The Daily Dispatch: October 29, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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Affairs at the South.

From our Southern exchanges we make up the following summary of news:

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A copy of a Tale from John Ross Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, to the Chiefs of the Shawnees, Senecas, and Quataws, Sept. 10, 1861.

[From the Fort Smith Times, Oct. 14.]

Below we give a copy of a talk written by Mr. Ross, Chief of the Cherokee Nation, to the Shawnees, and the mixed band of the Senecas and Shawnees, and Quataws, who occupy a country north of the Cherokees. Mr. R. also sent a talk to the Osages, which is in the exact words, commencing with the second paragraph of the talk to the above-mentioned tribes, and, of course, it is not necessary to publish it.

We are indebted to Gen. Pike, Confederate Commissioner, for the copy. He has succeeded in making a very favorable treaty with the Cherokees, and will no doubt conclude treaties with the other tribes. No man in the Government has or could be more successful in forming treaties with the Indians than Gen. Pike. He has their confidence.

[copy.]

Brothers: You will remember that eighteen years ago, in June last, a grand convention was held at this place by many Nations of Red Brethren; that the wampum talk of our forefathers was then spoken and listened to; that the ancient fire of peace was newly kindled at Tahlequah in the West; that around this great council fire we all smoked the pipe of peace and shook the right hand of brotherly friendship, and our hearts were made glad on that interesting occasion. That the fire thus kindled was to give a great light to illuminate the patl which were made for the brethren to travel in, which were to be kept clean and white, that the rising generations might walk in peace therein, that the doors of our houses were to be kept open to welcome the visits of all the Red Brethren to the end of time. And to the Cherokees and sires then spoke, saying, "You, Cherokees, are placed now under the centre of the sun — this talk I leave with you for the different tribes, and when you talk it, our voice shall be loud enough to be heard over this island."

Brothers — It has now become the duty of your Cherokee brother to raise his voice and make you a talk, therefore listen! I will tell you that there is a dark black cloud in the Northern hemisphere, which is lowering o'er our bright Southern sky, and it threatens to disturb and over whelm the red man's peaceful homes — and, as men, I say that we must meet and repel it. Brothers, I am authorized to tell you that a highly distinguished officer of the Confederate States of America has been commissioned by his Government to enter into treaties with the Indian nations west of Arkansas, and that our brethren, the Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles, and other remnants of tribes up the Red river, have already entered into treaties of alliance, offensive and defensive, with the said States. This Commissioner is expected here on the 25th inst., for the purpose of negotiating a treaty also with the Cherokee nation, and we hope to find a strong friend in the Southern Confederacy to support us, in the defence of all our rights; it is, therefore, important for us to form an alliance with the Government of the Confederate States of America.

Brothers, I send you this talk for the purpose of inviting you expressly to meet your Cherokee brethren and General Pike, the distinguished Commissioner, at this place on the 25th of this month, that a conference might be had with you upon matters of the greatest importance to the peace and prosperity of your respective nations, and that the united Brotherhood of the Indian nations might be preserved and perpetuated. Hoping that you will not fail to meet us around our great council fire to smoke the pipe of peace and shake the right hand of brotherly love,

Thy friend and Brother,Kooweskoowes.

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A Brush in the Sound.

The New Orleans Picayune, of the 22d, has been courteously permitted to copy the following interesting report:

C. S. Steamer Florida, Lake Pontchartrain, Oct. 20, 1861.
Sir

--I have the honor to advise you of the return of this steamer to the anchorage off this place. We left here on Monday last, and proceeded as far as Pearl river, for the purpose of wooding and filling up our water. In weighing our anchor the following morning we discovered that we had fouled the telegraph wire that spans the river. Before we could extricate it, the posts which secure it in the marsh were drawn from their places.--Every effort was made to get it on shore and replace it, but our efforts were fruitless, as it was deeply embedded in the mud and covered over with drift logs. The only alternative left was to drag it out with the machinery, which we accomplished, and succeeded in landing it on the wharf at the month of Pearl river. This large wire I had immediately replaced by a smaller one, which I trust will temporarily answer to keep up the communication.

From Pearl river we stood to the Eastward in company with a steamer, which I saw proper to convoy past the enemy's fleet. It was my intention to enter immediately, but on the eve of dropping the anchor the vessel took the bottom, and remained immovably fixed for 36 hours, notwithstanding every exertion to get her off. It blew quite fresh on Friday, and the steamer laid so uncomfortably that I was at one time apprehensive that we would be compelled to lighten her to get her off. She has sustained no injury that I can discover, except some derangement in her steam chimney, which can be repaired in a short time.

My principal object in leaving here was that I could get an opportunity to drill and exercise my crew, but the several mishaps that we have met with have, in a measure, defeated this object, and my men are now almost as inexperienced as they were when we left.

After getting the steamer afloat we proceeded as far as Horn Island Pass. I went sufficiently far into the Gulf to satisfy myself that the enemy had no blockading vessel at this Pass, nor have they erected batteries any where in that neighborhood.

From Horn Island we steamed to the westward, and at 9 o'clock discovered four of the enemy's vessels at anchor under the batteries at Ship Island. I directed the Florida to be steamed within gun-shot of them, as I thought it a good opportunity to try the efficiency of our guns. At 11:30 we opened on the fleet with the rifled gun with encouraging effect. We had fired but three shots when I discovered that one of their steamers was under way. She commenced returning our fire with great vigor, but their shell burst harmlessly, some half mile from us. I soon discovered that the steamer was our equal, particularly in speed. She soon got a favorable position on our port quarter, and so rapid and earnest was her fire kept up that I was for some time apprehensive that she would cripple us.

Our fire was kept up as fast as our poorly equipped battery would permit, and was well directed, but I fear most of our shell burst long before they reached the enemy. Our only reliable gun, (the rifle,) broke down at the fourth fire. We were now reduced to one gun, which we continued firing as rapidly as we could. The firing was kept up on both sides for over an hour, when the enemy's ship ceased firing and returned to her consorts under the battery at Ship Island.

Unless the enemy got into shoal water, I cannot account for her hauling off, as she had us completely under her guns. She throw at least twenty rifled shot over us, and many of her shell burst in close proximity to us; but I am happy to inform you that we passed through it all without injury to the vessel or crew. Whether the enemy was injured or not I am unable to say. She steamed back to her consorts with the same alacrity with which she came out. Her flag was down during most of the fight, and whether we shot it down, or she hauled it down as a ruse, I cannot say.

I regret that the poorly equipped condition of our battery would not permit me to follow up this little affair to a decisive end; but under the circumstances, I thought it prudent to stand on our course and act on the defensive. I trust, however, that in as short a time as practicable, we will be furnished with the necessary apparatus for our guns, and be able to give them another trial.

I take pleasure in informing you that the officers and crew of the Florida, throughout this little affair, behaved in a manner worthy of the highest praise.

The steamer that engaged us is supposed to be the Cuyler. She is about 1,200 tons, very fast, and carries an armament of about tenguas, one of which, at least, is of great range.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Chas. W. Hays, Lieut. Com'g.
Com. Geo. N. Hollins, Commanding Naval Station, New Orleans.

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Trouble among the Upper Creek Indians.

The Fort Smith Times, of the 17th, has the following paragraph:

‘ A young man by the name of Dunxy arrived here yesterday evening. We learn from him that there is considerable excitement among the Upper Creeks. Opotheleyoholo is at the head of his party of about 2,000 men. A large number of negroes, belonging to Southern Indians, have runaway, and all the women and children have fled, and are now in the Choctaw county. The Southern Indians Mr. D. says, threaten vengeance on the Lincoln adherents.

’ Mr. Holmes, from the Creek Agency, came down yesterday. He says that Col. McIntosh's regiment is moving up towards the Upper Creeks, and Col. Drew's cherokee regiment is also on the march for that region. He says that it is hoped that the delegation sent by Mr. Ross to Opotheleyoholo will settle matters amicably. There is no doubt but Lincoln emissaries have been at work among the Upper Creeks.

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Brig. Gen. Wm. H. Anderson.

A correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser and Register writes from Pensacola, under date of the 14th inst., as follows:

‘ Gen. Anderson, I learn, is improving. His conduct in the late expedition was all that could characterize a great and brave soldier; he was among the first to reach Wilson's camp, and with his own hands assisted in its destruction; his aids, Lieuts. Wilbur H. Johnson and Calvin Sayre, both of the marine corps, were by his side during most of the evening, and I am told by eye-witnesses that no young soldiers ever fought braver or better. Col. Jackson and his Georgians were the first troops at the camp, followed by the Mississippians, who killed the picket guard of four men on the left of Col. Jackson. From this time every man seemed to fight on "his own hook," and if some of our men were not killed by their friends, it is a wonder.

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