October 12.
A convention of citizens of North Carolina, loyal to the Union, was held in Hyde County, N. C. Charles H. Foster, of Hertford County, addressed the assembly. He told his hearers wherein almost every article and section of the Bill of Rights of North Carolina had been violated by the Confederates, and expressed his sincere belief that, should the secessionists be successful in the present war, a monarchical or military despotism would be speedily established. “Even now,” he said, “the well-known wishes of the people are disregarded, and it is openly declared that a poor man should not vote. North Carolina gave the over-whelming majority of thirty-five thousand for the Union, and over one thousand against holding a convention to discuss the treasonable subject of secession. But such a convention had [46] met, and when they had succeeded in passing a secession ordinance, they, well knowing what its fate would be, refused to submit the obnoxious document to the people, and the State was declared out of the Union, against the express wishes of a majority of thirty-five thousand of her citizens, and now they were denied the privilege of voting at all. Each month of August, for years past, they had been called upon to vote, either for a Representative to the National Congress, or a Governor of the State, but, in the August past, no such election was held or called.” Resolutions expressive of fidelity and adherence to the Government were adopted, and a committee appointed for the purpose, drew up a paper which was accepted by the convention as a statement of grievances.--(Doc. 77.)
Capt. P. G. D. Morton, captured at Chelsea, Butler County, Kansas, a train of twenty-one wagons, four hundred and twenty-five cattle, twenty-five ponies, and thirty-five prisoners. The train was on its way from Pike's Peak to the Cherokees, who seceded some weeks ago.--N. Y. Times, October 26.
Eighty of Major James' cavalry, at Cameron, came upon two hundred and fifty or three hundred rebels, in a cornfield, twenty miles south of Cameron, in Ray County, Missouri. The advance guard of nine of the National troops routed them, the rebels seeking refuge in the timber. The guard was then reinforced by thirty of the cavalry, when they completely drove the rebels from that section, killing eight and taking five prisoners. Four Federals were wounded and one killed.
The steamer Theodora ran the blockade of Charleston, with Messrs. Mason and Slidell, and their secretaries, on board, destined for Cardenas, in Cuba, it being their intention to proceed to Europe by steamer from Havana.--N. Y. Evening Post, October 30.
This night an attack was made on the United States fleet lying at anchor near the South-West Pass, by the rebel fleet, consisting of six gunboats, the battering ram Manassas, and a large number of fire-ships, which filled the river from shore to shore. The United States fleet consisted of the steamers Richmond, Huntsville, Water-Witch, sloops-of-war Preble and Vincennes, and storeship Nightingale. The fleet when attacked, were at anchor inside of the Pass. The ram Manassas came down and drifted foul of the Richmond, knocking a hole in her quarter and stern, doing but little damage. To avoid the fire ships the squadron immediately got under way and drifted down the river. The Richmond, Preble, and Vincennes got ashore on the bar, (the Nightingale also went ashore,) and while ashore were attacked by the rebels but without doing any damage to the vessels, or to life. But one shot took effect, and that struck the Richmond on the quarter. They were beaten off by the Vincennes with two guns, she having thrown overboard the rest of her armament, with her chains, anchors, &c., to lighten her, as she was very much exposed to the rebel fire.--(Doc. 78.)
A party of twelve, of the New York Zouave regiment, were taken prisoners by the rebels, a short distance above Newport News, Va. Lieutenant Zellen, who was in command of the party, was arrested for cowardice.--The Iron Bridge, over Green River, at Mumfordsville, Kentucky, was blown up by the rebels.
A communication in the Cincinnati Commercial, headed “The contraband Institution,” objects to the return of fugitive slaves by the soldiers — because it exhibits the Government as a voluntary patron of slavery; and degrades the soldiers.--(Doc. 79.)
This afternoon, at a point fourteen miles south of General Rosecrans' advance, and eight miles from the Rebel encampment on Green River, in Western Virginia, a detachment of forty men of the Thirty-ninth Indiana regiment attacked three hundred rebels, half of which were cavalry, without loss, killing five and wounding three. The whole rebel force was driven back beyond Bacon Creek.--Baltimore American, October 15.
About 3 o'clock this morning, a party of about forty horsemen, twenty-five of whom were Federal troops from the regiments commanded by Colonels Hobson and Pennebaker and the remainder citizens, all under command of Captain Sam Taylor, from Camp Andy Johnson, in Kentucky, approached the residence of Cy. Hutchinson, in Barren County, without the knowledge of the presence of one hundred and fifty rebels, who were warned of their approach and who were thoroughly prepared to receive them. The first intimation that Captain Taylor received of the presence of the enemy [47] came in the form of a peremptory order to halt, which issued from the opposite side of a plank fence. The order to halt was followed by a discharge of musketry ere Captain Taylor had time to form his squad for action. Under a galling fire, however, Captain Taylor's gallant party dismounted and formed in battle array, promptly returning the enemy's fire with Enfield rifles and Colt's navy revolvers. The rebels were fortified behind the fence and fired through an opening near the ground. In the darkness of the morning, the Federals fought with little certainty as to the whereabouts of the enemy, but their rifles and pistols did good execution, for they acknowledged a loss of two of their party, while it is known that at least four of the number were killed, and that several were wounded. Of Captain Taylor's command, three were reported killed-Frank Lacey, orderly of Captain Taylor's company, private Michael Lisle, and a citizen whose name is not known.--Louisville Journal, Oct. 15.
Five hundred men of the Piatt Zouaves occupied the town of Winfield, twenty miles below Charleston, on the Kanawha, Western Virginia, whence some rebel cavalry had fired upon a steamer with United States stores a few days previously. Lieutenant-Colonel Toland, in command of the Zouaves, learned at Winfield that eight hundred rebels were encamped at Hurricane Bridge, fourteen miles from Winfield, and at once marched against them, but they abandoned their camp upon his approach and fled.--(Doc. 85.)
The rebels advanced in large force in the direction of Lewinsville, Va., driving in the National pickets. The divisions of Generals McCall, Smith, Porter, and McDowell were promptly prepared for an apprehended emergency, but nothing further transpired beyond the firing of a few shots from the rebels, which fell short. About three rebel regiments showed themselves, and the expectation was that a general advance was imminent. Great excitement prevailed in Washington, and throughout the Federal lines.
The Eighth regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, under the command of Col. Murphy, left Madison for St. Louis, Mo.--N. Y. World, October 14.
A skirmish took place between a detachment of the Thirty-ninth Indiana regiment and a squadron of rebel cavalry, at a position near Upton's, fourteen miles below Camp Nevin, Kentucky. The rebels were repulsed with a loss of five killed and three wounded.--(Doc. 81.)
Colonel Serrell's regiment of engineers and artisans, New York State Volunteers, otherwise the engineer officers' and soldiers' regiment, took its departure from its camp on Staten Island for Washington.
Commodore G. N. Hollins, C. S. N., received from the Department of the Confederate States Navy the appointment of Flag Captain of the New Orleans naval station.--Louisville Journal, November 20.
