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jt jamilu Paper---pooteb to ilgrintiturt, fiteraturt, srituct, Art, jortip, powestir nub General juittliyuct,
ESTABLISHED IN 1813.
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PUBLISHED BY
R. W. JONES & JAMES S. JENNINGS,
WAYNE'SBURG, GREENE CO., PA
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ATTORNEYS:
R. A. McCONNELL,
9T7'ORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
Waynesburg, Pa.
fj'Office in the new frame building corner of Main
and Washington streets, and nearly opposite the new
Hotel.
Collections, &c., will receive prompt attention
Waynesburg, February 5, 1862-Iy.
J.A.J. BUCHANAN. WM. C. LINDSEY.
BUCHANAN & LINDSEY,
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW,
Waynesburg, Pa.
Office on the South side of Main street, in the Old
Bank Building. Jan. 1, 1862.
A. A. PURMAN. J. O. RITCHIE.
PURMAN & RITCHIE,
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW,
Waynesburg, Pa.
][lllll business in Greene, Washington, and Fay
ette Counties, entrusted to them, will receive prompt
attention. Sept. 11,1861-Iy.
R. W. DOWNEY,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law. Office in Led
with's Building. opposite the Court House.
Sept. 11,1861-Iy.
DAVID CRAWFORD,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law. Office in Sayers'
Building, adjoining the Post Office.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
C. A. BLACK. JOHN PHELAN.
BLACK & PHELAN,
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW
Office in the Court Rouse, Waynesburg.
Sept. 11,1861-Iy.
PHYSICIANS
DR.... G. CROSS
WOULD very respectfully tender his services as a
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON, to the people of
Waynesburg and vicinity. He hopes by a due appre
ciation of buman life and health, and strict attention to
business, to merit a share of public patronage.
Waynesburg, January 8, 1862.
• DR. A. J. FOGY
RESPECTFULLY offers his services to the citizens
of Waynesburg and vicinity, as a Physician and
Surgeon. Office opposite the Republican office. He
hopes by a due appreciation of the laws of human life
and health, so native medication, and strict attention
to business, to merit a liberal share of public patronage.
April 9, 18132.
DR. T. P. SUIELDS.
PRACTICING PHYSICIAN.
Office in the old Roberts' Building, opposite Day's
Book Store.
Waynesburg, Jan. 1, 1881.
DR. D. W. BRADEN,
Physician and Surgeon. Office in the Old Bank
Building, Main street. Sept. 11, 1861-Iv.
DRUGS
DR. W. L. CREIGH,
Physician and Surgeon,
And dealer in Drugs, Medicines. Oils, Paints, &e:,
&c., Main street, a few doors east of the Bank.
Sept. 11,1881-Iy.
M. A. HARVEY,
Druggist and Apothecary, and dealer in Paints and
Oils, the most celebrated Patent Medicines, and Pure
Liquors for medicinal purposes.
Sept. 11,1861-Iy.
WM. A. PORTER,
Wholesale and Retail Dealet in Foreign and Domes
tic Dry Goods, Groceries, Notions, &c., Main street.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
GEO, HOSKINSON,
Opposite the Court Douse, keeps always on hand a
large stock of Seasonable Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots
and Shoes, and Notions generally.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
ANDREW WILSON,
Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Drugs, Notions,
Hardware, Queensware, Stoneware, Looking Glasses,
Iron and Nails, Boots and Shoes, Hats and Caps,
Main street, one door east of the Old Bank.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
R. CLARK,
Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, queens
ware and notions, in the Hamilton House, opposite
the Court House, Main street. Sept. 11, 1881-Iy.
MINOR & CO.,
Dealers in Foreign and Domestic Dry Goods, Gro
ceries, Queensware, Hardware and Notions, opposite
tae Green House, Main street.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy,
CLOTHING
N. CLARK,
Dealer in Men and Boy's Clothing, Cloths, Cassi
meres, Satinets, Hats and Caps, &c., Main street, op.
polite the Court House. Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
A. J. SOWERS,
Dealer in Men and Boy's Clothing, Gentlemen's Fur
nishing Goods, Boots and Shoes, Hats and Caps, Old
Bank Building, Main street. Sept. 11, 1861-4 m.
BOOT AND SHOE DEALERS.
J. D. COSGRAY,
Boot and Shoe maker, Main street, nearly oppositel
The "Farmer's and Drover's Bank." Every style of
Boots and Shoes constantly on hand or made to order.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
J. B. RICKEY,
Root and Shoe maker,Blachley's Corner, Main street.
Roots and Shoes of every variety always on hand or
made to order on short notice.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
GROCERIES & VARIETIES.
JOSEPH YATER,
- ' Dealer in Groceries and Confectioneries, Notions,
Medicines, Perfumeries, Liverponl Ware, &c., Glass of
all Bikes, and Gilt Moulding and Looking Glass Plates.
licireasli paid for good eating App!es.
Sept. 11, 1861-Iy.
JOHN MUNNELL,
Dealer in Groceries and Confectioftries, and Variety
.tondo General''', Wilson's New B , Main street.
apt. 11, 1861-Iy.
1300
LEWIS DAY,
Dealer inid.Slinassigaseis Books, Station.:
otter • stole,
afaxie w r ac ti
.4 1E ,Sy n of
= • .
gitut Vulg.
THE SNAKE IN THE GRASS.
A HOMILY
BY JOHN G. SAXE
Come listen awhile to me, my lad.
Come listen to me for a spell !
Let that terrible drum
For a moment be dumb,
For your uncle is going to tell
What befell
A youth who loved liquor to well
A clever young man was he, my lad;
And with beauty uncommon blest,
Ere, with brandy and wine,
He began to decline,
And behaved like a person possessed
I protest
The temperance cause is best.
One evening he went to a tavern, my lad ;
He went to a tavern one night,
And drinking so much
Rum, brandy and such,
The chap got exceedingly "tight ;"
And was quite
What your aunt would entitle a "fright."
The fellow fell into a snooze, my lad ;
'Tis a horrible slumber he takes :
He trembles with fear
And acts very queer ;
My eyes, how he shivers and shakes
When he wakes
And raves about horrid big snakes !
'Tis a warning to you and me, my lad ;
A particular caution to all—
Though no one can see
The vipers but he—
To hear the poor lunatic bawl ;
"How they crawl !
All over the floor and the wall!"
Next morning he took to his bed, my lad . ;
Next morning he took to his bed;
And he never got up
To his dinner or sup,
Though properly physicked and bled :
And I read,
Next day, the poor fellow was dead !
Youv'e heard of the snake in the grass,
my lad ;
Of the viper concealed in the grass;
But now, you must know,
Man's deadliest toe
Is a snake of a different class ;
Alas !
'Tis the viper that lurks in the glass!
A warning to you and me, my lad;
A very imperative call :
Of liquor keep clear ;
Don't drink even beer,
If you'd shun all occasion to fall ;
Hat all,
Pray take it uncommonly small
And if you are partial to snakes, my lad,
(A passion I think rather low)
Don't enter, to see 'em,
The Devil's Museum I—
(That's so !)
And visit a regular show.
Biortilantinto,
THE SECOND MOTHER.
A weary time had the three little
birdlings in Mr. Helmes' cottage.—
when she, 'the sweet mother dove,'
had folded her white wings in Para
dise. A weary time, for, though
their father was a kind-hearted man,
his business called him away all day
in the city, and when the latest
evening train brought him to his
home again, but little time was left
for converse with his little ones.—
Their mother had been all the world
to them.
"We are all utterly lost without
her," said the father to his pastor.—
"I never had the faculty of arrang
ing matters with the children, of
drawing out their confidence, and
harmonizing all disquieting matters.
I have often looked with astonish
ment on the ease with which she
could accomplish all such things, and
that they were safest in her hands ;
what, can my motherless one do with
out her ?"
A widow lady, somewhat advanced
in life, was warmly recommended by
a friend, in whose good judgment
Mr. Helmes confided, as a general su
perintendent of the household and
children; and into her hands the lit
tle immortal spirits were entrusted.
She possessed the commendable hab
its of economy and industry : but if
ever a fair, sweet flower of feeling
had blossomed by the doorway of her
heart, it had long since withered, and
the very root dried up for want of a
single dew-drop to refresh it. The
little ones soon learned to shrink
from the decided tread of her creak
ing shoes, so different from the soft
foot-fall which used to make their
I hearts bound with gladness. Soon
they found the circle of their simple
.pleasures grow narrower, and still
narrower, until there seemed nothing
left. She 'should not have the floor
littered up by all that trumpery ; so
heir pretty playthings were packed
away in a closet, the key of which
dangled at Mrs. Terry's side. Even
Carrie's precious dolly, little Flor
ence, with her auburn curls, whose
'dainty wardrobe mother's own sweet
fingers had hel ed - to fashion, was
_shut away -7 7 her iftiay robes,
`in a bloken band box. Carrie cried
over it; fox which bad
111111,11 r —as% *trey rosroVed,
WAYNESBURG, GREENE COUNTY, PA., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1862.
and was told 'how grateful she ought
to be, that some one was willing to
take pity on her forlorn condition,
and no mother to see to anything;
and would even put up with so much
for the sake of keeping everything
from going to wreck and ruin."
So poor Carrie was silenced, though
in her secret heart she wished the
disinterested stranger had kept away,
and let things go to wreck and ruin.
Yet she was the oldest of the flock,
and sought as wisely as a child of
eight summers could to comfort little
Neddie and May. Dear little May,
she suffered most, for she was a deli
'eate, timid child, and the four years
gentle nursing on that loving bosom
had little fitted her for the chilling
blast in which her spirit shivered
now. Her nervous system was too
strongly strung for its frail casemate,
and it was plain to the discerning
eyes of the new nurse that the child
had been babied too much, and needed
toughening.
Among other failings was an in
stinctive dread of darkness, and
though much tender care had been
taken to remove her groundless
fears as yet they had but partially
succeeded. This was denounced at
once as "a great piece of foolish
ness," and the little one was taken to
her bed, when kind Aunt Mary was
obliged to return to her home again,
with never a tender kiss nor a good
night blessing.
"Please don't take away the light,
nurse, I am so 'fraid of the dark,"
said the little one.
"Fudge," said the nurse, in a con
temptuous tone, "you know just as
well as I do, there is nothing in the
dark to hurt yon. It's all a pretence,
and I shall take down the light just
as soon as I've put these clothes
away."
The child cried out in terror and
dismay—"Oh, I want my mamma to
came home."
"Your mother has gone to heaven,
and it is very doubtful whether you
will ever go there and see her again,
if you are such a naughty girl," was
the soothing reply.
The little one's sobs redoubled,
and struck like an arrow to the heart
of the bereaved father, who was pas
sing through the hall to his own
apartment.
"No mother to soothe her now," he
thought, as he paused by the partly
opened door.
"What is little Mary crying about?"
he asked kindly.
"I'm 'fraid of the dark, papa, and
the nurse will take the light away.
When will my mamma come back,pa
pa ?"
A deep, half-smothered sigh was
her only answer, as he sat down on
the edge of the little bed.
"Will baby go to sleep on the sofa
in papa's room, while papa writes ?"
he asked. A glad cry, and an up
reaching of the soft white arms, were
a sufficient answer. He bore the lit
tle white-robed • figure to his own
apartment, placing a pillow for her
head, and wrapping his shawl about
her; then after a few gentle, loving
words, he returned to absorbing care
again. It was enough though, for
the little heart beat happily, and for
got its troubles in peaceful slumber.
In mercy has "the good All Father"
ordained it, that the griefs of child
hood should be transient as
*----"The dew-drop on the rose,
When next the summer breeze comes by,
And waves the bush---the flower is dry."
The little one was not left alone in
the dark again, as the father express
ly forbade it, and Mrs. Terry was too
politic to risk incurring his displeas
ure. Indeed, that lady daily furnish
ed the few remaining charms she
might have supposed herself to pos
sess, with a secret hope in her heart
that she might one day command
where she now served.
Many months sped on, and little
Carrie grew daily more unhappy, her
little sister more fragile, and surely
Ned, who needed a steady, restrain
ing hand, more boisterous and rebel
lious.
But a blessed day dawned on that
household. The father brought to
his fire-side a second mother for his
little ones. The disappointed widow
explained the matter to them before
hand, and encouraged them with the
assurance that "now they would find
that they had to stand around."—
"There would be no more running to
father with complaints ; if they did
it would do no good. They would
soon learn that their grumbling had
I been when they were well off."
It was with no very high anticipa
tions that they watched for the after
noon train, which was to bring the
stranger to them. The autumn leaves
spread a carpet for the bride, as she
walked up the shaded path which led
to the door of her new home. The
children glanced at ner shyly as she
entered the parlor. There was no
enthusiastic demonstration; but she
greeted each one quietly and tender
ly,-calling them by their respective
names. here was no' bustle or cer
emony, and . the children looked up
curiously into that clear, frank eye,
which met them full and fairly, yet
with a quiet, kindly smile. It was
- only a common face, yet the eye was
one which children quickly learn to
respect, and on no other.foundation
1 - ean.kfvey nest seenroly.
•.1 •-t : 1 A
OM
"A little fire seems pleasant such a
chilly day," she said, as she drew off
her gloves, and warm her fingers
before the polished grate. " Will
Carrie be kind enough to take my
bonnet and shawl ?" she added, pleas
antly.
The little girl came forward with
a light step, pleased with the idea
that she could be useful, and Mrs.
Helmes seated herself by the fire, ta
king up little May very quietly, and
placing her on her knee.
"Can May warm my cold fingers?"
she said, with a half smile, as she
slipped one fair hand between tho
little one's small palms. With a
bright smile the little one looked up,
and there was a quick interchange of
magnetic glances. It was a mere
touch of a skillful player on that fi
nest of all instruments, the human
heart, yet little May was won. She
wrapped tip both hands playfully, in
her little white apron, and folded
her arms over them ; looking the
picture of content and happiness.
Ned was not much abashed, and
gathering up his six year old cour
age, inquired, boldly, if "papa had
brought them home any presents.—
Biddy said, he ought to."
"If I am not mistaken, he has not
forgotten you. We will look in the
travelling-trunk after supper, and
see."
"I want my present now," he per
sisted.
"I think we had better wait," said
the same clear voice, and that calm,
blue eye looked with the same steady
smile into his. Ned felt that smile
and from that moment ,new on,
which side the power lay.
It was not many days before the
house began to wear a different as
pect. "Old Shades," as saucy Cousin
Will used to call the selfesacrificing
Mrs. Terry, had taken her departure,
and everything seemed to brighten
up. The solemn stiffness which in
vested even the chairs by the walls,
suddenly fled away. But no . where
was the change more apparent than
in the little nursery. Fresh white
curtains shaded the windows, looped
back by tasteful pink ribbonds and
rosettes, which the ehildren could
never sufficiently admire ; a simple
chintz-covered lounge was added to
its fnrniture ; and above all, the old
time playthings were drawn forth
from their hiding-places, to gladden
the little hearts which had so often
sighed for them.
The new mamma had a wonderful
fund of ingenuty in contriving new
amusements and playthings, ofte%
by a half hour's skillful use of her
bright scissofs could cut out of a bit
of gray or black cloth. And then
it was perfect witch-work the way
those small fingers could fashion
over a fragment of cotton flannel
into a plump, white rabbit ; a pair
of fed beads for eyes completeing
the enchantment. It was a unani
mous verdict after this astonishing
performance, that "mamma knew
hog to do evrrything." What a tri
fle it takes to amuse children, and
home-made toys give far more pleas
ure than more expensive ones, as
they exercise a child's talent in con
triving and fashioning them. Any
one may learn, with sight pains-ta
king, many little arts for making
home pleasant to the little ones ;
and no woman's education should be
considered finished without these
simple accomplishments. Alice
Holmes had been for several years a
teacher among children, and there
can scarcely be a better preparation
for woman's life mission. The minds
and hearts of her children were care
fully cultivated, and their physical
education was not neglected. Little
May's cheeks began to grow plump
and rosy under the combined influ
ence of abundant out-door exercise,
wholesome, appetizing food, and
above all, the sweet sunshine of love
in which her life was passed. All
the children throve under her judi
cious guiding hand, as they never
could if left to the care of mere hire
lings. Indeed, I have scarcely ever
seen a home that was not better off,
with a step-mother at its head, than
with no mother .at all, even though
that mother had many imperfections,
and failed in many points of duty, as
alas ! what own mother does not ?
God bless the noble step-mother,
wherever in our fair land she may
be, who is striving daily in her Heav
enly Father's strength to discharge
faithfully her arduous duties. Let
her strive to cultivate a bravo, reso
lute spirit, which can look the world
fearlessly in the eye, with all its cen
soriousness. All the world makes
way before a determined, fearless
spirit, while a cringing, wandering
nature, can never command respect.
Above all, let her live a daily life
of faith and prayer, so that the sun
light of divine love may always shine
within her breast, however dark the
.clouds without.
Stir The Secretary of War has very
properly issued strict orders to allow
no civillians to visit Manassas, be
cause of its interfering with military
operations.
ITwo months ago George N.
Sanders issued a proclamation invi
ting the great North-west to come
into the Southern Confederacy.—
- The great North-west has gone in. •
Kissed Kira for his Mother.
A St. Louis correspondent relates
the following incident in the prison
hospital at St. Louis : A little drum
mer-boy was evidently dying. A
lady spoke to him, asking if he want
ed anything. "No," was the feeble
answer, but with a wishful look at
the kind face over him, he said his
mother had sent him from Mississip
pi to fight and defend her home.—
He did not regret it, but wanted to
see his mother. He gave his name
and his mother's address, still look
ing wishfully, as if there was some
thing on his mind. At last he said :
"My mother is a good woman, too.—
She would treat a poor sick prisoner
kindly, and if she were with your
son, she would kiss him." "I will
kiss you, my dear boy, for your moth
er," said she. She kissed him, and
in it few minutes he died. God bless
the women for the good work they
are doing. It makes one think bet
ter of our human nature to hear of
the work they are doing throughout
the East, in furnishing supplies, and
in the West by their presence and
aid.
gsfuo gt ttre gay.
Extensive Fire in Washington!
OUR FORCES NEAR YORKTOWN!
Skirmishing Between the putposte—The
Killed and Wounded.
WAsimiorori, April 7.—An exten
sive fire occurred at five o'clock this
morning, destroying completely
three large buildings, two of which
were constructed with costly iron
fronts, located on Pennsylvania ave
nue. They were respectively occu
pied by Mr. Tucker, dealer in sutler's
goods; Wm. Eagan, dry goods mer
chant, and J. B. Wilson, Grocer.—
The adjoining stores o Cohen &
Hoover, dealers in shoes, and Mr.
Gregory, hardware dealer, were also
badly damaged. The principal losers
in their stock of goods , were Mr.
Tucker, Mr. Eagan, 'and r. Wilson.
The fire extended to the rear of the
buildings, on South Seventh street,
several of which were occupied as
taverns or restaurants. The origin
of the fire is conjectural. The loss
was very heavy, and there is but a
partial insurance.
The Fortress Monroe boat, which
arrived at Baltimore this morning,
brings information from the neigh
borhood of Yorktown up to Saturday
afternoon. Shipping Point had been
taken by our troops, and other pla
ces on the route formerly occupied
by the rebels.
Some skirmishing and cannonading
had taken place between the out
posts of the enemy and our forces,
in which the following casualties aro
said to have occurred : Killed—Ed
ward Lewis and Charles L. Lord,
of the third Massachusetts battery,
and John Reynolds, of the sth Rhode
Island battery. Wounded—Timothy
Donohue, in the hand ; Freeman
llaaring, in the leg; and Charles
Tucker, contusion of the breast—all
of the third Massachusetts battery ;
Sergt. Joseph Wade, Co. C, in the
arm ; Cyrus Wilcox, Co. C, by pieces
of shell, in the leg; and C. W. Peck,
of Co. F, in the leg—all of the regi
ment of Sharpshoopers.
Our men are in good spirits and
ready for any contest.
Important from Island No. 10.
CAIRO, April s.—The firing at
Island No. 10, east night, disabled
the floating battery of the rebels.—
One shell struck directly in it, killing
three men, and disabling it so that
it floated down towards the foot of
the island, The firing to-day has
been more active, and has done good
execution.
A messenger from New Madrid,
this evening, reports that the rebels
erected a battery, last night, opposite
Point Pleasant. This morning they
opened fiercely on our works. After
firing for some time the battery was
silenced by our guns, and a ware
house on the Kentucky shore fired
by our shells ; its contents were con
sumed. No casualties on our side
are reported. Their loss is not
known, but several must have been
killed. All is quiet here.
From North Edisto, B. C.
NEW YORK, April 7.—The Herald's
Hilton, S. C., correspondence contains
the following information : From
North Edisto, S. C., we have stirring
intelligence. The rebels have come
down in considerable force, and suc
ceeded in cutting off the other night
nearly an entire company, belonging
to the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Regi
ment, which was on Little Edisto
Island •as a picket. Strangely
enough they neglected to guard the
bridge between them and the main
force. The enemy succeeded in burn
ing that, and then surrounded the
picket, killing three and wounding a
dozen, and capturing about thirty of
our men. The ballanee escaped to
North 4disto. Since then there
have ben several skirmishes, bat
with no result. Ample reinforoments
will be sent Col. Moore directly by
Gen. Benham. No farther particu
lars than the above have been reoeiv
jet. • .
BM
Telegraph Wire Nt--Gunboat Reconnois-
sauce.
CHICAGO, April 5.—A special dis
patch to the Tribune, dated New
Madrid April 3d, says that the tele
graph, to-day, was discovered cut in
a dozen places between New Madrid
and Siketown. Gen. Pope imme
diately issued a special order, direc
ted to citizens along the route, that
they will be held responsible for the
safety of the telegraph; that if any
damage is done to it near their farms
or residences, their houses shall be
burned, and themselves and families
arrested, brought to court and visit
ed with the severest punishment.
The Times Cairo correspondent, of
April 4,..states that reliable inform
ation has been received from Ten
nessee that the gunboats Cairo Lex
ington Taylor, and the transport Ti
gress, made a reconnoisance as far as
Florence, Ala. They met with no
resistence on the way. They only
discovered one deserted battery
whore the enemy had 9 guns plant
ed.
Beauregard Outflanked at Corinth .
NEW YORK, April s.—The New
York World, in an extra, says that
private information, derived from a
responsible scource, has reached
here that Beauregard has been out
flanked in the position his rebel
army occupied near Corinth, Miss.,
and was compelled to fall back; and
also that a heavy body of United
States troops hail got in between the
enemy and the city of Memphis, not
far from the Missisippi, thus cutting
of communication and retreat. Glor
ious news, adds the World, may be
expected from that quarter in a day
or two.
Reports About the Merrimao.
The latest intelligence from Nor
folk, by the underground railroad,
says the correspondent of the Balti
more American, leaves no doubt that
the Merrimac is thoroughly repaired
and in commission, ready for another
expedition against the wooden walls
of the Federal navy,
and the river
transports lying in the Roads, The
delay in her coming out is believed
to be caused by waiting for ammu
nition for the heavy guns that have
been placed on board of her, and also
some infernal machines which have
been constructed by Bombastes
Maury. The steamers Yorktown
and Jamestown are also being
strengthened, and more thoroughly
clad with iron, to accompany the
Merrimac. There is also a rumor
that two more steamers are being
clad with iron at Richmond, to join
the expedition.
As to the loss of life on the Merri
mac, we . have now what is claimed
to be positive information that it was
pretty heavy. One of the recently
arrived contrabands states that he
was a nurse in the gieral hospital,
and that up to the time of his de- ,
parture, he had helped to shroud 30
of the crew of the Merrimac, and
:that both Captain Buchanan and
Lieutenant Minor are dead. There
was still a number of the wounded
surviving. They, the contrabands,
also state that the last two shots of
the Monitor were represented to be
the only ones that seriously injured
the Merrimac. These were thrown
under her shield at the moment she
attempted to run the Monitor down.
N otwithstanding the great delay in
the appearance of the Merrimac, she
is hourly expected at Fortress Mon
roe, and the naval and military com
manders are prepared to receive her
at any moment.
The Contract Commission
The Washington correspondent of
the New York Evening Post says :
The fact that the commission ap
pointed by Mr. Stanton to examine
and settle the contracts of the War
Department has, in one instance,
saved a million of dollars to the
Treasury, inspires confidence in the
rigid honesty of the department.—
In the case referred (where a New
York firm contracted with Mr. Cam
eron for fire-arms to the amount of
$2,900,000) the commission has set
tled the claim for $1,600,000, thus
saving the Treasury $1,300,000. It
should be remembered that the con
tractors fulfilled the strict letter of
their bargain} with Mr. Cameron, and
that the commission insisted that the
government would not submit to
such enormous profits. With the
enormous deduction made, the con
tractors make a net profit of $30,000
on their transaction ! The commis
sion is hard at work everyday, and
the labor of Judge Holt is enormous
as well as invaluable. Mr. Stanton
very wisely made up the commission
of Democrats as well as Republi
cans, so that it is impossible for party
bias to affect the settlement of any
contract.
REBELS BURNING COTTON. The
rebels have begun burning cotton.—
Suspected Union men seem alone to
be selected; bht they declare all cot
ton shall be destroyed as the lines of
our army adiratce. OUT scouts from
beyond Purdy report that the whole
sky was lit on Sunday night by a
_cotton conflagration. From one
point they counted seven Area, and
each,there was known to be from
*LW. tWaltty 1440. • •
CZE
•NEW SERIES.--VOL, 3, NO. 44.
A correspondent writing on the
28th of March from Newbern, N. C.
says :
"Since the advices of the taking of
this city by the forces under General
Burnside, the retreat of the rebel sol
diers and the abandonment of their
houses by the inhabitants, affairs
have progressed very favorably. A
portion of the citizens have returned,
but a majority of the houses are still
deserted and tenantless : A few of
the most eligible and convenient of
them have been occupied by General
Burnside and Generals of brigade,
and for brigade and regimental hos
pitals, and the large and fine man
sion belonging to Mrs. Winthrop is
occupied as the headquarters of the
Army Signal Corps.
"This city must be quite an at
tractive place of residence when the
trees are clothed with foliage, and
the verdure and flowers of spring
adorn and beautify it. The 'general
flavor of mild decay,' which seems
universal in Southern cities and villa
ges, of coarse is apparent here, but
there are a few fine residences which
serve partially to redeem it. The
unsightly ruins of a few buildings
sacrificed in the vandal attempt of
the retreating rebels to destroy the
city; the ruins of the railroad bridge
and the deserted houses, together
with the soldiers who constitute
most of the people upon the streets,
attest the desolating presence of war
in this hitherto quiet locality. The
troops now here are mostly located
in the outskirts of the town, beyond
the railroad depot, in the tents and
quarters abandoned by the fright
ened rebels. The 25th Massachu
setts volunteers are quartered in the
town, and are doing guard and police
duty in it-
The letter of Secretary Stanton,
giving a list of vessels now in the ser
vice of the War Department, the
price of charter, etc., is fidl of inter
est, and may yet give rise to.deb.:4,te
in Congress. Among the, high-prksil
charters are the steamship Atlantic,
first at $2,000 per day, and at present
at $1,500 per day, the Illinois at $l,-
600, and the Baltic now at $2,600 per
day. The Stars and Stripes, a New
Haven propellor, was hired last sum
mer at the rate of $lO,OOO per month,
the steamer Columbia at $3,000 per
month. Among the charters made in
September and October of last year,
are the Atlantic at $l,OOO per day,
steamship Baltic $1,500, the Thomas
Swann $l,OOO per day, ship Golden
.hiagle $l,OOO per day, steamship Ma
tanzas $l,OOO per day, steamship Star
of the South $2,000 &kr day, ($5OO
more per day than OE Baltic or At
lantic,) the Vanderbilt $2,000 per
day, the Ocean Queen $1,500 per day,
the Ariel $l,lOO, the Coatzacoalcos
$1,300, the ship Great Republic $l,OOO,
the steamship Potomac $1,300, the
steamer Ericsson $1,200. These are
but samples of the contracts, and it
is said by good judges that though
the sums seem to be enormous, they
are not, in reality, exorbitant char
ges. However that may be, tt will
be remembered that it is the War and
not the Navy Department which is
responsible for them.
Civilians Banished from Fortress Monroe,
Complaints having been made by
the commanders of military posts
that the movements of the army are
impeded and discipline relaxed by
the presence of female viseters, the
Secretary of War has odered that no
passes shall be granted to visit For
tress Monroe or other military posts
to any person not engaged in the
military service, and has authorized
the commanders of the military posts
to remove all persons not engaged
in the service. Passes for the pur
poses of trade or business are also re
use d.
From present indications, says the
"Dellawarean," the largest peach
crop ever gathered in Delaware, will
reward the labors of the husbandnien
this year. So far every thing bets
been favorable, not a bud has been
blasted, or a tree killed by the frost.
The cold weather has kept down the
sap, and unless we have strange
weather in April, no harm eau come
to this crop.
ailirWhen the venerable Commo
dore Smith came to the Navy Ile
partment on Sunday morning, they
told him the heavy news. "Your
son, commanding the Congress, is, we
fear, a prisoner. The Congress ground
ed early in the action and displayed
the white flag.
The old man covered his face.
"Cr-utlemen," said he, "my on is
dead. He never would have struck
to a rebel. My boy is dead." .
The next day we learned that
Lieutenant Commanding Smith had
been blown lite Tally to piiicis
shell from the M.errimae.
Swohn RsTuharmk—col. ~ "rho
commanded a portioivor the
ftnitAst
Wives at the battrd-of ' ;
has rettnifed , e Suit iit !
..00flit ' 'l , 4 ms s,
' " * ''*.*
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Burnside's Expedition,
Chartered Vessels
The Peach Omp
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