War movements.
gathered from Southern sources.
We present our readers this morning with a summary of the latest news of interest transpiring at the South:
A call for troops from the Governor of Alabama.
The minions of the Lincoln Government having concentrated in large force near Columbus, Ky., serious apprehensions are felt in Alabama lest that State should be invaded; as in all probability it would be if the Yankees were to prove successful in the anticipated battle at Columbus. Accordingly the Governor of Alabama has issued a proclamation calling for sixty companies of volunteers, for a term of not less than four months unless sooner discharged to be used for the proper defence of the State. The following extract has the ring of the true metal in it, and we doubt not the patriotic people of that gallant old State will respond with alacrity to the appeal:People of North Alabama! your households and your hearths are in danger! Let every man capable of doing effectual service in the field, raily at once to the call. Every hour lost increases the prospect of the success of the enemy; prompt and energetic action is all that is demanded. Let companies at once form — arm themselves with shot guns and rifles — nowie-knives, in addition, wherever they can be had. Prepare as much ammunition as possible, and take with you your bullet moulds and shot pouches. Provide yourseives with four days rations and clothing, and be prepared to march at the shortest notice. Your neighbors will contribute their aid; every man, who has a rifle or a shot gun, will not hold it back from the volunteers in this emergency. If they do, let them be counted as enemies to their country! As companies are organized, let them report to me by telegraph, from the nearest station, and be active in organizing. Pay is allowed from the moment they take up the line of march.
The State also needs laborers as well as solaters — our positions have to be fortified.--At least five hundred able-bodied negro men are wanted. Out of the thousands in the valley of the Tennessee, they must be supplied. The State will pay twelve dollars a month for them. Let each slaveholder in that region of the State be ready to furnish slaves in proportion to his ability, at any point where their services are required by the military authority. Let there be no holding back — safety and success is in speedy action — danger and defeat in delay.
Goven under my hand and the Great Seal of the State, affixed at Montgomery, this 21st day of November, A. D. 1861, and of the Independence of the Confederate States of Amerila the first year.
A. B. Moore.
By the Governor,
P. H. Britton, Secretary of State.
Presentation of a flag — interesting correspondence.
One of the pleasantest episodes of the war is embraced in the accompanying correspondence between Miss Constance Cary, an exile from Alexandria, and Gen. Van Dorn, Miss Cary is a young lady whose personal charms are eclipsed by her own intellectual brilliancy alone--one of those rare creatures whom Titian loved to paint, Shakespeare to personity. We find the correspondence in the army of the Potomac letter to the New Orleans Delta:
Culpeper, C. H., Nov. 10, 1861.
Will Gen. Van Dorn honor me by accepting a flag which I have taken great pleasure in making, and now send forth, with an earnest prayer that the work of my hands may take its place near him as he goes out to a glorious struggle, and, God Willing, may one day Wave over the recaptured batteries of my illated home — the down-trodden Alexandria?
--The beautiful flag made by your hands and presented to me with the prayer that it should be borne by my side in the impending struggle for the existence of our country, is an appeal to me, as a soldier, as eloquent as the alluring promises of glory; but when you express the hope, in admition, that it may one day wave over the re-captured city of your nativity, ‘"the down-troddell Alexandria,"’ your appeal becomes a supplication so beautiful and holy that I were craven-spirited ed not to respond to it with all the ability that God has given me. Be assured, dear lady, that it shall wave over your dear home it heaven smiles upon our cause and I live, and that there shall be written upon it, by the side of your name, which it now bears, ‘"Victory, Honor, and Independence."’
In the meantime, I shall hope that you may be as happy as you — who have the soul thus to cheer the soldier on to noble deeds and to victory — should be and that the flowers that were wont to bloom by your window, may bloom as sweetly for you next May as they ever did, to welcome you home again.
Earl Van Dorn,
Major General P. A. C. S.
Jepf. Thompson still at work — capture of the ‘"Platte Valley."’
The movements of the invincible and intrepid patriot, Jeff. Thompson, we know to be at all times fraught with interest to our readers. If we should lose signt of him for a few days, it is safe to content ourselves with the conviction that he is off planning and making new conquests for the honor and glory of our cause. The following facts as regards his latest exploits, we take from the Memphis Avalanche, of the 22d inst.:‘ "We learn from a gentleman who reached the city last night from Columbus that a report had just reached the camp that Jeff. Thompson succeeded in capturing, on Thursday last, the steamer Platte Valley, with a number of prisoners. The capture was made at Price's landing, on the Mississippi, above Calro. All the prisoners except two took the oath.
Those who refused to take the oath were Federal officers, who, with a spy, were snet to Columbus. The spy had been to Columbus recently, and had a complete plan of the fortifications at Columbus. It is supposed that the spy would be hung. They reached Columbus on Wednesday, just before the cars left for Memphis.
’
The war in the West and Southest.
Recent dispatches to the Western papers disclose (says the Memphis Appeal) a new and important feature in the plans of the enemy. That journal, of the 17th, says:‘ It amounts to no less than the withdrawal of the Federal forces from Western Missouri and sending them down the Mississippi. That this is the policy of the Administration, we have no doubt whatever, and it behooves the Government as well as the whole people of the valley to look well and earnestly to the fact.
The descent of the Mississippi will be made by a probable force of from seventy-five to one hundred thousand troops. To meet this force, will require all the resources that can be brought to bear against it, and what is more, there is no time to be lost. The Federals at St. Louis are building and have well nigh completed six or eight gun-boats, to be accompanied by one hundred and fifty barges as transports. These demonstrations, to gether with the fact that troops are pouring into Cairo by regiments daily, are pregnant with significance, and should serve to arouse our whole people to a sense of their danger. We admonish them that they have work in store for them if they would defend their homes, their rights, and their sacred honor. To arms ! must be the watch word from this day henceforth. Every man in the country should be prepared for the emergency.
’
Gen. Breckinridge at Russellville.
From the Russellville (Ky.) correspondence of the Nashville; Union and American, under date of November 18, we take the following extract:‘ Breckinridge's brigade, which left Bowling Green yesterday morning, arrived here this evening, and are encamped a short distance from town, where they will remain until after the adjournment of the Convention. Crittenden is reported about thirty miles west of here, with a force of 8,000 men marching on this place for the purpose of dispersing the Convention. The statements as to his locality, number of command and intention, are probably all without any foundation; although, to avoid any mishap, the sending of a force to check and repel his advance, if any was made, was not thought improper. General Breckinridge accompanied his brigade here, and will probably take a seat in the Convention at its session this evening.
’
Seizure of Arms and Munitions of war in Missouri.
A special dispatch from Jefferson City, Mo., to the Missouri Democrat, dated the 10th inst., says:‘ Sixty rifles and shot-guns were found today concealed in a private house in town.--They were immediately seized, and the matter will be investigated to-morrow.
Gen. Prenties, besides the thirty prisoners, brought in thirty rifles and shot guns, eighteen revolvers, two hundred pounds of lead, three bags of powder, besides an unassorted lot of including half a dozen made bowie-knives, some eighteen, inches long — ugly looking weapons. He also captured a wagon which was proceeding to Precat's army, loaded with blankets and winter clothing. The Gneral will return to-morrow.
’
Preparing for the enemy — Missourians Flying from their homes — Yankees Reinforcing Cairo.
From parties who recently left Columbus, Ky., the Memphis Appeal learns the following facts:‘ A force was at work cutting down timber on the Missouri shore, opposite Columbus, so as to leave no ambush for the enemy in any event. The people on the Missouri side are in utter consternation, and are flying from their houses. Whilst the Kentucky was up the river on Wednesday, her captain kindly ferried over five families to this side, with their teams and household articles. Fugitives say there is a large amount of corn and hogs in the country, all of which they expect to fall into the hands of the enemy. It has been forcibly kept there by the blockade. The people were destroying or removing all flats, landing boats and ferry-boats that were along the shore. The ferry-boat that crossed near Point Pleasant has been destroyed. A soldier who had been taken prisoner, but who escaped from Cairo, reported that soldiers were coming into that place in great numbers, and that the day before he left (Wednesday) nine regiments arrived. There was a general expectation at Columbus that there will soon be an invasion of a more serious character than the late one at Belmont.
’
Another Hatteras prisoner returned.
The Tarboro' (N. C.) Mercury says:‘ Dr. Wyatt M. Brown, who was captured by the Yankees in the fall of Hatteras, passed through Tarboro' last Friday en route to his home and friends in Washington, having been exchanged for a Surgeon in the Lincoln army whom we held. Dr. B. and the surgical Yankee for whom he was exchanged were old acquaintances, and it was through the joint request of both the prisoners that the exchange was effected.
’
Further of the Royal Yacht Affair.
The Galveston Civilian furnishes some additional particulars of the attack on the night of the 8th, by the Federals from the block ading steamer Santee, on the Confederate schooner Royal Yacht, lying in the bay. It says:‘ Six oars, marked launch No. 2, frigate Santee, came ashore on Bofivar yesterday.--Several of them have bullet hores in them, and one the mark of a cutlass stroke on the handle, showing clearly that the Royal Yacht's crew were hot taken without a struggle. It is to be hoped that the same volley that sent the bullets through the oars, also sent the oarsmen to the port of Lincolndom, down below.
The evidence is also at hand that they were not only fired on in their boats, but met sturdy resistance on deck. It is known that a cutlass, revolver, and middy's cap, belonging to the Santee's party, were found on deck. The enemy who lost the revolver also probably lost his head. The revolving chamber shows the marks of several fresh cutlass or knife strokes, one of which is quite a gasa. No doubt the lick which knocked the pistol out of the enemy's hand sent him to his long account. No doubt the head that wore the middy's cap now rests beneath the wave.
The bullet-holes an the Yacht show that the enemy fired at close quarters, no doubt in answer to the first fire of our friends, for unless they had been alarmed and fired, the enemy would have made the surprise complete, and given the Yacht's crew no warning until they boarded her.
We do not believe that any of our friends are either killed or badly wounded, or else their bodies would have been found on deck or washed ashore. We do believe that at least one of the enemy have fallen, and from the shots in the oars would think more.
We hope ere long to be able to report the facts, if the Santee is willing to exchange prisoners. We have fortunately plenty to spare in Texas. If they are treated with indignity, our motto is, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life. The Santee had her flag at half-mast all day Saturday.
’
Col. Baylor's force Threatened by two thousand five hundred Federals.
The San Antonio Herald says:‘ We are informed that General Sibley received on Thursday evening an express from Colonel Baylor informing the General that Colonel Canby, with 2,600 men, is at Fort Craig, threatening to come and destroy El Paso. Baylor was at Dona Anna, determined to check Canby as far as possible.
’
Eluding the blockade.
The Telegraph says:‘ We are glad to hear of the successful landing of 3,000 bushels of salt, at a point within easy communication of Houston, despite of the blockade. Where it comes from and where it is now, may be known by applying to — any one that knows.
’
Gen. A. S. Johnston to the Governor of Arransas.
Below is the letter addressed by Gen. A. S. Johnston to Gov. Rector, of Arkansas, declining to receive twelve months volunteers, unless they were armed:To His Excellency, H. M. Rector, Governor of Arkansas, Little Rock:
Governor — Since making my call upon you for troops, of Sept. 23, I have ascertained that the ardor of our people in defence of their rights has brought so many to our colors, for the war, in the Confederate States, and is bringing so many in Kentucky, that it is neither necessary nor judicious to accept unarmed volunteers for a period less than the war, or three years. Under this state of facts, I beg your Excellency to annul the call, made at my request, for twelve months men, except such companies, battalions or regiments as present themselves efficiently armed and equipped; and to disband all companies and regiments assembled without arms and not mustered into service. And, at the same time, I trust you will be pleased to make known to the volunteers my appreciation of their patriotism in coming forward so promptly at your summons.
By my own orders I will disband all those mustered into the service who were raised under the call and are unarmed at the different rendezvous. Under the provisions of law, the troops who have been mustered into the Confederate service will receive transportation in kind, or by commutation, to their homes; and I will direct my Quartermasters to furnish transportation on the railways for all those who have joined the rendezvous (but who the public interest makes it no longer expedient to receive) to the point nearest their place of assembling.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, A. S. Joneston,
General C. S. A.
Form — no reason for high prices.
From the following paragraph, which we extract from one of our exchanges, and from other reasons, we are fully confirmed in the belief long entertained, that there can be no earthly ground why bacon should not come down in price. From all quarters of the South we have advices that a greater abundance of hogs have been raised this year than usual, and, if our citizens will only do what they have a perfect right to — to wit: devise some means to relieve themselves from the clutches of the unholy salt speculators there will soon be a sufficient supply of nice bacon in market to supply all dermands and at fair prices too:Some people are talking about $12 a hundred for pork. Are the people crazy? or are they determined to eat each other up? Hog statistics show that we have a superabundance of hogs in the South, and corn is abundant and cheap. There is no honest reason why the extortionists, even, should demand over $8. Eight dollars will pay the farmer handsomely — and he who wants to live and let live — who studies how little he can afford to take, instead of how much he can make the buyer pay, can afford it at $7. ‘"No hog!"’ is the cry of the hog-fleecer. Not so, sir; hogs are plenty. You only want to get as much gain for your meat as a patriotic philanthropist ought to ask. Isn't it so? You know it is. How do you expect poor people to live? So you swim, do you care how many sink? Not you.
The women of Leesburg.
‘"Personne,"’ in one of his letters to the Charleston Courier, records the following incident: During the late strategic movements, when our troops fell back six or eight miles, the ladies, supposing them to be on a final retreat, stood in their doorways and in the streets, and wept; and when on their return they advanced to battle, these brave women were by the wayside with buckets of hot coffee, milk, and other food to refresh them on their toilsome march.
Singular Freak of an ox — attempt to furnish the Yankees with fresh meat.
The editor of the New Orleans Bes has recently paid a visit to the floating battery lying at the wharf in that city, and commanded by Capt. O'Hara. The following is an extract from the article describing his visit on board:We found a monster sweet potato adorning Capt. O'Hara's tent, and were curious to know its significance. On inquiring we learned that early in the morning Capt. O'Hara discovered an ox swimming down the river, and shrewdly supposing that it was a traitorous beef who wanted to run out to the enemy's fleet and supply them with fresh meat, the Captain went out in a boat and towed his oxship to shore, a prisoner of war, and made him a present to the Free Market in acknowledgment of which the committee presented him with the mammoth potato, which he intends presenting to the enemy at the from the mantle of one of his
