We have received copies of New York papers of Saturday, the 25th instant. Gold, 199 1-2.
Official account of the fall of Wilmington.
The following is the official account of the occupation of Wilmington by the Federal forces:
Our troops entered Wilmington on the morning of the 22d instant.
After the evacuation of Fort Anderson, General Schofield directed Cox to follow its garrison towards Wilmington, while Terry followed Hoke on the east side of the river. The latter took up a new line, four miles from Wilmington, but was so closely pressed by Terry that he could send no troops to the west side. On that side the rebels made a stand behind Town creek, but on the 20th, Cox crossed his troops below them on a flatboat, attacked them in the rear and routed them, taking two guns and three hundred prisoners.
On the 21st, Cox pushed to the Brunswick river, opposite Wilmington, where the bridges were on fire, and on his arrival the rebels began burning the cotton and rosin in the city, and left it that night.
Our captures, including Fort Anderson, amount to about seven hundred prisoners and thirty guns.
Citizens state that the rebels burned one thousand bales of cotton and fifteen thousand barrels of rosin.
The Union feeling showed itself quite strongly in the city.
Terry followed Hoke northward.
Another account gives the following about the entrance into the city:
When daylight dawned on the morning of the 22d, a line of skirmishers from the various regiments was sent out and advanced rapidly, meeting with no resistance. The various brigades soon followed in line of battle, all eager and expectant for the assault to be ordered, but not a shot was fired to oppose them, and in a few minutes the truth was discovered. The enemy had evacuated their works and abandoned the city, and it only remained for our troops to march in and take possession.
At 9 o'clock, General Terry, accompanied by his staff and body guard, entered the city and received from the hands of a deputation of the few remaining citizens a formal surrender of the city, with its stores of supplies, etc.
The extent of our captures is not yet known, but they must be very large, as the rebel forces in their retreat were so hardly pressed as in all probability to be able to destroy comparatively very little, fearing it would lead prematurely to the detection of their evacuation.
Execution of Captain John Y. Beall, C. S. N., as a spy in New York.
Captain John Y. Beall, a Virginian and an officer of the Confederate States Navy, was executed on Governor's island, New York, Friday last, as a spy. We find the following account of the execution in a New York paper:After his conviction he was taken from Fort Lafayette, where he had previously been confined, and placed in the "garrison," a prison in Fort Columbus, on Governor's island. On Wednesday, before the time first appointed for his execution, he was put into a cell and closely guarded.
During his imprisonment he has at no time been disorderly, but has treated the officers in charge of him with uniform courtesy, and sometimes conversed freely. He did not at any time waver, but declared that he had done right, and his death would be that of a patriot.
On Saturday last, Beall's mother arrived here from Harper's Ferry, near where the family resided, and obtaining a pass from General Dix, saw the prisoner. She remained with him for a considerable time; but it is understood returned southward immediately, and did not see him afterwards.
Three clergymen--two of the Roman Catholic Church, and one of the Episcopal (Rev. D. Weston), have visited Beall by his request; and a few other acquaintances or friends have seen him.
It appears that Beall was a religious man; he belonged to the Episcopal Church, and was once a lay member of the Diocesan Convention of his State.--Twice on Friday he took the sacrament, administered by Dr. Weston.
In the course of the morning, Beall expressed a desire to have a photographic picture of himself made, and his wish was complied with.
Shortly before one o'clock Friday afternoon, Captain Tallman, who had charge of the arrangements for the execution; United States Marshal Murray, who was present by request, and the executioner, entered the cell of the condemned man.
He promptly rose and said he was at their service. He added that he know their errand, and said he wished the work to be done quickly.
A moment afterwards he remarked: ‘"It is only a question of muscular power — I think I can bear it."’
His arms were then pinioned, a military cape was thrown over his shoulders, a black cap was put on his head, and the officers and the prisoner emerged from the cell and took their places between two lines of soldiers, who formed the guard to the place of execution.
Beall marched out of the "garrison" by the side of Dr. Weston, who read the "commendatory prayer" from the Episcopal liturgy.
The Marshal and executioner, and two friends of the prisoner, followed. Beall marched with a firm step in the direction of the gallows, which had been erected on the south side of Fort Columbus.
As he ascended the brow of a hill, from which the gallows-frame was visible, he looked hurriedly at the instrument, and seemed to smile.
The preparations had not been completed, and a halt on the hill was ordered. At this point he talked with his spiritual adviser. Looking upward, he remarked that the day was a pleasant one. Immediately he added: ‘"The sun shines brightly; I now see it for the last time. "’ He was, however, perfectly calm and composed.
A chair had been placed directly under the rope, and the prisoner at first sat down, the Rev. Mr. Weston standing beside him; but after sitting a moment, he rose and pushed the chair aside with his foot.
The post adjutant read the record of the charges upon which he had been tried, the findings and sentence of the court, and the order of General Dix approving the sentence and directing the execution. Finding this to be rather a lengthy proceeding, the prisoner drew up the chair again with his foot and sat down. During the recital of the order he smiled derisively at such passages as were condemnatory of his crimes. At its conclusion, he jumped up of his own accord, and stood erect immediately under the rope. It was noticed that when Beall sat down, he studiously turned his back upon the adjutant and faced directly South, in which direction he gazed continuously, always appearing to avoid looking at any one around him.
When the adjutant had finished, Rev. Dr. Weston intend aloud the prayer for the dead, the soldiers listening with breathless anxiety, and many tears running down their cheeks.
Marshal Murray and the Provost-Marshal of the fort stepping up, asked the prisoner if he had anything to say, to which he replied:
"I protest against the execution of the sentence. It is absolute murder — brutal murder. I die in the defence and service of my country."
At thirteen minutes past 1 o'clock the black cap was drawn over the culprit's face, the Provost-Marshal drew his sword, a noise was heard from inside the box, and the form of John Y. Beall was dangling in the air. The only movement noticeable in the body was a convulsive movement of the right leg, a shrugging in the shoulders, and a few twitches of the hands.
After hanging just twenty minutes, the body was lowered down, when a medical examination by Dr. Cornner, United States Army, proved that the neck was broken instantly, thus ending the earthly career of Beall without any agony. It was then taken to the hospital, whence it will be given to the friends of deceased for interment.
Beall was of medium size, had light-colored hair and mustaches, blue eyes, and his countenance wore a pleasant expression. He was a determined rebel. Though a person of much intelligence, he was almost blindly devoted to the cause of Jeff. Davis, and did not scruple to help it forward by any means in his power.
From the Richmond lines.
The New York Herald says:‘ Unusual movements and activity have been observed in the rebel lines around Richmond during the past few days, indicating designs of some new enterprise on the part of General Lee; and it is surmised that, alarmed by the progress of Sherman's and the other national forces, he has concluded that the time for giving up both Richmond and Petersburg, and falling back to Lynchburg, or some other defensible position, has at last arrived. General A. P. Hill's corps of his army is said to have been under orders on Thursday of this week to be prepared to march at a moment's notice; and considerable commotion within the rebel lines was displayed yesterday.--There are also rumors that Lee meditates an attack on Grant. All these matters, taken in connection with the fact that the rebel journals have received orders from the authorities to be particularly reticent regarding military affairs, give color to the belief that something more than ordinary is in process of execution within their lines.
’
Prospect of a Foreign war.
In discussing the Fortification bill, in the Senate, Mr. Reverdy Johnson stated that if the present war should continue two years longer it was by no means certain that we should not have a foreign war. Advices from France, both public and private, indicate the purpose of the Emperor to recognize the Davis Confederacy if the rebellion is not quelled within a reasonable period. Mr. Johnson, therefore, argued in favor of keeping our coast fortifications in good order, especially those of New York.
Grand Military Scheme--General Lee to be Penned up.
The Philadelphia Bulletin's special Cincinnati dispatch says:‘ Advices from below indicate grand preparations for a three-fold movement to occupy Alabama and Mississippi--Thomas from the North, with a strong mounted force of infantry from Vicksburg, via Jackson, and Canby from Pensacola. It is apprehended that if Lee is compelled to relinquish Richmond he will fall back on Lynchburg, and thence make his way through the mountains to East Tennessee or Kentucky. Efforts are making to repair the Virginia and Tennessee railroad to Bristol. It was rumored in Knoxville last week that a division of his (Lee's) army had already appeared in East Tennessee. The expedition now moving from Knoxville is to defeat this movement, and, by again destroying the railroad, render the transfer of Lee's army west of the mountains impossible.
’
The New York papers on the situation.
The New York papers are in a very good humor with themselves just now. They have completely cornered the "rebellion" in one of the "elbows of the Mincio," and are sitting down locking at the result. The Tribune finally settles us by this summing up:Thus, day after day, and with capture after capture, the great game goes on to its culmination. Grant watching and waiting at Petersburg, Sherman driving on through South and North Carolina with irresistible force, Schofield advancing from Wilmington, and Sheridan ready to swoop up the Valley.--This is the great picture on one side; and on the other, we have only Lee trembling in his trenches, and Beauregard and Hardee straggling forward to add their weakness to his. On the one side, a miserable, beaten, demoralized mass of men, perhaps sixty thousand in number, and every man eager to desert; and on the other side, a confident, effective and enthusiastic force of at least two hundred thousand men, every one eager to strike the last blow. No one can question the result.
The New York Times is getting out a series of Sewardisms to re-assure a conquered people. It wants more than the mere subjugation of the Confederates:
Whatever we desire beyond this,--and certainly we do desire a great deal more, --must come from other agencies, and be the fruit of time. Cannon and bayonets never yet won the love of any people, no matter whether the cause in which they were used was right or wrong. Whether the people of the South will ever again feel a strong affection for the old flag — whether their hearts will ever again respond with loving pride to the music of the Union, depends entirely on the manner in which, as members and citizens of it, they may hereafter be treated. We shall very soon, without doubt, re-establish our authority over all the people of the Southern States. We can, and shall, compel them to obey our laws. But we cannot compel them to love us. We can win their confidence and their regard for the National Government; and we can also so exercise the authority we shall so soon enjoy as to make them bate us to the latest generation ten times worse than they have hated us hitherto. It remains to be seen whether we can be wise as well as strong — whether we can take counsel of our judgment instead of our passions — whether we can appease the resentments of a defeated foe by conquering and overruling our own.
The Herald is astonished to find that the Yankee Congress has violated the Constitution. It says:
‘ Every day or two we have some new evidence of blundering in Congress. It has just committed a stupid act which throws some of its previous doings in the shade. It has by one vote--seventy-two to seventy-one--decided to repeal that portion of the confiscation act which declares that the confiscation of real estate shall not continue beyond the lives of rebel owners. The Constitution of the United States (article three, section three,) declares that "no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture except during the life of the person attained." It appears incredible that legislators can be found ignorant enough to pass a law in violation of so clear a provision of the Constitution. But it may be that the object is to repeal the confiscation act altogether. In that view, such oddities of legislation may be explainable.
’
Fright at Knoxville.
Great excitement is said to prevail in Knoxville, Tennessee, owing to a report that the rebel General Longstreet is moving on that place. It is said that the intent of the late movement of national troops from Knoxville is to defeat his plans. Other important dispositions of Union forces, looking to the circumvention of designs on East Tennessee which General Lee is supposed to entertain, are reported to be in process of execution.
Miscellaneous.
A Washington telegram says: ‘Roger A. Pryor appeared on Pennsylvania avenue to-day, where he was recognized by many of the old residents of Washington. He is the guest of Hon. John W. Forney, Secretary of the Senate. He has been visited by several of his old editorial friends, who express themselves pleased with his conduct and bearing.’A special Washington dispatch to the Daily News asserts that the visit of General Singleton and Judge Hughes is of a strictly private nature, and bears no political significance whatever.
The will of the late James W. Wallack, proprietor of Wallack's Theatre, Broadway, divides his estate between his two sons, John Lester Wallack, the actor, and Captain Henry Wallack, of the British army, the theatre being included in the portion of the former.
The blockade-runners Pet and Annie Sophia have been captured at Galveston, Texas.
The draft is progressing. In Philadelphia, W. V. McKeon, of the Ledger, and F. L. Featherstone, of the Bulletin, have been drawn.
