rye 61oht.
HUNTINGDON, PA
Wednesday morning, Jan. 28, 1863.
W. Lewis, Editor and Proprietor
Our Flag Forever
"I know of no mode in which a loyal citi
zen may so teen demonstrate his devotion to
his country as by sustaining the Flag the
Constitution and the Union, under all circum
stances, and ENDER EVERY ADMINISTRATION,
REGARDLESS OF PARTY POLITICS, AGAINST ALL
ASSAILANTS, AT 11031 E AND ABROAD."
A. DOUGLAS
ANOTHER CHANGE.
Gen. Burnside has been relieved of
the command of the army of the Poto
mac at his own request, and Maj. Gen.
Hooker haS been appointed to succeed
him. Burnside is an able officer, but
ho never had confidence in his ability
to command so large an army. Gen.
Hooker also stands high as an officer.
We hope he may succeed in leading
. the Army of the Potomac to many
brilliant victories.
TItE EXPOSE.-T. Jefferson Boyer,
member of the House of Representa
tiveS from Clearfield, has published a
letter in - the Harrisburg Patriot &
tlnion, exposing what he calls an at
tempt on the part of Simon Cameron,
to buy him to vote for said Simon for
U. S. Senator. Boyer's statement does
not satisfy us that he was not bought.
Whether bought or not, all men must
hereafter look upon Boyer as not be
ing the man he should -be to occupy a
responsible and honorable position.—
The general impression seems to be
that the- mob had sufficient influence
over Boyer to change the programme.
All the parties concerned should be
punished—Simon as severely as the
rest, as there is no doubt that ho made
the effort to buy au election. As there
has been a committee appointed to in
vestigate the whole transaction, we
will wait patiently for the Report when
we will lay it before our readers.
The Dog Owen Barking Again.
Owen, in the Monitor of last week
says:.
" Low, smothered threats are heard
against this office, and we are inform
ed that William Lewis is the instigator
of a threatened demonstration to be
made."
This is in character with Owen's
standing in this community. No man
of ordinary sense believes that Owen
was informed by any person that we
have threatened, or in any way would
encourage a demonstration to be made
upon his rotten establishment. Owen
is the only man in town mean enough
to insinuate such a thing against us.
As we do not belong to the McMullin
mobocracy, Owen need not fear being
disturbed by us or any of our friends.
Our own opinion is that Owen, finding
his occupation rather dull, has made
the foolish charge against us for the
purpose of creating a little excitement
and sympathy for his establishment.
-THE Democratic party is beginning
to look up candidates for Governor.—
The following gentlemen have been
named for the nomination : Hon. Jacob
Fry of Montgomery, Hon. Wm. Schell
of Bedford, Hon. Hendrick B. Wright
of Luzerne, Hon. John Cessna of Bed
ford, Hon. Wm. Witte of Montgomery.
There will be others. The Democrats
of this county will have no voice in
the selection of a candidate if they fail
to hold a convention at April Court.
On the Republican side the follow
ing gentlemen have been named : Hon.
John A. Wright, Hon. A. G. Curtin,
and Hon. Samuel Calvin. Of course
there will be. others named. The Re
publicans in this county have not yet
elected delegated.
CAPT. Jas. D. Campbell has resigned
and returned' home from the army.—
The companies of his regiment were
consolidated, leaving but four compan
ies in the regiment. His command
had been reduced to about a dozen
men fit for duty, and these were put
into other companies. Capt. Camp
bell has seen much rough service, and
'has the reputation of being one of the
best officers in the army. Though he
has served his country well, ho will
hold himself in readiness to enter the
service again whenever called upon.—
We hope he may soon be honored
with a promotion he deserves.
LUTHER SANOREE, of Walker twp.,
member of Capt. Wintrode's company,
53d Regt., wounded in the leg at the
battle of Fredericksburg, died at Wash
ington on the 19th. His remains were
brought home ,on Saturday and inter
red at McConnellstown on Sunday by
the hon Ors of war. We never wit
nessed as large a funeral in this section
of country. The young bravo was
greatly esteemed in this community,
by his companionsin arms and by all
who ever had the pleasure of his ac
quaintance.
Se" Tho Army of the Potomac has
returned to its quarters opposite Fred
ericksburg. •
THE LEGISLATURE.—Besides the eke-
tion of United States Senator and
State Treasurer, there has been no im
portant business of general interest
transacted in either House. Three or
four committees have already been ap
pointed to investigate the characters
of members. The judiciary commit
tee of the House has been instructed
to report a bill repealing the act re
leasing the Penna. Railroad from the
payment of the tonnage tax. There is
also a movement in the House to pre
vent the immigration into this State of
all persons of color."
In the House on Monday, Mr. Brown
of Mercer, read in place the following
joint resolution for the payment of the
Pennsylvania militia called into the
active service by the order of the 11th
of September. 1862 : '
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met,
That the Governor of this Common
wealth be and he is hereby requested,
immediately after the passage of this
joint resolution, to proceed according
to the provisions of the act of Assem
bly of the second day of April, A. D.
1862, to pay the militia called into the
service of this State and the United
States by the order of the 11th day of
September, A. D. 1862, out of moneys
in the Treasury, leaving the question
of the liability of the United States
for said payment to be hereafter adjus
ted by the proper authorities of the
State and of the United States.
Referred to the Committee on the
Militia System.
-STEPHEN
HUNTINGDON COUNTY.—Prom the
Reports of the State Treasurer and
Auditor General we glean the follow
ing information:
Valuation of Real and
Personal Estate in the
County, . . .84,698,026 00
Assessment of tax, . 12,157 47
Ralf-mill tax per act May
16th, 1861, . . 2,833 20
Population, . 28,204 00
Taxables, . . . 6,480 00
Amount paid into the State Treasu
ry by the county:
Corporation stock tax by H.
&B.T.R. R. Company, .8 159 79
Broad Top Coal Company, . 66 00
Tax on - Real and Personal
Estate, . . 6,176 20
Tax on Real and Personal
Estate, . . . 11,097 84
Tavern Licenses, . . 764 75
Retailer's Licenses, . . 425 00
Distillery and Brewery Li
censes, . . . 40 00
Restaurant Licenses, . 50 00
Patent Medicines, . . 9 00
Militia Tax, . . . 250 00
Tax on writs, wills, deeds, &a 351 94
Collateral Inheritance Tax, 902 98
Total, . . . $19,356 50
Amount received from the State
Treasury by the county :
Pensions and Gratuities, . 8 20 00
For Common Schools, . . 1 ; 043 09
Total,
AT a meeting of the employees of the
& B. T. R. R., and employees of
the Keystone Locomotive Works,
held at Hopewell on the 10th inst., it
was unanimously resolved :
Ist. Whereas,. It has seemed expedi
ent to Mr. S. A. ALEXANDER to dis
solve his connexion with the 11. & B.
T. R. R, that we deeply regret the
necessity which deprives us of his kind
supervision and friendly society.
2d. Resolved, That we assure Mr.
ALEXANDER of our confidence in him
as a skillful mechanic and competent
master workman; of our esteem for
him as a gentleman and a friend, and
of our best wishes for his welfare and
success in life, and that we shall ever
cherish for him a grateful remem
brance.
_
3d. Resolved,Tbat a copy of these
resolutions be presented to Mr. ALEX
ANDER, and that they be published in
the Huntingdon and Altoona papers.
C. W. Asneox,
P. EURIE,
W. I. HANNAN',
Committee.
TILE New York Legislature, after
balloting a week for Speaker, on Mon
day elected Mr. Collicott, (Union Dem
ocrat), of Brooklyn. Mr. Collicott was
the nominee of the Republicans. Du
ring the several days balloting, the
House was crowded by a class of men
who threatened death and destruction
unless their favorite should be elected.
We bare not learned whether there
was any violence after the election.
THE common council of New York
has adopted a resolution tendering
General Fitz John Porter the hospi
talities of the city and a reception in
the Governor's room. Fitz John Por
ter to be honored—and for what?—
He has been discharged from the serv
ice for disobeying orders, etc. There
is as rank treason in New York as in
Richmond.
WE understand that the employees
of the machine shop at Hopewell, con
nected with the H. & B. T. Railroad,
on the evening of the 23d inst., pre
sented la S. A. ALEXANDER, their late
master mechanic, with a beautiful and
valuable case of mechanical drawing
instruments, as a mark of their friend
ship and esteem.
GONE TO THE CITY.-Mr. M. Strouse
has closed out his store and removed
to Philadelphia. The room will short
ly be occupied by Benj. Jacobs who
will be pleased to receive calls from all
the friends of the old " cheap corner."
E. C. SUMMERS is determined to
keep up with the age of improvement.
We learn that he has made arrange
ment to have a statue of Con. Jackson
placed in his garden next summer.
Ile- It is reported that Stonewall
Jackson, with forty thousand men, had
reinforced the rebel garrison at Vicks
burg.
General Fitz John Porter Dismissed
from the Service.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Jan. 21,
1863.—Last week, Judge Advocate
General bolt laid the record in the
case of Gen. Fitz John Porter, which
lie had spent three days in making up,
before the President, who to-day signi
fied his approval of the findings of the
Court Martial, and ordered the sentence
to be carried into execution. The
findings are that he is guilty on every
ono of the charges preferred, and the
sentence is that he be dismissed from
the service.
The review of testimony by Judge
Bolt, which forms a part of the record,
is considered extremely able. The
Court which thus disposed of a case of
multiform, and, in one sense, national
interest, was composed as follows :
Major General Hunter, presiding;
Major General Hitchcock, Brigadier
Generals Rufus King, Prentiss, Rick
etts, Casey, Garfield, Buford and Mor
ris, with Col. Holt, the Judge Advo
cate General, as Judge Advocate.
The charges on which Genl. Porter
is convcted were disobedience to the
orders of Gen. Popo while our army
was in front of the enemy.
The President approved the finding
at 4 o'clock this afternoon. General
Porter first heard of his fate casually
about five, from a correspondent of a
New York paper. When told that he
was at that moment dismissed from
the service, he was powerfully affected
as well as astounded. Ho had only
yesterday applied to the President for
a leave of absence.
Pennsylvania and the War.
The report of Hon. A. L. Russell,
Adjutant-General of this State, shows
that that now important department
of our State Government has been very
ably administered. The report gives
a detailed and interesting account of
of the part performed by Pennsylvania
in the War for the Union. A number
of the facts were mentioned in the Gov
ernor's message, but there are others
that may be stated here. We find that
the number of troops furnished to the
United States by Pennsylvania, since
the war began, is 200,336, as follows :
Titre° months campaign 20,079
Itennyhama Redo, e 4 15,850
Organized under call for 500,000 men ro 759
300,000 " 40,303
afted men 15.100
Item nits to regiments In eel l ice 9,259
EnliAmente in other State, and in Itegnliu army
• etdunated 5,020
Total "00,350
Besides these, about 50,000 non vol
unteered under the Governor's call for
the militia, when the State was threat
ened with invasion last September.—
Of course it has not been possible to
state the losses in the Pennsylvania
regiments, but we find in the notes the
names of no less than sixteen Colonels
who were killed in battle, and of two
who died in camp. It is probable that
this represents the proportion of the
total losses, making the number of men
from Pennsylvania regiments, who
have perished in the war, by battle or
disease, thirty-six thousand. What
State has sacrificed more, in the great
cause of the Union, than Pennsylvania?
$1,063 09
G o la) was selling. in Philadel
phia on Monday at $1,49@1,50; de
mand notes at 45 premium; silver
quarters and halves, 38 premium ;
dimes and halt dimes, 26 prem.; Span
ish quarters, 21 premium.
WAIL PRICES.—Rio coffee sold at auc
tion in Augus!,a, on Friday last, at
$2.821 2.95 14 lb. Eight sacks of
Liverpool salt sold in Savannah, on
Saturday last, at auction, at $5O 7-0 sack.
—Savannah Republican, Jan. 12.
WE aro gratified to learn that Jas.
T. Owens, a typo from this office, was
one of the " bravo three hundred" of
the Anderson Troop who behaved so
gallantly at the battle of Murfreesboro.
James escaped without a scratch.
1 Hon. S. S. Blair will please ac
cept our thanks for five bound volumes
of Congressional Globe and Appendix
for Ist and 2d Session 37th Congress.
AN examination of the pupils of
Huntingdon Academy will take place
on Friday, Jan. 30. Patrons and oth
ers are respectfully invited to attend.
Improve Your Sight and Preserve
Your Eyes.—A. BIRNBAUM, Practi
cal and Manufacturing Optician, takes
pleasure in informing the Ladies and
Gentlemen of Huntingdon and vicini
ty, that he has opened a Store one
door west of Dr. Dorsey's, with a , large,
and variety stock of Spectacles, com
prising Convex and Concave Glasses,
such as Flint, Crystal and Scotch Peb
ble, and particularly desires to recom
mend the superiority of the last-named
Glasses. his theoretical as well as his
practical knowledge of Optics, and his
long practice in the Oceulistic science,
enables him to adapt, after an exam
ination of the oyes, those glasses which
correspond with the defect of near, far
or weak sight. Glasses can he fitted
to any frame, of any shape or color.—
Please call and examine the Spectacles.
Ambrotypes and Photographs taken
at all times on reasonable terms.
Also, Segars, Tobacco and Meer
schaum Pipes constantly on hand.
Oct. 28, Gin.
THE OLD FRANKLIN ALMANAC FOR
1863, for sale at Lewis' Book Store—
price 12 conts.
Ite,_Fine Cigars and Tobacco for
sale at Lewis' Book Store.
DIARIES for 1863, are frr sale at IV
Lewis' Book Store.
NE S
Department of North Carolina.
A Daring Reconnoissance near Fort
Casswell.—Capture of Rebel Earth
work with Considerable Property.
WASHINGTON, January 21st.- - Rear-
Admiral Leo has forwarded to the na
vy department a report from Lieut.
W. B. Cashing, dated Beaufort, IN. C.,
Jan. 8, detailing the particulars of a
reconnoissance made by him near Ft.
Casswell, on Little river, with 'only 25
men. While proceeding up the river,
they were fired upon by the rebels
from a bluff on the left bank.
Landing and forming without firing
a gun, they moved forward until they
came in sight of a fort and a camp
fire, whereupon they made a bayonet
charge, Lieut. Gushing, judging that
the enemy were ignorant of the num
ber of his force. The charge was suc
cessful. They captured the fort, our
men going over one side as the rebels
escaped on the other.
The fort was found to be an earth
work surrounded by a ditch, with a
blockhouse inside pierced for musketry.
No guns were mounted. Lieutenant
Cushing learned that the fort had been
held by a company of infantry, who
left in such haste that their stores,
ammunition, clothing, and a portion of
their arms, were captured. lie de
stroyed all the property he could not
bring away, and returned to Beaufort
with the loss of only ono man, who
was wounded. The officers and men
of the expedition all behaved nobly.-
THE WAR IN MISSISSIPPI.
CAI to,,Tan.2l.—Several government
boats arrived to-day from below. The
news is interesting, though nothing
startling has taken place. On the 13th
a detachment of the 2d Missouri, while
carrying despatches from Helena to
Clarendon, was attacked by 150 rebels.
A severe tight ensued, in which a reb
el Lieutenant was killed and a number
of men wounded. Seventeen of a Wis
consin regiment were taken prisoners.
Holly Springs appears to be subject
tt) constant depredations from every
band of thieves infesting that part of
the country. Reports of the burning
of houses are greatly exaggerated.—
The Confederates came on the sth, and
took what they could, and fired a few
houses. After the rebels left, the Fed
era's occupied on tho 10th. There
were no troops there at all.
Yandccver's cavalry is said to be in
the rear of our army, waiting an op
portunity to strike. Lee's cavalry is
guarding the railroad between Mem
phis and Moscow.
On the 15th there was a spirited
skirmish in Haywood county, between
a detachment of the Third Michigan
and ilichardson's guerillas. The figh t
ipg continued through the afternoon,
with loss to the enemy of one killed
and six wounded.
At dark the guerillas disappeared in
the cane-brakes along the Hatchie
_River. Cu!. Misner's forces escaped
unharmed. Richardson captured fbur
officers of the Eightieth Ohio, when
the first provision train came from
Holly Springs, and paroled them on
the morninn of the fl 'ht.
Their names are _Dr. Buel,"1 - dinliint
Hepburn, Lieutenants Hill and Tan
ner. It is understood, under General
Grant's order, they will probably be
dismissed from the service, having
slopped for water, and remained long
enough to be surprised and taken.
Dr. Martin, of the Kansas, was also
paroled. The enemy is fortifying the
Grenada and repairing the Mississippi
Railroad, which was to be completed
to Okakland by the 15th. General
Washburn's raid on that road was not
as effective as intended.
There has been a brisk tobacco
trade South. Thousands of boxes
have been shipped through Vicksburg,
Louisiana and Texas to Mexico,
where it commands $5 lb. in gold.
French troops are best customers.
The steamers John 11. Roe, Sam
Gaty and Webraska, arrived here to
day, with four thousand seven hund
red and ninety-two prisoners from Ar
kansas Post, including six Generals
and eight Colonels.
THE WAR IN MISSOURI
Guerilla Operations in jlissouri—Mur
der and Post Mo•teut Abuse of our
Soldiers—The Wives, Daughters and
Sisters of Unionists Threatened with
Violence, dx.
Sr. Louis, Jan. 22d.—Cleneral Ben
Loan, commanding at Jefferson City,
sends the Democrat a letter from Col.
Pennock, of the sth Cavalry, Missouri
militia, dated Independence, on the
11th, stating that five of his men were
murdered the week previous by guer
illas. The soldiers we•e all shot in
the bead, and their bodies horribly
mangled. The flices of some of them
were cut in pieces with boot-heels.—
Powder was exploded in ono man's
ear, and both ears were cut off. Whe
ther these barbarities were committed
before or after death is unknown.
Col. Pennock says that ten of these
guerillas, with their wives and chil
dren acting as spies, were equal to
twenty-five of his troops.
The guerillas were threatening the
Union women of Jackson county, and
the wives and sisters of some of the
most notorious of the band had been
arrested, in order to prevent them
from executing their threats. They
have also levied assessments upon the
loyal men of the county, and are col
lecting it rapidly. Some of those who
were assessed claimed to be Southern
sympathizers, in order to avoid paying
it. Colonel Pennock advises that the
wives of these guerillas be sent out of
the State.
The army of the Potomac in motion
Address of Geri. Burnside to the Troops
HEADQUARTERS OE THE ARMY OF
THE PoromAc, Camp near Falmouth,
Va., January 20, 1863.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 7
The commanding general announces
to the army of the Potomac that they
are about to meet the enemy once
more. The late brilliant actions in
North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ar
kansas have. divided and weakened
the enemy on the Rappahannock, and
the auspicious moment seems to have
arrived to strike a great and mortal
blow to the rebellion, and to gain that
decisive victory which is due to the
country.
Let the gallant soldiers of so many
brilliant battle-fields accomplish this
achievement, and a fame the most glo
rious awaits them.
The commanding General calls for
the firm and united action of officers
and men ; and, under the providence
of God, the army of the Potomac will
have taken the great step towards re
storing peace to the country and the
Government to its rightful authority.
By command of Maj. General Burn
side.
LEWIS RICHMOND, A. A. G
Official : Ewn. M. NEILL,
Capt. and A. A. A. G
[Col respondence of the New Notk Ti ibune.]
RIGHT GRAND DIVISION,
Opposite Frederic/,sburg,
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1803--3 p. m.
The movement has at last commen
ced. *At 11 A. M., to day, the reserve
artillery and Birney's infantry divis
ion of Gen. Hooker's command cross
ed the railroad at Stoneman's Station,
and moved, via Ilartwood Church,
up the Rappahannock, by a road three
miles back from it, and of course con
cealed from the rebel camps and pick
ets on the south side of the river.—
Two hours later, the remainder of Gen.
Hooker's Grand Division took the road.
Franklin's Grand Division, like
Hooker's, in heavy marching order,
also started at II o'clock, moving in
the same direction, though by a route
nearer the river. Some of his strag
glers, his baggage and ammunition
trains, were visible from the rebel
camps, which, for some purpose, must
have been clone intentionally.
Stunner's Grand Division has not
yet moved. As yet it holds the front
here, and is in full view of the enemy.
It remained in position as long as pos
sible. It is now under orders to be
ready to march at 4 o'clock to-morrow
morning.
There has been very unusual reti
cence in regal d to this movement.—
Up to this time the corps commanders
do not know the plan, which seems, to
be confined to Burnside and his Grand
Division Generals. IL is at least grat
ifYing to know that such a secret can
be kept in the army.
How far Franklin and _Hooker have
progressed to-night we are not advised.
It is believed, however, that they are
to cross the river at United States
Ford, twelve miles above this point.—
Whether Sumner crosses at the same
point or makes a feigned or real at
tempt one mile above here, is also un
known.
Col. Tompkins, of the First Rhode
Island Artillery, is to have charge of
the batteries .at, Franklin's crossing,
Captain Do hussy, Second Regular
Artillery, at Hooker's, and Brig. Gen.
Hays at Sumner's.
An usually serious feeling pervades
the officers of the army. It is felt to
be a very critical period. The tone of
the troops has been despondent for the
last two weeks, and another decided
repulse would bring results unpleasant
to contemplate. I believe the troops
will do their duty; but without any
of the run and admiration which
springs from enthusiasm. "W' have
men enough to succeed," remarked
Gen. Hooker, to-day, "if our force
wannuu, five millioll3 could not."
The army is doubtless strong enough
in mere numbers. God grant that it
may be strong enough in spirit and
confidence. In spite of all that has
been said o their demoralization, the
troops marched along in the crisp air
this morning right blithely and cheer
ily.
You have probably received Burn
side's order to the troops announcing
that they are about to meet the enemy
once more. It was published to all
the regiments to-day, and has had an
• excellent effect. In most cases they
received it with lusty,vociferous cheers.
' A heavy rain is falling to-night. It
is prophetic of trouble for the artillery
trains; and Hooker's and Franklin's
men, in their bivouacs, must find it
dreamy enough.
ITS MOVEMENT STOPPED'EY THE
STORM
[Correspondence of the Now Toth Tiibnne.[
BANKS FORD or EAPPATIANNOCK,
SIX. MILES ABOVE FREDERICKS
BIM 0, VA., Jan. 22
Nominally, SlllllllCr'S is the Right
Grand Division of the Army. Hook
er's the Centre, and Franklin's the
left. Actually, too, Sumner has' held
the right ever since wo struck the
Rappahannock. Ho has not changed
position; but to-day he occupies the
extreme loft. Franklin and Hooker
have both passed around him, up the
river. Now Franklin holds the cen
tre, Hooker the right, and Sumner the
left. The point is the extreme right.
Your correspondent, " Bartlett,"
who has been here fin• two days, gives
you details of the situation. As the
chief movement promises to be here,
I rode up from Falmouth yesterday.—
It had been raining hard for sixteen
hours. The roads wore blocked up
with artillery, ambulance and pontoon
trains—the wretched animals strug
gling in seas and rivers of mud.
- here and there was a caisson or
pontoon-Wagon left behind, with a
tongue broken or a wheel crushed.— .
At every slight hill the teams were
doubled, with the engineers and men
of a Zouave regiment accompanying
the pontoons lifting away at the
wheels. Here and there was a dead
horse or mule, half imbedded in the
mud, lying where he fell. It used to
be a proverb that no one ever saw a
dead mule ; but the war has dispelled
that, with a great many other illusions.
Here and there were scores of living
horses and mules, floundering through
not over the road—tor it was of the
consistency of soft mush—with clouds
of steam rising from them.
Hooker's and Franklin's Infantry
also poured along the road, bringing
up the rear of their two Grand Divis
ions. The men had been out all night
in the rain, and were thoroughly
drenched. Some are halting, and with
muskets stacked, grouping around
flies; others marching, with their low
shoes filling, and their clothes splash
ing at every step. The air was raw,
and a fine, thick, chilly rain still fall
ing; but there were plenty of jests at
the forlornness of the situation, and
one party was singing " Glory, glory,
hallelujah !" Cheerfulness, under the
circumstances, was a crowning tri
umph of mind over matter.
Before night, the infantry nearly all
reached this vicinity. Camps were
established in the thick, low pine'
woods; the little shelter tents were
pitched ; bright fires were kindled, and
the deep green groves and tie fares of
the men wore a cheerful look.
The river here is about a hundred
yards wide. Hooker's bridges are to
be thrown over above the ford, and
Franklin's below. It was the origin
al intention to cross yesterday morn
ing at daybreak ; but the pontoons
did not arrive in season ; in feet, they
had not all come up yesterday at mid
night. The rain, which began at sev
en o'clock Tuesday night, has, of
course, greatly delayed them and the
artillery which preceded them; but I
think they would not have arrived in
time had the weather continued favor
able. There seems to be an incapaci-,
ty for promptness in the Engineer
corps. The weather bad been favora
ble ever since the battle of Fredericks
burg, until a few hours after this
movement begun.
Had we been ready to cross at the
appointed time, the enemy could not
have offered serious resistance. He is
now concentrating heavily on o ur
front. We are hopeful rather than
confident. A. D. It
BANK'S FORD OP VIE RAPPAHAN
NOCK, six miles above Falmouth, Jan.
22.—1 t will be difficult,to convey the
full and correct impression of the diffi
culties and uncertainties which at
present surround the army now gath
ered about this locality. The anxiety
of the people at homy can be hardly
greater than has been occasioned in
the army by the very unfortunate in
terference with our plans which the
severity of the weather has occasion
ed. For more than twenty-four hours
right upon the comtnencement of our
movement, when every hour of delay
was the sacrifice of life and the risk
of success, a storm of the greatest se
verity has blocked effectually our pro
gress and rendered the final issue un
certain. The storm is still raging,
and the prospects of its terminating
are entirely indefinite. The wind is
howling, Ow rain pelting, the cold
freezing, and the army exposed to it
all without shelter or protection. It
is one of the severest nights of the
year. Few at home would venture
out in the storm without some press
ing necessity. Yet the army has
been for more than twenty-four hours
drenched in it, pierced by it, and al
most frozen in it.r-
Military operations have halted.—
We have been struggling against the
elements with might and main,
yet
the progress is hardly perceptible.— !
The soil has melted under the rain
like wax. Horses hoofs slump into it,
and they draw their feet out of it with
a groan and an evident exhaustion of
strength. The wheels of the artil
[cry sink nearly to the axles,
and the infantry int-t he called
into repsition to lift the wag
ons out of the mud holes. In the
darkness of the night, the greatest
difficulty has been experienced in find
ing the way to their designated po
sitions. Batteries have turned off up
on wrong roads, and in place of being
all in position by daylight, a few have
not found their destined positions af
ter twenty-four hours. By the great
est effort, most of the artillery had
been placed in position by noon. In
evidence of the effort which was re
quired, twen
coed toe single gun—a 12-pound Na
poleon.
The pontoon train was most seri
ously affected by the storm. When
the bridges ought all to have been
completed, many of the boats were
scattered upon a score of roads, in all
directions, fast in the mud or lost in
the labyrinth of roads with which the
country is intersected. A remarkably
confused state of things pervaded the
pontoon train. The horses, exhaust
ed, were unable to move the wagons,
and a detail of three regiments of
,in
fantry was made to help them out of
their situation. Those regiments
were the One Hundred and Forty
first, Sixty-third and One Hundred
and fourteenth Pennsylvania. Long
ropes were fitstonod to the wagons,
and fifty men had hold of each, pull
ilia them through the mire to their
destination. They worked lustily and
cheerfully, and the back bone of the
army proved its 'value for draught as
well as for fighting. The tugging of
the fagged-out horses through the
mud and storm with artillery and pon
toon wagons, and the efforts of the
men to extricate them, with their
shoulders to the wheels or pulling at
a rope, made the activity of the night
full of interest and long to be remem
bered by those who witnessed it or
participated in it.
The continuation of the storm ren
ders it most uncertain as to when the
crossing will be commenced. Indeed,
an entire abandonment of the present
effort may be rendered necessary.—
Enough of the pontoons have now ar
rived for the construction of part of
the bridges, and the artillery is suffi
ciently ready for the effort. Yet the
delay has been.so long continued that
the enemy have probably become
somewhat aware of our intentions,
and the roads upon the steep hills of
the other side of the river aro in such
a condition that it would be very diffi
cult to advance, even if there were no
enemy to oppose us.
A more particular description of the
locality at which the movement is at
present threatening, will enable the
reader to understand better the pres
ent situation.
Our own artillery is posted upon a
high plateau, 150 feet above the river,
which runs beneath it. The bank of
the river is high and steep.
A ravine formed. by a brook, runs
down to the river, and through this ra
vino the road has been built in tended
for the passage of the troops and artil
lery. The pontoons are to be carried
to the edge of the bank, and slid down
therefrom to the river. On the other
side is a small and narrow intervale,
skirted on the left, with a piece of
woods. Back of this and around it
rise slopingly and rapidly the hills on
which the enemy will possibly
reveal themselves with their artillery.
The banks on both sides arc high and
bold, covered on the side of the enemy
mostly with woods. The positions
are sufficiently near to give an excel
lent opportunity for a close artillery
duel. There is a small creek which
runs into the river nearly opposite,
and a bridge crosses it, which, fearing
the enemy may attempt to destroy it,
is commanded by our artillery.
We aro awaiting with !nue") anxie
ty the result of the next few da}•s.—
It may be an abandonmentpf the at
tempt. It may be a failure in the un
dertaking, and a return to the com
fortable huts which the nrmy have
left standing about Fredericksburg.—
It may be—may it be—a success and
a victory. BARTLETT.
The .11Iovenzent Frustrated by the Storm.
—Roads Getting Better.—Paying off
the Troops.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TILE
POTOMAC, Jan. 23, 1863.
The tempestuous weather since Tues
day, and the consequent impassable
state of the roads, have rendered any
advance of the Army of tho Potomac
beyond the Rappahannock a matter of
utter impossibility. The same causes
so delayed the transportation of the
pontoons and heavy artillery to the
designated points as to prevent a sur
prise of the enemy at the pOints Where
the crossing was to have been attemp
ted.
This afternoon the clouds broke
away, and the influence of the sun is
telling favorably upon the soil.
Several paymasters have already
arrived, bringing joy to the soldiers,
and relief for their families at home.—
A delay in the payment of those ac
tively employed may occur.
OFFICIAL RESIGNATION OF
GEN, BURNSIDE.
The Command Transferred to Gen.
Hooker.
1..11'..‘.1,Q1. Alt IS'Ell"5 ; ARMY OF TILE
Lke, January 2G.
This forenoon General Burnside turn
ed over the command of the Army of
the Potomac to General Hooker, who
came to the headquarters camp for
that purpose.
As soon as the change became
known„a considerable number of supe
rior officers called on Gen. Burnside,
and took their parting leave, with ma
ny regrets.
The following is Gen. Burnside's ad
dress to the army.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
Camp near Falmouth, Jan. 26.
GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 9.
By direction of the President of the
United States, the Commanding Gen
eral this day transfers the command
of this army to Major General Joseph
Hooker. The short time that, he has
directed your movements has net
been fruitful of victory or any consid
erable advancement of our lines, but it
has again demonstrated an amount of
courage, patience and endurance that
uncler more favorable circumstances.
would have accomplished great re
sults.
Continue to exercise those virtues,
1)0 true in your devotion to your coon
try and the principles you have sworn
to maintain, give to the bravo and
skillful General who has long been
identified with your organizations, and
who is now to command you, your full
and cordial support, and you will do,
serve success.
In taking an affectionate leave of
the entire army from which he separ
ates with so much regret, he may he
pardoned if he bids an especial fiu•c
well to his long tried associates of tho
Nintireurri -
His prayers are that God may ho
with you and grant you continued sue..
eess until the rebellion is crushed.
By command of Major Goal. Burn
side.
Imwts IncumoNl), A. A. G.
It is understood that Gens. Sumner
and Franklin have also been relieved
from their command Of the right and
left (rand Divisions, but the names of
their successors have not been divulg
ed, if appointed.
General 13urnside, with most of his
late staff, have been allowed thirty
days leave of absence. They will g 0
to Yew York.
The weather is warm and pleasant,
and the mud is fast drying up.
FROM ARKANSAS.
Progress of the Mississippi Flotilla—
Capture of St. Charles, Duval's Bluff,
and Des Arc—Two Eight-inch Guns,
200 Field Rifles, Ammunition, Small
Arms, Prisoners, &e., Taken—The
Key of Arkansas in the Hands of the ,
411i0111.8tS
WASHINGTON, January 25.—Major
General Curtis has telegraphed to Maj..
Gen. lialleek, General in chief; as fol,
lows :
Sr. Louis, Jan. 24.—Gent. Gorman ;
telegraphs from Duval's Bluff, 18th
inst., that aided by three gunboats
ascended White river to Duval'a,
and Des Are, taking about 150 prl.l
- two Columbiads, and about 20
small arms.
The news from Arkansas, as gather-.
ed from official .sources, is highly jinn
portant, as well as interesting. St..
Charles, Duval's Bluff. and Des, Are.
have been taken, and the light draught
vessels are over three hundred miles
above the mouth of the White River.,
Lieut. Commander Walke, command,
ing the De Kalb, captured at Duval's,
Bluff two eight inch guns, witiv
carriages and ammunition, two hand-.
red field rifles and three platform ears,
and at Des Arc thirty-nine priso.n.erc ,
and a quantity of arms and =mud',
tion.
The above record is certainly very
good, and when taken in connection,
with the victory at Fort Hindman,.
Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas river,
is of the highest importance. Little.
Hoek, the capital of the State of Ar-.
kansas, is now threatened from the
northeast as well as on the southeast,
The progress of the Mississippi flotilla
up the \Vhite river clears the way.. fho
McClernand's army, so that they aro
now able to march upon the State cap
ital without being dependent upon the
Arkansas river, as Des Arc is but fifty
miles from, Little Rock. This also,
opens, the route between Southern;
Missouri and the Mississippi, by way
of the White river. The captnro of
St. Charles, on the Arkansas river, re
moves another stumbling block in the,
way of an advance on Little Rork up,
that stream. Thus, with an army from
Pocahontas coming down on the north:
cast, Blunt's army from the Boston
Mountaineon the northwest, and Mo-
Clernand's army pushing along up the,
White and. Arkansaii rivers, Little
Rock must fall, and,. 41Aausas be oew
more brought under the jurisdiction of
the United Mates authorities.