From the North.
Intelligence from the North to the 22d inst. says the Indians in Mecker county, Minnesota, exasperated at the non-reception of the money due them from the U. S. Government, attacked the whites in Action, killing several men, women, and children. They also massacred several at the Lower Agency. Miss Clarine Smith, Miss Fanny Hopkins, Miss Florida Neal, Miss Norma Smith, Miss Emeline Neal, Miss Alice Neal, and Mrs. Geo. Neal, Jr., seven ladies of Parkersburg, Va., were sent to Wheeling, a few days since, on charge of disloyalty, and placed in prison, but were released after taking the oath of allegiance. Clarksville, Tenn., has been captured by the ‘ "rebels,"’ as the following dispatches show:
Cairo, Ill., August 21.
--The rebels, nine hundred strong, under Woodward, occupied Clarksville, Tenn., on Tuesday last.
The garrison, consisting of a portion of the 71st Ohio regiment, surrendered, and were paroled.
It is reported that the enemy were advancing on Fort Donelson, which had been abandoned by the Union forces in charge, reported to be only 1,500 strong. The post may be considered valueless at present, as the Cumberland river has now only thirty inches of water.
Nashville, Aug. 21.
--Yesterday afternoon, Capt. Atkinson, the 50th Ohio, with twenty men in a stockade, at Edgefield Junction, was attacked by 1,000 guerrillas.
He repulsed them three times, killing Morgan's Adjutant, seven privates, wounding eighteen, and finally, after three hours fighting, drove them off.
Col. Mason, of the 71st Ohio, (the same regiment denounced by Gen. Sherman for cowardice at Shiloh,) with three hundred men, two cannon, and in strong entrancements at Clarksville, surrendered without resistance to the same number of guerrillas. The guerrillas were aided by rebels who had taken the oath of allegiance.
A large amount of United States property was seized and 100 soldiers captured by guerrillas at Mansrow creek, near Edgefield Junction, and the bridge burned.
General Nelson left Nashville for Louisville this morning.
Russellville, Tenn., Aug. 21.
--All that is known here of the capture of Clarksville is, that Col. Mason surrendered his whole command to a guerrilla force under A. R. Johnson, Woodward, and Osarth.
Our most reliable reports represent Mason's force at 200; that of the rebels from 400 to 600. Not a gun was fired. Mason and his men were paroled, and went down the river.
Further information from Clarksville shows the surrender to have been the most disgraceful and cowardly affair of the war. The paroled officers were allowed to carry off their horses and side-arms. The surrender was made to an inferior
force of rebel cavalry, and Mason and Woodward made speeches complimenting each other.
Correspondence between Butler and Phelps in regard to the negro brigade.
Camp Parapet, La., Aug. 2, 1862.
Major-General B. F. Butler, Commanding the Department of the Gulf.
Sir:
Two communications from you, of this date, have this moment been received.
One of them refers to the raising of volunteers or militia forces, stating that I ‘"must desist from the formation of any negro military organizations,"’ and the other declaring, in a spirit contrary to all usage of military service, and to all the rights and liberties of a citizen of a free Government, that my resignation will not be accepted by you; that a leave of absence until its acceptance by the President will not be granted me, and that I must see to it that your orders — which I could not obey without becoming a slave myself — are ‘ "faithfully and diligently executed."’
Major-General B. F. Butler, Commanding the Department of the Gulf.
Sir:
It can be of little consequence to me as to what kind of slavery I am to be subjected, whether to African slavery or to that which you so offensively propose for me, giving me an order wholly opposed to my convictions of right, as well as of the higher scale of public necessities in the case, and insisting upon my complying with it faithfully and diligently, allowing me no room to escape with my convictions or my principles at any sacrifice that I may make. I cannot submit to either kind of slavery, and cannot, therefore, for a double reason, comply with your order of the 31st July, in complying with which I should submit to both kinds — both to African slavery and to that to which you resort in its defence.
Desirous to the last of saving the public interests involved, I appeal to your sense of justice to reconsider your decision and make the most to the cause out of the sacrifice which I offer, by granting the quiet, proper, and customary action upon my resignation.
By refusing my request you may subject me to great inconvenience, without, as far as I can see, any advantage either to yourself or to the service. With the view of securing myself a tardy justice in the case, being remote from the Capital, when the transmission of the mails is remarkably irregular and uncertain; and in order to give you every assurance that my resignation is tendered in strict compliance with paragraph twenty-nine of the regulations, to be unconditional and immediate, I herewith enclose a copy for the Adjutant-General of the army, which I desire may be forwarded to him, to be laid before the President for as early action in the case as his Excellency may be pleased to accord; and as my position, sufficiently unpleasant already, promises to become much more so still by the course of action which I am sorry to find that you deem it proper to pursue, I urgently request his Excellency, by a speedy acceptance of my commission, to liberate me from that sense of suffocation, from that darkling sense of bondage and enthrallment which, it appears to me, like the snake around the muscles and sinews of Laccoon, is entangling and deadening the energies of the Government and country, when a decisive act might cut the evils and liberate us from their bone and fascinating influence forever.
In conclusion of this communication, and I should also hope of my services in this department, I deem it my duty to state, lest it might not otherwise come to your notice, that several parties of the free colored men of New Orleans have recently come to consult me on the propriety of raising one or two regiments of volunteers from their class of the population, for the defence of the Government and good order, and that I have recommended them to propose the measure to you, having no power to act upon it myself.
Monday, Aug. 4.
--P. S.--The negroes increase rapidly.
There are doubtless now 600 able-bodied men in camp.
These, added to those who are suffering uselessly in the prisons and jails of New Orleans and vicinity, and feeding from the general stock of provisions, would make a good regiment of 1,000 men, who might contribute as much to the preservation of law and good order as a regiment of Caucasians, and probably much more.
Now a mere burden, they might become a beneficent element of governmental power. J. W. P.
Finding it impossible to serve in this department without doing violence to my convictions of right and public necessity, I respectfully tender you the resignation of my commission as an officer of the army of the United States, and request as early an acknowledgment of its acceptance as conveniently possible.
J. W. Phelps, Brigadier-General.
Headq'rs Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 5, 1862.
General:
Your communication of to-day has been received.
I had forwarded your resignation the day it was received to the President of the United States, so that there will be no occasion of forwarding a duplicate.
General, not at liberty to accept your resignation.
I cannot, consistently with my duty and the orders of the War Department, grant you a leave of absence till it is accepted by the President, for want of officers to supply your place.
I see nothing unusual, nor do I intend anything so, in the refusal to accept the resignation of any officer where his place cannot be at the present moment supplied.
General:
I pray you to understand that there was nothing intended to be offensive to you, either in the matter or manner of my communication in directing you to cease military organization of the negroes. I do but carry out the law of Congress, as I understand it, and doing which I have no choice. I can see neither African nor other slavery in the commander of the post clearing from the front of this line, by means of able bodied men under his control, the trees and underbrush which would afford cover and shelter to his enemies in case of attack, especially when the very measure, as a precautionary one, was advised by yourself; and while, in deference to your age and experience as a soldier, and the appreciation I have of your many good qualities of heart, I have withdrawn and do withdraw anything you may find offensive in my communication, still, I must request a categorical answer to the question: Will you or will you not employ a proper portion of the negroes in cutting down the trees which afford cover to the enemy in front and right of your line? I pray you to observe that, if there is anything of wrong in this order, that wrong is mine, for you have sufficiently protested against it. You are not responsible for it more than the hand that executes it. It can offend neither your political nor moral sense. With sentiments of the utmost kindness and respect, I am your obedient servant.
Western surprises.
A New York journal is not pleased with matters in the Southwest. It says:‘ It is time the Union commanders in the Southwest were waking up. It can hardly be politic for any part of a people, with a large war on their hands, to be fast asleep. We have suffered three damaging reverses in rapid succession in the West, in consequence of the sleepy propensities of our officers. First was the disgraceful surprise and surrender of Gen. Crittenden's command at Murfreesboro', Tenn. We lost 2,000 prisoners there, all because they were ‘"surprised."’ They didn't think well bred Southern soldiers would be so uncivil as to disturb them in their sleep. Crittenden was taken in bed at a hotel, and removed from Murfreesboro' before his command was attacked and made aware of his capture. His friends urge that he has been harshly judged, as he only took command of the post the evening before, and went to a tavern to sleep ‘"because his tent had not arrived."’ A miserable excuse this. He knew he was in the enemy's country, and should never have slept, or thought of his tent even, till he knew his camp was safe from attack. That first night of insecurity was fatal to him as a commander.
Next came the capture of Independence, Mo., by Quantrell's guerrillas. We lost 500 prisoners there. But Independence was ‘"surprised"’--it ‘"could not otherwise have been taken."’ Why surprised? The town stands in a prairie; the eye sweeps the horizon ten miles or more, in every direction. It was known Quantrell was recruiting in that neighborhood. He got his horde together — came ‘"like a thief in the night," ’ as a more honest soldier might, and captured the town and its defenders. What a name for such a town--Independence!
Lastly, we have a case at Gallatin, Tenn., the exact counterpart of the other two. Here is the story by telegraph:
‘"Morgan entered Gallatin at 4 o'clock A. M., after capturing the sentinels, who were asleep. Col. Boone, the Union commander, was in bed. The surrender was conditional upon parole for officers and men alike, which was granted. Col. Boone has gone to Kentucky."’
’ And thus we lost nearly 200 prisoners. They demanded ‘"conditions,"’ and got them — the right of ‘"parole!"’ This is a mean get off. Morgan never takes prisoners. The scamp would be bored to death with them. He would have to feed and guard them; to move slowly on account of them. This would interfere with his dashing raids, his excitements, and his horse stealings. The sleepy soldiers promise to fight the rebels no more, get their leaves to go home, sleep through the war on feather beds, and still draw their pay from the national treasury as patriots! This is shameful, and the Government should adopt a rule at once refusing to continue the pay of any commands that are surprised and captured asleep. ‘"Col. Boone has gone to Kentucky."’ He had better not stop in Kentucky; or, if he does, he had better creep into the Mammoth Cave, where his slumbers cannot be disturbed. He cannot be a lineal descendant of old Daniel Boone, who kept vigils for a generation in the wilderness with the red-skins ever prowling around him.
These three surprises have cost the Government three regiments of men. It will require more drafts than a nation four times as populous can stand to keep our armies full, unless our officers and men wake up. Wake up, men! the Philistines are upon you!
From New Orleans — the New York Courier des Etats Unis.
Advices from N. Orleans give the following items:‘ Yesterday morning the Hartford, (flagship with Commodore Farragut,) Brooklyn and Cayuga left
their anchorage in front of Baton Rouge, and came down to New Orleans. On our way we stopped three hours in front of Donaldsonville, and shelled and burned the town — making sure destruction of all public and principal buildings. Boats went ashore from the Hartford and Cayuga; not over fifty people made their appearance in the town. Donaldsonville was the capital of the State until 1847; its population was about 1,500.
Capt. Walnwright, commander of the flagship Hartford, is dangerously ill.
Brig.-Gen. Clarke has his leg amputated, and has been removed to the house of a personal sympathizer and friend. From his advanced age, the character of the wound, and the heat of the weather, his case is pronounced hopeless.
A large number of our wounded in the hospitals here were wounded in the legs, showing that the rebels fired low.
’ The correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, under date of August 19, writes:
‘ The Courier des Etats Unis is bidding high for a place in Fort Lafayette. It is discouraging enlistments. In its issue of this morning it is imprudent and reckless enough to denounce Archbishop Hughes for his patriotic and timely address at St. Patrick's Cathedral, on Sunday morning last. The editor regrets that the Archbishop, on that occasion, thought proper to convert his evangelical chair into a tribune. ‘"To fan the flames of intestine discord, to push on combat brother against brother, is, to say the least., "’ (I quote the Courier,) ‘"a singular task for the minister of a religion of mercy and peace, which holds as its first maxim the repudiation of all humane passions."’ The Courier claims to be a Catholic journal, and denies that it is disloyal to the Government under which it lives and moves and has its being. How far these professions consist with its practice, the above citations from its Archbishop article will show. It was only a few weeks ago that General Butler deemed it his duty to prohibit the circulation of the Courier in New Orleans, and the ill-advised course of the editors would seem to indicate that they are determined to provoke a similar prohibition of its circulation nearer home. The claim of the Courier to represent and speak for the French population of the city, rests upon a very, very doubtful basis. As a class, the French residents here are well disposed towards the Government and the Union, and reprobate, as heartily as others do, the injudicious course of their self constituted organ.
’
Brilliant manŒUvering of Gen. Jackson--How he broke up a Yankee Arrangement.
The following special dispatch to the Chicago Tribune will well repay perusal, even at this late date:
On Friday last an unexpected movement was made by the combined forces of Jackson, Longstreet and Ewell, upon our advance position along the Rapidan. The evident intention of the different sections of our army at Fredericksburg, Culpeper and Madison, was to move forward upon the fine turnpikes which run from each of those places and concentrate at Orange Court-House. --From this point the united forces of the grand army of Virginia were to advance upon Gordonsville, which is nine miles, distant therefrom.--Jackson foresaw the intention, and determined to prevent it. This he did by a sudden and unexpected movement across the Rapidan upon our centre column before we had time to move our forces, as it had been anticipated we should. While it was his purpose to fight, as he has always managed to do, a detached portion of our army, it was necessary for him to delude forthwith the supposition that he was advancing with overwhelming numbers upon us at all points, and from all directions. This he also succeeded in doing to a considerable degree, but as soon as he had produced the impression upon the startled columns that he was about to attack them all, he rapidly concentrated his whole avail force, which he put to bear upon our centre.
All day on Friday he was threatening the forces at Madison, on Thoroughfare mountain, at Culpeper, and at the same time pretended to be sending out on the flank of each of these positions a force for the purpose of surrounding and capturing them. By this means the force at Madison, believing their communication with Culpeper to be cut off, were prevented from joining the main column, and retreated to Woodville, and were thus unable to throw their weight into the scale. On the following Saturday the signal station on Thoroughfare not being threatened, a force was drawn off from Culpeper to strengthen a detachment threatened by Jackson, between Culpeper and Fredericksburg. It was thought dangerous to advance too far toward the Rapidan, for fear of being out flanked, and so the detachments of the army of Virginia were kept apart to give Jackson an opportunity to choose his own point of attack.
Accordingly, on Friday afternoon, he commenced a rapid union of his scattered forces, and on Saturday threw them against the corps of Banks, which had been thrown forward to a point midway between Culpeper Court-House and the Rapidan.--Gen. Bayard's cavalry brigade had been holding the bridge at Rufusford, and was of course easily driven in upon the advance of the enemy in force, not, however, without having given them evidence of his bravery, in capturing quite a number of their officers and privates. Gen. Crawford's brigade was ordered out to support Bayard, whom he met retreating from the enemy in the vicinity of Cedar Run. This was on Friday afternoon, and these two brigades, with the aid of three batteries of artillery, kept back the enemy, who, probably not having yet gathered his forces, and had no desire to push them further at that time, especially as they were admirably situated for the operation of their artillery when they should get ready their forces for an attack. From all parts the detachments of the enemy came pouring back, and they had carefully refrained from going so far that this could not be easily effected.
Gen. Banks's remaining corps were next morning pushed rapidly to the front, under orders from Gen. Pope to feel the enemy and attack them. Our scattered army was incapable of concentrating a number equal to the work of conquering and repulsing the masses which Jackson had brought together upon the admirable position he had chosen south of Cedar Run, and the enemy had placed their guns upon a large number of excellent positions, and were estimated by the experienced to be six batteries. Their infantry was entirely concealed by convenient stretches of woods behind the artillery, and their numbers were reported by several prisoners to be 25,000 fighting men. Our own artillery excelled theirs in the number and value of the guns; yet much difficulty was experienced by Capt. Best, chief of artillery, in finding for them suitable positions. Ten batteries were in his command, but only thirty guns could be placed in position. Our infantry was in two divisions--Gen. Williams on the right, and Gen. Augur on the left of Williams's division. Crawford's division was on the right and Gordon's on the left. Henry, Prince, and Green, were the Generals commanding the brigades of Gen. Augur's division.
The morning was occupied in arranging the forces and plan of battle, neither party showing an inclination to hasten the commencement of hostilities. At half-past 2 o'clock the cannonading commenced, and continued with increased rapidity and severity for an hour and a half.
Having kept up a most constant and rapid fire for an hour and a half, without having discovered the position of the enemy, General Banks gave orders to Crawford to advance upon the enemy, and ascertain his force and position, and endeavor to draw him into action. They emerged from their shelter into the open field, and the column moved steadily toward the roads in which the enemy were hiding. As they drew near and came within convenient range, first in volleys and then file firing, the enemy poured upon them such torrents of slugs and buckshot as might have made veterans falter; yet they faltered not, even when their officers were falling around them, and Colonels, Lieutenant-Colonels, and Majors, all but three, had fallen or been carried from the field.
There were 2,000 in the brigade who made the advance, and next morning there were not more than 500 who could be gathered together for duty. Gen. Gibbdon's brigade had been ordered to their support, but were a long time in getting to the scene of conflict. Gen. Banks attributed his failure to have repulsed the enemy principally to their tardiness in coming. The 3d Wisconsin regiment, during the time of the greatest peril and danger to the 3d brigade, were directed to a certain position. They came up well, but the severity of the fire was too much for them. They faltered, broke, and ran back. Gen. Crawford himself, with musket in hand, besought them to follow him, and go up again to the support of their comrades, so vastly outnumbered. They marched up, but only to be again driven back by an irresistible volley of the rebel missiles.
Crawford's brigade is the one which, at the last battle at Winchester, put to rout ten regiments of rebels. It was then commanded by Col. Donnelly, of the 28th New York, who was, on this occasion coolly leading his regiment, and fell wounded mortally. The brigade returned from the woods, out of which they had driven the enemy, but fell back no further than the ground they had occupied during the day. Many of the men had dragged themselves away after the fight, and as I rode among them and inquired frequently, ‘"What regiment is this?"’ I was universally answered, that it was no particular regiment. Many lay down upon the ground wherever they happened to be, and many moved wearily and slowly to the rear. They had fought nobly, but through the smallness of their numbers, had been compelled to retire without the attainment of what they had fought for, and the whole command seemed overwhelmed with weariness and depression. After they had lain down to sleep, the enemy continued to throw shells, and kept up the fire until the evening.
The last encounter with Jackson must be added to the list of battles, in none of which has he been outgeneraled. It is easy to believe that our combined strength would have given him a most disastrous defeat.
Stonewall Jackson again.
The New York Times, of the 20th, has the following editorial article, under the caption given above:‘ A rumor was current yesterday at Washington that Stonewall Jackson, leaving the front of Gen. Pope, had passed into the Shenandoah Valley, and
was rapidly advancing upon the Potomac. The tale was inherently probable. A raid along the Valley is a favorite pastime of the prayerful partisan; who, besides, is under engagements with the inhabitants of the district to celebrate harvest home in their company. Not to have heard from him for a week is a sign of mischief. We may be sure he is not inactive, or at all ignorant of his opportunities. If it be practicable to flank Pope, march upon and capture the capital, or carry the war to Harrisburg, Jackson knows all about it, and doubtless loses not a fragment of time in making necessary preparations. What his hand finds to do, he is apt to do swiftly and mightily.
But this very reputation for energy, and the probability it naturally suggests of Jackson's reappearance on the scenes of his former exploits, are quite likely to originate the constantly recurring rumors of his coming. There are lessors, however, why the attempt so promptly baffled before is not likely to be repeated at present. So far as Washington is concerned, sufficient precautions have been taken to repel any attack from the Virginia side. The Arlington lines, more formidable than any works known in modern warfare, and admirably armed and efficiently manned, and even could they be carried, a single battery of artillery at either bridge is ample to prevent the enemy crossing. A direct approach to the capital is, therefore, the least practicable course open to Jackson. His old track toward the Upper Potomac is far more likely to attract him. Even there, however, the preparations of the War Department have been active; every point of importance being in the hands of our troops, and protected by entrenchments and heavy artillery. To force a passage of the river would indeed entail upon the rebels a sacrifice of life utterly disastrous at the outset of a campaign in a hostile territory. The mistake is not likely to be made by the Virginia leader, whose most daring demonstrations have always been marked with singular regard to prudence and the maintenance of secure lines of retreat. The balance of probability, therefore, turns, all things considered, against the rumored advance. The daily bugaboo may be looked for in some other quarter.
’
