January
January 1, 1864.
A detachment of seventy-five men, composed of a proportionate number from each of four companies constituting Major Henry A. Cole's Maryland cavalry battalion, on a scout in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, Maryland, were suddenly encountered, at a point near Rectortown, by a force of rebel cavalry, belonging to the brigade under the command of General Rosser. After fighting gallantly and until fifty-seven out of their number (seventy-five) were either killed or captured, the remaining eighteen made their way in safety to camp. Several of those who escaped found their feet frozen when they reached camp.
Colonel William S. Hawkins, of the “Hawkins scouts,” a leader in the scouting service of the rebel forces under General Bragg, was captured at the house of a Mr. Mayberry, on Lick Creek, Kentucky, by Sergeant Brewer, of Major Breathitt's battalion of Kentucky cavalry.--at Memphis, Tennessee, the thermometer stood at ten degrees below zero, and at Cairo, Illinois, at sixteen degrees below. A number of soldiers were frozen to death at Island No.10.--the Richmond Whig, in an article setting forth the condition of military and naval affairs at the South, concluded its remarks as follows: “Thus [31] we find we have an army poorly clad, scantily fed, indifferently equipped, badly mounted, with insufficient trains, and with barely enough ammunition. To remedy the evil, we are going to double, and if possible, quadruple the number of men and horses, take away every efficient master from the agricultural districts, and leave the laborers, on whom both men and horses depend for existence, a prey to natural idleness, and with every inducement to revolt. If this be not judicial madness, the history of desperate measures adopted by feeble and affrighted councils does not present an example.”
Andrew J. Hamilton, Military Governor of Texas, issued an able address to the citizens of that State, setting forth their duties to themselves and their government.
January 2.
No entry for January 2, 1864.January 3.
A large force of rebels, under General Sam Jones, made a descent upon a small body of Union troops stationed near Jonesville, Virginia, belonging to an Illinois regiment, commanded by Major Beers, and eighteen men of Neill's Ohio battery. A desperate resistance was made, continuing from seven A. M. to three P. M., when the Nationals surrendered. The rebels numbered four thousand men. They lost four killed and twelve wounded.--Admiral Lee, in the United States gunboat Fah Kee, entered Lockwood's, Folly Inlet, about ten miles to the south of Wilmington, North-Carolina, hoisted out his boats, and examined the blockade-running steamer Bendigo, which was run ashore by the captain a week previous, to prevent her being captured by the blockaders. While making these examinations, the enemy's sharpshooters appeared and opened fire upon the boats' crews, which was returned by the Fah Kee's guns, when a rebel battery opened fire and the boats returned to the ship. The Fah Kee continued her fire until the Bendigo was well-riddled, but her battery was light, and in consequence of her draft of water and the shoals inside, had to be at long-range, and consequently not as destructive as was desired. Night coming on, the Admiral returned to the fleet.--Official Report.
The British ship Silvanus, while attempting to run the blockade at Doboy Sound, Georgia, was chased ashore by the National gunboat Huron.--Twenty shells loaded with Greek fire, were thrown into the city of Charleston, South Carolina, causing a considerable conflagration.
January 4.
General Gregg's cavalry division, under the command of Colonel Taylor, of the First Pennsylvania regiment, left the headquarters of the army of the Potomac, on the first instant, for the purpose of making a reconnoissance to Front Royal, taking on their horses three days rations and forage. Owing to the condition of the roads the artillery attached to the division could proceed no farther than Warrenton. The command returned to-day, having travelled ninety miles during the three days absence, and encountered severe deprivations in consequence of the intensely cold weather; but no enemy was discovered. Owing to the depth of the Shenandoah River, no attempt was made to cross it.
A fight occurred near Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in which the Union troops belonging to General Carlton's command, routed the Navijo Indians, killing forty and wounding twenty-five.
Forty Sioux Indians surrendered themselves to the Union forces, at Pembina, Dacotah Territory.--rear-Admiral Farragut sailed from the navy-yard at Brooklyn, New York, in the flagship Hartford to assume command of the East Gulf squadron.--joint resolutions of thanks to General Robert E. Lee and the officers and soldiers under his command, by the rebel Congress.
January 5.
The Fourth Virginia rebel cavalry surprised an infantry picket belonging to the army of the Potomac, at a point near Eldorado, Culpeper County, Virginia, and captured three of their number.
January 6.
Major General Foster, from his headquarters at Knoxville, issued the following order: “All able-bodied colored men, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, within our lines, except those employed in the several staff departments, officers' servants, and those servants of loyal citizens who prefer remaining with their masters, will be sent forthwith to Knoxville, Loudon, or Kingston, Tennessee, to be enrolled under the direction of Brigadier-General Davis Tillson, Chief of Artillery, with a view to the formation of a regiment of artillery, to be composed of troops of African descent.”
By orders from General Foster, Brigadier-General O. B. Wilcox was assigned to the command of the district of Clinch, including the region between the Cumberland and Clinch Mountains, and extending from Big Creek Gap on the west, to the eastern line of the State of Tennessee, on the east.
[32]
January 7.
Madisonville, La., was entered and occupied by the National forces.--Twenty shells were thrown into the city of Charleston, S. C., from the National batteries under the command of General Gillmore.--Caleb B. Smith, Judge of the United States Court for the District of Indiana, and late Secretary of the Interior, died suddenly at Indianapolis.--the rebel schooner John Scott, while attempting to escape from the harbor of Mobile, Ala., was captured by the Union gunboat Kennebec.
January 8.
“David O. Dodd, charged with being a rebel spy, was executed this afternoon, in front of St. John's College, at Little Rock, Arkansas.--General John Morgan held a reception at Richmond, Va. Judge Moore, of Kentucky, in a speech on the occasion, spoke of the worth of General Morgan, and the great credit with which he had served his country. He was now receiving the grateful testimony of the mother of States. He said that Morgan and other Kentuckians who were battling for the liberties of the South, would not sheathe their swords until her liberty was achieved. Despite the thraldom in which Kentucky was held, the muster-rolls of the army showed that forty-nine thousand of her sons had joined their fortunes with ours, and this, despite the fact that the heel of the tyrant was on her neck. He knew the sentiment of the people there — they would be found with the South. The Yankees have desolated her homes and murdered her people. Kentucky never will join her fortunes with the Northern Government.” --the rebel blockade-runner Dare, while attempting to run into the harbor of Wilmington, N. C., was chased ashore and destroyed.--(Doc. 65.)
January 9.
To-day the noted guerrilla McCown and three of his men were captured by the Forrester New York cavalry regiment, reconnoitring in the direction of Sperryville, Va.--A fight took place in Mobile Bay, between the rebels in Fort Morgan and the National gunboats stationed on the blockade. On the discovery, this morning, of a steamer ashore under the guns of the Fort, all the gunboats of the fleet got under way; and, while some repaired to the flag-ship for instructions, the Octorara steamed in and opened fire on the rebel craft, which speedily drew a reply from the Fort. The rest of the fleet soon steamed in and took up their positions, when the fire became quite spirited. The rebel steamer was struck several times, and abandoned; but she lay so near the Fort, it was impossible to get her out. Finding the efforts to set her on fire were fruitless, the fleet withdrew, after firing two hours.--A squad of rebel cavalry entered Cleveland, Tenn., and conscripted every man able to perform service.
January 10.
General J. C. Sullivan sent the following to headquarters:
Major Cole's camp at Loudon Heights, Va., was attacked this morning. He fought gallantly and drove the attacking party off. I send you his report:--(Doc. 46.)I have the honor to report that my camp was attacked this morning at about four o'clock, by Mosby and his command. After a brisk fight of about one hour, they were repulsed and driven from the camp. Our loss is two men killed and thirteen wounded. Among the latter is Captain Vernon, seriously, and Lieutenant Rivers, slightly. There are some missing, but it is impossible to give the exact number at present. The rebels left four dead in the camp--one captain, and one a lieutenant. They left three prisoners in our hands, two of them wounded, and one a lieutenant.
The United States bark Roebuck captured the rebel sloop Marie Louise while attempting to run out of Jupiter Inlet, Florida. She was of about eight tons register, and laden with three thousand pounds Sea Island cotton.--eighteen shells were thrown into the city of Charleston, S. C., from the National defences around that city.
January 11.
The United States bark Roebuck, off Jupiter Inlet, Florida, captured the English schooner Susan, while attempting to run the blockade. At the same time and place the United States steamer Honeysuckle captured the English schooner Fly, of Nassau.--the blockade-running steamers Ranger and Vesta were beached and burned near Lockwood's, Folly Inlet, North-Carolina. Admiral Lee reported that the latter was the twenty-second blockade-runner destroyed within six months.--(Doc. 116.)
Three shells were thrown into the city of Charleston, S. C., from the National defences under the command of General Gillmore.--the United States steamer Iron Age, attempting to tow off the blockade-runner Bendigo, which had been driven ashore near the batteries at the mouth of Cape Fear River, grounded, and owing [33] to her proximity to the rebel forts, was destroyed by fire.--Official Reports.
January 12.
A portion of Colonel McCook's cavalry attacked the Eighth and Eleventh Texas rebel regiments, at Mossy Creek, Tenn., and defeated them, killing fourteen and capturing forty-one of them.--contributions were made in Georgia to equip a new command for the rebel General John H. Morgan. Among the contributors was Governor Joseph E. Brown, who gave five hundred dollars.--Richmond Whig.
January 13.
The rebel Congress, having passed a joint resolution of thanks to General Robert E. Lee, and his officers, Adjutant-General Cooper issued an order announcing the fact, with the following preface:
The President, having approved the following joint resolution of Congress, directs its announcement in general orders, expressive of his gratification at the tribute awarded the patriot officers and soldiers to whom it is addressed. For the military laggard, or him, who, in the pursuits of selfish and inglorious ease, forgets his country's need, no note of approbation is sounded. His infamy is his only security from oblivion. But the heroic devotion of those, who, in defence of liberty and honor, have perilled all, while it confers in an approved conscience the best and highest reward, will also be cherished in perpetual remembrance by a grateful nation. Let this assurance stimulate the armies of the Confederacy everywhere to greater exertion and more resolute endurance, till, under the guidance of Heaven, the blessings of peace and freedom shall finally crown their efforts. Let all press forward in the road to independence, and for the security of the rights sealed to us in the blood of the first revolution. Honor and glory attend our success. Slavery and shame will attend our defeat.
The schooner Two Sisters, a tender to the United States flag-ship San Jacinto, captured, while trying to enter the Suwanee River, the British schooner William, from Nassau.--General Butler addressed a characteristic letter to the Perfectionists of the city of Norfolk, Va.--the following report was made by Colonel James A. Mulligan, from his headquarters at New Creek, Va.: “A soldier of ours, James A. Walker, company H, Second Maryland regiment, captured in the attack upon the train at the Moorfield and Alleghany Junction, on the third instant, by the enemy under General Fitz-Hugh Lee, escaped when near Brocks's Gap, on the fifth instant, and reported to me this morning. He informs me that thirteen of the enemy were killed and twenty wounded, in the skirmish. He also states that there was present under the command of General Fitz-Hugh Lee, three companies of negro troops, cavalry, armed with carbines. They were not engaged in the attack, but stationed with the reserve. The guards, he reports, openly admitted to the prisoners that they were accompanied by negro soldiers, stating, however, that the North had shown the example.”
January 14.
Major-General R. B. Vance, made a raid toward Terrisville, Tenn., and captured a train of twenty-three wagons. He was pursued by Colonel Palmer, who recaptured the wagons, and took one ambulance, loaded with medicines, one hundred and fifty saddle-horses and one hundred stand of arms. General Vance and his assistant adjutant-general and inspector-general are among the prisoners captured.--General Grant's Report.--(Doc. 52.)
A force of about two hundred rebels made an attack on a party of National cavalry, stationed at Three Miles Station, near Bealton, Va., but were repulsed and driven off, after several desperate charges, leaving three dead and twelve wounded. The National casualties were two wounded, one severely.--the official correspondence between the agents of exchange of prisoners of war, together with the report of Mr. Ould was made public.--the body of a Union soldier was found hanging at Smith Mills, Va., with the following words placarded upon it: “Here hangs private Samuel Jones, of the Fifth Ohio regiment, hung by order of Major-General Pickett, in retaliation for private David Bright, of the Sixty-second Georgia regiment, hung December eighteenth, by order of Brigadier-General Wild.”
The Richmond Examiner held the following language: “Surely British-protection patriots of the Emerald Isle here, have, we are credibly informed, recently shouldered their shillalahs, and cut stick for the land of Lincoln. Sundry others, too, born this side of the Potomac, have wended their way in the same direction,--all leaving their families behind them to sell rum or make breeches and other garments for the clothing bureau. When mothers and sisters, sweethearts and wives, thus intentionally, and by a cunning arrangement, left behind, present themselves at the clothing bureau for a job, they represent, with the most innocent faces imaginable, [34] that their male protectors are in General Lee's army, and thus enlist sympathy, and sponge on the Confederacy. To poor females every kindness and aid should be extended as long as they and. those belonging to them are true to us; but it is past enduring that able-bodied fellows should go North, and leave as a charge here people whom we are under no obligations to support, and who, by false representations, shut out the wives and other female relatives of gallant fellows, who are confronting our ruthless enemies.”
Lieutenant Gates, with a party of the Third Arkansas cavalry, made a reconnoissance near Clinton, Ark., and succeeded in capturing twelve prisoners, whom he surprised at Cadson's Cave.--the blockade-runner schooner Union, with a cargo of cotton from the coast of Florida, arrived at Havana. She was chased by the United States gunboat De Soto.
January 15.
The United States schooner Beauregard captured, near Mosquito Inlet, the British schooner Minnie, of and from Nassau.
“the utmost nerve,” said the Richmond Whig, “the firmest front, the most undaunted courage, will be required during the coming twelve months from all who are charged with the management of affairs in our country, or whose position gives them any influence in forming or guiding public sentiment.” “Moral courage,” says the Wilmington Journal, “the power to resist the approaches of despondency, and the faculty of communicating this power to others, will need greatly to be called into exercise; for we have reached that point in our revolution which is inevitably reached in all revolutions, when gloom and depression take the place of hope and enthusiasm — when despair is fatal and despondency is even more to be dreaded than defeat. In such a time we can understand the profound wisdom of the Roman Senate, in giving thanks to the general who had suffered the greatest disaster that ever overtook the Roman arms, ‘because he had not despaired of the Republic.’ There is a feeling, however, abroad in the land, that the great crisis of the war — the turning-point in our fate — is fast approaching. Whether a crisis be upon us or not, there can be in the mind of no man, who looks at the map of Georgia, and considers her geographical relations to the rest of the Confederacy, a single doubt that much of our future is involved in the result of the next spring campaign in Upper Georgia.”
The Fifty-second regiment of Illinois volunteers, under the command of Colonel J. S. Wilcox, reenlisted for the war, returned to Chicago.--the blockade-runner Isabel arrived at Havana. She ran the blockade at Mobile, and had a cargo of four hundred aad eighty bales of cotton, and threw overboard one hundred and twenty-four bales off Tortugas, in a gale of wind.
January 16.
General Sturgis's cavalry, in pursuit of General Longstreet, reached Dandridge, Tenn., thirty miles east of Knoxville, and drove the rebel videttes out of the town.
President Lincoln, in a note to the proprietors of the North-American Review, said:
The number for this month and year was duly received, and for which please accept my thanks. Of course, I am not the most impartial judge; yet, with due allowance for this, I venture to hope that the article, entitled ‘The President's Policy,’ will be of value to the country. I fear, I am not quite worthy of all which is therein kindly said of me personally. The sentence of twelve lines, commencing at the top of page 252, I could wish to be not exactly as it is. In what is there expressed, the writer has not correctly understood me. I have never had a theory that secession could absolve States or people from their obligations. Precisely the contrary is asserted in the inaugural address; and it was because of my belief in the continuance of these obligations, that I was puzzled for a time as to denying the legal rights of those citizens who remained individually innocent of treason or rebellion. But I mean no more now than to merely call attention to this point.1
January 17.
This morning the rebels made a desperate attack upon the Union lines near Dandridge, Tenn. They threw out no skirmishers, but pressed down upon the Nationals in [35] full force, seemingly determined to sweep them from the field. Observing their desperate determination, General Sturgis ordered Colonel D. M. McCook, who was in command of a division of Elliott's cavalry, to charge the enemy on horse. This order was obeyed most gallantly. The charge of this division turned the fortunes of the day, which, up to this time, had been decidedly against the Nationals. The First Wisconsin, which bore the brunt of the enemy's attack, lost sixty in killed and wounded. The Union loss in all did not exceed one hundred and fifty.--A fire occurred at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ill., destroying the officers' quarters and quartermaster's stores. Captain Dimon and Lieutenant Bennett, of the Thirty-eighth Illinois cavalry, were burned to death, and two other lieutenants were badly injured.--the bombardment of Charleston, S. C., by the forces under General Gillmore, was continued with great fury, several new Parrott guns having been opened on the city from Battery Gregg.
January 18.
At Flint Hill, Va., a party of fifteen rebels attacked the National pickets, but were driven off after a brief engagement.--the rebel conscription law created great consternation and excitement in the western districts of North-Carolina, and public meetings were held to take into consideration a repudiation of the confederate government and a return to the Union. The Raleigh Standard openly defied the execution of the measures proposed, and said, if they prevail, “the people of North-Carolina will take their own affairs into their own hands, and will proceed, in Convention assembled, to vindicate their liberties and privileges.” --in the rebel Senate at Richmond, Va., a resolution was passed approving the action of the government with regard to the outlawry of General Butler, and the determination of the rebel authorities to hold no communication with him.--A party of rebel guerrillas made their appearance on the bank of the river opposite Memphis, Tenn., but were driven off by a gunboat, without effecting any damage.--Lieutenant-Colonel Fuller, of the Third Arkansas cavalry, received the following from the major of his regiment, at Lewisburgh:
Captain Hamilton has had a fight with a portion of Wells's command, and killed six, and wounded as many more. Hamilton lost six, and but one or two killed; the balance missing. The command opposing him were under Captain Thompson, numbering nearly one hundred. Hamilton killed Thompson, and brought his horse, equipments, revolvers, and papers in with him. The rebels were dressed in Federal uniforms. Hamilton is here with me.--Newmarket, Tenn., was occupied by the rebels belonging to the forces under the command of General Longstreet.--the rebel blockade-runner, A. D. Vance, was run ashore, under the guns of Fort Caswell, in attempting to enter the port of Wilmington, N. C.--the steamer Laura, blockaderunner, was captured in St. Mark's Bay, Florida, by the United States steamer Stars and Stripes.
January 19.
This evening a party scouting for Colonel Williams, in command of the military post at Rossville, Ark., returned to camp, having captured in the Magazine Mountains, some fifteen miles east of the post, the county records of Vernon and Cedar Counties, Mo. The books and papers so captured and retained were worth one million dollars to those counties.--Colonel Clayton attacked and routed Shelby's rebel force, twenty miles below Pine Bluff, Ark., on the Monticello Railroad. The fight lasted half an hour, when the enemy fled, pursued by Colonel Clayton, with his command, for two hours and a half. The rebels were driven seven miles. Shelby was badly beaten, and the rout was complete. Shelby's force was estimated at eight hundred. Colonel Clayton marched sixty miles in twenty-four hours, and made fight and gained a victory.--an unsuccessful attempt was made to burn the residence of Jefferson Davis, at Richmond, Va.--A sale of confiscated estates took place at Beaufort, S. C.
January 20.
Correspondence showing the operations of Southern agents and individuals at the North, in the cotton trade, and making other revelations, were made public.--Major Henry H. Cole and the Maryland cavalry under his command, were officially praised for their gallantry in repelling the assault made upon his camp on Loudon Heights, on the tenth instant, by the rebel partisan, Mosby.--General Halleck's Letter.
A squad of men sent from Charleston, Mo., in pursuit of a band of guerrillas, killed the leader of the band and wounded two or three others. The remainder escaped to the swamp. Five prisoners were carried in, charged with harboring guerrillas.--Thirty-two guerrillas were captured near Paris, Ky., and taken to Columbus.
January 21.
The advance of the cavalry belonging to the National forces, in their retreat [36] from Strawberry Plains, Tenn., reached Sevierville. Skirmishing was kept up all day between the National troops on one side of the Holston River, and the enemy on the other. The latter had a battery on College Hill, near Strawberry Plains, from which he played on the Nationals, while crossing the river. Comparatively little damage was done, the Union loss being not over a half-dozen wounded.--the shelling of Charleston from Fort Putnam continued night and day, at intervals of ten minutes. One gun alone has fired over one thousand one hundred rounds, at an elevation of forty degrees.--on account of the scarcity of grain in the department of the Ohio, and the factitious value given to it by the manufacture of whiskey, the distillation of that commodity was forbidden by Major-General Foster.--rear-Admiral Farragut, accompanied by his staff, arrived at New Orleans.
January 22.
Skirmishing took place at Armstrong's Ferry, a point six miles above Knoxville, Tenn.--Captain George P. Edgar was ordered to the headquarters of Major-General Butler to investigate into the condition of the poor of Norfolk, Va., and to organize a system for their relief.
January 23.
The Nashville Union of this date contained the following:
Indications that the next battle will occur in the vicinity of Knoxville accumulate. We yesterday conversed with several well-informed parties--two of them East-Tennessee refugees — and all the witnesses concur in the statement that every train from North-Virginia comes loaded with troops from Lee's army; and that these legions are immediately added to the force now under Longstreet. It is even believed by many that Lee himself, feeling the absolute necessity for the reoccupation of East-Tennessee, will leave his old command — or what will remain of it — and take charge of the campaign in the region of Knoxville. He and Jeff. Davis argue this way: If Tennessee is not repossessed, Richmond must be abandoned; if in reinforcing Longstreet's army the capital is lost, it must be regained, provided the assault on Grant is successful; and there is a chance that Meade, like some of his predecessors, may remain inactive, with but a small force confronting him, and in that event Knoxville may be retaken and Richmond saved. We only hope the rebels will make an early attack on Foster's command. Nothing would be more gratifying to those who understand the disposition and strength of our forces. Offensive operations on the part of Longstrect would insure the defeat and dispersion of his army, though all Lee's forces were with him. Upon this subject we speak from a thorough knowledge of the situation; and dared we publish the facts, the public would feel as much assured on that point as we do. General Grant left for the front night before last, and will be ready to personally superintend operations when commenced.
A small detachment of National cavalry belonging to the forces in pursuit of General Longstreet, made a dash into Cocke County, Tenn., capturing twenty-seven wagons loaded with bacon and flour, and eighty-five prisoners. They reported that Longstreet was stripping the country of provisions and compelling Union families to leave — A very exciting debate occurred in the rebel Congress upon the act to increase the efficiency of the rebel army, by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities.
Restrictions upon trade with Missouri and Kentucky, with some exceptions, were annulled and abrogated by the Secretary of the Treasury.
General Wirt Adams, in command of a party of rebel cavalry, entered Gelsertown, near Natchez, Miss., and captured thirty-five prisoners, sixty wagons and teams, a lot of cotton going to Natchez, and about eighty negroes.--Richmond Enquirer.
January 24.
A cavalry detachment from Fort Smith made successful scout into Polk County, Arkansas. They passed through Caddo Gap and found the notorious Captain Williamson, with forty men, posted within log houses. The advance, under Lieutenant Williams, charged into the village and attacked the rebels, killing Williamson and five of his men, wounding two, and taking two lieutenants and twenty-five men prisoners. The Union loss was one killed; Lieutenant Williams and a private were slightly wounded. All the arms in the place were destroyed. The distance travelled was one hundred and seventy-two miles.
January 25.
A body of rebels six hundred strong, attacked the National garrison of about one hundred, at Athens, Alabama, but were repulsed and routed after a fight of two hours. The Union loss was twenty; rebel loss more severe.--Gen. Rawlins's Despatch.
[37] Brigadier-General Graham, by direction of Major-General Butler, went with three armed transports and a competent force, to the Peninsula, made a landing on the James River, seven miles below Fort Powhatan--known as the Brandon Farms, and captured twenty-two of the enemy, seven of the signal corps, and brought away ninety-nine negroes. They also destroyed twenty-four thousand pounds of pork and large quantities of oats and corn, and captured a sloop and schooner, and two hundred and forty boxes of tobacco, and five Jews preparing to run the blockade, and returned without the loss of a man.--Gen. Butler's Despatch.--(Doc. 57.)
Corinth, Miss., was evacuated by the National forces, and every thing of value in that section was transported to Memphis, Tenn.--the bombardment of Charleston, South-Carolina, continued. The Courier, published in that city, said: “This is the one hundred and ninety-fourth day of the siege. The damage being done is extraordinarily small in comparison with the number of shots and weight of metal fired, and that creates general astonishment. The whizzing of shells overhead has become a matter of so little interest as to excite scarcely any attention from passers-by. We have heard of no casualties. Some of the shells have exploded, and pieces of the contents been picked up, which, on examination, have been found to be a number of small square slugs, held together by a composition of sulphur, and designed to scatter at the time of explosion.”
The following special order was issued by General Butler, at Fortress Monroe: “That Mrs. Jennie Graves, of Norfolk, having a husband in the rebel States, and having taken the oath of allegiance on the second instant, as she says, to save her property; and also having declared her sympathies are with the South still, and that she hopes they will be successful, be sent through the lines and landed at City Point, so that she may be where her hopes and sympathies are.” --Major Burroughs, the guerrilla chief, was shot by the guard at Fortress Monroe, Va., while attempting to escape from the pest-house where he was under treatment for the small-pox.--hospital buildings at Camp Winder, near Richmond, Va., were destroyed by fire.
January 26.
General Palmer sent an expedition to capture a force of rebel cavalry in Jones and Onslow counties, North-Carolina. They succeeded in routing the enemy, and captured twenty-three men with their horses and equipments. They also destroyed from one hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand pounds of pork, seventy bushels of salt, ten thousand barrels of tobacco, thirty-two barrels of beef, and captured a number of mules, horses, and other material.--Gen. Butler's Despatch.
Fourteen men belonging to the Eightieth Indiana regiment, were captured, and two wounded, by a squad of rebel cavalry, within seven miles of Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tazewell road. The men were on a foraging expedition, and were picked up before they had any chance of offering much resistance.
January 27.
A party of rebel guerrillas made an attack on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad at Cameron, and after firing upon a train, fled. They were pursued by a squad of cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Jackson, and one of their number captured.--the National cavalry under General Sturgis achieved a victory over the enemy's cavalry near Fair Gardens, about ten miles east of Sevierville, Tenn. General McCook's division drove the enemy back about two miles, after a stubborn fight, lasting from daylight to four P. M., at which time the division charged with the sabre and a yell, and routed the enemy from the field, capturing two steel rifled guns and over one hundred prisoners. The enemy's loss was considerable, sixty-five of them being killed or wounded in the charge. Generals Garrard and Wolford's divisions came up, after a forced march, in time to be pushed in pursuit, although their horses were jaded.--Gen. Rawlins's Report.
General Palmer, with General Davis's division, moved toward Tunnel Hill, Georgia, on a reconnaissance. The Twenty-eighth Kentucky and the Fourth Michigan drove in the rebel advance pickets and captured a company of rebel cavalry. The rebels retreated from Tunnel Hill during the night. They lost thirty-two killed and wounded. The Union casualties were two wounded. The object of the reconnaissance was effected.
The following report was sent by General Thomas, from his headquarters at Chattanooga, to the National war department:
Colonel Boone, with a force of four hundred and fifty men, Twenty-eighth Kentucky mounted infantry, and Fourth Michigan cavalry, left Rossville January twenty-first, [38] moved through McLamore's caves, crossed Lookout Mountain into Brownton Valley; thence across Taylor's Ridge to eight miles beyond Deertown, toward Ashton, attacked camp of home guards, Colonel Culbertson, commanding, routed them, destroying camp, considerable number of arms, and other property, and retired to camp without any casualties in his force. Friday, twenty-second January, sent flag of truce under Colonel Burke, with Ohio infantry, with rebel surgeons and a proposition to exchange our wounded at Atlanta for rebel wounded here. A despatch from Colonel H. B. Miller, Seventy second Indiana, commanding division, Bluewater, twenty-sixth, via Pulaski, twenty-seventh, says Johnston's brigade of Roddy's command crossed Tennessee River at Bainbridge, three miles, and Newport ferry, six miles below Florence, intending to make a junction with a brigade of infantry who were expected to cross the river at Laub's and Brown's ferry, thence proceed to Athens and capture our forces; then we engaged them near Florence; routed them, killing fifteen, wounding quite a number, and taking them prisoners, among them three commissioned officers. Our loss, ten wounded.
Lieutenant A. L. Cady, of the Twenty-fourth New York battery, proceeded with his command to Tyrrel County, North-Carolina, and captured five men who had been engaged in a number of robberies and murders; also, two rebel officers, and returned to headquarters with one thousand sheep.
A party of rebel cavalry made a dash on the lines of Colonel Chapin's brigade, on guard-duty five miles above Knoxville, Tenn., on the Scott's Mill road. Their pickets being captured, the camps of the Thirteenth Kentucky and Twenty-third Michigan were completely surprised, and five men of the former and seven of the latter were taken prisoners, one being mortally wounded. Immediately on being advised of the attack on these two regiments, Colonel Chapin sent the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio and One Hundred and Seventh Illinois to their relief, and the rebels were put to flight, leaving in their track a number of blankets and small-arms.
Brigadier-General Carter, Provost-Marshal General at Knoxville, Tenn., sent the following letter to Rev. W. A. Harrison: “On account of your persistent disloyalty to the Government of the United States, it has been decided to send you and your family South, within the rebel lines. You are hereby notified to be at the railroad depot in time for the morning train, on Saturday next, with all your family, prepared to leave permanently. As baggage, you will be permitted to take your wearing apparel and the necessary blankets. You can also take three or four days provisions with you.” --the steamer Freestone, while at Carson's Landing, on the Mississippi, fifteen miles above the White River, was attacked by guerrillas, who were driven off without inflicting any serious damage on the boat.
In the rebel Congress, Mr. Miles, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported back the following joint resolutions of thanks to General Beauregard and the officers and men of his command, which were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are eminently due, and are hereby cordially tendered, to General G. T. Beauregard and the officers and men of his command, for their gallantry and successful defence of the city of Charleston, S. C.--a defence which, for the skill, heroism, and tenacity displayed by the defenders during an attack scarcely paralleled in warfare, whether we consider the persistent efforts of the enemy, or his boundless resources in the most improved and formidable artillery and the most powerful engines of war hitherto known, is justly entitled to be pronounced “glorious” by impartial history and an admiring country. Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate the foregoing resolutions to General Beauregard and the officers and men of his command.
January 28.
The National forces under the command of Colonel Phillips drove the rebel General Roddy to the south side of the Tennessee River and captured all his trains, consisting of over twenty mule teams, two hundred head of cattle, six hundred head of sheep, and about one hundred head of horses and mules, and destroyed a factory and mill which had largely supplied the Southern armies.--General Dodge's Report.
This morning, two forage-wagons and some men of the Eighty-first Ohio, near Sam's Mills, a distance of about nine miles from Pulaski, Tenn., were captured by a party of rebels. The wagons were going for forage with a small guard, and when they reached a brick church on the Shelbyville pike, two or three miles from the mills, they were attacked by thirty confederate cavalry, and captured. The two wagons were burned, the mules, [39] arms, and equipments and the men were hurried off. A mounted force from Major Evans's command was sent in pursuit, but without overtaking them. Private Mills, of company G, was wounded and left by the rebels. Five men of company G and three of company K were captured.
The British steamer Rosetta, from Havana for Mobile, was captured at a point west of the Tortugas, by the steamer Metropolis.--Scottsville, Ky., was entered and plundered by a body of rebels under the command of Colonel Hamilton.
Brig.-Gen. J. C. Sullivan, from his Headquarters at Harper's Ferry, Va., issued the following general orders: “It appearing that the leaders of the rebellion against the Government of the United States have passed laws conscripting all males between certain ages, and have appointed agents to enforce such conscript laws; and such agents having made their appearance in the counties of Berkeley, Jefferson, Clarke, and Loudon, counties not occupied by or under the control of insurgent troops; and believing that a large portion of the citizens of these counties are anxious to remain at home, and to preserve their faith and allegiance to the Federal Government, and to receive the protection which is due them; and knowing that the poorer class of citizens of these counties have been hostile to the usurpation of the rebel authorities, and have been compelled by them to shoulder the musket, while the rich man's sons have worn the sword, notice is hereby given to the inhabitants of said counties: That, upon representation being made to these headquarters by any person of the conscripting and forcing into the rebel ranks of father, husband, brothers, or sons, the nearest and most prominent secessionist will be arrested and imprisoned and held until the return of such conscript.”
January 29.
Last night a train of about eighty wagons was sent out from New Creek, heavily laden with commissary stores for the garrison at Petersburgh, West-Virginia, and accompanying the train was an escort of about eight hundred men, being detachments from the Twenty-third Illinois, (Irish brigade,) Fourth Virginia cavalry, Second Maryland, First and Fourteenth Virginia infantry, and one hundred of the Ringgold Cavalry battalion, the whole under command of Colonel J. W. Snyder. Nothing unusual occurred until the train got about three miles south of Williamsport to-day, when it was suddenly set upon at different points by open and concealed forces of the rebels. Although somewhat surprised by the suddenness of the attack, the guard at once formed and deployed for action. Then it was that a hard fight ensued, commencing at three o'clock in the afternoon and lasting for over four hours, at the expiration of which time it was found that the Nationals had lost about eighty in killed and wounded. The enemy's loss was about one hundred. In the early part of the fight the rebels opened fire from four pieces of artillery. The superiority of their strength — there being in all about two thousand men — also gave them the advantage in outflanking movements, and they exercised their ingenuity simultaneously to operate on the front, rear, and flanks of Colonel Snyder's command. They, however, completely failed of their object, which seemed to be to try to surround, and, if possible, capture the whole party. Several times the rebel lines were broken, and several times the rebel charges were repulsed. At last, as night closed, the superior numbers of rebels gained them a success.
Colonel Jourdan, commanding the sub-district of Beaufort, made a dash into Jones and Onslow counties, N. C., for the purpose of surprising and capturing detachments of cavalry near Swansboro and Jacksonville. He returned to Morehead City this day, having been entirely successful, the expedition being a complete surprise to the rebels. He captured about thirty prisoners, (cavalry,) including one lieutenant, a large number of horses, arms, and equipments, and destroyed a large quantity of ammunition and other property. His command consisted of detachments of the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York, Ninth Vermont, Twelfth and Mix's cavalry — in all, about three hundred men. They marched one hundred miles in about fifty hours, meeting with no loss whatever.
The Twenty-first Missouri regiment, in command of Major Moore, left Memphis yesterday, on board the steamer Sir William Wallace, and to-day, while passing the foot of Islands Nos. 70 and 71, the boat was fired upon from the Mississippi shore by a large party of guerrillas, who were lying in ambush at a place where boats had to run close to shore. There were from fifty to one hundred shots fired in the space of about ten minutes, resulting in killing one man and wounding six others.
Last night Colonel Thoburn, in command of the National garrison at Petersburgh, West-Virginia, evacuated that post in consequence of receiving [40] information that the enemy in large force would attack him in the morning. The enemy did attack Petersburgh this morning with artillery. They made regular approaches, and finally charged, but found no opposing force. Colonel Thoburn was within hearing with his retreating column.
A party of seven men belonging to the steamer Southwester were sent ashore at Bolivar Landing, Tenn., on a foraging expedition, taking with them nine mules and horses and wagons. They had scarcely got out of sight when they were set upon and surrounded by nine guerrillas, who leaped from the bushes with shouts to surrender. This they did. The animals were cut from the wagons, and the prisoners ordered to mount, when they were taken to the interior.
January 30.
This morning a reconnoitring force that had been sent out from Colonel Campbell's command, returned to headquarters of his department of West-Virginia, after having gone to Romney. There they divided into three columns, one going out on the Winchester road thirty miles, the other down the Grassy Lick road to the vicinity of Wardensville, and the third on the old Moorfield road. None of these columns met with serious opposition on their advance. The information which they gained proved to be of high importance.--A party of Southern sympathizers were banished from Knoxville, Tenn.
Major General Rosecrans, at his headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., issued the following address:
In relieving General Schofield, who, in assuming the arduous duties connected with this command, relinquished high prospects of a brilliant career as commander of Thomas's old division in the then opening campaign of the army of the Cumberland, I tender him my compliments for the admirable order in which I have found the official business and archives of this department, and my best wishes, as well as hopes, that in this new field of duty he may reap that success which his solid merits, good sense, and honest devotion to his duty and his country so well deserve. While commanding here, I sincerely trust I shall receive the honest, firm, and united support of all true National and Union men of this department, without regard to politics, creed, or party, in my endeavors to maintain law and reestablish peace and secure prosperity throughout its limits. The past should be remembered only for the lessons it teaches, while our energies should be directed to the problem of assuring our future, based firmly on the grandeur of our position, and on the true principle of humanity and progress to universal freedom, secured by just laws.
January 31.
Warsaw, N. C., was destroyed by fire.--Governor R. H. Gamble died at St. Louis, Missouri.
