December 9.
The Charleston Courier of this day has the following: “The news from Port Royal continues to be of the most gratifying character. The unanimity of our planters in the destruction of the cotton crops, the laying waste and burning every thing that would afford shelter or subsistence to the enemy where it cannot be otherwise defended, deprives them of the extensive spoils with which they have feasted their imagination, and the obtainment of which was one of their chief objects. Their mission in this respect will prove a most disastrous failure. They have gained little or nothing to satisfy them, and should they advance further, every inch of ground will be disputed with fire and sword, and the arms of a brave people. Some of these same thieving adventurers have lately made several visits to Port Royal, with the hope of securing rich plunder, but they were foiled and disappointed in their object by the timely steps taken to thwart them in their purposes. The prospects of paying the cost of their grand expedition by the sale of our cotton has been nipped in the bud. Our planters in that neighborhood have vindicated most patriotically our cause. Scattered as they were in every direction, it was found impossible to act in combination. But an opportunity [108] has now been offered, and they have cheerfully consigned to the flames the labors of the year.”
Gen. Halleck issued orders stating that the Mayor of St. Louis, Mo., would require all municipal officers immediately to subscribe to the oath of allegiance prescribed by the Missouri State Convention in October last, and would direct the provost marshal to arrest all State officers who had failed to subscribe to such oath within the time fixed by the Convention, and had attempted to exercise civil authority in violation of the ordinance.
The U. S. flotilla on the Lower Potomac was actively engaged to-day in shelling the woods and burning the buildings of the rebels at Freestone Point, Va. The Harriet Lane, Anacostia and Jacob Bell, supported by the Reliance, Stepping Stones, and Herbert, poured a heavy fire for an hour and a half upon the enemy's position. The rebel batteries at Shipping Point kept up a brisk fire, which was responded to by the Union battery at Budd's Ferry with a few shells. Lieut. McCrea, with a boat's crew from the Jacob Bell, and another boat from the Anacostia, went ashore and burned down the rebel buildings at Freestone Point, containing stores.--(Doc. 218.)
Adjutant S. K. Hall, of Colonel Eads' Twenty-seventh Missouri regiment, came in to Sedalia, Mo., this evening from Dunksburg, twenty miles distant, with fourteen rebel prisoners and an escort of twelve mounted scouts. The prisoners were captured by Capt. McGuire's command, Company A, while on their way North. Eight of them were members of a cornet band from Price's army, and had their instruments, drums, and trumpets along. They were well provided with transportation, having a large band wagon drawn with four horses, all of which were taken to Sedalia. The names of the band are as follows: Joseph Rosenthrall, leader; Charles Prentice, “E flat;” A. J. Cunningham, tenor; W. B. Lydick, cornet, B flat; George W. Wise, alto; W. H. Stephens, bass; Wm. H. Cunningham, drummer; Jacob Gains, driver; Robt. Fathing, baggage teamster. The Twenty-seventh regiment were sadly in want of music to cheer their drooping spirits, for every paymaster who had been detailed to pay off troops since the 1st July, had invariably ignored their claim for pay, and this band acquisition was a perfect god-send.--Missouri Democrat, December 12.
The Twenty-fourth Massachusetts regiment, Col. Thomas G. Stevenson, which had been encamped at Readville, left Boston, on its way to Annapolis, at which place it was attached to Gen. Burnside's Division. The regiment numbered one thousand and twenty men, all of whom were thoroughly uniformed and equipped, and armed with the Enfield rifle.
Col. Willitts, of the Kansas Brigade, arrived at Leavenworth, Kansas, this evening, and reported the following facts: Gen. Price was at Osceola on the 1st December, with about eighteen thousand men; he made a speech, and told them he was going to Kansas to avenge the burning of Osceola. On Friday last, December 6th, thirteen persons started from near Olathe, in company with a Union man who had been driven out of Missouri, to get some hogs belonging to the refugee. They were attacked from the border in Missouri by about thirty or forty rebels, when they retired back into Kansas, and soon raised near two hundred men, with whom they returned. They soon met the enemy, who also had been reinforced by a considerable body, and a skirmish commenced, which lasted all day Saturday, resulting in a drawn battle, with two Nationals wounded, three rebels killed, and five mortally wounded.--Leavenworth Times (Kansas) December 10.
F. W. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina, issued a proclamation, stating that the “State is invaded, and Charleston is threatened, by land and by sea, with large forces,” and calling for twelve thousand volunteers, to be furnished for a term of service, not less than twelve months, unless sooner discharged.--(Doc. 219.)
Rev. A. A. Von Puttkammer, pastor of a German Baptist Church, Albany, N. Y., assumed command of the Havelock Flying Artillery, one hundred and sixty men and six guns, nearly ready to take the field. Mr. P. is a graduate of the Berlin Military Academy, and was twenty-three years in the Prussian service, where he obtained the rank of Captain of Artillery. He admits none but men of Christian character into his command, and proposes to observe worship three times a day when practicable.--Cincinnati Gazette, December 11.
[109] A flag of truce went from Fortress Monroe to Norfolk, Va., this morning, carrying thirty-two rebel prisoners discharged by the United States on their parole. A rebel flag of truce met the boat and transferred thereto some ladies coming from Richmond, Va.--National Intelligencer, December 11.
A battle took place to-day on Bushy Creek, near the Verdigris River, about one hundred and eighty miles from Fort Smith, Arkansas, between the forces of Col. Cooper and the Yankees, under Opothleyholo, estimated at four thousand or five thousand: Colonel Cooper had only about one thousand three hundred men. The Yankees attacked Col. Cooper about eleven o'clock, and the fight continued all day until sundown. Col. Simms' Texas regiment fought with great bravery, and the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks fought like tigers. The Yankees followed Col. Cooper several miles, and attacked him with great fury. Col. Cooper drove them back to the woods, a distance of two miles. A large number of Cherokees were with Opothleyholo; likewise about one hundred and fifty Seminoles. Col. Drew, with his men, who remained with him, fought well and did good service. The Choctaws took about one hundred and fifty scalps, and the Chickasaws nearly fifty. The Creeks did not scalp any, because the enemy was their own people. A white man, by the name of Eli Smith, was taken who had gone over to tire Yankees. He was tried by a court-martial and shot. He was a deserter from a Texas regiment. Other deserters were taken and dealt with in tire same manner. Col. Cooper behaved with the greatest coolness and bravery.--Fort Smith (Ark.) Times, December 15.
Major Lyons' Rocket Battalion, one hundred and fifty men, from Albany, left New York this afternoon for Washington. Their side arms will be sabres and carbines, and their battery is to be corstructed on a new plan, so as to throw rockets as well as balls and shells. This arm is expected to be useful in burning towns or fighting cavalry. The battalion consists of two companies, that from Niagara commanded by Capt. Alfred Ransom, and that from Wyoming and Morris counties by Captain J. A. Lee--N. Y. World, December 10.
