Additional from the North.
We make some additional extracts from our New York files of the 24th inst:The Future operations of Gen. Grant's army.
A letter from Nashville says: ‘ Gen. Grant has the repairs of the Memphis and Charleston railroad in most earnest progress, especially that portion on the south side of the Tennessee river, between Tuscumbia and Decatur, around Muscle Shoals, and that between Bridgeport and Chattanooga. The latter is nearly ready, only waiting the completion of the important bridges of Whiteside and Bridgeport. Contracts for the bridges of the former (Tuscumbia and Decatur) were given out some few weeks ago, amounting to $600,000, and twelve large saw mills in Southern Illinois are engaged day and night in sawing out the materials. Bouts have lately passed up over Muscle Shoals, some of which will remain on the Upper Tennessee, to carry supplies to Chattanooga, Knoxville, and all intervening points. ’ Grant also holds the railroad triangle formed by Chattanooga, Dalton, and Cleveland, and will repair and rebuild the bridges of that important district between this and February, after which he will be in readiness to advance slowly on Atlanta, and refix the railroad as he passes onward. Then, by early spring, he will be in excellent condition to march his veteran legions into Central Georgia, and have a final settlement of all matters in dispute with the oligarchs of the accursed rebellion. The railroads and rivers in his rear will have piled up all necessary supplies, mountains high, at the great stronghold of Chattanooga; his splendid army will have been rested and filled up with new recruits, and then the battle tocain will sound along his extended lines, "Sweep forward, my brave do your duty as heretofore, and this shall be your last grand campaign." General Dodge, in command of the 2d division, still remains at Pulaski, Tennessee, with nearly 10,000 troops. This morning the train was laden with detachments from his command, going home to Illinois and Iowa on recruiting service. The Cincinnati Commercial has a special dispatch from Chattanooga which says, during the march of our troops from Chattanooga against Longstreet, at Knoxville, Granger's corps got in advance of Longstreet's ammunition train, while Howard's corps was in the rear. There being no escape for the train, forty car-loads of ammunition and two locomotives were run into the river. A portion of the force sent to Knoxville has returned to Chattanooga. The situation at Chattanooga is unchanged. The army will soon be in winter quarters.Experience of prisoners at Richmond.
Capt. N. T. Anderson, of the 51st Indiana, and Lieut. J. T. Skelton, of the 17th Iowa, who escaped from the Libby prison, have reached Baltimore. A letter says: ‘ They represent that whilst the supplies furnished by the rebel authorities were of very poor quality and very meagre, still it was the best they had to give. Apart from this the conduct of the rebel officers and guards had been generally kind, though there may have been individual cases of harsh and perhaps cruel treatment. So far, however, as their own experience goes, they feel it due to say that there has been much exaggeration. The supplies of food sent from here and from the North were most timely, and doubtless there would have been more intense suffering but for such relief. ’ The condition of our prisoners on Belle Island, these officers say, is far worse than those in Libby prison. At least 1,500 of our poor fellows there are without shelter of any kind, and most of the tents are so worn and threadbare as to afford but little protection. Thus they are exposed to the cold winds and wet sand, and must suffer intensely, apart from the scarcity of provisions.Mexico.
The latest advices from Mexico are not very favorable to the National cause: ‘ Queretaro, the capital of the State of that name, was occupied by Gen. Mejia, in the interest of the French, on the 15th of November, and Mejia, with the French General Donal, was to advance upon San Luis de Potosi, the present seat of the National Government, an important city in the State of Michoacan. Gen. Bazaine was marching upon Guanajuato, the capital of the State of which Doblado is Governor, and anticipated an easy conquest, and the city of Guadalajara was besieged by the Mexican allies of the French. It is also reported that Vidaurri, one of the ablest leaders of the Liberal party, and at present Governor of the States of Nuevo Leon and Coahuilb, has gone over to the French. Gen. Comonfort, the best and most reliable General in the Mexican service, is dead, and his loss will be severely felt. A brisk guerilla war is maintained against, the invaders; but that will never turn them aside from their purpose of conquest. Altogether, the prospect for Mexico is sad, and that for the French very good. ’The song of New England.
The "Sons of New England" held their annual celebration of the landing of the "Pilgrim Fathers" at Plymouth Rock. Gens Burnside, Sickles Dix, Senator Sale, (just convicted of taking a $3000 bribe,) Henry Ward Beecher, Mayor Opdyke, and others, were present. The New York News has an account of the proceedings, from which we extract the following: ‘ Once a year at least the "Sons of New England" take a firm hold of their lower garments, and exalt themselves amazingly. It is a curious custom, peculiar to that people, and accounts satisfactorily for the remarkable failure of their trowsers to reach the tops of their socks, as is always seen in the prints representing this strange race of men. --This year, in this city, it was thought by some that this queer habit of theirs would be indulged in in some of the popular up town hotels, (with closed doors, of course,) but such was not the case. The highly interesting exhibition took place last evening, in a room in the Astor House, which, prior to the erection of the great hotels further up town, was a favorite place for annuals. The room was not specially decorated, and while they were indulging their idiosyncrasy, there were of course no ladies present. In fact, no male person was admitted unless he had a card, which was considered a guarantee either that he could perform the feat himself or applaud its performance by others. ’ Mr. Henry A. Hurlbut, who presided, arose after the feast and commenced the ceremony, in which he returned his "most warmest" thanks for the honor conferred on him in electing him to the presidency of the society. Continuing at some length, Mr. Hurlbut referred to some of the distinguished sons of New England, and actually referred to the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. In reply to "the day we celebrate," Rev. Mr. Hitchcock said: ‘ The Puritan element in our American character cannot be ignored. The noblest distinction of our forefathers was not in their political success, but in their probity and fear of God. The Puritan prayed with his knee on the neck of tyrants, but not so intent on choking the tyrants as to intermit prayer. The Puritan must fight his way on to universal liberty. It was an easy thing to criticise the old Puritans.--God Almighty never launched a hero into history but that there could be always found some poor critic to carp at him. We should not get too near to heroes. (The speaker here slapped Gen Burnside on the shoulder, as much as to say, "I have made a big point."] The speaker had been in college, and there was a man ahead of him there.--Beecher was ahead of him there. We had fallen upon grave times. Our fathers found this continent a wilderness. The speaker continued in a rambling manner, now referring to the landing of the Pilgrims, now to his experiences in college, and now jumping like a lively intellectual squired into the war, out of the war, and travelling all around the war. He referred to the cloud no larger than a man's hand — a speck — and then the storm — and said that the Providence of God had smitten us "right square" in the face. ’ "The Old Flag"--(Allusion to its waving again o'er every State.) Major-General Dix responded to this sentiment. All nations had their symbols in some form or another; by some a flag, an insult to which was always resented by war abroad, or by treason at home. The speaker proceeded to review the events which have transpired since the beginning of the war. He believed the time not far distant when the old order of things must be re-established. The terms of that reconstruction must not be made with the men who began the war. With them we cannot even negotiate for peace. When their forces are dispersed it will be time to talk of them; not with the leaders, but with the people. James T. Brady arose and tried his hand at the Yankee rite, and it was thought he succeeded as well as the native. He had been much disappointed in the proceedings of the night. He meant the absence of the affinity between New England and Ireland. He was sorry that he was not authorized to respond for the sisterly society of saints. He was sorry because he thought those before him were worthy of receiving instructions from saints. He said Ireland has great affinity for New England.--New Englanders were Irishmen. They had proved that fact by planting a Mayflower on a rock in December. He was sorry for Beecher. He knew that he was very sensitive, and he felt that Mr. Beecher would feel much aggrieved if he (the speaker) were to announce that Mr. Beecher would address the audience. Mr. Brady spoke at some length, and, as usual, paid his after dinner compliments to the ladies, and was repeatedly laughed at for his remarks relative to the gentle sex. And now one word for poor, old Ireland, said Mr. Brady; one word for myself; one word for the rebellion, or rather against the rebellion. Allusion was then made to England. He thanked his God that he could do justice to his ancestry by standing up for the young giant of the West--the United States. The speech, it will perhaps be observed, was somewhat mixed; but it must be remembered that it was late when it was delivered. It was a suggestive scene, and very impressive with at. Yankee Doodle held high carnival. Puritanism was on the rampage. Its trowsers went higher than ever. No sad thought of war and the sufferings of soldiers who sleep with no covering but the stars and no pillow but the turf, was permitted to interfere with the performances. It was the New England dinner and New England must make merry, despite the war and its horrors. And so the Puritans kept as their revelry and their gleam till the morning stars peered from the sky, and while the soldier sentinel paced up and down by the Park Barracks wondering, perhaps, if there was even one in the queer assemblage at the Astor who thought of him at the post of duty while they drank and rioted.The Nigger and the Tanker.
Robert Small, the negro who ran off the steamer Planter from Charleston harbor two years ago, has been put in command of her under circumstances illustrative of the bravery of the Yankee nation: Office of Carry Quartermaster, Port Royal, S. C., Nov. 26, 1863.
Capt. A. T. Dunton, Chief Assistant Quartermaster, Folly and Morris Islands:
Sir
--You will please place Robert Small in charge of the United States transport Planter as captain.
He brought her out of Charleston harbor more than a year ago, running under the guns of Sumter, Moultrie, and the other, defences of that stronghold.
He is an excellent pilot, of undoubted bravery, and in every respect worthy of the position.
This is due him as a proper recognition of his heroism and services.
The present captain is a coward, though a white man. Dismiss him, therefore, and give the steamer to this brave, blank Saxon. Capt. A. T. Dunton, Chief Assistant Quartermaster, Folly and Morris Islands:
Sir
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. J. Elwall,
Chief Quartermaster's Department South.
The above order was immediately approved by Gen. Gillmore.
J. J. Elwall,
Chief Quartermaster's Department South.
The above order was immediately approved by Gen. Gillmore.
