J000 majority, and have also elected
our entire congressional delegation. So
New England wul send none but Republican
to Congress next winter.
Of twenty-one State Senators, we eleet
every man. Glory enough for one day.—
Three times three, for Grant and our crown
ing victory !
N. D. SPERRY, Chairman
of Union State Committee.
Seven-Thirties in Richmond—The
Rebel Capital a Rase for the Sale
of United States Bonds.
WE UNDERSTAND that the box of Seven
tnirty circulars, cards, etc., send by Mr. Jay
Cooke, Subscription Agent, to Richmond,
Va., and which has been lying at City Point
for the last two weeks, was started on its
way to Richmond yesterday morning, and
in all probability before this reaches the eyes
of all our readers, will be safely landed in
that place, and delivered to the agent ap
pointed by Mr. Cooke to dispose of the
bonds in the late Rebel Capital.— Phila.
Eve Telegraph, Tuesday.
HEADQUARTERS, PKOVOST MARSHALL, }
SIXTEENTH DISTHICT, PEXX'A., [
C'hambcrsburg, March 23, 186a. , J
The following Opinion of the Attorney
General of the United States is published for
the information of the people of this district.
GEO. EYSTHR,
Capt. and Pro. Mar. 16th Dist. Pa.
OPINIO*.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, March 14,'65.
HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary ot War:—
SIR : The first question propounded in your
letter of the 10th inst., is, whether the 23d
section of the Act of Morch 3d, 1865, ''super
cedes" the 4th section of the Act of February
24th, 1864.
The 4th section of the Act of February 24th
1864. enables any enrolled person, before the
draft, to furnish '"an aceeptable'substitute who
is not liable to draft, nor, at the time, in the
military or naval service of the United States''
and provides that the person so furnishing
such substitutes "shall be exempt from draft
during the time Jor which such substitute shall
not be liable to drajt, not exceeding the time
for which such substitute shall have been ac
cepted
Under this enactment, any person enrolled,
and liable to draft, may obtain exemption
from the draft during the whole period of
time for which he shall procure a substitute
to be enlisted, provided the substitute shall
be so long not liable to draft. It is not a mere
credit for a particular draft which such person
obtains by furnishing a substitute before the
anticipated draft, but it is an absolute exemp
tion which he acquires from liability to be
drawn at any and every draft which may oc
cur during the entire time for which his sub
stitute has been accepted by the Government,
provided the substitute be so long not liable
to draft. If, for example, his substitute is
accepted as a three years' volunteer, and re
mains so long not liable to draft, the princi
pal, by the provision bf the law of 1864, just
referred to, is insured againßt the risk of be
ing drafted during the whole period for which
his substitute enlisted, no matter how many
drafts may occur between the enlistment of
the substitute and the expiration of his term
of service. But the Government, under this
provision, is to be at no expense in conse
quence of the authorized substitution of one
individual for another in the draft. The par
ty who desires to avail himself of the benefit
of the privilege conferred by the law, is prop
erly and justly required to compensate the
substitute.
Such being the provision of the law of 1804
on the subject of "substitutes" furnished in
anticipation of the draft, the law of March 3d,
1865, provides (in its23d section) as follows:
"That any person or persons enrolled in
any sub-district may, after notice of a draft,
and before the same shall have taken place,
cause to be mustered into the service of the
United States such number of recruits, not
subject to draft, as they may deem expedient,
which recruits shall stand to the credit of the
persons thus causing them to be mustered in,
and shall be taken as substitutes for such per
sons, or so many of them as may be drafted,
to the extent of the number of such recruits,
and in the order designated by the principals
at the time such recruits are thus as aforesaid
mustered in."
It is clear that this enactment provides for
quite another case than that contemplated by
the provisions to which I have been advert
ing in the statute of 1864, and confers upon an
enrolled person a privilege entirely distinct
from that given to him by that statute, of
which he may avail himself at his option, in
preference to the privilege conferred by the
Act of 1864.
Under the provision of the 23d section of
the Act of 3d March, 1865, he may, in advance
of u draft, "cause to be mustered into the ser
vice a "recruit not subject to draft," which
reoruit will "stand to the credit" of the
enrolled person, causing him to be mustered
in, in the event of the principal being drafted,
and be taken, on the happening of that con
tingency, as a substitute for such principal.
But the "credit" shall avail hit only for the
particular draft in advance and anticipate
which he may have secured the "recr,H 1
There IB no provision in the Act of I
that the person furnishing a "recruit," u 1
the 23d section, shall be "exempt from A r •
during the time for which the meruit 'i
have been accepted and enlisted. g at 1
only benefit which a person so farnisht 1
recruit derives, under the act of lseg J
securing, in the event of his being drafted 1
a "credit" on the particular draft ; n '1
pation of which the "recruit" may h ave wl
furnished. The "recruit" may be
into the service for three years, and yet, '
substitute, he can only avail the person J
caused him to be mustered in for, and J
respect to the one draft before, and in ant ; (
pation of which he was obtained. The li
ity of the principal to be drafted at any
drafts occurring after the mustering in of J
"recruit," and during the term of his
is not at al 1 effected. There is maoif est j
therefore, no conflict between the
sections of the Acts of 1864 and 1885 ( J
which you have called my attention. , J
does not impinge upon, nor even cn>s £ J
path of, the other. They give different J
distinct rights and privileges to the i-jtbJ
liable to draft. He has the alternative cod
to pursue before any draft, either to Lurj
"substitute," and secure him to be g . ..J
in, and thus obtain exemption from die jJ
during the entire term of enlistment 0 f
substitute, if the latter be so long notliat; e ,
draft, or he may procure for the goverem
a "recruit" not liable to draft, and y
credit for such recruit in case he should a
drafted, subjecting himself, however, to J
liability of being compelled to repeat die J
eration at every succeeding draft that mav y
ordered by the President.
Chiefly, I suppose, the design of the p: o .|
sion of the act of 1865, under conaiderauo i
was to offer inducement and present a siiaj
lus to numbers or associations of individual
inany sub-district, before the liability of all
of them became fixed by a draft, to obtai]
volunteer recruits for the army. Congress, !
this law, offers such associations a premiJ
to use their exertions to fill up the armies I
says to the residents of the multitadinoi
counties, townships, wards, and precincts
throughout the coontry, "Organist yourgt
into recruiting societies; idduee volunteers v
enlist into the service before the draft; pa ,
them such amounts of bounty as you mav i*
able to raise by your contributions to the r
cruiting funds of your .several districts: jJ
when they have been enlisted into the serried
the volunteers you may have raised will
to the credit of as many of you as may ha; mi
to be drafted, to the extent of the number o
recruits, 'in the order designated,' at theiitm
the recruits are mustered in."
Such is the declaration, and promise of th
new law. Its policy is to encourage recruit
ing, not the procuration of substitutes; to in
duce the people to organize associations fo
the advancement of volunteering, rather thai
the purchase of substitute*.
In enacting this new law, and inaagsra
ting this new policy, Congress, however, ha
not taken away the right of the enrolled per
son, before the draft, to furnish a substitute
with the qualification before stated, and thi
secure his exemption from draft during &
time for which his substitute shall have beei
accepted. He still has it in his power to si
ercise that right in preference to the right
conferred by the 23d section of the Act o
3d March, 1865, of obtaining a "rec reft'
previous to each draft as it may occur; ut
securing thereby a credit in the event, on uj
occasion, of his being drafted.
I am of opinion, therefore, that the 23i
section of the Act of March 3, 1865, doe.- 37
supersede the 4th section of the Act of Feb
ruary 24, 1864.
The second question which you have refer
red to me, is, whether the "recruits," wines
are "to be taken as substitutes," are toh
considered and borne upon the muster-rob
and records of the office of the Provost ME
shal General, as other volunteer recrcia
which are obtained at the expense of the l is
ted States, or as substitutes which are fi
nished at the cost of the principals.
lam of opinion that the "recruits" wkta
persons enrolled in any sub-district mi||
"cause to be mustered into the service oftbj
United States," in pursuance of the 23d se '
tion of the act of 3d March, 1864, are to b|
considered and treated as other volunteer :
who are obtained at the expense of the Us -
ted States. It will be observed, from the E
alysis of the law contained in the foregoin
remarks, that the idea involved in the law t'j
1864 is substitution, while the idea of their j
lof 1865 is crediting. The section of the 1:!
of 1865 under consideration does not speak ■
the "recruits" in question as "substitute? J
but declares that they "shall be taken as st
stitutes for the persons who cause them ;
be mustered in. They are not substitute-,!
but only of the nature of substitutes.
primary and essential character, under tkS
law, is that of credits for their procurers (J
principals: and this description is the first de l
scription given them in the section in qces-J
tion, for, after saying "which recruits
stand to the credit of the persons thus causinfl
them to be mustered in," the seciion proceed?l
"and shall be taken as substitutes for sachl
persons, or as many of them as may be draft !
ed, to the extent of the number of such re-l
cruits."
A critical study of the words of the statute
thus developes the fundamental idea which I
have supposed, from other indications. *a<
intended to be embodied in the law. The
'•recruita' who are to "stand to the credit"
of the enrolled persons, causing them to he
mustered in before the occurrence of a draft.
I am of opinion, then, are to be considered a<
other volunteer recruits which are obtained a
the expense of the United States, and not a 1
in the ordinary sense of that
term, which are furnished at the cost of
the principals.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES SPEED,
April 7, 18t>5. Attorney General.
QUE AT REDUCTION IN PRICKS Of j
DRY GOODS.
AT
CRAMER'S.
BARGAINS,
BARGAINS, ITV ,
BARGAINS
FOR CASH.
Stock Must be Reduced. ■
*>ar3 A. B. CRAMER A CO.
NOTICE. —Having left my Books and
Liat in the hands of H. NICODKMUS,
of Bedford, for settlement, all persons knowits
themselves indebted to me will please call on hia
at his office, and settle. WM. DIBERT,
Late proprietor of the Washington Hotel
Bedford, March 31,1856.