Whole No, 2647.
i EDITOR'S NOTICE.—The undersigned,
\ appointed auditor by the court of Com'
n Fleas of Mifflin county, to distribute the
fiance in the hands of Sheriff Stanbargcr,
from the sale of the Ileal Estat- of
Thomas Ileed, will attend to the duties of his
g pplintment, at bis office, in Lewistown. on
TL'ESUAT the 4th day of March, 1862, at
jo o'idock A. M., when and where all per
, ns having claims are required to present
them or be debarred from coming in for a
share of said fund. J. W. SIIAW,
J 41129-41 Auditor.
4I 91 TOR'S NO I ICE.— The undersigned,
-* appointed Auditor by the Orphans' Court
f Mifflin county, to make distribution of the
l aiance, kc., in hands of John Kerns, Admr.
Elia< Huaimil. late of Decatur township, Mif
jia county, deceased, will attend to the du
tics uf his appointment, at his office, in Lew
it >wn. on THURSDAY, March 13, 1862, at
10 o'clock a. m., when and where all persons
having claims are requested to present them,
r he debarred from coming in fur a share of
mil fund. V. HOOVER,
febl'2—U Auditor.
Mate of Jacob Linthurst, deceased.
N'OTICE is hereby given that letters tes
tameotary on the estate of JACOB LIN
THI RST, 1 at* of Armagh township, Mifflin
count)', deceased, have been granted to the
nude.signed, residing in said township. All
persons indebted to said estate are requested
: make immediate payment, and those hav
ing claims to present them duly authenticated
fir settlement.
MARY ANN LINTHUIIST,
fjl ih-Gt Executrix.
Instate of Keuben Myers, deceased.
ICE is hereby given that letters te
tamentary on the estate of REUBEN
MYERS, late of Granville township, Mifflin
■,uiity, deceased, have been granted to the
Icrsigned, residing in Oliver township. All
:-rsjns indebted to said estate are requested
; make immediate payment, and those hav
; claims to present thein duly authenticated
:: settlement.
m 15-61 ABRAHAM MYERS, Ex'r.
INTO TX CES!
VLL pers >ns knowing themselves indebted
tn the late firm of KENNEDY <& JUN
KIN. bv Note or Book Account, will please
cull on or before
April Ist, 18(3:2,
arid settle the same. By so doing
COSTS WILL BE SAVED,
m after that time the accounts will bo left in
kite hands of an Attorney for collection.
R. 11. JUNK IN,
Surviving Partner of the lata firm of
KEVNEOT & JCNKIN.
Liwiit iwn, December 18, 1861.
PATENT
COAL OIL GREASE,
r pfflS Grease is made from COAL OIL, j
44 and has been found by repeated tests j
to be the most economical, and at the
same time the best lubricator for Mill :
;nng, Stages, Wagons, Carts, Carriages, j
•' *iiick-s of all kinds, and all heavy bearings, j
- ring the axles always cool, and not requir i
i them to be looked after for weeks. It has
Ten tested on railroad cars, and with one |
1 uuig if the waste it has run, with the ears,
'I miles! All railroad, omnibus, livery
• 1 and Express companies that have tried j
renounce it the neplus ultra.
i* combines the body and fluidity of tallow,
H'swax and tar, and unlike general lubrioa
• r 4 . will not run off, it being warranted to
ttand any temperature.
i have it in boxes 2.J to 10 lbs. Also kegs
'■ ■ 1 barrels lmm 30 to 400 lbs, for general
" and sale. The boxes are more prcfera
G.ey are 6 incite© in diameter by 2J inches
■■-•p. and hold 2$ lbs net; the boxes are clean,
• i lurdly a carman, teamster, expressman,
* -I ir trial. F. G. FRANCISCUS.
U-wist iwn, February 12, 1862.
a A. 3FL C3r A. 11ST S !
DRY SOODS AT COST.
j IE. undersigned, being about to close out
t h's choice and ivell assorted stock
Goods on hand, invites attention of per
• :n denimus of purchasing to the advantages
' us h„ irded in these times, when economy
'". m °* a necessity, as well as a duty. The
"tire stock uf
1 >l 'y Goods & Queensware
4 nerefure for sale at cost and carriage, of-
i :u * inducements which arc nowhere else
•tkred.
Hie stock embraces Cloths, Casaimercs,
"iings for Uent'cuien's wear, Silk, Woollen
a i Cotton Goods for Ladies' wear.
has Muslins, Gloves, Hosiery, Trim
E " and a great variety of other articles
••••wly kept for sale.
. aalo any ane desiring to go into the bu
at a well estab'ished stand, with a per
substantial class of patrons, he
dispose of tho entire stock, at a price
upon terms that would prove an object.
: > better opportunity for a safe and paying
"Hestiaent can be found.
<. . . K. 11. JUN KIN,
-urviving Partner of Kennedy & Junkin.
Lewistown, Jan. 15, 1862.
AMBROTYPES
AND
The Gem? of the Season.
I ■** ' 8 no humbug, but a practical truth.
J- !he pictures taken by Mr. Burkholder
rp r " na "-p a ßsed for BOLDNESS. TRUTH-
BEAUTY OF FINISH, and
♦A*/ABILITY. Prices varying according
Rue and quality of frames and Cases.
Loom over the Express Office.
Uowistown, August 23, 1860.
gmgsrffifiiß 4M) ggßaasaißss ir tramaajiiHHßj 2Mtwiissf®wsj 9 anßHHmsr caws®®-^
THE MINITHEL.
THE ANGELS TOI.D ME SO.
BV E.-.V. SIDSEV I>T Kit.
Tho' thyy may lv beneath the arouad.
The form of All© dear,
1 know his spirit hover* round
And tninglos with u* here :
llis home may be in heaven above—
TVt oft to us boloir.
He will return to breathe his love,
The Angels told m© BO!
His form reposed upon the tier.
In sweet cherubic rest,
\l hen others cam© to shed the tear,
And case the aching breast.
Out \\ lllie filt nc> throbbing pain,
As he repeats "I know
Iear Alle will come back again,
The Angels told me so !"
And as he gazed his eves grew bright,
And joy o erspread his brow,
W'liilc he exclaims in rapt delight:
" Oh " there is Alle now
I k vew he would return to see
1 hose he so loved below,
And bo a brother s'ill to ir.e.
The angels told ms so !"
Edited br A. SMITH, County Superintendent.
For the Educational Column.
Home ia Schools.
Tho descriptions of old time schools and
teachers, to which I am often treated, sug
gest tho query : llow much like home
should a school be? The question is also
prompted by tho painful evidences, so abun
dant in many schools, that the teacher is
uot regarded as a friend, but as a master;
while the teacher, in turn, looks upon the
pupils as so many wild birds, to be caged
and tended as easily as possible. The nat
ural consequence is, that the school is no
place of delight to either teacher or pupils;
both go thither reluctantly, and when the
hour for dismissal comes, both rejoice as if
i great burden were removed. In such a
school there is no enthusiasm on the part
of the teacher, no kindling joy at sight of
developing faculties, increasing intelligence
and enlarging thoughts; no exaltation as
scholars, through patient effort which he
has encouraged and rendered pleasant,
overcome some obstacle and experience a
thrill of satisfaction in the glad conscious
ncss of victory; no calling forth of the
pure affections, no winning of the frank
confidence, no inspiring of the noble am
bition, of those who are at once his pupils
and his trusty friends. And on tlie part
ol the scholars, iLero is not that longing
for knowledge which a wise and sympath
etic teacher seeks to awaken ; there is no
sufficient incentive to manliness of conduct
and excellence of character; no growth in
generous thoughts, in unselfish purposes,
in desires to be helpful to mankind; no
feeling that the teacher ia a f.iend, to
whom a truuble may be communicated, by
whom a sorrow* will be sympathetically
shared.
Such a school fails in a most important
respect to accomplish the highest anil best
objects of a school, —to develop the devel
op the affections, the moral sentiments, the :
social virtues, of scholars. It is squarely
opposed to the homelike school, which i
seems not only more attractive to children, j
but also tar more likely to secure their well- J
being.
My idea is, that in ail essential respects
the school shall be like a good home ; that
the order, the government, the incitements
to diligence and correct deportment, the
restraints upon indolence and mischief, the
whole social atmosphere, and the entire
moral influence of the school shall be in
spirit such as a judicious parent would seek
to have prevail in the home of his children.
Respect tor the authority of a teacher
should be filial, not servile; the children
should feel that their teacher is not a ty
rant to oppress and render them wretched,
but an older brother to aid and encourage
them. It is eminently fitting that teachers
manifest for their pupils that tenderness
which mothers feel, and that wise and af
fectionate interest which all good fathers
possess.
I do not mean that teachers shall indulge
in any weakly sentimentality towards their
pupils, but that they shall strive to realize
how important it is that all their conduct
be noble, unaffected, such as will attract
the respect, and win the confidence, and
elevate the character, of their scholars, —
while at the same time the intellectual dis
cipline of the school shall be rigid and
persevering. Some teachers act as if they
feared to let their pupils know that they
are made of common clay, possessed of
common human iutcrests and affections. —
They seem so imagine that such knowledge
would destroy their authority and perhaps
impair their dignity. But this is all a
mistake; children are too keen to be duped
by straws, and their respect and affection
for a teacher correspond to his intelligence,
excellence and sympathy.
All those who by happy experience know
what a blessing a good home is, will eager
ly admit that it would be very desirable to
have the school as like it as possible; and
for those whose "lines" have not fallen "in
pleasant places," who know only by pain
ful contrast how dear a good home is, how
greatly welcome would be a school whose
atmosphere should be like that of such a
home! S.
CIANDIES. —A full assortment at very low
) prieei to dealers, at HOFFMAN'S.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1862,
aHBEEMIEOni.
Speech of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens on
the Treasury Note Bill.
The power to euiit bills of credit and
make them n legal tender is nowhere ex
pressly given in the Constitution ; but it is
known that but few of the acts which Gov
ernment can perform are specified in that j
instrument. It would require a volume ;
larger than the Pandects of Justinian or !
the Code of Napoleon to make such enu
meration, whereas oqr Constitution has but
a few pages. Hut everything necessary to
carry out the granted powers of the Gov
ernment is not only applied but expressly
given to Congress. If nothing could be
done by Congress except what is enumera
ted in the Constitution, the Government
could not live a week.
The States are prohibited from making j
anything but 'gold and silver coin a te..der
in the payment of debts;' but such prohi- :
bition dues not extend to Congress. The !
Constitution is silent as to the power of'
Congress over the subject. The whole
question of the right to emit bills of credit
by Congress was considered in the conven
tion that framed the Constitution. It was
reported as part of the power to 4 borrow j
money.' It was objected to as tending to ,
make paper a currency with legal tender,
and i. motion was made to strike it out and
insert an express prohibition. That was j
resisted, because, as Mr. Mason said, 4 it ;
could not be furseen what the necessities
of the Government might at some time re
quire.' 4 The late war,' he said, 'could not \
have been carried on had such prohibition j
existed. It was finally agreed to strike !
out the express power, and not to insert i
the prohibition, leaving it to the exigen- j
cies of the times to determine its necessity. J
The right to emit hills of credit, which the I
convention expressly refused to grant as a
substantive power, has lor fifty years, bv ;
the common consent of the nation, been !
practiced, and is now conceded by every j
opponent of this bill. With wha't grace j
can the concomitant power to make them a j
legal tender he objected to ? The Su ;
preiue Court have settled certain principles ;
with regard to the power of Congress over !
measures not expressly numerated in the ;
Constitution. The principle is, that where •
anything is necessary to carry into effect j
the granted pqwer it is constitutional. The j
eighth sec .ion of the first article of the !
Constitution gives Congress power—
"To make all laws which may be
sa:y and proper to carry into execution the j
foregoing powers, and all other powers vested I
l>y this Constitution in the United States or |
in any department or office thereof."
The Constitution nowhere gives Con- ;
greas power to create corporations or to es
tablish a bank of the. United .States. Hut
as Congress had power to regulate com
merce and to regulate the value of coin,
and it deemed the establishment of a bank j
necessary to effectuate those powers, the !
Supreme Court pronounced it constitution- |
al. In short, whenever any law is neces- |
sory and proper to carry into execution any
delegated power, such law is valid. That j
necessity need :.ot be absolute, inevitable
and overwhelming—if it be useful, expe j
dicnt. profitable, the necessity is within the
constitutional meaning. Whether such
necessity exists is solely for the de- j
cision of Congress. Their judgment is i
absolute and conclusive. If Congress i
should decide this measure to be necessary
to a granted power, no department of the i
Government could rejudge it. The Su
preme Court might think the judgment
of Congress erroneous, but they could not
review it. Now it is for Congress to de
termine whether this bill is necessary 4 to
raise and support armies and navies, to
borrow money, and provide for the gener
al welfare/ They are all granted powers.
It is for those who think that it is not ";ie
ccssary, useful , proper,' to propose some
better means, and vote against this; if a
majority think otherwise, its constitution
ality is established.
If constitutional, is it expedient? It is
objected by the gentleman from Ohio that
the legal tender clause would depreciate
the notes. All admit the necessity of the
issue. Hut some object to their being made
money. It is not easy to perceive how notes
issued without being made immediately
payable in specie can be made any worse
by making them a legal tender. And yet
that is the whole argument so far as expe
diency is concerned. Other gentlemen
argued that this would impair contracts by
making a debt payable in other money than
that which existed at the time of the con
tract, and which would be so unconstitu
tional. Where do gentlemen find any pro
hibition on Congress against passing laws
impairing contracts? There is noue,
though it would be unjust to do it. But
this impairs no contract. All contracts
are made not only with a view to present
laws, but subject to the future legation of
the country. We have more than once
j changed the value of coin. Neither our
j gold or silver coin is as valuable as it was
, fifty years ago. Congress in 1853, I be
j lievc, regulated the weight and value of
silver. They debased it over seven per
1 cent, and made it a legal tender. Who
! ever pretended that that was unconstitu
tional ? The gentleman from Vermont
1 [Mr. Morrill] and Ohio [Mr. Pendlelon]
think it an ex post facto law. It is not
wonderful that my distinguished colleague,
not being a professional lawyer, should not
be aware that the cx post facto laws pro
hibited by the Constitution refer onlv to
crimes and misdemeanors, and not to civil.
The gentleman from Ohio no doubt knew
but forgot it.
It is said that this will inflate the cur
rency and thus raise the price of commod
ities and stimulate speculation. llow do
gentlemen expect that using the saiac
amount of notes without legal tender, to
carry cn the war, except that the one would
be below par and .'the other at par. No
instance can be given of a currency not
redeemable on demand in gold that did not
immediately depreciate. Hut if a legal
tender, and not a redundancy of it emitted,
it will be par. I fear gentlemen have not
well consulted standard writers on this sub
ject, but have substituted their own fancy
and wild declamation.
Topogra hy of the North Carolina
Coast-
North Carolina has no very populous
towns. Raleigh, the Capital ol the State,
has a population of 5,000; Newborn, form
erly the capital, 5,000; Wilmington, [in the
extreme southern point of the State, and
its largest town,) 9,000; Fayctteville, 5,000
Beaufort, 2,000; Goldsboro' 1,000; Weld
on, 1,000; and there are many other small
towns scattered throughout the State, ran
ging from 1,000 to 3,000 inhabitants.—
Hy the last census, the population of the
State was 001,580 freemen, and 331,081
slaves. These, free and slave, are nearly
all native born, only two or three thousand
Europeans having taken up their residence
there.
The topography of North Carolina is re- !
markable. The State lias an extensive
coast-line, which, commencing at Little
River Inlet, on the borders of South Caro
lina, runs nearly northeast to Cape Look
out, thence in the same general direction
to Cape Hatteras, and thence north to the
Virginia line, a distanoe of nearly 400
miles. Along the whole length of the
coast are sandy, barren, desert islands and
bars, ranging from a half mile to two miles
in width, traversed by numerous inlets,
which, with few exceptions, are not navi
gable, from these islands shoals extend
tar into the sea, which render the naviga
tion of this coast exceedingly dangerous.
Cape Hatteras forms the headland of the
dangerous triangular island-beach which I
separates Pamlico Sound from the ocean. !
The perilous navigation in the vicinity of !
Capes Fear and Lookout is sufficiently in- !
dicated by the names of those points. In !
the eastern part of the £tate, above Cape <
Lookout, are the two extensive Sounds, j
l'nmlico and Albemarle, and one of lesser '
niaguitude, Currituck, which are cut off ;
from the ocean by the island or sand bank
before referred to. Pamlico Sound, which
is the most southerly, extends from south- !
west to northwest eighty six miles, and is
from ten to twenty miles in width, with a !
depth of twenty feet, and terminates west- j
wardly ir. the wide bays of the N'euse and ;
Pamlico rivers. There are a number of
shoals within this sound. On the north it
cunnects with Albemarle and Currituck
Sounds. Albemarle is sixty miles in
length, aud from four to fifteen broad ; ex- |
tends west into the mainland, and is not !
connected with the ocean except through
Pamlico Sound. Its waters are nearly
fresh, and not affected by the tides. It i
sends off a number of branches or little !
bays on either side which extend from ten
to fifteen miles inland. In the strait which
connects Pamlico with Albemarle Souud is
situated Roanoke Island, the scene of the
late engagement. It is about forty miles
north of Hatteras Inlet, and the waters
on cither side of it are designated as Roan
oke and Croatem Sounds. On the narrow
strip of sand to the east, between Roanoke
bound and the Atlantic Ocean, is a point
called Nag's Head, where a force of rebels
has for some time been stationed. Roan
oke bound is not navigable by vessels of
large she ; but Croatem Sound is about
miles broad, and navigable by the
hwviest ships of the Rurnside Expedition.
Roanoke Island wa3 strongly fortified by
the rebels. It is the key to Albemarle
bound and its vicinity, and the main posi
tion for the defence of Norfolk against ap
proaches from the other important railroad
points in North Carolina. The other sound
Currituck, is from two to ten miles wide,
and runs parallel with the coast, from which
it is cut off by narrow sand islands. It con
nects with the ocean only through Pamlico
Sound.
1 lie seacoast of North Carolina, from fif
ty to eighty miles inland, including the
turpentine region, is level, and abounds in
swamps and marshes; the streams are slug
gish and muddy, and the land sandy and
barren, except along the banks of the
streams, where it is very fertile, producing
cotton, tobacco, and maize; but the inter
vening country chiefly consists of pine bar
rens, valuable only for the turpentine yield
ed so abundantly by the pine forests.
I he 'rreat Dismal Swamp extends north
from Albemarle Sound into Virginia, area
150,000 acres. From the Pasquatank riv
er, through a great part of it, there lias
been a canal cut, which connects Norfolk
with the North Carolina sounds. Retween
Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds is Alliga
tor or Little Dismal Swamp, which is near-
ly as large as the other, and farther south
are other swamps, similar in character.
Ad wincing farther into the interior of
the State, however, the aspect of the coun
try is quite changed. At a distance of six
ty or seventy miles from the coast, the land
begins to rise with small hills, stones ap
pear on the surface, and the streams ripple
in their course. A little farther westward,
there is all the variety of hills and dales
which denote a fertile country fit for culti
vation. West of the pitch-pine region,
where we reach the falls of the streams, the
soil improves, producing al! the small grains
in abundance. Still further west uan el
evated region the Allegheny Mountains
traverse the Stale from northeast to south
west, reaching here their greatest attitude.
The people in this section arc simple, peace
ful, and honest, and there is here a great
deal of warm loyalty to the Union. They
are very similar in character to the nioun
taineers of East Tennessee. There are but
lew slaves here, and there has been an ac
tive anti-slavery element from time im
memorial.
Roanoke Island
The island is about seven miles long and
three broad, and lias good natural defences.
On both the island itself, at Nig's llead,
and on the mainland, the rebels had thrown
up strong fortifications and planted batter
ies. According to information furnished,
there were five different fortifications and
an entreaehed camp in the centre. The
garrison, some time ago, consisted of 5,000
troops, under command of Major General
Hill, ol North Carolina, with Governor
Wise acting as his brigadier and general
fastctum. On the maiulaud opposite, the
works were extensive, provided with heavy
ordnance and well manned. Altogether,
Roanoke Island was a pretty formidable
position.
The Battle of Fort Henry,
j
Report of Commander Foote, United
States Navy, of the Capture of Fort
Henry.
CAIUO, 111., Feb. 7.—Slit: I hare the
honor to report that, on the Gth inst., at
12J o'clock p. m., I made an attack on Fort j
Henry, on the Tennessee river, with the
ironclad gunboats Cincinnati, Commander j
Stemble; the flag ship Essex, Commander
Porter, Carondelet, Commander Walker; |
and St. Louia, Lieut. Corn. Paulding; also,
taking with me the three old gunboats Con- j
estoga, Lieut. Com. Phelps; the Tyler,
Lieut. Com. Given; and the Lexington,!
Lieut. Com. Shirk, as a seeoud division, iu |
charge of Lieut. Com. Phelps, which took ;
position astern, aud in shore of the armed
boats, duing good execution there during
the action, while the armeu boats were pla
ced in the first order ol steaming, approach
ing the fort in a parallel.
The fire was opened at seventeen hun
dred yards' distance from the flag-ship,
which was followed by the other gunboats,
and responded to by the fort. As ',vc ap
proached the fort under slow steaming, till !
we reached within six hundred yards of
the rebel batteries, the fire, both lrom the j
gunboats and fort, increased in rapidity and
accuracy of range. At twenty minutes be- j
fore the icbel flag was struck, the Essex
unfortunately received ashotiu her boilers, j
which resulted in wounding, by scalding, 1
of twenty-nine officer# and men, including
Com. Porter, as will be seen by the enclos
ed list of casualties. The Essex then ne
cessarily dropped out of line astern, entire- 1
ly disabled and unable to continue the fight
in which she had so gallantly participated !
until the sad catastrophe. The tiring con
tinucd with unabated rapidity and effect
upon the three gunboats, as they continued
still to approach the fort with their destruc
tive fire, until the rebel flag was hauled
down, after a very severe and closely con
tested action of one hour and fifteen inin- I
utes. A boat containing the Adjutant Gen- '
eral and Captain of Engineers came along
side after the flag was lowered, and report
ed that Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, the comman
der of the fort, wished to communicate
with the flag officer, when I despatched
Com. Stembel and Lieut. Com. Phelps,
with orders to hoist the American flag
where the Secession ensign had been flying,
and to inform Gen. Tilghman that I would
see him on board the flag ship. He came
on board soon after the Union had been
substituted for the Rebel flag, by Com.
Stcmbel on the fort, and possession taken.
J. received the General, his staff, and six
ty er seventy men as prisoners, and a hos
pital ship containing sixty invalids, togeth
er with the fort and its effects, mounting
twenty guns, mostly of heavy calibre, with
barracks and tents capable of accommoda
ting fifteen thousand men, and sundry ar
ticles, of which, as I turned the fort and
its effects over to Gen. Grant, commanding
the army, on his arrival in an hour after
we had made the capture, he will be ena
bled to give the Government a more cor
rect statement than I am enabled to com
municate from the short time I had posses
sion of the fort. The plan of the attack,
so far as the army reaching the rear of ths
■ fort to make a demonstration simultaneous
ly with the navy, was prevented by the ex
' cessively muddy roads and high stage of
water retarding the arrival of our troops
! until some time after I had takou posses
| sion of the fort.
On securing the prisoners, ami niakinu
New Series—Yel. XVI, No. 16,
necessary preliminary arrangements, I do
.-patched Lieut. Corn. Phelps, with liis di
vision, up the Tennessee river, as I had
previously directed, and, as will be seen m
inclosed order to him, to remove the rails,
and so render the bridge incapable of rail
road transportion and communication be
tween Howling Green and Columbus, and
afterwards to pursue the rebel gunboats synd
secure their capture if possible. This be
ing accomplished, and the army in posses
sion QT the fort, and my services being iu
dispenssble at Cairo, 1 left Fort Henry in
the evening of the same day, with the
Cincinnati and St. Louis, and arrived hero
this morning.
The armed gunboats registered effectually
the shot of the enemy, when striking the
casement.
The Cincinnati, flag ship, received thirty
one shots; the Essex, fifteen; the St Louis,
seven; and the Carondelet, six—killing one
•>nd wounding nine in the Cincinnati, aud
killing one in the Essex, while with the
casualties in the latter from steam amounted
to twenty-eight in number. The Caronde
let and St. Louis met with no casualties.
The steamers were admirably handled
their commanders and officers, presenting
only their bow guns to the enemy, to avoid
exposure to the vulnerable parts of their
vessels.
Lieut. Com. Phelps, with his division,
also executed my orders very effectually,
Slid promptly proceeded up the river in their;
further execution after the capture of the
fort. In fact, all the officers and men gal
lantly performed their duty, and, consiuei
ing the little experience they have had un
der fire, far more than realized my expec
tations.
Fort Henry was defended with the most
determined gallantry by Geu. Tilgliuian,
worthy of a better cause, who, from his own
account, went into action with eleven guns,
of heavy calibre, bearing upon our boats,
which he fought until seven of the number
were dismounted or otherwise rendered use-,
less.
Very respectfully, your ob't scrv't,
A. 11. FOOTK, Flag Officer,
Commanding U. S. Naval Forces,
Western Department.
To Major Gen. H. W. Hal leek,
Command'g Depart't of the Missouri.
Terrible Calamity near Heckscherville,
Schuylkill County.
On Monday morning, February, lid, be
tween 12 and 1 o'clock a frame one and a
half story building, located on the Coal
Castle tract near Heckscherville, and occu
pied as a dwelling by a miner, a very indus
trious, steady man, named Thomas Council,
was destroyed by fire, and horrible to state,
himself, his wife, four of their children, tw
male boarder and a servant girl, eight per
sons, perished in the flames. The naun?
of the children, are James, John, i tennis
and (icorge; the name of the hoarder.
Michael Ilollahan, and the servant's liriu
get Condon. Not a soul that was in iho
house at the time, escaped. It is not known
how the fire originated, but it is thought
that the floor of the first story caught from
a large cantion stove that was used there.
The remains of the unfortunate family, and
those of Ilollahan and Bridget Condon
were found amid the ashes of the burnt
building in an awfully mutilated and almost,
unrecognisable condition. A small bfi\
quilt wonld have covered all that was left
of eight persons the youngest of whom, one
of the boys was 12 years of age.
The Blessings They Have Lost.
A lady arrived in this city from Kieh
mond, a few days sinco, says, that outward
ly the defiance of the North appeared to be
general there and the declaration that they
would never submit was frequently heard
The eity was unusually gay, balls end oth
er social gatherings, being quite frequent-
To the careless observer it appeared as if
ail love for tbe Union established by their
fathers was utterly repudiated. But even
amidst the excitement of the brilliant gath
erings, with beautiful music sounding in
their ears, painful expressions would flit
over their countenances, as if, even in the
hour of excitement, they mourned for the
blessings they had lost, for the Country—
the Union they had so ungratefully repu
diated. In the privacy of their own homes
they showed by many little traits, yearn
ings for reconciliation and reunion; but in
the streets and public places, where the
reign of terror exercises its full power they
dare not acknowledge the presence of any
one coming from the North. As in the
old French Revolution, they fear the de
nunciation of the spies swarming :n every
direction. — Boston Tra vcller.
Terrible Accident in the Short Mountain
Coal Mines. —On Friday evening, Februa
ry 7th, as several men \rers engaged taking
down a rock which was apparently loose in
the top of the mines of the Short Moun
tain coal company, near Lykenstown, a
large rock about fifteen yarda long sudden
ly fell, instantly killing John McCaw, and
severely injuring four or fire others. One
man named llobinson, had his arm crushed
to a jelly ; another, named Myers, had his
boot cut entirely off his loot. McCaw was
on his way home, and as he passed the fa
tal spot he voiuuteered assistance, and had
scarcely commenced work when the rook
fell upon him.