Late from the South.
We present our readers this morning the following summary of news obtained from the latest Southern exchanges which have been received:
The late Confederate return in Arkansas--Col. New York's report — of Officially sold not in the Signs.
In our issue of the 4th last, a telegrahic dispatch from Little Rock, Ark., appeared containing official information that Col. James Mcintosh, in command of four regiments, had had a fight with the forces under Opothicyhore, the Indian chief, about seventy-five miles Northwest of Fort Gibson, on the 20th December. The Fort Smith Ness, of the 21st ult. publishes the following letter from Col. Mcintosh, who commanded the Confederate forces on that occasion The Victory was a signal one;
We engaged Opothleyholo to-day at 12 M. His force was very large. I attacked him with three columns, and our men made a most gallant charge over rough and rugged hills. The fight lasted until 4 o'clock. We drove the enemy in every direction, back upon his camp which we took and destroyed, We have killed a great number, probably over two hundred. We captured over a hundred prisoners, a number of negroes, about twenty wagons, probably more, and some two or three hundred horses. We have won a great victory over our dusky foe, broke him up and sent him into Kansas, with the remi of his men We have eleven or twelve killed, and about twenty wounded One officer, Lieutenant was killed and Major Chilton wounded, not dangerously, I pursue again to-morrow at daylight.
The same paper, of the 2d, gives the following additional particulars:
Later from the of War.--Col. Mcintosh, Capt. Armstrong, Lieut. Thornton, and several other officers arrived yesterday from the battle ground. We learn, that our army pursued the enemy for twenty-five miles on the next day after the battle, but did not over take any of the Indians. Col. Stand Watle, with about three hundred of his men came upon a party, killed fifteen or sixteen, and took about forty prisoners, some women and children. The rout was so complete, that the enemy scattered everywhere. Opothleyholo was not in the fight, but left either the evening before, or on the morning of the fight. One of the leaders, a Seminole, by the name of Alligator, was killed. about three hundred Indian ponies were captured, and about the same number of cattle. The Indians left certain that they could whip our men, who numbered about fourteen hundred, and the Indians about seventeen hundred or two thousand. They had a strong position in a deep hollow, and when our troops made their appearance, they raised the war hoop and commenced bring which our men did not return until they came up close to the enemy, when they charged; and the Indians broke and ran, and the fight continued for ten miles.
General Order.--The following general order of congratulation from Gen. Mcintosh was published to the troops of the Western Division of Arkansas, after the battle of Chustomanian, fought in the Cherokee Nation on the 26th of December:
Headq'rs Division, Camp Opothleyholo, C. N. December 28th, 1861.
The Colonel commanding is pleased to congratulate the troops of the several regiments, who participated in the signal victory of the 25th inst. in the short space of ten days you have left your winter quarters, marched over two hundred miles, encountered snow storms, creased rivers, and having surmounted all difficulties, succeeded in completely rh the enemy under the Creek Chief Opothleyholo, killing many of his warriors, and capturing their families, wagons, boraes, and cattle.
His stronghold has been completely broken up and destroyed, and he has been driven from the fervitory of the Confederate States.
The Colonel Commanding notices with pride the promptness evinced by every officer and soldier in obeying the orders given them, and with what willingness they all left their winter quarters to endure the colds and privations of a winter campaign, which by their gallantry has been brought to so glorious an end. back and every one has nobly done his duty.
The number of hogs purchased by the Confederate Government in Tennessee.
We have some information as to the number of hogs the Government has purchased and is having slaughtered and packed in Tennessee, and give the following approximate estimate:
| At Bristol, about | 12,000 |
| Morristown and vicinity | 20,000 |
| Knoxville | 10,000 |
| London and Sweetwater | 12,000 |
| Chattanooga | 20,000 |
| Shelbyville | 50,000 |
| Nashville | 60,000 |
| Clarksville | 10,000 |
| Other places, about | 16,000 |
| Making in all | 200,000 |
From these hogs the Government will not about twenty-four millions of pounds of bacon.
Latest from Springfield.
The Fort Smith Times, of the 2d instant, says:‘ The Missouri Army Argus, of the 25th ult., has been received, from which we learn that Gen. Price, is at Springfield with about 20,000 troops, and recruits coming daily in from 100 to 300, entering the Confederate service. Gen. P. intends making a move soon. The Federals are destroying all the property along the roads, burning houses, mills, towns, and shooting men taken in arms. Mr. W. says, we will get all back, with 10,000 Confederate help, we can clean out Missouri in 60 days.
’
Latest from the South Carolina coast.
The Charleston Courier, of the 11th inst. learns from a participant in the late fight that the enemy, after firing a valley, would immediately fall to the ground to avoid the effects of our fire:Upon their first landing. and while the skirmishers of the enemy were advancing, our men were posted behind a thicket concealed from observation and quietly waiting for the enemy to get within easy range of their muskers. When about one hundred and fifty yards distant a gun in the hands of one of our men went off accidentally, which at once put the enemy on the alert. Had it not been for this, it is thought the whole advancing party would have been killed or captured
The officer bearing the flag of truce, a Lieutenant Elliott, of a New York regiment, seemed very desirous of having a parley with our men. When asked why he was desecrating the soil of South Carolina and fighting against our liberties, he responded by saying that they came to avenge the insult to their flag, the stars and stripes. Upon its being intimated that they had thrown away the most favorable opportunity forces deeming their honor by releasing Mason and Slidell, the officer said that was foreign to the subject, and the conversation dropped
It was rumored that Gen. Sherman had sent another flag of truce yesterday to Gen. Lee, in relation to the negroes on Port Royal Island, asking their removal from the Island, in consequence of the small pox having broken out among them. We could not trace this, however, to a reliable source.
President Davis and the Southwestern Publishing House.
The following acknowledgment (says the Tennessee Baptist) by President Davis of a package of books, consisting of a copy of the first Pocket Bible and Testament published in the Southern Confederacy, also the new Confederate series of School books, is characteristic of the man and must be gratifying in the authors of the series — the one a Georgian, and the other from Mississippi:
Richmond, Dec. 26, 1861.
Dear Sir:
Rec. J. R, Graces Nashville, Tenn.-- I have received with great pleasure your letter of the 18th inst. with the Holy Bible, Testament, and school books accompanying it.
Dear Sir:
The Bible is a beautiful specimen of Southern workmanship, and if I live to be inaugurated the first President of the Confederacy on the 22d of February next my lips shall press the sacred volume which your kindness has bestowed upon me.
I have no time to examine the school books, but I doubt not they are improvements on those formerly used, and I am gratified that a Mississippian has been the first to engage in this work, so important for the proper instruction of our children.
You are right in supposing that I feel a deep interest in every under taking which is calculated to make as thoroughly independent in everything pertaining to the prosperity and progress of a free and great Confederacy.
With many thanks for your consideration, and best wishes for your welfare.
A Reconnaissance on
The Savannah Republican, of the 10th inst. says:‘ By the arrival of the steamer We learn
that Capt, Read, with a detachment of ten men belonging to his corps, (the Irish Volunteers,) went over to Tybee Island Wednesday night last, and fired upon the Federal pickets, who returned the fire, The men under Capt. Read's command again loaded and were advancing towards the Martello Tower, when they were again ordered to fire upon the pickets, who again returned the fire. Great consternation was then visible in the camp, as though "somebody" was "hurt," when Capt. Read, on discerning a large force approaching from towards the Martello Tower, gave orders to his men to retreat to their boats. "Nobody hurt" on our side.
’
Good farming.
The Shreveport (Ls.) Southwestern, of the 1st inst., gives the following instance of good farming:One of our friends; residing in Bossier parish, working only four or five hands, during the past year, raised two hundred bushels of peas for sale, four thousand pounds of pork, besides having enough for his own plantation use; corn enough to last full two years, and about one hundred and thirty bales of cotton; potatoes, turnips, and vegetables of almost every kind, in abundance. The spinning-wheel was heard rattling away in his cabins, preparing to clothe the family. That's the way for painters to do.
Fires in Louisiana.
The Opelousas (La.) Courier, of the 4th instant, has the following:About three weeks ago the hay press of Mr K. W. McKinney near our town, was reduced to ashes, together with several hundred bales of hay.
Some day last week the dwelling house of Dr. Gober, of Ville Platte, now in Confederate States service, was also reduced to ashes, as well as all the furniture.
Last week the kitchen of a poor lady residing in Washington, whose name we have not heard, was also burnt down, with her winter provisions.
On Monday night last the kitchen of Mr. Rawls. of our town, was also burnt. Mr. R. is absent from town.
Sickness in a Texas regiment.
The Marshall (Texas) Republican, of the 14th inst, says:‘ A letter from Gregg's regiment, dated the 24th, stated that the sickness among the soldiers was unabated. Seventy six men had died up to that date, and many more were dangerously.
’
Lincoln Despotism in Europe — a citizen of New Orleans refusal a Passovers.
A citizen of New Orleans writing from Barcelona to the New Orleans Bulletin, concludes an interesting letter as follows:I must certainly not omit the most important event in my whole life and in all my travels. When I left Liverpool I had a United States passport, which the United States in that city refused to vise, saying that I must apply to the United States Ambassador in London. On my arrival in the metropolis of the three kingdoms, I went directly to fix my passport matters, and directed my way to the United States Minister. I was introduced in a room where two secretaries were performing their duties, and I made known my business
One of them, a kind of Black Republican looking fellow questioned me about my birth-place and residence, occupation, &c., &c. I answered correctly to all his questions, and gave him all the information he wanted. Finally, he comes up to me and says, ‘"Will you please take the oath"’ The oath, says What oath ‘ "The oath of truth and fidelity to the Government of the United States,"’ say she. I replied I will not take any oath, sir; I am not of age, and do not think myself authorized to do such an act without the permission of my father After having laughed at my objection and assuring me that such permission was not necessary, he urged me to swear, and upon my refusal he accused me of being a rebel, and took from me my passport. I got excited and told him — well, sir, I do not think you have the right to deprive me of my passport, and the name of rebel you give to me is entirely out of the question, as I am a minor, and have not taken any part in any political contest.
Well, says he ‘"and if you had been of age what ticket would you have voted" ’ I found this question insulting, and answered roughly, ‘"I do not know sir. "’
He then dispatched me, and said I must talk with the minister to ascertain if without taking the oath I could have my passport back, and this fanatical scoundrel added very impertinently, ‘"I will do all I can to have the Minister refuse your demand."’
I do not understand your conduct sir, says I, I have not done anything to make you inimical to me, sir. I then retired, when the Secretary said if I would take the oath he would give me my passport, but if not I must call again at 4 o'clock.
I immediately went to my bankers, where I was recommended, and exposed my case to said gentlemen; they all agreed with me that the Secretary of the U. S. Minister had no right to act as he had, and that I was right in refusing to take any oath, and they recommended me to return and menace him with the interference of her Majesty's Government. So I did, and the consequence was the man got mad, and refused even to speak to the Minister about the matter.
Well, I wanted my passport and could not go to France without it, and under this dilemma I did not know what to do.
Fortunately, I had a letter from my brother to Mr. D*******., who married the sister of Mr. L*****m, of New Orleans, and to say how kind this most respectable family were to me would occupy mere than four sheets like this Mr. D., as soon as I told him of my difficulties, recommended me to his brother, a prominent lawyer in London, who came with me to the Minister the next day. Mr. D; had a pretty animated conversation with the Secretary in question, and after much talking of what was right and what was not, the Secretary finally gave in, and was obliged to return me my passport, adding, with a kind of satanic smile, ‘"I think it is a shame to travel under the protection of a Government you do not acknowledge."’ I replied, ‘"Sir, that may be, but it is to me only a matter of convenience."’ With this remark I left him.
