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August 29, 1862, The New York Herald

OUR SPECIAL ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON, D.C, August 27, 1862.

I have just returned from the Union advanced lines on the Rappahannock, at two points. I visited a point near the railroad bridge on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, about nine miles from Warrenton Junction and eleven miles south of Warrenton. All was quiet in that direction, the rebels seemingly indisposed to attempt to make an impression upon our force there, where we have been strengthened. While at this point, about half-past eight o’clock yesterday morning, heavy artillery firing was heard in the direction of the White Sulphur Springs, about five miles from Warrenton. This firing continued for some hours. I immediately hastened to ascertain the cause of the firing on what was evidently Sigel’s point. I learned from undoubted authority that the affair was unimportant. The object was to […..] the enemy’s strength and position.

Not a doubt is entertained but that Sigel can maintain his position on the right, as large numbers of troops are being sent to reinforce him in his position, in case of his being attacked by an overwhelming force of the enemy and threatened with a flank movement. In the latter attempt the enemy would be outwitted, as they were in the attack on his right previously, where, by a judicious and well executed military movement, he threw his left on his right, allowing Banks and Reno to take his old left. By that movement his right has been extended somewhat.

On the 25th a number of the rebel regular cavalry, and not guerillas, who were concerned in the raid on the railroad and Pope’s train, at Catlett’s station, were captured by a body of our cavalry scouts belonging to the First new Jersey regiment. The results of this bold dash of Stuart’s men amply paid them for the rashness of the attempt. They secured on the occasion an extra prime lot of government horses, which had been been selected with care from the government corrals for the use of staff officers. They also secured other horses. Besides this they secured the personal effects of General Pope and staff, some money, and, worse than all, the instructions, maps and topographical charts; in fact, the plan of the campaign. Will not this necessitate a change in important particulars in the original design; unless we are immediately sufficiently strengthened to carry out any proposed plan?

As this matter has brought home so forcibly to the very doors of the Commanding General the enormity of guerilla aggressions, it is to be devoutly hoped that he will act in his usual and decided style with these semi-savages. An example should be instantly made of these desperadoes and all who may hereafter succeed them. Either this, or the law of retaliation by our own cavalry eye for eye, tooth for tooth, must be administered to these bold and desperate rebel brigade, if we would end their career.

Your correspondent did not suppose that his account of the raid of Stuart’s men on Friday, together with his strictures on it, would be still so fresh in the minds of your readers when he would be called on to record a repetition of the same style of warfare by the rebels. But, alas!, it is too true, Stuart has been again allowed to come within our lines and within sight and almost hearing of superior forces, throw our railroad train into confusion, cause a skedaddle on the part of the employees and the collision of trains, and a temporary suspension of railroad communication — at a time, too, when everything depends upon celerity of movement.

Your correspondent left Warrenton at two o’clock P.M., on the 26th. We were detained until dusk at Manassas Junction station on account of numerous trains passing up with supplies. When we passed Bristow’s station everything was quiet, and no one dreamed of the appearance of even a ghost of a guerilla. The alarm was given about eight o’clock, and immediately a panic ensued, and the consequent colliding of an up and down train. Cannot an end by put to guerilla cavalry incursions into our own lines? Though the loss ensuing by this last raid to the government is small, the moral effect upon the troops and our cause everywhere is tremendous. For God’s sake let our arrangements in the future be sufficient to secure immunity from rebel incursions far within our lines. Your correspondent was not on the train which collided, having proceeded in another train to Alexandria.

The rebels have now in their chief commands the following able officers: — Lee, Smith, Jackson, Ewell and Longstreet. Thus far their main efforts have been directed to turn our right with a large force. General Sigel has thus far proven a match for their united powers. Our right still commands the Rappahannock, preventing effectually its passage by the enemy. Sigel’s “Jackass Artillery” has made its marks upon the rebels, and bids fair to become as famous in history as its chief is renowned in the battles of his country.

Our forces in certain positions have pickets and videttes thrown across the Rappahannock. They are generally placed in positions where the least movement of the enemy is reported to our main body. Our generals are busily engaged in arranging forces preparatory to a grand denouement, to come off speedily. Sigel holds the post of honor among the Union commanders, the brunt of the rebel shock being against him. It is certain that this officer will continue to hold the enemy where he is, while demonstrations are being made by an increased and constantly increasing force in another direction by the federal commanders.

The junction between McClellan’s and Pope’s armies is now rapidly being accomplished. Already a portion of the veterans of the Army of the Potomac have united their destinies with the equally brave Army of Virginia.

The rebels have left no opportunity unimproved to waste their gunpowder and shot and shell. A day or two ago they fired nearly a hundred times at an ammunition train, which they discovered as it toiled its way along. Fortunately, though the shells fell all around it, they did not explode at any point to do damage.

Our combined army is now in a matchless fighting condition — healthy, and well conditioned in all respects. Most of the regiments facing the enemy are well tried and veteran and only pant for a struggle for supremacy over the rebels. The rebels will pit against them their choicest men. The impending engagement will therefore be decisive in its character.

Five civilians were yesterday morning arrested and place in durance vile, on suspicion of spying into our movements and strength, and indicating our weak spots to the rebels.

August 29, 1862, The New York Herald

The abolition press and the orators of the radical revolutionary faction are continually embarrassing the President and the operations of the war, not only be their absurd theories of negro , fraternity, equality, but by urging their practical adoption on the government. One portion of the faction contends that the emancipation of all the negroes of the South is essential to the success of the war, and would be, besides, a righteous act of the President to down-trodden humanity, though the President himself declares that the salvation of the Union is paramount to the emancipation of any number of negroes. At the same time this wing of the faction, which is by far the most numerous, insists that the liberated negroes shall be sent out of the country without waiting to inquire whether they are willing to go, or determining the question, in the event of their refusal, whether banishment from their native land would not be a greater crime against humanity than permitting them to remain as they are, even in slavery. The other wing of the radicals goes the whole figure for emancipation and social and political equality, and contends that the negroes have a right to remain to amalgamate with the white race.

Now we hold that the best thing to do with the negroes is to let them alone. The best thing to do with the leaders of the abolitionist who have disastrously meddled with this war is to squelch them, and then there will be a bright prospect of the struggle soon being brought to a successful termination. We are not opposed to the colonization of the negroes; but it does not practically amount to anything. The blacks have a right to emigrate to Liberia or Central America, or anywhere else they please, just as the Irish in America have a right to return to Ireland or the Germans to fatherland; but to force them to emigrate is impracticable and absurd. That they would not leave in any considerable numbers is too well known to admit of question. But if it were practicable it would be neither for our interest nor theirs to drive them from the country. We need their labor; but it is better for all concerned that they should be held in the mild servitude of the Southern States. The two races could not exist together in freedom. It has been said they do exist in freedom together in Russia, in France and in England. How many negroes would a tourist see in his travels through England, France and Russia? Not one hundred. In some of the Southern States the blacks are more numerous than the whites. Could both races exist together in freedom there? Moreover our institutions are very different from those of England, France, and Russia. Under a monarchy negroes might exist in freedom side by side with white men, but not in a republic where every man has a voice in the making of the laws. Republics are founded upon intelligence. The black man has not sufficient intelligence for self-government and democratic institutions. Political equality would lead to amalgamation, as in Central America and the South American republics, and the result would be the deterioration of the white race, or it would lead to the destruction of the blacks. Political equality would beget a claim of social equality, of intellectual and physical equality, and lastly of amalgamation. The antipathy to this on the part of the superior race would result in a war of races and the extermination of the blacks. The negroes, in their native Africa, have never made any progress in arts, or sciences, or letters, or philosophy, or religion, or government, since the dawn of history. The head of the negro, as sculptured on the monuments of Egypt thirty-four centuries ago, is the same as it is found at this day on the shoulders of the living race in America. The figures on the Egyptian tombs show that they were slaves more than three thousand years ago; and slaves and barbarians they still remain. They alone, of all other races, have made no progress by the light of Europe and America. Time has effected no change, even by the transfer of the race to the New World. In ten generations here it has not made the slightest approximation either towards the aboriginal population or to any other race. Better food and contact with the white men have slightly improved both body and mind; but two generations of domestic culture effect all the improvement of which negro organism is susceptible. Many negro families descended from the second generation are here, but they are perfectly identical in physical and intellectual character with those of the eighth or tenth generation, where there has been no admixture of white blood.

We have no objection to the emancipation of all the negroes in the land; but let it be done by the people of the States themselves. The federal government has not the power. It must be admitted, however, that the negroes are practically as little enslaved at the South as at the North, while they are far more happy and contented with their lot there than here, and have a lien upon the land for their support in sickness and old age, which is more than can be said of the white laborer of the North. The negro population are a vast benefit to the Southern States, and to the whole country, under the patriarchal institution. To colonize them would be to remove so much productive labor from the country without a chance to replace it, and to saddle the nation with a vast interest-paying debt, incurred by the just payment of compensation to the owners of the slaves; while, instead of the condition of the negroes being bettered, they would soon fall back to their original barbarism, as they are doing in Hayti and Jamaica. But slavery is asserted to be the cause of the war, and therefore it must be abolished. Slavery is not the cause of the war, for it has existed in the country for ten generations. Why did it not produce war during that long period? It is not negro slavery, therefore, but the attempt of the abolitionists to meddle with it, that has caused the civil conflict that is now desolating the land. For the last thirty years they have agitated the country, and their agitation has culminated in a terrible civil convulsion. The abolitionists have caused the war, and they are now interfering with its success, by intensifying the rebellion, on the one hand, by their attitude against slavery; while, on the other hand, they represent the war as hopeless, and thus discourage enlistments and damp the ardor of the nation. It is the duty of the government to arrest their revolutionary career before it is too late.

August 29, 1862, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston)

Glenblythe, near Brenham,
August 25^th, 1862.
Editor Telegraph—Sir: I was induced, by his letter published in the Telegraph, to open a correspondence with Mr. Z. L. Nevill, of La Grange, on the subject of sending horses and a supply of clothing to the Rangers.
Mr. N. has since then spent a night with me, and the matter was pretty fully talked over.
He fully endorses all the accounts we have had of the great value of the services rendered by the Rangers, and the incessant toil and hardships they have under gone. If the army found quiet and rest in front of the enemy, it was because the Rangers were on duty as scouts; often for days and nights together, without once unsaddling. When literally worn out by incessant toil, they and their horses, they were ordered to the rear to recruit, they had scarcely began to enjoy their rest before they were again ordered to the front, to relieve the army from the anxieties and unrest of false alarm. Again and again have they been complimented by the officers in command of the army, with the remark that, “with the Rangers on scouting duty, the army felt at east.”
The result of all this has been that the horses are so worn down as to be scarcely fit for duty; and, from one cause and another, some 80 men are without horses. The men themselves have either worn out or lost, or left behind in their rapid movements, the bulk of even the light clothes they had for summer wear; and now that winter is at hand, they must be well clothed, and have good, stout shoes or boots. They are now in a cold country, unaccustomed as they are to such a climate. If not well provided for, and that right soon, the army will be deprived of the services of this most valuable corps, or our brave boys suffer beyond conception.
Mr. Nevill returns to the regiment, and hopes to be able to induce the people of Texas to send horses enough to mount, at least, those now afoot; and which horses he proposes to take charge of, and has aid enough of servants he will carry on, and of recruits to the regiments to enable him to do so. Read more

by John Beauchamp Jones

AUGUST 28TH.—Pope’s coat was captured, and all his papers. The braggart is near his end.

August 28, 1862, Natchez Daily Courier

Colonel Johnson, of General Price’s staff, has issued the following call:

To the People of Mississippi.

Quitman, Miss., Aug. 6. I am in your midst for the purpose of procuring shoes and yarn socks for General Price’s army. Some of his veterans—men who have been in six or eight pitched battles and twenty skirmishes—are to-day destitute of these two articles, necessary even in camp, but indispensable when the army takes the field. … Gen. Price desires that the patriotic men of this State should furnish the shoes, and her glorious women the yarn socks. If possible, he would like every white woman in the State to knit at least one pair of socks for his army. While I make this appeal, I think it is proper to add, that I do ask a donation but am prepared to pay a liberal price for both shoes and yarn socks. I shall be pleased to contract with tanners and shoe manufacturers for shoes now on hand, or to be made hereafter; and will be obliged to any person who will let me know where I can make contacts.

For socks, all yarn, white or colored, of good size and length in the leg and foot, I will pay seventy-five cents per pair. They may be sent to me or to Dr. France at this place, where they will be paid for, or may be left with the station agent of the nearest depot of any of the three railroads now in our possession, and sometime soon I will call or send an agent to get them and pay for them.

Thomas C. Johnson.

Aide to Gen. Price.

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

Colonel THWEATT, Comptroller General, reports that one hundred and fourteen counties of Georgia return this year 3,500,000 acres planted in corn; 1,200,000 in other grain; and 224,000 acres planted in cotton. The Comptroller supposes that the actual amount of land in corn the present time is from four to five millions acres, and the product from fifty to sixty millions of bushels. In 1849 the corn crop of Georgia was thirty millions of bushels. The amount of land in cotton is estimated at 260,000 acres, and the product will probably be about sixty thousand bales. Ordinarily it is about seven hundred thousand.

August 28, 1862, Nashville Dispatch (Tennessee)

Nashville whisky appears to have a very bad effect upon the soldiers in our midst; almost every day more or less fighting or quarreling takes place among them, and yesterday in addition to the unfortunate affair mentioned in another paragraph, a serious affray too, place on Summer street, during which one of the parties nearly lost a finger, and the other received some severe bruises. On College street a drunken soldier was arrested by Deputy Marshals Tucker and Steele, and in their endeavors to get him to safe quarters, Tucker lost his coat and vest, and Steele was severely handled. After getting him into a hack, an army officer ordered his arrest by the Provost Guard.

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

It is sincerely to be hoped that the Government and People of the Confederate States have reached two important conclusions touching the situation and prospects of the South. One is, that the United States Government is in a fair way to put in the field by the middle of November, for the invasion of the South, three hundred thousand fresh troops, assisted by fleets of iron-clad gunboats, in addition to their present forces — said to be four hundred thousand. The other is, that little expectation exists of foreign intervention to raise the blockade of our ports and give us even the moral support of a recognition of our independence. As things stand, therefore, it is reasonable to expect that gigantic efforts will be put forth by our enemies during the coming winter to effect our reduction, and that, in resisting these efforts, the Confederate States will derive little assistance, direct or indirect, from any foreign powers, and must rely upon the sagacity of our authorities and the conduct of our people, to bear us through the storm of war.

But our circumstances may be altered. We have two large armies now in the field, and two months and a half in which they may operate. Much may be done in that time. With activity on the part of our Generals, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri may be redeemed, and Philadelphia and Cincinnati may compensate us for the loss of New Orleans, Norfolk, Pensacola, Key West, Fort Pulaski, Fort Morgan, &c. The whole face of our situation and prospects may be changed. We say may, because it is not certain, even with our valiant troops and able commanders.

The United States has large forces of thoroughly drilled troops, and Generals of skill and energy to wield them. It, therefore, becomes us not to throw upon these, our brave armies, more than they can do, or to leave them inadequately supported in case they succeed, or to have the South in a condition of feeble preparation in case they fail during the fall campaign.

From the tone of the President’s Message, we judge he is confident that before winter our Read more

August 28, 1862, Daily Times (Leavenworth, Kansas)

Mr. Mitchell has commenced assessments upon sympathizers within his district for the support of Union refugees. We extract from general orders No. 1:
“In accordance with permission this day obtained from Head Quarters Army of the Miss., it is hereby ordered:
I. That all persons at this post, or in this vicinity, engaged in, or sympathizing with the present rebellion, will be immediately taxed to an amount sufficient to support the refugees from Mississippi or Alabama at this post, who may have been driven from their homes on account of their adherence to the Union.
Said tax will be in proportion to the amount of real and personal property of the persons levied upon; and in case of refusal to pay any part of such tax when levied, the property of the person so refusing shall be seized to an amount not less than one third more of the tax assessed, which property shall be applied for the payment of such tax.
II. The money raised by such tax shall be expended for the benefit of all refugees from Mississippi and Alabama arriving at this post, who may have been driven from their homes by secessionists—excepting those of such refugees as are able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 45.
By order of
Brig. Gen. R. B. Mitchell, Com. Div.
Jno. Pratt, Lt. & A. A. A. G.

August 28, 1862, Daily Times (Leavenworth, Kansas)

The military band on the Majors played several delightful airs while the boat lay at the landing yesterday.
We learn that the regimental band of the First has arrived from Tennessee, having been mustered out of the service in obedience to recent orders from the War Department.

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

RICHMOND, August 27. — Major General STUART, with a force of cavalry, on Friday last surprised and routed about 5,000 Yankees near Catlett’s Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. His command destroyed an immense amount of stores and captured 367 prisoners, including a colonel, three captains, and fifteen other commissioned officers; also Gen. POPE’S two horses, saddle, uniform coat, and servant. They also took $60,000 in specie and Treasury notes, and an official letter of the highest importance from General POPE. The command returned the next day with the loss of only two killed and five wounded. The enemy is in full retreat towards Alexandria.

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

We have been requested to call the attention of certain of our authorities to the fact that apprehension exists in the community concerning the security of instruments to be used for our defence. It is thought that greater precautions should be used to prevent mischance. The amplest possible provision and care will not be misapplied or thrown away.

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

We have been favored with the following extract from a private letter, dated ‘White Bridge, near Georgetown, South Carolina, August 26:’

‘You may remember that about ten days since some of my mother’s negros were enticed aboard, and carried off by a Yankee gunboat — the same boat that had an exchange of shots with our mounted riflemen near Mrs. SPARKMAN’S plantation on Black river. Well, two of those negros got back here yesterday, having already discovered that they could make nothing by operation. They say — and their personal appearance confirm the tale — they have been worked hard, and had hardly any thing to eat — eight quarts of rice a day for twelve men — protest they’s cured of running away in that direction. They also say that in the fight at MRS. SPARKMAN’S a number of the Yanks were killed and wounded, and that the killed were thrown overboard. This is about the substance of their talk. Of course there are other circumstances detailed by them, which might be credited rather their imaginations than to their memories, as SHERIDAN said; yet, on the whole, it is thought in these parts that the above two refugees, having had such satisfactory experiences of Mayflower people, will finish their course by becoming shining examples of the class-leader — in plantation dispensation at least.’

August 28, 1862, The New York Herald

The rebels made a desperate attack on Rappahannock Station on Saturday, which rendered it evident that it would have to be abandoned by our troops. Accordingly, without the loss of a single life, the bridge across the river was destroyed by General Pope’s army, the houses in the vicinity were burned, and all our stores and ammunition removed. There are now no rebels on this side of the Rappahannock, and they were reported at last accounts falling back towards Culpepper. The capture of a large number of rebels by General Sigel is confirmed by despatches from Alexandria.

Absurd rumors to the effect that General Sigel had shot General McDowell were current here yesterday, but there is no confirmation of the story.

Commander Davis telegraphs to the Secretary of the Navy, from Helena, Arkansas, that a naval and military expedition down the river succeeded in capturing a rebel steamer, loaded with Enfield rifles and ammunition; burned a railroad depot and telegraph station, thus cutting off all communication between Vicksburg and Little Rock, and then, entering the Yazoo river, destroyed a rebel battery and broke up several camps of the enemy.

A train of cars on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, when three miles beyond Cortland, was attacked a few days ago by guerillas, numbering four hundred, who destroyed the train, which was in charge of a detachment of the Forty-second Illinois regiment. Eight rebels were killed. Our loss was two wounded and two missing.

Secretary Seward arrived in this city yesterday, and it is said that he has freely expressed the opinion that the national capital is perfectly safe from any assault by the enemy, and the army is in fine condition, and quite equal to any emergency that may arise.

The war meeting held in the Park yesterday, and the other gatherings at different points throughout the North for some days past, furnish the most potent evidence of the feeling Read more

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

We get from the Cincinnati Commercial the following important despatch, dated ‘Indianapolis, August 17:’

Reliable and trustworthy intelligence has reached here, showing that the long threatened invasion of Kentucky has commenced. The rebels have entered the State at several points. Somerset is captured and in their possession. They are moving on Glasgow and threaten Bowling Green.

Kirby Smith, with about 15,000 men, 24 pieces of artillery, and an adequate force of cavalry, is moving from East Tennessee, to cut off the supplies of our men at Cumberland Gap, and compel its evacuation; and advance forces of his command have already taken possession of Somerset and Monticello. The former point threatens our communications seriously. Gen. Morgan has retired with part of his force to Barboursville to hold the place, and asks for reinforcements. Morgan is still in the vicinity of Gallatin, and had driven off the hands at work on the tunnel and broken the hand cars. Forrest and Stearnes are expected to join him.

It is feared that they will cut off General Morgan’s train for Cumberland Gap, and gain his rear. They are also said to have a force of 2,500 in Scott county, Tennessee. Two hundred rebel cavalry are at Monticello, and are supposed to be the advance guard of the enemy. The crisis is truly alarming, and Gov. Morton is putting forth all of his energies to meet it.

Two regiments have been sent today, and at least seven are expected to leave tomorrow. They will go amply prepared in all but discipline for any conflict.

In the absence of experienced officers to take permanent command of the regiments, Governor Morton has hit upon the happy expedient of putting them temporarily, for this Read more

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

The reports from the Rappahannock lines continue vague and scant. The Richmond Dispatch of Tuesday contains the following:

On Saturday a heavy artillery duel took place at the junction of Hedgeman and Aestham rivers, between nineteen guns of the Washington Artillery, Col. Walton commanding, and about forty guns of the enemy. In this engagement we lost twenty-four men killed and wounded of the above named corps. Among the killed we have learned the names of Lieut. J.W. Brewer, and privates Taylor Marshall, Walter Chambers, and H. Ross. Four artillery drivers were also killed. The enemy were driven across the Rappahannock at Berkeley’s Ford, and were in full retreat in the direction of Alexandria.

As our troops approached the railroad bridge over the Rappahannock, the enemy commenced shelling it with great fury, and finally succeeded in burning the structure. While the fight at Berkeley’s Ford was in progress, and after it had terminated, heavy firing was heard on the left, or in the direction of Warrenton, supposed to proceed from some portion of our forces that had crossed higher up the stream.

Passengers who arrived by the Central train last evening, state that it was currently reported at Gordonsville yesterday morning that our forces had entered the town of Warrenton without firing a gun, and large quantities of commissary and other stores fell into their hands, which the hasty evacuation of the enemy had compelled them to desert. It was further stated that our cavalry had burned a bridge over Cedar Run, on the Orange and Alexandria Road, between Warrenton Junction and the Prince William line, cutting off the retreat of the enemy in the direction of Manassas, and that a large body of our infantry and artillery had moved down from Warrenton and taken position between the enemy and the point at which this bridge was destroyed. This statement, though not improbable, is not scarcely worthy to be considered as positively correct.

We saw a letter, yesterday afternoon, from a member of Capt. Parker’s artillery, dated ‘Camp on Rappahannock River, Aug. 24,’ which stated that an order had been received from Gen Jackson at Warrenton, to hurry up the remainder of the army, and not to delay to prepare provisions, as enough had been captured at that point to feed the whole force for some time.

In the pursuit of the fleeing foe our forces captured several hundred prisoners, who were expected to reach Gordonsville in the afternoon of yesterday, and will perhaps arrive in this city this morning.

August 28, 1862, Natchez Daily Courier

Col. N. A. Thompson sold at auction yesterday forenoon, at Lombard’s North wharf, East Boston, the lot of church, plantation, school, factory, and other bells which had been presented to the rebel government to be cast into cannon, but which were captured at New Orleans and confiscated. The sale was numerously attended. There were 418 bells in all. … One, very elaborately ornamented, was from the First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, Louisiana. Col. Thompson, before beginning the sale, read a note from a Mr. DePeyster, of Dutchess county, New York, who desired the privilege of purchasing a bell which he gave several years ago to the Episcopal church at Nacogdoches, Texas. … —Boston Courier, July 31.

August 29, 1862, Daily Times (Leavenworth, Kansas)

Fort Scott, Aug. 25, 1862.

Nothing of importance has transpired since my last, without it is the quick trip of Gen. Blunt’s command through Missouri, the particulars of which you will undoubtedly receive ere this reaches you. The expedition is once more quietly encamped in and about this place, with the exception of a portion of the Kansas Second, under Col. Cloud, who is still pursuing the rebels in Missouri. The last accounts received from him were to the effect that he was in close proximity to a large body of guerrillas, and it is thought he has had a right ere this.
The rumors constantly coming in from all parts make it impossible for one to even conjecture what the state of affairs is; therefore, I will not trouble you with my views on the subject. The troops now here are to be reorganized and brigaded. The order to that effect, I understand, will shortly be issued. No movement will be made until that is done, unless some unlooked for emergency requires them to again take the field in a hurry.
Enlistments are gong forward in this section very rapidly. Bourbon county will soon have her quota ready, besides a extra number in the new artillery company now forming here under Major Blair. The artillery would have received a larger number of recruits from this county than it has, had it not been for the course adopted by some of the officers recruiting for it. They went through the county telling the people that unless they enlisted they would be drafted, and that they (the officers) had the papers in their pockets to take them along. The consequence has been that a large number of men have gone over to the neutral lands in order to avoid of being drafted, while others again have absolutely refused to enlist because of the attempt to drive them into it. I do not think Major Blair is to blame in the matter. I have every reason to believe that he would not give any man the authority to make threats or use any unfair means to obtain recruits. It has been done by men who wanted to secure a commission in the company and thought by procuring a large number of recruits they would obtain the courted destinction of wearing shoulder Read more

August 28, 1862, Daily Times (Leavenworth, Kansas)

The camp of the 12^th (contraband) regiment continues to increase. Capt. Earle “enlisted” seventeen within a day or two.—Jackson and Platte counties must be pretty well cleaned out by this time. We understand there was some difficulty on the Majors, at Independence, in regard to bringing up fugitives, the precise nature of which we did not learn.

August 28, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

MOBILE, August 27. — The Advertiser has the following despatch, dated Tupelo, August 26:

Memphis papers of the 23d publish an intercepted letter from Gen. HINDMAN to Gen. PRICE, in which the former states that he has 30,000 men, consisting of Arkansians, Texans and Mississippians, but only 3,000 stand of arms. Yankee despatches report a battle to have been fought at Clarendon, on White River, in Eastern Arkansas, between six regiments of Yankee infantry and eight regiments of Confederate cavalry, under Gen HINDMAN, They announce a heavy loss on both sides, and claim to have gained a victory. It is stated that two regiments have been enlisted in Chicago, and that three regiments per day pass through Philadelphia from the eastward. The St. Louis Democrat contains intelligence confirming the defeat of the Lincolnite State militia of Missouri by QUANTRELL, the partizan leader. It is admitted that the militia lost two pieces of artillery and 200 men in the fight. The battle took place at Lone Jack, in Jackson county, on the Kansas border; and not far from the Missouri River. The correspondent of the Chicago Times estimates BUELL’S command at 35,000.

JACKSON, MISS., August 27. — Gen. TILGEMAN was serenaded tonight. In the course of his response he denounced GOV. MAGOFFIN as a childish traitor to the South, and alluded to his imprisonment and defence of FORT HENRY.

The Yankees liberated and carried off with them three hundred convicts from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Baton Rouge.

Two gunboats are now anchored above the mouth of the Yazoo River.

by John Beauchamp Jones

AUGUST 27TH.—Huzza for Gen. Stuart! He has made another circumvention of the enemy, getting completely in Pope’s rear, and destroying many millions worth of stores, etc.

August 27, 1862, Southern Confederacy (Atlanta, Georgia)

Morristown, Tenn., Aug. 23, 1862.
Dear Confederacy:
A jaunt upon a railroad is sometimes a delightful thing, especially when one is going home—the thoughts of the dear ones there, the friends we meet, and the clustering together of the many associations that makes home delightful. These, together with many other pleasing recollections connected with Atlanta, came over me as I bobbed up and down on the cars between here and the Gate City. What would Atlanta look like? . . .
I strolled up the streets, and there was the same hurly burly confusion of business-men as heretofore. Everybody wanted money—everybody made money. The Jew and the Gentile were found whispering together for a bargain. The milliner declared that “this cannot be bought elsewhere for less than such a price.” The auctioneer from the stand was astonished as usual that his crowd would not bid more for this article, as the stores would charge double what they were bidding. Brokers had gold and bills scattered profusely upon their counters, ready to give you as clean a shave as any one of the many barbers that line the principal streets. The poor seamstresses, pale with excessive application, bending over their work to a late hour, passed by me in great numbers. No doubt they often think of the promises made to take care of them while father, husband or son went to the war. Even the industrious newsboy would harass you as usual with his cry of “Here’s your Confederacy!” or “Here’s your Intelligencer!”
The provost guard could say “halt!” and examine your passport with the air of a general, Read more

August 27, 1862, The New York Herald

WASHINGTON, August 24, 1862.

I purpose giving you a synopsis of my experience for the last week in the Army of Virginia. I got to Culpepper Sunday evening, the 17th inst., and on Monday morning, ascertaining that General Pope’s headquarters were six miles distant, near the battle field of Slaughter Mountain I rode over there.

On my return I found Culpepper in a state of commotion. Frightful rumors were flying about that Sigel had been demolished on the Rapidan, and the whole of our army were taken to […..].

I went to headquarters (General Banks) and ascertained that peremptory orders had been received to put his command forth with into […..]for the Rappahannock, a distance of fifteen miles.

All manner of surmises and conjectures were of course freely expressed; but, fortunately for one’s nerves, in order to put a corps a’ armee into marching order something more is necessary than talk, and by half-past twelve Tuesday morning we were on our way to the Rappahannock.

Early on Tuesday morning I saw Generals Pope and McDowell at Culpepper Court House, and, from their overall appearance of things, not merely Banks’ coming out, the entire Army of Virginia was on the move to the Rappahannock. It is no easy thing to move an army of this strength without a casualty. From the front to the rear the trains covered twenty-five miles of ground.

Tuesday was exhausted in marching, and it was nearly sunrise on Wednesday ere the last train had crossed the river.

A strong force of cavalry had been detached to protect our rear, and, tired out, had camped on the south side of the river, six miles from the bridge. They were surprised on Wednesday morning early by a discharge of musketry, and soon found a large force of rebel cavalry in their front, dismounted and firing leisurely upon them.

Our men had to fight for their very existence, and when within a mile of the bridge they formed. I heard the firing, and got up in time to see the right of our line give way, to join in a general gallop for safety, to lose my hat and haversack, and to come to the conclusion that the rebels are wonderfully quick in their movements, that our people ought to have left one or two pieces of artillery on the south side, and that a certain company of cavalry had better show a little more pluck when they next meet the rebels.

On Thursday morning at seven the most incredulous person in the world must have been convinced that there is such a thing in the South as heavy artillery and dry gunpowder.

Before our generals had finished their breakfast they might, by walking into the garden in front of their quarters, have heard the infernal scream of the shell. The rebels had the start of us. They had it all their own way for upwards of an hour, and killed two of our men and wounded more before we had a gun in position. We had plenty of guns in position; but the enemy commenced firing on our extreme right and far beyond our range.

General McDowell galloped on to the ground, evidently surprised at what was going on, gave his orders, and in the course of an hour the scene was changed. The rebels fired less frequently, and no attempt of any consequence was made to pass at this ford, which, I believe, is called Robinson.

Firing commenced at noon on our left — Gen. Banks’ corps — but, from all I could ascertain, it amounted to little or nothing. Our centre was not attacked, and do not think they fired a gun during the day. As well as I could ascertain our casualties, they did not exceed five killed and twenty wounded.

On Friday the firing commenced at about seven, with terrific force. It soon was clear that our enemy had altered his position, moving more to the right, and intending to force the passage of the river higher up, so as to get on the right flank of our centre; but Sigel was there, fortunately, and, ascertaining the position and range of their guns, gave them for three consecutive hours two to their one. I managed to get to a position from which I could with safety see both batteries. The enemy worked his battery with wonderful bravery, but was compelled to yield. When our men got the range it was perfectly fearful to watch the effect of the firing. The long intervals of the enemy’s firing, and ultimately the entire withdrawal of their batteries from the position, told at once the tale that they were beaten.

In the meantime Sigel has sent across the river two regiments of infantry and the notorious “Jackass Battery,” and long after the artillery had ceased musketry was heard. What the result, the beginning or the end of this engagement was I cannot tell you; for, just as I was about to endeavor to ascertain it, I was informed by an official — not quite so courteously as could be wished — that I had no right to be on the ground at all; that I must get at once beyond the lines, and feel thankful that I had got off so easily.

General Bohlen was killed in this engagement.

The bridge over the Rappahannock was burned by our people on Friday.

August 27, 1862, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston)

We have received several letters from friends in the country, seeking information about getting clothing to the Texas troops across the Mississippi. We cannot tell how this is to be accomplished, but are of the opinion that what is to be done, must be done by private enterprise. We would suggest that neighborhoods club together and make up a wagon load, and send them well boxed by a wagon to Alexandria, and thence if expedient to some point on the river, where they can be crossed. We presume the troops will be provided with winter uniforms by the Government. What they will most want will be under-clothing, socks and blankets. No time should be lost in preparing a supply of these things to all our regiments, whether in Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi or Arkansas. They will suffer before relief we shall prepare for them can possibly get to them. Cold weather begins where they are in October. Let there be an organized effort at once made in every city, village and neighborhood in Texas. We have now upwards of sixty regiments to provide for, which is about a regiment to every thousand votes in the State. The people of each county can readily perceive what their proportion is. The wealthy counties must do more than their share, or the troops will suffer. This city and county have now, we believe, about twenty companies, or two regiments in the field. We must provide comfortable under-clothing for 2,000 men. The ladies will see that they have no time to lose.

August 27, 1862, Arkansas True Democrat, Little Rock

Mr. Whittaker of the 5^th Texas regiment arrived at Houston, Texas, on the 7^th inst. He furnishes some interesting items for the papers. He says the ladies of western Virginia, east Tennessee and Georgia visited the cars at the different stations where he passed bringing milk, provisions and various delicacies, for the sick and wounded soldiers who were on their way home. They also brought bandages for the wounded and assisted to dress their wounds.

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