Progress of the War.
From the New York Tribune and Washington Chronicle, of the 3d inst., we make some additional items of Northern news:
The condition of the Army of the Potomac.
A letter in the New York Tribune dated from the Army of the Potomac, gives a description of the working of matters there at present. It says:‘ Gen. Hooker has a straightforward way of doing at things which takes with the soldier. There is no show about him. He means business in every word, look and act. An instance of this plain, business like way of his of doing things occurred a few days since under my immediate observation. He came riding along where a brigade was being reviewed by its division officer. It was a short time previous to the hour for review, and the men were standing waiting in line. He appeared attended by only a single orderly, whom he immediately dispatched on some message. --While the orderly was absent the General rode down the line, but a few feet in advance of it, looking every man in the face as though he would look him through. Nobody seemed to know him, and most supposed him to be some curiosity hunting civilian. Many wondered what that old follow wanted, and some hinted aloud that he must be rather green to be riding down a line of battle in that manner. But the attendant coming back and respectfully reporting to him, he dashed off at a full gallop, and in such a manner as to make it evident that he was not only a military man, but one of some importance withal.
It was not until some hours after, however, that it was generally known to the soldiers that their General-in-Chief had paid them a visit, and then it was interesting to listen to their comments. "Did you see old Hooker this afternoon?"? said one of them to one of his comrades. "Yes," was the reply, "if that chap that looked at us so was him" "Well, it was, they say, and ain't he -- of a fellow to be poking his nose around in that style. Mac always used to have a string of dukes and aids and princes as long as a funeral procession when he came; but I guess old Joe travels on his own hook, and looks into things for himself." The parties moving on, I lost the further continuance of the conversation; but it was a fair specimen of what I heard that afternoon and evening.
"Hooker gives us soft bread and potatoes, and lets us go home; he'll do," I heard another say in allusion to recent orders. By the by, I learn that some, more officers than men proportionately, have taken advantage of recent orders and stayed over their time, thus rendering it doubtful whether the order be continued in execution. I hope, however, that the order will not be repeated, but that the delinquents will be made to suffer. I have seen the good effects in military life of punishing the few for the benefit of the many and I have likewise seen the evil effects of punishing the many because of the sins of the few. It universally breeds dissatisfaction, for it is essentially unjust.
So far, then, as the popularity or unpopularity of the chief with the men is concerned — a point to which undue importance is attached everywhere — I for one am willing to leave the matter where it stands. Gen. Jos. Hooker will be popular with men and officers. He evinces for the men all that care for their comfort and their health which made them like McClellan, and then he is a better fighting man. The soldier likes the General of pluck. Fighting with him, like charity with the Christian, covers a multitude of sins.
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The "treason" in Indiana.
The New York Tribune thinks that the rebel Democracy in Indiana is doing its best to precipitate an open conflict with the General Government. The Northwestern conspiracy, unmasked and defeated in Illinois, still has a hope of success in Indiana. It adds:‘ When the scheme for depriving Governor Morton of control over the State militia, by the establishment of a Military Board, was once rejected in Democratic caucus, it was supposed that the rebel managers had failed to get control of the party machinery. But they have renewed the effort with better success, and the loyal minority of the Legislature has no other resource than to withdraw from the Capitol and leave it without a quorum.
The bill in its present shape is worse than before. It substantially gives the control of the militia into the hands of justices of the peace. We had private advices yesterday that the Democrats were going on with the form of a legislative session, and, quorum or no quorum, would press the bill to its passage. The Republicans were equally determined not to yield. A dispatch from Cincinnati represents that the session is broken up and all legislation at an end. If this be correct the Republicans have carried their point, and in Indiana, as in Illinois, their courage and decision have saved the State to the Government.
At the time when the Democracy first rejected the Military Board scheme they found themselves obliged by outside pressure to proceed cautiously. The Illinois failure, the outspoken loyalty of the army, and the want of popular strength within the State, were too serious obstacles to be lightly overcome. The Copperheads, therefore, undertook to plead their own case with the people, and appointed a Legislative Committee, whose nominal duty was to agree on some plan of arranging differences between the majority and minority — that is, between the traitors and loyalists — in the House. That committee reported on the 28th of February, the day before the War Convention was held in Indianapolis. The numbers and enthusiasm of that popular gathering are better evidence of the sentiments and purpose of Indiana than any traitorous cabal can offer, yet the report of the latter shows just how far they think it prudent to disclose at present the treasonable purposes of the Copperhead conspiracy.
There is nothing in this report materially different from the resolutions of the Connecticut traitors recently assembled under the name of Democratic Convention, or from the speeches of members of Congress of the parton, or from the language of rebel newspapers throughout the North. The style of it is opposition to the war, abuse of the Government, worn-out platitudes about the constitution as it is and the Union as it was, and malignant hostility to the proclamation of freedom. If the Government will shape the conduct of the war against Southern traitors to suit the notions of their Northern allies, then it can have the support of the latter; otherwise, not.
These Indiana Secessionists, therefore, are just as openly arrayed against the Government and the war as their Democratic brethren in Connecticut. They are equally well aware that peace, unless as the result of victory, can only be had on the basis of Disunion. They know that their efforts weaken the Government and strengthen the rebellion. That is exactly the object they have in view. The two parties, East and West, are working in complete harmony of purpose, and wholly in the interest of their Southern leader. They are well organized, well supplied with funds, determined, courageous and confident. They appear to forget only one thing; that this Government is trying to save the Republic, and that its attention is not so wholly absorbed by armed rebellion in the field that it may not presently find time to crush Northern treason, which is conspiring to destroy it by assassination.
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A lament on the Naval Glory of the North.
The Tribune has the following lament for the departing naval excellence of the United States:‘ The American navy in other days achieved a proud and world-wide fame, which it seems resolved to lose in the present contest. To the long list of its recent disgraces, we have now to add the capture of the gunboat Indianola, whereby the rebels again become undisputed masters of the Mississippi and its tributaries from Vicksburg to Port Hudson. Of our war vessels run by Vicksburg to sweep that important stretch of inland navigation, the Queen of the West was captured by a shore battery or fort, and now the Queen of the West has captured the Indianola. The measure of our disgrace is complete.
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An Insubordinate Lieutenant.
First Lieut. Gilbert S. Lawrence, 7th New York Volunteers, was brought to Court-Martial and to grief, on the Rappahannock, for saying in the presence of officers and civilians, "I have no confidence in Gen. Hooker. Burnside was stuck in the mud, and he will be stuck worse." And when told by Maj. Cross, 5th N. H. Vols, that he would be dishonorably discharged if his language was known at headquarters, said: "I'll be damn'd if I care that's what I want." And also for publicly declaring, "I want to get out of the services I don't we will succeed. I am dissatisfied generally. Nobody but McClellan can command this army." Found guilty. This warrior was dishonorably discharged from the service, and sentenced to forfeit all his pay and emoluments.
The anticipated attack on Charleston.
A correspondent of the Baltimore American (C. C. Fulton, the proprietor,) writing from Port Royal, S. C., gives the following about the "coming" attack on Charleston:‘ The first intelligence received at the North from the anticipated demonstration on Charleston will doubtless come to you by way of Richmond. In crediting these statements, whatever they may be it must be borne in mind that Beauregard is in command. There will probably be iron clad reconnaissances in the lower harbor for two or three days prior to the main attack. After accomplishing their purpose for the day, it may so happen that they will fall back to their anchorage for the night. Beauregard will forthwith telegraph to Richmond, in high sounding bombast, accounts of smashed turrets, disabled vessels, a severe repulse, and perhaps the sinking of one or two of the "Yankee cheese boxes." You must be prepared for all this characteristic "Beauregardiana," and place just so much credit in what may reach you from that source as the circumstances may warrant.
That the humbling of Charleston, the taking of Sumter and Moultrie, the restoration of the power of the Government, and the raising of the old flag, are undertakings of magnificent importance, and of doubtful results, there can be no dispute. We may find the work one of such magnitude as to be compelled to abandon it, but that there will be any serious disasters attending the iron clad demonstration is not to be anticipated. The operations of the Montauk at Fort McAllister; and the manner in which she has received sixty shots full in the face, from the most powerful guns in the possession of the rebels, has set led the point as to their invulnerability. They may not be able to pass the obstructions, they may be compelled to abandon the attempt to reduce Sumter and Moultrie, but that any of them will be captured, sunk, or disabled by the enemy's guns or gunboats, is not at all to be anticipated.
At the last accounts from Charleston the number of guns in position to check our advance on the city was estimated at one hundred and sixty. More have since doubtless been mounted, and we may calculate on at least two hundred by the time the attack is made. Of these probably fifty command the approaches to Fort Sumter, and when that point is reached the fleet will probably receive the concentrated fire of Moultrie, Sumter, and Cummings's Point, where the famous railroad battery is stationed. They will doubtless, however, be able to place themselves in such position between Sumter and Moultrie as that their miss shots will strike where they are not Intended. The battery at Cummings's Point will be a mile distant, too far altogether even to dent the armor of an iron-clad.
The mode of attack concluded upon by Admiral Dupont is of course altogether unknown. He may have determined to reduce the batteries on the islands at the entrance of the harbor, and then dash past Fort Sumter and demand the surrender of the city, receiving their combined shot and shell without response; or he may determine to first make the effort; to reduce and retake Sumter as a base of future operations on the city. The obstructions in the harbor are understood to be between Sumter and the city. Indeed, it would be impossible to place any obstructions below Sumter, as the fate of our fleet of sunken whalers has already proved. Thus when Sumter is passed the city will be at the mercy of our fifteen inch shells, and must either surrender or submit to destruction. The passing of Sumter will, however, put the Monitors to a full test of their powers of resistance. If able to move on despite the showers of shot and shell that may be poured upon them, or to hold their ground until they have silenced the enemy's guns at this point, the city will of course be at their mercy.
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Kentucky (Union) Legislature resolutions on National Affairs.
A telegram from Frankfort, Ky., dated the 27th ult., says a series of resolutions, thirteen in number, were passed by the House of Delegates on that day. It gives the following synopsis of them:‘ The first, after stating that Kentucky is assailed by armed rebellion on one side and unconstitutional usurpation on the other, recommend calmness and invokes the aid of patriotic men.
The second reaffirms her loyalty to the Government.
The third recognizes a marked difference between the Government and the Administration.
The fourth solemnly protests against the emancipation proclamation, declaring it unconstitutional and void.
The fifth declares the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus unconstitutional.
The sixth declines compensated emancipation.
The seventh declares it would hail with delight any manifestation of a desire on the part of the seceded States to return to their allegiance.
The eighth adheres to the Constitution and to the Union as the last hope of freedom and will seek redress for all wrongs under the Constitution and in the Union, by a resort to the peaceful but powerful agencies of the ballot box.
The ninth halls with pleasurable hope the recent manifestations of conservative sentiment in the free States.
The tenth recommends a call of a National Convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution.
The eleventh recommends a Mississippi Valley States Convention, with a view of consulting how to preserve the whole Government, and preventing one or more States from seizing the mouth of the Mississippi river.
The twelfth declares that the laws of the State must be maintained and enforced.
The Senate will probably concur to-morrow.
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From Vicksburg.
The correspondent of the Jackson Appeal, writing from Vicksburg under date of February 18th, gives the following account of the shelling of our batteries at that city by the enemy, to which brief allusion has already been made in our telegraphic column:‘ As was predicted by many, and constantly kept before our military authorities by the local press, it has turned out that the enemy have erected batteries on the lower end of the levee, some two miles below where the fleet is anchored and a little above the point where the mortar boats lay sheltered behind the timber last summer. Operations on this work had been observed for a week or more, and the prevailing opinion was that batteries were being erected on the levee — as affording the only ground for which they could get within range of the city.
Since Friday last the heavy whether so effectually obscured the view that nothing could be seen, but it was expected that a denouement would take place as soon as the weather permitted, on the suspicion that the enemy was improving his chances by planting mortars within range of the city under cover of the thick fog, which hung like a permanent curtain of night over the bottom land, in which the Yankees are located. As soon as the atmosphere became sufficiently clear on Wednesday to get a good view, the enemy's guns opened on the lower part of the city, aiming, no doubt, at one of our guns located in that vicinity. About one o'clock the first shot was fired, and at short intervals the firing was continued till night. Our guns replied slowly and deliberately, nearly shot for shot.
Although this movement of the enemy had been expected, our business men are loth to realize the fact. It will render the lower part of the city — particularly that part fronting on the river.--entirely untenable, and the sooner those in exposed positions get out of the way the better for them. The depot of the Southern railroad seems to be the very centre of their mark, and the trains will no doubt be prevented from stopping at that place any longer. The telegraph office is also in a dangerous place, and will no doubt be moved out of the reach of shells. What is to be done with the post-office has not yet been determined, but it will have to seek some other locality for the safety of the mail matter and the convenience of the public, out of the reach of danger.
Immediately upon the commencement of the firing from the battery on shore, one of the gunboats dropped down to the same spot. Later in the day, she went back again to the fleet above. Great excitement appeared to prevail among the shipping toward the close of the day; the gunboats were in motion moving to and fro, and all the transports had on a full head of steam. The effect of our firing could not be seen, but it must have proven quite an annoyance to the enemy. If our guns had shelled out the enemy while he was planting these batteries, as was recommended by the press, we would not now be troubled from them. So far as their shooting is concerned, there has been no damage done yet, though the shells all come within the city line.
It will be very unfortunate for our citizens if General Pemberton enforces his order to remove the non-combatants peremptorily at this juncture. The unfortunate break in the railroad prevents exit by that route, while all other means of escape by the country roads is at present impossible. The interruption on the railroad will not interfere much with the marching of troops here, but there may be trouble in getting in supplies and in carrying away the non-combatants. The accident on Monday night was quite a serious affair, and caused two man to lost their lives in a most shocking manner. One was mined in the mud beyond the power of extrication and was steamed to death by the engine. The other supposed to have been build alive in the mud, and has not yet been found. The road is not yet repaired.
During the night everything remained quiet. The skies cleared off and stars were again visible for the first time in a week. This morning there was nothing strange to be seen among the enemy, except the tremendous steam from the fleet, which locked as if they were all ready to start on a cruise. An occasional shot was fired during the night. The effort yesterday was no doubt for the purpose of obtaining the range of their guns.
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Miscellaneous items.
The Washington correspondent of the New York Mercury telegraphs that there is to be a change in the Cabinet, and says the measure in view are--‘ First, a change in the Cabinet that will give Mr. Seward's policy a majority of the members. Mr. Chase is to be retained, or if he retired Hon. Robert J. Walker will take his place. Second, the restoration of Gen. McClellan to some command. Third, some concession to the negro prejudices of the Northern soldiers — blacks in the army to be kept in subordinate positions. Fourth, moderate Republicans and war Democrat to have the confidence of and the direction of the Administration. Fifth, there are to be no more arbitrary arrests except for very flagrant cases.
In the Yankee House of Representatives on Tuesday the Engineer Corps bill was taken up. A long fight followed. The Democrat succeeded in carrying by one majority an amendment that no black man should be a commissioned officer in the national army; this was modified by a later amendment, got through by two majority, that no black men should be commissioned except as company officers over companies composed of Africans only. The bill then passed.
’ The bark W. Gifford, at New Bedford, from the Pacific Ocean, reports as follows:
‘ On the 14th of February, in lat, 269 lon 678, saw a square rigged vessel on fire. Did not go to her assistance for fear of the Alabama.
The London Times ridicules the rebel Mason's debut at the Lord Mayor's banquet, and says that when the Federal are obliged to leave the Confederates in quiet possession of the States it will be time enough to discuss recognition.
Tom Thumb and his wife, who are at their home in Bridgeport Conn., complain of the effects of their notoriety. Crowds follow them wherever they walk or ride, and bolts and bars do not suffice to keep inquisitive curiosity mongers out of their parlors and bad chambers.
An emancipation meeting was held in the Senate Chamber, at Jefferson City, Missouri, on Friday last. Senator Morris presided.--Suceches were made by Messrs. Partridge, Wagner, Bingham, and others.
The Chicago Tribune publishes resolutions condemning the "traitorous movements" at the West, that were passed by the officers and men of nine Illinois regiments, one Ohio and one Indiana battery, and one Michigan cavalry regiment, stationed at Jackson, Humboldt, and Memphis, Tenn.
’ The Marquis of Hartington was, a few nights since, compelled to remove a secession badge which he had placed on his coat a private ball in New York. The New York Post says:
‘ This young gentleman is the third brother of the house of Cavendish, who has been feted and made much of by our citizens. Since his last visit to New York he has carried his investigations of our domestic troubles into Dixie, and taking the aristocratic view of the question, now wears the rebel colors.
Aaron Erickson sold on Saturday; the 14th ult., at his wool house in Boston, 200,000 pounds fine wool, from Wheeling, Va., at 87½ cents per pound, or $175,000 for 200,000 pounds of wool. This is believed to be beyond all comparison; the highest price ever obtained for any like quantity of wool in America.
It takes fifty thousand horses and mules to supply the Army of the Potomac. A thousand very few days. Not less than five thousand horses are in the horse hospitals of Washington.
The tailors of New York are on a strike for $1 more on a cost and 59 cents more on a vest.
Gold closed in New York Monday at 171½ . Exchange closed at 189a189 ½. Cotton sold at 88a90 cents, and coffee at 36.
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