War matters
interesting summary.
We received last night a copy of the New York
Herald, of the 28th inst. Under a flaming head it republishes from Southern papers the telegraphic dispatches which have been received announcing the fall of New Orleans Relow will be found a summary of the latest Northern news:
The news from New Orleans.
Washington, April 27.
--
Washington is wild with rejoicing over the intelligence of the capture of New Orleans.
The radicals are rather downcast at the rapidity with which Union victories are achieved.
What Old England failed to do with all her power has been handsomely accomplished by
New England.
The manner in which the success at
Forts Jackson and
St. Phillip was followed up is highly commended.
In thirty hours our brave men consummated their victory, and appeared before the great city of the
Southwest to receive its submission.
This is but a foretaste of Southwestern operations.
No mention is made by the rebels of the iron-clad ‘"turtles"’ and ‘"rams"’ that were to annihilate the
Yankee fleet, which leads to a suspicion that the common estimate of the rebel motive power from their own misrepresentations has been a mistake.
It is pretty clear that on this occasion they could not stop to conceal the truth.
Commenting upon the above, the
Herald says, editorially:
‘
We have to chronicle to-day one of the most important events in the progress of the war against rebellion.
According to statements received at the War Department yesterday from
General Wool, at
Fortress Monroe, and
General McDowell, on the
Rappahannock, the rebel journals at
Petersburg and
Richmond announce that New Orleans is occupied by the
Union army.
Thus, while we have been conducting formidable and expensive expeditions on the
Mississippi river and on the sea coast, to assail the rebel strongholds in the
South, and subduing them one by one, the greatest cotton port of the rebels has fallen into our hands, an event which must change the whole features of the war in the South and West, battle the plans of Beadregard at Ocrinth and
Memphis, paralyse the action of
Johnston at
Yorktown, and reduce this nefarious rebellion to a last feeble struggle.
’
The Philadelphia
Inquirer, of the 28th inst., says:
‘
Dispatches received yesterday from
Gens Wool and
McDowell convey the important and exhilerating information that the city of
New Orleans has fallen into the possession of the
Union troops, and is once more under the dominion of the United States Government.
The information, though emanating from rebel sources, and without detail, can doubtless be relied upon.
Our latest authentic advices from
Ship Island, (April 26,) inform us that
Gen. Butler was at that time busily employed preparing his forces for an advance on New Orleans.
As usual with such large expeditions, some mistakes had been made in regard to supplies, which were being rectified with all possible alacrity.
The force under
Gen. Butler was about 15,000 strong.
He was also accompanied by the mortar fleet, under command of
Commander David D. Porter, U. S. N., comprising thirty vessels and 2,000 men.
One by one are the cities of the
South being compelled to acknowledge the supremacy of the United States Government, and the capture of no locality in the rebel realm could tend so much to demoralize their army, and to show them the utter hopelessness of success, as that of the ‘"
Crescent City."’
’
News from Yorktown — reported capture of one of the Confederate batteries.
The following dispatch from
Gen. McCleljan is all the information from
Yorktown which the
Yankee journals contian:
Headquarters army of the Potomac,
Early this morning an advanced lunette of the rebels on this side of the
Warwick river, near its head, was carried by assault by Company H, First Massachusetts regiment.
The work had a ditoh six feet deep, with a strong parapet, and was manned by two companies of infantry; no artillery.
Our men moved over open, soft ground, some six hundred yards, received the fire of the rebels at fifty yards, did not return it, but rushed over the ditch and parapet in the most gallant manner.
The rebels broke and ran as soon as they saw our men intended to cross the parapet.
Our loss was three killed, and one mortally and twelve otherwise wounded.
We took 14 prisoners, destroyed the work sufficiently to render it useless, and retired.
The operation was conducted by
Gen. O. Grover, who managed the affair most handsomely.
Nothing could have been better than the conduct of all the men under fire.
The supports, who were also under artillery fire of other works, were companies of the First and Eleventh Massachusetts.
In spite of the rain, our work progresses well.
The
Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Philadelphia
Inquirer, of the 27th ult., says:
‘
It is rumored here from
Yorktown that the rebels appreciating the masterly strategical movements of
McClellan, recently executed by his generals, have offered to capitulate upon certain conditions.
It is generally believed here that the fate of
Yorktown is sealed and will be ours in a few days.
’
From Gen. Banks's Division.--reported possession of Staunton by the Yankees.
Harrisonburg, April 25.
--Last night a strong reconnoissauce was made from
New Market towards
Staunton.
On reaching
Mt Crawford, eight miles south of this town, the bridge over a branch of the south fork of the
Shenandoah river was found burnt, and the stream too deep and rapid to cross.
A bridge over another branch of the same stream was also burnt.
This was done last Tuesday evening, not by the rebels, but by the citizens, as stated by persons in the neighborhood.
It was ascertained from citizens that yesterday morning a body of mounted rebels came to the river intending to cross, but found the current too deep and strong to hazard the attempt.
They stated to citizens that our troops were in possession of
Staunton.
To-day one of our brigades passed through the town and took possession of one of the principal avenues leading from here.
Since our first entrance into the town no effort has been made by the rebel force to re-enter.
As usual, in all the houses of this valley but few males remain.
It is reported that
Jackson is in front, and rumor says he has been reinforced, but has burned the bridges over the
Shenandoah, which prevents the possibility of any night attack.
The roads, with the exception of the stone turnpake, are almost impassable.
We have a strong picket in front to-night.
Harrisonburg, April 26.--Nothing worthy of notice transpired last night.
Deserters from
Jackson's militia report him making very slow progress towards
Gordonsville, and that eight hundred militia have deserted since his escapade.
The
Shenandoah bridge has not yet been burned, but pickets are stationed there ready to apply the torch on our first approach.
Harrisonburg, April 26, P. M.--
Jackson is resting on the east side of the
Shenandoah with his whole force, about sixteen miles hence.
His scouts frequently make a dash on our pickets.
One of the latter was killed this afternoon.
The spongy nature of the soil prevents our advance at present.
The weather is clear and pleasant.
Wheeling, Va. April 27.
--The combined movements ordered by
Gen. Fremont against the guerillas in
Webster county have proved eminently successful.
Lieut. Lawson, with one detachment employed in this service, has returned, and others are returning.
In a severe running fight of seven miles,
Lawson killed seventeen guerrillas and took nineteen prisoners. The town of
Addison, a small place, the only one in the new county, being deserted, was burned.
It had been a guerilla haunt.
A formidable organization in
Braxton,
Webster, and adjoining counties, is entirely destroyed, the leaders proposing to surrender.
It is understood the guerillas taken will be promptly tried and shot.
General Milroy's scouts on the 23d instant, attacked the rear guard of the enemy ten miles east of the
Shenandoah Mountain, the boundary of this department.
They killed one
Lieutenant and two men, and captured a Lieutenant and one man. None of our men were hurt.
The rebel conscripts are deserting in large numbers, swearing Unionism and returning home.
Snow fell eighteen inches deep at
Monterey on the 24th Instant.
Pittsburg Landing, April 27.
Hon. E. M. Stanion,
Secretary of War:
Major-General C. F. Smith died at four P. M. on the 15th.
His remains have been sent to
St. Louis, where they will be buried with military honors.
He is a great loss to this army.
I have not directed military honors to be paid to his memory here, but wait your order.
The enemy has been strongly reinforced since the last battle.
H. W. Halleck,
Major General.
War Department, April 27, 1862.
Order directing military honors to be paid to the memory of
Major-General C. F. Smith.
This department has learned with deep regret that the gallant
Major-General C. F. Smith, whose patriotic valor and military skill was signally exhibited at the capture of
Fort Donelson, died at
Savannah, in Tennesses, at the hour 4 o'clock P. M., on the 25th of this month, and it is ordered that the customers honors be paid to his memory.
Edwin M. Stanton.
The War in the Southwest.
Chicago, April 27.
--A special from
Cairo to the
Times says:
‘
Passengers from
Pittsburg report that on Thursday over thirty deserters from the rebel army entered our camps and begged to be enrolled among our troops.
They all corroborated the statement received the day before, relating to the evacuation by the rebels of their present position, and asserted that
Beauregard had withdrawn a considerable portion of his forces for the defence of
Memphis.
The Memphis
Avalanche, of the 23d, says that on the 11th eighty Federal cavalry took possession of
Pocahontas, Ark. There are 10,000 Federal troops at
Doniphan, Mo., engaged in building flatboats on
Current river, with which to descend
Black and
White rivers.
Martial law has been declared at
Vicksburg and five miles around.
A large body of Texans are in
Memphis en routs for
Corinth.
Mr. De Bow, the solicitor for the
Confederate cotton loans, wants 20,000 bales for a specific purpose in exchange for 8 per cent. Confederate bonds.
A mutiny has broken out in
Nashville, in consequence of the late abolition message of
President Lincoln. Eleven officers resigned.
A Kentucky regiment mutinied, and had a pitched battle with two
Indiana regiments.
The Federal steamer
Montgomery burned the schooner
Columbia, loaded with cotton, inside St. Louis Pass, west of Gaiveston.
’
Cairo, April 27, 1862.
--The river is still rising, and in some places gradually making its way over the levee.
The steamer
McClellan, from Pitteburg Landing at four o'clock on Saturday last, arrived.
The rebels are inaugurating a system of guerrilla warfare along the
Tennessee river.
Boats were fired on yesterday a short distance from
Fort Henry.
Our army is steadily advancing toward
Corinth.
General Pope's division is on the extreme left, four miles above
Pittsburg Landing.
A reconnoisance in force on Thursday encountered a large force of rebel infantry and cavalry eight miles from the landing.
The rebels formed in line of battle, and after firing one volley retreated in great disorder, with considerable loss.
Fifty-nine prisoners were taken.
The roads have been improving, but the rains on Friday rendered them again impassable.
The
McClellan brought down the body of
Gen. C. F. Smith.
Generate
Buell and
Beauregard had effected arrangements for an exchange of wounded prisoners.
Passengers by the
McClellan bring further accounts of
Corinth being evacuated by the rebels, who will make their next stand at
Columbus, Essissippi.
Colonel Turchin's brigade had moved back from
Tuscumbia to
Huntsville, where
Gen. Mitchell is encamped.
From the
Cincinnati Casette, of the 22d, we find the following original and translated dispatch of
Gen. Beauregard, which was intercepted by the
Yankees:
[original.]
All present probabilities are that whenever the enemy moves on this position he will do so with an over wbelming force of not loss than
yrzole exrly lohkjnop men.
by wha ahe vkjlyi hate nghkl loritte xrmy lohkjnap yr31 wirmoj mad phia may possebly
shrakj rs n xys puejclro ngkkl xrlly balohkjnapvkmy Can we not be reinforced
xrhn dyegvitadj nive. If defeated here
cy thjy lay vrgj nap dchgnite hkl tenkjy whereas we could even afford to loss for a while
wonilyfthe nap inmeubyl for the purpose of defeating
gkytxjnive which would not only insure us the
valley of the Mississippi, but our independence.
[Translation]
All present probabilities are that whenever the enemy moves on this position he will do so with an overwhelming force of not less than eighty-five thousand men. We can now only muster about eighty-five thousand effective (men). Van-Born may possibly join us in a few days with fifteen thousand more Can we not be reinforced from
Pemberton's army?
If defeated here we lose the
Mississippi Valley, and probably our cause; whereas we could even afford to lose, for a while,
Charleston and
Savannah, for the purpose of defeating
Buell's army, which would not only insure us the
Valley of the Mississippi, but our independence.
Dismissal of an alarmist.
The Washington
Star says:
By General Orders issued from the War Department,
Adjutant General's Office, April 18. by direction of the
President, Brigad
Surgeon J. H. Thompson, United States Volunteers, is dismissed the service as an alarmist, on the recommendation of his commanding General,
Major General Burnside.
The Washington
Star, of the 26th ult., says:
‘
Major Talbot, one of the heroes of
Fort Sumter, died in
Washington city on Wednesday night, aged about 38 years. His funeral took place yesterday.
After the fall of
Sumter,
Talbot, who was then a
First Lieutenant of the regular army, was promoted to a Major.
Talbot's health was seriously injured while on duty at
Fort Sumter, and he never afterwards recovered.
’
A telegraphic dispatch from
Boston, dated April 23, says:
‘
The resolution adopted by the Legislature of Maryland, and signed by
Governor Bradford, appropriating seven thousand dollars for the relief of the families of the killed and disabled members of the Massachusetts Sixth regiment, who were attacked by the mob in
Baltimore on the 19th of April, 1861, was read this afternoon in the
House of Reprensentatives, and referred to the
Committee on Federal Relations.
The resolutions caused a marked sensation, and the reading was followed by hearty applause.
’
Why the Women Sympathinze with rebellion.
A correspondent of the Baltimore
American thus attempts to explain why the ladies are so universally sympathizers with the
South in the holy cause of independence for which they are battling:
‘
It is an undeniable fact that in this community, where a large majority of the men are Union in their sentiments, the sentiments of at least four-fifths of the gentler sex are on the other side.
It is also a noticeable circumstance that in all those localities where the followers of secession are but few, you will find that for every male convert who embraces its tenets, at least half a dozen fair devotees are kneeling in humble devotion at its shrine.
This state of things has very naturally attracted considerable attention, and has been the subject of much comment, while its origin has furnished matter for speculation both to the public prints and in private circles.
So far however, no satisfactory explanation of this remarkable propensity which the ladies exhibit for rebellion has yet been affored.
Many ascribe it to a patriotic effection for that section of country to which they owe a birthplace and a home, but, unfortunately for this theory, we know how kindly many ladies but comparatively recent arrived from the
North take to the doctrines of succession and Southern rights, while very few of the ‘"Southern exetics transported to a colder clime"’ can be convinced that ‘"the Federal Union must and shall be preserved at all hazards."’ Human nature being the same everywhere, the rule ought to work both ways.
Others think it is owing to a natural sympathy with the cause in which their friends and relatives are engaged; but this explanation will not do, for although every cousin (however distantly related he may be) who leaves for ‘"Dixie"’ carries with him to the hostile camp the sympathies of at least a dozen of his female kin, who ever heard of a father or brother restoring a fair rebel to her allegiance by enlisting under the stars and stripes?
Finally, some content themselves with saying:
‘ "Oh, the women are all secessionists because it is fashionable." ’
But as they cannot tell us
why it is fashionable, we are left quite as much in the dark as before.
It must be quite evident to the mind of every reflecting man that although the causes enumerated above may, and undoubtedly do, to a greater or less extent, exert a very powerful influence, yet there exists behind some
other impules, which so blases the mind of woman as to make her yield herself readily to their power, when exerted for, and induce her to steel her heart against their promptings when conflicting with, the cause of the so-called
Confederate States.
This impulse, the writer does not hesitate to declare, is nothing more nor less than the aristcoratic tendency of the female mind, and a hankering after nobility and titles.
That such a tendency does exist is undeniable, the cause of its existence is evident, and the effects which it produces are as natural as it is that a weighty body, when removed from the earth's surface and unsupported, should return to it in obedience to the laws of gravitation.
That such a tendency does exist is undeniable.
We need only reflect a moment in order to be convinced of this by our own personal experience and observation.
Upon what other theory can we account for that almost alavish adoration of the nobility in
Great Britain, which has induced modern satirists to call ‘"
Burks's Peerage"’ the
Englishman's Bible?
How otherwise than upon this principle can we explain the universal anxiety and eagerness displayed by the ladies all over the land to secure invitations to every ball at which the
Prince of
Wales was present during his recent visit to this country?
And, finally, when it comes the unbounded admeration that
our woman display for every titled rer who lands upon our shertion directly in conflict with the Government, of our institutions, society, which has evoked the ridicule of almost every disma and of the editors of nearly all the of the age. It is easy to deny the this feeling, but if it does not really do so many writers mention it!
It is a creation of the fancy, for it is conceive that the same idea many persons at the same time, not some truth in it.
The cause of this tendency is . The sphere of woman being domestic one, she has no other out ambition than in endeavors to obtain position in the social circle, and struggle after wealth and political in order to acquire distinction, by striving to obtain a promine the ‘"best society."’ This is why half of creation" are such blind votaries to the dictates of fashion, why in adversity they battle so ‘"keep up appearances;"’ and many woman, who have lately humble positions, so often foretell self-respect and put up with so and insults in order that they may (to them) Elysian fields of upper.
Now the social position of every under any republican form of and particularly in such a county must necessarily be precarious, to be changed at any time by a thereforeseen occurrences.
In a country other hand, where hereditary title are recognized, the aristocracy speak,
an offices, the highest class of that all who attain a position there, if for life, and transmit it unimport children's children after them.
enough, therefore, women, the height ambition it is to acquire social and envy the aristocracy, and it is greater or less degree
Having thus demonstrated the and cause of this aristocratic tend female mind, it remains for sider why its natural result is sympathies of womankind in rebellious States.
The reason of it is Southerners are
per excellence the America.
They possess in a great those pecullar traits of character, manners, virtues, and vices, which tingnished the titled aristocracy of and all ages.
The possession of these traits of character is not owing to nobility inherent in the people of the but to the domestic and social institute the section of the country which they and to the great law of nature same causes will always produce sults.
As idieness and the early of erbitrary power have moulded the of the nobility of
Europe, so these fluences have fixed an indelible upon the characters of the inhabitate Slave States of
America.
’
Naval Affairs.
The Baltimore
American's New York respondent, April 24th, says:
‘
The departure of the
Galena to Brooklyn Navy-Yard has liberated of mechanics and other employees, who have been distributed among the vessels which will now be pushed forward creased spirit.
The new sloop-of- rondack is progressing pretty well, be not appear likely to be ready for than six weeks. The injuries she the
Novelty Works have been
The frigate
Sabine, in addition pounder Parrott gun previously has received nine inch
Dahigren latter are in place of the old fashioness gun which formed part of her armazed.
The
Roanoke is still undergoing tions. Her air posts have been the cavities planked up, and the men work upon the steam post and the bed.
’
of Illustrated Newspapers Ress Monroe.
The special
Fortress Monroe (April respondent of the
Philadelphia he says:
‘
All the copies of
Harpers' Weekly sketches of our military positions at were seized yesterday by order of the
Government Supervisor of Army Intelligence large number of copies had already been so the ‘"stable door is locked horse is stolen."’ It is becoming more evident that the restrictions places the press are operating powerfully againt Government.
The press raised the
Union spirit the people, fed the flame, raised the army the money to pay it with, and is now the
Government in a thousand ways to the rebellion.
All it asks is its rights the
Constitution and the laws, protesting it will vie with Government officers is alty and honesty.
It asks no favors of one.
Colonel Sanford, the Supervisor of An Intelligence, left for
Washington He has done a good work here in the local military censorship established a short time before his arrival.
Under parole given, correspondents can send a communications North unopened.
’
The New York
Tribuns, editorially, the following statement:
‘
When, after delays which, however flable, were utterly at variance with the ular expectations which their authors has seen fit to excite, the
Grand Army of the public was at length put in motion campaign of 1862, a very large proport those who had most closely and carefully died the past management of that army in the conviction that a change in mand was desirable.
Among those who this conviction the
Secretary of War nearly or quite every member of the Com sional Joint Committee on the Conduct War, without distinction of party, were understood to be most emphatic.
Had matter been within the proper cogni Congress, each
House would have voted change by a large majority, wherein the influential and zealous opponents of the bellion, Democrats as well as Republic would have united.
But the
President of the United State
Commander-in-Chief of our armies, after hearing and considering all that urged on both sides, decided against a That decision was the end of controversy.
’
Handsome Contribution from a Ladies'
From the
Columbia (S. C.) copy the following correspondence:
‘
The young ladies engaged in the have the honor to inform Col. Che they have deposited in the
Exchange B
Columbia $2,800, subject to his order.
The sum (the proceeds of the fair) they destroy propriated to a hospital, State defences, boat, or to any other purpose which
Colonel Chesnut, in his judgment, may deem best.
’
Columbia, S. C. April 26, 1862
To the Young Ladies of the Fair Association of the Columbia:
I have the honor to acknowledge your informing me that you had placed is the Exchange Bank of
Columbia, subject to my der, twenty-three hundred dollars, the preceeds of the late fair.
Either of the several objects to which express a willingness that your handsome and patriotic donation shall be applied is portant.
As you have left to the determination of my judgment the special direction the fund, I will endeavor to dispose of such a way as will prove useful and tory.
The State has now in existence a co sion for the construction of an iron-clad gunboat.
In the hands of the chairman of the commission I will place your gift.
The spirit, patience, and fortitude of the ladies of
Columbia, as of all true
Carolina women, under the trails and deprizations war, and their deep devotion to the cause of our country, are the highest-tives to our men. They have ever our admiration, and demand our gra
We hope are long, from the deep- armament of our Harbor
Queen, to be able utter the thanks of the
State in tones more grateful to you than through any I can employ.
Profoundly sensible of the distinction of being your agent for a purpose so patrician.
I have the honor to be, with great require your humble servant,
James Chesnut, Jr.
An Upright farmer.
The Atlanta
Intelligencer relates an that is worthy of extended publicity:
‘
"A farmer brought to this city some to dispose of. A friend, seeing it was a article, offered to purchase it. The war price was asked, when the farmer was correctly informed that it ranged from cents per pound.
‘"Well,"’ said the ‘"I did not bring my bacon here to sell at such exorbitant prices; nor to speculated, and I will not take more for it than it is work, and although you are willing to give market price for it, sir, you shall not --My meat is worth to me eighteen cents per pound, and as you want it, you shall have it for that; no more, no less."’
’
Such instances of true patriotism and ness of heart as the above seem almost incredible to the inhabitants of this metropolis.
The disgusting principle fested by the desiers of this city in their abominable extortions for groceries,
dry goods, &c., have even transcended the gra ing disposition of that unenviable character in the play of the ‘"Merchant of "’ Shylock.
In the article of sugar alone, since the reception of the unfavorable news from New Orleans, the price has gone up at per cent., and that, too, when not a pound has been brought in the city, thereby to give plausibility to the increase.
Will not some steps be taken to deprive these unpatriotic anti-Southern leaches of the power of entalling upon our citizens much suffering, if not scarvation.
