Raftsman's journal. (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, July 09, 1862, Image 1

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    BY S. X KOW.
CLEABFIELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1862.
VOL. a-NO. iS.
GOD OF THE FBEE.
God of the free ! vpon thy breath
Oar flag is for the right unrolled,
At broad end brave as when it stars
Flrat lit the hallowed time of old.
For doty still ita folds shall aye ;
. For honor still ita glories burn,
Where Truth, Religion, Valor guard
The patriots sword and martyr's urn.
So tyrant's impiousstep is ouri ;
, JTo lust of power on nations rolled ;
Ovr flag ! for friends a atrry sky,
For traitors, storm in every fold.
0 thus we'll keep our nation's life,
Nor fear the bolts by despots hurled,
The blood of all the world ia here,
And they who strike us, strike the world.
God of the free, our nation bless
In ita strong manhood as at ita birth,
And make its life a star of hope
For all the struggling of the earth.
Then shout beside thine oak, 0 North !
O South ! wave answer with thy palm.
And in our Union's heritage
Together sing the nation'a psalm !
FBOM GEN. MeCLELL ATI'S ARMY.
-Yurthier details of the lata Battle The Evacu
ation of the White House, etc.
Tith Stonkhan's Light Division, June 28
31 ore than a week ago Gen. McClellan de
termined to withdraw from his position on the
right at Mecbanicaville, get out of the swamp,
get better under cover of bis parallels, pre
pare for any disaster, and concentrate his im
mense army (or a grand flank assault upon
Richmond. This withdrawal was carried on
in such a cautious and quiet way, that it was
not until Wednesday night last that the ene
my became aware of the important movement.
This was evident from the movement they
endeavored to execute successfully on our
left, some days ago.
On last Weduesday Commodore Rodgers
ordered the Port Royal to proceed down the
James river to a point just above the mouth
of Chickahominy. Herd launches and small
loats were to proceed to shore and reconnoit
re inland until the army pickets were reached,
ao as to keep up communication with For
troaa Monroe and our Government at Wash
ington, in view of the probable advance of the
enemy upon our right.
Early on Thursday morning Gen. M'Call'a
4iviaion, which was posted a little below
Mecbanicaville, commenced a retrograde
movement towards the position held by Gen.
Fltr.john Porter, in the vicinity of New
Bridge. M'Call had scarcely joined Porter
hfwre the rebels tbe diviaiona of Anderaon,
Branch and G. W. Smith, under the command
of Stonewall" Thomas Jefferson Jackson
iuahed him hard and forced him to halt and
baatily form a line of battle, which was done
in excellent stjle, tbe Buck tails deployed to
the right and left in front as skirmishers. Por
ter's division came promptly to tbe support
of McCall, and, fighting desperately, the two
divisions fell back slowly towards Savage's
Station, on the Richmond and York River
Railroad, when nigbt came on, and the battle
cessed. Meanwhile Captain Sawtell, of Gen
eral McClellan' staff, had succeeded in de
af roy in a; everything in the way of buildings at
White House, and moving all the transports
luwn tbe river, bad the gun boats stationed
ao as to command every approach.
On Friday .the battle was renewed with
great fury by the rebels, but with different re
sults, McCall and Porter being reinforced by
most of Keyes' corps, making our defending
force foot up about 40,000 men. The rebels
were in turn reinforced by Longstreet's divi
sion and a division said to be improvised for
Beauregard. General McClellan was present
on Friday, and personally manoeuvred the
troops, handled them in a masterly manner,
and especially supervising tbe artillery. The
cannonade lulled after about five hours' tight
fing, and both armies seemed to be recoiling
tfor a desperate spring at each other, when the
rebel skirmishers, finding no enemy east of
Rbem, changed front and advanced some miles
sa front of their position. General Stoneman
"how made a dash at them with nearly seven
thousand cavalry, including Rush's Lancers,
creating great bavoc and a real panic. After
this, Stoneman craftily wheeled about and
covering the rear of our army, as it passed
over Bottom's Bridge and tbe Long Bridge,
followed them with bis main force, leaving
sufficient cavalry to observe the movements
of tbe bamboozled enemy, as be proceeded
t
An bonr later, and onr gunboats opened up
on the enemy on tbe line of the Pomunkey,
near tbe White House. The old battle ground
waa made to ring again and again with our
floating batteries. When General Stoneman
beard this music be turned bis horse's bead
towards the rebel capital, acd smiling said,
"All ia well j now for Richmond !" General
McClellan has been at work all day, and, in
advancing, has driven tbe enemy back at ev
ery point on the left and centre, and with
great Joss to them, while ours waa compara
tively light. The tranaports, hospital ships,
and qther vessels, have all been ordered to re
port at Jamestown Island, inside of the island,
covered by our gunboats, should aty enemy
molest them. But of this there is no fear.
From this they may proceed to a higher sta
tion on the river, as may be necessary. Gen.
Casey's brave division did excellent service
in securing the transporting stores.
Indications of a general battle along the
whole line. Gen. McClellan, in order to be
ready for any emergencies, gave directions to
Gen. Casey and Col. Ingalls to make every
preparation for tbe instant removal or destruc
tion of all tbe supplies at White House, should
tbe result of the impending battle render such
a course necessary, bis force being deemed
loo small to render tbe successful defense of
'his position a certainty against such a move
ment of the enemy. At 9 o'clock a dispatch
was received that a general battle was pro
gressing along the whole line, the enemy hav
ing renewed the attempt to flank Gen. Por
ter's poaitlon on the right wing. At 11 o'
clock, a second dispatch announced that Gen.
Porter had driven tbe enemy before bim and
repulsed them with terrific slaughter, and waa
Hun ordered by Gen. McClellan to fall back.
This dispatch was a signal for renewed energy
in the work of evacuation, and all tbe (Quar
termaster's papers and valuables, and the
chests of tbe Paymasters, were brought on
ward the mail boat. Tbe family of Quarter
poster Engle was also brought on board, with
"to horses and carriage, and tbe borsos of As
i'UGt Quartermaster Saertcll. The house-
bold furniture and the servants of these offi
cials also soon followed, which increased tbe
excitement among the sutlers and army fol
lowers. Some of tbe sutlers became so panic
stricken as to sell out their stocks at half
price, and hastened on board the boat, whilst
some determined to bold on and take the
chances.
The steamers and tugs were all in early re
quisition, and were moving down the river
with long trains of transports in tow. Tbe
vessels nearest the landing were also stored
full of commissary stores and munitions, and
moved out in the stream. The immense piles
of boxes of crackers, barrels of pork, and oth
er stores along tne landing, were again cover
ed ovei with bales of bay, so as to be ready, at
a moment's notice, to apply the torch for their
obstruction, if it should become necessary.
There was also great commotion among the
crowds of contrabands, who'have been found
most efficient laborers, and who have been
used to great advantage in the commissary and
munition departments. They soon understood
that danger was apprehended, and on being
assured by Colonel Ingalls that they would
not be left behind to meet the vengeance of
their masters, went to work with renewed en
ergy. Stores and munitions every where dis
appeared from the landings with great rapidi
ty and were being packed on the wbarf-boats
and vessels contiguous. The wives and chil
dren of the contrabands also soon made their
appearance and with bundles and babies took
position on the canal boats as they were float
ed out in tho stream. During the afternoon
the panic increased until half-past three o'
clock, and the steamers and tugs were busily
engaged in towing down the transports.
At three o'clock a dispatch was received
from Headquarters in substance as follows :
"We have been driving the enemy before us
on the left wing for the past half hour. Cheers
are heard all along the lines." This was the
signal lor a new change in the programme.
All the government valuables, and the prop
erty of the officers was taken on the mail boat
and placed on board the steamer Cammonico,
and the order given for the departure of the
mail boat, which left for Fortress Monroe, ta
king with her in tow two heavily 1 iden steam
ers, with directions for them to be dropped at
West Point. Two of the large hospital steam
ers filled with sick and wounded, also left a
bout the same time, and moved majestically
down the river, The steamer Commodore was
still left at the wharf, to receive any new ar
rivals from the battle fluid, and the Daniel
Webster and the Elm City, devoted to the
same service, soon after arrived. It was also
announced that Gen. Stoneman, with 6,000
cavalry and artillery, was within six miles of
the White House, to protect the work of evac
uation if . a dash should be made by the enemy
in that direction.
The scene presented on the river was an in
teresting oue. Ten miles below the White
House, about 200 brigs, barques and schoon
ers were at anchor, with any quantity of ca
nal boats, loaded with implements of war,
commissary and subsistence stores. On the
whole route down, steamers and tugs were
passed, having large numbers of vessels in tow,
and at West Toint, lorty wiles below White
House, not less than 300 vessels were at an
chor, whilst tbe numerous steamers and tugs
which had brought them down, were prepa
ring to start up for several hundred still up
the river.
About 7 o'clock Friday evening numbers oi
wounded commenced arriving from the front
of the lines, with a few of the most intelligent
of whom I bad an opportunity of conversing.
Those engaged in-tbe repulse of Stonewall
Jackson represent it to be most disastrous.
Ho came down on them expecting a surprise,
but found them all momentarily expecting
bim having been informed by McClellan two
days previous that be was coming. Instead
of surprise, the enemy received the first shot,
and alter two hours' tight retreated in confu
sion. The wounded represent it to have been
a most terrific encounter, the enemy coming
from Richmond in such denso masses, that
the shell and grape poured into them as they
advanced, making great gaps in their lines,
which were immediately filled up,but tbey mov
ed forward most determinedly. They still mov
ed on and exchanged showers of balls, which
were destructive on both sides; but when
Gen. Porter ordered a bayonet charge they
retreated in double quick. Tbey again ral
lied a second time, when some terrible slaugh
ter ensued. This time, their artillery being
better served, was more effective. On coming
to close quarters they were again repulsed and
driven back further still. This twice fought
over battle ground was now literally strewn
with tbe dead and dying. Gen. Porter then
a second time fell back to bis position, and
waited an hour for the enemy to renew tbe
assault. They finally came on in increased
numbers, having been largely reinforced, and
were again received with shell and grape,
causing great chasms in tbeir ranks. A third
time the enemy bore down most bravely and
determinedly on our line?, and this conflict
was the most severely contested of tbe whole;
but wben the bayonet was brought to bear,
they fell back and were pressed towards Rich
mond fully a mile beyond our original lines.
Again the fourth time,Gen. Porter fell back to
bis first position, when an order was received
from Gen. McClellan to continue his retrogado
movement slowly and in order. As soon as it
became apparent to the enemy that it was the
purpose of Gen. Porter to retire they pushed
lorward again boldly and bravely, when they
were checked by the entire Reserve force,
consisting of the New l'ork 5th and 10th, and
two other regimeuts, under Col. Warren, act
ing Brigadier Geneial. This fresh force held
the enemy in check, while the force which had
previously born the brunt of the battle, moved
steadily back and in good order. The enemy
made a fierce attack on the reserve, but can
non were posted at various points of the route
bv which they were retiring towards the Chick
ahominy, which occasionally poured in shot
and shell among them, and checked their
movements, and enabled tbe troops to move
back In the most admirable order.
Atone time in this retrograde movement
the resorve force of Gen. Syke charged on
the enemy with the bayonet, and drove him
back a mile. In this charge the gallant New
York 5th and 10th drew forth the plaudits of
thearmy-by their steadiness and bravery, in
which they, however, lost about 100 of their
number. Cheers went up along our whole
lines at this gallant repulse, which was at 3 p.
m., and the enemy did not renew the attack
during the balance of the evening, but turned
bis colunis towards the White House. Tbe
division of the enemy dispatched in that di
rection was estimated at twenty to thirty thou-
uuu men or an arms.
It appears that the teleirranhie rnmmnnlca
tion between White House and McClellan was
not broken until one o'clock on Saturday,
when the wire was cut at Dispatch Station,
eleven miles out. The last ol the transports
were moved oy tbe steamtugs, and tbe few ar
tides scattered about on shore were fired
Tbe whole was of small value, and thus of the
many millions of property here a few days
since, probably not $5,000 worth was destroyed.
ainco a very early hour Saturday, Gen. Mc-
iieiian has been deprived of his telegraphic
communication with Washington. He aba
doned its use several hours before tbe wires
were cut, doubtless being fearful that the en
emy might, by placiag a magnet on the wire,
read his orders- Direct communication is
now being opened with him, however, by gun
boats, up the mouth of the Chickahominy,
and it will soon be all right in this respect.
In the midst of this closing scene, I regret
to have to state that some vandal set fire to
tho White House and it was entirely consum
ed. The cavalry at the White House guar
ded the departure of the last of tho wagons
and horses which moved off at the final evac
uation and joined tho force under Gen. Stone
man, who, after passing these trains ofl and
sicuring their safety, moved off with his en
tire force in a direction that Iain not at lib
erty at present to state. Gen. Casey reports
he lost not a man, nor did ho leave a soul be
hind not even a contraband.
A Timely Reproof. Humor and sharp wit
are never put to better use than in answering
a fool according to bis lolly, and we could
wish that reproofs like tho following were
more trequeut :
Some five or six vears aero, in one of the
trains of cars runnin? between Newark and
Jersey City, N. J., there was a young naval
onicer, who was constantly intermingling his
conversation with tbe most protano oaths. A
young lady was so situated that she could not
out near every time he swore. At first she
bore in with equanimity ; then as it contin
ued, and rather increased in the shocking
character of his imprecation, she began to
grow fidgety and her eyes flashed. We knew
a bolt would be shot, and that it would strike
mm.
'Sir can you conversci in the Hebrew
tongue ?"
" res," was the reply, in a half unconscious.
but slightly sneering tone.
"Then." was the reolv. "if von wish to
swear anv more, vou will creatlv oblieo ma
and probably the rest of the passengers also,
ii you ao it in Hebrew.
I watched him. It had hit. His color came
and went now red, now white. He looked
at the young lady, then at bis boots, then at
the celing- of the cars ; but he did not swear
any more, either in Hebrew or English, and
he probably remembered that young lady.
Disinfecting Agents. As the warm weath
er approaches, our citizens should thoroughly
cleanse their premises, rendering them as
pure and healthy as possible. There are a
number of disinfecting agents which will be
ound efficatious in removing offensive smells
from damp, mouldy cellars, yards, pools of
stagnant water, decaying vegetable matter,
etc. Either of the following will answer the
purpose, while they cost but a trifle.
1. One pint of tbe liquor of chloride of zinc,
in one pailful of water and one pound of chlo
ride of lime in another pailful of water. This
is, perhaps, the most effective of anything
that can be used ; and," when thrown upon de
caying vegetable matter of any description
will effectually destroy all offensive odors.
2. Three or four pounds of sulphate of cop
per (copperas) dissolved in a paleful of water,
will in many cases be sufficient to remove off
offensive ordors.
3. Chloride of lime is better to scatter about
damp places, in yards, in damp cellars, and
upon heaps of filth.
Tub Skeleton of John Brown's Son.
When the Massachusetts Second came here
tbe negroes told them that the "mummy," as
tbey called it, of John Brown's son, who was
killed In tbe engine house, was preserved in
the office of Dr. Maguire, who is medical di
rector in the rebel army. The soldiers imme
diately took possession of it, and placed it un
der the charge of the Post Surgeon, who de
sires to keep it as a medical preparation. The
arteries are injected and the muscles display
ed iu the usual manner. My first impression
was that it should be given over to tbe family
for decent interment; but a medical friend
suggested to me, that so long as it can be vis
ited, as doubtless it will be wben the surgeon
takes it North, by thousands it will tell the
tale of tbe horrid brutality with which it was
treated by tbe Virginia savages. Tbe skin
was stripped ofl an tanned. It was then pre
pared as an anatomical specimen. The phy
sician who achieved tbe job became mad and
died, tbe blacks say and believe, as a judg
ment of heaven. Letter from Winchester,
Burning Potatob Vines. According to the
MassachusettsPlougbman, potato vines should
be thrown into heaps and burned for the most
plausible theory in regard to the potato rot is,
that it is caused by a very minute insect, not
visible to tho naked eye. By burning the
vines, therefore, we may catch millions of
them and send them where they came from for
the vines are but very little value as manure,
and their ashes are better than their stems
buried in the soil. A very reasonable suppo
sition in regard to the rot is, that it is caused
by a poisonous little insect, too minute to be
readily discerned ; yet numerous enough to
causa destruction to that root which is almost
tho sole food of millions of our race. If, as
we conjecture, a small poisonous insect is the
cause, we can out flank and subdue him by
firo aud water. Let the vines have the fire,
and let the tubers, at the time of planting, be
dipped into potash water, to kill the little
knits that adheres to them.
The Governor of Alabama, by proclamation
warns planters not to plant more than one
acre of cotton per nigger. Plant as mnch as
you please, planters. With Uncle Sam's help
we will, if you are loyal, protect you.
Parson Brownlow is not likely to lack of
fensive weapons when be returns to Knox
ville. Since reaching Hartford he has had
prosonted to him a Colt's revolver and a
Slurp's rifle.
BY BEQUEST.
THE WHITE BACE IN THE SOUTH,
OR, THE EFFECTS OF SLAVERY.
Tbe negro-bating, pro-slavery Democratic
press, endeavor to create the impression, by
their persistent falsehoods, that it is for tbe
benefit of the blacks alone, that Republicans
oppose slavery. We do not deny that anti
slavery men think it but justice that a black
man should be permitted to own himself, and
bis wife and children, and to enjoy the fruits
of his own labor, but we do assert most em
phatically that the welfare of the blacks is not
the sole, or even the main reason why Re
publicans oppose slavery.
The emancipation of tho whito race from
the awful effects of the curse of slavery, is the
chief object we have in view. The effects are
so potent, so terrible, so wide reaching, that
they threaten to ruin the civilization of tho
country, unless speedily removed. They
have already brought the South measurably
to a state of semi-barbarism, and the tenden
cy downwards is increasing in a geometrical
ratio.
We ask the attention of those who aro in
favor of tolerating slavery, and leaving it to
exist in the South, working out its desolating
effects until it culminates in another re
bellion, to the following extract f rem a writer
who is visiting portions of Tenuesseo and
Mississippi, iu tbe track of our armies. After
speaking of the natural riches of the country,
and pointing out its beauties, and its facili
ties for supporting a large population,he says :
"Yet, with all these natural advantages,
with a healthy climate and a magnificent soil,
after over fifty years of reltlement, this re
gion of country is as yet almost in a state of
nature, lou ride along through the forest,
and only at the distance of two or three miles
apart, come upon clearings, or rather fields in
which the gigantic trees are left standing,
having been merely girdled years before.
Tho house of the ssttler is generally a log hut,
Out imperleclly "chinked" up with mud.
Sometimes even this is not done, but the light
oi neaven is allowed to stream in in all direc
tions. Of course, in this case no windows are
needed. . Indeed I saw but few glazed win
dows. Most of the bouses had no elass what-H
ever. A. wooden shutter, closed at night and
open by day, serves all the put poses ol air and
ligut. Ut course, into such cabins as these.
the bugs, ticks and immense poisonous spi-
aers nave tree access, and doubtless improve
the opportunity. In many instances I found
the occupants bad no beds or bedding, never
took off tbeir clothes, or at least only periodi
cally, and when they retired for the night,
slept in a semi-circle around the hearth with
their feet to tbe fire, like so many savages.
It was not uncommon for the negroes to occu
py the same sleeping apartments with the
whites. In truth, as to intelligence, the ne
gro appears to bo every whit as well inform
ed as bis or her master or mistress. They are
generally much more lively in their speech
and motions, and far more healthy looking.
Turn your back to the family and you could
not tell tbe difference in speech between the
master and man. And iu this way is slavery
fast placing the once African savage upon a
dead level with the white man. But it is not
only doing so in this manner, but in another
and more intimate one. I allude to the com
mingling of the blood of the two races into a
common stock, whether a degenerate one or
not time alone can determine. But that amal
gamation is going on at an extremely rapid
rate no one will have the hardihood to deny.
will give an instance as a specimen, aud
which I obtained from a distinguished divis
ion surgeon in tbe army, a native Southerner,
born and raised iu Kentucky. He was riding
out to the front a few days since in company
with Gen. and Stall'. Tbey stopped at a
log but by the wayside and were struck with
the beauty and intelligent looks of a little
girl about four or five years of age. She had
eyes of tbe most brilliant black, straight
wavy bair, and white skin. Upon inquiry
they learned that she was the daughter of a
mulatto woman by a colored man. This wo
man, they also learned, was the daughter of
her own master or owner. She had three
husbands negro men also owned by her own
father or his neighbors. Two of them bad
beeu sent South and sold : tbe third was now
living with her. By her present husband she
bad several black children, and this white
child. Some of the neighbors (perhaps ma
liciously) it was afterwards found out, report
ed that this child was the daughter of tbe wo
man's own father and owner ! The family,
white and black, appeared to live very amica
bly together. The white owner had several
children by a white woman, and he was re
ported to be a kind master to his slaves.
Now, here is a specimen of the peculiar insti
tution so revolting as to shock the sensibil
ities, to say nothing of the religious senti
ments, of the most brutal of mankind. Let
Northern apologists for slavery talk no more
of abolitionists and amalgamationists at the
North. If they want to see amalgamation and
mormanism of tbe most degrading kind, just
let them visit a slave State, and wben they do
let them take care to go among the middling
class ol whites, owners of a few slaves, and if
they do not find the population sunk in the
most brutish beastiality and ignorance. itMs
because they will not. Here is a country over
which the famous Davy Crocket hunted, and
stumped for Congress, over thirty years ago ;
yet it is still as much of a wilderness as it was
when the "bars" and the catamounts reigned
almost supreme in iis solitudes. And what
has been the drawback to its progress and
civilization 1 Simply tbe institution of sla
very no more and no less. Yet these are
the States, aud these the people that have
been furnishing tbe Democratic party of this
country its staple majorities for years. No
wonder the result bas been tbe breaking ud
of the Union. No Repnblic can ever stand
such an accumulated amount of darkness and
ignorance as are displayed in the Southern
States among tbe backwoodsmen and small
farmers, whose votes in reality are the leavers
by which Southern politicians have ruled this
country through the Democratic party.
"The faces of the people indicate a great
lack of intelligence. Men and women are
slow of speech, drawling in tbeir pronuncia
tion, showing that their brains are slow to con
ceive, and tbeir tongues slower still to com
municate their thoughts and ideas. Tbe wo
men appear to be particularly wanting in in
telligence and general information. Most of
them look as if an idea would be a God send
to them, for such a thing had not entered their
neads lor years. In such a condition of soci
ety of course passion takes the place of rea
son ; they read but little, aud are conseaucnt
ly just in the condition to be impressed by the
oratory of the stump or the pulpit. For the
reason, that most of the political teaching at
the South is by word of mouth,' the politi
cians have now, and will always have, unlim
ited sway over the masses. They were al
ways able to excite them to tbe highest pitch
of political frenzy, and flually to carry them
away into this wicked rebellion, which was
undertaken solely in the interest of slavery,
and of the politicians who have always gotten
into power upon that all engrossing topic."
Here is the bare truth, without cxaggera
tion. Slavery is promotive of ignorance, vice,
poverty, and amalgamation. It is degrading
the white race and ruining that section of the
country, and, if permitted to go on much
longer, no remedy will be found but through
seas of blood, and ages of helpless inferiority.
Even now, statesmen and philanthropists may
well stand aghast at the magnitude of the
reformation required to bring the South up to
the standard of Northern and European civil
ization. Now is our opportunity. II we let
this pass, wc shall be false to our country, to
humanity and to God. Gazette.
An incident. Among the curiosities of
the wounds received at the battle of the
Chickahominy, wh notice that of Captain Eli
Dougherty, Company K, 'J.Jd Regiment, who
was wounded in the breast. A Minie ball
struck him in the clothes over his heart. It
went through his coat, vest, and shirt. It
smashed a gold watch (which he had bought
for his sister) all to pieces. The ball -then
went into a Bible and dug it's way through the
lid and about six hundred pages. At the bo
ginning of the 4lh chapter of lid Timothy it
went out or the Bible and inflicted a slight
wound iu his breast. It left its last mark on
the first versof that chapter. It is as follows :
"I charge thee therefore before God, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom."
The Bible is so disfigured that it will only
be valuable as a relic. It was given to the
captain by a lady.
The Cuickahominy History. The Chicka
hominy river, all know, from the reports of
Gen. McClellans ' operations to bo a small
stream in the vicinity of Richmond, which
broadens and deepens gradually in its course.
Sometime before it reaches the James river,
into which U empties, thirty-seven milesabove
Fortress Monroe ; it is affected by the tides.
and at the mouth is, as it appears from the
James, between two and three miles wide.
The Chickahominy is the stream which Capt.
John Smith was exploring when he was cap
tured by tho warriors of Fowhattan. It is be
lieved ho was captured somewhere near the
scene of the late battle. It will bo remember
ed that its banks were in the days of John
Smith, as now, noted for marshes. Smith
was mired in the swamp when the savages
pounced upon bim.
George Francis Train is responsible for the
following: "What a howl would have passed
through England had the Northern army been
guilty of the brutal atrocities perpetrated by
the Rebels at Manassas and elsewhere f Using
the skulls of our brave officers for spitoons,
boiling off their llesh to get them for casta
nets, and sending tokens made from the bones
of our bravo men to the fiends in the shape of
women, who seem to have acted like so many
tigresses during this terrible civil war. Man
God have mercy on their souls !"
Recently there was a funeral in New Or'
leans, and the coffin was deposited with great
pomp in tbe tomb. General Butler, who
keeps his eyes open, concluded from infor
mation he bad that be would be justified in
acting the part of a resurrectionist, and had
the coffin exhumed, when it was found packed
full of gold coin of 1861, no doubt stolen
wben tbe miut was seized last year.
Two Bostonians. rusticating in Vermont
persuaded a lad who owned a pet black bear to
let thim trv thrue nwr(nl dnrn on him t.h
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bear to be made fast to a post by a chain about
twelve ieei long. .iue Vermont coy agreed,
in consideration oi z ou, ana iue result was
three dead dosrs. two mortified Bostonians.
one triumphant bear, and a jubilant Green
ftr .! i
luouuiain juvenile.
Two runaway contrabands a small boy and
bis large aunt were arrested in Detroit, Mich
igan, on tbe 17th instant, under the Fugitive
Slave law, upoh which the negroes generally
turned out and raised considerable excitement.
Before any actual disturbance took place, how
ever, the fugitives were discharged, under a
writ of habeas corpus, and skedaddled over
to Canada.
Bishop Soule, of Louisiana, has been re
ported to havo taken tho oath of allegiance to
the Southern Confederacy. But such is not
the fact. The Bishop iu regard to tho matter
saya : "I have not been asked to take the
oath of allegiance to the Southern Confeder
acy, and there are not men nor hemp enough
in the confederacy to mako me do it."
Barnum bas awarded his prizos to the exhi
bition babies. A child years old took tbe
first prize of $100 as the finest child on cxhi.
bitiou. One thousand dollars has been awar
ded to the Cincinnati child eight months old,
which weighs butone pound, seven ounces;
and Barnum offers another thousand for a
match to it any time within a year.
Extra Billy Smith, a rebel Colonel, and at
onetime a member of Congress,-was woun
ded at tho battle of Fair Oaks. Tho Breekin-
ridgers of the North used to hold this man up
a model politician and friend of bis country.
The Louisville Journal asserts that there
havo been hundreds of well attested cases
where rebels buried their sick and wonnded
before death.
- ""l1 ...
MY PLAIN L0VEE.
I was a coquette. Many a loverV heart I
had lacerated by refusing tbeir offers of mar
riage, alter I had lured them on to a "decla
tion." My last victim's nume waa James Fra
zer. He was a tall, awkward, homely and un
gainly man, but his heart was trne as steel.
I respected him highly and felt pained when-"
I witnessed bis anguish at my rejection of
bim. But the fact was, I had fallen in love
with Elliott Tracy, a city gallant, who bad
been unremitted in hisdevotion to me. James
warned mo against Elliot, but I charged bim
with jealously and took bis warning as an in
sult. In a lew days' after Elliott and I were
engaged, and my dream of romantic love
seemed in a fair way of realizntion. 1 had a
week of happiness. Many have not so muc fe
rn a lifetime. Many awake from the brigb:
short dream to find themselves in life-long
darkness and bondage from which thero is no
escape. Thank God, 1 was not to be so miser
able as they.
There was an equestiian party winding
through our grand old wuod and quiet coun
try roads. Elliott and I led the cavalcade. 1
rode my own beautiful Brown Bess.' Elliott
was mounted on the handsome black borsu
that had been sent him from tho city. Fol
lowing us was a bevy of merry girls and their
cavaliers, aud among them, tall awkward, ami
silent, rode James Frazer. His presence had
marred all the pleasuie of my rido, and I was
glad to be in advance ol them all that I might
not see biiu.
Aud so we rode on over the soft sandy road
that echoed not the tramp of our horses hoot
and I listened, Hell pleased to the low but an
imated words of Elliott Tracy, who wished
Limself a knight, and me a fair lady of thd ol
den time, that he might go forth to do battle
lor me and compel all meu to recoirnize tf
claims ot his peerless love, of the brave deed
and perilous exploits it had prompted, wish
ing again and again that he miirht thus pro
claim his love before the world. It pleased
me to listen to this; and believe it sincere,
though I bad no wish to put my love to such
a test.
A shot rang through the still woods and a
wounded bird, darling past flattered and fell
at the foot of Brown Bess. With a bound and
a spring that nearly unseated mo, she was off.
Struggling to regain my scat, I bad no pow
er to restrain her, she flew, the fear1 and mad
ness ot the in oil) e nt grew upon her. I coaM
only cling breathlessly to mane and bridle,
and wonder helplessly where this mad gallop
was to end. She swerved from a passing wag
on, and turned into a cart track that led tc
the river. In the sudden movement the rin
had been torn from my hands, and I could not
regain them. How sweet was life in those
precious moments that I thought my last.
How all its joys, its affections, its last crown
ing love rose up before me. I thought oi tbo
pang that would rend Elliott's heart as be saw
me lying, mangled and dead, and then the
thought would come if be were pursuing and
trying to save me, even as he had said, at the
risk of life and limb.
I remembered no more, I felt' a' sudden
shock, a fearful rushing through the air, amf
I knew no more until, days afterwards, I woko
to a faint, weak semblance of lite, in my room
at home.
I never saw Elliott Tracy again.
The last words I ever beard from bis line
were those of knightly daring.
Ibe last act ot his life in connection with
mine was to follow in tho train of frightened
youths who rode after me, to contemplate tho
disaster from the affair and as soon as he saw
me lifted from tbe shallow bed of the river iu-
to which I had been thrown when my fright
ened norse slopped suddenly, on its bank, to
ride hastily back to the village. That even
ing he sent to make inquiries, and learning
that I was severely, but it was hoped not fatal
ly injured, be thenceforth contented himself
with such tidings of my condition and im
provement as could be gaiued from village
rumor.
At last it was known that I could never re
cover entirely from the efl'ecta of my injury
and that very day Elliott Tracy departed sud-
denly from the village. He made no attempt
to see me, nor send me any farewell, wbeo
I was once more abroad, and beginning,tbougb
with much unalloyed bitterness, to learn tho
lesson of patience and resignation that await
ed me, I received a letter from him, in which
he merely said that be presumed my own
judgment bad taught me that, in my altered
circumstances, our engagement must be at ao
end, but to satisfy his own sense ot houor
(his honor ?) he wrete to say that while en
tertaining the highest respect for me, be de
sired a formal renunciation of my claim.
Writing at the bottom of this letter, "Let
it be as you wish," I returned it to- hira at
once, and thus ended my brief dreamy cf ro
mantic love.
I had heard ere this, of Elliott Tracy's cow
ardly conduct that day, and who I first be
thought me to inquire who bad rescued me
from imminent death.
And then I learned that James Frazer, bi
arm already broken by the jerk with whichr
Brown Bess tore away from him as bo caught
at her bridle, had ridden after me and beeu
the first to lift me from the water.
Many times daily had be made inquiries for
me. His had been the band that sent tm? raro
flowers that decked my room. Ilia were tho
books I read in tbe lingering days of conv
lescensc, and his now, was the arm that sup
ported me, as slowly and painfully, I paced
the garden walk.
I have beeu his wife for many a year. I
have forgotten that be is not handsome, or
rather he is beautiful to mo, because I see his
grand and lovely spirit shining through his
plain features, and animating bis awttward
figure. I have long since laid aside, as ut
terly untenable, my pet theory, that beautiful
spirit dwell cfnly in lovely bodies. It may bo
a providential compensation that in denying
physical perfection, the soul is not dwarfed or
distorted, but shines tho brighter that is mar
red by pretty vanity for love of world's praise.
Scre Enocgh. A teamster in our army
was outrageously tough, and yelled at his
mules very foolishly, annoyed all around bim.
Tbe General (who happened not to be in uni
form) once heard him, and ordered bim to
stop such outcries.
And who be you ?" said the driver.
"Iam the commander of the Division."
Well, then, command your Division I'm
commander of the mules, and I'll holler and
swear at 'em as much as I've a mind to."
The General rode forward wilted.
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