Pennsylvania telegraph. (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1864-1864, May 10, 1864, Image 2
MI pail g Ettegrap4 HARRISBURG, PA• TUESDAY EVENING, NAY 10, 1864 THE PEOPLE'.S CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT, A.BRAIIAM LINCOLN. FOR TILE AMENDMENT OF TIIE CONSTITIOTIO, GRANTING THE SOLDIERS' RIG EIT TO VOTE. Should the Soldiers Have se Right to Votes Our own as well as the countries of the world, stand in awe and in admiration of the wonderful .deeds and brilliant -valor of the free men who are now contending for the life of the Great Republic. Never before have the peo ple of any land made such voluntary sacrifices for the preservation of their nationality. And yet let it be remembered, that the heroes who thus peril life and limb, who endure the fatigues of the march and the dangers of the fight, are the men whom the Democratic leadrs insist should not be recognized as citizens nor en dowed with any of the franchises of government. WHILE THE SOLDIERS OF PENNSYLVANIA. ARE BLEEDING AND SUFFERING IN THE HEAT OF TEE CONFLICT NOW RAGING IN VIRGINIA, THE DEM OCRATIC LEADERS AT HOME ARE_CON COCTING THEIR PLANS TO DEFEAT THE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION, RECOGNIZING THE RIGHT OF HIS EN FRANCHISEMENT! We want the friends of the soldier to reniember these facts now, as the soldier will certainly recollect them when he returns crowned with victory ! A Funny. Argrinnont. The slave-owners and breeders who cannot resist the conviction that their favorite insti tution is doomed to destruction, resort to what we can only term as a funny argument to prolong the life of the barbarism of slavery for a few years. Recently in a debate in Con gress, Mr. Clay, of Kentucky, while attempt ing to break the force of the heavy blows which Judge Kelly was dealing the monster iniquity, declared that the • northern men in &Ogre of the freedmen of the South, were actually defrauding the negroes of half their earnings. Clay intended the charge to be a crusher to abolitionism, but When the facts are fairly examined, even that wrong (admit ting for argument's sake that it is perpetrated)- is an improvement to the negro: Under the institution of slavery, the negro was not only robbed of all the proceeds of his labor, but the issue of his body was made a marketable product to fill the pockets and provide for the pleasures of his master. Hence, the improve ment in the condition of the negro, even it he is now robbed of half his labor. TECBTLE Is SCARCELY A WOMAN LN THE LAND incapable of contributing some article of her own handicraft or manufacture for the benefit or the cheer of the soldier. It behooves all these, then, at once to busy themselves in supplying the different commissions whose work it is to afford relief to the soldier in the field and in the hospitals. A great battle, or rather a series of great battles, have just been fought, the bloody results of which should claim our attention before we begin to rejoice . Over the victories achieved. Our wounded soldiers want the assistance that will relieve them in their suffering, and not the applause which falls unheeded on the memory. Let all good women, and mentoo, at once arouse themselves to afford this relief. Let us pour the, largest store of our abundance through the channels of the Sanitary and Christian Oorimaissions, that the braves of the republic may be made to feel that their services are appreciated. A MEETING of the officers and enlisted men of the sth Illinois cavalry volatteers was held recently for the purpoie of expressing their feelings with regard to treasonable utterances * . the halls of the Congress of the United States. Resolutions were unanimously adopted asking and petitioning the House of Representatives to expel "those low, con temptible, vile and venomous traitors, Long, Harps: and Wood," declaring that the sol cliers of the United States "deem their lan guage and their actions a direct insult to US . and to our efforts for the victorious suppres sion of the rebellion, besides an insult to the memory of our many brave comrades who have fallen for the sake of their country and for the Union." Tom: STATE OF FRANKLAND. —A brief paraz graph in a recent Washington exchange pa per, announced that a movement to create a new State out of East Tennessee, bearing the appellation of Frankland, has been for some time past active in that region, a proposi tion for the purpose having been before the Convention' held at Knoxville. It is said that the people of East Tennessee are generally in fairor, and we,can readily believe it, as in their interests, feelings, social characteristics and Institutions there has ever been a marked dif ference between them and the people of Mid dle and West Tennessee: ' Tim obmv SET or NEN who, do not rejoice at the victory of our armain Virginia, are the copperhead leaders and their blind followers. Even those who have lost kinsmen in the Union gnu, hush the voice of regret to re joice at the approach of the hour of complete victory. The rotten carcass of modern De mocracy, with the palsied body of slavery, will fill a common grave, to be mourned over by the copperhead leaders of the.country. Da. BREWEEE Y. BERRY, a prominent citi zen of Centre county, died at his home near Boalsburg, on Saturday evening last. As a leading physioian in- that region, and as a man of varied accomplishmentsand much en ... . . • terprise, he stood very high among his. fellow -citizens; and his death-will 'bevueritinslos - to the conimunity in which he practiced his. Profession. • - GRAPHIC VIEW ot A Pennsylvania Politician and Politics, • AS SEEN FROM ABROAD. The Recognition of the Keyatone - State A'POWER IN THE. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. AS GOES PENNSYLVANIA SO GOES THE UNION I TIIE PAST AND PRESENT OF SIMON CAMERON' [We feel certain that our readers will thank us for the room we occupy to-day, even if it is to the exclusion of other matter, in the publi • _cation of the following graphic letter, relating to one-with - Whom - they are eo closely-and so intimately connected by the general ties of patriotism and.busineis prosperity, :Indeed, it is now a fixed,fact, that whatever _ concerns Simon Cameron, interests the great masses of Pennsylvania, simply because no man of• his day has contributed a larger share to the pros perity and-wealth of the State than he of whom we now write. Without further comment, we submit the letter from our Chicago cotem porary, as follows: ). PENNSYLVANIA DECLARES FOR LIN COLN . MEETING OF THE UNION , STATE CONVENTION .:.. APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATES TO ATTEND THE .:BALTEHORE. CONi'ENTIOH.. General Coiteron Heads the Senatorial Delegation Correspondence of the Chicago 'Evening Journal. NEW YOER, April 29, 1864. Pennsylvania has spoken. The Keystone State sustains the President,' , and demands his re-nomination. XF,ETENG OF THE UNION STATE CONVENTION Yeaterday the Unioniststof ;Pennsylvania met in State Convention to elect delegates to attend the Baltimore Convention in June, form an eleetoral tiohet for NoVeMber, and to appoint a State Central Committee for the campaign. The city of Harrisburg was early thronged with TJnioitists from ell sections of the State. ' - ' ' PROCEEDINGS. After the appointment of the proper officers to preside over their deliberations, the conven tion proceeded to business. The President, Mr. Lawrence, declared, amid the most tu multuous applause, that nineteen-twentieths of all the soldiers in the army belonged to the Union organization, and' called for thele-elec tion of President Lincoln. A resolution Was adopted instructing the Electors -at Large to support Mr. Lincoln, and to oppose all efforts to postpone the meeting of the National Union Convention in June, and declaring that "one of theliardest blows that could be inflicted on the rebellion would be the certainty of the President's re-election." Four delegates (Sen atorial) to attend the Baltimore Convention were then balloted for, and Hon. Simon Cam eron, of Dauphin county ; Hon. A. K. Mc- Clure, of Franklin, and two other gentlemen were elected. After the transaction of rou tine business, and the passage of a resolution giving the thanks of Pennsylvania to her brave soldiers in the field, the Convention ad 'ourned sine die. • GEKEICAL CAMERON, wholleads the Senatorial delegation, andwho Will cast the vote of Pennsylvania, at the Con vention, is well and favOrably known to the public. Commencing life at the age of twelve years, poor and' friendless, he has by the ex ercise of indomitable -energy, accurate busi ness habits, strict economy and integrity, gained a position in the land attained by few. One of the founderi 'of the Republican party, he has steadfastly adhered to , its fortunes throughout its eventful career. He took an active _arid energetic part in the memorable Presidential canvass of 1860, at the close of which Pennsylvania gave nearly 60,000 ma jority for Lincoln. "THE FonTroia° or w.p • When Mr. Lincoln becarde Preiident invested General Camereti With the portfolio of war. It was then certain that we were on the eve of the most bloody and. desolating civil war that ever afflicted the world, and that the man wlio should be placed at the head of the War Department would have to contend with difficulties and trials of the most formi dable character. Nevertheless, General Cam eron did not hesitate, but cheerfully accepted the responsibility. From March, 1861, to February, 1862, he acted as Secretary of War. Laboring both illy and night to properly or ganize and equip the undisciplined hordes of brave patriots who rallied at their country's call; serving his country with that energy and promptitude so requisite in revolutionary times, he, prepared the way for some of the great victories our armies have achieved, and contributed as much as any other one man has done to break dawn the military power: of the "Confederacy." In concert with Generals Scott, M'Clellan , and Halleck, the Secretary of War laid the foundation-stone of those great victories in the South which have elec trified-the continent. , • DEATH OF GENIIi&L wadinazes At the battle of Bull Run, General -Cam eron's only brother, James, was barbarously murdered by the , rebels while .bravely ;leading his re,,aiment into the very . jaws of death. I do not think that his remains , have ever-been recovered. James - Cameron fell a victim to his courage and patriotism. Like , thousands of other patriots he scorned to remain at home when his country demanded the services of her sons. The weight of this great calam ity fell upon General Cameron at a time when the utmost energies of:his -mind Were concen trated upon his official-duties. . Those only who have lost a dear relatiVe in this terrible war, can appreciate his sorrow. But the bru tality of the rebels could not swerv&-the Se cretary from the path. of duty ; a r few hours only were given to _mourning ; his time was thenceforth devoted to his country. ARM:/]KG THE NEGROES General Cameron...Ras early impressed with the conviction that it would be advisable, as a . military measure, to arm the contraband's com ing into our camps for protection, and enlist -them in our, service. This opinion he often urged upon'the President, but Mr. - Lincoln was not then of the opinion that arming the negroes would-benefit our cause, and so the matter redteetill January 1, 1863. GENERAL Cur - 110N RETIERES FROM THE CABINET. In Fibrnary, 1862, General Cameron ten dered his resignation as Secretary of War, and the same was, with reluctance, accepted. By his advice and' request, Hon. E. M. Stanton, of Pittsburg, Pa., was made his successor. TgLY HE AF,SIGNED . In the Fall:of 1861, General Cameron's la 7 borious exertions at -the, War 'Department caused his:health to decline, and, he became sensible that a longer continuance in, office would prove fatal to his life. In the mouth of October of that year he wrote,to a political. friend that "he should resign b?s,position as Secretary of War whenever:;he_coujd do so with justice to the state of the country and his own reputation." Nevertheless, he• con tinned at the post of duty till February; .1.862,- 114 nearly passed, and di4,npplesigg. Op,irs_pf 4ie nation *ere apparently in the most flourshing condition—until we bad gained many great victories, and were on the eve of achieving others equally decisive. Then, and not till Alien, did Simon Cameron leave the War Department. TUB MISSION TO RUSSIA President Lincoln, in view of the great awd valuable services rendered to the country by General Cameron, as Secretary of War, tc a defed him the position of Minister to Russia, and believing that a brief residence upon-t'ie European continent would prove beneficial to his impaired health, the ex-Secretary accepted. General Cameron appointed Bayard Taylor, Esq., his Secretary of Legation. He was absent in Russia some ten months, and r 1 c 1 not return here till.his health had been.lnlly restored WHAT TRANSPIRED IN' PENNSYLV.A.I%.:IA DliftrNG BIN A3SESOE. Fro n Lake Erie to the Delaware river there is but one Mari in Pennsylvirda who is really a statesman ai l. pAlitician in the pact mean ing of that term. That-man is General Cam eron. Whenever he guided - the councils of the Republican party during an exciting can vass, that . canvass generally resulted in a deoisjve Republican victory. The State elec tion,of-,1862, was not,properly appreciated by the Republican leaders; too much confidence and too , little prudence was manifested; the State was not thoroughly can*assed; the loyal people were• not aroused to the necessity of action. It was believed that Pennsylvania would vote Republican in any event, and, lulled to sleep. by overweening.•confueence, the friends of the Administration made no exertions commensurate with the importance of the occasion. On the other hand, the Democrats were wide-awake and active. The result can be •summednp in four words: the Republicans were whipped. The, Democratic. State ticket was voted in by nearly 4,000 majority, the -vote standing thus:. Democratic Republican Democratic majority , The depressing influence of this Republican defeat was felt in every quarter of the loyal .. • Staten. GENERAL CAMERON BETTJENS FROM EUROPE. In less than a year from the time General Cameron sailed from New York to Europe, he returned to Pennsylvania, where his presence was most urgently demanded by his bussiness engagements. • His personal and political 'friends were desirous that he should again enter public.life, but for a long time he re fused to take any step in that direction. HE BECOMES CAI:DM/TB FOE THE UNITED STATES SENATE. • On the expiration of Mr. WilMot's term in the United States Senate, it became apparent that he .would , be succeeded by a Democrat, and Mr. Wilmot himself,, seeing the hopeless ness of success, declined being a candidate for re-election. In this emergency the political friends of General Cameron, including many men high in public, station at Washington, earnestly- requested him to permit the use of his name by the 'Union members of the Legis lature, as a candidate for the vacant Senator ship. General Cameron at first peremptorily refused to do so, but finally consented that the attempt should be made. THE RESULT When the Legislature convened at Harris burg, and met in joint convention to elect Mr. Wilmot's successor, turbulent scenes ensued. A thousand ruffians' were, hired to attend the meeting of the Legislature and force that body to elect a Democratic Senator. The city of Harrisburg was soon inundated by these vag aboi.ds, who, with weapons in their hands, paraded the treets and frequented,the •tav erns, swearing that ithe Democratic legislator who should vote for Cameron would be shot dead the instant the vote was announced. Under the influence of this species of intimi daticin; the Democratic candidate was chosen by a Majority of two votes, while it was certain that there were several so-called Democratic members present, who, having been elected in good measure by the vote of unconditional Union men, were inclined to vote for the Union candidate for Senator, in opposition to his "copperhead" competitor, and who would have done'eo had freedom of election been secured to them. COPPERHEAD• • onindNres. The instant the election was ended, the "copperheads," to divert attention from'their own misdeeds, raised the cry that General Cameron had endeavored to subvert " the freedom of election," and forthwith appointed an Investigating Committee, composed in a great Measure of men of their persuasion, to investigate the matter.. Very soon thereafter a report was Made"accusing prominent'Union ists of all manner of frauds, but not saying a word about the advent of the scoundrels whom the city of Philadelphia had vomited into the Dauphin Valley! General Cameron and his friends refused to take the slightest cognizance of the partizan charges, but treated them with the contempt they merited. -They have long since ceased to be remembered or regarded by those whose judgment and patri otism are of any account. GENERAL WCZERON'IN RETIRYNivIa From that period until the time when the loyal people of Pennsylvania-re-nomi nated Governor Curtin, General Cameron remained in dignified retirement and seclu sion at his 'beautiful residence near Harris burg, which he has named "Lochiel," after one of the places in Scotland immortalized by the pen of Sir Walter Scott. There, dispensing hospitality to his friends and neighbors, and looking after his, business affairs, the ex- Secretary of `War '6od - the peace and serenity which cannot be obtained amid the cares and turmoil's of public'life. • • THE GIIBEREATOBIALL CANTASS OF 1863 But the necessity of carrying Pennsylvania for the AdMinistration aroused him from his quietude, and again he'took an' ctive part in political affairs. The splendid:canvass of 1863 will belong reraerabered by- every . Permsyl* venial', Its glorious--reaidt; the precursor of brilliant Union triumphs in New-York and many oilier States,-was hailed-With enthusi asm throughout thelength an I breadth of the loyal North. "Curtin was-re-elected by 15,325 majority in the'unpreeedenfed:poll of 523,667 votes. --When the -secret hiStory of that splen did-canvass conies to beseeorded, Eton. Simon Cameron will beibund-te have 'Contributed his full share Of the woilci- • ' FROM NOVEMBER TO AS!BIL, General Cameron was again in retirement, de voting himself to his business interests with more ardor than ever. At length he is called from- his privacy. He.can no longer remain in quietude. . The "Union men of Pennsylva nia now demand that he shall take an active part in the: great political Campaign about to ensue. By the unsolicited suffrages of his fellow-citizens. he is orderalto attend the Bal timore Convention, and cast the vote of Penn sylfauia for- Abraham Lincoln. He cannot refuse' to comply with. this requisition, nor I have thus hastily sketched the recent ca reer of the Hon. Simon Cameron, to show that intelligence and perseverence are certnin in'the end-to be largely rewarded; and that he who e.ommenceslife, - ,guided by principles . of industry and morality, is sure of acquiring both fame and fortune erele leaves the world, The poor printer;who, fifty years ago, walked 1 2Mfoot frora Qua:Tom/try ~ t own .to another, seeking eraPloyment till ho met with ; friends and, assistance far from %enlace of 4 01 4 birtht .110-31 , _one -of our moatitonored citizens, and will go down in history as one of our best men. His public career is yet far from ended. I have, too, another object in view. It is to impress upon the mind of every loyal man the absolute necessity now existing of summoning to the aid of the Gov ernment 831 who can in any way contribute to its eupport. The coming Presidential can vass tvill be the most exciting one we have yet had: on. one side will be arrayed the patriots ,Cirrthe other, - the traitors. Every loyal man whe can be useful, must perepare to play his part. Arad I insist that neither Simon-Cam eron, of Pennsylvania, nor any other loyalist of ability, shall remain idle. lam sure that he at least will prove worthy of living in the Nineteenth century. CHARLES. Ai.l . l . ,efr i grapti. Special Dispatch to the Pennsylnastia Telegraini. BY THE INLAND LINE. Warren's Corps near Hancock's Force. Great Scare in Richmond The Citizens Hiding in Cellars WASICENGTON, May 10. Warren's Corps is close on to Hancock's.— There is a • great scare prevailing in. Rich mand. Food had advanced to starvation prices, and the citizens are resorting to cel lars a/a Vicksburg. The rebels admit heavy losses. The rebs were driven from Spottsyl- Tanis Court House towards Cane river. ...219,006 .215,684 3,382 BUTLER ONWARD TO -RICHMOND structions Removed froni James River TURE OF FORT DARLING CONFIRM Gen• ,edg - wiek Killed -• WASHINGTON, May 1.0 . . The obstructiohs on the James river have been removed. °" Butler is moving on Richmond from the south side of the river and is - within one day's march of it. He is running a race with Grant and the chances are in his favor. Fort Darling has been captured and is now in Butler's possession. We regret to state that Sedgwiek was killed. Drs. Brown & Alexander, Government em balmers, left last evening for Fiedericksburg, to embalm the body of Gen. Wadsworth. GREAT BATTLE IN GEORGIA Desperate fight Betwee.n Sher. man and Joe Johnston. A great battle is, raging in Georgia. The Government receiied dispatches this morning that there is desperate fighting be fore Balton, Georgia, between the Union ar my under Major-General W.'T. Sherman and the Rebel army under Geneial Joseph E. Johnston, and that than is reason to believe that a general battle is going on to-day be tween the contending forces. P. S.—Since 'the above was ha type we learn that the cifficial dispatch to the' Government announces that Sherman, with Thomas, Hookers and Scohfield's corps are now fight ing for the possession or a ridge which lies north of Dalton, and is the if..ey to the city. In the meantime. Xi:Pherson has made a successful march to the South, of Dalton, and has, or is about to strike a fatal blow at John ston by cutting the Tennessee and Atlantic Railroad, South of Dalton. Everything is going well. GRAFFEN. FFICIAL NEWS,FROM THE:, PENINSULA Operations.'of Colored Cavalry DESTRUGTION OF RAILROAD BRIDGES Railrotd Track Destroyed BEAUREGARD'S FORCE CUT UP EILL,W HIPPED Our Position . Impregatible The Rebel Garrison at Richman ee Afraid to Enter the Entrenchments et Richmond. Grant's Vicksbuig Stiategy too Much for Him. WAsarsorort, May 10. The following has been received at the War Department: 11EADQUARTERS IN TUE FIELD,, NEAR BERMUDA LANDING, May 9. 1 To Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secrenn'y of W Our operations may be summed up in a few words: With seventeen hundred cavalry we I have advanced up the Peninsula, forced the Chickahominy, and have safely brought them to our present position. These were colored cavalry and are now Voiding our advancedpick ets towards Richminul. Gen. Kantz with three thousand cavalry, from Suffolk, on the same day, with our- -movement, up James river, forced the Blackwater, burnt the railroad hrislges_At_iStpny_Creek, .below Petersburg, outtiug in two .Beauregexd's force at that point. We have landed here, entrenched our selves, destroyed many miles, of railroad and got a position, which; witr;pioper snpp es, C. H. GRAFFEN -•.- SECOND DISPATCH GRAFFEN THIRD DISPATCH. WASH3N6TON, May 10 FOURTH DISPATCH we can hold out against the whole of Lee's army. I have ordered up the supplies. Beware gard, with a large portion of his command, was left south by the cutting of the railroads by Kautz. That portion which reached Pe tersburg, under Hill, I have whipped to-day, killing and wounding many, and taken many prisoners, after a severe and well contested fight. Gem Grant will not be troubled with any further re-inforcements to Lee from Beaure garde forces, (Signed) BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major General Richmond, this is the word just now upper most in all minds. It is believed- that Bragg, with such reserves, local forces, inva lid forces, &c., as can be-mustered, has been entrusted with the defence• of Richmond, and that Lee hesitates to plant him self within the fortifications, in dread that Grant may fasten his Vicksburg gripe upon him, he (Lees believing that were he once cooped up in Richmond, a half million of men could be raised within a week at the North to go down for a thirty, sixty, or ninety days' siege of the place. Tha..re., seems to be no doubt that the suddenness and silence with which Grant's movements were made, dis concerted the rebel plan of flinging Long. street upon Grants's right flank and rear the moment that advances shonldbe entered upon Reports from scouts state that rebel deserters and rebel prisoners coming here all confirm the fact that Lee had concentrated the available fighting material of the Confederacy in front of Grant, and exhausted its best capabilities upon the : desperate throe of the battle of Thurs day and Friclay, hence the despOndency which must exist in Richmond in view of the reverse of Lee in fhose tattles. GRAFFhN. Associated Press Reports. BUTLER MARCHING UN. Important News Expected Reported Capture of Fort Darling BSTRUCTIONS MOVED FROM LUIES RIVER NEW Yoax, May 10. The Herald says:—"We learn that General Butler commenced his march on Richmond, from the south side, early yesterday morn- One day's uninterrupted march will bring his troops to the James River opposite the city. We may therefore expect some import ant news from that quarter to-day. The gunboat Sho.msheen, an old ferryboat, was blowri up in the James river by a shot in the boiler. The commander and a number of the crew were lost. The World has a report that Fort Darli%. , has been taken, and the obstructions removed in the James river, allowing the monitors to go up to Richmond. LATER. Official Dispatch from Secretary Stanton Snake Creek Gap Captured GEN, M'PHERSON AFTER THE REBEL?, WASHINGTON, May 10-7 A. at. To Major-General Ilia : A dispatch from Gen. Sherman, received at midnight, states that we are fighting for the possession of Rocky Face Ridge, and I have knowledge that Gen. McPherson took the Snake Creek Gap, and was within seven miles of- Renal this morning. Yon will remember that on Saturday the rebels were forced from Tunnel Hill by Gen. Thomas, and took a po sition. at Buzzard's Roost, in a bend of Mill Creek, just north of Dalton. This is represented to be a very strong po sition, which Gen. Thomas was unable to drive the enemy from on a former occasion, when he advanced on Dalton, but Resaca is a position on the railroad abouti 15 miles south of Dalton. and this will place McPherson with a strong force o€ .veteran troops, in the rear of the enemy. While Gen. Thomas advances on the point, Gen. Schofield closes in on the flank from Cleieland. Aat is probable that a great battle was fought on that river yesterday, and may be now in progress. Gen. Joe Johnston commands the rebel forces. Nothing since my last dispatch has been heard from the army of the Poto mac or from Gen. Butler. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. STILL LATER. GEN. BUTLER HOLDS THE KEY TO RICH MOND IN HIS HAND; LEE - i,E2ORTED TO BE WOUNDED General ,Pickett The Norfolk Regime of Monday says: Gen eral Butler had a brisk encounter with Beau regard on Saturday near Petersburg, and yesterday (Sunday) assailed him with consid erable force and drove him. General Diller, it adds, has the key of Richmond in his, bands.. Rebel prisoners report - that Lee was wounded on Friday, and General Pickett killed. The Regime says that two small gunboats were destroyed on the James river, one by a torpedo, as before stated, and the other by a shot fired into her steam chest from a shore battery. The latter - was the Shoshone°, for merly an old feriy boat. From Cairo. Capture of Contraband Goods Brig. Gen. Prince has issued an order re laxing former orders and permitting supplies to the posts of Paducah and Columbus for the pmpose mainly of relieving the , absolute ne cessities of the citizens. The commanders of the posts are to use their discretion in giving Permits, . Contraliand goo& valued at $50,00e, con sisting of munitions of war, were captured at Goose Island, Ohio river; seven miles above here, last - night. The goods- were consigned to parties on' he Island, and had been pur chased of Et firm at St. Louis. Three of the party were arrested, but two of them escaped last night. • Great News from North DvSTRUCTION Olf THE REBEL .R 431 ALBEHaRLE. WASZLNGTON, May 10. A dispatch was received by the War De partment, last night, stating that the rebel ram Albemarle had been attacked and so n g by the United States iron-plated gunboat Saragus. The Albemarle will be recollected as the ram which has been lately doing s o much damage in the North Carolina waters. A.id fot; the Wounded. see Hems, blay 10. Three physicians left Fitchburg m asa, yesterday, with $l7OO and large quantities of supplies contributed by the citizens for the wounded. Instructions have been received to commence the draft in New Hampshire immediately. The deficiency in that Stat e i s about 450. The cheering news from Virginia creates the most profound sensation of joy and g,ratituda throughout New England. Beurrmoaz, May 10 I= Cara°, May 9 Carolina VBO3I BOSTON. Further List of Wounded °liken GENERAL SEYMOUR A PRISONER WASH:Ls:MON, May 10. In the late battles, among other misfortunes to the Vermont troops, CoL Foster, of the 4th regiment, was seriously wounded. Com panies A and F, or wliat was left of them, were captured. Col. Stone, of the 2d Ver mont, was killed; Col. Lewis, sth Vermont, arm amputated; Col. Birney. Gth Vermont, mortally wounded; Gen. Getty 'wounded. Only about ninety men and five officers are left of the 4th Vermont regiment. Gen. Truman Seymour, just from Florida; is a prisoner. His brigade was outflanked and broken. His brigade fought most gal lantly, but it seems he was unfortunate with his troops. XXXVIIIth Congress---First Session_ SENATE. WAstuNGTox, May N. The Senate passed the bill authorizing the organization of the veteran engineers. The bill regulating criminal proceedings in the Criminal Courts of the United States, and for other purposes, as reported with the amend ments of Mr. Julian, was called up by Mr. Trumbull during the morning hour, and the discussion continued the hour. The Bank bill was then taken up. The amendment of Mr. Collamer, providing that the associations shall keep one-fourth of the gold they receive as interest on Government bonds on hand un til the resumption of specie payments, was re jected—ayes 15, nays 20. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. Wilson. lowa, reported the Senate bill authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to contract for the care and employment of per sons sentenced to the penitentiary by U. 8. authorities. The arrangement applies to States or Terri tories in which there are no such institution& The House resumed the consideration of the Wisconsin contested election case of Bruce against Loan, the sitting member. GEN. BUTLER'S ARMY The Battle Near Peteriburgh The Demonstration Against Petersburg---A Se vere Engagement on Saturday—Cot. Barton's Brigade Destroys the Railroad—Beauregard inCommand—Captur. of the Gunboat Shoshone . Special C rrespondence of the Neto York Times. BERMUDA. JIMMIED, Va., 1 Saturday Evening, May 7, 1861. I was in error in my last night's letter tin saying that the Petersburgh and Richmond railroad had been tapped by Gen. Heckman at its junction with the City Point branch.— The information was brought to me, and I unlortunately used it without stopping to seek proof of its truth. Such a thing could not have been done without first visiting Peters burgh, as the City Point branch starts from that place. What the gallant Heckman really did was, to advance, by order of General Smith, with his brigade, (the First of Weit zel's division,) for the purpose of feeling the rebel position. He moved out on the Peters burgh road until he came to the enemy, whom he found posted upon the I'ort Walthall branch railroad. A lively skirmish followed, and it was apparent that the rebels were in strong force. They had no artillery, liftich fact gave us the advantage, and Heckman, after a lively musketry fire, succeeded in dri ving them off the railroad. The rebels brought two brigades of infantry into action, and at the time the fighting was at such close quar ters that they could be - heard ailing out to our men, "You are cowards to use artillery! Wait until to-morrow and we will pay you off. As Gen. Heckman had received orders not to bring on an engagement, he retired. The brilliant little affair lasted about an hour, and resulted in a toss to us of eight killed and sixty wounded. Dr. Suckley, Medical Director of the Eigh teenth Corps, established a hospital at the house of a rebel named Strong, which is de lightfully situated on a bluff commanding splendid view of the opposite side. Here tbe wounded were removed, and received excel lent care. This mornirig the enemy paid us their eau pliments, both on the river and land. About ten o'clock, a battery of field artillery COrae down from Richmond on the north bank of the river, and popped away at the naval ves sels, which were fishing for torpedoes near Turkey Bend. The small gunboat Shoshonee. a purchased vessel, technically knowa a "pasteboard" boat, was some distance in ad vance of the others. The second shot from the rebel battery exploded the gunboat's boil er, and she surrendered. A few of the cry jumped overboard and swam to the oPPIr, bank of the river, where they foruid she-Vt until the other boats came up a nd drove impertinent rebels away. The men repel; that the explosion of the boiler injure n e o bo on on board, and that all the officers of th n et were taken prisoners. Admiral Lee keptP a vigorous shelling of the woods for some time after the rebels were driven awaY• The fight on shore began about the seek time as the affair on the James river. al iral" paling the attack, a plan was formed by n 0 47 e side having the object of advancing eP.O,..sL. Petersburgh and Richmond railroad to et- sil l it. Five brigades were organi zed ' a l, marched in three columns to meet the ene. Heckman's brigade again went oat on the le e ; and three brigades, under Gen. Brook& 1 1. 6 . 0 WiMe-d--b3----*l.-eAttre, Theseat Wess2' designated. t 4 come the enemy the Pa to tion which he held yesterday in the ,e /a f t i o n ter with Heckman,' and divert his alla to while the column . on the right advesa aay the railroturriear Chester Station. 'isue being excessively warm, ft Seemed 10 could be mast impoosible that my Bghtillg