Dail)) Eelegrap.
HARRISBURG, P
Wednesday Afternoon, April 30, 1562.
THE VACANCIES on the U. S. Supreme Bench,
caused by death and resignation, are still un
filled. It becomes important that good and
true men be appointed to fill these responsible
positiots, or the whole policy of the govern
ment on the subject of crushing the rebellion
may In turn be crushed, and the rebellion of
the slaveholders legalised by the recognition
of the claims for which they are now battling.
This is even now threatened by the declaration
of the cut rules of the emancipation laws so far
as those laws relate to slavery in the District of
Columbia. The pro-slavery party asserts that
the Supreme Court will decide those laws to be
unconstitutional. In the present construction
of that court, with the known prejudices of
Judge Taney on the subject of slavery, and his
action on the sulject of the Writ of Habeas
Corpus so fresh in the minds of the people, we
have no right to depend on the impartiality or
the justice of the Supreme Court, on the sub
ject of slavery. Like the cabinet of James
Buchanan, the Supreme Court of the United
States looks for its precedence alone in such
decisions as are in favor of slavery. Hence the
country is solicitous that the vacancies in that
court may be so filled as will strengthen its
declining vigor and dispel its musty preju
dices.
HARRISONBURG, where the advance of General
Banks was on the 22d, is the present southern
terminus of the Manassas Gap Railroad, and
the county-town of Rockingham county, Vir
ginia. It is an old place, laid out - iia 1760 ; and
had at the breaking out of the war about thir
teen hundred inhabitants. There is a turnpike
road from there to Staunton, which is distant
only twenty-five miles. Staunton is one hun
dred and twenty-five miles from Richmond by
railroad. and its possession is important to our
operations on the rebel capital. Suray, to which
point the General says he has pushed forward a
force, is a village, the capital of Page county ;
and about fifteen miles by road east from New
Market, where the main body of Banks is. It
lies on a branch of the Shenandoah river, and
its possession protects two bridges, one across
the branch and one across the main stream of
the Shenandoah.
GOVEB-NOR LETOHER has issued a proclamation
" earnestly invoking " the people of that part
of Virginia from which the rebel armies have
been expelled by Banks and Fremont "to form
guerilla companies, and strike where least ex
pected, once more, for the state that gave them
birth." In reply, the loyal citizens who have
suffered long enough from rebel violence, ear
nestls invoke General Fremodt to hang every
guerilla he catches. It is said be waits for or
ders from Washington. But Halleck did not
wait for orders. He gave notice that he would
surely hang all guerillas who fell into his
hands ; and to-day Missouri is free of these
bands of highway roblberi and murderers. We
hope to see our Generals in Virginia as prompt
to protect loyal residents against violence.
IT is PROPOSED that all nominations for places
in the army henceforth be strictly confined to
officers fighting for the country, and that the
nominations be given as a reward for brave
cinduct. For instance, instead of making any
more Drigadiers out of civilians, let them be
made out of gallant colonels and captains in the
field. This is certainly a good idea. The coun•
try needs no more broadcloth brigadiers, but it
does tusk for the recognition of the gallant ser
vices of the officers in the field, whO, by their
gallantry, win distinction.
PRENTICE, of the Louisville Journal says;—"l
you hear a fellow speak of Union men as abo
litionists, you may set him down as a Knigh
of the Golden Circle."
We refer this decision to our neighbors of
the Patriot. They estimate all who are in favor
of the unconditional surrender of the rebels, as
"abolitionists," and may therefore, accordingto
Prentice, be put down as Knights f the Golden
Circle.
TUE CONFEDERATE ALMANAC for 1852, pub
lished by Rev. Dr. Summers, of the Southern
Methodist publishing- house, annonnces an
"eclipse of the sun, visible over the Confederate States!"
To this the Nashville Union adds, that about
the same time "there will be a total eclipse of
the Confederate States, visible over all crea
tion."
THE FORTECOMLNG BILLIARD MATCH.—The
Be
troit Free Press says that the third, match, to be
'played in Buffalo by Foley and Kavanagh, will
probably not occur for six months to come. A
new condition has been agreed upon in the
coming match, that is, to take no advantage of
the " push."
LIEUTENANT WORDEN. —We are glad to learn
thit the injuries of this gallant officer, though
very severe, are not likely to deprive hie coun
try of his future services. He will emerge, we
are told, from his present sufferings in better
general health than he has, enjoyed for some
time.
THE PRoposracm to emancipate the wives and
'children of sluves who were put to work on
rebel fortifications, by their mist, rs, affords a
splendid opportunity for the Breckinridee press
of the north to howl about the "nigger."
Patriot and Onion please take notice of the fact.
EMIGRATION from England to Utah, of Mor
mon proselytes, still continues steadily on the
increase. Does the London Times deem this an
evidence of the superior intelligence of the
English masses ? Who can tell ?
From Commodore Porter's Mortar
Fleet, in the Lower Mississippi.
The following letter, written by Jacob M.
Barr, attached to Com. Porter's Bomb Fleet, in
the Mississippi river, to his father in this city,
will be read with interest :
S. S. WESTFIELD, }
SOUTHWEST PASS, MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
March 31St, 1862.
RESPECTED FATHER : —We are still alive and
enjoying most excellent health at the present
time, nothing to complain of but musquitoes,
plenty of exercise, and short rations. But, still
we will not complain, for are we not engaged
in the most holy of causes, the preservation of
the Union,
and it matters little whether we are
served out with one half an ounce of beans per
an on bean day, or one can of roast beef con
;aining four pounds for sixteen men. I say it
matters very little, we will not complain of our
lot, for we are in the Navy ; and as the old
adage runs, when you are in Rome you will do
as the Romans do, so that when you are in the
Navy it is expected of you to do as the Navy
does. You will see by the heading of this that
we are attached to the U. S. Gunboat Westfield.
A small history of the Westfield may not be
amiss at this time. The Westfield was launched
last July, and ran as a ferry boat from New
York city to Staten Island and back. Some
time in the early part of the winter she. along
with the Clifton and Jackson, (all ferry boats,)
were purchased by the Government and trans
formed into vessels of war. We joined the
Westfield on the 14th of February, when she
went into commission, and placed under the
command of Commander William B. Renshaw,
(of him I will speak again,) and on the 22d of
the same month we sailed from Staten Island,
bound southward. The fleet which sailed at
the same time with us consisted of the West
field, Clifton, Jackson and Forbes. The latter
named vessel appeared to be the only sea boat
in the party, although we all appeared to be
staunch enough to stand a pretty good sea
The three ferry boats carry most tremendous
batteries. In fact, it was the opinion of a great
many on board that her battery was entirely
too heavy for the vessel, for instance : We
carried forward one large Parrott gun, 100 pdr.,
the largest Parrott gun afloat, with the excep
tions of those on board of the Jackson and Clif
ton—weight of the gun without the carriage,
9,717 lbs.; one large nine inch Dahlgreen pivot
gun, throwing a 96 lb. shot or shell;
lour.
broadside Dahlgreen guns, weight of each 6,600
lbs., throwing a 68 lb. shot or shell. Total
weight of battery 41,124 lbs., or 124 lbs. over
twenty ton, thus you will be able to see that
our battery is rather heavy to be placed on a
ferry boat. Two days out from New York we
encountered a pretty stiff breeze, and you may
rest assured that the vessel labored considera
bly ; but, as the blow was of short duration,
we congratulated ourselves upon our success in
weathering the gale, and thought that all was
now over and that we would have a very pleas
ant run down the coast. But as the old saying
is, " we should not count the chickens until
they were hatched. So with us, we counted
upon a pleasant run without any sure guaran
' tee that our expectations would be realized.
After twenty-four hours more run we came in
contact with old Hatteras, a little to the south
ward of the cape, when we encountered the
most fearful blow that I ever encountered.—
The blow commenced about six bells in the
afternoon and increased rapidly in violence un
til midnight. I have no particular desire of
ever passing over another such a night. The
vessels were parted or separated during the
night, and we had everything battered down
which could possibly be battered down. Not a
man in the boat " bobbed " an eye during the
whole night, every one expected on board7from
the Captain down, that she must inevitably go
down. She parted her seams, and the water
gushed into her in perfect torrents; but she
lived, and still lives. I have met with a great
many Naval officers in my time ; but the west
calm, collected, discreet man I have ever en
countered is Capt. Renshaw, every inch a gen
tleman, as good a sailor as ever stood upon a
ship's deck, and I thank him in a great measure
for the safety of the skip during that fearful
night. And, I believe, that when the time
comes for us to engage in the coming conflict,
that if he is allowed to act his own part, he
will fight until every plank sinks beneath him.
Such is the character he bears among the offi
cers of the squadron. We all, (that is the crew,)
place the most implicit confidence in him, and
he plates great confidence in the men, and
from the feeling manifested among the
men, I am certain that ; that confidence will
not be misplaced. But to proceed, when morn
ing came the clouds broke away, and before
afternoon bad passed away we were sailing or
steaming in still water; and it was well for us
for we were very much crippled up, our bows
stove in—that is the outer planking all torn
off. The following day we dropped our anchor
inithe a harbor of Port Royal; we saw nothing of
the remaining vessels of our fleet. The Clifton
and the Jackson the night of theblow stood in
for the land made the best of their way to Bal
timore for repairs. They from the accounts
which we have received since, suffered even
much more than we did. The poor Forbes ran
ashore, and the captain to prevent her falling
into the hands of the rebels after exerting every
means in his powers to get her off, judiciously
set fire to her and burned her to the water's
edge. The crew were, I believe, all saved.
Whilst we lay at Port Royal I took a ramble on
shore, and visited the fortifications around
there. There are e,omparitively speaking very
few of our troops at Port Royal, most of them
having gone up to attack Savannah. Fort
Beauregard is a sand fort of considerable
strength. I could not learn the number of
guns which it mounted at the time of the en
gagement, but from the appearance of the large
rifled gun which burst during tee engage
ment, the guns were all of large calibre. I
wished to visit Hilton Head, but on account of
the heavy surf running in it was impossible for
any boat to land. The town of Beaufort is a
short distance above Port Royal. There are a
great number of vessels laying here, and the
entrance to the harbor is effectually sealed from
the intrusion of any vessel unless they have
the proper countersign. Our vessels of war.
around here keep a pretty sharp look out. In
fact we were overhauled twice during the same
night and boarded and requested to show up
our proper doe's. We laid here about one
week repairing and taking in coal. As soon as
our work was done we up mud hook, and after
a very pleasant run of four days we came to
anchor in the harbor of Key - West, Florida. On
our passage down to Kew West we were over
hauled by the United states steamer Susque
hanna, which was just returning from Fort
Fernandina, bringing the intelligence that the
fort had surrendered without a blow being
struck. Key West is one of the places on our
southern border, which has not, as yet, fallen
into the hands of the rebels. There is a very
large and strong fort at this place called Fort
Taylor, and judging from the appearance of it,
it would be rather an ugly customer to fool
ith. The 47th Pennsylvania regiment, Col.
Good, are encamped at this place. The strong
arm of martial law is everywhere apparent iu
the town. Tne hotels and rum stalls are every
where closed up, and it is well it is so. We
expected to lay here fora some few days, but
the Commodore, who flew his broad pennant
from the Niagara, informed our skipper that
he must kmake all possible haste and proceed
to join our squadron. So we had the next
morning, after our arrival 0 commence taking iu
coal immediately. On Wednesday morning the
Clifton, one of the vessels which sailed in t om
pany with us, came steaming into the harbor
she commenced to coal the next morning at
day light—coaled all day and finished the next
morning, and immediately after coaling we
p 11110 pot_ 410;1.1 4 itiontoct,Micmac) p .430 86
started out to sea, in company once mor e .
There is something cheering and pleasant in
two or three vessels sailing in company. On
the second day t out the barometer commenced
suddenly to fall, and appearances indicated that
we were going to have a norther. The captain
thinking discretion the better part of valor,
wisely ran into the land and dropped our
anchor in Appalachicola Bay. And true enough
the barometer did not lie. It bloomed most
fearfully that night, and had we have been out
that night we must certainly have gone down,
but on Sunday moaning the sun broke out most
beautifully, and we put off to sea egain, bound
for Ship bland, where we expected to meet our
squadron, or at least the squadron to which we
are attached, but when we came to anchor at
Ship Island, we were disappointed, for the
bomb flotilla bad left thirty-six hours previous
for the Mississippi. We laid at Ship Island
during the space of six hours, coming in at
eight bells in the afternoon and leaving again
at four bells in the first watch, and came to an
chor at Pees L' Outre, at four bells in the morning.
Here we are in the midst of the much talked
of mortar fleet, under the command of Capt.
Porter. One word in reference to Capt. Porter.
You will recollect of the reading to you some
time ago—whilst you were sick—a letter which
had been written by Capt. Porter in answer to
one received by him from a brother officer from
South Carolina, urging him to resign and join
their unholy cause, in which Capt. Porter said
that if the' desire of the Government was to
reinforce Fort Sumter and relieve the wants of
Major Anderson, they could easily find three
brothers by the name of Porter who would
gladly accept of the contract and successfully
complete it. Well, this is the gentleman
who penned that letter. A small man about
five feet five and a half inches in height, dark
hair, dark complexion, sharp, piercing black
eye, and as quick in his movements as a swal
low. Immediately after coming to anchor we
were boarded by the commodore and congratu
lated by the commodore upon our safe arrival,
as he had almost given us up for lost. Imme
diately after, the men, having their grub put
away inside of them, all hands were called to
up anchor, and commence towing the schooners
over the bar. The steamer Harriet Lane had.
been engaged all the day previous, and had
succeeded in getting three of the schooners
over, but when we hitched on we took three
and four over at a time. We made three tows
that day, getting over eleven of the vessels,
And pulling off the Harriet Lane which had
grounded in towing a heavy schooner over.—
The next morning we up anchor again and
moved the schootaers up to the south-west pass,
to Upper Pilot town and ranging them in line
of battle. We have been engaged ever since in
towing up vessels and getting heavy onesoff the
bar which had run ashore, and I can assure
you that this was no easy task. It is very diffi
cult, at the present time, to navigate the river,
the enemy having removed all the buoys and
put out the lights in the light houses,. and even
removed the lamps and other fixings necessary
to create a. light, but then, perchance, if our
Northern coast was invaded, and our towns
and cities threatened, we would be very apt to
be guilty of the very same thing. So under
the circumstances we must not complain, but
trust to good navigation for the success of our
fleet. There is now laying at this, or in thiss
Pass, fifty-two vessels of war, and during the
night just passed, there was signals made out
side of three more coming in, and I have
heard that the entire naval force will consist of
seventy vessels. There are twenty-five schoo
ners, each of them carrying one of those tre
mendous mortars, and a long gun beside. The
schooners are the only vessels which carry mor
tars, they having been strengthened for that
express purpose. We had on board of us for a
few days, in the capacity of a pilot, a secession
prisoner, so said to be. He was captured some
weeks since in the act of running the block •de
with the steamer Magnolia, with a thousand
bales of cotton on board. He expresses himself
a strong Union man and the only thing which
prompted him in taking out vessels was to
procure means to maintain his family. He con
fesses to have run the blockade succetenully
with seven different vessels before, receiving
from each the sum of a thousand dollars. The
prize Magnolia with her crew on board were
sent to Key West, and the crew confined in
Fart Taylor. The pilot was and has been de
tained here by Commodore Porter to act as a
pilot. He is very communicative and mixes
freely with the officers and men. You will un
derstand he is not confined as a prisoner, but
messes in the ward room and smokes his pipe
on the quarter deck. He gives a very graphic
account of the doings of the enemy in and
about New Orleans, and says they are all de
termined to fight and fight hard. He says be
he can take the squadron up the river so far as
piloting is concerned, but says that it will be
almost impossible for us to reach New Orleans.
About twenty-five miles above where we are
lying is Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip, and
from that up to New Orleans they have sand
batteries erected on all points, and that every
inch of our passage will be disputed by men
who are determined to fight until the last.—
They know their strength and they feel confi
dent that they can beat us out and drive us
back one mile and a half. They have the river
obstructed by large timbers sunken and
anchored up stream. These large timbers
are secured together by bolts, and three
large cables (iron) woven together, and this
reaches from shore to shore. On the Southern
bank they have an apparatus, a hydraulic en
gine, which opens this obstruction at pleasure,
wide enough to admit of one vessel at a time.
Above this dam there are large quantities of
drift wood lodged, and this hydraulic engine is
under the protection of the guns on Fort Ed
ward. Now we will see how far the pilot is
correct in his account. Yesterday the gun
boat went up the riv• r within three miles of
the fort, reconnoitering ; the obstruction is
there just as the pilot says; the guns from Fort
Jackson, that being the nighest, blazed away
for one hour at the gunboat, but their shot all
fell short. The battering ram lay under the
guns of St. Phillip during the fire, and never
started out. The gunboat, after remaining up
about an hour, showed the enemy her stern
and returned to her anchorage ; thus you will
see that thus far the pilot was correct. He
also says that, if we should succeed in passing
the two forts, he has no doubt but what we
will have an easy passage up the river, al
though our passage will be disputed, still it
will not amount to anything, and when we
reach the city we will be hailed with joy by a
I great number of true Union men, who are lying
in the city. But of this we will see ; a few
days more and this fearful suspense will be
over ; if we are beaten it will be a sad blow
to our cause, and it will be a very long time
before we will be able to recover from it. I
think sometimes myself that our fleet has
most too many sailing vessels in it, these must
all be towed, and it will hinder us a great deal;
but once we can get them in position to ope
rate with their large mortars, they will do most
terrible execution. We go up the river to
morrow, and we will have no doubt to stand
the first fire, and the trouble will be that we
go unprotected, with the exceptions of our own
guns. There is a gentleman here from the
North, having in charge a large apparatus, de
signed to 'blow out the obstruction; fed we
have been detailed to carry him up with his
machine ; he comes on board to-day. I cannot
tell how long it may take to tear it out, but I
do know one thing, and that is, while we are
at work at the raft the enemy will not be idle,
and as we will be only one and a half mile
from the guns of the fort, we may expect to
have some pretty warm work. The engineer
who has charge of the machine s -ye it will not
take longer than one half hour to do the
whole work, and if he may be correct in his
opinions and calculations, we may get oft
pretty well ; but if a. chance shot happens to.
strike strike oex walking beam, it will be good-bye
Mr. Westfield. The reasons why, I suppose,
we are assigned to do this work is fur the
reasons that we are of light draught, only
drawing but eight feet of water, and beside
we are built as all fer'y boats are built, like a
snapping turtle, having a 'udder in both ends,
and by only the shifting of two phis we can
make either end the bows, so that, if, we do
succeed in removing the obetruction, we can
easily escape from the rush of drift wood by
pretty sharp steaming. We started out a few
days since to overhaul the steamer Irey, but
she was too sharp for us, she is like the wind ;
if we bad only have bad been one hour ear
lier, we could have caught her napping. She
is commanded by Lieut Collins, a renegade
naval officer, who formerly sailed beneath the
folds of that glorious emblem of a nation's
glory, and on board as fine a ship as any in
the navy, the Minnesota, in company with
our present commander, Capt. Renshaw. They
served in the same vessel in the same capa
city, both wete then Lieutenants, messed at
the same table, in fact drank from the same
cup. Now mark the change ! One has dis
graced his country and his country's flag. the
other, although strong inducements were held
out to him to swerve from his path of
duty, he stood firm and true, whilst friends
and relatives on each band of him deserted
their country in this, the hour of her peril,
and now he has °based his brother officer back
into his kennels of infamy. Yes, this same
brave, valorous Lieut. Collins. fled from before
the stars and stripes, wi h the brand of an
Arnold, a Judas and a Cain transfixed upon
his brow. Brave Southern chivalry I Now one
word more concerning Capt. Renshaw, and I
am done. Capt. Renshaw is a man of Southern
birth, and I believe as true a patriot as ever
lived in these our limes. Yon will recollect
that his first cousin, Lieut. Renshaw, was at
tached to the Pensacola navy yard at the time
of the surrender, and when the old boatswain's
mate was ordered to take down the stars and
stripe 8, and he refused to do so, this same Lieut.
Renshaw tore down the flag himself, and
deliberately ran his sword through its sacred
folds, as it lay trembling on the ground.
Brave man I Captain Renshaw's nephew is
said to be in command of one -of the rebel
batteries up this river, and when he, the rebel
officer receives a card from his uncle, backed
by ten pounds of powder, he will come very
suddenly to the conclusion that his uncle has
nut entirely forgotten him, and is disposed
to leave him a legacy. I never heard Cap
tain Renshaw but once speak of his rela
tives, and then it was with flashing eye,
clenched fist and compressed lip ; that look
spoke volumes. But I think I have said suffi
cient at the present concerning our doings in
these waters. Before this reaches you, we will
be engaged with the enemy, and who can tell
who may live to recount the doings of the gal
lant Commodore Porter's bomb flotilla. But
lam done. My respects to all. Good bye.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
PENNSYLVANIANS AT PITTSBURG LANDING.
THE CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA.
READ 917ARTEBB FIFTH BRIGADE,
Bat& Field near Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.,
April 12, 1862.
Holman' Sra:—l embrace the first moment
of time allotted me since the terrific battle of
the 6th and 7th inst., to inform you that the
old Keystone was represented in the battle on
the 7th inst. by the 77th regiment.
We were twenty-tight or thirty miles from
the scene of action on Sabbath morning the 6th
inst., when we distinctly heard the cannona
ding, and, of course, made all possible baste to
reach the battle field. Leaving our tran• porta
tion we marched forward twenty-two or twenty
three mile., over roads almost impassable, to
Savannah on the Tennessee river, where we ar
rived at 7 o'clock P. K., and after standing in
the street under a most drenching rain for eight
hotirs, we embarked on board a boat at three
o'clock A. at. on the morning of the 7th, and
landed at Pittsburg Landing at six o'clock same
day, when, after a hasty cup of coffee and a
cracker had been disposed of, we were ordered
forward into battle. The 77th was held in re
serve for the bth brigade from seven o'clock till
eleven o'clock A. at., under a galling fire, with
out being allowed to fire a gun, when the 77th
was ordered to support the left of the 4th
brigade, commanded by Gen. Rousseau, which
they did till about twelve o'clock, when the
77th wAs detached by order of Gen. M'Cook, for
the purpose of flanking three regithents of the
enemy, which the 77th nobly did, and also in
the meantime fired upon and silenced one of the
enemy's batteries by killing all their horses and
many of their men. Just here a considerable
body of rebel cavalry charged down upon the
77th, but were repulsed with severe loss, Again
they came and again the 77th repulsed them,
when they retreated in confusion. The 77th
took many prisoners that day, among whom
was Colonel Battles, of the 2nd Tennessee
infantry.
Suffice it to say that all the officers and men
of the 77th fought cooly and bravely that entire
day. lam especially indebted to Lieut. Col.
Housum and Maj. Bradford for distinguished
services during the battle.
Our It FS is quite meagre—only two or three
mortally wounded, and some five or six seriously
and lightly. This, I apprehend, is on account
of our loading and firing lying on the ground.
The loss on the federal side is very heavy, but
nothing to compare with the loss of the rebels.
The ranking officers of our brigade all being
wounded, I find myself in command of the
brigade, and I may add it was the brigade on
Monday.
Trusting that you will pardon this incomplete
and badly written epistle, written on a drum
head, I am, dear sir, • ir
Your obedient servant,
F. S. STAMBAUGH.
To his Excellency, A. G. Cumin, Governor
of Pennsylvania.
CAMP AT FALMOUTH, VA.
April 20, 1862.
Sur: —I have the honor to report, that on the
morning of the 18th, I was ordered with one
battalion of theist Pennsylvania cavalry, and
seven companies of the Hariis' Light Cavalry,
to take possession of the bridge leading from
this place across the Rappahannock, and hold
it till Gen. Anger, commanding, came up.
started at 2 A. m., and about four in the
morning I reached the vicinity of the.enemy.
They were posted on a high hill, with a brush
I
on either side of the road, and had erected
heavy barricades of rails across the road. Ig
norant of these obetructions, as- soon as their
pickets were drivenin, I ordered Colonel Owen
Jones, commanding the batallion of the let
Pennsylvania cavalry to move forward and to
seize the bridge at all has He moved for
ward at a rapid gait, and as soon as he reached
the vicinity of the barricadesi, - a very heavy in
fantry fire was opened upon him.
Captain Richards, company M, and Captain
Davidson's company I', acted with the utmost
gallantry. Captain M. L. French, of company
E, and Sergeant Jesse Fry, of same company,
with Lieutenant William Bayard, Adjutant
of the 2d batallion, all acted with courage.
Captain Davidson was taken prisoner, but ti
nallycaptured the man who had charge of him,
and brought bun and his horse into camp.
Lieutenant S ,mple, of Captain Richard's com
pany had his horse killed. Lieutenant Leaf of
same company, acted throughout the affair
with bravery, whilst the good conduct of Cap
tain Richards is spoken of in the highest terms
by Colonel Jones. Of Colonel Jones it is suffi
cient to say that he rallied his men with the
same coolness with which he led the advance
I under the withering fire opened up on him.
A second charge of the Harris Light cavalry,
l e d by mvbe.l f, firstmade me aware of the ob-
I structions in the road. I have since learned
that behind the b trricades were posted four
hundred infantry, and in their rear, on their
flanks, were threeor tour companies of caval
ry. Immediately after the affair, the enemy
deserted the barricades, and I advanced with
General Angar's command in pursuit.
That Host so few men, I attribute to the
darkness of the night, which caused them to
shoot too high. I had three men killed, nine
wounded and eleven horses killed and five bad
ly shot.
It was quite a brisk little affair, and but ad
ded to the confidence I have in the bravery of
the men, and the good conduct of the officers
of my regiment.
I think, sir, you can trust this regiment.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
GEO. D. BAYARD,
Colonel Pennsylvania Cavalry.
To His Excellency, Gov. A. G. CIIRTLN, Har
risburg, Penn.
r
„ ------ We:
" -
•
.'1:111' y
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
IMPORTANT SOUTHERN NEWS.
I=l=l
EXTRACTS FROM REBEL NEWSPAPERS
—.—
Arrival of the Wife and Family of Par-
son Brownlow.
ALL UNION UNION MEN ORDERED TO LEAVE
TENNESSEE.
THE FALL OF NEW ORLEANS.
GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY BY TILE
REBELS.
The Rebels Speak of it in a Dismal
Mood.
I==
THEY DEMAND AN EXPLANATION
OF THE SURRENDER.
THE REBEL IRON CLAD GUN BOAT MISSIS
SIPPI BURNED.
I=
Nothing Said About the Louisiana.
THE. YANKEE FLEET AT NEW
ORLEANS.
Deep Humiliation of the Rebel Leaders.
GREAT SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS IN
THE SOUTH
THE REBELS IN GREAT DISTRESS.
—.—
The Norfolk Day Book on the State of
the Markets.
A Matter of Grave Importance
The Culture of Flour and Meat Recom
mended instead of Cotton and Tobacco.
-.,....--..
The Merrimac with Steam up and ready
to come out.
=l=
FORTRESS MONROE, April 29
A flag of truce came from Norfolk to-day and
brought down the wife and family of Parson
Brownlow, and also Mrs. Maynard, the wife of
the Congressman. The party consisted of four
ladies, two gentlemen and six children, all from
Tennessee.
They bring a report that all the Union fami
lies in Tennessee have been ordered, by pro
clamation, to leave within 36 hours.
Eighteen hundred Union men left for Ken
tucky a week ago. On Friday, a party of 900
men in attempting to leave, 100 had been
killed.
There can be no doubt of the capture of New
Orleans. The newspapers speak of it in the
most dismal style, and demand that the mys
tery of the surrender of the city shall be ex
plained.
The Day Book editorial says that the fall of
New Orleans is by far the most serious reverse
of the war. It suggests future privation to all
classes of society, but most to be lamented of
all, it threatens the army supplies.
The raising of meat and bread Instead of
cotton and tobacco is earnestly recommended
by the disconsolate editor.
- .
The Richmond Dispatch of yesterday says
that when the enemy's fleet arrived opposite
the city, and demanded the surrender, General
Lovell, refused and fell back to Camp Moor e.
After destroying the cotton and tobacco, the
iron clad Mississippi was burnt to prevent her
from falling into the hmds of the enemy.—
Nothing is said of the Louisiana, but it is sup
polled she was scuttled, and it is rumored that
she was sunk at the first fire.
Camp Moore is at Tangihatiue, 78 miles from
New Orleans, on the Jackson railroad.
The following are the latest dispatches in
to-day's papers :
Moarra, April 27.—The Yankee Commodore
Farragut, promised the Mayor's secretary, who
visited the fleet under a flag of truce to make
a renewed demand ; for the surrender of the
city, but has not done so up to this hour, five
o'clock.)
Our ship, the Mcßae, came from the forts
under a flag of truce with forty of our wound
ed. She communicated with the Federal flag
ship, but the result was not known. It is ru
mored that the Federals refused to let her
return.
The rumor that Fort Pike had been evacu
ated and blown up, is unreliable.
In a conference held with one of the Federal
officers,af ter the correspondence between Mayor
Monroe and Corn. Farragut, the officers left,
declaring that be would shoot down the flag on
the City Hall if not hauled down, and actually
brollglat the ship within range but has not tired
thuH tar.
It is reported that French and English men
of war are below, and enter their protest against
shelling the city.
believed the Yankee vessels are short
both of provisions and ammunition.
The city is remarkably orderly, but the ex
citement is intense and the feeling of humilia
tion deep.
RICHMOND, April 28.—The following official
di-patch was received this morning by Adjutant
General Cooper, dated Camp Moore, April 27.
Forts Jackson and St. Phillip are still in good
condition and in our hands. The steamers
Louisiana and 'Mcßae are safe. The enemy's
fleet are at the city, but they have not the.
forces to occupy it. The inhabitants are
staunchly loyal.
Monne, April 28.—The forts on Lake Pont
chartrain were all evacuated on the 25th. We
have sustained considerable loss in supplies and
dismounting, but not destroying the guns. At
Fort Pike, all the buildings were burned, in
cluding the telegraph of f ice, and the operator
has gone to the limits of the city to open an
office if possible.
All the gunboats on the lake have been
burned by our own people.
The Mobile boats, Whiteman Brown and
several others are revmoing troops, stores and
ordance to Manashack, after which, we fear
they will be burned.
A yankee fleet was at Ship Island and we are
again returning to that station.
LI a local paragraph headed markets, the
Norfolk Day Book mentions the very small sup
ply of edibles exposed for sale, and says it be
comes a question of great moment as to where
and how the people are to be fed.
The death of Samuel B. Todd, brother of His.
Lincoln, is announced. He died on the battle
field, from the effects of wounds at Shiloh, on
the 7th of April.
The Charleston Mercury of Saturday says that
nine schooners left that port on the previous
Saturday to run the blockade. The guide, Wave
and two others were captured. The crews of
the Guide were land2d on Gibber Island on
Wednesday. On Friday they were seen by our
pickets and fired on, supposing them to be
yankees. David Kauffer of Augusta was killed.
The other vessels crews were sent to Port
Royal.
It is reported by the flag of trace tbat the
Merrimac has her steam up. It was expected
in Norfolk last night that she would come out
to-day, She has not made her appearance
however. It is now raining.
The gunboat Mount Vernon arrived here
from the blockade off Wilarngttfn, N. C., on
Sunday night. She left there the Jamestown
and Victoria. The Cambridge sailed henca for
Wilmington on Sunday. The Mount Vernon's
boilers are defective but she will return to her
station in a few days.
Fort Caswell is being strengthened by the
rebels, in expectation of an attack.
The schooner Kate, from Naua, was cap
tured by the Mount Vernon about two weeks
ago, while attempting to run the blockade.
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE ARREST OF GEN. STONE•
Treatment of Our Killed and Wounded
at the Battle of Ball Ban.
WASHINGTON, April 80
The President transmitted a message to the
Senate yesterday in reference to a resolution to
the effect that Gen. Stone was arrested at his
instance, and by his order, and he should have
as speedy a trial as was consistent with the
public interest, but that the exigencies of the
service are such that neither officers to form,or
witnesses to attend a court martial, could at
present be spared from the field.
The joint Committee on the Conduct of the
War have made a report in regard to the bar
barous treatment by the rebels at Manassas of
the officers and soldiers of the United States
army killed in battle there. They examined a
number of witnesses, whose testimony is sub
mitted. The facts disclosed are of a repulsive,
shocking and painful character. The commit
tee say in conclusion "the members of your
committee might content themselves by leav
ing this testimony to the Senate and the peo
ple, without a word of comment ; but when the
enemies of a just and generous government
are attempting to excite the sympathy of dis
loyal men in our own country and to soli
cit the aid of foreign governments by the
grossest misrepresentations of the effects of the
war and of the conduct of the officers and sol
diers of the republic. This the most startling
evidence of their insincerity and inhumanity,
deserves some notice at our hands. History
will be examined in vain for a parallel
to this rebellion against a good gov
ernment, long prepared for by ambitious
men who were made doubly confident of success
by the aid and comfort of former administra
tions, and by the belief that their plans were
unobserved by a magnanimous people. They
precipitated the war at a moment when
the general administration had just been
changed, under circumstances of astounding
perfidy, without a single reasonable ground
of complaint, and in the face of repeated
manifestations of moderation and peace on
the part of the President and his friends;
they took up arms and declared that they
would never surrender until their rebellion
had been recognized, or the institutions estab
lished by our fathers had been destroyed.--
The people of the loyal States, at last con
vinced that they could preserve their liberties
only by an appeal to the God of battles,
rushed to the stindarl of tee Republic, in
response to the call of Chief Magistrate. Every
step of this monstrous treason has been marked
by violence and crime—no transgression has
been too great, and no wrong too startling for its
leaders. They disregard the sanctity of the
oaths they had taken to support the Constitu
tion. They repudiated all their obligations to the
people of the free states; they deceived and be
betrayed their own fellow citizens, and
crowded their armies with forced levies;
they dr-ve from their midst those who
would not yield to their despotism, or
filled their prisons with men who would
not enlist under their flag. 1 They have
now crowded the rebellion by the perpetration
of deeds scarcely known even in savage warfare.
The investigations of your committee have es
tablished this fact beyond controversy. The
witnesses called before us were men of undoubted
veracity and eh aracter;sorne of the men occupy
high positions in the army and others high
positions in civil life. Differing in political
sentiments, their evidence presents a remark
able concurrence of opinion and of judgment.
Our fellow countrymen heretofore sufficiently
impressed by the generosity and forbearance of
the Government of the United States, and
by the barbarous character of the crusade
against it will be shocked by the
statements of. these unimpeached and un
impeachable witnesses, and foreign nations
must with one accord, however they have
hesitated heretofore, consign to lasting odium
the authors of crimes, which, in all their de
tails, exceed the worst excesses of the Sepoys
of India.
COLONEL LEE AND MAJOR REEVE
Colonel Lee and Major Reeve have been ex
changed, and, being thus relieved of their pa
role, will start to join their regiment ut York
town immediately.
BobroN, April 30