Letter from Mississippi.
address of Gen. Tilghman--the evacuation of Baton Rouge — a negro regiment to Guard Confederate prisoners in Mississippi. Jackson, Miss. Aug. 18, 1862.
I had the pleasure of hearing General Tilghman and Major McCormico address a large and respectable concourse of citizens here, in response to a serenade given them by the brass band of the Maryland regiment.
General Tilghman's recital of his capture and subsequent incarceration was highly interesting.
General Buckner and himself were thrown into a dungeon thirty feet under ground, and for four months and a half were excluded from the light of day and not permitted to exchange a word with any living soul.
He urged the people of the South to bring all their means and all their of forts to bear in a vigorous prosecution of the war, and cheered them with the promise of an honorable peace before the lapse of six months. The North was sick at heart, and would yield before the invincibility of our troops and the determination of our people to reinforce the armies of the Republic to the last man. He had been assured by Judge L — that Count Mercier had remarked that if we could succeed in holding our Capital — could demonstrate our ability to drive the foe from before it — Europe would not be long in withholding a merited recognition of our independence — Both Tilghman and McCormico vowed never again to be caught within the walls of a mud trap.
They had thrown away the spade, and would take their chances hereafter in the open field.
The latter, in a speech of great power, begged the South never to relax their efforts until their liberties were won — to listen to no compromise — but fight on until the Stars and Bars waved in triumph over every inch of Confederate soil.
The Major paid a merited compliment to Col. Dimmick, of the Federal army.
In his intercourse with the latter he found him to be a gentleman and a Christian.
Should the fortune of war ever place this officer in our power — should he fall into the hands of our soldiery — he would beg them to treat him kindly — to use him as became an honorable and liberal gentleman.
The telegraph will have informed you of the evacuation of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by the enemy, but no one is informed of the object of that sudden movement.
It may be owing to the presence of a Confederate fleet below New Orleans, or to an apprehension, on the part of Butler, of a general rising of the population, unable any longer to endure the restrains of his vindictive rule.
By the evacuation of Baton Rouge, and the departure of the Federal fleet from before Vicksburg, we have secured the control of the Mississippi for two hundred miles, enabling our army supplies to pass unmolested from the Southwest General Breckinridge will assume command of this department, and give Van Dorn an opportunity to employ his talents in a more active field.
Should the former succeed in delivering New Orleans from the yoke of Butler the fruits of that deliverance would be more substantial than the most brilliant encounter in the field.
The dry weather, so hurtful to our corn, will enable the planter to gather in his crop of cotton without stain or dust, and dry it well, before storing it away for future demand.
The present crop, though small, will exceed in quality the picking of last year.
Owing to the scarcity of bagging and rope the crop after picking and drying, will be stored under shelter unpinned.
The late foreign news has had a dispiriting effect on the markets for cotton in the South.
Cotton is drooping and planters less exacting in their demands.
The people of the South, in their simplicity, take Palmerston and Queen Victoria at their word.
It is their own strong arms and sturdy hearts that must achieve their country's independence.
So be it — Those who help themselves never lack friends.
We should be ashamed of ourselves for having so long sought an acknowledgment of our independence.
C. M. W.
Jackson, Miss., Sept. 2, 1862.
We have just received, by telegraph, Gen. Lee's dispatch to President Davis, announcing a signal victory over the combined forces of McClellan and Pope.
It gives us all great joy. Some declare it will terminate the campaign in Virginia, for a season at least.
Thank God, we no longer look forward to European recognition or intervention.
We can do without those cold blooded creatures over the water.
I send you two slips cut from the columns of the Mississippian, containing items of interest.
Under the head of ‘"Seizure of Rebel Property,"’ you will be pained to know that our townsman, Louis G. Picot, has been driven from his adopted home by the tyranny of the authorities of St. Louis, and his dwelling confiscated in conformity with a provision of an act of Lincoln's Congress.
The editor of the Mississippian, commenting on this atrocious seizure, remarks that ‘"these are the men who are in the habit of styling the gallant partisans and patriots of that State cut throats and robbers.
Posterity, however, will settle the question as to who the real thieves are."’ It may be asked, Will posterity ever settle for Mr. Picot's property, Under the head of ‘"Jim Lane's Negro Regiment on Duty,"’ &c., you will read a delectable correspondence between two Yankee officials, wherein it is proposed, as affecting persons of ‘"secession proclivities,"’ to degrade them under the surveillance of negro soldiers. C. M. W.
Provost Marshal's Office, Leavenworth, August, 18, 1862
Major T. J. Weed. Acting Assistant Adjutant General: Sir
--I hereby request the privilege of placing in the camp of the 12th (colored) regiment such persons of secession proclivities as are arrested for refusing or evading obedience to the call for the militia of the city to organize and drill, the prisoners to be well guarded, and placed on such fatigue duty as may be required in and about the camp, and to be held till further orders.
Major T. J. Weed. Acting Assistant Adjutant General: Sir
Office of Recruiting Commission,
Department of Kansas, Leavenworth City August 18, 1862
Major E. A. Calkins, Provost Marshal: Sir
--In compliance with your request, contained in your note of this date, Captain J. M. Williams, commanding the 12th regiment Kansas volunteers, (colored.) has been ordered to receive, guard, and discipline such prisoners as you may send to his camp.
For your information, I enclose a copy of said orders.
Department of Kansas, Leavenworth City August 18, 1862
Major E. A. Calkins, Provost Marshal: Sir
[Extract.] V. Captain J. M. Williams, commanding the 12th regiment volunteers, (colored,) is hereby directed to receive into the camp of said regiment, and strictly guard and discipline all persons who may be delivered to him as prisoners by the order of Major E. A. Calkins, Provost Marshal of this district.
