From the North.
The latest Northern papers are to the 28th ult. From them we make further extracts of interest:
A letter in the
Herald from
Fair Oaks, June 22d, is interesting.
Some of the statement are amusing, from the fact that they were written when the
Yankees were rather more ‘"before
Richmond"’ than they are now. It says:
‘
I have just seen a number of rebel prisoners and contrabands, who are on their way to
Fortress Monroe.
The contrabands were so stupid and thickheaded that I could learn nothing from them, and the rebels so bitterly access that I could learn very little from them.
Of their appearance there as prisoners, however, I learned that some had been captured by our pickets, some were of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, and had been hunted down, as they formed it, while others, honest, quiet farmers, had been torn from their homes because they said that they would not take the oath of allegiance, and were probably supposed to be connected with, or knew something of, that little affair down the road the other evening.
I have said that they were bitterly secesh — bitter is no word for the scoundrels.
They appear to delight in boasting of their connection with the rebel army's their intention never to take the oath of allegiance, and their hatred and contempt of the
Northern army and people.--One man said, ‘ "
Richmond is not yours yet, nor will it over be."’ I asked one, who appeared to be more intelligent than the rest, if he did not think we should be in
Richmond before long.
He said, ‘"Yes I think you will, but the same as I am here,"’ meaning as prisoners.
They did say that they did not expect the kind treatment from us that they received; yet they act as if they disposed as the more for it.
It will be recollected by your readers that shortly after
General McClellan had paid his accustomed visit to our troops in this direction on Wednesday afternoon last, when he was greeted with such bursts of applause, the robles attempted and succeeded in driving back, with an humanely superior force, our pickets to their reserve.
The rebels engaged in this affair consisted of a whole brigade, while our picket and reserve did not out number a whole regiment.
What the motive for this attack was cannot be divined, unless it was to learn the cause of the immense glee in our camp.
Success probably imagined that reinforcements were arriving for
McClellan, and the reconnaissance in force was for the purpose of ascertaining the extent and nature of the reinforcements.
At all events the effort, whatever may have been intended, was a perfect and entire failure, the shells from our batteries driving them like chaff through the woods and swamps, and enabling our pickets to obtain an advanced position.
On Friday,
Orderly-
Sergeant H. D. Hanaban, company I, 2d South Carolina volunteers,
Colonel Kenneday, of
Kershaw's brigade, was found in the woods wounded in the legs, where he had been since Wednesday night. He suffered amputation at the hands of the
Surgeon of the 1st California.
He was found in an emaciated condition by
Capt. W. P. Tomlinson, company F, 1st California.
The prisoner expressed a great desire to have one fact noticed in the
Herald to disabuse the minds of the
Southern soldiery, who believe from representations of their leaders that their wounded do not receive merciful and charitable attention at our hands.
He desires, through your correspondent, to express his thanks for the noble and generous treatment extended towards him since he has been a wounded prisoner in our hands.
He believes that the loss of the rebels in the skirmish of Wednesday was severe, as the shells from our battery exploded right amongst them in their retreat through the woods.
Our picket lines, during the whole of last night, resounded will the crack of musketry, mostly from the rebels, who, from motives of spite, seem determined to prevent our forces in camp from enjoying their nightly sleep.
These constantly recurring alarms in camp are now, however, taken cheerfully by the mem and the line of battle is uniformly formed after a few shots have been exchanged between the pickets.
While the position and strength of our forces are at present such as to dissipate all fear for our safety from any attack which the rebels may make upon us, a reinforcement of fifty thousand fresh troops would insure the immediate reduction of
Richmond, with much less loss to our side than it could be accomplished otherwise.
It is idle to deny the fact that the rebels outnumber us, though in effectiveness our army is superior to theirs in the field.
I am glad to see that some of our regiments have been provided, as a measure of protection from the fervent heat, with a meal and light straw hat, with the name of the regiment neatly printed on its black band.
I noticed the Sixteenth New York in regimental line this morning, and they presented really a neat and tidy appearance with their new chapeaus.
If anything can be said to be hopeful about the rebels, the fact that yesterday they allowed the blessed Sabbath to pass — or, at least, the devotional morning hours of the same — without a resort to the messengers of death, would indicate a change for the better on their part.
The health of our troops has slightly improved since my last communication.
’
A letter from the same paper, from Savage Station, on the 23d, announces the arrival of several deserters from the Confederate Army, and says:
‘
These men were all regularity enlisted, having their choice between enlisting in the rebel army at New Orleans, where they happened to be at the time the
State seceded from the national Union, or going to work as prisoners on some of the fortifications then in course of creation.
Of the two alternatives they thought to choose the lesser, and accordingly enlisted in the regiments then forming, with a view to make their escape North at the first opportunity.
Shortly after the blockade was established off New Orleans the regiments were ordered to
Virginia, and after spending a portion of last winter in
North Virginia, under the commend of
Beauregard, they were ordered to
Norfolk, at which place they were garrisoned until the evacuation, when they were again ordered to
Richmond.
While the evacuation was going on, seven of the company of the Third Louisiana battalion managed to make their escape; and it was thought by the officers that the whole company was about to desert and a strict watch was kept upon them.
They were never allowed, until lately, to go on picket, although their services were frequently needed.
At length the officers seemed to regain confidence, and after the raid of
Jackson upon the column under
General Banks, they were placed on picket at the
Mechanicville pike.
Early on Saturday morning, during a dense fog, they managed to make their way so the
Union side of the
Chickahominy undiscovered by either party.
Here they lay in the swamp until daylight, when, after throwing their arms away, they proceeded to give themselves up to some of our videttes, and were marched, with lighter hearts than they had for many a day, into the camp of some of their old friends.
During the first few months they were in the service their rations were good and plenty, but since the capture of
Roanoke Island the supplies of coffee and sugar gradually became less, until within the past three months, when they ceased to receive their usual small quantity of coffee, and were forced to do without anything save an occasional ration of burnt rye, which was used in lieu of a more substantial beverage.
Tea was an article not known in the army, and what little could be procured was used for hospital purposes.
The sugar, which was of the poorest quality gradually disappeared from the camp, and the privates were compelled to take their rye coffee without any sweetening whatever.
This was in itself bad enough; but the worst was yet to come.
Commissary stores of all kinds became suddenly very scarce, and for the past few weeks the troops have been on half rations, viz: nine ounces of flour or meal and a pound of bread per day. The scarcity of food has become such a bugbear that many of the troops are nearly in open rebellion against their officers.
The retreat of
Jackson in the
Valley of the Shenandoah is looked upon with considerable anxiety by the people, who fear for his safety.
Numerous reinforcements have been sent to him, consisting of a whole division under the command of
General Gustavus W. Smith, two batteries of artillery and a regiment of cavalry.
It is thought that
Jackson will make the best of his way back to
Richmond, where the grand finale of the rebellion will take place.
The force of the rebels in and about
Richmond at the present time is estimated at about one hundred and twenty-five thousand, some of whom are without arms other than those brought from home.--Reinforcements from the
West are looked for daily.
They have numerous works thrown up around the city and considerable heavy ordnance.
’
A letter in the
Tribune from the
White House says:
‘
The awful weather, the like of which has not been experienced here for 20 years--as I am informed by
a Mr. Johnson, who is an old resident — and which has retarded the movements of
Gen. McClellan, had new taken a favorable turn, and we have been blessed during the past week, with a succession of as fine days as could be wished for, with every appearance of a continuance.
Prisoners are being brought in every day by our cavalry pickets.
Six were brought in last evening, among whom was a very knowing-looking little humpy-back.
His five comrades were well mounted on good Secesh horses, but his lordship was better mounted than any of them and would not condescend to exchange a word with any of our men. They will be kept here until the number shall be increased when they will be sent on to
Fortress Monroe.
’
Poor Hasty.
A letter to the
Tribune, from Seven Places, says:
‘
Brig. Gen. J. J. Pock was this afternoon ordered to relieve
Gen. Casey in the command of his division, near Bottom bridge,
Gen. A. P. Howe will take command of
Peck's brigade, To
Gen. Casey will be committed the exceedingly important and responsible duty of protecting the base of our operations at the
White House and the unbroken connection we now have by railroad from our extranse advance to bite water highway which leads to
Washington,
Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York.
To no man in the army would the care of
Camp's last position have been more than to
John J. Pech.
Mot yet 45 years of age, to has the advantage of a West point and of an experience in every save one, and of every one of the battles fought by
Scott from to
Mexico.
Who has had such schooling.
An unjust and on mistake of the public sentiment has placed
Gen. Casey in command of the rear guard at bridge as a punishment ! It is not so. We who know this fighting-ground, its strength, and its weaknesses, knew too well that the extreme left this day held by
Casey, and tomorrow to be held by
Peck, is more than the post of danger and the post of honor.
’
The Press.
The New York.
Herald The
Canadians are terribly stirred up by the course of the
British journals in giving them the cold shoulder and telling them to defend themselves or become concerned in the event of a war between
England and the
United States.
But they will soon be stirred up still more when apprehension becomes reality.
What they ought to do is to consider nowhere they will make their bed before it is too late.
In a very short time our iron clad ships will be in such force on the ocean as to sweep
Napoleon of the
Gulf and his army out of
Mexico.
England perceives that, and wants to give
Canada an opportunity of, taking care of herself when the storm comes which will make her, it she desires it, one of the
United States--the greatest Republican the world, and about to become the most powerful nation of the earth.
We will give the
Cana six, nine or twelve months to make up their minds as to what they will do; we are not in a hurry about the sooner they decide that their with the
United States the better for themselves.
The American Government can protect the British monarchy confesses through its organize at it cannot.
They ought not to lose a moment therefore, in declaring their independence, for they will avoid trouble, in which they are in danger of being involved by the policy of
England.
The question of annexation is an after consideration, and one that must be decided by themselves.
We are not anxious to annex Catrada; but, if she desires to cast her lot with this great country, it will be for her own interest, and we have no doubt that a proposition from her to that effect would be favorably received by our Government and people.
On the subject of the ‘" cation"’ of
Richmond, the paper says:
‘
Though the evacuation of
Richmond would not prove what the leaders hope it would, it is use lest to conceal that the successful flight from
Virginia of the Confederate army, without a battle, would be a decided misfortune, and put back the of the war.
Gen. McClellan does not mean to allow this, if he can possibly prevent it. If he delays the attack an hour beyond the time when he is fully prepared, the country may be assured that it is for the purpose of arranging such subsidiary operations as will frustrate the hope the rebels have in flight.
The Richmond journals have already told us that
Gen. Mansfield occupies
Suffolk, in the rear of the rebel capital, with a strong, force.
The visit of
Burnside to
McClellan at headquarters undoubtedly meant work in this very direction.
But more significant than all, there is yet encouragement that the gunboats in the
James river are destined to play
their Prime part in the capture of
Richmond and its rebellious defenders.
The movements in this direction have been very properly shrouded in secrecy; but there is every hint that our iron-clads will be able to silence and pass the batteries that line the banks of the
James river, near
Fort Darling, and, this accomplished, to remove the obstructions that have been placed in the channel.
It would be a heavy imantation on the courage of the navy should this enterprise not be
attempted, and if attempted, it will in all probability be successful.
The service they can render is incalculable.
With a meet of gunboats commanding the mainline of retreat from
Richmond, the last hope of the rebels, the hope of flight, is cut off. Is
McClellan awaiting the echo of the guns at Fort Darting?
If so, twenty millions wait with him, hushed in expectancy.
’
The Philadelphia
Inquirer and the New York
Tribune don't agree on the object of the war. The former paper, noticing the speech of the worse than Yankee Governor of
North Carolina--
Stanley — to the people of
Newbern says:
‘
See, how mildly and truthfully, yet pointedly, he reasons with them upon the vexed and delicate questions concerning their slaves.
‘"You "’ he observes, ‘"that your slaves are all to be emancipated; at did not the
President revoke the proclamation of
Fremont,
Phelps, and
Hunter?
Has he not said over and over a in that he has no constitutional right to pale the slaves?
Does he not insist that all the States shall be protected in all their rights?
What more can be asked of him?
Mr. Lincoln is no Abolitionist.
He is the best friend the
South has got. Complaints are made that slaves w the
Federal lines are not promptly rendered up. But do not the rebels use slaves to build fortifications, and to man guns to fight against the
Union?
The Federal armies cannot make a business of catching slaves.
They have come to put down treason and a war began by these rebels.
Any man who would make war on such a Government as ours ought to lose his property"’
’
The
Tribune, however, thinks the ‘nigger"’ must ‘"go up,"’ and says:
‘
All that is here demanded said by the
President in his Natural, fully, clearly, and honestly.
He could not have been more explicit nor more kind.
Congress was equably explicit in its adoption of
Mr. Crittenden's resolve last July: No State seceded from the
Union under any belief or apprehension that its rights and domestic concerns would be interfered with by the
Federal Government.--The Slave Power resolved to destroy the
Union because it could no longer bond it abjectly to its will; it conspired to break up the Democratic party defeat
Douglas, and elect
Lincoln, on purpose to inaugurate this civil war. New protestations of respect for slavery and indisposition to harm it would only be hailed as signs of weakness, and would encourage the traitors to persevere in their evil ways.
Nothing but the overthrow of slavery will ever reconcile them to the
Union.
’
A Southern lady's brother Murdered for Protecting her from insult.
We find the following in the Baltimore
American, of the 24th ult. The day of retribution for these Yankee hirelings is at hand:
Some days since a lady entered
General Vicle's headquarters to obtain from him a pass to go to
Suffolk, to see some friends and relatives residing there.
General Vicle received her with his usual politeness, but suddenly noticing that she wore the
Confederate colors prominently, in the shape of a brooch, mildly suggested that it would, perhaps, have been in better to come to his office without such a decoration.
‘"I have aright, sir, to consult my own wishes as to what I shall wear."’ ‘"Then, madam,"’ replied the
General, ‘"permit me to claim an equal right in ch ing with whom I shall converse:"’ and the dignified lady had to withdraw from his presence.
Subsequently the proud daughter of Secessia returned to the
General's office without the offensive bronch, and, making a slight apology for the indecorous conduct on a former occasion, reiterated her request for a pass, which was promptly filled up and handed to her.
The lady proceeded to
Suffolk, and, after visiting her friends, she very injudiciously walked around among the Provost Guard of National troops, wearing the brooch above mentioned in a very conspicuous portion of her dress.
The attention of the soldiers was at once attracted to the emblem, much to the gratification of the giddy girl.
A very polite and gallant officer, of the 13th New York, accepted her at once, and told it would be better for her to remove the brooch out of sight, or it might cause a difficulty; but the young lady heeded not the admonition.
Pa leg along, she was met by a soldier who told her must not wear the ‘"Stars and Bars"’ now, as it was nothing now but an emblem of weakness and evacuation.
She said to the soldier that show said not remove the brooch for any Yankee hireling whereupon said soldier matched the hated brooch from the girl's bosom, and removing the color, he the golden bauble back to its owner, Some citizens observing the act, fell upon the soldier, and were belaboring him pretty badly, when he drew his bayonet from his scabbard and striking one of the attacking party several blows, he led him to the earth, and injured him so boldly that it is feared he will not recover.
The injured man was the silly girl's brother.
Yet this lesson for the indies of
Norfolk, who dully insult our soldiers when they get a chance.
Miscellaneous.
From the New York
Tribune, of the 16th, and on other papers, we take the following miscellaneous items:
Our correspondent at
Corinth was much astonished a few days ago on ranking in a Northern paper the dispatch stating that
Gen. Halleck's army captured 10,000 prisoners and 15,000 small arms at the occupying of Corinth He says that only about 2,800 rebels — including 000 taken in hospitals, some 500 deserters, and 300 snuggeries — and some 2,500 small arms, including 1,500 burned at
Booneville by the cavalry expedition under
Col. Elliot proceeding the pursuit, fell into our hands.
Gen. Fope, however, in explanation of this matter, stated to Congressmen yesterday that he
did take 30,000 men, such as they were — be could not call them soldiers — but let them go on parole as he had no means of feeding them.
There are all sorts of rumors from the
Shenandoah Valinda.
Our troops or well supplied with stores and forage, and are and to be prepared for any little job that
Jackson or
Ewell may undertake.
Our dispatch says: ‘"
Jackson is by the time checked, and
Fremont,
Banks and Shi have joined forces to pursue him."’
The President returned to
Washington yesterday.
Gen. Scott accompanist him as far as Jevacy City.
The rum from Jevacy City to
Washington was 7 hours and 20 minutes--the shortest time ever made on the route.
Gen. Boyis has ordered the fitting up of a prison in
Ky., for the riddance of women who aid and the replicon.
White river, is now open from the
Mississippi in the
Gen. army.
The at
