Pennsylvania telegraph. (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1864-1864, May 10, 1864, Image 2

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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