Current events.
facts and rumors — Extracts from Northern journals — war movements and Incidents, &c., &c.
The subjoined summary is made up from late papers received at this office:
Peace petition.
The following is a copy of the petition presented by Hon. Ben. Wood, of New York, in the Federal House of Representatives, on the 29th of July. We are authorized to say that similar memorials have accumulated there daily for a month; and while none of them were successful, the fact shows that the despotic Government dare not deny the people the right of petition:
We, the undersigned, residents of Prattsville, Greene county, N. Y., do respectfully petition: That, whereas civil war now exists between a portion of the United States and what are known as the Confederate States, prostrating business of every kind, and producing an estrangement of the people of the two sections of our once glorious country, not likely to be restored by said war, (which also is of doubtful result to Northern arms;) we advise a compromise between the said sections on the basis of the Crittenden Compromise, giving to the slave States slavery protection in the common Territories, or an acknowledgment of their independence; either of which would, in our opinion, be honorable to our Government, and preferable to a civil war.
Jefferson Brick and the running Brigade.
The New York Herald makes the following thrust at Raymond, of the Times:‘ We learn from reliable sources of information at Washington that the Hon. Jefferson Brick is to be appointed immediately a Brigadier General, to have command of a new brigade, to be raised by himself and organized from the debris of the troops who lately fought and run away from Bull Run. It is to be called the Running Brigade, and the men are to be carefully selected with special reference to the quality of their legs, wind and bottom. The War Department so thoroughly appreciate not only the speed of Brick, but his skill in making others run like deer, as exemplified in the late fight, that it has tendered to him this appointment, accompanying it by a profusion of compliments upon his running qualities, which greatly enhance the honor, and render it impossible for Brick to decline. It appears that such was the precipitancy of his flight that he smashed the wagon, (for which he now refuses to pay,) and then mounting one of the two horses which drew it, while the driver straddled the other, he showed the way to Washington to the retreating army, and taught them how to run as no army on this continent ever ran before. He acquired the art of rapid retreat in the Italian war. On the day after the battle of Solferino, he set 15,000 Frenchmen going, followed by some Austrian hussars. They swept all obstructions from their path, and stopped not even to breathe till they reached Brescia, a distance of ten miles, and found that, rapid as was their flight, they had been outstripped by the hero of the Mincio. In his race from Bull Run to Washington he beat his former achievement, making the best time on record. On the principle that "he who fights and runs away may live to fight another day," it has been deemed advisable to organize a Running Brigade, with Brick in command. In all rapid retreats this brigade is to lead and show how to do it.--We think the appointment to this brigadier-ship is excellent, and we will guarantee that when the next race from a battle-field comes off, Brick will beat the best time of Flora Temple.
’
Hessian troops Unpaid.
The Northern volunteers are not paid off promptly, and complaints frequently reach the public eye through the newspapers. A member of the "Seventh" thus addresses the editor of the New York Herald:‘ Why is there nothing said or done towards paying the members of the New York Seventh Regiment? Other regiments are paid as soon as they are discharged; but as yet nothing has been done towards paying them anything. If it is supposed that most of the members are in good circumstances, and do not wish it, I think it is a mistake, as most all of the members are clerks, and a great many of them are out of employment at the present time. I think I speak the minds of a majority of the members, when I say that they need, and would like to have, what is due them from the Government.
’ Capt. Giles, of the New York Sixty-Ninth, publishes the following in the same paper:
‘ In reply to a communication in your paper this morning, reflecting on the commandants of companies, accusing them of neglect in not making out the rolls, and thereby keeping the men out of their pay, I would state that the rolls of my company have been made out since Thursday last, and are ready at any time the United States Paymaster may require them.
’
Incident of the evacuation of Hampton.
A New York paper says:‘ Harry Pearson, the actor, well known in New York, has turned tavern keeper.--He last week started a restaurant at Hampton, Virginia, furnished it well, and was ready to commence operations, whet the rumor of the enemy's approach induced Gen. Butler to order the evacuation of Hampton — Pearson is said to have filled a cart with his most precious treasures, including a negro, and hurried away; as the rumors came closer, the wagon went on at a marvellous rate, Pearson on one horse and the negro on another — quite a picture for a comic actor to remember. If he can reproduce it on the stage some day, it will doubtless be highly applauded.
’ [If this flying actor should ever happen to come into Dixie's Land in his theatrical peregrinations, he may have to account for that stolen negro.]
Free Speech.
A good comment upon the blustering of Moses H. Grinnell appears in the N. Y. News:Mr. Jefferson once said that "error of opinion should be tolerated, while reason is left free to combat it." Mr. Moses H. Grinnell recently remarked at a meeting of the Union Defence Committee. "I met a man to-day who expressed secession sentiments, and if I had had sufficient strength I would have hung him to the nearest lamp-post." How different the spirit of the Cavalier from that of the Puritan! One manifests the catholicity of a true apostle of liberty, while the other exhibits the bigotry and tyranny which scourged and burned the Quakers and witches of New England in other days. How fortunate it is for poor humanity that Heaven so often emasculates the physical, while error and fanaticism dehumanize the mental and moral man. Were the powers of a Hercules united to the malignity of a John Brown, the land would grow purple with human blood, and the limbs of trees and lamp-posts would be literally studded with the grinning and ghastly skeletons of victims of intolerance and fanaticism.
Prince Napoleon's Tour.
The reader will fully appreciate the following, which we copy from the "Satanic" Herald. It is reported, by-the-bye, that Prince arrived at Manassas Junction last week and was courteously received by Gen. Beauregard:‘ It has been stated by some of the newspaper correspondents who profess to be au fait of Prince Napoleon's movements, that he will not go South. This is taken as an indication of the favorable disposition of his Imperial cousin towards our Government. We have no doubt of the friendly feeling of the Emperor in our regard, but we do not think that it would for a moment interfere with his recognition of the Southern Confederacy if he felt it to be his interest to acknowledge it. We are so far from believing that Prince Napoleon has instructions not to go South, that we are pretty sure he will do so. He is a military man, and will naturally feel an interest in inspecting the condition of both camps. He will feel no delicacy in passing from one to the other, because being a gentleman and a traveller for his own information, and not for that of others, like newspaper correspondents, he will have no apprehension of being suspected of a betrayal of confidence by either side. We should be sorry were the Prince to quit America without visiting the South. The sooner the real condition of things there is understood, through the medium of disinterested European observers, the sooner will the hopes clung to by the rebels of foreign interference in their behalf be extinguished.
’ [The Prince, and not the beastly editor of the New York Herald, will be the judge of the "real condition of things" at the South]
A gallant Rockbridge man.
The Lexington (Va.) Gazette says:‘ A correspondent of one of the Richmond papers, a short time since, spoke of a Virginian who had been lost from his company during the fight and fell in with a Georgia regiment just as their standard bearer fell. The lost Virginian asked leave to bear the colors. It was granted to him. He bore them bravely. The flag was shot through three times, and the flag-staff was shot off whilst in his hands. But he planted the flag on the Sherman Battery, and our brave men stood up to their colors and took the battery. That Virginian was E. P. Paxton, of Rockbridge.
’
To the people of East Tennessee.
In assuming command of the military forces of this division, I cannot forbear an earnest appeal to all who have preferred the old Union, no longer to resist the recent decisions at the ballot-box by over whelming majorities of the people of Tennessee. The military authorities are not here to offend or injure the people, but to insure peace to their homes, by repelling invasion and preventing the introduction of the horrors of civil war. Treason to the State cannot, will not be tolerated.--But perfect freedom of the ballot box has and will be accorded; and no man's rights, property or privileges shall be disturbed. All who desire peace can have peace, by quietly and harmlessly pursuing their lawful avocations. But Tennessee having taken her stand with her sister States of the South, her honor and safety require that no aid shall be given within her borders to the arms of the tyrant Lincoln.we have asked of the North a recognition of our political equality, and have been refused. We have asked for terms merely under which we could enjoy a sense of safety to our property and time-honored institutions, but in vain. Under such circumstances, the States of the South resolved to submit no longer to long-repeated and vexatious intermeddling with our rights. The North was deaf to justice, because they believed they had the power to crush us if we rebelled. With terrific threats they moved great armies upon us. Those armies have been driven back with havoc and consternation. Heaven has smiled upon the South--blessing her with rich harvests and heroic sons. The North is already shaken as with a palsy — her late arrogant soldiers filled with apprehension — her late boasted revenue dwindled to a stern necessity for direct taxation.--Can there be recreant sons of Tennessee who would strike at their brothers, while thus struggling for Southern honor and independence? or who would invite the enemy over the border, to inaugurate war and desolation amid our own fair fields? There can be but few such. If any, it were better for their memory had they perished before such dishonor. Let not the Union men of the late contest at the ballot-box, among whom I personally know so many to be patriotic and true men, be carried along by excitement or passion into so deplorable an extreme. Though differing upon the late political questions, we are all Tennesseans. For the honor and glory of Tennessee let us be, as heretofore, shoulder to shoulder in battle, or peacefully at home, not sorrowing when victory perches on the standards of Tennessee regiments.
F. K.Zollicoffer, Brig. Gen. Com'dg.
Blood for blood.
The following communication appears in the Charleston Mercury, of the 7th instant:‘ We do not say "a tooth for a tooth," or "an eye for an eye," because the "authority" by which these expressions are furnished has long since been exploded, and the higher law doctrine prevails in its stead; but we will say, and do say, "blood for blood," and to the bitter end we sustain this principle! Why waste time with the courtesies of war, when we are dealing with a ruthless enemy? Why talk of "rights and usages?" Did a Camanche ever respect either? When did the red man sound "Beauty and Booty," in the war-whoop? and when did he ever exchange the tomahawk and scalping-knife for the less merciful tortures now being prepared by our Northern brethren for their Southern Sepoys. We have the remedy, and why is it not used?
Who encouraged our "militia of the sea," our "floating partizans," to those "Marion deeds" that now harass the foe? Are these brave men no longer citizens of this Confederacy, because, under the President's commission, they have ventured on the most hazardous enterprise against an usurper and a despot? Shall we wait until the crew of the Savannah rebuke us from the grave? Or shall we continue to furnish "permacetti for an inward bruise," where our captured enemies are concerned, leaving our own kith and kindred to cells and manacles? The crew of the Savannah hall from Charleston. They have mothers and sisters who are daily weeping over their cruel destiny, and they have fathers and brothers who are impatiently asking why are they forlorn and cast aside? and where is the protection of that flag under which they have gone forth in the service of their country?
The State is willing to see her sons perish in defence of liberty; it is her nature to feel so; but she is not willing to see her children forgotten or remembered with indifference. Let the muster roll of the Savannah be obtained, and let two prisoners (at least) for our one be forwarded from Richmond to the Charleston jail. We have no yellow fever, and the extra humanitarians need not shudder! We say, let these gentlemen be forthcoming, and Mr. Ely be among them. We ask only for justice, not of Lincoln, but from the Southern Confederacy; and when Baker and Harleston, with their comrades, are again paraded through New York, handcuffed, and for derision, let these gentlemen of the North take fresh air on the Battery under similar circumstances. If it brings about the slaughtering of our friends and of our children, so be it; they know will how to die, and we will know how to revenge their unholy and unnatural murder! But let us move in this matter at all hazards.
’
Prisoners of war.
Says the Charleston Courier, of the 7th:‘ The prisoners mentioned in the Courier of yesterday, as having been brought to this city by a detachment of the Washington Artillery, were quietly removed to comfortable quarters in the jail, for safe keeping until proper disposition can be made of their cases.
They were accompanied to their quarters by the same number of City Police, in citizen's dress so as to avoid attracting any unnecessary attention.
There was no thought of handcuffs, or desire to degrade these men in the eyes of our citizens, as practiced by the Northern powers, into whose hands some of our men have unfortunately fallen. They were taken separately by different routes, and were only known to the few who witnessed their departure from the Guard House.
’
A prize bark burnt.
A bark bound from India for Boston, and captured by a Confederate privateer, was run ashore on the coast of Florida some days ago by the prize crew. The crew went ashore in small boats, after which the bark was boarded by a large number of men from a blockading vessel in the distance and set on fire. Her cargo consisted of wool, furs and medicines, valued at $75,000.
Increase of troops in Canada.
The Montreal Pilot says:‘ Whatever our neighbors across the lines may say about the arrival of troops in Canada, it is likely they will soon have the opportunity for a display of more bluster and impertinence on the same subject; for it is understood that every barracks in the Province will be filled with troops, and that additional reinforcements are daily expected. The fact of Dr. Howard having been notified by the Government to stop his repairs of the new Lunatic Asylum at St. John, because it would be required by the troops, and the resumption of the Isle-aux-Noix prison, which is also expected, shows that whatever the cause, or for whatever reason, the Canadian barracks are to be occupied as of old. We do not see the right of the United States to object to this.
The Royal Proclamation already issued forbids all interference of Englishmen in the war now being waged between the North and the South, though, indeed, that was scarcely needed, seeing that both parties appear to be fighting so quietly, and have such vaunted success on both sides. But we surely have a right to take every means whereby to hold our own, to prevent the possibility of an attempt to annex us, or the success of any appeal to Washington by discontented men among ourselves. And the fact is, as Blackwood suggests, it is high time for the Americans to moderate their pretensions, and in their intercourse with other nations adopt a courtesy to which they have hitherto been strangers; we are glad to have them as friends; but they must not presume upon friendship by arrogating the authority of masters. Their impertinence is inherent in their nature, and must therefore be tolerated because they cannot get rid of it. But when they begin to bully or menace, it is as well to let them know by action as well as in words, that they will not have it, and that they had better be on their guard.
’
