News from the North.
We have received Northern papers of Thursday last, some extracts from which will be found on our first page.
We continue the notices of war movements derived from the same source:
A Philadelphia delegation in Washington.
A delegation of the citizens of
Philadelphia, consisting of
Morton McMichael,
H. C. Carey,
Chas. Gilpin, and six or seven other influential gentlemen, arrived in
Washington on Monday evening, and on Tuesday they called upon
Secretary Cameron with the view to procure from the
Government the services of a competent engineer to make a reconnaissance of the approaches to
Philadelphia by land and water, so as to secure the erection of fortifications for the better security of the city.
Upon stating their business to
Mr. Cameron, that gentleman said that he had already responded to the request of the
Mayor of
Philadelphia, made to him on the same subject, and had already dispatched an engineer to
Philadelphia, as suggested.
Subsequently the delegation visited the
President, who was assured through
Mr. McMichael that
Philadelphia was devoted to the cause of the
Union.
Mr. Lincoln, in response, remarked that he was happy to hear of the loyalty of that city.
He was strengthened by these assurances.
Some might doubt his ability — he doubted it himself — to answer public expectation, in carrying out the object of the
Government.
But they need have no doubt of his sincerity.
The only thing he had to complain of was the fault-finding spirit of the press, in some cases, as manifested against the
Government.
They were too impatient.
He was resolved to do his duty, and he had a confidence that every other department would do theirs as well.
And if all others would do so, we would soon be able to turn our guns upon the common enemy, instead of firing into each other.
An interview between pickets.
The correspondent of the New York Tribune, writing from
Washington, tells the following story:
‘
An effort was made to-day to check the firing between the pickets near Bailey's Cross-Roads.
Within a week two of our men were killed,
Frank Coke and
Daniel Sullivan, of the 2d Michigan, and several rebels.
This afternoon
Capts. Morse and
Humphrey, of the Michigan 2d, attached a white handkerchief to a stick, as a flag of truce, and left our lines, walking to the
Confederates.
When seen approaching, a crowd of rebels, armed, gathered to receive them warmly.
Seeing the flag of truce, two only advanced to meet them.
One brought a rifle within a few rods.
His companion called his attention to it, when it was laid down.
The four then met unarmed.
The rebel officers introduced themselves as
Capts. John C. Porter and
Thomas B. Massie, of the Virginia 7th, and asked if the visit was one of business or courtesy?
They were informed that it was a visit of courtesy.
They said such a visit would be received in like spirit, and shook hands cordially.
Capt. Morse said the shooting of pickets had been a matter or much regret, and urged that it should stop.
The rebel officers assented, and the four agreed to do all in their power to this end. The conversation lasted nearly an hour, when they separated, shaking hands.
Capt. Porter was at the fights of the 19th and 21st July, but said he was glad no blood yet stained his hands.
He has two cousins in the
Northern army.
But, in spite of the agreement, picket-firing continued all the afternoon, the same as before.
Nobody was hurt.
’
The Confederate army.
The
Washington correspondent of the New York Express writes:
‘
The enemy continues to strengthen himself over the river.
It is unquestionable that he is about to be reinforced by
Gen. Bragg with three regiments from the
Florida wing of the Confederate army, and two or three regiments added to his command on his way
North; and that
Ben McCulloch, with a considerable force from
Missouri and
Arkansas, is on the way to
Virginia, I have good reason to believe.
It would appear as though both sides were now gathering their strength for a decisive trial on
Virginia soil at no distant day; other points, in the meanwhile, by the
Confederates in particular, to be comparatively uncared for,
McCulloch's destination
may be Western Virginia, his purpose, to succor his friends
Floyd and
Wise.
He will probably reach
Virginia by way of
Memphis, and railroad from thence, in the last of this week.
By that time, possibly, what should come may have come.
’
The Boone Court-House fight.
The Steubenville Herald has some details of the late defeat of the
Confederates at Boone Court-House.
It says:
‘
Thirty-five of their number are known to be killed, and five taken prisoners. The loss on the
Federal side was none killed and six wounded.
Corporal Nolan received a severe but not fatal wound in the breast.
A private who was carrying a small Union flag was fired at from a house as the troops were marching through the town, the ball passing through both legs.
This so fired the soldiers that they concluded to fire the town, which was accordingly done, and an hour later the village of
Boone was among the things that were, every house in it, including the
Court-House and jail, being burned to the ground.
Among the things captured are twenty-two horses, and a considerable quantity of arms, consisting of flint-lock muskets, double barrel shot-guns, and rifles.
[The foregoing statement of the
Confederate loss is a lie. We have already published a correct account of the affair.]
’
Gen. Polk, of the
Confederate States Army, has issued the following proclamation to the people of
Kentucky:
‘
"The Federal Government having, in defiance of the wishes of the people of
Kentucky, disregarded their neutrality by establishing camp depots for their armies, and by organizing military companies within the territory, and by establishing military works on the
Missouri shore immediately opposite and commanding
Columbus, evidently intended to cover the landing of troops for the seizure of that town, it has become a military necessity for the defence of the territory of the
Confederate States that a Confederate force should occupy
Columbus in advance."
"The
Major General commanding has, therefore, not felt himself at liberty to assume the loss of so important a position, but has decided to occupy it. In pursuance of this decision he has thrown a sufficient force into the town and ordered them to fortify it. It is gratifying to know that the presence of his troops is acceptable to the people of
Columbus, and on this occasion he assures them that every precaution will be taken to insure their quiet and the protection of their property, with all their personal and corporate rights."
"
Leonidas Polk."
"
Columbus, 4th day September, 1861."
’
Federal account of a skirmish.
A Washington dispatch dated Wednesday, September 11, gives a more full account of the skirmish on that day than we received by telegraph.
It is probably exaggerated in some particulars:
‘
A large skirmishing party of Federal troops started out at seven o'clock this morning from the vicinity of the
Chain Bridge, under command of
Colonel Stevens, of the
New York Highlanders.
It consisted of several detached companies of infantry, a company of cavalry, and
Capt. Griffin's battery.
As our skirmishers advanced the enemy's pickets retired beyond
Lewisville, about seven miles from the
Chain Bridge.
Our troops having accomplished the object of their errand, connected with the reconnaissance of the country, began to their steps, when a large force of Confederates, consisting of two regiments of infantry and
Col. Stewart's regiment of
Virginia cavalry, with a battery of four pieces, were seen approaching from the direction of
Falls Church, evidently with a view of cutting them off with their cavalry and preventing the return of our troops to their camp.
The line of battle was then formed by the remainder of his forces.
The Confederate battery then opened with shell, which was replied to by
Griffin's battery.
Several rounds were fired on each side, when our troops ceased firing for about twenty minutes in order to give the enemy an opportunity, which they did not embrace, of meeting them in line of battle on the open field.
The Confederates were, for the greater part, concealed in the woods and could not be drawn out.
Our forces on resuming operations brought into action a 32-pounder, the shells from which soon silenced the Confederate battery.
The same gun was then directed toward the enemy's cavalry, which appeared on the road leading to
Falls Church, and soon sent them flying, a number of them reeling from their saddles and falling to the ground as the shells exploded in their midst.
The command was then given to withdraw, and our column returned in good order to the
Chain Bridge, reaching there late in the afternoon, without any attempt being made by the enemy to pursue them.
General Smith, commanding the division to which these troops are attached, arrived on the ground shortly after the engagement commenced, and at once assumed command.
’
The names of the killed of the
Federal troops are as follows:
‘
Sergeant Samuel Goodwin, company I;
privates Oliver Hubbel and
Wm.
K. H. Wood, of company D.
Lieutenant Hancock, of company I, is supposed to have been killed, as he was to fall.
Three privates in company.
It were wounded, and three are supposed to be taken prisoners.
These were all attached to the Ninth Indiana regiment.
Amos
Wm. Collom, of company C, Third Vermont regiment, were killed, and four of said company slightly wounded.
These casualties, were in part owing to the daring of the men, who even violated the positive orders which were given to secure their safety.
The ene- my was in much larger force, and their loss is believed to have been very heavy.
’
Advices from
General Banks's division of the Abolition army on the
Potomac are to September 10. We condense the items of news as follows:
‘
Isaac Young,
W. V. Boule,
John Brewer, and another person, have been arrested by the
Federals for ‘"implication with a disloyal meeting!"’ The arrest caused much excitement in
Rockville, but no rescue was attempted, and they are now held as political prisoners.
A Methodist preacher is also under arrest for attempting to transport salt to
Virginia.
The Federate dispatches boast of the warm reception the "rebels" would meet, should they attempt to cross between the
Great Falls and
Point of Rocks with a view of marching upon
Baltimore.
’
The Federal dispatches in regard to affairs in
Missouri are so unreliable that we do not deem them worth copying.
The latest announces the capture of eight prisoners by the Hessians in a skirmish in
Gasconade county.
[Federal reports are mainly gasconade.]
Advices from
Springfield to last Friday state that no battle had been fought between
Montgomery and
Rains up to the previous
Tuesday.
McCulloch was reported to be at
Fort Smith, and his troops on route for
Fort Walker, in
Arkansas.
Nothing definite was known of his future movements.
Gen. Price had gone to reinforce
Gen. Rains.
Fremont's proclamation created considerable excitement at
Springfield.
The privateer Sumter at Trinidad.
The Government has received advices from
Trinidad, dated August 7th, by which it appears that on the 30th of July the privateer
Sumter sailed boldly into the harbor, and reported herself to the authorities of that island as being on a cruise.
She was last from Puerto Caballo, and since she succeeded in getting out of the
Mississippi river she had already captured no less than eleven American vessels.
The
Sumter landed eight prisoners in a destitute condition.
Contributions were made for supplying their immediate wants, and care would be taken of them until they could be shipped to the
United States.
The
Sumter remained there until the 5th ultimo, and was allowed to supply herself with coals and other necessary outfits.
The British flag was hoisted on the
Government flag-staff for her arrival, and the officers of the British vessel
Cadmus appeared to be on the most amicable terms with those of the
Sumter.
The merchant who supplied the coals did it with the consent and approval of the
Attorney General.
There had been no American Consul at
Trinidad for many months.
Privateers fitting out.
Capt. Welch, of the schooner
Mary Alice, recently captured by a Southern privateer, and taken into a Southern port, from whence he has made his way to New York by way of
Richmond, makes a statement of the number of privateers now fitting out at
Charleston, and those already gone from there.
They consist of the
Beauregard,
Capt. Sibley, with forty men; the steamer
South Carolina, alias
Bull Run;
Capt. Coxsetter, with eighty men; and a light-ship moved from the
Rattlesnake Shoals, with forty men. Most of the crew of the latter, however, were in prison, as they had refused to leave after hearing of the fate of the
Petrel.
This officer, who figures in the war in
Missouri, is said to be connected with some of the most influential families in
Virginia.
He is a son of
Col. Meriweather Thompson, of
Jefferson county, Virginia, and is about thirty years of ago. During the last ten years
General Thompson has resided at
St. Joseph, Mo., and was at one time the
Mayor of that city.
During the
Kansas war he commanded a company under
Senator Atchison, and had several encounters with
Gen. Lane.
General McClellan is said to have thus addressed a portion of his troops on Tuesday:
‘
"Soldiers — We have had our last retreat.
We have seen our last defeat.
You stand by me, and I will stand by you, and henceforth victory will crown our efforts."
’
We copy the following from the
Washington correspondence (Sept. 11) of the Baltimore Sun:
‘
The movements and designs of the Confederate forces on the south side of the
Potomac can be explained only upon the supposition that they await the progress of the revolution in
Kentucky,
Missouri,
Western Virginia and elsewhere, and expect ultimately to carry the war into
Maryland and
Pennsylvania, thus keeping the
Southern Atlantic States free from the desolation that must follow it. That this theory is entertained in some quarters is evident from the preparations now making for the defence of
Philadelphia.
Upon this theory no immediate advance will be made by the
Confederates from their present position.
If any engagements should soon occur, it is not probable, therefore, that the attack will be made by the
Confederates.
The best opinion is that there will be no great battles in this vicinity.
The extent and magnitude of the war are becoming developed, to the astonishment of the old world, though here the matter is generally viewed with indifference.
’
We doubt that last assertion.
Another correspondent of the
Sun, after describing a false alarm at
Washington on Wednesday, occasioned by target firing near
Alexandria, says:
‘
There is no special military movement in the city, and the probabilities are that any attack in front of the city will be regarded as a feint to cover an attempt of the
Confederates to cross the river in force above or below the city.
The general sentiment in military circles is that the condition of
Gen. Beauregard's command is such as to necessitate him to take the initiative in hostile movements.
But the doubt and uncertainty that shrouds everything in the military way must force home to the most heedless mind the thought of how little of the issues of battles depends upon mere superiority of numbers, and how much upon skillful generalship, backed by a disciplined and courageous soldiery.
’
