Progress of the War.
the Apprehended War between France and the United States.
The New York
Times expresses the opinion that
France "will attempt to break the blockade before many weeks," and that opinion being doubted by the Washington
Republican, thus answers that paper's
We gave the reasons which led us to that belief.
Those reas may or may not be sufficient to warrant it. Of that every person who read them can judge for himself.
But we know of nobody, at
Washington or elsewhere, who has any "authority" to say that they "have no foundation in fact," at loss it be the
French Emperor.
Mr. Seward may not believe that
France has any such intention — He may have been told so by
Count though we don't believe he has. But that would by no means make it certain.
There may be persons who confide in the perfect franka and voracity of all of a diplomatic character from the
French Government; possibly
Mr. Seward may be one.
But, before we put implicit faith in them we should like some explanation of one or two past transactions in this department.
On the 9th of November
M. Drouyn de L'Huys, the
French Foreign Secretary, assured
Mr. Dayton, in the most client and explicit terms that the
French Government had done nothing about intervention or mediation — that it had not even
resolved on anything in connection with the subject; which his letter proposing mediation to
England and had been written and sent a before, What was the object of this direct and unremarkable falsehood?
After that project had failed, the
French Secretary assured
Mr. Dayton, and through him our Government, that the matter would not be pursued — that there was no intention of following it up — that
France had nothing more to say or suggest upon the subject.
On the very 9th of January
the Emperor's advice to our Government to confer with the rebels upon the terms of reunion or of separation.
All this may be very "friendly,"--Possibly we ought to be very for it, and especially for the very polite and considerate in which it Upon this point every one is outlined to his own judgment.
but we venture to think that these repeated denials of any intention to do what is actually or immediately done, may fairly excite out use of similar denials in future.
If
France does intend to break the blockade,
Count Mer would hardly feel upon just now to inform
Mr. Howard of it.
Whether we are to have trouble with
France or not is a matter of opinion.
We adhere to the opinion we have already expressed.
Unless he shall find
England immovably to it, a to pledge horse to a
permanent or unless the insurrection in shall have created distrust at home, or unless decisive Union victories promise the speedy close of the believe that within three months will demand and, if necessary,
force the delivery of cotton already purchased by agents, to be delivered at Southern point.
We shall be very glad to find ourselves mistaken.
But we trust Congress will not without proper preparation for such a contingency.
The
Washington correspondent of the New York
Tribune writing on the 10th ult., says that three days before a secret interview took place between
Lincoln and M
Mercer, at "a friend's house," at which matters of the greatest moment were discussed.
He adds:
‘
Notwithstanding the
mystery observed in that interview, it is reported in diplomatic circles that
Mr. Lincoln denies having had any share in the framing of the document written in reply to de L'Huys proposition, further than to have expressed, in Cabinet connect, that the time for tening to the kind suggestions of
France had not yet arrived.
He was very sorry to learn that exception had been taken to the form in which the views of the
Cabinet had been set forth, and he hoped that the
French Government would only notice the necessity imposed upon the Administration to refuse its proposition, without paying any attention to the manner in which that refusal had been prostituted.
It is also stated that the
President has recently been visited by prominent
Senators and with whom he has remained closeted several hours.
The greatest secrecy is observed upon the subjects discussed in their interviews, the results of which, it is said, will soon be made known.
It is noted worthy that
at the same time a certain New York journal, called in diplomatic circles the " Press, " has become furious against the
Ambassador of
France and the
French Government.
Statesmen who are behind the somas assert the unchaining of the dogs of war against
France is an attempt at diplomatic strategy, produced by a certain feeling of which suddenly taken possession of the
Secretary of State.
It is his apprehensions on that subject it is said which have led the journal referent to during the three days to denunciations of
Mr. Mercer and declarations of war against
France.
’
The Federal army in Tennessee.
In copying the
Confederate reports of
Rosecrans's movements the N. Y.
Times says:
‘
Our own advices, direct from
Rosecrans's army, are not as late as the rebelled dispatches, but we know that on Monday and Tuesday of last week
Rosecrans's advance had heavy skirmishing with the rebel advance, and that the lines were then drawing closer and closer, and a general engagement was threatened at any hour.
It is very likely that the which was heard by the rebel army on Wednesday, in their and flank, was only a continuation of the heavy skirmishing which had then been going on for two days. But whether it was or no it indicates clearly that Roscrans's army was either advancing upon
Tullahoma in two great columns, or that he is feeling his way determinedly, in preparation for the forward movement.
Unfortunately or fortunately,
Rosecrans does not keep the newspapers posted up as to his plans of campaign or battle, as to the day and hour on which he means to move, as to the strength of his force, or as to the mode is which he intends to manœuvre each brigade during the engagement.
He neither dose this nor does he discount his victories in advance.
As a consequence, we cannot furnish accurate information on these points.
But the fact that though the people of the
North were darkness on the same subjects before the
battle of Murfreesboro yet be there gained the most decisive victory of the war, will strengthen public confidence, although it may not have exactly the same grounds of support it has had in other cases.
We know that, in every respect,
Rosecrans is in a better condition now to fight than he was when his army left
Nashville eight weeks ago and advanced upon
Bragg.
We know that his is stronger in numbers, better supplied with artillery and cavalry, and in higher confidence now than it was then.
The rebels there have probably played the game of brag pretty extensively in the information they have from time to time sent to the enormous reinforcement's they have latterly received from
Virginia.
At all events, though it is over a month since they claimed to be reinforced by
Longstreets entire division, they have chosen not to make any hostile movement towards
Rosecrans, but have lain at
Tullahoma, while he was daily strengthening himself, completing his communications, and accumulating supplies.
They are strongly fortified at
Tullahoma, but not more to than they were at
Murfreesboro'; and there are a good many proofs that their
morale is low. We do not anticipate
Rosecrans will win a very easy victory, but we do not doubt a moment his triumph.
’
The Charleston
Mercury has some late and trustworthy tidings from
Beaufort, which fully confirm the news heretofore published of a personal difficulty having occurred between
Major-Generals Hunter and
Foster.
It says:
‘
The quarrel related to precedence in rank, and concluded by
Gen. Foster informing
Gen. Hunter that sooner than fight
under him he would fight
against him; and, suiting the action to the word,
Gen. F. dealt
Gen. H. a blow in the face.
Gen. H. was not view to assert his belligerent rights, and replied by striking
Gen. F. on the head with a billet of wood, drawing blood profusely.
Before hostilities could be resumed, the combatants were separated.
Foster, after ordering the debarkation of his division on
St. Helena Island, left for
Washington, to have his position defined.
Meanwhile it is currently reported at
Beaufort that
Hunter will try
Generals Point and
Causten's Bluff, as preliminary steps to the attack on
Savannah, and at the same time march against the railroad at and thus if successful, get the inside track from his rival.
The attack on those points, it was thought, would take place about the 1st of March; so that we may hear some stirring news in a few days from the coast.
Of course, every "lad in gray" is perfectly delighted at the prospect of getting
India rubber clothes and blanket to say nothing of water-proof boots, etc. We learned from the same source whence we obtained the above information that there are over 30,000 troops at
Port Royal, and more expected.
’
The Situation before Vicksburg.
A Yankee letter from "before"
Vicksburg, dated the 21st ult., says:
‘
As you are probably aware,
Vicksburg is still in the hands of the rebels.
The muzzles of the 140 guns, with their Cyclopean eyes, still gaze across the river at the panoramas afforded by the formidable gathering of national troops, and transports on this side of the
Father of Waters.
How or when we shall take the place is not definitely determined upon; the latter will undoubtedly depend much upon the character of the former.
We can again ascend the Y assault and possibly carry the works on Hayns's Bluff, and thus at once secure a position on firm ground, and menace their rear; or we can bombard them for a day or two, and under cover of the tremendous fire from the gunboats, land our forces directly in front of the city, and carry the works by storm; or, better than all, we adopt the latest modern improvement in warfare, and dig them out.
McClellan dug out the rebels at
Yorktown Hall lock dug them out at
Corinth; Pore dug them into a surrender at
Island No.10, while
Farragut dug the
North into great but fallacious hopes not long since at
Vicksburg.
Gen. Grant who has hitherto confined himself to giving and taking sturdy knocks, with more reliance on steel and saltpetre than shovels, has fallen into the fashion, and is now engaged as lustily in digging at
Vicksburg as over teston dug in or miner after golden Where he is digging, and what, is conf and although a dozen newsmon have already adviced their respective sheets of the whole I will not the reputation of the
Times for by following their example.
it to say, that
Gen. Grant is now flashing his madden spade in the bosom of mother earth with a vigor that deserves, if it doubt meet, with a glorious success.
’
Stopping the blockade Runners.
A letter to a New York paper from the army of the Potomac says the recent gunboat down the
Potomac has been very fruitful of results, and thus describes them:
‘
For many months the officers of the
Potomac fleet have been aware of an extensive contraband business being carried on across the
Potomac, but at what point could not be positively ascertained until a few days ago. Then the discovery was made that there was a regular express communication between
Baltimore and
Richmond, viz the counties on the left back of the
Potomac, and crossing that river from
St. Mary's county to
Northumberland and
Lancaster counties, and then crossing the Rappehannock, and on to
Richmond.
The officers sent on the expectation to break up this line of communication discharged their duty most admirably.
They not only captured the express boats, and destroyed them, but also secured several bushels of matter, including letters from portion in
Baltimore,
Washington, and New York, to friends in
Richmond and other or the
South, some of them, it is said, containing important information, sent by persons heretofore entirely unsuspected of disloyalty.--At
Nashville several rebel soldiers, stationed there to aid the express agents, and to give proper signals when it was safe to cross the
Potomac, were captured and they are now in this The mail route to
Richmond has thus has at last broken up, and the
Confederate will have to seek some new Chandal through which to get information of what is going on at
Washington and obtain Northern luxuries.
’
The Suppressing of the Convention in Kentucky--Southern particulars of the affair.
The
Frankfort,
Ky., correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette gives an account of the dispersion of the
Convention there, which, it seems, was composed of delegates sent to nominate State officers in favor of peace.
He says:
‘
At 11 o'clock
John Leathers, of
Covington called the
Convention to order by calling
Ex-Gen. was to the chair, but he not being present, the chair
pro tem, J. P. Harrison as
Secretary.
’
At this stage of the proceedings
Col. Gilbert of the 4th Ohio, commander of the 1st brigade, army of
Kentucky, came forward, and in a calm, from voice, read the following:
Headquarters first Brigade
army of Central Kentucky,
Frankfort, Ky.,
Feb. 18.
General Orders.
No. 3.--Reliable information having been received at these headquarters that a number of rebel spies and in this city, it is ordered that all persons now here who residents, or who are not members of the
Kentucky Legislature, or officers of the
State Government, until forthwith report their names to these headquarters, accompanied with satisfactory references as to their loyalty to the
Government of the
United States.
A visible sensation was produced, and several called for another reading of the order.
This was done by Lieut,
Col. Wilson, of the Forty-fourth Ohio. " not load but deep," followed; but there was a manifest disposition to smooth the thing over, and to proceed to business with all the of good faith possible under the circumstances.
Senator Asa P. Graver, who had left his seat in the Senate to attend the
Convention, arose and suggested that in order to facilitate purposes the call for delegates be made, and as the lists were handed in they could be submitted to
Col. Gilbert.
The
Secretary then proceeded to call the counties in their alphabetical order:
Jefferson,
Campbell,
Henry, Olden,
Owen,
Scott,
Shelby,
Mason,
Oldham, and
Woodford counties, and the city of
Louisville, sending the largest number of delegates.
During the call
David Merriweather arrived in the hall, and was invited to the chair.
He is an
Ex-Governor of
New Mexico, and has been a very active Secessionist from the first.
It soon became known that the place was guarded by Federal soldiers, and several of the more timid began to evince signs of and commenced to move toward the door, but no one was allowed to pare out except he had enrolled his name.
Some and indulged in the most filthy abuse of the
President and his "bigger thieves;" but the majority remained silent, and spent their time in looking at their neighbors, speculating whether they were to be trusted or not.
After the call of the delegates was complete, and the names enrolled,
Col. Gilbert stopped upon the stage and address the
Convention as follows:
‘
"I hope no one present will create any disturbance, or utter any sentiment, as that will compromise, and possibly may lead to the arrest of all. No doubt many of you, gentlemen, assembled here without any treasonable design, either present or prospective.
All such I invite to quietly depart to their homes.
But there are those here whom we know to be rebels of the worst kind, the quiet plotters of treason who, to carry out their infamous designs would deluge the fair fields of
Kentucky in the blood of her citizens, make her rich plantations, beautiful villages, and wealthy cities, as desolate as are the domains of the
Southern traitors with whom they are in league.
Under the guise of that good old name, Democrat, they hope to perfect their designs; but it will not do. You are by the conservative Legislature by their refusal to give you the use of their
House.
She Democratic newspapers scorn and excommunicate you. Democrat in high and low places call your leaders by the one name — traitors.
There is no use in your holding conventions in
Kentucky, as none but men of undoubted loyalty to the United States Government will, under any circumstances, be allowed to run for any office, or fill it if elected.
Such meetings this you shall not hold within the limits of my command; and to avoid difficulty, you will disperse to your homes, and desist from all such attempts to precipitate civil war upon your State."
’
Finding their treasonable purposes completely foiled by the coolness, fact, and patriotism of
Col. Gilbert, the chagrined "butternuts" gave in without a struggle,
Senator Bush, however, offered some resolutions, and requested to have them read, but
Col. Gilbert was politely firm, and they were withdrawn, after which the
Convention was declared adjourned by the
Chairman.
The interference of
Col. Gilbert with this, the initiatory step to take the
State out of the
Union, is not only patriotic but highly justifiable.
His conduct was calm and dignified throughout, and it has met with the hearty endorsement of every true loyal member of the Legislature and citizen of
Frankfort.
His action was based upon the refusal of the Legislature to let the
Capitol be used by the rebels, and upon the common consent of the people and loyal press denouncing them as such.
The only complaint I heard made by the loyal people, was that
Col. Gilbert did not arrest the entire gang of traitors and send them into the rebel lines to "fight for their rights;" for, as it is, they will return to their "respective places of abode" and set up a bowl.
The Louisville
Journal of the 19th, has the following account of the affair:
The train left this city for
Frankfort at the usual hour yesterday morning, with about 150 delegates, a majority of whom were from the lower border counties.
Gentlemen with whom we have conversed, who accompanied the delegation to
Frankfort and returned with them last evening, inform us that the conversation of these delegates was exceedingly rebellious; that they were as disloyal in their sentiments as if they had been devoted subjects of the harsh-traitor
Jeff. Davis.
Nor were their expressions of disloyalty made in delicate terms; but they are represented to have been bold, excitant and defiant.
We do not wonder, therefore, that their treasonable purposes became apparent to the civil and military authorities, and that their traitorous designs were thus summarily towarded by
Col. Gilbert.
Gen. the commander of the Western District of
Kentucky received a dispatch from
Gen. Gilmore last evening under whose orders
Col. Gilbert acted, informing him that he had dispersed the
Convention, with the assurance that it could not reassemble in his district; and
Gen. Foyle promptly replied to
General Gilmore the
Convention should meet nowhere in his district.
We need hardly add that by
Col. Gilbert will meet the loyal Kentuckians.
Order of Gen. Rosecrans in relation to Confederate soldiers Wearing Yankee Uniforms.
Gen. Rosecrans has issued the following order in relation to the
Confederate soldiers who may be found in Yankee uniform:
Hdq'rs Dep't of the Cumberland,
Murfreesboro', Tenn., Feb. 20, 1863.
General Order, No. 16>
- I. It having been frequently reported to the General commanding that Confederate soldiers approach our lines dressed in our uniforms, and that they have appeared thus in battle, and have thus, savage-live, carried our colors to deceive us.
It is ordered, that none so dressed shall receive, when to captured, the rights of prisoners, and that in the battle no quarter be given them.
When captured singly, or in square prowling about our lines, they shall be deemed samples, and started accordingly.
The General warns all officers and men under his command to be on their guard against these violations of the rules of civilized warfare.
All foraging and scouting parties, all patrols, and all troops on the march, are enjoined to arrest and examine all persons wearing our uniform, and if found to be wearing it without lawful authority, to forward them at once to the Provost.
Marshals of their commands, for identification and investigation and thence to the Provost Marshal of the department, that they may be dealt with as they deserve.
- II.
All citizens and servants wearing the United States uniform without written permission, will be be arrested, stripped, and punished according to the nature of the offence.
Quartermasters will at ones make requisitions for clothing, to be issued to servants and employees not entitled to wear the uniform.
