AMERICAN VOLUNTEER.
JIM 1. BHATTON, Editor k Proprietor.
CARLISLE, PA,, MAY 30, 1861.
OUR FLAG.
Forever .float that standard sheet I
Where breathes the Joe but falls before usl
With Freedom*s soil beneath our feet, -
And Freedom's banner waving o’er us I ”
Ditidsno.—The Board of Directors of Car*
lisle Deposit Bank have declared a dividend
of five per cent, for the last six months, paya
ble on demand. -
Movement op Troops.— On Tuesday morn
ing, about 4 o’clock, two regiments of troops
(passed through Carlisle, in the cars, on their
"way to Chambersburg. They were, we be
lieve, the 7th and Bth Pennsylvania Regi
ments, from York. .
Still they Couß.v-Some COO additional
troops, a part of the Third Regiment, also
proceeded to Chamhershurg, in the oars, on
Tuesday afternoon.
Superior Potatoes. —The finest lot of po
tatoes We have ever seen at this season of the
year, was received by our neighbor Hark
kess, corner of Hanover and Pomfrot streets,
a few days since. They are of very superior
quality—large, sound and mealy. Persons
wanting good potatoes, for either the table or
for planting, should give Mr. H. a call.
The Corn Crop. — The corn crop, as far as
..can be ascertained, docs not promise well in
this county. . One half, and in places two
thirds the grains planted, have not g’ermina
ted, and that that did come up, looks .yellow
and sickly. This is .owing, it is supposed, to
tho bad seed planted, and to the late cold,
rough weather we have had. We hope bur
•agricultural friends will promptly re-plant.
If the season bo at all favorable, corn can still
.be planted with hopes of a good yield.
C 7" The “ startling nows” which was issued I
in extras and caused so much stir in our town
on Sunday last, giving an account of a battle
near Alexandria, and of tho capture, after
•greatslaughter, of abattory at Sewell’s Point,
by troops under Gen. Butler was as w.e ex
pected, false from beginning to end. Nothingof
tbe kind took place. It is a pity a penalty and
punishment could not be inflicted upon those
who get up these falsehoods. The people are
suliiuiontly excited, even with the truth,
and any attempt to make money by raising
false alarms, should be severely condemned.
If telegraph operators are too dishonest and
avaricious to be trusted, they should be kicked
from their places, and honest men appointed
in their stead.
COL. ELLSWORTH ASSASSINATED.
For particulars in reference to the assassina
tion of this hravoand intrepid officer, wo refer
ihe reader to the war news column. Poor
Ellsworth 1 His waS a short military career,
indeed; His last act before he was murder
ed, was the pulling down a rebel flag from
the Marshall House, in Alexandria. His cow
ardly murderer was the landlord of the house,
and,' wo. are glad to add, was instantly put
to death.
The whole North will mourn the death
of Col. Ellsworth. Almost ahoy in years,
bo was nevertheless every inch a soldier,
and in the Zouave drill was particularly
efficient.. Had ho been killed in battle, the
country would have mourned. But ho was
destroyed by the assassin, and -the feeling is
— revenge; and fearful will be the retribution.
This act is the crowning outrage of Southern
■cowardice and treachery, and another evi
dence that we are contending with a foe, at
■oncamean,’despicable and brutal. Southern
■men have heretofore been inthe habitof boast
dug of their " honor and courage." It was a
, false boast. Ever since our difficulties com
, mcnced, they have acted the part of cravens,
cowards and rascals. They have murdered a
brave officer who was lighting under the ban
ner of his country. No doubt other Union
officers and privates will meet the same fate,
but this conduct will only tend to rouse the
Northern lion, and cause him to howl for re
taliation. Mark it!—Col. Ellsworth's death
will be fearfully avenged 1
Tb Harrisburg Telegraph, in speaking of
the assassination of Cob Ellsworth, says:
“ Under the regular telegraphic head, wo
give the details connected with the movements
of the Federal troops in Virginia, inaugura
ting the campaign in that region, and prepar
ing for a desperate struggle with traitors and
assassins who have been gathered from all the
rebel states within the borders of the Old Do
minion. The most melancholy part of the ac
count, is the announcement of the assassina
tion of Col. Ellsworth, the gallant and accom
plished young leader of the New York Zou
, avea. while in the act of hauling down a se
.cesaion flag ho was shot by a concealed as
■assin, and expired almost instantly. The as- i
•main was subsequently discovered, and ns ,
■rlu SST* ■totes, summarily dealt with, i
xaco amTwf v aS anati . vo of tho oii - vof Chi - 1
thero(mlnTa*m Cen i a V' i ' omt6^to a position in ]
one so young and brave should have fallen
80 , hle fight for his country, hut it.
will flu tho hearts of men with horror and in-1
dignation, and excite a spirit of revenge such I
as will fall heaviest on tho traitors of Virgin
. ia.”
The Boeder State Convention convened
at Frankfort, Ky., on Monday last, Hon.
John J. Crittenden was appointed Chairman,
and Orlando Brown was elected Secretary.
Delegates from Missouri and Kentucky
were present. The Convention adjourned
till Wednesday, to await the arrival of dele
gates on their way hither.
MU. ANDEBSO.V REBUKES THE SLANDERERS.
When Major Anderson, thp horo of Fort
Sumpter, was in Philadelphia, 1 ho was waited
upon by the City authorities, and escorted to
Independence Hall, whore his reception took'
place. In response to the remarks of the
Mayor, he delivered the following short but
appropriate speech. It will be seen that ho
took occasion to rebuke the cravens who
have attempted to hold Ex-President Buchan
an respousibloforour present difficulties. It
Was meet that ho spake of the late, adminis
tration in terms of commendation, for Mr. Bu
chanan regarded Maj. Anderson his princi
pal adviser after the commencement of our
National troubles—which was very soon
after it had been ascertained that Mr. Lincoln
had been elected. If Mr. Buchanan’s policy
was an error, then Maj. Anderson himself
was censurable, for he approved the course
adopted by the then administration.
After the rebellion commenced in the South,
(shortly before Mr. Buchanan’s term expired,),
thousands and tons of thousands of patriotic
citizens used their influence to bring about an.
adjustment of our difficulties. State Conven
tions were convened—a National Pence Con
vention assembled—thousands of immense
County Meetings were held—the patriot Crit
tenden introduced his “ Compromise” in Con
gress—and all these meetings, conventions,'
the Peace Convention, and the people them
selves, Mr. Crittenden of the number, begg
ed and besebchod Mr. Buchanan to do noth
ing to aggrieve the South, or to make any ag
gressive demonstration in that quarter. The
hope then was that peace could bo restored,
that an amicable adjustment of our difficulties
could be effected, and our country saved from
the distress, misery, anguish and sorrow that
now stares us in the face. Had Mr. Buchan
an, at that time, when all (except a few cra
zy Abolitionists,) were hoping to bring about
peace, dared to have made an attack upon the
.South, he would have been regarded an insane
man, and would have been denounced—and
justly too—by good and prudent men in eve
ry State. •
But, the efforts at ponce failed—failed be
ceauso of the obstinacy of bad men (Aboli
tionists and Secessionists,) both North and
South. Our difficulties multiplied, and soon
after the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, they
assumed a frightful,. war-like aspect. But
Mr., Lincoln, like, his predecessor, made no
demonstration against the South until after
the-attack upon Fort Sump,ter. Why? Be
cause he still hoped for peace.
A few of the rampant Abolition journals—
papers of the Greely and John Brown school,
and whose editors are as bad enemies to the
peace of the country ns is the secesion organ,
the Charleston Mercury —continue their cow
ardly assaults upon the late President, and
repeafrHhc insolent,question “why did not
Mr. Buchanan at once retake Fort Moultrie
and the Charleston harbor'after the secession
ists had taken possession of them?” Why ,
didn’t ho ? Because, first, the country was ,
appealing to him to do nothing of the kind, j
but on the contrary to save the effusion of j
blood; and use his'official influence to bring (
about a peaceful. solution of our troubles;
second, because had he made the attempt ho
would have failed, just as Maj. Anderson
failed to hold Sumpter. But, as these gentle
men are so very fond of asking questions, the
natural inquiry prises, why was it that Mr.
Lincoln permitted the Harper’s Ferry Arse
nal, with i ts $15,000,000 worth of property, to be
seized by a few thousand secessionists ? And
after it was seized, why did ho not “ at once”
re-capture it? We ask the question, not cap
tiously, but in a spirit of kindness. . The
Black Bepublicans fault Mr. Buchanan for
not' “at once” re-capturing Fort Moultrie
from the Secessionists, how let them toll us
Why Mr. Lincoln failed to re-take Harper’s
[ Ferry the day after it had been captured by
the enemy ? It all amounts to this—it is easy
to make objections and ask questions—easy
for slanderers to vent their spleen, but it is
not so easy for those in authority to do impos
sibilities. History will do Mr. Buchanan
justice—and honest men will applaud his mo
tives.and his actions just as Maj. Anderson
has done. Hogues may, therefore, continue
to carp, and slander and fume.
But, to Major Anderson’s little speech in
Philadelphia. When we commenced these
remarks, we expected to write but a few lines.
Maj. Anderson said:
Mr. Mayor r I dare not attempt to express
the feelings' that fill mo here, standing, as I
do, in this temple of liberty, surrounded by the
spirits of the departed sages of the Revolution.
I was born in the country whore and at a time
when we had but few of the opportunities now
afforded to the rising generation, and there
fore I have been wanting jn ray tongue. I
was soon taken into the ranks 01 that nation,
which I have for .thirty years endeavored to
servo to my utmost ability, and it will not bo
expected that I can properly reply to you and
ray fellow-citizens of this State, and those who
have honored me with resolutions; but I do
thank you for the honor you have conferred
upon me.
The duty I have performed was simply such
as all true Americans would have performed,-
and I trust better, but none with a bettor
heart or n heart that throbbed more for our
country and our glorious independence, which
. was handed down to us by those whoso por
traits grace these walls. I was surrounded by
those whom I wished to look upon ns friends,
but who considered mo an enemy; and I pray
that no other American may ever bo called
upon to encounter the same difficulties. I put
my trust in God, and I believe firmly that God
put it into my heart to do what I did. There
are many who are inclined to blame the pre
ceding Administration,and some to censure the
present; but I believe truly that every act that
was performed in that harbor from the 21st of
November, when I took command, was ruled
Iby that God whom wo all should adore, and
whom we must adore if wo wish to do well,
both in this world and the next. I believe
that every act. done there was necessary, in
order to bring up the public heart to that sen
timent of patriotism which now pervades
throughout the North. I thank you for your
kindness and civilities.
iCT* It is related by a Washington paper,that
the troops of Pennsylvania are easily distin
guished from those of other States, on account
of the mean quality of their clothing. Shamo,
shame, old Keystone 1 And yet the clothing
of our troops cost the Government ns much ns
did the clothing of tho men of the Now York
or Massachusetts Regiments. But all States
don’t contain speculators, who are willing
that tho troops may perish, provided money
can be made.
CTMIon. Wji, A. Graham, of North Caro
lina,who ran for Vice President in 1852 on
the ticket with Gen. Scott, isdelivering stump
speeches in the tar, pitch and turpentine State
in favor of secession.
CATS IN TUB PJNTBT.
'Shat a complete system of fraud and vil
lainy has been organized by a sot of vampyfes
in our State, there is no doubt whatever.
Stealing,swindling', fraud and villainly is prac
ticed daibp, on a magnificent scale. The war
furnishes a fine field for the operations of these
devils incarnate, and many of them have al
ready made princely fortunes. l\len of high
nnd low degree, and their laquoys, are impli
cated in transactions at once disgraceful, dis
honest and heartless. The poor soldiers—those
now in the tented field—are the sufferers.
But, what care these' damnable thieves,
whether the soldiers starve and freeze, so that
they (the robbers) can line their pockets ?
Wo dislike, in times like these to be mak
ing complaints, and so far wo have avoided
allusion to the subject, hoping that a change
for the better would speedily take place. But,
instead of getting better, those peculations
are increasing, and the complaints of the sol
diers almost amount to rebellion. Within the
last week wo have received a number of let
ters from friends now in the army. The men
are absolutely almost in a state of starvation,
and during the late cold nights were nearly
frozen. The Commissary Department of. the
army is deplorably deficient—furnishing meat
and bread to the soldiers that would turn
the stomach of a dog. In one case, (a letter
informs us,) a captain of a company made
complaint to the baker for the regiment, and
told him his bread was not fit to oat, and causing
sickness in the camp, Thebakerrepliod, “how
the d—l can I help it 7 The flour furnished me
is sour, musty, and runny. It is not worth a
dollar a barrel, even for pig’s feed.” And
yet the men who furnished the flour for the
Regiment—pet politicians, of course—received
$7 50 a barrel for it—making a profit, it is
supposed, of $5 or $8 on every barrel; be
sides killing the soldiers who wore compelled
to eat the flour. This is but one ease of a
score we might mention. , In regard to cloth
ing and blankets, the complaints are loud,
deep, and indignant. According to the army
regulations, every soldier is entitled to good,
strong,' substantial clothing, and a large,
heavy Maoinaw blanket, worth in all some
$25. But the clothing furnished to our troops
[ is utterly worthless, and after a week’s wear
is intatters; and the blankets, too, instead of
being compact, heavy and good, are miserable
little horse-blankets, of 3J feet in breadth and
5 feet in length—so thin that wheat might
be sifted through them. The contractors—rpet
politicians, again—purchase the'outfit for the
soldier for some $5 or $6, and received from
the Government $25! Now we need not be
told that those at the head of affairs do not
know of these things. They do know them,
and the only reason that can be assigned for
their negligence in not applying a remedy, is
because it is believed they themselves are
[deeply involved in these transactions. The
beef contracts and horse contracts given out
at Washington, are speculations on a mag
nificent scale. Some men—and wo might
name them—will pile up their millions. Uncle
Sam and the different States furnish the mon
ey for a set of rascals to enrich themselves,
and the fighting men—the. soldiers—must
suffer:
Wo shall revert to this subject again, and
in the'moan time call attention to the fpllow
ing.articles from exchanges:
, f . From Forney’s Press. ’
Deplorable . Condition of (lie Pennsylvania
Troops at Lancaster,
Lancaster, Pa., May 23. — For some time
past our citizens have been distressed with
the complaints made of the condition of the
troops at Camp Johnson—the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Regiments; and the
Express of this evening contains a full expo
sure of the state of affairs there, which con
firms all that has been said abcut them.
So strong have been 1 the grievances of the
troops that the Express declares they will
soon become utterly demoralized,notwithstand
ing' the excellent character of the men of
which the regiments are composed. Already
two r three companies have unanimously
protested against appearing in dress parade,
and, but for the arrival of a quantity of fresh
beet on Sunday, and a care tor the honor of
their captain, one of the companies would
havecarried this protest into effect.
All this discontent is occasioned simply by
the shocking condition of the commissariat,
Which serves to the volunteers rancid, and
oftentimes, pork in a state of putrescence, and
an entirely insufficient supply of bread. The
following instance will illustrate the condition
of this department: With all economy, one
company of seventy-four men supped last eve
ning on less than fourteen pounds of bread
alone, the pork being thrown away as totally
unfit to be touched even by hungry men.
The citizens of Lancaster county would
cheerfully help the troops if the official com
missariat was dispensed with ; but they are
not willing to appear to sanction an evident
abuse, by contributing to supply that which is
paid for out of a liberal State Treasury. They
are, however, determined, out of feelings of
humanity, as well as patriotism, to have re
source to the most energetic measures to insti
tute a reform, ■ ■ ■' .
From tho Harrisburg Union.
Stop Thief!
Mr. Editor : I beg to suggest the above
heading fora column of your paper during
the continuance of this war. It is beginning
to be a question with some whether the war
got up to sustain the Union, or to sustain pe
cuniarily the fortunes of certain favorites of
the States and Federal Governments. The
unanimous enthusiasm exhibited by our peo
ple will bo followed by an equally unanimous
Ve-actionary apathy the mornent they discov
er that the legions are to be kept in the field
by the “ cohesive force of public plunder."
Already the most scandalous stories are re
ported and believed by many persons. I en
umerate—
l. Tho shameful misappropriation of the
first half-million set apart for the war by our
State.
2. A certain horse-purchasing arrangement,
where six hundred nags, which cost, on the
average, $BO each, were charged to the Fed
eral Government at $l5O per horse.
3. Tho 20,000-hcad-of-steers arrangement,
made with a certain notorious contractor, who
was to receive 8 cents per pound on the hoof,
when the market price at the Bull's Head, in
New York—always higher than tho more
Southern cattle markets—was only from 4to
5 cents.
This Inst, coming to the ears of Mr. Lincoln,
was quashed ns far as ho could quash it; but
not, it is understood, until it progressed so far
that from $lOO,OOO to $200,000 wore made out
of it.
If these things goon, Mr. Editor, the glow
of patriotism will be absolutely extinguished
and wilted out which now gives light to the
•whole human race. I would recommend the
Congress about to assemble to pass a law pun
'*'ng such proceedings with Death. Mon
that would steel now are worse than traitors.
Juntos.
Frqm tbo» uniata Democrat
Screw loos (. j
It is ft burning shame upoi i this State, which
has oyer been proud to.be h mored os the Key
stone state, that she docs no . better clothe and
equip her soldiers. When Pennsylvania sol
diers go beyond the limits of thoir state they'
are known by thoir shabby uniform and di
lapidated dross, and are termed the “ Bagged
army of Pennsylvania.” Whyisthis? ?500,-
.000 wore appropriated at the regular session
of the Legislature, one fifth of which has not
boon spent for provisions at the different
camps; transportation has cast nothing; no.
arms have been purchased by the State, yet
the authorities say it is allgoue. There is no
doubt but that a: grand scheme of plunder and
fraud is being perpetrated by officials in Har
risburg, and the poor soldiers, cheated, and
olotheddn rags.. The blame ’lies somewhere,
and we nnturaly suppose it to be among those
who have the disbursmont of the funds, and
in whose hands they have been placed. They
who would wickedly and unjustly defraud the
soldier, and embezzle the funds appointed to
Clothe and. feed him, deserve the deepest ex
ecrations of his fellow men, and the condemna
tion ot the Gods.
An officer writing from Camp Wayne says
Our men are much dissatisfied with the Gov
ernment on account of clothes; they will soon
have to stay in their quarters or come out on
drill naked ; ..If something is notdone.soon in
the way of clothes the men will get so bad
that wo cannot control them.”
A visitor to Camp Seolt, thus describes the
kind of shoes which have been furnished to
the soldiers : , •
“I have how in my possession a shoe, worn
by one Of the soldiers iwo days. It has not a
vestige of solo left upon it. I have been for
tunate enough, also to secure a portion of the
insole or filling. What do you suppose it is
made of ? A pine shaving? Think of that !
Such shoes furnished men who are to fight
the battles of our country! In sonic cases the
insoles, or fillings, are paste-board. Thoheels
in many cases drop off in one hour’s wear!
The man who would furnish such shoes is as
soulless as the old shoo above referred to.”
[From tho Now York World.]
The Late Col. E. G. Ellsworth.
The news of the murder of Col. Elmer E.
Ellsworth, at Alexandria, is calculated to
create a feeling of intense sadness and indig
nation throughout the loyal States, and re
veals to us another phase of Southern treach
ery and fanaticism. In the death of Colonel
Ellsworth our volunteer army will lose one of
its most efficient and enthusiastic. officers in
the French school of light infantry tactics,
popularly known as the Zouave, drill. For
these duties ho manifested a skill and profi
ciency that amounted to a positive genius, and
augured a promising future ns a military lea
der. , ■ ;
_ Colonel Ellsworth was born nearMechan;cs
ville, in Saratoga county. Now York, April
23, 1837, and, was, therefore, at the time of
his death, only twenty-three years of age.. In
his early youth ho manifested strong milita
ry inclinations. Helived athome until twelve
or thirteen years of age, during which time
ho received a good common-school education.
Ho was always a close and diligent student.
On leaving home he went to Troy, and was
employed for tv number of years as clerk in a
store in that city. But the narrow limits of
the counter wore not sufficient for the develop
ment of his talents and ambition, and, leav
ing his business, he came to this city, where
he remainedabout two years. Some six years
ago he to Chicago, arriving there
penniless, an! without a profession or certain
means of support; but, by his industry, per
severance-, and energy, he soon achieved an
honorable position in that city.
The exciting exploits of the French Zouaves
at Sebastopol led him to investigate.this de-
of, drill,. 'Oetning to Abe’decision
that the Zouave tactics were the most efficient
yet studied; he sot tojyfyrk to organize jtLrßura
pany.f*S{ this bharndfS ■ in Chicago, by ‘the"
title ofthe Chicago Zouaves.” Forty or fifty
young nwn joineij the-company, and ho do
voteff himself assiduously to drilling them to
the highesa perfection in every branch of tac
tics. After a practice of about a year, a tour*
to the East was projected. They arrived in
this city on the 14th of July, 1860, .after a
triumphant progress through the AVc,stern
States. The novelty of their drill, their fan
tastic dress, the .precision of their evolutions,
attracted universal attention, not only from
military men, but from the general public.
The exhibition at the Academy of Music was
an immense success, and Colonel Ellsworth
became known all over the country as the or
iginator of the Zouave drill in the United
States. New Zouavp companies began to be
organized at most of the largo cities.
Colonel Ellsworth lately studied law with
Mr. ■ Lincoln, and was admitted to the bar
last spring. After Mr. Lincoln’s -election to
the Presidency, it was generally understood
that Colonel Ellsworth would bo attached to
his person. He accompanied the President
to Washington, and was one of the most
active and attentive members of the party. -
It was expected that ho would be. placed in
some important position in the War Depart
ment, but it is not probable that such a posi
tion would have been in accordance with his
desires. Immediately upon the outbreak of
the war he sought active service, and came
forward to New York and commenced the or-
.ganization of a Zouave Regiment from mem
bers of the Fire Department. The freedom
and dash of the Zouave drill exactly suited
the spirit of the firemen, and in an incredibly
short time a full regiment had been formed,
and was on its way to Washington. The re
giment has elicited universal admiration.
His parents arc still living at his native
place. His only brother died a year ago .last
spring. He had no sister. At the time of his
ucpsytuf? frpnj the city with his regiment,
his parents were stopping at the Astor House.
At. his last interview with them before ho
loft, his mother said;
“ I hope God will toko care of you, Elmer.”
“ He will take care of me, mother,” he. re
plied. 11 Ho has led mo in this work, and ho
will take core of me.”
. God has taken care of him and the culmi
nation his life could not have been more
glorious for himself or the cause for which
he died.
Col., Ellsworth was exceedingly beloved
wherever ho was intimately know. The im
pression was sometimes obtained by strangers
that there jsr as a degree of affectation in his
deportment, but those that knew him best were
his warmest and most devoted friends. At
Chicago and Rockford ho was a universal fa
vorite. President Lincoln entertained for him
a high personal regard.
It may not be amiss to mention at this time
that Col. Ellsworth has been engaged for the
last two years to Miss. Carrie Spafford, a young
lady of seventeen, the daughter of Charles
F. Spafford, a wealthy citizen of Rockford,
Illinois. Miss Spafford was recently a student
in the Carol! Institute, Brooklyn. The mar
riage would probably have taken place ore
this, but for the breaking out of the war.
The death of Col. Ellsworth will mark an
ora in the history of this war, and his name
will hereafter stand by the side of Warren and
others who fell among the first in the Revolu
tion in defence of their country. The assassin
who has deprived him of life has conferred
upon him immortality. The effect of his mur
der will bo to intensify the war feeling in the
North, and to furnish a battle cry in future
conflicts 1 -
In the city the news of his death was re
ceived with expressions of the most profound
sorrow. Most of the flags on public and pri
vate buildings, and on the vessels in the har
bor, were lowered at half-mast, in token of re
spect to his memory. A meeting of the Fund
Committee ,of his regiment was held yester
day afternoon, at [four o’clock, to take appro
priate measures in regard to his death.
Resignation of the Attorney General.
Wo find the annexed letter from Attorney-
General PurvlAnoe in the Harrisburg papers.
It ia laconic, terse, and to the, point. The
meaning of it ig just this, that the State Ad
ministration has become so infamously cor?
rypt, ihas no docent man can, for a moment,
give it countenance. We have been fold of
transactions committed by the Administration
and its faangers-bn that would put the prince
of darkness to the blush. Judge PuAviancE
is, wo believe, an honest man, and of course
cpuld not remain in an Administration which
ho knew to be corrupt and dishonest. We
last fall warned the people against voting for
Curtin, and predicted the very state of af
fairs wo now behold. We told them then
that, notwithstanding Curtin’s professions to
the contrary—notwithstanding the professions
of . Republican candidates for Assembly, and
the lying speeches of Republican orators
that the Tonnage Tax would be repealed;
that the million of dollars the Pennsylvania
Rail-Road then owed the State would be given
back to that corporation.; that the Sunbury
and Erie Railroad would again be permitted
to rob the State of a million or two, and that
corruption would govern the action ot Curtin
in the event of his election. Our allegations
were denied arid denounced hy those who
knew they were lying when they denounced
them. How far were wo from the truth when
we made our predictions Inst fall? But, we
confess wo were somewhat mistaken—wo never
dreariied of a corruption on the magnificent
scale it has assumed. But, to Judge Purvi
ance’s letter;
Attorney General’s Office, 1
Harrisburg, May 24, 1861. J
To Andrew G. Curtin,
Governor of Pennsylvania;
For reasons which appeal to my self-re
spect, I cannot consent to continue any longer
in connection with your administration.
I therefore lender you my resignation of
the office of Attorney General of the State.
Samuel A. Purviance..
The Danger of False Impressions,
We observe,.says the Harrisburg Union, that
some of the secession newspapers publish the
speech delivered by Wendell Phillips at the
commencement of this conflict, in'which he
advocates a dissolution of the Union and bit-
;erly opposes all measures for its preservation.
This is perfectly natural. ' The Abolitionists
of the North, of -whom Wendell Phillips is
one of the most illustrious lights, and the
Secessionists of tho South, have been laboring
for tho accomplishment of a common purpose
(the dissolution of the Union) during many
years. They have been playing into each:
other’s hands with mutual satisfaction.. Afr i
the South tho ravings of such monpmnnicas
| as. Phillips have been re-produped, and repre
sented as the prevalent sentimentofthq North
people; while at tho North the violent utter
ances of the disunion leaders were to a great
extent accepted as rcfiooting the general tem
per of Southern society. Whether the con
test in which the Government is now engaged
results in tho complete restoration of the Union,
as we all hope, or in final separation, as some
fear, when the war is over, and wo come to
review its causes calmly, it will not be difficult
1 to trace it to a mutual misunderstanding, pro
duced by parties desirous of bringing about a.
dissolution uf tlio ljnion.
O' Lieut.,-SiiEMsi.B, of Pennsylvania, the
gallent defender of Fort Pickens in the hour
of its greatest peril, has arrived at New York
his health and that of a portion of his com
mand, which shared all Ihd labors, dangers
and privations of the defence of that impor
tant post, requiring their removal to a more
healthy climate. He will doubtless witness
with no ordinary feelings of gratification, the
many, evidences which will greet his eye in
the North of the loyalty of our people, and
of the alacrity with whLh they have rushed
to arms to crush rebellion, and to defend the
American flag.
O” The reign of terror having been fairly
inaugurated in the rebel States, they are now
loudly crying for a dictator. The Richmond
Examiner would have a man clothed with
dictatorial functions, “ for the reason that us
urpation of power by the chief for the preser
vation of the people-front robbers and murder
ers will be reckoned as genius and patriotism
by all sensible men in the world now, and by
every historian that will judge the deed here
after.”
Hail Storm. —Reading,was visited by a ter
rific hail-storm on Saturday. This accounts
for the recent cold weather. The Rending
Daily Times, of Monday last, thus refers to
the storiii! ■
“On Saturday afternoon, at about 3} o
clock a thunder storm visited this section, the
like of which has not been witnessed for many
years. Hail stones as big as wfiJnuts, and
some even larger, fell in the streets and vi
cinity. In the Cemetery, a funeral being there
at the time; the .falling of the hail was so
sharp that the horses attached to the , omni
busses ran away, tearing down tomb stones,
railings, and upsetting the vehicles, and spil
ling out the occupants. Fortunately no one
was seriously hurt.
The stained glass in the north window of the
chapel bearing the names of the ” Apostles. ”
was complety demolished, as were also all the
windows facing the north. At half past seven
o'clock in the evening, Mr. Clemson informs
us, at least a bushel of could have been gath
ered near the gate.
One of the omnibusses was almost totally de
molished; the inmates, who wore all ladies,
escaped with slight injuries —one a sprained
ankle, and another a cut on the face. The
damages done in the city were not very great
though branches were torn from shrubbery
and flower stalks.
XIT The War is having some effect on the
flour and grain market. The demand for flour
has much increased of late for army supplies,
and prices are much firmer. The shipping
demand is considerable, though prices are fall
ing, off in the European markets whilo rising
hero. The Western granaries are beginning
to pour upon the East and on Europe the great
accumulation of last year’s produce. The
movement checked to the South is increased to
the East; and the largo Government wants will
bo easily supplied, leaving still a largo surplus
for shipment.
Cot,.' Fremont Coming Home. —A letter
from Paris says that Col. Fremont is about to
renounce his Mariposa negotiations and go
home to place himself at the service of his
government. He has been organizing, by
letter, an army among the dare-devil, Knife
and revolver boys of California, with which to
make a diversion into Texas, but if there is
not time to carry this project into execution,
be will take service at any paint Mr. Cam
eron may assign him.
THE WAV NEWS.
Actual Hostilities Commenced!
March of 10,000. Federal
Into Virginia |
Virginia Picket DrlveiJ l
Advance Gnardi
SEIZURE OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 1
Occupation of Alexandria by, the Federal
Troops.
Col. Ellsworth Assassinated while Pul
ling Down the Secession Flag!
THE ASSASSIN PUT TO DEATH!
Washington, Friday, May 24.
Washington has boon tho scone of stirring
events dunng tho last twenty-four hours.
Ton thousand troops took possession of Al
exandria last night.
Tho troops, before marching were all sup
plied with one day’s cooked rations, and an
ample amount of cartridges. Sherman’s bat
tery and that of the Ringgold Artillery, of
Reading, Pa., were along with the troops in
Virginia.
Col. Ellsworth, of the Zouaves, was killed
while lowering tho secession flag.
The concealed assassin was immediately
riddled by fifty bullets.
Tho troops at Alexandria are being rein
forced by from five to ten thousand more
troops to-day.
It is reported that as the Virginia troops
retreated from Alexandria, one of them was
killed by a return shot from the Federal
forces. There is a prospect of capturing the
fugitives. ’
The movements of the troops wore con
ducted with the best possible order. .
The. news of the , death of Col. Ellsworth
was not generally known throughout Wash
ington until ton o’clock this morning.
The excitement was intense, especially
among the military, who expressed the great
est impatience and a desire to be sent over to
Virginia.
From a spy-glass view of Alexandria, the
Stars and Stripes are seen prominently flying
from various quarters.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Washington, May. 24.
Yesterday the Federal military authorities
determined to..make an advance from Washing
ton city.
Accordingly orders were issued to such of
the troops as were to move. The New York
1 Regiment of Fire Zouaves, under Colonel
Ellsworth, was embarked in boats, and ar
rived first at Alexandria, at about two o’clock
this morning.
They were received with, a volley of mus
ketry from the wharf, as their boats approach
ed, but no one was injured. Having landed,
they proceeded to take complete possession of
the town, raising the stars and stripes, and
pulling down the secession flags.
Abuut four o'clock, as Col. Ellsworth was
coming down stairs in the. Marshall House,
bearing on his shoulders a rebel flag that he
had pulled down, he was shot,.by Jackson,
the proprietor of the hotel, and expired in
stantly. Jacksoii was immediately killed by
some priva® of the Zouaves. J
. Although there wore numerous reports of
others having been killed, Ellsworth’s and
Jackson’s were the only cases of loss of life,
while no one was wounded. The death of
Ellsworth has created a general feeling of
gloom in Washington where ho has been well
known and. prominently before fhe : public
ever since the Ist of March. . He was small
in stature, and apparently not more than
twenty-five years of age. .
To-day numerous flags arc hung at half
mast, out of respect to his memory. His re
mains are laid but at the .Navy Yard, with
the American colors over them, and the rebel
flag that ho captured at his feet. A disposi
tion to take terrible revenge prevails among
the Zouaves. Some of them, and of. the Other
troops are earnestly desirous to lay Alexan
dria in ashes before nightfall.
LATER—A REBEL CAVALRY COMPA
NY CAPTURED.
Washington, May 24. The Michigan
Regiment captured a company of rebel caval
ry just outside of Alexandria, a little before
dayligh’fthis morning.
The people in the town wore almost scared
to death by thoarrrival of the Federal troops,
anticipating all kinds of horrors. 1
A SENTINEL CARRIED OFF FROM
CHAMBERSBURG.
CiiAUBEBsnuRG, May 24—Tho officers who
recently made a reconnoisanco as far ns Har
per's Ferry, report that they learned there
that a sentinel had been captured by means
caviat, about a week before, from the
camp here, and was carried to Harper’s Fer
ry. There ho had been hung up twice,To
force him to impart information to the rebels,
with what success was not known.
It is certain that a sentinel was missed, and
supposed to have deserted, and this informa
tion convinced the officers that tho suspicion
was unjust.
Conference of Governors—Review of Troops,
dec., dec. >
Indianapolis, May 25,
Gov. Yates, of Illinois, and Senator Trum
bull arrived here yesterday.
Tho three Governors, Dennison, of Ohio,
YaioC, of lllin'df?;. and Morton, of Indiana,
had a long conference yesterday, the result of
which has not been niade public. .
Gen. MeLollan and the Governors reviewed
five regiments of U,' S. troops and. two regi
ments of State troops. Gen, MoLellnn ex
pressed surprise at tho proficiency of tho
troops, and was highly gratified at their ad
vancement.
Gov. Morton hns appointed lion. William
Gutnbaok Colonel of the 13th .regiment.
From Alexandria.
■Martial Late Proclaimed—The Pickets Fired
on—Return Home of the Seventh New York
Regiment—Removal of the Body of Jackson
—Sergeant Builerworth, of the New York
Zouaves, Shot by a Sentinel.
Baltimore, May 20.—Tho following is a
special despatch tb tho Baltimore American i
Alexandria, May 26.
* Wilcox, the commandant hero, hns
issupd a proclamation instituting strict mar
tial law. Capt. Whittlesey, of tho Michigan
regiment, is appointed Provost Marshal; and’
company H, of that rogimont, selected as city
police. The citizens are assured that they
will be protected in their persons, property
and slaves. All public property will bo re
spected, unless the Federal forces are attack
ed. Tho citizens are prohibited from ontor
mg or leaving the city without a written pass-
All outrages or oxcossess by the Federal sol
di"? will bo promptly punished, if reported.
■ , The pickets of the U. S. forces were last
night fired upon, and tho troops called to arms
m consequence, but nobody was huff. ’
The Seventh New York Regiment will re
turn home, it is reported, on Wednesday.
Strong and extensive entrenchments are
being erected by tho U. S. forces on tho Vir
ginia heights, which entirely command tho
approaches to Alexandria.
Tho city is quiet to-day.
boay of Jackson, the assassin of 001.
illsworth. has been taken to Fairfax county
for burial. All the funiture hns been re
moved from tho Marshall House, and it ia
now in the possession of the United States
troops. :
The Marshall House is tho hotel in which
Gen. AVashington stopped, ahd Col. Ellsworth
was shot near the door of the chamber that
Wnshingtpn occupied. •
Sergeant 'Lutterworth, of the Now York
Zouaves, wap shot last night by Mike O’Neal
of the same corps. Who was_ acting as sentry,
and receiving no reply to his challenge, fired
and instantly killed the former, Bntterworth,
unfortunately, was a stutterer, and his failing
to answer was caused by this infirmity.
Troops
In by llie
DIRECT FROM FORTRESS MONROE*
Arrival of Troops—Six Thousand Men in arid
Near Forrtess Monroe—Capture of a Prize
—Three Fugitive ■ Slaves Brought in~The
Rebel Commander Demands their Rendition
—The Fugitives Considered Contraband of
War —Supposed Destritciion of the Hamp .
ion Bridge,
Fortress Monroe, May 25.—There are now
about 6,000 men within or under tho walls of
the Fortress.
The steamer Quaker City came up, with a.
rich prize this morning, the bark Winifred,
of Richmond, from Rio, ladon with coffee.
General Butler, accompanied'by Acting-
Adjutant General Talmago and his aids, made
a dashing reconnoissance, several miles be
tween the James and York rivers. The pick
et guard of tho Rebels fled on their ap
proach.
Throe fugitives, the property of Col. Mallo
ry, commander of tho rebel forces near Hamp
ton, were brought in by oiir. picket guard
yesterday. They represent that they were
about to bo sent South, and hence sought
protection. Major Cary came in with a flag;
of truce, and claimed their rendition under
tho fugitive slave law, but was informed by
General Butler that under the peculiar oir-’
cumstances ho considered tho fugitives con
traband of war, and had set them, to work in-'
side of the fortress. Colonel Mallory was'
politely informed that so soon as ho should
visit the fortress, and take a solemn' oath to
obey the laws of the United States, his prop
erty would bo promptly restored. ....
Another party came in this morning under
a flag of truce, but with no better success.
■On their return it .is supposed that they set
fire to the Hampton bridge, as an immense .
volume of smoke was seen in that direction.
ALARM AT ALEXANDRIA,
Washington, May 25.—At two o’clock this
afternoon, the city was greatly agitated by
the hurrying of the Massachusetts and other
troops to their quarters, for a hasty advance
toward Alexandria, where it was understood
a fight was in progress. Three guns were
fired, being the signal for all the troops hero
to got under arms.
Gen. Mansfield and staff led the advancing
troops from Washington.
The report of cannon was distinctly heard
from the arsenal wharf, and dense clouds of
smoko were seen from the housetops. It was
soon after ascertained that the battle;
hiont, skirmish; or whatever it might bo, was
located, not in Alexandria, as was at first
supposed, but three miles this side of that
city, in a south-westerly direction, somewhere
in thmvicinity of Arlington.
This evening some of the troops who so
hastily crossed the river returned to the city
disappointed in their expectation of meeting
the enemy. The proceedings, however, dem
onstrate the facility and expedition with which
forces can be thrown into Virginia.
From Washington.
The, New Jersey liegxments Throwing rip
, Earth worths near Long Bridge—Jrogress
of Defensive Preparations—A Regiment on
Arlington Heights—Arrival of Berrien’s
Battery— Capture q/'.'JIOOfIOO Dollars Worth
of Railroad Iron — Gen. Cadwalladcr not
~ .Superseded, ■ .i *, • .
Washington May 27.—A messenger who
has just arrived from the Virginia nulo, ro-.
ports that the First, Second, Third and Fourth 1
regiments of .New Jersey are still occupied in 1
throwing up earthworks a mile beyond Long,
Bridge. Other works are to bo commenced’
forthwith, so as to, effectually defend Wash- '
ington.
The Eighth New York Regiment are on
Arlington Heights, with Berrien’s battery.
, .The Sixty-ninth New York Regiment am
still engaged on the works about a mile and
a half from Georgetown; When these nro'
completed, entrenchments and breastworks
will be extended further into Virginia.
, Capt. Berrien, with 135 men and six field
pieces, arrived in n special train from Anna
polis early this morning.
The mails for the South nindo up hero on
and prior the Ist of Juno will, if possible. Vo
got to their destination via the west.. Tl.o
mail.service will be kept up between Wash
ington and Alexandria.
The Treasury Department, immediately
after opening the_ proposals on Saturday,
commenced informing the successful bidders
of tho result. Tho Secretary accepted all for
bonds placed at 85 and upwards, and award
ed the remainder to bidders for treasury notes
V nr- . They wore awarded in bonds
$5,753,000; m treasury motes, $2,241,000.
The Secessionists had stored at Alexandria
a large quantity of railroad iron, which' was
captured by the U. S, troops. It is valued at
$lOO,OOO, and will be confiscated and applied
to the service of tho country.-
The statement published in the New York
papers, that. General Cadwalader has beeni
superseded in his command at Baltimore by
Mr. Cooper, formerly United States Senator
from Pennsylvania, is not correct. Gen. Cad
walador may be assigned to another command,
but Mr. Cooper is not yet major general, al
though at present one of tho colonels of tho
Maryland regiment.
IMPORTANT FROM CHAMBERSBURG.
The Troops at Harper's Ferry falling lack to
Bplivar—Hunierous Desertions—A new Road
being made.
ClUMnEiifnuna, May, 27.—Tho Virginia
troops opposite Williamsport have been re
duced to 400.
Scarcely a night pasoes that heavy deser
tions do hot occur. _ ,
A strict guard is still maintained on both
sides of tho river,
Tho troops at Harper’s Ferry htt v o fallen
from the town proper, to Bolivar, a suburb'
About sixty negroes are engaged in msk'nf?
a road up the mountain, on tho Maryland ainC;
to accelerate the passage of troop? nnd heftvy
field-pieces.
The Mail Service at the South.—John
H. Reagan, Postmaster General of tho southi
ern confederacy, hns issued a proclamation
suspending and prohibiting tho operationsof
the Post office Department of tho United States
within the limits of the Confederate States,
after tho thirty-first day of the present month,.
All postmasters, route agents, and special'
agents now acting under tho authority of tho
United States are directed, on and after the*
first day of Juno, to continue in tho discharge’
of thoirduties, subject to tho laws and regula--
tions of the new confederacy, to ’ which they
are required to apply for now commissions,
Postmasters are forhidon to collect postage on
mail matter sent to or received froni the United
States until a postal treaty shall bo made by
this government with the Southern confederacy
and, until postage stamps and stamped en
velopes are furnished, all mail matter is re
quired to be pqid for in money. The postage
on single.letters carried'within-live hundred
miles, is to bg'A.bts, -and. ex**'
seeding thfoi 10 cents.,.