War matters
intelligence from the North and South.
From the latest Northern and Southern journals we compile the following interesting news items from the two belligerent Governments:
Later from Gen. Jackson's command — our own and the enemy's movements.
From a correspondent of the Lynchburg Republican, under date of ‘"Camp of the Cross-Roads. Berkeley county, Virginia, Forty second Regiment Virginia Volunteers,January 9,"’ we make the following extracts:‘ We rest here to-day so as to have our horses shod. The roads are so slick that it is very dangerous to ride and difficult to walk. It is no uncommon thing to see horses fall flat every ten or fifteen steps on every hill.
It is reported here on good authority that 9,000 of the enemy are advancing from Romney to Winchester. They have driven away the two regiments of militia stationed at the Hanging Rock, and are now advancing upon Winchester. Our men are all anxious to meet them. If it be true, they will be in a nice position when one half of our army advances to meet them, and the other half advances toward Romney to cut them off.
I have heard of one or two incidents of this expedition which I consider worthy of notice. On the evening of the 4th inst. Col. Rusk, of Arkansas, proceeded up the road to the west of Bath to burn the Capon Bridge, in command of a brigade cons sting of four regiments and a battery. When near the bridge he saw the camp-fires of the enemy, and advanced to attack them. It seems that the enemy were aware of his approach, and had taken position some distance to the rear, so as to ambuscade his command.
Before the Colonel was aware of the position of the enemy he was fired into. Finding himself thus ambuscaded, Col. Rusk holloaed with all his voice as if to forces yet in the rear: "Bring up the 16th and 18th Mississippi regiments, the 6th Texas brigade, and hurry up that battery." This command to ideal forces had the proper effect, and immediately the enemy broke and ran like sheep. Rusk, however, from the first attack, lost four men killed and eighteen wounded.
’
Later from Arizona and New Mexico.
We commence the following from the Mesilla Times, of December 12:‘ The latest accounts from the Palo Alto gold mines are very encouraging. The few remaining miners are making excellent wages, and water is super-abundant. Very rich hill diggings have been struck, and the old channels of the gulches prove to be exceedingly rich. We hear of $48 being taken out of one run of twenty buckets of dirt.--Another run yielded $16, and another $14.
Capt. Skillman has taken the contract to carry the mail from Mesilla to El Paso, Texas, on horseback, once a week, and has already commenced the service.
’ Upon the rumor of the Federal advance from New Mexico, a general stampede was begun from Mesilla. Referring to the flight, the Times says:
‘ Families were hastily shipped off to Mexico; valuables were secretly buried, and good-byes and partings, and tears, and God knows what anguish, mixed with a little propensity for fighting. A large supply of army hay was burned; cannon were buried; the valleys were burned over to retard the enemy; all the supplies, except fifteen days rations, removed; hospital and other stores shipped in the direction of San Antonia; and a refuge fondly talked of in the mountain fastnesses near Fort Davis.
’ From Western Arizona.--We are in receipt of news from Tucson, by an immigrant train of date October 1st. The letters contain most encouraging mining news, but discouraging in every other respect. The remaining American population was cut off from all communication with the world and in great fear from all quarters — from an invasion of Abolition troops; from the Apaches, who were becoming bolder and bolder; from the civilized indians, (the Papagos and Pimos,) who have assumed a threatening attitude since the withdrawal of the regular troops; and from the Mexicans of Sonora, who were unbounded in their insolence. The letters received contain most urgent appeals for assistance of Confederate troops.
From New Mexico.--From New Mexico we have news of a force of five hundred men on one of the branches of the Arkansas. They were organized among the Southern men of Colorado Territory. Their design is reported to be to take Forts Garland and Wise, and the trains of supplies bound for New Mexico.
The Federal advance is at Alamosa, 35 miles from Craig, 75 from Mesilla, and consists of two companies, one of regulars and one of volunteers. They have thrown up two batteries.
Four regiments of New Mexican volunteers are in the field--two of infantry and two mounted. An endeavor has been made to raise two regiments of militia for home defence, and the officers are commissioned therefore. The regular force consists of 23 companies, of different corps, averaging about 50 men to the company. It was reported at Fort Craig that the regular force lately stationed in Utah (600 men) had arrived at Fort Union; and also a regiment of Kansas artillery, escorting a train of supplies.
Col. Canby, of the regular army, and Capt. Hatch, of the N. M. volunteers, have been made Brigadier-Generals. Hon. M. A. Otero was tendered a Colonelcy, but replied that there was no office in the gift of the Administration which he would accept. Lieut. Lane, of the Rifles, and Lieuts Plummer and Ryan, of the 7th Infantry, have been dropped from the army list. Desertions are occurring among the volunteers daily, in spite of the most rigid measures to prevent, such as shaving heads and whipping. There is manifestly much discontent among all ranks. The soldiers had not been paid; no money in circulation, and freedom of speech virtually suspended. Southern men are treated with the utmost rigor, and almost daily arrests are made.
‘"many a true word Spoken in Jest."’
In one of his late letters, published in the Milton (N. C.) Chronicle, that redoubtable genius, ‘"Jesse Homes, the Fool Killer,"’ has the following paragraph:‘ Among the latest acts of my maulings was a chap who almost wore his lungs out crying for immediate secession, and when secession came, and war with it, he held back, under pretence that his business was such he couldn't leave home! The truth is, he was afraid. Another chap, of the same kidney, I caught nosing about for a fat office before he could volunteer. I have slaughtered legions of these "immediate" larks who were going to play the devil with the Yankees if war followed secession; and some of them that "pitched in" managed to "pitch out" as soon as they smelt gunpowder.
’ They sneaked out by various ways — some by one ‘"ailing"’ and some by another; and some by getting a little civil appointment at home. But since I was born I never heard of so many ‘"ailings"’ that didn't seem to impair the physical man a bit. The hardest case, however, that I have had to chastise, was a clamorous Secesh gent, who had business South when the first tap of the drum for a volunteer company fell upon his ears — They say he hid in a barn as he saw the man approaching to solicits his name, but being found, his excuse was that he had business in the South that wouldn't let him do it.
A Munificent city.
The Louisville Courier, of the 7th instant, says:‘ We understand that James Hewitt, Esq., whose liberality is proverbial, on Christmas day presented every man in Col. Roger Hanson's 2d Kentucky regiment with a splendid overcoat. The regiment is fully one thousand strong, and the present did not cost Mr. Hewitt less than from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. And the wretched Yankees are fools enough to think they can conquer and subjugate a people of whom James Hewitt is but a fair type.
’
Abolition freedom.
The Rockingham Register, of the 10th inst., has the following:‘ Bill, a servant belonging to Miss Sallie Kendrick, of Front Royal, Va., reached home a few days ago. He was taken by the Yankees while driving wagons. He says he went up in a balloon while with them. They kept him two months, when he, having become satisfied with what he had seen of the Yankees, made his escape and reached home, willing to spend the rest of his days in old Virginia.
’
Paid for their disloyalty.
The Rockingham Register, of the 30th inst., says:‘ A number of Union men from Hardy and Hampshire counties, passed through Brock's Cap, A few days ago, on their way from after
weeks, they were released by taking the oath of allegiance to the Common wealth of Virginia.
’
Running the blockade.
The Houston Telegraph, of the 1st, contains this welcome announcement:‘ We learned last night that a steamer has arrived in a Texas port, within the past week, under British colors, bringing 45 tons of cannon powder, a large amount of rifle powder, 700,000 army caps, 5,000 cannon primers, and a considerable amount of coffee, dry goods, bagging, rope, &c. We acknowledge our indebtedness to the purser for a New York Tribune, of December 17.
’
Recruits in France for the United States.
The Chicago Tribune has the following:‘ Paris letters state that in spite of all denial, it is well known that a large number of recruits are levying in Frane for the United States. The old Garibaldian officers and volunteers are all being organized for a speedy departure, and are only waiting for the orders of their chief to embark. This chief, a well known French officer, who, after defending the barricades of the Republic in Paris, fought the battles of the Empire in the Crimes, then took service with Garibaldi, and is now in that of Victor Emanuel has given in his resignation, and was hourly expected in Paris.
’
‘"Bull run"’ and ‘"Dixie"’ in Canada.
As showing the current of popular feeling in Canada, we give the following from a late number of the Toronto Leader:‘ An officer of the Federal army has been parading the streets of Toronto in full dress these two or three days. He is in a bran new, bright and shining Yankee uniform, and some indignation has been excited by the impertinent display. It is remembered that a British officer off duty in his own town wears a plain undress garb, and that in another country he would appear as an ordinary civilian. Northern officers, it is said, should behave with equal propriety. Perhaps, however, the suggestion presupposes too much. Our visitor may not have another coat. While parading King street yesterday, several young urchins, as well as one or two "children of larger growth" cried out loudly, "Bull Run," but instead of blushing for his country, he seemed to acquire a more magnificent strut by the notice he attracted, uncomplimentary as it was.
On Friday evening last a scene occurred in one of our favorite saloons which shows the current of popular opinion in this city. A valiant warrior, clothed in the blue and brass of the United States service, entered and seated himself at one of the tables. A Southerner in the room — a gentleman from Louisiana unable to get home — betrayed considerable excitement, and presently called for "Dixie's Land." The musicians struck up the air, which, in this neighborhood, is understood to be particularly offensive to the North, and the voices of all in the crowded saloon joined in a loud and stirring chorus. The Yankee soldier looked abashed, and something being said about Bull Run, he soon beat a hasty retreat, amid the laughter of all present.
’
The officers of the Nashville.
The London Illustrated News, of the 30th November last, contains a spirited wood-cut of the capture and burning of the Harvey Birch by the Confederate steamer Nashville, and thus speaks of the officers of the latter vessel:‘ Captain Pegram is an old officer of the United States Navy, and bore a conspicuous part in the Mexican war, in the Paraguay and Japan Expeditions, and during the war waged by the English and French in China. For his distinguished services, his native State, Virginia, voted him, by the unanimous voice of the General Assembly of the Legislature, a splendid sword, and Sir John Stirling, in his dispatches to the Admiralty, makes the following mention of him:
’ "It is impossible to speak too highly of the American co-operating party engaged. They were with the Rattler emulating each other, in the thickest of the attack; but my warmest thanks in particular, are due to Lieutenant Pegram, the American senior officer; his encouragement of the men, and coolness under a heavy fire, and determined bravery, when surrounded by a persevering and revengeful foe, were conspicuous to all"
First Lieutenant Fauntleroy was Aide-de-camp to General Johnston at the battle of Manassas; Second Lieutenant Bennett served there in the naval battery, while one youngster on board, named Cary, received his appointment as Midshipman in the Confederate Navy as a reward for distinguished gallantry in the same action.
A French Officer in the service of the South.
The Mobile Advertiser, of Wednesday, the 1st inst., says:‘ By a recent arrival at a Confederate port from Havana, Lieut. P. Enneau, late of the French army, came passenger, and is at present in this city. Lieut. Enneau has lately been a resident of California, where he devoted himself to organizing and drilling a corps of carbineers, whose testimonials of their high appreciation of his service he bears. But preferring the reality to the image of war, and still more, preferring the side on which the sympathies of his compatriots are enlisted, and where so much of the blood of his race is to be found, as ready to flow as that of the gallant Dreux —— preferring this side to that which has thrown disgrace upon the name of Zouave, and almost upon that of soldier, he has come to offer his sword to the cause of the Confederacy.
’
Run the Bdockade.
The Mobile Register and Advocate says:‘ We had the pleasure of a visit yesterday from Dr. Hugh Martin, of Delaware, late U. S. Consul at Matanzas, but who resigned that post in April last when that Government declared war upon the South and its institutions. Dr. Martin came passenger on one of the recent arrivals through the gaps in Dr. Lincoln's blockade from Havana. He is heart and soul with the South in her struggles, and goes to New Orleans to make that his home.
’
Message of the Governor of Pennsylvania.
After reciting the facts relative to the call for volunteers he states that the regiments of Pennsylvania now number 115, and that the total number of men now in service is 93,577, whilst the number preparing for service is 16,038--making an aggregate of 109,615, exclusive of 20,615 of the three months volunteers now disbanded.
From Washington — charge of disloyalty against Adjutant-General Thomas, &c.
From a Washington letter to the Baltimore Clipper, of the 8th inst., we clip the following:‘ Rumor is wonderfully pertinacious, for, though discomfited yesterday, she returns to the charge to-day. Notwithstanding all this, Adjutant-General Thomas is at his post as usual; and as for the story about the daughter, it is true she has seceded, but it was with a newly-wedded husband to Philadelphia about two weeks ago.
’ [The charge against Gen. Thomas is the want of loyalty to Lincoln's dynasty.-- Eds. Dis.]
Another of those wholesale visitations was made last night by the Provost Guard about half-past 10 o'clock, upon the Columbia Restaurant, on Pennsylvania avenue, near 3d street, kept by G. A. Springman. It is to be presumed that there was justifiable reason for what was done, for it is stated that from $1,500 to $2,000 worth of liquors were spilled in the street and destroyed.
The proprietor himself was arrested and is now, I believe, in custody of the guard.
The careful reader of the news will have noted an expression quoted from a prominent paper published in the Southwest, to the effect that people in that region of the Confederate States are waiting to see what ‘"Lincoln's policy with respect to slavery"’ is going to be! There is much in this. It shows that all thought and reflection in the South is not swallowed up by passion, but that there are people there who are willing to hold the asseverations of the ambitious leaders of the South in one balance with the actual developments of time in the other.
Return of the Orleans Princes to Europe.
The following extract from a New York letter in the Baltimore Clipper, of the 8th inst., indicates that in a very short time the Yankees will not be able longer to boast of the number of titled foreigners enlisted under the banner of Lincolndom:The Orleans Princes, while in this city, were liquidized by the houston. It is rumored that they have resigned their position in General McClellan's staff, and are making preparations to return in success it is what saying that
that the United States is about to be embroiled with foreign powers, and that it is not desirable that his nephews should be in a position which might necessitate them, even in appearance, to take up arms against France, or annually of France. The Princes are now in Boston.
Resignation of Gen. Stegel.
An extract from a New York letter in the Baltimore Clipper, of the 8th inst. says:‘ The father-in-law of General Siegel, Rev. Dr. Dulon, a resident of this city, has received a telegram from St. Louis, informing him that the General had forwarded his resignation to Washington. There seems to be a great deal of feeling manifested by the Germans on the subject, many of whom think the General ought to have been promoted in preference to some other persons, whose services in the field have not been half as arduous nor as serviceable to the cause of the Union as his.
’
Health of Gen. M'Clellan.
Gen. M'Clellan's opinion about the Duration of the war.
The Hon. Schuyler Colfat writes from Washington to his paper, the South Bend (La.) Register, as follows:‘ In justice to Gen. McClellan, the commander-in-chief, whom I met on Monday morning, and had an interesting conversation with, I must state that he repeated to me with emphasis a former declaration, that the war would be short, though it probably might be desperate, and he saw the way clearly through to success in conquering the rebellion. I cannot properly add more of his conversation, but sincerely hope all his confident anticipations may be realized.
’
Miscellaneous.
A lady of Baltimore, who is an earnest advocate of the Southern character, and who is a hearty sympathizer with us in our struggle for independence, procured and has forwarded to Mrs. Jefferson Davis, a costly robe, as a testimonial of the high regard which she entertains for her.
