lettfrout isonntor. it* WEDNESDAY, FED. IS, 1802. • :.`-•':.::,..1PU11r1 1 7. *Ali Thefollowing Petition is being Peute r , tedand•noperoully signed in vnriotes pop: ~.. tions of the States" To the Honorable the Senate and Houses of Representatives of Pennsylvania. .11 General Amembly met. 'Wifelt of the Undersigned, ions of county, respectfully ifkoutith • !'HAT Wezazits, The unhappy con dition of—the Country at this - time, is due to causes which, in the opinion ;of iotriotic man, require fOr their correction certain amendments to Vita existing Constitution (if the -Uni ted States, for the effecting of which, when deemed proper, the Constitu tion itself makes ample legal and peocefil provisions : AND WHEREAS, divers! such susendrfients have been regularly proposed before the Con gress of the United States by an em inent Statesman without leading to definite action on the part of that Honorable body ; Therefore we earn estly desire and request that in the interest of peace and harmony, the Legislature of Pennsylvania do now enact a Obtiatitational call for the holding of National Convention of the people' of the United States, to consider' and effect such measures of pacificittion and re-union as may Arrest the discord and heal the po- !Moat wounds which now divide sod ttre ruining our Country—a Country favored by God beyond all others, and destined unless destroyed by its own.crimes, to live tbroughont all time the beacon star of hope to all Nations and-the heaven commis sioned rsitenerator of mankind.— And to this end your petitioners pray that 'your Honorable body will take the lead in this great move ment, inviting all of the other States to unite with Pennsylvania in this only remaining means for accomplish . ing a purpose so much desired by us—nsti would doubtless meet with A WORLD-WIDE APPROVAL "ittif as in duty bound we will ever TN.NIINANOIAL SITUATION. .I . 4 lle . New York Tribune . , in an article on ttki financial condition of the country, re "lt ia not. a favorable commentary on t.lDaaaketnes of national finance now ma- curing, in Congress that gold has pretty ',llllllkiiiiMYeippreciated since this scheme was - reficetnit, turd dint it on Saturday, for the Bret time, commanded a premium of 50 ' per cent. In other words, $lOO in gold, brought $l5O in "legal tender" paper t igriesnhpalts,) which $l5O would buy some AuVitanty-year bonds of the United 43teite, whereon interest at six per cent. is annually payable in specie. Ifforeign cap it'll** should choose to send over ten mil .,liciprbf *Mali sovereigns, worth in ordi 14ty times some $43,400,000, they could obtain for them at current rates at least $75,000,000 in United States bonds, draw _ ing interest, in coin, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, and payable at maturity jig cols." Release of A. D. Boileau This individual was not released from prison unconditionally, as we were led to believe and so stated last week. At the itpidding of those having him in their hands '''he got down on his knees, and made a ; - whining recantation of all supposed or iupposable misdeeds, promising meekly to conduct his paper hereafter so as not to. give any offence to the Abolition Ad min latsation at Washington. It is evident 4hut Boileau is a miserable craven, not at an worthy of the fuss made over him, and are wiit.soon sink into merited obscurity. o edituts.kas he already become to the "abbe, that he has been forced to retire from all connexion with or control of the .penitv Journal and it is now published ; under other auspiees.—Lancaster Intel. The Cloven Foot On. the dtti inst., Kr. Stevens of this State-announced in Congress that it was ,woosense to talk of the Union. It has been dissolved from the time the first gun L 'Avas Sp fired itt nipter. The war was not toi the Union, but for subjugation: he says "we must treat those State, as now outside the Union, as conquered provinces, settle them with new men, and drive the rebels as exiles from the eoutiuent." This is let ting the sot sot of the bag—but it is the true position far Abolitionists, and, if per mitted by the people, they will wage this ,war until the country is ruined or their ob ient obtained.— Washington Review. Itiis 4 lli New York, on the 29th, gold ad vanced to4l 55fc. Saturday it was up to $1 60 in . Cincinnati. Sales at even higher rates 'stip ,reported. 'lbis is ad vancing at a rapid ,pace, and with the present party in power pursuing its party ends, and making no headway, it is no wonder that gold advances. We should rfot be surprised to bear of a yetnedy in efictray of a proclamation forbidding any 0414. , offer Wore than par in "green-backs" gobd, and threatening military penal ties onfliff!M transgressor. The Adminis tration is se blind in finance as in war. isch step it gets,deeper in the mire. Mr• Oa ,may 4att the lower house of lientweity Legislature passed an hamsatiasent• to the military bill, btstruct- AIWA* iCoatneky Creeps not Se alliforet the Free ithsies staarteiipation proclamation. The vote steed: yeas. 69; nays, 16. This action taey lead tatierionta treub)e. . . ildwin R. Vosges was on Illooday elected • United *Me Sonator from Ole State of „Plow York; for Y44Lot from *be 401111114 not. nomleml.ffon.PcoMmaiONF - • ~ • , , t,A itmkr lith O.lllQa LO kilos. advilimp-Mintertine dentys Proclamation. Thi following is an extract from a late address by the celebrated itoolition -preach- Itrl l[ 0* B t a c i nt• 14 elirft . it I hio longer a war in defense of the Llnieni, the Constitution and the enforce , meta ()film laws, It is a war to be carried op no !Unger with the aim of re-establish ing the Union and the Constitution with 411 their old compromises. God means not to let us off with any half-way work. I am now convinced, and I consider it the most humane, the most economical, and the most statesmanlike policy, now to take I the most radical ground possible; to as sume this is a war for the subjugation, or the extermination of all persons who wish to maintain the slave power—a war to get rid of slavery and of slave-holders, whether it be constitutional ot• not." NEW BIL,B TO BE LAID BEFORE CONGRESS AT THE PRESENT SES SION. A Bill to make buttons a legal tender. A Bill to prevent private parties from making buttons. A Bill to order said buttons to he made from the bones of mules that died "kick ing" for the "Union." A. Bill for whitewashing negroes (car ried.) A Bill to prove the Constitution a hum bug, as well as the framers thereof. A Bill to make buttons superior to gold. A Bill to cheat persons generally A Bill to rob persons more systemati cally. A Bill to provide Greek Lexicons fur each intelligent contraband (carried.) A Bill to alter the shape of the negro's head (laid on the table.) A Bill to shorten his heels. A Bill prohibiting the manufacture of any liquors, &c., and regulating the number o sneezes per diem. A Bill compelling every white person to take the oath of allegiance at least once in every twenty-four hours. A Bill calling upon members to propose similar bills to the above. California Senator. John Conness, who has been elected U. S. Senator in California, was a Douglas democrat, and it is thought by those who have superior means of judging, that his course in.the Senate will be similar to that of Messrs. McDougall and Nesmith. sornose who hold that a people should accommodate themselves to the policy of their rulers, might as well teach that a man should be cut and shaped by his tailor to fit his garments. CommunitatitaLs. 'For the Messenger. A VISIT TO THE ARMY OF THE PO TOMAC. Messrs. Editors ;—Tbe first thing I attend ed to was to hunt the Regimental Physician, tir: J. A. E. Reed, who was the physician of -both the 123 d and 155th Regiments. I inform ed him of the object of my visit. He said that -it was the next thing to an impossibility to pro cure the discharge of a sick or wounded soldier, that there were persons there who had been doing all they could for weeks and had not yet succeeded in getting the discharge papers of their sick and wounded friends Many, he said, died before their papers could be procured He then gave me the "grand rounds" which was as follows: (1 give this information as it may be beneficial to others in like circumstan• ces.) First, descriptive list from Capt. Drum; Second, certificate of disability from himself as Physician of the Reg't., approved by Col. P. H. Allabauh, commanding the brigade ; Third, a certificate of Dr. E. D. Darley of dis ability, approved by Gen. A. A. Humphrey, commanding the corps ; Fourth, certificate of disability from Dr. Russel, approved by Gen. G. G. Meade, commanding the Division. This is the process through which a sick or woun ded soldier has to go in order to get out of the army. Each department has a day set apart in each week to pass upon papers of this kind.— Hence, it will take four weeks before you can know the result. In the name of God and humanity why subject a sick or dying man to such an ordeal ? How are those who have no friends to see after them ever to get out? It is an impossibility. I said to the Doctor, I am not going this round ;—when a man has worn himself out in the service of his country, and not likely to be fit for duty again, why hold him f I am going to have a discharge in a shorter way than this. He says, "I shall be glad to see you succeed, but 1 do not know hew you are to get along." I said. certainly there is yet some humanity left in the heart of those in authority, I still not be put off. He says, "you cannot push matters; everything must take its regular course." Sunday morning, lanuary 12th, I arose very' early—thought that I would take a stroll thro' some of the surrounding camps. The first camp I came to was the 155th Reg't Pa. Vol's. Here I met with an old acquaintance, Geo. P. Fulton, from Cookstown, Fayette Co. Pa., (who is connected with the Quartermaster's De partment.] He gave nie an introduction to Col. Allen of the 155th Reg't. I made known to him the object of my visit, told him that the Doctor had discouraged me in making the effort to get my son home with me. The Col. im mediately sent for the doctor, told him that he wanted him to examine my son, and make out his disability papers; start them round the regular course, and us a special favor to give him a duplicate copy. I must say here that I have never met a more gentlemanly man is all my travels. Such Colonels are like "angels' visits" in t'te Army, "few and far between." He knows how to feel for the sorrows and af flictions of his fellow-soldiers—he knows how to treat citizens who visit the army: he is a man, a true man, a good man, a man that you can tie too. God grant that when his change shall come, Elijah's chariot, with glory gilded, may roll its fiery wheels down the parting skies and bear his undying spirit to Paradise above. 1 also spent some time at Col. P. H. Allabauh's headquarters; he is the acting General of the Brigade. I found hint to be a very pleas ant companion, but a very determined soldier. Col. Clark, of the 123 d, was at home ; hence I did not see him in the army. I was told that I could not visit the headquarters of General Humphrey—that he had issued special orders that no soldier or citizen be permitted to ap proach his quarters. It was thought by some that his reason for issuing this order, [if he did do it] was that he is not at all times in a condi tion to be seen ; hence ha did not wish to ex pose himself. • Monday morning. Jan. 13th, I started early in the morning to Washington city, reached the city, found the Hon. Jesse Lezear in his seat in the House of Representatives, said to him that I tad a certificate of disability. I wanted him to go with me twain to the office of the Secretary of War. Away we went, found Mr. Tnekere one of the assistant. Secretaries, in the Office. Mr. Lazeto made known to him his wish. In a few moments, I had an order for the immediate aisdharge of my son. I mum say here that I reeled Mr. Tucker as be. Ingo man palomino the right spirit. Mr. La ;eau has implicit confidence in Mr. Tuckor. Oinks him a good man. Too much cannot. be skid to the ;noise orsoliskltepamilliattias 4dr the active and eihitimm.eerviespe4ll haerenderedhia cosethoonas isseho woo ei~shawii hunting up their deid, sick and wounded!, &doss. He appears to be very succor /Km s his objecon You form «soidea - of dist - kid/hot of labor of this kind he performs, and doge &telt It so wiflifiglOrliii so tinier Adtdirr, d it says that be feels it to be his duty, a part of the work that its oaaug Hodoes not give yeu a little note aid send on off no hunt the place and patties by yourself;—he goes along, --.4heipees that tho object is accomplished; he doea*ot appear to be ashamed to be seen Waf k in& utinri tUstroets of Washington City with a citizen of Gres& Cotimp,at his side; he ap pears to be the same Jesse Lazear there that he is when at home; he appears, fo be no respecter of persons. Friends or foes—all are treated alike ; he is the kind of a mbn that should al ways represent a free and intelligent people.— Would that our national councils were filled 1 with just such men as he is; we would have the same old Union that our fore-fathers left us, the same old tree that was planted in blood and watered with the tears of the orphan and -111,• widow—the same old Stars and Stripes that have so long waved over the land of the - free and' the home of the brave ; the same old con stitution that has proven itself to be the best instrument on this globe, [the Bible excepted,] that some old Eagle without the loss of one quill or feather. This is the kind of a Union man I take our representative to be. Is this charging him with disloyalty, with being a dis unionist? Ido hope that our district maw in all future time be as well represented as what it is in the person of Mr. Lazear: the cause of the Union will not suffer at his hands, WM. A. PORTER. ITO BE CONTIN lED.I HARRISBURG CORRESPONDENCE. HARRISBURG, Feb. 10, 1863 Messrs. Jones & J ennings The work of law-making is progressing as rapidly as the nature of legislation will permit This day was Private Calender day. We had fifty-four bills on file, all of which were passed' finally, except two or three which were objected off. Speaker Cessna being away, Col. Hopkins has occupied the .hair the last two sessions, and presides with great dignity. I have suceeded in passing through the House every bill entrusted to my care, but I am fearful some of them will fail in the Senate.— Among them is one changing the place of hold ing the elections in Cumberland tp., and one placing the residence of John Lantz in Gil more tp. The Senate sticks pertinaciously to the fifth joint rule, which is as follows : "No bill shall be passed by either House, granting any powers or privileges which may be contered by any of the Coatis of the Commonwealth." And it appears that both of the above named bills are held by the Senate to he within the power of the Courts. They may possibly pass, but I think it doubtful. The Senate passed a bill yesterday, creating a new judicial district to be composed of Westmoreland and Fayette counties. It will meet with opposition in the House. We have no political excitement at this time; all seem to be patiently awaiting further developements of the policy of those cruel disunionists who are at the head of our national affairs. But there is an under current —a deep feeling pervading all classes of people that will not bear restraint much longer and which must burst forth ; and when it does. like the Alpine avalanche it will bear all before it When the storm of public indignation, which is gathering, bursts, our destroyers and op pressors had better stand from under, or their destruction will be sure. Already can the mur murings of the people be heard, and like the low rumbling of distant thunder, they are in dicative of the approaching storm. When wilt this miserable, disunion and fanatical adminis tration learn wisdom, and cease their efforts to destroy this, the noblest system of govern ment ever instituted by man ? Ever, or never until they are hurled to destruction ? It seems not. Well, may God have mercy on them,— the people will not. Yours truly, P. FROM CAPT. LINDSEY'S COMPANY, CAMP, 18TH REGIMENT, PENNA. CAV ALRY, Feb. 21, 1863. Messrs. Editors:—Thinking you might he pleased to hear something from the boys in the 18th, from Greene county, I will try and give you the latest news of any importance, which is not very good. We have the first death to chronicle this morning in our Regiment by the shots of the rebels. Last night between 12 and 1 o'clock a party of rebel guerrillas, about 40 strong, attached an out post of ours, 12 in number, and shot Sergeant L. D. Headley, son of Enos Headley, Esq., of Perry tp., dead on the spot, the ball striking him in the left nipple. He was a member of Company G., Capt. Kings land. They also took Daniel Dunstan prisoner, of Franklin tp., son of Washing ton Dunstan, with ten others, members of Capt. Jas. Hughes' Company. There was none left on the pest to tell the late of the party, and we don't know whether any oth er was wounded or not, There were two of our horses came to the Reserve post ; one bad a bayonet hole through his neck, and the other had blood upon the saddle as though the rider might have been wounded. When the firing was heard at the Reserve post, a patrol was sent out to see what the firing meant; but before they ' got more than half way, they saw the Gray-backs advancing in three squads.— The patrol fired at them, and then retreat ed back to the Reserve post, where they raised 16 wen and cut across and headed the Gray-backs and gave them a "round ;" but could not tell with what effect, as it was too dark But this morning the boys found one sabre and four gray caps belonging to rebels. The body of Head ly will be embalmed and sent back by ex press to Greene county. • As usual, our Colonel commanding was drunk. After the rebels bad gone out of sight, the Reserve, in command of Lieut. Shields, went out to inspect the post and see what had become of our men; but All they found was the body of Ihradly. He immediately sent a courier to Camp with the news that 11 of our men had been cap tured and one killed, the man reported the, same to the Colonel, (when I say Col., 1 mean Lieut. Colonel James Gowen, as we have no Colonel,) and his reply was, "You are always raising false /darns, I expect] he has shot himself," and did not send any men nor any thing to bring the body to Camp with. Major Gilmore than took twenty men and went out and found the news correct, and sent back to the Adju tant to send out an ambulance after the body, and the Colonel ordered it not to go until daylight. The Colonel d—d us all as "cowards, afraid to go any where, and said it would he nice news to send to Greene county about us, always raising false alarms ;" but not in the hearing of any of the officers, for I think he knows better. None of the Greene County men have ever yet raised an alarm until after we either had men taken or shot and Wounded, but we have had plenty of them without ; for almost every time the Col. gets drunk be would have the whole Regiment under arms all night, whether wet or dry. From what I have said you may judge what kind of # Commander the Mb has. I could tell you more, but I think that is enough. I wish you to publish this if you -please, and you will much oblige yours, . JAB/ P. COSCIRAY. The names of Capt. • Hughes' Company, missing, are as follows: Peter Alining, Juba McKim*, Daniel Gump, 'Phillip Gump, Harvey Burns, John . James, Wm. pkg. and .-Ostee others that, X did eat kern the uata n ie at. Titimeit Amor, i•-• moist* Ow rtokoned TiiiiisiTiafn a" iegisiature, ORIGIN AND CONDUCT OF THE WAR Mr. PATTON offered the following res olutions, which were read and laid over : Readout, First, that •in the opinion of this House, the present bloody de vastating civil war could and should have been averted by'the adoption of the Crit tenden Compromise, or by some other measure alike just and honorable t o all sections Of the country. Second. That the, whole responsibility for the failure Of such pa,,e'iSc measures rests upon the dominant party in Congress, who were united in opposition to any such peaceful adjustment. Third. That the object of the war, as unanimously declared by Congrese in July, 1861, was to restore the Union and to vin dicate the authority of the Government, and not to conquer or subjugate revolted States, or to interfere with their domestic rights or institutions. Fourth. That it was upon this pledge, and with this definite understanding, that vast numbers of our patriotic fellow-citi zens rushed to arms in support of the Government and laws. Fifth. That as these solemn pledges have been violated and the whole power of the Government turned to a ruthless crusade against the institution of slavery; therefore, further Resolved, That until the Administration recedes from its unconstitutional, inflam matory and despotic proclamation of Jan uary 15t,1863, and returns to a policy, in the conduct of the war, sanctioned by the Constitution, by justice, by patriotism and humanity, it can have no further claims upon the loyal State of Pennsylvania for men or other means of carrying on the I=l DELETERIOUS DRUGS IN LIQUORS The house resolved itself into commit tee of the whole (Mr. Rex in the chair) upon Rouse bill No. 93, entitled An Act to prohibit the use of deleterious drugs in the manufacture and sale of intoxicating or alcoholic liquors. Mr. PATTON. I concur heartily with the gentlemen from Huntingdon (Mr. Benedict) and the gentleman from West moreland (Mr. Wakefied,) in reference to this b4l. I considered it pointed and di rect in its terms. It is such a measure as is necessary for the protection of the peo ple of this Commonwealth. It is well known that in the western part of the State, where distillation is carried on to a greater extent than elsewhere, deleterious drugs are employed, not'only in the man ufactare of malt liquors, but also in the manufacture of liquors in the distilleries. It is well known there that some particu lar distillers, who are making fortunes, pursue what is called the "Baltimore sys tem" of distilling, by which they can ex , tract from a bushel of grain four gallons of whiskey. In former times there was distilled good whiskey, which a man could drink and grow fat upon, but that is an article which can hardly he found now a-days In order to make the business profitable, a certain amount of liquor must be extracted from the smallest pos sible amount of grain ; and in order to ob tain the desired proportion of whiskey some poisonous materials must be used. In Pittsburg there are large manufac tories of drugged liquor—liquor of such a kind that were you to take it on such a day as yesterday, and allow it to ooze out of the barrel, it would freeze on the dcor, porch or floor of your house. That liquor has imparted to it a highly iu ebriating quality by infusing into it cer tain poisonous extracts. The manufac turers also put in those liquors oil of vit roil and other equally poisonous mater- 1 ials. Such are the practices pursued in the manufacture of those cheap brandies which are sold through the western coun try for seventy-five cents per gallon.— The manufacturers purchase cure liquors from good honest distillers ; and from one barrel of good liquor, they can make three barrels of ''rot-gut" by this method of adulteration. By such modes of doing business men are making fortunes. I can see nothing objectionable in this bill. As to the objection raised by the gentleman from Pike, (Mr. Rowland,) I would say, that when a druggist goes to New York or elsewhere to buy liquors for medicinal or otter purposes, l►e ought to take care that he buys from honest men, so that he may get pure liquor. In our western country, we have reputable drug gists who buy their liquors from respecta ble importers in the east. A nd there is no necessity for poisonous, drugged li quors being found in the druggists' estab lishments of our Commonwealth . I can not, for my life, see how this bill can be bettered by recommitting it to the coldnit tee whence iu emanated ; and I hope that the motion to re commit will not prevail. THE ANDERSON TROOP. HARRISBURG Pa., Feb. I2.—Governor Curtin has received the most gratifying intelligence from Gen. Rosecrans, with regard to the Anderson cavalry. All the members have returned to duty, and the wore of re-organization is to be at once commenced. Col. Palmer has arrived at Nashville and is exerting-a good inflaence. Gen. Rosecrans adds that the regiment contains the material to perform deeds that will wipe out the stain of refusal to join heir comrades in battle, and exceed the igbest expectations and hope. of its many friends. Beet for the Iteserifes. At length our brave soldiers who form the remnant of the Penisylvania Reserver, are to have rest. An order has been is sued to withdraw the Reserve Corps From skis held, and place them. on duty in the fortifications around Washi®gton. 11Isla Prices las illskassiss.—ln Little Rock, eggs are 12 der 4***o ; tur -liSlll, * pork, tirinfY-Ilie egitts irs Tom itti • sou?, $ S piii•44lrel 1 meat, 11.50 per bushel Netts of tE REBEL ATTEMPT TO BREAK-THE BLOCKADE. Official Reports from the Federal Fleet on Charleston. A bearer of official dispatches from the fleet off Charleston has arrived •_ 'Washington. The following is from the Rear Admiral Dupont, concern ing the rebel attack on our squadron off that port : _ _ FLAG-SHIP WABASH, } Port Royal Harbor, Feb. 2, 1863. SIR : I haver to report that about four o'clock on the morning of the 31st ult., during the obscurity of a thick haze, two iron-clad gunboats - came out of Charleston, by the main ship channel, unpprceived by the squadron, and commenced a raid upon the blockading fleet. Most of the latter were of the light class of pur chased vessels, two of the heaviest men-of-war, the Powhattan and Ca nandaigua, being at this port coaling and repairing. The Mercedita was the first vessel attacked. Her officers and crew had been particularly watchful during the night, to look out for a suspected vessel ; and at 3 o'clock had shipped her cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the channel. By mistake she ha At returned to her anchorage, and,Cap tain Stellwagen had bone to his room for a short time, leaving Lieutenant Commander Abbott on deck, when one of the iron-clads suddenly ap peared. Her approach was concealed by the haze and mist of the atmosphere. The vessel was immedia .ely hailed and au order given to fire, but the iron-clad being close aboard and lay ing low in the water, no guns could he brought to bear. A heavy rifled shell was fired from the enemy,which entering the starboard side of the Mercedita, passed through her con denser and the steam drum of her port boiler, and it exploded against the port side, blowing a hole in its exit some four or five feet squrre, kiling the gunner, and by the escape of steam, scalding a number of the men and rendering her motive power apparently useless; and unable to rise his guns and being at the mercy of the enemy which was lying along , side of his starboard quarter, all fur ther resistance was deemed hopeless by Captain Stellwagen and he sur rendered. The crew and officers were paroled, though nothing was said of the ship. The executive ofii cer, Lieut. Commander Abbott, hav ing gone on board the enemy's gun boat and made the arrangement. The iron-clad leaving the Mercedita to her fate, to sink or not, next en , gaged the Keystone State, Comman der Leroy, who was also attacked by the other. Their fire was gallantly returned, but a shell exploding in the forehold of this vessel, she was set on fire. Commarder Leroy kept off un til the fire was got under, when he steered again for one of the iron clads, ordered full steam on, and de termined to try to run her down.— The guns had been trained and de pressed for a plunging fire at the mo ment of the collision, and the ship had acquired a speed of twelve knots, when a shell from the enemy passed through the steam chest,w holly disa• bling her boilers, and rendering her powerless. • Ten rifled shots struck the Key stone State; two burst on the quar ter deck, but most of them struck the hull, being near and below the water line. In the meantime the Augusta, Commander Parrott, the Quaker City, Commander Frailey, and the Mem phis, Acting Lieutenant Watmough, kept up a fire on the enemy, divert ing their attention from the Keystone State, which was soon atter taken in tow by the Memphis and drawn away from the fire. The Augusta and Quaker City were both struck in their hulls. the Mem phis only in her rigging. The Hous atonic, Capt. Taylor, gave chase, and a shot from her struck the pilot house of one of the iron -clads, doing, it is thought, some damage, and carrying away one of her flags. The rebel vessels then passed to the northward, receiving the fire of our ships, and took refuge in the swash channel behind the shoals. The only casualties were in the htercedita and Keystone State. On the Keystone State they are very large ; about one-fourth of her crew were killed and wounded. Among the former the medical officer of the ship, Assistant Surgeon Jacob. 11. Golwalt, who was scalded to death while rendering surgical aid to one of the wounded men. Nine of those who died perished from the escape of steam when the boilers and steam chimneys were penetrated; and among the wounded the greater number re ceived their injuries from the same cause. As the Mercedita was the only ves sel which surrendered, I have direc ted a court of inquiry to examine into the circumstances of the case, as well as into the terms under which the . surrender was made. On the Iler3edita there were four killed and three wounded; on the Keystone State twenty killed and twenty wounded. Very respoctfully, &c., (Signed) S. F. DUPONT, Rear Admiral, &c. To lion. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. Report of Commander Staloragoa. The following is the report of Commander Stel!wagon of the U. S. steamer Meroedita :—PoaT ROYAL, January 81, 1863.—Rear Admiral .8. F. Dupont, &c.—Snt-1 hitt , e to re port that at half past four this morn ing two iron-oladrams from Charles ton, in the obscurity of a thick haze, and the moon having just set, ed in passing the bar in the rear of the ship channel unperceiv ed by the squadron, and made an 41114*-on It. TM* skip being Oil first eneanwtered,paitiettitrvigikate. was exhibited by the Alcor* and crew' in the eiiieetation OP a vessel to run the blockade. At three A. M. WO bad slipped.cable and overhauled a troop steamer running for the chan nel by mistake. At four o'clock I laid down. Lieut. Commander Ab bott was on deck giving orders to Acting Master Dwyer about recover ing the anchor f when they saw a swoke and the faint appearance of a vessel close at hand. I heard them exclaim :--" She has black smoke—watch, man the guns--spring the rattle—call all hands to quar ters !" Mr. Dwyer came to the cabin door, telling me that a steamboat was close aboard. I was' then in the act of getting on my pea-jacket, and I slipped it on and went out, and jump ed to the poop-ladder. I saw a smoke and a low boat, apparently a tug, although I thought it mie..._, be 1 a little propellor for the squadron.— I I sang out, "train your guns, sight lon him, and be ready to fire as soon as I order." I hailed the steamer 1"ahoy! stand clear of us and heave I to. What steamer is that ?" I then }ordered my men to fire on him, and I told him "you will be into us; what steamer is that ?" His answer to the first or second hail was "Halloo!" I• The other replies were indistinct, either by intention or from having spoken inside of his mail armor un til in the aet of striking us with his prow, when he sail : "This is the IConfederate States steam ram." 1 repeated the order "fire ! fire'." but no gun could be trained on him, aq he approached on the quarter, and !_tek us just abaft of our after mast with a thirty-two poune r, and fired a heavy rifle through us, diag ionally, penetrating the starboard through our Normandy condenser, the steam drum of our port boiler, and exploding against the port side blowing a bole in its exit some four lor five feet square. IReports were brought to me that la shot had passed through both boil ers; that the fires were put out by s!:eam and smoke; that a gunner and one man were kilted, and a number of men badly scalded ; that the water was over the fire room floor, and the vessel sin':!ing, that the ram had cut us through at and below the water line on one side and the shell had burst at the other almost at the water's e- ~e, After the rain struck 1 . she swung round under our star board counter, her prow touching, I and hailed, "Surrender, or I'll sink I !you. Do you surrender ?" After re ceiving the report, I answered : "1 can make no resistance; my boiler is destroyed." "Then do you sur render ?" "Yes," I replied, having found my moving power destroyed, i and that I could bring nothing to ; bear but muskets against shot proof I coating? Ho Lied several times to send boat, and threatened to fire again,— After some delay a boat was lowered, and Lieut. Commanding Abbott ask ed if he should go in her, and asked for orders what to say. I told him to see what they demanded and to tell them the condition we were in. He proceeded aboard, and accord ing to their demand gave his parole on behalf of himself and all the offi cers and crew. His report accom panies this. The ram having been detained a half an hour or more, ran out for the Keystone State, which vessel and three others we had tried to alarm by lights. We saw a smell explode as it struck the ram without injuring it.. Report of Commander Leroy. Commander Leroy of the K^y stone State, reports to Rear Admiral Dupont.—Sir : I have to report that about five o'clock this day Jan. 31st, while at anchor off the main en trance to the harbor of Charleston, this ship was approached by what was supposed to be a steamer, but regarding her appearances as suspi cious, I ordered the cable slipped and fired a gun, which was responded to by a shell, when 1 ordered the guns to ho fired as fast as they could be brought to bear on the object. • On putting my head to the eastward, it was discovered that, there was one on either quarter. and we made them out from their I,eculiar construction to be ironelads after the model of the Merrimac. Owing to the fire in the f..irehold, we stood to the northward about ten minutes, and shoaling wa ter kept us south-east about ten min utes to enable us to subdue the fire, and then I turned round, and under full steam attempted to run down the ram, but about six a. m. a shell fram one of them entered on the portside, under the forward wheel-house guard. passing through the portsteam chim ney, and landing in the starboard, depriving us of our motive power. Ten rifle shells struck the ship and two burst on the quarter deck. Our steam chimmeys being destroyed, our motive power was lost, and our situation became critical. There was two feet of water in the ship and leaking badly—the water rising rap idly. Others of the squadron coming along, the ram that had injured us so much altered her course, and before our wheel was entirely stopped, we were enabled to get a hawser from the Memphis, and were taken in tow. I regret to report that our casual ties arc very large, some twenty men killed and twenty wounded. Am ong the killed I have to mention the Surgeon of the ship, Assistant Sur geon Jacob H. Golwalt, who was kill ed whilst in the act of rendering as sistance to some of the wounded.— Accompanying, please find a list of the casualties In conclusion, Ai I beg leave ' call attention to the daiire manifested by all under my command to ilestroy the enemy, and particularly to the cool and efficient manner in which I was seconded by Lieut., Commander Thomas H. Eastman, the executive officer t)f the ship. I am, very re spectfolly, your obedient, servant, Wm. — lll -41116074 comnwider.. ` sir Some that shills start iiitheir hearts millions of inisehifif. Capture of Le , • mon, Tens; A Nashville disi,tch of the 10th says:—Our forces entered Lebanon, Tenn., on Feb. 8 . They captured some six hu ed Confederates, most of them b g men of Morgan's i r command. Mashy field officers were taken. Among the prisoners is Paulding Anderson, a violent rebel, and member of the State Legislature of 1860 and 1861. He was an origi nal secessionist, and one of the earli est advocates fur the Southern Con federacy. Over one hundred wound ed reached hero by the cars from Murfreesboro to-night. A numb 4 of paymasters left for the frout this morning. The first through train for Murfreesboro will leave heret4- morrow. River six feet on the shoals and falling Ice has been running heavily since noon Ogiclot Report of the Fort Don- elson Attack WasittNaroN February 7 --The following report has been received at the headquarters of the army : MURFREESBORO', TENN. ' February 6.-- To Maj. Gen. H. W. Halted, Com mander-in-Chief :—The rebels under Wheeler, Forrest. Wharton and Woodward, attacked Fort Donel son yesterday at ten o'clock P. M.; with 4,000 men and eight pieces of artillery. We had eight hundred men in the Fort, under. Col. H. C. Harding. They charged the forti fications several times, but were re pulsed by our artillery with great loss. The enemy, as usual before and after the fight, demanded a sur render, and offering to spare life if accepted, &e., &c. Col. Harding re plied that he was ready for all the consequences. The enemy's loss in killed was over one hundred, and in prisoners three hundred. Our for ces, under Colonel Lowe, from Fort Henry, are pursuing them, and oth ers have been sent to intercept their retreat. Our loss was twelve killed and thirty wounded. [Signed] W. S. ROSECRANS, Major General. The Recent Skiriasish at Wil liainsburgh. YGRKTOWN, February 10.—The en gagement on Saturday night beyond Williamsburgh, was not so severe as at first reported. Our loss in killed, wounded and missing, will be con siderably less than thirty. The wounds of Capt. Faith are not pro nounced mortal. Lieut. „Tames Smith and several others who were supposed to have been taken prison ers have made their escape. Capt. Hagermaster and Lieut. Williamson are undoubtedly in the hands of the enemy, as is also the body of Lieut. Rhinemiller who was probably killed. Federal Prisoners in Texas. Bosrocc, February 11.—A letter from Capt. Proctor, of the 42d Mas sachusetts regiment, dared Houston, Texas, January Sth, states that his. and two other companies were cap tured at Galveston on the Ist. They are at Houston, together with CoL Burrell, Surgeon Cummings & Chap lain Singer. Captain Proctor states that Capt. Wainright, Lieut. Lee and eight of the crew of the Harriet Lane were killed, and the rest are prisoners They all receive good treatment, and expect to be soon pa roled. Before the capture, one was killed and fourteen wounded in the three companies. Tom rhumb Married A telegram from Now York says that the marriage of Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren came off at Grace Church on Tuesday. The re ception at the Metropolitan Hotel was attended by thousands. WANTED: FIVE THOUSAND customers to buy my boots, shoes and hats, which I have reduced in price, notwith standing the rise in boots and shoes, hats and caps. I will sell the bal ance of my large stock at old prices, in order to make room for my Spring Stock. All in need of anything in my line will find it greatly to their advantage to give me a call as you can save money by so doing. 'Dv. S. S. Patton, Main Street, Waynesburg, attends to all . branches of the Dental profession. MARRIED, Ott Jan. 25, 18G3, by Jackson Hinder man, Hag., Mr. Jomt S. RANsoM to Mrs. ELNIABETLI M ITARTEN, both of Marshall county Va. On Dec. 27.1862,4 G. W. Bell, Esq., Mr. ISAAC STEWART tO ELIZA COLS, all ot- Greene County. By the same, on 25th day of Jan., 186, Mr. JOHN LUSE to Miss LYDIA A. Lsos. On Feb. Ist, 1863, by Rev. J. S. Gibson, Mr. H. S. HORNER of Clarksville, Graeae county, Pa., to Miss Lung LITZENBIRO, of Washington county, Pa. DISD, Of Diptheria, on February 7th, 1863, JESSE K., son of John and Minerva Ri ley, aged 4 years and 6 months. The deceased was a child of much prom ise, and thus early are the fond parents called to mourn his loss But let the bright thought that he has put off the mortality, to put on eternal life, in some degree assuage their parrot*. "Suffer lit tle children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of fleaT en." Man.—Jan. 29th, 1863, of niptheria, JENNIE MARIA, daughter of John G. and Margaret C. Dinsmore, aged 3 years, 4 months, and 27 days. Love's tendrils woven 'round the heats Are bsOlnilittag owe Sy ova ; • Soon all eV break, the aletti : 41 i1,1 4 4 - • TO its eternal home. 0 J. C. LIGHTCAP
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers