July
July 1.
General Banks issued a proclamation announcing the arrest of Charles Howard, William Getchell, John Hincks, and John W. Davis, late members of the police board of Baltimore, and giving his reasons therefor.--(Doc. 62.)
This afternoon Lieutenant Yelverton and eighteen men of the Seventh New York Volunteers, made a reconnoissance from Newport News, Va., up the James River road to within a mile and a half of Great Bethel. At that point they caine upon five of the rebel pickets, who precipitately fled, leaving behind, with other trophies, their hats and coats, which showed that the owners were officers. In the pockets of the latter were several letters just finished, giving a complete account of the late advance of 2,800 men from Yorktown to attack Newport News. One of an amusing character from the pocket of James Steele, bookseller, Richmond, describes the federal troops as a set of baboons, to be speedily driven from the sacred soil of Virginia.--N. Y. Evening Post, July 3.
Edward Clark, the Governor of Texas, issued a proclamation, in which he said: “It will also be treasonable for any citizen of Texas to pay any debts now owing by him to a citizen of either of the States or Territories now at war with the Confederate States of America.” --National Intelligencer, July 3.
Fifty Home Guards under Captain Cook, from De Soto and Hopewell, Mo., proceeded last night by rail to Irondale, where they arrived this morning at 9 o'clock, and marched towards Farmington in search of contraband arms, &c., reported to be in the neighborhood of that place. They passed through Farmington about three miles eastward towards the river, but finding nothing, were returning home, when about six miles west of Farmington, they were attacked by a body of some 250 to 300 well armed and mounted secessionists, who were in ambush. Their fire was returned by the Home Guards, mortally wounding Wm. Hunter, one of the secession leaders. The Home Guards returned to Do Soto without the loss of a man or a gun. The rebels in that section are in possession of artillery, and gathered their clan by the discharge of their cannon, and were rallying all their forces in anticipation of the return of the Home Guards. The brave 300 were concealed in tire brush, and fired upon the Home Guards in an open field.--Missouri Democrat, July 3.
The marine artillery of the First Rhode Island Regiment left Washington, at night, by rail; destination unknown.--The Third Massachusetts Regiment moved from the encampment within Fortress Monroe, to occupy a position between Hampton and Newmarket Bridge. Col. McChesney's Regiment (N. Y.) took the place of the Third Massachusetts.--N. Y. World, July 3.
[16] The Governor of Tennessee stationed an agent at Mitchellsville, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, near the northern Tennessee line, to prevent goods declared contraband in the southern confederacy from coming north.--Louisville Journal, July 2.
James M. Sanderson assumed the control of the culinary department of the army at Washington, under the direction of the Sanitary Commission.--N. Y. World, July 1.
Ben. Mcculloch, Brigadier-General of the rebel forces, issued a proclamation to the citizens of Arkansas, as follows:--“To defend your frontier, troops of Missouri are falling back upon you. If they are not sustained, your State will be invaded and your homes desolated. All that can arm themselves will rendezvous at Fayetteville, where they will await further orders. All those who have arms of the State, will march to the scene of action, or give their arms to those who will not desert their country in the hour of danger. All organized companies, whether cavalry or infantry, will report at Fayetteville, and will at once be formed into regiments and battalions. The necessary subsistence stores will be forwarded from this post. Rally promptly, then, citizens of Arkansas, and let us drive this Northern horde back from whence they came.” --Memphis Argus, July 1.
The Fifteenth and Seventeenth Regiments of Indiana volunteers, left Indianapolis this afternoon for Virginia. Each regiment has a corps of fifty sharpshooters, and two pieces of artillery.--N. Y. Tribune, July 2.
The Fourth Regiment of Michigan volunteers, numbering 1,046 men, under the command of Colonel Dwight A. Woodbury, passed through Baltimore on the route to Washington.--Baltimore American, July 2.
July 2.
Between 3 and 7 o'clock this morning the troops which have been concentrating at Hagerstown and Williamsport, Md., for several days past, crossed the ford at the latter place. Gen. Patterson reviewed them as they filed past him. The morning was bright and beautiful, and the soldiers were in excellent spirits; the advance took place before daylight, the post of honor being assigned to Captain McMullen's Independent Rangers, and the First Wisconsin, and the Eleventh Pennsylvania regiments. The advancing column consisted of the brigades of Abercrombie, Thomas, and Negley. The Independent Rangers behaved remarkably well, getting close up to the rebels, within a distance of only 75 yards. Abercrombie's brigade led the advance, and the casualties of the conflict were almost exclusively on the First Wisconsin and Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiments. Col. Jarrett and Lieut.-Col. Coulter led the skirmishers, opening upon them at 400 yards. The whole of the rebel forces at Martinsburg, consisting of four regiments of infantry and one regiment of horse, were engaged in the action. They had with them four pieces of artillery, part rifled cannon, and were commanded by Gen. Jackson. The first city troops of Philadelphia were assigned a position near the United States cavalry, under Captain Perkins, and behaved remarkably well. The casualties on the Federal side are two killed and several wounded. Several of the dead and wounded of the secession troops were left on the field in their hasty retreat. In anticipation of a retreat by the Federal forces, the rebels had levelled the fences on both sides of the turnpike even with the ground, so as to cut them off in the event of their retiring to the Potomac. The first stand was made at Porterfield Farm, on the turnpike, near Haynesville, where it was necessary to destroy a barn and carriage-house, to make a charge upon the enemy. Here the conflict was fierce, the rebels standing well up to their work, and finally slowly retreating. Knapsacks and canteens were hastily thrown aside as incumbrances to a backward march. The rebels left behind them a number of blankets, and other articles of value, indicating a heavy loss.
The Thirty-fourth Regiment, N. Y. S. V., left Albany for the seat of war. It is commanded by Colonel William Ledeu.--The Twenty-fifth Regiment N. Y. S. V., under the command of Colonel James E. Kerrigan, left their quarters on Staten Island, New York, for Washington.--N. Y. Tribune, July 4.
The steamer Cataline was burned at Fortress Monroe, this evening.--Philadelphia Press, July 5.
The Legislature of Western Virginia organized at Wheeling. Lieut.-Governor Parsley took the chair in the Senate, and Daniel Frost of Jackson was elected Speaker of the House. Governor Pierpont's message was sent to both Houses, together with a document from [17] Washington, effectually recognizing the new Government. The message is a very able document and gives universal satisfaction. It is a succinct review of secession in
