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by John Beauchamp Jones

MARCH 31ST.—Another stride of the grim specter, and corn-meal is selling for $17 per bushel. Coal at $20.50 per ton, and wood at $30 per cord. And at these prices one has to wait several days to get either. Common tallow candles are selling at $1 per pound. I see that some furnished houses are now advertised for rent; and I hope that all the population that can get away, and subsist elsewhere, will leave the city.

The lower house of Congress has passed a most enormous tax bill, which I apprehend cannot be enforced, if it becomes a law. It will close half the shops—but that may be beneficial, as thousands have rushed into trade and become extortioners.

I see some batteries of light artillery going toward Petersburg. This is to be used against the enemy when he advances in that direction from Suffolk. No doubt another attempt will be made to capture Richmond. But Lee knows the programme, I doubt not.

March 31, 1863, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)

The signs of the times clearly indicate that the people of the Northern States are moving, and that we are in the midst of a great conservative, political revolution, which is destined to sweep every vestige of republicanism into oblivion. The movement which was inaugurated last fall, in the great States of Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Indiana, and Wisconsin, has been augmenting in strength from day to day. The people of Maine have felt the invigorating influence of the conservative spirit, and another year will see that State free from the clutches of abolition misrule, and Connecticut is about to put the seal of condemnation upon a weak and imbecile administration.

The town elections which have thus far been held in various parts of the country, give evidence of the truth of our assertion that the people are moving, for they have resulted in unprecedented democratic victories and gains, astonishing to the abolitionists as they are gratifying to the true friends of the Union and the Constitution.

Wherever democratic meetings have been held, thither have the people flocked in untold numbers, and instances are not rare where democrats have walked a distance of twenty or thirty miles to attend them. Old men who had discarded politics and settled down to spend the remnant of their days in peace and quietude, are again buckling on their armor, and going forth to fight their battles o’er again, and young men are entering the political arena, casting their first vote for the party which for over sixty years has maintained the integrity and honor of the American Union.

This general uprising is deeply significant. On the one hand it exhibits the fact that the great heart of the people is right—that we are conservative and deeply and sincerely attached to the Union as it was framed by our Fathers, and are loyal to the Constitution and the laws. On the other, that the administration of President Lincoln is an entire failure, and there is but faint hope of a restoration of the Union under its present reckless, unconstitutional and illiberal policy.

Friends of the Union and the Constitution, take courage! Whilst you are giving the Government all the Constitutional aid in your power towards putting down the rebellion lose not sight of those important political questions which are now agitating the nation—and which with the success of the Democratic party are the only safety to the Republic.

March 31, 1863, New Orleans Bee

The United States steamer Honduras arrived here on Sunday from the Rio Grande, having two hundred and sixty refugees from Texas. The Era learns the following from Lieutenant Colonel Stancel:

On the morning of the 15th a force of Confederates of about one hundred and fifty men crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico, at the mouth of the river, and captured Col. E. J. Davis, of the First Texas Cavalry, Captain W. W. Montgomery, of the same regiment, and three soldiers.

About one hundred and fifty were lying there, says the Era, (at the mouth of the Rio Grande) waiting an opportunity to get on board the Honduras; they being prevented by the rough weather.

The Mexican authorities demanded the return of the prisoners. Accordingly on the 18th Col. Davis and the three soldiers taken were returned to Matamoros. Captain Montgomery, however, was not returned.

After the return of the captured officers and soldiers, the refugees (forty-six in number) were got on board the steamer. The bark Arthur, after she had been brought around from Galveston, threw two shells into the Confederate camp on the night of the 25th, at which time the Honduras left the city. The officers mentioned above, Col. Davis, Lieut.-Col. Stancel, Captain Montgomery and the two lieutenants, were officers of the First Texas (Federal) Cavalry, recruited in this city for Gen. Hamilton’s Brigade.

March 31, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

It is the part of the truly brave seldom to make an undue estimate of the dangers or difficulties before them, but to see things as they are, because passions are not permitted to pervert judgment. Their hopes and expectations are not beyond the warrant of events, and fears neither hide nor magnify the truth. Hence, when disasters come, the truly brave are neither surprised nor alarmed, and their will is ready to meet the disasters present. Indeed, their spirit and resolution rises higher, because a mightier task is before them, and the wrong inflicted by disaster inspires a deeper anger, indignation and resentment. These strong passions, kindled by opposition rouse and sustain them in resistance. All truly brave men, therefore, have been greatest when most pressed. Constancy is a virtue only known in trial and peril. The indomitable spirit of the Roman people was only seen when, after the loss of three pitched battles, their Senate rose up and thanked their defeated General he had not despaired of the Republic.

We, of the Confederate States, it seems, must soon prove that we are worthy of independence and liberty. We would have preferred to have won them more easily. Whether we would have kept them, if thus won, may be questionable. A vast portion of our people neither realized the characteristics of the Northern people, nor the dangers which long, like a gathering cloud, have impended over our existence and institutions. It has required red-handed war to teach us our true relations towards these people, and to force us into that antagonism necessary for a permanent separation. Some have clung to the hope of compromise and a reunion with them; and this vain, and (if realized) fatal hope, spread a spirit of inactivity and weakness over our arms. That delusion, we trust, is passed away; and the stern alternative of utter subjugation or independence is forced upon us. In this state of things, the people of the Confederate States make up their minds to meet their destiny. That destiny is either to be an enslaved and undone people forever, or to be free and self-existent. They have the choice, and fighting manfully is the only way to independence. The Northern people cannot give to conquered subjects rights which they have not themselves. They have set up a military despotism over themselves, and they have nothing else to offer us. The only difference between us and themselves would be this: their despotism is for their benefit — to conquer and overrun us; for us, it would be a hostile despotism without benefit. It is a despotism of a mob — ferocious, avaricious and fanatical — armed with hatred for us and our institutions. Submission to such a despotism must be destruction. Safety — liberty — existence itself, depends on our successful resistance to their domination. We can do it; and, with God’s help, we will do it. A strenuous will must stimulate our determinations, and excite our utmost efforts to give them a practical […..] result. It is the time for a display of energy and courage.

March 31, 1863, Nashville Dispatch

Yesterday afternoon six or seven of Uncle Sam’s four-in-hands drove up to the Recorder’s office, laden down with a lot of contrabands, varying in age from d’enfant to second childhood, except the strong middle-aged, whom the officer in charge was about to consign to the care of the Recorder, when the civic powers protested, and ordered a retreat. Failing to obey, a parley ensued, which ended in a compromise, U. S. ordering the eighty-five negro paupers to take possession of the Court House, and Nashville agreeing to “let ‘em slide.” This interesting portion of Uncle Sam’s children are said to hail from the neighborhood of Triune, and have brought with them their bags and baggage, expecting to settle down among us.

March 31, 1863, The New York Herald

The United States steam transport New Brunswick, Captain Winchester, from New Orleans 23d inst., arrived here yesterday morning.

Advices per the New Brunswick report the return of Gen. Grover’s forces to the vicinity of Baton Rouge. Three hundred and fifty bales of cotton, twelve to fifteen hundred hogsheads of sugar and over three thousand barrels of molasses were secured, and much more can be readily obtained. Captain Youngblood, chief of General Gardner’s staff, and five members of the rebel signal corps were captured. Youngblood says that the rebels have a force in reserve which can readily be thrown into Port Hudson or Vicksburg. At latest accounts General Dudley’s brigade was encamped at the head of Prophet Island. General Grover’s headquarters are on the cross road leading from Taylor’s house to the Bayou Sara road.

We learn that the steamship Bio Bio, which arrived at New Orleans on the 22d inst., from New York and Havana, was totally destroyed on the morning of the 22d by fire, together with the passengers’ baggage and her cargo, while lying at the wharf. The origin of the fire is unknown.

We have a full and detailed report of the movements of the army under Major General Banks, with the intention of supporting the operations of the fleet. The military forces approached to within two miles of the fortifications of Port Hudson, but for reasons detailed by our correspondent did not come into action at all. General Banks, however, made a thorough reconnoissance of the country and obtained much valuable information, with a view to future operations. The whole army returned in safety to Baton Rouge without any other casualty than the wounding of Colonel Clark. We have not room for the publication of this report to-day, the naval operations occupying our space.

The United States steam transport McClellan, Captain A. T. Gray, from New Orleans, also arrived yesterday, with mails, passengers and $63,258 in specie. She left the mouth of the Mississippi at seven A. M., on the 23d inst.

March 31, 1863, The New York Herald

An attack by the rebel cavalry, one hundred strong, was made yesterday on our cavalry patrol on the telegraph road, between Dumfries and the Occaquan. Eight of our men were captured.

An expedition from General Hooker’s army, under colonel Fairchild, which was sent out recently to Northern Neck, returned to Belle Plain yesterday after a successful forage, in which they got possession of three hundred pounds of bacon, one thousand pounds of pork, two hundred and thirty bushels of wheat, three thousand bushels of corn, fifteen bushels of white beans and a large quantity of oats were secured. The cavalry seized a number of valuable horses and mules, captured several prisoners and broke up the ferries at Union wharf and Tappahannock. Colonel Fairchild also burned a schooner engaged in smuggling contraband goods into Virginia. All is quiet on the Rappahannock.

A despatch from Cincinnati says that the rebel raid in Kentucky has proved a failure, and that intelligence from Murfreesboro says: — “The rebels report 15,000 Union troops at Savannah, Tenn.; that Grenada is in our possession, and that Gen. Grant’s forces are surrounding Vicksburg.”

The daring attempt of Admiral Farragut to pass the rebel batteries at Port Hudson, on the Mississippi, as well as of the cooperating movement of the army under General Banks, are fully and graphically described in the letters of our special correspondents which we publish today. The Hartford (flagship) and the Albatross were the only two vessels that succeeded in running the gauntlet. The firing is described as hiving been most terrific and continuous. The Richmond made vigorous efforts to go by the batteries; but after firing for over an hour was disabled, and had to withdraw. The loss of the Mississippi by fire is fully confirmed. The army operations were brilliant and successful so far as the commanding General intended it should be. The accounts are in every way worthy of attentive perusal, coming as they do from our own reliable correspondents who were in the thickest of the battle.

By this arrival we also learn that the steamer Bio, from Havana, was completely destroyed by fire at New Orleans.

We learn from Hilton Head that on the morning of the 25th inst. all the Monitors (six in number) left that point, together with several wooden gunboats and half a dozen schooners. The Ericsson had just arrived there with a floating nondescript in tow, called “The Devil.” Its purpose is understood to be to clear channels of torpedoes and other obstructions.

March 31, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Reports reached the city last evening, by the Savannah train, to the effect that, on Sunday afternoon, two regiments of the enemy landed upon John’s Island and drove in our pickets. In the skirmishing which ensured, three of the enemy are said to have been made prisoners. It is also stated that the Yankees have landed a force upon Seabrook’s Island, about twelve miles from Adams‘ Run.

In consequence of these movements, Gen. HAGOOD has ordered all the ladies away from Adams‘ Run.

March 31, 1863, Nashville Dispatch

Before the Chief of Army Police, Nashville, March 30, 1863.— . . .

Mrs. John Trainor was arrested under a charge of being associated with her husband in his extensive smuggling operations. She was arrested in Louisville, Ky., and brought to this place.

C. Tavel, a druggist of Louisville, Ky., was arrested in that city and brought to this place, charged with selling Mrs. Trainor a large quantity of medicines to be smuggled South. Tavel admits that he sold Mrs. Trainor one thousand ounces of quinine and two hundred pounds of opium, believing that it was to be thus disposed of, for the sum of six thousand four hundred dollars. The investigation of the Trainor case is developing a most extensive system of fraud and treason.

E. R. Davis, of company D, of the “Anderson Troop,” and Charles Springer were arrested at Louisville and brought to this city, charged with being connected with the Trainor smuggling operations. After the taking of testimony Springer was discharged.

Joseph Winburn and Milton Kellogg, were arrested under a charge of aiding John Trainor in smuggling. Winburn was paroled for the present.

Dr. Chas. H. Dubois and Mrs. M. E. Trousdell were arrested at the City Hotel charged with aiding John Trainor in smuggling. They are ordered to be sent to Alton, Ill.

March 31, 1863, Weekly Columbus Enquirer (Georgia)

Fifteen or twenty women, the leader of whom carried a revolver, in Atlanta, on Wednesday, went around to a number of grocery stores, seizing bacon, meal and vegetables, paying such prices as they thought proper. They were dispersed by the police. The Confederacy says the women were only imitating the examples set them by Government officials.

March 31, 1863, The New York Herald

UNITED STATES SLOOP-OF-WAR RICHMOND, OFF PROPHET ISLAND, MISSISSIPPI RIVER, March 15, 1863.

Port Hudson, the rebel stronghold on the Mississippi, was attacked by the Union fleet, under command of Admiral Farragut, last night. The result was a partial success, as the flagship Hartford and the gunboat Albatross succeeded in getting past the batteries, and are now, in all probability, blockading the entrance to Red river. The Richmond, Genesee, Monongahela, Kineo and Sachern had to return, for reasons that will be fully stated in this letter. It was not intended that the vessels should pass. Among the casualties is the total loss by fire of the sloop-of-war Mississippi. But let me begin at the beginning.

WHAT WAS LONG EXPECTED.

For some months past rumors have been prevalent in New Orleans, among Unionists and secessionists alike, of an intention to make a combined attack both by land and by water on the rebel stronghold of Fort Hudson. The reoccupation of Baton Rouge by a portion of the forces under Major General Banks, on that officer’s taking command of the department, coupled with the advance of General Weitzel’s brigade to Berwick Bay, together with certain movements of the squadron, seemed to give form and consistency to the supposition. The general demand of the people of the West, too, for the reopening of their great water highway for the transportation of their produce to the usual markets, and the absolute necessity for the removal of all obstacles to a traffic on which the prosperity of the United States mainly depends, strengthened the belief that an expedition on a large scale would be fitted out at as early a period as possible, after the rising of the river, to destroy the blockade that has been so long maintained at Vicksburg, and for a shorter period at Port Hudson, and, by cutting off all communication by way of the Red river, and depriving the rebels of the Read more

by John Beauchamp Jones

MARCH 30TH.—Gen. Bragg dispatches the government that Gen. Forrest has captured 800 prisoners in Tennessee, and several thousand of our men are making a successful raid in Kentucky.

Gen. Whiting makes urgent calls for reinforcements at Wilmington, and cannot be supplied with many.

Gen. Lee announces to the War Department that the spring campaign is now open, and his army may be in motion any day.

Col. Godwin (of King and Queen County) is here trying to prevail on the Secretary of War to put a stop to the blockade-runners, Jews, and spies, daily passing through his lines with passports from Gens. Elzey and Winder. He says the persons engaged in this illicit traffic are all extortioners and spies, and $50,000 worth of goods from the enemy’s country pass daily.

Col. Lay still repudiates Judge Meredith’s decision in his instructions to the Commandants of Camps of Instruction. Well, if we have a superabundance of fighting men in the field, the foreign-born denizens and Marylanders can remain at home and make money while the country that protects them is harried by the invader.

The gaunt form of wretched famine still approaches with rapid strides. Meal is now selling at $12 per bushel, and potatoes at $16. Meats have almost disappeared from the market, and none but the opulent can afford to pay $3.50 per pound for butter. Greens, however, of various kinds, are coming in; and as the season advances, we may expect a diminution of prices. It is strange that on the 30th of March, even in the “sunny South,” the fruit-trees are as bare of blossoms and foliage as at mid-winter. We shall have fire until the middle of May,—six months of winter!

I am spading up my little garden, and hope to raise a few vegetables to eke out a miserable subsistence for my family. My daughter Ann reads Shakspeare to me o’ nights, which saves my eyes.

March 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We regret to learn that considerable inconvenience has been felt by the North Carolina troops now on this coast, owing to the refusal of the people, in many instances, to receive North Carolina State currency in payment for purchases. The reluctance to take this kind of money is, of course, due solely to the fact that it has never hitherto circulated here, and is, consequently, unfamiliar to the mass of our population. In point of fact, the North Carolina notes are fully as good as any money now in circulation, and the credit of that staunch old State stands quite as high as that of any other member of the Confederacy. We hope, therefore, that a more accommodating spirit may be manifested hereafter by the people of this State, and that the gallant sons of North Carolina, who are here to repel the invader from our homes, may have no further cause for complaint in this respect.

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