We give this morning some additional extracts from New York papers of Monday last, which will be found very interesting:
An Spare from the Libby — how done — adventure on the road down the Peninsula — how they Deceived the people and the pickets on the road.
Major Houstain and Lieut. Von Weitzsin, who escaped a few days since from the Libby prison in Richmond, publish, through the Yankee news reporters, a very long account of their exploit and "sufferings" consequent upon it. It appears that in the prison they got hold of a surgeon's and private's uniforms, and were thus enabled to pass by the guards at the prison without trouble. The narrative of their mode of escape, besides being interesting as an adventure, may serve the more important purpose of putting our people on the Peninsula on their guard against similar impostors. A correspondent of the New York Herald, writing from Fortress Monroe, thus describes their escape:The start from jail was decided on by these two daring officers to happen about dusk. Accordingly, at half-past 5 o'clock P. M., on the 24th ult., Major Houstain ordered his companion to follow him on a pretended round, having provided him first with two large glass bottles and the provisions for their journey under his arm.
Leaving the officers' quarters, the two passed through the hospital of the enlisted men, stopped at the head of the stairs, and posted a faithful man at the window to give the alarm in case of an approach from outside. Finding the way clear, the two Union officers donned their disguise, and walked boldly past the two rebel sentries doing guard duty at the entrance, also five more rebel soldiers who sat at the door. Prior to leaving, the fugitives were directed to follow the James river road, which they pursued. They traveled as fast as circumstances would permit and not to excite suspicion, but were no great distance from the 11th by when they heard the cavalry after them, while they were in an open field. The fugitives at once laid flat on their faces, and witnessed with joy that the mounted pursuers did not observe them, and after they were out of sight the officers took to the woods and traveled that way all night.
The fugitives resumed their weary march on the next morning, and after walking until o'clock that afternoon found themselves within three miles of Richmond, as a colored man informed them, whom they chanced to meet in the woods, and who gave them directions how to find the way to the city. At dark they came to a place known as the "two mile breastwork," finding there an artillery picket, and they passed the night in sight of them. At dawn the next morning the travellers again assumed the pilgrim's staff, and, being shown the road by a colored man, struck the path to Charles City road, on which they travelled twenty miles that day, until they arrived at a plantation known as Mattox's farm. Here they stopped and made arrangements for food and shelter for the night. They had not been here more than five minutes before the loquacious host informed them that "our" (rebel) cavalry had a moment before left his house, being in search of two Yankee officers who had escaped from Libby prison, and were then on their way to White Oak Swamp. Finding this place an unsafe rendezvous, as the rebel troops might return at any moment, the fugitives, under a pretext of returning shortly, left the house and again took to the woods, remaining there over night. At daybreak they started again on the same road, and walked one and a half miles below Long Bridge, or the Chickahominy, awaiting an opportunity to fall in with a colored person who could direct them properly. Being disappointed in finding one, they were compelled to take another direction, and came to the farm of the younger Mattox, son of the man of whom the supper had been engaged the previous night. They intended to avoid this house; but, being in full sight thereof, the owner became conscious of their presence, and gave them a peremptory order to go into the house.
Young Mattox, on having offered his unwilling guests a seat, commenced a conversation on the escape of two Union prisoners from Libby prison, and asked of the two why they did not return the previous evening to his parents' house for the meal ordered. He also expressed his surprise at seeing officers in an enemy's country without arms. To this Major Houstain replied that owing to his traveling to New Kent Court-House on professional business he did not consider it necessary to carry his side arms, and that he never allowed any enemy to approach him nearer than the range of his brace of trusty revolvers, which he constantly carried about his person. This answer did not seem to satisfy Mattox, and he proposed to take them to Bottom's Bridge, where he said there was a rebel camp, consisting of five companies, in command of a Colonel. To this proposition the fugitives acquiesced, determining, at the same time, to kill the scoundrel on the way.
A consultation was held by Mattox with his wife, who retired from where the officers stood, lasting some minutes. In the meantime the Major and Lieutenant leisurely surveyed the yard, and made remarks about the crops, &c., and altogether assumed a nonchalant air. Finally they asked him whether he was ready to show them to Bottom's Bridge, to which he answered, "that he did not know whether it was worth while." They then stated that they would return to his mother's house and apologize for their non-appearance last evening, and, leaving the house, had proceeded about one hundred rods, when they made for the Chickahominy swamp, where they waded through five feet of water for about half a mile, which brought them to Long Bridge, two hundred yards in the ear of Mattox's house. They went about one hundred yards below, on the Chickahominy, and were alarmed by hearing the stroke of cars, caused by a boat coming towards them. Only by lying down and hiding in the bushes they escaped observation. Proceeding about a quarter of a mile further, they heard the approach of cavalry, and saw six mounted men coming on a gallop in a straight course, pointing towards them. The fugitives ran with all haste towards the river, and, plunging in, hid themselves in the brush. The cavalry came on, yelling like demons, "The Yankee sons of-bitches are here in the swamp," and at the same time fired their carbines seven times across the river, and came very near hitting them. Submerged in four feet of water, the unfortunate fugitives did not dare to leave their hiding-place, and remained in the swamp for seven hours, when they again ventured forth, taking the old stage route on the Chickahominy, and made for Jones's Ford.
This brought them to widow Pollard's farm, where they begged for shelter over night, and a chance to dry their drenched garments. The request was refused, the widow saying that she could not afford to feed and shelter soldiers who should be with the army and not running about the country. The plea of great patriotism to the Southern cause, however, caused the widow to relent and allow them to remain. From the conversation at the supper table the Major found that he and his-companions were again suspected of being "Yankees," from the fact that the son of the widow asked the Major his rank. The latter replied that he was Major J. W. Garrett, of the 53d North Carolina infantry, and that he was on his was to New Kent Court- House, to which place his regiment was en route, to be stationed for the protection of the inhabitants against Yankee raiders. Although this story evidently satisfied the "widow's son," still he wanted to know why he, as Major, had black velvet cuffs, which indicated a surgeon's rank. This question the Major solved by replying that, his cuffs becoming shabby he could not afford a new coat, and black velvet was easier to be had than gray cloth. At this house the fugitives remained over night, enjoying rest and supper and breakfast, for which they paid $8 rebel scrip, and only fulled suspicion by sheer impudence and lying.
The next morning they met a darkey, who informed them that scouts were constantly up and down the road, hunting after two Yankee Generals who had escaped from Richmond. The travellers thereupon took an easterly course towards Jenkins's farm, where the rebels quartered last winter, and sought refuge in a deserted negro but where they remained until within two hours of dawn the next morning, chilled to the bone with cold and dampness, when they started again, and arrived at widow Bradford's house, where a negress, engaged in splitting wood, on seeing their approach, hurriedly came towards them, saying.--"I spec you is the ossifies what ran away from Richmond," and begged them to go to a place she indicated in the woods and conceal themselves, promising to come as soon as possible and assist them. She arrived shortly after, and brought some buttermilk and two biscuits. They walked all night, and at eleven o'clock next day arrived at Jones's Ford, which they crossed, and once more struck the Charles City road. They encountered a Rebel picket, while scaling a fence, who on seeing them, came to a "present," but did not molest them. The picket rode off, and in an hour and a half they fell in with a colored woman, who directed them properly towards the Union lines. -- Following the injunction received from this source, a walk of another mile brought the fugitives to a wood on the Diascon creek, when they again took shelter until nightfall.
Crossing Diascon creek, they lost their way several times, and met a rebel soldier, named Wade, to whom they pretended to be rebel officers, just escaped from Fort Delaware, and wanted to be directed to Charles City. Particularly pointing out the road desired. Wade warned them not to go in an opposite direction, which, he said, would bring them to the Union lines. Proceeding in the direction indicated until the rebel soldier was out of eight, they retraced their steps, and came to Burnt Ordinary, only two miles distant from the Union pickets. On Tuesday morning, at three o'clock, fatigued and completely worn out, they approached the Union pickets, and, being challenged, the Major asked whether he was a Union man or rebel, when the sentinel replied the former.--The picket, on asking "Who goes there?" received in reply, "Two Union officers, escaped from Libby, Major Houstain, of the One Hundred and Thirty-second New York Volunteers, and Lieut. Von Weitzien, of Scott's Nine Hundred cavalry. " The picket informed them that he belonged to the First New York Mounted Rifles, Colonel B. F. Onderdonk. He detained the fugitives until four o'clock, when the relief came up, and the two officers were escorted to the guard-house.
Last evening Major Houstain, having received a leave of absence for twenty days, left for Williamsburg, L. L., where his family resides, and Lieutenant Von. Weitzten for Washington, to report to his regiment. He will no doubt also obtain a leave of absence, to recover from his exhaustion.
The Riots at the Pennsylvania coal mines--ten
Causes leading to them.
The miners at Mauch Chunk, Pa., are having a draft riot, which had not concluded on Friday last.
Geo. K. Smith, of the firm of Hull, Smith & Corlles, was the first victim of the mob, who shot him dead.
The following account of the riot is telegraphed to the New York papers: Mauch Chunk,Friday, Nov. 6.--Last night Mr. C. K. Smith, coal operator at Yorktown, Carbon county, was murdered in a most brutal manner in his house, in the presence of his family, by a gang of Irish outlaws, known as "Buckshots."
Mr. Smith was a loyal and highly respected gentleman, and was suspected of giving certain information to the liberty Provost Marshal, by which the latter, with the military under Capt. Yates, was enabled to arrest the drafted men.
No Union man's life is safe in Janesville, Yorktown, Doteraine, Beaver Meadowns, and other mines of the middle coal fields.
Seven or eight murders have been committed there within the last few weeks.
A correspondent of the New York Times writing from Beaver Meadowns on the 5th, says:
‘ Mob orators from Mauch Chuak have told these deluded miners that "they must not submit to the Lincoln tyranny; that the object is to draft every Democrat; that they must stand in the doors and resist every officers connected with the draft who comes near them," &c. The results of this Hissemluation of the cardinal doctrines of Copperhedism are briefly summed up in the following statement of facts:
’ Organized, armed by a rifle manufactory within their own control, situated near the village of Hazelton, constantly drilled by night within plain sight of all who wish to see, these rebels have done the work of death for four months past, undisputed and unchecked by any civil authority. with no officer of the law or of the army to stay their hands. Within that time nearly a score of loyal men have been murdered here. In many instances the murderers have been known. In the streets of Janesville men have been pulled out of their houses and cut to pieces in the streets. No man dare accept any civil office in the township. The draft enrollment has been made from the books of the mine owners. No man alive dare serve the notice. In any one of the mining districts he would not live one hour after the first service, if he ever succeeded in making that one.--These men have openly boasted that "no draft dare ever be amongst them — that it was more than a man's life was worth to attempt it — that they would murder any soldier or body of soldiers that came near them," &c. &c. The few loyal people of the neighborhood have been for some time earnestly entreating assistance from the military authorities to save them from a reign of terror, every day becoming more full of hourly horror.
This they have at last obtained through Capt Yohe, Provost Marshal of the 11th district of Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, the 28th ult., Capt. A. A. Yates, commanding the 88th company, invalid corps, was ordered with his command to the rebellious district to protect the Deputy Marshal in the service of the notices, and to enforce the peace and security of the neighborhood. On the way to the mines, during a temporary delay at Mauch Chunk, word was sent to the District Attorney of Carbon county, Mr. Counsellor Leonard, that he had now an opportunity to arrest the murderers and rioters of the district; but the Democratic officer did not see fit to avail himself of the opportunity.
Capt. Yates established his headquarters at the mining district of Beaver Meadow. On Thursday morning, with a force of sixty men, he started to serve the notices; but as nobody either knew or dared to tell where anybody lived, the work was slow enough. Beyond a few curses, equal in emphasis and sincerity to anything that the veterans had over heard in the front, and an attack upon a sentry by a drunken Buckshot, no resistance was offered. On approaching the mines, however, one of the rebels, stationed as a picket, fired a gun at the party, and about fifty left for Janesville, a rendezvous about two miles distant. Word was brought that the rioters had assembled in mass at that place, and that from three to four hundred were ready to surround and bushwhack the soldiery in their further progress. A scout sent out among them confirmed this statement. Communication was immediately had with Hazelton, in the adjoining district, and a force of thirty cavalry and one hundred infantry started from there to Janesville on the morning of Friday, to cooperate with Capt. Yates. On entering Janesville on Friday the place was perfectly quiet; but in the course of half an hour the streets began to fill, and the mob to cluster and growl along the sidewalk. The commanding officer, determining to nip this embryo New York plug muss in the bud, ordered the streets to be cleared. This was done in about five minutes, but in the operation one Buckshot was badly sabred. He is at this time passing the last moments of his rebellions life. The houses were then searched and a wagon-load of arms and ammunition — among them some United States muskets — taken away. So great is the dread of these ruffians that the good people of Janesville implored the forces not to leave the place. The wife of one of the mine-owners told the commanding officer that as the children were playing on the corners on Sunday, the 25th ult., one of the ruffians fired a musket-bail it among them, fortunately injuring no one; that on the Monday following a man was cut to pieces before her door.
The mine-owners are completely under control of these ruffians. They have to pay wages in all instances, as much as $80; in most cases, $120 to $150 a month. They compel many loyal Irishmen to join them, and kill many who refuse. A few brave souls there are here who delay them; but the majority of the people are cowed by their brutality and great numerical force.
Richmond theatrical Performers in New York--
Couldn't get through the lines.
Barnum advertises the first appearance of the "distinguished English artistes," Mr.Gomersal and Mrs. Gomersal.
The New York Herald, commenting upon this announcement; says: ‘ They arrived several months ago, and were part of a company engaged by a rebel agent in England for the theatre at Richmond, Va. When we chronicled their arrival in New York we stated that they had chosen the wrong route for Richmond, and that they should have taken the regular rebel packet line which Secretary Welles allows to run to Wilmington, N. C. So the affair turned out. The actors went to Fortress Monroe, but were not permitted to eclipse the army of the Potomac and reach the rebel capital.
’ It is stated, upon the authority of Mr.Gomersal and Mrs. Gomersal themselves, that the rebel agent who accompanied them upon this trip has paid all their expenses while here, and has supplied them with their return passage money in gold. This statement somewhat conflicts with the current opinion of the rebel finances, but we suppose that it cannot be disputed. Upon the return of the company from Fortress Monroe to New York Mr. Barnum secured the Gomersal, and they will sing at the Museum all this week, and then go back to England and relinquish the idea of entertaining the rebels in the theatrical line. This is a very sensible programme, and it ought to be carried into effect.
Play actors are a very singular class of people. They never have any opinions or any polities. -- They are equally willing to amuse Democrats or Radicals, Kings or Republicans, Rebels or Loyal-1sts, provided they received their stated salaries in current funds. They know no country, no section, no party. They are very loyal here, and very rebellious down South, and very proud of royal patronage in Europe. They can he all things to all men, and, like a chameleon, they change their colors as they change their ground. The powers that be are the powers for them. They always "render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's," even if they do not always obey the rest of the injunction. They act equally well upon any stage, before any audicfice, under any flag. Undoubtedly, if the Gomersal had performed "The Child of the Regiment" In Richmond they would have wrapped themselves in the "Stars and Bars" and sung the rebel "Marselliaise." Now, in New York, they will probably substitute the Stars and Stripes and "Hall, Columbia." That is the way the theatrical world wage; and an exceedingly queer world it is.
The Presidential question.
A Washington telegram to the Herald says:‘ The political cauldron is beginning to boil here. Parties and factions are preparing for the final struggle. It is a noticeable fact that, among the wire workers already actively engaged, Chase in the Cabinet, and Banks in the field, are now the only opponents of the re-election of Mr. Lincoln, who have preserved the organization which supported them in the Chicago Convention. They are in fact the only Presidential candidates who appear now to have organized parties at their backs. The Chase forces are marshalled from the Northwest, and those of Banks come from the New England States. The contest is being rapidly developed. The fears of Mr. Lincoln's advocates are that he may be slaughtered in the house of his friends.
’
Miscellaneous.
It is understood that Gen. Burnside's resignation has been accepted, and it is probable that Gen. Foster will succeed him in command of the Army of East Tennessee.Maj.-Gen. Wool, U. S. A., is at present enjoying renewed health at his private mansion in Troy. In conversation with a gentleman a few days since, who remarked to the old hero, "General, you should be in the field at this particular juncture of the war," the General replied sternly, giving ample evidence of his ancient vigor, "They don't want me. They think me too old."
Dr. Wm. P. Rucker, who escaped from jail at Danville, had arrived safely in the Yankee lines near Wheeling. Va.
James Calendar was hung at Boston Friday for the murder of Mrs. George Jones and her two children.
