The Petersburg Express has received the New York Tribune of the 12th inst. The news is interesting, particularly that referring to the state of affairs at Vicksburg on the 2d inst. We make the following extracts:
The Confiscation bill.
The Confiscation bills, after apparently a deadlock, were suddenly resuscitated yesterday by the Conference Committee, and a report was agreed upon, made to the House, and passed that body by a vote of 82 to 42--the Republicans almost without exception voting for it, and the Democrats against it. Three members from slave States voted yea.--The bill adopted is much stronger than any heretofore proposed. It declares death for treason, and the freedom of a traitor's slaves; or he shall be imprisoned five years, fined $10,000, and his estate, except slaves, shall be seized. For inciting rebellion or giving it aid and comfort, forfeiture of personal property, ten years in prison, $10,000 fine, and slaves set free. The President is authorized, for putting down the present rebellion, to seize the property of all such persons and convey the proceeds to the Government. He is to proclaim that if in 60 days rebels do not return to allegiance, their property shall be forfeited. Slaves of persons engaged in rebellion, or who give aid and comfort to the rebels, that take refuge in our lines, shall be held as captives of war, and be forever free from slavery. So also shall be all slaves deserted by their masters, and coming under control of our Government; also, all slaves found at places occupied by our troops. No slaves escaping from one State to another State shall be delivered up except for crime or some offence against the laws of the United States, until the claimant shall make oath that he has not borne arms in the present rebellion, or given aid or comfort thereto. No person engaged in naval or military service shall decide on the validity of the claim, or surrender such slaves, on pain of being dismissed from the service. The President is authorized to employ as many persons of African descent for the suppression of the rebellion as he may think fit, and use them in such manner as he may deem best for the public welfare, and he is also authorized to make provision for colonizing the blacks beyond the limits of the United States. The President is also to extend to prisoners pardon and amnesty as he may deem expedient.The effort to stay the passage of this important bill was very feeble; a point of order from Mr. Mallory, one from Mr. Cox, both overruled, and a motion to table it from Mr. Allen, which got but 42 votes, was all. It will doubtless pass the Senate at once, and then the people will look to the President for its vigorous enforcement.
Getting up enthusiasm for the War.
Another great national Union meeting was announced for Tuesday last in New York. The Tribune, of Saturday, says:‘ We print this morning a call for a great national meeting, to be held in this city on Tuesday afternoon next, in Union square. It is quite safe to assume that it will be an immense gathering of loyal people, not second even to that held in the same place in April of last year, when New York signified, at the fall of Sumter, its preference for the Constitution of the United States over that bastard instrument framed by rebel conspirators at Montgomery, and which the traitor journal of this city, the Herald, had called upon the citizens of New York to rally under and adopt.
We learn that a committee of gentlemen have gone to Washington to invite the President to be present at this meeting on Tuesday. Should he consent to do so an influence will go out from it that will electrify the whole country to its remotest border, infuse a new spirit into the people, and crush again into silence the traitors who have lately, with or without disguise, dared to raise their heads to conspire for the overthrow of the Government and the destruction of the Union.
A favorable answer to the invitation is looked for from Mr. Lincoln, and we understand that his family, who are in town, remain here in expectation or his joining them here early in the week.
’
State of the Markets.
There was a fair degree of activity at the Stock Board, but Shares were weak. This weakness in Mail. with the decline in gold, gave a downward tendency to the market generally, and it continued weak after the Board. At the Second, Board, the Share market was again very heavy, with a decline of ¼ to 1½ per cent. Governments more steady at 102@102 ¼. After the Second Board there was a stronger feeling in the Share market and in Gold. The market for foreign bills has been very much unsettled, and quotations are difficult to give. Some Sterling drawers are asking 128@128½, but sales of leading names have been made from second hands at 127@127½, and good signatures have been passed as low as 126. At the close, the range was nominally 127@127½ fr. for first class drawers.
The shinplaster Curse in New York.
The resort to shinplasters is causing considerable excitement among our citizens. The people desire something as change more tangible than the mere superscription of men who to-day keeps a restaurant and to-morrow may be out of business. Hence it is that the suggestion of using postage stamps, made in the Tribune several days ago, appears to be in favor. Baker & Godwin have published a great show-card, bearing this announcement:‘"Postage Stamps are Received for Goods, and Given as Change for Current Bills."’
Judging from the sale which these cards have had already, postage stamps may be expected to be in circulation very extensively before many days.
In Philadelphia and Boston, as well as other large cities and towns, the same trouble exists, and the importance of having some uniform token of ‘"small change,"’ and especially a Federal token, such as the postage stamp, must commend itself,--The copper coinage at the Philadelphia Mint per day is $2,500, which is far from being adequate to the demand for change. From every section of the country there is an urgent call for ‘ "pennies"’--a short time since only to be got rid of at a discount — in small and large sums. In the present emergency; postage stamps are always worth the money they cost, and shinplaster dealers who refuse to take Uncle Sam's image and superscription should be discountenanced.
From the Mississippi flotilla.
A correspondent of the Tribune, writing from Vicksburg on the 2d inst., says:‘ At the mouth of the Yazoo river a portion of the ram fleet, which had preceded the gunboats, was blockading the stream. This river is the great storehouse of rebel steamboat property; all the elegant New Orleans packets, and numerous smaller craft, the unfinished ram Arkansas, and the Van-Dorn, are reported to be up the Yazoo. Among the boats in good condition are named the A. J. Cotton, Gen. Quitman, Louisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, City of Memphis, Kennett, Prince of Wales, Magnotta, Magenta, and a number of smaller boats; in all there are about twenty-five vessels, all of which with but little repair could be made serviceable.
’
The ram Arkansas.
Though the Southern people are exceedingly fond of telling great stories concerning things unseen, and love to magnify the importance and overrate the power of munition untried, they seem to dwell with especial emphasis on the construction and prowess of their unfinished gunboat ram, Arkansas. This vessel was partially built at Memphis; it is 80 feet in length, 38 feet beam, and is driven by 2 propellers of 7 feet diameter, and when complete with full armament will draw 9 feet water. The ram is to be iron-clad in every part with railroad iron; the battery is to consist of 6 casemated Parrott guns and 1 swivel gun on the bow. The cast iron nose that arms her prow weighs 18,000 pounds, and is attached by iron bolts passing through 18 inches of solid oak.The Arkansas was ran from Memphis to prevent its falling into the hands of Com. Davis. The materials necessary for its completion were placed on board, and carried up the Yazoo river as far as the depth of water would admit of; the work has been continued, and this terrible engine of war is now reported complete, and ready to annihilate the entire national flotilla on the river. This slight obstruction, however, is in the way; there is not sufficient water in the Yazoo river to float her out.--Whether the whole story of her completion, and reported launch on a sand bar, is a rebel lie, intended to frighten or deceive, does not appear.
Expedition up Yazoo river.
On Thursday of last week two rams, the Monarch and the Lancaster No. 3. went up the Yazoo river a distance of 60 miles. When 40 miles from the mouth of the river, the rams were hailed by a man on the shore, who desired to be taken on board. Captain Ellett, brother of the late Col. Ellett, sent a small boat out to bring the stranger in. The man proved to be the carpenter from the rebel gunboat Van Dorn, and a deserter. He represented that 20 miles further up, the channel was blockaded by a sunken raft and a chain stretched across the stream. Below the obstructions were the Van Dorn, three small rams, and one transport. All these were represented to be in immediate readiness to be burned on the approach of our fleet.--The rams proceeded up the river, but before they came fully in sight of the enemy, the smoke was seen rising from the burning steamers. The boats were cut loose to drift toward our rams; these, however, were careful to keep a safe distance from the fiery enemy.
Rebel fortifications on the Yazoo.
Within good range above the raft and chain the enemy has erected a battery of nine guns on the bluff. The guns were taken up from New Orleans and placed in position before the gunboat Arkansas was run up for safe keeping. The obstructions had already been placed in the river when the Van Dorn arrived, and it was deemed unwise to remove them to allow her to pass, and she has, therefore, with her companions, become the last sacrifice of the greatly vaunted rebel navy on the Western waters.The guns were taken from these boats and placed on board the Arkansas, which the carpenter of the Van Dorn represents to be still unfinished and not aground.
Meeting of the two Flotillas.
The fleet arrived at a point three miles above Vicksburg on Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, when six of Commodore Farragut's vessels, including the flag-ship. Hartford, were discovered quietly at anchor. The fleet from the North came to anchor along side and in the rear of Farragut's vessels, and a conference was had between the two commanders on board the flag-ship Benton. The commanders may here pass their greetings, but the union of the fleets can occur only after the fall of Vicksburg.
Engagement and running the rebel Blockade.
The fleet below, consisting of seven gunboats under Farragut, and 10 gunboats and 18 mortar boats, in command of Com. Porter, made an attack on the enemy's works early on Saturday morning. The engagement lasted about one hour. Six of Farragut's vessels, including the flag- ship Hartford, passed up in front of the rebel batteries, and are now above the city. The fleet several times drove the enemy from his guns, and it is reported by deserters that the gunners were forced back to their batteries at the point of the bayonet.The slaughter of the enemy was terrible, though the exact number of his killed cannot be ascertained. The casualties on the fleet were six killed and two wounded; one of the latter died on Saturday. The Miami, which sustained the hottest of the enemy's fire, was several times struck, and had her masts entirely carried away.
The battle, though of short duration, was terribly severe, and gave the Mississippians some foretaste of what they must expect, when our fleet should once attack them with the determination of taking their works.
Vicksburg.
The City of Vicksburg is built on a bluff, varying in height from 200 to 300 feet above the river. It contains about 5,000 inhabitants, and monopolizes the trade of the entire Yazoo Valley, one of the most fertile counties in the South. The annual shipment of cotton exceeds 100,000 bales. It contains an elegant Court-House, six churches, three seminaries of learning, and three newspaper establishments.
The rebel fortifications.
The enemy's works consist of two separate fortifications; one above and the other below the city; though both are so immediately adjoining the place that it will be impossible to shell the works without destroying the city in the attempt to take it. The situation is such that the upper fortification can be attacked to best advantage from above, and the lower more advantageously from below the city. Each fortification consists of two lines of batteries. The lower lines are some thirty feet above the present water line, and form an irregular line of batteries, both in elevation and front.The upper lines are a series of earthworks similar to those below, and are somewhat similarly situated, though more extensive, stronger, and mount more and heavier guns. It is impossible accurately to estimate the strength of the works from the point of observation occupied by our forces. The number of guns is variously reported to be from 30 to 50, and the infantry force is believed to be about 12,000 strong.
Vicksburg to be Dried up.
The bend in the river and the location of Vicksburg are such as to make it practicable to draw the Mississippi three miles from the city, and allow vessels to pass at that distance from the batteries, through a cut off of three-fourths of a mile in length. Commodore Farragut has placed five or six hundred contrabands to work with picks and shovels, and in a few days hence the channel of the river may be turned from its present course, and shortened about seven miles.The military purpose of the new channel will soon be served, but the effect on the city of Vicksburg may be nothing less than a total annihilation of her commerce, and the sweeping away of her chief source of wealth.
The merry negroes at work on the cut off enjoy the escape from the plantation amazingly, and say, ‘"de boys is mighty glad to work for yous all."’
From Missouri — effect of the news of M'Clellan's retreat.
[Special Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune.] St. Louis, July 7, 1862.
If a bomb-shell had fallen in the middle of town it could not have produced a greater sensation than the news which reached this city on Thursday last, that McClellan had been forced to retire 17 miles, losing his stage guns, and only saving his army from annihilation by the fortunate co-operation of the gunboats.
What rendered the reception of this news worse here than elsewhere was the fact that on Wednesday there were vague reports from Memphis, and a rumor from Fortress Monroe, that Richmond had been taken.
The news of the retreat from the Chickahominy gave great joy to the rebel sympathizers who still haunt this city, and although they made no public demonstration, it was easy to perceive a deep under-current of pleasure in their feelings whenever Richmond was mentioned. Indoors they doubtless celebrate the occasion heartily. It was noticed that the evening of the 3d was celebrated in front of nearly every prominent rebel dwelling in town, by putting off fire- crackers, burning gunpowder, &c., a cunning way of honoring a Confederate victory while appearing to prepare for the 4th of July.
Gen. Haleck was expected to arrive here on Saturday. His old apartments at the Planter's Hotel were prepared for him on that day, but he came not, and his most intimate friends are not advised when he will arrive. When he left St. Louis he remarked to one of the St. Louis editors that as soon as Memphis fell into our possession he should make his headquarters there, but it seems he has now changed his mind, and thinks that St. Louis is the most eligible point for headquarters in the Department of the Mississippi.
The Secessionists are still governed with a tight rein by the Provost Marshal. On Thursday evening a festival was held at the Mercantile Library Hall, ostensibly for the benefit of the poor. But it was so exclusively rebel in its conduct and in its patronage that the Provost Marshal ‘"smelt a mice,"’ and seized the proceeds. The female wearers of red, white, and red, raved, and came near tearing their hair, but all to no purpose. A similar festival was held about four weeks ago, and the proceeds were seized in the same manner, though, on investigation, the money was refunded, as it appeared that the worst that could be made of the intentions of the managers was to relieve poor families of rebel soldiers and Secession poor.
Another example of the tight rein business was shown on the Fourth, when a detail of the Provost Guard stopped all the horse cars on the Market and Olive street lines until the conductors procured small American flags with which to decorate the cars. The President of this company has taken the oath, but in everything else plays the Secessionist to perfection. While three other horse railroad companies hoisted the colors on their cars, it was proper the Olive and Market street lines should do the same. The best of the joke is that many of the patrons of the refractory company are violent rebels who refuse to walk under the flags suspended over buildings, but prefer to perform a circuit into the middle of the street. To ride under the Stars and Stripes, or walk was the only alternative, and with the thermometer at 95 it was a terrible alternative.
Guerrilla warfare will probably revive quite extensively in the interior, on the strength of the news of McClellan's retreat. This warfare has visibly declined since our cavalry received orders to shoot guerrillas on sight. A few have given themselves up to the authorities at Springfield, and profess that the leaders have changed their tactics entirely. Many now intend, it is said, to confine their operations entirely to destroying Government trains and other property. This they call legitimate warfare, but it is not likely they will stick to this programme long, especially if the cavalry stops shooting them. Rolla people now consider travelling from that place to Springfield perfectly safe since the 5th Kansas cavalry have killed all the guerrillas in the immediate neighborhood of the road and scared off their bands for many miles on each side. The rebels are becoming as thoroughly afraid of the 5th Kansas, as the rebels near independence were six months ago of Jennison.
Apropos of Jennison. The pro-slavery Union men unite with the rebels in this State in expressing their joy because Jennison was foolish enough to write a letter which exasperated the War Department, so that an order was issued dismissing him from the service. The very best recommendation Jennison has, in the eyes of all true lovers of their country, is the hatred of Secessionists and their pro-slavery friends. The acquaintances of Jennison, who were pleased with his manly bearing and frankness while he was under arrest in this city, are much annoyed by the circumstances of his dismissal. His Leavenworth letter was an indiscretion, certainly; and in this case his frankness in saying he would not be a tool for catching negroes, overcame his judgment. He stood well in Washington before that letter was received, and at one blow toppled over his hopes of a Brigadier ship.
The news that Vicksburg has been captured, and consequently the reopening of the Mississippi, sent quite a thrill through steamboat men in this city on Saturday. The statement that a canal is being cut which will leave the city forever inland is discredited generally, and, on the whole, disliked. The people of the Northwest are jealous of every movement which injures the Mississippi river or its banks. It is regarded as the peculiar privilege of the Northwest to trade with towns on the river, and anything calculated to destroy a town is viewed as a blow at the profits of the Northwest. Steamboat men admit the practicability of the proposed canal, but declaim loudly against the immolation of the site of Vicksburg, even though the town itself is a heap of ashes.
Small hopes are entertained that any respectable number of additional troops will be enlisted in Missouri, under the President's proclamation. The State has raised 31 regiments, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery, all told, for United States Service, and 10 regiments for State service, making an aggregate of about 40,000 defenders of the Union enlisted in Missouri. The rebels have never had 20,000 Missourians in the service at any time. The draft on the fighting population by the Union cause, and for the rebels likewise, has been very heavy, and the class who volunteer are generally laborers — there is scarcity of white labor in several parts of the State. These causes, added to others, will keep Missourians at home. Col. Blair has been requested by the Secretary of War to raise a brigade. He intends returning here this week, to commence the work. The Colonel is active, smart, and possesses great aptitude for military matters. He will have difficulty in composing his brigade of Missourians, however, for the reasons stated.
The must Conquer us.
The Baltimore American, whose editor was recently put in Fort McHenry by Old Abe, is trying to put itself above a shadow of suspicion with the Federal Government. In an article about the war, it says:‘ Then, we say, let us have done, once for all, with talk of "conciliation until the rebel States are unmistakably whipped. Repulsing, as they do and have done, every attempt of the kind, the tendency to untimely debate of this nature is to make them believe that they are dictated by weakness, by fear; a course which only fosters new pride and now insolence, and has the effect of disastrously postponing the end of our difficulties. We must make up our minds to fight our way through, to cease making these foolish experiments, proved so often such; and there will be time enough when we are absolute masters of the situation to negotiate in this direction.
Why, if we look at States lately under the sway of the rebels, we see the most persistent experiments entered upon, as at Memphis, to learn how much of disloyalty and treason the Government will tolerate. Day by day we observe the most nicely balanced endeavors to keep alive that disloyalty which has blighted the prosperity of the States and deluged them with blood, and which yields not one ta of its pretensions except as extorted by the sternest treatment. Treacherous, almost super naturally vigilant, it hides its arms, it nurses its evil hopes and its smothered wrath, and madly laughs at all talk of ‘ "compromise"’ except that which would leave its tyranny unimpaired, and the States themselves a prey to the desolation to be born of its gratified revenge.
As we have already said, the patriotic men of the army, called upon so immediately to deal with it, begin thoroughly to understand its character, even if those more remote do not; and to them we must look to deal with it aright. Mistaking its tendencies in the outset, they led off by a scrupulous deference to its pretensions and claims, which begat for them only the utmost scorn and contempt, which fostered malevolence, and has prolonged the contest. What mistaken forbearance had to show for its fruits was made plain by the rebel raids in the rear of the Army of the Potomac, when treachery and double faced wickedness were in motion on every side to point the rebel chiefs to where they might most readily find victims. ‘"Chivalrous gentlemen,"’ dwellers on their own ample remains, would not of course accept ‘ "protection,"’ and repay it with baseness ininviting the murder of those who trusted them; and yet, but for the final arrest of some scores of such ‘ "Union men,"’ ‘"neutrals,"’ ‘"non-combatants, "’ within our lines, the General of the great army would never have carried to a successful result that grand manœuvre which saved it to the nation.
We hope, then, that after what has been so often witnessed, but one purpose will be manifested, and that is to end the war by the shortest and sharpest method possible and admissible. Let the nation determinately frown down all who prate of terms with the rebels at a time like the present; let rulers and people entertain no thought but how to get more troops at the sent of war as soon as it can be done. The road to peace is simple and straight enough at last — it is through successful war! We might wish it were otherwise, we may deprecate the dire necessity, but the Government did not begin the war, and the people were dragged into it reluctantly, yet by sheer strength and earnestness they must end it. Talk is exhausted; ‘"peace"’ homilies of all kinds are out of place until the peace can be commanded by the powers put into the field to do it; and the country fairly realizing this as the true condition of affairs, and disposed in earnest to fight for it, we may have peace at our option. Until this is so, we need not flatter ourselves with hopes of it, for a temporizing system may extend the conflict indefinitely.
’
Butler in Europe.
The London Telegraph, after reviewing Butler's atrocities at New Orleans, thus concludes:It is true, that Butler and his villainous decree may be disavowed by the Washington Government; but how facile are these official avowals. How easy it is for Alexander, at St. Petersburg, to disavow the woman-whipping ordered by his Generals at Warsaw. ‘"It is a far cry to Lochawe."’ It is a long way from New York to New Orleans: The mischief and the scandal are in the fact that high posts in the Federal army should be entrusted to abandoned wretches, who, by their deeds, bring upon themselves the scorn and opprobrium of the whole civilized world. The commanders of the Confederate forces have, at least, acted like officers and gentlemen. It has been reserved for the ‘"high minded"’ aad ‘"refined"’ warriors of the North to emulate the coarse brutalities of rowdies and shoulder-hitters.
Gen. Vicle, and the ladies of Norfolk.
A committee of ladies of Norfolk recently addressed a letter to Gen. Vicle, asking his influence with Gen. Dix and the Surgeon General to send the wounded Confederate soldiers to Norfolk, that they might visit them and try to alleviate their sufferings. To this request Gen. Vicle replied as follows:‘ "If the committee you represent were to request that they might receive and alleviate the sufferings of wounded soldiers, without reference to the side on which they are fighting in this unhappy war, I think the request would meet with great consideration. Surely it is no part of woman's mission to nurture the seeds of deadly strife, nor should her ministering at the bed of suffering be prompted by any other motive than a desire to mitigate its pangs, whether for friend or foe. Rather let it be her aim to pour oil upon the troubled waters, to seek by holy influence to calm the fierce hatred engendered by civil war, and to show the nation that ' there is a weapon surer yet, and better than the bayonet.' To make any distinction between the wounded would surely not tend to this."
’
The Fate of the Gardes Lafayette.
According to the Courier des Etats Unis, the 55th regiment New York State militia, more generally known as the Gardes Lafayette, and composed chiefly of French citizens, has been so decimated by sickness and by the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks and Richmond, that, as a regiment, it can scarcely he said to practically exist. Scarcely, over fifty of its men are now fit for active service. Col. de Trobland, who left New York on the 25th ult, arrived at his camp, utter much difficulty, only to find it deserted by the evacuation of the White House. He is now in Washington, hoping to obtain either a new command or authority to raise a new regiment.
